Hip Labral Tears

Do you feel pain in one of your hips when you’ve been standing, sitting, or moving for a long time? Does it feel stiff or like it gets caught? If so, there may be a problem with the joint’s cartilage. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we’re more than just a clinic for back pain. Our experts in musculoskeletal health use non-addictive, non-invasive treatments for all sorts of joint problems. This week, we’re discussing a type of hip injury known as a labral tear.

A labrum is a seal of cartilage that locks the ball of the femoral head into the socket of the pelvis. (There’s one connecting the arm to the shoulder, too.) The labrum also provides cushioning, and if it tears, a person is at risk for developing arthritis or a bone spur in the future. Although the labrum can be damaged by an acute injury, it can also wear down due to repetitive motions, particularly in people who had an abnormal ball and socket connection to begin with. People who play sports that stress the hip muscles, such as soccer and hockey, are at greater risk for developing hip labral tears.

Hip labrum tears don’t always have symptoms, but they may be accompanied by other injuries. An x-ray will help us to determine if there’s something wrong with the bones of the joint that would require a chiropractic adjustment. Otherwise, patients will likely be prescribed physical therapy to improve their hip’s range of motion and stretch out their muscles. We can also use electric muscle stimulation and therapeutic massages to reduce inflammation and shorten workout recovery time.

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.

 

Leg Pain and Back Problems

As a chiropractic office, Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield offers holistic treatments for problems in the musculoskeletal system. The nerves to the rest of our bodies emerge from the spine, and many muscles in the lower body connect to the pelvis or lower back. Since leg pain and back pain are often intertwined, let’s take a look at how they may play into each other and how we treat them.

The nerves to the legs emerge from the lumbar region of the spine, or lower back. They pass through the muscles of the pelvis, and compression in these nerves could cause a shooting pain, tingling, or numbness. The compression could occur at the point where they emerge from the spine as a result of a herniated disc, a bone spur, or the dislocation of a vertebra. There might also be swelling in the piriformis muscle, which links the lower back to the leg, in the sacroiliac joints, which connect the pelvis to the base of the spine, or in the bursae that lubricate each hip. Swelling and constriction in the leg muscles might also cause them to pull on the hips or lower back.

These are not the only causes of leg pain, but they are among the most common and the most responsive to noninvasive treatment. We work to reduce inflammation and set joints back in the right place by performing gentle, manual adjustments. These adjustments can release pressure on compressed nerves and allow the body to continue its natural healing process. We may also perform massage therapy and electric muscle stimulation to relax tight lower back muscles and allow blood to flow in and out more easily.

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.

Exercises for Healthy Hips

Keeping your muscles strong and flexible is essential for keeping your skeleton in alignment. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or just trying to stay healthy, it's a good idea to be stretching regularly. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we help patients to devise individualized therapeutic regimens that fit their needs and are safe for them. But there are a few strategies for maintaining strong hips that work for most people, so let’s explore the basics.

We need to be cautious about forms of exercise such as jumping that subject the joints to repeated impacts. While in recovery from an injury, it’s often better to start slowly with range-of-motion exercises, such as hip circles. This means standing on one leg and slowly rotating the other in the air. Another exercise is the knee-to-chest stretch, in which a person lies on their back with their legs straight, and lifts one knee toward their chest and holds it before switching to the other leg. Side leg raises, in which a person lies on their side and lifts their leg while keeping it extended, are also a good way of strengthening the glutes.

As a person recovers, they’ll be able to do more complicated stretches and higher-stress exercises, such as lunges. The keys to avoiding overuse injuries are to ramp up intensity slowly and to maintain a varied work-out routine. Strong core and hip muscles will allow runners and other athletes to better withstand the jostling their joints are subjected to when their feet strike the ground or they have to change direction suddenly. We can also help athletes to recover faster by providing electric muscle stimulation, which increases blood flow by contracting the muscles, and by adjusting dislocated joints that may be putting extra strain on the hip and lower back muscles.

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.

