Aligned Medical Group’s Dr Joel Stutzman is a Back and Spine Specialist
At Aligned Medical Group, we specialize in providing advanced chiropractic and holistic treatments for individuals suffering from a range of back and spine issues. As a leading back and spine specialist, our mission is to offer effective, non-surgical solutions tailored to alleviate your discomfort and enhance your quality of life. Whether you’re grappling with low back pain, pinched nerves, degenerative discs, or sciatica, our expert team is dedicated to delivering personalized care designed to address your unique needs.
Why Choose Our Back and Spine Specialist
Expertise in Treating Common Back and Spine Issues
Dr. Stutzman is a back and spine specialist who often sees patients with a variety of advanced and challenging conditions, including those affecting the neck and spine. As a spinal disc specialist, Dr. Stutzman often sees patients for general pain, numbness, tingling, or a pins and needles sensation in their arms, legs, hands, or feet.
- Disc Herniation: With a disc bulge, a patient typically experiences a localized dull or aching pain as a weakened disc bulges out, putting pressure on the spine. If left untreated, the outer layer of the disc could weaken further and turn into a protrusion or herniation, placing pressure on a nerve root, and causing shooting or radiating pain down the arm or leg.
- Annular Tear / Disc Tear: An annular tear is a tear or rupture in the tough, outer ring of an intervertebral disc called the annulus fibrosus. This condition causes localized pain or muscle spasms that are exacerbated by movements like bending or twisting. Sleeping may be difficult due to pain.
- Stenosis: Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces within the spine which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Symptoms generally include radiating pain or paresthesias down the legs or arms.
- Sciatica: Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, typically running from the lower back through the buttocks and down the leg to your foot. Common symptoms include sharp, shooting pain, tingling, or numbness along this nerve pathway.
- Pinched Nerves: Known by many names, a pinched nerve usually causes sharp shooting pain, or pins and needles sensation or numbness. As a back and spine specialist, Dr. Stutzman can relieve the pressure on the nerve from surrounding tissues, bones, muscles, and tendons.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerated discs are not normal, but more common with aging, and typically cause chronic back pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility. As a spinal specialist, Dr. Stutzman and his team can offer non-surgical solutions to reduce pain and return the degenerated disc to better health.
- Lower Back Pain: Lower back pain can be caused by a variety of issues like pinched nerves, strained muscles, or ligament sprains. The two most common causes of generalized lower back pain are sacroiliac joint dysfunction and facet syndrome. These 2 conditions are greatly affected by posture, spinal alignments, and even leg length inequalities.
Personalized Back and Spine Treatment Plans
As a back and spine specialist, Dr. Stutzman and his team at Aligned Medical Group work together to develop the most effective treatment solutions. Comprehensive treatments and integrative pain solutions may include spinal adjustments, massage therapy, spinal decompression, biological treatments, and functional nutrition guidance so that each patient can improve their quality of life.
- Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic care from a back and spinal specialist is an effective, non-surgical pain solution. As a back and spine specialist, Dr. Stutzman’s approach to each patient involves treating the cause of the pain while reducing inflammation and muscle tension to improve mobility and range of motion. The end goals of chiropractic care are improving on joint motion and restructuring alignments.
- Flexion Distraction Manipulation: Offering flexion-distraction manipulation, Dr. Stutzman combines spinal manipulations with the use of a specialized, segmented table that controls the stretching and decompressing movements of the spine. As a gentle and non-invasive approach to help disc and facet-related lower back pain, flexion distraction manipulation can target specific areas for pain reduction, deeply stretching your spinal joints and improve upon intervertebral disc health, facet joint, and sacroiliac joint mobility.
- Tractioning And Mobility Treatments: Using this targeted treatment, Dr. Stutzman helps patients with limited range of motion and back pain. Spine specialists use this technique to stretch the space between vertebrae with the intent to relieve the pressure, and manual mobility treatments to enhance joint flexibility.
- Spinal Decompression Therapy: When a spinal disc suffers moderate or worse damage, Dr. Stutzman uses spinal decompression therapy to address symptoms related to herniation, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease with a special motorized table to relieve pressure on discs. Repeat sessions reduce discal pressures which enhances the healing process so your disc can recover.
