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Pinched Nerves - Gastonia Chiropractor

Pinched Nerves - Gastonia Chiropractor

While a pinched nerve may sound like nothing more than a small annoyance, it really has the ability to interfere with everything you do throughout the day. The pain and other often debilitating symptoms that are associated with pinched nerves can leave you without the ability to tackle everything you need to do. While some people can work through pain for a while, many find themselves either in too much pain to move or that they at least need to cut back on their physical activity due to it. This obviously isn’t a sustainable solution, especially if you still have to go about your life as normal. Being diagnosed with a pinched nerve doesn’t have to be life altering, but you do need to have a grasp of what your treatment options are.

Pinched nerves are caused by an excess of pressure that is applied to a nerve by the surrounding body parts. This pressure can cause different issues in the area which can impact your movement, even if you are normally rather active. Pinched nerve pain isn’t something that will go away on its own. If you have symptoms that last longer than a few days, you should see a doctor and call DiBella Chiropractic. If you aren’t sure whether you are experiencing symptoms of a pinched nerve, here are a few of the common things to look out for:

– Muscle weakness in an isolated area
– Pain that feels either sharp or aching, which often radiates out from a specific point
– Numbness or decreased sensation in an isolated area
– Tingling, or a feeling of “pins and needles”, as if a limb has fallen asleep
– Any of these symptoms getting worse at night

In order to be diagnosed, you will likely have to go through a series of tests that your doctor needs to order. These include imaging tests or electrical pulse tests which help your doctor determine if the issue originates in your nervous system. From there, you may be prescribed physical therapy, medication, or surgery depending on how extensive the damage is.

If you would like to see what treatment options are available to you before you turn to surgery, give us a call. We are here to help you feel better regardless of whatever nerve issues you may have. We know how painful a pinched nerve can be and will do everything we can to help you feel better, so call us right away!

Headaches - Gastonia Chiropractor

Headaches - Gastonia Chiropractor

Have you ever noticed before that when you have a headache, everything seems to be so much harder than it is when you're feeling well? It is difficult to go through your normal day with the same pep that you normally have when you have even a mild headache, and it's definitely exhausting too. One of the worst things about suffering from headaches is that there are so many different types. What works wonders one day may not make the slightest dent the pain the next. If your headache is brought on by lack of sleep, it may be as simple as taking some time to yourself so that you may catch up on what you have missed. If you have a headache that seems to be triggered by sounds, having silence or simple, calming music playing may be the winning formula. While you may not intrinsically know what to use to combat the pain, headaches can often be treated with trial and error.

The worst part about a headache is that they seem to stick around like old gum on your shoe. When you have a bad headache, it can seem like it never ends. You can get a headache from just about anything, too. One can be brought on by sleeping in an odd position or looking at your computer at work for too long. It is always difficult to work through a headache, but there are some treatments that you can employ which may reduce the severity and number of headaches you deal with in an average month.

Headaches are one of the most commonly treated issues here at DiBella Chiropractic. We know how much they can challenge you in your daily life and how frustrating they are, especially when they are frequent. Pain may feel isolating, but headaches are not uncommon. Thankfully, chiropractic care has been shown to help relieve headaches and even reduce the frequency with which you have them.

If you suffer from headaches, give us a call right away. We know that it can be difficult to find the time, but if you already lose vast amounts of time due to head pain, it is a trade that you should look into making. We can help you conquer your headaches without medication, which is important to many people. We understand that headaches are difficult to work around, but we know that we can help you. Call and schedule your first appointment today!

Bulging vs. Herniated Discs - Gastonia Chiropractor

Bulging vs. Herniated Discs - Gastonia Chiropractor

Generally when we hear about someone dealing with a back disc issue, we either hear the term “disc herniation” or “bulging disc”. Here at DiBella Chiropractic, we have noticed that most people don't seem terribly familiar with the difference between the two, despite them being quite different from one another. It may seem like the difference between them doesn't truly matter to the sufferer, but we can assure you that from a treatment standpoint, it does. To understand the difference, it is important to learn a little bit about the spine itself.

The spine has multiple aspects that you need to have a basic understanding of to grasp the difference between herniation and bulging. The first is the part between the vertebrae that acts like a cushion so the bones don’t rub together. This is the disc. The disc itself has two parts. These are called the nucleus and the annulus. The nucleus is the center, which is soft and often likened to jelly. The annulus is the exterior part of the disc, which is a bit tougher. The annulus protects the nucleus from the vertebrae. There are times that the annulus cracks or gets a tear in it. When this happens, the nucleus can “seep” through, which causes pain. If it hits a nerve, it can cause any number of symptoms, such as pain or numbness. This is a disc herniation.

