Why is My Back Stiff?

Nobody likes having a stiff back, and yet, back pain is one of the most common health complaints people have. Although there are several things that can cause the back muscles to be underdeveloped or overused, most of them are preventable with the right knowledge. At ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge, we can provide noninvasive, nonaddictive treatments for all sorts of musculoskeletal problems, but to help our patients maintain their wellness, we wanted to discuss some of the most common reasons why people’s lifestyles cause them to develop excessive wear and tear.

 

In many people’s cases, back pain is the result of overusing some muscles and underusing others. A sedentary person who maintains any one position for a long time is going to suffer from a weak core, and some positions make particularly inefficient use of the back’s supporting muscles. Hunching forward toward a computer monitor or slouching backwards will cause the back muscles bearing all the upper body’s weight to tighten up. But a person who engages in exercise without properly warming up or strengthening their core could also be over relying on their back muscles to compensate for weak hamstrings and hip muscles. Eventually, the weakened back muscles will no longer be able to keep the spinal column aligned, allowing the lumbar vertebrae to become subluxated.

 

Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo is certified as a chiropractic sports physician and extremity practitioner who can educate patients on better posture and form, in addition to providing chiropractic adjustments. Our diagnostics will also help us to determine whether their spinal discs are suffering from dehydration and whether a skeletal abnormality is putting excess pressure on certain muscles. ACT Wellness Center offers a variety of wellness services, including nutritional counseling and customized orthotics, to help patients maintain the strength and balance of their musculoskeletal systems.

 

If you’re trying to improve your back’s strength and flexibility, schedule a visit to Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo at the ACT Wellness Center, 14111 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virginia. Call 703-491-9355.

 

What is a Subluxation?

We at ACT Wellness Center understand that accidents happen. A slip, bump, fall, or the accumulative effect of wear can all cause a subluxation, a misalignment in your spine. Your Woodbridge, VA chiropractor is readily available to get you on a personalized treatment plan when or if an accident occurs. While the main goal is to correct the misalignment of your vertebrae and alleviate discomfort, Dr. Caratozzolo also works to prevent future subluxations by building up your spinal health.

 

If you have a subluxation, symptoms include:

 

- Swelling

- Numbness and tingling

- Limited mobility

- Pain or discomfort

- Degeneration of surrounding muscles, nerves, and bones

 

Did you know that a subluxation is a partial dislocation of the spinal cord? You can probably guess that the pain is no walk in the park. Subluxations are identified through a chiropractic exam, which consists of manual palpation and x-rays. During the manual exam, Dr. Caratozzolo will check the alignment of your pelvis, joints, and spine. Leaving a subluxation untreated will create more issues for the individual, such as the degeneration of the discs. Your body will try to compensate for the subluxation as well, taking on a new, unhealthy shape. Don’t wait to seek treatment, ACT Wellness Center can help!

 

We are happy to answer any and all questions you may have about treatment at our facility! ACT Wellness Center is located at 14111 Minnieville Rd. in Woodbridge, VA 22193. For more information about back pain or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Caratozzolo, please visit actwellness.com or call us at 703-491-9355.