Chiropractic Seattle: Are You Becoming Irritated by Excessive Cell Phone Use?

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:27:59 +0000

Chiropractic Seattle wants to help you to avoid or get rid of elbow pain. Here’s how: We all know how “irritating” it can be when someone is talking loudly on a cell phone (as long as that person isn’t us!). Honestly, doesn’t it seem as if you can’t even take a quiet walk along the beach or in the park without someone walking by shouting into their cell phone? You could say, in fact, that nowadays the excessive use of cell phones has become a pain in our psyche. Well, the detrimental effects of excessive cell phone use apparently doesn’t stop with “pain in the brain.” A new report outlines the prevalence of “cell phone elbow,” an affliction in which users experience pain and numbness in their elbow due to extensive cell phone use. The idea is similar carpal tunnel syndrome, and the effect on the muscles and tendons concerned is essentially the same except a different nerve is pinched. Instead of being located in the wrist, cell phone elbow (”cubital tunnel syndrome”) cell phone elbow originates in the elbow region and results in pain or numbness in forearms, as well as tingling in pinkie and ring fingers. According to a study from the Cleveland Clinic, doctors are seeing more and more individuals experiencing these symptoms.

What exactly produces the problem? Holding a cell phone to the ear causes the elbow to bend, thereby stretching the nerve between muscles and tendons. When the arm is bent for long periods of time, the nerve gets inflamed. “Repetitive, sustained stretching of the nerve is like stepping on a garden hose,” said Dr. Peter J. Evans, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Hand and Upper Extremity Center. “With the hose, you’re blocking the flow of water. With the elbow, you’re blocking the blood flow to the nerve, which causes it to misfire and short circuit.” The first symptom of cell phone elbow is usually pain just below the elbow in the forearm. This is usually followed by the sensation of pins and needles in the pinkie and ring finger. In the most severe case those fingers can curl up and become difficult to use.

The good news is that the condition is easily preventable and treatable. Users are simply encouraged to avoid holding their phone in one position for too long in order to reduce the amount of strain on the affected muscles. For those who are already feeling strain, it is advisable to do simple stretches in order to help prevent some of the damage.

And, of course, a quiet walk in the park or along the beach with your cell phone turned off or, better yet, left behind, would not only go along way in reducing cell phone elbow, but it might do a lot to improve the health of your psyche as well!

This study was published in the May issue of the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine.

Technorati Tags: carpal tunnel syndrome, cell phone overuse, Cleveland Clinic, elbow pain

Chiropractic Seattle: The Facts You Should Know About Tennis Elbow and Chiropractic

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:20:59 +0000

Chiropractic Seattle is concerned about the health of all of your joints, and can help to relieve your elbow pain. “Tennis Elbow” is the typical name given to elbow pain emanating from the outside or lateral side of the elbow. This problem stems from an irritation or inflammation of the tendons of one or more forearm muscles at their attachment to the bony protuberance close to the elbow joint, known as the lateral epicondyle. The medical term for this affliction is lateral epicondylitis, in essence an inflammation of the epicondyle. When the inflammation is present on the inside, or medial side, of the elbow, the condition is frequently called “Golfer’s Elbow” or medical epicondylitis. Golfer’s Elbow, however, is not as widespread as Tennis Elbow.

There are many causes for epicondylitis – not just tennis and golf – as any activity or sport that requires repetitive gripping of objects can result in this affliction. Inappropriate wrist and arm posture while carrying heavy bags, knitting, chopping food, and/or using a computer can also produce “tennis” or “golfer’s” elbow. Using awkward techniques when starting any sport, trying out new rackets or clubs, or adding to the intensity or duration of an activity or exercise can also cause the affliction.

Some cases involving epicondylitis can be related to complications farther up the arm or even in the neck. If a person has a disc condition or spinal subluxation, the nerves that give movement to the forearm muscles may become irritated causing the muscles to tense and putting marked strain on the tendon attachment(s). When this happens, it predisposes an individual to elbow pain from any of the above-mentioned causes. Complications such as further subluxations and arthritis can take place if the condition is left untreated. Evaluation and treatment by a qualified chiropractor, such as your Chiropractor can correct the affliction and help to avoid future complications.

Appropriate treatment is essential because epicondylitis seldom, if ever, resolves on its own. Determination of the exact cause of the problem and a treatment plan are extremely important. This might include modalities such as ultrasound, electro-therapy, massage, hot and cold therapies, bracing, and home stretching and exercises. Chiropractic adjustments have proved, time and time again, to be extremely successful in the most thorough management of epicondylities.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, elbow pain, golfer's elbow, tennis elbow

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Chiropractic Seattle: Are You Becoming Irritated by Excessive Cell Phone Use?

Chiropractic Seattle: The Facts You Should Know About Tennis Elbow and Chiropractic