Menu

Pain

Why Chiropractic Is Your Best Option for Pain

, ,

Pain is a major problem, but so is the medication used to help relieve the pain. If you haven’t realized by now that chiropractic care, not drugs, is your best option for pain, perhaps you’ll be swayed by some recent research. Let’s take a quick look at two studies in particular. Follow along and see how the latest research supports our conclusion. It’s not too late to avoid the pain-reliever epidemic. It’s never too late to choose chiropractic.

First, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Aleve) and other commonly administered pain relievers are more effective than opioids for relieving chronic back, knee, and hip pain. NSAIDs also win out over opioids in terms of reducing limitations in the ability to perform activities of daily living (walking, working, sleeping, etc.). So, point #1: Opioids aren’t your best option for pain.

But neither are NSAIDs, at least when compared to chiropractic, according to a study that also appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Chiropractic spinal manipulation reduced pain and improved function in back pain patients after six weeks of treatment, and results were similar to that achieved with NSAID use – but without the side effects and other risks associated with medication use (particularly useful for more than 10 days at a time). So, point #2: NSAIDs aren’t your best option, either.

Point #3 should be clear by now: When it comes to pain relief, chiropractic care is the effective, safe option to turn to first – a point emphasized by an increasing number of major healthcare organizations these days. Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with opioids and other pain relievers, and why chiropractic care is the natural, drug-free first choice. Make the right choice … choose chiropractic today.

Easy Exercises for Ankle Sprains

,

Ankle sprains can sideline you for a few days, a few weeks or even longer, depending on the severity, but at some point, after the swelling subsides, it’s important to initiate simple movement strategies to help stretch the area and strengthen it so the injury won’t repeat itself.

For Range of Motion

  • Use a towel or band to pull the foot toward the face in a non-gravity position (lying down). Hold a pain-free stretch for 15-30 seconds; repeat four more times. Repeat exercise 3-5 times a day.
  • Stand with heels on the floor and bend at knees. Hold a pain-free stretch for 15-30 seconds. Perform five repetitions; repeat exercise 3-5 times a day.
  • Draw letters of the alphabet (lowercase and uppercase) with the affected foot. Repeat 4-5 times a day.

For Strengthening

  • Using a wall, floor or opposite foot for resistance: push foot downward, pull foot upward, push foot inward and outward. Hold each position for 5 seconds, do 10 repetitions for each position, and repeat entire exercise sequence three times a day.
  • With an affected foot on the towel, curl toes to move towel toward the body. Perform 10 repetitions, twice a day. Can also curl toes throughout the day during normal activities.
  • Use toes of affected foot to pick up marbles or similar objects from the floor. Perform 10 repetitions, twice a day.
  • Walk forward and backward on toes and heels. Perform 10 repetitions of each direction (as tolerated); repeat twice per day.

Keep in mind that depending on the severity of the sprain and the types of activities you perform, you’ll need to progress from these exercises to maneuvers that re-establish balance, postural control and a fully functional return to activity. That means you’ll need to build up to running/cutting / moving just like you did prior to the injury.

Also keep in mind that chiropractic care can be a great option as well, which your doctor of chiropractic can discuss with you along with the tips mentioned above.

5 Common Causes of Neck Pain

,

Neck pain can be acute (short-term) or chronic (recurring or persisting for months and even years), but regardless, when you’re in pain, relief is the first thing on your mind. Just as important as relief, of course, is finding the cause and ensuring you avoid the behavior/action that brought the pain on in the first place.

Here are five common causes of neck pain – and why doctors of chiropractic are well-suited to relieve the pain and determine the underlying cause.

1. Poor Posture: Leaning over a desk all day or slouching in your office chair? You’re bound to develop neck pain eventually if you haven’t already. Do this quick test: In an upright or seated position, round your shoulders and back (poor posture). Does it impact your neck as well? Exactly!

