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Better Life

THE TRUSTED EXPERTS IN COMPLETE CHIROPRACTIC CARE

TOP RATED CHIROPRACTOR

What Our Customers Say About Us.

Sarah Bergman
Sarah Bergman
2022-01-25
I've been in chiropractic care for more than three decades bc of degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. The doctors at Sugarloaf Pain and Rehab clinic are far above any doctors I've ever seen. I was struggling with constant joint pain, muscle pain, and struggling to even complete day-to-day chores. I began seeing them in September of '21 and by December, I was so mobile and felt so much better, I joined a local gym and started weight training. I went from barely mobile to thriving in 3 months. I can't say enough great things about Dr. Jane Son and Dr. Michael Hwang. My husband sees Dr. Hwang for plantar fasciitis and a torn calf muscle and saw results after just one visit! Their patient care team is also super-friendly!
Kyle Lewis
Kyle Lewis
2021-11-13
AMAZING ALL AROUND!
Rhiannon Lewis
Rhiannon Lewis
2021-09-14
I highly recommend Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab. They have restored my quality of life. I came to them with a bilateral fracture in my L5/S1. At times, I could not even feel my leg and other times the pain was unbearable. I had no relief and could not sit, stand or even sleep. Four different doctors told me I needed a fusion but still suffering pain from my neck fusion, I wanted that to be a last resort. The time, dedication and treatment I received from both doctors was exceptional. Over time, I began to heal and the pain and nerve sensitivity began to subside. I will always be a patient here. I am currently being treated for my neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis. Their scope of work and holistic approach is top notch. Their staff is outstanding. They’re so helpful and friendly. They’re like family to me! This place has truly been a blessing in my life.
Nana Oulare
Nana Oulare
2021-05-21
From the day I came to Sugarloaf pain and rehab, Dr Jane Song and the entire chiropractic team welcomed me with kindness and smiles. I was in severe pain when I came. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was not satisfied at my previous chiropractor. But here, they took care of me and made me feel comfortable. They are professional and have good customer service. I was quick to recover from my pain. I recommended them to friends and family because they are the best. 10/10
Jenny Victor
Jenny Victor
2021-04-26
I cannot recommend this business enough. They want you to improve, and they want to know you as a person. They are extremely kind and caring. I first came to Dr Michael for car accident pain, and then returned again later for L5 pain, that's how good they are - I came back with my own money ;)
Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 92 reviews

Our Services

INJURY TREATMENT

CHIROPRACTIC

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

About Us

We are a complete care chiropractic. Instead of just treating the symptoms, we treat the whole anatomy of the affected area with the combination of the Gonstead Technique and a variety of advanced soft-tissue therapies that, combined, enable the best possible outcome for your recovery.

After completing their education and training at Life University in 2002 with Highest Honors , Dr. Jane Son and Dr. Michael Hwang continue to invest time and resources to provide the best treatment available through specialized techniques and the most advanced forms of therapy out there.

OUR MISSION is to provide premium care to our patients, through exceptional customer service and the best treatments available. Our goal is to transform your life, so you can be the best version of yourself possible.

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Hours
of Operation

  • Sunday
  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • CLOSED
  • 8:30am – 2:00pm
  • 12:00pm – 6:00pm
  • 12:00pm – 6:00pm
  • CLOSED
  • 8:30am – 2:00pm
  • 8:30am – 2:00pm

Chiropractic in Suwanee

The goal of your Suwanee Chiropractor is to treat the problem at its source rather than simply addressing the symptoms. The chiropractic field focuses primarily on the spine and its relationship to the nervous system, which controls the entire body. Spinal misalignment, called vertebral subluxation, interfere with central nervous system function. The spinal cord relays messages from your brain to the rest of the body weaves in and out of the spine, and vertebral misalignment causes inflammation and irritation to the joint and nerve root. Such irritations manifest in symptoms, including acute pain, decreased mobility, and chronic illness; all of which diminish overall health and quality of life. Chiropractic adjustments work to correct misalignments, thereby alleviating the associated pain and discomfort.

It is a common misconception that chiropractic care is only beneficial for treating neck pain and back pain. Chiropractors are specialized in treating a wide variety of physical ailments caused by issues with the muscles, joints, and nerves. Misalignments can occur in any joint in the body, causing interference to the passing nerves as well as the supporting structures.

Chiropractic doctors must complete rigorous academic and clinical training similar in content to medical school. After 4 years of undergraduate studies, typically in the sciences, accepted students will enter a 4-5 year academic program at a chiropractic college where the course-load averages 4,400 hours of in-depth study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, nutrition, radiology, biomechanics, spinal adjustive techniques, and many more. Moreover, chiropractic students must complete a minimum of 1000 clinical training and take multiple national board examinations required for licensure. This does not account for all the continuing education and licensure in advanced techniques that chiropractors may elect to pursue as they are costly in both time and finances.

Chiropractic Care for
Auto Injuries

Auto accidents in Gwinnett County are more common than one anticipates, and the disruption an accident can have on your life is always more complex than one ever imagines. The unfortunate reality is that these collisions leave the involved parties with lasting injuries in most cases. The severity of the injuries may vary, and it is critical that the appropriate medical care is given to the injuries incurred. People primarily only associate severe auto accident injuries with those that involve the extreme scenarios. However, some accident injuries are less obvious but just as serious. The force of trauma from the impact alone necessitates a medical evaluation to determine the integrity of your spine and soft-tissue, which is where the most common and long-term pain occurs. Without proper medical attention, the affected musculoskeletal region can degenerate rapidly and develop excessive scar tissue and adhesions that will cause other related pain and symptoms down the line. Pain and symptoms from these injuries can be delayed anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks, and they are not an accurate measure of the severity of your condition. This is why it is absolutely critical to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible following a car accident. 

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Call to schedule your free evaluation today 770-817-3399.

Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab combines the best of chiropractic with physiotherapy for a complete care approach. The doctors utilize the Gonstead technique, recognized around the world as one of the best methods for accurately diagnosing and treating spinal misalignment and dysfunctions. Integrating physiotherapy with your treatment plan addresses the problem area as a whole, resulting in more effective and lasting results.

Our Approach

Our Approach

Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab combines the best of chiropractic with physiotherapy for a complete care approach. The doctors utilize the Gonstead technique, recognized around the world as one of the best methods for accurately diagnosing and treating spinal misalignment and dysfunctions. Integrating physiotherapy with your treatment plan addresses the problem area as a whole, resulting in more effective and lasting results.

