CHIROCARELA.COM: Blog

Do you feel an ache on one side of your lower back? Does your hip feel stiff, or like it can’t support your weight? Lower back pain is unfortunately common and has a variety of causes. But at ChiroCareLA in Glendale, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff are equipped to not only diagnose patients’ problems and treat them noninvasively, but also to help them prevent relapses. Today we’re going to take a closer look at one of the most common causes of lower back pain: sacroiliac joint dysfunction.   Although the name sacroiliac joint dysfunction might sound complicated, it’s really just a description of the joint that is being affected. The sacrum is a structure made up of fused vertebrae that dangles beneath our lumbar spines and connects to the pelvis. The connecting part of the pelvis is called the ilium, of which there is one on each side, and it includes the bony crests at the top of the pelvis. The sacroiliac joint is a shock absorber, but it doesn’t normally have very much mobility. Th...

As the days get longer, we have more opportunities to get out in the sun. And in addition to boosting our moods and encouraging us to exercise, more sunlight is especially good for our bones. At ChiroCareLA in Glendale, we don’t just treat symptoms. We help our patients maintain holistic wellness, and that means educating the public about the connection between sunlight, Vitamin D, and preventing hair fractures in the vertebrae.   Our bones require calcium as their basic building material, and our muscles need calcium to function properly. However, an excessive amount of calcium can be harmful, so our bodies are only able to absorb it when they receive a chemical signal from Vitamin D. This vitamin is produced in our skin when it is exposed to sunlight, so we need sunlight in order to build our bones and muscles. Bones are constantly breaking down and rebuilding, but without enough calcium, they can’t rebuild fast enough to keep up with their rate of resorption, and become brittle. Whe...

Of all the things we can do to maintain total body wellness, one of the most important is keeping our cores strong. This isn’t just a matter of liking the way we look or being in competitive athletic shape; our core muscles provide critical support to our spines and hip bones. At ChiroCareLA in Glendale, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his team are committed to helping our patients sustain wellness over the course of their lives, and for that, it’s necessary to understand some basic aspects of the core and how to care for it.   The muscles of our abdomen are made up of several layers that are all shaped differently. The deepest core muscle is the transverse abdominis, which wraps around our visceral organs in horizontal bands. The internal and external oblique muscles are on the sides of the trunk and are involved with rotating it and bending the spine. The rectus abdominis muscle is the one on the front that forms the “abs” and connects to the sternum. It helps to stabilize the trunk, but keep...

When you hear the phrase “rotator cuff tear,” you might feel frightened. And it’s true that fraying the connective tissues in the shoulder is never a good thing, and can result in permanent debilitation without intervention. But rotator cuff tears are not always sudden, and a person may spend a long time pushing through their discomfort, unaware that their situation is becoming more urgent. At ChiroCareLA in Glendale, we provide non-invasive, non-addictive treatments for shoulder pain and other musculoskeletal problems, but since gentle interventions are most effective when done early, we want our patients to understand why they should seek help for shoulder pain as soon as possible.   The shoulder is where the ball of the upper arm bone (the humerus), fits into a socket formed by the collarbone (clavicle) and shoulder blade (scapula). A group of tendons formed by four muscles strap the humerus in place, along with a seal of cartilage surrounding the socket joint. This joint is loose e...

As teenagers test their new strength, they have an opportunity to develop a life-long habit of healthy exercise. But they also need to learn where their limits are and how to build up their strength sustainably. Dr. Alajajian and his staff in Glendale, CA, run a wellness-oriented clinic and are happy to help all patients avoid overuse injuries, as well as recover as quickly and completely as possible. For teenage athletes, there are a few specific concerns that need to be addressed.   Most back injuries in teen athletes are soft tissue strains. They tend to happen when the athlete didn’t warm up properly, which could happen if they weren’t planning on activity or only exercise intermittently. They’ll usually heal well if the athlete refrains from activity for a few days while icing them, and then gradually builds up the intensity of their work-outs. But if they want safe pain relief and to guard against scarring, we can provide electric muscle stimulation such as Acoustic Wave Therapy...

Are you careful to keep good posture while you drive or sit at your desk? If you aren’t, you risk developing a type of deformity chiropractors refer to as Upper Crossed Syndrome. The good news is that Upper Crossed Syndrome is almost always reversible, but the bad news is that it’s often a source of pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders, and upper back. Dr Alajajian and his staff in Glendale, CA, utilize a variety of complementary treatments to help patients recover from the effects of bad posture. Let’s take a close look at Upper Crossed Syndrome and how non-invasive treatments can help.   In a person with Upper Crossed Syndrome, some of the muscles in their upper body have become overactive and tight, while others that are underused have become weak. If you were to imagine a person with Upper Crossed Syndrome as seen from their side, their overactive shoulder and chest muscles would form one diagonal line, and their underactive neck and upper back muscles would form an intersecting diago...

