Duddy Chiropractic Center

01/16/2026

Although chiropractic care is well known for pain management, DCs also address joint function, balance, and posture.

01/11/2026

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Blizzards and snow storms are common during the winter, so if you’re headed outside to shovel snow, here are a few ways to prevent back pain.

01/10/2026

That could possibly be it 😹😹

01/09/2026

01/05/2026

If you think you may benefit, call today. 973-299-7000

01/05/2026

Put down the phone and call your chiropractor today.

Given the weight of your head, this positioning can stress and damage your neck, shoulders and back. Stiffness, soreness or sharp pain in your neck and shoulders are signs that you’re spending too much time hunched over your phone. Over time, this sort of persistent strain can contribute to arthritis.

01/05/2026

Genes get blamed. Habits get ignored.

01/02/2026

Spinal Decompression is painless and noninvasive and is often effective in cases like this. Call the office to see if you may benefit. 973-299-7000.

This medical illustration provides a clear view of a herniated disc in the spine. The soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc has protruded through a tear in its tougher outer layer, as shown in the magnified inset. This bulging disc is compressing a nearby spinal nerve root (highlighted in red), which can cause significant inflammation, back pain, and radiating symptoms like sciatica.
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01/01/2026

The most common causes of sciatica all involve something narrowing space around the nerve roots or sciatic nerve and irritating this very sensitive structure.
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Slipped (herniated) disc
A herniated or “slipped” lumbar disc occurs when the soft inner material of an intervertebral disc bulges or leaks backward and presses on a nearby nerve root that contributes to the sciatic nerve.
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This is considered the single most frequent anatomical cause of sciatica, especially in younger and middle‑aged adults.
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Spinal degeneration and narrowing
With age or overload, discs lose water and height, bringing vertebrae closer together and encouraging bone spurs and facet joint arthrosis, which can narrow the spinal canal or foramina (exit tunnels for the nerves).
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This degeneration can cause lumbar spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis, both of which may compress the nerve roots and produce classic radiating leg pain.
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Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Dysfunction or inflammation of the sacroiliac (SI) joint can irritate nearby L5–S1 nerve roots or even the sciatic nerve itself, creating sciatica‑like pain into the buttock and sometimes down the leg.
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Distinguishing SI‑joint‑related sciatica from lumbar disc causes can be challenging and often requires a mix of clinical tests and, when needed, imaging.
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Myofascial causes (glute trigger points, piriformis)
Trigger points or tightness in the deep gluteal muscles, including piriformis, can compress or sensitize the sciatic nerve along its path, leading to referred buttock and leg pain even without spinal pathology.
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These myofascial sources are real but still less common than disc herniation and degenerative spinal narrowing, so clinicians usually rule out spinal nerve‑root compression first.
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Encouraging people to see a physio or spine specialist when they have persistent radiating leg pain helps identify which of these mechanisms is driving their sciatica and guides appropriate treatment.

01/01/2026

🦴 Intervertebral Disc: From Healthy to Herniated

This image shows how a normal spinal disc gradually progresses into disc degeneration and herniation — a common cause of back pain and sciatica.

🔍 Disc changes explained:
• Normal disc – well hydrated, flexible, excellent shock absorption
• Degenerative disc – water loss, reduced cushioning
• Bulging disc – disc protrudes outward, no tear yet
• Herniated disc – annulus tear with nucleus leakage
• Thinning disc – reduced disc height, spinal instability
• Degeneration with osteophytes – bone spurs due to chronic stress

⚙️ Biomechanics behind the damage:
Repeated flexion, poor posture, prolonged sitting, and heavy loading increase disc pressure. Over time, this causes micro-tears, loss of disc height, and nerve compression.

⚠️ Why this matters:
👉 Disc degeneration shifts load to facet joints
👉 Herniation can compress spinal nerves
👉 Posture and movement patterns play a major role

💡 Protect your spine:
✔ Maintain neutral posture
✔ Strengthen core muscles
✔ Avoid sustained flexion under load
✔ Move frequently

01/01/2026

🦴 BIOMECHANICS EXPLAINED: PELVIC ROTATION & LEG-LENGTH DIFFERENCE

Ever noticed how one leg may appear longer or shorter without an actual bone difference? This image explains the biomechanics behind pelvic (ilial) rotation and its impact on posture, spine, and gait 👇

🔹 LONG LEG SIDE – Posterior Ilial Rotation

Ilium rotates backward

Acetabulum shifts upward → leg appears longer

Hamstrings & gluteus maximus become relatively tight

Reduced lumbar lordosis on this side

Increased load on the SI joint during walking

🔹 SHORT LEG SIDE – Anterior Ilial Rotation (AIR)

Ilium rotates forward

Acetabulum shifts downward → leg appears shorter

Iliopsoas & re**us femoris become tight

Increased lumbar lordosis

Higher stress on lumbar facet joints

🔹 WHOLE-BODY COMPENSATION

Pelvic asymmetry leads to functional scoliosis

Altered ground reaction forces

Abnormal gait mechanics

Risk of low back pain, SI joint pain, hip & knee overload

⚠️ Important Clinical Insight
Most cases show an apparent leg-length discrepancy, not a true bony difference. Shoe raises without correcting pelvic mechanics may worsen symptoms.

✅ Seen commonly in:

Postural low back pain

SI joint dysfunction

Gait abnormalities

Neuro-orthopaedics & cerebral palsy management

📌 Key takeaway:
👉 Anterior ilial rotation = short leg appearance
👉 Posterior ilial rotation = long leg appearance