Referred pain is a type of pain that occurs in a part of body that isn’t injured or damaged; but the pain actually originates from another part of the body.
Why does pain get “referred” to another part of the body?
The human body is like a switchboard – with hundreds of nerves that are wired to each other. Each organ is connected to another via nerves.
Usually, when a part of the body is injured, the brain sends pain signals to that part of the body, through these nerves. But sometimes, because these neural cross-connections, pain signals get “referred” or attributed to another part of the body instead of the intend body part.
It isn’t just the interconnectedness of nerves that cause referred pain. It can also happen because of reflex pain.
When you get hurt, your body automatically initiates a withdrawal reflex, where it stops all muscle contractions and relaxations, which may cause more harm to the injured area. For example, you sprain your calf while playing. The body naturally responds by tightening/contracting the flexor muscles, in order to limit movement in the injured area.
Typically, this reflex lasts only for a little while and the body begins to function normally. But sometimes, this reflex doesn’t stop and the muscles continue to contract for a long period, causing secondary injury and pain of its own. This is called reflex pain and it too can cause referred pain.
Using chiropractic treatments to address referred pain
The good thing is, you don’t need to use any medication or undergo any severe medical procedure to manage referred pain. Chiropractic treatments are extremely effective. Here’s how Dr. Ashley Dixon at Dixon Chiropractic can help you manage referred pain:
· She will identify the trigger points causing referred pain
Trigger points are areas in the body where there is heightened sensitivity in the muscles. This sensitivity is a result of tiny tears on the muscles, ligaments and tendons. They occur because of trauma or injury to the body.
Usually, these trigger points cause referred pain. Dr. Ashley Dixon will first identify the trigger point that is causing your referred pain.
· She could relieve stress and muscle contractions in the trigger points
Once the trigger point is identified, the doctor will use a combination of finger pressure massage and acupuncture to relieve the stress in the trigger point and reduce pain. These treatment sessions are customized based on your response to the pain and Dr. Ashley Dixon will ensure you’re never inconvenienced during these sessions.
· She could align the spine and reduce muscle spasms
Most times, referred pain and trigger points have their genesis in the spine.
The neurons that carry pain signals from the brain to various parts of the body, actually pass through the synapses in the spinal cord. The withdrawal reflex is also initiated by the same synapses. So, any instance of reflex pain-related referred pain originates from the spine.
This is why, a spinal alignment will also be done to reduce chances of your re-injuring your body.
· She could provide core stabilization exercises to reduce pain and restore muscular function
One way to ensure that your muscles, tendons and ligaments aren’t vulnerable to injury, is to strengthen them. At Dixon Chiropractic, you could be administered various core stabilization exercises using the McKenzie Method, which can help your muscles heal and reduce referred pain.
Contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Are you experiencing terrible, jerking pain in your lower back? Do you find it difficult to move even a little? If yes, it could be sciatic.
The sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and goes down to the hips, buttocks, and legs. It is the largest and widest nerve in the body, providing stimulation and sensation to the lower legs.
Sometimes, intense overuse of the vertebral discs causes them to wear down and herniate. This herniated disc presses upon the sciatic nerve. When this happens, the pressure on the sciatic nerve causes irritation and intense discomfort. This condition is called sciatica.
While not a fatal condition, sciatica can be extremely painful and may reduce the quality of your life. Usually, doctors prescribe OTC medication to manage the ailment. However, if you’re unhappy with the thought of taking medication, you may want to consider seeking chiropractic care.
How chiropractic sessions can address sciatica pain
It can reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve
Chiropractic sessions involve muscle and spinal adjustments, massages, and acupuncture. Together, these treatments help relieve the pressure that the herniated disc puts on the sciatic nerve. When the pressure on the nerve reduces, the inflammation and irritation in the nerve go down automatically.
It can reduce the pain and discomfort of piriformis syndrome
The piriformis muscle is situated in the buttocks and sometimes it can get pulled or spasm uncontrollably, leading to intense pain in the buttocks and lower back. The sciatic nerve passes just below this muscle and any spasming of the piriformis muscle can cause sciatica.
Chiropractic treatments can help alleviate the pain experienced as a result of this intense piriformis muscle spasming. Dr. Ashley Dixon will work with you to identify the pain points and relax them using a combination of gentle exercises and stretching and hot/ice therapy. Acupuncture is also used to relieve the stress in the piriformis muscle by activating the trigger points. The doctor will also advise you on postural correction, to ensure the condition doesn’t occur again.
It can reduce the inflammation around the trigger points
Sciatica can cause swelling and tenderness in the lower back. This happens due to the inflammation of the muscles around the pinched sciatic nerve.
Chiropractic treatments like ice/cold therapy and hot therapy are extremely helpful in reducing the inflammation and tenderness in the lower back. Additionally, the heat and the cold make the blood vessels in the lower back dilate, increasing blood circulation in the lower back, hips and lower legs. The same effects are received through acupuncture.
