Do you have a short leg?

Have you ever had a Chiropractor tell you that you have a short leg (leg length inequality)? Maybe this came as a complete shock, or maybe you already knew that something wasn’t quite right. Either way, if this is you, then you are not alone. As a Durban Chiropractor, this is a fairly common sign that I see in practice. In fact, one research study estimated that about 50% of the population had uneven leg lengths, and that a short leg could be a significant cause of chronic lower back pain.¹ Leg length inequality has also been linked to hip, knee and leg pain, and if left over a long period of time, can lead to degenerative changes of the spine, hips and knees.

Your short leg could be the cause of both your pain and degenerative changes!

It is therefore extremely important that we properly assess for leg length inequality and provide appropriate interventions to correct it.  The good news is, this can often be corrected with the use of a heel lift, but before we get to that, lets discuss what a short leg actually is.

What is a short leg?

A short leg can be considered either anatomical or functional.

Simply put, an anatomical short leg is due to a difference in the length of the structures of the leg between the right and left side. This could be due to a number of reasons including birth defects, traumas to the leg, surgeries or asymmetrical growth. This type of leg length inequality is best corrected with a heel lift.

A functional short leg is due to a difference in the alignment of the structures of the leg between the right and left side, and is often due to pronation of the ankle or foot (Flat foot). This type of leg length inequality is best corrected with appropriate Chiropractic adjustments and orthotics.

Sometimes a patient will have a combination of both an anatomical and a functional short leg.

How do we tell if you have a short leg?

Our medical history-taking will often reveal clues that you have uneven leg lengths. A patient might mention that they walk with a limp or that their pelvis feels imbalanced. They may have had a history of trauma, surgery or disease that has affected their legs. Chronic lower back pains, knee and hip problems may all point towards a leg length inequality. A lot of our patients have actually been told by a health care practitioner previously that they have a short leg, but nothing was done to correct it.

A good postural examination, looking closely at the alignment of the feet, ankles and knees may reveal a short leg. A simple test of observing the patient lying flat often shows signs of leg length inequality.

The best way to determine a short leg and to measure it appropriately is through X-rays. We take specific X-rays of your lower back and pelvis from the front and side. Precise measurements are then taken using the Sacral Base Unleveling and Femur Head Unleveling Techniques to determine exactly how much shorter your leg is.

How does your Align Corrective Chiropractor in Durban fix an anatomical short leg?

Once we know exactly how much shorter your leg is, we can pick an appropriate sized lift for you. We use specifically sized lifts, imported from the USA.

We then have you stand on the lift and take the same X-ray again. With these X-rays we can visualise exactly what effect the lift is having on your leg length and pelvic alignment. Once we know which size lift will create the best results, we then quite simply have you insert the lift in your shoe. Whenever you wear the lift, it will help to keep your pelvis aligned and well balanced.

Many of our patients have been told that they have a short leg, but unfortunately nothing was done to correct it. If you are looking for a Durban Chiropractor who can assess and correct your short leg, then give us a call on 031 562 9180 or email Align Corrective Chiropractic on reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

Reference:

¹Friberg, Ora. “Clinical symptoms and biomechanics of lumbar spine and hip joint in leg length inequality”  Spine 1983

7 Tips to Make the Most of Your First Chiropractic Adjustment.

So you have just had your first Chiropractic adjustment, you are feeling great and you want to stay that way. Here are seven tips to help you make the most of your first Chiropractic adjustment. Remember that these are general tips; always follow the guidance or suggestions of your Chiropractor.

1. Avoid self-clicking after your first Chiropractic adjustment.

If you have the bad habit of clicking your own back or neck, try your hardest to avoid it. You will want to give your spine time to settle in the new adjusted position. Click here to read more about self-clicking.

2. Avoid strenuous activity.

We recommend that you avoid any heavy or strenuous activity for at least a few hours after your first adjustment. In some cases you may need to avoid it for a few days to weeks depending on your condition.

