Tailbone Injuries

The guiding principle of chiropractic is that disruptions to the spinal column can have an effect on other parts of the body. Sciatica is probably the clearest example of this: compression of the sciatic nerves, which run through the legs, at their origin in the spine can cause pain, tingling, and incontinence. At Bergen Physical Medicine, we treat injuries to the spinal column, including its lowest component, the tailbone.

The tailbone, also known as the coccyx, is a complex fusion of multiple vertebrae bones. Pain in it is called coccydynia. Its position generally protects it from being strained or fractured, but injuries can occur during activities such as horseback or bicycle riding. Tailbone injuries make sitting painful and inflammation around in that area can cause sciatica, so injuries should be treated.

If a patient suspects a tailbone injury, we’ll want to do some imaging tests to confirm the location of the strain or break. While there’s not a whole lot that can be done to make it heal faster, we can ease the patient’s comfort by providing cushions called chiropractic wedges to sit on. We also offer pain relief therapies such as adjustments and electric muscle stimulation, as well as therapeutic exercises which can strengthen the pelvic floor.

Dr. Brian M. Wraith operates Bergen Physical Medicine at 323 Bergen Boulevard, Fairview, New Jersey, 07022. To schedule an appointment, call 201-945-9993 or visit Bergen Physical Medicine and fill out a contact form.

 

Osteoporosis and the Vertebrae

We offer comprehensive pain relief and rehabilitation services at Bergen Physical Medicine, including for osteoporosis. Lots of people wonder why they lose height as they age and whether it’s caused by a health problem. The answer has to do with the structural integrity of the vertebrae.

Bone is constantly being reabsorbed into the body. When a person has osteoporosis, it is being reabsorbed faster than it can be rebuilt. This causes the vertebrae to become filled with tiny holes so that it resembles a honeycomb. When osteoporosis is severe, even ordinary movements can result in tiny fractures. Most of these fractures will not be noticeable, but they will gradually cause the vertebrae to collapse, resulting in the patient stooping over and losing height.

Changes in nutrition can help arrest osteoporosis’s progress. As for pain relief, we offer many safe, non-invasive options, including massage therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy. Exercise helps the body support bones better and makes accidents less likely.

Dr. Brian M. Wraith operates Bergen Physical Medicine at 323 Bergen Boulevard, Fairview, New Jersey, 07022. To schedule an appointment, call 201-945-9993 or visit Bergen Physical Medicine and fill out a contact form.

Chiropractic Care for Sports Injuries

At Bergen Physical Medicine, we have seen many athletes turn to chiropractic after an injury.  Medical doctors typically treat a sports injury by alleviating symptoms with medication and recommending rest from activity.  Chiropractic has an approach to rehabilitating sports injuries that considers a patient’s entire body and its natural ability to heal itself.  This always results in less time ‘benched’ from activity and a quicker recovery.  Even professional athletes with very healthy bodies have relied too much on medication, and now professionals are seeking chiropractors to rehabilitate sports injuries.

You don’t need to be a professional athlete to rehabilitate a sports injury the right way.  A chiropractor will focus on repairing any damage to hard and soft tissue with chiropractic adjustments to the spine and extremities.  If you are in pain from an injury your chiropractor will of course advise the best pain relief strategy for you.  However, your only prescription will likely include physical therapy exercises for you to perform on your own.  Start rehabbing sports injuries with your chiropractor now for a lifetime of healthy activity!

To learn more about all the services we provide, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

Your First Chiropractic Visit

Bergen Physical Medicine welcomes first-time chiropractic patients.  New chiropractic patients often arrive frustrated, having tried other treatment methods and not found relief from their pain or discomfort.  Chiropractic takes a systemic approach to care, meaning the whole body and the body’s ability to heal itself are considered in every case. This is why your initial consultation and assessment with a chiropractor is especially important.  We will work to understand your goals for treatment, and take a very detailed record of your current condition using a physical exam and sometimes x-rays.  From there we can form a treatment plan to target any issues and improve overall health.

