Monday, March 29, 2010

Chiropractic Care for Arm and Wrist Pain

Chiropractic Care for Arm and Wrist Pain:  Case Review


Have you ever slept on your arm and had it fall asleep?  Imagine if it just felt like that all the time.

A few months ago I had a young lady come to my San Diego Chiropractic office with these complaints.  In addition to numbness and tingling, she had neck pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, wrist pain and hand pain.  She also complained of weakness in her left hand, which was resulting in clumsiness and was affecting her work as an executive secretary. 

These complaints are seen with regular frequency in my office.  The process is a familiar one and common with many musculoskeletal conditions that involve the nervous system.  Usually, postural stresses such as leaning over a desk or computer will eventually irritate a specific joint in the spine.  The irritation of the joint causes inflammation of the muscles and ligaments that surround that joint.  This inflammation will cause compression of the local nerves resulting in pain and muscle spasm.  If the nerve compression persists, numbness, tingling and weakness of the related muscles will follow.   

This patient was displaying signs and symptoms of long-term nerve root compression that involved her left arm and hand. 

We treated her with chiropractic manipulations that were delivered with the specific goal of eliminating the nerve root compression.  She was also treated with ice packs, hot packs, electrical muscle stimulation and ultrasound in order to address the soft tissue inflammation.   In addition to in office care she was given a set of stretches and exercises for at home therapy and advised to use ice packs daily for twenty minutes per session.

It took approximately eight weeks of active care, which is three treatment visits per week, to relieve 90% of her pain and 90% of her left arm weakness.   The rest of her symptoms will resolve with at home therapy and chiropractic care delivered on an as needed basis for flair-ups that will occur in the future.

This is just one example of the many different types of cases that resolve with chiropractic care in my office.



Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Friday, February 19, 2010

Chiropractic Care and Back Pain

Chiropractic Care and Back Pain

Which is worse – neck pain or back pain?

I hear this question often in my San Diego chiropractic office.  Of course the answer is easy – if you have back pain, back pain is definitely worse than neck pain.  If you have neck pain, neck pain is definitely worse than back pain.

Another common question that I hear regarding low back pain is why sitting makes it hurt more than standing. 

This is a good question, which can be answered through physics.  I remember seeing a diagram in one of my office ergonomic books that exposed the different stress levels on the spinal disks with various body positions.

The diagram had drawings of a person standing, lying down, sitting and then sitting while hunched forward with very poor posture.  The disk pressure differences with these different postures was given as follows:

Standing upright 100%
Lying down          24%
Sitting upright     140%
Sitting hunched   190%

The explanation of the much higher disk pressures while sitting is explained by examining the structural changes that occur when we change from a standing to a seated position.

Our spines are supposed to have curves when viewed from the side.  The neck should have a nice sweeping forward curve, the mid-back should carry a backward curve and the low back should have a sweeping forward curve.  When these curves are present, the weight of your body is carried evenly across several different structures of the spine.  These curves help provide stability for your spine.

Once we assume a seated position, the natural forward curve in our low backs reverses which increases the pressure on the disks and either increases back pain or causes back pain.  If we stay in that seated position but flex our bodies forward at the waist (think bad posture – slumping over your keyboard or desk) the pressure in the disks elevates causing more damage and more pain.

Limiting the time that you sit will help your back pain in most instances.  This is advice that I hand out to my San Diego chiropractic patients everyday of the week.  I hope that it helps you as well.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Causes of Neck Pain and Back Pain

Causes of Neck Pain and Back Pain


My chiropractic office, similar to many other practices all over the US, offers relief from back pain or neck pain. More than just a solution for back and neck pain, chiropractic care may alleviate symptoms or improve many ailments.

Because back pain and neck pain can be early signs of a severe problem, you should see a medical professional quickly. Ignoring back and neck pain could create other health problems that are more serious.

Some of the various conditions that cause back pain and neck pain can include everything from injury and infection to twisting or turning "the wrong way". Muscles, joints, ligaments, and vertebrae can undergo considerable trauma and resulting injury from auto and other types of accidents.

When back pain occurs as a tight feeling along the spine or muscle spasms, overuse or lack of use of the back muscles is the most likely culprit. Joints and ligaments become increasingly inflamed and swollen with advancing age.

A herniated disc happens if nucleus pulposus, the substance inside the disc, comes out of a torn annulus fibrosis, the substance outside of the disc, compressing the nerve root. Because the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine have the greatest range of motion, the discs here have a greater exposure to injury and repeated stress. The bottom two spinal vertebrae experience ninety percent of all herniated disc injuries.

When the spinal canal becomes narrow, spinal stenosis can occur, making the spinal cord irritated and injured. There are many conditions that can cause spinal stenosis including infections, tumors, trauma, herniated disc, arthritis, ligament thickening, the growth of bone spurs, and general disc degeneration. As people age, some vertebral degeneration occurs, sometimes leading to spinal stenosis.

When something rubs or presses against a nerve creating irritation or inflammation, a pinched nerve, also known as radiculopathy, occurs. The causes of radiculopathy vary. Some causes of radiculopathy are bone spurs, herniated discs, fractures of the vertebrae, tumors, and a host of other diseases and conditions.


The specific type of radiculopathy that irritates the sciatic nerve is known as sciatica. When the sciatic nerve is inflamed, pain shoots down the lower back through one side of the buttocks and continues down the back side of the leg.

