Conditions treated

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 About 85% of the population will experience disabling lower back pain at  least once in their lives. The estimated cost of this problem is over  $50 billion per year. Low back pain often comes on suddenly and for no  apparent reason. The lumbar spine takes an enormous amount of stress in  that it connects the upper half of your body to the lower half and is  involved in twisting and bending motions between the two. Common activities of  forward bending and long hours of sitting put adverse stress to the low back. Postural stresses and /or trauma commonly lead to a mechanical  disturbance called subluxation (a spinal bone which loses its normal  position and motion leading to nerve irritation). The subluxation leads  to stiffness, inflammation, muscle tension/spasm and nerve irritation.  Many times a subluxation is incorrectly diagnosed as a sprain or strain  because of the muscular pain associated with it. Muscle spasms in the  spine are typically a protective mechanism protecting the more vital  underlying problem. If this low back condition is not corrected these low back episodes can lead to disc herniations and degenerative  arthritis because of progressive wear and tear from abnormal spinal  mechanics.

Low back pain treatment for the Huntley and Marengo area

Even  antagonists of chiropractic agree that chiropractic is the choice for  low back pain. In 1994, after reviewing a wealth of large scale studies,  the federal government made a definitive pronouncement that  chiropractic is one of the preferred and most effective treatments for  acute adult low back pain. Controlled, scientific studies conducted by  medical physicians comparing chiropractic with medical care, physical  therapy, and non-surgical therapy for the back show that doctors of  chiropractic relieve chronic and severe pain, both immediate and long  term, in one half the time it takes medical physicians. At Binger Chiropractic we aim to address the cause of low back pain rather than just  suppress symptoms.   Treatment routinely consists of specific chiropractic adjustments, flexion distraction procedures.  Rehabilitative measures prevent recurrent episodes and consist of in-off at at home exercise programs involving low back stretches and stability work. 

Neck pain can be a result of several factors, but is commonly a result of poor posture. Overused muscles due to long hours of computer work is a common cause. When muscles are overused or pulled for long periods of time they can tighten and shorten. Increased stress can also exacerbate the condition. This will lead to pain as the tightened, shortened  muscles pull on the vertebra and tendons in the neck.   

Another cause of neck pain can be problems with the upper cervical  spine. The pain could be caused  by the spine getting out of alignment. Another spinal issue could be a  slipped disc which is also quite common.   

If you are experiencing neck pain, chiropractic care can help. Neck  pain treatment has been foundational in chiropractic care for decades.  Let's look at some of the treatments available for neck pain:   

Spinal Adjustment - Vertebral misalignments in the neck can cause muscle spasm, nerve irritation and eventually disc degeneration. At Binger Chiropractic we examine the spine and frequently take an x-ray to assess the condition.  

Cervical Traction - If you are dealing with a slipped disc,  cervical traction can help. This type of treatment will  gently pull the vertebra of the spine away from each other. This allows  for a better flow of oxygen, blood, and nutrients to get to the discs so  that they can heal.   This is commonly done at home with a device we provide for you. 

Strength/Stability Program-  strengthening the deep neck flexor muscles in the front of the neck has been found to be very beneficial and provides lasting results. 

Massage Therapy - Massage therapy can be very beneficial if you are experiencing tight muscles in your neck.   

Headaches affect almost half of the population and 15-25% of all headaches originate from the neck and are classified as "cervicogenic". The average age for cervicogenic headaches is in the 40's, and the condition affects women more often than men at a rate of 4:1. 

Headaches can be as debilitating as tension or migraine headaches, and a loss of cervical spine function compounds the problem. Cervicogenic headaches are common in patients who have experienced trauma, especially a motor vehicle accident resulting in whiplash or patients who have suffered a concussion earlier in life.

Red Flags: a more threatening diagnosis including headaches that are becoming progressively worse over time, sudden onset severe headaches, new and unfamiliar headache, headache following recent head injury, presence of fever, significant neck stiffness, rash, nuchal rigidity, facial numbness or paresthesia, vertigo, double vision, drop attacks, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, difficulty walking, nausea, extremity numbness or nystagmus.

Here at Binger Chiropractic, we address the root cause of cervicogenic headaches by adjusting the cervical spine and mobilizing the tissue surrounding the nerves of the neck. This releases the pressure from the joints, discs, and muscles surrounding the nerves and allows for the nerves to function properly again, alleviating the symptoms of headaches.  

"Disc lesion" refers to a disruption of the collagen fibers and  displacement of fluid inside the intervertebral discs. Disc disruptions  are accompanied by inflammation which produces local symptoms or in more  severe cases, a radiating pain that travels down the legs mimicking  sciatica.  Significant disc disruption can lead to disc bulging or  herniation, resulting in compression of nerve roots which further  increases the pain. 

