Your upper back and spine does not tend to develop common disorders, due to a great deal of stability and lack of motion throughout the upper back. However, it can cause mild to severe discomfort due to injury or other causes. Frequent complaints associated with upper back pain include pain, aching, tightness, stiffness, discomfort while sitting at a computer, and problems sleeping at night. Neck pain is often associated with upper back pain.

Muscular irritation and joint dysfunction are the most common causes of upper back pain. Muscular irritation can be the result of poor posture or performing strenuous and repetitious actions. Targeted joints associated with the thoracic vertebrae can fall short of working properly causing your joints to become stiff and motionless, causing you pain.

The majority of low back pain complaints are strained muscles that can be helped with just a few visits. Symptoms typically include pain, aching, tightness, or stiffness that is either dull, sharp, or burning.

In the majority of situations, patients can avoid drugs and surgery altogether and return to their normal lifestyle quickly through the Ortman Technique. However, to determine if a more serious problem exists, such as a herniation or bulging disc, an x-ray may be required. Herniated or bulging discs generally require more long-term care but are still often times effectively treated with the Ortman Technique.

Headaches are the most commonly diagnosed condition in the United States with 70% of these caused by muscle tension. Other causes include sub-occipital muscle spasms from injury (whiplash), postural strain, and sleeping on a large pillow that forces flexion of the neck.

Migraine headaches are a common condition seen at the Ortman Clinic, and may respond well to chiropractic care. However, there are usually more complicated underlying issues causing migraine headaches. This may require other supportive measures of treatment such as diet alterations, nutritional support, or co-management with your medical doctor to achieve the most benefit.

The neck is the weakest part of our spinal column and is susceptible to various stresses and strains. Chiropractic treatments can offer relief for neck pain and help to restore normal movement and function of the spine. Poor posture, fatigue or strains from work situations, tension, arthritis, injuries or accidents are all causes of neck strain. Stress to the neck muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments or pinched nerves all can create pain and stiffness.

Headaches, facial pain, dizziness, tingling, numbness of the hands or chest pain can all result from neck problems. Pain aggravated by coughing or sneezing may indicate a ruptured disc. We all experience some aches, pains, and stiffness which usually clear up on their own after a few days or a restful sleep. However, persistent reoccurring pain or “pinched” nerves in the neck, shoulder or arm should be evaluated by your Ortman Clinic doctor.

Your doctor’s evaluation of these problems will involve a physical examination with orthopedic and neurological tests, possibly x-rays. Beneficial physiotherapies may include traction, micro-current, and laser; range-of-motion and strengthening exercises may also be suggested.

The sacroiliac joint is between the sacrum and the pelvic bone. When this area is restricted it can cause lower back pain, tighten muscles, and put pressure on the sciatic nerve to produce leg pain. Lack of mobility usually forces patients to put extra strain on the hip and alter their stride. In turn, this can often pro­duce hip pain, knee pain or bursitis in the hip.

Often low back and hip pain can be closely related. Our doctors are skilled in treating this area. In most cases, as the soft tissue tension is relieved surrounding the joint the problem resolves. The majority of patients notice a decrease in pain and an increased freedom of motion with just a few treatments.

Sciatica is a symptom of a problem which means the cause is coming from somewhere else. Symptoms of sciatica usually include pain in the low back, buttock, hip and leg. Numbness or tingling, “pins and needles”, weakness, and burning or sharp pain have all been reported. With a thorough his­tory and examination, the cause of the sciatic pain can be determined. Causes usually include muscle strains, injuries, vertebral subluxations, inflammation, stenosis, spondylolisthesis and disc bulges or herniations.

Length of treatment depends on the cause of the sciatic pain and typically the mechanism of injury, but results can typically be seen within a few visits. Along with treatment, your doctor may recommend activities you can do at home to help such as walking, stretching, using ice/heat packs, or giving you work modifications/limitations. Occasionally, further testing is necessary to diagnose the cause of the sciatic pain, such as an x-ray.