Intro to Ligaments and Ligament Injuries

What are ligaments?

What happens when they’re injured?

Ligaments are made up of dense connective tissue that hold bones together, supporting every joint in your body. They act to stabilize your joints while at rest and during normal range of motion. Ligaments are important for both stability and mobility in a joint. When a ligament is injured, it disrupts the balance between those two qualities.  

This imbalance will lead to an abnormal transmission of forces, which can lead to injury in other tissues around the joint.  The most common joints that suffer from ligament injuries are the shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, elbow, and wrist.  Research has shown that spinal ligament injuries account for a majority of auto accident injuries, and just like other major joints in the body, they are susceptible to similar outcomes when injured.    

Just like muscles, ligaments can stretch, however, they’re not as forgiving as muscles.  When you stretch a muscle, it’s like stretching a pair of yoga pants – they expand then contract back to their normal size.  Ligaments, on the other hand, are like a pair of denim jeans – it takes much more force to stretch them, but when it does happen, you notice tears or fraying in the fibers.

When a ligament is stretched past its physical limitations, the fibers will tear. If the trauma is severe enough, the ligament can rupture all the way through.  Damage to the ligament causes a permanent change in the ligamentous fibers. 

Read more in our latest article.

How can an Ann Arbor Can Chiropractor Help with Ligament Injuries?

Along with physical rehabilitation, your Ann Arbor chiropractor can work in collaboration with your other doctors to be part of a treatment plan for ligament injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, adjustments to improve stability, mobility, reduce pain, and improved healing can be an important part of ligament damage recovery.

To get started or ask a question, call (734) 221-0362 or submit a contact form here.

Source: Hauser, R., Dolan, E., Phillips, H., Newlin, A., R., & Woldin, B. (2013). Ligament Injury and Healing: A Review of Current Clinical Diagnostics and Therapeutics [Abstract]. The Open Rehabilitation Journal, 6(1), 20th ser. doi:10.2174/1874943701306010001

Causes of Cervicogenic Dizziness

In our last blog, we defined cervicogenic dizziness. But what causes it?

Several conditions and factors can contribute to cervicogenic dizziness, including:

• Neck Injuries: Trauma to the neck, such as whiplash from a car accident or a sports injury, can disrupt the normal function of the cervical spine and lead to dizziness.
• Poor Posture: Prolonged poor posture, such as forward head posture from excessive screen time, can strain the neck muscles and joints, contributing to dizziness.
• Cervical Degeneration: Conditions like osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine can impact nerves and blood flow, leading to dizziness.
• Muscle Tension & Spasms: Tight or strained neck muscles can interfere with proper nerve signaling and blood circulation, causing dizziness.

Managing and Treating Cervicogenic Dizziness

Treatment for cervicogenic dizziness focuses on addressing the underlying cervical spine dysfunction. Common approaches include:

• Chiropractic Care & Physical Therapy: Gentle spinal adjustments, mobilization techniques, and specific exercises can help restore proper neck alignment and function.
• Postural Corrections: Improving posture through ergonomic adjustments and strengthening exercises can reduce strain on the cervical spine.
• Massage Therapy: Soft tissue techniques can help alleviate muscle tension and improve circulation.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Stress management, hydration, and maintaining an active lifestyle can help prevent flare-ups of dizziness.

Learn more in our latest article.

Talk with an Ann Arbor-Based Chiropractor

Cervicogenic dizziness is a condition that a structural chiropractor can help address by correcting spinal alignment, which assists with balance and equilibrium. For more information, call our Ann Arbor chiropractor’s office at (734) 221-0362 or submit a contact form. Remember, talking to Dr. Gessert is never a commitment!

What is Cervicogenic Dizziness?

Do you experience frequent dizziness?

Cervicogenic dizziness is a lesser-known but significant condition that affects many individuals. It is not a disease itself but rather a symptom arising from issues in the cervical spine (neck). Characterized by dizziness or a sense of imbalance, cervicogenic dizziness can significantly impact a person’s daily life and overall well-being. Understanding its causes and effects is crucial for proper management and treatment.

Cervicogenic dizziness is a type of dizziness that originates from dysfunction in the cervical spine, often due to musculoskeletal or neurological issues. Individuals with this condition may experience a sensation of unsteadiness or lightheadedness rather than a spinning sensation commonly associated with vertigo. It is frequently accompanied by neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion in the neck.

Learn more in our latest article.

