Patient Education
Read some of our reviews from Google.
Randall - Sep 2, 2011
Worlds greatest and most dedicated health practitioner on earth. No one will spend more time and effort on your health issue. She miraculously traced my problem to an old root canal job. And then recommended a fantastic dentist. Thanks Dr Collins! And I love your office with all the good stuff.
Mr. Hip - May 19, 2011
I was referred to Dr. Collins by a friend of mine. I was having low back pain and left hip pain. Through his ability to accurate diagnose my condition, he was able to help me with my low back pain. Concering my hip, I had a congential condtion that required specialist. Dr. Collins referred me to a hip specialist who told me that I would need surgery immediately. If it was not for Dr. Collins, I would not be able to walk today.Not only is Dr. Collins a great doctor, but he also knows when to refer to a specialist. Thank you Dr. Collins taking care of my back and also referring to a specialist for my hip.
FRANCES - Apr 21, 2011
A couple of years ago I was in class and turned around to give someone some papers. I was in the process of turning back around when my neck became stiff and I couldn't move it. It was very painful. I went to Dr. Collins and after he treated me I was much better. If anyone is looking for a chiropractor you need to go see Dr. Collins!!
Apr 19, 2011
Go to Dr. Collins, he is excellent. I was having serve pain in my neck and was going to my medical docotr who was only giving me pain medication. After a year, my sister refered me to Dr. Collins. After my first visit with Dr. Collins, I was able to move my neck and finally get a restful night sleep. I would tell anyone, if you are looking for a doctor, see Dr. Collins. I feel renewed.
Spinal Structures
Joints, called "facet joints," and discs allow the spine to bend and twist and absorb mild shocks and bumps. The brain, spinal cord and nerves manage your body's movement by sending messages to muscles. Supporting the entire structure is an intricate system of ligaments, tendons, and discs.
The vertebrae, facet joints and discs are vertically stacked in a healthy spine. Ligaments support that alignment and discs, which are flexible, spongy pads, absorb shocks between the vertebrae and joints.
The spine has four natural curves, which help to evenly distribute the loads incurred by daily activity-from sitting, walking and running, to lifting and carrying.
There are three major parts of your spine:
- The cervical spine, or neck
- The thoracic spine, or upper back
- The lumbar spine, or lower back
Your neck, which is also called the upper cervical spine, is distinguished by two large vertebrae. One is called the upper bone, or atlas, and the other is called the lower bone, or axis.
These bones in your cervical spine do not need discs and protect the medulla oblongata, or lower brainstem. Inside the medulla oblongata are reflex centers that regulate such things as your heartbeat, breathing, the diameter of your blood vessels, swallowing, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, and hiccupping.
Almost half your brain's 12 cranial nerves originate in the medulla and control such things as balance and hearing, taste, swallowing, salivation, the digestive system, head and neck muscles and the tongue. One can easily see that if the upper bones of your spinal cord are out of alignment, a whole host of things can go wrong in your body, some subtle, some not-so-subtle. However, it is not uncommon for many of us to have some sort of misalignment in these structures, as we go through the daily trials and tribulations of life.
Basically, your spine is composed of four types of material. These are:
- Vertebral bodies - These are the large bony structures you see in the spinal anatomy and essentially are the support column of your back. This amazing structure supports about half of your body's weight; your muscles do the job of the remaining half. Vertebral bodies are separated by small spaces containing discs. Most of the vertebral bodies in your spine have several joints that allow your back to bend and flex. When you bend forward, your hips provide about half of the impact, while your lower spine, or lumbar, takes on the rest.
- Vertebral discs - The shock absorbers that are found between vertebral bodies, discs are essentially made up of two major parts: a tough outer core and a soft inner core. When you are born, these discs are mostly water. As you get older, the discs slowly lose their water content and get harder. As they dehydrate over time, your discs provide less of that soft and cushy support they provided when they were new. Because they have no blood supply and few nerve endings, discs are unable to repair themselves. Disc degeneration can be painful in later years; in some cases, the inner core of the discs leak proteins that can inflame the nerve roots.
- Spinal cord and nerve roots - As it leaves the base of your brain, your spinal cord weaves through the neck and upper back, ending up at the bottom of your thoracic spine. Actually, your spine ends before it reaches your lower back, shooting off a series of nerve roots that are dispersed through bony canals throughout your body.
- Muscles - The soft tissue surrounding your spine is largely composed of muscles, which support your spine as it bends and flexes. Two large muscles in your lower back, called erector spinae, help hold up the spine.