Osteoarthritic Hip Pain

Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield treats aches and pains by taking a holistic perspective on health. If a patient is suffering from hip pain, it won’t just be their hip that’s affected, but also their lower back and legs. But by the same token, improvement in hip function can improve overall health, and we offer several non-addictive, complementary treatments for strengthening hips affected by osteoarthritis.

When a person has osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions the bones in their joints is eroding. This causes the bones to rub together, triggering inflammation and the growth of bony spurs. Wear and tear is a factor in osteoarthritis, and as the cartilage on the ball of the femur gets worn down, grinding between the femur and socket of the hip changes the hip’s mechanics. The muscles and ligaments surrounding the hip joint are complex, allowing the leg to move in all directions, and as they experience more friction, they become strained. The hip will often stiffen, leading to deterioration of the muscles between the leg and lower back.

Hip pain will often be worse when a person has been lying down or seated for a long time. Although it is tempting to rest for long periods, inactivity will cause further atrophy of the hip muscles. Instead, they need to be strengthened and made more flexible through therapeutic exercise. We can help by prescribing personalized work-out routines as well as providing anti-inflammatory treatments such as therapeutic massages and electric muscle stimulation. We also advise patients on better posture to reduce stress on their pelvic joints, and perform chiropractic adjustments on lower back vertebrae that are under stress due to tight muscles.

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.

Lower Back Pain in Cyclists

Exercise is essential for musculoskeletal health, and cycling is a great way to strengthen your leg muscles without jostling your spine. Stationary bikes allow people to remain active even in bad weather or if they have difficulty leaving the home, and we at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield encourage everybody to find a way they enjoy staying active. However, cyclists also suffer high rates of lower back pain. This problem is treatable and preventable, but we want our patients to understand what’s going on when they devise their exercise routines.

As with any sport, cyclists need well-fitted, functional equipment. People who inherit old bicycles or don’t properly adjust new ones often need to stretch too far forward to reach the handlebars. This would strain the lower back muscles and require a person to maintain the same posture as long as they ride, and it’s never good for people to have to maintain the same position for an extended period.

Getting a bicycle properly fitted is essential, but not sufficient for preventing back pain. We often emphasize the need for a strong core, and it’s true of cyclists, as well. When a cyclist gets tired, the hip muscles supporting their lumbar spine weaken, allowing its joints to wear by swaying side-to-side. Some simple core exercises include bird-dogging and planking, but people already experiencing lower back pain should consult with us to determine what is safe. We can also relieve their pain through massage therapy and electric muscle stimulation, which will reduce inflammation, and by adjusting their lumbar vertebrae to their proper position.

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.

 

Facet Joint Disorders

One of the reasons back pain is so common is that it has many different causes. Our spinal columns are complex systems, and there are several points where wear or breakage can cause widespread discomfort. We utilize a wide range of safe, holistic treatments at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield to ensure that our patients heal properly, but first, we need to be able to identify the cause of their problem. When a person has intermittent bouts of back pain that radiate to nearby limbs, they may have a facet joint disorder.

In the backs of the vertebrae are bony arches through which the spinal cord runs. Attached to these arches are protuberances that connect to the protuberances of the vertebrae above and below, forming facet joints. The facet joints allow the spinal column a bit of tortion and bend, but they mostly keep the vertebrae in place. When they are damaged, whether through wear and tear or an injury, it is likelier that a vertebra will become displaced and that inflammation will develop around the joint.

Facet joint disorders rarely affect the spinal nerves. Pain may radiate through the muscles to the upper leg or arm, but rarely further. However, the symptoms of facet joint damage otherwise appear similar to herniated discs, which is why we’ll need to perform manual and imaging diagnostics. Treatments for facet joint disorder include spinal adjustments, massage therapy, electric muscle stimulation, and therapeutic ultrasound. We may also recommend that a patient engage in therapeutic exercises that will strengthen their back muscles, relieving pressure from the facet joints.

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.

 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common problems related to pinched nerves. But although this condition is chronic, it can be treated with safe, non-invasive means at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield. In this blog post, we’ll explore how the carpal tunnel works and why holistic treatments are effective.