3. Continue with whatever is helping.

In general, if you find something helps to ease the pain, do more of that. If you find a certain position/movement or activity aggravates the pain then try to avoid it

4. Stay active / Keep moving.

In general, its best to try stay active after an adjustment. Go for a short light walk or do some stretches. Avoid sitting for long periods, especially avoid sitting in a slouched or awkward position.

5. Use an ice pack.

If you are feeling stiff and sore after your adjustment, we recommend using an ice pack on the area. This helps promote pain relief and is also a natural anti-inflammatory

6. Stay hydrated.

It is a good idea to drink lots of water after your Chiropractic adjustments. Your discs are constructed largely of water, and they are prone to dehydration and wearing out. This can often lead to pain. Increasing your water intake helps to keep the discs hydrated

7. Sleeping habits.

Make sure that your mattress is firm and not sagging. Ideally replace old or worn out mattresses. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as this twists the spine. Your pillow height should support your head so your spine is in a straight line when lying on your side. Speak to us if you need help with a new mattress or pillow.

 What to expect after your first Chiropractic adjustment.

Many of our patients are quite surprised by how gentle their first adjustments are. The bigger surprise comes when they realise just how effective the adjustments can be. I have had patients report feeling 100% better after their first Chiropractic adjustment, however this is not always the case.

In my experience, I have seen many patients that required a few visits before they started to feel an improvement. Some may have even felt a little sore or achey after their first few adjustments. Remember that everyone is different and individual responses may vary. Sometimes we are dealing with problems that have been building up for many years. There may be degenerative changes, poor posture and many other complex issues involved.

The most important thing to remember is that 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 who takes a thorough, structural approach to finding the cause of your problems, then give Align Corrective Chiropractic a call on 031 562 9180.

6 Tips For a Great First Chiropractic Visit

So you have booked your first Chiropractic visit and now you want to show up as prepared as possible. Firstly, well done for taking this step, I am a firm believer that Chiropractic has the potential to change your health forever. Here are six simple tips to help you make the most of your first Chiropractic visit.

1. Clothing

For the first visit to your Chiropractor, your best choice is to wear simple, comfortable clothing. Think gym wear or active wear. Mini-skirts, skinny jeans or stilettos are not always ideal. Most Chiropractors will have a change of clothes/gowns that you can use. So if you don’t get a chance to change into something more comfortable, just come as you are.

Your Chiropractor may ask you to perform certain movements to observe your range of motion. They will most likely also want to take a good look at your posture. So form fitting clothes that allow good movement are ideal. Anything too baggy or loose fitting may mask your movements or postural pattern.

Try to keep your jewellery and accessories to a minimum. These may get in the way, and if X-rays are needed, you will need to take them all off anyway.

2. Prepare your medical history

Your Chiropractor will want a full understanding of your health status. They will most likely ask you about your medical history, even going back as far as your childhood. They may base their questions/exams/treatment largely on what you tell them. Take a few minutes before your appointment to make mental notes of any previous accidents, surgeries or health concerns that you may have had.

Try to keep your answers short and to the point. Make sure your Chiropractor gets all the important information that they need to fully assess your condition. “It is great when a patient can answer all the relevant questions with appropriate information.”

3. Previous tests

If you have had any previous tests such as X-rays, MRIs or blood tests, please bring these results with you. They will not only give your Chiropractor more information, but may prevent the need for further testing. Your Chiropractor may make use of these test results in developing your treatment plan. If you don’t have access to your previous tests, then don’t worry, your Chiropractor will be able to refer you for any tests that are necessary. At Align Corrective Chiropractic we have our own digital X-ray equipment on site. We are able to take quick, efficient X-rays if need be.

4. Medication

Make a list of all the medications that you are currently taking. Many medications have side-effects. These could potentially be related to your current lower back pain, neck pain or headaches. Your medications also give a good idea of your current health status.

Try not to load up on anti-inflammatories and pain killers just before your first visit. These can potentially skew the results of any orthopaedic tests that your Chiropractor may want to perform.

