PAIN RELIEF
What We Do > Pain Relief
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Your lower back is made up of five strong vertebrae that support your body weight. They have a specific shape that allows them to connect to the sacrum and pelvis and give you strength. The nerves in your lower back are thinner and longer because they need to reach your legs, and they exit through larger openings. The spinal cord ends in your lower back, but the size of the canal it is in is determined by your genes, just like your teeth.
Longevity of low back health:Your low back is essential in providing strength, support, and flexibility to your upper body, which makes it vulnerable to life and its stressors whether its acute trauma from a fall, chronic trauma from prolonged bad posture, toxins from bad nutrition, lack of hydration or even mental stress from an overloaded autonomic nervous system. Structurally, low back health is dependent on how well you look after it. Our spine has the ability to remodel, restructure itself, even if it's exposed to extreme loading weights! Like your lumbar spine, given the right environment to thrive in, it can still heal itself even after traumatic injury and spinal surgery!
Chiropractic care and your lumbar spine:Chiropractors help reduce inflammation and improve the function of both the affected joint and nervous system. In-depth knowledge of anatomy helps Chiropractors identify which joint is subluxated, which nerve is being compressed, and which muscle is working in asymmetry. Chiropractors can help pinpoint specific spinal interference, and work on those particular areas to ensure through adjusting that:
a) Interference is removed,
b) Spinal mobility is restored,
c) The body understands there is freedom to establish newer neural pathways of functionality.
In simple words, your back now realises it can work the way its meant to. It no longer has to rely on the adaptations it was made to accommodate asymmetrical usage of your lumbar spine. Not being able to use your low back fully to carry your 3 year old, not working out symmetrically, all these and more have an impact on the joints above and below it as well (like a chain reaction of subluxations that over a period of time initiate arthritis). Getting adjusted means a future with reduced likelihood of possible arthritic changes that could impact your lumbar facets, hip joints and knee joints. Getting adjusted means regulation of bed wetting and incontinence, prevention of sciatica, IBS, irregular/painful periods, headaches and multiple other systemic issues.The benefits of chiropractic care for low back pain:
Chiropractic care provides several benefits to people who want to lead a life elevated from symptoms. The secret is to come in to get your spine looked at routinely so those occasional flare ups don't get cemented in your neural and spinal memory, leading into monthly then weekly flare ups. Better spinal health ensures quality of function allowing you to lead your life with Ease (not Dis-Ease).
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The problem:
Sciatica is nerve pain that can occur for several reasons: the nerve getting trapped because of an inflamed disc in between your vertebrae, a nerve getting pinched peripherally by the piriformis muscle or because of a part of the vertebrae rubbing against it because of a misalignment. This nerve is located in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg.
The most common symptom of sciatica is radiating pain that starts in the lower back and extends down to the legs. Other signs include numbness, tingling, and burning. These symptoms are signs the nerve is responding in an abnormal way. Over time, prolonged pressure on the nerve can result in weakness in the legs or feet. Sciatica is a condition that affects many adults, with as many as 40 percent of them experiencing it during their lifetime. It is important to note that sciatica symptoms have to be investigated with an MRI to diagnose if it is because of a disc herniation. The MRI images will help the Chiropractor explain how to proceed further.
What chiropractic can do for you:Chiropractic care is an effective way to diagnose what exactly could be the cause of your symptoms. Yes, the MRI shows an L5 disc herniation with disc desiccation and degenerative arthritis, but sometimes the size of the canal is large enough not to produce the symptoms you may be experiencing. At this point the Chiropractor’s examination will be the determining factor in their treatment plan for you. The amount of neurology that can get trapped around the sacroiliac area is enough to mimic or exacerbate your symptoms of "sciatica". Remember, “sciatica” is not a diagnosis, it’s the name of a nerve! Come in and see a Chiropractor with your MRI in hand to accurately diagnose and correct the cause of your neural compromise. Most importantly, once you've crossed that hump of acute symptoms causing dysregulation in your life, you now have a way forward to understand how long-term maintenance care will prevent that disc from getting worse. Your spine’s regeneration capacity will ensure the levels above and below don't fall into that domino effect of degenerative arthritis. The Chiropractor can help strengthen your sciatica for prevention and long-term management.
Benefits of chiropractic care for sciatica:Chiropractic care and chiropractic adjustments offer various health benefits for patients suffering from nerve root irritation. This nerve could be trapped due to multiple reasons, a disc herniation, facet hypertrophy, an osteophyte (bone growth), a spinal subluxation, a strained muscle. It is up to your Chiropractor to look at imaging, in addition to your exam, and chart out a comprehensive treatment plan specific to the cause behind your symptoms.
