How do I know if my pain is coming from a muscle or a joint?
So many patients have often asked “how do I know if my pain is coming from a muscle or a joint? The answer is—it’s usually both! You might wonder, “How can you say that without knowing my specific issue?” Because, in most cases, it’s a “chicken and egg” situation—they go hand-in-hand. Here’s why: Think of your muscles as a system of pulleys, each muscle attaches to two different joints. So, if a muscle is injured, in spasm, or out of balance, it pulls abnormally on one or both of those joints. This can cause small misalignments and inflammation in the joint. Which is exactly what we focus on treating with chiropractic care for muscle and joint pain!
Another analogy I like to use is that your muscles are like the canvas of a painting, and your joints and bones are like the frame. If the frame bends, it affects the canvas. If the canvas pulls too much, it can twist the frame. Similarly, joint misalignments create dysfunction, which leads to inflammation. This inflammation then triggers muscle spasms, which in turn worsen the joint dysfunction. The result? A viscous cycle where joint misalignment feeds muscle spasms, and spasms feed back into joint misalignment. This is why your symptoms either worsen or just don’t seem to go away.
So, how do we treat it?
This is where chiropractic—especially the Activator technique—really shines! Our treatments align the joints, reduce inflammation, and ease muscle spasms. With Activator care there is no twisting, popping or aggressively yanking on the joints. Activator is particularly effective because it uses a gentle, yet extremely precise thrust to adjust the joint. This creates maximum motion while minimizing inflammation instead of aggravating it. As the joints align, muscle tension decreases, and the body starts to heal and feel better.
This also makes other therapies, like massage or topical treatments (think CBD or Arnica), more effective. So, whether your pain started with a muscle strain or a joint misalignment, our activator adjustments at Desert Valley Chiropractic with the right care plan can address both to get to the root of the issue. This helps you feel better, move better, and ENJOY LIFE!
Happy October and Welcome to Inflammation Season! As we move into the fall, it is the time when pumpkin spice and holiday goodies take over. From Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pies, Christmas cookies, Hanukkah latkes, and festive cocktails, it’s the season of indulgence!
By the time December rolls around, my office is usually full of patients feeling under the weather, battling colds, flu, fatigue, and flare-ups. When we get to talking, the culprit is often accidental overindulgence during the holidays. But don’t worry—I’m a huge fan of holiday fun, too! The joy, gratitude, and connections are important for your well-being. So, what’s the solution? It all comes down to **awareness** and **balance**.
Sugar and Inflammation
Sugar plays a significant role in promoting inflammation in the body. Consuming excessive amounts of refined sugars can lead to spikes in blood glucose levels, which triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines—molecules that cause inflammation as part of the immune response. Over time, this chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of various health issues such as joint pain, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Reducing sugar intake helps to decrease inflammation, supporting better overall health, reducing pain, and improving energy levels. Opting for whole, unprocessed foods is a key strategy in managing inflammation and maintaining a balanced diet.
Awareness 🌟
Holiday temptations are everywhere, starting with Halloween candy in October, and continuing through New Year’s with rich meals, desserts, and festive drinks. It’s easy to overdo it without realizing it! Here are some tips to help you stay mindful and keep your body balanced:
– Skip the candy bowl 🍬 or hand out treats you don’t particularly like.
– Space out indulgences—don’t let every day become a dessert day.
– Balance treats with nutrient-rich foods, like vegetables and lean proteins 🥦🍗.
– Use holiday spices like cinnamon, which can help regulate blood sugar.
– Support your immune system by taking vitamin D and fish oil.
– Limit alcohol, which depletes important nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins. Be sure to replenish them with healthy foods or supplements.
Balance⚖️
The holidays are all about enjoyment, so don’t deprive yourself! The key is balance:
– Plan your week – enjoy treats, but balance them with nutritious meals.
– Say “no” when needed – It’s okay to decline some activities to rest and avoid burnout. 🎉🚫
– Take downtime to relax and recharge—this will help prevent overindulging and exhaustion.
– Get outside! Enjoy Phoenix’s fall weather with walks or hikes instead of sugary coffee dates. 🚶♂️🌞
– Exercise and chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation and support your body during this busy season.