5. Punctual

Try arrive at your appointment a few minutes early. This will give you enough time to relax and complete any required paper work. Chiropractors try their best to stick to a tight schedule. If you come late, your Chiropractor will either have to cut your visit short or keep the next patient waiting.

6. Payment

Are you aware of your Chiropractor’s charges and payment methods before your appointment? Many Chiropractors require you to settle up front. Bring cash or your card, so that you can take care of your appointment there and then. Your Chiropractor may then provide you with a statement so that you can claim back from your medical aid. Should you need to contact your medical aid to find out if Chiropractic is covered, please do this before your appointment.

Well done on taking the first steps to sorting out your health problems. Your Chiropractor wants to help and wants the best for you.  Follow these six tips to make the most of your first Chiropractic visit.

If you are looking for a Durban Chiropractor and would like to book a visit at Align Corrective Chiropractic please give us a call on 031 562 9180.

Why We Take Spinal X-Rays

So you have just had your first consult at Align Corrective Chiropractic and a set of Spinal X-rays were taken. You are probably wondering what it all means. Why do we take Spinal X-rays, what are we looking for and how will our findings impact your chiropractic care? These questions will all be answered in this blog post so keep reading!

The first thing we want to determine, when looking at your Spinal X-rays is, are there any signs of serious conditions or red flags that would prevent us from starting chiropractic care?  Things like Cancer, serious spinal disease and trauma (even though they are uncommon) do occur and have to be treated with caution. I believe that Spinal X-rays are extremely valuable as they often show us what we otherwise wouldn’t be able to see.

Once we have determined that chiropractic care is safe and the right choice for you, the next step is to analyse your spine.

Ideal Spinal Alignment

The first thing we look at is the alignment or shape of your spine. Each region of your spine has an ideal shape and alignment. For the purposes of this blog post I will be using the neck as an example.  The research indicates that your spine functions best when it is in the ideal alignment*.   A loss of the ideal alignment can lead to pain, dysfunction and eventual arthritic (wear and tear) changes. The following is a lateral neck X-ray (which means we are looking at the neck from the side). The ideal curve is demonstrated with the green curved line. Each vertebrae from C1-C7 lines up with this green curve.

This is what our necks should look like, and any significant deviation from this ideal should be addressed. We are also able to take specific measurements – the angle between each pair of vertebrae, the overall angle of your neck and the amount of forward head posture. Each measurement helps us give you the specific care that you need.

Misalignment

The following is an example of a neck that has lost it’s ideal alignment. You can see the vertebrae (red lines) are actually bending the opposite way to the Ideal curve (green line). This is often referred to as a ‘loss of lordosis’. This increases the strain on the neck significantly and can result in a number of problems. This patient in particular had been experiencing frequent upper back/neck pain and headaches since childhood. He experienced symptom relief after his first Chiropractic adjustment, however this does not mean that the problem was fixed. It will take time, consistency and effort to change the shape of his spine.

We are able to edit your X-rays too, with the same green and red lines to show you exactly how close, or far, your spine is from the ideal alignment. We will also take specific measurements which will be compared to the ideal. This gives us tangible, objective information that we can reassess in the future.

Ideal Spinal Bone Structure

The second thing we assess is the bony structures of your spine. Your vertebrae (with a few exceptions) should generally look like uniform square blocks stacked one on top of the other, as shown in the neck X-ray below.

Certain diseases and trauma can change the shape of your bones. When your spine loses its ideal shape/alignment, extra strain is placed on the spinal structures which can result in wear and tear (arthritis) to these structures. A common sign of this is a change in the bony shape of the vertebrae. The vertebrae may become flattened or irregularly shaped. You may also see bone spurs, which are small outgrowths of extra bone. Your spinal joints are designed to move, so any change to the shape of the bone, or extra bone growth can restrict normal motion. This results in further degenerative changes. Take note of the changes to the shape of the vertebrae and the multiple bone spurs in the X-ray below.