2. Monitor Madness: Staring at the computer screen for hours at a time? That’s not good for your health (or sanity), but from a neck pain perspective, it’s madness, particularly if the screen height forces you to crane your neck up (too high) or extend it down (too low).

3. Sleep Issues: Ideally, we spend a third of our day sleeping, so your sleep habits – for better or worse – can have a dramatic effect on your health. With regard to neck pain, anytime you sleep in an uncomfortable position, particularly one that stresses your neck musculature (think about side-sleeping while grabbing your pillow tightly, sleeping on your stomach with your arms out in front of you, or even sleeping on your back, but with a pillow that doesn’t adequately support your neck), you risk neck pain.

4. Technology Overload: We may spend a third of our day sleeping, but we increasingly spend the other 16 hours typing, texting, tapping and otherwise interacting with our smartphones, tablets, etc. Bottom line: bad for your neck. One doctor has even coined the phrase, “text neck,” to describe the neck pain that can result from this constant technology interaction.

5. The Wrong Movement: Twisting, turning, stretching and stressing your neck is an easy way to cause neck pain. While the muscles in the neck are strong, they can be strained, sprained and even torn, just like any other muscle.

It’s important to note that beyond these common causes, various other health issues can also contribute to or directly cause neck pain, including fibromyalgia, cervical arthritis or spondylosis (essentially spinal arthritis), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), infection of the spine, and even cancer. The good news is that a doctor of chiropractic can help identify which of these or the above causes is to blame.

When neck pain strikes, most people turn to a temporary solution first: pain-relieving medication. But that’s not a permanent solution, of course, and it doesn’t address the cause of the pain at all, which could be something relatively minor – or more serious. What’s more, research suggests chiropractic spinal manipulation is actually more effective than over-the-counter and prescription medication for relieving both acute and subacute neck pain.

Suffering from neck pain? Then give your doctor of chiropractic a call. They’ll help you relieve your pain and determine the cause so it doesn’t return.

Labor Meds Bad for Breastfeeding

, , , , ,

The seemingly endless benefits of breastfeeding can take a hit if the mother receives medication during labor. According to Dr. Kajsa Brimdyr and her research team, administration of commonly utilized labor medications such as fentanyl and Pitocin decrease the likelihood that the newborn will suckle appropriately within the first hour following birth.

“It is crucial for new parents to be aware of the risks of intrapartum drugs, and medical professionals have an ethical obligation to inform parents of such risks, especially when these drugs are so prevalent in Labor & Delivery,” said Dr. Brimdyr in a press release touting the study findings. “The implications of this study are huge.

In the United States, more than 80% of women intend to breastfeed, but only 22% are exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Health Organization, and others. Pitocin remains the most widely ­used drug for inducing labor and 61% of first-time moms receive an epidural. This study may offer insight into why our intentions don’t match our outcomes.”

Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding by talking to your OB-GYN about the risks vs. benefits of any medications prescribed during pregnancy and/or labor.

Paying the Price for Going Mobile

, , ,

I just got back from a trip to the East Coast. On my trip, I spent a fair amount of time in airports, on planes and on trains (sounds like a good movie title). As is not uncommon for me (I’m still a bit old-school), I was amazed at how many people are working while “on the road.” From the individual who uses a cell phone to check email messages and Facebook, to the passenger on an aircraft who uses seat time to work on a presentation or proposal on a laptop or tablet, more and more people are working on the go. The problem is, any attempt at using good ergonomics and/or good posture is total fantasy.

Telecommuting or telework is defined as an arrangement in which workers enjoy some flexibility in their working location and hours. It is generally used by workers who rely on the Internet, computers and cell phones. They don’t spend extended times working from a corporate office. Instead, they work from home offices, from their cars and while “on the road.”

I became interested in this topic because, for the most part, I am a telecommuter. I work much of the time from my home office. I also became interested because an increasing number of health problems seem to be associated with this rapidly expanding practice.