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PRIVACY POLICY

Auto
Injuries

Chiropractic Care for Auto Injuries

Auto accidents in Gwinnett County are more common than one anticipates, and the disruption an accident can have on your life is always more complex than one ever imagines. The unfortunate reality is that these collisions leave the involved parties with lasting injuries in most cases. The severity of the injuries may vary, and it is critical that the appropriate medical care is given to the injuries incurred. People primarily only associate severe auto accident injuries with those that involve the extreme scenarios. However, some accident injuries are less obvious but just as serious. The force of trauma from the impact alone necessitates a medical evaluation to determine the integrity of your spine and soft-tissue, which is where the most common and long-term pain occurs. Without proper medical attention, the affected musculoskeletal region can degenerate rapidly and develop excessive scar tissue and adhesions that will cause other related pain and symptoms down the line. Pain and symptoms from these injuries can be delayed anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks, and they are not an accurate measure of the severity of your condition. This is why it is absolutely critical to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible following a car accident.

Chiropractors are among the best and most capable medical professionals for non-emergent auto accident injuries. Based on a thorough evaluation, chiropractors will personalize a treatment plan that will treat the pain, inflammation, spinal subluxation, muscle spasm, and ligament tears that may be present.

At Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab, your customized care plan consists of both chiropractic and advanced physiotherapy treatments to ensure your best possible outcome. Through this comprehensive approach, our chiropractors are able to treat the injuries as a whole to ensure the best possible long-term recovery.

Types of Back Pain After an Auto Accident

Back pain is very common, and it is estimated that upwards 85 percent of Americans suffer back pain to some degree during their lifetime. It is important to remember that not all back pains are alike. It is vital that the treatment administered for your back pain is customized according to the cause and presentation of your condition; even more so when it is related to an auto accident.

Why do you have back pain after a car accident?

Back pain following an auto accident is expected, due to the sheer amount of force that has been exerted onto your back and spine. If the spine is in duress from sedentary activities, you can imagine how traumatic an auto accident will be. Auto accident related back pain is typically caused by these common injuries: 

Whiplash. Whiplash is the most reported car crash injury. Whiplash pain is often associated with neck and upper back symptoms, but it is also common for the low back. It occurs due to the rapid back-and-forth motion of the affected spinal area that results in tears to the ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and discs. 

Sprains and Strains. Sprains and strains to the lumbar spine are common as well. In this instance, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are overstretched and, sometimes, torn from the force of impact. This type of injury manifests as acute low back pain, muscle spasms, and tightness.

Subluxation. Subluxation is the term for spinal misalignment. The spine undergoes trauma from the force of impact, and the vertebrae will become partially dislocated. The misalignment often compresses the spinal cord and nerves, resulting in pain and symptoms, such as numbness and weakness. 

Car accidents can also cause other serious back injuries, including herniated spinal disc and joint injury. These types of injuries also cause debilitating low back pain that may require more invasive treatment approaches. 

Signs and symptoms to look out for after an accident include:

  • Back Pain

  • Tingling & Numbness

  • Tightness

  • Restricted range of motion

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Fatigue

  • Headache

Why Chiropractic Care Is Important After an Auto Accident

Chiropractic focuses first and foremost on the restoration and integrity of the spine and other musculoskeletal structures. The spine encapsulates the nervous system through which the signals from your brain are transmitted to the rest of the body. A great deal of force is exerted onto the spine during an auto accident, often resulting in misalignments to varying degrees in one or multiple areas of the spine. 

 

Even the slightest misalignment in your spinal vertebrae can have huge ramifications. The spinal cord is the highway for your nervous system, and it weaves in and out of the spinal column. Each network of nerves exiting the spine is associated with a particular function within the body. As such, when the spinal column itself is compromised, the corresponding nerves are affected and usually results in pain symptoms. The misplacement of the vertebral joint also restricts the range of motion. Patients who suffer from this condition experience difficulty performing their daily tasks, as a result.

 

Chiropractic adjustments involve a gentle manual manipulation to correct the misalignment. There are multiple techniques a chiropractor can utilize to achieve this, and customizing the technique according to the patient’s need is vital for the best result. The spine needs to be restored after a forceful trauma to enable the best recovery. Chiropractic spinal adjustment has been shown to provide pain alleviation and also prevent long-term degenerative changes. 

 

After years of training and experience, the doctors at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab believe that the best type of chiropractic treatment following an auto accident is a complete care approach that addresses the soft-tissue damage simultaneously with the vertebral subluxation. With heavy integration of physiotherapy and advanced manual therapies they also treat the ligamentous damage, the nerve entrapments, muscle spasms, and scar tissue formation that is typical with auto accident. 

Auto accident Injuries Chiropractors can treat include:

  • Whiplash
  • Neck Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Numbness and Tingling
  • Headaches
Call to schedule your free evaluation today
770-817-3399.

Sports
Injuries &
Maintenance

Sports Injury in Suwanee GA

  • Are you suffering from injuries such as foot & ankle sprain, IT band syndrome, tennis elbow, rotator cuff, whiplash, or other over-use conditions resulting in ligament & tendon damage and muscle injuries? Thinking about giving Active Release Technique ® a try?
  • Active Release Technique (ART®) is a patented soft-tissue treatment technique for adhesions and scar tissue. The power of Active Release Techniques ® lies in its ability to effectively resolve acute and chronic injuries that have not responded to other forms of therapy.
  • Significant conditions including: headaches, neck & back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff & shoulder pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries, knee & hip problems, tennis elbow and many others can be resolved quickly and effectively with ART®.
  • ART® practitioners draw from over 500 unique techniques and engage the patients into performing specific movements to treat and correct abnormal tissues.
  • ART® treatment protocols allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. The patient’s active participation will promote faster and better results.

The efficacy and the success rate of ART® attract many professional athletes in the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, PGA, Olympic medalists and bodybuilders seeking the best health care to perform at superior state. ART® Certified providers, our doctors use this very safe, non-invasive treatment to maximize the functional recovery for many type of sports injuries. ART® is now a proud partner with IRONMAN Triathlon.

Our doctors at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab participate as integral practitioners in the treatment team, providing ART® to the athletes competing in the IRONMAN Triathlon.

Auto Injuries

Chiropractic Care for Auto Injuries

Auto accidents in Gwinnett County are more common than one anticipates, and the disruption an accident can have on your life is always more complex than one ever imagines. The unfortunate reality is that these collisions leave the involved parties with lasting injuries in most cases. The severity of the injuries may vary, and it is critical that the appropriate medical care is given to the injuries incurred. People primarily only associate severe auto accident injuries with those that involve the extreme scenarios. However, some accident injuries are less obvious but just as serious. The force of trauma from the impact alone necessitates a medical evaluation to determine the integrity of your spine and soft-tissue, which is where the most common and long-term pain occurs. Without proper medical attention, the affected musculoskeletal region can degenerate rapidly and develop excessive scar tissue and adhesions that will cause other related pain and symptoms down the line. Pain and symptoms from these injuries can be delayed anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks, and they are not an accurate measure of the severity of your condition. This is why it is absolutely critical to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible following a car accident.

