Archives for November 2018

Spotting the Signs of Degenerative Disc Disease

Posted on 11.30.18 |

The human spine contains 23 spinal discs. These ligaments provide cushioning for the spine’s boney vertebrae and keep the back aligned and flexible. Often, when patients complain of a painful, sore, or aching back, issues with spinal discs are to blame. Degenerative disc disease refers to the condition when damaged or aging spinal discs cause pain or discomfort.

If you are experiencing back, neck or shoulder pain, schedule a consultation with Dr. Doyle. At Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture, we offer a range of treatments that can help alleviate painful symptoms naturally. Call our Roanoke office at 817-767-5430 and take the first step in reducing back pain today!

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease

As you age, it’s normal for cushiony, water-filled spinal discs to begin drying out and flattening. This means less shock absorption between each of your vertebrae. Sometimes, the outer wall of a spinal disc can crack, causing a herniated disc. Other times, a spinal disc will shift out of place. All these problems can cause degenerative disc disease symptoms. While age is usually the top cause for degenerative disc disease, other causes can include obesity, lack of exercise, injury, or repetitive physical activity.

Several symptoms can alert you to whether your back pain could be associated with degenerative disc disease:

Pain Intensifies When Sitting

When seated, spinal discs in the lower back have up to three times more pressure on them than when standing. With degenerative disc disease, back pain is usually alleviated or reduced when walking or moving positions, because of the immediate pressure release that happens when a patient stands.

Greater Discomfort When Twisting the Back, Bending Over or Lifting Heavy Objects

Your spinal discs are layered between bony vertebrae, so when you twist or bend, damaged discs cannot absorb the shock or pressure from vertebrae as effectively. Lifting heavy objects puts additional strain on your back muscles and spine, and can pinch vertebrae closer together.

Dull to Debilitating Pain that Comes and Goes

Degenerative disc disease is characterized by waves of pain. The pain period may last days or weeks, and can vary in intensity throughout.

Pain Concentrated in the Lower Back, Upper Thighs or Buttocks

The lower spine becomes compacted with long periods of sitting, and usually endures the most amount of pressure during day-to-day activities. However, pain can be located in the neck, depending where the problem disc is located. In that case, pain or numbness will radiate to shoulders and arms.

Numbness, Tingling or Weakness in Back or Extremities.

Sensations of tingling or numb arms or legs, or a feeling of weakness in the area around the spine are symptoms of a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves can occur when herniated or out of place discs put pressure on surrounding nerves.

Relief with Chiropractic Care

Dr. Doyle can help relieve many of the symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease. He can determine whether your symptoms are coming from aging, herniated, or shifted discs that are blocking the spine’s natural mechanics or pressing on spinal nerves. Dr. Doyle will examine your range of motion, noting when movements are uncomfortable, and examine for evidence of inflammation or injury. If degenerative disc disease is causing your pain, Dr. Doyle could use a combination of treatments, including chiropractic adjustments or myofascial release therapy to align your spine and increase circulation to help reduce painful symptoms.

Schedule a Consultation

Don’t settle for back pain becoming a normal part of your life. Call Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, TX and let us help you start feeling better in just one office visit! Call us at 817-767-5430.

Ease Plantar Fasciitis Pain With Chiro

Posted on 11.27.18 |

Men, women, and even teens can experience plantar fasciitis for a number of reasons. Though the foot-related condition may be commonly associated with recreational and professional athletes, it can occur in those who are not engaged in sports as well. To help ease the discomfort of plantar fasciitis, some individuals choose chiro in Trophy Club, TX, with Dr Cody Doyle. To schedule an evaluation with Dr. Doyle, please contact the team at (817) 767-5430.

Chiro in Trophy Club, TX, May Relieve Plantar Fasciitis Discomfort

Plantar fasciitis has its roots in the heel of the foot. Though ligaments and connective tissues become accustomed to absorbing shock and stress over your lifetime, they can occasionally become inflamed, slightly torn, and irritated. This leads to pain, especially when first standing, walking, or running.

Chiro at Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture can help restore proper functioning of the ligaments and tissues through individualized in office and at-home therapies and treatments.

As with any chiropractic procedure, the ultimate goal for patients with plantar fasciitis is to bring their bodies back to maximum health. During your appointment, you can expect Dr. Doyle to carefully study your body mechanics. He will likely use body x-rays to help see if other problems are leading to the plantar fasciitis. By taking a comprehensive approach, Dr. Doyle can help you return to wellness and avoid situations that could lead to re-injury.

Do You Need Plantar Fasciitis Chiro Treatment?

You may have undiagnosed plantar fasciitis and not realize it because you have been “working through” the pain. Instead of putting your body and mind through the discomfort of untreated plantar fasciitis, why not consider calling Dr. Doyle if you have any of the following common symptoms of the condition?

