Oct 14 2019

Why Spinal Surgery is a Bad Idea

Because it takes the smallest mistake to permanently paralyze a healthy individual, a fact that any chiropractor will attest to. There is always a risk of injury involved in spinal surgery.

Almost 80% of the people in the country will complain about lower back pain at some point in their lives. More work days are missed because of spinal pain than any other sort of ailment. This also places it as one of the most common causes of disabilities right after cardiovascular disease.

However, most people would rather seek the services of certified chiropractors than their doctors. Doctors usually prescribe numbing medication or painful surgical procedures like spinal surgery for patients who complain of repetitive chronic pain. But that is hardly a permanent solution and also involves a great deal of risks.

What can go Wrong:

Transitional Syndrome

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the spine has to do with its behavior. Your spine behaves like a chain of repeated segments. Each of the individual segments works as a whole to share the workload that is involved in moving the body by sharing the load along the spinal column. In other words the stress that is imposed on the spine during the movement is shared amongst the segments.

However such a process can only happen seamlessly when the spine is healthy. When one or more of the segments doesn’t work as they should their neighboring segments have to pick up the slack and work harder. The segment that is closest to the dysfunctional one gets most of the stress. This means that the area near where the spinal surgery was performed takes on more stress. This is what is known as transitional syndrome since it occurs due to the transition of a healthy area of the spine to the fused area.

General practitioners and even orthopedic surgeons can never claim to know what causes pain in the back. To them, complex procedures like spinal surgery appear as handy default treatments. This is not to mention the disastrous residual pain that is caused by inappropriate surgery. Such a complication is more of a possibility after common spinal surgeries, such as laminectomies, in which a disc is removed to give the nerve near the central spinal cord more space to move, or fusion, in which a vertebra is surgically joined to another to restrict excess movement.

Image used under Creative Commons Licensing: Illu vertebral column.jpg

Oct 14 2019

5 Steps to Relieving Holiday Neck Pain, Headaches, and Stress

12-22-2011

As I was driving through the parking lot today I noticed people racing through to get to the next store and get the best parking place. People were running in front of cars, cars were driving 30 mph in the parking lot, it was crazy! Traffic was backed up for a half-mile in all directions. What a pain in the neck! Everyone I saw looked terribly stressed!

You might be asking what this has to do with headaches and neck pain. We have had more than the normal amount of patients complaining of neck pain, shoulder pain, and headaches over the past few weeks. These were problems they did not have just a month or so ago. What is causing this and what should they do about it?

First of all, this is a very stressful time of year. Our schedules are packed and our margins are full. Secondly, this is the time of year that people’s sugar, fat, and overall caloric intake go up, which increases inflammation. To make things worse, exercise gets pushed off until tomorrow. And you know what they say about tomorrow… People also tend to miss their chiropractic and massage appointments which adds to the problem.

So, how do people reverse this holiday stress cycle? It’s simple to explain, harder to do, but still very doable! Let’s go through it step by step:

1) Limit the mad foods to one/day. Instead of eating a whole plate of fudge, peanut brittle, etc., eat one piece and then just walk away. You won’t even think about it after five minutes. This beats the sick feeling you have after eating a whole plate.

2) Get up! Regardless of how late the Christmas party was, or how much you ate and/or drank, get up at your normal time. Make sure you get at least 20 min. of exercise each day. Sure, it’s hard and you won’t feel like it, but it will make the rest of your day much better. It’s ONLY 20 minutes!

3) Breath… Doing #1 and #2 will already decrease the holiday stress effects on your body tremendously, but it’s still the season and you still have to deal with everyone else who didn’t get up early to exercise, ate tons of junk, and are flat out mad at the world. These are the people cutting you off, hollering obscenities, and giving you the not so friendly gestures. No matter how much exercise you did this morning and how well you’ve eaten all day, this can still raise your blood pressure and give you a headache. Best thing to do now is breath! Take a really deep breath in and hold for about ten seconds, then exhale slowly. Do this 5-10 times and you’ll feel a lot better. Trust me, I’ve done this myself today already.

4) Take care of your Master Control System. Now is the time to make sure you are getting your spine adjusted. Chiropractic adjustments are very effective at reducing headaches, neck pain, and stress. Besides that, adjustments can suppress the negative effects of stress. So many patients have sighed in relief after their adjustment the past few weeks and said, “Man I needed that today.” By by neck pain and headache!

5) Take some time to relax with a massage. Not only does massage therapy feel good, but it also reduces muscle spasms, pain, and inflammation. Let your body take a break and have some time to heal from the daily stresses.

So there you have it. Holiday stress can cause neck pain and headaches, but now you know how to reduce, or even beat, that nagging pain.

Oct 14 2019

Back Pain – Being Prepared for Your First Visit to a Chiropractor

Folks are often faced with this dilemma: I feel discomfort in my back, but it’s probably nothing, right? It’ll just go away in a matter of days or weeks. I probably just need to rest more or eat better.

It’s true that a handful of back pain dilemmas arise from notably bad posture, a poor or inadequate diet, bad sleeping habits or even using bad form while exercising. Unfortunately, the average individual is not qualified to properly diagnose these problems, which can often prove to be fatal down the road.

It may be wise to consult a Chiropractor at this stage; an expert who can provide extensive knowhow and diagnoses into each and every kind of back-related issue. This article aims to prepare you somewhat, so you know some of the things to expect when you visit a Chiropractor for the first time.

In the event that your back pain turns out to be more serious than just symptoms of discomfort or overuse, here’s how a Chiropractor would generally diagnose causes:

Potentially Serious

This can range from conditions like tumors, infections, a local open wound or burn to major neurological problems such as cauda equina – a rare but serious condition nevertheless that’s best described as extreme pressure and swelling of the nerves at the lower tip of the spinal cord. This is considered a serious medical emergency and may need urgent surgical attention.

