In addition to the spine, Chiropractic can be applied to other joints of the body. Virtually every articulation of your skeletal system is susceptible to fixations that can impair function and range of motion.
Joint problems throughout the body:
Jaw: Stress, teeth grinding and spinal problems can cause TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders where your jaw connects to your skull. Chiropractic care can restore proper nervous system control of involved muscles and ligaments, reducing pain, stiffness, clicking sounds or locked jaw.
Shoulder: Many shoulder problems originate in the area where the nerves branch from the spinal cord and exit the neck and upper back. Shoulder pain or pain radiating down the arm can be accompanied by weakness, numbness or tingling in the wrists or hands. Many patients report dramatic improvement with Chiropractic care.
Elbow: Classic tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a repetitive strain. It is often seen among carpenters, mechanics, office workers, cashiers and those who perform repeated hammering, grasping and rotary forearm motions. A thorough examination followed by appropriate Chiropractic care can produce excellent results.
Wrist: Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually due to compression of the median nerve as it passes through the band of ligaments in the wrist. In many cases, the underlying cause is a misalignment of one or more joints of the elbow or wrist. Identifying the involved joint(s) and a program of Chiropractic care can often avoid surgery.
Hip: The hips and sacrum, considered the “pelvic girdle,” is the foundation of your spine. These sacroiliac joints can affect nerves exiting the spine. While Chiropractic adjustments of the hips can produce excellent results, many hip problems can be caused from malfunctioning joints above or below the pelvis as well.
Knee: Several knee pains are the result of stress put upon the knee due to misalignment of the joint. Rotation of the joint often inflicts medial knee pain. If the iliotibial band is involved, it can often inflict pain on the lateral aspect of the knee. In any case, Chiropractic care has been shown to reduce or eliminate pains and stresses caused from these as well as other misalignments of the knee.
Ankle: The ankle is the most frequently injured joint in the body. Misaligned bones of the foot and/or ankle may contribute to pains seen with plantar fasciitis, shin splints, as well as stress the knee and hip joints causing discomfort or pain. Adjusting malfunctioning joints of the feet can reduce tenderness, improve your gait and stabilize the entire skeletal system.
While many health problems can be traced to the spine, other joints of the body can be involved. When Chiropractic techniques are applied, range of motion can be improved and painful inflammation reduced – without drugs or surgery!