Before going into a chiropractic appointment, many patients have questions in their minds about what to expect. This is particularly true for people who do not have much experience receiving chiropractic care. If you are someone that deals with daily discomfort or pain, then it is probably time to consider trying this non-invasive form of treatment. Consider speaking with a reputable clinic near you for more information. Until then, here are common questions many patients have about chiropractic:

Is Chiropractic Care a New Form of Treatment?

Understandably, new patients may be cautious about a treatment they have never received before. But, chiropractic has been around since the late 1800s and has proven to be a safe and alternative method of care. The educational and professional requirements expected of a chiropractor are strict, so patients can trust that they are in good hands. It can help to look up reviews and speak with a chiropractic clinic before getting treatment if you have any concerns.

Is it Okay to Get Chiropractic Treatment During Pregnancy?

Yes, in general, chiropractic care is safe to receive when pregnant. However, it is encouraged that you check with your obstetrician-gynecologist beforehand. Many patients experience relief after chiropractic adjustments, which help to reduce aches and symptoms associated with pregnancy. 

If I Get Just One Adjustment, Will My Body Get Addicted?

Some people worry that if they get a spinal adjustment, that this will result in them having to depend on chiropractic care ongoing. No evidence suggests our bodies get addicted to spinal adjustments. But, you may find that you enjoy going to the chiropractor because it reduces your symptoms and alleviates pain.

If you stop getting treatments, your spine may slowly return to the state it was in before. This isn’t a cause of dependency though, it’s just that your spine will become misaligned again, especially if you did not make changes to your lifestyle or have a long-term chronic condition that needs managing. 

Will it Hurt When I Hear Cracking or Popping Sounds?

Sounds that are commonly associated with chiropractic care are cracking and popping sounds. There is no reason to be concerned about these sounds, as they are normal and to be expected during a spinal adjustment. It does not typically cause pain or discomfort for patients and is not dangerous to your health. Some people say they feel immediate relief after hearing these sounds since it means that their joints or vertebrae are being gently coaxed back to their normal resting position. 

What Are Signs That I Should Get Chiropractic Care?

If you have pain or discomfort related to your musculoskeletal system, such as the neck, back, spine, or muscles, then it may be time to seek chiropractic care. Many people live with daily pain which may be corrected through the chiropractic approach. Your chiropractor will perform a physical exam, inquire about medical history, run diagnostics, and then let you know whether chiropractic is right for your body. 

Reach out to a chiropractor from Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today if you are ready to take control of your health and to get a better understanding of how a chiropractor could help you.

Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment

Accidents of all kinds happen every day in the United States, whether it’s a car crash, a slip and fall, a sports mishap, or something else. Injuries to the knee that result from these accidents is also common. A platelet-rich plasma (PRP) doctor can treat many types of injuries, and knee injuries represent a high percentage of patients. PRP treatment is increasingly popular because it is an effective alternative to invasive surgical procedures. It is also an alternative to taking potentially addictive prescription pain medications that may cause a variety of side effects.

Common Types of Knee Injuries that Result from Accidents

As most PRP doctors know, knee injuries are a common injury in accidents, particularly car crashes. Knee injuries are also common among those who play sports: tennis, soccer, football, rugby, and other sports that require players to twist and turn while on their feet. After examining your injury, our PRP doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for PRP therapy. Regardless of how the accident occurred, some types of knee injuries are more common than others. They include:

· Dislocated knee. When the knee suffers a direct hit, it can cause the knee joint to separate, or dislocate from its natural position.

·         Knee strain or sprain. When the knee, or a part of the knee is damaged from tearing or over-stretching, it can cause injuries to the ligaments, tendons, muscles, or the capsule that surrounds the knee joint.

·         Knee joint break or fracture. This is a complicated injury that may require surgery if the damage is extensive. Alternately, a knee doctor may determine that a knee cast is sufficient to allow the body to heal on its own. It’s important to seek medical care because if left untreated, the pain will be significant and the condition can lead to irreversible arthritis in the knee joint.

·         Torn knee cartilage. The cartilage in the knee is a protective cushion between the knee bones, preventing contact between them. This is important as a safeguard to feeling pain, so when that cartilage is damaged, bone on bone contact may occur causing pain and extreme difficulty with walking or placing weight on the affected leg. In less serious cases, the patient may be able to heal without surgery but significant rest and physical rehabilitation will be necessary.

