The chiropractic approach that works so well with the spine can be applied to other joints of your body. Virtually every articulation of your skeletal system is susceptible to fixations that can impair function and range of motion:
Wrist
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common result of repetitive motions to abnormally functioning joints of the spine, arm and wrist. Chiropractic may be helpful.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually due to compression of the median nerve as it passes through the band of ligaments in your wrist. In many cases, the underlying cause is a misalignment of one or more joints of your neck, shoulder, elbow or wrist. Identifying the involved joint(s) and a program of chiropractic care can often avoid surgery.
Jaw
Stress, teeth grinding and spinal problems can cause TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders where your jaw connects to your skull. (You can feel the joint move by placing your fingers in front of your ears and opening your mouth.) Skilled chiropractic care can restore proper nervous system control of involved muscles and ligaments, reducing pain, stiffness, clicking sounds or locked jaw.
Shoulder
Many shoulder problems originate in the area where the nerves branch from the spinal cord and exit the neck. Shoulder pain or pain radiating down the arm can be accompanied by weakness, numbness or tingling in the wrists or hands. Many practice members report dramatic improvement with chiropractic care.
Elbow
Classic tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a repetitive strain injury that often afflicts the dominant arm. It is seen among carpenters, mechanics, office workers, cashiers and those who perform repeated hammering, grasping and rotary forearm motions. A thorough examination followed by appropriate chiropractic care has been known to produce excellent results.
Hip
The hips and sacrum, considered the “pelvic girdle,” is the foundation of your spine. These sacroiliac joints can affect nerves exiting the spine. While the chiropractic adjustment of the hips can produce excellent results, many hip problems can be caused from malfunctioning joints above or below the pelvis.
Ankle
The ankle is the most frequently injured joint in the body. “Pronation,” in which the feet flare outward and kneecaps rotate inward, is the most common foot problem. When weak arches cause the bones of the foot to drop to an unstable position, stress on the foot increases. Adjusting malfunctioning joints of the feet, combined with custom shoe orthotics, can reduce tenderness, improve your gait and stabilize the entire skeletal system.
While many health problems can be traced to the spine, other joints of the body can be involved. When chiropractic techniques are applied, range of motion can be improved and painful inflammation reduced. Without drugs or surgery!