Chiropractic Care Available at Baltimore Back and Pain for Headache Treatment

Headaches are one of the most common reasons that people visit a doctor. More than 250 million work days are lost every year due to headaches. While headaches are rarely a sign of immediately serious or life threatening health problems, some are so painful that it may seem that something is very wrong inside the head. People have become accustomed to self medication which may mask potentially dangerous conditions.

Baltimore chiropractor Dr. Michael Dorn says, "A headache is your body's way of letting you know that something is not right." Some of the milder headaches are the result of occasional problems brought on by excess smoking, drinking or eating. Others might be the indirect symptom of eye strain, poor lighting, excessive noise, improper nutrition, hunger, daily pressures or an infection, etc. In rare cases, headaches can be attributed to organic conditions such as brain tumors or even diabetes. The chiropractic examination process helps identify the most likely cause of a headache.

An exam might show that the headache is the result of muscle tension and irritation of the nerves and blood vessels in the neck. The cervical vertebrae can become misaligned from excessive physical and/or emotional stress and can irritate the nerve roots in the neck and may even cause minor constriction in some vessels. If not cared for, more serious symptoms may develop.

Chiropractic care may help prevent unnecessary tension and/or irritation in the neck and head. Many studies show that cervical spine manipulation can offer significant improvement in headache outcomes in trials involving patients with neck pain and/or neck dysfunction and headache. In some instances, specific chiropractic adjustments can provide immediate relief for headaches. Others notice a slow decline in their symptoms after several weeks or longer of chiropractic care. Keep in mind that every headache victim is an individual case and may require special instructions or recommendations.

If the initial exam shows that your condition requires the attention of other health care specialists, Dr. Dorn will, of course, refer you to them. Your optimum health is our goal! If you have questions or would like more help with ways to manage your headaches, please contact Baltimore Back and Pain Center at 410-662-4476 and let us get you on the road to a healthier you. Visit the Baltimore Back and Pain Center's website for a coupon for a free chiropractic evaluation and hydromassage.

Baltimore Chiropractor Discusses Sciatica Pain and Treatment

Sciatica is a symptom of spinal disorder and it creates persistent pain that travels down through the nerve and it may be related to many areas of your pain. The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the human body. It begins at the lower back and runs vertically downward into the back of the thigh, behind the knee and then goes into the calf muscles and the feet.

Baltimore chiropractor Dr. Michael Dorn says, "often times a bulging or ruptured disc can irritate the sciatic nerve which can then cause pain, tingling, or numbness through the extensions of the nerve throughout the lower back and lower body." The most common symptom associated with sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back and down one leg; however, symptoms can vary widely depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected.

Some patients may experience a mild tingling, or a dull ache, or even a burning sensation, typically on one side of the body. Other patients also say they experience a pins-and-needles sensation, most often in the toes or foot, or numbness or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot. Pain from sciatica often begins slowly, gradually intensifying over time. In addition, the pain can worsen after prolonged sitting, sneezing, coughing, bending, or other sudden movements.

A visit to the chiropractic office of Baltimore Back and Pain Center will help determine a proper treatment plan to reduce or obliterate the pain that you are experiencing. Depending on the cause of the sciatica, a chiropractic treatment plan may cover several different treatment methods. Chiropractic spinal adjustments have proven to be very effective in reducing and possibly eliminating nerve irritation and pain. Other treatment options that may be used include trigger point therapy or instrumented-assisted soft tissue therapy. From a simple adjustment to spinal decompression, Dr. Dorn has helped hundreds of patients in the Baltimore area escape the pain from sciatica.

Snow Shoveling Tips from Baltimore Chiropractor Dr. Michael Dorn

With this round of snow piling up, Dr. Michael Dorn of Baltimore Back and Pain Center offers some simple tips to avoid snow shoveling back strain. "When you venture out to shovel snow, you should take some precautions that could prevent injury," says Baltimore chiropractor Dr. Dorn. "The physical exertion of bending, lifting, and twisting, combined with the exposure to cold weather, can take a serious toll on the body and can also cause painful muscle spasms, strains or tears if you're not in shape."

Dr. Dorn continues, "You should consider the following tips before you grab your shovel after a major snowfall. There is a right and a wrong way to shovel snow, and paying attention to your technique can make a big difference in how you feel the next day."

Be prepared. Spray your shovel with Teflon so the snow will not stick to it. The more snow that stays on the shovel, the heavier it gets and that offers more chance for injury, and frustration.

Timing is everything. Listen to weather forecast so you can shovel in the best possible conditions. If possible, wait until the afternoon to shovel. Many disc injuries occur in the morning when there is increased fluid pressure in the disc because your body has been at rest all night.

Do a warm-up first. A tight, stiff body is asking for injury. A few minutes of stretching can save you a lot of pain later.

Layer your clothing. Layered clothing will keep your muscles warm and flexible. You can always shed a layer if you get too hot. Make sure you wear gloves that cover your wrists; if your wrists get cold, your fingers, hands and arms will be cold, too.

Wear the right shoes. Choose shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to absorb the impact of walking on hard, frozen ground.

Use the right size shovel. Your shovel should be about chest high on you, allowing you to keep your back straight when lifting. (Note: Save your money - don't buy a fancy ergonomic shovel; studies have shown that in some models, the hook end is too deep. Twisting to unload a shovelful of snow with this tool may hurt your wrists.) Also keep one hand close to the base of the shovel to balance weight and lessen the strain on your back.

Use proper posture. When you shovel, bend your knees and keep your back straight while lifting with your legs. Push the snow straight ahead; don't try to throw it. Walk it to the snow bank. Try to shovel forward to avoid sudden twists of the torso and reduce strain on the back.

Drink lots of water. Drinking water frequently throughout the day helps to keep your muscles and body hydrated. Be careful with drinking hot drinks like coffee or hot chocolate. Coffee contains caffeine, which has a dehydrating effect and adds more stress to the body.

Take your time. Working too hard and too fast is an easy way to strain muscles. Take frequent breaks. Shovel for about five minutes at a time and then rest for two minutes.

Make it a family activity. Who says the kids should only be sledding in the snow? The shoveling will get done a lot faster if you have help. Just watch out for the occasional stray snowball!

See your chiropractor. Gentle spinal manipulation will help keep your back flexible and minimize the chance for injury. If you do overdo it, we can help you feel better and prevent more injury. If we're not already there, program the office number into your contact list: 410-662-4476.