How Your Chiropractor Can Help With Shoulder Pain

 

Is shoulder pain making life difficult? Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley WV can help you achieve the relief you desire naturally.

Chiropractic Care for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can be a difficult thing to ignore. It might not always be front and center in your life, but it rears its head when you lift your arms or move a specific way. And when it does, it can be distressing, to say the least.

When you do experience shoulder pain, chiropractic care is a safe and natural way to get rid of it. Dr. McClanahan and the team at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, share just a few ways in which chiropractors can help.

Restoring Alignment

Shoulder pain sometimes comes from a misalignment either in the shoulder joint or somewhere in the back. Regardless of the location, restoring alignment through spinal or extremity adjustments addresses the root of the pain.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Alignment issues can impact the soft tissues in and around the shoulder joint causing tension and pain. And sometimes, the pain begins with an overuse injury of the soft tissues, tension, or a similar issue. Chiropractors offer a variety of soft tissue therapies, depending on the root cause. These can include massage therapy, ultrasound therapy, myofascial release, and much more.

Strengthening, Stretching, and Restoring Range of Motion

Therapeutic exercises are key for both recovering from and preventing shoulder injuries. These targeted movements help stretch tight or tense muscles and strengthen weakened areas. Additionally, they help restore your range of motion so that you can move your shoulder more freely and naturally.

Adjusting Habits

Often, shoulder injuries and pain are due to daily habits and lifestyle factors. For example, overuse injuries can come from sports, repetitive lifting, and other regular tasks. Chiropractors work with you to determine why the pain and injury are present and address any contributing factors.

If you’re tired of shoulder pain getting in your way in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley WV, call (304) 776-1520 to schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center.

Correct Backpack Usage for Kids and Teens

 Preparing to send your kids back to school? Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley, WV, shares tips for proper backpack usage.

How to Use a Backpack Properly

Backpacks are essential for school, as they help young kids and teens carry everything needed for a prepared day. Unfortunately, they are often responsible for neck, shoulder, and back pain. As a parent, the last thing you want is to cause your children pain, but you might feel hopeless in this area – but you’re not.

While you might not be able to control how much homework they have, you can take steps to reduce or eliminate their pain. Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center shares tips below to help parents of Nitro, WV, for choosing, packing, and using a backpack.

Pick a Backpack That’s Just Big Enough

The backpack should not be bigger than your child’s back. The larger it is, the harder it can be to distribute weight properly. And it can be a temptation for students to add extras. Keep it small so that there’s just enough room for the essentials.

Keep the Weight in Check

If the packed backpack is more than 10% of your child’s weight, it’s too heavy. Let your child carry some books or their lunch box by hand and dump the non-essentials.

Put the Straps to Use

Adjust the straps so that the bag doesn’t hang below your child’s waist. Use the waist strap to keep the backpack from moving around as your child walks. Ensure your child uses both shoulder straps to distribute the weight evenly. Also, look for padded straps to help relieve some of the pressure on the shoulders and neck.

Strategically Pack the Backpack

The heaviest items should always be closest to the body and at the bottom. Having multiple pockets can provide more opportunities for proper weight distribution.

Keep Your Child’s Spine Healthy

Between wearing backpacks, carrying heavy items, sitting for hours, and sports – for those who play – it’s not unusual for there to be some issues along the spine. Visiting a chiropractor regularly can help maintain spinal wellness and undo the damage your child sustains during their school career.

Let Dr. McClanahan and our Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center team help your student have a pain-free, healthy school year in Nitro, WV. For more backpack tips, sports performance, or other school-year concerns, call (304) 776-1520 to schedule an appointment today.

Workers Compensation

 

Have you been injured on the job? Are you experiencing back pain, neck pain, or headaches resulting from your injury? If you are suffering from physical pain related to a job-based incident, chiropractic care is a holistic, non-invasive modality that can be an effective complementary treatment to help you heal from your injuries. In West Virginia, Workers Compensation insurance pays for medical care due to physical injuries, including repetitive stress injuries, and provides medical services and rehabilitative services as well as coverage for chiropractic care. If you live near Nitro, West Virginia, contact Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center to learn more about how chiropractic care can help alleviate pain and assist you on your journey to recovery. 

How Can Chiropractic Care Assist My Recovery?

Chiropractic care is a natural systemic approach to assist the body in self-healing and help alleviate painful symptoms. Chiropractors do not use medication to treat the body. Instead, chiropractors engage the natural healing mechanisms of the body so the body can heal itself. If you fell down at work or sustained another type of injury and are experiencing back or neck pain, chiropractic care can provide spinal adjustments known as chiropractic adjustments that will help realign the vertebrae of the spine and reduce inflammation and pressure on the nerves. These chiropractic adjustments also assist in reducing inflammation and helping regulate the nervous system. 

