Lower Back Pain Treatment

Lower back pain treatment is one of the most common reasons why someone might choose to see a Chiropractor. At Align Corrective Chiropractic we help people with lower back pain treatment every single day. It is estimated that over 80% of the population will have lower back pain at some point in their life. What causes it? Why is it so common? And what can you do about it, are some of the questions I aim to answer in this post.

If you are battling with lower back pain, you are not alone. Even though it is very common, lower back pain can be debilitating and can have a massive impact on your quality of life. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be.  There is actually quite a lot we can do to help if you have lower back pain.

Who Needs Lower Back Pain Treatment?

Our patients with lower back pain often report having had it for many years. I am often shocked by how long someone has lived with a problem, before deciding to do something about it. The mistake that many people make is that they ignore or cover up the pain and hope that it will go away. The problem with this approach is the longer you leave the underlying problem unresolved, the worse it tends to get. So the pain keeps coming back, it starts happening more frequently, it gets more intense and takes longer to resolve, until eventually it starts impacting even the most basic daily activities.  This is usually when people finally realise that there is a problem and start taking action.

Why wait until it gets this bad? If you are having lower back pains, it is always better to address the problem early on. So my advice is, don’t delay having your lower back pain assessed.

A Very Common, But Overlooked Cause For Lower Back Pain

There are so many contributing factors as to why you might have lower back pain. Lack of exercise, trauma, carrying extra weight, stress, the amount of time spent sitting, standing and lifting as well as certain diseases are all very commonly associated with lower back pain. However, one of the most common causes of lower back pain is often overlooked… STRUCTURE. How your spinal and pelvic structures are aligned can often play a significant role in lower back pain. This is specifically what we assess and correct at Align Corrective Chiropractic.

In this example, the patient’s lower back/pelvis X-ray on the left (BEFORE) has a significant misalignment, there is also an anatomical leg length inequality. This creates an imbalance which could cause the muscles to overwork, resulting in weakness and strain. The research shows that this can be a significant cause of chronic low back pain. Now, what do you think will happen if your focus is on treating the symptoms (strained muscles) and not correcting the underlying structural cause of your lower back pain? That’s right, your symptoms will just keep coming back. This is why we place such a big focus on Corrective Care. Following a course of Corrective Care Treatment, you can see the alignment in the X-ray on the right (AFTER) has improved significantly – so did the patient’s pain, flexibility and posture.

If you are looking for lower back pain treatment, give us a call on 031 5629180. We will assess your structure thoroughly and design a specific treatment plan to correct your problems.

When to See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain

A question that comes up quite frequently at our practice is, “Should I see a Chiropractor for neck pain?”. In general, pain is a sign that something is not quite right. We tend to mask it temporarily with painkillers and hope it goes away. Most of the time it does, but invariably it comes back and usually a whole lot worse.

In this blog, I will explain why this happens, and how you can put an end to it.

I am a firm believer in taking a proactive approach towards health. If something is hurting, find the reason for it, and fix the problem.

Neck pain is one of the most common conditions I see in practice. Unfortunately, our modern-day habits of sitting at our desks, hunched over laptops and staring down at our phones is taking its toll. New terms such as tech neck and text neck have been coined because of the prevalence of poor posture and neck injuries, related to our overuse of technology.

When Should You See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?

There are a few types of patients looking for neck pain relief that I see fairly frequently. If you fall into one of these categories, then a Chiropractor would be a great choice for you:

THE OFFICE WORKER – The most common scenario I see in practice are the patients that spend all day hunched at their desks. The typical office worker. Their neck and shoulders start to ache at the beginning of the day and worsen as the day progresses. They often have a hunched forward posture.

THE LONG TERM SUFFERER – This is the person who has battled for years with a neck problem. It tends to come and go. They will have moments where life is great and then something will happen to trigger it and they are in pain again. This might be a stressful period or a longer/busier than normal day at work. No matter what they try, they will get relief for a while but it always comes back.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED – This is the person who goes to bed feeling great and wakes up unable to move. It could be triggered by a new activity, fall or even a sneeze. Something has happened to cause the neck to lock up, become stiff and sore.

