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TMJ Chiropractic

How Upper Neck Misalignments Are Related To TMJ Dysfunction

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The temporomandibular joints, TMJ, are the lower jaw hinges that sit on either side of the head in front of each ear. They are responsible for the lower jaw opening, closing, sliding, and rotating. The TMJs are the most body’s most complex joints. The typical person uses them more than 5,000 times a day by talking, laughing, yawning, chewing, eating, smiling, and swallowing.

What is TMJ Dysfunction?

TMJ dysfunction occurs when one or both joints become inflamed or injured causing pain and immobility in the jaw area. Because these joints are used so often and tend to be far more mobile than most other joints in the body, they can be prone to pain.

It is important that both joints work together because if they don’t it could result in more pressure on one joint than the other and this could cause the pain and discomfort that is associated with TMJ dysfunction.

What are the symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction?

There are many symptoms of TMJ dysfunction and they may vary depending on the patient, the extent of inflammation or injury, and the cause of the dysfunction. The symptoms may appear suddenly when there is injury to the joint, or they can gradually develop over a period of months or even years. They may be mild and barely noticeable or they can be severe and debilitating. The most common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include:

  • Jaw pain
  • Jaw pain when moving the joint such as chewing or talking
  • Popping or clicking of the joint
  • Pain in the face or side of the neck
  • Locking jaw
  • Headaches
  • Toothache
  • Earache
  • Clogged or “stopped up” ear
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

TMJ dysfunction can significantly impact a person’s quality of life because the pain prevents them from doing many things they normally do, and often the jaw itself simply no longer functions as it should.

What causes TMJ Dysfunction?

Damage to the joint is the primary cause of pain associated with TMJ dysfunction. This can be the result of trauma such as:

  • Dental work
  • Sports injury
  • Getting punched or hit
  • Car accident
  • Slip and fall accident

Subtle movements done repetitively can also cause TMJ dysfunction:

  • Grinding teeth
  • Holding a phone between the head and shoulder
  • Clenching teeth
  • Nail biting
  • Gum chewing (excessive)
  • Eating hard or tough foods

How can upper neck misalignment cause TMJ dysfunction?

When the upper neck sustains trauma such as whiplash it can cause a misalignment. This can also cause TMJ dysfunction in a couple of ways. It can cause one side to work harder or sustain more pressure than the other, or it can put excess pressure on the trigeminal nerve. This causes irritation and inflammation.

When left untreated, the condition can become severe. The misalignment keeps the joints from working as they should because opening and closing the jaw pinches the disc. This results in painful spasms in the shoulder and neck muscles when the patient does simple, everyday activities like talking, smiling, eating, or laughing.

Chiropractic for TMJ dysfunction

Chiropractic can be a very effective treatment for TMJ dysfunction, especially if it is due to neck misalignment. A chiropractor will perform spinal adjustments in order to realign the spine and neck, bringing the body back into balance. This will allow the jaw to work as it should, minimizing rubbing or friction in the joint.

The patient may also be told to apply heat, massage, and do special exercises for TMJ dysfunction that will help the joints heal and help to minimize the pain.

TMJ dysfunction is not always easy to diagnose so it is wise to talk to your chiropractor and get a diagnosis before attempting any treatment or home remedies for TMJ. Regular chiropractic treatment can not only relieve the pain of TMJ and help to heal it, it can also help prevent it. Your chiropractor can be a great ally in this endeavor.

Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your chiropractic assessment today! Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our doctors.

Piriformis Chiropractic Stretches

4 Easy Stretches that Alleviate Piriformis Syndrome Pain

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Root canals. Kidney stones. Piriformis syndrome.

These are all ailments that are painful and no fun! Piriformis syndrome especially is a pain, in, well, the butt.

Seriously, people suffering from Piriformis syndrome have frequent and sometimes severe pain and numbness through the buttocks and down their legs. This occurs when the Piriformis muscle spasms. When this happens, it can end up also aggravating the sciatic nerve, which compounds the pain with tingling and numbness.