Dr. McClanahan’s office in Nitro, WW also provides chiropractic massage, electrical muscle stimulation, spinal decompression, ultrasound, and therapeutic exercises to foster healing and pain relief. Chiropractic massage therapy has numerous benefits, including reducing stress and depression by improving blood circulation and detoxifying the body. Dr. McClanahan offers deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, and relaxation massage, and will recommend the appropriate massage technique to help relax your body and reduce chronic pain. Electrical muscle stimulation uses small electrical currents directed into the soft tissue to reduce swelling and is an excellent therapy for muscle spasms in the back and neck. Ultrasound uses small sound waves to heat the muscles and relax and massage the body’s soft tissue and muscles.

If you have received Workers Compensation in West Virginia, make an appointment with Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center to assess your injuries. Upon your first visit, Dr. McClanahan will conduct a comprehensive exam of your physical injuries and design an individualized treatment program that will assist in your healing and recovery. Dr. McClanahan is also a certified personal trainer and can recommend a therapeutic exercise program that will help you strengthen your body and improve flexibility and range of motion. Call today for an appointment. (304) 776-1520.

Pain in the Upper Back

 

The upper back, also known as the thoracic spine, connects to the cervical spine, which is responsible for supporting the movement and weight of the head. The cervical spine also protects the nerves that connect to the brain. The upper back is made up of twelve bones that connect the base of the neck to the lower ribcage. Pain in the upper back can be debilitating, and chiropractic care is an excellent holistic treatment modality for addressing and alleviating upper back pain. If you are experiencing upper back pain near Nitro, West Virginia, contact Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness. Our practice includes a licensed massage therapist who provides Swedish massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Therapy, and Relaxation Massage.

What Causes Upper Back Pain?

Upper back pain can be caused by traumatic injury, overuse of the muscles, poor posture, pinched nerve, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, or a herniated disc. 

• Traumatic injuries can be caused by work-related incidents, car accidents, falls, and incorrect lifting posture.
• Muscular overuse often occurs with repetitive motions that cause tightness and strain in the muscles and can result from high-intensity workouts.
• Poor posture is a deconditioning of the muscles that often relates to a sedentary lifestyle, sitting at the computer, slouching, and weakness of the muscles in the core.
• Pinched nerves are a compression of the nerves that cause numbness and weakness in the arms or legs.
• Myofascial pain relates to issues with the connective tissue in the back.
• Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage protecting the bones wears down and the bones rub together, which can put pressure on the nerves.
• Herniated discs occur when the cushion between the vertebrae moves and places pressure on the spine. 

If you live near Nitro, WV, contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness to obtain a comprehensive overview of your upper back pain symptoms. Dr. McClanahan is a compassionate, qualified expert in chiropractic care who can offer a recommended individualized treatment plan to address your pain and assist you on your journey to wellness.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Relieve Pain

Chiropractic care is a noninvasive form of treatment that centers on the proper alignment of the spine and musculoskeletal system to assist in the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Dr. McClanahan provides spinal manipulation and adjustments, spinal decompression, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, and other proven treatment modalities that improve spinal alignment, reduce inflammation, and foster healing of the nervous system. Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV offers a wide variety of holistic chiropractic techniques that can help you achieve a better quality of life. Make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan today. (304) 776-1520

What Does Electric Muscle Stimulation Treat?

 

Electric muscle stimulation (a.k.a. EMS) is a type of healthcare treatment technique that involves the use of electrical currents to stimulate muscle contractions. Electric muscle stimulation, which is often used as a part of many rehabilitation interventions, has various applications in both medical and fitness settings. Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, provides electrical muscle stimulation to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and disorders.

How Does Electric Muscle Stimulation Work?

EMS, which is also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), involves the use of electrical impulses that stimulate a muscle to contract, which helps to strengthen, rehabilitate, and relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and reduce pain. EMS offers an effective treatment option for the following conditions-

Muscle Spasms

Spasms in muscles can be relaxed by EMS as it improves blood flow and reduces tension and resulting pain.  

Muscle Weakness

Electric muscle stimulation can help to strengthen a weakened muscle as the impulses help to enhance muscle tone and encourage growth.

Pain Control/Management

EMS helps reduce/alleviate pain and discomfort related to a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. EMS assists in the blockage of pain signals and the release of the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals – endorphins.

Injury Rehab

Electric muscle stimulation is a common rehabilitation component, as it helps to prevent the muscle from atrophying, promotes healing, and maintains/improves one's range of motion.  

Sports Injuries

EMS can assist in the treatment of sports-related injuries, including strains, sprains, and muscle tears. It can help reduce swelling, manage pain, and facilitate the healing process.

Nerve-related Conditions

In certain situations, like peripheral neuropathy, EMS may be an effective technique to treat nerve-related conditions by stimulating the affected nerves, which helps to improve nerve functioning.  

The speed at which EMS can potentially help is contingent on various factors, which may include –

• The specific condition.
• The symptom's intensity.
• The duration/frequency of EMS treatments, and more.

For chronic or more serious circumstances,  several EMS sessions over a period of time may be required and combined with other complementary therapies.

