Frequently Asked Questions

The central nervous system comprises of the brain and the spinal cord, and it is the only system that is directly protected by bones. These bones make up the spine. When specific bones in the neck are out of position and unable to move properly, they can put stress on the nervous system and on the surrounding muscles, which can result in headaches. Chiropractic care can be an effective and non-invasive approach to preventing and relieving headaches regardless of the type of headache (tension vs. migraine) or cause (stress vs. posture).

It is important to get a chiropractic evaluation to determine the best course of action to reduce the frequency of these headaches and to eliminate the headaches all together.

During the impact of an auto accident, a person's neck is forcibly "whipped" back and forth and side to side past its normal range of motion. As a result, whiplash injuries can affect the muscles and tissues in the back and neck. Stiffness from back pain and/or neck pain can ensue immediately or it can take days, weeks or months to arise. It is crucial to treat whiplash immediately even if you are not yet experiencing neck or back pain.

Headaches and migraines are common symptoms that can occur as a result of whiplash injuries or any type of motor vehicle injury. Headaches may develop when specific vertebrae in the neck are restricted and out of position due to the impact of an accident. Sprained neck muscles can cause pain to radiate to the head. Any injury or trauma to the head can cause headaches and migraines. If you are experiencing headaches after an auto accident, you should get treated as soon as possible, so your headache pain does not become permanent.

At Kent Hagan Chiropractic we are skilled in treating whiplash injuries so you can get back to being functional and normal.

Chiropractic care has been shown to be effective at helping both acute neck pain and chronic neck pain. Acute neck pain may be felt as a sharp pain in the neck, and you may not be able to turn your head. Chronic neck pain can also arise from poor posture and sedentary work, such as sitting at a desk and working on a computer for 8 hours a day. This type of pain is often described as a dull, achy discomfort that is often accompanied by stiffness. Whether it is poor posture or sedentary work, specific vertebrae in the neck and upper back may be problematic, resulting in neck pain. Supporting our spine are muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and they can all form scar tissue, further complicating the healing process. Chiropractic adjustments are aimed at helping to keep the joints working properly, reduce stiffness, reduce pain, reduce muscle tension, and increase function.

Most patients don't want to just mask the pain with medication. Unfortunately, that is all that most doctors offer. At Kent Hagan Chiropractic, we treat neck pain with advanced techniques that focus on improving function to the nervous and musculoskeletal system. This is the best way to reduce pain and return to normal function.

Whiplash injuries occur when there is a sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any direction which can cause a rebound in the opposite direction. Surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head will be affected. Consequently, the surrounding muscles begin to tighten, contract, and fatigue quicker resulting in pain and stiffness. Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash.

A proper evaluation is vital after an auto accident to determine how you can feel better without using medication, which is designed to mask the pain, not treat the cause of the pain. At Kent Hagan Chiropractic we are skilled in helping people recover from automobile injuries.

When people experience shoulder pain, it can radiate down the arm and cause a person to have limited movement. Whether it's from a sports injury or sleeping on it the wrong way, pain in the shoulder can be quite painful.

Often, shoulder pain can be accompanied by neck and back pain. When the shoulder hurts, it can cause the body to respond in a negative manner such as poor posture or restricted range of motion, resulting in poor biomechanics elsewhere. Therefore, it is important for a chiropractor to accurately diagnose the problem before any treatment can start. Shoulder issues are tricky because it is typically multifaceted and requires one to look at the entire shoulder girdle, not just the shoulder joint itself.

If you are unsure about your diagnosis or the severity of your condition, you should seek advice before beginning any treatment.

Often times, symptoms of an injury are delayed after an auto accident. The soft tissues (muscles, tendons, discs, ligaments, etc.) are usually stretched and, in some cases, they have a micro-tear that cause pain after an auto accident. This leads to an inflammatory reaction that takes time to build up with the soft tissue. Patients often mask their initial symptoms with pain medications, and they are unaware of the level of their pain and stiffness until these medications wear off. If you took any type of medication after the accident, there is a very good chance that your symptoms are delayed because of the medication.

Carpal tunnel is in the wrist, and the nerves going through this structure may be irritated, causing several problems such as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness of the fingers, hands, and wrist. 1 out of 10 people suffers from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), usually, affecting domestic workers, secretaries, computer users, musicians, and others who do repetitive tasks with their hands.

A wrist problem may be the result of a misalignment in one or more joints in the neck, shoulder, elbow, or wrist. Chiropractic techniques that work so well with the spine can be applied to other joints of the body. Virtually every joint is susceptible to fixations and malfunctions that impair function and range of motion. Trauma, micro-traumas, vibrations, and repetitive motions are often culprits.

Carpal tunnel is often the go-to diagnosis for any type of wrist pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Many times, the cause of wrist pain originates in the neck. It is important to get a proper chiropractic evaluation to see what the best course of action may be to find pain relief for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Elbow pain is commonly caused by repetitive motions and overusing the muscles and tissues of the outside of the elbow (tennis elbow) or the inside of the elbow (golfer's elbow). Through repetitive strain, the muscles and tendons of the forearm become tight and irritated. Pain comes from tiny tears in the muscles and tendons. As the body tries to heal these tears, scar tissue forms, which causes the tissues to become tighter, weaker, and more pain sensitive.