Chiropractors are among the best and most capable medical professionals for non-emergent auto accident injuries. Based on a thorough evaluation, chiropractors will personalize a treatment plan that will treat the pain, inflammation, spinal subluxation, muscle spasm, and ligament tears that may be present.

At Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab, your customized care plan consists of both chiropractic and advanced physiotherapy treatments to ensure your best possible outcome. Through this comprehensive approach, our chiropractors are able to treat the injuries as a whole to ensure the best possible long-term recovery.

Types of Back Pain After an Auto Accident

Back pain is very common, and it is estimated that upwards 85 percent of Americans suffer back pain to some degree during their lifetime. It is important to remember that not all back pains are alike. It is vital that the treatment administered for your back pain is customized according to the cause and presentation of your condition; even more so when it is related to an auto accident.

Why do you have back pain after a car accident?

Back pain following an auto accident is expected, due to the sheer amount of force that has been exerted onto your back and spine. If the spine is in duress from sedentary activities, you can imagine how traumatic an auto accident will be. Auto accident related back pain is typically caused by these common injuries: 

Whiplash. Whiplash is the most reported car crash injury. Whiplash pain is often associated with neck and upper back symptoms, but it is also common for the low back. It occurs due to the rapid back-and-forth motion of the affected spinal area that results in tears to the ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, and discs. 

Sprains and Strains. Sprains and strains to the lumbar spine are common as well. In this instance, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are overstretched and, sometimes, torn from the force of impact. This type of injury manifests as acute low back pain, muscle spasms, and tightness.

Subluxation. Subluxation is the term for spinal misalignment. The spine undergoes trauma from the force of impact, and the vertebrae will become partially dislocated. The misalignment often compresses the spinal cord and nerves, resulting in pain and symptoms, such as numbness and weakness. 

Car accidents can also cause other serious back injuries, including herniated spinal disc and joint injury. These types of injuries also cause debilitating low back pain that may require more invasive treatment approaches. 

Signs and symptoms to look out for after an accident include:

  • Back Pain

  • Tingling & Numbness

  • Tightness

  • Restricted range of motion

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Fatigue

  • Headache

Why Chiropractic Care Is Important After an Auto Accident

Chiropractic focuses first and foremost on the restoration and integrity of the spine and other musculoskeletal structures. The spine encapsulates the nervous system through which the signals from your brain are transmitted to the rest of the body. A great deal of force is exerted onto the spine during an auto accident, often resulting in misalignments to varying degrees in one or multiple areas of the spine. 

 

Even the slightest misalignment in your spinal vertebrae can have huge ramifications. The spinal cord is the highway for your nervous system, and it weaves in and out of the spinal column. Each network of nerves exiting the spine is associated with a particular function within the body. As such, when the spinal column itself is compromised, the corresponding nerves are affected and usually results in pain symptoms. The misplacement of the vertebral joint also restricts the range of motion. Patients who suffer from this condition experience difficulty performing their daily tasks, as a result.

 

Chiropractic adjustments involve a gentle manual manipulation to correct the misalignment. There are multiple techniques a chiropractor can utilize to achieve this, and customizing the technique according to the patient’s need is vital for the best result. The spine needs to be restored after a forceful trauma to enable the best recovery. Chiropractic spinal adjustment has been shown to provide pain alleviation and also prevent long-term degenerative changes. 

 

After years of training and experience, the doctors at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab believe that the best type of chiropractic treatment following an auto accident is a complete care approach that addresses the soft-tissue damage simultaneously with the vertebral subluxation. With heavy integration of physiotherapy and advanced manual therapies they also treat the ligamentous damage, the nerve entrapments, muscle spasms, and scar tissue formation that is typical with auto accident. 

Auto accident Injuries Chiropractors can treat include:

  • Whiplash
  • Neck Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Numbness and Tingling
  • Headaches
Call to schedule your free evaluation today
770-817-3399.

Sports Injuries & Maintenance

Sports Injury in Suwanee GA

  • Are you suffering from injuries such as foot & ankle sprain, IT band syndrome, tennis elbow, rotator cuff, whiplash, or other over-use conditions resulting in ligament & tendon damage and muscle injuries? Thinking about giving Active Release Technique ® a try?
  • Active Release Technique (ART®) is a patented soft-tissue treatment technique for adhesions and scar tissue. The power of Active Release Techniques ® lies in its ability to effectively resolve acute and chronic injuries that have not responded to other forms of therapy.
  • Significant conditions including: headaches, neck & back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff & shoulder pain, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries, knee & hip problems, tennis elbow and many others can be resolved quickly and effectively with ART®.
  • ART® practitioners draw from over 500 unique techniques and engage the patients into performing specific movements to treat and correct abnormal tissues.
  • ART® treatment protocols allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. The patient’s active participation will promote faster and better results.

The efficacy and the success rate of ART® attract many professional athletes in the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, PGA, Olympic medalists and bodybuilders seeking the best health care to perform at superior state. ART® Certified providers, our doctors use this very safe, non-invasive treatment to maximize the functional recovery for many type of sports injuries. ART® is now a proud partner with IRONMAN Triathlon.

Our doctors at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab participate as integral practitioners in the treatment team, providing ART® to the athletes competing in the IRONMAN Triathlon.

Lower Back
&
Sciatic Pain

Back Pain in Suwanee GA

Back pain can be caused as a result of outside forces or trauma such as a sports or automobile related injury. Often the internal cause of the pain comes from misaligned, inflamed and irritated vertebrae.

How common is back pain?

Back pain is extremely common it is estimated that some form of back related pain affects over 80 percent of the population at least 1 time during their life. This back pain may be the result of an injury or trauma or due to posture, genetics or other illness. Regardless of the cause, a chiropractor can assist you in diagnosing the true cause of your pain or discomfort and initializing a treatment protocol aimed at the root cause not just the symptoms. This type of treatment aims to eliminate the pain rather than simply mask the symptoms.

Symptoms of back pain

There are many different types of symptoms associated with back pain. Back pain may be very localized in the lower portion of the back or it can radiate into the leg (Sciatica). The pain may be a dull ache or it can be very sharp. The severity of pain ranges from mild to extremely debilitating. The pain may be for short periods of time or it might become more continuous. The terms acute and chronic are often applied to back pain and they describe the duration of the symptom:

Chiropractic Treatment of back pain Suwanee Georgia

  1. The main treatment a chiropractor would provide would be gentle spinal adjustments and or manipulations  to the region of the back causing the pain.
  2. Massage, stretching and strengthening exercises for neck  and back muscles targeting the specific muscles that are involved in the symptoms and root cause of the back pain. .
  3. Relative rest. it is important in the initial phase of treatment to reduce exercise and movements that aggravate the problem to minimum and reduce inflammation
  4. Ice. ice can be applied to the neck or back to reduce the inflammation.

