Catalina Medical Center: Blog

Back pain has many causes, and sometimes, dysfunction in the back can impact the limbs, as well. At the Catalina Medical Center in Redondo Beach, our doctors carry out thorough examinations to discover the source of a patient’s pain or numbness. One of the most common problems we find is a spinal misalignment called degenerative spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis describes what happens when a vertebra has slipped forward. This can be caused by injury, tumorous growths, or deformity, but in most cases it is degenerative. What this means is that the spinal discs in between each bone have gotten drier, or the facet joints in back of the spine have lost strength, causing the vertebra to slowly slip forward. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is most often found in the lumbar region, which is the lower back, although it can occur in the neck. Women over age sixty-five are the population most at risk. A person may be unaware that they have spondylolisthesis. However, slipped vertebrae in the l

At Catalina Medical center we use ice pack cryotherapy to help treat injuries. Ice pack therapy uses cold compresses on your skin that helps to reduce the temperature of your skin and constrict blood vessels in the area. When you use cold compresses right after an injury it helps to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Outside of relieving pain right after an injury, ice pack cryotherapy is useful in dealing with muscle spasms. The cold on your spasms helps to numb the painful area’s and loosen up the joints and soft tissues. Patients that have arthritis may benefit from ice pack cryotherapy to reduce their pain and mobility. We encourage our patients who are suffering from pain to see if ice pack cryotherapy is right for you. Cold compresses are no longer for fresh injuries as they are useful long after the initial injury and can help to reduce pain and increase mobility in your joints. For more information please visit our website at www.catalinamedical.com or give us a call at

Migraines are headaches that cause severe, throbbing pain in your head and can last between 4 and 72 hours.  If you are suffering from migraines, our doctors at Catalina Medical Center encourages patients to seek chiropractic treatment. If you are experiencing tightness in your neck or shoulders it can cause misalignment to your vertebrae. To relieve tightness in your neck and shoulders, our doctors use chiropractic adjustments to realign the vertebrae in your neck. An estimated 80% of migraines actually originate in your neck. When possible, we encourage our patients that work at a desk to make sure they're sitting properly. Having poor posture can lead to spinal misalignment and cause migraines to occur. While you are working, make sure your feet are on the ground and your back is pressed firmly against the back of your chair. Migraines are extremely painful and can make it nearly impossible to perform everyday activities. We want you to consider chiropractic treatment if you exp