Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Don't "Believe" in Chiropractic? That's Okay. You Don't Have To and Here's Why...



        For years, chiropractors have been treating back pain patients as well as, if not superior to, other health care professions.

        In fact, all of the guidelines published around the world have recommended manipulative care as an initial or first step for the treatment of low back pain and more recently, for neck pain. 

        So why are there still some people who say things like, "I don't believe in chiropractic," "I'm not sure if that works," "if my MD recommends it, maybe I'll think about it."  

        Almost everyone has (or will have) to deal with a sore back that demands some form of health care service. Statistics indicate low back pain affects over 80% of the general population at some time in their lives.  

        Of that number, about 25% seek chiropractic care initially.  

        So, let's look at "the evidence" or research that supports chiropractic care.  Are those who seek chiropractic care truly satisfied?  You be the judge!

1) Consumer Reports May 2009 Consumer Reports Lists Chiropractic Patients As Most Satisfied Consumer Reports ~ May 2009

        A study in the May issue of Consumer Reports shows hands-on therapies were tops among treatments for relief of back pain. The study, which surveyed more than 14,000 consumers, was conducted by the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. The report states that, "eighty-eight percent of those who tried chiropractic manipulation said it helped a lot, and 59 percent were 'completely' or 'very' satisfied with their chiropractor."

2) Military Medicine June, 2006 Chiropractic Services in the Canadian Armed Forces: A Pilot Project Military Medicine 2006 (Jun);   171 (6):   572-576

        This article reports on satisfaction associated with the introduction of chiropractic services within a military hospital, through a Canadian Armed Forces Pilot Project. A 27-item survey was distributed that inquired about demographic information and satisfaction with chiropractic services to 102 military personnel presenting for on-site chiropractic services at the Archie McCallum Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The majority of military personnel (94.2%) and referring physicians (80.0%) expressed satisfaction with chiropractic services.

3) Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics July, 2006Factors Associated With Patient Satisfaction With Chiropractic Care: Survey and Review of the Literature J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2006 (Jul);   29 (6):   455-462     

        The results here generally confirm the findings elsewhere in the literature. Of the 23% of the adult population who have ever visited a chiropractor, overall rates of satisfaction are once again found to be quite high (83% satisfied or better) and the number dissatisfied is quite low (less than 10% dissatisfied or very dissatisfied). This is remarkable given the fact that much of the financial burden of the care is borne by patients, and the preponderance of care is for difficult chronic problems of back and neck.

4)  Symptomatic Outcomes and Perceived Satisfaction Levels of Chiropractic Patients with a Primary Diagnosis Involving Acute Neck Pain J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2006 (May);   29 (4):   288-296   

        A total of 115 patients were contacted, of whom 94 became study participants, resulting in 60 women (64%) and 34 men. The mean age was 39.6 years (SD, 15.7). The mean number of visits was 24.5 (SD, 21.2). Pain levels improved significantly from a mean of 7.6 (median, 8.0) before treatment to 1.9 (median, 2.0) after treatment (P < .0001). The overall patient satisfaction rate was 94%.

5)  Patient Satisfaction With Chiropractic Physicians In An Independent Physicians' Association .  J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2001 (Nov);  24 (9):   556-559

        Various aspects of chiropractic care were given a rating of "excellent" by the following percentage of respondents: Length of time to get an appointment (84.9%); convenience of the office (57.7%); access to the office by telephone (77.3%); length of wait at the office (75.7%); time spent with the provider (74.3%); explanation of what was done during the visit (72.8%); technical skills of the chiropractor (83.3%); and the personal manner of the chiropractor (92.4%). The visit overall was rated as excellent by 83.3% of responders, and 95.5% stated they would definitely recommend the provider to others.  