The Common Underlying Cause for Neck Pain That is Often Missed.

There is often a common underlying cause for the above scenarios, which is unfortunately often overlooked – Structural Misalignment.

Very simply, in order to function optimally our necks should have a C-shaped curve from the side (Cervical Lordosis) and look straight from the front.  There are many reasons why you may lose this ideal shape, and they all result in more strain on the structures of the neck. This strain leads to weakness, which makes your neck more prone to injury. It can also lead to much more serious consequences long-term, such as degenerative changes.

After looking at thousands of neck X-rays, it is clear that this is a very common problem, but most people do not even know that they have it.

So, you might have a normal day at your desk, or a stressful moment or fall asleep in an awkward position, but because your neck is structurally misaligned, it cannot handle this strain and ends up hurting. We either tend to ignore the pain and hope it goes away, or try a variety of “quick fixes” to reduce the pain. This approach does not fix the underlying cause, so often the same scenario repeats itself over and over again.

At Align Corrective Chiropractic in Durban, we focus on structural correction. We use X-rays along with a number of examinations to determine exactly where your problem is originating from. We then design a program specifically for you to correct it. So to answer the question “When should I see a Chiropractor for neck pain?” Ideally before you have neck pain.

If you are looking for neck pain treatment in Durban, then give us a call on 031 562 9180.

My First Chiropractic Consultation

The other day I was thinking back to my first Chiropractic consultation and adjustment. This instantly made me giggle a bit – to think of the sheer terror with which I entered Dr Palmer’s office.

I Was Terrified

Now, I must mention that at this point of my first Chiropractic consultation, I was already dating Dr Palmer. We had met through a mutual friend, so my trust in him was substantial – nevertheless I was terrified. What if he breaks my back? What if he breaks my neck? Could I die?

I laugh now at these naive thoughts but at the time they were very real.

A Sense of Relief

Actually, my first Chiropractic consultation was quite funny, and not terrifying at all. When Dr Palmer tried to adjust my neck, I swiftly proceeded to jump off the Chiro table – this went on for a while until he eventually convinced me that I had nothing to fear.

Eventually I reasoned with myself – he’s a professional, he knows what he’s doing. The first neck adjustment was done… and wow! I felt great and there was no pain. Dr Palmer continued to adjust my neck, upper and lower back, and I couldn’t believe it! The adjustments were so gentle, and I instantly felt a sense of relief – especially in my neck and shoulders.

Click here to watch a video of me having my neck adjusted.

Commitment to a Corrective Chiropractic Care Program

The reason why I wanted to tell you about my first Chiropractic consultation, is that this memory made me realise that we sometimes forget that our new patients may be just as scared and apprehensive about getting adjusted as I was.

The fear that I had almost prevented me from seeing a Chiropractor, and to be honest, if I hadn’t known Dr Palmer personally, I probably wouldn’t have booked an appointment.

This is a scary thought, as I had been suffering with severe migraines for about two years, and the Corrective Chiropractic program that Dr Palmer put me on, has relieved these migraines – I no longer suffer with that pain on a weekly basis! In fact, I haven’t had a migraine since I went for my first Chiropractic consultation and committed to a Corrective Chiropractic Care program.

Diagnose the Cause of Your Pain, and Don’t Simply Treat the Symptoms

I encourage you – if you have been considering seeing a Chiropractor, or if you don’t fully understand what a Chiropractor does, give us a call on 031 562 9180.

Dr Palmer works from his practice – Align Corrective Chiropractic in Glenashley, Durban North. He has on-site X-rays and makes use of a method of practice that is the most researched method in Chiropractic. He aims to diagnose the cause of your pain, and not simply treat the symptoms (and this is where I had been going wrong).

You are welcome to ask for me personally if you would like to chat more about my first Chiropractic consultation and my treatment experience.

I hope that my first Chiropractic consultation experience and honesty leads you to consider Chiropractic in finding relief for your symptoms, especially if you have been struggling for years with the same pain.

We look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions.