Of course, you don’t have to be working to use these devices. Everyone is using mobile technology these days, which means everyone is at risk of suffering the health consequences.

Not Enough Ergonomic Attention

Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing amount of attention paid to ergonomic principles in an effort to make the workplace safer and more efficient. This consideration has been particularly productive when it comes to workplace injuries. Partly due to the widespread adoption of ergonomic principles, many workplace injuries have been reduced. However, to date, the science of ergonomics hasn’t made much of a dent in the use of mobile technology, whether on or off the job.

Take, for example, the laptop computer. There are ample examples of ergonomically designed keyboards for desktop computers, but the keyboards on laptops are flat and force the wrists into awkward and compromising positions. It almost begs for problems. Combine this with the task of typing while using a laptop computer on an airplane seat-back tray, and you compound the ergonomic problems.

In addition, the keyboards on tablet devices are built into the screen. As such, they are anything but ergonomically designed. And everybody has a smartphone, most of which are able to send text messages. There are even contests to see who can send the fastest text message. But text messaging and ergonomics don’t go hand in hand, so to speak.

Paying the Price

One study by Harris International looked at more than 2,000 Americans ages 18 and over. The study indicated that 60 percent of Americans experience some form of health problem due to the use of technology during the day:

  • 36 percent had eye strain
  • 30 percent had back pain
  • 27 percent had neck pain
  • 24 percent had headaches
  • 21 percent had wrist pain
  • 11 percent had carpal tunnel syndrome
  • 9 percent had insomnia

There are even some “new” problems associated with the poor ergonomics reflective of today’s technology. The problems aren’t really new, but there is no doubt they are becoming more frequent. For example, “texter’s thumb” (aka “Blackberry thumb”) develops as a result of using the thumbs for sending text messages. It is a form of deQuervain’s tendinitis. “Texter’s neck” is the term used to describe neck pain that results from prolonged poor posture while using a smartphone.

(By the way, “earbud disease” is also becoming common. It is the result of ear infections due to the use of earbuds that are constantly placed in the ears when listening to music, watching video, etc., via mobile technology.)

According to a recent article published in the Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 53 percent of smartphone users suffered from neck pain. A similar study stated that 84 percent of users had experienced pain in at least one body part.

It would appear that the culprit for “texter’s neck” is the prolonged forward head carriage that accompanies smartphone use. In addition to the forward head carriage, we’ve all seen individuals holding their cellphones against their ear by bending their neck. While this may allow the individual to use their hands, this posture undoubtedly creates problems.

Other Potential Health Issues

Poor posture and repetitive-stress issues are not the only problems encountered when using today’s mobile devices. Modern laptops generate a fair amount of heat. One study at State University of New York in Stony Brook showed that, when using a laptop actually on the lap, median temperature in the scrotum increased, leading to a reduction of normal sperm cells. Additionally, the heat from using a laptop on the lap may cause skin burns.

It is also worth noting that mobile devices use radio frequency (RF) waves. While no specific evidence exists linking exposure to RF waves to health problems, it is probably wise to minimize such exposure. After all, no one would dream of walking around with a microwave oven taped to their head.

Some authorities also feel used of mobile technology may be habit-forming, even addictive. I happen to agree. Given that so many of our patients present with a primary complaint of neck pain, recognizing the fact that mobile technology plays a role may make our treatments more effective.

What You Can Do

Our world has been made much more accessible by modern technology. It is now possible to stay in constant contact with others and work in places that were unimaginable just a few short years ago. However, the use of this technology comes at a cost. Many of the health problems we now suffer from are the result of inappropriate use of technology.

As usual, common sense prevails. Constant and repetitive use undoubtedly leads to problems. Therefore, the most fundamental advice is to take frequent breaks, whether using a smartphone, laptop computer, iPod, etc. Even small breaks of a few seconds may be long enough to reduce the muscle fatigue that comes from using these devices, particularly if use involves a less-than-optimal body position. There is evidence from the ergonomic literature that the use of microbreaks (10 seconds every 10 minutes) may reduce muscle fatigue by as much as 20-50 percent over an eight-hour day.

