The shoulder is one of the most complex and moveable joints in the body. It is composed of the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Working in tandem with these bones are muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which anchor the shoulder in a stable position. When any of these areas are damaged, it can impact the entire joint and limit movability. Because of the complexity of the joint, it is frequently the site of injury. If you are experiencing stiffness, feel as if your shoulder could pop out of the socket, or are lacking strength in the shoulder, it is highly likely that you have an injured shoulder.

October is National Chiropractic Health Month, sponsored annually by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) to raise national public awareness about chiropractic services. This year’s campaign’s theme is “Conservative Care First!”, aiming to educate the public on why a conservative, non-invasive approach to healthcare is both safe and effective. Rather than patients seeking non-invasive care options after experimenting with riskier approaches, the ACA advises starting with conservative approaches to reduce risk and experience results.

October is National Chiropractic Health Month, hosted each year by the American Chiropractic Association to promote the advantages of seeking out chiropractic care first. Before choosing a medical procedure to manage back pain, patients should exhaust all non-invasive approaches, including chiropractic care. Though they may not work for every individual patient’s needs, research has shown that is worthwhile to attempt safer procedures first. Learning about all available options will help you to make an informed decision about what method will best improve your back pain.

What Are Herniated Discs?

Are you experiencing pain in your lower back? The cause of this pain could be a herniated or bulging disc. In your spine there are cushions between each vertebrae that are made up of a material usually describing as “jelly”. If there is a crack in the exterior of the cushion, and some of the jelly material leaks out, a herniated disc occurs. Plenty of people have herniated discs without knowing, because they are not experiencing pain. Unfortunately, when the herniation puts pressure on a nearby nerve, it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. Disc herniation usually occurs in the lower back, but can also happen in the neck. If you experiencing this kind of pain, you should see a doctor to determine if a herniated disc is causing it. Fortunately, treatment rarely requires the use of surgery. Discs can usually be treated using non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques.

Fall sports season has arrived in Northern New Jersey, but all too often the roar of the crowd is accompanied by some not-so-welcome sounds – the collisions and groans from excruciating knee and shoulder injuries. Even a mild twist from running can send you to the doctor, just like over 10 million Americans each year.