Of course the best course of action would be to visit the specialists at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab in Suwanee Georgia and let them complete a full and thorough evaluation of your symptoms so they can determine the cause of your back pain symptoms and suggest the proper treatment path for your individual needs.

Whiplash &
Neck Pain

Neck Pain in Suwanee GA

If you think about the mechanics of your neck, you’ll realize it’s not surprising how easily it can be injured. It has amazing flexibility, is constantly on the move, has very little muscular support, but has to support the 14 – 16 pounds of your head.

The neck is like the superhighway for your body in that nerve impulses are sent to every part of the body through the nerves that run through your neck reaching out to all areas of your body. From your cervical vertebrae, impulses are sent to your arms, and some into your upper back. Thus pain in your arm, such as numbness, tingling, cold, aching, or “pins and needles”, may be the result of an injury or issue with neck. People with neck problems may mistake their pain for carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition in the hands that is often caused by repeating the same repetitive motions for long periods.

Neck problems can also lead to headaches, muscle spasms in the shoulders and upper back, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), inflammation in the middle ear (otitis media), temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), or simply a restricted range of motion and severe tightness in the neck and upper back.

Causes of neck and upper back pain

Most times, neck and upper back pain is the result of not just one factor. Injury may be combined with poor posture, subluxations (misaligned spinal vertebrae), mental stress, or disc problems.

Injuries – Easily the most common injury to the neck is whiplash, the sudden, violent whipping motion of the head in an accident. It is most often associated with a car accidents, but it can happen when playing sport, or any other time the head suffers this particular whipping trauma. When this happens, the supporting muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues in the neck and upper back are damaged, but the full effects of this may not be felt for weeks or even months. This is why anyone who suspects they may have suffered whiplash should be extremely careful not to aggravate it, even if they feel no immediate ill-effects. An assessment should be sought from a chiropractor, in case treatment is needed to minimize the effects and guard against possibly permanent damage. 50% of whiplash victims in one study were shown to still be suffering the effects of the injury many years after settling their insurance claims.

Poor Posture – Poor posture is one of the most common causes of neck pain, and can also cause headaches. Unlike sudden injuries, which we usually know have happened, bad posture occurs over time and is something we soon begin to feel as normal. Everyday activities such as reading in bed can create issues and pain later on, and anyone working on a computer for extended periods is certainly susceptible to developing a forward head posture (FHP) and spinal subluxations. The rule is to keep your neck in a neutral position if possible. Avoid craning or hunching the neck, or remaining in the same position for too long. If this is unavoidable, try to practice correct posture to minimize any problems. Ideally, the head should be kept in a neutral position, back supported, knees slightly lower than your hips, and arms supported.

Subluxations – These are extremely common in the neck and upper back area, thanks to the weight of your head resting on such an unstable part of your spine. The majority of subluxations are centered around four areas:

  • The top of the cervical spine where it meets the skull
  • The middle of the cervical spine which supports the greatest weight of the head.
  • The transition between the cervical and thoracic areas of the spine.
  • The middle of the thoracic spine which supports the greatest weight of the upper body

Stress – Mental and emotional stress causes the muscles to tense, especially those in the back and neck. This ‘muscle guarding’ is a primitive survival response to avoid injury in the face of danger, but it ends up causing injury when it happens for any length of time. If pinching the trapezius muscle causes you to wince, that is a sure sign your muscles are tight and trigger points almost certainly exist. Exercise and deep breathing/relaxation techniques are useful for combating stress.

Herniated discs – A herniated or bulging disc will put pressure on the nerves that exit the spine through that area. Lumbar discs are more prone to herniating than cervical discs, but trauma such as whiplash can provoke a herniated cervical disc.

A consultation with your doctor of chiropractic should be scheduled if you are experiencing any pain in your neck or upper back that does not resolve very quickly.

On your first visit we will begin with a health history. Our team needs to understand your condition before they can properly help you. Our hope is that your recovery will be speedy and quick.

Don’t let yourself struggle with neck pain. The team at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab in Suwanee is here and excited to help you! Call if you have any questions. Today is the day to begin chiropractic care!

Foot, Ankle
&
Knee Pain

Foot – Ankle Pain Clinic in Suwanee GA

Q: Have you sprained your ankle?

Q: Do you experience ankle or knee pain when you run or walk?

Q: Do you have pain on your foot after prolonged standing or walking?

Q: Are you suffering from knee pain when climbing up or down the stairs?

We utilize following procedures to treat your problems:

  • Digital Foot Scanner (to evaluate lower body stability)
  • In Office X-Rays
  • Adjustment & Soft Tissue Treatment
  • Physiotherapy (ultrasound, cold laser, EMS etc)
  • Recovery & Rehab Exercises
  • Orthotic & Pedorthic Supports

Dr. Hwang has an exceptional understanding of the bio-mechanics of the Foot • Ankle and knee; and how problems in these areas affect the pelvis and the entire spine. He meticulously applies his clinical skills and knowledge in courses of treatment to properly align your foot, ankle, knee and hip, restoring a balanced foundation for your body. Dr. Hwang is also specialized in treating sprained ligaments, damaged tendons and injured muscles to keep your body at its optimal health!

Live Your Life in Balance!

  1. When foot imbalance is present, there is a negative impact on the knees, hips, pelvis, and spine. Some patients must have these abnormal forces reduced before they can achieve improved spinal function.
  2. According to the study, by age 20, 80% of people have developed some type of foot problem and by age 40, nearly everyone has a foot condition of some sort.
  3. Protect your spine, joints and soft tissue & Improve your overall health by supporting your very foundation, your FEET.

Shoulder
Pain &
Frozen
Shoulder

Shoulder Pain & Frozen Shoulder in Suwanee

If you have ever suffered or suffer from severe pain in your shoulder you may suffer from what is known as “Frozen Shoulder”.

The frozen shoulder is an exceptionally painful condition, it can also be debilitating and disabling. The usual activities, such as putting on a shirt or even brushing your hair, can be a difficult experience; It can also cause sleep disturbances and insomnia. Without proper treatment and intervention, frozen shoulder pain may persist for years.

Most cases of frozen shoulder (as well as shoulder pain in general) are associated with irritation of the nerves in the upper back (thoracic spine) and / or in the lower part of the neck. When shoulder pain originates in the back and spinal area, chiropractic care can be very effective for the treatment of shoulder pain and shoulder pain relief.

The Shoulder

What most people call the shoulder, are actually several joints that combine with the tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of movements in the arm, from scratching the back to launch the perfect swing.