Ideal Spinal Soft Tissue and Cartilage

Next we will want to take a look at your disc spaces. Your discs should look like dark, thick rectangular spaces between the vertebral bodies. Changes to this shape or space often indicate degenerative changes to the discs. MRI scans are often used to confirm disc disease/degeneration. In the below X-ray we have outlined each disc in yellow.

In the following example, you can see that the disc spaces are substantially thinner than what they should be. This, combined with the change of shape of the vertebral bodies and the bone spurs, all point to severe degenerative changes. Take note of the shape of the neck, it has lost its normal C-shaped curve (Cervical Lordosis) and has developed a reverse curve (Cervical Kyphosis). This causes a huge increase of strain on the lower half of the neck (C4/C5/C6/C7) and this is most likely the cause of the degenerative changes.

Many people think that degenerative changes happen due to old age. If this was the case, then every vertebra would be degenerated equally. The research indicates that the degenerative changes occur in the structures that are under the most strain. By correcting the shape of the neck to the normal curve (lordosis) we can remove the extra strain on the degenerative area and possibly prevent the degeneration from getting worse.

How Will Your Spinal X-rays Impact Your Chiropractic Care?

So now that we have assessed your X-rays, we have much more insight into your spinal structures. Our measurements give us a goal to work towards. They show us where your spine is not ideally aligned and enable us to tailor a specific treatment plan to correct these misalignments. We will show you your spinal X-rays at your next report visit. We will give you feedback on how healthy your spine is. Are there any degenerative changes? Any signs of a more serious problem? We will discuss your alignment/measurements and explain your options. With this in mind you can then make an educated decision on how to keep your spine healthy and in the best possible alignment.

The following picture from this interesting research study demonstrates how a neck that is too curved, not curved enough or even reverse curved can all result in the same forward head posture. This is why we recommend taking Spinal X-Rays and not only relying on posture pictures. In my opinion if you are looking to improve your posture or make a structural correction it is imperative that we have an up-to-date set of Spinal X-rays.

If you would like to book your assessment at Align Corrective Chiropractic, you can give us a call on 031 562 9180 or email reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

*We use systems developed by CBP (Chiropractic Biophysics) to analyse and assess our spinal X-rays. CBP is the most researched technique in Chiropractic and in my opinion, is the best structural/corrective technique available to Chiropractors today. More information and research can be found at http://cbpnonprofit.com/publications/

To view a short clip on why we take Spinal X-Rays, click on the link below.

Chiropractic Posture Assessment.

All of our new patients receive a chiropractic posture assessment at Align Corrective Chiropractic. Why? Because we believe that good posture is such a vitally important aspect of good health and vitality that we just can’t ignore it. How we stand, sit, sleep and move on a day to day basis, impacts us in ways that we don’t even realise. Research has shown that poor posture can affect our moods, circulation, digestion and breathing. It can also cause a host of other health issues, and is very commonly the cause of our aches and pains. Many of our patients have battled for years with a variety of health issues but have never had their posture assessed. We are here to change that.

Do you need a Chiropractic Posture Assessment?

Is your posture a problem?  You can start off with this simple self-assessment. When assessing your posture, it is very important that you stand in your most comfortable, relaxed posture. Do not try to force an unnatural posture, as this will give a false reading.

If you pick up on any postural abnormalities then we would highly recommend a thorough posture assessment performed by a Corrective Chiropractor.

Once we have a good understanding of your postural pattern, we will want to investigate it further. We perform a variety of orthopaedic tests to assess your joints, movements and range of motion.  Neurological tests are done to determine if there is nerve involvement and Chiropractic tests to determine if Corrective Chiropractic is the best choice for you.

Do I need X-Rays to assess my posture?

One big thing that separates us from many other Durban Chiropractors is that we have our own on-site digital X-ray equipment. We take spinal X-Rays to give us more insight into why you have the postural pattern that you do. Is there spinal degeneration? Underlying disease? We are able to assess the health of your spine and take precise spinal measurements.

We then give you feedback on how close, or far, your spine is from the ideal alignment. With this in mind, we can develop a specific program to correct your spinal mis-alignments and improve your posture.

