"Pelvic Distortion"----Is That a Rock Band?

www.DrElizabethQuinn.com  Actually, no, although it may sound like it. Pelvic distortion is a very real, fairly common condition of the pelvis that causes, among other problems, a person to have one leg shorter than the other. It also creates a tilted pelvis, making an unstable foundation for the rest of the body above. Don't go through life with a pelvic condition that may sound like a rock band; come see me; I will adjust and balance your pelvis with low-force, comfortable ACTIVATOR chiropractic.

Bunions

www.DrElizabethQuinn.com  Bunions happen because the body is responding to abnormal stresses in the foot. A fallen arch, especially if combined with pronation of the foot (bending inward of the inside of the foot), can cause a bunion to develop at the joint at the base of the big toe. As an ACTIVATOR chiropractor, I check the status of the arch, assess for pronation, check & adjust all the joints of the foot, then advise the patient about orthotics, exercises, and how to relieve the stresses that caused the bunion. Prescription orthotics may be needed, but patients can start with a good over-the-counter orthotic, properly fitted.

Pregnancy

www.DrElizabethQuinn.com  Pregnancy brings hormonal changes which, among other things, makes the mother's joints more susceptible to misalignments. It's an important time to come in for periodic full-body balancing. In my practice, I evaluate not only the spine, but the extremities and the cranial rhythms. My gentle, precise adjustments are comfortable for expectant moms.

Could It Be Shingles?

 www.DrElizabethQuinn.com  Back pain or headache that is severe, often "burning" or "searing," that doesn't get better with chiropractic treatment or good home care may, unfortunately, turn out to be shingles. If you've had chicken pox, you are vulnerable to getting shingles. The virus from chicken pox sequesters in the nerve ganglia alongside your spine, where it stays with you for life. Stress, getting overheated (hyperthermia), and ingestion of foods containing a high arginine / low lysine ratio (peanuts, chocolate, etc.) can stimulate an outbreak of the virus. This is shingles. The pain presents along a dermatome, the section of skin supplied with feeling by a spinal nerve. It may run in a line from your spine across & under your arm, or across part of the head or face. Soon, painful blisters appear along the pain line. See your M.D. or Doctor of Chiropractic if you think this is happening to you.

Twisted Rib Cage?

www.DrElizabethQuinn.com  Feeling "out of sorts" in your torso, discomfort with a deep breath? Torsion, or twisting, of your rib cage could be the cause. With ACTIVATOR chiropractic method, I can find it and fix it.

Knees Are Hinge Joints

Our knees are "hinge" type joints---they aren't meant to twist or rotate the way the hip or shoulder can. Their intended movements are more limited. This is one reason knees are vulnerable to injuries. As an ACTIVATOR chiropractor, I have over 21 different, very specific and precise adjustments for the knee. These adjustments are quick and painless, and are essential for healing a knee injury.

Chronic Joint Misalignments

Persistent soreness in a joint may be due to chronic malposition or misalignment, with accompanying inflammation. As an ACTIVATOR chiropractor, I make very specific, directional, low-force corrections that relieve the abnormal stresses in the joint and allow the inflammation to resolve.

Tennis Elbow

Pain and tenderness near the outside of the elbow may be inflammation of the tendon that attaches the wrist flexor muscles in the forearm (the muscles that bend your hand backward). Called "tennis elbow" because it's common in tennis players, it is due to overuse. The muscles should be massaged and rested, and the tendon has to be protected so it can heal. As an ACTIVATOR chiropractor, I find tennis elbow is associated with a particular misalignment of the bones at the elbow. Correcting this misalignment is an essential part of my treatment plan.

Inversion and Eversion Ankle Sprains

Turning your ankle inward is the most common kind of ankle sprain, called an "inversion" sprain. Less common is turning the ankle the other way, outward, called an "eversion" sprain. Both types cause characteristic misalignments of the joints in the foot and ankle, and may affect the knee and pelvis as well. As an ACTIVATOR chiropractor, I check and correct all this very precisely & comfortably.

Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Butterflies Need Our Help

The Monarch butterflies are in decline, partly due to loss of habitat and food sources. Did you know that their caterpillars must have milkweed plants for food? Many people across the U.S. are helping the Monarchs by planting native milkweed. The Xerces Society is a source of information and support.

http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ProjectMilkweed_XercesSociety.pdf

Here's where to get milkweed seeds to plant (scroll down to "Seed Sources"):

http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/xerces-nrcs-california-milkweed-guide.pdf

That Pesky Psoas.....

If your pelvis tends to chronically get twisted, or distorted, your psoas, a major postural muscle, could be involved. I always check for asymmetrical tension in the psoas, make an Activator adjustment to balance that tension, and show you stretches to help keep this from happening again.

Mysterious Pain

"But I didn't DO anything," the patient says, "I can't figure out why I'm hurting." Trying to pinpoint any one particular thing as a cause of discomfort may not always work. Think of it this way: your body may have been "teetering on the brink," even though you weren't feeling it, and then a simple thing like bending over to pick up something sets off pain. It's my job to help restore balance in your body, relieve the pain, and help you return to pain-free functioning. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Hand pain or numbness may be due to impingement of the median nerve in the wrist, which is called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, often due to overuse or repetitive motions. As an ACTIVATOR chiropractor, I have an effective treatment plan for it, including specific adjustments.

When Ice is Your Friend

For inflammation in or around joints, unless there are contraindications for it, ice is your friend! Ice is one of the effective treatments of choice for inflammation. After gentle, low-force, precise Activator chiropractic adjustments to free up joint fixations and correct misalignments, I may recommend icing the affected area(s) at home. After any injury, use only ice, NOT heat, for the first 24 to 36 hours.

Chiropractic: How Long, How Often??

Patients commonly want to know:  "How often do I have to come in, and for how long?" In my chiropractic practice, each patient's Treatment Plan is tailored to the individual. Some patients come in for their initial treatment and one follow-up, and they're done. Some people need more. It depends on the person's problem, their general health, whether they've been injured, whether they follow Home Care Instructions, etc. As soon as each patient is sufficiently improved and able to continue healing on their own, I release them. I am always available to support them, should they need me again.

DJD - Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease (DJD) is weakening of one or more spinal discs. As the disc loses its normal integrity, it starts to lose height & may begin to bulge. The body responds by laying down extra bone around the adjacent vertebral margins, often called "bone spurring." My chiropractic treatment plan helps manage this to reduce abnormal joint stresses with gentle, precise adjustments; specific exercises to help strengthen muscles and protect the joints; and nutritional counseling to help slow the degenerative process.