Mobility has a price, as it can cause increasing problems with the instability or impact of soft tissues or bony structures in the shoulder, causing pain. It is possible to feel pain when we only move the shoulder or all the time, however, this may be temporary or in some cases may continue, requiring diagnosis and medical treatment.

How the shoulder is formed?

The shoulder is made up of three important bones: the clavicle, the upper arm bone (humerus) and the shoulder blade (scapula).

 

The head of the bone in the upper part of your arm fits into a rounded cavity in the shoulder blade. This socket is called glenoid. A combination of muscles and tendons keeps the arm bone centered in the shoulder cavity, these tissues are called the rotator cuff and cover the head of the bone in the upper part of your arm and place it on the shoulder blade.

The causes of shoulder pain include:

  • Avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to limited blood flow).
  • Brachial plexus session
  • Brazo broken
  • Broken particle
  • Bursitis (inflammation of the joints)
  • Shoulder dislocated
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Attack the heart
  • Arthrosis (disease that causes the joints to break)
  • Rheumatic lipolygia
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
  • Rotator cuff session
  • Shoulder separated
  • Septic arthritis
  • Strains
  • Tendinitis

In the team of Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab we have professionals trained in the area of ​​health, which are constantly expanding their knowledge and skills through education and research, to incorporate innovative techniques to the healing process. Our team is qualified to treat injuries or pains not only on the shoulder, but throughout the body.Our main objective is to provide quick, lasting relief with minimal discomfort; in the same way educate our patients about practices that promote their health in general.

Lower Back & Sciatic Pain

Back Pain in Suwanee GA

Back pain can be caused as a result of outside forces or trauma such as a sports or automobile related injury. Often the internal cause of the pain comes from misaligned, inflamed and irritated vertebrae.

How common is back pain?

Back pain is extremely common it is estimated that some form of back related pain affects over 80 percent of the population at least 1 time during their life. This back pain may be the result of an injury or trauma or due to posture, genetics or other illness. Regardless of the cause, a chiropractor can assist you in diagnosing the true cause of your pain or discomfort and initializing a treatment protocol aimed at the root cause not just the symptoms. This type of treatment aims to eliminate the pain rather than simply mask the symptoms.

Symptoms of back pain

There are many different types of symptoms associated with back pain. Back pain may be very localized in the lower portion of the back or it can radiate into the leg (Sciatica). The pain may be a dull ache or it can be very sharp. The severity of pain ranges from mild to extremely debilitating. The pain may be for short periods of time or it might become more continuous. The terms acute and chronic are often applied to back pain and they describe the duration of the symptom:

Chiropractic Treatment of back pain Suwanee Georgia

  1. The main treatment a chiropractor would provide would be gentle spinal adjustments and or manipulations  to the region of the back causing the pain.
  2. Massage, stretching and strengthening exercises for neck  and back muscles targeting the specific muscles that are involved in the symptoms and root cause of the back pain. .
  3. Relative rest. it is important in the initial phase of treatment to reduce exercise and movements that aggravate the problem to minimum and reduce inflammation
  4. Ice. ice can be applied to the neck or back to reduce the inflammation.

Of course the best course of action would be to visit the specialists at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab in Suwanee Georgia and let them complete a full and thorough evaluation of your symptoms so they can determine the cause of your back pain symptoms and suggest the proper treatment path for your individual needs.

Whiplash & Neck Pain

Neck Pain in Suwanee GA

If you think about the mechanics of your neck, you’ll realize it’s not surprising how easily it can be injured. It has amazing flexibility, is constantly on the move, has very little muscular support, but has to support the 14 – 16 pounds of your head.

The neck is like the superhighway for your body in that nerve impulses are sent to every part of the body through the nerves that run through your neck reaching out to all areas of your body. From your cervical vertebrae, impulses are sent to your arms, and some into your upper back. Thus pain in your arm, such as numbness, tingling, cold, aching, or “pins and needles”, may be the result of an injury or issue with neck. People with neck problems may mistake their pain for carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition in the hands that is often caused by repeating the same repetitive motions for long periods.

Neck problems can also lead to headaches, muscle spasms in the shoulders and upper back, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), inflammation in the middle ear (otitis media), temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), or simply a restricted range of motion and severe tightness in the neck and upper back.

Causes of neck and upper back pain

Most times, neck and upper back pain is the result of not just one factor. Injury may be combined with poor posture, subluxations (misaligned spinal vertebrae), mental stress, or disc problems.

Injuries – Easily the most common injury to the neck is whiplash, the sudden, violent whipping motion of the head in an accident. It is most often associated with a car accidents, but it can happen when playing sport, or any other time the head suffers this particular whipping trauma. When this happens, the supporting muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues in the neck and upper back are damaged, but the full effects of this may not be felt for weeks or even months. This is why anyone who suspects they may have suffered whiplash should be extremely careful not to aggravate it, even if they feel no immediate ill-effects. An assessment should be sought from a chiropractor, in case treatment is needed to minimize the effects and guard against possibly permanent damage. 50% of whiplash victims in one study were shown to still be suffering the effects of the injury many years after settling their insurance claims.

Poor Posture – Poor posture is one of the most common causes of neck pain, and can also cause headaches. Unlike sudden injuries, which we usually know have happened, bad posture occurs over time and is something we soon begin to feel as normal. Everyday activities such as reading in bed can create issues and pain later on, and anyone working on a computer for extended periods is certainly susceptible to developing a forward head posture (FHP) and spinal subluxations. The rule is to keep your neck in a neutral position if possible. Avoid craning or hunching the neck, or remaining in the same position for too long. If this is unavoidable, try to practice correct posture to minimize any problems. Ideally, the head should be kept in a neutral position, back supported, knees slightly lower than your hips, and arms supported.

Subluxations – These are extremely common in the neck and upper back area, thanks to the weight of your head resting on such an unstable part of your spine. The majority of subluxations are centered around four areas:

  • The top of the cervical spine where it meets the skull
  • The middle of the cervical spine which supports the greatest weight of the head.
  • The transition between the cervical and thoracic areas of the spine.
  • The middle of the thoracic spine which supports the greatest weight of the upper body

Stress – Mental and emotional stress causes the muscles to tense, especially those in the back and neck. This ‘muscle guarding’ is a primitive survival response to avoid injury in the face of danger, but it ends up causing injury when it happens for any length of time. If pinching the trapezius muscle causes you to wince, that is a sure sign your muscles are tight and trigger points almost certainly exist. Exercise and deep breathing/relaxation techniques are useful for combating stress.

Herniated discs – A herniated or bulging disc will put pressure on the nerves that exit the spine through that area. Lumbar discs are more prone to herniating than cervical discs, but trauma such as whiplash can provoke a herniated cervical disc.

A consultation with your doctor of chiropractic should be scheduled if you are experiencing any pain in your neck or upper back that does not resolve very quickly.

