The Three T’s of Subluxation

People visit chiropractors for many reasons – simple back and neck pain relief being the most common. However, New York Chiropractor Dr. Barry Goldstein treats a range of health issues contributing to your overall well-being.

Most people may be unfamiliar with the term “Vertebral Subluxation”, but this is a major issue recognized in the chiropractic industry. It is used by doctors to describe the improper position of spinal bones. Dr. Barry says vertical subluxation is a stress response; when muscles go into spasm, spinal bones lock up and nerves become misaligned or “choked”. A person with vertical subluxation is likely to experience nerve interference, which disrupts the regulation and control of one’s own body.

What causes vertical subluxation? 

This spinal issue can occur at any age and is caused by the Three T’s: Trauma, Toxins, and Thoughts.

Trauma – Major traumas like car accidents, but also small traumas you may not pay attention to: sitting at a desk, carrying a heavy bag on the same side of your shoulder each day, or looking down at a computer for hours.

Toxins – This may come as a surprise, but the things you put into your body are affecting your spinal health. Toxins enter your body through alcohol, pollution, unhealthy foods, and chemicals in cleaning supplies. These toxins lead to muscle contractions and chemical imbalances.

Thoughts – The least obvious of the three T’s is your emotional health, however Dr. Barry knows this can be the main contributor to subluxations. Adults that are stressed about their relationships, their jobs, or money are ultimately causing tension in their neck and back.

A disruption in your nervous system is essentially a disruption of cells, tissues, organs, and all your body systems. A body experiencing this cannot work at 100 percent, so a spine free of vertical subluxation is essential. Ongoing care with New York chiropractor Dr. Barry can help you maintain optimal health.

Exercises to Manage Chronic Neck Pain

Midtown West Chiropractor, Dr. Barry Goldstein, receives patients everyday complaining about neck pain. Aside from receiving regular adjustments, Dr. Goldstein suggests that patients use neck exercises to manage chronic neck pain. A typical neck exercise program will consist of a combination of stretching exercises, aerobic training, and identifying trigger points.

Here are some tips from the chiropractor in Midtown West to use neck exercises to alleviate neck pain:

– Neck stretching. The New York City chiropractor suggests expanding or preserving the range of motion and elasticity of the neck by utilizing flexibility and stretching exercises. These neck exercises can relieve stiffness of the neck that leads to pain. Neck stretching should be practiced every day.

– Strengthening the neck. There are specific neck strengthening exercises that will help maintain posture, which can work to lessen or eliminate chronic flare-ups of pain. Neck strengthening should be practiced every other day in order to allow the muscles time to heal themselves.

– Aerobic training. Aerobic exercises stimulate blood flow to the neck muscles and soft tissue of the neck and upper back, which will loosen the muscles and increase their range of motion. Aerobic training can be practiced every day.

Some additional tips alleviate neck pain are:

  • Application of a heating pad prior to exercising; to warm up stiff muscles and joints and make it easier to stretch.
  • Apply a cold pack to neck muscles after exercising to reduce inflammation in the joints and muscles.
  • Use over the counter medications such as ibuprofen to alleviate neck pain and reduce inflammation.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Sciatic Nerve Pain

The sciatica nerve runs from your lower back and down each of your legs to your toes. It is responsible for sending signals from your brain to your legs by telling them when and how to move. One of the most common complaints that Dr. Barry Goldstein, a chiropractor in New York City, receives on a daily basis is in regards to sciatic nerve pain.

The Garment District chiropractor knows that Sciatica is not a medical diagnosis, it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. It is a lay term for the pain that is caused by the various causes of sciatica, which can be extremely painful.

Some of the causes of sciatica are:

  • A trapped nerve in the lumbar spine affecting the sciatic nerve
  • Herniated disc
  • Piriformis syndrome, which is when the piriformis muscle gets tight and irritates the nerve.
  • Trigger points or knots in the muscles of the buttocks or low back that causes pain down the leg(s).

Dr. Barry believes that chiropractic adjustments can aid sciatica through the use of massages, stretching, and ice therapy. With the New York chiropractor’s approach you are addressing any misalignments of the spine and pelvis, which will take the pressure off of the nerves and will aid in the recovery of any slipped discs. Along with the chiropractic adjustments, a massage will relax the muscles around the spine and will relax any trigger points.

If you live in New York City and need chiropractic treatment for sciatica, then call Dr. Barry at (212)247-4330 for a free consultation today!