The Piriformis is a short, small muscle deep inside our hips, and helps rotate our legs both outward and inward. Because of its proximity to the sciatic nerve, this little body part can cause big problems, and hinder our ability to run, or even walk, through our daily activities with ease.

Fortunately, there are a variety of exercises that help stretch and relax the Piriformis muscle, giving sufferers much-needed relief from the pain and numbness it causes. If you are dealing with Piriformis syndrome, try these stretches to get yourself back on your feet and moving, pain-free.

The “Knee Up” Stretch

Lie on the floor, use a mat or thick rug for comfort, on your back. Stretch both legs out, with your arms to your sides. Bend one of your legs at the knee and use your hand to pull it toward the opposite shoulder Hold for ten to thirty seconds. Straighten out that leg, and then do the same motion with the opposite leg and shoulder.

The “Cross Arm” Stretch

Arrange yourself in a sitting position. The bottoms of your feet should be touching each other, with your arms crossed and your hands resting on the opposite leg. Push both knees down toward the floor until you feel the stretch inside your thighs. Hold the position for a count of 30, then relax for a few seconds and repeat up to five more times.

The “Standing” Stretch

This is a handy exercise you can do in the bathroom at work, in a hotel, or anywhere that you would rather not lie on the floor.

Begin in a standing position with both feet flat on the floor, with your feet a shoulder-length apart.  Don’t lock your knees, and keep your back straight. Lift one knee up and grasp it with both hands. Make sure you keep the knee parallel to the corresponding hip. Use your hands to pull your knee toward the opposite shoulder until you feel a pull along the side of your buttocks. Hold up to one minute, or as long as you can balance. Repeat the action with the other leg. Try to do it three times for each leg.

The “Sit and Bend” Stretch

This is another convenient exercise that doesn’t require getting on the floor. Choose a solid, straight-backed chair that doesn’t roll, sit, and bring one leg across the other, resting your ankle on your other leg. Slowly lean forward until you feel a pull along the crossed leg. Hold for up to 30 seconds. Repeat with the other leg, stretching each side 3 times.

Remember that consistency is key. Perform these exercises at least once a day, every day, until your pain and numbness is gone.

These four simple exercises help you make great strides in recovering from Piriformis syndrome. However, if you perform these for several days and still have pain, or experience pain while attempting the stretches, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a professional chiropractor. He or she will be able to evaluate your condition and offer a comprehensive treatment plan to treat the Piriformis so it doesn’t get worse, or cause additional issues with your sciatic nerve.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness tips and information!

Rest Chiropractic Spine Health

How Proper Rest Helps Restore Spinal Health

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You try to do all the right things when it comes to taking care of your spine. You lift the right way, exercise, practice good posture, stretch, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks to walk around if you are seated for an extended period of time. Those are all excellent habits to keep, but there is something else that you should be doing – and it is one of the most overlooked and undervalued health practices. Rest.

Running on Empty: The Silent Epidemic

Stress can do severe damage to your emotional and mental health, but it can also hurt your body as well. Many people carry stress in their lower backs which means that when stress goes up it can result in lower back pain. It can also make you more sensitive to pain.

It is estimated that 66 percent of all doctor visits have a stress related component. What’s more, 50 percent of people who suffer from stress rate it as moderate to high. We live in a culture that makes it commonplace to run on empty. The problem with that is sooner or later you are going to crash and your body will bear the brunt.

Rest is important for helping you alleviate and manage stress, but recent studies show that 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep. There is another reason to get your seven to nine hours in, though, that is directly related to spinal health.

What Rest can do for you Spinal Health

When you rest you give your body time to replenish depleted stores of energy. Adequate sleep improves your immune function, memory, metabolism, learning, and healing. You will be more alert, happier, and have more energy. It is also very beneficial is you are trying to lose weight.

