Most folks know that a degenerated disc is not normal. Most hear the explanation that your intervertebral disc is like a jelly doughnut, if there is too much force compressing the disc, this will cause the disc material to squeeze out or herniate, irritating nerves and causing pain, weakness and in many disability.
I do not like that analogy at all.
Your disc is more like a hockey puck - yes, it is that tough. Your disc bulging or herniating is usually the LAST sign of a bad disc. It's like running out of gas and then the warning light comes on. Prevention and catching a problem early are two distinctively different approaches. When it comes to degenerating discs, it's better to prevent or at least catch the problem early.
Most conventional chiropractors and other healthcare professionals, treat back problems and do a wonderful job at helping people out of pain, moving better and decreasing spasms.
At Advanced Chiropractic we focus on a branch of chiropractic called structural correction, which is different than conventional chiropractic (not better) and different none the less.
Normal vs. Abnormal
Normal is crucial to KNOW abnormal. I am sure you know what a normal blood pressure is, or a normal body temperature can be, and even normal eye sight. Many do not know what a normal spine looks like. Normal structure is vital for the health of your intervertebral discs. Abnormal structural shifts of the spine create harsh forces on the disc causing over time damage (degeneration), which leads to pain.
When your spine experiences a structural shift, at first no big deal and if not corrected over time this abnormal shift does not handle the harsh forces put on your spine effectively. Your body adapts by remodeling your spinal bones (degenerates), this damage spares your disc for the short term. Over the long haul this abnormal shift of the spinal bones transfers the harsh forces to the bones. This causes an inability of your disc to receive proper nutrition, which allows them to dry up (dessicated) and shrink (lose need height).
You see, normal structural alignment protects your discs. Just like a stack of Lego's, if the Lego's aren't stacked well they will collapse. To prevent disc degeneration the structure of your spine must be in the normal range - not perfect alignment (no one is perfect), this is the best reason to get checked by a structural chiropractor.
What if your disc is degenerated already?
Commonly people reach for medications, and if that does not work out then there is physical therapy or conventional chiropractic. If that does not work out then there is muscle relaxers and pain medication, then surgeries - and even future surgeries.
At Advanced Chiropractic Our New Approach is....
As I stated above our focus is to direct your spine to what every healthcare professional who truly understands anatomy realizes exactly what normal range looks like. We do this with our gentle specifc spinal correction with our SCI device, which is designed for one thing and one thing only - the process
of Plastic Deformation.
What is Plastic Deformation? Simply stated, the
reason that have a structural shift abnormality is due to
a warping of the structures that are responsible for maintaining proper
structural alignment. This instrument is designed to direct impulses
toward the segments that require attention, thus speeding up the
corrective process. In addition to the SCI device we use Structural Rehab to protect the correction achieved along with complementary recommendations to enhance the care in our office, so you do not become dependent on our practice.
Simply put, when your spinal structure is in normal range, your spine can handle the harsh pressures and not damage your disc, allowing your body to heal which reduces and most of the time eliminates your Secondary conditions of back or neck pain.
For additional information, or to schedule for a Free Consultation call 860.523.5465
Have a GREAT Day
ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC of West Hartford
Dr. Chris Chase - Certified Structural Correction Chiropractor, Dr.
Chris is the only Structural Chiropractor in West Hartford, and
surrounding communities. ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC is a company that offers
Structural Correction services for women, children and men - which is
different from traditional chiropractors (not better BUT significantly
different).
Dr. Chris Chase is known for his directive focus to patient care and comprehensive approach to better health.
For additional information, you may inquire at: 860-523-5465
Back pain is like death and taxes, you cannot escape the inevitable. What you can do is realize what are the underlying causes of back pain? Then do everything in your power to optimize your spine to help minimize the damage and maximize your ability to heal and then protect your spinal correction.
Why curves matter?
Up until recently many healthcare professionals (including most chiropractors) thought that the low back curve was suppose to look like a half circle or arc when looking at folks from the side. You know, looking at a person from the front they should be plumb and level. Now, from recent scientific studies the normal shape of the low back spine is elliptical in shape, with a bigger curve at the bottom (low back) that gradually slopes upward lessening the curve. Look at the picture below, the left image is normal.
Most chiropractors in West Hartford and the Hartford County are what I consider traditional chiropractors focus on three objectives, they are to improve your range of motion, decrease spasm, and decrease pain. This is what MOST chiropractors offer in the way of care, and I believe that most of these folks do a great job at what they do.
New way to look at the spine for low back pain relief.
Unlike traditional chiropractors, here at #Advanced Chiropractic, we focus on Structural Correction of the spine by utilizing gentle specific spinal corrections, structural remodeling tables, and complementary recommendations to correct Structural Shifts of the spine.
Normals are critical to understanding abnormal.
We all realize that there is a normal range for blood sugar (just ask any diabetic), normal range for blood pressure and even a normal range for body temperature. If you are outside these normal ranges this indicates a PROBLEM that needs attention. Many folks do not realize this is exactly the case for your spine, the underlying structure of your body does in FACT have a normal range. And when your spine is outside this normal range this leads to Secondary Conditions as low back pain.
How does an abnormal curve of the low back cause low back pain?
Think of the spinal bones (vertebrae) as Lego's stacked neatly on top of each other - STABLE. Non think of Lego's unevenly stacked - UNSTABLE. Your spinal bones must be in the normal range if not, just like the uneven stacked legos your spine will be unstable. This means your spine will not be able to tolerate the continuous harsh forces on your discs, your muscles and of course ligaments and nerves. This leads to damaged, degenerated discs, muscle tension and spasm, and of course pain. This is a structural problem.
