Whether it is located in your upper, middle, or lower back, most people will experience some form of back pain in their life. In fact, an estimated 32 million Americans are currently suffering from back pain at this moment. Back pain has become the #1 cause of disability in the United States and is quickly becoming a major concern for many people. This article from our
Cleveland OH chiropractor will lay out what causes lower back pain, how to prevent it, and what the best form of treatment is once it has developed.

What is the Cause of Back Pain in Cleveland OH?

The number of potential injuries, misalignments, and conditions that could cause back pain seems endless. Tendons, ligaments, discs, muscles, and bones can all become irritated or damaged throughout a lifetime, through repetitive stress or sudden, severe trauma.

Conditions such as obesity, arthritis, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections have been shown to cause symptoms of lower back pain, so these are all potential issues that you and your healthcare provider will need to take into account.

Disc Bulges or Herniation

One of the most common and painful causes of back pain is a disc bulge or herniation. A disc herniation is when the outer edges of the disc are worn away over time, ultimately exposing the nerves. According to MRI studies, as many as 37% of the American population have a disc bulge or herniation, with the vast majority of those diagnosed not reporting any pain. On the other hand, the people who are experiencing pain often describe it as severe and intense.

The type of pain that is experienced due to a disc herniation depends on the type and position of the herniation. If the damaged disc is irritating a surrounding nerve, shooting pain and weakness in the legs may develop.

Unfortunately, herniation can be very difficult to reverse, but chiropractic care has been shown to prevent the advancement of herniation and provide relief from the associated pain.

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Migraines and headaches affect far too many people. If you're not sure if you have had a migraine or not, then chances are you probably haven't. The pain has been described as mind-numbing and leaves many sufferers unable to function. Traditional medical science relies on medication for this issue in most cases, but for many patients that is not the long-term solution. In these cases, it's important to find the source of what’s causing the problem. Our team offers the best chiropractic care in Cleveland OH for migraines and headaches.

There are many symptoms that can occur before a headache or migraine starts. Hallucinations, depression, or irritation are just some of the symptoms that patients often report before and during a migraine. Migraine sufferers will usually try to avoid light and loud noises and experience nausea and vomiting, among other symptoms.

Chiropractic Care for Migraines in Cleveland OH?

Chiropractors know and understand how the nervous systems can impact and influence the body, and have been providing relief from headaches and migraines for more than 100 years. Most people do not realize that a chiropractor could help with this type of symptom, but it has been shown that chiropractic care is effective at helping people with both headaches and migraines.

If the spine moves out of position it can put pressure on the surrounding nerves. This pressure can result in many problems, among them headaches and migraines, but when the spine is correctly adjusted and pressure is removed from the nervous system it can reduce or even prevent the occurrence of migraine headaches.

How are Headaches Treated?

The kind of treatment for headaches you need will depend on what is causing the problem. Your chiropractor and their team will work diligently to find the source of your headaches and provide advice on how best to treat it. Each year millions of dollars are spent treating headaches with aspirin and other drugs. While this may help in some cases, it only treats the symptoms, not the source of the problem. With a little time and effort, a chiropractor will be able to find the source of the problem and offer advice on how to deal with it, which can help you prevent the need for headache medications.

Don't suffer needlessly with headaches and migraines. At Great Lakes Health and Wellness in Cleveland OH our team can help you understand your condition, and offer the best treatment. Contact us at any time and ask any questions that you may have.

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Thousands of people suffer from neck pain. Most patients never receive the care they need even though chiropractors have been helping people with this condition for more than 100 years. This article from our Cleveland OHChiropractic team is here to help you understand the benefits of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Care is Very Effective for Neck Pain in Cleveland OH

It is close to impossible to help a patient with neck pain if you are unsure of the location of the problem. At Great Lakes Health and Wellness, we use a variety of diagnostic tools to zero in on the source of the pain rather than just deal with the symptoms.

The spine is one of the most complex areas of your body, with almost every systemic nerve running through it. Muscles connected to a misaligned region of the spine can spasm and tighten. This tightening is believed to be a defense mechanism of the body to protect the spine and spinal cord. Bad posture in general and specific repetitive motions are done with a bad posture are the most common cause of misalignments.

Many people let spinal problems go uncorrected. They hope that if they wait long enough their pain will just go away. In a lot of cases, it probably will go away for at least a little bit, but the misalignment at the root of the problem will still be there. Over time that area can become aggravated again, and the pain may return. Without correction, over time the problem can become much more serious. Some patients even allow their spinal issues to worsen to the point that surgery may be the only option for relief.