Disc lesions are rarely the result of  a single traumatic event, but rather, the repetitive bending and stress  on the spine from everyday life, beginning with repetitive disc sprain,  leading to herniation, ending in degeneration and pain. Symptoms may  arise from inflammation, mechanical compression of the nerves  surrounding the spine, or both. Disc pain often begins with localized  symptoms and progresses into radicular complaints which can travel  across the body depending on where the disc lesion is. If the cervical  spine is the source of the disc pain it can radiate into the head, neck,  shoulders, down the arms, or even into both hands. If the lumbar spine  is the source of the pain it can radiate into glutes, thighs, calves,  ankles, or even both feet. Pain is typically worse with prolonged  sitting, workstation use, driving, or repetitive bending. 

Here  at Binger Chiropractic we address the root cause of discogenic pain by  adjusting the spine and mobilizing the tissue surrounding the nerves of  the disc. Spinal manipulation has been shown to be safe, appropriate,  and effective for the management of disc herniation and/or  radiculopathy. By utilizing the McKenzie method, we will also find your  directional preference for the spine and give you a way to centralize  your pain and stop the radiation. This releases the pressure from the  discs and muscles surrounding the nerves and allows for the nerves to  function properly again, alleviating the symptoms of your pain.  

Vertigo Treatment 

Dizziness and vertigo account for over 8  million primary care visits in the US each year and dizziness is the  leading presenting complaint for seniors over age 75. The cervical spine  plays a critical role in one of the leading causes of vertigo called  cervicogenic vertigo. Research suggests that patients who suffer a  whiplash injury will often experience late onset dizziness, vertigo, or  disequilibrium due to ligament damage suffered to the cervical spine.  Stress and anxiety are also thought to be compounding factors for  dizziness, as these conditions may increase muscle tone and sympathetic  firing rates in the head and neck.  

Before treatment begins we  will do a full examination to determine the nature of the condition and  rule out any other possible causes of vertigo such as Benign Proximal  Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency  (VBAI).  

Here at Binger Chiropractic we address the root cause of  cervicogenic vertigo by adjusting the cervical spine and mobilizing the  tissue surrounding the nerves of the neck. This releases the pressure  from the joints, discs, and muscles surrounding the nerves and allows  for the nerves to function properly again, alleviating the symptoms of  vertigo.   

Various conditions, such as joint dysfunction, nerve entrapment, osteoarthritis and flat feet, may cause a person to experience hip and knee pain together. If a person has pain in their hip and knee at the same time, it may interfere with their everyday life. Pain in these joints may be constant or occur only during certain activities, such as walking, running, or sitting for prolonged periods. 

One of the most common causes of Hip and Knee pain is joint dysfunction leading to osteoarthritis. This occurs when the joints lose their range of motion, and the cartilage begins to wear away leading to destructive boney growth. Cartilage acts as a smooth cushion between bones, allowing them to move smoothly over each other.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis may include:

· Pain or aching in joints during or after activity.

· Joint stiffness, often in the morning or after rest.

· Limited range of motion.

· Clicking or popping sounds during joint movement.

· Swelling around the joints.

· Muscle weakness around the affected joints.

Here at Binger Chiropractic, we address the root causes of joint dysfunction and nerve entrapments by adjusting the joints and mobilizing the tissue surrounding the nerves of the hips and knees. Soft tissue therapy and rehab is also applied to increase the mobility of the joints to help prevent osteoarthritis from forming and release nerve entrapment. 

While osteoarthritis cannot be cured, treatments such as manipulations, anti-inflammatory diets, exercise, weight loss, and physical therapy can help manage symptoms.

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain in the heel  and bottom of the foot. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band  of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed or  irritated. The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot and helps  absorb shock when walking or running. 

The pain of plantar fasciitis is usually most noticeable in the morning when taking the  first steps after getting out of bed, or after prolonged periods of rest. It may also worsen after long periods of standing or walking. 

Several factors can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis, including: 

1.  Overuse: Activities that put repetitive stress on the plantar fascia,  such as running, dancing, or standing for long periods, can lead to  irritation and inflammation. 

2. Foot mechanics: Flat feet, high  arches, or abnormal walking patterns can increase the stress on the  plantar fascia and make it more susceptible to injury. 

3. Obesity: Excess weight puts added pressure on the plantar fascia, increasing the risk of inflammation and pain. 

4.  Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendon: Tightness in these areas can  affect the biomechanics of the foot and increase stress on the plantar  fascia.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Huntley, IL.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis here at Binger  Chiropractic includes adjustments of the joints in the feet to help with  mobility and alignment. This helps in reducing stress on the plantar fascia and  promotes healing. Additionally, soft tissue techniques are utilized such  as massage, myofascial release, Grasten, and stretching to address  tightness and tension in the muscles and connective tissues of the feet  and calves.  

Custom  foot orthotics  that support the arches of the feet and provide  additional cushioning and stability are also an essential component of treatment. At Binger Chiropractic we use a digital foot scanner that detects how you walk and stand.  This digital imprint is then sent to an orthotic  group for custom made foot orthotics.