Talk with an Ann Arbor-Based Chiropractor

Cervicogenic dizziness is a condition that a structural chiropractor can help address by correcting spinal alignment, which assists with balance and equilibrium. For more information, call our Ann Arbor chiropractor’s office at (734) 221-0362 or submit a contact form. Remember, talking to Dr. Gessert is never a commitment!

Causes of TMJ Disorders

You’ve probably heard of TMJ, but what causes it?

Several factors can contribute to TMJ disorders, including:

• Jaw Injuries: Trauma to the jaw or joint can lead to inflammation or misalignment.
• Teeth Grinding: Habitual grinding or clenching can strain the joint and surrounding muscles. 
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the joint's cartilage.
• Stress: Tension can cause clenching of the jaw, exacerbating symptoms.
• Misaligned Bite: Irregular alignment of teeth can impact how the joint moves and functions. This can also happen if the jaw was moved after having braces.
• Connective Tissue Disorders: Conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may affect joint stability.

Learn more in our latest article.

Talk with an Ann Arbor-Based Chiropractor

TMJ is a secondary condition that a structural chiropractor can help by addressing TMJ joint alignment and underlying displacements of the spine. For more information, call our Ann Arbor chiropractor’s office at (734) 221-0362 or submit a contact form. Remember, talking to Dr. Gessert is never a commitment!

Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

How can you tell if you might have an issue with TMJ?

TMJ disorders can present a variety of symptoms, including:

• Jaw Pain or Tenderness: Often localized around the joint or extending to the face.
• Difficulty or Discomfort When Chewing: Pain or a sensation of tightness while eating or speaking.
• Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty opening or closing the mouth fully.
• Clicking or Popping Sounds: Noises when opening or closing the jaw, sometimes accompanied by discomfort.
• Locking of the Jaw: Episodes where the jaw becomes stuck open or closed.
• Headaches or Ear Pain: Radiating pain that can mimic migraines or ear infections.

Learn more in our latest article.

Talk with an Ann Arbor-Based Chiropractor

TMJ is a secondary condition that a structural chiropractor can help by addressing TMJ joint alignment and underlying displacements of the spine. For more information, call our Ann Arbor chiropractor’s office at (734) 221-0362 or submit a contact form. Remember, talking to Dr. Gessert is never a commitment!

Treating Whiplash

Are you in Ann Arbor and experiencing neck pain from whiplash?

Car accidents are unfortunately common, with the average driver experiencing one every 18 years. While the risk of fatality is lower with all the safety measures of modern cars, there’s a significant chance of bodily injury, such as whiplash. 

Treating Whiplash Injuries

If there are no fractures in the spine, a detailed evaluation—including X-rays and possibly an MRI—can assess the damage. Treatments often include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Stretching and therapeutic exercises
• Ice therapy and traction to correct spinal alignment

Chiropractic care is particularly effective for soft tissue injuries like ligament sprains and spinal disc issues. A 2012 review on whiplash epidemiology explains that manual therapy combined with exercise is among the best noninvasive treatments for whiplash.

Read more in our latest article.

Treat Neck Pain from Whiplash with an Ann Arbor Chiropractor

Pivotal Chiropractic provides a type of chiropractic care called “specific structural correction,” which focuses on correcting structural issues with the spine, which in turn can help you recover from secondary conditions caused by those issues.

Remember, talking to Dr. Gessert is never a commitment. To set up a complimentary consultation or just ask a question, call (734) 221-0362 or submit a contact form.

What is Whiplash?

You’ve probably heard of whiplash, but what exactly is it?

Whiplash, known in the medical field as Cervical Acceleration-Deceleration Syndrome, occurs when the head and neck are jerked rapidly forward and backward, often during car accidents. This movement can damage the neck’s vertebrae, discs, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and, in severe cases, the spinal cord.

According to Dr. Arthur Croft, an expert in whiplash injuries, approximately 3 million cases occur annually in the U.S. Symptoms might not appear immediately, and can range from mild neck pain to severe disability. Up to 40–50% of whiplash cases result in chronic pain, which can impact quality of life for years.

Symptoms of whiplash can include:

• Neck and back pain
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Headaches and visual disturbances
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in extremities

Read more in our latest article.

Treat Neck Pain from Whiplash with an Ann Arbor Chiropractor

Pivotal Chiropractic provides a type of chiropractic care called “specific structural correction,” which focuses on correcting structural issues with the spine, which in turn can help you recover from secondary conditions caused by those issues. If you’re in Ann Arbor and experiencing neck pain, our office can help you recover.

Remember, talking to Dr. Gessert is never a commitment. To set up a complimentary consultation or just ask a question, call (734) 221-0362 or submit a contact form.