Back pain and spinal problems are the most common physical ailments inflicting adults. Causes of back pain include damage to intervertebral disc, spinal joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. This is usually due to injuries from sports injuries, carrying of heavy load, car accident and the common slip and fall.

Heavy sneezing may sometimes exacerbate the condition. Symptoms are - Recurring and persistent pain or tiring ache and stiffness especially after prolong sitting, standing or walking. Acute injury may manifest as sharp localized pain when bending, lifting or during strenuous activities. Pain may radiate to the limbs. Recent studies have shown that chiropractic treatment for low back pain provides faster and more conclusive results and is more cost effective than other health disciplines.

Bone Spurs are abnormal growth at the bones in the spine or extremities. They may cause excruciating pain when interfere with nerves or muscle during normal activity and in turn causes abnormal function and motion at the joints. Pain and numbness may shoot down the arms or legs.

Disc Narrowing or Degenerative Disc Disease is a result of ongoing degeneration of a chronic unattended injured spine. When a joint (e.g. Knee) is involved it is called Degenerative Joint Disease or Osteoarthritis.

Frozen or painful shoulder and elbow are commonly due to soft tissue damage. Common causes are sports injuries and repetitive jerking and lifting of heavy loads/luggage. It may manifest itself gradually a few weeks after the injury. Scar tissue adhesion causes pain and restricted motion.

CTS is an entrapment of the median nerve at the wrist. It causes numbness and pain at the wrist, palm and fingers. Chiropractic has proven to be highly effective in treating it.

There are many types of Headaches. Tension Headache is the most common, next to Vascular and Sinus Headaches. Migraine is usually caused by nerve bundle interference at the next level due to cervical related injury or torsion.

Although stress, heat/sun and certain food may aggravate the condition, migraine is easily resolved once the irritated nerve is corrected. Medication gives immediate relief but seldom a permanent solution. Chiropractic remove the cause of the problem and thus highly effective and fast in treating headaches.

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Sciatica is pain from the lower lumbar region including the buttocks which radiates down the back of the thigh, leg and often the foot. The pain can be sharp, dull, shooting, burning, intermittent or continuous and usually one sided. Coughing, sneezing, bending and lifting worsens the condition.

In some cases there will be numbness and weakness ofthe leg. Sciatica usually results from compression of the sciatic nerve can also arise from slipped disc, poor posture, muscle strain, pregnancy, overweight and use of high heels.

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Scoliosis is a progressive curvature of the spine involving mainly teenage girls. Breathing or swallowing may be difficult and painful. Chiropractic helps to stop the progress of the disease and prevent painful problems like disc and arthritic degeneration.

Patients with advanced osteoporosis, a chiropractor will determine whether the painful joint or spine is caused by fractures or a misalignment. An Xray is usually required. Chiropractic manipulation is very safe under a trained doctor. Nutrition, exercise and rehabilitation are crucial to prevent secondary problems.

Posture and gait are determined by our skeletal structure. Bad Posture like slouching, uneven shoulders, pelvic or leg length is commonly due to spinal or joint misalignment. When the spine is unevenly stressed keeping a straight posture is a tiring process.

Shoes are often unevenly worn out. If left unattended this may lead to more serious problem like scoliosis. We should often analyse our body in front of the mirror for uneven shoulders, pelvic and leg length. It is wise to visit the chiropractor for a thorough check-up especially for young children and toddlers.

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Spondylosis of the spine is a result of a chronic misaligned vertebral caused by injury or chronic bad posture. Slipped Disc is when the disc between the spinal vertebrae bulges or ruptures under torsion or stress by the misaligned vertebral. Disc are the shock absorbers of the spine and protect the spine from trauma. Symptoms are:

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Sports injuries usually involve damages to joints and tearing of soft tissues - muscles, tendon and ligament. Some of these injuries may lead to chronic long-standing problems including restrictive and painful range of motion of the joints or limbs. Early treatment and proper rehabilitation are essential for return to full function.

Acute knee and Ankle Pain are usually due to sprain-strain injury from sports injury or common slipped and twisted. A thorough examination (X-Ray, MRI, Orthopedic) may be required to determine the full scope of injury. Soft tissue tearing is commonly involved.

If left unattended or improperly treated over years, osteoarthritis may set in. This is commonly seen in older adults. Uneven and loss of joint space with bone spurring are usually observed. Walking, squatting or going up and down the stairs will be painful.

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Whiplash Injury is usually caused by a car accident or traumatic fall. Whiplash causes misalignment and injuries to the vertebral, the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the neck, often leading to headaches, migraines and dizziness. Swollen lumps may be felt. It is difficult to get a good sleeping or sitting position or posture.

Symptoms often come 2-3 weeks or sometimes a few years after the accident. Left untreated, this could cause early and accelerated spinal degeneration.

There has been a dramatic rise in neck and shoulder pain and stiffness among office workers. Chronic and prolong sitting infront of the computer without proper ergonomics have resulted in the Office Cervical Syndrome. Chiropractic is a more lasting and effective treatment than the common massage.

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