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
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
Bad Disc, Slipped disc (discs never slip LOL), bulging, herniated(broke), compressed(squashed), dessicated (dried up),degenerated (damaged)are all words used to label a vertebral disc outside of the normal range. A damaged disc, especially if it's not a result from an acute injury, usually goes unnoticed or barely any Secondary Conditions which you may know as symptoms, such as; back pain, muscle spasm, sciatica,or muscle tension. Similar to heart disease (which you do not feel the impending doom), a structurally damaged disc is usually not felt UNTIL enough damage has accumulated, causing Secondary Conditions, in this example low back pain.
What most accept as the conventional ways to help damaged discs include:
- OTC (Over the counter pain relievers)
- Nerve blocks
- Epidurals
- Physical Therapy & Conventional Chiropractic manipulations
- Surgery, which in many (not all) cases leads to a second and for some a third surgery
- Narcotics, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxers
The above list I have no doubt has helped people with disc related pain and the good folks that are of different healthcare variety are skilled at what they offer.
Advanced Chiropractic Is West Hartford's Unique Solution
Unique because, we focus on the abnormal frame work of your body, which is your spine. We look for what's called a Structural Shift, which is an abnormal shift of your vertebrae (spinal bones)outside the normal range. No one has a perfect spine and we all know that there are normal ranges for blood pressure, eyesight, weight, cholesterol, even body temperature. It just makes sense that when your spine is outside normal range, damage is often the end result.
As a result of a Structural Shift of your spine, this can result in;
- Sciatica
- degenerated, bulging, herniated discs
- back pain
- neck pain
- Headaches (including migraines)
How exactly does a Structural Shift cause a Bulging disc?
As your spine is abnormally shifted beyond it's center of balance, it creates a continuous strain on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and disc. This stress results in the damage to the discs in your spine, which over time if not detected and then not corrected will degenerate to the point of causing the Secondary Condition of back pain, bulging disc, etc.
What does Advanced Chiropractic look for, what indicates a Structural Shift?
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 trauma and chemical or emotional stress not adapted to well that have disrupted the normal function of the spine. They include:
- Anterior Head Syndrome (AHS)
- Damaged (Degenerated) Vertebrae
- Nerve Impingement Syndrome
- Muscular Tension/Spasm
- Damaged (Degenerated) Disc
As I mentioned above, here at Advanced Chiropractic, we focus on the Structural correction of the spine. We do this by utilizing, gentle specific spinal corrections, which are followed by post correction procedures. Here's how correcting abnormal structure is likely to eliminate your back pain, think of a stack of Lego's and one or two Lego's in the column are outside normal range. As we reduce the stress on the displaced segments, essentially putting them back in place, we eliminate the pressure on the spinal discs, nerves and bones that are not only causing your pain, but are also inhibiting the optimum function of your nervous system.
There is much more to our unique plan, which is customized to the individual patient, based on our Structural Corrective Examination findings. As well as complementary recommendations, your homework that you do on your own to enhance what we do in our office. 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
West Hartford folks who suffer from chronic low back pain have various approaches to deal with their pain. Usually the low back pain started out as an occasional annoyance that gradually increased to more frequent painful intervals and for some can lead to debilitating chronic pain and disability.
A new approach unlike conventional chiropractors, physical therapist and massage therapists, we focus on Structural Correction of the spine by utilizing specific spinal corrections, structural remodeling and complementary recommendations in an effort to correct abnormal Structural Shifts of the spine.
Normal vs Abnormal
We're all familiar with normal body temperature: 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. How do we know when someone has abnormal eyesight? How do we know when someone has an irregular heartbeat? How do we know when someone has abnormal blood pressure? For that matter how do we know when the air pressure in our tires is low? The only way to appreciate abnormal - is to know normal.
