Sciatica is a term used to describe a group of symptoms and is not a disease or disorder in and of itself. Sciatica is characterized by pain in one or both legs. At times, that pain can feel like a particularly uncomfortable leg cramp. For some people, however, sciatica pain is more along the lines of an excruciating, searing, or shooting pain that makes normal activity difficult to sustain. Sciatica can also lead to sensations of weakness, tingling,  or numbness in the leg or even extending down to the toes. Sciatica pain can range from simply annoying to nearly debilitating, and is one of the most common complaints that lead individuals to seek chiropractic care.

There are a number of factors that can lead to sciatica. In most cases, sciatica pain is the result of a compressed nerve, which can be located either within or outside of the spinal canal. Another common cause of sciatica includes a herniated or slipped discs within the spine. Spinal stenosis is a condition that can lead to sciatica and occurs when the spinal canal becomes narrowed, placing undue pressure on the nerves. Yet another issue that can cause sciatica is known as spondylolisthesis, which results when a vertebra has slipped out of proper positioning within the spinal column area.

Spinal adjustments are the primary treatment approach for individuals who seek chiropractic care of sciatica. Because sciatica pain is brought about by interference with or compression of nerves, spinal adjustment can be incredibly effective in relieving pain. Through the application of specifically targeted pressure, a chiropractor can adjust the joints of the spine back into proper positioning. The end result is a reduction of inflammation, reduced irritability of the nerves, and an elimination of muscle spasm, discomfort, and pain. 

The most common form of headache is known as a tension headache. Tension headaches are often experienced at the temples and lead to mild or moderate pain, which may come and go, but rarely gets progressively worse. Cluster headaches are far more intense in nature and can feel like an intense burning or piercing pain. Pain is generally located behind the eyes and can be either constant or throbbing. Many people who suffer from cluster headaches are unable to sit still when an attack is taking place. Sinus headaches are felt in the upper part of the face and are the results of an inflammation of the sinus cavity. Sinus headaches often are accompanied by a runny nose, fever, or swelling in the face.

Migraine headaches are among the most debilitating forms of headache pain. Migraines can last anywhere from four hours to three days and sufferers often experience multiple migraines within the course of a normal month. Migraines can lead to a heightened response to sensory data, including sensitivity to light, smells, or noise. Some people even experience stomach troubles during a migraine. For people with migraines, these headaches can completely derail the course of a normal day and the effects can linger for many hours after the headache itself has subsided.

As with all types of chiropractic care, patients are first given a comprehensive physical evaluation to determine the cause behind their migraines. If a spinal examination uncovers areas within the neuromusculoskeletal system that need to be addressed, a treatment plan will be created. Specific spinal adjustments can help restore the proper alignment within the spine, which can alleviate many of the causal factors behind migraine headaches. Research shows that chiropractic care is a safe and effective means of addressing recurring migraines. In fact, many patients who have sought migraine treatment through traditional medical methods have received little relief and came to chiropractic care seeking an alternative means of addressing migraine pain. Dr. Jed Emms has become a well-known expert with headaches & migraines, primarily from his additional training in cranial adjustments and work with TMJD which often get overlooked or missed in other examinations. To understand more check out our TMJ & Cranial tabs. 

Shoulder pain usually falls into one of four categories: instability, arthritis, fracture or tendon inflammation. Of course, a fractured or broken bone within the shoulder requires immediate emergency medical attention. However, the other three causes of shoulder pain can be addressed within the chiropractic setting. It should also be noted that there are other, less common causes of shoulder pain. These include infection, nerve damage, and tumors.

Patients who sustain a traumatic injury to the shoulder and are unable to move their arm or are in significant pain should seek immediate care in an emergency room setting. Chiropractic care should be sought for shoulder pain that persists more than a few days without improving, as well as pain that recurs and subsides over time. Pain or discomfort that occurs during normal arm movement is also a cause for concern and a chiropractic appointment is appropriate.

