Baltimore Back and Pain Center's Dr. Michael A. Dorn Jr., DC Discusses the Largest Nerve in the Body

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower back and extends to the bottom of the leg. Sciatica is a term that is used to describe the nerve pain that involves the sciatic nerve. Most people experience a sharp pain that starts in their lower back, and extends all the way down the leg. The lumbar spine, where the sciatic nerve begins, is the most frequently injured area of the spine. At Baltimore Back and Pain Center we know while it can take time, conservative chiropractic care can be quite successful in removing the cause of sciatica and lower back pain

A chiropractic adjustment can help take the pressure off the entire sciatic nerve, which helps to decrease inflammation. There will also be a significant decrease in the number of muscle spasms experienced. Dr. Michael Dorn may be able to help you if you are experiencing pain from sciatica. Dr. Michael Dorn has researched how the sciatic is affected by chiropractic adjustments, research shows that when treated with chiropractic adjustments, sciatica has an 8-9% greater rate of recovery than if the patients were to use therapy of standard medical care.

At Baltimore Back and Pain Center, Dr. Dorn will address the cause of a patient's health problems, rather than give painkillers and other drugs which only treat the symptoms. Call our Baltimore chiropractor office today to make an appointment for a free evaluation at (410) 662-4476. Find us on Facebook!

Treating Headaches with Chiropractic Adjustments at Baltimore Back and Pain Center

Headaches affect just about everyone at some point and they can present themselves in many different ways. Some people only experience pain in one part of their head or behind their eyes, some people experience a pounding sensation inside their whole head, and some people even experience nausea, while others do not. The pain itself may be dull or sharp and may last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Fortunately, very few headaches have serious underlying causes, but those that do require urgent medical attention.

At Baltimore Back and Pain Center, Dr. Michael Dorn goes over each individual’s symptoms which may require a thorough evaluation before a proper course of chiropractic care can be determined. However, in most cases of tension headaches, significant improvement is accomplished through manipulation of the upper two cervical vertebrae, couples with adjustments to the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. This is also helpful in most cases of migraine headaches, as long as food and lifestyle triggers are avoided as well.

Although adjustments can resolve headaches Dr. Michael Dorn recomends a few ways to avoid initial onset.

• Stress may be a trigger, but certain foods, odors, menstrual periods, and changes in weather are among many factors that may also trigger headache.
• Emotional factors such as depression, anxiety, frustration, letdown, and even pleasant excitement may be associated with developing a headache.
• Keeping a headache diary will help you determine whether factors such as food, change in weather, and/or mood have any relationship to your headache pattern.
• Repeated exposure to nitrite compounds can result in a dull, pounding headache that may be accompanied by a flushed face. Nitrite, which dilates blood vessels, is found in such products as heart medicine and dynamite, but is also used as a chemical to preserve meat. Hot dogs and other processed meats containing sodium nitrite can cause headaches.
• Eating foods prepared with monosodium glutamate (MSG) can result in headache. Soy sauce, meat tenderizer, and a variety of packaged foods contain this chemical which is touted as a flavor enhancer.
• Headache can also result from exposure to poisons, even common household varieties like insecticides, carbon tetrachloride, and lead. Children who ingest flakes of lead paint may develop headaches. So may anyone who has contact with lead batteries or lead-glazed pottery.
• Foods that are high in the amino acid tyramine should also be avoided, such as ripened cheeses (cheddar, brie), chocolate, as well as any food pickled or fermented foods.

Baltimore Back and Pain Center is just north of the city, conveniently located off of I-83, directions and office hours are posted on the Baltimore Back and Pain Center website. To schedule and appointment, please call the office at (410) 662-4476 for a free chiropractic evaluation with Dr. Dorn. Mention this article and receive a free hydro massage during your appointment.

Baltimore Back and Pain Center's Dr. Michael Dorn Explains Subluxation

Do you know what a Subluxation is?

In simplest terms, a subluxation (a.k.a. Vertebral Subluxation) is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. Spinal nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. This pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes those nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves.

How does this affect you? Your nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. If you interfere with the signals traveling over nerves, parts of your body will not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function at 100% of their innate abilities. In other words, some part of your body will not be working properly. It is the responsibility of the Doctor of Chiropractic to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This is done through a series of chiropractic adjustments specifically designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine. Chiropractors are the only professionals who undergo years of training to be the experts at correcting subluxations.

At Baltimore Back and Pain Center, Dr. Dorn will address the cause of a patient’s health problems, rather than give painkillers and other drugs which only treat the symptoms. Call our chiropractic office in Baltimore today to schedule a free evaluation: 410-662-4476.