Joseph De Bruin, D.C.

As we age, the shock-absorbing disks that sit between the spinal vertebrae in the neck can become dehydrated, leading to a condition known as cervical spondylosis (CS). Due to the thinning and reduced flexibility of the disks in the neck, the patient will experience a limited range of motion which they may describe as stiffness. [..]

While it may sound confusing, the most common type of neck pain is non-specific neck pain; that is, neck pain that occurs in the absence of an underlying disease or pathology, like an infection or osteoporotic fracture. Rather, non-specific neck pain is caused by postural or mechanical issues affecting the soft tissues in the neck. [..]

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a common condition characterized by pain and discomfort while chewing, which is estimated to affect about 10% of adults to some degree. As with many musculoskeletal conditions that come on gradually and don’t require emergency care, treatment guidelines recommend conservative care as an initial treatment approach, of which doctors of chiropractic [..]

Dizziness affects about 15-20% of adults to some extent each year, and it is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. One of the three systems that works to help us maintain balance is the proprioceptive system that is made up of mechano-receptors located in our joint capsules, muscles, and more that [..]

Chronic non-specific neck pain is the most common form of neck pain. While the inclusion of the word “non-specific” implies the cause of neck pain is unknown, the term really describes neck pain without an underlying disease or pathology—like an infection or osteoporotic fracture. Thus, chronic non-specific neck pain is better understood as neck pain [..]

Each year, nearly 1-in-4 women and 1-in-6 men experience an episode of neck pain. In particular, the risk is highest for working-age adults aged 30 to 59 years. Interestingly, past research suggests that indirect costs associated with a condition like neck pain—such as missing work or lost productivity—often exceed direct healthcare expenditures. Thus, when it [..]

There are several musculoskeletal disorders associated with the disks of the cervical spine that can cause pain and affect function. Let’s discuss the various types of these pain-generating disk derangements, including one that had been ignored until recently. The intervertebral disk is a fibroelastic cartilaginous shock absorber that sits between two vertebral bodies, which are [..]

Chiropractic care is a highly effective form of treatment for many cervical or neck-related conditions. But how do chiropractors determine what’s causing the pain and what approach to take to manage the patient’s condition? Let’s take a look at what chiropractors do when a patient presents with neck pain. HISTORY: In the detective part of [..]

In normal posture, the center of the shoulder joints should be vertically in line with the mastoid processes (the part of the skull just behind the ears). Unfortunately, excessive device use can lead to forward head posture where the head rests forward of the shoulders, which can lead to a condition called upper cross syndrome [..]

For the patient with neck pain, getting a good night’s sleep is vital for recovery and lowering the risk for transition to chronic neck pain. Likewise, for the individual with a history of neck pain, sufficient quality sleep is important to reduce the risk for recurrence. With respect to the cervical spine, the choice of [..]