What Are Treatments For Spinal Stenosis?

Suffering from chronic back pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs? You may be struggling with spinal stenosis. This common condition occurs when the spinal canal gradually narrows, often due to age-related spinal degeneration. As a result, spinal tissue can impinge on nearby nerves, triggering pain and neurological symptoms. 

Thankfully, many minimally-invasive treatments are available for spinal stenosis. Especially when the condition is diagnosed soon after symptoms appear, these treatments can effectively ease pain and inflammation. 

Read on to learn more about the most common non-surgical treatments for spinal stenosis. 

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy involves targeted exercises, stretches, and complementary treatments to improve patients’ strength, mobility, and pain levels. PT focuses not only on improving patients’ spinal stenosis symptoms but also on preventing future discomfort. This is achieved through exercises that strengthen the muscles that support the spine (the core and back muscles) and stretches that improve spinal mobility. 

Your physical therapist can also identify imbalances or irregularities in your movement patterns and help you resolve them. This will reduce the strain on your spine with day-to-day movements. 

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care focuses on improving the alignment of the spine and restoring the proper flow of energy throughout the body. This reduces the pressure on spinal nerves and facilitates circulation to the spine, allowing healing oxygen and nutrients to reach the damaged tissue. 

For spinal stenosis, your chiropractor may perform manual adjustments, non-surgical spinal decompression, and various other treatments. Your chiropractor can also offer nutritional and lifestyle counseling to facilitate the healing process. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine. It involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the natural healing response. This treatment can improve spinal stenosis symptoms by reducing inflammation, stimulating tissue recovery, and promoting relaxation. 

To learn more about these effective spinal stenosis treatments, schedule an appointment at Florida Wellness Medical Group today!

Benefits of Manual Therapy After a Car Accident

Even minor car accidents can cause significant trauma. Aside from any physical trauma caused during the accident, the stress of filing insurance claims, scheduling auto repairs, and completing paperwork long after the crash is often a recipe for tension and pain. 

Following a car accident, ramping up your self-care with manual therapy is an excellent way to get your body and mind back on track. Manual therapy is the therapeutic form of soft tissue work, deep tissue work, and trigger point therapy. It’s widely used for injury rehabilitation. 

The many notable health benefits of manual therapy after auto accidents include:

Pain Relief

The key benefit of manual therapy in any scenario, including after an auto accident, is pain relief. By manipulating soft tissue with various degrees of pressure and/or targeting specific points in the muscles, your manual therapist can alleviate pain without the need for medications. 

Restored Range of Motion

Manual therapy relieves tension and stiffness, which are common side effects of being in an auto accident. This can help restore and even increase your normal range of motion. 

Speedier Recovery

Manual therapy increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, allowing for a faster recovery period. Additionally, manual therapy can boost the immune system by stimulating the lymphatic system, which helps rid the body of waste. 

Relaxation and Stress Relief

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is stressful. Manual therapy can help you unwind and manage this stress by alleviating muscle tension and stimulating the release of endorphins. Endorphins are “feel good” hormones that help your body manage stress and pain.  

Scar Tissue Prevention

Scar tissue is a natural component of the body’s healing process. Unfortunately, scar tissue can limit your range of motion and even, in some cases, trigger pain. Manual therapy helps break down scar tissue after an auto accident to preserve your comfort and mobility in the long run. 

At Florida Wellness Medical Group, we offer manual therapy to help you relax and recover after an auto accident. Contact us today to request an appointment!

Why You Need Physical Rehabilitation After a Sports Injury

As an athlete, you need your body to be in top condition so that you can perform at your peak. Unfortunately, given the strain that athletes place on their bodies, injuries are to be expected. But with physical rehabilitation, you can recover as quickly as possible after a sports injury while preventing future injuries. 

Rehabilitation To Retrain Your Body

Oftentimes, sports injuries are caused by a misalignment in the body. Misalignment can place additional stress on the body and increase your risk of getting injured. Physical rehabilitation treatments including chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, and balance/gait retraining can restore balance in the body. Your doctor will also work with you to reduce stress on the joints by learning how to optimally work your body while you’re playing your sport.Continue reading

4 Reasons Why You Would Benefit From Chiropractic Therapy

Chiropractic therapy is a treatment that many seek as a substitute or a supplement for pharmaceutical or surgical care. The majority of cancer survivors that have regular chiropractic sessions do so to relieve pain, discomfort, and stress, as well as to better their moods and sleep cycles.