6)  Patient Satisfaction With Chiropractic Care in Los Angeles AHSR FHSR Annu Meet Abstr Book 1994;   11:11     

        This RAND Corporation Study found for overall care, 92% of the patients choose chiropractic care as either excellent or the best .Although the ratings on all the items are high, the highest ratings were given to the more personal qualities of the practitioner: courtesy, politeness, and respect shown to the patient (92%); interest shown in the patient as a person (91%); willingness to listen (89%); ability to put the patient at ease (89%). These results support those of previous studies on chiropractic suggesting the high satisfaction with chiropractic care is a result more of the personal health encounter than the therapeutic outcome. They also suggest other providers could learn much from the interpersonal art of chiropractors.
   
7)  Patient Satisfaction With the Chiropractic Clinical Encounter: Report From a Practice-based Research Program Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System 2001:   9 (4):   109-117

       The majority of patients were highly satisfied with their care; 85.0% reported that their chiropractor always listened carefully; 85.3% that the DC explained things understandably; 88.2% that the DC showed respect for what they had to say; and 75.6% that he/she involved them in decisions as much as they wanted. The median proportion of patients, per DC, with a chief complaint who said their doctor always spent enough time with them was 82% (IQR: 19%) and 82.3% reported that their chiropractors never recommended more visits than necessary.

8) Patient Evaluations of Low Back Pain Care From Family Physicians and Chiropractors . West J Med 1989 (Mar);   150 (3):   351-355 ~ FULL TEXT     

        Patients of chiropractors were three times as likely as patients of family physicians to report that they were very satisfied with the care they received for low back pain (66% versus 22%, respectively).Compared with patients of family physicians, patients of chiropractors were much more likely to have been satisfied with the amount of information they were given, to have perceived that their provider was concerned about them, and to have felt that their provider was comfortable and confident dealing with their problem.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Doctored

As I was going through my e-mail today, I noticed I had received a message from my Alma Mater; New York Chiropractic College located in Seneca Falls, NY.  The President of the College had wrote to us explaining that there was a new documentary premiering this weekend in NYC.  Below is an except from that e-mail. 

"An important documentary film entitled "Doctored"  will be premiering in New York City starting on Friday, September 21, 2012.  Advanced previews of the film reveal the candid exploration of a currently compromised American healthcare system replete with big pharma inducements and symptom-centered medical approaches. This is contrasted with accounts of successful patient experiences and positive results with chiropractic and other forms of natural healthcare. The film provides a straightforward look into the history of chiropractic including its struggle for recognition and challenges with anti-competitive practices by the AMA."

I immediately clicked on the link and watched the preview and was very excited by what I saw.  Check out the preview below.



For more information, please go to the film's website.  If you're concerned about your health, or just concerned with the direction of the medical model in this country, this is a must see film! 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

How To Explain Chiropractic to Others


We cannot thank our family, friends, patients, and allied health care providers enough for referring patients to our practice.  

        There is no other form of advertising that attracts the quality of patients as those our patients refer to us.

        So, here's some information that may help you tell others about us:
Chiropractic has been around since 1895 and is the third largest healthcare profession in the world:
  • The primary focus of treatment includes the neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, joints) such as disk herniations (e.g., sciatica, pinched nerves), sprains and strains, sports injuries, neck pain (e.g., whiplash), headaches, and many others.
  • The treatment includes a "hands-on" approach where massage, manual traction, joint manipulation and mobilization are commonly utilized.  In general, the treatment typically feels good and patients look forward to the process.
  • In many cases (such as low back pain, neck pain, headaches), chiropractic care may function as the primary or only treatment that is needed.  However, when other medical conditions co-exist, the combination of chiropractic and medical treatment is often better than either one by itself (depending on the condition).
  • Doctors of chiropractic commonly refer back and forth with medical and osteopathic doctors, creating a "win-win" for the patient and providers.
  • Over the last 20-30 years, a significant volume of research has been published finding chiropractic approaches to be either equal or superior to other forms of healthcare provision for low back and neck pain, headaches, and other conditions.
  • Many hospitals, medical clinics and VA facilities have integrated chiropractic into their healthcare systems.  Medicare and Medicaid have included chiropractic coverage since the 1970's and most private insurers include chiropractic coverage due to the significant volume of research reporting the benefits, cost savings, and patient satisfaction.