·         Knee ligament tear. Whether a ligament in the knee is torn or stretched, it can be a long road to recovery. This type of injury is not unusual for National Football League players while on the field during practice or a game. The three most common types of ligament injuries are:

o   Anterior cruciate ligament (often simply referred to as an ACL injury)

o   Posterior cruciate ligament

o   Medial collateral ligament

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that results in pain, swelling, stiffness, and mobility restriction. It is the most commonly seen type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis comes from the breakdown of joint cartilage and wear and tear on the underlying bone. In this inflammatory condition, the body fails to repair the injury or damage to the affected tissues. 

Cartilage is a kind of tissue that covers the surface of the bones within a joint. When healthy, it usually is smooth, allowing joints to move freely and without friction. Damage to this lubricating cartilage exposes the underlying bones, which causes inflammation and further damage to the joint.

Risk factors for osteoarthritis

Aging is a risk factor for osteoarthritis. The potential for osteoarthritis increases as you get older. Women suffer from osteoarthritis more often than men. A patient’s genetics are also a pivotal contributor to arthritic conditions. Some people are genetically programmed to be more prone to osteoarthritis, just as some are more likely to have gray hair and wrinkles. 

Prior sports and other types of injury can damage the cartilage and predispose an individual to the development of osteoarthritis. Certain repetitive job actions or stresses that overtax and put pressure on the joints, such as heavy lifting can lead to arthritis. Additionally, being overweight causes more stress on the spine, hips, and knees, leading to osteoarthritis.

Symptoms and treatments for osteoarthritis

The most pronounced symptom of osteoarthritis is pain. However, it can also include swelling, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and mobility restrictions. Osteoarthritis typically affects the weight-bearing joints, including the hips, knees, toes, and spine. It can involve the joints in the shoulders and fingers as well. Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed by examining an individual’s symptoms, and by examining x-rays or MRI scans of the joints.

Unfortunately, there is not a cure for osteoarthritis at this time. Treatments include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication 
• Injections
• Exercise and physical therapy 
• Weight loss
• Joint replacement surgery

Stem cell therapy is a new and innovative form of treatment for osteoarthritis. Stem cells are extracted from an individual’s adipose (fat) tissue or bone marrow and then injected into the damaged or injured joint. Stem cell therapy has demonstrated benefits in both animals and people. 

Stem cells work to repair and regenerate arthritis-damaged tissues by decreasing inflammation. They can repair cartilage, as well. Treatment with stem cells could help delay the need for a total joint replacement for a few years. When stem cell therapy is combined with physical therapy, it can ease pain, help to lessen swelling, and improve mobility in the joint.

A trip to the chiropractor for an adjustment may result in much-needed relief. When the bones of the body are thrown out of whack due to overuse, injury, or age, it can result in pain. One of the most interesting things about bone adjustment is that realigning bones in one spot may provide relief in a seemingly unrelated part of the body. To help patients who suffer from chronic pain or injury, doctors are beginning to suggest chiropractic manipulation. What can be expected after an adjustment is performed? Learn about the common side effects patients experience and those that may signal trouble.

Localized Soreness

The area of the body adjusted by the practitioner may feel sore for a few hours after. The pressure placed around the area by the chiropractor, either by hands or special tools, may feel bruised for a short time. The ligaments and muscles around the once misaligned joint may also feel uncomfortable. The pain should be fairly minimal and should go away with time or over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Nausea and Dizziness

When the neck or back is adjusted, it may be common to feel nauseous and even dizzy for a few hours after. The nerves running to and from the inner ear may have been temporarily affected by the movement of the adjustment. This can cause a sense of dizziness or vertigo. Along with this, some people feel sick to their stomach, much like that caused by motion sickness. This unwelcome side effect does not stick around too long, and if it does, the practitioner should be informed.

Fatigue

The most commonly felt side effect after any bone adjustment is fatigue. Some patients claim that the entire body feels heavy and that the only relief is lying down to sleep. The reason for this is believed to be the activation of the body’s immune system during the adjustment. White blood cells and fresh blood flow faster towards the newly-aligned bones. This diverts energy from the rest of the body temporarily to bring fresh oxygen and extra protection while the body heals. Thus, exhaustion is a good sign that the body’s response system is acting as it should and that the adjustment was successful.

