East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C.

Graston

Can a Car Accident Cause Spinal Misalignment?

by

Here on Long Island, like most of the country, we need a car to get around. Even if we’re taking the LIRR to work, we’re driving to the station. And while we find ourselves in cars frequently without incident, it only takes one accident to upend your day-to-day life with chronic pain and discomfort. And the odds of that happening may be higher than you expect, with more than 2 million Americans suffering injuries from car accidents every year.

The source of that pain could very likely be related to a misaligned spine. So, what are the symptoms of spinal misalignment?

What Are the Symptoms of a Misaligned Spine?

Our spine is more than just the bones in our back, it’s a major part of our nervous system. As a result, a misaligned spine can have a wide range of symptoms that may seem unrelated. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • Knee pain
  • Hip pain
  • Headaches
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Numbness or tingling of the extremities.

If a misaligned spine isn’t eventually treated, depending on the severity, it could result in chronic pain and decreased mobility.

How Do You Treat a Misaligned Spine?

To best treat a misaligned spine, you’ll want to make sure you’ve consulted with a professional before anything else. If you’ve been in a car accident, it is important that you go to the hospital and get evaluated as soon as possible to ensure there aren’t any hairline fractures, internal injuries, etc. Several exercises and stretches could be recommended to you. However, it’s important to know the severity of your injuries before potentially causing further injury by performing exercises that worsen your injury. A chiropractor would be able to give you a full evaluation and determine an exercise regime that would fit your very particular needs based on your injury.

A chiropractor can also perform spinal manipulation to help put your spine back into its proper alignment. This is what most people imagine when they think of what a chiropractor does, but that is only one of the many services that can be provided.

Additionally, depending on the nature of the injury and how long ago it occurred, the Graston Technique® might be a useful addition to one’s treatment plan. The Graston Technique® is used to break up myofascial adhesions, which can limit mobility. It can also improve blood flow to the soft tissue in the injured area, which can aid the healing process.

How Long Does It Take to Treat a Misaligned Spine?

This will vary based on the extent of the misalignment in the spine. A chiropractor can give you a full evaluation and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This will involve more frequent visits in the first few weeks or so, then determining the extent to which chiropractic care is helping to reduce pain and improve mobility. From there, the schedule and care plan can be reevaluated.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Provides a Non-invasive, Drug-Free Way to Recover from Your Injuries

As careful as we may be on the road, accidents can prove to be unavoidable. Whether it be a minor fender bender or an experience that’s far more harrowing; you may find yourself experiencing an equal amount of pain and discomfort resulting from the aftermath of whiplash. For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has provided a wide range of chiropractic services to fit your needs. We can work with you on pain management and restoring the range of motion in your neck and back through massage, the Graston Technique®, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, and more, while avoiding risky surgeries and addictive pain medications. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards a more comfortable life.

Can the Graston Technique® Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

by

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes of hand pain, with an estimated 8 million Americans suffering from the condition each year. Overuse of muscles and tendons in the wrist causes swelling or thickening in the narrow passageway on the palm side of the hand, known as the “carpal tunnel.” The tendons of the hand and fingers, as well as the median nerve, pass through this narrow tube composed of bone and ligament. When swelling occurs, it entraps the median nerve, causing weakness, numbness, “pins and needles” sensations, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be incredibly uncomfortable and often interferes with one’s ability to do daily tasks.

Can You Cure Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The prognosis for carpal tunnel syndrome varies from patient to patient. It is a highly treatable condition, and many individuals find permanent relief. It can be addressed with various pain management techniques, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgery.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Carpal Tunnel?

Managing carpal tunnel syndrome is rarely a quick fix, but there are actions you can take to reduce immediate discomfort and create the right conditions for optimal healing. Icing your wrist for 10-15 minutes several times per day reduces pain and inflammation. Wearing a wrist splint minimizes pressure on irritated nerves and limits motions that aggravate carpal tunnel pain.