Common vs. Normal

If you are experiencing neck pain, you need to avoid falling into the common vs. normal trap. Simply put, because so many people complain of neck pain on a regular basis, for many people, it's now seen as normal and to be expected in everyday life. This mentality is why so many people present with problems that can no longer be corrected by non-invasive methods and can lead to surgery and lengthy recovery times. Although neck pain is very common, it is certainly not normal.

You don’t have to become a statistic of neck pain. Take control of the problem before it’s too late by contacting us and setting up a consultation today. By dealing with your problem today, before it becomes unmanageable, your recovery time should be quick and with minimal interference.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about chiropractic care in Cleveland OH at Great Lakes Health and Wellness, please give us a call.

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Chiropractors in Cleveland OH are reporting that sciatica is one of the most common conditions they encounter each year. Millions of people in America will suffer from the pain of sciatica, and very few will find long-term relief. Keep reading to see how chiropractic care can help.

Patients often describe the pain of sciatica as ranging from slight discomfort to the most extreme unbearable pain imaginable. Sciatic pain can show up in different areas of the leg and foot, and many times the pain will come and go. Over the years, people tend to go through periods of pain that typically intensify as the problem goes untreated.

Where Does Sciatica Start in Cleveland OH?

The pelvic and lumbar spine are usually the sources of sciatic issues. These areas of the spine are very complicated, and it can be difficult to locate the problem. Some patients say that all they did was bend over to pick up a piece of paper and they were hit with extreme pain. They don't understand how an easy task caused them so much pain. What they don't realize is that their condition was probably developing for the past few years, and bending to pick up that piece of paper just happened to be the last straw. With the exception of the most severe spinal problems, back issues don't happen overnight, they build up over years of time.

How Long Does it Take to Correct Sciatica?

Treatment length can vary significantly from patient to patient, depending on the severity of the problem. Some people respond very quickly while others take more time to recover. It really depends on the condition of the disc or the joints that the chiropractor has to correct. In most cases, the longer the issue persists, the longer it will take to achieve correction. The great news is that it typically takes less time to resolve it than it took to create it.

In the US the amount of people that end up with back surgery is staggering, and the low success rate is disappointing. It's estimated that back surgery is only about 15% effective within a five-year period of time. By consulting with a chiropractor, you will be able to zero in on the source and deal with it, hopefully without needing invasive surgery. From there they will need to work with you to improve the position of the spine and discs.

If you are serious about resolving your sciatica problems, call our team at Great Lakes Health and Wellness in Cleveland OH today to set up a consultation.

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Scoliosis typically begins as a minor bend in the spine that gradually becomes more and more curved. To make a diagnosis of scoliosis there must be a minimum 60-degree sideways curve of the spine. Unfortunately, once the spine has advanced to this stage, there are often severe health consequences to deal with. The good news is that if the bending of the spine is discovered before advancing to that point, and cared for properly during its early stages using chiropractic care in Cleveland OH, it can be prevented from worsening over time.

Many ideas regarding the cause of scoliosis have been researched and there has been little consensus regarding its origin. However, studies have shown that scoliosis is more likely to occur in young adolescent females than males of any age.

Starting Off Small in Cleveland OH

Many times a small bend in the spine begins with the simple misalignment of a single vertebra. Over time, the body is forced to compensate for this abnormality and the spine develops “S” and “C” shaped curves. Often parents and children first notice the presence of scoliosis due to an obvious deformity of the shoulders and pelvis. Unlike most other spinal conditions, scoliosis cannot be reversed by improving posture.

While the majority of scoliosis cases affect the younger population, it's important for you to realize that the condition can also develop in older adults. As people age, degenerative disorders such as osteoporosis can cause the bones in the spine to loose their normal shape. As a result, the body must compensate by producing lateral curves in the spine to ensure that the head remains level. In such cases, if the cause of the bending is not addressed there may be severe consequences, such as heart and lung problems.

An x-ray examination performed by your chiropractor is the most effective means of detecting curvature of the spine. However, various orthopedic examinations such as the Adams Position Test can assist in the diagnosis. Chiropractors will also examine the hips and shoulders, and check the legs for variation in length which can be a clue to the development of scoliosis.

Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis

Chiropractic care has been demonstrated in numerous research studies to slow or stop the progression of scoliosis. Most chiropractors will have the resources and experience to provide you with the most appropriate care, which may keep you from looking into more invasive or even surgical treatments.

The chiropractor will request your full health history to identify any factors that could be contributing to the presence of scolioses, such as occupational factors, lifestyle habits, previous traumas, and recreational activities. After these factors have been considered, they will likely perform specific spinal adjustments to reverse the body’s compensations and assist in the restoration process.