A chiropractor, like a chiropractor from AmeriWell Clinics, is the only medical practitioner trained to do any spinal manipulation or adjustment. When performed properly, the discomfort should be minimal and fleeting. The effects, however, should provide relief to the body as a whole.

Approximately 80 percent of adult men and women will experience knee pain in their lifetimes. Sometimes this pain might go away within a few days while in other situations it might last for much longer. Nearly 20 percent of people will have chronic knee pain that hinders their ability to move, function, and perform basic tasks. In the past, knee pain doctors might have prescribed cortisone injections, anti inflammatory medications, and in some cases painkillers. They also at times suggest surgery in addition to physical therapy. Although these treatments are still widely utilized, there is a new innovation that many patients are finding success with. This is the newly popular knee injection treatment or also known as PRP treatment. 

Understanding PRP Injections

PRP injections are a natural method of treatment. When considering other treatment options, PRP treatment can save money and time. The treatment can treat, restore, and rebuild torn muscle tissues and injured cartilage in the knee. It can also reduce swelling and alleviate knee pain. It should be noted that if you have long term, chronic knee pain, your knee pain doctor might still advise you to have a knee replacement surgery. If this is true, you may not be a candidate for PRP treatment. 

Knee Injection: How It’s Made

A PRP injection is made from your own blood and spun in a centrifuge. It is injected into the area of pain to stimulate repair of damaged cells and new cell growth. In short, the PRP knee injection supplies the body with the necessary building blocks to promote healing and recovery. 

Benefits of PRP Treatment for Knee Pain

As a knee pain doctor might explain to you, many people are opting to try PRP treatments over other conventional methods. If you are unsure, consider the following advantages and consult a knee pain doctor for further assessment. 

• PRP is made from your own blood. 

• It is a natural, minimally invasive, treatment.
• There are very little side effects.

Unlike cortisone injections that can weaken tissues and ligaments over time, PRP can strengthen them. 

• PRP treatment takes approximately one hour. 
• There is no down time. 

Not everyone will qualify for PRP injections. If any of the below applies to you, a knee doctor might advise against PRP treatment. 

• You are pregnant
• You are taking blood thinning medication
• You have an autoimmune disorder
• You have certain blood disorders
• You have certain cancers

Regardless of what may be the cause of your knee pain, or whether it is chronic or acute, PRP treatment may be able to help you

You hear the drill every time you go to your dentist: brush twice a day and floss once. How often does your dentist discuss a mouthwash or rinse? If they are not mentioning every time you go for an exam, then does that mean it is not necessary? If it is necessary, then how do you select the right rinse or wash? This article aims to shed a little light on the subject.

Do You Need a Mouthwash or Rinse?

Mouthwash is not essential, but it doesn’t hurt. While it will not replace brushing and flossing, it can help, especially if you have a hard time brushing correctly. Mouthwashes and rinses are used before and after brushing to help eliminate as much bacteria and debris as possible. Taking the extra precaution of mouthwash is beneficial in terms of preventative care.

What Are the Common Ingredients?

When you look at the oral health aisle of your local drug store, you will see many choices, from whitening to bad breath. However, don’t be fooled by shiny labels and marketing tricks. Check the ingredients. Fluoride helps to prevent cavities and reduce the spread of tooth decay. Astringent salt is used to mask bad breath. Peroxide fights against staining and antimicrobials kill oral bacteria. Essentially, the best way to choose a wash or rinse it to look for the ADA seal of approval.

When Is the Best Time to Rinse?

While it sounds strange, there may actually be a good time for using a mouthwash or rinse. For example, the National Health Service recommends using a fluoride rinse immediately after brushing, but they also recommend waiting to use a non-fluoride mouthwash. It is best to wait to use a non-fluoride mouthwash until later in the day or some time after brushing.

How Do You Rinse?

While each mouthwash and rinse will have its own recommendations on use, there is a standard rinsing protocol. You want to swish the wash around in your mouth for a minimum of 30 to 60 seconds. It is better to rinse for at least a minute, but less is OK if you can’t handle it.Mouthwashes and rinses are considered additional preventative care. They work in tandem with brushing and flushing to help reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. Although, if you want to make sure that you are incorporating the healthiest oral habits, contact a dentist, like a dentist from John Redmond Orthodontics, and schedule an appointment to discuss your dental habits.