Do you have an injury that doesn’t seem to respond to conventional treatment, or that you’d simply like to give the best chance of healing? Are you suffering from a congenital or degenerative condition that needs attention? Do you have undiagnosed or diagnosed pain that is making your life more difficult? We can help.
Here at Kosak Chiropractic, we strive every day to provide the wellness treatments you need to live a long and healthy life. We consider ourselves your partners in wellness, and will do whatever we can to provide the solutions you need.
Our chiropractor provides a variety of different treatment types. These depend on your exact condition, how long you have experienced it, other conditions you may be suffering from, age, lifestyle and more. Because each individual is unique, we create a treatment plan that’s just as unique as you are. As we progress through your treatments, we will adjust the plan where necessary to take account of progress, tweak your plan and ensure the best possible results overall.
We treat a huge range of conditions, from injuries to preexisting spinal conditions to various types of pain. We know living with an injury, degenerative condition and pain that may seem intractable is debilitating, and we’re here to help fix it.
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.
Back Pain
Our center is staffed with experts who specialize in treating pain and accident-related conditions. Back pain is a common condition, with most people having experienced the condition at some point. Visit our chiropractic office in Fairfield for back pain treatment.
- Upper back pain, also known as cervical back pain. This condition typically affects the upper spine or neck. Sometimes this pain can move from the upper back to arms, hands, legs, or feet.
- Middle back pain, also known as thoracic back pain. The middle back tends to be strong and supportive of the upper body.
- Lower back pain (PBP, a condition occurring in the lumbar portion of the spine. The lower back is the most susceptible to injuries due to the amount of body weight that it supports. Lower back pain is often related to muscle or joint strain. It could be caused by a variety of problems.
There could be a number of causes of back pain, including:
- Poor posture.
- Sporting or exercise activity.
- Muscle strain.
- Spinal disc problems.
- Age-related degeneration of the spine.
- Physical jobs that require exertion.
- Spinal diseases.
- Injuries, falls, or accidents.
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of back pain you have. Back spasms, numbness, tingling, burning, and dull aches are some of the common symptoms of back pain. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then it may be time to check in with a chiropractor.
There are a number of management plans to deal with back pain, including medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, epidural corticosteroid injections, and skeletal muscle relaxers are some of the medications used to manage this condition. Back pain can be addressed with spinal manipulation, acupuncture, massage therapy, and corrective surgery. Living an obese or sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of developing back pain, so you can avoid back pain by making healthy lifestyle changes. Treatment for back pain will depend on the underlying condition that is affecting you.
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
One of the most common and least understood conditions in the world, fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed. Here at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we know what to look for and how to spot fibromyalgia. We have served the area for many years and in that time, we have helped many patients find relief from the symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). We can help you too!
A condition affecting the nerves, muscles, and soft tissues of the body, fibromyalgia is still a mystery to modern medicine. Some believe that it is a failure of the brain and spinal cord to properly interpret pain signals from the nerves. Others feel it is a hypersensitivity of those nerves to stimuli. However, the exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown.
There are, however, several commonalities that seem to indicate a propensity for the development of fibro. These include factors such as gender – women are more likely to have it than men – and familial history – as there appears to be a strong genetic link. Moreover, those who suffer from other painful conditions or infections, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, and/or abuse – either physical or emotional show a higher rate of fibro diagnosis than those without these factors.
Fibromyalgia symptoms differ from person to person; making the condition as unique as the people who suffer from it. Widespread chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep issues are the most common symptoms of this condition. Additional symptoms that may or may not be present include:
- Pain & trigger point tenderness
- Fatigue not due to legitimate reasons
- Dry eyes, mouth, & nose
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Tingling and numbness in arms, legs, hands, & feet
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Sensitivity to heat, cold, light, &/or sound
- Problems with memory and concentration (aka Fibro Fog)
- Insomnia & other sleep disturbances
- Stiffness when waking in the morning
- Headaches
- Painful menstrual cramps
Chiropractic care involves holistic treatment that utilizes non-invasive techniques to restore the body to proper function thus allowing it to better heal itself. To that end, more than 150 proven chiropractic techniques are at the disposal of licensed chiropractors.
