expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Cory Michael Aplin, D.C.

Chiropractor

Dr. Cory Aplin is a Chiropractor practicing in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Aplin specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the neuromusculoskeletal system, while improving each patients functionality and quality of life. Conditions treated include sciatica, neck pain, and arthritis pain, among many others. Dr. Aplin seeks to reduce pain and discomfort through manipulation and adjustment of the spine, physical rehabilitation and high tech medical treatments.
Dr. Cory Michael Aplin, D.C.
  • Bethesda, MD
  • Accepting new patients

Foot pain from tennis. What can a chiropractor do to help?

It depends on where the heel pain is. If it's more on the bottom of the foot, it is likely a bone spur. If on the back part of the heel, it could be achilles tendonitis. Whether READ MORE
It depends on where the heel pain is. If it's more on the bottom of the foot, it is likely a bone spur. If on the back part of the heel, it could be achilles tendonitis. Whether or not the chiropractor can help depends on certain tools or techniques they may or may not have. For tendonitis, the best technique is Manual release or Graston, if it's a bone spur, likely high-tech devices like pressure wave to break up the spur and cold laser to help it heal would be necessary.

Can chiropractors prescribe medications?

Chiropractors can not prescribe medication. They specialize in non-surgical and drug free treatments to correct musculoskeletal conditions causing pain. The medication would have READ MORE
Chiropractors can not prescribe medication. They specialize in non-surgical and drug free treatments to correct musculoskeletal conditions causing pain. The medication would have to be prescribed by your medical doctor. Keep in mind the meds are only designed to help with symptoms, not correct the cause of the symptoms, so while they may provide temporary relief, it's the chiropractic care that leads to long-term correction.

What might be causing my hip pain?

Unfortunately that is not a simple question to answer. Hip problems can vary anywhere between minor muscle/ligament strains or tendonitis, all the way up to arthritis (yes a 35 READ MORE
Unfortunately that is not a simple question to answer. Hip problems can vary anywhere between minor muscle/ligament strains or tendonitis, all the way up to arthritis (yes a 35 year old can have arthritis) or hip dysplasia. Your best best it to have a chiropractic evaluation and possibly some x-rays to find the source of the problem.

Back pain for two months. What could be the cause?

Typically self-resolving conditions like muscle strains or joint sprains heal up in about 6 weeks. If its persisting past that, it could be an underlying injury or joint condition READ MORE
Typically self-resolving conditions like muscle strains or joint sprains heal up in about 6 weeks. If its persisting past that, it could be an underlying injury or joint condition like a disc injury (strain, bulge or herniation) or arthritis. Especially with arthritis, the pain seems to come on suddenly and won't go away, even if the underlying problem started years before. Arthritis is not painful in the beginning and takes years before it causes discomfort. Your best bet is to get it evaluated by a chiropractor and possibly take some xrays to figure out the root cause.

Can I go on a treadmill or go cycling with back pain?

That's a really great questions, we get asked this all the time. It's a catch 22 because activity can be painful, but activity is required to alleviate back pain. Skip the treadmill READ MORE
That's a really great questions, we get asked this all the time. It's a catch 22 because activity can be painful, but activity is required to alleviate back pain. Skip the treadmill and stick with walking on a softer surface (track or dirt). A stationary bike is typically ok as long as it is a recumbent bike (the type of bike with a high back on it so you can rest your back at the same time you work the legs). I hope this helps, and if the pain and stiffness continues or worsens, get checked out by a chiropractor as soon as possible.

How to fix bad posture?

Unfortunately there is no quick fix for bad posture and you can't "force" yourself to sit up straight. Posture is the position that your body has come to think of as normal, so READ MORE
Unfortunately there is no quick fix for bad posture and you can't "force" yourself to sit up straight. Posture is the position that your body has come to think of as normal, so you naturally fall into that position. There are typically 4 components to poor posture. 1) Trigger points (knots) in the muscles. 2) Areas of reduced muscle flexibility. 3) Areas of altered joint mechanics and 4) Areas of weakness or instability. All 4 of these must be corrected in order to improve your posture. You essentially need to retrain your body what "normal" is supposed to look like. In our office, a course of care including chiropractic and physical therapy is typically necessary over a period of 8-12 weeks.

