The Spinal Column and Chiropractic Care

Here at Absolute Chiropractic & Wellness Center we talk about the spine all the time -- everybody has one, after all -- but what is it really? What is it made of, what does it do, and why does it cause problems for so many of the patients we see every day?

Your spinal column consists of 24 bones, called vertebrae, stacked vertically to form a strong, curved support for the entire skeletal system. These vertebrae are grouped together in three basic sections. The five cervical vertebrae make up the neck, followed by the thoracic vertebrae of the upper back and finally the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back. They are connected to each other at four movable points called facet joints, with a gelatinous disc cushioning each vertebrae. Ring-shaped sections called laminae extend from the vertebrae to enclose the spinal cord. The spinal cord acts as the central communications hub for all of your nerve impulses -- major nerve roots stretch out from it to form all the smaller nerves that make up your central nervous system.

Anatomy of Neck Pain and Back Pain

Because the spinal column supports your body while also enveloping the spinal cord, a spinal misalignment often translates into acute or chronic pain. If an accident, injury, or longstanding imbalance shifts your vertebrae out of their correct position, the discs can bulge or rupture painfully. Pressure on the nerve roots in the affected can cause shooting pain, numbness, tingling, weakness or loss of function in any part of the body those nerves communicate with. Such imbalances should be treated as early as possible, and luckily for Herndon and Reston pain sufferers, we are experienced in restoring that balance without any need for surgery or other invasive procedures.

Our Herndon chiropractor, Dr. Walmsley, knows how to evaluate your spinal conditions and correct them through precise adjustments, allowing your body to do the healing itself.

Did you experience an injury recently that is causing discomfort? Tell us about it here!

Virginia Chiropractor Successful in Treating Leg Pain

Do you suffer with leg cramps and tingling in your feet and legs? Is it difficult for you to stand or sit still for long periods of time? Have you recently been injured in an automobile accident? Our Herndon chiropractic clinic, Absolute Chiropractic can help you manage your pain without invasive surgery or potentially hazardous prescription drugs.

Common Causes of Leg Pain

Pain in the legs can be caused by a number of things. An auto accident can leave you with a pinched nerve that results in pain that radiates down your legs. A disc in your spine that is out of alignment can cause pain in your extremities. Diseases, too, such as diabetes can result in neuropathy, a painful tingling in the feet and legs.

Treating Leg Pain with Chiropractic Care

Fortunately, you don't have to settle for a life of pain. At Absolute Chiropractic, our chiropractor uses a combination of traditional chiropractic care and wellness services, such as nutritional advice to make sure that you are eating foods that will help you heal, lifestyle counseling about such things as the proper shoes to wear to reduce your pain, and the right desk chair to use so that your feet don't dangle and cause you more pain. We also offer physiotherapy, such things as electrical muscle stimulation, to help you heal.

If you're interested in learning more about our practice and about treating pain without invasive surgery and pain killers, our Herndon clinic also has a Facebook page that's loaded with tips on how to stay healthy and pain free in today's demanding culture. Be sure to visit the page for helpful tips.

Have you recently visited a chiropractor for leg pain? Was the treatment successful in easing your discomfort? Share your experiences with our readers by leaving a comment below.

A healthy body starts with a healthy spine. When our musculoskeletal system is out of alignment, our body is at increased risk for illness, injury, fatigue, and chronic pain.
A sports injury, auto accident injury like whiplash, or natural wear and tear can cause a misalignment in the spine, leading to chronic pain. For example, one of the most common causes for back pain is a herniated disc. This occurs when a disc in the spine is no longer in proper alignment, and instead compresses nearby nerves. While medication can temporarily relieve this pain, drugs cannot alleviate the pressure on the nerves.

The job of our Reston and Herndon chiropractor, Dr. Lisa Walmsley, is not only to relieve your pain, but also to help your body heal naturally from the inside. Unlike traditional medical care, we do not cover pain up with medication. Instead, we use chiropractic adjustments to correct the underlying misalignment.

Chiropractic manipulation of the spine is a safe and effective treatment for pain relief. By restoring proper alignment to the spine, a slipped or herniated disc will no longer compress nearby nerves. This provides long-lasting pain relief for back pain, neck pain, and headache.

Tips for a Stronger Spine

Our patients frequently ask Dr. Walmsley what they can do at home to keep their spine strong and reduce the risk of injury. Here’s how you can stay healthy:
Build a strong core. Low-impact physical activities, including yoga and Pilates, can help build a strong core and naturally enhance your spine’s health.

Practice proper posture. When we sit for eight hours a day, five days a week hunched over a computer screen, this strains the musculoskeletal system, and leads to injury. Dr. Walmsley can help ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomic.
Lift with your legs, not with your back. Improper lifting of heavy objects can cause a herniated disc in the lower back.

Maintain alignment. Regular adjustments at our Herndon and Reston chiropractic care center will keep you properly aligned and reduce your risk for injury.

Are you wondering what are the best exercises to strengthen your core? Curious about how chiropractic adjustments could relieve your back pain and strengthen your spine?

Absolute Relief from Headache Pain

Absolute Chiropractic has been serving the Herndon and Reston communities for the past 17 years, and our chiropractor, Dr. Lisa Walmsley is always eager to extend our reach so as many people as possible can benefit from chiropractic care. Our new blog is just one of the many tools we have to help spread the word on the basics, benefits, and types of care available today.

Chiropractic Care for Rehabilitation and Prevention

Chiropractic care has come a long way since its early days, growing in techniques and acceptance. It has become more mainstream and advanced than ever before. Our office provides myriad services that include physiotherapy, corrective exercises, nutritional counseling, and massage therapy. Of course, we still offer treatments for back and neck injuries, auto accident and personal injuries while our chiropractor is also experienced with on-the-job injuries.

You do not have to wait until you need a chiropractor or experience any health issues, however, to pay us a visit. Our spinal and postural screenings can help ensure your spine is functioning at its optimum capacity to help stop problems before they even start. Our comprehensive wellness programs do the same for illnesses. Our firm belief is that the body has the amazing ability to heal itself if it is correctly aligned and functioning properly, and our care tends to both by ensuring the back, whole body, and even the mind is as stress-free and healthy as it can be.

Our goal is to share our knowledge and experience as with as many people as possible, which is why we offer free consultations – and why we created this blog. We intend to include information on all aspect of our practice, chiropractic care and whole-body wellness, from physiotherapy to proper nutrition, with spinal health tips and treatments in between.

How has chiropractic care helped you find pain relief or improve your health?