It's a common phrase: A pain in the neck, a pain in the butt, a pain in the rear, or even a pain in the *a$$'.

All of these phrases refer to a problem: maybe a problem at work, or a problem with a relationship, but more commonly just a pain in "that part of the anatomy". Whenever it's truly a pain in that part of the anatomy, it can be from a variety of conditions. Some are very serious, others much less.

Let's start with some of the serious conditions:

Cancer: All doctors and health care professionals know that cancers can cause pain. Many types of therapies are available for pain, pain relief, pain control and pain alleviation. Health care professionals know that the presence of a cancer will change their care strategy for that particular patient, depending on which form of care they use. Cancers can be detected in a variety of ways. X-rays are one form. An MRI or a CT scan can detect cancers. Also bone scans or a nucleotide test can detect a cancer. Many laboratory tests can find and/or confirm a cancer. The type of test is used will depend on what is seen during a patient exam.

Fractures: Fractures are usually caused by a trauma. That trauma can be a fall, a car accident, a sporting mishap, or any number of things like that. It's rarely a problem in Indonesia, but in North America, Europe and Australia, many elderly people, already suffering from osteoporosis, slip and fall while walking on snow or ice and break their leg just below the hip.

Yes, osteoporosis in itself leads to early fractures, by weakening the bones beforehand. Osteoporosis is a natural part of life. Osteoporosis occurs in both men and women, but much earlier in women. In women, osteoporosis can commonly be detected before cessation of menses. In men, osteoporosis occurs much later. But by age 80, men and women are equally osteoporotic.

Infections: Infections can be caused by a variety of organisms, bacterial or viral. These can be detected by a variety of lab tests. Some are as simple as a urine test. Others need a time-consuming, and itself painful, spinal tap, which searches for a bacterial or viral infection in the CSF (Cerebro Spinal Fluid).

Now for some less serious conditions:

Arthritis: Arthritis is a quite vague term and has such a wide variety of causations and end results. Arthritis is a combination of the Greek and Latin languages: "arthr" is Greek for knuckle and "itis" is Latin for inflammation. Imagine the first anatomists studying a cadaver with arthritic or enlarged knuckles, and the word arthritis was born. Again, there are many types of arthritis.

Degenerative Arthritis typically refers to aging of the joints and can be a quite normal part of aging. Early Degenerative Arthritis can be caused by trauma or extra "wear and tear" on a joint. Rheumatoid Arthritis is another type of arthritis, more serious and a systemic disease. Psoriatic Arthritis is also a systemic disease but manifests quite differently to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Juvenile Arthritis is a serious problem and its name helps describes the illness. Many, many types of arthritis could be described here, ranging from normal aging to a severely detrimental condition at an early age.

Sprain/Strain: "Sprain and strain" refers to over work, or over exercising, or "mini traumas," or even overstretching. Sprain refers to a tearing or overstretching of the ligaments. Strain refers to a tearing or overstretching of the muscles and/or tendons. Sprains and strains can occur together, complicating an already complicated situation.

Treatments for pain in your certain "part of the anatomy": Treatments vary from one profession to another. Commonly bed rest is recommended. Physical therapy, heat pads, ice pads, "pain relievers" and medication of many different types are used to combat pain. Sometimes surgery is necessary. Each of these "therapies" has its good points and its limitations.

Chiropractic is another treatment. It is known as an "alternative therapy" that treats the spine and extremities for ailments of the body's neuro-musculo-skeletal system. Chiropractic actually treats the joints of the spine or extremities, through which nerves pass. These nerves can be "pinched" by problems in the joint. These problems can be simple misalignments of the bones or vertebrae of the joints, or may be complicated by the sprains and strains.

For example, in a car accident, the ligaments (which connect the vertebrae) are stretched as the neck suffers "whiplash". When these ligaments are stretched and sprained, the joints become "inflamed" and the nerve passageway becomes "pinched" and the symptoms begin (albeit sometimes at a later time). Chiropractic is safe and proven effective for neuro-musculo-skeletal ailments of the spine and extremities.

On your first visit to a chiropractor, you will be asked to fill out a short patient questionnaire. This will help the chiropractor determine if you can be a chiropractic patient. An extensive neuro-musculo-skeletal exam will follow. Depending on your situation, X-rays may be requested. If so, the chiropractor will review your films with you and determine if chiropractic can help you. If your case is beyond chiropractic care, you will be referred to the proper specialist. If chiropractic care can help you, a treatment plan will be prescribed for you.

In North America, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Europe, chiropractic is quite common. In almost any town, just ask anyone, "Where is the chiropractic office?" and they will be able to tell you. Here in Indonesia, chiropractic is very new and we few chiropractors are teaching "one patient at a time" about chiropractic.

The writer is doctor of chiropractic at Natural Chiropractic

(www.natural-chiropractic.com).

Popular

Govt eyes September for mass relocation of civil servants to Nusantara

Govt claims 'mudik' 2024 traffic management a success

Public hopes swell ahead of election dispute ruling