Chiropractic care offers a variety of treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Graston Technique® has proven particularly effective at releasing the median nerve and reducing carpal tunnel pain.

Does Graston® Help Carpal Tunnel?

The Graston Technique® addresses carpal tunnel syndrome without pain medication or surgical intervention. Instead, it uses myofascial release to break up adhesions in the wrist. We use patented, precision instruments to locate injured soft tissue, which we then manipulate to break down knots and adhesions. This decreases inflammation and speeds healing.

Using the Graston Technique® also improves mobility and muscle tone, which reduces the irritation of the tendon and, by extension, the nerve, in the carpal tunnel. We may also recommend exercises and movement modifications to supplement Graston Technique® therapy.

Can Graston Technique® Treat Hand Issues/Injuries?

In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, the Graston Technique® can treat hand, thumb, and wrist pain unrelated to carpal tunnel syndrome. It may help with tendonitis, arthritis, and nerve pain resulting from anatomical factors, injury, and overuse.

Your Graston Technique® Specialist for Hand and Wrist Issues

If you are experiencing hand or wrist issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, the East Bay Chiropractic Wellness team can create a holistic treatment plan to increase your comfort and help you return to your normal routine. As a certified Graston Technique® Specialist (GST) who was the first Long Island chiropractor to be certified in the use of the technique, and with more than 35 years of experience, you’ll be in good hands with us. Contact us online, or call (516) 679-2225 for an appointment or to learn more about how we can help you.

Most Common Workplace Injuries That Can Be Treated with Chiropractic

by

With the warmer spring weather coming, many of us find ourselves being more physically active than in the winter. While it is great to be active, after prolonged periods of being less active, you run an increased risk of injury, including work-related injuries.

You may understandably assume that the colder months will see an increase in work-related injuries due to slip and falls from water or ice. Although work-related injuries can happen any time of year, they are actually highest in the warmer summer months. Keeping this in mind, what are some of the most common workplace injuries?

What Is an Example of a Workplace Injury?

One workplace injury that transcends many different fields of employment is a strain due to repetitive motion. This could potentially be from lifting heavy objects as part of the job, or it could be a result of a repetitive motion such as pushing, wrapping, or packaging, using the same tool over and over again, and similar motions. Heavy lifting could cause a back injury and repetitive motions with your hands could put strain on your wrists to the point of injury.

What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

Unfortunately, there are several common workplace injuries. In addition to overexertion injuries such as those mentioned above, slip and falls, exposure to harmful substances or environments, and injuries related to contact with equipment or other objects on the job.

Slip and falls could be anything from tripping in the office, slipping on a wet floor, or falling from a ladder or scaffolding. Exposure to substances or the environment could involve working out in extreme temperatures or in environments where you could be exposed to disease, radiation, harmful gasses, electrical currents, and more. Contact with equipment or other objects could be injury related to office supplies like scissors or box cutters, dropping a heavy object, injury related to contact with a forklift or other vehicles on the job, and so forth.

Can A Chiropractor Help You with Work-Related Injuries?

Chiropractors can help you recover from many work-related injuries. While many people associate chiropractors with spinal adjustments, specialized treatments like the Graston Technique® are designed to help people recover from injuries including those related to the hand and wrist due to repetitive movements by breaking up the adhesions that develop over the tendons and ligaments, causing pain, discomfort, and limiting mobility in the affected area. 

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Help You Recover from Your Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries can be stressful in addition to debilitating and demoralizing while leaving you feeling uncertain of your prospects in the short term. You need the peace of mind that only experienced professionals with a long track record of satisfied clients can provide. For over 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has been providing a wide range of chiropractic services to best fit your needs and cover a wide range of conditions that impact your day-to-day life including your job. We can work with you on pain management and restoring the range of motion through massage, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, the Graston Technique®, and much more. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards a more comfortable life.

