Catalina Medical Center: Blog

Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal curve in the spine and there are several types of scoliosis based on the cause and age when the curve develops. Unfortunately, there is no cure for scoliosis, but there is treatment available. To diagnose scoliosis, our doctors at Catalina Medical Center will perform a series of physical tests to determine the severity of the spinal curve. During the physical exam, the doctor will ask if there is any history of scoliosis in your family and if you have experienced any pain or weakness. He or she may check range of motion, muscle strength, and reflexes, but will ultimately perform something called the forward-bend test. During this test, the patient will bend over as if they are trying to touch their toes. This position makes the curve more obvious to detect. If you have questions or concerns regarding chiropractic care or scoliosis, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit  www.catalinamedical.com  for more info

As an alternative healing method, our doctors at Catalina Medical Center offer acupuncture as a service to patients. For centuries, acupuncture has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine practice to stimulate your body’s natural painkillers. The goal of acupuncture is to relieve pain, improve overall wellness, and assist in managing stress. Allow us to explain what to expect at your first appointment. Acupuncture is used to treat headaches, neck pain, back pain, menstrual cramps, and even respiratory disorders. Acupuncture isn’t for everyone, which is why during a consultation, one of our doctors will examine your symptoms, behavior, and lifestyle. During the procedure, you will lay on a padded table and acupuncture needles are inserted to various depths at strategic points on your body. The needles are very thin, so when they are inserted, there will be very little discomfort. Between five and 20 needles will be placed during treatment and depending on the patient’ condition, one

At the Catalina Medical Center in Redondo Beach, we’re committed to helping our patients battle the pain and debilitation of arthritis. In order to navigate the many treatment options, patients need to understand how osteoarthritis differs from rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in between the joints in the spine gets worn away, allowing them to rub together. This may cause the bones to become misshapen or for pieces of them to break off and float nearby, resulting in inflammation and painful muscle spasms. Degenerative disc disease is linked to osteoarthritis and may be caused by the same environmental or hereditary factors. The difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is that rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disorder caused by the body turning on itself. Osteoarthritis is more likely to occur during low atmospheric pressure or after the body has been inactive for a long time. We’ll need to put new patients through some tests in order to

Do you suffer from a stiff neck and not know where to get help? At the Catalina Medical Center, we employ medical professionals with diverse backgrounds to provide patients with a variety of treatment options. We take a holistic approach that will get you comfortable again without major intervention or risk of addiction. Major muscles called the levator scapulae stretch from the shoulder to the neck bones. Neck stiffness can usually be traced to problems in these muscles. People who rest their chins on their palms or who spend a lot of time with their head bent looking at a screen commonly wear these muscles out. Swimmers can get stiff necks from turning their heads so much, and painters often wear out their necks working. Overuse injuries resulting in misalignment of the neck bones can also squeeze the surrounding muscles. When patients come to our office, we’ll do diagnostic exams to ensure we’ve identified the cause of their neck pain correctly. (In rare cases, a stiff neck can resu