Other conditions in this category include prolonged internal bleeding and joint infection.

Nerve Problem

In cases where the nerve root in the lower back is compressed or pinched, you experience sciatica. One of the typical causes of this condition is a lumbar herniated disc or spinal stenosis – with age, the general makeup of the spine often changes, leading to degeneration of the bones, muscles, ligaments and discs surrounding the spinal cord. A common symptom of this condition is leg pain. This pain is often accompanied by a tingling sensation in the buttocks and legs.

Non-Specific

This can be categorized as “mechanical back pain” in the lumbar region; also known as axial back pain, this is categorized as either a sharp or dull pain and can be either felt intermittently or constantly. It’s referred to as mechanical since the lower back pain can get worse with certain physical movements such as sports. Or symptoms can worsen as a result of sitting long hours for example. This is also a common type of back pain and is typically non-specific.

Oct 14 2019

Take Your Kids to a Chiropractor

About Chiropractic care

Chiropractic care has become very popular among parents with kids who suffer from back pain. While conventional treatments continue to be used and provide results, there is more to chiropractic than just alleviating back pains. Many health complications can occur in a child which may go undiagnosed. It is essential to achieve proper development for kids, and chiropractic care aims to serve that.

Take Your Child to a Chiropractor

The methods and treatment plan of chiropractic care in children has been proven as being safer than conventional treatment. Chiropractic treatments involve adjustment and aligning of the spinal cord through hands and by stimulating muscles. It seeks to improve range of motion and bodily functions by relieving back and neck pain. However, regular visits to a chiropractor can improve general health and, on the long run, promote well being and vitality.

Effective chiropractic treatment on children:

Encourages neural development ( brain and nerves)
Improves the child’s immunity
Assists in dealing with irritable baby syndrome and colic
Helps in dealing with behavioral disorders
Improves immunity and prevents injuries
Helps in relieving breathing problems and allergies
Assists in sleeping disorders and bed wetting issues
Improves posture
Increases concentration

Better Alternative

Research has shown chiropractic care as a better alternative over conventional treatments in many ways. Conventional treatments like surgeries and prescription drugs are known to provide a temporary solution to back pain. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, is a non-invasive method that addresses the whole body of a child. It does not involve any use of medications or spinal surgery.

Conventional treatments can be expensive, and on many occasions go uncovered by medical insurance. However, a chiropractic treatment is highly recommended by medical experts, and is cost effective as well. There are also potential fall backs and side effects of getting a spinal surgery or medicinal use in such an early age. These may lead to development of disorders, addictions, and health complications later on in the child’s life. Studies and personal experiences of parents show that chiropractic care is much safer with very few and mild, to no side effects at all.

Makes the Difference

Every parent wishes their child reaches milestones like first steps, first words, and first day at school, etc. in optimum health. Chiropractic care seeks to promote proper development in children to ensure they grow up healthy and strong.

Image Used under Creative Commons license. Photo Credit: Kids8118 by I Should Be Folding Laundry

Oct 14 2019

Nutrition and Diet for Scoliosis

A chiropractor will advise a scoliosis patient to follow a specific type of diet. Scoliosis is a medical condition in which the spine bends to one side. The lower part of the spine is the most common area in which the condition occurs.

The condition is more prevalent in girls rather than boys and usually happens during puberty when the child experiences a growth spurt. Back specialists recommend an adequate amount of nutrition for children who suffer from the condition. The diet is meant to increase bone mass.

Since the condition is hereditary a proper diet might not prevent the onset of scoliosis. However foods that support bone mass are likely to prevent osteoporosis. In fact, according to the University of Washington Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine osteoporosis can actually worsen scoliosis since it can worsen the curve of the spine when the child reaches adulthood.

If your child suffers from scoliosis it is best that you enrich his/her diet with foods that contain vitamin D and Calcium. Not only do they increase bone mass, they also prevent osteoporosis.

Calcium

Children who suffer from scoliosis are recommended to consume between 1200 to 1500mg of calcium on a daily basis. Just make sure that any low fat sources of calcium do not contain high levels of saturated fats. For example, such a diet should contain food items such as skim cheese or yogurt.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps a person’s body absorb calcium. This is also why your mom nagged you about consuming milk on a daily basis. It is packed with the nutrient. Other sources of Vitamin D include saltwater fish, eggs, cod liver oil and cereal.

The nutrient phosphorous is also responsible for bone growth. The human body also uses phosphorus to maintain a healthy level of vitamin D and encourage proper absorption of calcium.

Vitamin E

Vitamin D and calcium aren’t the only nutrients that can prevent a case of scoliosis from getting worse. After all, a child who suffers from the condition will also need a healthy dose of Vitamin E everyday to build strong muscles to support a compromised spine.

Some of the best sources of the nutrient include liver walnuts, almonds, mayonnaise, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, safflower oil, olive oil and others.

Remember a child who suffers from scoliosis needs a diet that prevents his/her condition from getting worse especially after puberty.

Image used under Creative Commons Licensing: Blausen 0785 Scoliosis 01.png

Why Spinal Surgery is a Bad Idea

5 Steps to Relieving Holiday Neck Pain, Headaches, and Stress

Back Pain – Being Prepared for Your First Visit to a Chiropractor

Potentially Serious

Nerve Problem

Non-Specific

Take Your Kids to a Chiropractor

Nutrition and Diet for Scoliosis

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Potentially Serious

Nerve Problem

Non-Specific

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