Bee Caves Chiropractic & Scoliosis Center

We’ve all probably seen an ultrasound image at some point in our lives and some of us (women especially) may have had gone through their own ultrasound diagnostic test. Ultrasound, simply enough, is a process by which sound waves are sent throughout the body. As the sound bounces off part of the body images are produced of the structures within and beamed to a video screen.

This is an extremely popular method used to look at developing babies in the womb and examining the heart for possible abnormalities as well, but can this burgeoning technology diagnose back pain?

As an Austin Chiropractic care provider myself, I pride myself on keeping up with new technologies—especially technologies that can help me more quickly identify problem areas of my patients and treat these issues.  With this in mind, I decided to take a closer look at the claims of diagnostic ultrasound equipment to see if it was really possible to “see” pain using these machines.

First of all, any equipment that would allow a doctor to see pain that a patient was experiencing would be a blessing indeed. Chiropractic care especially often deals with pain centers based on minute areas of inflammation or nerve damage.

Standards of chiropractic care in the Austin area, as well as in other areas of the US, follows the basic, but proven, procedures of listening to the patient. This includes performing a variety of biomechanical tests on the body to test range of motion and pain centers, and then administering gentle manipulation to help guide the spinal column to its normal positioning. If a piece of equipment could provide an EXACT diagnosis, this process would be much more targeted as the doctor would have an exacting picture of the problem area and know the best way to alleviate the pain. The problem is the claims made by the manufacturers of these machines have, thus far, much outweighed the chiropractic benefits.

First of all, the makers of Ultrasound equipment have attested to its effectiveness in using it to specifically identify problems in the spines of adults. The fact is, little or NO medical research exists to support the ultrasound manufacturer’s statements, and so, while the makers of this equipment may think this is POSSIBLE, it is certainly not proven.

In addition, because the tiny impingements that can occur in the spinal region are, well–TINY–modern day ultrasound imaging is simply not effective in providing pictures with enough detail to make accurate diagnosis.

Of all the evidence that exists to downplay the effectiveness of this equipment perhaps the greatest of all lies in the skill of the user. The training provided is offered by the manufacturer is less than comprehensive at just under 12 hours of instruction. From a medical perspective, 12 hours of training using a brand new piece of equipment may not be enough to a base serious medical opinion.

One crucial fact of the effectiveness of ultrasound equipment in ANY application relates directly to the skill and experience of the user.  In my opinion 12 hours does not equal enough training for running an ultrasound device.

Now, please keep in mind, ultrasound ABSOLUTELY has many valid uses. My point is not to downplay the use of the technology, but simply to question its effectiveness in the field of chiropractic care. I am dedicated to my patients and providing them the best care possible with the techniques and equipment available today. If there is something new on the horizon that is more effective, I will certainly give it a try.

Unfortunately, I don’t believe that ultrasound equipment does meet my criteria for chiropractic patient care at this time. As the technology improves, this may change in time. As for now, my Austin chiropractic team will continue to diagnose and treat patients using the most advanced and effective chiropractic treatments available, and you can be sure we will always be on the lookout for better and more effective methods of pain relief.

Patients suffering from hip problems may have a way of alleviating some of their hip pain by using orthotics. Orthotics are shoe inserts that are typically prescribed by doctors and chiropractors, but are also sometimes sold over the counter. Custom orthotics can be molded by an Austin chiropractor, or other professionals, to ensure maximum comfort and fit.

Orthotics can be the best bet to assisting with recovery of a current hip injury, or helping to prevent hip injuries in the future. Orthotics aren’t used solely for helping with hip problems, but can also help with other medical problems that athletes and avid runners suffer from. These problems include knee pain, foot pain, and shin splints.

Chiropractic Austin patients with sports-related injuries often have the best chance of successfully using orthotics to help with their pain. There are many muscles and ligaments that surround the hip bones, which correspondingly, cause the hip area to be an area prone to sports-related injury.

Because hip injuries can be severe and extremely painful, hip problems can significantly impede an athlete’s career if not corrected. Some hip problems are more severe than others, and orthotics are known in the medical community to help solve quite a few of these problems.

Much of the pain from hip injuries is caused by bad shock absorption by the body. This shock travels through the feet, and on through the body, and winds up affecting the hips, and even the lower back. Orthotics are specifically designed to absorb much of the shock that occurs when your foot is planted firmly on the ground.

Additionally, Orthotics can be used to even out deficiencies in the length of your legs. If one leg is even slightly longer than the other, an orthotic insert can even this length issue out. With the orthotic insert your feet hit the ground evenly which would in turn eliminate some of the awkward landings (and pain) experienced by your hips.

One of the major causes of sports-related hip problems is over pronation. In a number of medical research studies, the greater a certain athlete’s pronation, the more often they will suffer a hip (or other) injury due to overuse.

Orthotics can help to solve the problem of over pronation. If you have a slight foot or ankle problem, a difference in the length of your legs, or an improper gait, or stride, you are much more likely to become injured while running.

Orthotics can balance out many of these problems by causing you to walk or run properly, evening out the length of your legs, or causing your stride to become more appropriate. Although orthotics can not solve all of the problems that may contribute to hip or other sorts of pain or injury, they are an inexpensive alternative that may help to correct some of the problems that are causing the injury.

Besides orthotics, chiropractors will also advise that it is very important for athletes to wear properly fitting footwear with the ability to absorb a large amount of shock when you foot hits the ground. When your shoes wear down, there is virtually no ability for the shock absorption to take place, so it is important to regularly replace your running shoes. If your shoes do not fit properly, your foot will be shifting while you exercise which is dangerous and can also cause injury.

Athletes are encouraged to warm up prior to exercise, and to make sure they cool down for an appropriate amount of time after a work out.

Lastly, all athletes should regularly consult a physician to make sure they are training within their means and doing the best they can to ensure their entire body is operating like a well-oiled machine. All of these items, and incorporating the use of custom made orthotics into your workout regimen, can help you avoid painful hip related injuries.