– Rest! Sleep is crucial for staying healthy and energized.
– Stay hydrated and consider adding a high-quality protein supplement to offset the effects of sugar.
Remember, you can enjoy the best of the season without feeling run down by January. Stay consistent with your health plan, prioritize your well-being, and let’s head into the new year feeling strong and refreshed!
I know it is obvious but vertigo is not fun. It can be a debilitating condition that leaves you feeling dizzy, off-balance, and unable to go about your daily routine. If you’ve ever experienced the sensation that the room is spinning or felt unsteady on your feet, you know how disruptive vertigo can be. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive solution to help manage and even relieve vertigo symptoms.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – is a common inner ear disorder that causes brief episodes of dizziness or vertigo when you change the position of your head. It’s often triggered when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and interfere with balance signals sent to the brain. Although BPPV can be uncomfortable, it is usually not serious and can often be treated effectively with simple maneuvers to reposition the crystals.
Inner Ear Infections – Can lead to inflammation of the inner ear causing symptoms such as vertigo and nausea.
Dehydration – Can lead to a drop in blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain. Which then may trigger symptoms of vertigo, including dizziness and balance issues. Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining proper inner ear function and overall balance.
Head and Neck Trauma – Trauma can cause an assortment of serious concerns including bleeding in the brain. A consultation with a medical professional may be necessary with head and neck trauma. Once more serious concerns have been ruled out by your medical professional, then we may want to consider the alignment of the cervical spine.
Misalignments of the neck – Another common source of vertigo is related to misalignments in the spine, particularly in the upper neck region. These misalignments can interfere with the nervous system, which plays a critical role in balance and coordination
What Can I do at home if I am Dizzy?
There are a couple of key things you can do on your own to try and help with vertigo.
Hydrate – Most people do not drink enough water, and dehydration is an incredibly common cause of vertigo. This is made worse in our dry desert climate in Phoenix. When asked, most patients think they are drinking enough water until they learn how much the human body needs.
Epley’s maneuver – This is a maneuver that can help symptoms related to benign paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). The instructions can be found here, and it can easily be done at home. It is helpful at repositioning tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear that can cause dizziness.
At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we specialize in gentle, safe adjustments to the cervical spine. Utilizing the Activator Method Chiropractic Technique is especially effective in addressing misalignments in the upper cervical spine (neck) without twisting popping or cracking your neck. By restoring proper alignment and relieving pressure on the nervous system, chiropractic care can improve balance and reduce dizziness. In fact, many patients report a significant decrease in vertigo episodes after just a few treatments.
Why Choose Desert Valley Chiropractic in Phoenix?
Our clinic is proud to offer personalized, compassionate care for patients suffering from vertigo. We take a holistic approach, addressing the underlying causes of your symptoms to provide long-lasting relief. With over 330 five-star Google reviews and recently being names one of the Top Phoenix Chiropractors, we are a trusted resource for gentle, effective care.
If you’re looking for a Chiropractor in Phoenix to help with vertigo or other balance issues, call us at 602-439-1515 or schedule online here. We offer customized treatment plans to suit your individual needs and help you get back to living a life free from dizziness and discomfort.
When searching for chiropractic care in North Phoenix, you might wonder if X-rays are necessary before starting treatment. The short answer? Not always! While some chiropractic techniques rely on X-rays to determine the best approach, Desert Valley Chiropractic takes a different route to deliver personalized and effective care.
Why Some Chiropractors Use X-rays
While some experts consider it controversial many chiropractic offices use X-rays to guide manual adjustments. This may help the doctor know exactly where and how to adjust. This is particularly important for techniques that involve rotation or extension of the spine, as these movements can stress the joints if not carefully controlled. X-rays provide a clear view of the spine’s structure, helping chiropractors perform these techniques safely.
Of course, there are still scenarios where X-rays can be beneficial, such as screening for injuries such as a car accident, pathologies, or other underlying conditions. If we believe an X-ray is necessary based on your symptoms, medical history, or response to care, we refer you to a trusted radiology facility. There, a board-certified radiologist will review your films and provide us with a comprehensive report.
The added bonus of this approach is that your X-ray results are stored in a patient portal, making them accessible to your other healthcare providers if needed. This way, you have a thorough record of your health history that goes beyond just your chiropractic visits.