Do you suffer from pain, weakness, or stiffness in one of your hips? If so, don’t think that’s just a natural consequence of aging or healthy activity. Dr. Alajajian and his staff in Glendale, CA, believe everyone is entitled to a life free from pain. We practice holistic, non-invasive therapies to help our patients maintain wellness. As experts in the musculoskeletal system, we’re particularly concerned with hip pain and the possibility that a patient may be suffering from a hip labral tear.   A labrum is a ring of cartilage around a ball-and-socket joint. The ones on the hips keep the femurs and pelvis aligned and allow the legs to rotate completely and smoothly. But when a labrum tears, the leg may catch or make clicking sounds when it moves, and a patient may feel a deep, constant ache that is especially bad when they attempt to stand up or walk on stairs. Hip labral tears can develop because of an acute injury, or they may be caused by repeated stress over a long period of time. ...

Herniated discs are extremely common and they don’t just cause soreness in the back; they can also compress nerves headed elsewhere in the body. Dr. Alajajian and his staff in Glendale, CA, provide patients with expert holistic treatment for symptoms and work to put the body in the best position to heal itself. But preventive care is also one of our priorities, so we want our patients to know more about disc degeneration.   The spinal discs are the shock absorbers in between the main bodies of articulated vertebrae. They are made up of a gel center, the nucleus pulposus, and a fibrous outer ring, the annulus fibrosus. Degenerative disc disease is different from a disc being injured by an acute injury, although it puts discs at greater risk of being damaged by a sudden blow. It is unclear why the discs lose water as people age, but as their shape changes, they tend to bulge outward and become less springy. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures, it releases inflammatory proteins, and the sw...

Back pain, stiff ligaments, and dislocated joints—this is what we usually associate with chiropractic care. But at ChiroCareLA.com located in Glendale, CA, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff believe in ensuring all patients’ overall wellness and that includes mental health. Here are four reasons why you should visit our office today for your mental health care.   A Mind-Body Connection Chiropractors believe the entire body is connected and at ChiroCareLA.com, our beliefs are no different. Our multidisciplinary approach to wellness puts a strong emphasis on the mind-body connection. This means no stone is unturned and we look at diet, massage therapies, exercise, and adjustments to provide a holistic treatment plan.   Decrease Pain Chronic pain has a tremendous effect on an individual’s mood and mental health. Your Glendale, CA chiropractor and staff provide non-invasive procedures to relieve pain that clouds the mind and causes mental health illnesses like depression or anxiety.   Relax...

As more and more teens are using social media, text neck is becoming an increasingly familiar term. Coined for the neck and back pain users gain while staring at a smartphone, the long-term effects of text neck syndrome on growth and development are unknown, but experts agree on the syndrome’s potentially detrimental effects on the spine. Located in Glendale, CA, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff offer tips and tricks to alleviate this condition. Here’s everything you need to know about text neck syndrome and how you and your child can practice good habits while using your cell phone.  What Are the Effects of Text Neck? Text neck has only been studied in adults so far, but experts believe the phenomenon is more prominent in kids and teens—a tech-savvy group that logs more hours in social media, texting, and screen time than any other generation. The effects of text neck in adults include neck and back pain as well as soreness. Common symptoms also include reduced mobility in the neck, ...

With over a million Americans working from home due to coronavirus stay at home orders, more and more chiropractors are reporting a rise in clients with back pain problems. Located in Glendale, CA, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff specialize in non-invasive procedures that help alleviate back pain and body aches, but at the same time, believe prevention is key to ensure the overall health and wellness of his patients. Here are some tips that you can practice while working from home to save your body from aches, pain, and long term health issues. Avoid the Bed or Couch While it may seem like one of the perks of not attending meetings in a traditional office, using your bed or couch as a workplace can wreak havoc to your posture and allow for back pain, especially if you’re doing this daily. Instead, try to create a separation from your work and rest spaces by using a desk and chair and mimicking your normal workstation at the office as much as possible. When sitting in a chair, make s...

Located in Glendale, CA, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff offer cryotherapy, the latest revolutionary treatment to relieve all your chronic pain conditions. To learn more if cryotherapy, also known as cold therapy is the best treatment for you, visit ChiroCareLA.com today! What is Cryotherapy? Cryotherapy is a treatment that exposes the body to freezing temperatures. The therapy uses liquid nitrogen to create an extremely cold atmosphere for the body. A popular cryotherapy treatment is full-body cryotherapy which involves submerging the whole body in a cold chamber. Other treatments involve exposing only parts of the body that need treatment which typically is the arms, legs, feet, and hands.  Benefits There are a number of benefits of using cryotherapy to treat chronic pain. Instead of medications or surgery, cryotherapy is a non-invasive method to heal your body. The extremely cold temperatures of cryotherapy trigger blood from the skin, muscles, and joints towards the body’s core. ...

Whether it’s being able to see no matter where you are in a crowd or having a natural advantage in sports, tall people enjoy many advantages simply because of their physical stature. But according to the American Journal of Epidemiology , a towering height is also a disadvantage with tall people more likely to experience health issues like back and neck pain. Located in Glendale, CA Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff are passionate about treating patients of all shapes and sizes, including those who are tall. Here are three reasons why tall people may need chiropractic care and how we can help today! More Injury Prone Tall people are more likely to face serious injuries from everyday accidents and falls than the average person. With longer limbs and bodies, there’s more distance to the ground when a taller individual falls. This is why athletes who are lankier suffer from hip injuries and have a longer recovery time in contrast to the shorter athletes.  Spinal Injuries The taller you are...

