chiropractic care in gainesville ga 

Common Chiropractic Conditions

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  • Allergies

    Chiropractic can help reduce the severity and the frequency of your allergies.(1) Chiropractic does not work like an anti-histamine as a direct, short term relief from allergies. Chiropractic allows your body to be better equipped to fight against allergies.

    Allergies are a reaction by your immune system to an allergen (substances that normally have no effect on people) resulting in sneezing, coughing, congestion, hives, rashes, and in severe cases, seizure and anaphylactic shock. These symptoms are caused by the histamines your immune system creates in an attempt to protect your body against the allergen.

    When your spine is misaligned it can impinge on the nervous system in your body. Studies have shown that the nervous system has an effect on the functionality of your immune system. When your nervous system is under stress and not functioning properly, your immune system cannot work at an optimal level. Chiropractors work with the nervous system by aligning the spine to relieve any stress on nerves. This allows the immune system to work at a higher level, making it easier to fight off infections while recognizing allergens. When your immune system recognizes allergens, it will not overreact to them, or at least not react as severely to them.

    If you suffer from allergies, chiropractic can help you find relief. Schedule an appointment today.

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    This condition is most commonly associated with people who are constantly using a computer. Typing is a motion that, when performed repetitively and with poor posture, can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms include pain, numbness, weakness, or a burning sensation. The nerves in the fingertips travel through the wrist, up the arm, and into the neck. The spine is the center of the nervous system, and the pain in your hands and wrists can be relieved by your chiropractor with concentrated spinal and joint adjustments.

  • Degenerative Disc Disease

    Degenerative disc disease is not as much a disease as it is a name for the changes that can happen to the spine as we age. Our discs are made of a tough, rubbery exterior and a soft interior. They sit between the vertebrae to act as shock absorbers. As we age, the spinal discs begin to degenerate. This can cause herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis.

    The degeneration of spinal discs may cause no symptoms at all, and symptoms depend on each patient and the severity of their case. Pain may occur at the site of the affected disc in the back or neck. As the pain is often caused by compressed nerves, this pain can also travel to other areas of the body like the buttocks, arms, and legs. Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs may also be experienced. Pain can range from mild to severe and debilitating.

    As mentioned previously, our spines can degenerate as a natural part of aging. Tears in the tougher outer layer of the disc are common as we grow older. and when the discs begin to lose fluid, they become smaller and less flexible. In addition to aging, other factors that may come into play, including obesity, smoking, repeated physical work, and injury.

    Pain caused by degeneration is often treated with hot or cold packs and an anti inflammatory medication. When disc degeneration causes problems like herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, or osteoarthritis, other forms of treatment may be beneficial. This may include physical therapy, stretching, and in some cases, surgery. While degenerative disc disease is a natural part of aging, there are things you can do to prevent pain and stay healthy. If you are experiencing frequent back or neck pain, be sure to visit our office for an examination so we can create a treatment plan for you.

  • Disc Problems

    Intervertebral discs are positioned between the vertebrae in the spine. The outside of a disc is made from cartilage, and in the center is a jelly like solution. These discs serve many purposes, including allowing movement of the spine, creating space between the vertebrae, and acting as shock absorbers. The gelatinous middle allows the disc to compress and expand based on impact and movement. Trauma to the spine can cause the discs to herniated, bulge, become displaced (slipped disc), or even rupture. Trauma or direct injury to the area is not the only cause, however. As we get older, the discs can begin to weaken and dehydrate. These conditions can put pressure on the nerves around the spine and cause pain.

    If you suffer from one of these injuries you should see a chiropractor. Surgery is risky, expensive, and requires recovery time. In many cases, you can experience relief from these conditions through chiropractic. By properly aligning the spine, pressure can be relieved on nerves and on the discs themselves. This will reduce and hopefully eliminate your pain and discomfort and allow you to live a normal lifestyle.

  • Fibromyalgia

    Fibromyalgia is a condition that we still do not know much about. There is no specific known cause, and it could be brought on by many different factors. The main symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic pain throughout the body, mainly located in joints. The pain may be achy, sharp, radiating, burning, or shooting and it may be mild or severe. Fibromyalgia has also been known to bring on other conditions like trouble sleeping, headaches, depression, and anxiety.

    While there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, chiropractic treatment can help to uncover what may be causing the pain and also provide relief for the pain. The cause of fibromyalgia could be physical, mental, or emotional, so a full examination will be performed. Adjustments and chiropractic massage can be used to relieve pain from the affected areas. The added effects of chiropractic treatment such as increased energy levels, better circulation, and a stronger immune system can also help to fight the effects of fibromyalgia. If you are experiencing symptoms of fibromyalgia give us a call to schedule a consultation so we can establish a plan to start you on your road to recovery.