What About the Radiation?
Some patients are concerned about the radiation of an X-ray. Rest assured they are safe. For example, the radiation from a chest X-ray is the equivalent to 10 days outside in the environment. So, if we determine an X-ray is necessary, we will discuss the reasons why and you can breathe easy because they are a sage diagnostic tool.
If You Don’t Use X-ray, What Do You Use?
As mentioned above we use technology called Myovision. MyoVision is an advanced diagnostic tool similar to an EKG for activity of heart Muscle. The Myovision scan provides detailed insights into how your muscles and spine are functioning together. This state-of-the-art technology uses surface electromyography (sEMG) to measure the electrical activity in your muscles. Giving us a real-time snapshot of any areas of muscle tension, imbalance, or stress. The MyoVision scan is quick, non-invasive, and completely safe. Making it an ideal tool to use during your initial exam and throughout your care plan to track your progress.
The data collected by MyoVision along with a physical exam helps us pinpoint problem areas that may not be apparent through traditional assessment methods. By understanding how your muscles are responding to nerve signals, we can fine-tune our treatment approach to ensure that each adjustment is as effective as possible.
At Desert Valley Chiropractic in North Phoenix, we utilize MyoVision technology to complement our Activator Methods technique, allowing us to deliver precise, customized care without the need for X-rays in most cases. This way, you can have confidence that your treatment is guided by the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
Why Choose Desert Valley Chiropractic?
With over 300 five-star Google reviews, we are proud to be one of North Phoenix’s top-rated chiropractic offices. Our patients appreciate the gentle approach of Activator Methods, which has made a life-changing impact on many people dealing with pain and discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with a recent injury, chronic pain, or just looking to maintain your health, we’re here to support your wellness journey.
Ready to experience the Desert Valley difference? Call us today at 602-439-1515 to schedule your first visit!
Whiplash is a common yet often misunderstood injury that affects millions of people each year. Statistics suggest that 3 million Americans will suffer with a whiplash injury on an annual basis. The economic burden is substantial and estimated to be 3 billion dollars annually.
Whiplash is an injury to the cervical spine or neck. It is a result of a sudden rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. This sudden motion can cause damage to the neck’s muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
While whiplash is most commonly associated with car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions, it can also result from sports injuries, falls, or other traumatic incidents.
How to Diagnose Whiplash?
Proper diagnosis and understanding of an injury is essential to tailor the appropriate treatment. Thankfully diagnosing whiplash is not terribly difficult. To diagnose a whiplash injury your provider should perform the following:
Review mechanism of the injury – understanding all the facts about the crash is important to determine the status of an injury. For instance, was it a rear end collision, or were you hit from the side. Did your vehicle get pushed into another car, or did it spin after impact? The direction of these forces can have substantial influence on the injuries to the spine.
A detailed history of all symptoms and how life may have changed after the crash. Are you having trouble performing regular everyday activities at home, or is it more difficult to concentrate at work?
A complete examination of the areas of complaint including range of motion measurements and a full orthopedic evaluation.
A Computer Radiographic Mensuration Analysis (CRMA) – This is perhaps the most important step, because it can objectively determine the extent of a spinal injury. A CRMA involves a specific series of X-rays, that include images in flexion and extension. It is followed by a digital measurement of the films. The CRMA measurement will tell us if there is excessive motion of one bone over another, which is necessary to determine:
The amount of damage done to the supporting structures of the cervical spine.
The correct approach to your care.
If the injury related to a car accident will result in permanent damage.
What is Permanent Damage?
If there is excessive motion determined by the CRMA it indicates permanent damage to one or more ligaments supporting the spine. The technical term for this type of ligament laxity is an Alteration of Motion Segment Integrity (AOMSI). Essentially meaning that even after treatment, it is highly probable the injury will flare up from time to time. This can be important information to have when discussing your injury with the insurance companies or potentially attorneys.
If you or someone you know has been in a recent car accident and there are concerns about injury, Desert Valley Chiropractic may be able to help. We will sit with you and take the time to review all the factors around your crash and determine if we can help. Please call us at 602-439-1515 to schedule a consultation.
