Dr. Louis Cofrancesco, D.C.

Worried? No. Concerned? Yes. Swelling can occur in areas of the body in reaction to things like trauma, stress or infection. If it hurts during prolonged postures and doesn't resolve itself it would benefit you to consult a chiropractor. Swelling is one of the signs of a Subluxation; a misalignment of a vertebra which can irritate spinal nerves causing spasm, swelling and pain. This can be treated with proper analysis and specific chiropractic adjustments.

I performed chiropractic adjustments on my three children within the first hour of life and have continued care to date. Currently they are 24, 21, and 19. Spinal adjustments are safe and effective for many issues associated with children. A properly functioning spine is a gateway to better health. When we combine chiropractic adjustments with exercise and stretching, postural changes are possible.

Chiropractic adjustments are very effective with pain. The alignment of the pelvis plays an essential role during pregnancy. The "hip pain" your are experiencing may actually be sacroiliac joint pain, which is related to your pelvis. Once aligned properly the symptoms can lessen as pressure is taken off the joint. Specific chiropractic adjustments are a safe and effective method to help you throughout your pregnancy.

Pain in the buttock worsened by sitting or standing sounds structural to me. The two most commonly found sources for that presentation could be the lumbar (low back) region or the sacroiliac joint (just above the hip). These two areas can become misaligned and irritate the nerves in those areas, which can effect the muscles in the buttock.

X-ray analysis and examination can reveal which area if affected and specific chiropractic adjustments can remedy the source.

X-rays, when taken correctly, should not be a great concern. There are certainly health risks when too many x-rays are taken too close in time, but 5 x-rays taken over a 2 month period does not sound like over use for spinal diagnostics.

Surgery for scoliosis is a last resort. It is a very long and challenging operation. I would suggest a more conservative approach, starting with chiropractic adjustments in addition to specific exercises and stretching. Scoliosis has many causes some of which are not well understood. If a chiropractic examination reveals that subluxation (misalignment) in the spine is a contributor, chiropractic adjustments to these subluxations can create a more comfortable and flexible situation. I would not ever allude to the idea that a spine can be straightened with conservative methods, but a spine with improved function (movement and less pain) is achievable.

This is a very common complaint. I have personal experience with this exact issue. I experienced neck and shoulder pain throughout my childhood. Finally seeking chiropractic care when I was 25 opened a whole new world for me. My chiropractor performed X-rays and examined my spine. It turned out that my childhood injuries, falling off my bicycle, sports injuries, falls, and seemingly minor injuries caused a problem with the vertebrae in my neck, mid-back, and lower back. The bone became subluxated (misaligned) and began to irritate my nerves causing pain, stiffness, and spasms. After some weeks of care, I began to feel better without any medication. This was an astounding revelation: my body was healing itself just by removing the interference to nerve function. I was so amazed that I left my cabinet making business and spent the next 8 years learning about chiropractic. After 25 years in practice, I have helped many people with similar problems.

There can be many reasons for the "pins and needles" feeling in your legs, Anything from circulation problems to nerve damage. The cause I find most commonly as a chiropractor is a disc problem, referred to as bulged, slipped or herniated. When a disc puts pressure on a nerve exiting the spine, it can cause irritation and/or inflammation. The result of which can be felt as pain, weakness, cold, numb and pins and needles. When the source of the vertebral subluxation (misalignment) is corrected, normal function returns and the sensation can resolve.

Slipping or misalignment of ribs with my elderly patients is common. Its correction is usually associated with the vertebra to which it is attached. A specific and gentile chiropractic adjustment is very effect in remedying this issue.

Ankle pain can have many sources, a common one is a misaligned talus (central ankle joint). This can put pressure on the ligaments and tendons, which hold the ankle together. Chiropractic adjustments and stretching to the ankle can be very effective. I also would perform a postural analysis to see if the spine and pelvic alignment can influence ankle function.