We take a structural approach, which means that we focus on fixing the problem at the cause. Most other postural techniques are functional. This involves functionally strengthening the muscles so that you can hold your posture better for longer. Unfortunately as soon as these muscles weaken or tire out your posture will worsen.

If you are looking for a thorough chiropractic posture assessment and a long term solution to your postural problems, please give us a call at Align Corrective Chiropractic on 031 562 9180.

Your new Chiropractor in Glenashley

We are now up and running as your new Chiropractor in Glenashley. Over the last couple of months we have been hard at work getting our new home-based chiropractic clinic, in Glenashley, ready. After many ups and downs, we are proud and happy to say that we are finally operational. We still have some final touches to complete, but every day we move closer and closer to the practice of our dreams.

Our goal with our new location was to have a quiet, peaceful environment that was both practical and functional. We believe we have achieved that.

After the past two weeks of seeing patients from our new location, I have noticed a few big positives that I would like to share with you, as well as some before and after pics.

The View

I began my career practicing in the UK and my dream (even back then) was to one day have a practice with a sea view. Over the years I found myself back in Durban and closer to the sea. This is now my third location change in the Durban North area and I finally have that sea view I had been hoping for.

The Vibe

One of the best things about our new practice is that it is peaceful. There are far less distractions, which means we can be more focused on providing our patients with the best experience possible. We have far more control. When we find a problem we are able to fix it. We are also able to take on board our patients’ suggestions and feedback and improve wherever we can.

The Layout

With some smart planning, we were able to maximise the layout of our new space. We created a very inviting reception and waiting area. We also have an adjusting room, a therapy room, our X-Ray room, and a soon-to-be exercise room. This allows us space to grow. As a Corrective Chiropractor in Glenashley, Durban, we do things differently. Our focus is on fixing structural or postural misalignments for the long term, and not simply treating symptoms.

With our x-ray facility on-site we are able to provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan moving forward.

Should you wish to schedule an appointment, our current contact number is 031 562 9180 or you can email Leigh on reception@alignchiropractic.co.za.

We look forward to showing you around our new spot. Glenashley is now home, and we are happy to be your Chiropractor in Glenashley

GLENASHLEY CHIROPRACTOR – THE BIG MOVE

After 10 years in practice, we have seen some pretty big changes. Moving countries, setting up our own x-ray service, and re-branding to Align Corrective Chiropractic are just a few of the big ones. We are now ready to make our biggest and most exciting change to date.

We are moving to our own premises!

Since getting married just over a year ago, Leigh and I have been talking (dreaming) about one day running a home-based practice. We are very happy to say that our dream is becoming a reality. After 4 years of running our practice from Core Medical Centre, we are ready to go out on our own.

THE JOURNEY

For quite a while now, we have been searching for a property that would suite all our needs. A home for us to live in as well as a separate space to run our practice. It needed to be in a central, convenient location, have space for parking and just “feel right”.  After many, many show houses we finally found a spot that we both felt was ideal.

18 Burne Crescent, Glenashley.

For the last few weeks we have been hard at work getting the new practice ready. We started from scratch, bashing down walls, ripping up old tiles, completely gutting the rooms, and re-designing the space so that it would work for us and our patients.

OUR NEW CUSTOMISED PRACTICE

Our practice is a labour of love, one that we will continue to work on. We still have a few busy weeks ahead of us, as we get ready for our grand opening.

1st November 2017.

Having our own space is exciting. It means that we can run it the way we want. We can make the changes that we need, when we need. It allows us to do things differently.

We will continue to improve on the clinical excellence and amazing customer service that you have grown accustomed to. Our goal – to give you the best experience possible.
We hope that you will continue to walk this journey with us and come see us at our new practice in Glenashley from November.

Should you have any questions regarding our move, please feel free to call Leigh on 031 562 9180 or email her at reception@alignchiropractic.co.za

Keeping up to date with the latest technology, research and trends is very important to us.  Outlined below are some of the corrective chiropractic technology’s that we use at Align Corrective Chiropractic in Durban.