- Biologic Treatments: This emerging field of treatments can significantly help patients with damaged joint and spinal tissues by enhancing their body’s natural healing processes.
- Custom Bracing: A custom back brace can help manage pain and reduce chances of further injury by providing support and back stabilization, aligning the spine as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
- Home Exercise And Stretching Programs: Typically part of a Dr. Stutzman’s holistic treatment program, exercises and stretching regimes that can be done at home incorporate targeted exercises and stretches to improve flexibility, strengthen core muscles, and alleviate tension in the back.
Supportive Care for Spinal Conditions
As a chiropractor and spine specialist, Dr. Joel Stutzman is an expert in evaluating and treating spine conditions of the neck and back. In addition to chiropractic care, there are a variety of supportive therapies at Aligned Medical Group that may support care for spinal conditions.
- Nutritional Support: As part of a patient’s healing process, the functional nutritionists at Aligned Medical Group may provide guidance about anti-inflammatory foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables to support the body’s natural healing processes. While a focus on proper foods is important, supplementation may be recommended.
- Trigger Point Injections: Known to provide effective relief for pain, trigger point injections bring medication directly into locations where tight bands of muscle fibers are causing restriction or pain, allowing a patient to comfortably engage in rehabilitative exercises. Trigger point injections are effective at restoring muscle length and improving posture.
- Massage Therapy: Massage therapy is an effective part of a comprehensive treatment plan that provides both pain solutions and aids the healing process. Massage reduces muscle tension,improves circulation and better enables proper posture and function with daily activities.
- Graston Technique: Scar tissue and adhesions can contribute to pain and discomfort. Dr. Stutzman uses the Graston Technique to break down scar tissue and fascial restriction within the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Medical Weight Loss Programs: Because excess weight places additional stress on the spine and causes muscle strain, a medical weight loss program can be vital as a back pain solution and an overall healthier lifestyle.
- Custom Orthotics: Using advanced digital scanning technologies to create custom orthotics to support a patient’s unique contours in their foot. These inserts promote stability and proper alignment distributing pressure more evenly, reducing pain.
What to Expect During Your Visit
When you visit Aligned Medical Group, you can expect:
- Thorough Evaluation: Our back and spine specialists conduct a detailed assessment to understand your condition and treatment goals.
- Customized Treatment Plan: Based on your evaluation, we develop a personalized plan tailored to address your specific issues.
- Ongoing Support: We provide continuous guidance and support throughout your treatment journey to ensure the best outcomes.
Why Choose Aligned Medical Group?
Back and spine specialist Dr. Stutzman uses a holistic approach to treat spine conditions, whether it be located in the neck, upper or lower back, addressing the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being to achieve comprehensive health. Instead of solely focusing on symptoms, as a disc specialist Dr. Stutzman uses this approach to consider lifestyle factors, stress management, nutrition, posture, and overall quality of life to provide comprehensive pain solutions. Integrating various therapies such as chiropractic care, physical exercises, and nutritional guidance, a holistic approach aims to optimize the patient’s overall health, fostering a balance that supports spinal wellness. This patient-centered strategy recognizes the interconnectedness of mind and body, emphasizing not only symptom relief but also the promotion of long-term solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions for our Back & Spine Specialist
1. What conditions can a back and spine specialist treat?
A back and spine specialist can treat a variety of conditions including low back pain, pinched nerves, degenerative discs, and sciatica. These specialists use a range of non-surgical treatments to alleviate pain, improve function, and promote overall spinal health.
2. How long does it take to see results from chiropractic care?
Results from chiropractic care can vary depending on the individual and the severity of the condition. Many patients begin to experience relief within a few weeks, but more significant improvements may take several months. Consistent treatment and adherence to your specialist’s recommendations can enhance outcomes.
3. Are non-surgical treatments effective for severe back pain?
Yes, non-surgical treatments can be highly effective for managing severe back pain, particularly when combined with a comprehensive care plan. Techniques such as chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy can provide significant relief and improve quality of life without the need for invasive procedures.
Take the First Step Towards Relief
If you’ve been suffering with pinched nerves, lower back pain, or other conditions of the spine, make an appointment with back and spine specialist Dr. Joel Stutzman at Aligned Medical Group.
Schedule your consultation today and start your journey towards a pain-free life!