What surprises most new patients is that chiropractic does not incorporate drugs as part of treatment.  Chiropractic focuses on treating the root cause of any pain, rather than masking symptoms with medication.  Whether you are in serious pain or looking to restore your body’s natural balance, we welcome you to experience chiropractic treatment and find the relief you’re looking for.

To learn more about all the services we provide, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

Adjust Your Sitting Position for Less Back Pain

At Bergen Physical Medicine we treat patients and relieve pain, but patient self-care is just as important for their continued health. Simple changes to everyday habits can help you to live a pain-free life.  So many of us spend much of a typical day sitting, between working at computer desks, watching TV, and commuting to work. All of this sitting can cause back pain, making it the most common reason patients visit the chiropractor.  Making a few adjustments to how you sit can ease this stress, help alleviate back pain, and minimize future visits.

Believe it or not, you’ll put less stress on your back when you don’t sit up straight. Leaning back just enough so that your thighs are at a 135-degree angle with your torso is an optimal seated position for preventing back pain. Long periods of sitting are what really increase the risk of muscle pulls, strains, and cramps. So if you don’t have time to walk around and stretch at the office, try switching between sitting and standing, and look for opportunities to lean back a little!  

If you suffer from back pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electric Muscles Stimulation is one of the most flexible therapies we provide at Bergen Physical Medicine. A popular way of alleviating pain and restoring muscle function, electric muscle stimulation, or EMS, is used to help rebuild atrophied muscles, reduce downtime between sporting events, and provide low-risk, non-addictive comfort to people suffering from pinched nerves.

The electric pulse is through wires from a machine to sticky pads on the targeted parts of a patient’s body. Electricity causes the muscles immediately beneath the skin to convulse, sending a surge of blood to bush out blockages which naturally accumulate as a result of cellular respiration. In this way, EMS functions similarly to sports massages. The removal of blockages reduces swelling and allows nutrients to reach the muscles more quickly.

EMS is also used to re-establish connections between the nerves and the spinal system. Convulsing the muscles causes electrical channels to be reopened between the central and peripheral nerves. This also allows signals responsible for producing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, to reach the part of the body being treated with EMS.

Dr. Brian M. Wraith operates Bergen Physical Medicine at 323 Bergen Boulevard, Fairview, New Jersey, 07022. To schedule an appointment, call 201-945-9993 or visit BergenPhysicalMedicine.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Pinched Nerves

Physical therapists and chiropractors of all sorts are familiar with pinched nerves, and Dr. Brian M. Wraith of Bergen Physical Medicine is no exception. People accustomed to going to a chiropractor for help with herniated discs are familiar with how leaking spinal fluid compresses nerves, resulting in pain, tingling, or loss of function in the area of the compression or in an area the nerve leads to. But it is possible for any nerve to become pinched.

Pinched nerves tend to occur most frequently in areas where nerves don’t have a lot of soft tissue to cushion them from bones or outside forces. Some particular risk factors are scar tissue and swelling.  Scar tissue takes up additional space inside the body, reducing the space for a nerve and swelling causes increased pressure inside the body, resulting in pressure on a nerve. 

Nerves have their own protective covering, and can usually heal in time. However, the proper treatment can speed up healing and provide pain relief. Dr. Wraith’s office offers chiropractic, physical therapy, massage therapy to help patients reduce the pressure on a pinched nerve and take precautions against further compression.

Dr. Brian M. Wraith operates Bergen Physical Medicine at 323 Bergen Boulevard, Fairview, New Jersey, 07022. To schedule an appointment, call 201-945-9993 or visit BergenPhysicalMedicine.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Physical Therapy for a Stronger Pelvis

The most common type of bulging disc occurs in the lumbar spine (low back). Bulging discs occur because a weakened or deteriorated disc's gel-like inside forces the outer wall of the disc to extend out of its normal position.  Bulging discs can produce both localized and radiating pain (pain that travels) and often lead to disc herniation which occurs when the wall of the disc fails, allowing the gel-like material to leave the core of the disc and partially leak out.  Though this condition has numerous causes, bulging discs can worsen if the pelvic floor is weak. One of the keys to keeping your pelvic floor strong is to strengthen it through physical exercises, which is why our doctors at Bergen Physical Medicine would like to demonstrate some go-to moves for this purpose.

