Robert L. Larson, D.C., C.C.S.T.

Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C. has treated many first-time chiropractic patients.  Often, the patient has tried other treatment methods but is still frustrated with pain or discomfort.  What surprises most new patients is that chiropractic does not encourage drugs as part of treatment.  Chiropractic focuses on treating the root cause of any pain, unlike drugs that act as a ‘bandaid’ for symptoms but don’t correct the issue.  Chiropractic is based on healing the body as a whole.  The human body is resilient, and chiropractors use their knowledge of the spine and central nervous system not only to guide the body to self-heal, but improve musculoskeletal health and function.  Your initial consultation and assessment with a chiropractor is very important.  We will work to understand your goals for treatment, and take a very detailed record of your current condition using a physical exam, and sometimes x-rays.  Chiropractors not only treat damage to hard and soft tissue, but help patients exper...

If you experience pain in your hips, chiropractic treatment can help.  Come see Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C. for evaluation and treatment. Hip joints are the largest joints in the body, and are intertwined with muscles, ligaments and nerves that control most of the body.  Because the hip is a complex joint and connects so much of our anatomy together, assessment from a chiropractor is important for diagnosis.  What someone perceive to be hip pain can easily be caused by or linked to an issue in the lower back, legs, or butt. At your examination, tell your chiropractor what your discomfort feels like and when it occurs.  Describe if it is painful, feels stiff, or you feel a decrease in the range of motion.  Also note if your hip is mainly sore after waking up, or becomes more painful at certain times.  When the source of your pain is determined we can determine the best treatment.  In addition to adjustments your chiropractor will assign exercises and stretching to do on your own, which i...

A lot of seemingly natural consequences of aging, such as the stooped gait seen in elderly people, are really caused by diseases. We spine health specialists at Dr. Robert Larson’s Billings chiropractic office don’t just treat back injuries, we also work to prevent them. Patients at our office are advised on nutritional needs to prevent neurologic degeneration and vitamin supplements that help prevent osteoporosis. Doctors use the word “hyperkyphosis” to describe an overly curved upper back. This is most often the result of osteoporosis. Bones are constantly breaking down and rebuilding, but in a person with osteopenia, they are dissolving more rapidly than they are being replaced. If osteopenia advances to osteoporosis, the patient’s bones will be filled with holes and be vulnerable to breaking just from ordinary jostling. These hairline-thin fractures are often too small to be felt, but if they accumulate, they can cause vertebrae to slowly cave in. As vertebrae break down, the patie...

Sprains to the tailbone are among the less common spinal injuries, but they can be a real pain. While the body possesses a potent capacity to heal itself, patients shouldn’t have to choose between suffering or taking dangerous painkillers while their tissues repair. At the Billings chiropractic office of Dr. Robert Larson, we provide minimally invasive, low-risk treatments to help our patients remain active and as comfortable as possible. The tailbone is a vestigial structure at the bottom of the spinal column that is made up of fused vertebrae. It is also called the coccyx and pain in the area surrounding it is called coccydynia. The tailbone is located in the pelvic region, and while it can be broken, it is more common for pain to be caused by bruising to the soft tissues that support it. Bruising in this area can be caused by injuries while horseback riding and cycling, and there are some cases that were caused by childbirth. Swelling in the pelvic region could cause sciatica and th...

At the chiropractic practice of Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., we help patients rehabilitate from all kinds of injuries.  The method of icing an injury, called cryotherapy, is known to provide cooling relief and help numb painful soft tissue injuries. Applying ice safely by using an ice pack or cold compress is an excellent way to treat muscle spasms and injuries like sprains and strains.  If icing an injury does not provide relief or your pain worsens, contact us for help. After an injury, affected soft tissue will be inflamed and icing the area reduces inflammation and pain, as well as cools the skin to constrict blood vessels and heal the area.  The healing effects of ice pack therapy can also be helpful after a flare-up in chronic pain like in the back or knee, and is a cheap option for at-home relief. Cryotherapy is an effective way to manage pain at home without medication. To learn more about all the services provided at the practice, visit www.drrobertllarson.com  for more informa...

Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C. sees a lot of patients straining their back and neck by looking down at the screen on their devices.  You may have even heard this being called “text neck”. The average adult head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds, and neck muscles are meant to support the weight of the head in a neutral position.  Looking down at a screen increases the strain on your neck as if your neck is carrying a lot more weight.  Tilting your head forward just 15 degrees adds enough force to double the weight your neck is supporting, and the greater the angle, the greater strain.  Many people who text with their chin near the neck are tilting the head forward 60 degrees, which increases the load to about 60 pounds! The good news is we can make smarter choices about how to use devices every day to reduce strain on our bodies. Starting with good posture will always reduce strain on your neck.  Sit up straight with your shoulders lined up above your hips and your head upright. Hold your pho...