Do hot water baths help in relieving hip pain?

It would depend on what is causing the pain. If from arthritis, epsom salt baths may provide temporary relief. The warm bath will help to reduce muscle tension around the injured READ MORE
It would depend on what is causing the pain. If from arthritis, epsom salt baths may provide temporary relief. The warm bath will help to reduce muscle tension around the injured area, however pain and inflammation are typically better managed through proper use of ice packs.

Inspite of bed rest, my sciatica pain is not getting better?

Sciatica is a general term referring to inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This inflammation could be coming from a number of sources like a pinched nerve in the lower back, tight READ MORE
Sciatica is a general term referring to inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This inflammation could be coming from a number of sources like a pinched nerve in the lower back, tight muscles in the buttocks squeezing on the nerve or even directly from muscles in the leg. The first step in determining what the best treatment option would be for you is a full examination of your spine by a chiropractor, and possibly a set of x-rays looking for spinal abnormalities.

Treatment for back pain from car accident?

If broken bones have been ruled out, you may have a soft tissue injury. This is very common in auto accidents, especially if your body is jarred suddenly. Soft tissue injuries READ MORE
If broken bones have been ruled out, you may have a soft tissue injury. This is very common in auto accidents, especially if your body is jarred suddenly. Soft tissue injuries will not show up on xray and need to be evaluated to determine the extent of the injury before making any treatment recommendations. Typically if a problem has not started to improve on its own after a couple weeks of rest, then treatment will be required. In the mean time you can use ice packs to keep the inflammation under control (25-30 minutes on, 1 hour off and repeat). This will not fix the injury but should at least alleviate some of the discomfort.

How does chiropractor manipulation work?

It depends on what is found on examination and the specific chiropractor that is treating you. An evaluation for upper back pain would include a full muscle and joint examination, READ MORE
It depends on what is found on examination and the specific chiropractor that is treating you. An evaluation for upper back pain would include a full muscle and joint examination, orthopedic testing and in some cases x-rays or posture scans are used in order to find the source of the problem causing the pain. There are many different chiropractic techniques to alleviate back pain, some using the hands, some using the machines, so the best step is to get evaluated first to determine which treatment options would suit your case the best.

How to prevent back pain from an office job?

Yes! Our body doesn't want to be in a seated position all day. In fact a report came out earlier this year showing that sitting for 8 hours a day is just as detrimental to your READ MORE
Yes! Our body doesn't want to be in a seated position all day. In fact a report came out earlier this year showing that sitting for 8 hours a day is just as detrimental to your health as smoking. The first step is to get a standing workstation and alternate between standing and sitting each hour. If you don't have access to a standing workstation, set a timer on your phone to go off every 30 minutes. Stand and stretch, walk around for a minute or so as this will get fresh blood pumping wake the muscles up. Be sure to engage your core slightly while seated to prevent poor posture.

What is the treatment for a herniated disc?

I know that herniated discs can be extremely painful, but the good news is only a very small percentage of them require surgery. Most can be treated conservatively with chiropractic READ MORE
I know that herniated discs can be extremely painful, but the good news is only a very small percentage of them require surgery. Most can be treated conservatively with chiropractic and physical therapy care. Some modalities that may be employed to reduce the inflammation and relieve pressure on the nerve include traction, decompression, spinal manipulation, cold laser, dry needling and physical therapy modalities (massage, stretching, muscle activation).

I am experiencing stiffness in my knees. What should I do?

The answer would be dependent on what is causing the stiffness. If this has been persisting for more than a couple months I would typically recommend x-rays to determine if there READ MORE
The answer would be dependent on what is causing the stiffness. If this has been persisting for more than a couple months I would typically recommend x-rays to determine if there is arthritis or other degenerative changes.

Are there side effects to chiropractic adjustments?

Most patients will not experience any side effects after an adjustments and many feel almost instant relief in some of their symptoms. The most common side effect is mild soreness READ MORE
Most patients will not experience any side effects after an adjustments and many feel almost instant relief in some of their symptoms. The most common side effect is mild soreness after an adjustment that can easily be alleviated by utilizing an ice pack.