http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP_Ej5yD46U

Click the above link for a short video explaining the chain reaction of events that happen with a typical case of acute lower back pain caused from a musculoskeletal complaint.  Remember lift with your legs not your back!

What the "crack" is that?

Just what is that "popping" or "cracking" sound that happens during an adjustment?  Why does my (insert body part) crack when I wake up or move?  My back "popped" after I left the clinic did I put it back out again?  These are a few of the common questions asked in the clinic about various sounds our bodies tend to make.  The body generally "pop, cracks, and creaks" for a number of reasons and generally the sounds are not a cause for concern.  The sounds generally come from one of three sources joint cavitations, soft tissue rubbing on bone, or bone rubbing on bone.  The other reason joints pop and crack are typically from a trauma or accident, such as "my knee made a popping sound when that 300lbs lineman ran into the side of my leg while playing football." 

Cavitation is the most common reason joints pop and crack in a chiropractic clinic.  Cavitation is described as a formation of gas bubbles in a fluid environment when pressures are lowered; the sound is caused from the “popping” of these bubbles.  Every joint in our body is surrounded by a thin cartilaginous capsule; inside this capsule is a small amount of lubricating fluid between the joints.  When this capsule is stretched or expanded the pressure inside drops, bubbles form in the fluid and then these small bubbles pop.  Chiropractors are trained to get the joints in the spine and extremities to the “end range of motion” where the joint capsule is stretched to a point of tension.  Then a specific thrust is applied to mobilize the affected joint, often time’s cavitations then will occur.  After the adjustment I have heard patients complain of their back “popping” back out of place after they get out to their car.  What they are most likely hearing is other joints around the area finally being able to move more freely again.  The extra range of motion gained from the adjustment has now allowed other areas of the spine a more normal range of motion therefore stretching the joint capsule causing them to cavitate again.

 Soft tissues rubbing on bone is also another cause for a "clicking" or "rubbing" sound.  This sound is typically heard in the hips when the iliotibial band rubs over the greater trochanter of the femur.  This can also happen in other areas of the body where muscles, tendons, or ligaments become thickened or inflamed and consequently rub over bony structures in the body.  If this is the case soft tissue work such as massage, Garston therapy, and rehabilitative exercises may help decrease these sounds. 

 

The last category is bone rubbing on bone.  This is typically described as a grinding or rubbing sensation and this is a sign of degeneration or arthritis in the joint.  Over time the protective cartilage and fluid between the joint can become worn out due to injury, age, or both.  The result is the joint space starts to break down and narrow and the bones will actually start to grind against each other.  When this starts to happen it is often late in the disease process and further medical care through chiropractic, physical therapy, or surgery may be needed.

Generally, as stated before "popping" and "cracking" is nothing to be alarmed about.  However, if the sound is accompanied by pain, weakness, joint laxity, or discomfort then a consultation with a medical professional would be advised.    If you have any questions about a sound your body may be making give us a call 970-639-9730 or email us at office@feelgoodfruita.com

A properly tuned and fitted bike is essential to any rider who wishes to tackle the trails and roads here on the Western Slope.   A seat that is too low often times puts too much stress on the knees, a stem that is too long put excessive strain on the lower back, neck, and hands.  A bike that will not shift properly forces a rider to ride in either too high or low of a gear also putting excessive strain on the knees and hips.  The point is a well tuned and fitted bike often times increases ones enjoyment and also reduces the chance of injury while out on the trails.  The same could be said for a well tuned body.

 

Overuse injuries in any type of athletic event are far too common.  The simplest and easiest approach is to take an ibuprofen before the ride or run and simply ignore that pain in your back or knees.  This is the equivalent to putting a piece of duct tape on that tire that keeps leaking, or zip tying your seat to the seat frame.  A good and quick fix in a pinch but it is nothing that will last in the long term.  How many rides do you have left before that meniscus tears in your knee or you herniate a disc in your back?  The body only has a finite number of repetitions before the soft tissue gives out.  Proper form can increase the amount of these repetitions while improper form only speeds up the process of degeneration.  If you are experiencing pain in any activity it is your body trying to tell you something is up and you should maybe stop the activity and re-evaluate what is going on.

Most injuries in any athletic event go back to the very basics of movement.  A properly strengthened core and aligned pelvis will allow any athlete to stabilize his or her spine better.  This in turn will allow the athlete to generate more power and reduce their chances of injury.  Proper hip stability and good ankle range of motion will also help to take any excessive pressure off of the knees.  The body functions best when every body part works in unison free of restrictions and muscle imbalances. 

A chiropractor specializes in the treatment of the skeletal and muscular structure and function of the body.  Chiropractic adjustments help to mobilize areas in the spine that become “stuck” overtime due to improper movement patterns.  Soft tissue techniques such as Graston and massage therapy help to restore normal motion and tone to the muscle and fascia of the body.  Home exercise programs help to re-educate the bodies various movement pathways to ensure bad movement patterns are corrected.  Combining all of these techniques with a focused plan will make sure that the body is as properly tuned as that $5,000 bike you have been ridding all summer.

For a full body tune-up please call Fruita Chiropractic and Massage at 970-639-9730 or visit our website at feelgoodfruita.com.

About Us!

The Blaha Family

So we thought you might like to get to know a little about us. We are not only a chiropractor and massage therapist working together, but also husband and wife. We teamed up together 8 years ago and were married 6 years ago this September. We have one son named Chase and he is a wild man who you may see from time to time in the clinic.

Dr. Jon was born and raised in Nebraska and graduated from Ord, NE and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at the University of NE at Kearney. I was born in Colorado and moved later to Nebraska where I to graduated from Ord and went to the same college. We were married shortly before Dr. Jon started Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. While Dr. Jon went to Palmer, I finished my Bachelor of Business Management degree and went on to get an associates degree in massage therapy. While in Davenport we were blessed with our son Chase in Aug. of 2010. Shortly after he was born, we moved back to Kearney, NE for Dr. Jon's graduate internship and associateship work. 

We had been living there until we decided it was time to move back to Colorado. Fruita was a natural fit because of the small town and closeness to my family. Also, it didn't hurt to have all the mountain biking, hiking, trail running, no humidity, and skiing. We feel like Fruita has already begun to become like an extended family to us. So our motto "Feel Good Fruita" is just another way of expressing our goal for the well-being of not just our family, but also the community!