Bridge – Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Inhale, engage your pelvic floor, and lift your hips. Hold up for 10 seconds, lower your hips back down and release your pelvic floor. Repeat 10 times.

Wall Squat – Stand against a wall, feet hip-width apart. Inhale, engage your pelvic floor, and lower yourself into a squat as if you are sitting back in a chair. Hold for 10 seconds. Rise back up to standing and release your pelvic floor. Rest for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times.

Jumping Jacks – We don’t need to explain how to do this one, but be sure to engage your pelvic floor as you jump your leg apart and bring your arms overhead. Release your pelvic floor as you hop your legs back together. Repeat for 30 to 60 seconds.

If you experience pelvic pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993.

Take Care of You

At Bergen Physical Medicine, we believe that your top priority should always be yourself. Often-ignored but totally necessary, self-care is any action or behavior that helps us avoid triggering health problems and benefits us by improving our mental and physical health. Since self-care is a very individual thing, there’s no set prescription for how or when to do it. However, we do suggest utilizing some or all of these tips to treat you to a little rest and relaxation.

• Indulge in a massage – set aside some time to experience the complete and total bliss of a massage. It soothes both the mind and muscles, improves sleep quality, and reduces stress.


• Unplug – these days it seems like we’re all glued to our phones, laptops, or even both at the same time. Taking a break from social media, email, blogging, and so on can help us recharge and gives our brain the downtime it needs to work at an optimal level.


• Get outside – Ditching the comfort of your home is a great way to improve mental and physical health.


• Acupuncture - Acupuncture is a centuries old system of medicine designed to bring balance to your body's systems.  Don't worry; the needles don’t hurt.

To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Physical therapists and chiropractic physicians frequently treat patients with nerve-related symptoms.  Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common and many patients don't even realize that it is a nerve related condition or that they even have carpal tunnel syndrome. 

The carpal tunnel syndrome sufferer typically experiences at least one of the following symptoms at the hand or wrist and may experience all of them: pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.  Some patients also report a shock-like pain radiating up the arm.

The median nerve which travels through the carpal tunnel at the wrist is actually an extension of a spinal nerve.  Pinching or irritation of the median nerve can cause symptoms to travel into the hand and up the arm. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be identified through a physical examination and through specific nerve tests which we perform in our office. Specific massage techniques, exercises, and stretching as well as acupuncture, therapeutic ultrasound, and electrical stimulation are among the treatments we offer which patients have found helped them to greatly reduce their symptoms and get their hands working again.

Dr. Brian M. Wraith operates Bergen Physical Medicine at 323 Bergen Boulevard, Fairview, New Jersey, 07022. To schedule an appointment, call 201-945-9993 or visit BergenPhysicalMedicine.com and fill out a contact sheet.

Treat Pain with Physical Therapy

If you have suffered an injury, or suffer from chronic pain, physical therapy can help you return to your prior level of function, and additionally, encourage activities and lifestyle changes to prevent further injuries from occurring. Physical therapy nearly always involves an exercise that is specifically designed to heal your condition. At Bergen Physical Medicine, we can develop an individualized physical therapy treatment plan to suit your needs.

Physical therapists such as ours are health care professionals who treat patients with conditions such as back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sports injuries. Goals of this treatment method are to reduce or eliminate pain, improve mobility, and improve your balance to prevent yourself from falling. In a physical therapy session, our doctor will have you stretching and performing low-impact aerobics training, strengthening exercises and pain relief exercises. Each patient responds differently to therapy, however, if you stick with it, you will reap the benefits.  