Remember there are always avenues of correction open to you prior to elective spinal surgery. An ethical neurosurgeon or spinal surgeon will not recommend spinal surgery unless the symptoms make it absolutely essential. Would you rather chart out your treatment plan based on resolution of the cause versus correction of symptoms?
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The structure and function:
The neck is made up of seven cervical vertebrae that allow for movement in three planes. It's the most sensitive part of the spine and needs to be treated by a professional. The neck is designed to be mobile and protect the spinal cord. Thick ligaments run in front and behind the bones to protect the neck from sudden movements. Dysfunction in the cervical spine can lead to various systemic dysfunctions. The vagus nerve runs alongside the C1 and C2 vertebrae and helps maintain bodily functions and sends messages between the organs and brain. Neck symptoms or dysfunction cannot be limited to a pain diagnosis alone, as it can cause various other issues.
What chiropractic can do for you:Chiropractic care can provide patients with the physical ability to have a healthier spine which should be their primary concern especially when it comes to their cervical spine. Chiropractic care focuses on the health of the spine and how it affects the overall health of the body. Chiropractors use many different ways to address spinal misalignment (called vertebral subluxation). Vertebral subluxation causes joints to become fixed, inflamed, and painful. It also affects the human nervous system.
Upper cervical chiropractors take extra care in addressing one specific area of the spine, found at the top of the neck. Upper cervical is another way of saying “the top of the neck.”
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a powerful way to:a) Remove barriers to natural body healing,
b) Improve spinal balance,
c) Reduce pain,
d) Improve function.
Why treat the upper cervical spine differently?This area of the spine forms a “couple” with the base of the skull. There are no vertebral discs between the base of the skull down to the second neck bone (cervical vertebra). It is a unique joint in the body which allows human beings incredible motion of the head. The area is full of unique nervous system tissue that isn’t found anywhere else in the body.
In emergency situations, injuries to this area of the spine are the most damaging. For these reasons, upper cervical chiropractors take special care in evaluating and adjusting this sensitive area of the spine.
What happens after upper cervical misalignment?The top of the spine has two important jobs:
1) It supports and balances the heavy head while giving us an amazing range of motion in our neck.
2) It protects important and very important vital areas of our nervous system, called the lower brain stem and the spinal cord.While the functions of the body that are controlled or influenced by the lower brain stem are too many to list here, one important job that it does is help control our total body balance.
Upper neck misalignment causes body tension and imbalance that you can actually see, if you know what to look for. Head to toe, the body’s muscles become unbalanced, leading to unequal pulling on spinal vertebrae and painful “fixations” in the spine
There is a twist in the pelvis and hips, creating the appearance of a “short leg” and the spine loses its
stable base.Unequal weight is carried on each half of the body, leading to joint aches and pains as the body breaks down faster on one side than the other. Finally the quality of the blood flow (nutrition) to important nervous system tissue in the spinal cord/brain stem is affected, negatively impacting internal organ systems, creating multiple and often confusing symptoms.
Our goal is to locate and remove this interference and then help you cultivate healthy life-long habits that let you hold your adjustment longer!
The benefits of chiropractic care for neck pain:
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a powerful way to remove barriers to natural body healing, improve spinal balance, reduce pain, and improve function.
Spine Related
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The problem:
Headaches/Migraines are symptoms of subluxations in your spine. These may not necessarily be misalignments in the neck they could also be originating from your lower thoracic spine. It’s up to the chiropractor to ascertain from the exam, history and radiological evidence to determine which level is creating your symptoms of headaches and migraines. Patients come in and usually say we have headaches but we can manage them by avoiding triggers such as sunlight, dairy, loud sounds, and even their own voice (yes I've heard that from a young girl). But triggers aren't the reason why headaches or migraines start. Triggers are why they can exacerbate because your neurology is functioning at such an exaggerated level of dysregulation because of the level of pain that you attribute the headaches to external stimuli. You are not even considering dysfunction in the spine. The triggers are stimuli you perceive to be the cause when they are not.
What chiropractic can do for you:Ever wonder why chiropractors ask about headaches in patient history? Because it helps them isolate the misalignments located around the areas facilitating these symptoms. Once those are localised and removed, your body has the chance to re-establish new neural patterns (clear-headedness and ability to function in your environment with ease and confidence knowing that old patterns will not re-emerge as long as interference does not return) and get rid of the old trauma-holding ones. The body is no longer in adaptation mode to the dysregulation patterns it was being fed repetitively. Nor is it being subdued through ingestion of painkillers or opioids that subdue symptoms instead of treating the cause.
