Achilles Injuries Require Treatment

This past week, pro bowl linebacker and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens partially tore his achilles tendon.  Reports explain that Suggs injured his achilles while running through a conditioning test that is required for players of the Ravens.  This is harmful blow to the Ravens, who year after year have one of the NFL's best defenses.

An injury such as this one requires a lot of treatment, and in this case, surgery.  With an intense rehab and recovery program, Suggs may be able to train at full speed in about 6 months.  According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,  NFL players that have suffered this injury and that require surgery, on average do not return to play in a game for just under one year.  If this average proves to be accurate, the star linebacker would miss the entire 2012 season, and playoffs that follow.

At the age of 30, Suggs has other plans.  Outraged that the press is saying that he will be out for the entire year, Terrelle is expecting to return by mid season.  This puts a lot of pressure on the all-pro.  Will he be able to prove others wrong?  With the drive to recover, and the correct treatment, this may be possible.

At Rosa Family Chiropractic of Alexandria, we treat injuries such as the achilles tear that Suggs is suffering from.  We utilize therapies such as muscle stim, ultrasound, graston, stretching, strengthening, proprioceptic feedback exercises, and kinesio taping to get you back on your playing field as soon, and as safely as possible.  Athlete or not; if are in the Alexandria area and need treatment from a chiropractor or physiotherapist, come to Rosa Chiropractic of Alexandria and you will receive the treatment necessary to get you back to 100%.

- Dr. Nick Andolina
    Chiropractor, Physiotherapist - Alexandria, VA

Back Pain and Chiropractic

Walking upright on two feet has advantages, but it also puts intense pressure on the spine, as well as on other muscles and bones. Add to this improper sitting, lifting, or reaching—and the normal wear and tear of working and playing—and you have the perfect recipe for back pain. That’s why back pain is the 2nd most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. In fact, some experts say, as many as 80% of us will experience a back problem at some time in our lives.

Back injuries are a part of everyday life. They can cause a sharp pain or a dull ache and can be accompanied by a tingling, numbness, or burning sensation. You may also feel weakness, pain, or tingling in your pelvis and upper leg—a condition known as sciatica. The spine is quite good at dealing with back injuries. Minor injuries usually heal within a day or two. Some pain, however, continues. What makes it last longer is not entirely understood, but researchers suspect that stress, mood changes, and the fear of further injury may prevent patients from being active and exacerbate the pain.

Tips for Back Pain Prevention:

• Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
• Remain active—under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
• Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
• Warm up or stretch before exercising or other physical activities, such as gardening.
• Maintain proper posture.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
• Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
• Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
• Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
• Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your workstation is ergonomically correct.

Chiropractic Treatment for Back Pain

If you experience back pain, consult your doctor of chiropractic. More than 30 million Americans sought chiropractic care last year alone. Past studies have indicated that consumers are very happy with the chiropractic care they receive.

With a thorough knowledge of the structure and functioning of the human body, doctors of chiropractic make diagnoses and take steps to correct problems using spinal adjustments, dietary and lifestyle advice, and other natural tools. Spinal manipulation—the primary form of treatment performed by doctors of chiropractic—is a recommended option for back pain treatment, rated as such by many state and workers’ compensation guidelines.

Research has shown that manipulative therapy and spinal manipulation are not only safe and effective, but can cut costs and get workers back on the job faster than other treatments. A recent medical study has also pointed out that manual manipulation offers better short-term relief of chronic back pain than medication.

When choosing a doctor of chiropractic:

• Be sure the chiropractor has attended an accredited chiropractic college.
• Make sure the chiropractor is licensed to practice in your state. After graduating from an accredited chiropractic college, doctors of chiropractic must pass rigorous state and national board exams before they can practice.
• Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers. The best referrals often come from satisfied patients.
• Talk to the doctor. The chiropractor should be willing to answer your questions and should talk freely with you about your concerns and course of treatment.
  
  
  - AMERICAN CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

How to give your knees some TLC

Surgeon: How to give your knees some TLC

Knees help us stand, sit, walk, dance, kick a field goal and escape a predator. They bend, bounce, straighten and lift. Is it any wonder that at some point in life, knees may just wear out?

But, there are a few things you can do in order to keep your knees in the best possible working condition throughout life.

Athletes in any sport, professional or leisure, should take time to learn how to protect the knees from injury. Athletic trainers can provide assistance in learning those techniques.

Varying workouts and putting limitations on the number of hours in practice can also be helpful in protecting the knees from overuse and injury. Always be certain to take 5-10 minutes to warm up and cool down.

Wear appropriate footwear for your profession. Beware of spiked heels. Wearing spiked heels causes alignment problems, putting strain on the knees, as well as the back. Studies have shown that spiked heels put stress on the part of the knee where osteoarthritis usually develops.

Very flat soles can also present a problem with alignment. Comfortable and practical shoes do not have to be expensive. Choose carefully.

Keep your weight in check. Extra pounds put extra pressure on the knees. Every extra pound you carry can add up to three pounds of pressure to your knee joints when you walk, and even more when you run.

Exercise regularly. Choose low-impact activities you enjoy that build strength and flexibility such as yoga, walking, swimming or weight lifting. When exercise is done properly and consistently, it can help with range of motion and circulation as well as building muscle.

Practice good posture. Just like mama said –shoulders up, abs tight, head centered, knees slightly bent and don’t rest on one hip. Be aware of your posture whether standing or sitting.

Do not ignore pain. Stop the activity that is causing you discomfort and do something else. If the pain persists for a couple of weeks after you have discontinued the activity, check with your doctor.

We consider the knee to have three compartments, the medial or inner part of the joint, the lateral or outer part of the joint, and the patellofemoral or front part of the joint.

Acute pain in the medial or lateral parts of the joint should especially be reported to your physician.

Some frontal knee pain or soreness is not uncommon with new and strenuous activity. Of course if pain persists in the front of the knee, this too should be reported to your physician. Chronic pain may be a sign of plain ‘ol wear-and-tear. X-rays and other imaging will reveal the severity of the process.