Corrective Chiropractic Technology: The Assessment

Digital X rays:

We have our own on-site digital x-ray machine and software which helps us to accurately measure the shape, alignment and angles of your spine. This information is essential when considering Corrective Chiropractic care. These objective measurements give us a goal to work towards. They enable us to be highly specific when it comes to the care we provide and the corrective treatment plans that we design to correct the shape of your spine. The best part is, we can compare your spine to the ideal model. You can easily see how close or how far you are from the ideal.

Posture Photography:

We use specialised software to take photographs of you standing in a relaxed, comfortable posture from the front and side. We then analyse these photographs to compare your posture to the ideal posture. Again, this gives us an objective measurement which we can re-measure at regular intervals. At your report visit we will show you all your results on a big screen TV. Many of our patients are both shocked and intrigued to see what their spines look like in comparison to what they should look like. 

Corrective Chiropractic Technology: The Treatment

At Align Corrective Chiropractic in Durban we use several different devices to help our patients make the best possible Corrective changes. Here are just a few examples of what we do differently to help our patients make long term structural changes to their spines.

Remodeling Devices

The Chiropractic remodelling devices that we use are specially designed orthotics for the spine.  Your chiropractor will suggest a remodelling device based on your x rays and posture assessment. They are used as an add-on to your in-office treatment. You will perform this traction at home to remodel and traction the spine towards the ideal shape.

Vibration Plate.

At Align Corrective Chiropractic we have our own Vibration Plate that our patients can use before or after their adjustment. Whole body vibration has a number of health benefits, and when used in conjunction with corrective chiropractic therapies, it can assist the corrective process.

Weighted Belts:

Certain types of abnormal postural patterns respond very well to weighted exercises. Have you ever carried a heavy back pack on your back? The extra weight on your back will cause you to automatically lean forward to balance out this weight. We can combine this effect with exercises to change your posture. As an example, if your head shifts to the right and we strap a weight pad to the right side of your head, your head will automatically shift to the left to balance out this additional weight.  You can actively retrain your muscles and neurological system to hold your head in a better alignment.

If you are looking for a Chiropractor in Durban who takes an in-depth structural approach to your spinal health, then contact us now for an assessment 031 562 9180.

My Experience With Sciatica Relief.

People often assume that, because I am a Chiropractor, I must be immune to back pain and spinal problems. The truth is that I lean over people all day, pulling, pressing and generally using my body in a physical way. This opens the door for injuries and aches and pains to develop. I recently experienced Sciatica first hand, and it was not fun. Today I will share with you how I dealt with it and how I managed to stop it from setting me back. But first let me give you a little history.

After qualifying as a Chiropractor in Durban, I moved to the UK to expand on my Chiropractic work experience. My first Chiropractic locum job opened me up to the fascinating world of Posture Correction. It grabbed my attention and I decided to explore it further. I ended up working at clinics that focused on Corrective Care and fixing bad posture. This is where I learnt most of the skills that I use today.

I went through a lengthy process of regularly seeing my Chiropractor for corrective adjustments, and I spent all my free time in between patients doing specific exercises and traction. I was recommending similar things to my patients and I wanted to experience it first-hand. Within the first year, I was able to improve my posture dramatically. This has played a major role in keeping my spine healthy to date. I still see a Chiropractor for maintenance/wellness care and regularly perform specific stretches/exercises/traction. Even a healthy spine is still vulnerable to injury and we must do what we can to take care of our spines.

So let’s skip forward to what happened to me a few weeks ago. After a really busy day, I noticed a strange intermittent, achy pain in the back of my right thigh. It felt like someone was squeezing and releasing the muscle really tightly. I didn’t pay much attention to it initially, until the next day. It was worse!

The pain had spread to my ankle and it had become difficult and uncomfortable to put weight on my leg. It was very difficult to get into a pain free position, and I felt like I had to keep moving to try find some relief. If I lay on my back and lifted my leg straight up, it felt weak, but also extremely tight and sore in the thigh, calf and ankle. I did a few other tests and realised that I had Sciatica.

