Acid reflux, also known as GERD (Gastroesophageal Refux Disease) is a condition in which food is sent back from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe), leading to a burning sensation. The condition might be caused by a variety of reasons. One of the most common causes is an underlying condition referred to as hiatal hernia, in which the stomach is displaced from its original position, to an abnormal position above the diaphragm. It can also be caused by an abnormality in the LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter), which is like a muscular ring that seals the lower end of the esophagus, preventing the food from moving back into it. 

Chiropractic care for the disorder is rapidly gaining popularity as a means of treating acid reflux. This treatment option follows a varied approach for the management of the disorder, depending on the underlying cause. It is most efficient for the cure of acid reflux caused by hiatal hernia. This being a mechanical problem, caused by the displacement of the stomach, is treated mechanically, by using manual chiropractic techniques to return the stomach back to its original position. While the administration of antacids in a patient with hiatal hernia might cause temporary relief from the discomfort, it fails to address the underlying cause, which is efficiently treated by chiropractic methods.

In patients who are not suffering from hiatal hernia, chiropractic treatment focuses on the nerves that are responsible for supplying signals to the stomach and the esophagus. These nerves, which are present in the mid-back are adjusted over a few sessions with a chiropractor, eventually leading to complete relief from the disorder. This method has also been found to relieve acid reflux in young infants. According to a study published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, 16 infants were found to experience complete relief from colic or acid reflux, after undergoing chiropractic treatment. The problem in these infants was found to be in the neck region, following difficult births.

Chiropractic treatment for acid reflux also suggests lifestyle modification along with the treatment. Patients are advised to stay away from caffeinated beverages, smoking, alcohol, drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, and soda etc. Interestingly, according to chiropractic principles, the administration of antacids, which is most common line of treatment for acid reflux, only aggravates digestive problems in patients in the long run. Dr. Eugene Goldberg, a Pittsburgh based chiropractor recommends the administration of HCL with food to patients above 40, to improve digestion, explaining that most of these patients suffer from an acid deficiency. Chiropractic treatment for the disease thus makes perfect sense physiologically.

If you are seeking a chiropractor in Killeen, Fort Hood, Harker Heights, Nolanville, Belton, Lampasas or Gatesville, visit us at Corrective Chiropractic and Wellness. We are located at 560 E. Central Texas Expressway, Suite 102, Harker Heights, TX 76548. You can also call us at (254) 698-1600.

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Dystonia is a disorder associated with involuntary contractions and repetitive movements in a certain muscle. In cervical dystonia, the affected muscles are those lying in the neck region. This affects the posture of both the head and the neck. These movements might either be continuous, or might occur at certain intervals. They might be accompanied with pain and discomfort. The disorder is commonly referred to as spasmodic torticollis. Common movements in patients with cervical dystonia include gently touching the chin, and other areas of the head and face. It usually begins in the neck, gradually spreading over the shoulders, and then attaining a stability that is sustained for around five years.

The disease might either be primary or secondary. Primary dystonia is usually hereditary, and is accompanied with generalised dystonia. It is diagnosed with physical and neurological examination, supported by assorted laboratory tests. Regular botulinum injections are the most common line of treatment of the disease. Other treatment options include anticholinergic drugs, dopaminergic drugs, selective denervation surgery, deep brain stimulation surgery, gentle physical therapy and complimentary therapies.

Chiropractic treatment for cervical dystonia has been proved to be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of the disease to a great extent. This treatment is based on the theory that cervical dystonia is caused as a result of upper cervical trauma.  By ‘upper cervical’, the two vertebrae that are referred to are C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis). These vertebrae are located directly below the head, and have a key role to play in the movement of the head and neck. Even a slight displacement in these vertebrae results in an abnormality in this region, resulting in spasms and pinched nerves. Chiropractic treatment of the disease addresses the trauma in these vertebrae, working towards bringing them back to their original position. 

Upper cervical chiropractic care gradually alleviates all symptoms of the disease, including head and hand tremor. The frequency and duration of the treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on the extent of the disease, and the severity of symptoms. The treatment begins with a spinal exam, which is followed by certain X-rays, which help in identifying the exact cause of the disease, and devising an effective treatment plan. Visible improvement is noticed within a few days of beginning the treatment, and most patients are cured after a few weeks of sustained treatment.

To know more about chiropractic therapy and its benefits, visit us at Corrective Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 560 E. Central Texas Expressway, Suite 102, Harker Heights, TX 76548 or call us at (254) 698-1600.

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Kyphosis, commonly referred to as ‘hunchback’ is a condition in which the upper back is abnormally bowed/rounded, resulting in distorted posture. The disease usually develops with age, and is rarely congenital.

