29/08/2019 If you have experienced a spinal cord injury, you may be aware of the excruciating pain associated with it. Even simple movements like walking and sitting straight become challenging. Such complications degrade the quality of life and may lead to depression. In some cases, surgery and medicines can help in stabilizing the spine; complete rehabilitation takes time and needs training and therapy. Clayton Heights Sports & Therapy Centre has been providing relief to patients with spinal injuries since 2011 with acupuncture and chiropractic services.
What Happens in a Spinal Cord Injury? The spinal cord is contained in a cavity which runs successively through each of the vertebrae of our backbone. It is a thick cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers that runs all through the backbone. These are responsible for transferring signals from the brain to nearly all parts of the body and vice versa. Even though they are protected by the cartilage, they may suffer trauma during extreme situations like:
Road accidents
Fall from heights
Stabbing injuries or gunshot wounds
Sporting injuries
You may have a partial or complete loss of mobility in the area controlled by the impacted nerve. For example, a patient may be able to feel but not lift their limbs. Pain is experienced when bones, discs, and muscles are misaligned, exerting pressure on the nerve. Nerve injuries can also occur during exercises or due to poor postures. The symptoms for such mild nerve damage can be either constant or intermittent. They include:
Foot and ankle pain
Chronic pain accompanied with inflammation of muscles
Numbness and tingling in limbs
Limited movement
Traditionally, painkillers are prescribed for the pain although acupuncture, along with chiropractic services and massage therapy, offers an alternative approach. The bones and cartilage are realigned through chiropractic adjustments, while acupuncture reduces tissue inflammation. These treatments also help in regenerating nerves and stimulating biological processes responsible for motor function recovery. How Does Acupuncture Work? Acupuncture is an old traditional Chinese treatment that has been around for over 2000 years. It identifies several points in the body which when stimulated, results in improved blood and energy circulation. The treatment activates the nervous, immune, and endocrine system to detoxify and heal the body. It is divided into multiple sessions depending upon the severity of your condition. Each session is of 10-30 minutes. The chiropractor will place extremely thin sterile needles, finer than hypodermic ones, at the various acupuncture points in the body. The principle is that Qi (energy) flows along special pathways throughout our body and when it gets obstructed, we experience pain or loss of function. The needles are manually manipulated to stimulate the specific pressure points, by rotating (only in one direction or both) or moving them up-and-down. Electrical manipulation can also be used, depending on the medical condition of the patient. Take a break from popping painkillers with this healing process; it boosts the body to self-heal instead of relying on drugs. The extremely thin needles prevent blood from oozing out, though you might feel a heavy dull ache around the areas that are pierced. It is a sign that the treatment is working and the right acupuncture point is activated. Let your acupuncturist know if the discomfort lasts for more than a few seconds. Precautions to Take You have to take care of yourself during the first 24 hours after every session. Stay calm and relaxed; sleep and let the body recover. Consume plenty of water, fresh fruits, and vegetables. You will soon experience an improvement in mood and energy. Any pain during the treatment should subside within a few days. You can use heat packs occasionally for relief. Don’t let the myths surrounding chiropractic services keep you away from quality care. You can visit our center and speak with our experienced acupuncturists to learn more! Take a step towards a healthy and active life.