Leigh Palmer
Practice Manager at Align Corrective Chiropractic

031 562 9180
reception@alignchiropractic.co.za
https://alignchiropractic.co.za

What to Expect After Your Chiropractic Adjustments?

Many of our patients are quite surprised by how gentle their first Chiropractic adjustments are; the bigger surprise comes when they experience just how effective the adjustments can be. It’s interesting to note that not everyone responds in the same way. Each individual comes with a different history and unique circumstances, so responses may vary. In general, there are three ways that you may respond to your first Chiropractic adjustment.

Instant Relief Following  Chiropractic Adjustments:

A lot of our patients will notice an improvement after their first adjustment. This might range from a mild improvement to complete relief. I have had patients report feeling 100% better after their first Chiropractic adjustment. One of my favourite patient memories, when I practiced in the UK, is of an elderly lady who had a 10-year history of severe lower back pain and pain down her leg when walking. She required the assistance of a cane, and tried to avoid walking as much as she could. This pain had a massive impact on her independence and quality of life.  About an hour after her first adjustment we found her outside walking briskly around the car park. She explained that for the first time, in as long as she could remember, she was able to walk without pain and wanted to make the most of it.

No Immediate Change After Chiropractic Adjustments:

I have also seen many patients that required a few adjustments before they began to feel an improvement. Sometimes we are dealing with problems and joint dysfunction that has been building up for many years. There may be degenerative changes, poor posture and all sorts of other complex issues. I have on many, many occasions seen patients who have felt no different for two or three visits and then suddenly, on their next visit, experience massive relief. The takeaway point here is to not give up hope. Some of these people were battling with pain for many years. I always explain to my patients that healing takes time and sometimes you just have to have a bit of patience.

A Little Stiff, Sore or Achy after Chiropractic Adjustments:

This happens more rarely, but it is quite possible to feel a bit stiff, sore or achy after an adjustment, before it feels better. Sometimes even in an area that wasn’t sore before. We are making changes that your body is not used to, and by changing one area of your spine it can have a knock-on effect in other areas. This is similar to the ache you may feel a day or two after starting a new gym program. Thankfully, it’s usually followed by feeling great.

How Will You Respond to your Chiropractic Adjustments?

There really is no way to know how you will respond without giving it a try. It’s important to remember that pain relief is just one of the many positive effects of a Chiropractic adjustment. Many patients also note improvements in posture, energy, sleeping habits and a range of other positive health effects.

The most important point is that true healing and structural correction takes time. Hopefully your Chiropractor has managed to find the cause of your problem, and has developed an appropriate plan to help you fix it.

If you are looking for a Durban Chiropractor based in Glenashley who takes a thorough, structural approach to finding the cause of your pain, then give Align Corrective Chiropractic a call on 031 5629180.

How to Treat Migraines Naturally

I believe the first step to treat migraines naturally is to discover whether you have any migraine triggers. If you have ever had a migraine, you will know that they can be completely disruptive. They can steal the joy from life’s best moments.  Avoiding these triggers is often a simple way to reduce the number of headaches that you get.

A migraine trigger is anything that might set off a migraine and they can be different for everyone. Common triggers include certain foods and drinks, but there are also environmental factors that may trigger a migraine. Bright flashing lights, very loud noises, a particularly stressful day may just be what triggers your migraine.

WATCH HERE FOR 5 COMMON MIGRAINE TRIGGERS.

How to Discover Your Migraine Triggers

If your migraines are random or infrequent, then you might have trouble remembering the circumstances that led to it. It may seem like there is no common trigger. What I have found to be very helpful in discovering migraine triggers, is to keep a migraine journal. This will often reveal patterns that might help you discover your migraine triggers. Once you know what triggers your migraine, you can take effective measures to avoid these triggers and reduce your migraines.

WATCH HERE TO DISCOVER HOW TO PINPOINT YOUR TRIGGERS. 

A Cause of Migraines That is Often Missed

Reducing your triggers can make a massive difference to your quality of life, but unfortunately it is not a fix. There is still the underlying problem causing the migraine. I have found for many, many of our patients that the underlying cause is related to misalignment of the structures of the neck.

