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 Back Pain

Many people experience back pain due to injury or strain.  A great number of these can be avoided by proper lifting and regular exercise.  By maintaining an active lifestyle, you can strengthen your muscles ensuring your bones stay in the proper alignment.  Exercise also helps you lose or maintain weight.  Extra weight can be a strain on the body causing unnecessary pain in your back.  You should always try to stand up and sit up straight to avoid slouching.  Improper posture can create strain on your body causing you undue pain.  Our Chiropractic clinic in Salt Lake City see many patients for back pain that could have been avoided.  

It is important to see your doctor if you experience tingling, numbness, or extreme pain in your back that can not be relieved by over the counter pain relievers.  The Joint Chiropractic Clinic in Salt Lake City can help you determine the cause of your pain and the available options to alleviate that pain so you can live a healthy life.  Chiropractic is the recommended first line of treatment for back injuries and back pain.  By realigning your body, we help patients reduce or eliminate the pain they are experiencing so you can feel normal again.    

Find out more about The Joint here!

Foods That Promote Healthy Living

Many people know that the foods you eat can have a profound effect on your health.  The Standard American Diet (SAD) is filled with saturated fat, preservatives, and sugar.  at The Joint, our Chiropractors in Utah recommend changing your diet.  By eliminating saturated fats, preservatives, and sugar, you can promote a healthy lifestyle.  Choose lean proteins such as poultry or fish.  Beans and nuts are an excellent source of protein for those who are vegetarians.  Avoid sugary drinks such as soda and switch to water.  Vegetables should be included in every meal are a huge source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy carbohydrates which the body needs to function.  Choose leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, and collard greens which are rich in vitamins K, C, and E as well as many of the B vitamins.  They also contain the necessary minerals calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.  

Eating healthy also helps your chiropractic health by strengthening bones reducing the probability of fractures and strains.  Your body needs calcium for strong bones, and iron for strong muscles.  Together, strong bones and muscles help keep your body frame in the erect position in which it was intended to be.  Choose fruits in a variety of colors to fill up on fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.  Pick healthy carbohydrates like whole grains and eliminate sugary  unhealthy empty carbohydrates.  Dairy also plays a role in our health.  There are many choices of low fat dairy products on the market including, cheese, and yogurt.  Our Chiropractors in Utah can help answer any questions you may have on getting started with healthy eating.

Find out more about The Joint here!

Affordable Pricing

The Joint wants to make sure that chiropractic care is affordable for everyone.  Offering low prices and convenient options makes our services more obtainable!   Our Salt Lake City chiropractor offers different pricing structures that work for a wide variety of clientele and their situations. This allows our patients to receive treatments for less than most insurance co-pays. 

Patients can pay by visit, which will cost them only $29 per visit.  Our procedures are convenient and don’t require x-rays.  At our Salt Lake City chiropractor, we also accept and encourage walk ins, allowing you to choose a convenient time without having to make an appointment.  The first visit includes an initial consultation, an exam and adjustment.

We also offer monthly maintenance plans, for individuals who want to utilize our services more frequently.  For an individual, the plan costs $49 per month and includes 4 office visits. 

Our family plan is specifically designed to provide low pricing to all of your family members.  Monthly membership fees for each additional member decreases the cost by $10 per member.  With our Salt Lake City chiropractor allowing the cap fee to be a low rate of $19 makes this a great deal for any family needing adjustments. 

For more information about our low pricing or about our services, visit our website here!