Compressing the spine or nerve roots can cause significant pain and can be an indicator or symptom of a spinal tumor that originates in the spine (primary tumor) or reaches the spine from a different part of the body (metastatic tumor) can press on the spine's nerve roots and be very painful.

Ailments of the vertebrae (vertebral osteomyelitis), disc problems, spinal meningitis, or cerebrospinal fluid can press against the spinal cord and cause bad neurological damage if it isn't identified and treated right away.

Facet joints are formed by two adjacent vertebra and direct the movement of the spine; these joints are often areas that are affected by arthritis. As the joints deteriorate, they get out of alignment, and the cartilage and fluid that should keep our joints "greased" may deteriorate as well. Bone rubbing against bone can be very painful.

These are among the many causes for back pain and neck pain. Chiropractors often relieve uncomfortable back pain and neck pain, because the associated causes are usually mechanical in nature. This is the point; do not ignore the warning signal that is head and back pain


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Chiropractic Explained

Chiropractic care for beginners

My Chiropractic clinic in San Diego primarily serves those who have had experience with chiropractic treatment over the course of their lives.  Many of them come for treatment not because they have a particular ache or pain but because they simply like the way they feel after a treatment.  I don’t want to imply that chiropractic care is addicting like smoking is, but after you have experienced the improved range of motion, increased athletic performance and decreased muscle tension that results from chiropractic care, many simply want that feeling to be the norm.  Other patients come specifically for treatment of neck pain, back pain, headaches, etc.

One thing that most of these patients have in common is that they usually know someone who could benefit from chiropractic care but that person is hesitant.  They are hesitant to come for treatment either because they don’t “believe” in chiropractors or because they are afraid.

Those who don’t believe in chiropractic care are easy to convince of the benefits of chiropractic treatment.  Many of these people hold on to the untruths spread by the American Medical Association (AMA) regarding chiropractors.  Between the 1960s and the mid 1980s, the AMA spent nearly $100,000,000 on an anti-chiropractic campaign.  While most of the information that the AMA dispersed regarding my profession was false and based on the poor behavior of just a few doctors, some people continue to hold on to those false ideas. 

That being said, chiropractic treatment has a direct and immediate beneficial effect on the joints of the spine.  This benefit is a combination of increased joint motion, relaxed muscles and decreased tension and is hard to overlook even by the most pessimistic skeptic. 

Those who are fearful of chiropractic care are more difficult to convince of the benefits of treatment.  They are afraid that they might get paralyzed or have some other life changing occurrence as a result of care.  In reality, chiropractic care is very safe.  The only “side effect” that we have personally seen regarding chiropractic care is that the patients feel better. 

The safety of your doctor’s office can be determined by the cost of their malpractice insurance.  Chiropractors insurance rates for the same level of coverage is less than 1/10 of most MDs.  What that means to patients is that despite the fact that some people don’t like the thought of having their joints “cracked”, a chiropractor’s office is a very safe place to receive treatment.     

Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Friday, January 29, 2010

Sleeping Nutrition Update:

Chiropractic and Nutrition Update:

Ever since I started practicing in San Diego I have had trouble sleeping. I have addressed this in several blog posts over the last few weeks.

As many of you know, lack of sleep makes days difficult and nights dreadful.

I had always assumed that my lack of sleep was secondary to stress from my business / practice. It seemed like a reasonable assumption. I spend my days treating patients who I truly care about for neck pain, back pain, headaches and other aches and pains. While I love my job, having patients depend on you for their well being is stressful and I do think of these things at night.

There was also a time when I decided that my lack of a good nights sleep was due to caffeine. As a result of this assumption I completely weaned myself off of coffee for about five years. This didn’t really help me sleep any better but I was much calmer. Until I eliminated caffeine from my diet I didn’t realize how anxious it made me.

As you probably read in prior posts, I ended up having a hair mineral analysis that was a telling study. My results showed a deficiency in several nutrient minerals that have an impact on sleep.

For the last six weeks or so I have been supplementing these minerals with very exciting results. Up until last night I have been sleeping for three or four hours per night longer than I used to.

What a huge difference!

Instead of feeling run down and tired I actually have energy. My anxiety has decreased and my paper work shuffle at work is much more efficient.

I still have great concerns about my patients’ neck pain, back pain and headaches, but I think about them during the day now, not at night.

Last night I had a horrible sleep and today I feel wiped out. It made me wonder how I used to live with nights like that on a regular basis.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

San Diego Chiropractic Care For Auto Accidents

San Diego Chiropractic Care For Auto Accidents

How long has it been since you were involved in an auto accident?

If so, did you get evaluated by a chiropractor? If not, you should have. It is never too late.

My San Diego Chiropractic Office treats many individuals for neck pain, back pain and headaches that are related to auto accidents. While many of our patients are treating for accidents that occurred recently, in many cases the auto accidents in question occurred years earlier and the initial symptoms were not taken seriously.

I have always found it a bit odd that in general people don’t take the time to seek treatment for themselves yet they scramble to get their cars fixed.

I don’t know why so many of us carry these kinds of thought processes. In the case of auto accident injuries, the little bit of neck pain or the headaches or the low back pain is often overlooked or dismissed and minimized as being un-important. This is flawed thinking. Imagine if we treated other health conditions with such disregard.

The injury mechanisms in whiplash type accidents are complex. Muscles are stretched and torn, ligaments can sometimes partially tear or rupture, discs can become herniated and spinal fractures can occur. These injuries can lead to a number of different symptoms that can cause neck pain or back pain that ranges in intensity from a slight irritation all the way to severe disability. Back pain and neck pain are bad enough in the short term and much worse in a long-term chronic situation.