        Your individual story may actually be the most important thing you can share.

        The following are a few of the many websites that include great information about chiropractic that may also be appreciated by the potential "internet savvy" future chiropractic patient:

Monday, August 6, 2012

Arthritis


Can Chiropractic Prevent
Some Types of Arthritis? 

        This question is asked frequently by patients visiting chiropractors.

        To answer this question, let's first talk about, "what is arthritis?" 

        The word "arthritis" is derived from "arth-" meaning "joint" and "-itis" meaning "inflammation."  

        Hence, arthritis is basically swelling in the joint.  

        Many types of arthritis have been identified - in fact, over 100!

        Some types of arthritis are primary (not caused by anything that can be identified), while others are secondary to a disease or other condition.

        The 9 most common primary forms of arthritis are: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gout, pseudogout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Still's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. 

        The most common type that virtually affects everyone sooner or later is osteoarthritis. This is basically the wearing out of the joint, which usually seen in the older person but can be found at any age after trauma or injury occurred or, after an infection in the joint.  

        The next most common is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease where the person's antibodies attack the joint (and possibly other tissues as well).  This can occur at a young, middle or older age, whenever the body is triggered to produce the joint attacking antibodies.  Crystals deposited in joints can injury the cartilage surface of which the most common is gout- often attacking the base joint of the big toe, and pseudogout.

SO NOW THE QUESTION - CAN CHIROPRACTIC
PREVENT SOME FORMS OF ARTHRITIS? 
 
        The answer is yes.... sometimes.  For example, when a spinal joint is fixated, stuck, or subluxated, the normal biomechanics of the spine are altered because of the faulty movement between the vertebrae.  

        Restoring movement can restore proper function so excess forces are not exerted on the adjacent levels.  

        A good example of this is when 2 or 3 vertebrae are fused together (surgical or congenital), the levels above and below the fusion have to work harder for the spine to move and function and tend to become osteoarthritic sooner than the other non-fused levels. 

        From a more broad approach, lifestyle changes including exercise, weight management, the use of a brace or splint, certain medications and dietary supplements can be helpful as well.  

        Exercise, in particular, can have significant benefits to the joint surface in both pain relief and slowing down or even stopping the degenerative process (osteoarthritis).  

        Diet emphasizing an anti-inflammatory approach includes the paleodiet or caveman diet where grains/glutens are avoided and lean meats, fruits, and vegetables are emphasized (see http://www.paleodiet.com/ and http://www.deflame.com/).

Here is a list of websites that offer additional information: 
  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis
  2. http://arthritis.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=arthritis&cdn=health&tm=101&gps=343_379_1196_561&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.chiroweb.com/archives/17/23/04.html
  3. http://www.chiropractic.com.sg/arthritis.html
  4. http://www.chiropractorguide.com/basics/chiropractors-and-arthritis-pain-relief

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Is Chiropractic Dangerous?


 The mission of chiropractic is to help sick people get well, as well as to help healthy people function better in the absence of drugs or surgery.  

        When people are asked, "...what do chiropractors do?" the frequent response is, "...they crack your neck and/or back."  

        Chiropractic spinal manipulation (frequently called an adjustment), often produces an audible popping or cracking noise.

        This sound is known as joint cavitation and it is reported to be caused by the release of pressure created by gases (nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide) within the joint.

        It is the same noise produced when one cracks their knuckles. One common myth is that cracking or cavitating a joint will produce arthritis in the joint - this is simply not true.

        Several scientific studies of joint cavitation dispel this old wives tale. In fact, studies demonstrated that joint manipulation actually benefits patients with arthritis of the spine.

        There have been a number of studies published on the topic of unwanted reactions to spinal manipulation.  

        In general, side effects, if any, are mild and transient.

