Your radial nerve begins in your neck and travels past your elbow en route to its final destination in your hand. Just beyond your elbow, this nerve passes through a 2-inch area on the back of your forearm called the “Radial tunnel”. “Radial tunnel syndrome” means that your radial nerve has been compressed or irritated within this space-leading to forearm pain or hand weakness.

Radial tunnel syndrome is thought to result from muscular overuse, especially prolonged or excessive wrist extension or rotation. The most common cause of compression comes from excessive tightness in a muscle called the “Supinator”. Workers whose jobs require heavy or repetitive wrist movements are at an increased risk for this disorder. Occasionally, the radial nerve can become irritated from direct compression by a tight band or brace. The condition may be more common in those who have diabetes or thyroid problems.

Symptoms from irritation of the radial nerve depend upon which specific nerve fibers are irritated. The most common symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling or decreased sensitivity along the top of your forearm radiating toward your hand and thumb. The symptoms often mimic those of “tennis elbow.” When the nerve fibers that control muscle function become compressed, you may experience weakness when trying to extend your fingers, hand or wrist. Seventy percent of radial tunnel patients also have problems in their neck or upper back.

Conservative treatment of radial tunnel syndrome is generally successful. Fixing the problem means limiting excessive or repetitive wrist movements, especially extension and rotation. In severe cases, a splint may be necessary to limit your motion. Try to avoid compression of your forearm, particularly from tight bands or braces. Use of a tennis elbow brace will likely aggravate your symptoms. You may find relief by applying ice or ice massage to the area for 10-15 minutes at a time. http://ow.ly/i/uGTMh http://ow.ly/i/uGTNb

Piriformis syndrome results from compression of the sciatic nerve as it passes underneath a muscle in your buttock called the piriformis. Your piriformis muscle attaches from the lowest part of your spine (sacrum) and travels across to your hip. The muscle helps to rotate your leg outward when it contracts. In most people, the sciatic nerve travels deep to the piriformis muscle. When your piriformis muscle is irritated or goes into spasm, it may cause a painful compression of your sciatic nerve. Approximately ¼ of the population is more likely to suffer from piriformis syndrome because their sciatic nerve passes through the muscle.

Piriformis syndrome may begin suddenly as a result of an injury or may develop slowly from repeated irritation. Common causes include: a fall onto the buttocks, catching oneself from a “near fall,” strains, long distance walking, stair climbing or sitting on the edge of a hard surface or wallet. In many cases, a specific triggering event cannot be pinpointed. The condition is most common in 40-60 year olds and affects women more often than men.

Symptoms of piriformis syndrome include pain, numbness or tingling that begins in your buttock and radiates along the course of your sciatic nerve toward your foot. Symptoms often increase when you are sitting or standing in one position for longer than 15-20 minutes. Changing positions may help. You may notice that your symptoms increase when you walk, run, climb stairs, ride in a car, sit cross-legged or get up from a chair.

Sciatic arising from piriformis syndrome is one of the most treatable varieties and generally is relieved by the type of treatment provided in this office. You may find relief by applying an ice pack to your buttock for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times throughout the day. The home stretching exercises described in this handout are an important part of your recovery.

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Protect Your Eyes at Work.

If your job involves machinery or chemicals, you are most likely at an increased risk of eye injury. The American Optometric Association recommends the following to protect your eyes: familiarize yourself with workplace dangers that may threaten your eye safety; use devices such as screens or machine guards at work; wear appropriate protective gear for your eyes; and make sure your eye protection is in good condition.

American Optometric Association, October 2016 http://ow.ly/i/xD6Xo

An interesting case here. Although the results are very interesting and have real world usefulness, more study needs to be done before we can start praising the effectiveness of Chiropractic care in the treatment of concussions with any degree of certainty.

Concussion Symptoms Improve with Chiropractic Care.

A recent case study involved a 14-year-old male hockey player who suffered from post-concussion symptoms for 13 days. Prior to presenting for chiropractic care, he had failed to respond to traditional medical treatment and was unable to return to play or pass concussion tests. His symptoms included occipital headache, upset stomach, blurry vision, nausea, dizziness, balance problems, a “foggy feeling,” difficulty with concentration, difficulty with memory, fatigue, confusion, drowsiness, and irritability.

After five sessions of chiropractic treatment that included spinal manipulation, soft tissue work, and exercises, he was able to pass his concussion tests and return to play. The case demonstrates the benefit of chiropractic care in the management of post-concussion syndrome.

Journal of Chiropractic Management, September 2016 http://ow.ly/i/xD6jc

Diet: Mediterranean Diet Could Lower CVD Risk.