The Top Things You Need to Know About the Graston Technique®

by

Our backs are easily one of the most important parts of our bodies. The spinal column, along with our brain, houses our central nervous system, controlling our bodies and informing us when we’re in pain. Unfortunately, this also means that abnormalities within our spinal column can lead to chronic pain. This can be due to injury, wear and tear, or simply from getting older. That doesn’t mean you have to live with that pain, though.

Chiropractic care is a go-to option for many people suffering from back pain or other pain and health-related issues that can be traced back to the spine. Many people think that chiropractors simply offer spinal manipulation, but chiropractic care encompasses a great deal more, including the Graston Technique®. So, what is the Graston Technique® and what are the key things you need to know about it?

What Is the Graston Technique®?

Unlike other forms of chiropractic care, the ability to provide the Graston Technique® treatment requires separate training and certification. That is, in part, because this technique requires the use of specialized stainless-steel tools. The certified chiropractor uses these tools to perform specific deep tissue massage-like motions that are designed to break up the excess scar tissue on our muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are causing mobility issues and pain. This Graston Technique® has proven effective in alleviating pain in the neck, back, shoulder, wrists, knees, hips, and ankles caused by soft tissue injuries.

What to Expect After the Graston Technique®?

You can reasonably expect some minor discomfort and bruising in the affected areas after the Graston Technique® has been administered. This is a result of the deep tissue massage aspect of the technique on the affected soft tissue deep below the skin.

Combining this treatment with other recommendations from your chiropractor can result in a faster recovery time. The proper treatment combination, including other chiropractic treatments, can reduce your pain levels overall, meaning a lesser need for pain medication and decreasing the chances of needing surgical intervention.

How Long Does It Take for Graston® to Work?

You can expect to need two treatments a week for about a month to be properly treated. That said, you should start experiencing positive results from the treatment in about two weeks. This treatment doesn’t require additional downtime and shouldn’t get in the way of your day-to-day activities. Even more encouraging is that 75-90% of those treated have had positive outcomes.

Dr. Marmorale Can Treat a Variety of Conditions with The Graston Technique®

For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has provided a wide range of chiropractic services to best fit your needs and cover a wide range of conditions that impact your day-to-day life, with a specialization in the Graston Technique®. We can work with you on pain management through massage, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, and much more. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards a more comfortable life.

Benefits of Massage Therapy After a Car Accident

by

Many people underestimate the physical health benefits of massage, focusing instead on the mental health benefits. However, after an accident or injury, especially a car accident, chiropractic massage can be one of the best ways to promote healing and speed up recovery.

The problem might be that some people simply don’t understand the “therapy” part of massage therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic, a massage therapist “rubs and kneads the soft tissues of your body. The soft tissues include muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin.” This is an integrative part of medicine.

Is Chiropractic Massage Safe After a Car Accident?

Chiropractic massage is used in conjunction with chiropractic care and can be not only safe, but also beneficial after a car accident or work-related injury. In many car accidents, the primary damage is caused by whiplash. This sudden force can move your spine out of alignment, and a chiropractor will assess the safety of adjusting the spine before doing so.

However, once the spine is back in alignment, there may also be damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that help the body stabilize the spine. That’s where the massage therapist enters the picture.

The National Institutes for Health say that the research on the benefits of massage are in the preliminary stages, but “massage therapy may be useful for some pain conditions such as low-back pain and chronic neck pain.”

In general, research indicates massage is useful for many of the issues related to injuries after a car accident, including:

  • Increasing range of motion (ROM)
  • Decreasing pain
  • Assisting in healing a client with low back pain (LBP)
  • Enhancing recovery for sciatica symptoms
  • Speeding up overall recovery

How Long Do You Stay Sore After a Car Accident?

Pain after a car accident is different for everyone, but one of the first things to understand is that your pain may not show up immediately after the event. Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is muscle soreness and aches caused by muscle injury. While frequently discussed in relation to exercise, the same thing occurs when you injure a muscle in an accident.

