Most of the muscles that flex your wrist are attached to a bony bump on the inside of your elbow called the “medial epicondyle.” Sometimes, through injury or overuse, the site where these muscles originate can become irritated or inflamed. This condition is called “medial epicondylitis”, or “golfer’s elbow.”

Although the condition is named “golfer’s elbow,” over 90% of those affected are not even athletes, much less golfers. Nonetheless, the condition is more common in certain sports, especially golf, throwing, bowling, football, archery, and weight lifting. Occupations that require heavy gripping or repeated hand movements, like carpentry or typing, can predispose you to this condition. Smokers and people who are obese are more likely to experience this condition.

Medial epicondylitis is the most frequent cause of pain on the “inside” of your elbow but is 3-10 times less likely that its “outside” counterpart- lateral epicondylitis (i.e. “tennis elbow”). Medial epicondylitis is most common between the ages of 40 and 60. The condition strikes the dominant arm in over 3⁄4 of cases. Your symptoms will likely include a dull aching pain over the bump on the inside of your elbow that becomes more intense with use. As the condition progresses, you may notice grip weakness or limitations when shaking hands, grasping objects, and opening jars. Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice numbness or tingling traveling toward your hand.

If left untreated, medial epicondylitis can last indefinitely. Studies show that up to 40% of untreated patients suffer prolonged discomfort, some as long as three years. Fortunately, conservative treatment like the type provided in our office is effective for relieving this condition. Our office may prescribe an elbow “counterforce brace” to help dampen stress to the irritated area. This type of brace should not be used in patients who have numbness or tingling radiating into their fingers. Some patients may benefit from a “wrist splint” that is used at night to allow your tendon to heal in a lengthened position. Using ice or ice massage over your elbow can help limit pain. Your home exercises will play an important role in your recovery.

Initially, you may need to avoid activities that cause an increase in pain, like gripping, lifting, golfing, throwing balls, or swinging a racquet. Be sure to warm up properly and stretch prior to any heavy physical activity. Smokers would benefit from quitting. Overweight patients should consider increasing their aerobic activity to shed excess pounds.

If you or someone you know suffers from this condition, call our office today. Our doctors are experts at relieving many types of pain including elbow injuries.

Spinal stenosis means that the tube surrounding your spinal cord and nerve roots is too small, and your nerves are being compressed. Stenosis can arise in different ways. Sometimes, people are born with a spinal canal that is too small. Other times, the canal may have been narrowed by surgery or conditions like disc bulges. Most commonly, spinal stenosis arises from chronic arthritic changes that narrow the canal. This type of stenosis usually develops slowly over a long period of time, and symptoms show up later in life.

The natural progression of stenosis is generally a slow, steady increase, although some patients’ symptoms remain the same or even improve over time. Symptoms grow in relation to the amount of nerve compression. Initially, most patients notice neck pain, headaches, and possible referral of discomfort into their shoulders and upper back. If the nerves that exit your spine become compressed, you will notice radiating pain, numbness, or tingling traveling into your arm. If the condition grows to the point that your spinal cord is compressed, you may notice loss of the fine motor skills of your hands, which translates to clumsiness, difficulty buttoning shirts, trouble using zippers, and changes in handwriting. Sometimes, pain, numbness, or tingling can radiate into your legs. Be sure to tell your doctor if you: notice leg complaints, have difficulty walking, notice balance problems, or have experienced loss of bowel or bladder control. Likewise, tell us if you notice a fever, unexplained weight loss, flu-like symptoms, or numbness & tingling on your face.

Although there is no non-surgical cure for cervical stenosis, treatments are available that may help ease your symptoms. Traction has been shown to help patients with cervical stenosis. If home traction is needed, our office will provide instructions on how this should be performed. You will be taught some stretching exercises to reduce muscle tightness and free up “trapped” nerves. You may also be given exercises to help build strength, flexibility, coordination, balance, and conditioning. You should avoid activities that increase pain, especially looking too far up or down. You may find relief of your symptoms by using ice, heat, or visiting a massage therapist. In severe cases only, surgery may be required to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.