Excess weight can put pressure on your spine and cause it to curve, causing back pain. This is especially true if you carry your weight in your abdomen. That extra weight in the front pulls your spine into a sway back curve making it painful to stand for long periods of time.

When you lay down and rest you allow your entire spine, associated muscles, and other parts of your body to rejuvenate and relax. You probably don’t realize it, but your muscles in your back and abdomen work all day to keep your body properly supported. Even when sitting there are muscles engaged. Laying down allows all of those muscles to finally relax.

Rest also allows your spinal discs to rehydrate. The spine is made up of fluid filled discs that sit between the vertebrae, acting as a cushion. As you go about your day, thanks to gravity, your discs become compressed. This compression causes the disc to lose fluid (which is about 88 percent water). This can cause pain if the discs are not properly rehydrated – and that is a two-step process of drinking adequate water and getting enough rest.

Drinking water will put the fluids into your body, but as long as you are upright, the compression will continue. Laying down to go to sleep takes that pressure off of your spine so there is no compression and the body can naturally rehydrate the discs. A few hours here and there is not really effective because it does not give the body enough time to do its job. This means that you need to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Along with all the other great, healthy reasons to get a good night’s sleep, you now have one more to add to the list. A healthy spine will keep you standing tall and help keep you mobile, It is important to do all you can to take care of it.

Give our clinic a call at (780)455-2112 to schedule your spinal assessment with one of our doctors of chiropractic. Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more!

Iliotibial Band Syndrome Chiropractic Benefits

How Chiropractic Helps Those That Suffer from Iliotibial Band Syndrome

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Iliotibial band syndrome is a very common injury among runners. If it is diagnosed early and treatment commences immediately, the chances of it becoming a chronic condition are reduced. It responds very well to chiropractic since it involves the pelvis and related muscles. When pelvic mechanics are not functioning properly, the muscle don’t work efficiently which hinders flexibility and mobility. This can lead to tight muscles which may inhibit motion and cause pain. Chiropractic adjustments have been proven to help with the condition.

What is the Iliotibial Band?

The Iliotibial Band, or fasciae latae, is the outer casing of muscle that extends along the outer thigh, from the top of the hip to the outside of the knee. Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when that casing becomes thickened. It is flexed or tight when you stand; it is what keeps your leg straight, allowing the larger thigh muscle to rest.

There are two primary muscles that are involved in iliotibial band syndrome, the buttock muscle, or gluteus maximus, and the tensor fasciae latae muscles. Sometimes Iliotibial Band Syndrome is referred to Tensor Fasciae Latae Syndrome and the two terms can be used interchangeably.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome Defined

As the iliotibial band thickens it pulls in the area where it connects to the knee. This results in knee pain due to the application of too much pressure on the bursa. The bursa then becomes swollen, inflamed, and painful. During activity, such as running on an incline, the glutes are heavily involved.

The other end of the iliotibial band is inserted at the glutes so as the band tightens from this activity, it can trigger iliotibial band syndrome pain. Repeated activity further aggravates it, as does running on tight indoor tracks or uneven roads as well as having collapsed arches or running in inferior or worn out running shoes.

Symptoms of Iliotibial Band Syndrome

There are several symptoms that can be used to diagnose iliotibial band syndrome. Lateral knee pain (pain on the outside of the knee) is a primary symptom and often used as a key diagnostic tool. Few conditions involve lateral knee pain. Other symptoms include:

  • Pain that worsens after running, particularly after running on an incline, climbing stairs, or climbing hills
  • There may not be any pain until you do something that aggravates it like climbing a hill.
  • The pain may not begin until you are mid-way through a run.
  • The pain can be intense and debilitating.
  • It can accompany a snapping hip, which occurs when the muscles that cross the outer hip may click or snap while running or walking.
  • The pain may be present along the lateral thigh without incorporating the knee, but it is only in very rare instances that it is concentrated on the gluteal or hip muscles.

Iliotibial band syndrome is often attributed to over training. This can mean suddenly increasing hill repeats or doubling your mileage.

