While all chiropractors are proficient in applying corrective adjustments to the spine, Dr. Kevin Wood specializes in extremity adjusting, especially those pertaining to sports and occupational injuries.
Feet & Ankles
Our unique approach to treating the feet generates frequent referrals from other chiropractors, and patients traveling long distances to receive our care. We begin with a very thorough foot exam that includes an explanation of how your feet work to absorb shock in the body. Each foot has 26 bones in it and may have a tendency to lock up when they are unable to support the forces we put on them. Our adjustments quickly normalize motion in the joints of the foot and ankle. We frequently scan, cast, or mold orthotics to the newly properly functioning feet (not the pathological painful feet) to support them long term.
Sprained ankles are among the most common injuries in all weight-bearing sports. Timely adjusting after these injuries along with proper rehab protocols can speed healing and reduce the likelihood of future recurrences of the same injury.
Normalizing foot function via adjustments and stabilizing footwear can help reduce foot pains, ankle pains, shin splints, knee pains, hip pains, and even low back pain!!
Knees
Knees are a common source of pain in the body, and it may come about with or without an injury. Dr. Kevin will help determine if there is any significant structural damage that may require a referral. He will then help to identify the source of the pain. Perhaps the cause of the pain is coming from the low back or the feet. It may be due to standing long hours at work on a hard floor, or perhaps a knee got twisted awkwardly when playing a sport. Sometimes a gentle adjustment into the knee will solve the problem very quickly. He frequently will suggest exercises for the patient to do at home to help stabilize their knee.
Hips
The most frequent complaints about hips involve pain and lack of mobility. There are many possible causes for this, but sometimes the solution is a quick adjustment to help restore a more normal range of motion. Other areas may be evaluated such as the low back, muscular patterns in the area, or the function of the feet.
Shoulders
The shoulder is a very complex joint that has many structures that can cause pain or other symptoms when damaged. The shoulder can refer to (or from) the neck, or lower in the arm. Adjusting in these areas may restore strength and range of motion to the area while helping reduce pain. We get many positive results adjusting this commonly injured joint complex.
Ribs
The ribs form a protective cage around our internal organs. There are many joints in the rib cage to provide mobility required from breathing and motion of the torso. These joints may become damaged and out of place, occasionally causing significant sharp pains. Rib issues can come from sleeping awkwardly, twisting unexpectedly, or with trauma. These may cause difficulty breathing, and can even be mistaken for more sinister issues like heart conditions or cancers. We have many techniques to adjust varying rib issues. It is a quick and cost-effective treatment to rule out a cause of chest pains. However, if you are having acute onset difficulty breathing, severe chest pains, dizziness, or other significant symptoms that came on abruptly, please seek EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE.
TMJ
TMJ is the Temporal-mandibular joint, aka the jaw. The jaw is a unique joint in the body that has an incredible amount of neurology in and around the area. Symptoms indicating a problem may include pain, clicking, inability to open or close the mouth fully, teeth grinding, headaches, or ringing in the ears. These symptoms may arise from chewing certain foods, trauma, awkward sleeping positions, or even dental work! Jaw issues are frequently evaluated with the neck and may be adjusted to help correct or reduce these symptoms.
Elbows
The most common elbow maladies come from overuse or repetitive motions that cause pain on the inside of the elbow, aka golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) or on the outside of the elbow, aka tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Elbow issues generally result in a very identifiable weakness in the surrounding muscle groups. Gentle adjusting can help restore normal strength and align the tissues for proper healing. We may also utilize therapy or taping to further speed healing for these common irritations.
Wrist & Hand
Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually due to compression of the median nerve as it passes through the band of ligaments in your wrist. In many cases, the underlying cause is a misalignment of one or more joints of your neck, shoulder, elbow, or wrist. Identifying the involved joint(s) and a program of chiropractic care can often avoid surgery.
Strains/sprains and other minor trauma to the wrist and hand may also benefit from chiropractic adjustments.