What is Spinal Stenosis?

What is Spinal Stenosis? – Chiropractor near Smithtown

 

Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal. Bundles of nerves travel through the spinal canal to your neck, back, and legs. When the spinal canal narrows, adequate spacing is no longer provided. This causes the nerves to squeeze tightly together, often resulting in a feeling of pain or numbness. If you are feeling pain in your back or neck, be sure to make an appointment with Dr. Raymond Semente, a chiropractor near Smithtown. Dr. Semente has served the Long Island Community for several years and has seen cases of spinal stenosis in the past.

 

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis most commonly occurs naturally as a person ages. Spinal stenosis may also be induced by other medical conditions such as:

  • Naturally narrow spinal canal.
  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Bone overgrowth or bone spurs.
  • Herniated disc.
  • Tumors.
  • Prior spinal injuries.

 

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

There are various symptoms associated with spinal stenosis, and each person may experience them differently. Additionally, there are two categories of spinal stenosis: lumbar and cervical. Lumbar spinal stenosis is located in the back, while cervical spinal stenosis is located in the neck. Lumbar spinal stenosis is more common and usually causes symptoms such as pain, burning, or numbness in the back, legs, or feet. Cramping may also occur as a result of bending over or walking. As for cervical spinal stenosis, symptoms usually include pain, weakness, or numbness in the neck, arms, or hands, or difficulty balancing. In extreme cases, either type of spinal stenosis can lead to bowel or bladder dysfunction. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact a chiropractor near Smithtown to get the help you need.

 

Spinal Stenosis Treatment 

While there is no single cure for spinal stenosis, there are quite a few suggestions patients can participate in to reduce the pain considerably. Most commonly, physical therapists can work with you to create a personal plan that will help stretch and strengthen your back, leg, and stomach muscles. Spinal Decompression Therapy, performed by Dr. Raymond Semente, focuses on the spine and treats back issues like herniated discs and pinched nerves that can contribute to spinal stenosis. Aside from physical therapy, patients can also opt for massage therapy or acupuncture that can help in reducing pain.

Dr. Semente, a chiropractor near Smithtown, has a great team of experts who perform both massage therapy and acupuncture at their St. James location. Medications like anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and antidepressants can also help to reduce pain, but using physical therapy, or even surgery, to avoid opioids is the best course of action for any patient. Surgery is usually the last option after physical therapy and other types of exercises and is used to widen the spinal canal and relieve pressure from your spinal cord.  

 

Chiropractor Near Smithtown

If any of these symptoms pertain to you, it is time to call a chiropractor near Smithtown. Feeling better in your body is always the goal here at Dr. Raymond Semente’s Chiropractic office. With various treatment options like physical therapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture, we are ready to help you feel your best! Contact us today to learn more about spinal stenosis and to find out how we can help you get the relief you deserve! 

Chiropractic Care for Baseball Players

Chiropractic Care for Baseball Players

What is chiropractic? Chiropractic care is the most common natural primary health care profession in the world. It is the philosophy, art, and science of realigning vertebrae that are misaligned. This form of medicine allows the nervous system to restore function. 

 

Let’s face it, playing baseball is a long and tedious grind. Teams and players are seeking new ways to speed up the recovery process and locate ways to enhance their performance to gain an edge on their opponents. Dr. Semente, a chiropractor in St. James, is a great option for players on Long Island. His expertise and attention to detail will give players an extreme advantage to recover, recuperate and gives them an unparalleled chance to be the best player they possibly can. Baseball players should seriously consider seeing a chiropractor early on in their baseball endeavors for many reasons. These reasons include: 

 

  • Faster recovery times
  • Reducing the risk of injuries
  • To address shoulder, back, and hip tightness and inflammation 
  • Enhance game time execution
  • To relieve stress

 

Chiropractic care has been embraced by many professional sports organizations and teams are using the medical practice to enhance what their players are able to do on the field. The distress and physical demand that comes with being a baseball player inevitably take a toll on the body. In seeing a chiropractor, players will feel looser, more ready to play, and have more confidence knowing their body is ready for action. 

Care For All Ages

The practice of chiropractic medicine is not limited to any age group. While chiropractic care has risen to the scene in the past 20 years joining MLB training staffs, the practice is beginning to be used by young athletes as well. As a young athlete, the game of baseball can be grueling on the body and it is never too early to set yourself up for success. Approaches such as joint manipulation, electrical stimulation, and spinal realigning provide a sense of recovery that only leaves room to reach the goal of being a high performing athlete. 

The 1st Step to Becoming a Better Baseball player 

If you are looking to open eyes this season, give Dr. Semente a call. His chiropractic office in St. James is the first step to becoming a complete baseball player and avoiding injury. Dr. Semente offers affordable pricing for chiropractic care and is a doctor who puts the patients best interest forward. Allow him to be your answer to not only becoming a healthier player but becoming a better team. Don’t strike out on this pitch right down the middle; contact us today! 