Treatments for Iliotibial Band Syndrome

If your iliotibial band syndrome is caused by a problem with pelvic function, relieving the pain from the condition can be difficult. Stretching is not likely to bring relief – and if it does it won’t last long. If the pain from iliotibial band syndrome lasts for more than two weeks even if you are only stretching, your regular exercise routine, and ice and you don’t see much improvement, a chiropractor can help.

Even if the pain is located in the knee, the problem could originate in the pelvis. A chiropractor can assess your condition, check to see that your pelvis is functioning properly. If it isn’t, spinal adjustments and other chiropractic treatments can bring the body back into alignment and make the pelvis more functional.

Give us a call at (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment or visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our doctors of chiropractic.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Chiropractic Benefits

What Chiropractic Patients Want to Know About Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

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You try to stand up from a seated position and feel a stab of pain in your lower back. It may even shoot through your hip, buttock, or down the back of your thigh. The pain may even get worse then you walk uphill or sit for a long period of time. While these symptoms could mean a pinched nerve, lumbar disc herniation, hip bursitis, or degenerative hip disease, it could also be sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

What is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?

The sacroiliac (SI) joint is located in the pelvis. It is very strong as it is a weight bearing joint connecting the pelvis to the sacrum. It is surrounded by tough ligaments that reinforce it, providing added support.

There is an SI joint located on each side of the sacrum and they work together, moving as a single unit to act as a shock absorber for the spine and for transmitting force of the upper body. Just like any other joint in the body, the SI joint can be injured or diseased, causing it to become unstable and inflamed, causing pain and limited mobility.

What Causes SI Joint Inflammation?

While doctors have not established how the pain is generated, it is believed that it is due to a change in the normal motion of the joint. This could occur due to:

  • Hypermobility (Instability or Too Much Movement) – This can cause the pain to reside in the lower back. It can also be felt in the hip or both the hip and lower back and may even radiate into the groin.
  • Hypomobility (Fixation or Too Little Movement) – This can cause the pain to reside in the lower back or buttocks and may radiate down one leg, usually in the back of the thigh. It usually doesn’t reach the knee, but sometimes can even reach the ankle and foot. In this way, the condition mimics sciatica.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction typically affects women who are young or middle aged. Older women and men are rarely affected although it does happen.

What are Treatment Options for Sacroiliac Joint Pain?

When SI joint pain is initially diagnosed the treatment is usually fairly conservative. Medication, physical therapy, and injections are used by doctors for pain management.

NSAIDs and other similar medications decrease inflammation and reduce pain, while physical therapy can readjust the SI joint in cases where it is dislocated or immobilized. It also includes exercises that stabilize the joint for pain management over the long term.

Steroid injections directly into the sacroiliac joint can help with the reduction of inflammation and pain while making physical therapy more effective. When steroid injections are effective but the effects are temporary there is another non-surgical treatment that is sometimes used called RFA, or radiofrequency ablation.

In cases where the conservative methods do not achieve the desired results there are surgical options that provide pain reduction and stabilization on a more permanent scale. SI fusion involves fusing the joint, providing relief.

However, there is a treatment option that is non-invasive, doesn’t involve steroids or medications that could have harmful side effects – chiropractic.

Chiropractic for Sacroiliac Joint Pain

There are two chiropractic treatments that are typically used to treat SI joint pain:

  • Spinal manipulation – This is the traditional chiropractic adjustment that is also known as high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust.
  • Spinal mobilization – This is a less forceful, gentle chiropractic adjustment also known as low-velocity, low-amplitude thrust.

Chiropractic is proven to be an effective, non-invasive, gentle method for relieving the pain and inflammation of SI joint dysfunction. No medication, no surgery, just relief.

So if you’ve been suffering from sacroiliac joint dysfunction, give us a call! Our Doctor of Chiropractic is here to help! (780)455-2112 or visit www.ocwc.ca .