Most people do not feel the damage done in a less serious accident for 12 to 48 hours after the accident. That’s because the body’s adrenaline response masks pain and muscle injuries are not always immediately apparent to the untrained eye. That’s why it is important to get a medical evaluation after any accident. Your body may be more injured than you realize.

Healthline points out that 6.4 million car accidents happened between 2016 and 2020, and the most common symptom of injury reported was lower back pain. That trauma to your back may cause lingering issues for months, so massage therapy is an important part of addressing the issue and promoting healing.

Massage therapy promotes healing by gently stretching and kneading the muscles, encouraging blood flow to the area. Blood flow is necessary for the muscle to begin to repair itself.

Massage therapy has also proven to be excellent at decreasing pain as it helps force the muscles to relax. After a forceful injury, muscles will often tense up and not relax, causing extreme pain to the body. This can also lead to misalignment in the spine, so working with your chiropractor is an important part of the healing process.

Another valuable treatment for injuries related to a car accident is the Graston Technique®. This chiropractic treatment method uses specialized tools to treat soft tissue injuries, such as muscle adhesions and adhesions that can develop after spinal trauma. By treating the adhesions early, they do not become chronic, proper range of motion is maintained, etc. By combining the Graston Technique® with massage therapy, the healing time after a car accident or other injury can even be shortened.

The East Bay Team Can Provide the Right Treatment for Your Injuries

When you are in a car accident, it’s important to get evaluated by your chiropractor as soon as possible to evaluate the extent of the damage to your body and the best treatment plan. Here at East Bay Chiropractic and Wellness, we can help provide the right care for you. Contact us today to start healing.

Common Workplace Injuries That Can Be Treated Using the Graston Technique®

by

Now that we’re weeks into the new year, we’re getting fully immersed back into our work with few holidays in sight. While many of us are getting back into the swing of things and keeping our noses to the grindstone, it’s important to also be watching out for our own health and safety.

For many, the holidays can result in a break from regular exercise and other precautions we take to avoid injury, and those habits can be difficult to reintegrate into our schedules if we aren’t proactive about it. In fact, studies have shown that workplace-related injuries jump 23% from December to January, with the highest rates of workplace-related injury occurring in the summer months.

So, with that in mind, what workplace injuries are the most common, and how can they be treated?

What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

There are several common workplace injuries, but they really depend on the job. For example, any job that requires lifting heavy items regularly can lead to a workplace injury if the proper care isn’t taking place throughout the lifting process, and sometimes even if you are. These injuries include:

  • Strains
  • Sprains
  • Pulled muscles
  • And slipped discs

When it comes to office work utilizing computers and similar products, one of the most common injuries is repetitive strain injury, or RSI. Repetitive motions cause this injury due to typing, gripping tools needed constantly for a particular job, and using a mouse. These can also result from the repetitive motion of scanning items as a cashier or repetitive motions as part of being on an assembly line. These injuries can manifest as carpal tunnel syndrome, rotor cuff tendonitis, bursitis, and more.

Which Of the Most Common Workplace Injuries Can Be Treated with Chiropractic Care?

Repetitive strain injuries such as those listed above are readily treated by chiropractic care and the Graston Technique®. By using specifically designed tools, this technique helps to break up adhesions and the damaged tissue around your muscles, tendons, and nerves to restore your range of motion, alleviate your pain, and give your body the ability to heal properly. Other forms of chiropractic care, as well as deep tissue massage, can also be beneficial.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P. C. Can Help You Recover from Injuries Faster

Workplace injuries are more than an inconvenience; they can greatly reduce your quality of life if not properly treated. For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has provided a wide range of chiropractic services to fit your needs. We can work with you on pain management and restoring the range of motion in your neck and back through massage, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, and the Graston Technique®, which has been shown to facilitate faster and more successful rehabilitation. Schedule your appointment today to be evaluated and determine your best options to restore your quality of life.