Plantar fasciitis is a very common kind of tendonitis, but instead of a tendon it is the plantar fascia of the foot that is inflamed. The plantar fascia is a sheet of connective tissue that stretches from the heel to the toes, spanning the arch (or bottom) of the foot.
Muscle knots, technically known as myofascial trigger points, are a factor in almost all cases. A trigger point is a section of super-contracted and irritated muscle tissue that can cause mild stiffness to extreme pain. Trigger points not only cause pain and problems directly, but they also develop in response to other biomechanical problems. Often times, the other biomechanical problems involve the joints and muscles of the legs, thighs, and lower back / pelvic region.
The typical approaches used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis include shoe inserts, night splints, footwear assessment, stretching / massaging of the plantar fascia, injections, and surgery. In this office, I add another dimension which is an assessment for muscle involvement and joint fixation of the lower back, legs, and feet. If present, treatment of the joint fixation or muscle involvement coupled with the aforementioned approaches usually results in better, lasting relief.
Thatcher Chiropractic is located at 3535 American Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917 near the intersection at Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard. For more information, you can visit our website, thatcherchiropractic.com. If you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thatcher, please feel free to contact us by phone: (719) 574-3700.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017
Study Finds Manipulation Effective and Preventive in Chronic Low Back Pain
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics examined the efficacy of periodic manipulative treatment in patients with chronic low back pain, following an initial phase of intensive chiropractic manipulative treatments.
The study assessed the pain and disability levels of 2 groups of participants. The first group received 12 treatments in an intensive 1-month period, but no treatment in a subsequent 9-month period. The second group received 12 treatments in an intensive 1-month period and also received spinal manipulation every 3 weeks for a 9-month period.
The results of the study showed both groups maintained their pain scores at levels similar to the post-intensive treatments throughout the follow-up period. For the disability scores, however, only the group that was given spinal manipulations during the follow-up period maintained their post-intensive treatment scores. The disability scores of the other group went back to their pre-treatment levels.
This study concluded that spinal manipulation is effective for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Additionally, the study suggested the follow-up manipulations, in chronic low back pain, may be beneficial to patients to maintain subjective, post-intensive treatment disability levels.
Thatcher Chiropractic is located at 3535 American Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917 near the intersection at Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard. For more information you can visit our website, thatcherchiropractic.com and if you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us by phone at (719) 574-3700.
The study assessed the pain and disability levels of 2 groups of participants. The first group received 12 treatments in an intensive 1-month period, but no treatment in a subsequent 9-month period. The second group received 12 treatments in an intensive 1-month period and also received spinal manipulation every 3 weeks for a 9-month period.
The results of the study showed both groups maintained their pain scores at levels similar to the post-intensive treatments throughout the follow-up period. For the disability scores, however, only the group that was given spinal manipulations during the follow-up period maintained their post-intensive treatment scores. The disability scores of the other group went back to their pre-treatment levels.
This study concluded that spinal manipulation is effective for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Additionally, the study suggested the follow-up manipulations, in chronic low back pain, may be beneficial to patients to maintain subjective, post-intensive treatment disability levels.
Thatcher Chiropractic is located at 3535 American Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917 near the intersection at Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard. For more information you can visit our website, thatcherchiropractic.com and if you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us by phone at (719) 574-3700.
Friday, January 6, 2017
Whiplash Injuriues: What to Expect When the Unexpected Happens
Whiplash as a result of an automobile accident becomes increasingly prevalent as we enter the winter season in Colorado Springs. Contrary to the name "whiplash," injuries are not caused by the neck being "whipped." Injury occurs when the neck is forced through a rapid series of movements at a rate faster than the bones, muscles, and ligaments can react.
Types of injuries that may occur include torn muscles and ligaments, fracture, nerve inflammation, or vertebral joint misalignment. What this means to the victim is a combination of a few or many of the following symptoms: swelling or tenderness of the neck, headaches, dizziness, vision changes, pain in the upper extremities, or a reduced ability to turn and bend at the neck. It is not uncommon that a victim experiences fatigue and irritability in conjunction with the symptoms previously mentioned. The trauma of the event itself, added to pain and disability, however slight, often creates stress that may linger into the stages of treatment and recovery.
