Chiropractic Treatment for a Herniated Disc

Your spinal column is made up of vertebrae, or bones, stacked one on top of the other. Between the bones are discs, or soft cushions that prevent the bones from rubbing together. A herniated, or slipped, disc occurs if one of the cushions wears down and ruptures, so that the material inside the disc leaks out, causing pain and numbness in the body. Charlotte chiropractor, Dr. Darcy Walraven Ladner, treats herniated discs using chiropractic techniques such as spinal adjustments, physical therapy, and spinal decompression.

Signs and Causes of a Herniated Disc

A number of factors can lead to a herniated disc. Age is one of the primary causes. In some people, the discs begin to wear down in middle age. Another common cause of the condition is stress placed on the spine. Stress can come from a number of sources. If you are overweight, the extra weight puts pressure on the discs and can cause a rupture. Work-related stress is another cause. If you work a job that requires you to lift heavy objects or a job that requires a lot of repetitive movements, you are at a higher risk for a slipped disc. Lifestyle choices such as smoking or a lack of exercise can also lead to a slipped disc.

Back pain is a common sign of a disc problem, as is pain in the arms and legs. If the disc ruptures in your neck, arm pain is more likely. Leg pain is common if the disc ruptured in your lower back. You may also experience feelings of numbness or muscle weakness due to damage to the nerves.

Chiropractic Treatments

Charlotte chiropractor Dr. Walraven Ladner offers several treatments for disc problems. Spinal adjustments put your spine back into position and relieve pressure on the disc. Therapy exercises and stretching help reduce pain and strengthen the muscles. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may need spinal decompression therapy to relieve pressure on the nerves in your back.

Have you suffered from a herniated disc and back pain? What treatment helped you?

Charlotte Chiropractor Provides Relief
From Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia sufferers know that this disease can be debilitating and painful. The good news is that chiropractic care can help relieve tightness, tenderness and pain. Our team of professionals at the Omni Wellness Center, led by Charlotte chiropractor Dr. Darcey Walraven Ladner, is here to help.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome -- or FMS -- affects from three to six percent of people in the U.S. This rheumatoid disorder causes fatigue, pain in muscles and bones, and is associated with symptoms such as: sleep disturbances, headaches, depression, diarrhea alternating with constipation, numb, tingling extremities, weakness, dizziness, and memory loss.

Though the exact causes of FMS remain unknown, it is sometimes associated with changes in body chemistry, like high stress levels, inadequate sleep, anxiety and infection. Many FMS sufferers experience back pain or tender spots along the spine and in other muscles and tendons.

Chiropractor Addresses FMS Through Comprehensive Treatment Plans

Fortunately, chiropractic regimens effectively treat FMS. Our chiropractic center uses comprehensive methods such as: spinal adjustments, exercise, nutrition counseling, acupuncture, and massage.

One of the hallmarks of FMS is muscle tightness. Pain causes muscles to lose flexibility and the spine responds with a loss of movement that -- in itself -- causes muscle tightening and pain. Spinal adjustments help relax muscles and restore movement.

Exercises tailored for Fibromyalgia-Syndrome patients are also effective for relieving FMS-related pain. Our staff creates a series of gentle, beneficial exercises that you can do at home to increase flexibility and range of movement. Exercise -- such as brisk walking, swimming or biking -- also reduces stress, which can in turn help with FMS symptoms.

Nutrition is another important component in FMS treatment. Eating a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables provides vitamins, minerals necessary to repair muscles, while an increased fiber intake helps prevent digestive issues. Dr. Darcey is experienced in providing customized nutrition plans for patients suffering from a variety of chronic pain conditions.

Finally, acupuncture and massage work in tandem with other chiropractic methods to treat back and neck pain associated with FMS. Our clinic is dedicated to helping you overcome FMS and achieve total wellness.

Which methods have you found most effective in treating FMS?

Maintain Health and Reduce Stress
during the Busy Holiday Season

Charlotte chiropractor Dr. Darcey Walraven focuses on integrative care while treating issues like sciatica and back pain with holistic methods. A healthy spine leads to a healthy body, and a healthy body makes it easier to maintain the proper weight for your body type. Regular chiropractic treatments with our Charlotte chiropractor can help alleviate pain, treat sciatica and other spine related issues, and keep you going strong while enjoying all that the holiday season has to offer. Nutrition is also one of our focuses, and is an integral part of our care at Omni Wellness Center.

Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain

Maintaining your goal weight and staying healthy is something that takes consistent, diligent work. The holidays are a time of year that present a special set of dietary and health challenges. Not only is time typically at more of a premium because there is more to do between decorating, shopping and attending holiday parties, but there is a tempting array of decadent food seemingly constantly available. The holidays are a time to indulge, but do so sensibly. There are certain foods and activities that are only available this time of year, so finding a healthy balance is the best way to enjoy the season to its fullest.

Here are a few basic tips to help you keep your weight on track, your nutrition balanced, and you feeling and looking great through the holiday season.

Hydrate: With champagne and eggnog flowing, it is easy to forget to drink water. Drinking water will not only help you feel fuller so you eat less of the decadent foods, but also replace the liquids that alcohol consumption depletes.

Fruits & Veggies: We all know we are supposed to eat them, and this is a particularly important time to do so. Filling up on these will help give you the vitamins and minerals you need to fight off the winter colds that are so abundant, and the fiber will keep you feeling full as well.

Be Selective: By all means indulge in your favorite foods, but you don’t need to eat the entire tray of cookies. When you’re at a party, assess the food table and select a few things that you want to try. Limit yourself to small servings of these few items and make sure you really savor them by eating slowly.

What are some of the methods that you use to stay “on track” during the holidays?

Autumn is a time of chilly nights and cool, crisp days. It is also a time of stunning color as leaves on trees turn vibrant colors…and then fall to the ground. Nothing says autumn like facing the indelible chore of raking leaves. There is, however, a right way and a wrong way to rake leaves. All too often we see patients at our Omni Wellness Center who have caused themselves injury or strain from improperly raking leaves. Stay injury-free this fall by following these suggestions from our chiropractor.

Stay Injury Free While Raking Leaves in Charlotte

Raking leaves can be a strenuous activity. Bending, lifting, twisting and reaching are just some of the movements one performs while raking leaves. Any one of these movements, if improperly executed, can result in back pain, neck pain or even a herniated disc.

Before you begin raking, do a series of simple stretches to limber up your muscles. Then, while raking, avoid twisting your back whenever possible. Rather than twist, turn your entire body and not just your torso. When bending, bend at the knees rather than at the hips, and avoid throwing leaves or bagged leaves over your shoulder.

Using the right size of rake is also important. If the rake is too long for you to comfortably use then you may be over-straining muscles to rake leaves. If the rake is too short, then you might be hunching over more than necessary. In addition, don't overfill bags as they can become quite heavy, especially if the leaves are wet or even damp.

Charlotte back pain can be avoided by taking a few minutes to stretch after raking. This will help reduce any stiffness you might feel the next day. A hot shower afterwards will also help to relax those muscles. Don't forget, raking leaves is an aerobic activity so take it slowly and listen to your body to avoid neck pain, back pain and visits to the chiropractor.

Do you have any other tips to help avoid injury while raking leaves?

Omni Wellness Center is on the cutting edge of advanced treatments, and one of the advanced treatments we employ is laser therapy. Our Charlotte chiropractor, Dr. Darcey Walraven Ladner uses this type of therapy to treat a number of painful conditions, often alongside other chiropractic techniques, to help provide the most effective pain relief and treatment plan possible.

Laser Treatments for Neck Pain, Back Pain, Bursitis,
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia

Our laser treatments, also known as cold laser or soft laser, have many applications. It can be effective for alleviating pain in the neck, back, hips, and shoulders as well as the overall musculoskeletal pain associated with fibromyalgia. Any type of chronic or recurring pain can be treated with laser therapy, including joint issues such as bursitis, arthritis, soft tissue injuries, tendonitis, ligament sprains, muscle strain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and tennis elbow. Laser therapy treatments can also treat certain conditions that respond well to acupuncture, providing the same healing benefits without the use of needles.

The low-level laser works by emitting photons into the soft tissues, thereby increasing the tissues’ cellular and subcellular activity. The photons also prompt the cell’s mitochondria to produce increased levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which results in reduced swelling, enhanced healing of damaged tissue, and the production of new cells. Laser has been an effective component in our physical therapy programs, helping patients recover from issues associated with muscle, ligament, and tendon overuse and injury. The laser promotes healing while it also decreases the formation of scar tissue and increases nerve action.

Our laser levels range from approximately 660 nm to 900 nm, or nanometers, which are measurements denoting one-billionth of a meter. The lowest intensity laser reaches the tissue just below the surface of the skin, while the maximum intensity has the ability to reach 4 to 5 inches in depth. The frequency and intensity of our laser treatments depends on the conditions being treated, with most treatments typically requiring a few sessions.

Have you ever tried laser treatments? What were the results?