Necks function best when they have a C-shaped Curve (Cervical Lordosis). Our day to day posture, bad habits and traumas such as whiplash are all very common reasons why we may lose this normal alignment. A loss of this normal alignment places more strain and tension on the structures of the neck. Over time this leads to dysfunction and degeneration.

If your neck is misaligned and causing your migraines, then we are often able to fix the migraines by realigning the neck. There are other reasons and causes for why you might be getting migraines, but I believe having your neck alignment properly assessed is the best place to start when looking to treat migraines naturally.

The above X-ray, on the left, is of a patient with an ideal neck alignment that does not suffer with migraines. The neck X-ray on the right is of a patient who suffered with migraines for years. Notice the difference in shape of the necks, the migraine sufferer has lost the normal C-shaped Curve of the neck.

How to Treat Your Migraines Naturally

With a program of specific Corrective Adjustments, Exercise and Traction we were able to help this patient get her neck curve back. As her curve improved, so did her migraines and her quality of life.

Taking these simple steps of discovering your migraine triggers, avoiding them and having your neck properly assessed, may help you treat your migraines naturally. They may just go away completely.

If you would like to find out if your neck is causing your migraines, then please give us a call on 031 562 9180

New Year, New You

We’ve just been through that time of year again, our favourite time of the year. Christmas time.

For many of us, it’s that time where we finally take a much needed break. It’s hot, we are on holiday, and it’s so easy to over indulge in all the awesome food and drink. Our good habits and routines have gone out the window. Then the New Year hits, everyone is making their resolutions, and good health becomes a priority again. Decisions to exercise more, to eat better and drink less are common, but who actually thinks about making their spinal health a priority?

Why Should Spinal Health Be a Priority?

Your spine houses your nervous system, it protects it and it allows movement. Your nervous system literally controls everything in your body, your posture, your movements, your health. So, your spine really should be your number one priority if you are looking to improve your health.

Many common health problems including high blood pressure, breathing problems, digestive issues, sinus problems, and problems sleeping have all been linked to spinal misalignment. You may be battling with common chronic issues such as back pain, headaches, poor posture, and disc bulges that just never seem to get better. These are all commonly due to problems with the shape and alignment of your spine.

Most people tend to focus on their symptoms, and then lose sight of the bigger picture. They focus on removing these symptoms but not on fixing the cause of them.

I am quite honestly, frequently shocked and surprised by how many of our patients’ overall health improves so dramatically when they shift their focus onto spinal health and follow a Corrective Care plan.

A Major Cause of Poor Spinal Health.

After a much needed Christmas break, most of us are feeling relaxed and ready to take on the New Year. Then we go back to work, back to our routine, back to stress and for many of us back to sitting all day. One of the major causes of an unhealthy spine is the amount of time we spend at our desks. Health experts now rate sitting as worse for your health than smoking!

Combine the sitting with deadlines, increased stress, travel to and from work, time spent on our phones and it’s only inevitable that our spines will suffer

What Can You Do to Improve Your Spinal Health?

The first thing I recommend is having a thorough spinal health assessment. At Align Corrective Chiropractic, we use digital posture photography and digital spinal X-rays to accurately assess and measure the shape of your spine. We also perform a number of Neurological/Orthopaedic and Chiropractic tests. These help us to determine how well you are functioning.

Should we find any issues that can be improved with Chiropractic, we will put together a specific Corrective Care plan to correct these issues.  You may just be surprised by how your spine is impacting your health. You may be even more surprised by just how good you feel when you shift your focus onto improving your spinal health.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, or if you are looking for a Durban Chiropractor who focuses on health then please give us a call on 031 562 9180 or email reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

“The Best Chiropractor in Durban?”

“I am looking for the best Chiropractor in Durban.”

This was the response I received when asking a recent new patient what brought him to Align Corrective Chiropractic. A number of questions entered my mind and I immediately felt the pressure rise. What exactly did he mean by “best Chiropractor in Durban” and could our practice live up to this expectation?

In exploring his case further, it became apparent that he had seen Chiropractors for lower back pain previously. He had actually spent the last 20 years consulting with a number of different practitioners, looking for lower back pain relief. Generally he would find it, but he seemed to be stuck in a cycle.

