Dec 20, 2021 | Chiropractic Technique, Chiropractic Therapy
Approximately 1% of American adults are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis each year. If you’re one of those people, you know how painful and debilitating the condition can be. Your feet are exposed to a great deal of force every day, and plantar fasciitis can make every step uncomfortable. If you have tried various plantar fasciitis treatments and still have symptoms, you might want to try the Graston technique plantar fasciitis. This is a specialized type of massage that can be used to target the affected region. It promotes blood flow to the area, encouraging healing and reducing inflammation.
Understanding Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
To understand how the Graston technique for plantar fasciitis works, you need to familiarize yourself with why the painful condition occurs in the first place. If you flex your foot and massage the sole with your fingers, you’ll feel a tightening along the central axis. That’s your plantar fascia, a thick, web-like ribbon of connective tissue that runs from the back of your heel to your toes. The plantar fascia makes up the arch of your foot. It absorbs shock as your feet make contact with the ground. It also transfers force, allowing you to push off to take another step. If the fascia isn’t functioning properly, it impacts the biomechanics of your entire foot. Damaged fascia is no longer smooth and pliable. Instead, it becomes sticky and rigid, restricting movement and preventing the muscles from working well. In addition, inflamed or strained ligaments can become weakened, allowing the bones in your foot to shift. The fascia can also pull on the heel, creating a bone spur. Pain from this fascia condition is commonly felt in the heel, arch, or sole. Treatments for plantar fasciitis involve reducing inflammation and restoring proper function to the foot. Some essential elements of therapy for plantar fasciitis include:
- Identifying areas of restriction in the soft tissue
- Breaking up adhesions in the fascia to allow for better mobility
- Maximizing circulation to the area to aid in healing
- Massaging to loosen soft tissue and allow muscles to function properly
- Alternating rest with stretching and strengthening
- Supporting the foot structure with the proper support
The Graston technique for plantar fasciitis directly addresses the first four points above. It complements rest, stretching, and strengthening by encouraging healing and allowing for optimal function of the structures within the foot.
Graston Technique for Plantar Fasciitis
The Graston technique is also known as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. It is a specialized, precise type of manual therapy that uses handheld instruments to perform targeted massage. We use smooth, firm steel tools with rounded edges to identify and detach sticky, thick, scarred areas of soft tissue beneath the skin’s surface. The practitioner will glide the tools over your skin, feeling for fibrotic areas. Once those regions are identified, the therapist will use the tool to provide a deep pressure massage that attracts the blood flow to the area. The increased circulation promotes healing and reduces inflammation, freeing the tissue and reversing damage to the plantar fascia.
Teaching the Muscles How to Work Properly
Many of the causes of plantar fasciitis also prevent the condition from improving. For example, wearing shoes with a thin, unsupportive sole can inflame the soft tissue. Continuing to wear those shoes exacerbates the problem. Over time, your bones shift. Your muscles and ligaments must change to keep everything in order. The muscles develop knots as they’re constricted in unusual ways. The ligaments develop adhesions. Your body needs to re-learn how to operate correctly. But it can’t do so if your soft tissue is “stuck.” We use the Graston technique for plantar fasciitis to restore mobility to the area. Then, we use stretches and exercises to retrain the muscles. Once they are free to move correctly, the muscles can settle into the correct movement patterns, further reduce trauma to the plantar fascia, and allow it to heal.
How to Do the Graston Technique on Yourself
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, we can show you plenty of stretches and exercises that you can do at home to support your healing, relieve pain and walk without pain. However, the Graston technique for plantar fasciitis doesn’t adapt well to self-administration. Instead, a professional understands how to use the specific instruments to manipulate the tissue exactly where you need it. Although you may feel pain in your foot or heel, adhesions and scar tissue in other areas could be to blame. An experienced provider can address all of the parts of the body that may influence your symptoms, such as a tight calf muscle or inflamed Achilles tendon. The process is unique for each patient and must be adapted for your specific needs. If you have ever had a professional deep-tissue massage, you probably recognize that achieving the same results at home would be difficult. Besides the fact that you may not identify the areas that need work, you likely can’t apply the amount and depth of pressure that a professional can achieve using the Graston technique on plantar fasciitis. Therefore, instead of asking how to do the Graston technique on yourself, you might want to ask, “Where can I find a practitioner of the Graston technique near me?” Going to a professional such as Dr. Gregory Doerr gives the Graston technique the best chance of curing your plantar fasciitis. The typical treatment period is eight to twelve weeks. People who do not perform high-impact activities may recover faster than individuals who run, walk or jog daily.