  • Headaches

    Many people believe that headaches are caused by loud noise, being tired, or being stressed. While these are all factors that can lead to headaches, the direct cause is tightness in the neck and shoulders. The tightness can cause misalignments in the vertebrae of your neck, resulting in pain. 80% of all headaches originate from the neck. With a typical cervicogenic (neck origin) headache, a person usually feels pain starting at the base of the skull which radiates into the temples, eyeballs, and forehead. Massage of the neck and shoulder muscles can release tension, and a chiropractic adjustment can realign the vertebrae in your neck. Chiropractic can help eliminate the cause of your headaches rather than offering a temporary relief from the symptoms.

  • Joint Dysfunction

    Joint dysfunction occurs when joints become stiff and full movement is restricted. It can be caused by an injury, poor posture, overuse/underuse of a joint, muscle imbalance, as well as other factors. Like arthritis, joint dysfunction can cause pain in the joint and the surrounding muscles, and can also cause problems in other parts of the body due to overcompensation.

    One common form of joint dysfunction is sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which occurs where the base of the spine meets the pelvis. It causes low back pain and prohibits movement. This condition is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to sciatica or a herniated disc.

    Your chiropractor can properly diagnose this condition and provide relief. Using specific adjustments for the affected joint can return proper mobility and relieve pain. If you have joint pain, visit us for relief.

  • Neck/Back Pain

    Pain along the spinal column in your neck or back is usually caused by subluxations, or misalignments of your vertebrae. A small misalignment can cause pain by causing pressure on nerves. Left untreated, these subluxations can cause muscle spasms and increasing pain. Chiropractic adjustments properly align your spine so that pressure on joints and nerves is released. It is a direct treatment for the cause of the pain, not a temporary relief like pain relievers or massage. If you are experiencing back or neck pain visit us today.

  • Osteoarthritis

    Arthritis is a condition that is caused by the wearing down of the cartilage between joints. Some of the major joints that are affected are the knees, hips, back, neck, and hands/wrist. Arthritis can be painful and can cause the affected areas to not function properly. Arthritis in one area can cause arthritis or other problems in a different joint. For instance, if you have arthritis in your left knee, you may compensate for this by putting more pressure on your right side, leading to right hip problems.

    Pain killers can cause temporary relief from pain and discomfort, but it is not a long term solution. Chiropractic can alleviate pain by releasing pressure on the nervous system with proper alignment. It can also restore proper joint movement, helping to ensure that you use proper motion so that you do not cause injury to other parts of your body. We are not concerned strictly with the affected area, but rather the body as a whole. We aim to restore and maintain proper movement and functionality to increase your overall well being.

  • Pinched Nerve

    When a nerve is squeezed or compressed it is called a "pinched nerve". This can be caused by spinal misalignments, bulging or herniated discs, or other factors. The increased pressure on the nerve causes inflammation, pain, and sometimes muscle spasms. The pressure on the nerve must be relieved in order to alleviate the pain. An examination can reveal the cause of the pain, and an adjustment can relieve the pain by properly aligning the spine and addressing the cause of the pain.

  • Sciatica

    Sciatica is a condition that results when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated. Bulging discs, spinal subluxations, and muscle spasms can all cause increased pressure on the sciatic nerve. When this happens it causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and leg. To properly treat sciatica the cause of the condition needs to be diagnosed and properly treated. Your chiropractor can help you do this.

  • Whiplash

    Whiplash is a common injury for people involved in car collisions. When a car is struck from behind or collides with another object, it causes the neck to snap back and forth violently. This causes the muscles and ligaments to overextend, leading to strains and/or tears. This is referred to as soft tissue damage, and can cause stiffness and soreness. Whiplash can also cause structural damage such as misaligned vertebrae, herniated, bulging or ruptured discs, or nerve damage due to the overextension from the violent movement.

    Chiropractic can help with both types of injuries. Adjustments and alignments can be performed specifically for those who have been in car accidents and suffered from whiplash. The pressure on the discs and nerves is released when the spine is returned to its proper alignment. Chiropractic massage can be used to help relieve the pain and discomfort from soft tissue injuries. If you have been in a car accident, schedule an appointment with us before relying on pain medications and surgery.

  • Maintenance Care

    We have discussed many conditions that can be relieved through chiropractic. The best way to treat these conditions is to prevent them before they even start. Regular chiropractic visits can help to prevent physical problems and injuries from occurring. Other potential benefits of regular chiropractic visits are increased flexibility and mobility, higher level of energy, improved posture, more effective immune system, better circulation, and an overall better feeling of well-being.