Stretches benefits chiropractic

3 Stretches Every Chiropractic Patient Will Appreciate

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Chiropractic is a very effective treatment for back pain, but what many patients don’t realize is that there are things they can do to make it even better. By employing simple stretches, a chiropractic patient can improve his or her range of motion and increase flexibility. These are some great stretches that you can do at just about any fitness level.

Knee to Chest

Lie on a firm, flat surface for this exercise. You can place a mat or towel underneath you to make it a little more comfortable. If you aren’t able to flatten your back right away, fold a small towel and place it under the small of your back to provide a little support.

  1. Lie on your back, knees bent so that your feet are flat on the floor.
  2. Press your lower back into the floor.
  3. While keeping your left foot on the floor, inhale, bringing your right knee to your chest, pulling gently just until you feel a stretch. Hold it for 20 to 30 seconds. You can also keep your left leg straight if that is more comfortable. Make sure you keep your back pressed to the floor.
  4. Exhale, releasing your right knee and return to the starting position.
  5. Repeat the movement with the left leg.
  6. Repeat this stretch 3 to 5 times with each leg.

Child’s Pose

This gives you a very nice stretch all through your back. If you are unable to get on your knees or if you can’t sit on your knees, you can do this while standing.

Hold onto the back of a chair and bend forward. Don’t pull and don’t rest put all of your weight on the chair, just let your body fall gently forward with your neck relaxed and your head drooping. Take baby steps backward until you feel a good stretch, then hold it while breathing normally for 20 to 30 seconds. Walk your feet back in a bit to keep your balance and stand. Repeat 4 or 5 times.

  1. Get on your hands and knees, keeping your knees a little wider than your hips. Turn your toes inward so that they touch.
  2. Bend your knees, pushing your hips back over your heels. Get to a comfortable sitting position.
  3. Slowly slide your arms out in front of you, rounding out your back as you exhale. Keep your neck relaxed so that your head falls forward. Allow yourself to feel the stretch throughout your back.
  4. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds then return to the sitting position.
  5. Repeat the movement 4 or 5 times, keeping your movements slow, fluid, and deliberate.

Cat – Camel

If you can’t get on your knees, stand in front of a chair and place your hands on the seat. Position your feet about where your knees would be if you were on your hands and knees. Relax your neck, allowing your head to droop. Complete steps 2 through 5.

  1. Get on your hands and knees, back straight, your hands shoulder width apart, and your knees slightly apart. Relax your neck so that your head droops. Breathe normally.
  2. Exhale as you round your back up toward the ceiling. Press until you feel a good stretch all along your back. Hold for about 20 to 30 seconds.
  3. Return to the starting position, keeping your back straight.
  4. Inhale as you sway your back, pushing your stomach toward the floor. Tilt your pelvis to get a maximum stretch. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds.
  5. Repeat the full sequence 3 to 5 times.

These stretches coupled with your regular chiropractic adjustments should have you well on your way to moving and feeling better! Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness tips!

water spine health benefits

Why Water Is So Important to Obtaining a Healthy Spine

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There is no denying that water is an integral part of good health. Dehydration can cause problems with skin, digestion, and organ function. It can cause leg and foot cramps and impair cognitive processes. Staying well hydrated is vital to overall wellness. This is because water is part of every cell in the body. When we don’t drink enough water, the body suffers.

Good spinal health begins with good hydration. The spine is constructed in such a way that dehydration can cause limited mobility, decreased flexibility, and pain. It can cause the spine to age faster than it should which impacts the entire body. As the natural functions begin to break down the body suffers. It isn’t long and depression and anxiety often set in. The spine depends heavily on hydration.

Overview of the Spine

The spine of made up of vertebrae, a row of bones that sit on top of each other, connected by small joints. A disc sits between each vertebra, cushioning it and acting as a shock absorber. It allows the spine to flex, bend, and move about without the bones rubbing together.