While no cure for fibro exists, many chiropractic methods have proven effective at relieving the symptoms of this condition. Low impact exercises with the goal of stretching and strengthening muscles while building endurance are the cornerstone for fibromyalgia treatment.
Headaches and Migraines
The vast majority of people have experienced a headache at one point or another. In most cases, people simply take some medicine and move on. This approach does not always work, especially in the case of chronic headaches or migraines.
One of the most common forms of headache is called a tension headache. This is a type of headache which occurs on a regular basis, and is most likely occurring as a result of a subluxation in the spine. A subluxation can be best described as having vertebrae out of place. This causes inflammation which irritates nerves and results in a tension headache which can last for hours or days. Kosak Chiropractic has the tools and expertise required to help relieve the subluxation and alleviate the pain from your chronic headache. Our chiropractor, Dr. Michael Wilson, will not only realign your spine to remedy your current pain, but also teach you how to better sit, stand, and walk to prevent future headaches.
Not all headaches are caused by misalignments in the spine. Some are caused trigger points through a process called referred pain. Referred pain is when a muscle is in spasm, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, and causes you to perceive pain at a different location in your body. The sub occipital muscles of your neck in particular will cause you to feel pain inside your head, even when the irritation is in the muscles of your neck. This type of headache is very common among desk workers who strain their necks, people involved in auto or work related accidents, and those who have poor posture. Kosak Chiropractic is well prepared to help you deal with this issue. The chiropractor takes a whole body approach and is not limited to adjustments. Massage therapy is a very helpful tool which can help relax irritated muscles, thereby relieving your headache.
The most severe form of headache is a migraine. Migraines occur when blood vessels in the brain constrict, limiting the flow of blood to your brain. This results in nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and intense pain. The exact cause of a migraine is unknown, but there are many things which can be done to alleviate the pain. It has been shown that migraine headaches are linked to diet. Our Chiropractor is well versed in life-style management, and works to help his patients avoid foods which have been clinically linked to migraine headaches.
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 Pain
If you are suffering from neck pain or looking for a new chiropractor in the Fairfield area, then look no further. Kosak Chiropractic has been serving the area for years and has helped many patients just like you to overcome the conditions causing neck pain and achieve an optimal quality of life. Neck pain is tied with back pain for the most common complaint addressed by a chiropractor. Keep reading to find out more about what may be causing your pain and what we can do to help your body heal itself.
The neck is also known as the cervical spine and begins at the base of the skull. It has seven delicate vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, and tendons that are responsible for supporting the weight of the head – 12 pounds on average – and allowing it to turn in a plethora of directions. These fragile structures are highly susceptible to injury.
Some of the most common causes of neck pain are osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, injury, degenerative disc disease, poor ergonomics, and being overweight or excessively sedentary. Alone or together, these conditions can create stiffness, loss of motion, and pain in the cervical spine.
The most common auto accident injury is also the most common cause of neck pain. This is whiplash. Whiplash occurs with the sudden whipping of the head in a side to side and/or back and forth motion like that which happens in an automotive collision.
The smaller structures and soft tissues of the neck are damaged by this unexpected trauma. This leads to symptoms like tingling, stiffness, numbness, weakness, headaches, and pain. They may become more severe with time and chronic if not addressed quickly.
Chiropractic treatment focuses on a whole body approach to restore ideal function and alignment and thus, allow the body to properly heal itself. Its approaches are non-invasive and do not rely on the use of habit-forming medications to promote healing.