After a thorough physical examination and appropriate imaging, a chiropractor can determine if there are structural problems that are behind persistent shoulder pain. If so, targeted adjustments of the joints within the spine and shoulder can help address misalignment or other structural issues. In some cases, shoulder pain is the result of interference with nerves along the spine or within the shoulder itself. Chiropractic care can remove that pressure, thereby reducing pain and restoring normal function. A number of additional treatments can be used in conjunction with spinal or shoulder adjustments, including an individualized exercise plan, targeted stretching regimens and improvements in posture both at home and within the workplace. At the heart of chiropractic care is a dedication to educating patients on how to improve their everyday health and wellness, and posture and workplace ergonomics plays a vital role in reaching those goals.

TMJ is the abbreviation commonly used to refer to temporomandibular joint disorders, although it is also sometimes referred to as TMJD. TMJD is actually a group of related disorders affecting the hinge joint that connects the jawbone to the temporal bones of the skull. That joint allows the jaw to move up and down, as well as side to side. Those motions enable chewing, yawning and speech. When the temporomandibular joint is not working properly, a wide range of problems can occur.

Researchers are uncertain of the exact cause of TMJ, but it is believed that the condition arises from physiological problems within the joint itself or the related connective structures. In some cases, a traumatic injury such as whiplash or a heavy blow to the jaw can lead to TMJ. Other causal factors could be arthritis, grinding or clenching of the teeth or even excessive levels of stress. Symptoms include pain felt in the jaw, neck, face or shoulders. Many patients with TMJ complain of a feeling of fatigue in their face, or of difficulty chewing. Some can hear clicking or popping sounds in their jaw while eating or speaking. Symptoms can even include toothache, earache, and ringing in the ears.

Grand Rapids Family Chiropractic is committed to providing its patients lasting relief from a variety of health disorders.  One of the many ailments we treat on a regular basis at Grand Rapids Family Chiropractic is TMJD.  Dr. Jed Emms is a leader in TMJD treatment in the chiropractic community and has had the honor of presenting to 350 Dental Professionals at the Patterson Dental Education Program as well as individual Oral Care Provider offices.  He is passionate about his work in this field.  If you are interested in learning more about his outreach program with Oral Care Providers or his co-management, please contact our office.

Chiropractic treatment of TMJD can alleviate symptoms by correcting misalignments in the spine and re-positioning the jaw. Therapeutic exercises and improving posture also help to improve tracking and movement.

The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation recommends examination of the cervical spine in TMJD patients, even without cervical complaints.  These findings are supported by the Journal of Cranio and Clinical Oral Investigation as well.  At Grand Rapids Family Chiropractic, we are trained to examine your neck and jaw to determine the best course of co-managed care with your oral health physician.

With proper care and treatment of spinal disorders, TMJD patients can achieve pain relief and correction.  Treatments at Grand Rapids Family Chiropractic enable the body to respond to dental changes so that care received from your oral health physician has greater and lasting results.

If you suffer from TMJ pain, please let the doctor know so he can help you find lasting relief!

If you would like to include this under the What is TMJ please do so:

TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) is a collective term for a broad range of disorders displaying a variety of signs including:

• Radiating pain in the face, neck, or shoulders.
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw.
• Painful clicking or grating when opening or closing the mouth.
• Significant change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
• Symptoms can also include headaches, earaches, dizziness, hearing problems, and difficulty swallowing.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that restricts a person’s ability to take a sufficient airflow into the lungs. Asthma causes inflammation to the airways that extend from the nasal cavity into the lungs. The resulting narrowing of those passageways means that sufferers have to work harder to try and move air through their body. An asthma attack is usually triggered by certain substances, although there is evidence to suggest that physical exertion can also bring about an attack. During an asthma attack, patients often feel panicked as they struggle to breathe.

