Introduction to Osteoarthritis

One of the most common sources of back pain we treat at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center in Lynchburg is osteoarthritis. While most people are aware that arthritis is a disorder that causes joints to swell, they may not know the specifics of osteoarthritis, which is why we want to provide an introduction.

Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical damage to joints in the back. This is different from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an immune system disorder in which the body attacks itself. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage which separates the facet joints of the spine gets worn away or misshapen, causing parts of the spine to rub against each other. This causes inflammation, which leads to muscle spasms and pain.

People with osteoarthritis report it tends to be worse after long periods of inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting still at or desk or while watching a movie. It also gets worse during periods of low atmospheric pressure such as before precipitation; this is caused by swelling. Osteoarthritis has a high correlation with degenerative disc disease, which in some cases is believed to be the cause of it due to a degenerated disc’s reduced ability to absorb shocks.

Our office offers lots of ways of treating osteoarthritis, including adjustments, electric muscle stimulation, and therapeutic exercise to prevent stiffness. However, the process of diagnosing osteoarthritis requires other possible causes of back pain to be eliminated, which is why we’ll need patients to undergo tests and provide as complete a medical history as possible.

Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit Central Virginia Chiropractic or call 434-237-0413.

 

Spinal Stenosis

“Spinal stenosis” is one of the terms patients might hear the most frequently at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center in Lynchburg, which is why we want to make sure they know what it means. It refers to narrowing of the spinal channel through which the spinal cord passes, which increases the risk that the patient will develop a pinched nerve.

Generally, spinal stenosis will occur in the neck (cervical stenosis) or in the lower back (lumbar stenosis). Some people get stenosis because they have a genetic predisposition to grow bone spurs or a small spinal channel to begin with. But in most cases, the cause is wear and tear on the spine over a long period. This can cause disks to herniate and the bone to degenerate and grow misshapen. A pinched nerve in the lumbar region can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the legs as well as in the back. A pinched nerve in the neck can cause those problems in the arms as well as the legs and interfere with the patient’s balance.

At our chiropractic clinic, we will ascertain the cause of a patient’s symptoms through imaging tests and a tactile examination. If spinal stenosis turns out to be the issue, we can treat it with adjustments, hot or cold packs, decompression, depending on the stenosis’s cause.

Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit Central Virginia Chiropractic or call 434-237-0413.

 

Tailbone Injuries

Among the most painful problems we see patients suffering from at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center in Lynchburg are tailbone injuries. As part of the spine, the tailbone falls within the particular interest of chiropractors, and problems with it can affect the nerves in other parts of the body.

The Tailbone is scientifically known as the coccyx, and tailbone injuries as coccydynia. It’s actually made up of several vertebrae fused together. While its position in the body usually protects it from injuries, it can be bruised or fractured by activities such as biking and horseback riding, or by childbirth.

A bruised tailbone is painful, but it is also concerning because it can cause sciatica. This means that a patient’s sciatic nerve may be pinched, causing weakness, pain, numbness, or tingling in the leg, as well as incontinence and sexual dysfunction.  By using adjustments, ice packs, and electric muscle stimulation, we can ease a patient’s discomfort while the bruise heals naturally. In the meantime, we also can recommend chiropractic cushions, called wedges, and therapeutic exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.

Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit Central Virginia Chiropractic or call 434-237-0413.

 

Why Do People Lose Height as they Age?

As experts in spinal health, we at the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center get lots of questions about back pain. One of the peoples’ most common inquiries is why people stoop as they get older. While the answer varies from case to case, the most common reason is osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the vertebrae are being broken down faster than new bone builds. As living tissue, bones are constantly being consumed and reconstructed, but in a person with osteoporosis, the vertebrae become fragile and honeycombed. Even ordinary movements, such as bending over, can be enough to cause a hairline fracture. As more fractures develop over time, the bone collapses, causing the patient to lose height and stoop forward.

The good news is that osteoporosis can be treated with chiropractic. We can teach patients therapeutic exercises to strengthen their back muscles and provide them with safe, noninvasive pain management treatments. Osteoporosis patients are also advised to increase their calcium intake and to limit alcohol.

Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit CentralVAChiro.com or call 434-237-0413.

 

Fall Yard Work

At the Central Virginia Chiropractic Center in Lynchburg, we commonly see patients who have been injured while doing yard work. Because we highly value prevention, this fall, we want to make sure everybody understands what they need to do to avoid pulling a back muscle or wearing out a shoulder.

When working outside, wear clothing that is form-fitting and warm, but made of breathable materials. Discard dangling jewelry, but wear gloves, long sleeves, and slip-resistant closed shoes or boots. Warm up using dynamic stretches and remember our advice to lift with your legs, not your back. Do a cool-down when you’re done working.

The American Chiropractic Association has some particular advice for raking. Stand next to the pile, and regularly alternate which hand is higher on the rake (this will require you to change which side of the pile you stand on). Stand with your back and neck straight and with your feet in a scissor position, one forward and one back. Alternate which foot is which every few minutes. Be careful to avoid putting too many leaves in the bag. Test it before moving it, and if it’s too heavy, transfer some leaves to a different bag.

Dr. Darlene Holland operates Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. at 7327 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24502. To schedule an appointment, visit CentralVAChiro.com or call 434-237-0413.

 

Ice Pack Cryotherapy

An injury can benefit from ice days following a trauma. However, if your pain worsens, you should visit Dr. Darlene Holland, D.C. of Central Virginia Chiropractic Center immediately. The icing method – cryotherapy – is an essential management skill that is also a cheap, effective, and drugless method for relieving the pain of injuries. Safe application of ice to your skin can relieve symptoms from sprains, strains, bruises, and virtually any situation in which superficial tissues are inflamed by trauma.

Cryotherapy is an excellent way to heal muscle spasms in the body. The icing process is well known to help numb painful areas as well as provide a cooling relief to affected soft tissues. Applying cold compresses to the skin effectively reduces the temperature of the skin and constricts blood vessels in the area to promote healing. It can be done right at home, or we can offer the service to you right here in the office.

If you have questions or concerns regarding chiropractic care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.centralvachiro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Darlene Holland, D.C. of Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. in Lynchburg, VA, call 434-237-0413.

Your First Visit with Dr. Darlene Holland, D.C.

At Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc., Dr. Darlene Holland, D.C. and staff are devoted to giving patients the highest quality care. Whether a patient is experiencing muscle strain from performing everyday activities, or a sprain from twisting the wrong way, Dr. Holland can assess your needs and suggest gentle therapy methods to restore function and improve mobility.

At your first appointment with Dr. Darlene Holland, D.C., all new patients will have a chiropractic examination. In many regards, a chiropractic examination is very similar to standard examination procedures administered by all healthcare providers. Your first visit will consist of three parts: a consultation, case history, and a physical exam. Once a diagnosis is made, Dr. Holland will explain what needs to happen to next.

If you have questions or concerns regarding chiropractic care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.centralvachiro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Darlene Holland, D.C. of Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. in Lynchburg, VA, call 434-237-0413.