TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the joint that connects your jaws to your skull. Temporomandibular joint disorder, otherwise known as TMJD, is a disorder of the joint that may create discomfort and pain not only in the joint itself, but the pain may also be sensed around the ear, in the neck area and in the head, often resulting in headaches.

Many of our patients come into our affordable chiropractic clinic, unaware that their symptoms are caused by their TMJD. They often express that their pain is in their neck, around their ear, and up into their head. In addition, many of them describe a sensation of clinching and grinding their teeth, and a feeling of tightness around their jaw. After a thorough exam, we are able to link their symptoms to TMJD.

There is no direct causality of why TMJD occurs, however in most cases it is contributed by tension in the temporal musculature, otherwise known as the temporalis and the masseter muscle, which are the chewing muscles located in your cheek. This tension, that develops, often in forms of trigger points within the muscle fibers, restricts the muscles and joint from their proper function, making the joint problematic and symptomatic.

What can you do to help reduce your TMJD symptoms?

TMJD can be considered a biopsychosocial matter. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we begin by encouraging and educating our patients on the importance of eliminating external factors and stressors, whether emotional or environmental; many are able to do so through meditation, breathing exercises, and journaling.

In addition, maintaining proper mouth posture will help eliminate undue stress on affected muscles. A proper mouth posture is maintained by keeping lips sealed, teeth slightly separated, with your tongue resting just behind your upper teeth. It is important to be aware of your body posture, as well, when driving, eating, and sitting at a desk. We also recommend refraining from chewing gum, and when possible, chew your food equally on both sides.  We do encourage our patients to consult with their dentist, to make sure there is no dental work that needs to be addressed.

An integrated approach to address the TMJD is the most appropriate treatment plan. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we address these symptoms and disorder by administering different soft tissue therapies, and when necessary, we incorporate acupuncture and dry needling into the treatment plan. This approach diffuses the trigger points and the tension that has formed along the jaws and the temporal areas, which will also help reduce anxiety and tension.

If you are suffering from tension in your jaw or neck, are suffering from frequent headaches, or have found yourself clinching and grinding your teeth, call our affordable chiropractic clinic, today at 317.449.2020 to see how we can help.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

The post What is TMJ? appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

Achilles tendon injuries are common among the active population, especially runners and cross fitters. The pain is typically localized at the far end of the calf, just above the heel where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone.

There are a variety of factors that may contribute to the pain, such as increased activity, improper footwear, increased tension in the calf muscles, as well as poor activation of the hamstrings and glutes. All of these contributing factors lead to inflammation of the tendon, and potentially degeneration, known as tendonitis or tendinosis, or in worse case scenarios, the tendon can rupture.

In most instances, repetitive stress is the biggest contributor to Achilles pain. The repetitive stress caused by, for example, excessive running or cycling, will create increased tension and a lack of flexibility in the musculature, which in turn creates a tug and pull on the tendon, causing it to become inflamed and irritated.

These issues can easily be overcome by adhering to proper flexibility and mobility regiments. We recommend, for example, utilizing a lacrosse ball and a foam roller, as shown by Dr. Charbel in these videos, in order to maintain proper tissue mobility and elasticity; in addition to maintaining a regular routine of stretching and proper strengthening.

At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we evaluate our patients by analyzing the entire kinetic chain of the patient. We do not focus only on the Achilles tendon; we also examine other factors, which may be contributing to the patient’s current symptoms . We begin by analyzing the anatomy of the foot to ensure the patient is wearing the appropriate footwear. We analyze the range of motion at the ankle, knee and hip in a functional manner. We also look at the functionality of the hamstring muscles, the plantar of the foot, the patient’s core, and the activation of the gluteus muscle, just to name a few.

By using the active release technique, along with acupuncture and dry needling, we are able to assist patients in eliminating adhesion, tension and tightness in the muscle. The active release technique, or ART, is a soft tissue treatment that focuses on eliminating the cause of the pain, rather than covering up the symptoms.