If you wish to inquire about physical therapy or to see if you are a candidate, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

Whiplash Treatment

Whiplash is a generic term applied to injuries of the neck caused when the head moves violently on the neck.  In whiplash, the vertebral joints, spinal discs, ligaments, muscles and nerve roots may be injured. Whiplash is often the result of a car accident. The most common initial symptoms are pain or stiffness of the neck, which patients often expect to resolve without medical intervention. If left untreated the symptoms can progress to chronic pain, chronic loss of range of motion, headaches, altered posture and radiating pain.  An evaluation is necessary to appropriately diagnose and treat whiplash.  At Bergen Physical Medicine the physicians have been treating whiplash for over a decade and offer a variety of gentle non-surgical treatments for whiplash.

If you have recently been involved in an automobile accident, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

 

Chiropractic Adjustment Goals

A chiropractic adjustment is a specialized procedure performed by a chiropractic physician, it is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain. To complete the adjustment, one of the chiropractic physicians at Bergen Physical Medicine will locate areas of spinal misalignment or dysfunction (spinal subluxation) and apply a specific gentle force to correct it. In addition to relieving your back pain, people have reported that chiropractic adjustments benefit headaches, ear infections, neck pain, joint pain, and arthritis. 

At Bergen Physical Medicine, we pride ourselves on taking a natural, drugless approach to helping our patients reach their health goals. Essentially, the basic principle of chiropractic itself is that the body has the amazing ability to heal itself (under proper conditions). The objective of a chiropractic adjustment is to reduce the subluxation with the goals of increasing range of motion, reducing nerve irritability and improving function.

If you think you may benefit from a chiropractic adjustment, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches

There are many different types of headaches with a multitude of symptoms.  The majority of headaches are the result dysfunction of the neck.  Thankfully, the physical therapists or chiropractic physicians at Bergen Physical Medicine can treat your symptoms through non-surgical techniques such as spinal adjustments, posture correction exercises, stretches, and massage.  They may also provide nutritional advice, advice on workplace set up and correct posture.

If you suffer from headaches we can help. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993. 

Reaching a Diagnosis

At Bergen Physical Medicine, it doesn’t matter if you’re suffering from back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or have recently been injured in a car accident, because we are here to provide you with relief whatever the cause. Once you schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, they will need to assess what is causing you strife. Each one does this by classifying your injury into one of three categories. These categories of chiropractic diagnosis include: 

• Potentially serious: tumor, infection, fracture, major neurological problem, local open wound or burn, prolonged bleeding, artificial joint implant problems, pacemaker problems, joint infection


• Nerve problem: when the nerve root in the low back is pinched or compressed, causing a radiculopathy (sciatica). Typical causes of nerve root pinching include a lumbar herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis


• Non-specific: mechanical back pain in the lumbar spine. This type of lower back pain is the most common presentation and includes pain for which there is no identifiable cause.

If you think you may benefit from chiropractic treatment, please give us a call. To schedule an appointment with Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call our office at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice and the services we provide may be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com. 

Goals of Therapeutic Exercise

Therapeutic exercise is defined as a bodily movement prescribed to correct impairment, improve musculoskeletal function, or maintain a state of well-being. At Bergen Physical Medicine, if you suffer from shoulder pain, back pain, neck pain and hip pain, we guarantee to have an exercise method that will heal you in no time.

Therapeutic exercise seeks to accomplish the following goals: enable ambulation, release contracted muscles, tendons, and fascia, mobilize joints, improve circulation, improve respiratory capacity, improve coordination, reduce rigidity, improve balance and promote relaxation. In addition, therapeutic exercise helps improve muscle strength and exercise performance. No matter which types of exercise may be needed to remedy a patient’s specific condition, the final goal of rehabilitation is to achieve an optimal level of mobility by the end of the treatment procedure.

If you think that you can benefit from therapeutic exercise, give us a call. To schedule an appointment with Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call our office at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice and the services we provide may be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com. 

Acute Pain Characteristics

We’ve all experienced different levels of pain. Acute pain, however, is a type of pain that typically lasts less than three to six months, or pain that is directly related to soft tissue damage, such as a sprained ankle or even a paper cut. Acute pain is normal and it warns you that you’ve been injured. It has the ability to start suddenly but usually doesn’t last long. If you are experiencing acute back in your back or your neck, you may just need a chiropractic adjustment from one of our doctors at Bergen Physical Medicine.  