If you have any questions regarding scoliosis or chiropractic care, please give our team at Great Lakes Health and Wellness in Cleveland OH a call.

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Have you been told that you have a slipped disc or a disc injury? Slipped or injured discs can vary from slight to severe, but most will require at least some attention from a trained chiropractor. It's important that you understand your condition and what it means for you, and a licensed Cleveland OH chiropractor can help you develop the best treatment option for you.

The little pads that lie between your vertebrae are called the intervertebral discs. Each disc has a tough outer ring and a soft gel-like center, like a jelly doughnut. Your discs both join, separate, and protect your vertebrae from trauma. These discs serve as cushions or shock absorbers so that the bones don’t make contact with each other as you move. Without these discs, we would literally be unable to move our upper torso.

Disc Injury Diagnosis in Cleveland OH

If you are diagnosed with a protruding disc, it means that the gel has pushed out or is bulging due to injury, and is asymmetrical in different places. This may result in pinching and irritation of the nerve roots at that point, with varying levels of pain.

A herniated disc happens when the disc material ruptures to the point that the gel pushes outward. This can also cause severe pain and numbness due to the irritation of the nerves and can be very serious in many cases.

A disc extrusion is the worst type of disc injury. Essentially, the gel inside the disc balloons into the area outside the vertebrae or breaks off from the disc. This can lead to incredible back pain and can severely limit your range of motion.

Treatment Options

If you have injured discs, don't despair, there are options. With proper care, an injured or damaged disc may be restored to health. With a combination of a healthy diet, low impact exercise, and warm and cold compresses, the pain can be lessened or even completely removed.

Unfortunately, in some cases of disc injury surgery may be the only option for treatment. The problem tissue will be removed by the surgery (a discectomy), which will remove the pressure on nearby tissue and nerves. With nearly half of a million discectomies performed each year, this procedure is fairly common and minimally invasive.

If you're suffering from back pain that you believe is caused by a disc injury, call our chiropractic team today at Great Lakes Health and Wellness in Cleveland OH to set up a consultation. The sooner you take control of your health the more options you will have for treatment.

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Have you experienced whiplash? Rear-end collisions are the most common kind of car accident that happens. Although they usually happen due to a combination of sudden braking, poor driving, or even unclear road signs and directions, they can vary wildly in severity. This article discusses how chiropractic care in Cleveland OH can help.

Quite often, many patients that have been involved in some kind of rear-end collision don't even realize they have received injuries until weeks or even months post-impact. Their medical doctors do not always acknowledge injuries that may occur at lower speeds, despite a great deal of research today that says differently. If you believe that you have been injured in an accident, then you need to figure out how serious the injuries may be.

To successfully treat a whiplash injury, it's extremely important to work with a medical professional that understands the problem and how to treat it. If you have been injured recently, you'll need to get your spine checked as soon as possible. The sooner that you get checked up and take the appropriate steps to care for injuries, the less chance you have of developing long-term problems.

All drivers should take action to reduce the risk of whiplash. Injuries tend to be more significant when your headrest is positioned too low. If you don't adjust it appropriately it can act as an acceleration point when you are hit from behind. A 5 mph impact can result in your head whipping back at a much higher rate of speed causing greater injury.

If you have any questions about our Cleveland OH location, or would like to learn more about chiropractic care at Great Lakes Health and Wellness, please give us a call.

When Should Care Start for a Whiplash Injury in Cleveland OH?

Whiplash injuries are a serious matter. If an injury of this caliber is left untreated then the potential long-term impact can be devastating. Unfortunately, most people that have been injured may not even realize they are injured until long after the accident. By the time many people realize they are in need of help, their problems will need more extensive treatment than if they had started treatment sooner.

Significant improvement was noted for 93% of the 28 patients studied in the Woodward study while under chiropractic care. In the research study, chiropractic care consisted of spinal manipulation, PNF, and cryotherapy.

If you believe you have been injured and are in need of a chiropractor in Cleveland OH, call our team at Great Lakes Health and Wellness today to set up an appointment.

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Have you considered the benefits of chiropractic care in Cleveland OH for your children? Although children appear to bounce back from most injuries quickly, many parents don't understand the long-term effects of misalignments that children develop in their spine. Unfortunately, children do not always verbalize exactly what they feel when they are sore, uncomfortable, or in pain. Just like with adults, if the underlying cause is left alone for too long it can develop into much more serious issues.

Chiropractic May Help With Child Development in Cleveland OH

Chiropractic care may be helpful for your child's development. After development and birth, children growing into toddlers are faced with the developmental challenge of crawling and walking. While children are learning to overcome these challenges they are also going through a significant amount of straining, twisting, and falling.