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
Dec 15, 2021 | Chiropractic Therapy
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions that cause pain in the bottom of the foot, affecting about 1 in 10 people. Fortunately, approximately 80% of people with plantar fasciitis resolve it in one year with the proper care. Our chiropractic care center can diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis using various techniques that aren’t always employed in traditional physical therapy.
Plantar Fasciitis Causes
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissues that connects the heel to the toes becomes inflamed. The inflammation can occur anywhere along the network of fibers, causing pain from the heel to the ball of the foot. Many people who suffer from this condition experience stabbing pain, aching, and burning on the bottom of their heel or the arch of their foot.
While plantar fasciitis causes may involve overuse, such as standing on your feet or running for long periods of time, many people experience the painful condition due to faults in their foot structure. Some common structural plantar fasciitis causes include:
- Overpronation: When you walk or run, your foot rolls slightly inward as it strikes the ground. Your arch flattens a bit to absorb the impact before the next push-off. If it makes your foot roll too far inward, the impact can stretch the arch too much, detracting from its shock-absorbing abilities.
- Flat feet: If your arches are too low, your heel cannot make proper contact with the ground, and tension in your muscles and fascia increases.
- High arches: High arches cause unnatural tension in the plantar fascia and can lead to plantar fasciitis heel pain.
- Tight muscle: Without enough flexibility in your Achilles tendon and calf muscles, your plantar fascia can’t move as it’s supposed to. Tightness up the leg can also lead to tension in the plantar fascia.
Is Plantar Fasciitis Curable?
Plantar fasciitis can make your feet feel stiff and achy when you wake up in the mornings. As the day progresses, the pain may go away. However, it returns frequently, and you wonder, “Is plantar fasciitis curable?”
Fortunately, this condition is treatable and curable. When your plantar fascia is under pressure and tension, it can develop tiny tears, aggravating the condition. These tears must completely heal before you can resolve the issue. Any biomechanical issues that contribute to the condition must also be addressed.
Therefore, you need to work with an experienced professional to get an accurate diagnosis and make the most of your treatment. Of course, you can always use rest, ice, or compression to treat the problem at home. But the cure to plantar fasciitis often involves using methods and technology that are only available to professional chiropractors. With the proper acute treatment and preventative care, the answer to the “is plantar fasciitis curable” question is yes!
How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis
Treatment for plantar fasciitis involves reducing inflammation, protecting the tissue from further damage, and optimizing the alignment and function of the foot, ankle, and leg. A chiropractic care center can use a wide range of techniques for plantar fasciitis heel pain.
But conventional and general chiropractic care is not usually enough to target plantar fasciitis heel pain. Therefore, our chiropractic care center also uses specific treatments to target this type of injury, such as:
#1: Graston Technique
This non-invasive treatment soft tissue technique uses stainless steel instruments to apply targeted pressure to specific areas. The tools that we use are similar to dull butter knives. With them, we can identify areas of tension or adhesion preventing your foot and ankle from moving correctly. Then, we use the tools in specific ways to break up adhesions, mobilize the area and promote blood flow, which enhances healing.
#2: Extracorporeal Shock Waves
Radio pulse frequency therapy has been found to improve symptoms in people who haven’t found relief from more conservative treatments. It is an FDA-approved cure to plantar fasciitis and begins to generate positive results within two sessions.
#3: Rebuild the Arch
Our chiropractic care center can help you improve the biomechanics of your foot. Dr. Doerr evaluates your current foot structure and uses multiple techniques to rebuild it and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. The power step orthotic machine is one step toward correcting fallen arches. Physical therapy for plantar fasciitis also teaches you exercises for stretching and strengthening the arch.
The cure to plantar fasciitis lies in an accurate diagnosis, a treatment that addresses the root of the problem, and preventative techniques that protect your optimal foot structure. Many of our treatments not only help you heal but also prevent the condition from returning.
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
Dec 10, 2021 | General Chiropractic
The wrist, one of the most complex joints in the body, is particularly vulnerable to injury. It is made up of 15 bones, which are held together by an intricate network of ligaments. These bones and soft tissues work together to allow for a great deal of mobility in the hand while facilitating stability in the forearm.
We use our wrists for various activities throughout the day, such as typing, driving, opening doors, playing video games, cooking, and playing sports. Unfortunately, when losing your balance, you often use your wrists to break your fall. Therefore, the wrists become susceptible to damage from these types of movements and accidents.