While the mechanism of injury in whiplash cases is complex, the typical resulting spinal injuries follow a well-established path. Initially, the muscles and ligaments in the injured area are irritated. This irritation leads to inflammation. Inflammation is not only responsible for many of the initial symptoms that you experience but it is also responsible for scar tissue formation which can make your symptoms permanent or chronic.

Statistically, 25% of auto injury victims will continue to suffer from ongoing symptoms related to their accident. I see this statistic play out in my San Diego chiropractic office on a regular basis.

Chiropractors are experts in dealing with the types of neck pain, back pain and headaches that occur as a result of auto accidents. The best way to insure that you are not a member of this group of 25% that never fully recover from their auto accident injuries is to get an examination and treatment as recommended by your chiropractor.

Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic

Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Nutritional support for Back Pain

Nutritional support for Back Pain

As a practicing chiropractor in San Diego, California, my office provides care for patients with back pain on a regular basis. I have always believed in a multifaceted approach in dealing with back pain. During my 18 years of experience, the patients that have taken specific nutrition supplements for the repair and care of their spines have always made faster and more complete recoveries than those that take a more passive role in their care.
Many supplements have positive effects on neck pain, back pain, arthritis and other spinal problems.

Nutritional support can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, support a healthy nervous system, strengthen joints and build strong bones. Aside from helping you recover from an episode of back pain, providing your body with supplemental nutritional support should be part of your normal routine.

Over the years I have put together the following list of nutritional supplements that I recommend to all of my patients with back pain.

The following supplements are considered essential when providing nutritional support for back pain.

Calcium – 1500 – 2000 mg daily
Magnesium – 700 – 1000 mg daily
Vitamin D – 400 IU daily
(all of the above are needed for strong bones and bone health)

DL-Phenylalanine – Take daily every other week as directed on label
(a natural amino acid that helps alleviate pain)

Silica or Horsetail – 3 times daily as directed on label
(both of these supply silicon which improves calcium intake)

Vitamin B 12 – 2000 mcg daily
(aids in calcium absorption and digestion – best if taken in sublingual form)

Zinc – 50 mg daily
Copper – 3 mg daily
(zinc is required for protein synthesis and collagen formation and copper is needed to form elastin and is needed for a healthy nervous system)

Chondroitin Sulfate – 500 – 1000 mg daily
(nutritional support for strengthening joints, ligaments and tendons)

Essential Fatty Acids – Take as directed
(essential fatty acids increase production and activity of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, helps control arthritis pain and inflammation)

Glucosamine Sulfate – Take as directed
(important for the formation of bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and joint fluid)

MSM – 500 – 1000 mg three times daily
(a sulfur compound needed for reducing inflammation in the joints)

SAMe – 400 mg twice daily
(a deficiency results in the inability to maintain cartilage health – also helps reduce pain and inflammation)

If nutritional support for a healthy back is something that interests you, I would recommend asking your doctor about beginning a nutritional supplement program. Neck pain, back pain and arthritis are just a few of the many spinal problems that will benefit from a nutritional supplement. Doing a little research for yourself in this area is definitely a worthwhile expense of your time as well.

Finally, if you do see the benefits of nutritional supplements for neck pain, back pain, arthritis, etc, and you should – pain is a great motivator, after you have purchased your supplements you have to take them. Nutritional supplements have a shelf life with specific expiration dates. It is easy to take the action step to purchase supplements but much more difficult to establish the routine in which you will take them. For many people, the specific nutritional supplements for joint problems have to be taken consistently for at least 90 days before the benefits will be realized. Be patient, regaining your health is a process that takes time.


Nutrition,Chiropractic,Neck Pain,Back Pain,Arthritis,Nutritional Supplement,Spinal Problems



Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Building a Healthy Spine

Chiropractic and Exercise: Building a Healthy Spine

In my San Diego Chiropractic clinic, I provide treatment for many types of injuries. Typical injuries that result in neck pain, back pain, chronic headaches, sciatica etc., include auto accidents, work related injuries, injuries caused by domestic chores and sometimes things as simple as sleeping in an awkward position.

Of the patients suffering from neck pain, back pain and other injuries, I would say that at least 50% of them ask, “what can I do for myself to make sure that this doesn’t happen again?” This question served as the inspiration for this article and I will address in this post.

To begin with, neck pain and back pain are great motivators.

When people are in pain they take a proactive approach to their health. People often inquire about what kind of stretches or exercises that they can start right away. Unfortunately, the best thing that you can do while your injury is new is to apply ice packs to the injured area and rest. I indicated that this is unfortunate because when injuries are new, motivation for proactive behavior such as exercising is high – later on, when the pain has decreased, so does the motivation.

Over my 15 plus years in practice I have seen a large percentage of enthusiastic patients ignore this advice and end up giving their conditions a major set back. The time to start exercising and stretching your back for most of us is when you are out of the acute stage of pain.

My biggest struggles in practice have been dealing with my patients exercise and diet habits. Exercise is one of the few things that a patient can do at home, outside of chiropractic care, to help prevent or diminish the chances of developing back pain in the future. That being said, stretching and exercising are also two of the activities that they patients tend to engage in on there own, without consulting me or another health care professional beforehand, and end up making their condition worse.

After an injury, you should approach exercise cautiously – almost to a point where the exercise that you are performing feels like it is doing nothing. If you can get through a few low intensity exercise sessions like this without aggravating your condition, you should slowly add resistance, repetitions or time to your workouts, allowing you to build confidence and strength at the same time.

