Aligned Medical Group’s Dr Joel Stutzman is a Back and Spine Specialist
As a back and spine specialist, Dr. Joel Stutzman uses a holistic approach for treating patients suffering from low back pain, pinched nerves, degenerative discs, sciatica, and other conditions. At Aligned Medical Group, Dr. Stutzman and his team of specialists focus on improving the quality of life for each patient. Each comprehensive treatment plan is specifically tailored to the unique needs of each individual.
Back and Spine Conditions We Treat
Dr. Stutzman is a back and spine specialist who often sees patients with a variety of advanced and challenging conditions. Spine specialists often see a patient 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 herniation, placing pressure on a nerve root, 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 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 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.
Back and Spine Treatment Options
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 management may include spinal adjustments, massage therapy, spinal decompression, cell-based therapeutics, 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 approach to pain management. Offering relief from chronic pain and discomfort, 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-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.
- 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.
- Cell-based Therapeutics: 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.
Aligned Medical Group Offers Supportive Care for Spinal Conditions
As a chiropractor and spine specialist, Dr. Joel Stutzman is an expert in evaluating and treating spine conditions. 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.
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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.
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Massage Therapy: Massage therapy is an effective part of a comprehensive treatment plan that aids in pain management and the healing process.
- Graston Technique: Scar tissue 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 for pain management 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.
A Holistic Approach To Treating Spine Conditions
Back and spine specialist Dr. Stutzman uses a holistic approach to treat spine conditions, addressing the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being to achieve comprehensive health. Instead of solely focusing on symptoms, this approach considers lifestyle factors, stress management, nutrition, and overall quality of life. 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.
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.