On your first visit we will begin with a health history. Our team needs to understand your condition before they can properly help you. Our hope is that your recovery will be speedy and quick.

Don’t let yourself struggle with neck pain. The team at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab in Suwanee is here and excited to help you! Call if you have any questions. Today is the day to begin chiropractic care!

Foot, Ankle & Knee Pain

Foot – Ankle Pain Clinic in Suwanee GA

Q: Have you sprained your ankle?

Q: Do you experience ankle or knee pain when you run or walk?

Q: Do you have pain on your foot after prolonged standing or walking?

Q: Are you suffering from knee pain when climbing up or down the stairs?

We utilize following procedures to treat your problems:

  • Digital Foot Scanner (to evaluate lower body stability)
  • In Office X-Rays
  • Adjustment & Soft Tissue Treatment
  • Physiotherapy (ultrasound, cold laser, EMS etc)
  • Recovery & Rehab Exercises
  • Orthotic & Pedorthic Supports

Dr. Hwang has an exceptional understanding of the bio-mechanics of the Foot • Ankle and knee; and how problems in these areas affect the pelvis and the entire spine. He meticulously applies his clinical skills and knowledge in courses of treatment to properly align your foot, ankle, knee and hip, restoring a balanced foundation for your body. Dr. Hwang is also specialized in treating sprained ligaments, damaged tendons and injured muscles to keep your body at its optimal health!

Live Your Life in Balance!

  1. When foot imbalance is present, there is a negative impact on the knees, hips, pelvis, and spine. Some patients must have these abnormal forces reduced before they can achieve improved spinal function.
  2. According to the study, by age 20, 80% of people have developed some type of foot problem and by age 40, nearly everyone has a foot condition of some sort.
  3. Protect your spine, joints and soft tissue & Improve your overall health by supporting your very foundation, your FEET.

Shoulder Pain & Frozen Shoulder

Shoulder Pain & Frozen Shoulder in Suwanee

If you have ever suffered or suffer from severe pain in your shoulder you may suffer from what is known as “Frozen Shoulder”.

The frozen shoulder is an exceptionally painful condition, it can also be debilitating and disabling. The usual activities, such as putting on a shirt or even brushing your hair, can be a difficult experience; It can also cause sleep disturbances and insomnia. Without proper treatment and intervention, frozen shoulder pain may persist for years.

Most cases of frozen shoulder (as well as shoulder pain in general) are associated with irritation of the nerves in the upper back (thoracic spine) and / or in the lower part of the neck. When shoulder pain originates in the back and spinal area, chiropractic care can be very effective for the treatment of shoulder pain and shoulder pain relief.

The Shoulder

What most people call the shoulder, are actually several joints that combine with the tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of movements in the arm, from scratching the back to launch the perfect swing.

Mobility has a price, as it can cause increasing problems with the instability or impact of soft tissues or bony structures in the shoulder, causing pain. It is possible to feel pain when we only move the shoulder or all the time, however, this may be temporary or in some cases may continue, requiring diagnosis and medical treatment.

How the shoulder is formed?

The shoulder is made up of three important bones: the clavicle, the upper arm bone (humerus) and the shoulder blade (scapula).

 

The head of the bone in the upper part of your arm fits into a rounded cavity in the shoulder blade. This socket is called glenoid. A combination of muscles and tendons keeps the arm bone centered in the shoulder cavity, these tissues are called the rotator cuff and cover the head of the bone in the upper part of your arm and place it on the shoulder blade.

The causes of shoulder pain include:

  • Avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to limited blood flow).
  • Brachial plexus session
  • Brazo broken
  • Broken particle
  • Bursitis (inflammation of the joints)
  • Shoulder dislocated
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Attack the heart
  • Arthrosis (disease that causes the joints to break)
  • Rheumatic lipolygia
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
  • Rotator cuff session
  • Shoulder separated
  • Septic arthritis
  • Strains
  • Tendinitis

In the team of Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab we have professionals trained in the area of ​​health, which are constantly expanding their knowledge and skills through education and research, to incorporate innovative techniques to the healing process. Our team is qualified to treat injuries or pains not only on the shoulder, but throughout the body.Our main objective is to provide quick, lasting relief with minimal discomfort; in the same way educate our patients about practices that promote their health in general.

Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain

Your auto accident doctors at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab has been treating people suffering from auto accident injuries in Suwanee GA and the surrounding area for over a decade. Few unexpected events are as traumatic or as inconvenient as car accidents. It is important to know what steps need to be taken to ensure the restoration of your health and your quality of life.

Visiting your trustworthy auto accident doctor in Suwanee GA is one of the first things you should do when you’ve been in an auto accident. Chiropractors are specifically trained and knowledgeable on the effect and treatment required of MVC injuries and symptoms.

The most common accident injuries are not external; meaning, they aren’t presented as blood and bruises. Pain, stiffness, and headaches are commonly experienced, and these discomforts are due to musculoskeletal injuries. Musculoskeletal injuries are serious and will have lifelong effects if not properly addressed. They do not resolve on their own, and medication provides only temporary relief. We work with a network or medical professionals, including orthopedic doctors, neurologists, and pain management specialists when your condition warrants further medical intervention.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia in Suwanee GA

The word fibromyalgia is derived from three words: fibro, which is Latin for fibrous tissue; myo, which is Greek for muscle; and algia, also Greek and meaning pain. It is a chronic syndrome which covers symptoms including muscle pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points, and it affects 3 to 6 million people in the United States, over 90% of whom are women. It is not known exactly why there is such a preponderance of female sufferers.

Diagnosing fibromyalgia is not easy, and may take many years to properly identify. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) defines fibromyalgia as a history of pain lasting more than 3 months in all four quadrants of the body; that is, on both your right and left sides, and above and below the waist. The ACR further details 18 tender points around the body that are characteristic of fibromyalgia, and diagnosis requires a person to have 11 or more. As well as pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia may also produce:

  • Disturbed sleep
  • Morning stiffness
  • Headaches
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Painful menstrual periods
  • Numbness/tingling in the extremities
  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Sensitivity to temperature
  • Cognitive and memory problems (“fibro fog”)

To make diagnosis even more difficult, fibromyalgia can easily be mistaken for “myofascial pain syndrome” or “myofascitis”, as both can cause pain all over the body. However, the two conditions are very different. Myofascitis is the result of inflammation caused by overuse or injury to the muscles, is usually related to a specific activity or injury, and manifests quite suddenly. Fibromyalgia is the result of stress-induced changes to the metabolism and healing process, and appears in a slow, creeping fashion, most often starting in early adulthood. Correctly differentiating between the two is crucial as the relative treatments are nothing like the same.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that may never go away your entire life, although on the plus side, it does not cause any damage to your joints, muscles, or internal organs.

