Extremity Complaints
Chiropractic care is not only about the spine. The shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles are joints too — and they are all controlled by the same nervous system.
Extremity complaints are problems affecting the joints of the arms and legs. They are often assessed as part of the whole picture, because the way your spine, pelvis and other joints move has a direct effect on how load travels through your limbs.
What causes extremity complaints?
Extremity complaints can follow a specific injury, such as a rolled ankle or a fall onto an outstretched hand. More often they build gradually from repetitive tasks, sport, work postures or a change in activity.
Restricted movement in one area can cause another to work harder. A stiff upper back can affect the shoulder, and the hips and feet influence the knees. Finding the source, not just the sore spot, is key.
Common extremity complaints
We regularly see:
- Shoulder stiffness, restricted reach and rotator cuff irritation
- Elbow complaints such as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Wrist and hand symptoms, including carpal tunnel
- Hip stiffness and discomfort with walking or sitting
- Knee complaints, including runner’s knee
- Ankle sprains and foot complaints such as plantar fasciitis
How we assess and care for it
Your chiropractor will assess the affected joint as well as the areas that connect to it — for example, the neck and upper back for shoulder and elbow complaints, or the lower back, pelvis and feet for hip and knee complaints.
Care may include gentle adjustments of the extremity joints and spine, soft tissue work, and exercises to restore strength and control. Low-force options such as the Activator Method are available when a joint is sensitive.
Can chiropractic care help with extremity complaints?
Chiropractic care can help by restoring movement in the affected joint and in the areas that influence it, supporting clear communication between your nervous system and the muscles that control each limb.
Looking at the body as a connected system helps reduce strain on the affected area and supports a steady return to work, sport and everyday life.