The main characteristic to remember about acute pain is that it doesn’t last long. For example, if you burn yourself on the stove, the pain usually lasts up to a few days, if not a few hours. When the injury heals and you continue having pain beyond the time of expected recovery, that is when pain becomes chronic and that is what you want to avoid. Chronic pain can last for weeks, months, even years. This is why it’s important to let us know if your pain is lasting longer than expected.

If you are experiencing acute pain in your neck or back, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call our office at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice and the services we provide may be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com. 

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is very common as we age. Sometimes it causes pain, while other times there are no symptoms at all. So, what is it? Well, here at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, we intend to explain it.

First, it will help to know more about the spinal structures that are involved. A spinal disc is a cushion that is between each of the individual vertebrae in the spine. Spinal discs absorb shock and help with spinal movement. They are rubbery, disc-shaped, and have a soft center. As we age, our discs can begin to degenerate. The outer layer can become tougher, less flexible, and can develop tiny cracks. This can cause herniated discs, bulging discs, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis.  A herniated disc is when some of that softer center part bulges out through a small tear in the tougher, rubbery outer layer. A bulging disc is when the tougher outer layer of the disc extends past where it should. Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage between the vertebrae. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal which holds the spinal cord. Each different condition can cause symptoms ranging from pain to numbness in a limb, to tingling, to nerve disruption. Symptoms can be mild or severe.

Chiropractic treatment for disc degeneration may include spinal adjustments, physical therapy, and spinal decompression among other forms of treatment deemed necessary by your chiropractor. Patients usually find quick relief from pain and other symptoms once their body is aligned.

To schedule an appointment with Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call our office at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice and the services we provide may be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com. 

The Three Collisions in a Car Accident

There are many different types of injuries that can occur during a car accident. Because some of them are not obvious or apparent, it is important to seek an evaluation from a chiropractor. Here at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, we can perform an examination following an accident to be sure there are no hidden injuries that need treatment.

When the human body goes through trauma, it releases endorphins, our natural pain reliever. Because these endorphins can be present for months following an accident, it can be responsible for covering up injuries. A common injury to show up days, weeks, or even months later, is whiplash. Keep reading to learn more about how the body reacts during a crash.

Three Collisions

There are three collisions in a car accident. The first collision happens when the car hits the object that is stopping its motion; whether it is another car, a tree, a pole, etc.

The second collision happens inside of the vehicle. This happens when a passenger hits the steering wheel, their seatbelt, the windshield, etc.

The third (and less obvious) collision happens inside of a person’s body. When the body comes to a stop because it has hit the windshield, seatbelt, etc., the organs and structures inside of the body still move forward until they crash into something else in the body and stop. This could be the heart crashing into the ribcage, the brain crashing into the skull, or the spine jolting forward or backward in the body. Because these injuries may be unseen or hidden by endorphins, it is vital to be examined by a chiropractor as soon as possible following a car accident.

If you have recently been in a car accident, or suspect you are suffering injuries caused by an accident in the past, be sure to come see us. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call us at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice can be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com. 

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Many types of massages offer benefits beyond simple relaxation. Throughout the years, massage therapy has been known to fight a large number of conditions. Some of the benefits of this therapy include relief from joint and muscle pain, increased blood circulation, as well as stress and depression reduction. With this type of therapy utilized at Bergen Physical Medicine, our licensed massage therapists can help bring your body to a healthier state.

There is a wide variety of massage therapy styles with a wide variety of pressures, movements, and techniques. These all involve pressing, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues with hands and fingers. Massage therapy is recommended for a number of conditions and illnesses. Some of the conditions it is recommended for include: arthritis, TMJ disorders, immune system issues, muscle spasms, insomnia, fibromyalgia and many others.

If you believe you will benefit from chiropractic massage therapy, wait no longer and give us a call today! To learn about the services we provide at the office, visit www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com for more information. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call 201-945-9993.