Occipital Neuralgia

Most people are aware that one of the common conditions we treat as Salt Lake City chiropractors is neck pain.

 Less known is the fact that headaches are a condition that frequently responds well to chiropractic adjustments. One particular headache condition that is often treatable with chiropractic care is known a Occipital Neuralgia (ON.) This is a condition in which the occipital nerves become irritated or inflamed. Frequently patients with ON are misdiagnosed with migraine headaches. This is because the symptoms can be similar to many of the symptoms associated with Migraines. Frequently patients will experience pain at the base of the skull which radiates up and over the head to behind the eye. Most commonly the pain is one sided, although both sides can be affected.    

While the exact cause of ON is unknown, we know that it stems from the occipital nerves as they exit from between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae in the the neck. ON commonly begins after some trauma to the neck such as a car accident and is frequently accompanied by spasm of the neck and upper back musculature. If it is not resolved it can get progressively worse over time.    There are a variety of options to treat

this condition ranging from massage to microdecompression surgery. Many patients are given prescriptions for medications commonly used to treat Migraine headaches, but do not find any relief.

The most effective treatments for ON are those that have a direct effect on the occipital nerves. As with most conditions it is recommended to start with the least invasive treatment options first and progress to more invasive procedures if needed. One of the least invasive options for treating ON is chiropractic adjustments of the upper cervical spine. The adjustment helps to restore the normal function and alignment of the spine, which in turn can help reduce muscle spasm and nerve compression.

 Typically your Salt Lake City chiropractors will recommend a series of treatments over a number of weeks. In most cases improvement is noted within just a few weeks of treatment. If improvement is not seen within 4-6 weeks more invasive treatment such as a nerve block will likely be recommended. In my time as chiropractic physician at The Joint - Sugar House, I have seen a number of patients with ON show significant reduction and in some cases even total elimination of the flare ups associated with their Occipital Neuralgia.  

Preventing Ski Injuries

As winter approaches, it is time to start preparing for ski season. Here at The Joint - Sugarhouse our Salt Lake City Chiropractors see and treat numerous ski and snowboard related injuries every year. Many of these injuries are avoidable. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are over 144,000 snow skiing-related injuries treated in hospitals, doctor's offices, and emergency rooms every year. Injuries associated with snowboarding are even greater: 148,000.



A wide range of injuries can occur in snow skiing or snowboarding. Knee injuries are the most common. Shoulder injuries such as dislocations and sprains are common as well because skiers frequently put their arms out to break a fall. Head injuries and back pain can also occur in skiing, and can be especially serious.

Here are some tips for avoiding injury:

Proper Preparation

Maintain fitness. Be sure you are in good physical condition before you start the season. If you are out of shape, select runs that are less challenging to start and gradually build your way up to more challenging trails.

Many ski injuries happen at the end of the day, when people overexert themselves to finish that one last run before the day's end. A majority of these injuries can easily be prevented if you prepare by keeping in good physical condition and stopping when you are tired or in pain.
Warm up. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury. Warm up with jumping jacks, running or walking in place for 3 to 5 minutes. Take a couple of slow ski runs to complete your warm up.

• Hydrate. Even mild levels of dehydration can affect physical ability and endurance. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after skiing.
• Get Adjusted. Make sure that your spine is functioning at its best. Even small misalignment can cause you to lose some of you normal range of motion and reduce endurance. A regular spinal adjustment will help you to perform at your optimal level and reduce back pain.
• Ensure Appropriate Equipment
• Wear several layers of light, loose and water- and wind-resistant clothing for warmth and protection. Layering allows you to accommodate your body's constantly changing temperature.
• Buy or rent boots and bindings that have been set, adjusted, maintained and tested by a ski shop that follows American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard job practices.
• Check the binding of each ski before skiing. The bindings must be properly adjusted to your height and weight.
• Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles and a helmet. Helmets are sport-specific, so do not wear a bike helmet on the slopes. Ski helmets should be worn.
• Ensure a Safe Environment
• Stay on marked trails and avoid potential avalanche areas such as steep hillsides with little vegetation.
• Watch out for rocks and patches of ice on the ski trails.
• Pay attention to warnings about upcoming storms and severe drops in temperature. Make adjustments for icy conditions, deep snow powder, and wet snow.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable ski season. Remember if you are injured or have back pain during or after your day on the slopes, don't wait to be treated. The Joint - Sugarhouse is conveniently located off of I-80; our Salt Lake City chiropractors are here seven days a week and no appointment is needed.