But if you hurt a joint, how do you know whether you have a wrist sprain or a wrist break? When should you visit a chiropractor for this type of injury?
Sprain vs. Break in Wrist
Imagine that you’re strolling in the park. Your toe clips a tree root, and you topple forward. To protect your face and head, you reach out with your hands. As you hit the ground, you feel a sharp, painful sensation traveling from your wrist to your fingers and forearm, and you hear a noticeable pop.
A wrist sprain vs. a wrist break can feel similar, and you might not know how to identify your injury. A sprain involves damage to the ligaments that support the bones and muscles. A fracture is a break in the bone.
But how do you know if it’s a sprain vs. break in your wrist? If the arm is bent at an unusual angle or the wrist has unusual motion, you have most likely broken your wrist, even though a wrist break is not always that obvious.
The best next step is to visit a chiropractic care center, where a chiropractic professional can diagnose a sprain vs. break in the wrist in several ways:
- Physical examination: A broken wrist may not look much different than a sprained one. However, both may be swollen, tender to the touch, stiff, and painful.
- Wrist instability tests: The strength and mobility of the joint are assessed to identify a sprain vs. break in the wrist.
- X-Rays: X-rays can identify or rule out a broken wrist. Although X-rays don’t show soft tissue, they may expose characteristics of sprains, such as gaps or overlapping of the bones.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound imaging can show swelling, fluid accumulations, nerve damage, and venous injury.
- Magnetic resonance imaging: An MRI detects ligament and soft tissue damage.
You might ask yourself how to tell if your wrist is broken without seeing a specialist. One way to identify a sprain vs. break in the wrist is to hold a tuning fork to the injured area. As it vibrates, it will cause severe pain if the bone is fractured. However, it shouldn’t generate much discomfort if you have a sprain.
Why It’s Important to See a Professional for a Wrist Injury
Because your wrist is such a crucial and complex part of the body, injury to the joint can cause other problems if it’s not treated correctly. For example, failing to correct a wrist sprain vs. break can lead to cartilage damage, chronic pain, and arthritis. Again, understanding your condition will help you know what to expect and undergo appropriate treatment.
How Long It Takes for a Wrist Sprain to Heal?
How long does a wrist sprain last? A sprain is typically slower to heal than a wrist break. A minor to moderate fracture that doesn’t require surgery should heal within about 6 to 8 weeks. However, a wrist sprain may take 2 to 10 weeks to resolve itself.
A chiropractic care center can help you identify the condition and recommend physical therapy and other treatments to aid in your recovery. If you’re wondering how to heal wrist sprain fast, you may want to look into soft tissue and taping techniques. However, understanding whether you have a wrist sprain vs. break will allow you to determine how long to rest the joint using a wrist sprain wrap and when to start exercising the joint again.
Treatments and Exercises for Wrist Sprain or Break
As we have mentioned, you should always consult with a professional before beginning a treatment regimen or exercises for a wrist sprain or fracture. We can answer how long it takes for a wrist sprain to heal at our chiropractic care center and recommend treatments to speed up the wrist sprain healing process. We can also help you optimize your recovery from a wrist fracture while you work with an orthopedist.
Some of the options that we use to help you recover from a wrist break or sprain include:
- Wrist sprain KT tape for pain relief, joint alignment, inflammation reduction, and improved circulation
- Graston technique for post-surgical pain and scar tissue reduction
- Functional and kinetic treatment with rehabilitation, provocation and motion, and FAKTR to accelerate healing and complement other chiropractic techniques
- Rehabilitation physical therapy and exercises for wrist sprain and wrist break to restore full function and prevent future injury
Some of the best exercises for recovering after a wrist break or sprain include:
- Rubber band extension: Wrap a rubber band around the tips of all of your fingers. Spread out your fingers, feeling the resistance from the rubber band, before relaxing.
- Wrist extension, pronation, and supination: Holding your forearm steady, rotate your wrist back and forth. Hold a heavy object, such as a hammer or soup can, for more resistance.
- Tyler twist: Hold a hand towel taught between two hands. Twist your hands akin to twisting the handlebars of a motorcycle, but rotate the wrists in opposite directions.
If you can do these exercises, you probably have a wrist sprain. If you are unable to do any of the exercises above, you likely have a wrist break. Our chiropractic care center will guide you toward following an approach to healing relevant to your condition.
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
Dec 5, 2021 | Chiropractic Therapy
You may think that athletes are the only ones at risk of developing overuse injuries in their elbows. But anyone can develop elbow tendonitis, a leading cause of discomfort in this part of the body. If you’re dealing with this type of pain, you should determine its source and cause so that you can learn how to treat elbow tendonitis appropriately.