Build breaks into your routine. Don’t take several phone calls back to back. Take a few minutes between calls to relax the muscles. Don’t use laptop computers for long periods. Set an alarm clock for 15 minutes and get up and walk around. The bottom line: Movement is good for you.

Got Osteoporosis? Don’t Be Afraid of Exercise

, , , ,

It’s easy to understand why many people with osteoporosis think exercise isn’t advisable. After all, when you’re suffering from a disease characterized by thin, brittle bones that can fracture easily when placed under mild stresses or a fall, the large majority of exercises would seem to increase fracture risk, not the opposite.

But that isn’t the case. Not only is a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle a risk factor for osteoporosis, low- and moderate-intensity exercise are actually beneficial for osteoporosis sufferers. What’s more, even certain high-intensity exercises may be OK, a suggestion emphasized by a recent study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. According to the study, intensive resistance training in the form of twice-weekly, 30-minute sessions of supervised deadlifts, overhead presses, squats and chin-ups increased bone mineral density after eight months compared to unsupervised, low-intensity exercise performed at home (same frequency, same duration as high-intensity group).

The study group was comprised of a specific osteoporosis population (postmenopausal women, ages 58 and older), and it’s important to note that more research needs to be done to confirm these findings, since existing guidelines generally recommend only low- and moderate-intensity exercise for osteoporosis sufferers. That said, the point is clear: If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, don’t avoid exercise! Talk to your doctor for more information and to establish the proper exercise program / intensity suitable for the severity of your condition.

Time for Chiropractic

, , , , ,

It’s a great time to visit your chiropractor, and a recent Gallup survey makes it clear: pain is a major issue for many people, and overwhelmingly, they would rather try nondrug pain-relief therapies such as chiropractic care versus pain-relieving medications. Well, they’re in luck, because chiropractic offers the answer.

According to the 2017 Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Study of Americans, pain is an ongoing issue for many Americans, particularly neck and back pain (two conditions commonly treated by chiropractors): “About one in four adults in the U.S. (27%) have seen a healthcare professional for significant neck or back pain in the last 12 months. More than half of those adults (54%) have had an ongoing problem with neck or back pain for five years or more.”

But medication is not the preferred option, particularly in light of the opioid epidemic: Nearly eight in 10 (78 percent) of Americans “prefer to try other ways to address their physical pain before they take pain medication prescribed by a doctor.” And yet pain medications are still widely used: “Among those who have had ongoing neck or back pain for less than 12 months, seven in 10 have taken a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as Advil®, aspirin or Aleve®, to manage the pain, and 45% have taken acetaminophen, such as Tylenol.®”

So, let’s sum up: Americans are in pain, don’t want to take prescription pain medication, but often take over-the-counter pain medication. Sounds like it’s time for chiropractic instead, especially in light of the fact that according to the survey, Americans perceive chiropractic as safer than both prescription and OTC medication and back surgery for neck / back pain.

Don’t risk the potential side effects of pain medication – drugs that only temporarily relieve the symptom (pain) – when your chiropractor can relieve your pain without drugs while addressing the root cause of your problem. It’s time for chiropractic.

Give Chronic Low Back Pain the Boot

, , ,

Can’t seem to get rid of that low back pain? Your chiropractor can help in multiple ways. In fact, a new study suggests custom orthotics (shoe inserts) are an effective treatment option, alone or in combination with chiropractic care, for relieving pain and improving function in patients with chronic low back pain.

Researchers randomized 225 adult subjects with symptomatic LBP for three months or more into three groups for comparison.