You have to remember to incorporate a sensible approach to exercising after a back injury. Be sure to exercise and stretch under the advice of a health care professional. Strong and flexible muscles add strength and support to your spine and will provide much needed stability.

I have always tried to help the patients of my San Diego Chiropractic office with their neck pain and back by encouraging stretches and exercises. The combination of chiropractic care with stretches and exercise allows for quicker, more complete healing with decreased chances of pain in the future.

Chiropractor, neck pain, chiropractic, back pain, chronic headaches, san diego chiropractic, sciatica,auto accidents,work injuries


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Your Posture Affect Back Pain and Neck Pain?

How Does Your Posture Affect Back Pain and Neck Pain?

Have you ever wondered how it can be that you can sit around all day doing nothing strenuous and develop back pain or neck pain? When you start to examine the structure of our bodies and apply some simple rules of physics, the fact that we don’t suffer from more frequent or intense back pain and neck pain is a wonder. In my chiropractic office in San Diego, California, I see office workers on a regular basis that have significant back and neck complaints related to simple ergonomic issues.

Back pain or neck pain can affect anyone at any time. I see patients that have injured their backs and necks from lifting, operating machinery, sports injuries, auto accidents and falls on a daily basis. I would classify these injuries as typical or expected types of injuries. Many non-chiropractic patients or new chiropractic patients would be surprised to find that the most common type of injury that I see in my office is not from lifting heavy sacks of concrete but from the long term consequences of postural stress.

Postural stress is the “silent killer” when it comes to our spinal health. Postural stress occurs during both seated and standing positions. Postural stress occurs any time that your spine looses its’ natural curves and / or moves forward beyond its neutral balance point.
An example of a posturally stressful position for your neck would be when you are sitting at the computer leaning your neck and head forward while keyboarding, mousing or viewing the screen. Assuming a posture in which your head and neck are extended out in front of your body reverses the normal curve of your neck and shifts your head forward of its balance point.
When we assume postures that cause stress on our spines, the stability that is inherent in our structure when postural boundaries are respected is lost. Postural stress exposes our ligaments and muscles to prolonged periods of stretching which results in fatigue, irritation, inflammation, back pain and neck pain and eventually arthritis.

Treating neck pain and back pain that has resulted from postural stress requires a multifaceted approach. Chiropractic care combined with stretching and nutritional support will relieve the pain and stiffness and restore normal, full joint motion. This part of your recovery may take several treatments or a lengthy treatment program based on the length of time that you have been in pain and the severity of your symptoms.

In addition to chiropractic care, you must eliminate or modify the causes of the postural stress. A workstation analysis can reveal ergonomic issues that are instigators of postural stress. Ice pack applications to the specific areas of neck pain and back pain in twenty minute sessions are also helpful.

The best way to begin your care is discuss your issues with your chiropractor. Chiropractors are well trained in dealing with postural stress issues and the neck pain and back pain that result from it. At my San Diego based chiropractic clinic we use a complete approach that utilizes chiropractic care supported by specific stretches and exercises. We also encourage the proper nutritional support to facilitate the healing process. Whatever approach that you take to relieve the pain of postural stress, please be aware of the importance of eliminating the source of the postural stress in addition to seeking treatment.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Chiropractor,neck pain,posture,chiropractic,back pain,ergonomic

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Causes of Back and Neck Pain what are they?

Causes of Back and Neck Pain what are they?

My Chiropractic office is among the many all over the US that offers therapy for back pain and neck pain. More than just a solution for back and neck pain, chiropractic care may alleviate symptoms or improve many ailments.

Because back pain and neck pain can be early signs of a severe problem, you should see a medical professional quickly. Ignoring the discomfort in your neck and back might make for more complex medical problems.

Some of the various conditions that cause back pain and neck pain can include everything from injury and infection to twisting or turning "the wrong way". Injuries from accidents, such as a car accident, often result in stress and strain on the vertebra, the connecting ligature, the joints, and the muscles.

When back pain occurs as a tight feeling along the spine or muscle spasms, overuse or lack of use of the back muscles is the most likely culprit. As we grow older, inflammation and swelling often develop in our joints and ligaments, especially in the cervical and lumbar areas.

A herniated disc happens if nucleus pulposus, the substance inside the disc, comes out of a torn annulus fibrosis, the substance outside of the disc, compressing the nerve root. The most likely area to have a back/neck injury would be in the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine which have the most mobility, and the discs are more likely to wear down or become injured. The bottom two spinal vertebrae experience ninety percent of all herniated disc injuries.

When the spinal canal becomes narrow, spinal stenosis can occur, making the spinal cord irritated and injured. Narrowing of the spinal canal, known as spinal stenosis, can result in damage or irritation of the spinal cord. As people age, some vertebral degeneration occurs, sometimes leading to spinal stenosis.

When something rubs or presses against a nerve creating irritation or inflammation, a pinched nerve, also known as radiculopathy, occurs. The causes of radiculopathy vary. A herniated disc, bone growth, a tumor compressing nerves, and vertebral fracture are all common causes of this condition.

The specific type of radiculopathy that irritates the sciatic nerve is known as sciatica. The pain is felt along the big sciatic nerve, which goes from the lower back to the behind area and down the back of the leg.

Compressing the spine or nerve roots can cause significant pain and can be an indicator or symptom of a spinal tumor that originates in the spine (primary tumor) or tumor spreading to the spine from another part of the body (metastatic tumor).