Acupuncture Treatment for Your Allergies

Acupuncture Treatment for Your Allergies

Have you been battling allergies? Well, acupuncture may be the right solution for you! The Chinese medical practice of acupuncture has been used for years to treat a wide range of health problems, including allergies. Not only does it help to immediately treat symptoms of allergies such as puffy eyes and sneezing, but it helps to promote less-pronounced symptoms in the months to come. If you have been suffering from seasonal allergies and are looking for some relief, contact Dr. Semente for the best acupuncture in St. James.

What are allergies?

Allergies are essentially an immune response to a foreign substance that is not typically dangerous to the human body. These foreign substances are commonly referred to as allergens. Allergens can be present in various foods, pet dander, plants, or pollen. Those who suffer from allergies means that their body is perceiving these foreign substances as harmful to the body. As a response, the immune system will kick into gear and attack the allergens. This will then cause various symptoms to occur.

What are the common signs and symptoms?

The signs and symptoms an individual may be experiencing are all relative to the type of allergy they have and the severity of it. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of seasonal allergies include:

  • Watery eyes
  • Itchy or burning eyes
  • Running nose
  • Coughing

 

How acupuncture can help treat them?

The effects acupuncture has on allergies has been tested in multiple different studies and the results have all been consistent. It has shown that it does, indeed, provide relief of allergy symptoms. Those who have taken to acupuncture for allergy relief have reported experiencing fewer symptoms such as coughing and sneezing post-treatment and even in the months following.

Acupuncture in St. James

If you are tired of dealing with your seasonal allergy symptoms and are looking for some relief, try out our acupuncture in St. James with Dr. Semente. Our well-qualified acupuncturist is experienced in treating patients with a wide range of health issues including allergies. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and see for yourself how acupuncture can give you the relief you’ve been searching for.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash is typically caused by a sudden distortion of the neck, often as a result of a traumatic incident such as a car accident. The injury can occur in any direction, often resulting in discomfort. Whiplash can also occur from playing different kinds of contact sports. Football is a primary cause of whiplash since it results in high impact collisions between oncoming defenders and the ball carrier. However, car accidents are the number one cause of whiplash in the majority of cases. Even small fender benders can cause your neck to move in odd directions, creating long-lasting discomfort. In other rare cases, amusement park rides can also cause this type of injury. During these instances, the ligaments in the neck are strained and become unstable.

Dr. Semente, our chiropractor in Nesconset, can help with any pain you are experiencing and answer any questions that you may have developed. Whiplash can be very painful and the discomfort usually worsens within 12-24 hours from the sprain. The next day you will likely experience a lot of neck stiffness and pain. People who have whiplash may experience:

    • Migraine headaches – This is due to the injury of the neck.
    • Difficulty moving the neck and the lack of flexibility in the neck – Can’t look right to left without having any pain.
    • Tenderness and pain on the back of the neck.
    • Lower-back pain.

 

  • Feeling dizzy when standing and having numbness or pain in your neck (pins and needles feeling).

 

  • Vertigo and spinning sensations.

Less common symptoms of whiplash include having a hard time concentrating, memory loss, and being very irritable.

A medical professional may have you do an MRI, X-ray, or CT-scan to see if it is just whiplash or if it is another complication. Treatment can include exercise with repetitive movements that will help build back your muscle and instability. Only start this when the pain has been reduced. Start off with light exercise to the neck to get movement back. Depending on how severe the whiplash is, it can take up to 1-4 weeks to fully recover.

Contact Us

By reaching out to our chiropractor near Nesconset, Dr. Semente can provide treatments that will help aid your whiplash symptoms. Contact his office today for further information.

Avoiding Injury for Basketball

Avoiding Injury for Basketball

As the season of March Madness is winding down, it is important to take into account the risk of injury for basketball players. As the games get more competitive, the injuries at risk get worse. It is important to play safely in order to avoid potential injuries that can negatively affect you for life. Our chiropractor near Nesconset, Dr. Raymond Semente, can help you with your recovery if you’ve been injured playing basketball.

 

Commonly Experienced Injuries

Among the most common injuries experienced by basketball players are:

  • Knee injuries – a torn ligament or ACL is possible when playing basketball. However, sprains and strains are much more common in the sport.
  • Hand and wrist injuries – although only about 11 percent of basketball-related injuries occur in this area, it is still important to be aware of it. Sprains, strains, and broken/fractured bones are among potential hand injuries.
  • Head and face injuries – these injuries can be a result of bumping heads or taking an elbow, arm, or ball to the face while playing. Extreme cases can lead to a concussion or other head problems.
  • Hip and thigh injuries – large amounts of strain are placed on the thighs and hips when playing basketball. Running, pivoting, and jumping all contribute to overextension of these areas.
  • Ankle and foot injuries – injuries in these areas are proven to be the most common in basketball. Ankle rolls, getting stepped on, or getting hit can cause these types of injuries.