Back Pain Treatments 

Dr. Mark Patrick and his team at Optimum Wellness Chiropractic serving Gainesville, GA, offer real solutions for your back pain. Practicing since 1990, Dr. Patrick brings a wealth of chiropractic experience to the community offering natural and holistic care with a lasting impact, allowing you to live a pain-free and better quality of life in the long run.
Don’t Ignore Your Back PainBack pain is something most of us will experience in our lifetime. However, you should always bear in mind that the underlying reason for your back pain is not always clear-cut. There are several reasons why you may be experiencing back pain including:
● Sports, Auto, or Personal injuries, including muscle strains or sprains● Aging and general wear and tear● Poor posture● Slipped disc● An underlying condition that requires further investigation
Your spinal column is the primary structure that keeps you upright and allows you strength and flexibility. Therefore, you should never ignore back pain when:
● The pain is severe and/or getting worse.● It's affecting your ability to move and perform everyday activities.● The pain has been present for a long time.● Most of the time, non-invasive and natural solutions will greatly improve, reduce, or resolve your back pain. This is why taking the time to address your aches and pains is important.
Treating Back PainDr. Patrick at Optimum Wellness Chiropractic serving Gainesville, GA, is a pro at resolving back pain. He is experienced in numerous chiropractic interventions suitable for treating your neuromusculoskeletal conditions including:
● Spinal decompression to gently stretch the spine and treat slipped discs.● Focused shockwave therapy, which uses acoustic waves to treat targeted areas, stimulating healing.● Active Release/Graston Technique chiropractic adjustments to relieve soft tissue tension and treat repetitive motion injuries and more.
In addition to these services, we offer massage therapy, therapeutic exercise, and therapeutic ultrasound which can be combined holistically to treat you effectively.
Choosing Chiropractic for Back PainThe five main reasons people choose chiropractic treatment for their back pain are:
● Pain relief! In most instances, you start to notice results quickly.● It is non-invasive and may help you avoid invasive interventions, like surgery, in the long run.● Chiropractic can strengthen your back so that you are less likely to sustain back injuries and experience back pain.
It improves your physical function and flexibility.Treatments are natural and can be integrated as part of a holistic health plan.
Call Us Today!Patients suffering from back pain in Gainesville, GA, are lucky enough to have Dr. Patrick and his experienced team at Optimum Wellness Chiropractic on their doorstep. For an appointment, call us now at 404-296-4888!

Back Pain Treatments 

f you’re tired of neck pain interfering with your life, Dr. Mark Patrick at Optimum Wellness in Gainesville, GA, can help you find relief through natural and comprehensive care.
Neck Pain Causes and ReliefPain can be completely disruptive in your life. When that pain is in your neck, it can make it hard to move and focus on whatever task you are trying to accomplish. It can also be difficult to find a comfortable position to sit or lie down in. Getting rid of that pain is essential to being able to manage your day, and chiropractic care can help.
What Makes the Neck Hurt?
Pain in any part of the body can be complex. Generally, it starts with one issue that leads to another, and those issues create a compounded problem.
Pain in the neck often starts with poor posture or leaning over a device. These habits put excess pressure on the neck’s components, which can lead to misalignment, a herniated disc, nerve compression, and muscle tension.
While poor posture is one of the most common causes, several other habits and events can lead to these same issues. These include but are not limited to:
● Sleeping on your front● Age, as the discs wear down over time● Twisting your neck too quickly● Auto accidents● Reading or watching TV in bed, as the neck is typically in an awkward position● Repetitive lifting, especially with poor posture or lifting techniques
Without proper care, these habits and incidents can worsen the pain over time and leave you suffering for years to come.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractors like Dr. Patrick at Optimum Wellness in Gainesville, GA, treats neck pain by first determining the source of that pain. He’ll then combine the most effective techniques to address that source. Some of the techniques used include those below.
● Spinal decompression: Decompression therapy provides a thorough and gentle stretch to the spinal column to relieve pressure on the discs.● Focused shockwave therapy: Shockwave therapy sends sound waves into the affected area to relieve tension, stimulate healing, improve blood flow, and restore range of motion.● Active Release Technique: ART is a technique that combines movement with pressure to relieve issues in the soft tissues.● Massage therapy: Massage therapy helps break up tension, restore comfortable movement, and increase blood flow to the target area to enhance healing.● Adjustments: Adjustments are used to restore alignment to the spinal column, relieving pressure from the discs, nerves, muscles, and more.
Don’t continue living with neck pain. Let Dr. Patrick at Optimum Wellness in Gainesville, GA, help you enjoy natural relief by calling (404) 296-4888 to schedule an appointment. 

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