It can strengthen the muscles and joints in the lower back and legs
As part of these chiropractic sessions at Dixon Chiropractic, Dr. Ashley Dixon will teach you a set of easy-to-do exercises, which will prevent the recurrence of sciatica. These exercises will help stretch and strengthen the muscles in your lower back, allowing you to withstand wear-and-tear better.
If you’d like to schedule a consolation or treatment session at the Dixon Chiropractic, give us a call. Our team is happy to assist you in any way possible.
Acupuncture is a healing practice that has become very common today. It can be used to treat all kinds of pain and promote wellness, in general, and has been around for more than 3,500 years.
Despite the numerous benefits it offers, acupuncture is met with a lot of misconception. This is because it is not what you would normally consider a modern medicinal practice. At Dixon Chiropractic, we know first-hand how effective acupuncture can be. So, in this article, we outline the common myths regarding the treatment and talk about why they are not true.
Acupuncture is a painful practice
Since acupuncture is carried out using needles, it must be an excruciating procedure, right? Wrong. Sure, if you don’t really understand how it works, then it seems like it would hurt a lot. But once you see how it works, this myth can be debunked easily.
First of all, the needles are extremely thin, almost as tiny as human hair. When they are inserted into your skin, you may feel a slight prick, which will eventually go away on its own as Dr. Ashley Dixon makes adjustments. As chiropractic, the doctor has a deep understanding of just where the needles need to go. You will experience heaviness or a mild electrical sensation, which is described as Qi or chi energy. This is your body healing.
Acupuncture is not a legitimate health care procedure
As mentioned before, acupuncture has been around for thousands of years. This has led some people to believe that it must be outdated or it doesn’t work since it’s so ancient. This is far from the truth. Acupuncture is a recommended treatment for many illnesses and for promoting overall wellness. In fact, many hospitals across the world even offer acupuncture services to treat their patients.
Acupuncture always involves needles
Many people associate acupuncture with needles being inserted into the skin. This isn’t true. Today, thanks to technological innovation, laser acupuncture is available for patients, which requires no needles. Here, low-intensity laser irradiation is used to accurately target traditional acupuncture points.
Acupuncture can disrupt your daily routine with its side effects
Another common myth is that there are plenty of side effects that come along with acupuncture, and this can interrupt your everyday activities. People tend to believe that you will need time off work or school, and won’t be able to do things that you usually do. In reality, acupuncture has very few to no side effects at all, and you can carry on with your daily routine after a session without any restriction.
Acupuncture can only treat physical pain
Many people believe that acupuncture is a procedure that is used solely for treating acute, physical pain. In reality, acupuncture can address all kinds of illnesses and diseases, from physical pain to allergies to mental illnesses. Patients of respiratory problems like asthma and allergies, back pain, knee pain, headache and migraine, menstrual cramps, hypertension, anxiety and depression, and so on can benefit from the practice.
Acupuncture always delivers results immediately
Acupuncture isn’t a miracle worker. Like all treatment options, it takes time to show results. Depending on the individual conditions, it can take just three sessions for results to show, or it may take up to ten sessions for some patients. After a few sessions, Dr. Ashley Dixon will see how well the patient is responding to the treatment.
Now that these common myths of acupuncture are busted, it’s easy to see just how beneficial the procedure can be for patients of all kinds. Dixon Chiropractic also provides moxibustion, which is a Chinese practice of burning dried plant materials known as “moxa” on the skin. This, much like acupuncture, invigorates the Q flow.
Being a new mother is an exciting and often overwhelming time. Many new mothers experience physical, mental, and emotional fatigue right after the birth of their babies. In severe cases, these conditions can negatively affect the body between mother and newborn.
Chiropractic treatments can be of huge help here.
At Dixon Chiropractic in Plantation, FL, Dr. Ashley Dixon and her team of highly-qualified chiropractors use a wide range of holistic, chiropractic treatments like acupuncture, massage therapy, and alignment to help new mothers relieve their postpartum distress.
Here are some ways in which our chiropractors can help:
They can reduce recovery time
The body undergoes extensive strain and damage during the delivery of the baby. It usually takes new mothers a few weeks to recover completely. Certain chiropractic treatments like acupressure and massage therapy can relieve stiffness and fatigue in the muscles and joints. They can make movements like sitting, standing and sleeping pain-free and easier. This can help significantly shorten this recovery time and help new mothers experience full-body wellness quickly.
They can improve postpartum posture
An expectant mother’s body undergoes many postural changes when she’s pregnant. The weight of the baby can add strain on the spine and the neck. Even post-delivery, the mother may experience postural problems when breastfeeding or when carrying the baby in her hands. If untreated, this can have a long-standing impact on the mother’s health.