Each disc has a fluid center (nucleus pulposis) that is surrounded by a flexible, tough ring. The ring contains a gel like substance while the center of the disc is comprised of water. The outer ring protects the center and the center protects the vertebrae, acting as a cushion for the bones.

If the fluid center does not have adequate water, it cannot do its job and the spine begins to experience problems. Aging makes it more difficult for the discs to rehydrate and a sedentary lifestyle also complicates the process. It simply cannot work without proper hydration. A healthy spine starts with proper hydration.

The Benefits of Water for the Spine

From the time you get up in the morning you are putting pressure on your spine and subsequently, the discs that lie between each vertebra. As you move the discs are compressed by the spine and the water that is inside is squeezed out.

Even upright activities like standing, sitting, or walking can cause pressure on the discs as gravity causes compression in the spine. When the discs do not have enough water it results in limited mobility, pain, and an increased risk of back injury.

If you don’t drink enough water, your body becomes dehydrated and is unable to replenish the water that the discs so desperately need. You may not even notice the typical signs of dehydrations such as headache and lethargy, but even lower levels of dehydration can cause serious problems in the body, especially if it is prolonged. Soda and similar beverages do not provide adequate water to the body.

How to Properly Hydrate the Body

Water is the best way to hydrate the body, but it isn’t the only way. Foods like watermelon, lettuce, spinach, and soups are great sources of hydration. Water, of course, is the best way, but herbal teas are also good.

Drinks with caffeine are not as effective since the caffeine can have a diuretic effect. Traditionally, people have been told to drink 8 glasses of water a day and that is good advice. However, studies indicate that proper hydration can occur with an intake of just 30 to 50 ounces of water a day.

If you have constant or frequent back pain the answer could be as close as your kitchen faucet. Dehydration could be the source of your back pain and immobility.

Water also affects the way the cerebrospinal fluid works and moves in the body. When the body is dehydrated it doesn’t move as it should and brain function, reflexes, and cognitive processing could be impacted. Don’t chance it. If your problems are caused by something as simple as not drinking enough water, that is something you can change today. Drink up! Your body will thank you.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more helpful health information like this.

bulging disc chiropractic benefits

How Chiropractic Helps Heal A Bulging Disc

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Bulging disc is often thought of as a normal part of the aging process. It causes pain and decreases mobility. Athletes and people who have jobs that are very physical are often prone to bulging discs and other disc problems. Smoking tobacco can also be a contributing factor in spinal discs deteriorating and weakening. Chiropractic has been proven to be an effective treatment for bulging disc and the associated pain.

What is a bulging disc?

Bulging discs are often thought to be the same as herniated discs but that is incorrect. A herniated disc involves a crack in the disc’s outer layer. This is called an annulus. Typically, a small part of the disc is affected, allowing the soft material that makes up the nucleus pulposus to protrude. This is different from a bulging disc because, unlike a herniated disc, there is no crack. The disc bulges out of the space but it doesn’t crack and no material protrudes. It also affects more area of the disc than a herniated disc.

While a herniated disc is likely more painful, a bulging disc can also cause pain that can increase over time. Symptoms of a bulging disc include:

  • Tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness in one or both legs
  • Changes in bowel or bladder function
  • Hyper reflexivity in one or both legs
  • Paralysis below the waist
  • Deep pain over the shoulder blade or in the shoulder area
  • Pain when moving the neck
  • Radiating pain in the fingers, forearm, and upper arm

A bulging disc is often diagnosed by a combination of several methods. A physical exam, along with a full history of the problem will often lead to tests like MRI, x-ray, and myelogram with CT scan. From there, your doctor will work with you to find the best course of treatment.

Chiropractic for Bulging Disc

Chiropractic is a preferred treatment method for many patients with bulging disc because it is non-invasive and does not involve drugs or injections. Once you have your diagnosis, you and your chiropractor can work together to find the best way to treat your condition.

Your chiropractor will want to verify your diagnosis so you may go through questions about your medical history, a physical examination, and tests that involve nerve function, reflexes, and muscle tone. Your chiropractor may also order MRI or x-ray as well as other diagnostic testing in order to get a better picture of what is going on.