After careful assessment that involves taking an oral history, physical and neurological exams, and imaging tests a regimen of treatment will be developed based on the individual patient’s needs. It will utilize techniques that have been proven effective which may include:
- Spinal decompression therapy
- Manual manipulation of the cervical spine
- Rehabilitative exercises
- Mobilization
- Therapeutic massage
- Active release techniques
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, also known as a pinched nerve, is a form of pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is a structure located in the lower back, affecting the back, legs, and buttocks. The sciatic nerve helps to connect the nervous system, giving sensation to the skin of the feet and the lower legs.
The most popular cause of sciatica is spinal disc herniation, a condition that involves the discs of the spine pressing onto the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. In about 90 percent of clinical cases, disc herniation is what causes sciatica. Spinal stenosis, or the narrowing of the spinal canal, is another condition associated with sciatica. In piriformis syndrome, the piriformis muscle agitates the sciatic nerve. Another cause could be spondylolisthesis, a disorder where one vertebra slips from its place.
Sciatica is rarely dangerous, but it can become excruciatingly painful. Sciatic nerve pain encompasses lower back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Sometimes the pain takes the form of a sharp sear, or in some cases, it is a dull aching sensation. Sciatica is also more common for people in their late 40s or 50s. If you are unsure of to whether you are experiencing sciatica, visit a chiropractor for an examination.
This condition is treated in a variety of ways, including pain relief medication, physical therapy, ice packs, and lifestyle advice for alleviating pain. Surgery may be needed, especially if the sciatica is causing other complications like bladder or bowel problems. Discectomy is a common surgery for unilateral sciatica. Alternative methods of treatment include spinal manipulation.
In the vast majority of cases, sciatica will disappear in a matter of six weeks. However, medical professionals recommend that you seek medical help in order to avoid the condition worsening over time. Once the chiropractor diagnoses you with sciatica, he will recommend the best course of action for a treatment plan. Imaging testing like magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography may be needed to determine a diagnosis.
Whiplash
Whether you sustained an auto accident injury or another personal injury, you may injure your neck. The injury could be whiplash. At Kosak Chiropractic, we offer natural treatments to reduce your pain and help you heal.
Whiplash is a neck injury our chiropractor in Fairfield treats. It's caused by your neck moving forward and then backward rapidly. Commonly, it occurs when you get into a rear-end collision; however, you could develop it from a sports accident or physical abuse. If you have whiplash, you may have pain, numbness, or tingling. This pain may worsen when you move your neck. You might lose the range of motion in your neck. You could also have stiffness. Headaches, fatigue, and dizziness are possible as well. Some people have ringing in their ears, irritability, memory loss, and depression.
Generally, we start the chiropractic care exam by asking you questions about how long you had symptoms, how bad they are, and what types you have. Before treatment, we'll ask you to move your head, neck, and arms, so we can assess the extent of the damage. We check for tenderness and determine how much strength and sensation you have in your limbs. We even test your reflexes.
Next, we perform imaging. For instance, we use X-rays to detect if you have any dislocated bones that could be putting stress on the surrounding nerves and soft tissue. We also use computerized tomography, which is a special type of X-ray that allows us to get cross-sectional images of the bone. Another test we might use is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses radio waves and a magnetic field. It doesn't utilize a high amount of radiation like other forms of imaging. It helps us get a view of your spinal cord, ligaments, and discs.
Whether you suffered from whiplash from an auto accident injury or another reason, we usually take a multi-faceted approach. For instance, we'll encourage you to get an adequate amount of rest, so you don't stress the area. We'll educate you on how to use hot and cold therapy effectively. Another part of the treatment is often a spinal alignment. This treatment consists of our chiropractor moving the vertebrae in the spine, so they align with the discs. The alignment takes pressure off the soft tissue and nerves, so they're able to heal. We'll recommend lifestyle changes you can make to help you heal.
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.
Ready to learn how Kosak Chiropractic can help relieve your pain, treat your injuries and help you manage your conditions? All you have to do is get in touch to learn more today. Call us at (707) 426-1111 or request an appointment through our website, and our friendly team will get back to you as soon as possible … often right away! We look forward to seeing and serving you soon.
(1)Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15965403?dopt=A...