Ailments of the vertebrae (vertebral osteomyelitis), disc problems, spinal meningitis, or cerebrospinal liquid can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause severe neurological deterioration, if there isn't a diagnosis or it isn't treated quickly.

Facet joints are formed by two adjacent vertebra and direct the movement of the spine; these joints are often areas that are affected by arthritis. The alignment of the spine is compromised when fluid and cartilage, which functions as a shock absorber, deteriorates and bones begin to shift out of place. Bone rubbing against bone can be very painful.

These are among the many causes for back pain and neck pain. Due mainly to mechanical causes, which can be readily addressed by a chiropractor, most cases of back and neck pain may be helped this way. This is the point; do not ignore the warning signal that is head and back pain


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Stand Up Straight - How Your Posture Affects Back Pain and Neck Pain

Stand Up Straight - How Your Posture Affects Back Pain and Neck Pain


Did you ever question why you can sit down all day long and don't do any hard work and still your back or neck hurts? It is amazing that humans don't sustain even more back pain and neck pain, given the structure of our bodies and the physical demands. In my California chiropractic practice, I frequently treat office workers who experience chronic and severe back and neck pain tied to easy-to-fix ergonomic issues in their workspace.


Anyone can experience back or neck pain at any time. I treat individuals regularly who experienced back and neck injuries from improper lifting, machinery usage, sports, falls, and auto accidents. These injuries would be classified by me as expected or typical types of injuries. Most people would be astonished to know that the most frequently seen injury in a chiropractic office does not result from a single, dramatic incident; it is instead the cumulative effects of long-term postural stress.


Spinal health can be jeopardized slowly and insidiously due to postural stress. Regardless of whether you sit or stand, postural trauma can ensue. Postural stress is felt whenever the natural curve of the spine is altered or if the spine moves past its natural balance point.


As you sit at a computer, hunched over the keyboard or peering at the screen, your neck experiences postural stress. Your body is reversed from the typical curve of your neck, as you extend your neck to the front of your body and forces your head forward of the normal balance.


If our posture puts pressure on our spines, the security that controls our structures when postural limitations are concerned is gone. Stress from the way we hold ourselves (either sitting or standing) opens our ligaments and muscles up to long periods of being stretched (perhaps incorrectly) which leads to muscle fatigue, irritation, inflammation, back and neck pain, and even arthritis over the long run.


A combination of therapies may be required to effectively treat back pain and neck pain from postural stress. When chiropractic treatment is combined with proper stretching and nutritional supplementation, full and smooth joint motion can replace the pain and stiffness. If you have endured pain for a long time or if your symptoms are particularly acute, the road to recovery will not be short or easy. Don’t expect a quick fix.


Along with chiropractic treatment, it is important to address origins of postural stress. Have your workstation analyzed to highlight any ergonomic issues that could cause postural stress. An ice pack placed on the affected area for twenty minutes can relieve neck pain and back pain.


Talking to your chiropractor is the first step in starting your treatment. Postural stress issues and the related neck and back pain that result from it are best dealt with by chiropractors, who are well trained in that area. At our chiropractic clinic in San Diego, we treat patients with a holistic approach using chiropractic care and enhanced with a regimen of stretching and exercise. Encouragement of the proper diet is made to facilitate the process of healing. You need to be aware of the importance of eliminating the source of the postural stress in addition to seeking treatment, regardless of which approach you take to relieve the pain of postural stress.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Back Pain and Arthritis

Back Pain and Arthritis

Arthritis is a scary word to most people.

In my San Diego Chiropractic clinic, I see people each day who suffer from the effects of arthritis. Besides the fact the in general arthritis slows you down and limits your physical abilities, it also causes pain. Neck pain, back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain and even headaches (secondary to the neck pain) are common complaints from people with arthritis.

Most of the patients that we provide chiropractic treatment for are suffering from a type of arthritis know as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis and wear & tear arthritis. The term osteoarthritis does describe a type of arthritis that occurs because of a wearing down of the joint.

In some cases, osteoarthritis is the result of some injury to the joint that resulted in unnatural or awkward movements of that joint. In the medical community we refer to these abnormal movements as “biomechanical abnormalities” In many cases, a joint has to be exposed to biomechanical abnormalities for years before the joint becomes laden with arthritis.

In my chiropractic office, we treat many patients for automobile accidents. I always tell these patients that while I am not trying to minimize the pain that they are currently suffering from, the most important aspect of their entire treatment program is to help restore normal biomechanics of the spine. This is because eliminating the pain associated with car accident injuries is important but the initial pain that comes with a car accident is only a fraction of the long-term discomfort that comes with biomechanical abnormalities.

Of course I am referring to a process that involves whiplash of a joint leading to scar tissue formation causing abnormal biomechanics that results in arthritic joints.

We do provide effective treatment for the PAIN of arthritis but there is no treatment that CURES it.

The bottom line is this: If you have neck pain or back pain now, get treatment for it becomes an incurable disorder like arthritis.



Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Monday, November 9, 2009

Exercise to Make Your Spine Healthy

Applying Chiropractic and Exercise to Make Your Spine Healthy

I offer remedies for a lot of various injuries. Common injuries that cause neck pain, back pain, bad headaches and sciatica among other things, consist of vehicle accidents, injuries connected to work, being hurt while performing household chores, and occasionally just sleeping in a weird position.

I would estimate that over half of my patients suffering from back pain and neck pain have the same question, “What changes can I make to prevent this from occurring again?” Their concerns led to the development of this article and the points I address in my posting.