Spending long hours in front of the screen? The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we work, logging into meetings from Zoom instead of the office due to stay-at-home orders. But spending all day on the computer has detrimental effects on your spine health. That’s why Located in Glendale, CA Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff provide expert care and tips for patients who use the computer regularly for their work-related tasks. Here are four tips for computer users. Proper Posture Staring at your computer places immense strain on your neck and back. Don’t hunch your back or move your face closer to the screen. Instead, keep your body including your neck and back in a neutral position. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground with elbows remaining on your sides. Take Breaks Frequent breaks to stretch and move around are beneficial for lessening the strain that comes from sitting in front of your laptop for long hours. Your Glendale, CA chiropractor recommends 15 minutes for a stretc...

Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating condition that primarily targets the lower face and jaw. A painful condition akin to an electric shock passing through your face, trigeminal neuralgia occurs when the trigeminal nerve, which moves sensation between the brain and face, is irritated. Located in Glendale, CA Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff are passionate about helping patients manage their pain, including those suffering from trigeminal neuralgia.  Causes Trigeminal neuralgia develops when the trigeminal nerve faces pressure. This happens when the nerve comes in contact with an artery or vein, when the nerve has a tumor, or when a person has Multiple sclerosis (MS).  Symptoms and Triggers Trigeminal neuralgia has two types of symptoms: Type I and Type II.  Type Ⅰ: Sharp throbbing pin-like pain is usually triggered by touching an area of the body.  Type Ⅱ: Less extreme symptoms like burning sensations or dull aching pain on the face.  Triggers: Trigeminal neuralgia is spontaneous for...

Tension headaches (TH) affect about 1-3 percent of the world’s adult population, according to the World Health Organization. One of the most common headaches disorders, tension headaches are described as tightness or pressure around the neck and head. At ChiroCareLA.com, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff treat tension headaches with skilled expertise and revolutionary technology. Visit our Glendale, CA office today for more information. Symptoms of Tension Headaches Dull aching pain in the head Sensations of a tight band around the neck and head Pressure around the neck and head Tenderness of scalp, shoulders, and neck Causes It’s unknown what causes tension headaches. However, some scientific theories allude to stress, high levels of emotion, or muscle contractions in the face, shoulders, and neck as a cause for tension headaches.  Treatment Treating a tension headache involves different types of treatment such as medication, stress management, and physiotherapy. Located in Glendale, ...

Tap, tap, whoosh. You just sent your 50th text of the day. The average American sends 94 texts per day or 33,834 text messages per year. Texting is considered a normal function of modern life, but is your habit causing tendonitis? Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff will address all your concerns about this inflamed tendon injury at ChiroCareLA.com located in Glendale, CA.   What Is Tendonitis? Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon. It is a condition that usually affects the wrist, elbows, ankles, fingers, or other parts of the body. Tendonitis occurs when a tendon is injured or overused, whether that’s during a sport or excessive texting. How to Avoid Texting Injuries Your Glendale, CA chiropractor recommends frequent breaks and typing slowly for users who text often. To reduce texting thumb or tendonitis in the thumb, Dr. Alajajian and his staff also suggest using a stylus or alternating between other fingers to text or swipe on your device. To address inflammation, we use many inf...

According to People For Bikes, about 47.88 million Americans participated in bicycle riding in 2018. Cycling, a popular sport is only growing with thousands of riders today. Located in Glendale, CA Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff have a number of patients who are avid bicyclists. For more information, visit ChiroCareLA.com today! But first, here are five ways bicyclists benefit from chiropractic care. Correct Posture A biker’s position places more pressure on your neck and back. Your trusted Glendale, CA chiropractic team will evaluate your spine for misalignment and damage. Through a variety of spinal manipulations, we will correct your posture and provide different tips and tricks to maintain good spinal health the next time you get on a bicycle. Relieve Joint Pain Cycling places a strain on your joints, especially around the hip and knee areas. Using treatments like exercise and massage therapies, we loosen stiff muscles and strengthen your joints.  Treat Injuries Like any sport, ...

How to Save Your Back While Driving Your body is subjected to a lot of force in a moving car, especially behind the wheel as the driver. Without proper care and prevention, you may suffer from joint pain and long-term health issues. At ChiroCareLA.com in Glendale, CA, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff are passionate about preventative care, especially when it comes to the bad posture and body aches that come from driving. Here are a few tips and tricks to use the next time you’re on the road.  Adjust Your Seat One of the first steps to preventing bad posture while driving is adjusting your seat. Start by fixing your seat height, making sure you can see the road and dashboard. At the same time, your seat height should not strain your back or neck when bending down or turning towards the side. For shorter drivers, a cushion for more comfort and to reach the steering wheel is recommended. Keep your right foot relaxed on the pedals, with the heel touching the floor. Use the balls of your ...