Pain – Relief – Pain.

So what was different this time around?

Well, his circumstances had changed, he had recently retired. This period of his life, that he had been looking forward to for so long, was just not living up to his expectations. His lower back pain had become restrictive, it was preventing the most basic activities from being achieved.

It was stopping him from doing the things that he enjoyed.

In my experience, people tend to put up with all sorts of pains and health problems until they get in the way of their joy. It’s usually at this point that they will find the motivation to do something different.

He had reached that point.

He didn’t just want the “quick fix” he was used to. What he really wanted was to be able to move better, to perform basic activities with ease, and most of all…

To have the good health needed to enjoy his retirement.

Could only the best Chiropractor in Durban help?

He wasn’t really looking for “the best Chiropractor in Durban”, he was just looking for someone who would look at the bigger picture. To take a different approach to what he had been used to all these years.

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone had this approach from the very beginning? To not focus on just removing the symptoms, but to correct the cause of the symptoms.

To focus on health.

That is exactly what we do at Align Corrective Chiropractic. We focus on Spinal Health.

We take a holistic structural approach to the health of your spine. A variety of tests including X-Rays and posture pictures are used to assess your spine. Once we know where your misalignment’s are, we can help you correct them.

Your whole spine. Not just the area that is sore.

If you are looking for a different approach to your health problems then give us call on 031 562 9180 or email us at reception@alignchiropractic.co.za
Click here to read how Corrective Chiropractic Care can improve your health.

Can Corrective Chiropractic Care Improve Your Health?

Most people know to visit a Chiropractor for back pain and neck pain treatment, but did you know that Corrective Chiropractic Care may improve your health?

“What!”

“How does Corrective Chiropractic Care improve your health?” is the response we commonly receive.
It actually makes a lot of sense when you understand how the spine and nervous system works. Over the years we have had many, many people report improvements in their health, especially when following a Corrective Chiropractic Care plan.

How does Corrective Chiropractic Care improve your health?

Very simply, it’s our nervous system that keeps us alive, healthy and functioning the way we should. Any damage or irritation to the nervous system has the potential to impact our health. The shape of our spine plays a vital role in supporting and protecting our nervous system and Chiropractic is the best way to maintain the correct shape, alignment and movement of the spine.

It makes sense that a problem with our spine could impact our nervous system which in turn could have a negative impact on our health. This is actually the theory behind Chiropractic’s development in the 1890’s. The goal of Corrective Chiropractic Care is to structurally improve the shape of your spine to an ideal alignment. Ideal alignment results in less strain on your spine and nervous system, and therefore the greatest potential for your nervous system to function optimally.

Common signs of improved health.

At Align Corrective Chiropractic we frequently have patients tell us that as their posture improves, so does their sleeping habits and energy levels. Improvements with sinus problems, digestive issues and headaches are also frequently reported. Patients will often say that their general mood improves, and they feel more positive and in control of their health when following a Corrective Care plan. Chiropractic is so much more than just a treatment for lower back pain, it gives hope.

Will Corrective Chiropractic Care improve your health?

Every person is unique and therefore responds uniquely to Chiropractic Care. Some health improvements may be very obvious whereas others may be more subtle. Just imagine if something as basic as taking better care of your spine was the answer to your health problems.

We believe that a healthy well aligned spine is essential to good health. Our goal is to help every patient, regardless of their symptoms, maintain a healthy spine. We use the most up-to-date, researched Corrective technique to assess and correct each person’s spine to a more ideal shape; improving alignment, movement, flexibility and posture.

If you are looking for a Durban North Chiropractor to assess whether your spine is potentially impacting your health then please give us a call on 031 562 9180 or drop us an email at reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

Welcome Align Chiropractics New Front Desk Manager

Our regular patients may have noticed some changes at Align over the last couple of months. The most obvious change, Leigh’s belly! As we approached the end stages of the pregnancy, Leigh began handing over some of her responsibilities to Jeanette, so she could finally take some much-needed time off.

