Thursday, May 28, 2020

Hip Bursitis

When there’s a problem in the biomechanics of their hip, a person is at greater risk of developing bursitis. This kind of inflammation could cause them further pain and make it difficult to move their leg. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we provide a variety of treatments to reduce inflammation and correct biomechanical problems, and are happy to help patients determine whether bursitis could be behind their discomfort.


A bursa is a cushioning sac of fluid surrounded by a membrane made of a tissue called synovium. Bursae secrete lubricant, and they may be found in several parts of the body including the front and side of the hips. The bursae on the sides of the hips are the ones that get injured more often. Known as the trochanteric bursae, one is located on the outward-facing side of the top of each thighbone. They may suffer acute injuries or become inflamed due to stress put on them by overly tight connective fascia and tendons, although degeneration of those tissues could be painful even without inflaming the bursae.


Pain from hip bursitis is usually worse when a person has been at rest, and it may interfere with them moving their leg past the midpoint of their body. The pain may also radiate from the side of the hip to the lower back or thigh. We’ll determine whether a patient is suffering from biomechanical problems along their lower limbs that might be throwing off the alignment of their pelvic joints and contributing to excessive pressure on the bursae. Treatment options include joint adjustments, stretching and physical therapy to improve the flexibility of the hip tendons and ligaments, and therapeutic ultrasound to improve blood flow.


Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Process of Disc Degeneration

A herniated disc can be a big problem. Besides being sore, it may cause pain or numbness to radiate to other parts of your body and contribute to further dysfunction in your spinal column. But there is a difference between a disc that becomes herniated due to an injury and degenerative disc disease. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we provide holistic, low-risk treatment for both, but we want to focus this week on the importance of managing disc degeneration.


The spinal discs are shock absorbers and supply much of the spine’s height. They are interspersed between the bodies of the articulated vertebrae, with the exception of the top two vertebrae. Spinal discs consist of an inner ring of gel called the nucleus pulposus and an outer ring of fibrous material, called the annulus fibrosus. One of the common problems with aging is that the nucleus pulposus loses water, causing it to become less springy and putting the annulus fibrosus at greater risk of developing small tears. As the annulus fibrosus degenerates, it becomes deformed, creating a risk that the disc will bulge outward and compress nearby tissues. It also releases proteins that trigger inflammation, restricting the patient’s movement.


A herniated disc can cause a throbbing ache, and if it’s compressing a nerve root, the patient may also feel a shooting pain along that nerve. In those cases, we can provide chiropractic adjustments to put the discs and vertebrae back in the right place and use therapeutic massage to reduce inflammation. It’s not clear why the nucleus pulposus loses water with age, but musculoskeletal maintenance can help keep pressure off the spinal discs. Therapeutic exercises will keep the back muscles strong and flexible, and our nutritional counseling will help patients maintain a healthy weight.


Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

Ergonomics at a Home Office

A few months ago, we advised our patients on how to keep their backs comfortable while in the office. Since then, a lot more people have bee...