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.

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.

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.