Bulges, however, are caused by normal wear and tear to the disc and are often present even if the person with one doesn't feel any pain. The main difference is the type of displacement that occurs between a bulge or a herniation. There is technically less displacement from a herniation than there is a bulge, and yet the pain is often more intense. This isn't to say that disc bulges should be ignored, however. Anything that involves your back will become serious sooner or later. It is always important to get it looked at by a professional as soon as possible.

If you believe you may have a herniated or bulging disc, or are looking for a way to deal with the pain, call DiBella Chiropractic as soon as possible. We know that it can be difficult to find time to see a doctor, but when it comes to your back you should always stay on top of things. Come in today and be amazed at how much better you can feel!

Whiplash - Gastonia Chiropractor

Whiplash - Gastonia Chiropractor

Something that we often hear about when it comes to car accidents is whiplash. We all know that whiplash is bad, but what exactly is it? Why is it something that you need to see a doctor for? What kinds of treatments are available? There are hundreds of questions that get asked about whiplash and often they aren’t asked until after someone has already been diagnosed. While we obviously hope that you never need this information for yourself, we also believe that it is good to be well versed in these kinds of things so here are some basic facts about whiplash for you.

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sharp, fast movement front to back much like the movement of a whip. This often occurs as the result of a car accident, but is also seen in abuse cases or some sports injuries. Normally, a case of whiplash means that the victim has neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. It can also include loss of movement, tingling or numbness, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, irritability, trouble focusing, memory issues, depression, tenderness, tinnitus, and sleep issues. While it is always important to see a doctor after a car accident, it is even more important to do so if you have or develop any of these symptoms so that you can get the proper treatment and documentation.

Most people who develop whiplash can self-treat it before it becomes better within a few weeks, but you always want to check and make sure that the pain you feel isn’t from something more serious like muscle damage or even a fracture. It is especially important to seek medical treatment if you have had whiplash before, are older, or have a pre-existing condition that can be aggravated by a condition like whiplash. It is impossible to know how every person will react to a case of whiplash, so it’s always better to see a doctor and be monitored than to leave it up to chance.

Undergoing chiropractic care after a car accident is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. If you were hurt in an impact, then you should definitely come into DiBella and let us help you with any pain you may have. Getting the proper care is so important and we will do everything we can to get you back to normal. There’s nothing like a chiropractor to help you feel better!

Carpal Tunnel - Gastonia Chiropractor

Carpal Tunnel - Gastonia Chiropractor

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is definitely unpleasant, but it has become more and more common. It is a condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the arm and down through the hand. It happens when the median nerve, which is one of the main nerves that travels through the wrist to the hand, is compressed or pinched at the wrist. It tends to get worse over time if it is not treated, and so early diagnosis is extremely important. If caught early enough, carpal tunnel can be treated with a wrist brace or not doing certain movements and actions. However, if it is left alone and the aggravating activity is continued, the damage will continue to get worse. It may reach a point where surgery is suggested to help reduce the pain and pressure that is effecting the nerve.

There are multiple theories as to why we are seeing an increase in carpal tunnel syndrome diagnoses. The most common one is that more and more people are spending large amounts of time on computers. The fact that typing on a keyboard requires a certain position of the hands and wrist lends itself to an increase in pressure on the wrist. Many people try to use cushions under the wrist on both their keyboards and mouse pads in an attempt to alleviate this added pressure. Although we know that this isn't a foolproof method for preventing carpal tunnel, we can definitely agree that it doesn't hurt to try and keep prolonged pressure off of your wrists. Keeping your wrists elevated slightly is a good way to reduce the impact on the medial nerve. While there are other factors that can cause carpal tunnel, such as family history and other health conditions, anything you can do to mitigate those extra factors is worth trying.

If you have been experiencing any sort of numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in your hand and wrist, especially in your thumb or middle fingers, you should call DiBella Chiropractic right away. If this is coupled with any weakness or pain that travels up your arm and into your shoulder, let us know when you call. We will do our best to get you an appointment quickly and see if you are experiencing symptoms related to carpal tunnel. Hopefully we can help you without you needing surgery to correct the pressure and swelling. You'll never know until you come in!

Sciatica - Gastonia Chiropractor

Sciatica - Gastonia Chiropractor

Although a lot of us probably understand that sciatica comes with a lot of pain, it seems to be less common that someone knows exactly what sciatica actually is. With so many different pain conditions that someone can develop, it can be difficult to do your own research about them, or even keep track of some of them. When you have multiple disorders that you have learned about, it can be easy to mix them up on a fairly regular basis. This is why we want to help you learn about this issue and how you can identify it in yourself to see if you should seek chiropractic care.

