When Is A Chiropractor Needed?

sionals who can recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, together with lifestyle changes. Our Chiropractic services are available to Passaic County NJ patients as well as anyone suffering back, neck or joint pain.

How Does Tissue Injury Occur?

Tissue injury may be caused by heavy lifting, or repeated stress to an area of your body. These tissue injuries also result in physical and chemical changes that cause inflammation and pain. In order for tissues to heal, a Chiropractor utilizes manipulation or adjustment to restore mobility and relieve pain.

How Should Chiropractic Care Help?

When undergoing Chiropractic Care, goals should include the following:

• Reduced joint restriction

• Restored range of motion

• Improved posture

• Improved muscle and joint flexibility

• Restored spinal alignment

Seek Professional Help For Back, Neck or Joint Pain

In most cases patients see a Chiropractor when they are suffering back, neck or joint pain. Pain reducing procedures offered by Chiropractors are commonly known as “spinal manipulation” or “chiropractic adjustment”. The purpose of these treatments is to help a patient regain mobility of joints that have been injured or repeatedly stressed. At Elite Spine and Sports Care of Totowa, our experienced Chiropractic staff use a hands-on approach to provide your health care. This outstanding health care includes examination, diagnosis and treatment, and it is offered by profes- relaxation due to the release of shortened bands of muscle fibers for overactive (tight) muscles or the activation of under-active (weak) muscles. Deactivation of the trigger points can bring immediate relief of symptoms, so the therapist can immediately train the muscles to work with the newly gained pain free range of motion (ROM).

As the body ages, sustains injury or is engaged in activities that put a lot of stress on it, we may need the services of a Chiropractor. Elite Spine and Sports Care of Totowa provides an excellent and knowledgeable Chiropractic staff who are trained in treating neuromusculoskeletal issues. Dr. Gabriel Hannawi, DC is a Chiropractic Physician and is the head of the team. If you are experiencing pain in your back, neck, in the joints of your arms or legs, or have persistent headaches, make an appointment to see our Chiropractic staff. Their focus is to relieve your discomfort and allow you to return to the enjoyment of a pain-free life.

Dry Needling vs. Acupuncture

Dry needling is similar to acupuncture in the sense that a dry, solid filament needle is inserted and manipulated under the skin to release endorphins and serum cortisol for pain relief. The difference is that dry needling is based on western neuroanatomy and modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It creates balance in the body by influencing the flow of Qi (energy) in pathways called meridians to achieve pain relief and alleviate inflammation.

Conditions Treated by Dry Needling

Dry needling has successfully been used to treat a variety of conditions including:

• Head and Neck Pain – including whiplash and headaches / migraines, degenerative joint disease, degenerative disk disease or osteoarthritis

• Otological (Ear) and Opthamological (Eye) Pain – including tinnitus and eye strain

• Dental (Teeth) and Orthodontic (Jaw and Occlusal) Pain –including cavities, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, tooth impaction and root problems

• Shoulder Pain – including rotator cuff muscle tears, bursitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), tendonitis and impingement syndrome

• Elbow Pain – including lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)

• Hand and Wrist Pain – including gamekeeper’s thumb, DeQuervain’s syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis

• Back and Hip Pain – including lumbar degenerative disc disease, arthritic changes and herniated discs

• Knee Pain – including degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis

• Shin / Ankle / Foot Pain – including shin splints, gout, metatarsalgia and Morton’s neuroma

• Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

• Acute and Chronic Tendonitis

• Athletic and Sports-related Overuse Injuries

• Post-surgical Pain

• Post-traumatic Injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA), and Work-related Injuries

• Other Chronic Pain Conditions – including myofascial pain and myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)

To learn more about our dry needling services or request an appointment, give us a call at (973) 860-0550 or (973) 841-4800

Courtesy Matthew F. Wachtler

Morton's (or intermetatarsal) neu- romas are bundles of nerve tissue growth in your feet. These benign growths typically develop on the ball of your foot, between the third and fourth toes.

Neuromas usually feel like you're standing or walking on a small rock, or as if your sock’s wadded under the ball of your foot. You may also experience burning, stinging, or numbness in the ball of your foot if you have a neuroma. What causes neuromas to develop?

Neuromas develop with nerve pressure or irritation. This can happen in a few ways, including:

Footwear

High-heeled shoes force you to walk mainly on the balls of your feet. This redistributes pressure and aggravates the nerve involved in neuromas.

Foot trauma

Some activities, like dancing and running, involve repetitive trauma to the balls of your feet, which leads to nerve irritation and neuroma growth. Some jobs may also cause foot trauma leading to neuromas.

Biomechanical foot deformities

Foot problems, including bunions, hammertoes, and flatfoot, can alter weight distribution and therefore contribute to nerve irrita- tion and neuroma development.

Dr. Wachtler reviews your medical history and lifestyle habits carefully to find the cause of your neuroma. This helps him design the ideal treatment.

Will a foot neuroma go away?

Your symptoms may wax and wane, depending on how much you’re on your feet and the shoes you wear. Sometimes, your symptoms may stop for a while, but the nerve tissue is still thickened, so your symptoms usually return. Neuromas won’t vanish on their own. For that, you need expert medical care. How are neuromas treated?

Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists offers multiple neuroma treatments. Dr. Wachtler uses conservative protocols to stop your symptoms and prevent a recurrence. Usually, treat- ment includes:

• Changing your shoes

• Custom orthotics

• Padding

• Taping

• Cortisone injections

• Oral anti-inflammatory medications

• Ice packs

If these conservative, nonsurgical treatments don’t relieve your Morton’s neuroma symptoms, Dr. Wachtler may recommend a minimally invasive procedure to relieve nerve pressure, or he may remove the affected nerve altogether. Suspect a neuroma and need to get out of pain?

Cedar Grove Foot & Ankle Specialists offers comprehensive treatment options for an easy recovery. Call the office or use online scheduling to arrange your appointment.

Dr. Wachtler is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Fellow