The most up-to-date research suggests that fibromyalgia is a stress-induced condition related to Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (usually just referred to as ‘lupus’) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. All of these conditions target women far more than men, and are marked by similar symptoms such as chronic fatigue, disturbed sleep, and IBS. The main difference is with lupus, which is an autoimmune reaction that attacks the healthy tissues of the body. With fibromyalgia, metabolic abnormalities are the primary issue, causing decreased blood flow to the pituitary gland in the brain. This then lowers certain important hormones, such as those responsible for releasing growth hormone and stimulating the thyroid. Muscle healing is adversely affected, memory and cognition are damaged, and full-blown hypothyroidism may even result.

Specifically, fibromyalgia causes a buildup in the muscle of a protein called “ground substance”. This is found in muscle, bone and connective tissues everywhere in the body, and serves to make these structures stronger and less prone to injury. The excessive amount of ground substance in a fibromyalgia sufferer means that the injured area does not heal properly, leading to the muscle knots characteristic of the condition.

While lupus can be definitively diagnosed with laboratory tests, there are no such surefire tests for fibromyalgia. However, there are a number of tests that can help to rule out certain other disorders, and a physical examination will identify if a person has the characteristic tender areas on the back of the neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, or knees. Unfortunately, this lack of 100% certainty can lead some doctors to dismiss a patient’s suffering as “all in the mind”, or – not very much better – to conclude that there is no effective remedy on offer.

This is not true. While fibromyalgia is certainly not easy to treat, a combination of chiropractic, trigger point therapy, massage, and lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) can prove effective in reducing the severity of the condition.

Chiropractic treatment of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia causes muscles to tighten and lose their natural pliability, which triggers the spine to decrease its own flexibility, which leads the muscles to tighten even more. It is a vicious cycle that can get worse and worse, causing ever greater pain. Chiropractic care is therefore essential as it ensures that sufferers do not lose too much movement from their spine and muscles. The spine must be properly adjusted and kept moving to counter the insidious creep of fibromyalgia. Treatments should happen three to four times per month, and these sessions will be gentler than normal to take into account the muscles’ susceptibility to injury and their lack of healing ability.

Neuropathy

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY/ PERIPHERAL NEURITIS

Do you experience burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp nerve pain? These unwelcomed sensations are commonly affiliated with a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy, which concern disorders of the peripheral nerves. Damage to the peripheral nerves accounts for the burdensome sensations, and it is most present in the hands and feet. Other areas of the body can be affected as well.  It is estimated that more than 20 million people in the United States suffer from this debilitating condition. However, conventional medicine, namely prescriptions and injections, do not provide effective improvement or relief, but rather only cover up the symptoms temporarily.

What causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) relays messages from the CNS (brain and spinal cord) to the rest of the body. The PNS can be compromised by traumatic injuries, infections, genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders. Vitamin deficiencies have been linked to be a common cause for peripheral neuropathy as well.  Diabetics, however, are 50 percent more likely to develop and suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy, and those taking cholesterol lowering medication is also subject to this disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Weakness, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet are the earlier signs of nerve damage. The onset of such sensations may be gradual and may proceed to spread to the rest of the arms and legs. More unpleasant symptoms include sharp, stabbing, and burning pain. When motor nerves are affected, muscle weakness and paralysis can set in as well. The combination of damaged sensory and motor nerves creates a dangerous situation where the patient will likely experience lack of coordination and falling.

Because the PNS communicates with the rest of the body, other areas of the body can present with symptoms as well. Severe symptoms can include atrophy and organ and gland dysfunction. When nerves affecting internal organs are damaged, it can result in problems with sexual function, breathing, and urination. Extreme cases can result in organ failure as well.

Recognizing and diagnosing Peripheral Neuropathy early is essential for effective management, but it is even more so vital for preventing further nerve damage. When should you see a doctor? As soon as you notice unfamiliar symptoms and sensations in your hands and feet, and especially if you suffer from diabetes or take medication on a regular basis.

Studies show that one of the leading cause of death in senior citizens are falling incidents. Correspondingly, seniors often suffer from peripheral neuropathy, and the lack of sensation or the over-stimulation of pain, depending on what type of nerve is affected, in their extremities prove detrimental to their balance and coordination.

Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy

Your first step is to identify the contributing factors to your peripheral nerve damage. In order to do so, your physician will ask you to provide extensive information into your medical and lifestyle history, including any infections, toxic exposure, medications, autoimmune disorders. If you’ve had any lab work done, such as blood, urine, and stool, you will be asked to bring those as well. Additional labs may be ordered to further assess your condition. Preventing further nerve damage is just as critical as recovering the ones that have already been affected. In some cases, correcting the underlying cause(s) alone can be sufficient for neuropathy to resolve on its own.

Nerve regeneration is key in the Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment Program. Peripheral nerves are capable to regenerate axons, as long as the nerve cell itself is still viable. The treatment program involves multiple factors that all work to promote such nerve regeneration. Our treatments are non-invasive and do not include prescription medication, which are typically no aimed for recovery and regeneration, but simply cover-up your symptoms and discomfort temporarily. Your treatment course will be customized to addressed all the contributing factors for your neuropathy case. You may undergo various manual therapies to address any musculoskeletal problems that are affecting the nerves, as well as nerve rebuilder and stimulation to promote active growth. PEMF therapy may be included as part of your treatment plan to allow optimal cell functioning, which in turn expedites your healing process. The treatment period itself will vary, just as each individual is unique.

Chronic Pain

Your auto accident doctors at Sugarloaf Pain & Rehab has been treating people suffering from auto accident injuries in Suwanee GA and the surrounding area for over a decade. Few unexpected events are as traumatic or as inconvenient as car accidents. It is important to know what steps need to be taken to ensure the restoration of your health and your quality of life.

Visiting your trustworthy auto accident doctor in Suwanee GA is one of the first things you should do when you’ve been in an auto accident. Chiropractors are specifically trained and knowledgeable on the effect and treatment required of MVC injuries and symptoms.

The most common accident injuries are not external; meaning, they aren’t presented as blood and bruises. Pain, stiffness, and headaches are commonly experienced, and these discomforts are due to musculoskeletal injuries. Musculoskeletal injuries are serious and will have lifelong effects if not properly addressed. They do not resolve on their own, and medication provides only temporary relief. We work with a network or medical professionals, including orthopedic doctors, neurologists, and pain management specialists when your condition warrants further medical intervention.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia in Suwanee GA

The word fibromyalgia is derived from three words: fibro, which is Latin for fibrous tissue; myo, which is Greek for muscle; and algia, also Greek and meaning pain. It is a chronic syndrome which covers symptoms including muscle pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points, and it affects 3 to 6 million people in the United States, over 90% of whom are women. It is not known exactly why there is such a preponderance of female sufferers.

