Most musculoskeletal conditions and pain syndromes respond favorably to chiropractic care. The conditions listed below are the most frequently seen at our office. Check the topics below to learn how our team can care for your condition. If you have a condition that is not on this list, do not hesitate to contact our office to learn how we treat that condition.
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an epidemic in the United States. It has become a chronic and debilitating problem in the workplace, affecting those who perform repetitive tasks with improper rest or breaks. People commonly affected by CTS include assembly line workers, cashiers, gardeners, landscapers, quilters, mechanics, pianists, and, especially, computer typists. With increased computer use, the problem is affecting a greater percentage of the population. Symptoms of CTS include tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the wrist and hands. The cause is pressure on the median nerve as it passes under the wrist. The pain can interfere with sleep, work, and daily routine. The goal of treatment is to rehabilitate the wrist and keep you working at your job. Treatment involves specific joint manipulation, physiotherapy, exercises, and possible braces. It is possible to feel better quickly without drugs or surgery.
DISC PAIN
Discs are the stabilizers, connectors and shock absorbers for the spine. They are constructed of soft, fibrous tissue with a jelly-like center. Disc problems can range from a mild bulge or tear of the disc material to a severe rupture that requires surgery. The onset of pain can be sudden and severe, or you may just notice increased pain with prolonged sitting. Most commonly, disc problems occur in the lower back or lumbar spine. They can also present in the neck area. Bad cases are accompanied by arm or leg pain. Sometimes patients are practically carried into our office, as the pain and muscle spasm prevents them from standing erect.
We have tremendous experience with disc problems in our office. These injuries are more difficult to treat, because of the disc’s poor blood supply and have a tendency to heal slowly. Research has shown that the combination of physiotherapeutic modalities, spinal decompression, exercise and restored mobility through light spinal manipulation can enhance fluid transfer to the injured disc, allowing them to heal. Disc problems are finicky and require lifestyle management through conservative care to prevent surgery.
FIBROMYALGIA
Fibromyalgia affects from 3-6 million Americans, mostly 25-50 year old women. Although in-depth research has yielded few answers, it is thought that victims have reduced circulation to their muscle cells, which damages the cells' energy producing mechanism. Their bodies also break down muscle protein at an unusually high rate, which may be one of the primary reasons for the typical pain, aching and fatigue. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based on 18 trigger points throughout the body that are nearly all painful or tender. Most traditional pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs have proven to be ineffective in treating fibromyalgia, although proper diet and nutritional supplementation has been promising. Because of its association with reduced circulation to muscle cells, Tigges Chiropractic focuses on improving circulation, restoring proper skeletal alignment and nervous system function. We prefer a collaborative approach with all of an individuals health practitioners to individualize their treatment.
HIP BURSITIS
Hip bursitis is an annoying pain on the side of the thigh. It is caused by an inflamed fluid filled cushion (bursae), which lies underneath the hip muscle. Characteristically, symptoms include pain when lying on your side. The pain is most prominent at the hip and may radiate down the side of the leg. Bursitis is caused by altered pelvic and hip biomechanics with tight muscles. Once irritated, the bursae will become inflamed and cause quite a bit of hip pain. Specific adjusting along with physical therapy will heal the area quickly without long-term consequence. This responds extremely well to chiropractic care.
LOW BACK PAIN
80% of Americans have episodes of back pain in their life. The old treatment was to take medicine and rest for 2 weeks. Today's standard of care involves immediate treatment with manipulation, physical therapy and exercises to restore function. At Tigges Chiropractic, treatment and prognosis are based on the type of tissue involved and the mechanism of pain. Most cases including disc, muscle spasm, or simple joint fixation respond to care well. A conservative approach is the key to healing and preventing on-going back pain.
NECK PAIN AND HEADACHES
Everybody has been afflicted with neck pain and headaches at one time or another. Pain is a distress signal. Something is wrong. Many times headaches are caused when spinal bones in your neck are not moving properly causing the muscles to tighten. This will affect the nerves, ligaments and blood supply to the head and shoulder region. At Tigges Chiropractic, the physicians focus on treating the underlying source of neck pain and headaches. Re-aligning the vertebrae in the neck and shoulder area help restore proper functioning of the vertebra, removing muscle spasm. Massage and exercises help prevent re-occurrence of the problem.