Your chiropractor will evaluate your condition and make the correct determination of the location of your pain. The chiropractor can also check to see if the problem is not bursitis, a radial or ulnar nerve entrapment, or any other condition.

Pain is a common reason for people to go to the Chiropractor. Chiropractic treatment helps people improve body function and feel better. People report having less pain, greater freedom of movement, better sleeping patterns, and an improved sense of well-being. Daily stress such as work, commuting, emotional stress, and lack of time for one's self can all a lot of stress on the body. Many people use chiropractic "maintenance care" to function at an optimal state of health. The frequency of treatment depends on lifestyle factors such as exercise, stress reduction, and nutrition to name a few.

At Kent Hagan Chiropractic, our goal is to correct and stabilize your spinal condition with the intent of you feeling better faster. Once that is accomplished, continued care is up to you.

Many things can cause lower back pain ranging from sports, work injuries, sleeping on a poor-quality mattress, household chores, or something as simple as picking up your child 10 times a day. Any of these activities can cause lower back pain. Low back pain may occur when a person's job involves lifting and carrying heavy objects, spending a lot of time sitting or standing in one position, or repeatedly bending over to pick up items. Certainly, low back pain can be caused by a fall or exercise as well. Whatever the cause is, lower back pain is usually caused when a vertebrae or spinal segment is out of its normal position, which puts stress on a person's nervous system. When the muscles or ligaments in the lower back become weak, the spine loses its stability and the result is pain. Because nerves reach all parts of the body from the spinal cord, back problems can lead to pain or weakness in almost any part of the body.

Chiropractors are skilled at treating low back pain and can pinpoint your back issue to get you back to a healthy state.

Most patients don't want to just mask the pain with medication. Unfortunately, that is what most doctors offer. At Kent Hagan Chiropractic we address back pain with advanced techniques that focus on repairing function to your nervous system and musculoskeletal system. This is the best way to reduce pain and return to normal function.

Yes, after experiencing trauma from sudden force, the spinal column can shift along with the soft tissues that support the spine such as tendons, ligaments, fascia, and muscles. This unexpected force can cause a vertebra to bulge, resulting in sciatic nerve compression. If you experienced an auto accident, we cannot stress enough how important it is to see a chiropractor immediately. Even if you are not experiencing pain, we can help restore spinal alignment to avoid any future flare-ups.

Sciatica is generally caused by nerve compression in the low back. Sciatic nerve compression may result in sensory loss, loss of bowel and bladder function, and loss of core and leg strength. Sciatica typically occurs when vertebrae or soft tissue is impinging on the sciatic nerve because of inflammation, repetitive stress, poor ergonomics, or from trauma. The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help restore the body's potential to heal naturally. Chiropractic care is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain, reduced function, and decreased performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive and drug free. The type of chiropractic therapy you may receive depends on the cause of the patient's sciatica.

Don't put a Band-Aid over sciatic pain by relying on medication. Correct the cause of sciatica by getting an evaluation and addressing the underlying cause. See if chiropractic care can benefit you today.

Vertigo can be defined as a sense of motion while one is stationary. This condition normally originates in the vestibular system in the middle ear, but it can also be caused by dysfunction in the brain. A person's quality of life can be drastically impacted by the severity of the symptoms that can ensue such as nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, excessive sweating, and unsteady gait. Many times, vertigo and dizziness can be linked to upper-neck dysfunction, which can be treated with chiropractic care.

There is no drug or pill that can correct vertigo if it is caused by upper-neck involvement. Seek out professional advice to see if chiropractic care can help with your vertigo or dizziness.

Walking (gait) changes caused by a biomechanical injury, such as an ankle sprain or knee strain, can generate hip pain. Your gait may also shift to counterbalance new-body demands such as a job change, an alteration in the way you sit, a new sport or activity, or if you start driving for long periods of time on a regular basis. The point is, anything that generates an asymmetry or imbalance when you are in motion can cause painful hip problems. Many times, hip pain is related to lower back discomfort.

A chiropractor can help in many of these areas. They will also offer appropriate progressive rehabilitative exercises that include muscle stretching and strengthening.

The fact is hip pain will not disappear on its own. Hip pain indicates that something needs to be corrected. Get out of pain, get back in balance, and get your life back now! Call our office at (510) 257-9080 to schedule an appointment today. We know what to do to help you!

In many cases, you do not need a referral to make an appointment for a chiropractic evaluation. Chiropractors are portal of entry doctors, meaning you do not need a referral to see a chiropractor unlike some healthcare professions such as physical therapy. If you have healthcare insurance, check with your company to see if your healthcare coverage includes chiropractic benefits. If not, we offer special individualized plans to make your care affordable. Finances will not be a hindrance for you to get the care that you may possibly need and deserve.

If you have a spine, call today. You should get your spine checked whether you have pain or not! Do you see a dentist every six months? Why? You go to check for cavities that you can't feel! So why wait until your spine hurts to see if your spine is out of place? GET CHECKED TODAY!