Diagnosing fibromyalgia is not easy, and may take many years to properly identify. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) defines fibromyalgia as a history of pain lasting more than 3 months in all four quadrants of the body; that is, on both your right and left sides, and above and below the waist. The ACR further details 18 tender points around the body that are characteristic of fibromyalgia, and diagnosis requires a person to have 11 or more. As well as pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia may also produce:

  • Disturbed sleep
  • Morning stiffness
  • Headaches
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Painful menstrual periods
  • Numbness/tingling in the extremities
  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Sensitivity to temperature
  • Cognitive and memory problems (“fibro fog”)

To make diagnosis even more difficult, fibromyalgia can easily be mistaken for “myofascial pain syndrome” or “myofascitis”, as both can cause pain all over the body. However, the two conditions are very different. Myofascitis is the result of inflammation caused by overuse or injury to the muscles, is usually related to a specific activity or injury, and manifests quite suddenly. Fibromyalgia is the result of stress-induced changes to the metabolism and healing process, and appears in a slow, creeping fashion, most often starting in early adulthood. Correctly differentiating between the two is crucial as the relative treatments are nothing like the same.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that may never go away your entire life, although on the plus side, it does not cause any damage to your joints, muscles, or internal organs.

The most up-to-date research suggests that fibromyalgia is a stress-induced condition related to Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (usually just referred to as ‘lupus’) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. All of these conditions target women far more than men, and are marked by similar symptoms such as chronic fatigue, disturbed sleep, and IBS. The main difference is with lupus, which is an autoimmune reaction that attacks the healthy tissues of the body. With fibromyalgia, metabolic abnormalities are the primary issue, causing decreased blood flow to the pituitary gland in the brain. This then lowers certain important hormones, such as those responsible for releasing growth hormone and stimulating the thyroid. Muscle healing is adversely affected, memory and cognition are damaged, and full-blown hypothyroidism may even result.

Specifically, fibromyalgia causes a buildup in the muscle of a protein called “ground substance”. This is found in muscle, bone and connective tissues everywhere in the body, and serves to make these structures stronger and less prone to injury. The excessive amount of ground substance in a fibromyalgia sufferer means that the injured area does not heal properly, leading to the muscle knots characteristic of the condition.

While lupus can be definitively diagnosed with laboratory tests, there are no such surefire tests for fibromyalgia. However, there are a number of tests that can help to rule out certain other disorders, and a physical examination will identify if a person has the characteristic tender areas on the back of the neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, or knees. Unfortunately, this lack of 100% certainty can lead some doctors to dismiss a patient’s suffering as “all in the mind”, or – not very much better – to conclude that there is no effective remedy on offer.

This is not true. While fibromyalgia is certainly not easy to treat, a combination of chiropractic, trigger point therapy, massage, and lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) can prove effective in reducing the severity of the condition.

Chiropractic treatment of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia causes muscles to tighten and lose their natural pliability, which triggers the spine to decrease its own flexibility, which leads the muscles to tighten even more. It is a vicious cycle that can get worse and worse, causing ever greater pain. Chiropractic care is therefore essential as it ensures that sufferers do not lose too much movement from their spine and muscles. The spine must be properly adjusted and kept moving to counter the insidious creep of fibromyalgia. Treatments should happen three to four times per month, and these sessions will be gentler than normal to take into account the muscles’ susceptibility to injury and their lack of healing ability.

Neuropathy

PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY/ PERIPHERAL NEURITIS

Do you experience burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp nerve pain? These unwelcomed sensations are commonly affiliated with a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy, which concern disorders of the peripheral nerves. Damage to the peripheral nerves accounts for the burdensome sensations, and it is most present in the hands and feet. Other areas of the body can be affected as well.  It is estimated that more than 20 million people in the United States suffer from this debilitating condition. However, conventional medicine, namely prescriptions and injections, do not provide effective improvement or relief, but rather only cover up the symptoms temporarily.

What causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) relays messages from the CNS (brain and spinal cord) to the rest of the body. The PNS can be compromised by traumatic injuries, infections, genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders. Vitamin deficiencies have been linked to be a common cause for peripheral neuropathy as well.  Diabetics, however, are 50 percent more likely to develop and suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy, and those taking cholesterol lowering medication is also subject to this disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Weakness, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet are the earlier signs of nerve damage. The onset of such sensations may be gradual and may proceed to spread to the rest of the arms and legs. More unpleasant symptoms include sharp, stabbing, and burning pain. When motor nerves are affected, muscle weakness and paralysis can set in as well. The combination of damaged sensory and motor nerves creates a dangerous situation where the patient will likely experience lack of coordination and falling.

Because the PNS communicates with the rest of the body, other areas of the body can present with symptoms as well. Severe symptoms can include atrophy and organ and gland dysfunction. When nerves affecting internal organs are damaged, it can result in problems with sexual function, breathing, and urination. Extreme cases can result in organ failure as well.

Recognizing and diagnosing Peripheral Neuropathy early is essential for effective management, but it is even more so vital for preventing further nerve damage. When should you see a doctor? As soon as you notice unfamiliar symptoms and sensations in your hands and feet, and especially if you suffer from diabetes or take medication on a regular basis.

Studies show that one of the leading cause of death in senior citizens are falling incidents. Correspondingly, seniors often suffer from peripheral neuropathy, and the lack of sensation or the over-stimulation of pain, depending on what type of nerve is affected, in their extremities prove detrimental to their balance and coordination.

Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy

Your first step is to identify the contributing factors to your peripheral nerve damage. In order to do so, your physician will ask you to provide extensive information into your medical and lifestyle history, including any infections, toxic exposure, medications, autoimmune disorders. If you’ve had any lab work done, such as blood, urine, and stool, you will be asked to bring those as well. Additional labs may be ordered to further assess your condition. Preventing further nerve damage is just as critical as recovering the ones that have already been affected. In some cases, correcting the underlying cause(s) alone can be sufficient for neuropathy to resolve on its own.

Nerve regeneration is key in the Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment Program. Peripheral nerves are capable to regenerate axons, as long as the nerve cell itself is still viable. The treatment program involves multiple factors that all work to promote such nerve regeneration. Our treatments are non-invasive and do not include prescription medication, which are typically no aimed for recovery and regeneration, but simply cover-up your symptoms and discomfort temporarily. Your treatment course will be customized to addressed all the contributing factors for your neuropathy case. You may undergo various manual therapies to address any musculoskeletal problems that are affecting the nerves, as well as nerve rebuilder and stimulation to promote active growth. PEMF therapy may be included as part of your treatment plan to allow optimal cell functioning, which in turn expedites your healing process. The treatment period itself will vary, just as each individual is unique.