There’s nothing like intense back pain or neck pain to induce someone to take action about their health.

People in pain normally start being proactive about their health. It is common for people to ask what exercises or stretches they can begin to relieve symptoms. Many people are disappointed to learn that the best remedy for a new injury is the use of ice packs along with rest for the injured body area.

During more than 15 years of chiropractic experience, I have seen many clients not heed my advice, and wind up worsening their condition. Most of us should begin exercising and stretching our backs when it is not in acute pain.

The hardest thing I face in my practice is getting my patients to exercise and change their eating habits. In order to help to prevent or diminish the chances of developing back pain, exercise is one of those things a patient can do at home without seeking chiropractic care.

You should engage in exercise cautiously following an injury, making sure you feel absolutely no pain. You should start slowly with low intensity exercises, and gradually build up to more resistance only when you feel absolutely no pain.

You must keep in mind that your exercise routine needs to be sensible if you are recovering from a back injury. Make sure you stretch and exercise under the supervision of a health care expert. Necessary stability is provided to your spine by flexible and strong muscles which then support to your spine.

A routine of stretching and targeted exercises is almost always one of my first recommendations to a new patient. When you combine chiropractic care with stretching and exercising, you will have faster and more complete healing.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Chiropractic and Computer Work

Chiropractic and Computer Work

Is computer work making you miserable?

If it is, you are not alone. National statistics point to the computer as a major contributor to lost days at work due to injury. I see the same thing in my San Diego Chiropractic office. Neck pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, hand pain and back pain are common among those who don’t have the proper ergonomic set-up of their computer stations. That being said, some people get these symptoms regardless of their ergonomic set-up.

Computer ergonomics is the study and / or implementation of workstation design with the purpose of reducing or eliminating physical stress.

My interest in repetitive stress syndromes began approximately 10 years ago when my practice started seeing a much greater number of people suffering from the effects of computer / keyboard work. Despite all of my training and continuing education related to these types of injuries, I quickly realized that traditional treatment for this type of injury was marginally successful at best.
Any type of therapy was going to have to include the application of basic ergonomic principals to the patient’s work environment.

I am of the opinion that treatment alone or application of ergonomic principals by themselves was not going to resolve a repetitive stress injury.

Over the next several weeks I will write a series of articles that will address the implication of workstation ergonomics and injury resulting from postural stress secondary to use of the computer mouse.

Specifically, the following will be addressed:

1) What repetitive stress injuries are
2) What role do work station ergonomics play in injury
3) How reaching for the mouse sets the stage for injury
4) What are the symptoms of repetitive stress injury
5) How you can avoid mouse reaching injuries



Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Monday, October 19, 2009

Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain and Headaches:

Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain and Headaches:


Do you seem to get headaches whenever you get neck pain?

If so, you are dealing with a very common problem. My San Diego chiropractic office sees people on a regular basis who suffer from these symptoms. Neck pain is often accompanied by headaches because of the muscle tension that is so often present with neck problems.

I am sure that many of you have heard of muscle tension headaches. More often than not, muscle tension headaches begin in the neck where tightness has developed for a variety of reasons. Sometimes neck injuries such as those from auto accidents or postural stress secondary to sitting in front of a computer all day will cause the neck muscles to tighten up.

Tight muscles in the neck cause muscle tension on the back of the head. This tension causes the muscles that cover your skull to spasm. Between the aggravation of tight muscles and neck pain, headaches will often become a companion to your neck pain.

Treating muscle tension headaches often requires a multifaceted approach. Chiropractic care will help relieve a great deal of the muscle tension and spasm. Chiropractic adjustments relax muscles, restore normal joint motion and eliminate the associated neck pain. In addition to chiropractic manipulations, therapies including electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound and ice packs are beneficial to help reduce the muscle spasms that help cause the tension headaches.

Another important part of elimination or reducing the number of muscle tension headaches that you experience is to identify what sets them off. Postural stresses associated with computer work, reading, certain types of work or specific hobbies can lead to stress in the neck that causes headaches. Identifying the culprits and either eliminating them or modifying them helps greatly in controlling your headaches.

The bottom line is that neck pain and muscle tension headaches are closely related and often successfully treated with chiropractic care.





Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Treating Neck Pain and Back Pain

Chiropractic is Effective for Treating Neck Pain and Back Pain

Chiropractic care can have a profound effect on the nervous system. In my chiropractic practice in San Diego, I have seen conditions’ respond in ways that I would have never expected.

During my first year in practice in 1992 I provided treatment for a man who had been involved in a car accident. In addition to neck pain and back pain, he also had a moderate to severe case of psoriasis. I did a series of chiropractic adjustments to his neck and he promptly discontinued treatment. Apparently he couldn’t stand hearing someone else crack their knuckles, much less his neck.

Six months later he returned for care, free of psoriasis and wondering if I could do that “psoriasis adjustment” on him again. For the first time in ten years this patient had been without psoriasis.

I don’t have a good explanation as to why this mans’ psoriasis was affected by chiropractic care, but I do know why it works for most cases of back pain and neck pain.

The clear and obvious benefit of chiropractic care is that it has a direct and immediate effect on the movement (biomechanics) of the joints. We subject our joints to stress everyday. Postural stress, excessive sitting, poor lifting habits, bad gym habits, sports injuries, work injuries, auto accidents and the like aggravate our joints causing pain and stiffness.

