by Jon Elson | Jun 22, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
Whiplash is a general term that is used to describe injuries of the neck, caused when the neck is suddenly and/or violently moved in one direction and then another, creating a whip-like movement. Whiplash is most commonly seen in individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents, but it can also occur from sports injuries, work injuries, falls, and other incidents. Whiplash injuries most often result in a sprain or strain of the neck. The ligaments that help support, protect, and restrict excessive movement of the vertebrae are torn, which is called a sprain.
by Jon Elson | Jun 15, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
Bursitis of the hips is usually caused by inflammation of the bursa. Bursae, are small, jelly-like sacs that are located throughout the body, including around the knee, heel, shoulder, elbow and hip. They contain a small amount of fluid, and are centered between the bone and a muscle/tendon, acting as a cushion to help reduce friction and irritation to the underlying soft tissue. The bursa can become inflamed causing pain in the surrounding areas
by Jon Elson | Jun 9, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a syndrome that involves compression of a nerve or blood vessel (brachial plexus, the subclavian artery, and, rarely, the subclavian vein) at the thoracic outlet (space between the neck, 1st rib and collarbone). It can affect one or more of the nerves that innervate the upper limb and/or blood vessels as they pass between the chest and upper extremity. There are 3 main compression sites for this condition. 1) Compression on the nerve or blood vessels as they travel between two muscles in the neck (anterior and middle scalene) 2) Compression of the nerve or blood vessels as they pass between the collar bone and first rib and 3) Compression of the nerve or blood vessels between the pectoralis minor muscle and coracoid process.
by Jon Elson | May 26, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is one of the top 10 injuries experienced by long-distance runners and one of the leading causes of outside knee pain in all runners. The iliotibial band (ITB) is a thick band of fascia (fibrous connective tissue) on the outside aspect of the thigh and knee, that begins as a muscle (tensor fascia lata) before turning into the ITB. It extends from the pelvis, crosses over the hip and knee, and inserts just below the knee. The primary function of the band is to stabilize the knee during walking and running, as well as to move the thigh and leg outward (abduction).
by Jon Elson | May 18, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
The word arthritis means “joint inflammation” and the condition often causes pain and swelling in the joints of the body affected by it. Osteoarthritis occurs when the smooth, rubbery cartilage breaks down, due to inflammation and/or injury to a joint. The causes of osteoarthritis in the hip are not known, but factors that may contribute include; joint injury, increasing age, the hip not forming properly as a child, genetic (inherited) defects in the cartilage and/or extra stress on the joint, either by being overweight or through activities that involve the hip. A majority of cartilage in the body does not regrow after the original cartilage has been damaged, making it important to protect the cartilage you have. Unfortunately, when people hear they have hip arthritis, they fear they are destined to either having surgery or suffer with chronic pain. Although there is not a “cure” for arthritis, much can be done to control hip arthritis pain.
by Jon Elson | May 11, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
The intervetebral disc’s main function is to transmit loads through the spine and provide flexibility to the spinal column. The intervertebral disc is similar to a jelly doughnut in composition. The inside is made up of a “jelly like material,” called the nucleus pulposus, and 20-30 fibrous ring layers. The rings, called the anulus fibrosis, keep the jelly inside. Herniations are a result of a complete tear through the fibrous rings (anulus fibrosis), due to repetitive bending, incorrect posture, a poor workout regime, prolonged flexion, weak muscles and trauma.
by Jon Elson | May 4, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
Do you experience pain while chewing, opening your mouth wide or yawning? Do you complain of pain or soreness in front of the ear, around the jaw muscles or temples? Do you have pain or soreness in your teeth? Does your jaw make noises loud enough to bother you or others? Does your jaw ever get stuck/locked when you open it? If you answered, “yes” to any of these questions, there is a chance that you have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD is an umbrella term covering pain and dysfunction of the muscles that move the jaw and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Approximately 25% of the adult population is affected with TMD, to some degree. Typically, this ailment affects females more than males (4:1), especially in the 20 to 40 year old demographic.
by Jon Elson | Apr 27, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
A SPRAIN is any injury to a ligament, which is the fibrous tissue that joins the end of one bone with another. Ligaments stabilize and support the joints of the body. (The ACL supports the upper leg to the lower leg). In a sprain, one or more ligaments are stretched or torn. A STRAIN is classified as any injury to a muscle and/or tendon, which is the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone (The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the foot bone). In a strain, a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn. Strains and sprains are classified as Grade I, Grade II, or Grade III.
by Jon Elson | Apr 20, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
Headaches are grouped into “primary” and “secondary” causes. Ninety-five percent of headaches are primary headaches; such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. Primary headaches are not caused by a particular disease: the headache itself is the primary cause. Migraines typically present with pulsing head pain, nausea, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound). Tension-type headaches usually present with non-pulsing “bandlike” pressure on both sides of the head and are not accompanied by other symptoms. Cluster headaches are characterized by short episodes (15–180 minutes) of severe pain, usually around one eye, with autonomic symptoms (tearing, red eye, nasal congestion), which will usually occur at the same time every day.
by Jon Elson | Apr 13, 2015 | Chiropractic Health
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and tender often due to overuse and failed healing from repeating the same motion over and over. It often affects a specific muscle called the extensor carpi radialis brevis. This condition is common in golfers, tennis players, carpenters and other laborers who swing a hammer or tool with the forearm.
I grew up in Dayton, Ohio and completed my chiropractic education at Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis Missouri. After graduating chiropractic school I moved to Nashville. I have practiced in Nashville for 10 years and Nolensville for over 7 years. I enjoy spending time with my family, dogs, golfing, kayaking, watching college sports and being an active member of the Nolensville community and serving its health needs.