Nervous About Your First Chiropractic Adjustment? Dr. Michael A. Dorn Jr., DC Will Put You at Ease.

Sometimes patients have fear or reservations about what their first adjustment will be like when they come to the chiropractor. They may be afraid that the pressure placed on their sore back may make it hurt worse. Some patients don’t like to hear the natural “pop” sound when a vertebrate is brought back into alignment. Other patients have arthritis or old injuries and are not sure how an adjustment could fix something that has not been right for so long.

Well, just like every patient is different and has their own unique problem and set of circumstances, there are many types of adjustments, soft tissue techniques and ways to align the vertebrate that will suit just about every type of patient and situation. Not all people can be adjusted the same way nor should they be.

If you’re the type of patient who is in severe pain or has a degenerated spine, we provide therapy at Baltimore Back and Pain Center that relaxes your muscles, decreases swelling and reduces your pain before your adjustments. A gentle, low force soothing and stretching type of adjustment would be used. Typically an instrument or special table is used so there is little force and pressure in making the adjustment.

Let's say you’re the patient who does not like to hear the “pop” sound or does not like their spine twisted. Again, an impulse instrument adjustment would be used or special parts of a table that gently drop and stretch would be used so no twisting or popping happens during the adjustment.

I recommend calling to make an appointment with us at Baltimore Back and Pain Center to discuss and concerns you may have. I will address them all personally and explain what the best approach is for your neck, back pain or any symptom you have. I take particular care in doing a thorough evaluation of everyone’s condition using orthopedic tests, x-rays (if needed) and most importantly, listen to what each patient wants and needs from their treatment.

I look forward to meeting you. Relax and make an appointment today by calling our chiropractic office in Baltimore at 410-662-4476 for your free evaluation. You won't believe how much better you can feel!

Dr. Michael Dorn, Baltimore Back and Pain Center

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.