East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C.

Ankle

Does the Graston Technique® Work on Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

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Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) is a condition that affects the tibial nerve, which runs through a narrow passage in your ankle known as the tarsal tunnel. When this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, it can result in symptoms like burning, tingling, and pain on the soles of your feet.

Just as repetitive stress in the hands can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain in the ankles can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome. Fortunately, both conditions can benefit from treatment using the Graston Technique®.

What Aggravates Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

TTS can begin after an injury or develop gradually due to overuse. Activities that irritate or compress the tibial nerve as it passes through the ankle and into the foot can trigger or worsen the condition. Because it’s nearly impossible to completely rest your feet and ankles, tarsal tunnel syndrome may take time to fully heal.

One of the most common setbacks happens when people resume normal activity too soon. Even mild relief can tempt you to jump back into workouts or long walks, which can cause reinjury or aggravate a healing ankle. There are ways to avoid aggravating TTS. To help avoid flare-ups:

Additionally, factors such as long periods of walking or standing, diabetes, and weak calf muscles can contribute to ongoing or worsening symptoms

What Is the Graston Technique® for Feet?

The Graston Technique℗ is a type of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. It uses a patented stainless-steel tool to gently break up adhesions and scar tissue that restrict mobility and irritate nerves like the tibial nerve.

Clinical research supports its use. According to studies cited by ClinicalTrials.gov,

“Studies have shown that the controlled micro trauma induced through GT increased fibroblasts recruitment and activation in an animal model. Additional studies have shown clinical efficacy using GT for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar compartment syndrome(7) and trigger thumb(8). Graston instrument has been used for relieving pressure of soft tissue mobilization and release very effectively for years”.

The Graston Technique℗ has been used for years as a means to relieve tarsal tunnel syndrome as well.

Like some forms of trigger-point therapy, the Graston Technique℗ can occasionally feel a bit sore afterward, but that doesn’t last long. For most people, using the Graston Technique℗ on the feet can feel slightly ticklish. In many cases, patients report increased ankle flexibility after just one session.

With the Graston Technique, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Get You Back on Your Feet Faster

Whether it’s from an injury or overuse, tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause significant pain if left untreated. At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness, we use the Graston Technique® to target the root cause of your pain and help you heal faster. Don’t let tibial nerve pain keep you off your feet. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and experience the benefits of the Graston Technique® for foot and ankle pain.

Chiropractic Care for Ski Injuries

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Every year, more than half a million Americans are injured while skiing or snowboarding. After hitting the slopes during winter break, many of us have returned from our vacation with aches and pains, injured joints, pulled muscles, or even broken bones.

If you have sustained a skiing injury, or if you’re simply sore from a holiday ski trip, chiropractic care can help you feel and heal better.

Is Skiing Hard on Your Body?

Skiing can be a fantastic workout, improving strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and heart health. However, it can also take a toll on your body, especially if you’re a novice skier or venture onto rugged terrain. The repetitive stress and physical demands can strain your knees, ankles, and lower back, often leading to various injuries.

What Is the Most Common Injury While Skiing?

Skiing injuries can range from mild soreness to severe joint or bone damage. Some of the most frequent injuries experienced by skiers include:

Knee Injuries

  • Nearly half of all reported ski-related injuries involve the knees like ACL and MCL tears along with meniscus damage.

Other Common Injuries

  • Fractures: Broken legs from falls or collisions.
  • Spinal Injuries: Whiplash or other spinal issues from sudden stops or collisions.
  • Wrist Injuries: Fractures or sprains from falls.
  • Skier’s Thumb: Torn thumb ligaments from falling while holding a ski pole.

Is Snowboarding Hard on Your Body?

Like skiing, snowboarding can be a fun way to stay fit. However, inexperience, improper form, or overly challenging slopes can strain your joints and muscles, increasing the risk of injury. As with any sport, it’s important to warm up first and wear the appropriate protection equipment to prevent injuries.

What Is the Most Common Snowboarding Injury?

Snowboarding presents its own set of injury risks. Here are some of the most common injuries and their causes:

Wrist Fractures

  • Wrist fractures account for nearly a quarter of all snowboarding injuries due to falls with arms extended.