Scientists have not yet discovered the exact causes of asthma, but it appears that a blend of genetic and environmental factors are behind the development of the disease. People who have parents or other close family members with asthma are more likely to have the disease themselves. Early contact with airborne allergens or certain viruses also seems to play a role, as do respiratory infections that take place during infancy. One theory, called the hygiene hypothesis, holds that our current lifestyle has become so far removed from the days of frequent childhood infections that our bodies do not have the opportunity to develop sufficiently strong immune systems as children, which can lead to increased rates of asthma.

There is evidence to support the use of spinal adjustments to improve patients’ asthma. Chiropractors begin any treatment with a full physical evaluation. If there are signs of spinal misalignment, a series of adjustments are made to restore proper spinal positioning. For patients who suffer from asthma, there is a growing body of scientific research and numerous case studies that suggest that a series of chiropractic adjustments can decrease the symptoms of asthma and improve a patient’s overall quality of life. Particularly in the upper thoracic spine, the nerves that are associated at these levels supply the lungs, therefore subluxations here can impact respiratory issues including but not limited to asthma. 

When many people think about chiropractic care, they do so through the lens of an already existing condition that needs to be addressed. In reality, however, chiropractic care is a modality of treatment that is focused on wellness. Introducing children to this powerful and effective healthcare approach at a very early age establishes a proactive stance on improving one’s own health and wellness. In addition, childhood is full of varying types of physical stress, from the birth process to a range of bumps and falls, and numerous injuries that can be sustained on the playground or during athletic play. Chiropractic care offers a solution to all of these needs.

Webster certification trains chiropractors in specific techniques and adjustments to help women throughout pregnancy improve their comfort and wellbeing as well as assist in an easier labor and delivery. The training includes an ICPA 12-hour postgraduate class to develop a deeper understanding of pelvic biomechanics, sacral subluxation, and their relationship to easier, less invasive births. Dr. Emms has been trained on Webster technique adjustments and additional chiropractic adjustments relating to the specific needs of the mother in pregnancy and in her preparation for birth. The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic sacral analysis and diversified adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation/ SI joint dysfunction. In doing so, neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis is facilitated. For some women, breached presentation of their baby is a big concern. The Webster’s Technique has been proven to be highly effective at easing the tension in Mother’s body which, in turn, ultimately helps the baby turn to the correct position and no longer in a breached position. Dr. Emms has successfully helped mothers by utilizing the Webster’s Technique applying a specific sacral adjustment which has helped the babies turn from a breeched position to a normal head-down position. Therefore, mother no longer experiences dystocia.  

Pelvic balance is the position of the pelvis relative to the spine. Optimal alignment involves the pelvis being centered, with no discernable shift to either side of the body. People can develop pelvic imbalance due to poor posture, overuse of certain muscles, a joint injury or poor muscle tone in the pelvic area. During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles become stretched and are sometimes unable to stabilize the pelvis properly. Pelvic imbalance can lessen the volume of available space for a baby to develop in the womb, and can also lead to pain and discomfort for the mother. Chiropractic care can help by gently realigning the pelvis to the proper position.

Each woman will respond to the physical demands of pregnancy differently. Chiropractic care always begins with an individualized approach and seeks to address the needs of each patient at the time of treatment. For pregnant women, chiropractic care can assist with spinal adjustments for back pain, nutrition counseling, targeted exercise and stretching advice, and more. Once the new family member has arrived, chiropractic focus shifts to assisting the mother in recovering from the physical stress of pregnancy and childbirth, and handling any misalignment issues that might arise as her body continues to change. Most importantly, the chiropractic approach to health and wellness is centered on providing care as each patient’s body changes, which is ideal during pregnancy care.

When many people think about chiropractic care, they do so through the lens of an already existing condition that needs to be addressed. In reality, however, chiropractic care is a modality of treatment that is focused on wellness. Introducing children to this powerful and effective healthcare approach at a very early age establishes a proactive stance on improving one’s own health and wellness. In addition, childhood is full of varying types of physical stress, from the birth process to a range of bumps and falls, and numerous injuries that can be sustained on the playground or during athletic play. Chiropractic care offers a solution to all of these needs. The most development children will undergo, neurologically, is within their 1st 7 years of their life. To help a child develop properly, a healthy nervous system is vital!