What Is Elbow Tendonitis?
Although the official term for elbow tendonitis is epicondylitis, most people call it tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. These refer to the two types of elbow tendonitis.
Tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. It involves the tendons on the outer side of the elbow. This condition affects tennis and racquetball players, but individuals who perform similar motions repeatedly can develop it as well.
Golfer’s elbow is medial epicondylitis. It involves the tendons on the inner side of the elbow. Tennis players can also get a golfer’s elbow, so can anyone who regularly uses forceful wrist or finger motions, such as construction workers, warehouse employees, plumbers, and weight lifters. Even seemingly harmless activities, such as typing and knitting, can lead to elbow tendonitis with overuse.
The tendons near the joints get a great deal of use. Over time and with repetitive motions, the tendons can develop tears and fray, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness in and near the affected area. If you don’t treat the condition properly, you will likely experience chronic pain, limited mobility, impaired function, and damage to the joint.
Should You See a Chiropractor for Elbow Tendonitis Symptoms?
Understanding elbow tendonitis symptoms can help you identify your injury and select the best options for treating tendonitis elbow. Several elbow disorders can cause pain and reduced function, including bursitis, osteoarthritis, dislocation, fracture, and ligament strains and sprains. Regardless of your medical issue, the professionals at Bergen Chiropractic, our chiropractic care center, can diagnose your condition and offer guidance in your path towards healing.
If you haven’t seen a chiropractor yet, you might be able to categorize your elbow tendonitis symptoms based on the following characteristics:
- Tennis elbow: Pain along the outer side of your elbow that begins just below the crease and may extend to the wrist.
- Golfer’s elbow: Pain from the inner elbow that may extend down the forearm to the wrist.
The following symptoms occur with both types of elbow tendonitis:
- Tenderness when you touch the affected area of the elbow
- Weakness in the wrists and hands
- Difficulty and pain when grasping objects, making fists, turning doorknobs or shaking hands
- Numbness and tingling in the fingers, hands, wrists and forearms
- Trouble extending the arm completely
How to Treat Elbow Tendonitis
Your elbow tendonitis treatment cannot commence without first resting the affected area. You should consider the motions that you make throughout the day and limit those contributing to the condition. Any activities that cause immediate pain should be avoided until you visit a chiropractic care center and learn how to treat tendonitis elbow.
Physical Therapy for Elbow Tendonitis
Elbow tendonitis physical therapy not only relieves pain and enhances range of motion but also addresses the source of the problem. In addition, it teaches you how to move correctly to strengthen muscles and ensure correct function in the interconnected soft tissue and joints.
Some of the techniques that we use at our chiropractic care center include the following:
- Elbow tendonitis strap: An elbow tendonitis band or sleeve is a non-invasive treatment option. Elbow tendonitis braces are typically placed just under the elbow crease on the forearm. A tendonitis elbow brace will reduce unnecessary movement, helping you heal and protecting your elbow in the future when you perform strenuous activities.
- Elbow tendonitis stretches: Address the muscles in your forearms, ease pain, and enhance flexibility. A basic stretch involves holding your arm straight out in front of you and bending your wrist. Next, use the opposite fingers to apply gentle pressure to the outstretched hand. Finally, stretch the hand up, down, to the left, and to the right. Our chiropractic specialists will show you how to do elbow tendonitis stretches correctly so that you can do them at home.
- Elbow tendonitis exercises: Our chiropractic care center offers exercise rehabilitation to improve strength, mobility, and range of motion. Elbow tendonitis exercises such as the fist squeeze and Tyler twist restore grip strength and resilience without straining the muscle.
- KT tape elbow tendonitis: KT tape for elbow tendonitis must be precisely applied using a tab technique to be effective. Our chiropractic care center uses a specific type of tape that maximizes efficacy.
- Elbow tendonitis massage: Deep friction elbow tendonitis massage has been found to be more effective than cortisone injections, splinting, and stretching alone for reducing pain and improving function. But that’s not the only type of massage that works for this condition. Other types of elbow tendonitis massage, including ice and compression therapy, promote healing and relieve inflammation.
- Soft tissue techniques: Healing the tears in the tendon is vital to prevent the injury from worsening or returning. Soft tissue techniques, such as the Graston technique and shock wave therapy, boost cell regrowth, improve blood flow and optimize healing. At our chiropractic care center, we customize our treatments for your specific injury.
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
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