Pinpointing the Source: Arm & Leg Pain Relief in Clive IA

When your arm or leg hurts in Clive IA, the cause isn't always where you feel the pain. The human body is a complex system of levers and pulleys, connected by a nervous system that travels from your skull to your fingertips and toes.

At Full Circle Chiropractic, we are experts in the Kinetic Chain. Whether you are a pitcher with a sore shoulder, a runner with knee pain, or an office worker with numbness in your hands, we determine if the issue is a local joint problem or a "referred" signal from your spine.

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The Diagnostic Dilemma: Is it Your Limb or Your Spine?

One of the most common reasons patients visit our Clive office is for pain that "travels." Because nerves act like electrical wires, a pinch at the breaker box (the spine) can blow a fuse in the kitchen (the hand).

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We differentiate between two distinct types of pain:

1) Radiculopathy (Referred Pain)

This is a spinal issue masquerading as a limb issue.

• Cervical Radiculopathy: If nerves in your lower neck are compressed, you may feel pain, weakness, or "pins and needles" radiating down into your shoulder, arm, or hand.
• Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica): If nerves in your lower back are irritated, symptoms often bypass the back entirely and manifest as deep hip pain, knee weakness, or foot numbness.

2) Local Joint Dysfunction (Extremity Subluxation)

Sometimes, the spine is fine, but the peripheral joint is jammed or misaligned. Just like vertebrae, the joints of your extremities can lose their proper range of motion. This leads to inflammation, biomechanical stress, and premature wear (arthritis).

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We Treat More Than Just Spines in Clive IA

While we are spine specialists, Dr. Adams and Dr. Richer are also trained in Extremity Adjusting. We address the mechanical failures of the limbs directly.

Common Extremity Conditions We Treat in Clive:

• Shoulder: Rotator Cuff Syndrome, Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis), and Impingement.
• Elbow/Wrist: Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
• Hip/Knee: Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome, Runner’s Knee, and Osteoarthritis.
• Foot/Ankle: Plantar Fasciitis, Ankle Sprains, and Achilles Tendonitis.

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The "Double Crush" Phenomenon (Why Surgery Often Fails)

Why do we check your neck even if your wrist hurts? There is a clinical condition known as Double Crush Syndrome.

This occurs when a nerve is irritated at the neck AND further down the arm (like at the wrist).

• The Science: Research suggests that a minor compression in the neck disrupts the flow of nutrients along the nerve, making the rest of the nerve highly susceptible to injury downstream.
• The Consequence: Treating only the wrist (with surgery or bracing) often fails because the "upstream" block in the neck wasn't addressed.

To fix the hand, we must clear the neck.

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Our Approach: The Whole Picture

Effective treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. We use orthopedic testing to isolate the injury and create a targeted plan:

1. If it's the Spine: We adjust the vertebrae to take pressure off the nerve root source.
2. If it's the Extremity: We adjust the specific joint (shoulder, knee, ankle) to restore proper tracking and mechanics.
3. If it's Soft Tissue: We address the muscles and tendons that move the joint using myofascial release techniques to prevent future tightening.

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Stop Guessing. Start Healing.

If you are relying on ice packs and ibuprofen, you are treating the symptom, not the mechanics. Let’s get your joints moving freely again.

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Or call Full Circle Chiropractic at (515) 226-2155

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Sources & Clinical References

• Osterman AL. The Double Crush Syndrome. Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 1991.
• Hoskins W, et al. The effect of chiropractic manual therapy on lower extremity muscle strength in healthy individuals. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006.
• Brantingham JW, et al. Manipulative therapy for shoulder pain and disorders: expansion of a systematic review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011.