PATELLOFEMORAL SYNDROME (GRINDING KNEECAPS)
Patellofemoral Syndrome afflicts many people, especially women. The condition is characterized by knee pain around the knee cap, and "creaking" of the knees. Many times it is caused by improper tracking of the knee cap and the knee itself. As the tracking slips off course, the cartilage behind the knee degenerates and knee pain occurs. There are specific exercises that can help this condition. At Tigges Chiropractic, we utilize specific physical therapy along with manipulation to provide relief of pain.
PLANTAR FASCITIS
Plantar fascitis is a condition in which the thin layer of tissue on the bottom of the foot (fascia) becomes inflamed or irritated. Symptoms include heel pain on walking, especially the first steps out of bed in the morning. Swelling and numbness occasionally accompany the condition. Causes include muscle tightness and spurs, which occasionally may irritate, but most commonly, poor biomechanics is the culprit. Tigges Chiropractic understands how to correct this pain through restoration of proper biomechanics and soft tissue therapy. Difficult cases usually respond to custom orthotics fitted at our office. Give your feet a break and find the cause of the ache.
REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation is crucial for sustained spinal health. The spine and contiguous structures, muscles, tendons and ligaments must be taught to support the corrections in spinal alignment and prevent a relapse of your original problem. This is often done through individualized specific exercises that isolate and strengthen targeted muscles. The doctors will prescribe particular exercises that you can do easily at home. Stretching, resistance training and improvement of muscle tone along with spinal manipulation are critical to your complete course of care. The doctor and staff at Tigges Chiropractic are dedicated to not only correcting the problem, but preventing future pain and minimizing the severity of flare-ups.
SCIATICA
Sciatica is an intense pain shooting down one or both of your legs. The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower back and courses through the buttocks, down the thigh and leg to the foot. Pressure on the nerve from any source creates pain down the nerve known as sciatica. The pain may be intense and burning into the entire leg. Some cases are less intense with achiness into the buttocks. Common causes of sciatica include joint inflammation, disc bulge, muscle spasm, and arthritis. Fortunately, most cases of sciatica respond favorably to natural chiropractic care.
SCOLIOSIS
Scoliosis is a condition of spinal deformity. The spine grows sideways, bent and twisted instead of straight. The condition can predispose to back pain, premature arthritis, and possibly respiratory and other internal problems. Spinal curvature most commonly affects girls between the ages of 8 and 18. In some cases children are born with scoliosis. All children should be checked for scoliosis, especially if a parent has this spinal problem. At Tigges Chiropractic, our goal is early detection and treatment with corrective spinal manipulation, therapy and structural strengthening exercises. Obviously we treat many patients with scoliosis. In many cases they are shocked when their X-rays show curvature. Care improves function and gives relief to their back pain, but cannot correct the curvature. Tigges Chiropractic offers hope for a healthy, pain free life for those affected by scoliosis.
SHOULDER INJURIES
Shoulder injuries are characterized by pain and tenderness in the shoulder, arm, back or neck region. Causes vary from trauma to overuse injuries of the muscle, ligaments, and tendons that surround the shoulder and neck regions. Dr. Tigges is very effective in identifying and treating these types of injuries through manipulation, physical therapy, and exercise rehabilitation.
TENNIS ELBOW
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is an overuse injury to the extensor muscles and tendons of the forearm. Causes are usually from an injury or a repetitive motion activity. Activities such as lifting a coffee cup can elicit mild to intense pain at the elbow. There may be associated muscle weakness and inability to perform tasks. Through specific adjusting, physical therapy, and mechanical correction, you will be able to return to full activity quickly.
TMJ DISORDERS
Many TMJ-related symptoms are caused by the effects of physical and emotional stress on the structures around the joint. These structures include the muscles of the jaw, face, and neck; the teeth; the cartilage disc at the joint; and nearby ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves. Symptoms include ear pain, sore jaw muscles, locking of the jaw, temple/cheek pain, jaw popping or clicking, frequent headaches, discomfort with chewing, and difficulty with opening the mouth fully. At Tigges Chiropractic, the doctor can examine the jaw and prescribe physical therapies to help relax the muscles and ease tension associated with TMJ pain.
