Know Your Body

Quick tips to a healthier back

Following any period of prolonged inactivity, begin a program of regular
low-impact exercises. Speed walking, swimming, or stationary bike riding 30
minutes a day can increase muscle strength and flexibility. Yoga can also
help stretch and strengthen muscles and improve posture. Ask your physician
or orthopedist for a list of low-impact exercises appropriate for your age
and designed to strengthen lower back and abdominal muscles.

* Always stretch before exercise or other strenuous physical activity.
* Don’t slouch when standing or sitting. When standing, keep your
weight balanced on your feet. Your back supports weight most easily when
curvature is reduced.
* At home or work, make sure your work surface is at a comfortable Read More→

How Do I Know if I Have a Herniated Disc?

We often get patients that come in with a lot of preexisting concerns, and self diagnosis, fear and anxiety. Sometimes they are convinced that their condition is far worst that we diagnose it to be. A lot of this is due to the research they perform online. Online information is a great, and very valuable source of information and can help alleviate concerns and provide some support when someone has been suffering from a condition for a long time, like sciatica.

We see a lot of patients suffering from back pain, and are considered experts in the treatment of pain. Herniated or bulging discs do have some common symptoms; the obvious one is, of course, back pain. Radiating pain, which goes down the leg or arm, you may be suffering from sciatica, which can mean that a nerve is being impinged by a bulging spinal disc, and pain from sudden movements like coughing, or sneezing can also mean that a disc may be herniated or bulging. Weakness of the limbs, and loss of sensation like in the foot can also be signs of an underlying disc issue.

Sudden trauma can cause herniated discs, but in most cases this occurs from general wear and tear and long term problems like misalignments. Not everyone who has herniated discs will show symptoms or experience pain. Most people may have herniated discs and it won’t interfere with their live, and cause loss of limb function radiating pain, etc. Be sure to let us examine you and help you pinpoint the cause of your pain. We offer a free spinal exam. Call us today at 256-442-1441 for a free exam.

Risk Factors For Spinal Cord Injury

Although a spinal cord injury is usually the result of an unexpected accident that can happen to anyone, certain factors may predispose you to a higher risk of sustaining a spinal cord injuring, including:

• Being a man. Spinal cord injuries affect a disproportionate amount of men. In fact, women account for only about 20 percent of spinal cord injuries in the United States.
• Being between the ages of 16 to 30. You’re most likely to suffer a spinal cord injury if you’re between the ages 16 and 30. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries for people under 65, while falls cause most injuries in older adults.
• Being active in certain sports. While being active is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, it may place you at greater risk of a spinal cord injury. Athletic activities that may increase your risk of a spinal cord injury include football, rugby, wrestling, gymnastics, horseback riding, diving, surfing, roller-skating, in-line skating, ice hockey, downhill skiing and snowboarding.
• Having an underlying bone or joint disorder. A relatively minor injury can cause a spinal cord injury if you have another disorder that affects your bones or joints, such as arthritis or osteoporosis.

McClellan Family Chiropractic is dedicated to the health of our community. Call us today for a free spinal exam and consultation regarding the risk factors for spinal injury.

 Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

Your brain and central nervous system
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord extends downward from the base of your brain and is made up of nerve cells and groups of nerves called tracts, which go to different parts of your body. The lower end of your spinal cord stops a little above your waist in the region called the conus medullaris. Below this region is a group of nerve roots called the cauda equina. Tracts in your spinal cord carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Motor tracts carry signals from the brain to control muscle movement. Sensory tracts carry signals from body parts to the brain relating to heat, cold, pressure, pain and the position of your limbs.

Injury may be traumatic or nontraumatic
A traumatic spinal cord injury may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae. It may also result from a gunshot or knife wound that penetrates and cuts your spinal cord. Additional damage usually occurs over days or weeks because of bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid accumulation in and around your spinal cord.

A nontraumatic spinal cord injury may be caused by arthritis, cancer, inflammation or infections, or disk degeneration of the spine.

Damage to nerve fibers
Whether the cause is traumatic or nontraumatic, the damage affects the nerve fibers passing through the injured area and may impair part or all of your corresponding muscles and nerves below the injury site. A chest (thoracic) or lower back (lumbar) injury can affect your chest, abdomen, legs, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function. In addition, a neck (cervical) injury affects movements of your arms and, possibly, your ability to breathe.

Common causes of spinal cord injury
The most common causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States are:

• Motor vehicle accidents. Auto and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for more than 40 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year.
• Acts of violence. As many as 15 percent of spinal cord injuries result from violent encounters, often involving gunshot and knife wounds, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
• Falls. Spinal cord injury after age 65 is most often caused by a fall. Overall, falls cause about one-quarter of spinal cord injuries.
• Sports and recreation injuries. Athletic activities, such as impact sports and diving in shallow water, cause about 8 percent of spinal cord injuries.
• Alcohol. Alcohol use is a factor in about 1 out of every 4 spinal cord injuries.
• Diseases. Cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis and inflammation of the spinal cord also can cause spinal cord injuries.

Dr. McClellan is anxious to help prevent spinal injuries in any  way possible. He says , “Stay safe!”