Benefit of chiropractic care:Chiropractic care provides neural regulation and an opportunity for your neurology to re-establish neural pathways, healthier patterns, and an ability to understand that clarity of function can only be achieved when your nervous system is working at its fullest potential.
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The problem:
Have you been told that you have a slipped disc or a disc injury? Slipped or injured discs can vary from slight to severe, but most will require at least some attention from a trained chiropractor. It's important that you understand your condition and what it means for you, and Dr. Bhatti can help you develop the best treatment option for you. The little pads that lie between your vertebrae are called the intervertebral discs. Each disc has a tough outer-ring and a soft gel-like centre, like a jelly doughnut. Your discs both join, separate, and protect your vertebrae from trauma. These discs serve as cushions or shock absorbers so that the bones don’t make contact with each other as you move. Without these discs we would literally be unable to move our upper torso.
When a disc is injured, it can cause a range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe pain and numbness. A protruding disc occurs when the gel inside the disc bulges out due to injury, leading to nerve root irritation and pain. A herniated disc occurs when the disc material ruptures, causing even more pain and numbness. The most severe type of disc injury is a disc extrusion, in which the gel inside the disc balloons into the area outside the vertebrae, causing excruciating pain and limiting range of motion.
What chiropractic can do for you:At AMNAHBHATTI Chiropractic & Wellness, we offer a variety of treatment options to help you find relief. Dr. Bhatti performs gentle, non-invasive chiropractic adjustments to reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility. Patients under regular maintenance chiropractic care have shown on a repeat MRI visible changes in disc protrusion as well as prevention of disc injury in levels above and below from improper loading of joints. In some cases, surgery may be necessary, but we always explore non-surgical options first.
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The problem:
Have you recently been in a car accident, specifically a rear-end collision? These types of accidents are common and can cause whiplash injuries. Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then snapped back, causing strain on the neck and spine. Even at lower speeds, injuries can occur, and unfortunately, some people may not realize they are injured until weeks or months after the accident. It's essential to recognize the signs of whiplash and seek treatment promptly to prevent long-term problems.
What chiropractic can do for you:
You may not feel the long-term effects of whiplash immediately; sometimes it can take days, weeks, or even months to feel the repercussions of your injury. Symptoms can include headaches, vertigo, rotational restrictions, head feeling heavy, grinding sounds coming from the neck, and an inability to focus or concentrate on tasks.Chiropractic care can help you recover from any injury to the spine. Studies show chiropractic to be especially effective in whiplash recovery in that Chiropractic has a direct impact on improving blood flow to the area being adjusted. Ligamentous healing is essential in reduction of recovery time. It's important to work with a medical professional who understands the problem and knows how to treat it.
Benefits of chiropractic care for whiplash:Starting chiropractic care as soon as possible after a whiplash injury can significantly improve your chances of a full recovery. In a research study, 93% of patients saw significant improvement while under chiropractic care, with treatment consisting of spinal manipulation, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), and cryotherapy. Additionally, chiropractic care can help prevent long-term problems and reduce the need for more extensive treatment later on. At AMNAHBHATTI Chiropractic and Wellness, we prioritize our patients' health and well-being, and we're dedicated to providing personalized, effective care to help you recover from your whiplash injury.
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The problem:
Many people are surprised when they find out that the overwhelming majority of injuries that happen in the workplace do not occur because of serious accidents. Repetitive stress injuries caused by poor posture, working at non-ergonomic workstations and improper chairs with added on supports that aren't needed are a common workplace problem around the globe, leading to physical, mental and emotional stress.
What chiropractic can do for you:Chiropractic care has a high success rate in treating work-related injuries such as lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. At ABCW, we go the extra step to identify inaccurate workplace ergonomics and have provided structured plans for offices and corporate clients to advise them how to make a few minor changes that could benefit their employees’ health and productivity. Imagine sitting in a chair that envelops you like a glove, a chair that actually fits you versus sitting in a chair that's constantly forcing you to sit in a position your body is refusing to recognize as being comfortable.
Laptops vs. desktops is a debate that has recently come to the forefront when talking about how long laptops can be used for. In short, laptops are an ergonomic nightmare, the adverse effects of improper screen placement, the proximity and lack of adaptability of the keyboard on spinal health and eye health are huge. We address all of this - and more - when your treatment at our clinic begins.
Benefits of chiropractic care for work injuries:Receiving appropriate care from a chiropractor as soon as possible can prevent injuries from worsening, avoiding the need for surgery or prescription medication for pain relief. With proper treatment and exercises, recovery can be quicker, allowing individuals to return to work with less time off.
