One of the most common misconceptions about chiropractors is that we are limited to the spine. It is true that a majority of patients often seek chiropractic services for neck pain, low back pain and other spinal related injuries like whiplash from a car accident. Unfortunately this gives people the perception that we are only doctors of the spine. When it comes to relieving and fixing spinal joint pain we are your go to providers, however we are much more versatile and in all reality can treat almost any joint in the human body.

Chiropractic means “done by hand”, essentially we are doctors that use our hands to manipulate joints within the body to relieve stress and irritation. Hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows and wrists are all joints that can become “stuck” or “out of place”. This not only causes pain but will eventually causing improper biomechanics, leading to muscular imbalances and compensation patterns. Joint misalignment and dysfunctional movement patterns will not only cause you pain but can lead to increased breakdown of joints in other areas of the body or degeneration of the spine if it is not corrected quickly.

Extremity joint problems almost always stem from acute injury or trauma. Without proper healing and rehab the body will develop incorrect repetitive movement patterns. This means the joint will still be functional, but extremely limited and possibly at the expense of surrounding joints or muscle tissue. At Northern Edge Chiropractic we look at the big picture. How does an extremity injury affect the biomechanics of a person’s gait, and at what rate does this increase the likelihood of low back pain or joint degeneration?

Think of the human body as a machine, if all the parts are working together it runs smooth, if there is a dysfunctional part the machine performs poorly or not at all. Anyone can develop extremity joint pain, it only takes one slip on the ice or one hard hit to cause major damage. This is why we treat a range of patients, including high school athletes, elite/professional athletes, or the hard working mother of three children. Extremity joint pain is not normal and can cause major problems if left untreated. The chiropractors at Northern Edge have extensive knowledge of extremity joint biomechanics which will help them pinpoint any underlying issue that could be causing pain.

Don’t let shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee or ankle pain slow you down. Take control of your pain by calling Northern Edge Chiropractic and scheduling an exam, which is always the first step towards a pain free and healthier life. Call the doctors at Northern Edge Chiropractic in Plymouth, MN if you are in pain and need help now!