While growth continues, and the child reaches the age where they play with pets, friends, and family, they can begin to develop bad posture, start playing contact sports, wear heavier backpacks (most likely the wrong way), and deal with the stress of more daily responsibilities. As these kids become teenagers and high school graduates, they join the workforce, which could place more strain on them depending on their chosen field.

As a parent, you need to make it a point to ensure that all the falls, stress, trauma, and physical demands that your children go through do not stop them from being kids. Chiropractic care is all about protecting your body from harm and chiropractors' exams are not intrusive but extensive enough that, even if your child is too young to communicate, or too shy, they can ascertain if treatment is needed or not.

If you have any concerns about your children, call our team at Great Lakes Health and Wellness in Cleveland OH today for a no-obligation consultation and let us help your child on their way to a better life.

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Have you considered chiropractic care in Cleveland OH for pregnancy? The physical stress of pregnancy can lead to a great deal of discomfort, and it's common for women to complain of a lot of lower back pain while pregnant.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, 50-70% of pregnant women experience lower back pain at some point during their pregnancy. The back pain generally peaks around the third trimester because this is when the baby gains the most weight.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body must undergo a number of different changes to accommodate the growing baby. Due to the weight that is gained, a mother’s center of gravity moves from its natural position, shifting to the front of her pelvis. This can add stress and discomfort to the lower back and various joints in the pelvis.

Added Stress as Pregnancy Progresses in Cleveland OH

Throughout the pregnancy, as the baby grows, the mother gains more weight, adding to the stress on the lower back and increasing the lordotic curvature of her lower back. If the sufferer already has a history of lower back problems there is a good chance that the pregnancy will aggravate the condition. This may lead to difficulty performing daily routines such as dressing or working and can create complications during labor.

Stress on the lower back can create many more additional problems. Issues such as leg cramps, abdominal cramping, constipation, and more have been reported.

Prenatal Care at Great Lakes Health and Wellness

At Great Lakes Health and Wellness we can provide personalized care throughout your pregnancy as well as after. Regular consultations with our trained staff of chiropractors can help alleviate and even prevent common pains and problems associated with pregnancy. In doing this, we give you and your baby a better chance of a straightforward, safe birth.

Chiropractic During Pregnancy

Chiropractic care is just one of the many safe and effective treatments that can help prepare the mother’s body for the experience of pregnancy and childbirth. There are specialized adjustment methods designed to accommodate pregnancy and lessen the issues that come with it. Many of the women that choose to receive chiropractic care during their pregnancy report that it helped them use little to no pain medications throughout their delivery. There are also studies finding that receiving regular care can help reduce labor time.

Great Lakes Health and Wellness in Cleveland OH has the educated and trained staff to answer your questions. We are here to provide safe, controlled, and gentle care for you and your unborn child. Call today to take a step towards a pain-free and natural pregnancy.

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Is wellness chiropractic care in Cleveland OH something that could improve the overall quality of your life? Most people are raised to believe that we are sick because we have symptoms. Have you ever considered sickness without symptoms?

There are a growing number of people that are starting to visit chiropractors even though they feel like they are completely healthy. This decision is more appealing to more people because they are beginning to see the value of being and feeling their best as often as possible.

The “First” Sign You Need Wellness Care in Cleveland OH

Most of us have learned to associate having an illness with outward symptoms. For instance, we don't take a day off work or school unless we are experiencing nausea or a fever, even if we don't feel "right." Research is starting to show us that many of the illnesses people in our society suffer from are directly related to decisions we are making in our lives. These decisions may affect our bodies and produce problems that do not have, what we consider to be obvious outward symptoms.

The Body Reacts

Our body does not just react to unhealthy choices, but it also reacts to healthy choices. If a person eats something that has not been cooked properly then that person will most likely find themselves getting physically ill. Getting ill is rarely an enjoyable experience, but we know and understand that it is the body’s way of removing something poisonous or unhealthy, thus helping us stay healthy. The body having such a response is healthy and is proof of the body functioning properly. Health can be defined as the body functioning properly, not just feeling good.

Master Control Center

Everything that occurs in our body throughout the day would not be possible without our nervous system. Your nervous system, and by extension, your entire body, is monitored and controlled by your spine. By protecting the nervous system, your health drastically improves along with everything else in your body.

When something is wrong with your body, oftentimes it is a symptom of a deeper problem rather than an individual concern. By consulting with a chiropractor, you may even be able to find and resolve an issue you didn't even know you have. Our team at Great Lakes Health and Wellness can help you detect problems before they develop into something more serious as well as help you maintain your bodily wellness.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about chiropractic care at Great Lakes Health and Wellness in Cleveland OH, please give us a call.

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