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.

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.

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.