The Mediterranean diet is high in plant-based foods—such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts—while low in red meats and unhealthy fats. A new study suggests the Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. Researchers analyzed survey data from 23,902 healthy adults in the United Kingdom and found that participants with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 6-16% less likely to develop CVD than those with low adherence to the diet. The team estimates that if healthy individuals in their country followed a Mediterranean-style diet, about 3.9% of new-onset CVD cases and 12.5% of CVD deaths could be prevented.

BMC Medicine, September 2016 http://ow.ly/i/xAjYG

Health Alert: Secondhand Smoke May Be More Dangerous Than Thought.

Nonsmokers can be exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke without realizing it, placing them at a higher risk for lung cancer and heart disease. In a new study, researchers found that blood tests of individuals with no history of smoking or regular secondhand smoke exposure may still indicate the presence of cotinine—a byproduct of nicotine. Lead researcher Dr. Raja Flores writes, “A crucial finding of this study is that nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke without even realizing it.”

Carcinogenesis, September 2016 http://ow.ly/i/xAjJi

Can Chiropractic help my neck pain?

Like back pain, neck pain affects almost all of us at some point with severity ranging from mild stiffness to complete 10/10 all encompassing pain.

Chiropractic care offers a non-drug, non-surgical method of treatment that MANY neck pain sufferers utilize and benefit from. http://ow.ly/i/xxRQl

Your cubital tunnel is the groove on the inside of your elbow, also called the “funny bone.” The funny part about the funny bone is that it is not actually a bone but rather a nerve, called the ulnar nerve. Your ulnar nerve begins in your neck and passes through the cubital tunnel on its way to your hand.

When you flex your elbow, the ulnar nerve is required to both stretch and slide through your cubital tunnel. If your ulnar nerve is “stuck” in the tunnel and does not glide when you flex your elbow, this leads to traction and irritation of the nerve. This is called “cubital tunnel syndrome.” The nerve may also be irritated from direct compression, like leaning your elbow on the edge of a desk or from arthritic spurs. Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression problem in the arm, behind carpal tunnel syndrome.

Irritation of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel causes pain, numbness or tingling that radiates from your elbow into your fourth and fifth fingers. Your symptoms can vary from a vague increased sensitivity to pain. The symptoms are common at night and are often progressive over time. In severe cases, you may begin to lose grip strength and fine muscle control.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is commonly seen in baseball, tennis and racquetball players. Workers who keep their elbows flexed such as holding a tool or telephone, or those who press the ulnar nerve against a hard surface like a desk, are at an increased risk for this disorder. Cubital tunnel syndrome affects men three to eight times as often as women and is more common in those who have diabetes or are overweight.

You should try to avoid prolonged elbow flexion or direct pressure over your elbow. Our office may prescribe a nighttime elbow splint that limits flexion. http://ow.ly/i/uGTCM

Low back pain during #pregnancy is quite common. In fact, between 50-75% of all #pregnant women will experience low back pain. The pain is usually caused from rapid changes in weight, posture, gait and hormones.

Pregnancy-related low back pain typically starts between the fifth and seventh month of pregnancy, although a significant portion of women experience pain sooner. Symptoms often begin at the base of your spine and may radiate into your buttock or thigh. Discomfort is often aggravated by prolonged standing, sitting, coughing, or sneezing. Your #symptoms may increase throughout the day, and some patients report nighttime pain that disturbs their sleep. The extremes of activity seem to contribute to pregnancy-related low back pain – with increased risk for both “sedentary” and “physically demanding” #lifestyles. Patients who have suffered with back pain prior to pregnancy are more than twice as likely to re-develop back pain during pregnancy.

Unfortunately, pregnancy related low back pain occurs at a time when your medical treatment options are limited. Not surprisingly, over 90% of prenatal health care providers would recommend drug-free treatment, including the type of alternative therapy provided in this office. Studies have shown that chiropractic manipulation provides significant relief of pregnancy-related low back pain. Almost 75% of women undergoing #chiropractic care report significant pain reduction with improved ability to function.

Most patients will also benefit from continuing aerobic exercise throughout pregnancy. Pregnant women may begin or continue moderate intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. Women should not begin “vigorous” exercise during pregnancy, but those who were preconditioned to vigorous exercise may continue. Be sure to check with your doctor prior to initiating or increasing any exercise program while you are pregnant.

Sleeping with a pillow between the knees in a side lying posture may help you to rest more comfortably. In some cases, your chiropractor may recommend a sacroiliac belt or pelvic support belt to help relieve your pregnancy-related low back pain. http://ow.ly/i/x3dsP

There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen. http://ow.ly/i/xiu42