When it comes to normal, we're not expecting anyone to be perfect. However, if your head is displaced 30mm beyond what's considered acceptable, you have Anterior Head Syndrome (A primary Abnormal Structural Shift of the spine). Your head shifting forward is no different than your car being forced out of alignment, or the foundation of your house sinking on one side by just a couple of inches. Because, the underlying structure has shifted (regardless of the reason), this deviation of your skull puts abnormal stress on your muscles, tendons,spinal bones, and discs - forcing them to degenerate (damaged).
What would happen if the foundation of your house sunk down just a couple of inches? Would it be reasonable that the floor boards would creak? Would you expect to see cracks in the drywall?
As you probably guessed, the PROBLEM is a structural shift-but in this case, of the foundation of your house. Traditional doctors regardless of what area of healthcare they fall, typically look to manage the Secondary Conditions- which we will get to in a minute, rather than focusing on the underlying cause.
The traditional doctor would put an extra nail in the floor boards, wd-40 on the window tract and patch the drywall. Will all of those measures FIX the problem?
What would you do FIRST if it were YOUR home? You would hire a person to fix your foundation, especially someone who focuses on structural correction. After that, and a little work on the secondary effects from the shift of the foundation, you're good to go.
Lets take a look at low back pain...
To understand what we do, and how what we do is New and Different, let's first start off by talking about what is considered Normal Structure spinal alignment and what's considered ABNORMAL spinal alignment.
As you can see by reviewing this picture, the sections of the body should be balanced no different than stacks of blocks.
At first, minor abnormal shifts of areas of the spine are nothing to worry about. No one has absolutely 100% perfect alignment. However like blood pressure, eyesight, cholesterol - there is a normal range.
If your structural shift are outside what's considered normal, then you will experience one or more of what we refer to as Secondary Conditions, in this low back pain. We call low back pain secondary because, as you may have guess is the result of a abnormal primary structural condition.
Think of low back pain like this, if your nerves carried a signal that came from your satellite dish and traveled to the box on your TV. If there is some kind of blockage that interferes with the signal, what would you expect to see on your tv screen? Thinking on those same lines, what would you expect to happen if a spinal segmental shifted and put pressure on a nerve?
As your head shifts forward beyond its center of balance, it creates a continuous strain on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments primarily in the upper part of the spine, but also down into the mid and lower regions of the torso. This stress results in degeneration of spinal bones, discs, and pain.
What we look for that indicates an abnormal structural shift?
There are four signs that clearly indicators of a structural shift. These indicators are not related to age or genetics. They are a result of trauma, abnormal loading, and failure to adapt to physical and emotion stress that have disrupted the normal function of the spine.
They include:
- Damaged/degenerated discs
- Damaged/degenerated spinal bones
- muscle spasm/tension
- Nerve impingement syndrome
How we look for these indicators, we use perform a Structural Examination with Structural Corrective Radiographys, a Digital Photographic Assessment and Structural Analysis using Balance machine.
More than one way to cook an egg, here are the more commonly used solutions...
- Over the counter medication
- Prescription medication, pain killers, muscle relaxers
- Massage,
Physical Therapy and Conventional Chiropractic (their goals are to
increase range of motion, decrease pain and decrease muscle spasm - and
they do a good job at their goals)
- Pain management - very strong pain killers
- Surgeries, from disc ectomies (a partical removal of the disc) or Fusions of the bones with total removal of the disc.
- Future surgeries are common
What we do at Advanced Chiropractic...
My goal is to direct your spine to what's considered normal. By doing so, this will relieve pressure on the discs, which will subsequently will relieve pressure on the nerves, thus relieving your low back pain.
This is how correcting abnormal spinal structure will improve low back pain. Once we have the normal weight bearing curves in your low back - this takes the harsh forces of gravity and evenly distributes the forces through out the spine, which in turn relieves the pressure off the disc and nerves. This allows your low back pain to be relieved.
Our plan of care is based on what we find on the structural examination and is customized for each patient and their condition - this is not cookie cutter and will require certain complementary recommendations to enhance your care in our office.
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 or visit our site: www.advancedwesthartford.com
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