Call a Leading Nitro, WV Chiropractor Today

Do you know or love someone who is challenged with musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and discomfort? To understand how electric muscle stimulation may help treat your condition or better manage ongoing symptoms, contact Dr. McClanahan or a member of our staff at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 304-776-1520. If you prefer, please use our online contact form. We look forward to providing an accurate diagnosis and creating a personalized chiropractic treatment plan.

What is Facet Joint Syndrome?

 

Facet joint syndrome is a medical condition that impacts the spine’s facet joints - the small, paired joints that connect adjacent vertebrae at the back of the spine. Facet joint syndrome happens when these joints become damaged, irritated, or inflamed. If you or someone you know is challenged by spinal joint pains, Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, offers non-invasive treatments to help manage facet joint syndrome and its symptoms.

Facet Joint Syndrome Causes

Facet joints provide the stability required to allow the spine to move freely, which includes extending, flexing, and rotating. While the most common cause of this spinal condition is joint degeneration as a function of time –i.e., wear and tear, facet joint syndrome, which is also known as facet joint osteoarthritis or facet joint arthropathy, may also be caused by repetitive stress, trauma, injury, or an atypically aligned spine.

Facet Joint Syndrome Symptoms

The primary symptoms of facet joint syndrome include the following-

Localized Pain

The joints affected by this condition usually generate pain and discomfort. While the pain may be sharp, throbbing, or achy, it is generally localized to the area of the spine afflicted, i.e., the cervical spine/neck, upper back/thoracic spine, or lower back/lumbar spine.

Painful Motion/Movements

Those movements or activities that put stress on the impacted joints will heighten or intensify the facet joint pain. In addition, pain may radiate to nearby areas.  

Reduced Flexibility/Stiffness

The range of motion in the affected area may be limited.

Muscle Spasms

Muscles near the affected joints may spasm in response to joint inflammation and related pain. 

Facet Joint Syndrome Treatment Options

Treatment options for this condition seek to reduce pain and inflammation while improving or maintaining mobility and range of motion-

Spinal Manipulations/Adjustments

Spinal adjustments help to restore proper alignment, reduce pain, improve joint function, and prevent nerve irritation.

Mobilization

Mobilization techniques help to improve the mobility of the affected joints.

Soft Tissue/Massage Therapy

Massage and other soft tissue therapies address muscle tension and tightness around the afflicted facet joints. This can help with joint function and the reduction of muscle spasms.

Therapeutic Exercises-Posture Guidance

Exercises are prescribed to strengthen the muscles supporting and stabilizing the spine. They can improve flexibility and help prevent additional degeneration of the joints. Additionally, guidance on posture can help reduce future facet joint pressure and pain.  

Call a Leading Nitro, WV Chiropractor Today

For additional information regarding the treatment of facet joint syndrome, contact Dr. McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 304-776-1520 or reach out using our online contact form. We look forward to creating a customized facet joint treatment plan.

Back Pain in Golfers

 Back pain is one of the most common issues for golfers in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley, WV face. Learn how to prevent back pain and treat it in this guide from Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center.

Guide to Back Pain in Golfers

There are plenty of great reasons to play golf. It gets you outdoors and gets your heart pumping. It provides an avenue for stress relief and a chance to spend time with friends or family.

For many golfers, though, back pain can put a stop to the fun of the sport. We know how important your game is to you, so Dr. McClanahan and our team at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center put together this quick guide for the golfers of Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley, WV.

Top Causes of Back Pain in Golfers

The back is one of the most active areas when playing golf, so it’s a prime target for injury. Muscle strains, repetitive use injuries, disc herniations, and nerve compression can occur in the upper, mid, and lower back. Most often, these injuries are due to one or more of the following:

• Improper golf mechanics, such as bending too far or rotating the leg inward at the hip
• Weakened core muscles or engaging the incorrect muscles, which can cause other muscles to overcompensate
• Muscle fatigue from playing for prolonged periods
• Repetitive swinging motions
• Swinging in a way that extends your body beyond its normal range of motion

Preventing Back Pain

Though not all injuries or mishaps can be prevented, you can greatly reduce your likelihood of sustaining a back injury with just a few steps.

• Always stretch and warm up before you hit the course.
• Strengthen your core and take care of your general health.
• Seek regular chiropractic care to keep your musculoskeletal system in optimal shape.
• Take a break if you are in pain. Give your body time to recover while doing some gentle stretches and exercises.

Treating Golf-Related Back Pain

Even if you’ve already sustained an injury, chiropractic care can still be very beneficial. Adjustments and soft tissue techniques can enhance your recovery and get you back on the course faster. Therapeutic exercise, personalized workout recommendations, technique recommendations, and nutritional guidance can also help your recovery, as well as improve your performance and overall health.

If you’re one of the golfers in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, or Teays Valley, WV suffering from back pain or looking to prevent it, call (304) 776-1520 to schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center.