Warm weather means outdoor activities and an increase in running injuries!

So....you might be wondering what is bothering you when you are running?  Here is a list of running injuries that are commonly treated at our Bozeman Chiropractic Clinic.

Iliotibial band syndrome- inflammation of the iliotibial band which starts at the hip and extends on the outer side of the leg down to the tibia (shin bone). The inflammation does not allow the IT band to glide easily as it is supposed to causing pain and irritation with movement. Very commonly occurs with increase in physical activity level.

Hip strain- occurs when the muscles stabilizing the hip joint are inflamed because of weak back muscles, foot imbalances, hard running surfaces, inappropriate footwear, or length of the stride in your run. The psoas muscle is a very commonly strained muscle when running.

Shin Splints- a common overuse injury to the front medial side of the lower leg. These generally occur with inadequate footwear, an increase in training very quickly or running on hard surfaces. Pain and swelling occur while exercising and may even worsen the following day.

Iliopsoas Tendinitis- another overuse injury occurring as a result of repetitive hip flexion. Inflammation is present around the tendon area which causes pain to the anterior portion of the thigh. this pain generally starts when activity occurs and can subside over the course of the activity or when resting.

Over pronation- pronation is the inward turn of the foot, with over pronation the foot’s arch collapses or flattens. This causes the soft tissues to stretch giving the runner pain and can result in secondary conditions such as metatarsalgia, plantar fascitis, ankle sprains, etc. These conditions can worsen and result in deformities and permanent problems. Custom orthotics can often correct and even prevent this fallen arch and over pronation from occurring.

Since most of these conditions relate to the muscle groups attached to the pelvis, it is very important to keep a healthy and balanced pelvis by visiting your chiropractor first before you start your running season.  Keeping your hips in proper alignment allows you to keep your running muscles balanced and your body pain free.

Appropriate footwear, resting time, chiropractic care, and running on proper surfaces can help prevent many of these running injuries. If you have just began your summer running regimen and are experiencing any of these conditions or want to know more to prevent them, give Dr. Rising a call at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic at 551-2177.

Fibromyalgia

Are you experiencing pain and tenderness throughout the entire body (joints, muscles, tendons all experiencing pain)? Are you suffering from headaches, depression, anxiety issues or having trouble sleeping as a result of this pain? Has this been going on for some time now? If you answered yes you may have a myofascial condition known as fibromyalgia.

The cause of fibromyalgia is not well known but is thought to be caused by the overactivity of the neurons of the body sending increased pain signals back to the brain creating overall body aches. Possible triggers for this condition include both physical or emotional trauma, infections, or sleep disturbances. Pain has been described as anything from shooting, burning to a dull ache and generally point tenderness is present. Waking up still fatigued or with body aches and stiffness is also commonly reported by those experiencing fibromyalgia. This condition can be long-term, and to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia the widespread pain must be present for at least three months.  But be careful, there are many misdiagnosed cases of fibromyalgia as well.

Chiropractic treatment is beneficial to those experiencing this painful condition. Using manipulative care as well as stretches and exercises specific for fibromyalgia patients, our Bozeman chiropractor can correct misalignments and improve joint mobility to reduce pain. With this relief many other symptoms such as fatigue, restless sleep, and depression have been reported to diminish with chiropractic treatment. By aligning the spine the central nervous system is able to control an individual's overall health. Call Gallatin Valley Chiropractic, 551-2177 to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Rising today!

You have probably heard of the cold shoulder, what about the frozen shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, or Adhesive Capsulitis, refers to the loss of movement within the shoulder, this restriction literally freezes the joint! How this freeze takes place refers to the thickening and shortening of the shoulder tissues which eventually causes them to stick together. Two symptoms are most commonly associated with frozen shoulder; pain and stiffness which both restrict the full range of motion in the joint. People who most commonly experience frozen shoulder are between the age of 40-60 and female. Past injuries that cause degeneration have also been found to cause the stiffness and pain. People who have these symptoms experience them while doing daily household work, dressing themselves or any activity that overhead movement occurs. Stiffness will progressively get worse and can last for many months unless treatment occurs. Seeing a chiropractor for a non-invasive treatment and mobilization of the shoulder can restore movement and restore the ability to participate in daily activities once restricted by frozen shoulder. The treatment phase can last several weeks up to months with increasing movement along the way, this is known as the thawing phase. Your Bozeman Chiropractor, Dr. Rising, would focus on relieving the pain, minimizing the muscle deterioration, and thawing the shoulder back to health! 

What causes Numbness and Tingling?

Numbness is a sensation that occurs when a sensory nerve becomes compressed or irritated inhibiting its ability to relay information to and from the brain. This feeling of numbness is known as "paresthesia" in the medical world, and can manifest with a variety of other symptoms. Some people feel that they have what they describe as a “pins and needles” feeling or a “falling asleep” sensation as well.  Impingement can be caused by a variety of conditions, most commonly by a subluxation (misalignment) of a vertebrae or a disc herniation. A pinched nerve causes numbness, but also can cause pain, burning, and itchiness.  Other less common conditions associated with numbness can be spinal canal stenosis, tumors and cancer, stroke, diabetes, trauma, cardiovascular issues, etc. The most common areas of numbness are in the shoulders, arms, legs and feet.   To treat numbness, the pressure on the nerve must be reduced.  A chiropractor is able to remove pressure from the irritated nerve by adjusting the vertebrae creating a straighter spine. Contact Dr. Rising at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic if you are experiencing any numbness or tingling symptoms.