Pain and disability were assessed at baseline and re-assessed after six weeks. The shoe orthotic group received custom-made orthotics; the “plus” group received custom orthotics plus chiropractic care (spinal manipulation, hot or cold packs and manual soft-tissue massage); and the “waitlist” group received no intervention until week six of the study, at which time they also received custom orthotics.

After six weeks, shoe orthotic and “plus” patients had experienced significant improvements in pain and function compared to patients receiving no intervention until week six (waitlist group). Comparing the orthotics-only and “plus” groups, the latter achieved greater improvements in function, but similar pain relief as the orthotics-only group.

Perhaps most notably, decreased pain and functional improvement remained significant for up to 12 months in all three groups (even the waitlist group, which received orthotics only at week six), suggesting orthotic intervention, alone or in combination with chiropractic care, can have a lasting impact on chronic LBP. As the authors stated:

“It is noteworthy that for most time points after week 6, the MCID [minimal clinically important difference] data remained relatively stable, with no large decreases in the proportion of subjects who had at least 30% improvement in pain or disability compared with baseline, potentially demonstrating a lasting effect of care with the orthotic treatment.”

Talk to your chiropractor to learn more about how a comprehensive chiropractic care plan including spinal manipulation and custom orthotics can help relieve your low back pain and help minimize the chances it will return.

Source: Cambron JA, et al. Shoe orthotics for the treatment of chronic low back pain: randomized clinical trial. Arch Phys Med Rehab, 2017 (in press).

Senior Health: Don’t Forget the Feet

, , ,

A number of significant health conditions begin to have a greater impact with age. Some of these are not immediately symptomatic, and often people are unaware of the deterioration until they develop a loss of functional capacity and independence.

Over time, repetitive stresses and normal forces result in a slow breakdown of support for the bones and joints of the feet. Connective tissues (collagen and proteoglycans) are exposed to these long-term lengthening forces, resulting in a decrease in elasticity and a sagging of the foot’s arch. Conditions such as loss of balance, diabetes, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are associated with these degenerative changes in the feet and kinetic chain. They can all be helped with comprehensive chiropractic care that includes attention to an area of the body you might not think should be considered – the feet.

Balance Issues

Each year, between one-third and one-half of people 65 or older experience a fall, 6 percent of which result in fractures. Falling is also the leading cause of accidental death within the same age group.

Chiropractic adjustments of the spine improve proprioceptive input by normalizing joint alignment and muscle tonus. Custom-made functional orthotics work with these adjustments to maximize the support provided by the feet, creating a more stable foundation and addressing structural deficiencies, such as excessive pronation and arch integrity.

In a younger group, Study and Brink found that “[s]ix weeks of wearing … custom-made, flexible orthotics has a positive influence in promoting balance and proprioceptive symmetry.” Custom-fitted inserts are particularly important for the elderly, who have been found to frequently wear improperly-fitted shoes.

Diabetes

Diabetes continues to increase rapidly across all demographic groups. The effects of diabetes interfere with spinal and lower extremity health, and can significantly increase physical disability. Diabetic patients often develop circulatory problems in the extremities – most commonly in the feet.  As the diabetic process continues, neuropathycan lead to sensory difficulties, which often allows shoe and foot problems to go undetected.

Proper shoe selection can be critical in avoiding excessive frictional stresses to sensitive foot tissues. In the initial stages of the condition, a custom-made, functional orthotic with shock-absorbing material that supports normal foot biomechanics is useful. In the final stages of diabetic foot problems, a purely accommodative orthotic is all that can be tolerated. Obviously, it is much better to intervene early in this process and to prevent (or at least slow down) the development of this late stage.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs at a rate of about 4 percent at age 20 and climbs to 85 percent by age 70. It is a noninflammatory degenerative joint disease characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage, hypertrophy of bone at the margins, and changes in the synovial membrane. Noticeable symptoms of the disease result from an ongoing process of wear and tear over a lifetime, and are not an inevitable consequence of aging.