Chiropractic care is not merely to alleviate pain. Rather, it enhances your overall quality of life through helping the central nervous system, and therefore your muscles, work better. There are a whole host of advantages gained through chiropractic care – perhaps you or a loved one may find that it is exactly what you need.

Here are a few major reasons that chiropractic care may be for you.

1 – Boosts Athletic Performance

4 Reasons Why You Would Benefit From Chiropractic TherapyWhether you are an Olympian or an average Joe who jogs a few mornings a week, you can gain from a chiropractor who specialize in treatment related to sports. They have the expertise when it comes to flexing your joints, soft tissue, muscles, and spine in order to shorten recovery and avoid or reduce the symptoms for injuries such as strains, and even shock.

These doctors are able to help you learn better techniques for your sports, and aid you in developing a stretching routine for you to avoid getting hurt and to heal faster.

2 – Relieves Headaches

Do you often suffer from tension around your head and neck? Sometimes the pain can be so severe as to have an effect on your quality of life, even preventing you from doing the things you would like to do. Poor posture and irregular neck movement can intensity the pain you feel after a day at work.

With chiropractic care, you can benefit from the elimination of obstruction in your back and neck. That way, your head will not feel tense as often. Even when it does, it won’t hurt as severely.

3 – Boosts Immune System

Chiropractic care is focused on the spine and central nervous system, which is closely related with the immune system. You are not able to recover as quickly from illness if the signaling pathways between your nervous and immune systems are hindered.

Through chiropractic manipulation, these hindrances are removed from the pathways, allowing your body to heal more quickly.

4 – Enhances Overall Health

4 Reasons Why You Would Benefit From Chiropractic TherapyMany health issues, even those that don’t seem related to the spine, can be relieved or prevented through chiropractic care. Your sleep can even be improved via decompression movements.

Gastrointestinal Issues: People of all ages suffer from problems related to their digestive system. These are things such as colic, constipation, heartburn, and acid reflux. The most prevalent gastrointestinal issue around the globe is irritable bowel syndrome.

Cancer: People are becoming more and more aware of how to lower their risk of developing cancer. Some of the first and most widespread symptoms of cancer include musculoskeletal pain and terrible headaches – chiropractic care is able to treat both.

A whopping 7 out of 10 people who suffer from cancer, be it lung, thyroid, breast, kidney, or prostate cancer, have had it spread to their bones. Rather than choose to medicate, some have chosen to have chiropractic care, to great effects.

If you are looking for a solution for chiropractic care, check out the Florida Wellness Medical Group! Being able to experience a higher quality of life has never been easier, we are based in Tampa, FL. If you’re looking for a Tampa Chiropractor come visit today!

 

Chiropractic Care After A Car Accident: Don’t Wait!

With no obvious injuries or pain after a car accident, you may be tempted to refuse medical attention. Many people make this mistake, thinking they’re “just a little shaken up.” It’s important to remember, however, that at the scene of an accident and even hours after, your adrenaline may be running high and can mask some really common, but debilitating, soft tissue injuries.

Even from an insurance standpoint, most experts will agree that all accident victims should be evaluated by a doctor including after what may seem like a minor crash. Dr. Edward Leonard specializes in Chiropractic Medicine and Acupuncture at the Florida Wellness Medical Group. He and his team strongly believe that to ensure the best possible outcome, healing and return to normal activities, you should take it a step further and consult a chiropractor as soon as possible.

Small tears, slight spinal misalignments and other damage caused by the body being “whipped” back and then forward on crash impact (commonly known as whiplash) can wreak havoc on your body. Blurred vision, neck pain, headaches, dizziness, shoulder pain, reduced range of motion, neck stiffness and lower back pain are just some of the most common ailments that can plague you days and even weeks after an accident. Sometimes, a patient won’t even connect their discomfort to the fender bender. And depending on exactly what is causing them, these symptoms can take months or years to subside on their own.

The good news is…there is help. Often without the use of prescription drugs, chiropractic care treats the whole body to promote:

  • Long-term relief from pain—regular treatments gradually heal and strengthen damage
  • Range of motion improvements—feel better and move with greater ease after an accident with chiropractic care, therapeutic massage and acupuncture
  • Complete healing over time—better your chances for optimal health and a return to the activities you love
    Muscle relaxation and stress reduction—relax knowing that you’re taking care of your body today and long after a crash
  • Reduce the chances of re-injury—incorporate rehabilitative exercises into your life that improve flexibility and strengthen muscles around the spine.

 

Are You Sleeping Enough to Keep Your Bones Healthy?