Other Frequent Injuries

  • Ankle Strain or Fracture: Caused by the lack of stabilization in the snowboarding boots.
  • Shoulder Dislocations: Resulting from falling with outstretched arms.
  • Knee Injuries: Occurring during falls or hard landings after jumps.

Both skiing and snowboarding can result in serious head injuries, making protective headgear and safety precautions essential.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Sports Injury?

Chiropractic care is a noninvasive, medication-free way to help you heal faster and better from sports injuries. After an injury on the slopes, chiropractic care can:

  • Reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Improve your range of motion.
  • Prevent tight scar tissue formation.
  • Enhance future athletic performance.

Chiropractic adjustments also ensure proper body alignment, improving posture, coordination, flexibility, and overall mobility.

Is Graston® Useful in Treating Injuries from Skiing?

The Graston Technique® is a treatment method used to break up fascial adhesions that can result from many types of ski injuries. The Graston® Technique alleviates aches and pains by releasing tight muscles, enhancing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing.

We also offer traditional spinal adjustments, physical therapy, massage therapy, and other treatment modalities to provide a holistic approach to healing after skiing or snowboarding.

Winter Sports Injury? Contact Us Today to Schedule an Appointment

For more than three decades, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness in Bellmore, NY, has provided chiropractic services for skiers and other athletes. Don’t let winter sports injuries hold you back! Contact East Bay Chiropractic Wellness today to start your recovery journey.

Should You See a Chiropractor Before a Marathon?

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Every fall, runners train in earnest for the New York City Marathon, taking place this year on November 3. Serious runners may look forward to the marathon, but not necessarily to its impact on their bodies. Running is great exercise and a rewarding sport, but it causes strain on muscles and joints, as well as spinal misalignment and irritated nerves. It may even result in repetitive motion injuries. Luckily, chiropractic care can help runners prevent these injuries, improve their performance, and recover more quickly from injury or aches and pains.

Can a Chiropractor Help You Prepare for a Marathon?

Chiropractic care can be an important part of both marathon training and marathon recovery. Because runners are prone to a wide variety of overuse injuries, it’s crucial to optimize your biomechanics, increase your flexibility and range of motion, and strengthen any areas of weakness in your body before a race. This can help prevent common runner injuries like stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and more.

Regular chiropractic visits not only help prevent injury but also offer other benefits, such as:

  • Pain relief.
  • Improved joint function and range of motion.
  • Quicker recovery times.
  • A more robust immune system.

Not only can chiropractic care help marathon runners, but it can offer many benefits to anyone involved in athletics.

Should You See a Chiropractor Before a Marathon?

Many runners only think of visiting their chiropractor in the days following a marathon. Much of the stiff and sore aftermath of a grueling race can be prevented or reduced by seeking consistent care during the leadup to a race, during marathon training, and year-round.

Can Graston Technique Help Marathon Runners?

At East Bay Chiropractic, we specialize in the Graston Technique®. This process uses specialized stainless steel tools to locate and break up the scar tissue and fascial adhesions that can plague runners. Graston® also releases knotted muscles, allowing for healthy blood flow, reduced inflammation, and faster healing. Adapting Graston® for athletes can be incredibly beneficial.

Other chiropractic treatments we offer include adjustments to remove subluxations, massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling and supplements.

How Often Should Runners See a Chiropractor?

How often you should see a chiropractor depends on your running goals, how often and how intensely you train, and your current physical condition. We recommend visiting your chiropractor more often during marathon training or any time you increase the frequency or intensity of workouts.

We also suggest monthly or bi-monthly year-round maintenance treatments to prevent pain and injury and to address any ongoing issues. Remember, you don’t have to be injured or in pain to benefit from chiropractic treatment.

East Bay Helps Athletes Prepare, Optimize, and Recover

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness has provided a broad range of chiropractic services to runners and other athletes for more than 35 years. Whether you’re a marathoner, a casual runner, or somewhere in between, we can help you feel your best with the Graston Technique®, adjustments, massage, and more. Contact us online to schedule an appointment.