Stabbing pain in the heel or another area of the foot. Typically, this type of intense pain worsens when you first stand up, such as after getting out of bed in the morning. Often, the pain will subside with activity. However, if you sit for long periods and get up, you may feel shooting pains again.
Discomfort immediately after exercise. Do you feel as if your heel or foot pain gets worse right after you finish running or working out? This could be an indicator that the bands of tissue in your heel are irritated or swollen.

Ignoring plantar fasciitis can lead to complications, including major tearing of the ligaments and other tissues in the foot. You may even begin to compensate for the pain by leaning too much one way or another, which can create other issues. A better solution than looking the other way is to face plantar fasciitis head on with a visit to a chiropractor.

Could You Be at Risk of Plantar Fasciitis?

You may be more likely to experience plantar fasciitis if you fall into certain categories. Read through some of the more common risk factors associated with the condition:

Being at least 40 years old.
Being an active runner or walker.
Having a prior diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.
Being significantly overweight or obese.
Working in a field that keeps you on your feet all day, such as in the nursing, restaurant, or manufacturing industries.
Having a “flat” foot.

Of course, some people who visit Dr. Doyle complaining of plantar fasciitis symptoms do not fall into any of these categories. The only way to know if your pain could be related to plantar fasciitis is to get a proper diagnosis from a medical health professional.

Continuing Chiro to Maintain Foot Health

Keeping up with regular chiropractic appointments at Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture can help avoid another round of plantar fasciitis. It can also bring your body into better alignment, minimizing the odds of you experiencing other injuries.

If you are interested in finding out more about chiro in Trophy Club, TX, for plantar fasciitis or any other condition, get in touch with us at (817) 767-5430. You can also use our handy online contact form to start a conversation with our team.

Could you have a pinched nerve?

Posted on 11.13.18 |

Your body contains billions of nerve cells, called neurons. They’re constantly sending messages to your brain through electrical signals carried by the vast nervous system network. With so many neurons in your body, it’s no surprise that occasional nerve pain and discomfort can occur with daily activities. Long hours sitting at your desk, starting a new exercise routine, or sleeping in an uncomfortable position can all lead to pressure on your nerves. In some cases, pain is caused by a pinched nerve, an uncomfortable condition that can sometimes be treated with chiropractic care.

If you suffer from pinched nerve symptoms, schedule an appointment at Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture. Dr. Doyle offers a range of treatments that help a body heal naturally. Contact our Roanoke office at 817-767-5430 to schedule your next appointment.

What is a pinched nerve?

Nerves are surrounded by muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and bones. If these tissues expand and move out of their proper alignment in the body, they can put pressure on nearby nerves. Tight muscles, inflammation, bony spurs, and displaced cartilage or spinal discs can all cause this pinching effect. Nerves respond by sending distress signals to the brain. Your brain can interpret this signal in different ways, but patients may feel:

Weak or tired muscles
Pain or discomfort that radiates outward
Tingling sensations, sometimes described as “pins and needles”
Muscle aches

Nerve pinching often happens in places where bones or ligaments closely surround nerves. The type of discomfort felt varies, depending on the nerve’s location. If located in your upper spine, a pinched nerve could lead to headaches, a dull ache in your neck and shoulders, or reduced mobility when turning your head. In the lower spine, pinched nerves often come from herniated or misaligned spinal discs. This can lead to sciatica, a condition characterized by lower back pain, hip pain, and tingling sensations radiating down one or both legs.

How can a chiropractor help me feel better?

While pinched nerve pain can dissipate with rest, you don’t have to live with the discomfort. Chiropractic may help you find faster relief from symptoms.

Chiropractic Adjustments: Dr. Doyle will examine the affected area and assess for any spinal misalignment. By re-aligning your spine through controlled chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Doyle can help alleviate pressure on nerves and improve circulation.

Home Exercise Programs: Simple, at-home stretches and exercises strengthen weak muscles and loosen tight muscles that cause undue pressure on nerves. Stronger, more agile muscles are less likely to allow pinched nerves in the future.

Premodulated Muscle Stimulation: This treatment mimics your nerves’ electrical signals and may reduce the affected area’s aches or soreness. Dr. Doyle applies small electrodes around the affected site to pass safe electrical currents through the skin and into deep muscle tissues. The electrical impulses improve circulation in the affected area and may quicken your body’s natural healing process.

Myofascial Release Therapy: To improve the affected area’s blood flow and range of motion, Dr. Doyle offers hands-on treatment to manipulate the connective tissues surrounding muscle. Effective massage and stretching techniques provide pain relief associated with tired or tight muscles.

If radiating aches and pains or tingling sensations from a pinched nerve are affecting your quality of life, schedule an appointment with Dr. Doyle. He helps patients just like you, in the Roanoke and Trophy Club area, regain mobility with comprehensive acupuncture, chiropractic, and complementary treatments. Contact us now at 817-767-5430.