-Dr. Sean Smith

Weather and Your Health

Over the last couple weeks in Salt Lake City, we have seen the weather shift from almost summer like conditions to near winter conditions. We all know people who blame the weather for their achy joints, headaches, and many other health problems. At the Joint, our chiropractors in Sugar House hear this on a regular basis from Utah chiropractic patients. While some health care professionals remain skeptical about the effect of weather on health, more and more evidence is emerging to support some of these claims. Here are a couple of the most common conditions that may be related to weather changes.

Migraine Headaches

In people who are already susceptible to migraine headaches, such changes as falling barometric pressure, a sharp increase in humidity, or a sudden drop in temperature may trigger a migraine. Research supports the theory that changing weather triggers migraines. In one survey that asked migraine sufferers to list triggers, 53% responded "weather." In many instances when migraine sufferers move to an area with a more stable climate, they notice a reduction in the incidence of the migraines.

Of course not everyone can move to a different climate so they can feel better. But migraine sufferers can take some action against weather-induced headaches. If weather changes seem to play a role in the incidence of your migraines, it would be a good to monitor the weather forecast and take steps to avoid the occurrence of a headache. One thing that has helped many migraine sufferers is a Utah chiropractic adjustment.

Stiff Joints

Probably the most common weather-associated complaint is joint stiffness. This is something we see and treat on a regular basis at the joint. According to a recent study: "Baseline pain appears to be strongly affected by a drop in temperature and a change in humidity. Almost 80% to 90% of patients feel a difference in their pain's intensity and sensitivity."

Instead of simply reacting to weather-associated increases in joint pain with measures like placing heating pads over painful joints and taking pain meds, it is recommended that people use proactive measures to improve joint function, such as engaging in nonweight-bearing exercises, and getting a chiropractic adjustment.

So when the weather turns, be sure to come see us at The Joint.  Our chiropractors in Sugar House and we will help keep you feeling good.

~Dr. Sean Smith

Extremity Adjustment

When asked "What does a chiropractor treat?" most people respond by saying either "back or neck pain." It is true that as chiropractors we focus primarily on treating the spine, however we also treat the majority of the joints in the body. This includes the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, hips, and ankles. The typical treatment from our Salt Lake City Chiropractors involves mobilizing the joints to improve range of motion and function as well as decrease pain. Generally we refer to this as "extremity adjusting." Just like with the spine the extremity adjustment can serve to treat certain injuries, maintain proper function and to prevent injury.

There are three primary goals with the extremity adjustment.

First is to ensure proper alignment of the many bones and joints in the extremities. The ankles and wrist have several different joints which can easily become misaligned. Maintaining the proper alignment will help to preserve the symmetry side to side. This helps to reduce the risk of injury due to poor biomechanics. At 'The Joint - Sugarhouse', located in Salt Lake City, our chiropractors work with many of the local high school and college athletes. We have great success in preventing injury. With some teams we have worked with, non-contact ankle injuries were reduce by nearly 100% with regular adjustments compared to previous years without care.

The second goal of the extremity adjustment is to increase flexibility and range of motion. Increased flexibility in the ankle for example, allows for faster and smoother transition from the push off phase of gait to the strike position. This reduces the drag and increases performance. In a sport where tenths, or even hundredths of seconds make the difference between first place and second, our chiropractors understand that every bit of drag counts.

Third and possibly most important result of extremity adjustments is increased proprioception. This is the bodies awareness of where it is in space. It is what gives us our balance. Increased awareness and balance will increase overall performance and reduce injuries.