WHIPLASH
Whiplash is defined as a neck injury caused by over-extending or flexing the neck. This can happen during a car accident, sports injury, roller coasters, or a fall. Symptoms usually include neck pain, headache, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, shoulder, and low back pain. More serious manifestations are difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, nausea, and weakness. Although most people begin to notice symptoms immediately following a trauma, they can be slow to develop and begin several weeks after the injury. If left untreated, whiplash can result in chronic and recurring problems, such as arthritis, headache, and stiffness. At Tigges Chiropractic, we are very effective at treating whiplash so that your recovery time is minimized. The goal is to return you to your active lifestyle as soon as possible.
New Treatment for the Feet
For years, Tigges Chiropractic has evaluated feet through examination of the foot, ankle, knees, and pelvis in all movement patterns and implements in-office orthotic impressions for orthotics custom made for your feet to address your condition.
Foundation of your Body
Your feet are the foundation of your body. They support you when you stand, walk, or run. And they help protect your spine, bones, and soft tissues from damaging stress as you move around. Your feet perform better when all their muscles, arches, and bones are in their ideal stable positions.
The foot is constructed with three arches which, when properly maintained, give exceptional supportive strength. These three arches form a supporting vault that distributes the weight of the entire body.
If there is compromise of one arch in the foot, the other arches must compensate and are subject to additional stresses, which usually lead to further compromise.
It’s a chain reaction.
Healthcare professionals know alleviating pain in one part of your body often requires treating a different part. The pain you feel in your neck could be caused by a misalignment in your spine that is caused by unbalanced positioning in your feet. See? It’s a chain reaction.
By stabilizing and balancing your feet, Orthotics enhance your body’s performance and efficiency, reduce pain, and contribute to your total body wellness. Proper orthotics complement our treatment when you stand, walk, and live your active life.
Postural Effects from Imbalances in the Feet:
A loss of arch height will cause a flattening and rolling of the foot termed pronation. Because everything is connected, the bones of the leg also inwardly rotate.
Excessive rotation of the bones of the leg (tibia and femur) will cause unnecessary stresses on the knee as well as twisting of the pelvis and spine. If the pronation is more prevalent on one side, there can be a resultant unleveling of the pelvis and a functional scoliosis.
Tilting of the pelvis places tension on muscles and connective tissues, which can eventually lead to chronic back problems.
High levels of heel-strike shock can result from breakdown of the body’s natural “shock absorbers.” The shock wave then transmits up the kinetic chain causing painful symptoms all the way up to the head, slowed recovery of leg and spine injuries, and aggravation of other conditions.
How orthotics Work:
Wearing orthotics inside your shoes is similar to placing a shim beneath the leg of a wobbly table: it adds support to eliminate unwanted motion in the entire structure.
The foot is formed of three distinct arches, which create an architectural vault. The result of supporting these three arches is improved stability and postural integrity.
About Sole Support Orthotics:
Using impression images of the feet in the position of function, either from a foam casting kit or a digital scanning system, along with instructions from your physician, skilled laboratory technicians create unique for you orthotics designed to correct and support areas of weakness.
The combination of flexible, yet supportive and durable construction materials ensure that the stabilizers will both guide the feet when walking and provide support during long periods of standing.
The foot is constructed with three arches which, when properly maintained, give exceptional supportive strength. These three arches form a supporting vault that distributes the weight of the entire body.
If there is compromise of one arch in the foot, the other arches must compensate and are subject to additional stresses, which usually lead to further compromise.
It’s a chain reaction.
Healthcare professionals know alleviating pain in one part of your body often requires treating a different part. The pain you feel in your neck could be caused by a misalignment in your spine that is caused by unbalanced positioning in your feet. See? It’s a chain reaction.
By stabilizing and balancing your feet, Sole Support orthotics enhance your body’s performance and efficiency, reduce pain, and contribute to your total body wellness. Proper orthotics complement our treatment when you stand, walk, and live your active life.