Additionally, many people today tend to perform jobs that involve very little physical activity. Many of these same people have inactive lifestyles outside of work as well. The overall effect of this type of lifestyle is reduced range of motion of the joints. Once the muscles that move a joint are weakened from a lack of movement, the joint becomes prone to injury.

Injuries to joints can come from many types of stress. Sleeping in a funny position and waking with a stiff neck, reaching for an object at the edge of your desk and straining your back or simply bending over to pick up a sock and injuring your lower back is often the result of deconditioning and ongoing postural or other types of stress.

Once this process has begun, the irritated joints and muscles become inflamed. The inflammation not only causes back pain and neck pain but it also causes scar tissue formation around the joint resulting in stiffness in the affected joint.

I explain to my patients that our joints are mechanical just like the engines in our cars. When the parts of our cars are working like they are supposed to, they last a long time. Our joints behave in the same way. Normal joint movement helps insure long life of the joint.

Chiropractic care addresses neck pain, back pain and other sore and aching joints on many different levels. The adjustment gently stretches the ligaments and muscles that cross the joint. This stretch breaks down scar tissue that restricts joint movement. Finally, the adjustment triggers a reflexive nerve response that reduces our perception of pain while relaxing the muscles around the affected joint.

Because of this series of the body’s responses to a chiropractic adjustment, chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments to relieve neck pain, back pain, headaches, muscle spasms, etc.

Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Cinnamon and Blood Cholesterol Linked

A Spoonful of Cinnamon Helps the Blood Cholesterol Go Down

In my Chiropractic office in San Diego California, we stress the importance of natural holistic healthcare. The primary focus of our office is delivering chiropractic care for neck pain, back pain and the like. However, we also encourage our patients to use natural remedies at home as well. There are many benefits to the use of cinnamon in our diets. There are also many different forms of cinnamon. I recently came across this article and thought I would share it with you.

“According to Mary Poppins, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in a most delightful way." A new report suggests that the equivalent of a spoonful of cinnamon a day can significantly lower blood sugar, cholesterol and lipid levels, which is most delightful news for people with - or at risk of developing - diabetes.

Sixty people with type 2 diabetes were divided into six groups; three groups received daily doses of cinnamon (1, 3 or 6 grams, respectively), while the other groups received placebo capsules containing wheat flour. The cinnamon was consumed for 40 days, followed by a 20-day washout period. Blood glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels were all significantly lower in patients receiving cinnamon compared to those given a placebo.

While adding cinnamon to the diet won't cure a person with diabetes, it may help protect diabetic patients from some of the worst complications that arise from the condition, such as blurred vision, heart disease and kidney failure.

There are a variety of ways cinnamon can be incorporated into a person's diet, such as adding it to coffee or cereal, or making a tea out of boiling water and cinnamon stick.”
Reference:

Khan A, Safdar M, Muzaffar Ali Khan M, et al. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care December 2003;26, pp3215-3218.
More Soon

Doc

Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Friday, October 9, 2009

Back and Neck Pain Explained

 Back and Neck Pain Explained 5

My chiropractic office, similar to many other practices all over the US, offers relief from back pain or neck pain. More than just a solution for back and neck pain, chiropractic care may alleviate symptoms or improve many ailments.

 Never self-diagnosis back pain or neck pain; instead you should always seek professional advice and treatment. Ignoring the discomfort in your neck and back might make for more complex medical problems.

 Some of the various conditions that cause back pain and neck pain can include everything from injury and infection to twisting or turning "the wrong way". Muscles, joints, ligaments, and vertebrae can undergo considerable trauma and resulting injury from auto and other types of accidents.

 The most common cause of back pain that manifests as tightening or spasm of the muscles connected to the spine is overuse or under use of the back muscles. As we grow older, inflammation and swelling often develop in our joints and ligaments, especially in the cervical and lumbar areas.

 A herniated disc happens if nucleus pulposus, the substance inside the disc, comes out of a torn annulus fibrosis, the substance outside of the disc, compressing the nerve root. Because the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine have the greatest range of motion, the discs here have a greater exposure to injury and repeated stress. The bottom two spinal vertebrae experience ninety percent of all herniated disc injuries.

 One cause for aggravation and damage to the spinal cord is a condition known as spinal stenosis. Narrowing of the spinal canal, known as spinal stenosis, can result in damage or irritation of the spinal cord. As the vertebrae deteriorate with age, we are more likely to develop stenosis of the spine.

 When something rubs or presses against a nerve creating irritation or inflammation, a pinched nerve, also known as radiculopathy, occurs. The causes of radiculopathy vary. Some causes of radiculopathy are bone spurs, herniated discs, fractures of the vertebrae, tumors, and a host of other diseases and conditions.

 Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is known as Sciatica, a certain type of radiculopathy. The pain is felt along the big sciatic nerve, which goes from the lower back to the behind area and down the back of the leg.

 Compressing the spine or nerve roots can cause significant pain and can be an indicator or symptom of a spinal tumor that originates in the spine (primary tumor) or reaches the spine from a different part of the body (metastatic tumor) can press on the spine's nerve roots and be very painful.

 Vertebrae infections (osteomyelitis), discs, meninges (spinal meningitis), or cerebrospinal liquid can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause severe neurological deterioration, if there isn't a diagnosis or it isn't treated quickly.

 Facet joints are formed by two adjacent vertebra and direct the movement of the spine; these joints are often areas that are affected by arthritis. As the joints deteriorate, they get out of alignment, and the cartilage and fluid that should keep our joints "greased" may deteriorate as well. Bone rubbing against bone can be very painful.