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The problem:
When you start playing your sport with trepidation, that’s a cause for concern. The ease of function that should come with a spine that is functioning at peak performance is unparalleled when pushed to its limits in a sport. Whether you're a professional, playing for the love of the sport, retired, or coaching your child, you deserve to play like that eight year old who's waiting to be unleashed on the game. That's the only way to play. Adaptations to chronic injuries, and or playing through acute ones do not help you or your game. To the contrary, they build adaptations to optimal function in that you start guarding certain areas of the spine and extremities, whilst overloading others. This can cause long-term wear and tear changes that cement themselves in your body.
What chiropractic can do for you:At our clinic, we aim to get you back to playing your sport the way it should be played. With freedom of movement, making sure you elevate your game through balanced and symmetrical spine usage. Sports ergonomics and biomechanics are huge in elevating your game and Dr. Amnah is a firm believer in building a foundation now for the decades to come. How you strengthen and mobilize now is an investment for your next decade. Injuries will come and go, and their resolution is a priority. But what supersedes all of that is how you plan on staying in the game through chiropractic.
Benefits of chiropractic care for arm and leg pain:Focusing solely on the affected limb may not solve the underlying problem. By identifying and treating the root cause of the pain, we can provide long-term relief and improve overall spinal health. A recent study showed that 60% of people with back pain also have associated lower limb pain, highlighting the importance of holistic care that addresses the whole body. Dr. Bhatti can assess your condition and provide tailored treatment, including adjustments, exercises, and lifestyle recommendations to promote healing and prevent future injuries.
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The problem:
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition in which there could be nerve impingement due to compression of nerves from the cervical spine, thoracic spine and more locally from the wrist. The pinched nerves could be from misalignments resulting from overuse injuries. There are certain professions that are susceptible to this more than others: hair stylists, dentists, typists, table tennis athletes, to name a few. Any activity that involves repetitive movements of the wrist could cause local compression, years of sleeping on your hand can also precipitate symptoms of CTS. It is, however, important to remember that a clear and definitive diagnosis is crucial in distinguishing CTS from a pinched nerve in the neck and mid-back, both of which can mimic symptoms of CTS. It would be quite tragic for someone to have to give up their skill and get surgery to end up not getting relief from symptoms when the cause was entirely separate from the effects interpreted and misdiagnosed. Nerve conduction tests are overly sensitive and without appropriate clinical evidence, backing them up cannot be used solely for a diagnosis.
What chiropractic can do for you:A Doctor of Chiropractic can diagnose first and foremost if your symptoms are purely CTS or not and then plan the treatment protocol accordingly. Chiropractors have had great success in treating carpal tunnel syndrome using non-invasive methods such as spinal adjustments and extremity adjustments. Unlike surgical procedures, which can cost a great deal and rarely result in full resolution of symptoms, chiropractic care can provide a more conservative and affordable approach to treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
Benefit of chiropractic care for carpal tunnel syndrome:Patients who receive chiropractic care for carpal tunnel syndrome often experience substantial improvements in their symptoms, unlike those who use prescription medications or undergo decompression surgeries. Chiropractors can perform an evaluation of the patient's condition and formulate an individualized treatment plan that best suits them. This approach can provide long-term relief from the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, while also addressing the underlying source of the problem. Patients who choose chiropractic care for carpal tunnel syndrome can avoid the risks and expense of surgical procedures, and resume daily activities with less pain and discomfort.
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The problem:
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body and is sensitive to even the slightest of changes originating from the cervical spine or thoracic spine leading to a range of injuries and conditions that can start with dysfunction in movement, eventually leading to pain and immobility. I usually call the shoulder joint the most unforgiving of joints in the body because of the complexity of muscle structure surrounding it that works together as a symphony to produce movement. Any repetitive trauma to one area is held onto by the whole joint. Sleeping with your hand under your head at night, sleeping with an outstretched arm, dentists who work leaning over creating stress in their thoracic spine and cervical spines loading their shoulder joints beyond their capacity, all cause memories of stress-loading in the joint. This perpetuates changes in your spinal structure. The brain tries to reinforce the loaded joint by manoeuvring the spine to rotate to that side, creating spinal subluxations. The joint gets further restricted in movement this time from the spine. The nerves supplying integral areas of your body are now unable to transfer information. Your nervous system isn't collecting data from your body smoothly and in turn is not able to communicate messages from your brain to your body in a normal pattern either. Over a period of time you start dysregulating systemically. This is evident through secondary symptoms such as asthma, chronic pain in hands and feet, fatigue, headaches, irritability, gastritis, allergies, and hives, to name a few.