The chiropractor at Dixon Chiropractic can align the spine with the rest of the body and improve the new mother’s posture. They can also identify areas where muscle or joint weakness is present and can address it through holistic care.
They can strengthen the pelvis and pelvic muscles
The birth of the baby results in the pelvic muscles becoming loose and sagging. This can lead to low bladder control and a weak lower back that’s susceptible to injury. Many women also find it difficult to get intimate with their spouses after the delivery because of a weakened pelvis.
This is where chiropractic care can really help.
Dr. Ashley Dixon will use a combination of muscle and joint manipulation techniques, which are designed to stretch, strengthen, and make flexible the pelvic muscles and pelvic joints of the patient.
They can address pregnancy caused sciatica
The fetus can add a lot of strain on the lower back. Many pregnant women experience intense back pain and in severe cases, sciatica during pregnancy. Chiropractic care can free the pinched nerve and can relieve the build-up of stress on the nerves of the lower back and legs.
By using a combination of muscle alignment and joint re-alignment techniques, our chiropractors will treat pregnancy and delivery induced sciatica, allowing mother and baby to experience their special bond in a safe and pain-free environment.
They can help mothers cope with postpartum depression
The WHO reports that 10% of pregnant women and 13% of new mothers worldwide experience postpartum depression. While doctors prescribe medication, these should be avoided to ensure the baby and mother don’t ingest toxic chemicals. This is where chiropractic care can be beneficial.
Acupuncture can control the production and flow of hormones in the body. Done with care, this technique can give enormous relief to the new mother, by helping her control her irritability and mood swings. At Dixon Chiropractic, we have immense experience working with expecting and new mothers. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
These days, employees around the world work 40+ hours of work weeks. Sitting in the same spot for hours at a stretch with absolutely minimal movement can cause numerous health problems to their bodies. This can ultimately affect your workplace productivity.
Not just this, but as employees continue to fall ill, employee healthcare insurance costs will start to increase, until finally, they affect the overall profits of the organization.
But thankfully, there are solutions which can address work stress-induced health conditions – chiropractic care.
4 ways in which chiropractic care can help your employees
It can help reduce mental and muscular stress
Stress has become a very common feature of the professional landscape today. Employees spend countless hours trying to resolve conflicts, meet deadlines, and please stakeholders. This type of stress can take a heavy toll on the physical and mental health of the individual.
Chiropractic care, which includes a combination of physical massage and acupuncture, relaxes the muscles and helps relieve stress and tension in the body.
It can alleviate back and neck pain
Poor workplace ergonomics is the primary cause of chronic back and neck pain in employees. But timely, holistic treatments can help reduce this pain and make it more manageable.
Dr. Ashley Dixon, our head chiropractor, will realign the muscles and joints in your back and neck and ensure that they are set in the right way. This can relieve the pressure put on your nerves, which are the source of pain.
At Dixon Chiropractic, we also advise clients regarding postural management and we can provide tips on how to adopt and maintain the right posture at work to avoid back and neck injuries.
It can reduce the risk of hypertension
Work stress and tiredness can fatigue the body and increase hunger. This is why many employees binge on comfort snacks throughout the day as they work. These snacks – which are often high in oil and sodium (salt) – are extremely unhealthy for the body and they increase your employees’ vulnerability to hypertension.
Chiropractic adjustment of the C1 atlas vertebra can reduce high blood pressure in affected individuals and help the body become more resilient to hypertension in unaffected individuals.
It can help manage depression and anxiety
Depression and anxiety affect more than 7% of the US workforce. If they don’t seek timely support, your employees could experience intense challenges in their personal and professional lives.
Acupuncture and massage therapy can reduce the hormonal imbalances in the body that increase the symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals. Additionally, joint and muscle adjustment can reduce the tension and stress in the body and help relieve anxiety considerably.
How Dixon Chiropractic can help?
At Dixon Chiropractic, our team of highly-trained and experienced chiropractors has extensive experience helping working professionals find immediate physical and mental relief from their conditions through focused chiropractic care.
Dr. Ashley Dixon is an extremely empathetic individual and her support, guidance, and treatment will allow your employees to experience full-body wellness, becoming stronger, more active, more focused, and more creative.
Stomach pains can get unbearable. The constant feeling of being bloated, muscle cramps, and the fear of not being in control of your bowels can really zap your energy. Not only does a stomach ache make you tired, but it also renders you cranky and vulnerable. Immediate treatment can alleviate this pain and make you feel happy and energized.
Why does your stomach hurt?
Stomach pain can occur due to a number of reasons. Eating more than we’re supposed to and undigested food can cause a host of problems, one of which is gas-induced stomach pain. Then there is the stomach flu which occurs from an infection in the intestine. In severe cases, stomach pain may be a symptom of a medical condition like Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and colitis.