The median nerve emerges from the cervical spine (the neck) and travels through the shoulder and into the hand. It provides sensation and control to every finger except the pinky. In the wrist, it passes through a canal made of bones and ligaments called the carpal tunnel. When the carpal tunnel is compressed, pressure on the median nerve can cause shooting pains, tingling, and numbness between the neck and the fingers.

Inflammation in the tissues surrounding the carpal tunnel can have several causes, but it usually is due to overuse. CTS is most common in people with office jobs, handymen, and tennis players. We can use electric muscle stimulation to relieve pain and inflammation along the upper limbs. Other treatments include therapeutic exercise and massages to release muscles in the arm and hand. We’ll also ensure that there are no blockages at the median nerve’s point of emergence from the spine or in the shoulder.

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.

Piriformis Syndrome

Sciatica is a term for describing pain along the sciatic nerves, and it can have many causes. Among those is piriformis syndrome, a condition affecting one of the deeper muscles of the pelvis. Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield is dedicated to providing patients with safe, holistic solutions to biomechanical nerve compression such as sciatica, and we want our patients to know why piriformis syndrome is something worth getting examined for.

The piriformis muscle connects the sacrum, which is the base of the spine, to the upper femur. It is used to rotate the leg outward and is vulnerable to overuse injuries when a person runs on hard surfaces. Swelling in the piriformis muscle can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, which, depending on the person, might run under the piriformis muscle, directly through it, or around it on both sides. When a person’s sciatic nerve is compressed, they may feel a shooting pain, tingling, or numbness down their leg and have difficulty moving it. People with piriformis syndrome may feel symptoms while seated or walking on stairs, and may also feel pressure in the buttock on the side of the affected muscle.

Piriformis Syndrome is not one of the more common causes of sciatica, but there are tests for identifying it. Among our treatments for muscle fatigue are soft tissue manipulation, electric muscle stimulation, and therapeutic ultrasound. These, along with therapeutic exercise, can strengthen the gluteal muscles while also increasing their flexibility, and reduce inflammation.

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.

 

Introduction to Scoliosis

One of the most infamous kinds of spinal misalignments is scoliosis. This term describes a sideways curve in the spine, usually in the upper back. Although most people know of scoliosis primarily from its most extreme cases, it’s not that rare. With the noninvasive treatments at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we can help patients to manage whatever discomfort they may experience and get realigned.

Sometimes, scoliosis can be traced to a deformity outside the spine, such as muscle damage or one leg being shorter than the other. Degenerative conditions in elderly people can lead to breakdowns in the spinal column. But usually, scoliosis is seen in teenagers experiencing a growth spurt and no cause can be definitively established. Although it can happen to boys and girls, it tends to get worse in girls without intervention. Having the shoulders and hips out of alignment puts stress on the back’s soft tissues, which can cause them to become sore, but the patient often doesn’t feel anything during the condition’s early development.

One of the reasons pediatricians want children to have annual check-ups is so they can look for signs of developing scoliosis. Bracing is sometimes recommended as a preventive or corrective measure. We can provide safe pain management solutions, including spinal adjustments, therapeutic massages, and electric muscle stimulation. We can also help patients to manage other conditions resulting from scoliosis, such as neck or hip pain.

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.

 

Introduction to Osteoarthritis

Joint inflammation, or arthritis, can have all sorts of causes. But the most common, and one of the most common causes of pain and missed workdays in the United States, is osteoarthritis. This disease is often misunderstood to be a normal part of aging, but at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we can help patients to manage or prevent it, allowing them to live free of pain.

Within joints is a slippery substance called cartilage that cushions and lubricates bones. Cartilage is made up of protein called collagen. When the body’s wear on cartilage outpaces its ability to produce new collagen, the cartilage will become deformed and eroded. As cartilage recedes, the bones develop spurs, grind against each other, and flake off. All of these can trigger inflammation, which will put pressure on the surrounding tissues, causing a dull, throbbing pain, and further impede movement.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. It will be worse when the joints are bearing an excess amount of weight and being used repetitively, and it is likelier to develop in joints that have recovered from a previous injury. We can realign joints and relieve pressure on cartilage by performing adjustments. Therapeutic massages can reduce inflammation and promote the circulation of fresh, nutrient rich blood. We can also use interferential current therapy to loosen up stiff joints, increasing their range of motion during therapeutic exercise.