“A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association evaluated the

appropriateness of prescribing opioid medications for the treatment of hip, knee, or low

back pain concluded:

“Treatment with opioids was not superior to treatment with non-opioid medications.

Results do not support initiation of opioid therapy for moderate to severe chronic back pain or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain.”

Learn more about how our office helps patients resolve back pain… without drugs. 

Shoulder Internal Rotation- Towel

• While standing, place your involved arm behind your back at waist level.
• Place your uninvolved hand behind your head and grasp a towel between your hands.
• Leading with your top arm, pull the towel up until you feel a stretch in your involved shoulder.

Gradually increase the stretch over the period of one minute. Perform this stretch twice per day.

*This stretch may alternately be performed as a contract/relax stretch by gently pulling downward on the towel with your involved arm against the steady resistance of your other arm for seven seconds. Relax and gently pull the towel upward with your top arm to increase the stretch in your shoulder. “Lock in” to each new position and repeat three contract/relax cycles twice per day or as directed.

A healthy lifestyle is much more than just hitting the gym and eating healthy. Read on for some great insight.

https://www.idiva.com/news-health- wellness/how-to-create-a-healthy-lifestyle/17075495

“One of the lesser known “good” fats we recommend adding to your diet is avocado oil. Like olive oil, it is primarily an Omega 9 oil and is an exceptional health choice with numerous health benefits including anti-inflammatory properties and reduction of harmful free radicals. But, as a bonus, Avocado oil has higher smoke/flash points than olive oil – making it a better alternative for searing or frying.”

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction occurs when one or both of the sacroiliac joints loses normal motion. Learn more about this condition on the blog.

Your sacroiliac joint is the mechanical link on each side of your hip that connects your legs to the rest of your body. The joint has a limited but very important degree of mobility. Symptoms develop when one or both of the joints loses normal motion. When a joint becomes “restricted”, a self-perpetuating cycle of discomfort follows. Restriction causes the muscles to become overworked, leading to tightness, compression, inflammation, pain and more restriction.

Sacroiliac problems can happen as a result of repetitive strenuous activity or trauma- like a fall onto the buttocks. Other causes of sacroiliac joint problems include, poor posture, having one leg slightly longer than another, having an altered gait, having flat feet or scoliosis, or having pain somewhere else in your legs. Pregnancy is a common trigger for sacroiliac joint problems due to weight gain, gait changes and postural stress.

Sacroiliac joint problems often begin as a focal discomfort in your back just below the belt line, slightly to one side of center. Your pain can travel into your buttock or thigh. Symptoms are often worse by standing on the affected side. The pain may become more apparent when you change positions- like exiting a chair, car or bed, or during long car rides. The pain is often relieved by lying down.

To assist with your recovery, you should avoid any activity that provokes pain, like standing on the affected leg or prolonged sitting. Our office may suggest a sacroiliac support belt to help stabilize your joint.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to call us for an evaluation.

“Chiropractic is a proven, viable treatment for neck pain. A recent study concluded ‘Mobilization, (Cervical and Thoracic) Manipulation, and Clinical Massage are effective interventions for the management of neck pain.’

If you’re experiencing neck pain, consider an effective, conservative method of treatment, such as chiropractic.”

Reference:

Wong JJ, et al. Are manual therapies, passive physical modalities, or acupuncture e_ective for the management of patients with whiplash associated disorders or neck pain and associated disorders? An update of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders by the OPTIMa collaboration. Spine J. 2016 Dec;16(12):1598-1630

“Routinely eating products that contain sugar leads to a vicious sugar-craving cycle.

First, sugars are absorbed into our blood and travel to the brain. Then, the sugar in the brain releases a chemical called serotonin that produces a sense of happiness and well- being. Next, as our sugar blood levels fall due to insulin production and sugar absorption, we move from a hyperactive state to more of a tired, irritable and weak state.

This causes concentration levels to fall, and our cells begin to become acidic. Our brain then once again sends a message that we need more sugar, and the cycle repeats itself. Cutting refined sugars out of your diet, or at least decreasing them, will help you avoid this cycle and feeling your best.”