 

Preventative Measures

There are many ways to try to prevent injuries from taking you out of the game:

  • To prevent foot/ankle injuries, it is important to make sure you have the right footwear for the sport. A good pair of basketball shoes will provide ankle support and prevent slipping on the court.
  • Stretching is also a good way to avoid injury, especially in the hips and thighs. The more flexible your muscles and tendons are, the less likely you are to overextend them during the game.
  • Hitting the gym to strengthen your muscles can be a key factor for preventing injury. Strength training of the legs and knees can help build support. Or, if you are prone to knee injuries, a knee brace can prove to be helpful.

If you find yourself with constant injuries, it is important to see a chiropractor right away to help get you recovered as quickly as possible. Our chiropractor near Nesconset can help provide you with the care you need so you can get back to playing the game you love.

 

Contact Us Today!

If you have injured yourself or are experiencing difficulty with movement due to an injury that you got on the court, our chiropractor near Nesconset, Dr. Raymond Semente, can help you. We will set up a regimen for you to help reduce pain and improve movement in the affected area. Don’t let an injury take you out of the game for good. Get the proper care and ensure your future success on and off the court!

How Chiropractic Care Can Treat Your Allergies

How Chiropractic Care Can Treat Your Allergies

Spring has finally sprung! Most of us wait all year for this beautiful change of the seasons that indicates that summer is on its way. However, many of us experience severe allergies with the change of the seasons. The increase in pollen, flowers, grasses, and weeds can lead to an increase of sneezes, coughs, and runny noses for many. Did you know that chiropractic care has been shown to reduce allergy symptoms?  Dr. Raymond Semente, our leading chiropractor near Smithtown, can treat a variety of bodily conditions.

What many people who suffer from severe allergies aren’t aware of is that an excess amount of over-the-counter medication is not always the answer. We can provide you a holistic solution to keep your allergies at bay. Because the immune system is so closely associated with the nervous system, allergies can be treated through chiropractic care by helping to regulate and coordinate the body’s reaction to allergens.

How Can a Chiropractor Help?

Ways a chiropractor can help treat allergies include:

  • Recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to help target foods or other factors that may be causing allergic reactions.
  • Support the respiratory system by keeping pathways open and strengthening the system to better withstand potential reactions to allergens.
  • Strengthen the immune system by adjusting misalignments in the spine/neck that can disrupt the brain’s communication with the body. A chiropractor can manipulate joints and tissues to realign the body and re-open blocked pathways between the spine and the brain.
  • Use spine realignment to help regulate the body’s production of cortisol and strengthen the adrenal glands.

A chiropractor can help to put an end to your suffering created by allergies. Enjoy the spring and let our chiropractor near Smithtown determine what treatment option is right for you. Dr. Raymond Semente and his team will assess your symptoms and create a course of action to get you the allergy relief you need. Contact our office today and stop suffering this season!

Chiropractic for Colder Weather

Chiropractic for Colder Weather

Colder weather can have some negative effects on our health.  Whether it’s the physical or mental aspects that the cold temperatures pose, it’s important to take the preventative steps necessary to avoid injury and any debilitating conditions. Our chiropractor near Smithtown can give you the necessary care and attention you need!

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Massage Therapy and Arthritis

Massage Therapy and Arthritis

Arthritis is a joint disorder that refers to the inflammation of the joints. It can either affect one joint or multiple joints. A joint is described as an area within the body where two different bones connect. A joint enables the movement to the body parts connected by its bones. Therefore, inflammation of the joints can cause swelling, discomfort, inflexibility, and a decreased range of motion. Arthritis is also extremely common. Currently, there are approximately 50 million adults and 300,000 kids that suffer from some type of arthritis. There about 100 different types of arthritis identified and that number is still growing. We understand that living with arthritis can make life difficult, which is why Dr. Semente, our chiropractor near Smithtown and Nesconset, has the knowledge and skills to get you back to moving safely and comfortably, free of arthritis discomfort.

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Massage Therapy for Back Pain

Massage Therapy For Back Pain

Massage therapy is a great treatment to use for a multitude of aches and pains, and it doesn’t hurt that it brings relaxation as well. Studies have shown that massage therapy has numerous medical benefits including increased blood flow, increased levels of endorphins (the chemical that makes us feel good), and decreased muscle tension. Certain types of medical practices actually provide massage therapy as a treatment option, including chiropractic offices. For a chiropractor near Smithtown that offers massage therapy for back pain relief, contact Dr. Raymond Semente to make an appointment.

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