The motions of daily life, if done incorrectly, can result in injury to the spine. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), wellness is defined as “an active process that promotes health and enhances the quality of life.” We all stand, sit, lift, sleep, talk on the phone and partake in some sort of physical activity on a daily basis and at the chiropractic office of Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., we want our patients to utilize wellness tips so that they can add potential to their everyday lives. Indulge in a massage – set aside some time to experience the complete and total bliss of a massage. It soothes both the mind and muscles, improves sleep quality, and reduces stress. Unplug – these days it seems like we’re all glued to our phones, laptops, or even both at the same time. Taking a break from social media, email, blogging, and so on can help us recharge and gives our brain the downtime it needs to work at an optimal level. Get outside – Ditching the comfort of you...

Correct diagnosis of fibromyalgia is very elusive. It is a disorder that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection, or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event. If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., can best help manage your symptoms.   Chiropractic medicine is an alternative form of treatment that uses spinal manipulation and realignment to relieve pain, improve function, and promote natural healing. Chiropractic has been studied in many chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia. Chiropractic care has consistently ranked as one of the therapeutic approaches that offer the most relief for the fibromyalgia patient. Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., can provide you with ultrasound and electrical stimulation in the treatment program, which ma...

Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C. recommends chiropractic adjustments for migraine sufferers who have yet to find relief. Chiropractic treatment will not cure migraines, but it is one of the few ways to be proactive against migraines and help prevent them.  In someone prone to migraine episodes, a trigger can often be a misalignment, or subluxation of the spine.  Migraines can begin with tension in the neck, but even patients without migraines find keeping their neck free of kinks helps improve frequent headaches. Dysfunctional vertebrae in the neck can cause increased muscle tension and interrupt the nerves that control blood flow to the brain. Chiropractic adjustments relieve the pressure and tension that results in headaches, and keep the spine aligned to help it function at its best. The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but most theories acknowledge an interruption in either nerve activity, blood flow to the brain, or both.  Regular chiropractic adjustments also help facilitate health...

Chiropractic care is typically sought out by people seeking relief from neck or back pain.  Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., is also skilled in treating extremities like the knees, elbows, and the shoulders. The shoulder joint is the body’s most mobile joint. It is surrounded by nerves, tendons, bursa, and other tissues which can all experience irritation and cause pain. This complex structure means that shoulder pain can have many causes and may require your chiropractor to assess your overall health and condition to target the root of the problem.  Whether pain began after an injury or has increased over time, chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective way to treat damage to both hard and soft tissue.  When shoulder pain is caused by joint irritation, relief can often be achieved through an adjustment.  Pain in the muscles can be addressed by massage or stimulation therapy, and your chiropractor will recommend exercise and stretches if needed.  If you are suffering from pain in the sh...

Chronic pain can range from mild to excruciating or can be episodic as well as continuous. Though chronic pain may originate with an initial trauma/injury or infection, some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any past body damage. If you are experiencing mild to severe pain that does not go away, pain that may be described as shooting, burning, or aching, or you are feeling discomfort or stiffness of some kind, please give Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., a call to discuss treatment options.    Treatment for chronic pain depends on where the pain is stemming from and located. When visiting Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., will perform a physical examination and assess your ability to sit, stand, walk and lift your legs. Depending on the type of pain present, Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., will work with the patient to develop an individualized treatment plan that suits his or her needs. The ultimate goal is to provide the patient with treatment that will keep the body functioning at its h...

When Billings athletes are suffering from lower back pain, Dr. Robert Larson’s chiropractic clinic will help them to heal quickly and safely. But we also value preventive care, which is why we educate athletes on how to avoid overuse injuries. Cycling is a great way to exercise without subjecting the skeletal system to impacts, but cyclists are at high risk for lower back pain if they do not avoid some common mistakes. It is important for a bicycle’s frame to be fitted to the rider. Cyclists may change their posture while riding, but if the handlebars are too far forward, having to stretch to reach them will put strain on their lower backs. Many peoples’ legs are also slightly different lengths, and while this wouldn’t usually make much of a difference, having to compensate for this over a long period of time could lead to muscle strain. Lower back pain is a common problem even in professional cyclists, suggesting that poorly fitted equipment is not the only issue. While it is necessar...

Dr. Robert Larson has long been recognized as one of the most comprehensive providers of chiropractic care in the Billings area. As part of his training, he is certified in the Gonstead technique for providing adjustments. This technique allows us to treat patients’ back pain with more specificity and less invasiveness. Misalignments in the base of the spine will result in misalignments higher up. If there is a problem with weight distribution at the level of the pelvic girdle, for example, the body may compensate by redistributing weight in the upper back, resulting in strained muscles and pinched discs. While treatments to the upper back may alleviate such a patient’s pain, they will not fix the problem. The Gonstead technique was developed to allow chiropractors to identify and treat all of the problems with a patient’s alignment. Gonstead practitioners use a device called a nervoscope to detect unusual amounts of heat in a patient’s spine, which could be the location of inflammatio...