        When they do occur, they typically happen shortly after the first or second session of spinal manipulation, similar to the post-exercise soreness that occurs when first introducing a new sport or activity.

        Unpleasant side effects may occur in between 10% and 30% of patients. They occur more often in women than men, and as previously stated, they seem to occur more often after the first session of spinal manipulation.

        The most commonly reported unpleasant reaction is temporary and transient increased pain or stiffness. This reaction usually resolves in 24 hours or less.

        More rare reports of tiredness, light headedness, and occasional nausea have been infrequently reported.

        The type and nature of these reactions may be associated with the severity and nature of the condition being treated.

        It seems self evident that more severe problems have the potential to produce short term increases in symptoms. The use of ice, ultrasound and or other modalities can help to minimize any irritation that may occur due to spinal manipulative treatment.

        SPINAL MANIPULATION HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR UNCOMPLICATED SPINAL PAIN SYNDROMES. MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT MAY ALSO BE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO SURGERY FOR LUMBAR OR CERVICAL DISK HERNIATIONS.

        There are many reports on both sides of this subject, with some stating spinal manipulation can increase compression of the spinal nerves in patients with disk herniations as well as the opposite - that it reduces nerve root pressure.

        The good news is that the rate of occurrence is only about 1 in 1- 3 million cases, making spinal manipulation for disk problems an extremely safe treatment option for patient with herniated disks.

        Chiropractors will often use low-force manipulation methods for treating herniated disks that do not require a standard type of manipulation thrust.

        These spinal methods are sometimes preferred over traditional manipulative techniques for the treatment of herniated spinal disks, but this is case dependent.

        To make an educated decision about any type of care you may be considering, you must consider "relative risks". Simply put, relative risks compare the risk of one procedure with the risk of a second procedure for the same condition.

        For example, if you are taking medications to relieve your pain, how do the risks of the medications compare with the risks of an alternative treatment, like chiropractic care?

        An example is chiropractic treatment versus drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include aspirin, Aleve and Advil (TM).

        THE RISK FOR SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS FROM ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG IS FROM 6000-9000 TIMES GREATER THAN THE RISK FOR SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS FROM SPINAL MANIPULATION, MEANING THAT CHIROPRACTIC CARE IS A MUCH SAFER ALTERNATIVE THAN ASPIRIN OR OTHER NSAID DRUGS FOR TREATING INFLAMMATORY BACK OR NECK PAIN.  

        Further, there is no significant increased risk to add chiropractic care to an existing regime of NSAIDs, thus treating the condition with two different strategies.

        Interestingly, studies have reported that patients receiving chiropractic care were able to reduce their intake of drugs, thus, reducing the risks of drug reactions/interactions.

        If you are trying to avoid surgery for a spine related problem, your condition is more serious and potential side effects of surgery should be compared with chiropractic.

        You should understand any patient who is a potential candidate for spine surgery has a serious medical condition. There is pressure on a nerve and the potential for permanent damage to that nerve exists. Studies show that chiropractic care often can reduce the pressure on a compressed nerve in the lower back or neck, without surgery.

        The following references were utilized in the preparation of this information.  