All of us know that a good night’s sleep is of paramount importance for our general well-being and productivity. But our lives move at a very fast pace these days, and many of us deal with stress that makes it difficult to get a sound sleep. This takes a toll on our overall health, which calls for adopting good sleeping habits. In fact, chronic sleep issues can also lead to a gradual decrease in bone density and the development of osteoporosis with increasing age.

Bone Remodeling

Our bones are in a constant phase of repair throughout our lifetime. Through the process of bone remodeling, the mature bone tissues are removed from the skeleton and replaced with new bone tissues regularly. This process helps in replacing damaged bone structure when our bones get weakened due to everyday movements or are broken due to an injury from an auto accident or sports activity. An imbalance in this remodeling process can cause bone diseases like osteoporosis.

What the Research Says

Over the past few years, many studies have suggested that deprivation of sleep can adversely affect the bone remodeling process. A study conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin found a connection between chronic sleep deprivation and abnormality in bone and bone marrow development. When laboratory animals were deprived of sleep, there was a dramatic imbalance in bone growth. Sleep-deprived animals stopped forming new bone and gradually lost bone density. Lack of sleep also affected bone marrow, leading to diminished bone flexibility. These results suggest that sleep deprivation can have a similar effect on the bone remodeling process in humans.

Restoring Sleep

To restore your sleep and improve bone health, you can take a few simple steps like checking your caffeine intake, limiting the use of TV and your computer at night, using night-time lighting, and going to bed earlier than your current time. You can also try to increase your melatonin level, because it regulates your nocturnal circadian rhythms and helps you sleep better. Melatonin also reduces bone breakdown and enhances bone formation.

Now you have one more reason to cultivate healthy sleeping habits; a sound sleep at night can help in keeping your bones healthy and strong. However, if you are facing difficulties in getting a good night’s sleep, consult one of the physicians of Florida Wellness Medical Group. Our expert chiropractors and health professionals can help to ease you into a new sleep routine.

Is Ultrasound Therapy Effective in Treating Facial Pain and Trigeminal Neuralgia?

You’re savoring a delicious piece of chocolate but suddenly experience a stabbing sensation on the side of your face. You’re first confused, then scared – where is this pain coming from? Is this a serious issue? Don’t panic! Chances are you’re suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, which, despite its difficult name, is more common than you think. However, that does not make it any less severe. You might not be in any immediate danger, but it is better to be cautious about your condition, and using ultrasound therapy can help.

How Is Ultrasound Applied?

Ultrasound is an amazing technology traditionally used for scanning the body using short, high-intensity waves to detect many ailments present in the body. Recent developments in the field of ultrasound technology have led to several improvements in the scope of its application, from imaging and detection to treatment therapies. Now, even small gadgets can emit ultrasound and these are highly useful for the kind of facial pain relief you’re looking for. These tiny devices switch the way the ultrasound waves get delivered to the body in comparison to a regular ultrasound device. Since the pads deliver low-intensity ultrasound to your body, you can use these gadgets for extended periods to enjoy long-term relief from pain. You can wear them overnight with the aid of a head strap so that your facial pain decreases while you sleep.

Advantages over Existing Alternatives

Ultrasound facilitates quick wound healing in diabetes patients and proves beneficial for other diseases that weaken the natural immune system. You can easily apply the reusable treatment patch to a bony surface in the face to treat facial neuralgia. The acoustic ultrasound waves travel across the surface of the entire skull and provide relief to the root of the trigeminal nerve, thereby hastening the healing process for nerve tissue.

You will be pleased to know that this new form of ultrasound therapy has been seen to cure people suffering from prolonged facial pain in a matter of months. We at Florida Wellness Medical Group understand how painful such conditions can be, and if you wish to seek the right sort of ultrasound therapy for facial pain, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

How Hormone Treatment Can Help Alleviate Prostate Cancer Risks

Cancer is still one of the most dreaded words that one may hear in the context of personal health or the health of a loved one. However, thanks to the advancement of medical science, many cancers are largely treatable depending on their type and stage. Prostate cancer is no exception. Did you know that the human body itself offers the material that is required to combat this disease? The name of this ‘natural cure’ is hormones. These occur naturally within the body and control cell growth and activity. Prostate cancer relies on androgens (mainly testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) to spread, so decreasing the amount of androgens present within the body presents a chance of minimizing the risks associated with this cancer type. Moreover, proper hormone treatment can shrink a developed prostate tumor or even hinder its growth. Read on to learn more about how this option works.