 Back pain and neck pain
can be caused by many things and not just these few examples. Chiropractors often relieve uncomfortable back pain and neck pain, because the associated causes are usually mechanical in nature. In conclusion, neck pain and back pain are warning signals from your body that should not be ignored.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Causes of Back and Neck Pain

 Causes of Back and Neck Pain 


My Chiropractic office is among the many all over the US that offers therapy for back pain and neck pain. More than just a solution for back and neck pain, chiropractic care may alleviate symptoms or improve many ailments.

Because back pain and neck pain can be early signs of a severe problem, you should see a medical professional quickly. Ignoring the discomfort in your neck and back might make for more complex medical problems.

There are a host of reasons people experience back pain and neck pain, including injuries, infections, accidents, and sometimes even turning or twisting. Muscles, joints, ligaments, and vertebrae can undergo considerable trauma and resulting injury from auto and other types of accidents.

When back pain occurs as a tight feeling along the spine or muscle spasms, overuse or lack of use of the back muscles is the most likely culprit. As we grow older, inflammation and swelling often develop in our joints and ligaments, especially in the cervical and lumbar areas.

When someone has a herniated disc, it is a result of the inner covering, the nuclear pulposus, emerging through a damaged area of the annulus fibrosis, which is the outer covering of the disc; this leads to compression of the nerve root. Because the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine have the greatest range of motion, the discs here have a greater exposure to injury and repeated stress. The lower two lumbar vertebrae is where ninety percent of disc herniations occur.

When the spinal canal becomes narrow, spinal stenosis can occur, making the spinal cord irritated and injured. Narrowing of the spinal canal, known as spinal stenosis, can result in damage or irritation of the spinal cord. As people age, some vertebral degeneration occurs, sometimes leading to spinal stenosis.

When something grinds or touches a nerve, causing irritation or the area to be inflamed, it is called radiculopathy, also known as a pinched nerve. Some causes of radiculopathy are bone spurs, herniated discs, fractures of the vertebrae, tumors, and a host of other diseases and conditions.

The specific type of radiculopathy that irritates the sciatic nerve is known as sciatica. The pain is felt along the big sciatic nerve, which goes from the lower back to the behind area and down the back of the leg.

A tumor that starts in the spine (primary tumor) or reaches the spine from a different part of the body (metastatic tumor) can press on the spine's nerve roots and be very painful.

Ailments of the vertebrae (vertebral osteomyelitis), disc problems, spinal meningitis, or cerebrospinal liquid can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause severe neurological deterioration, if there isn't a diagnosis or it isn't treated quickly.

Facet joints exist where two vertebra abut to direct or guide spinal movements and are likely candidates for arthritis. As the joints deteriorate, they get out of alignment, and the cartilage and fluid that should keep our joints "greased" may deteriorate as well. It can be extremely painful when the bone rubs against another bone.

These are among the many causes for back pain and neck pain. Due mainly to mechanical causes, which can be readily addressed by a chiropractor, most cases of back and neck pain may be helped this way. This is the point; do not ignore the warning signal that is head and back pain.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

back pain or neck pain without cause

back pain or neck pain without cause

Have you ever wondered how you can develop back pain or neck pain without doing anything strenuous. It is amazing that humans don't sustain even more back pain and neck pain, given the structure of our bodies and the physical demands. In my California chiropractic practice, I frequently treat office workers who experience chronic and severe back and neck pain tied to easy-to-fix ergonomic issues in their workspace. In my California chiropractic business, I treat clients frequently who work in an office and could benefit from better ergonomics.

Anyone can experience back or neck pain at any time. I treat individuals regularly who experienced back and neck injuries from improper lifting, machinery usage, sports, falls, and auto accidents. The majority of patients think that chiropractic issues stem from lifting heavy sacks of concrete but are surprised to find that most are due to postural stress.

The "silent killer" of our spinal health is postural stress. Postural stress is experienced either while sitting or standing on one's feet. Postural stress is felt whenever the natural curve of the spine is altered or if the spine moves past its natural balance point.

As you sit at a computer, hunched over the keyboard or peering at the screen, your neck experiences postural stress. This posture, in which your head and neck are extended in front of your body, reverses the normal curvature of your spine and neck, and shifts your head away from its balance point.

The stability that is part of our structure when our postural boundaries are respected is lost when we assume postures that cause stress to our spines. Stress from the way we hold ourselves (either sitting or standing) opens our ligaments and muscles up to long periods of being stretched (perhaps incorrectly) which leads to muscle fatigue, irritation, inflammation, back and neck pain, and even arthritis over the long run.

A combination of therapies may be required to effectively treat back pain and neck pain from postural stress. Using this method of chiropractic care in conjunction with stretching and nutritional support relieves pain and stiffness and restores normal, full joint movement.If you have endured pain for a long time or if your symptoms are particularly acute, the road to recovery will not be short or easy. Don’t expect a quick fix.

Chiropractic care alone will not alleviate the problem; you must eliminate or change the causes of the postural stress. Have your workstation analyzed to highlight any ergonomic issues that could cause postural stress. Applying ice packs for neck pain and back pain for around twenty minutes at a time is also sometimes effective for relief.

Talking to your chiropractor is the first step in starting your treatment.
Chiropractors are medically trained to deal with postural stress problems and the neck pain that occurs as a result. At our chiropractic clinic in San Diego, we treat patients with a holistic approach using chiropractic care and enhanced with a regimen of stretching and exercise.


Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at

(619) 280 0554

San Diego Chiropractic


Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.

Better Health Steve Jones