Andrew Vincent Chiropractic - Health Information

Health Information
Cramps Definition A painful, spasmodic muscular contraction. What causes it? Muscle injury or nerve irritation causing muscle spasm. Poor nutrition usually too little salt, calcium or magnesium. Not enough water. Signs and Symptoms Intermediate painful tightening of a muscle temporarily relieved by rubbing or stretching. Management Chiropractic adjustments to restore optimum joint, nerve and muscle function. Dietary supplements, such as magnesium and electrolytes. Ensuring water intake is adequate. Keep a water bottle at the desk and drink small amounts frequently.
Dehydration Definition “De-hydrate”, “Take away water”, “To shrink”. Your muscles shrink, shorten, and stiffen as your body fluids dry up. You slow down, like a hangover................................ What causes it? Not enough fluids to drink. Not enough foods like fruit and vegetables (high in water). Too much alcohol (make you urinate more). Too much tea, coffee, coke, chocolate (caffeine makes you urinate more). Too much salty foods. Sleeping too hot. Exercising and not drinking enough. Signs and Symptoms Thick headache, not relieved very well by painkillers. Dry lips and thirsty. Itching, scratchy eyes. Twitchy eyelids and flicking, twitchy muscles. Confused between hungry and thirsty. Dizzy, not thinking straight. Eyes can’t focus. Smelly urine and darker in colour to normal. Management Small sips of water often rather than big gulps. Fruit – has sugar and carbohydrates, which will settle your stomach. Don’t get too hot. No more caffeine drinks until you are urinating normally. Drink water before (60 minutes before) you exercise. Sports drinks only needed if you perspire for more than 30 minutes with exercise.
Headache Seminar Please download this article or give the browser time to load this document.
Low Back Pain Definition Pain and or stiffness situated below the level of the ribs and above the level of the buttocks. What causes it? Injured or locked joints of the low back, pelvis of hips can irritate or pinch nerves that come from the spinal cord. Inflammation around the joints and nerves caused by the tissue injury and nerve irritation. Muscles can tighten or spasm as a result of this giving further pain. Signs and Symptoms Dull and or sharp pain localised around the area of the back or buttock can affect one or both sides. Can send dull or sharp pain into the buttocks, hips and legs. Usually made worse by walking, sitting, lifting, bending or any movement or the low back area – thus may cause pain. Management Chiropractic adjustments to correct the joint problems and allow the affected muscles, ligaments and nerves to heal. Utilize correct muscle techniques and stretches to alleviate muscle tension and spasm. Your Chiropractor will advise whether to use heat or ice. Advice for prevention such as exercise, lifting techniques or postural advice for the home and office.
Neck Pain Definition Neck pain is defined as any pain or discomfort experienced in any region of the sides or back of the neck and to the lesser extent pain in the front of the neck. What causes it? Most cases of neck pain result from stiff or tight spinal bones that are irritating the nerves of the neck that come from the spinal cord. Because of this irritation, nerves become inflamed and sore which often causes muscles to tighten. This tightening of muscles is the stiffness and loss of movement that people often feel which usually accompanies neck pain. In very rare circumstances, neck pain can be caused by more sinister conditions like tumors, blocked blood vessels or damage to the spinal discs between the neck bones. Signs and Symptoms Neck pain can vary from a dull annoying ache to a sharp pain on certain movements of the neck to the extent that certain movements are intolerable. Some people experience headaches as a result of their neck pain while others may experience pain into the shoulder or between their shoulder blades. Pain, pins and needles or even numbness may be felt into one or both arms and / or hands. This can indicate more advanced nerve irritation and should be checked as soon as possible. Management Neck pain is one of the three most common complaints seen by Chiropractors, and as such, responds very well to Chiropractic care in most cases. Treatment depends on what is actually causing the neck pain. It can vary from gentle movements or manipulation of the spinal bones to stretching or strengthening exercises but in most cases may involve a combination of both. Home exercises to stretch muscles or improve neck posture may also be advised.
Shoulder Pain Definition Pain, tension or discomfort affecting the shoulder joint, upper arm, armpit, shoulder blade or lower neck. What causes it? Locked or injured joints of the shoulder, collarbone, or shoulder blade. Locked or injured joints of the neck or upper back causing nerve irritation and muscle tension. Muscle injury or tension involving the muscles of the shoulder, spine, chest or arm. Signs and Symptoms Sharp or burning pain and or weakness can be caused by ligament, muscle or joint injury and pinched nerves. A dull achy shoulder can be caused by locked spinal joints that irritate nerves; and muscle tension around the shoulder area. Management Correct spinal and shoulder joint problems to alleviate nerve irritation, muscle tension and posture problems. Soft tissue therapy for muscle tension and injuries. Obtain advice and demonstration for rehabilitative exercises, ice or head therapy and postural correction.
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