Stages of Hormone Therapy to Treat Prostate Cancer

When and how hormone therapy is applied to a patient depends mostly on the stage of the prostate cancer. Patients in the very early stages might be cured using surgery or radiotherapy, and there is a low chance of remission. However, if the cancer has grown through the covering of the prostate capsule or a very high level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been detected, hormone therapy is prescribed by doctors. Depending on the severity of the condition, hormone therapy may be continued anywhere between three months and three years.

Types of Hormone Therapy

The testicles produce most of the androgens,and if prostate cancer spreads to the bone and presses against the spinal cord, doctors may prescribe a reduction in hormone levels through surgery. However, medical treatment is also available and different sorts of drugs (mentioned below) can lower testosterone levels:

• Anti-androgens
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) blockers
• Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) blockers
• Abiraterone (Zytiga)

Application of the Hormone Treatment

Hormone therapy might be prescribed to patients in a variety of ways. Doctors may use the luteinizing hormone blockers on their own or together with an anti-androgen. Gonadotrophin also releases hormone blockers on its own. Most doctors commonly employ either an anti-androgen or a luteinizing blocker.

Hormone therapy is a highly effective form of treatment. However, it might need additional treatment options to cure prostate cancer. If you wish to know more, contact Florida Wellness Medical Group today.

Why Opt for Thoracic Spine Treatment?

Do your shoulders tend to sink when you sit, walk, or stand? Do you have neck or lower back pain when trying to make rotational movements, or have a problem keeping your chest up while picking up heavy objects from the ground? If your answer is yes, you need thoracic spine treatment. Here are some of its benefits:

Reduces Headaches

Many mechanical headaches are cervicogenic in nature, meaning the cervical spine or other anatomical structures in the neck are responsible for them. These headaches can be treated with the mobilization or manipulation of the mid- and upper thoracic spine.

Helps Your Cervical Spine

Thrust manipulation of the mid and the upper spine (known as the thoracic spine) helps your cervical spine (neck). As the neck is a sensitive place to apply pressure or manipulate, some patients are skeptical about it. Manipulating the thoracic spine helps in achieving the same results and is a much safer option.

Breathe Easy

It is amazing that although we breathe more than 20,000 times a day, most of us do not do it in the correct way. Inefficient breathing is often responsible for a number of pains, especially around the neck, head, and shoulders. Poor posture, stiffness, tense shoulders, and rigid pelvis are some of the conditions that might prevent the rib cage from opening up. A chiropractor can teach you the proper way to breathe.

Improves Shoulder Movement

Thoracic manipulation improves the movement of your frozen shoulders in conjunction with improving thoracic mobility, which is an essential component of shoulder girdle flexibility.

Improve your thoracic mobility to keep your spine healthy and adjusted, and make sure that you have the right posture so that your spine remains well aligned. If you are suffering from lower back or neck pain, visit Florida Wellness Medical Group for chiropractic care plus manual/massage therapy. Call for an appointment today.

How Does Sports Massage Therapy Improve Your Performance on the Field?

Players can benefit from sports massage therapy in two ways – recovery from injury and prevention of further harm. If you have sustained any physical harm on the field, massage improves the condition of the injured part and focuses on getting your performance back to optimal level quickly. Sports massage therapy also safeguards you against further injury. This is mainly a lifestyle choice, and you can add massage sessions to your routine as per your convenience. The benefits will follow immediately.

Enhance Blood Circulation

Massage therapy on a regular basis boosts the body’s circulation and nourishes the muscles. Your body regains its maximum ability to exchange nutrients and oxygen within blood cells, which translates into better muscle rebuilding capabilities.

Flexibility

A sports massage makes you a lot more flexible and the advantages tend to present themselves in a short time. Just a day after you get the massage you will feel fresh and relaxed. Regular sessions will allow you to improve the performance and power of your muscles.

Active players realize how easy it is to stretch tissues, pull muscles and suffer other accidents that impede the body’s capacity to compete. Regular treatments allow your tissues and muscles to attain a state where they are significantly less susceptible to damage during intense physical activity.

Decrease in Toxicity Levels

Your body builds toxins daily. When you work out, you flush out part of those harmful toxins. The problem with exercise is that it takes quite some time for the results to show and it is not always as effective as you would like. Getting a massage after working out or other physical activities can hasten the process.

You must understand that no matter how much you workout, you will hit a plateau after some point. On the contrary, sports massage helps to reset your muscles from the inside and you will experience the difference the next time you hit the field.

If you believe that your performance on the field has declined, get in touch with us. Our sports massage therapies will not only make you feel better, but you will also notice positive changes in your performance within a short span of time.