Competitive sports exposes athletes, especially children, to many types of injuries. Sports that require constant impact (i.e., running) put people at risk for lower back injuries. Football and soccer expose the neck to injury. Bicycling while having poor posture can cause back injuries. Golfing and skiing injuries typically involve muscle sprains and strains to the lower back. Skiing may even cause minor spinal fractures. Swimming strokes, such as the breaststroke, can cause the lower back to hyperextend. Tennis can cause pain on the outside of the elbow, a condition known as “tennis elbow.” Body builders and people who participate in CrossFit are susceptible to a number of back, shoulder, neck, and knee injuries.

Recent studies have shown that patients who suffer from chronic headaches and migraines may find chiropractic care more beneficial than drug therapy alone. Chiropractic services can be especially helpful for those who suffer from headaches that originate in the neck area.

Neck Pain

Neck pain is often caused by strained muscles, inflamed ligaments and tendons of the neck region. Degenerative arthritis, disc disease, and abnormal alignment may also cause chronic neck pain. This can be caused by vehicle accidents, repeated carrying of heavy items, and sleeping positions. Most neck pain can be treated with rest, heat and ice application, chiropractic manipulation, traction, massage, and physical modalities.

Whiplash occurs when the muscles and tissues in the neck hyperextend or hyperflex. Whiplash most commonly results from a front-end or rear-end automobile crash and can cause blurred vision, headaches, nausea, numbness, pain, and difficulty swallowing.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the gradual breakdown of the bones, resulting in a loss of bone density and mass. It is caused by a lack of calcium in the body. Smoking and consuming alcohol create a greater risk for osteoporosis because both interfere with calcium absorption. Stress, diabetes, menopause, lack of exercise, and overuse of laxatives are factors that have also been found to be affiliated with osteoporosis.

Vertebral discs are located between two vertebrae and act as a shock absorbent. Disc disorders are divided into two classes: contained discs and non-contained discs. Contained discs are intact, but protrude into areas they do not belong. Non-contained discs protrude where they do not belong and leak fluid. One of the common non-contained disc disorders is the herniated disc. A herniated disc ruptures, and the fluid becomes an irritant to the soft tissues of the spinal cord. Nerves that have come into contact with this fluid will swell in response. Herniated discs commonly occur in the lower back area.

Arthritis

Arthritis is typically described as pain and inflammation of the joints. The causes of arthritis include age, injury, and weakened immune systems. Arthritis can also be hereditary. There are two main types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the type that typically affects the elderly. It breaks the cartilage down and away from the joints. The absence of the cartilage causes the joints to rub together, producing inflammation and irritation. Rheumatoid arthritis inflames the joint tissues, resulting in pain, weakness, low blood cell count, and loss of appetite. Chiropractic care can help those who suffer from arthritis by reducing pain and preventing excessive disability. It can also restore mobility, function, strength, and flexibility.

The most common cause of shoulder pain is inflamed tendons, also known as rotator cuff tendinitis. Shoulder pain can also result from injuries occurring in another area of the body. The shoulder can become inflamed after physical activity involving repeatedly lifting and lowering the arms.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder affecting the skeletal and muscular system. Symptoms can include fatigue, widespread pain of the body, and trouble focusing. There is not a known cause, but it may be a mixture of genetics, infections, and physical or emotional trauma.

Lower back pain is often caused by muscle strain but can also be caused by arthritis, disc disease, disc herniation, and other degenerative conditions. A degenerative disc condition can cause unnecessary, additional pressure on otherwise healthy structures. Misalignments of the spine and abnormal curvatures, also referred to as scoliosis, kyphosis, and subluxation, may also be a source of back pain. Upper back pain is less common but can be caused by irritation of the muscles, joint problems, and degenerative discs.