Tag: chiropractor shallotte nc

Chiropractor Wilmington NC: Atlas Orthogonal Technique

The Atlas Orthogonal Technique is a highly-specialized form of chiropractic treatment focused on restoring body balance through upper cervical spinal corrections. In particular, the manipulations concentrate on the first bone in the neck, which is also known as the atlas vertebra. Misalignment of this vertebra can lead to both physical and mental stress throughout the body. Our chiropractor Wilmington NC explains more about this technique.

What is the objective of the Atlas Orthogonal Technique?

In the simplest terms, the goal of the procedure is to gently move the atlas vertebra into a better position relative to the spine below and skull above. The Atlas Orthogonal adjustment is designed to restore balance and proper communication between your brain and your body. When nerve impulses between the two are restricted, pain, tension and a variety of other health conditions—sometimes chronic—can result. By re-aligning this critical bone, the Atlas Orthogonist can relieve nerve compression and promote healing.

Chiropractor Wilmington NC: What makes this technique different from other chiropractic adjustments?

One of the main differences is that patients experience very little sensation during an Atlas Orthogonal adjustment. The chiropractor uses a special x-ray device to pinpoint the exact location of the atlas vertebra and to determine how far it has shifted from its normal position. Then, the device applies a brief sound vibration directly to the neck that gently moves the atlas vertebra into a better position relative to the skull and spine. Unlike other types of chiropractic manipulation that involve larger amounts of directed force and sometimes produce a popping sound (referred to as “cavitation”), this technique requires only minute adjustments of the atlas bone in order to initiate healing and pain relief.

What can I expect from my first atlas correction?

Your chiropractor will determine the treatment you need after a comprehensive evaluation of your symptoms, prior medical history, and x-rays. The degree of misalignment, along with the nature and severity of your symptoms, will determine how quickly you experience relief. You may also notice some tiredness or muscle stiffness, and in some cases pain symptoms may migrate to another area of the body. For most people, one or two Atlas Orthogonal adjustments are all they need to start noticing improvements.

Can all chiropractors provide Atlas Orthogonal adjustments?

No. An Atlas Orthogonist is a doctor of chiropractic who has completed additional specialized training focused on spinal manipulations of the upper spine and neck, using the Atlas Orthogonal percussion instrument. The Atlas Orthoganist is an expert in light touches rather than forceful manipulation, although he or she may offer several types of adjustments to their patients. Your Atlas Orthoganist will also have extensive training in the proper use of advanced imaging techniques. X-rays play a particularly important role in atlas correction, since precise measurements are required for diagnostic purposes and to deliver the treatment as well as to evaluate its progress in restoring proper alignment.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Atlas Orthogonal adjusting works, please call or visit our office today.

Chiropractor Shallotte NC: Whole Body Vibration

Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Not only does this pain create untold suffering for millions of people, but its treatment also costs individuals and employers billions of dollars every year. Given these stakes, it’s not surprising that teams at the world’s leading medical institutions are trying to understand the reasons for chronic pain and what can be done to address them. Our chiropractor Shallotte NC explains more.

Recent research indicates that one of the primary work-related causes of chronic pain is long-term exposure to vibration.  This research focuses on two primary forms of vibration and their possible negative effects:

• Hand-arm vibration, or HAV, is often experienced by workers who use vibrating hand tools all day on the job. HAV can give rise to permanent injuries such as vibration white finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ulnar tunnel syndrome.
• Whole body vibration, or WBV, occurs when the vibration of a larger machine is transmitted to the body of the person operating it, usually through a seat or flooring. WBV is potentially much more debilitating than HAV.

What are the risks from whole body vibration?

According to studies published by governmental occupational health agencies, people who work in vibrating vehicles—train engineers, truck drivers, operators of construction machinery, pilots and so on—are at significantly higher risk of developing chronic lower back and neck pain than other workers who are not exposed to this vibration. In one such study, locomotive engineers exposed to WBV were found to be twice as likely to experience frequent low back and neck pain as other workers.

Similar results have also been found is studies of military helicopter pilots, who are required to maintain detailed logs of their flight time (and therefore their cumulative exposure to WBV). Pilots who have flown more than 2,000 hours have far more instances of transient and chronic back pain than non-flying officers or those assigned to aircraft that produced fewer vibrations.

Who should be concerned?

Naturally, these studies should at least raise questions for people whose jobs require them to sit in vibrating vehicles or stand on vibrating machinery all day. This includes drivers of tractors, fork lift trucks or earth-moving machinery, but may also extend to landscapers using riding mowers or construction workers using any type of machinery that exposes operators to whole body vibration. As the links between hours of WBV exposure and disability have been studied and documented, regulators and unions have worked with employers to improve working conditions and set limits for WBV exposure to protect workers. These exposure limits are usually expressed in terms of the number of permissible hours of exposure per week, but WBV can still produce negative effects in people who are exposed to it only occasionally, so diligence is required on the part of the worker as well as the employer.

If your job regularly exposes you to significant levels of whole body vibration and you’ve experienced chronic or occasional attacks of back or neck pain, there is very possibly a connection. In addition to speaking with your manager, you should also consider visiting a chiropractor. Chiropractic physicians are experts at diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems, particularly those related to the back and neck. Depending on your situation, he or she may be able to help you recover from your injury and recommend ways to lower your health risk from on-the-job vibration.

Looking for a chiropractor Shallotte NC? Contact us today!