Research shows that routine chiropractic care has a number of important benefits for children. One of the most common outcomes is an improvement in sleeping patterns and quality. As kids grow, their bodies go through an enormous amount of change. Getting enough sleep, as well as a sufficient quality of sleep, is integral to supporting a child’s growth and development. In addition, studies have shown that chiropractic care can help improve behavioral issues and provide an overall improvement in attitude. Chiropractic care is also widely accepted as a means of boosting the body’s natural immune function.

The basic physiological process of spinal adjustment is the same no matter what an individual’s age. That said, chiropractors are trained to recognize and adjust to the differences between a child’s body and that of an adult. Spinal adjustments performed on children are done using a gentle touch, and far less pressure than is necessary to adjust an adult patient’s spine. The process is fast and painless, and most children look forward to their chiropractic appointments. Chiropractic care can be safely performed even within the first few days of life. It is believed that ongoing pediatric chiropractic care can help prevent many routine injuries and reduce the physical stress that is so common during the course of a normal childhood. Dr. Emms has completed the I.C.P.A certification programme which is an intensive 13 course training in pediatric care.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavioral disorder that is believed to affect as many as 10% of children. Boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with ADHD. The disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of behaviors, including hyperactivity, difficulty maintaining focus, inability to follow instructions or pay attention to detail, and taking action prior to thinking things through. It should be noted that these behaviors are all part of normal childhood development. However, when they occur to the extent that they have a negative impact on daily function at school or home or when they occur on a nearly constant basis, then ADHD might be to blame.

Many parents who are struggling to help a child who struggles with ADHD are overwhelmed and frustrated by the limited treatment options that are currently available. Prescription medication is a common treatment plan for kids with ADHD, and Ritalin is one of the most popular drugs that are prescribed to address the disorder. Ritalin is highly addictive and has been linked to a number of negative side effects. Parents who turn to chiropractic care are often looking for alternative options that can help their children achieve the highest possible level of function but without the side effects and risks associated with many prescription medications.

The foundation of chiropractic treatment for ADHD lies in addressing subluxations of the spine. When a subluxation is present, the result can be a decrease in the proper function of the human nervous system, including increased agitation. Children with subluxations can have difficulty processing sensory data, which research suggests is connected to ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. By correcting existing subluxations, the patient’s body is restored to its optimal level of function. Research and case studies have indicated that children who are suffering from ADHD have had positive results following chiropractic care. For parents who are looking for a holistic, medication-free approach, chiropractic care is a solid option.

C.A.T.S. (Cranial Adjusting Turner Style) is a scientifically proven, neurologically-based and subluxation-specific cranial adjusting technique. It produces very dramatic results on physical, neurological, and mental conditions, many of which were previously thought of as incurable. It is basic chiropractic philosophy: when a cranial bone is out of place, it causes neurological dysfunction; put it back into place and restore that function.

The first head injury can occur during childbirth; however, even the constant pressure of mom’s pelvic bones in-utero can shape a baby’s head.  When a child falls in infancy from a high place, hits their head on tables, or falls down stairs, this can cause damage to the cranial bones and the underlying brain tissue. The incidences of head injuries due to hits from baseball bats, swings, balls, hockey pucks, fists, sports injuries, and car and industrial accidents are extremely common. Unfortunately, most of these patients do not receive adequate care for these injuries, and their conditions deteriorate and result in chronic debilitating health problems, even from an infant at birth. There are 22 skull bones of which each can move in 6 different directions. Grand Rapids Family Chiropractic is proud to offer cranial adjustments with Dr. Jed Emms. He is one of only 2 C.A.T.S. certified doctors in the state if Michigan.