Causes:

• Arthritis, disk degeneration and other degenerative spine diseases
• Injuries caused by osteoporosis
• Poor posture
• Trauma caused by injury in the spine
• Slipping of vertebrae over each other

Symptoms:

• Tenderness, stiffness and pain in the spine
• Fatigue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Leg weakness or paralysis in extreme cases

Diagnosis:
The disease is diagnosed by a physical examination to confirm the abnormal curvature of the spine. This is followed by various tests- Spine X-ray, Pulmonary function test, MRI scan etc., to identify any underlying abnormality.

Chiropractic care:
Chiropractic treatment is one of the most common and most effective non-surgical treatment options for the management of kyphosis. The initial stages of the treatment procedure involve the application of techniques like motion and static palpation to judge the ease of movement of the joints. This helps to determine any tenderness or tightness in the joints, which is instrumental in deciding the further course of action.

The most common cause of kyphosis in adults is poor posture. Chiropractic treatment of the disease addresses this issue by teaching the patient better posture. Apart from this, the treatment procedure focuses on the following areas of concern:

• Inflammation in the joints
• Muscle spasms
• Weakness in the spine
• Difficulty in movement of spine
• Degeneration of middle back
• Chronic back ache

The most important component of the chiropractic care for kyphosis is spinal manipulation. This is a technique involving spinal adjustment to improve the movement of the joints. It can be of three types:

• Specific spinal manipulation: In this technique, the chiropractor identifies the specific joints that are problematic, and manipulates them using a thrusting technique. This stretches the soft tissue, sending a signal to the brain to resume normal motion.
• Flexion-distraction technique: This technique does not involve thrusting, and follows a gentler approach. It is suitable for kyphosis caused by degenerative diseases.
• Instrument-aided manipulation: In this technique, manual thrusting is replaced by force applied by a special hand-held instrument.

Apart from this, certain manual therapy treatments can be used to cure injured ligaments and tendons. These include trigger point therapy and manual joint stretching. Techniques like ultrasound and interferential electrical stimulation can help to reduce inflammation.

For more details, visit us at Corrective Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 560 E. Central Texas Expressway, Suite 102, Harker Heights, TX 76548 or call us at (254) 698-1600.

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Anxiety is a psychological disorder associated with persistent feelings of fear and worry that are excessive and unnecessary. These feelings might be accompanied with physical symptoms in advanced cases of the disorder. A person suffering from anxiety lives in a constant state of threat and anticipates the worst from everyday situations. The disorder usually interferes with a normal life, making it difficult to cope with social activities, work, relationships, studies etc.

Symptoms: The symptoms of this disorder can be classified into four categories:

• Physical symptoms: It includes palpitations, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain, stomach ache, headache, muscle tension, sweating and trembling.
• Emotional symptoms: It includes difficulty in concentration, being easily startled, irritability, restlessness, nightmares and periods of mental blankness.
• Cognitive symptoms: A person suffering from anxiety has fear of symptoms leading to death, anticipating extreme illnesses like heart attacks/ tumours as a result of symptoms like rapid heartbeat, chest pain and headache.
• Behavioural symptoms: Withdrawal from situations that previously caused anxiety, behaviour like foot-tapping, nail-biting etc.

Causes:   Anxiety can be due to either of the following factors:

• Genetics: It is suggested that anxiety might be a familial tendency caused by certain genes.
• Neurochemistry: Patients with anxiety exhibit altered levels of various neurotransmitters.
• Environment: Certain traumatic events like motor accidents, death of a loved one, failure in exams/ at work, etc. might initiate anxiety. Another major cause of the disorder is withdrawal from addictive substances like drugs/ alcohol. 

With more than 19 million adults in America suffering from the disorder, anxiety has been recognised as the most common mental health illness by the National Institute of Mental Health. The most common line of treatment for the disorder is by drug therapy. However, alternative modes of treatment like chiropractic therapy are rapidly gaining popularity for their long-term benefits and reduced side effects.

According to a research co-authored by Dr. Madeline Behrendt, Associate Editor of JVSR, and Dr. Nathan Olsen, a chiropractor in private practice in Boise, Idaho, chiropractic management of anxiety lowers symptoms of the disorder by 90%. This system works on the principle that the underlying cause of the disease is the misalignment of spinal nerves, which is corrected manually over regular sessions with a chiropractor. This alternative treatment alleviates symptoms of anxiety gradually without any side effects, and offers prolonged and sustainable treatment of the disorder.

To know more about how Chiropractic care can help in treating anxiety or for any other related query, visit us at Corrective Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 560 E. Central Texas Expressway, Suite 102, Harker Heights, TX 76548 or call us at (254) 698-1600.

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