As the body attempts to adapt to injury, especially in the case of lesser injuries, symptoms may not appear for a number of days or even weeks. Following an accident, it is recommended in the scientific literature that people receive an examination with or without symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, the need for evaluation by a doctor of chiropractic is immediate. If there is an injury, the sooner the proper treatment is received, the person is generally better off in the long term and needs less rehabilitative treatment.
Thatcher Chiropractic is located at 3535 American Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917 near the intersection at Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard. For more information you can visit our website, thatcherchiropractic.com and if you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us at (719) 574-3700.
Types of injuries that may occur include torn muscles and ligaments, fracture, nerve inflammation, or vertebral joint misalignment. What this means to the victim is a combination of a few or many of the following symptoms: swelling or tenderness of the neck, headaches, dizziness, vision changes, pain in the upper extremities, or a reduced ability to turn and bend at the neck. It is not uncommon that a victim experiences fatigue and irritability in conjunction with the symptoms previously mentioned. The trauma of the event itself, added to pain and disability, however slight, often creates stress that may linger into the stages of treatment and recovery.
As the body attempts to adapt to injury, especially in the case of lesser injuries, symptoms may not appear for a number of days or even weeks. Following an accident, it is recommended in the scientific literature that people receive an examination with or without symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms, the need for evaluation by a doctor of chiropractic is immediate. If there is an injury, the sooner the proper treatment is received, the person is generally better off in the long term and needs less rehabilitative treatment.
Thatcher Chiropractic is located at 3535 American Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917 near the intersection at Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard. For more information you can visit our website, thatcherchiropractic.com and if you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us at (719) 574-3700.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Slipped Disc? (What is it, the research, and how can I fix it?)
What is it?
Slipped disc? Herniated disc? Ruptured disc? These are just a few of the confusing terms associated with the injured spinal discs. The disc is a small gelatinous mass situated between the spinal bones. The disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending. With an injured disc, patients can find themselves unable to move freely and suffering moderate to severe low back and/or leg pain.
What the current research says...
Chiropractors have enjoyed a long history of successfully treating disc injuries. A study was published in the prestigious Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics regarding the manipulative treatment of disc herniations. This study examined 27 patients who had a documented disc herniation on Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) that corresponded with clinical findings. The patients were treated using manipulation, physical therapy modalities, and exercise. Treatment time ranged from 8 weeks to 6 months. Following symptomatic and clinical resolution, a repeat MRI was performed.
The study found that 22 of 27 (81.5%) had good clinical outcomes; 17 of 22 (77%) had not only good clinical outcome but also evidence of reduced or resolved disc herniation upon repeat MRI scanning. Five patients (18.5%) had a marginal or poor outcome, but none had worse clinical signs or pain ratings at the end of the study. At the beginning of the study, all 27 patients had left work because of the severity of pain; at follow-up 21 were back to work at their former occupations.
Thatcher Chiropractic is located at 3535 American Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917 near the intersection at Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard. For more information you can visit our website at thatcherchiropractic.com and if you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment with us, please feel free to contact us by phone at (719) 574-3700.
Slipped disc? Herniated disc? Ruptured disc? These are just a few of the confusing terms associated with the injured spinal discs. The disc is a small gelatinous mass situated between the spinal bones. The disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending. With an injured disc, patients can find themselves unable to move freely and suffering moderate to severe low back and/or leg pain.
What the current research says...
Chiropractors have enjoyed a long history of successfully treating disc injuries. A study was published in the prestigious Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics regarding the manipulative treatment of disc herniations. This study examined 27 patients who had a documented disc herniation on Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) that corresponded with clinical findings. The patients were treated using manipulation, physical therapy modalities, and exercise. Treatment time ranged from 8 weeks to 6 months. Following symptomatic and clinical resolution, a repeat MRI was performed.
The study found that 22 of 27 (81.5%) had good clinical outcomes; 17 of 22 (77%) had not only good clinical outcome but also evidence of reduced or resolved disc herniation upon repeat MRI scanning. Five patients (18.5%) had a marginal or poor outcome, but none had worse clinical signs or pain ratings at the end of the study. At the beginning of the study, all 27 patients had left work because of the severity of pain; at follow-up 21 were back to work at their former occupations.
Thatcher Chiropractic is located at 3535 American Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917 near the intersection at Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard. For more information you can visit our website at thatcherchiropractic.com and if you have additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment with us, please feel free to contact us by phone at (719) 574-3700.
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