Irrespective of why it happens, stomach pain can reduce the quality of life, especially when it happens so often.
Holistic chiropractic treatments can help relieve stomach pain
Did you know that the stomach and spine are connected to each other?
Receptors in the brain instruct the body to work particular muscles and nerves to digest food. This movement causes the nerves located in the lumbar (lower back) and thoracic (middle back) regions of the spine to control the speed at which the food moves down the digestive tract and the pace at which the body digests food.
A slight misalignment in the nerves of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine can put the entire gastrointestinal system into complete disarray. Soon enough, digestive issues like stomach pain set in.
This is where chiropractic treatments help. A highly-experienced chiropractor can gently massage your spine and re-align the spinal system without causing further discomfort. This will ensure your nerves relax and are functioning optimally.
Acupuncture and acupressure are two holistic chiropractic techniques also used to relieve stomach pain by a licensed chiropractor certified in acupuncture. They focus on reducing the pressure on your nerves by activating meridian points on your body to help relieve stomach pain. Focused breathing exercises help relax the muscles, which offer further comfort.
Visit our Dixon Chiropractic clinic today
At Dixon Chiropractic, we are highly-qualified and experienced in providing chiropractic treatments to patients of all ages. Dr. Ashley Dixon has extensive experience helping patients with chronic stomach pain obtain well-deserved pain relief.
During the sessions, Dr. Dixon will observe and evaluate which parts of your body require chiropractic care and will then design a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs. She then administers the treatment over the course of your treatment period, adjusting the treatment plan as and when you need.
Gastrointestinal concerns like stomach pain take a few sessions to reduce. Over time, with Chiropractic, Acupuncture, and massage, your spine will reach optimal alignment, allowing you to experience a completely pain-free life.
What other digestive issues can be treated through chiropractic treatments?
Holistic chiropractic treatments, like the ones we specialize in at Dixon Chiropractic, can also be used to reduce diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and a host of other gastrointestinal conditions.
Contact us for more information. 954-372-7795
Annually, over 30 million people seek medical help from chiropractic practitioners to manage their illnesses. This is because of the immense health benefits that chiropractic care offers patients. Here are seven conditions/ailments that can be addressed through chiropractic treatments:
Headaches
People spend countless hours in front of the computer. The odd angle at which their heads bend, can strain the neck muscles and cause pain. This neck pain can defer to the head and cause chronic headaches. The constant hunching of the back can hurt the spine, which can also sometimes manifest as a headache.
Chronic headaches can result in a loss of focus and increased irritability. Chiropractic care is designed to relieve the pressure in the neck and spine, thereby reducing headaches.
Allergies
Allergy treatment is one of the lesser-known benefits of chiropractic care. Acupuncture, in particular, is designed to help the patient manage their allergies, sensitivities, and sniffles. At Dixon Chiropractic, we have extensive experience in acupuncture and chiropractic care.
High blood pressure
1/3rd of the adult population around the world suffers from hypertension. High BP can cause a wide range of cardiovascular disorders, which may turn fatal if care isn’t taken. Chiropractic treatments can help reduce high blood pressure by relieving the stress on the brain stem that’s responsible for systolic and diastolic BP regulation.
ADHD
Acupuncture is one of the most-preferred chiropractic treatment technique for ADHD. Studies have found that acupuncture improves the positive impact that biofeedback treatments have on children with ADHD, which in turn helps reduce brain hyperactivity. Chiropractic care is one of the few treatment techniques that doesn’t rely on medication to help children with ADHD and other behavioral conditions.
Back pain
Poor posture isn't the only reason for back pain. Wrong exercise stance and pregnancy are two other reasons why chronic back pain may develop. Chiropractic treatments are designed to ease the pent-up stress in the spine and the back muscles, allowing the body to relax and become pain-free.
Dr. Ashley Dixon has helped many patients find relief from back pain and she can help you too. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Gastrointestinal disorder
Chiropractic care is an excellent solution for digestive conditions like GERD, IBS, colic, and constipation. Chiropractic treatments activate the endocrine system and the nervous system, which are responsible for activities like the production of organ-regulating hormones and digestion. With the endocrine and the nervous system activated, the body safely digests the food, ensuring there is no onset of gastrointestinal disorders.
Cancer
Chemotherapy can lead to muscle wasting, sickness, body pain, and tiredness. Chiropractic care can be used to manage these symptoms.
Chiropractic treatments like acupuncture release the stress in the muscles, ensuring that the patient feels relaxed and calm. At Dixon Chiropractic, we are a chiropractic center based out of Plantation, FL. Our sessions are designed to help strengthen your muscles, relieve stress and re-energize you through holistic medical care.
We also stock premium-quality CBD oil for purchase at our clinic, which has been found to alleviate cancer-related symptoms. Contact us for more information.
