Thursday, June 27, 2019

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.


 

Friday, June 21, 2019

Core Strengthening for Healthy Backs

Physical therapy is frequently necessary to recover from back pain, but maintaining a healthy core is also one of the most important measures a person can take. Our musculoskeletal system experts at Kosak Chiropractic help patients to make lifestyle adjustments that will allow their bodies to function comfortably. While injured patients should consult with professionals about what exercises to do, there are some aspects of the body’s core that everyone should be informed about.


We have multiple layers of abdominal muscles, and the visible one from the front, the rectus abdominis, is important but not the only contributor to spinal support. The innermost core muscle, the transverse abdominis, is a corset-like structure that holds organs in place. Between it and the rectus abdominis are two layers of oblique muscles, which allow the torso to rotate and bend side-to-side. There are also several vertical muscles running along the vertebrae that maintain posture. These are known as the deep muscles or transversospinales to distinguish them from other muscles of the back, which allow the thoracic and cervical vertebrae to bend.


When core muscles are strong, they are able to support the spinal discs and other soft tissues attached to vertebrae. In addition to strengthening and flexibility exercises, soft tissues benefit from therapeutic massages, which reduce recovery time by improving blood flow and loosening knots. Low or no-impact exercises, such as yoga and swimming, are good choices for most chiropractic patients, so talk to us about what kind of exercise you might enjoy.


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, June 13, 2019

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.


 

Saturday, June 8, 2019

The Bones of the Spine

We’re dedicated to including our patients in their healthcare decisions at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield. Everybody has numerous treatment options available to them, and which is best will vary from person to person. But to make an informed choice, patients will need a basic understanding of how their spines are built and what different parts do.


Vertebrae are the bones that make up the structure of the spinal column. In front, they have flat bodies separated by rubbery discs. In back they form an arch through which the spinal cord stretches, and they are connected to each other by facet joints. The top seven vertebrae are the bones in the neck and are referred to as the cervical region. The topmost one is called the atlas and is responsible for moving the head up and down, while the second one, the axis, moves it from side to side. (These are the only two articulated vertebrae without a disc between them.) Below the cervical vertebrae are the twelve vertebrae of the thoracic region, and they connect to the ribs.


The lumbar region is made up of the five large vertebrae of the lower back. Beneath them are the sacrum and the coccyx, two structures in the pelvic region that are each made up of fused, immobile vertebrae. The nerves to the rest of the body branch out of the vertebrae at points called foramen, with the lowest parts of the spinal cord branching out of the upper lumbar vertebrae and continuing down through the pelvis and legs. Chiropractic care is largely concerned with the effects of compression of spinal nerves.


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 30, 2019

Sports Injuries

Whether you’re a professional athlete or just enjoy a good workout, sports injuries can happen to anyone. That’s why Dr. Michael Wilson of Kosak Chiropractic offers Sports Injury therapy to patients. Our chiropractic team combines manual adjustments with physical medicine. Let us help you get off the bench and back into the game. Contact our office in Fairfield, CA.


 


Repetitive motions are the leading cause of athletic injuries. Engaging in the same movements wears down the muscles and soft tissues. For example, in tennis and golf players, this is called Lateral Epicondylitis. Inflammation causes severe pain in the elbow due to the muscles repeatedly swinging the golf club or tennis racquet.


 


When it comes to chiropractic treatment, your Fairfield chiropractic focuses on discovering the cause of your pain. Other medical professionals just treat your symptoms. We believe that the only way for you to heal is to find the issue itself. Chiropractic adjustments relieve pain while addressing the problem. Any misalignment needs to be corrected. Simultaneously, inflammation and swelling are reduced with physical medicine and sports rehab.


 


Are you an athlete recently recovering from surgery? Maybe you’ve recently undergone knee surgery and are struggling to recover. Dr. Wilson can help. We’ll help rebuild your strength and flexibility. For back pain injuries, our chiropractic adjustments relieve herniated discs. These discs pinch the nerves, causing radiating or throbbing pain in your back.


 


To learn more about Sports Injury therapy, or our other chiropractic treatments, contact Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, CA. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Wilson, visit our website or call 707-426-1111.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Prenatal Massage

Pregnancy is a miraculous and exciting new time for expecting mothers. It also comes with its occasional setbacks too. Certified prenatal massage therapists can relieve the negative symptoms of pregnancy. It helps swollen ankles, leg cramps, headaches, and lower back pain. Each and every pregnancy is a new experience. That’s why Dr. Michael Wilson of Kosak Chiropractic provides prenatal massage to our patients in Fairfield, CA.


 


Prenatal massage differentiates from other kinds by its unique application process. The most important aspect is keeping the mother and child safe. The mother is supported by pillows and cushioning during the massage. This protects her and the baby from any unnecessary strain. It also minimizes any extra pressure from hurting the lower back or pelvic area during.


 


Safety is the biggest concern. The massage is gentle, with many areas of the body being avoided entirely. Deep tissue techniques are never used. Instead, your Fairfield massage therapists focus on areas like the feet and back.


 


There are many benefits for the expecting mother. The gentle kneading techniques are very comforting. It provides both emotional and physical relief. It reduces your stress and anxiety while relieving physical symptoms.


 


Make sure to speak to your doctor or midwife before scheduling a prenatal massage. This is especially true if you are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. Low-risk pregnancies can greatly benefit.


 


Kosak Chiropractic is located in Fairfield, CA. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Wilson, visit our website or call 707-426-1111.

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Disc Herniation

Your spine is made up of vertebra, each unique and necessary for your everyday function. In between these are intervertebral discs. A disc herniation occurs when one of these discs becomes herniated, essentially slipping out-of-place. The result is severe and radiating pain throughout your back. When this happens, contact Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, CA, right away. Dr. Michael Wilson can help.


 


The first appointment starts with a physical examination. Your Fairfield chiropractor checks your reflexes, nerve sensation, and muscle strength. He’ll also discuss your medical history with you. Dr. Wilson moves on to evaluate the entire spine. This pinpoints where exactly the herniated disc is.


 


A treatment plan is created once the herniated disc is located. This revolves around spinal manipulation or adjustments. It is highly individualized to your body and needs. Your pain levels, overall health, and activity are major factors. The adjustment therapy moves the disc back into place. It will help diminish and relieve your symptoms.


 


Dr. Wilson determines whether you are eligible for his disc herniation treatment. It’s based solely on his medical opinion. Advanced injuries may require a spinal surgeon.


 


Herniated discs happen for a variety of reasons. Falling or injuring yourself is common. There are also genetic and health factors, like degenerative spinal diseases.


 


If you’re injured, Dr. Michael Wilson is here to help. If you or a loved one could benefit from our disc herniation therapy, contact Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, CA. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilson, visit our website 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...