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Back pain affects millions of Americans each year. As Doctors of Chiropractic, our approach to treating back pain is to first determine the cause of the problem. This involves a thorough examination, with a complete history. Orthopedic and neurological testing is performed, and we may refer you for x-rays or other studies.
Once we determine the cause of your problem, we will then prescribe a treatment plan. This may include spinal manipulation with one or more physical modalities. We may also make nutritional recommendations as well as help you to implement a home exercise program. We may also recommend some ergonomic changes. For example, how you sit while working on your computer.
SACRO-OCCIPITAL TECHNIC:
Sacro-occipital technic (S.O.T.) is a new and advanced concept of Chiropractic pioneered and developed through the study, research and clinical application of Dr. M.B. DeJarnette. For more than half a century Dr. DeJarnette researched and studied every aspect of physiology and anatomy and clinically found that human structural distortion falls into three basic groups. he has labeled these groups as Catagories I, II, and III.
Dr. Malmed has been utilizing S.O.T. in his practice since he began practicing in 1984.
Category I, II or III:
A very special function takes place in the human body that is absolutely essential to good health. It is the circulation throughout the nervous system of Cerebrospinal fluid. (C.S.F.)
C.S.F. is created in the brain and supplied to the nervous system through the gentle pulsing action of three pumps. The first pump is located in the skull at the source of supply. The second is located at the juncture of the skull and the neck. The third pump is located in the pelvis. the pulsing motion occurs approximately every four seconds.
Cerebrospinal fluid feds, cleans, and allows the nervous system to function normally. A Category I problem exists when there is a locking of the pumping mechanism at any one of the three locations.
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| Category I:
You may suspect a Category I problem if you suffer from any of the following symptoms:
* Any Visual Disturbance
* Skin Disorders
* Weight Problem
* Numbness in Facial Structure or Extremities
* Insomnia
* Lower Back Pain
* Headache
* Nervousness
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| Category II:
The pelvis is composed of a triangular-shaped bone called the sacrum. the sacrum is surrounded by two hip bones and is held together by tough band-like tissues that hold bone to bone, which are called ligaments.
The pelvis is the basic foundation of the spine and supports the weight of the body. As strong as the ligaments are, they are still vulnerable to stretching and tearing by falls, whiplash, athletic and occupational injuries, and everyday gravitational forces that influence the body.
When ligaments tear or stretch, it permits a separation of the bones in the pelvis. When this occurs, a counter-rotation is set in motion which allows one hip bone to move forward, the other lengthens. As a result of this long and short leg situation, a falling-domino effect is initiated. The sacrum tilts on one side; the spine becomes unbalanced; the vertebrae of the spine shift out of position; and nerves are trapped up and down the spinal column. This results in mild to severe discomfort. The body is now in a state of subluxation. Nothing can disturb a person's total health picture as can this category II situation.
What are the symptoms of subluxation? Space will not permit a listing of all symptoms, but here are a few:
* Lower Back Pain
* Dizziness
* headache
* Neck Pain
* Menstrual Problems
* Hypoglycemia
* So-Called Weak back
* Bursitis of the Hip Joint
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| Category III:
The spine is composed of vertebrae separated by discs, all of which are held together by tough, fibrous tissue called ligaments.
The lowest portion of the spine is surrounded by the hip bones (ilia). The area the hip bones encase is known as the pelvic bowl. From the bottom to the top, that portion of the spine lying within the pelvic bowl consists of the sacrum ( a large triangular bone), a lumbar disc, and the 5th lumbar vertebrae.
It is this portion of the spine lying within the pelvic bowl which forms the foundation upon which the stability of the rest of the spine depends. As strong as the ligaments are, they are still vulnerable to stretching and tearing by falls, whiplash, athletic and occupational injuries, and the everyday gravitational forces that influence the body.
When the ligaments are torn or stretched, a separation of the bones in the sacroiliac joint takes place. this separation permits one hip bone 9ilium) top move forward, the other to move backward. When this rotation is set in motion, one leg becomes shorter, the other longer. As a result of this long and short leg situation, the sacrum becomes tilted to one side causing the basic foundation upon which the spine rests to become unbalanced. As a further result of this category III situation, pressure is put on the 5th lumbar disc forcing it to bulge out against the sciatic nerve. You will recognize this condition by any or several of the following symptoms:
* Pain Down The Back Of The Leg
* A Burning Sensation Down The Back Of The Leg
* A Pins-and-needles feeling In The Leg
* Tightness In The Leg
* Pain On Sitting
* Pain On Rising
* Pain On Coughing
* Coldness In Extremities
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Dr. You...How To Maintain A Healthier Back:
1. First, make sure that you get enough rest, relaxation, and sleep. These are vital keys of normal health. Set aside a special time each day for complete mental and physical relaxation. This is important in the restoration-as well as-maintenance of your body.
2. When sitting, you should choose a chair that has adequate firmness to hold your weight comfortably, and always sit straight. Avoid a chair that is too soft or over stuffed. recliner chairs are acceptable if they are constructed so that you may recline with your back in a normal, straight position.
3. Cross your legs only at the ankles, not at the knees. Crossing your legs at the knees could aggravate an existing back condition as well as interfere with the circulation of the lower limbs.
4. Get Plenty of sleep. Sleep allows your body to recuperate and repair.
5. Sleep on a firm mattress. Preferably one that is not too hard, nor too soft, but just firm enough to hold your body level, while at the same time soft enough so that your shoulders, buttocks, etc., will sink into the mattress.
6. Your pillow should be neither too high or too low. The ideal pillow is one which supports your head so that your neck vertebrae will be level with the rest of your spine. Avoid sleeping on two pillows. Never lie on a couch with your head on the arm rest.
7. Sleep on your back or on your side with your legs flexed slightly, not drawn up tightly. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Raise your head off the pillow when changing positions.
8. Rise from your bed by turning on your side and winging your legs off of the bed. Then push yourself into a sitting position with your arms, thus minimizing the amount of strain on your back.
9. Do not read or watch TV in bed, particularly with your head propped at a sharp or strained angle.
10. Do not sleep sitting in a chair or in cramped quarters. Lie down in bed when it is time to sleep.
Structural Balance
Structural balance regarding your health is usually thought of as having good or poor posture, but that is only part of the picture. Structural balance has a very great influence on your total health picture. You may experience joint pain, digestive disturbances, "nerve" problems, even back pain, all because of structural imbalance.
Your body is held in place and moved by muscles. The only thing a muscle can do is move two attached points closed together; consequently, for every muscle action there must be an opposing muscle pulling back. When one muscle gets a nerve impulse telling it to contract, the other muscle must relax. If something goes wrong in the nervous system, the contracting muscle cannot pull the post over which causes an inability to perform the muscular activity described. When the muscles are not functioning equally, stress develops at the joint and it becomes susceptible to injury. Constant stress at a joint causes pain.
One of the most significant involvements from structural imbalance is a recurring vertebral or pelvic subluxation. If imbalance is present in one of the muscles holding a vertebra or pelvis in position, the structure will return to an abnormal position-possibly within minutes- after a chiropractic adjustment is made. An Applied Kinesiology examination helps to locate these muscular imbalances for correction.
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