References 
  1. The audible release associated with joint manipulation.  JMPT. 1995 Mar-Apr;18(3):155-64.
  2. Does knuckle cracking lead to arthritis of the fingers? Arthritis Rheum. 1998 May;41(5):949-50.
  3. Efficacy of treating low back pain and dysfunction secondary to osteoarthritis: chiropractic care compared with moist heat alone. JMPT 2006 Feb;29(2):107-14.
  4. Comparison of human lumbar facet joint capsule strains during simulated high velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation versus physiological motions. Spine J. 2005 May-Jun;5(3):277-90.
  5. Safety of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disk herniations: a systematic review and risk assessment JMPT. 2004 Mar-Apr;27(3):197-210.
  6. Side posture manipulation for lumbar intervertebral disk herniation. JMPT. 1993 Feb;16(2):96-103.
  7. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. JMPT 1996 Nov-Dec;19 (9):597-606.
  8. Prospective investigations into the safety of spinal manipulation. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2001 Mar;21(3):238-42.
  9. Risks associated with spinal manipulation. Am J Med. 2002 May;112(7):566-71.
  10. A risk assessment of cervical manipulation vs. NSAIDs for the treatment of neck pain. JMPT 1995 Oct;18(8):530-6.
  11. J Side effects of chiropractic treatment: a prospective study. JMPT. 1997 Oct;20(8):511-5.
  12. Frequency and clinical predictors of adverse reactions to chiropractic care in the UCLA neck pain study. Spine. 2005 Jul 1;30(13):1477-84.
  13. Complications of spinal manipulation: a comprehensive review of the literature. J Fam Pract. 1996 May;42(5):475-80.
  14. Dissection of cervical arteries Presse Med 2001 Dec 15;30(38):1882-9
  15. Vertebral artery occlusion after acute cervical spine trauma. Spine. 2000 May 1;25(9):1171-7.18. Spine Journal
  16. Internal forces sustained by the vertebral artery during spinal manipulative therapy. JMPT 2002 Oct;25(8):504-10

Monday, July 2, 2012

Chiropractic Education



        Many people seem surprised to find out that the chiropractic education process is so extensive.  

        I usually reply, "...whether you're planning to become a chiropractor, medical doctor, or dentist, it takes four years of college followed by and additional 4-5 years of additional education (med school, dental school, chiropractic college) simply because there is that much to learn about the body to become a competent health care provider."  

        Hence, depending on the area of interest a person has in the health care industry, it takes a similar amount of time to complete the educational program.  

        DID YOU KNOW...

        The initial step is completing a typical "pre-med" undergraduate or college degree.  

        Courses including biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology, various science labs, as well as all the liberal art requirements needed to graduate are included in the undergraduate education process.  

        Many states now require 4 years of college in addition to the 4 to 5 academic years of chiropractic education to practice in their particular state.  

        Once entering a chiropractic university, the same format exists as most health care disciplines.  

        The basic sciences are covered in the first half of the educational process after which time successful completion of the National Boards Part I examination is required to move into the second half - the clinical sciences.  

        From there, internships, residency programs, preceptorship programs become available to the chiropractic student.  

        Once graduated, residence programs including (but not limited to) orthopedics, neurology, pediatrics, radiology, sports medicine, rehabilitation, internal medicine, and others are options.  Many various Masters and doctorate programs in specialty areas are also available.

        The following chart shows the similarities between three health care delivery approaches, DC, MD, and DPT (doctor of physiotherapy).

Curriculum Requirements For the Doctor of Chiropractic Degree (DC) in comparison to the Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD) and the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT):
education
*Does not include hours attributed to post-graduation residency programs.

        AS YOU CAN SEE, THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF AVERAGE CLASSROOM AND CLINICAL STUDY HOURS PRIOR TO GRADUATION IS EVEN HIGHER FOR CHIROPRACTIC COMPARED TO THE MD AND DPT CURRICULUM.  

        It should be noted that this does not include additional educational training associated with residency programs, which are available in the three disciplines compared here.

        At one of the chiropractic colleges, the academic core program or Clinical Practice Curriculum consists of 308 credit hours of course study and includes 4,620 contact hours of lecture, laboratory and clinical education.

        There are 10 trimesters of education arranged in a prerequisite sequence.

        The degree of Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) is awarded upon successful completion of the required course of study.

        In order to receive a degree, a student must have satisfied all academic and clinical requirements and must have earned no less than the final 25 percent of the total credits required for the D.C. degree, allowing up to 75 percent of the total credits through advanced standing.

        The academic program may be completed in three and one-third calendar years of continuous residency. Graduation, however, is contingent upon completion of the program in accordance with the standards of the College, which meet or exceed those of its accrediting agencies.

