Chiropractic health care is based on the scientific principle that our nervous system controls or influences the function of all 11 trillion interconnected cells in our body. Chiropractors are able to help a wide variety of ailments and conditions.

We carry a variety of products:

  • Biofreeze
  • Pillows
  • Home Stim Unit
  • Wrist Support
  • Back Braces

Common Conditions We Treat Include

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common causes for missed work and has many root causes. Causes for low back pain include back sprains, herniated discs, sciatica, pregnancy, muscle strain, and degenerative disc disease. All of these causes have one thing in common, subluxation (misalignment and loss of proper motion of the spine.) Chiropractic adjustments correct subluxations, restoring proper motion to vertebral joints, alleviating the cause of most low back pain.

Neck Pain

Neck pain is described as any pain from the base of the skull to the base of the shoulder, including just above the shoulder blades. Neck pain can be caused by misalignments or subluxations within the cervical (upper) spine. These misalignments can cause nerve impingement (compressed nerves) and nerve irritation which can lead to pain, numbness or tingling radiating into the arms and hands. Misalignments in the neck can also cause headaches and lead to migraines. Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to realign the vertebrae (bones) in the neck relieving muscle spasm, nerve irritation and pain. Chiropractic treatment could also include electric muscle stimulation along with the use of heat or cold, or ultrasound therapy to help relieve pain.

Headaches and Migraines

Most people are familiar with headache pain. Headaches can be sharp, stabbing pain that happens quite suddenly or it may be dull throbbing pain that doesn’t seem to let up. To a large percent of the population, headaches are chronic, or regularly recurrent. Tension headaches, usually accompanied by stiffness or pain in the neck and upper back, are strongly connected with loss of proper motion in the vertebra of the neck. Chiropractic adjustments restore normal motion to the restricted joints, easing nerve irritation, and allowing the muscles to relax. Although migraines are thought to be a vascular problem, joint fixation (loss of normal motion in the vertebral joints) will contribute to headaches and may cause or aggravate your migraine.

X-Ray

X-ray is a very important diagnostic tool, especially in the lower back, lumbar spine and pelvis. Dr. Spence has high quality digital x-ray processing and believes that a good quality x-ray is key to diagnosing a lot of conditions and 100% recovery. Dr. Spence also works with a network of medical doctors, chiropractic care is very effective in a lot of cases, but sometimes you may need to be referred on for other tests; MRI, CT, etc.

Herniated Discs

An intervertebral disc is made up of an outer, fibrous ring, and a central soft portion. The disc itself receives nourishment through the motion of the vertebrae above and below it, moving and “squishing” the blood and fluids through the disc. If this movement does not occur, the outer ring can dry and tear which allows the soft portion of the disc to bulge out. This is what is commonly known as a herniated disc. (Also called a slipped disc, bulging disc, disc protrusion, etc.)

Early diagnosis and conservative treatment is the best way to begin correcting the pain suffered from a herniated disc. Chiropractors can locate and diagnose disc herniation. In its early stages pain can be relieved by chiropractic adjustments that correct subluxations (misalignments of the spine), increasing spinal function and reducing pain.

When necessary, Dr. Spence can order MRI or CT Scans to assess the severity of a herniated disc. Results are usually available within 24 hours.

Sciatica

Sciatica is caused when the sciatic nerve is compressed due to various changes that occur in the spine. Sciatic pain may be dull, sharp or burning and may be accompanied by shooting pain downward into the back or side of the thigh. Sometimes symptoms include numbness or tingling.

Spinal adjustments can alleviate pain caused by sciatica. Chiropractors make corrections to the spinal vertebrae and pelvis to alleviate pressure. A chiropractor may also use ice or heat therapy, ultrasound or electric stimulation therapy. Cold therapy reduces inflammation, heat from hot packs and ultrasound therapy helps in increasing circulation and relaxing muscles around the nerves that cause sciatica.

Numbness and Tingling in Extremities

Your spine is a highway for your nerves. The nerves going out to the arms and legs branch off the spine in the neck, lower back and pelvis. Subluxations (misalignments in the spine) can cause nerve irritation and impingement, which often causes feelings of numbness and tingling along the arms and legs and into the hands and fingers. Chiropractic adjustments correct subluxations, restoring proper motion to the vertebral joints. This releases pressure on nerves, which can relieve symptoms of numbness and tingling.