What I Did For Sciatica Relief.

After stressing about it for a while and wondering how I am going to survive with Sciatica, I realised that I am a Chiropractor and I am really well suited to solve this problem. So I did what I usually tell my patients to do.

I started with some piriformis and lower back stretches. They helped take away that deep ache for a moment, but it was very short lived. I then used a hard ball to work out the tension in these muscles. This was really sore, but it did give me some temporary Sciatica relief.

Next, I gave my Chiropractor a call and managed to book an appointment for the following day. It is not a great idea to try adjust/manipulate or crack your own spine, even the professionals leave it to the professionals. The hardest part came later that night whilst trying to fall asleep. After trying all sorts of different positions, I eventually found that lying on my side, with a cushion between my knees worked best for me. After a very restless night’s sleep, I was really looking forward to my visit to the Chiropractor.

My Chiropractor did a few tests and confirmed what I thought. I had Sciatica! He then adjusted both my lower and upper back, and I immediately felt some improvement. I continued to do the exercises over the course of the weekend, and each day it felt easier and easier.

Lessons I Learnt about Sciatica.

• No matter how healthy our spines are, they are vulnerable to injury, and back problems can happen to anyone.
• Poor posture and structure has a big influence on the health of our spines. The better aligned we are, the better we move, the better we function and generally the quicker we heal and respond to care when we do hurt ourselves. If you have not yet had your posture and spinal alignment assessed, then I recommend you should.
• I am very glad that I worked on correcting my posture when I was younger.
• Sciatica is not fun. It can be extremely limiting and prevent normal day to day activities. So don’t wait and hope it goes away. Go see a professional and have it assessed as soon as you can.
• I was lucky to get Sciatica relief within a few days. For some people, it can take weeks to months to get relief. Especially if you have a bad posture and haven’t been taking care of your spine.
• Healing takes time.

After a week or so I was feeling back to normal, but I know that if I am not careful and do something silly I can easily cause another injury. So, I will continue to see my Chiropractor, and I will continue doing my exercises for as long as I need to.

If you are looking for Sciatica relief then give us a call at Align Corrective Chiropractic on 031 562 9180.

After ten years, practicing as a Chiropractor, helping both people who are looking for a quick fix and those looking for a longer-term correction, I have realised one thing. Many people stop their course of treatment too soon. They base their decisions on their pain. As soon as the pain is gone, so are they. This is a mistake.

Chiropractic Myth: All I Need Is A “Quick Fix”

Pain is the body’s way of telling you that there is a problem. Think of it like the engine light on your car dashboard. Once the light turns on, the problem is already there and demands immediate attention. You could ignore it, disconnect the light or cover it with tape, but this wouldn’t fix the problem. Likewise, people often cover up their common symptoms, such as back pain or headaches, with painkillers. Some people even use Chiropractic as a “quick fix”. This is often just a temporary fix.

Even though many of our patients experience relief within a few visits, that doesn’t mean that the problem is gone. I think a lot of people assume “because the pain is gone, the problem must be fixed”. In reality, pain is often the first symptom to disappear. It can still take months to achieve full healing, to strengthen, to restore and maintain full function, and even longer to achieve structural correction. If you don’t complete this corrective process you are inviting a relapse.

The Pain Cycle

I have seen so many people caught in an ongoing cycle.

Pain – treating pain – feeling better – relapse – pain.

Chasing pain is a tiring process.

Why We Are Different

At Align Corrective Chiropractic we do things differently. We want to help you break out of this cycle. To heal, to move better, to function better, to strengthen and to correct underlying structural misalignments so that these pains don’t keep coming back.

We base our treatment plan on objective measures such as posture photographs, x-ray analysis, and other measurable tests. Together we discuss your options and set achievable goals. We want to work with you to keep your spine as healthy as possible.

If you are looking for a Durban North Chiropractor to help you break out of a pain cycle, give us a call on  031 562 9180.