What we look for at Advanced Chiropractic?
There are four signs that are clear indicators of a Structural Shift. These indicators are not related to age, or genetics. They are a result of physical trauma (repetitive or cumulative), chemical stress (trans fats, additives, chemicals), and un managed emotional stress and have disrupted the normal function of the spine. They include; 1.) Anterior Head Syndrome 2.) Degenerated/Damaged Vertebrae 3.) Nerve Impingement Syndrome 4.) Degenerated/Damaged Disc.
What is commonly done for low back pain?
First for most people is usually prescription medications. If this does not work out then physical therapy (which they do the same as traditional chiropractic). If that does not work out, then injections to numb the pain. In many cases when those other treatments do not work out, more evasive procedures are used.
Our approach?
As I mentioned, here at Advanced Chiropractic, we focus on the structural correction of your spine. We do this by utilizing specific gentle structural corrections, structural rehab and complementary recommendations. Our goal is to direct your spine to what's considered normal. By doing so, this will relieve pressure on the discs, which subsequently will relieve pressure on the nerves, thus relieving your low back pain.
Most folks who have acute and chronic low back pain have a low back curve outside normal range, when we enhance your curve to what's considered normal this will take the pressure off your discs. When the pressure is off - this gives your body the chance to heal properly. Healing properly is important to prevent recurring back pain. If your pain is recurring you did not heal properly.
For additional information, or to schedule for a Free Consultation call 860.523.5465
Have a GREAT Day
ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC of West Hartford
Dr. Chris Chase - Certified Structural Correction Chiropractor, Dr.
Chris is the only Structural Chiropractor in West Hartford, and
surrounding communities. ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC is a company that offers
Structural Correction services for women, children and men - which is
different from traditional chiropractors (not better BUT significantly
different).
Dr. Chris Chase is known for his directive focus to patient care and comprehensive approach to better health.
For additional information, you may inquire at: 860-523-5465
Most folks assume that degenerated (damaged) #disc are a direct result of the aging process or related to their genes (Grand mom has a granny hump, mom has a granny hump, so I will have a granny hump). Which is the furthest from fact as stating the earth is flat. Degenerated (damaged) discs are a result of a structural shift of the spine that is outside normal range, regardless of what caused the structural shift of the spinal bones in the first place.
Think of a car tire out of alignment, the abnormal alignment causes the uneven wear (damage) to the tires. You would not simply replace the tire without first correcting the abnormal shift in the structure of your car's wheel.
Because most chiropractors in this area are of the traditional variety, I think a great place to start would be to define what is considered "traditional chiropractic" care.
Traditional chiropractic has the following goals:
- Decrease muscular spasm
- Increase range of motion
- Reduce Pain
This is what MOST chiropractors in #West Hartford and the Farmington Valley offer in the way of care, and I believe that most folks do a great job at what they do.
Unlike traditional chiropractors, here at #Advanced Chiropractic, we focus on Structural Correction by utilizing gentle specific spinal corrections, structural remodeling and complementary recommendations in an effort to correct your structure.
The above is a picture of a normal spine and an abnormal spine that has the primary condition of Anterior Head Syndrome. Just like blood pressure or eyesight their are normals, just like the normal range of the spine. Think of your house if it had an un level foundation. Would you expect cracks in the wall, or a creaky floor? Of course, now most would patch the wall and nail the floor, but that is really not getting to the underlying problem.
We would first correct the foundation and then work on the secondary effects, which leads to a longer lasting correction with out the same problems arising over and over again.
Now think of a Degenerated /damaged disc, this is usually caused by a structural shift of the spine. This unhealthy loading of harsh forces causes the change in disc height, and degeneration of spinal bones. Which will also cause continuous muscle tension and muscle spasm. Think of a bowling ball, your head weighs as much as a bowling ball, when you have AHS of greater than an inch this creates 10 to 20 pounds additional force to your discs.
The indicators I look for a AHS or structural shift in the spine are:
- Anterior Head Syndrome
- Degenerated Vertebrae (damaged)
- Nerve Impingement Syndrome
- Muscular tension/spasm
- Degenerated Damaged Disc
Having just one indicates a structural problem, having more than one increases the severity. These indicators are not the result of genetics or age, they are the result of traumas (repetitive), accidents, unmanned stress and improper bio mechanics.
There is more than one way to cook an egg, and it is not my intention to give you my opinion on all the different options you have for treating a damaged disc. I want you to have the information to make a good decision for your health.
More often than not, the first step is prescription medication. If that doesn't work out, the next step is physical therapy, nerve injections, and in many cases if they do not work out then more invasive procedures.
Our focus at Advanced Chiropractic is to direct your spine to what's considered normal. By doing so, this will relieve pressure to your discs, which will subsequently relieve pressure to your nerves, thus improving your #neck pain or #back pain.
Once we correct your neck or back into the normal range this reduces the pressure off the discs and back onto the spinal bones where the pressure is meant to be carried. It's easy to understand.
Have a GREAT Day
ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC of West Hartford
Dr. Chris Chase - Certified Structural Correction Chiropractor, Dr.
Chris is the only Structural Chiropractor in West Hartford, and
surrounding communities. ADVANCED CHIROPRACTIC is a company that offers
Structural Correction services for women, children and men - which is
different from traditional chiropractors (not better BUT significantly
different).
Dr. Chris Chase is known for his directive focus to patient care and comprehensive approach to better health.
For additional information, you may inquire at: 860-523-5465
