Martin Blankenship

If you’re living with adult scoliosis, you may be surprised to learn that treatments such as chiropractic adjustments and Physical therapy, as well as use of a supportive brace, can help reduce pain, thwart further degradation and increase your quality of life.

Like all other treatments for scoliosis, aside from the corrective brace prescribed to adolescents with scoliosis, chiropractic does not correct, cure or reverse scoliosis. Chiropractic adjustments and therapies help to improve form (therefore, improving function), and increase mobility into the joints. These improvements can decrease pain, increase comfort and improve posture. Chiropractors can also address other symptoms or issues the patient may be experiencing, and help prevent further degeneration of the spine.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin

Hamstring conditions can occur from one powerful movement such as a sprint or from repetitive stress such as marathon running. Hamstring injuries are known as strains meaning that some or all of the fibers in the muscle tear. Some complete tears do require surgery, but the majority can be treated with chiropractic and rehabilitation.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin

Neck pain is an issue that many people deal with in their lives. Neck pain can be caused by trauma or by constant stress and strain on the muscles and nerves in and surrounding the neck. This stress and strain are primary contributors to the neck pain that people often experience when driving for a long time.

Driving can cause pain to occur in the neck because it entails holding your head up for an extended amount of time, which can cause pain and stiffness in the neck. Neck pain is a common, nagging problem, but it doesn’t have to be with proper treatment from a doctor of chiropractic and five effective tips:

1. Support your head
One cause of neck pain is lack of support of the head. Supporting your head while driving is a great way to reduce the risk of neck pain while driving.
Adjust your headrest so that it sits in a position just behind your head. That way you can lean your head back against your headrest when needed.
Another way involves using a head pillow. By placing it behind your head so that your headrest holds it up, you can rely on it for support when your neck gets tired. If you aren’t sure what type of pillow to get, talk to a chiropractor who can recommend one that works best for you.

2. Use good posture
Many car seats are designed to tip back, causing the driver to slump. Adapting a slumped position while driving can cause neck pain.
To avoid neck pain while on the road using good driving posture. Sit straight up and place your hands on the wheel, so they are at the 2 and 10 o’clock positions. Adjust your seat so you won’t have to lean back too far. Positioning yourself too far away from the gas and brake pedals can cause strain on your back and neck.

3. Adjust your mirrors
Adjust your side and rear-view mirrors. Set them up in a way that you can see the widest view without turning your head too far and thus straining your neck. This is an easy way to avoid sudden movements that can cause neck pain while driving.

4. Don’t strain your eyes
If you have poor vision, you may be straining your eyes while driving. Poor vision can cause you to crane your neck forward to see further ahead. This puts pressure on the neck, which causes pain.
If you strain to see while you drive, you need to get your vision checked because you may need glasses or contact lenses. Also, if it is sunny outside, make sure you are wearing sunglasses, so you can see further down the road without straining.

5. Take breaks
If you frequently experience neck pain while driving, try to avoid driving for long periods of time. If this can’t be avoided, make sure you are taking breaks every so often. Get out of the car and stretch your back and the neck to alleviate pressure.

Seek Help from a Professional
If these tips don’t work for your neck pain while driving, consider seeking professional help. They can provide you with targeted advice to reduce or eliminate their occurrence in the future.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin

1. Flex and Extend your knee and ankles before dancing, between sets and as a routine after dancing. Extend your knee, either while standing (hold onto a door for stability) or seated. Rotate your feet in circles, both ways and extend your leg for a extension and bend your knee for a flexion.
2. Place a foam ball on the ground and practice picking up the ball with your feet, this will strengthen your feet and help reduce cramps.
3. Sit on chair, lift foot onto chair and place flat. Gently stretch your toes forward and backwards. Repeat on other foot.
4. Stand straight and bend over and touch the ground. Hold and repeat.
5. See your chiropractor should symptoms persist.

Yes, deficiency of vitamin D can cause bone pain and muscle weakness.

Yes, some chiropractors are trained in Nasal Specific, a technique used to treat snoring, sleep apnea, sinus issues, concussion, etc. I have been performing nasal specific for 24 years and have seen outstanding results over time. I have attached the link to an article about this treatment:

www.familychiroplus.com/nasal-specific-sinus-allergies-treatment

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Dr. Martin

Often after a M.V.A, there can be permanent damage caused by the impact. It is generally suggested that some chiropractic maintenance care can improve the long-term prognosis, stopped ongoing deterioration and allowing for a better quality of life.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin

Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the body’s main structures – the skeleton, the muscles, and the nerves – and the patient’s health. Chiropractors believe that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to these structures, particularly to the spinal column. They do not prescribe drugs or perform surgical procedures, although they do refer patients for these services if they are medically indicated.