Common reasons for shoulder pain include neck and mid-back dysfunctional mobility patterns that lead to subluxations eventually causing early degenerative changes/arthritis resulting in nerve interference and systemic involvement. Symptoms of a shoulder dysfunction may develop gradually or come on suddenly and should be taken seriously since the shoulder joint is used in almost every daily activity. It is essential to get an accurate diagnosis to determine the most effective treatment. Shoulder dysfunction doesn't generally stay localised; as a joint, its immobility or restriction impacts your mid-back, neck, elbow and wrist, eventually being labelled a "frozen shoulder" as you age.
Benefit of chiropractic care for shoulder pain:Chiropractors are trained on various methods for diagnosing the cause of shoulder pain and can provide an individualized treatment plan to correct spinal misalignment and address referred pain from the neck region.
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Our hips serve innumerable functions for our body; they keep us upright, allow us to bear weight, walk smoothly, run, jump, kick, play. Since the hips are engaged in nearly every way we move, pain in this area can have debilitating consequences for patients. When patients experience hip pain, it can severely affect their mobility. A chiropractor can help determine the cause of your hip pain and design a customised treatment plan to address your symptoms.
The problem:Hip pain can result from various factors, such as inflammation, osteoarthritis, overuse injuries, trauma, referred pain, or other sources. Inflammation can occur within the hip joint or its surrounding structures and ligaments. Osteoarthritis, particularly in older adults, involves a cycle of progressive cartilage loss and joint degeneration. Overuse injuries and trauma to the hip area can cause significant pain. Referred pain from different parts of the body can also cause hip pain, such as dysfunction of the sacroiliac joints, a hernia, or sciatica resulting from nerve root irritation.
Benefit of chiropractic care for hip pain:After performing a careful physical examination and evaluating your familial and personal history, Dr. Amnah Bhatti can work to determine the source of your hip pain. Your chiropractor will create a personalised treatment plan that could include chiropractic adjustments, exercise therapy, posture advice, stretching, massage, coordination with other health practitioners, and more. Treatments will aim to reduce inflammation, relax any existing muscle spasms, strengthen weakened muscles, and improve the mobility of the joint.
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The problem:
Fibromyalgia can be a challenging condition to live with. It's a long-term chronic disease that often goes misdiagnosed, making it the world's most common musculoskeletal condition. People with fibromyalgia experience widespread joint and muscle pain, areas of tenderness, and chronic fatigue. Unfortunately, since these symptoms cannot be measured through tests and are subjective to the individual, there is no clear cause of fibromyalgia. This makes it all the more frustrating for those who suffer from it. In addition to pain and fatigue, those with fibromyalgia often experience other symptoms like trouble sleeping, headaches, depression, anxiety, and difficulty focusing. It can feel overwhelming, like there's no end in sight.
Benefit of chiropractic care for fibromyalgia:If you're living with fibromyalgia, chiropractic care might be able to provide some relief. Chiropractors have found that labelling a person who may be suffering from spinal misalignments leading to these red flag symptoms is just that – a label. It's not a diagnosis. A detailed history is essential in determining when and how symptoms started. This gives us a clear indication of how long the patient has been displaying signs of an overloaded nervous system. The kind of nutritional support the patient has had also adds to the patient's history. There are a few factors that determine how long it will take a patient to initiate their healing journey, including the patient's mental health and well-being, and how they’ve adapted and coped to their debilitating nervous system dysregulation. Inflammation is an all-over-body response – it is not just limited to areas that are aching or sore.
Our body releases cytokines that are small proteins that are crucial in controlling the growth and activity of other immune system cells and blood cells. When released, they signal the immune system to do its job. Cytokines affect the growth of all blood cells and other cells that help the body's immune and inflammation responses. Cytokines may be "good" when stimulating the immune system to fight a foreign pathogen or attack tumours.
Some cytokines act to make disease worse (proinflammatory), whereas others serve to reduce inflammation and promote healing (anti-inflammatory). Attention also has focused on blocking cytokines, which are harmful to the host, particularly during overwhelming inflammatory responses. The term “cytokine storm” was used over and over again for Covid patients as this is what signaled the body was going into an uncontrolled spiral of inflammation brought about by an overload of the proinflammatory proteins.
On a day-to-day basis, how your proteins are regulated on a cellular level depends on how well your nervous system regulates them.
Studies have shown that Chiropractic care works to REDUCE these proinflammatory cytokines thereby bringing DOWN the level of the bad inflammation in the body.
This is how Chiropractic helps restore you to your physiological level of function.
We understand that living with fibromyalgia can be tough, and we're here to help. Dr.Amnah Bhatti and her team is dedicated to helping you find relief so you can live your life to the fullest.