Common Abnormalities of the Spinal Column

 

Many people wonder why the need to see a chiropractor, but pain-related issues that motivate them to seek chiropractic treatment are lower back, neck, mid-back and shoulder pain and even headaches.  The following are some common conditions that people experience when seeking chiropractic:

Back Strain

A muscle strain (or pulled muscle) is an overstretched or torn muscle resulting in injury; with injury comes inflammation, which is part of the healing process, and can also trigger muscle spasms

 

         Back Sprain

A ligament injury caused by sudden movements in which the muscles don't have time to react - e.g. in a fall or car accident; the muscles don't contract enough to keep the spine within its normal range of motion, causing ligaments to stretch or tear

 

Vertebral Subluxation

A condition in which a vertebra has lost its proper juxtaposition (close together or side by side) with an adjacent vertebra in such a way as to alter nerve function

 

Scoliosis or Curvatures

An abnormal lateral (side-to-side) curvature of the spine with rotation (twisting) of the vertebrae within the curve

 

Sciatica

A pain in the leg caused by compression and/or irritation of one of five nerve roots that are branches of the sciatic nerve thereby affecting the lower back down to various parts of the leg and foot; there also may be numbness, muscular weakness, and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg

 

Herniated Disc

Or slipped disc is a condition in which the central part of the intervertebral disc is protruding into the spinal canal

  

Spinal Stenosis

A condition where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerve which is usually due to the natural process of spinal degeneration that occurs with aging; it can sometimes be caused by spinal disc herniation, osteoporosis, or a tumor

 

Ankylosing Spondylitis

A chronic, progressive, inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting spine and sacroiliac joints causing eventual fusion of the spine – complete fusion results in a complete rigidity of the spine, a condition known as bamboo spine

 

Whiplash

A common name for neck sprains, such as those caused by hyper extension/flexion injury to the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spines due to the neck or back being thrown forwards and/or backwards at a rapid speed; this may cause the fibers of the neck muscles to tear, resulting in pain and often a decreased range of movement

 

Fibromyalgia

 A chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips.  The condition may cause sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, fatigue, anxiety and other symptoms