At our active release technique chiropractic clinic, our focus is not only to treat the condition, but also to educate our patients on the proper program that will help them with the continuation of their care independently of us once they have reached a balanced state. We encourage our patients to be an active participant in their treatment plan; by positively impacting their prognosis and expediting their healing.

If you suffer from sports injuries, such as, Achilles tendon pain, contact our active release technique chiropractic clinic today at 317.449.2020, to see how the active release technique can benefit you!

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

The post Achilles Tendon Pain and Active Release Technique appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondilitis, is a medical condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes inflamed and painful. This injury is directly related to a repetitive micro trauma, in which muscles of the forearm (the extensor muscles) become overused, leading to adhesion, tension, and tightness in the musculature. This in turn creates a pull and a tug on the bone (epicondyle) where the pain is felt.

Can Anyone Get Tennis Elbow?

Even though this condition is predominately present in tennis and racquetball players, it is is not an exclusive condition to the athletic population. In our clinic, we have seen this condition present in patients who use their arms at work repetitively on a daily basis, such as hair designers, office workers and chefs.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

This condition is primarily correlated with overused and over activate muscles of the forearm, known as extensors muscles. These muscles become inflamed, hypertonic, adhesed and tender, in turn creating a tugging and pulling sensation on the insertion, which is a tiny bone of the forearm located at the elbow, which is most commonly where people with this condition feel their pain.

These tense, triggered, and adhesed muscles eventually form nodules within the muscle fibers, known as trigger points. The trigger points will contribute to a viscous cycle of additional pain in the area of the forearm and tension in the muscles, that again augment the pain at the side of the elbow and along the forearm muscles.

Can Tennis Elbow be Treated?

At Integrated Health Solutions, we have formulated a treatment plan that has been proven to be exceptionally successful. Dr. Charbel conducts a comprehensive exam, that not only includes the elbow, but also the shoulder and cervical area. We have found that in many of our patients there is a high correlation of elbow injuries and poor shoulder and upper back mechanics. These poor mechanics create additional and unnecessary demand on the elbow. This thorough exam allows us to have a greater success in the treatment of this condition. Most of our patients experience 80 to 90 percent relief from their symptoms within as few as eight visits.

The treatment plan typically includes soft tissue treatment, physical rehab, and exercises and stretches to the effected area, and to any other areas our exam indicates needs treatment. One proven therapy that we add to our treatment plan that is a key factor, is dry needling.

What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?

Trigger point dry needling is one of the most evidence based, clinically proven therapies that help us expedite the healing process, especially when it is used in conjunction with our other modalities. Trigger point dry needling, also known as medical acupuncture, is very similar to acupuncture, however, during this technique, Dr. Charbel addresses the affected area in addition to points throughout the spine, shoulders, and arms. This will help expedite the healing, and allow better nerve flow and help balance the musculature and eliminate the cause of the pain.

Trigger point dry needling has consistently proven in our clinical setting to have almost a hundred percent success rate in releasing tension, adhesion, and resolving trigger point formations within the muscle fibers and decreasing pain. Once these soft tissue muscles relax, the pulling and tugging on that little bone on your elbow (epicondyle) diminishes, which relieves the inflammation and the pain that you are dealing with.

Trigger point dry needling, when incorporated in our treatment plan allows us to address the cause of the pain and not just mask the symptoms. At Integrated Health Solutions, our approach to treating injuries is comprehensive, and addresses the cause. This is why when a patient complains of lateral epicondilitis, Dr. Charbel examines the entire upper body’s functionality and alignment, which will ensure better usage and faster healing.

Along with dry needling and the other therapies in our treatment plans, Dr. Charbel also reviews the mechanics that the patient utilizes. By enhancing the biomechanics of the different joints involved, stress is reduced on a daily basis. Patients are educated on different exercises and stretches, which will expedite the healing process, and eventually allow the patient to become self-reliant and manage their conditions on their own, and also prevent the injury from reoccurring.

For more inquiries on trigger point dry needling and tennis elbow, please do not hesitate contacting Integrated Health Solutions at 317-449-2020.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

The post Do You Have to Live with Tennis Elbow Pain? appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.