Arm & Leg Pain

Arm and leg pain could be caused from irritation to nerves caused by misaligned vertebrae. The nerves that extend into the arms exit the lower neck area. If there is misalignment or nerve impingement in the lower neck this could send pain into the arm, hands and fingers. Carpal Tunnel type symptoms in the hands and wrists can also be caused very commonly by nerve impingement in the neck area. Pain radiating down the back of the leg is most commonly caused by misalignments in the low back and pelvis. Spinal adjustments realign the vertebrae, releasing pressure on the nerves that run into the arms and legs, alleviating many types of arm and leg pain.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, also includes loss of cartilage, overgrowth of bone and the formation of bone spurs. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint but most often occurs in the hips, knees, hands or the spine. Clinical studies indicate spinal manipulations can help restore normal movement of the spine, relax the muscles, improve joint coordination and reduce pain.

Carpal Tunnel

The main symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, include pain and tingling sensation in the fingers, wrists, and hands. CTS is caused due to nerve impingement that may originate in the neck. CTS results in swelling around the tendons in the carpal tunnel region which is responsible for the pain, numbness, and tingling sensation in the fingers, wrists, and arms.

CTS does not always need to be treated with surgery. Carpal tunnel chiropractic treatment involves maneuvering and manipulating the wrists, arms, elbows and upper thoracic and cervical spine regions to release the nerve impingement. Chiropractic therapy could also involve ultrasound therapy and providing wrist supports to patients.

Chiropractic treatment in patients suffering from CTS helps restore full range of motion in the arms, improved finger sensation, nerve sensation, and provides relief from pain, numbness, and tingling sensation.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body changes in many ways. A protruding abdomen, increased back curve and changes in the pelvis can all cause misalignments in the spine. Chiropractic adjustments can correct these misalignments. Chiropractors are trained to adjust pregnant women. They use adjustable tables to accommodate a pregnant woman’s body, and gentle techniques that avoid unneeded pressure on the abdomen. Keeping the pelvis aligned is another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy. A misaligned pelvis can reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby and it may make it difficult for the baby to get into the best position for delivery. Other benefits of keeping your spine and pelvis aligned during pregnancy can include; relieving back, neck and joint pain, reducing the time of labor and delivery, and controlling the symptoms of nausea.

Infants & Colic

Chiropractic care is important for the whole family. Spinal subluxations (misalignments of the spinal joints) occur in people of all ages. These subluxations irritate nerves causing pain and interrupting normal nerve function.

Colic is the term commonly used to describe an otherwise healthy infant who exhibits persistent, forceful crying for no apparent reason. The crying usually persists for several hours each day and is usually evident at least five days in each week. Although there is no agreed upon reason for colic, it could be caused by misaligned vertebra (bones in the spine). Infants, like adults, can be misaligned for various reasons, such as the birthing process. Just think about how we feel as adults when we have back pain or misalignments. Studies have shown chiropractic adjustments for infants significantly help symptoms of colic.

Car Accidents & Whiplash

Even a minor automobile accident can have major effects on your health. Whiplash can occur even at slow speeds. It is the result of the head and neck being thrown back and forth very quickly. Whiplash usually results in neck pain, which typically starts two hours and up to two days after the accident. This is often the result of tightened muscles that react to either muscle tears or excessive movement of joints from ligament damage. The muscles tighten in an effort to splint and support the head, limiting the excessive movement. Whiplash can also cause headaches. The pain may be on one side or both, on again off again or constant, in one spot or more general. These headaches, like the neck pain, are often the result of tightened, tensed muscles trying to keep the head stable and, like tension headaches, they are often felt behind the eyes. Receiving chiropractic care after an accident can make the difference between complete recovery and lingering pain and disability which can last years after the accident.

Bed Wetting

Bedwetting is quite common among children under the age of seven but it can affect teenagers as well as adults, especially those who have diabetes or kidney problems. Other causes of bedwetting are stress, constipation and urinary infections. Many parents consider it a childhood issue and think that the child will outgrow it. However, it can be due to a pathological problem.

Chiropractic treatment for bedwetting involves maneuvering and adjusting the lumber and sacrum areas of the spine. The sacrum is also known as the tailbone and in children it is made up of 5 segments that begin to fuse only after the child reaches puberty. The fusion completes by the time the child reaches his or her mid-20s.

As the tailbone is made up of segments, it is quite possible that they can get misaligned. This can irritate the nerves in that region, which in turn can affect the bladder. The misalignment occurs as the child learns to walk. Until the spine is realigned, the bedwetting could continue.

Once the chiropractor readjusts the spine and eases pressure that is being exerted on the nerves, you should automatically see improvements. In some children, results are seen immediately after the first session, whereas in others it may take a couple of sessions.