One of the most popular features of chiropractic care is the whole body approach to wellness. Your chiropractor will look at your entire spine, not just the area that is painful. They will treat your entire spine and provide self-care direction, exercise, and nutritional recommendations so that you can continue to progress and live pain free. Your pain and spinal problems could be the result of spinal misalignment so your chiropractor will seek to get to the root of the problem and treat your entire spine so that you have less pain, your spine can heal, and you have better mobility.

Through focused chiropractic adjustments, your chiropractor will gently use low force techniques to relieve the painful symptoms by manipulating your spine around and at the disc that is bulging. They may use other types of treatments depending on your specific condition and other issues that may be exacerbating your problem.

Chiropractic for bulging discs is safe, effective, and long lasting. If you are having back pain from a bulging disc, you owe it to yourself to seek quality chiropractic care so that you can enjoy less pain, improved mobility, and better quality of life.

Give us a call at (780)455-2112 to book your initial assessment. To learn more about our doctors, visit www.ocwc.ca .

patellofemoral chiropractic benefits

How Chiropractic Helps Resolve Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

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As the weather warms and spring is in full swing, more and more runners are heading outside, hitting the pavement to train for upcoming races or to just step up their game after a long winter. While there are some die hard runners who don’t let even the most brutal winter stop them, most tend to retreat indoors, waiting for warmer days and a more pleasant environment. Unfortunately, increased activity can also lead to an increased risk of injury, particularly patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), also known as runner’s knee.

What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

Runner’s knee is often used to describe PFPS, but runner’s knee is actually a broader term describing several different knee injuries or ailments. PFPS is a painful condition that is caused when the tissue that is between the femur (thigh bone) and the patella (kneecap) becomes inflamed or irritated.

Most people will notice pain in the front portion or anterior part of the knee, but pain can be experienced in other parts of the knee and even back pain may occur. Running increases the discomfort, as does sitting for long periods and going up or down stairs.

The causes of PFPS can also vary widely. Overuse is often the first thing that people think, but a problem with the way the knee is aligned is actually the most common reason.

If the patella is not properly aligned, when it moves through the groove that is at the end of the femur, it causes irritation to the surrounding tissues. This usually happens because the muscles and joints are out of balance.

For instance, if the quad muscle on one side is weaker than the other side it throws the entire system out of balance, causing the knee to become misaligned. This leads to knee pain and discomfort.

Treatment for Runner’s Knee

When treating PFPS, rest is usually first on the list, followed by icing the area to reduce inflammation. Once the pain is under control, the next step is to determine what is causing the problem. It is important to rule out more serious conditions or injuries first in order to determine the best course of treatment.

If it is indeed PFPS, strengthening the muscles in and around the knee is generally the first step in treatment. It is important that the muscle strength is balanced so that the knee can be properly aligned. Getting a good pair of running shoes is also recommended so that future injury can be prevented.

Chiropractic for Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee, or PFPS, responds very well to chiropractic treatment. The chiropractor is able to do a complete exam and find the cause of the problem, then tailor the treatment accordingly. This is typically done on a case by case basis with treatment that is based on the individual’s unique needs. The chiropractor may do various chiropractic alignments and manipulations on the spine, hip, ankle, and knee in order to bring the body back into proper balance.

The chiropractor may also recommend other complimentary treatments including special supplements, dietary adjustments, and an exercise plan. The chiropractor may also recommend certain stretching exercises to aid in healing. Kinesio taping is another common treatment that may be used in conjunction with chiropractic care. It is particularly beneficial when there is a muscular strength imbalance. The tape can help support the weaker muscle group.

Chiropractic care is a very effective treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome and the associated knee pain. It works to correct the problem by bringing the body back into proper alignment, allowing it to function as it should.

Call (780)455-2112 to book your assessment or visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic and practitioners!