Meet Jeanette

If you haven’t met Jeanette yet, she is our new front desk manager. Over the last few months Leigh has been training her to take over the front desk duties while she takes her maternity leave. If you know Leigh you will know that she just loves meeting and greeting all of our patients, so I don’t think it will be long before she is back in the office. But for now she will be taking more of a behind-the-scenes approach at Align Corrective Chiropractic.

Much like Leigh, Jeanette also loves the patient interaction and is focused on maintaining a high level of customer service and assisting our patients in whichever ways she can. We asked Jeanette to give us a better idea of who she is and what she enjoys.

Jeanette’s Story

“I have been part of the Durban North Community since I was 5 years old. Most of my working career and passion is in the medical field. I had my own Assisted Lifestyle Centre, The Manor, in Glen Hills, from 2003 until 2015. This was a 24-hour Care Facility where I had the privilege of taking care of people with a wide variety of medical and physical needs.

I have worked in a medical practice before and joining the team at Align Corrective Chiropractic has been very exciting. It has opened a new avenue of knowledge for me regarding the up-to-date Chiropractic treatment that Dr Palmer offers. I am impressed with the Corrective Chiropractic approach that he uses, which he studied overseas, and I am overwhelmed at the positive outcomes I have seen in his patients, following a Corrective Care program.

The care and value that Align Chiropractic gives to their patients is key to my personal value, which is to continue to give back to the community.  This makes me very happy in my new appointment at Align Corrective Chiropractic.”

Please come visit and welcome Jeanette to Align Corrective Chiropractic. If you would like to book an appointment with a Corrective Durban Chiropractor, please give us a call on 031 562 9180 or email us at reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

Do I need a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Have you ever wondered what happens during a Chiropractic adjustment? Maybe you have seen or heard stories online and are apprehensive to get adjusted yourself. “Will it hurt?”, “Is it safe?” “Are you sure you won’t break my neck?” are just some of the questions we frequently receive. The following post will give you a better understanding of what a Chiropractic adjustment is, how it can make you feel amazing, and more importantly how it is essential in maintaining a healthy spine.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Quite simply, your spine functions and moves at its best when it is well aligned. When your spine loses its ideal alignment, it stiffens up and takes extra strain. This leads to dysfunction, pain and eventual wear and tear. An adjustment is a quick, specific thrust to the joint to increase movement and improve alignment. Sometimes an adjustment will make a clicking/popping noise. This is just a release of built-up pressure in the fluid surrounding the joint and usually feels very good. Patients often report feeling looser, less tight, and less pain after an adjustment.

Watch Dr Palmer demonstrate a few neck adjustments

Will one Chiropractic Adjustment fix my problem?

This totally depends on what your problem is and what your goals are. If you have a simple backache and your goal is purely relief, then it is quite possible that you will experience relief with just one adjustment. As a Durban Chiropractor I have had many patients feel a massive difference in both pain levels and range of motion, following their first adjustment. However if you don’t fix the underlying cause of your pain, the chances are that it will soon return.

If your goal is correction of poor posture/structure then this will not be possible with just one adjustment. When a patient comes to us for Corrective Chiropractic Care, we perform a very thorough assessment including neurological testing, posture pics and spinal X-Rays. With this information we are able to determine where the structural misalignment’s are and what we need to do to fix them. Appropriate Chiropractic Adjustments are an essential component of our Corrective program. Click here to read why we generally recommend Corrective Chiropractic Care over short term relief care.

Why are Chiropractic Adjustments essential in keeping my spine healthy?

Very simply, when your spine becomes misaligned, it cannot move as efficiently as it should. Movement is what pushes nutrients into the discs and keeps them healthy. Without proper movement your joints and discs will eventually take more strain and wear out. This leads to extra bone formation, causing further stiffening of the joints. As your spine progressively degenerates it becomes more prone to nerve compression, injury and has a greater overall negative impact on your health. An adjustment is the best way to keep the individual joints moving properly, and a Corrective Care program is the best way to get your spine into the ideal alignment.

If you want a healthy spine and are looking for an experienced Durban Chiropractor to develop a Corrective Care program specifically for you, then please give Align Corrective Chiropractic a call on 031 562 9180.