Take arthritis for instance. In point of fact, with the exception of pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine fails to address this age-related affliction. What is the basis for such a limited approach? The answer is that most medical professionals treat the symptoms of arthritis. The chiropractic approach is to look for the root of the problem and treat the pain at its source.  For more than a hundred years, chiropractors, like your San Jose Chiropractor, have been helping people suffering from back pain and other problems created by arthritic changes in the musculoskeletal system.

Arthritic changes happen as your body ages because, over time, wear of particular joints takes place as a consequence of repetitive stresses, and years of poor gait, improper posture, and lack of beneficial movement. Chiropractic treatment brings back motion into your joints and relieves pain, and it corrects any vertebral misalignment that may be causing irritation and restriction. In addition to causing arthritic changes in the spine and increasing pain, did you know that misaligned vertebra can also reduce your resistance and immunity? It’s true, and this could be one of the reasons why it may seem that as you age you experience more health issues and that it often takes longer for you to feel better again. According to research done on men and women, those who received regular chiropractic care stayed healthier. In fact, you could say that, as you get older, chiropractic adjustments are good for what ails you!

When it comes to the health of the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors are highly knowledgeable whether it’s the small, growing frame of an infant or the full-grown body of a mature adult.  Your chiropractor is well aware of the body’s aging process and has singular observational and diagnostic skills that assist in locating spinal misalignments and joint problems. A chiropractic examination can, in fact, frequently reveal some age-related conditions before they’ve begun to create noticeable pain. In addition, your San Jose Chiropractor can evaluate your posture and check your gait to identify faulty patterns that could create more arthritic changes in the future.

So, if you have been feeling your age lately, and you’d like to feel a whole lot better, see your San Jose Chiropractor today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hoewisch

Technorati Tags: aging, arthritis, chiropractic, chiropractor

The ordinary, healthy individual takes 3,000-5,000 steps each day, not counting activities such as running and aerobic exercise. However, many times those steps are made by individuals walking incorrectly, with poor gait patterns and inappropriate posture.

In addition, a significant number of individuals wear inadequately-designed, improperly-fitting shoes. Moving the body through space inappropriately on feet that are kept from functioning correctly cannot help but to cause painful problems not only in various places in the feet, but in other parts of the body, too.  For instance, if a person over-pronates (walks like a duck) in shoes that are poorly-made or unevenly-worn, or in any pair of high heels, that individual will not only develop foot and ankle challenges, but will probably experience aches and pains in the back, knees and legs.

One of the most well-known foot problems is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is usually caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a wonderfully-formed, multi-tasking band of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles on the bottom of the foot, fixes the heel bone to the ball of the foot, reinforces the arch, safeguards the foot, and absorbs shock. It goes without saying, then, that the healthy function of the plantar fascia is crucial for pain-free movement of the foot.

There are many factors that contribute to the development of Plantar Fascitis. Short and tight calf muscles are one factor. When calf muscles get short and tight they exert a strong pull on the back of the heel bone, producing undue stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and fascia. You may be wondering how calf muscles get short and tight. Aside from aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, tennis, and similar activities that involve running and jumping, the wearing of high heels can create the problem.

Other factors that contribute to Plantar Fascitis include sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, abnormal gait patterns (such as over-pronation), improper footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity.

Once an individual develops Plantar Fascitis, the condition is often difficult to manage and can become exceedingly painful and persistent. Without proper attention, Plantar Fascitis will only get worse.

If you are suffering from heel pain, your chiropractor will be able to establish the reason for your problem and what chiropractic management would be most appropriate. Management might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, kinesio taping and, in some cases, orthotics.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, foot pain, heel pain, plantar fascitis, Seattle Chiropractor