The term sciatica references the sciatic nerve, which stretches from your lower back through to your hips, buttocks, and down both legs. When you have pain that travels along this nerve, it is called sciatica. There can be any number of reasons for this pain, but it is most commonly caused by either a herniated disk, bone spurs, or a narrowing of the spine. These three issues may be relatively common, but that doesn’t mean they’re not painful. In fact, the pain from sciatica can be, and often is, debilitating. The swelling and numbness that accompanies sciatica are concerning enough that you should always take the first sign of symptoms seriously and not wait to look for medical care.

Normally, the symptoms of sciatica are strangely straightforward yet confusing at the same time. People often experience pain that radiates down their leg from the spine, but may also experience numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling in the leg. People may have more than one of those symptoms in different spots in the leg. The pain can feel like anything from a mild ache to sharp, shooting pain, or a burning sensation, or even an electrical shock. It may feel more intense if you sit for extended periods of time, if you stand for too long, or if your body shudders, as if with a cough or sneeze. These widely varying symptoms are why you need to go see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis.

If you suspect you may be suffering from sciatica, call DiBella Chiropractic. Surgery is rarely needed, but having a doctor's care is necessary for something like this that has an impact on your life. If your back hurts, you are going to have trouble going through even your simplest tasks of the day. Come in and see how much better we can make you feel!

Back Pain - Gastonia Chiropractor

Back Pain - Gastonia Chiropractor

One of the worst things to experience in regards to your body is back pain. Back pain can come in many different forms and be from any number of things, but regardless of whether the pain is chronic or acute, it is never fun to go through. The problem with back pain is that if your back hurts you can’t do much of anything. Walking, standing, lifting things, and even just turning over in bed can be enough to set it off. There also isn’t much that you can normally do to fix it except for time. While there may be some ice packs or heat packs that you can use, backs are difficult to rehabilitate after an injury on your own.

When your back pain is the result of something like a car accident, it can be especially difficult to work it out. There can be extensive damage that was done that doesn’t show up immediately, or even for a few months or years. These types of traumatic injuries often begin with acute pain that turns into a chronic issue that can stay with a person for the rest of their life. Naturally you want to catch these types of issues as soon as possible, but it isn’t always an option depending on things like life circumstances, insurance, and even your own perception of the pain. If you have the option, however, you should always be checked out by a doctor after any sort of impact to make sure that there isn’t any lasting damage.

Your back is one of the most delicate areas on your body. It is so important to any and all movement that you cannot afford to take any chances when it comes to the health of your back. Even if you don’t feel like the pain is severe, you should still see a chiropractor regularly for a spinal adjustment. It is massively important that you take care of your back so that you can take care of the things that you care about in your life.

When it comes to injuries like car accidents, backs are often some of the most affected areas. If this has happened to you, give DiBella Chiropractic a call today and see how much of a difference just a few appointments can make for you. You may just be amazed at how much better you feel after a month of appropriate treatment!

Auto Injuries - Gastonia Chiropractor

Auto Injuries - Gastonia Chiropractor

According to recent statistics, an average of one person dies every 50 minutes in an automobile crash. This number is frighteningly high when you consider how many safety precautions we have in place in and around vehicles. Even if this was the only possible outcome of accidents, that number would be too high. As we are all aware, however, fatalities aren’t the only outcome that we see from crashes. The amount of non-life threatening injuries that result from car accidents is much higher and can range from minor bruising to things like paralysis or amputations. It is worth noting that these specific statistics also do not account for the mental toll that an accident can invoke, such as anxiety and PTSD. No matter how you look at it, car accidents are always serious.

As it stands now, the most common cause of car accidents is most likely distracted driving. This can be defined as anything from drinking a cup of coffee to texting while driving. It is dangerous to do anything that could split your attention while you drive, so it is always important to make sure you do your best to avoid as many of these things as possible. Leaving your phone on silent or waking up a little earlier to get that first cup in before you leave can be great ways to help reduce the likelihood of you becoming distracted as you drive.

When you are in an accident, there is a very small chance that you don't get hurt at all. More often than not, however, you will find that you are, at the very least, sore for the next few days. Even if you don't feel like you've been hurt right away, it often sets in once the adrenaline from the crash itself wears off. Problems like whiplash and even broken limbs or cartilage can take a while to register depending on how your body and mind reacts to the incident. Even if you don't notice pain right away, it is important to call a doctor and get checked out regardless of how hard the hit was.

If you have been hurt in a car accident, come into DiBella Chiropractic as soon as you can. Our early pain management and relief methods can make all the difference to your injury. We know how scary a crash can be, but your recovery doesn’t have to be. Give us a call and set up your first appointment today!

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