With this in mind, I know that when an x-ray is performed and there is no fracture or dislocation then the issue is most likely structural (the joint is not moving as it should) and this is what chiropractors do best.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin

As with most conditions, symptoms vary from person to person. It’s common for SI joint dysfunction to present with low back pain or pain in the buttocks. Pain can radiate down the leg or even into the front of the thigh, but generally not past the knee. SI joint pain can mimic many other causes of low back pain. Chiropractors are experts at determining the source of spine pain in patients -- and caring for them, too!

Through an adjustment, chiropractors help restore motion in the SI joint and/or associated joints contributing to the problem. I’ve found that SI joint dysfunction typically responds well to chiropractic care and that pain relief can occur quickly after an adjustment. The exact treatment duration and intensity will depend on the person, their lifestyle and the degree of the subluxation.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin

Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the body’s main structures – the skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient’s health. Chiropractors believe that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to these structures, particularly to the spinal column. They do not prescribe drugs or perform surgical procedures, although they do refer patients for these services if they are medically indicated.

With that in mind, I would suggest that chiropractic care is a great place to start for your son, it is non-invasive and could be the answer to finding relief. If after a period of treatment the symptoms are not improving then a referral to an orthopedic evaluation would be the next step. Your chiropractor can make that referral when needed.

Sincerely,

Dr. Martin

I have attached a link to an article about this issue.

www.familychiroplus.com/experience-pain-work-yes-probably-going-get-worse

Seeing a chiropractor, undertake some stretching and yoga and an evaluation of your seated position, chair and computer station for the best ergonomic position for correct posture. Being seating for a long period of time is not good for your body, if you are seated for work take a break every 30 minutes for a stretch or a quick walk around the office.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin

Basic Home Remedies to Alleviate Back Pain
Basic remedies applied at home can be effective for treating mild pain from muscle strain, as well as reducing the effects of severe pain. Options include:
Rest. Many episodes of lower back pain can be improved by briefly avoiding strenuous activity. It is not advised to rest for more than a few days, as too much inactivity can make healing more difficult.
Activity modification. One variant of resting is to stay active but avoid activities and positions that aggravate the pain. For example, if long periods of sitting in a car or at a desk make the pain worse, then set a timer to get up every 20 minutes and walk around or gently stretch. If standing makes the pain worse, avoid chores that require standing such as washing dishes at the sink. Avoiding, or minimizing, activities and positions that worsen the pain will help prevent or reduce painful back spasms and allow for a better healing environment.
Heat/ice therapy. Heat from a warm bath, hot water bottle, electric heating pad, or chemical or adhesive heat wraps can relax tense muscles and improve blood flow. Increased blood flow brings nutrients and oxygen that muscles need to heal and stay healthy. If the low back is painful due to inflammation, ice or cold packs can be used to reduce swelling. It’s important to protect the skin while applying heat and ice to prevent tissue damage.
Alternating heat and ice can be especially helpful when returning to activity: applying heat before activities helps relax muscles, allowing for better flexibility and mobility; applying ice after activity reduces the chances of an area becoming irritated and swollen from exercise.
Over-the-counter pain medications. The most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications are aspirin (e.g. Bayer), ibuprofen (e.g. Advil), naproxen (e.g. Aleve), and acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol). Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are anti-inflammatory medicines, which alleviate low back pain caused by a swollen nerves or muscles. Acetaminophen works by interfering with pain signals sent to the brain.
Self-care treatments generally do not need guidance from a doctor but should be used carefully and attentively. Any type of medication carries possible risks and side effects. If a patient is unsure which kinds of self-care would work best, give us a call on 727-388-0966 and we will endeavor to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Thanks
Dr. Martin

Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the body’s main structures – the skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient’s health. Chiropractors know that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to these structures, particularly to the spinal column. They do not prescribe drugs or perform surgical procedures, although they do refer patients for these services if they are medically indicated.

With this in mind, the research regarding chiropractic and ADHD is limited. Chiropractic works with the relationship between the central nervous system (CNS) and the body and how effectively they communicate. Chiropractors know that if the CNS is unimpeded, then everything works more effectively. Due to this, there have been cases of significant improvement when treating ADHD with chiropractic. However, it is a symptom-based treatment and the only way to know if chiropractic will be effective is to make an appointment with an experienced chiropractor, develop a conservative treatment plan and monitor the outcome.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin

Many patients present to our chiropractic office with joint pain and problems in the upper and lower extremities. Examination and treatment of shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles is common in our practice. Joints of the extremities are evaluated for mechanics, stability and the extent of tissue injury. Radiographs (X-rays) are used when needed.

Treatment typically consists of some combination of chiropractic extremity adjusting, stretching, strengthening, therapeutics (heat, ice, etc.), and maintenance. Very often joint pain is a consequence of postural stress, structural imbalance and poor body mechanics. When this is the case, we treat the cause of these larger issues as well as the specific area of joint pain.

Thanks,

Dr. Martin