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.

 

Tailbone Injuries

Have you ever heard of a bruised tailbone? It’s rare for the tailbone to truly be cracked, but the soft tissues surrounding it can certainly be injured. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we use noninvasive, non-addictive treatments to relieve pain and put the body in the best position possible to heal itself. Let’s take a closer look at why pain would occur in this area.

The tailbone, scientifically known as the coccyx, is made up of several fused vertebrae that hang below the sacrum, the part of the spine that connects to the hips. The coccyx helps to anchor the large muscles and ligaments in the pelvis. When they get inflamed and become painful, a patient is said to be suffering from “coccydynia.” Their deep location normally prevents them from being harmed, but injuries can happen during childbirth, as well as activities such as horseback riding and cycling.

Coccydynia will often be at its worst when a person is seated. We can provide patients with ring-shaped pillows or chiropractic wedges to sit on, which will keep weight off their tailbone. We can also make adjustments to displaced joints. Other possibilities include inflammation reduction through electric muscle stimulation and therapeutic exercise to ensure that the muscles responsible for moving the legs and stabilizing the lower back remain supple during the patient’s recovery.

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.

 

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The Kosak Chiropractic clinic in Fairfield provides care for the entire body. Our whole musculoskeletal system can suffer when any part of it is injured, which is why a holistic approach is necessary. One common injury we see is fraying of the rotator cuff, which too many people unnecessarily use drugs or surgery to treat.

The rotator cuff is the bundle of tendons that strap the humerus, or upper arm bone, into the shoulder joint. The muscles they attach to allow the arm to move in a full circle and they are kept lubricated by a bursa between the joint and bone on the top of the shoulder. The bursa and the muscles are both prone to inflammation when overused or when the patient develops a degenerative condition.

While a disastrous injury can sever a tendon, what is more common is for the fibers that comprise tendons to fray, leaving small holes. As people age, the body has difficulty supplying sufficient blood to tendons in the extremities. This causes them to be weaker and increases the risk that the shoulder bones will develop bony spurs that can irritate nearby soft tissue. Degenerative rotator cuff tears are also common among people who have to make repetitive motions, such as athletes and painters. After diagnosing a rotator cuff injury, we’ll provide patients with several pain relief options, including ultrasound therapy (to break up scar tissue) and electric muscle stimulation (to stimulate fresh blood flow.) We may also recommend that the patient rest when not doing therapeutic exercises, which will target their upper back as well as their shoulder. Our nutritional counseling service can advise patient on what nutrients they need to speed their healing.

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.

 

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Lower back pain is one of the most common afflictions in the United States, and it has several potential causes. Among the lesser known ones is sacroiliac joint dysfunction. When patients are suffering from joint problems, Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield provides safe treatments that target the source of a problem, as well as its symptoms, so we wanted to talk a bit about what makes sacroiliac joint dysfunction distinct.

The sacrum is a body of fused vertebrae at the base of the spine. The iliac bones are the crests of the pelvis it connects to. Dysfunction in these joints may cause inflammation, called sacroiliitis. Pain here can radiate through the lower back, pelvic region, and legs and tends to be worse after a prolonged period of standing or using the gluteal muscles. Although sacroiliac joint dysfunction can be caused by an infection, it is much likelier to be due to a degenerative condition or a traumatic injury that has damaged the structure of the joint.

Our treatments for sacroiliac joint dysfunction include manual adjustments of the bones and soft tissue manipulation for loosening muscles, such as electrical stimulation and massages. We can also prescribe therapeutic exercises that will strengthen the pelvic muscles and keep them flexible during recovery, allowing them to better support the sacrum in the future. Our office’s nutritional counseling service educates patients on what nutrients they need to keep their joints cushioned and lubricated and how they can control their weight to prevent their pelvic joints from being overburdened.

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.