Pain in the lower back can be a nuisance whether we are performing daily activities, sleeping, or sitting all day due to a desk job. Pain that develops in the low back can be a result of conditions that affect the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, as well as muscles of the low back. If you are bothered by lower back aches and pains, Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., can bring you back to optimal health. Your hip flexors are vital for proper posture, walking, running, and standing upright, so naturally, you want to keep them at their highest performance level. Unfortunately, sitting for long periods of time allows the muscle to become accustomed to the seated position as normal, causing pain when you stand. Treatment for lower back pain depends on the patient’s health history and the severity of the pain level. In addition, the vast majority of lower back pain can improve over a course of six weeks with non-surgical treatment. If you have qu...

As spinal wellness practitioners, we at the Billings chiropractic office of Dr. Robert Larson want our patients to understand how to maintain their own preventive care. In order to protect their backs, patients must first understand how their backs work, which is why we want to make sure they know the basics of spinal anatomy. The bones of the back are scientifically known as vertebrae, and they are linked by a complex system of joints, spongy discs, muscles, and ligaments. Vertebrae have hollow arches in back which together make up the spinal canal, through which the spinal cord runs from the brain to the thighs. Additional nerves branch off it to the rest of the body. At the top of the spinal column is a specialized vertebra called the atlas, which allows the head to move up and down, and below it is the axis vertebra, which rotates the head from side to side. Including the atlas and axis, the top seven vertebrae are called the cervical bones, or the neck bones. Next are the twelve t...

If you have kids, you’re probably doing your back to school shopping. A backpack is the best way for children to carry items, but not all backpacks are created equal. In order to prevent problems with muscle strains and worn-out cartilage in the future, we at Dr. Robert Larson’s chiropractic office want to provide a guide to proper backpack usage. A person should always wear both shoulder straps, and ideally, the backpack will have a strap across the chest, as well. The straps should be wide and padded. The backpack should sit on the middle of the upper back, not sagging down to the lower portion. It should weigh no more than 15% of the wearer’s bodyweight. This means that you should avoid getting a backpack with wheels or a pull-out handle or one which is disproportionately large for your child. As your child learns their schedule, they will need to plan when they can switch out books and other items so they aren’t carrying around too much. When your child leaves for school in the mor...

Scoliosis is a lateral (toward the side) curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. Scoliosis is usually mild and needs no treatment; however, for more severe cases treatments include a back brace or sometimes surgery to straighten the spine.  Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., explores all non-invasive treatment options first, before deciding if surgery is necessary. A proper diagnosis of scoliosis is required to treat the curve. During an initial consultation, Dr. Robert L. Larson will perform a physical exam. During the physical exam, he will ask if there is any history of scoliosis in your family and if you have experienced any pain or weakness. He 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 conce...

At the chiropractic office of Dr. Robert L. Larson, we strive to keep up with the latest advances in medical technology in order to best serve our patients. Dr. Larson is certified to manage spinal trauma cases and interpret MRI spinal scans. His office is also home to a digital motion x-ray machine, which provides additional valuable information to practitioners. Digital motion x-ray machines take hundreds of x-ray images of a patient’s spine while being put through different poses. This allows video software to assemble the images into a high-resolution animation of the spine that can be played back, paused, and overlaid with curvature measuring apps. By watching the video, a chiropractor is able to gain more information about how strained ligaments or other abnormalities are affecting the overall musculoskeletal system. This is particularly useful while analyzing cases of whiplash, in which the ligaments in the neck have failed, causing instability at the base of the skull.  Given t...

If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, you’ve probably experienced joint inflammation at one point or another. Joint inflammation can be painful and frustrating when the pain is chronic. Arthritis pain can last a lifetime, but the good news is that the pain is manageable. Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C., offers a wide range of non-invasive procedures to manage pain without medication. Gentle spinal manipulation combined with exercise and inflammatory diet will reduce arthritis pain and inflammation while restoring mobility. Alternative treatments for managing arthritis pain include relaxation and stress management techniques, electrical muscle stimulation, and physical therapy. Adopting a healthier lifestyle will put less pressure on joints and additionally benefit overall wellness. If you have questions or concerns regarding arthritis pain management, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.drrobertllarson.com for more information. To schedul...

The shoulder is made up of several joints that combine with tendons and muscles to allow movement and a wide range of motion in the arm. Joint pain in the shoulder area may develop the more mobile a person is. Frequent mobility may lead to increasing problems with instability or limitations of the soft tissue or bony structures in the shoulder. If you experience pain in the shoulder that won’t go away with self-care, schedule a chiropractic consultation with Dr. Robert L. Larson, D.C. Most shoulder problems fall into four major categories – tendon inflammation, instability, arthritis, or a fracture. In the case of an acute injury causing intense pain, Dr. Robert L. Larson D.C. will construct an individualized treatment plan to alleviate pain. Treatment generally involves rest, modifying daily activities, and/or therapeutic exercises to improve strength and flexibility. If you have questions or concerns regarding shoulder pain management, please give us a call. To learn about services w...