        In addition to courses included in the core curriculum, a variety of procedure electives are available to the students. These electives are designed to complement the study of adjustive procedures included and facilitate investigation of specialized techniques. 

Friday, June 29, 2012

New Health Blog!

Sorry for the hiatus.....but I've been busy creating a new page for you guys that is chock full of health related info.  This month there are articles about lower back pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromylagia and whiplash injuries. Lots of good info up there for you! I'll still be putting videos and health related content up on this site as well. I have a direct link to the blog above, but you can also get there by going to www.drgregoryangermaierblog.com.  Talk to you guys early next week!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Delaware Health - Get Pain Relief from Headaches






Unfortunately, most people believe that headaches are a common problem that they have to deal with. What they don't understand, is that although headaches are common, they are not normal. There is a direct correlation between the alignment of the vertebrae, or bones in the neck, and headaches. A chiropractor specializes in headaches and can help people achieve pain relief sooner, rather than later through manipulation, stretching and strengthening. 


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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Can The Food You Eat Lead to Low Back Pain?

People with atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries which leads to decreased blood flow) are associated with increased disc degeneration and subjective low back pain.  The decreased flow of blood to the disc complex accelerates the degenerative or arthritic process.  So.....what does this mean?  If you eat a diet high in saturated (bad) fats, not only can it cause heart disease, but it can also damage your spine. Eating a healthy diet, exercise, and regular chiropractic care can keep your low back feeling pain free!

Friday, May 11, 2012


Fibromyalgia - Chiropractic Care and Pain Relief 



Fibromyalgia is becoming a very common occurrence in today's medical world.  What was previously dismissed as a psychological issue has now become a very convenient diagnosis.  Fibromyalgia is a condition that primarily affects women and can be seen as an increased sensitivity to pain, touch and temperature, coupled with extreme fatigue.  There is new research that shows how chiropractic care can help alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia and how a chiropractor may be the best choice to "quaterback" the overall care of the patient affected with fibromyalgia.    
Learn more by going here: http://suburbanchiro.com/symptoms.htm

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Are You Sitting Yourself to Death?

Do you sit all day long, or for a good portion of your day? If you do, then you are going to want to pay attention to what I am going to say! It may be a matter of life and death. Literally. According to cancer.org: "A new study from the American Cancer Society researchers [found] it's not just how much physical activity you get, but how much time you spend sitting that can affect your risk of death.  Researchers say time spent sitting was independently associated with total mortality, regardless of physical activity level.  They conclude that public health messages should promote both being physically active and reducing time spent sitting."

This is important because going to the gym after work or going for a run before dinner does not seem to make up for sitting all day long at work. According the study, the researchers "found that more leisure time spent sitting was associated with higher risks of mortality, particularly in women.  Women who reported more than six hours per day sitting were 37% more likely to die during the time period studied than those who sat fewer than 3 hours per day. Men who sat more than 6 hours a day were 18% more likely to die than those who sat fewer than 3 hours per day.  The association remained virtually unchanged after adjusting for physical activity level.  Associations were stronger for cardiovascular disease mortality than for cancer mortality.  When combined with the lack of physical activity, the association was even stronger.  Women and men who both sat more and were less physically active were 94% and 48% more likely, respectively, to die compared with those who reported sitting the least and being most active."

Not only should an individual be getting the proper amounts of exercise each day, but if you do have a job where you have to sit for long hours, make sure you get up from your desk and move around when you don't have to be seated.  The less time seated and the more active you are, the better off you will be.


Thursday, May 3, 2012

What's The Real Take Home Message?

There is a lot of information at your fingertips and there is no way you can sift through everything.  The purpose of this blog is to help bring you, the reader, a few prime points from the healthcare world that will not only be interesting, but points that will help you lead a healthier and happier life.

If I could get ONE BIG important message across to you about living a healthier and happier life it would be this....

Achieving true health and happiness is not about tricks or fads, or even some new discovery.  On the contrary, it's about consistently doing the small, correct things over a long period of time.