Because the knee and hip are primary areas involved with osteoarthritis, it is appropriate to look at ways to decrease the amount of stress on those joints in day-to-day activities. Studies have shown that custom-made, functional orthotics will give support to a pronated foot, allowing it to provide better shock absorption, put less stress on the knee joint and improve the Q angle of the hip, which will put less stress on the hip.

Osteoporosis

As the population ages and becomes more sedentary, more people are affected by osteoporosis and its complications. With osteoporosis, bone strength is compromised and fractures develop with trivial (or no) trauma.

Bone density and strength are a function of the magnitude and direction of the mechanical stresses that act on bone.  Assuming the availability of necessary nutrients, stimulus to the osteoblasts results in a net gain in bone mass. Exercise facilitates osteoblastic activity, thereby helping to maintain a positive balance between bone formation and bone resorption.

To create sufficient stimulus to increase bone density, exercise needs to be weight-bearing and have some impact. All exercises are more effective when done in an upright position, since the entire body is in a closed-chain position during training. These types of exercises are very valuable for the elderly – not just for increasing bone density, but also for preventing stumbles and falls.

Exercise tubing is an excellent tool for strength training of the elderly, since the risks of injury are minimized, and a spotter or expensive equipment aren’t needed. And custom-made functional orthotics can provide a stable foundation for weight-bearing exercises.

5 Common Causes of Neck Pain

, ,

Neck pain can be acute (short term) or chronic (recurring or persisting for months and even years), but regardless, when you’re in pain, relief is the first thing on your mind. Just as important as relief, of course, is finding the cause and ensuring you avoid the behavior / action that brought the pain on in the first place.

Here are five common causes of neck pain – and why doctors of chiropractic are well-suited to relieve the pain and determine the underlying cause.

1. Poor Posture: Leaning over a desk all day or slouching in your office chair? You’re bound to develop neck pain eventually, if you haven’t already. Do this quick test: In an upright or seated position, round your shoulders and back (poor posture). Does it impact your neck as well? Exactly!

2. Monitor Madness: Staring at the computer screen for hours at a time? That’s not good for your health (or sanity), but from a neck pain perspective, it’s madness, particularly if the screen height forces you to crane your neck up (too high) or extend it down (too low).

3. Sleep Issues: Ideally, we spend a third of our day sleeping, so your sleep habits – for better or worse – can have a dramatic effect on your health. With regard to neck pain, anytime you sleep in an uncomfortable position, particularly one that stresses your neck musculature (think about side-sleeping while grabbing your pillow tightly, sleeping on your stomach with your arms out in front of you, or even sleeping on your back, but with a pillow that doesn’t adequately support your neck), you risk neck pain.

4. Technology Overload: We may spend a third of our day sleeping, but we increasingly spend the other 16 hours typing, texting, tapping and otherwise interacting with our smartphones, tablets, etc. Bottom line: bad for your neck. One doctor has even coined the phrase, “text neck,”to describe the neck pain that can result from this constant technology interaction.

5. The Wrong Movement: Twisting, turning, stretching and stressing your neck is an easy way to cause neck pain. While the muscles in the neck are strong, they can be strained, sprained and even torn, just like any other muscle.

It’s important to note that beyond these common causes, various other health issues can also contribute to or directly cause neck pain, including fibromyalgia, cervical arthritis or spondylosis (essentially spinal arthritis), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), infection of the spine, and even cancer. The good news is that a doctor of chiropractic can help identify which of these or the above causes is to blame.

When neck pain strikes, most people turn to a temporary solution first: pain-relieving medication. But that’s not a permanent solution, of course, and it doesn’t address the cause of the pain at all, which could be something relatively minor – or more serious. What’s more, research suggests chiropractic spinal manipulation is actually more effective than over-the-counter and prescription medication for relieving both acute and subacute neck pain.

Suffering from neck pain? Then give your doctor of chiropractic a call. They’ll help you relieve your pain and determine the cause so it doesn’t return.

Load More