For example, most people who get back pain think it suddenly started that day. Unless you were in an accident or had some other injury, that is most likely not the case. Back pain usually comes on after long-term micro-traumas.  Micro-traumas are small, often undetectable forces that cause slight injuries.  Over years and years, these micro-traumas add up and "suddenly" your back goes into spasm.

The same is true with many common health problems.  For example, most cases of adult onset diabetes comes from years and years of "micro-trauma" caused by poor nutrition.

The real take home message is that eating right, exercising and reducing stress is one of the most powerful health formulas you will ever discover.

Try to do all the small things right, every day, for the rest of your life and you will be rewarded with a healthier, happier life.  Forget about short cuts and quick fixes!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Chiropractic In the NFL

Most teams in the National Football League utilize a Doctor of Chiropractic to treat their players during the week in between games, and some teams, such as the New York Giants, have one on the sidelines to treat players during the game.  This hasn't always been the case.  The San Francisco 49'ers were one of the first teams to utilize chiropractic care.  The video below is a bit older, but it showcases Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Roger Craig getting chiropractic adjustments and how it helped them on the field.  Enjoy!


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Back Pain Relief With Core Strengthening Exercises



Lower back pain is one of the most common injuries that I see in my office. Most people who suffer with this ailment have weak core muscles. What are your core muscles? Your core muscles consist of your abdominals, hamstrings, hip flexors and lower back muscles. Most people have weak abdominals and lower back muscles, while the hamstrings and hip flexors tend to be tight and spasmed. When these muscles are not working the way that they should be, extra pressure is put onto the lower back and it can lead to pain, tightness and muscle spasm across that area of your spine.

Recently, I joined Mike Womer, owner and head trainer at 1614 Fitness and Aerobics, to walk us through some core strengthening exercises that you can do at home or at the gym to help alleviate and even prevent some lower back pain.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Chiropractic Featured on Dr. Phil!

Make sure you tune into the Dr. Phil Show today. He does a feature on chiropractic care and the benefits one can achieve by receiving treatment on a regular basis. It's great to see chiropractic becoming more main stream.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Can Your Purse or Handbag Be Too Heavy?

Many of my female patients will ask me if I think that their purse or handbag is the cause of their neck pain or lower back pain. In many cases, it is not the primary cause, but the type of bag and the weight of the bag can be a contributing factor to discomfort in the spine. Recently, Oprah's magazine interviewed a New York City based chiropractor to ask her opinion on handbags. Some of her answers in the article will intrigue you. So, if you're in the market for a new purse or your current purse is causing you discomfort, you may want to read this!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Chiropractic Featured on the Dr. Oz Show!

Recently on an episode of the Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Oz had a Doctor of Chiropractic appear on the program and perform a spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustment on one of the audience members who had been experiencing some lower back pain. This segment shows how chiropractic care is becoming more main stream. I think it's great that someone of Dr. Oz's notoriety is open to people with back pain getting chiropractic care. Programs like this help to quell some of the fear the public may have with chiropractic and it shows how chiropractic and traditional medicine can work together to help people get out of pain. Check out the adjustment on Dr. Oz's show!


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Chiropractic and Ear Infections?

Here is a great news story from a few years back about how chiropractic care can help kids who have chronic ear infections. Take a look!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Concussions? Learn About Brain Health!

Concussions have become a major problem in many sports; amatuer to professional; kids to adults. Ice hockey has been one sport where it seems as if someone new has a concussion each week. Hockey is a game of speed and skill , and with the players becoming faster and stronger, collisions on the ice are resulting in more concussions.

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is one of the more famous cases of how a concussion can threaten one's season, and even one's career. Chiropractic neurology is a new method of treating athletes with brain injuries. To learn more about brain health, click on the link of the video. Enjoy!



Monday, January 23, 2012

Bone Health

Want to make sure you maintain strong and healthy bones? Click on the link to find out what to do to prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis!