Author Archive
United Healthcare (UHC) Navigate Plans
In April 2012, United Healthcare will introduce a new insurance product called United Healthcare Navigate. A significant feature of this new insurance product is the requirement that your care be directed by a “primary care provider”. This is a medical doctor who will take care of your basic needs and refer you to specialists when necessary.
Primary care providers can be beneficial in dealing with your health needs and in managing the cost of your insurance. If your employer switches to a UHC Navigate plan, you will be required to obtain a referral from your primary care physician before you see a specialist. The UHC Navigate plan provides either no benefit coverage or reduced benefits if you do not receive this referral.
Under Wisconsin’s unique chiropractic anti-discrimination laws, patients do not need to have a referral from their primary care provider to see a chiropractor .
The UHC insurance information covers this, but only in the “small print” which says that you do not need a referral for any service “for which applicable law does not allow us to impose a referral requirement”. That gibberish means that as long as your plan is covered under state law, you never need a referral to see a chiropractor – in or out of network.
With study after study confirming that chiropractic is the best clinical and most cost effective choice for the treatment of many health care conditions, we are very pleased that you have chosen chiropractic as part of your plan for optimum health.
If you have any question as to whether or not care at our office is covered by your insurance, call us at 262-251-8306 and we can help you to determine what type of benefits you have.
How to Cook Healthy Foods
My patients ask me frequently, “How can I learn to cook healthy foods ?”
Well, here are a couple of resources for you that I have found to be very helpful.
For the best online information, log on to: http://whfoods.com/
They have tons of stuff, its free and they are not pushing any products. Just good, science based, healthy nutrition.
Locally, if you want help, I recommend KC Thorson. She cooks the healthy treats I serve in my office. She teaches cooking classes, prepares meals for people and has her own local cable TV show. Her web-site is : www.kcskafe.com
I know it is hard to change eating habits, I’ve had to do it myself. Keep trying ! Hopefully these resources will be helpful to you.
Paul Kramer DC
Physical Therapy for Back Pain- Debunking the Top Ten Myths
Many people seek out physical therapy for their spine care. Some of the care is good, some of it not so good, some of it is down right detrimental. Here are some ideas physical therapists use when treating you, that will get you into trouble. I call these the top ten myths.
- Muscles stabilize joints- muscles only stabilize joints when they are in a pathological state. In the spine, if a vertebra is misaligned because of a sprain, the muscles surrounding the area tighten up. The tight muscles stabilize the joint until it heals. If it heals properly, the muscles will relax. If someone does procedures to loosen the joint before it heals, the bones will tend to move further out of alignment. In the spine, the bones can contact nerve tissue and cause bad, bad problems.
- Posture is held in place by muscles- your body is held upright by muscles when bones are misaligned in a way the body cannot self correct. When bones are not misaligned the body remains upright without muscular effort. Strengthening muscles to try and correct posture only makes the body tighter.
- Weak muscles cause bad posture- weak muscles don’t help posture, but they aren’t always the cause. Strengthening muscles around the spine is only a tiny part of what is necessary to correct posture.
- Strong muscles cause good posture- If this were true, body builders and swimmers would have great posture. 95% of them don’t.
- Back pain comes from weak muscles- Weak muscles don’t help, but it is a tiny part of the puzzle. The research on back pain points to discs, ligaments and nerves as the primary tissues involved in back pain. Treating the muscles does not treat the cause.
- Exercise helps pain- Exercise only helps when the exercises are given at the right time and in the right way. Exercising during the acute (early) phase of an injury only aggravates it.
- Stretching is good for you- This one blows people away. Google search “stretching and athletic performance “ Try and find an research article that says stretching enhances athletic performance. You can’t. They all say it doesn’t help. In fact, most say it is detrimental to athletic performance. But, here’s the kicker, all of them say, you should do it any way ! Yikes. Stretching may give temporary relief to a tight muscle, but the question you should ask yourself is “why is that muscle tight ?” If you fix the reason the muscle is tight, the muscle loosens up on its own.
- Bending forward to stretch your back muscles- Bending forward does stretch the muscles along side the spine. It may feel temporarily better, but the tightness will come right back. The question is “why are those muscles tight ?” If those muscles are tight because they are protecting the L5 vertebra from sliding forward and coming into contact with nerve tissue, stretching is going to be harmful. In fact, I have seen many, many cases of sciatica aggravated by forward bending exercises given to patients in PT.
- Heat, diathermy and ultrasound help back pain. The scientific literature on back pain is pretty clear. Inflammation of the ligaments and discs are the primary cause of back pain. Why on Earth PT’s use therapies on back pain patients that increase heat (inflammation), I have no idea. Yet I see it done on PT patients every day and the results aren’t pretty. Heating modalities are a quick way to make someone incapacitated by extreme pain. Always use ice.
- Chiropractic doesn’t help. The research is filling up with articles showing the effectiveness and safety of chiropractic spinal manipulation. It helps when other therapies fail. Physical therapists that say chiropractic is ineffective or dangerous are uninformed. Usually these statements are made to try and convince the patient to stay in PT instead of going to a chiropractor. Sad but true. I hear it all the time.
For more information on how I treat back pain, log on to: www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com
Can Chiropractic Treatment Make You Stand Straighter?
The answer to this one is a little complex. It would take you years of study to understand everything that is going on when it comes to the biomechanics of good posture. What I’d rather do is let you watch some demonstrations so you can see some things for yourself.
Most chiropractic techniques involve pushing down on someone’s back. While it works well in relieving some pain, pushing down on the spine does not help posture. This first video, shows the effects of pressing down on someone’s back.
You can see that this doctor immediately started to slump.
This next video shows two chiropractors who have been getting standard chiropractic adjustments for years. Notice how slumped their postures are. Notice how they stand after ABC style posture correction treatment.
This type of result can be produced consistently and predictably by ABC methods. Not only does it relieve pain, but it leaves you standing upright, breathing better and moving like you did years ago.
For more information on how I treat patients, look around this web-site or if you have one of the following conditions, log on to:
Scoliosis and Chiropractic Care
The average reduction of thoraco-lumbar scoliosis was 17.2° and was maintained for 24 months.
Function improved 70% and pain was reduced by 60%.
According to the Mayo Clinic (2009), ” Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. While scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most scoliosis is unknown. Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but severe scoliosis can be disabling. An especially severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly. Children who have mild scoliosis are monitored closely, usually with X-rays, to see if the curve is getting worse. In many cases, no treatment is necessary. Some children will need to wear a brace to stop the curve from worsening. Others may need surgery to straighten severe cases of scoliosis” (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scoliosis/DS00194). They go on to say that signs and symptoms of scoliosis may include, uneven shoulders, “Signs and symptoms of scoliosis may include: uneven shoulders, one shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other, uneven waist, [and] one hip higher than the other” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scoliosis/DS00194/ DSECTION=symptoms).
“If a scoliosis curve gets worse, the spine will also rotate or twist, in addition to curving side to side. This causes the ribs on one side of the body to stick out farther than on the other side. Severe scoliosis can cause back pain and difficulty breathing. Go to your doctor if you notice signs or symptoms of scoliosis in your child. Mild curves can develop without the parent or child knowing it because they appear gradually and usually don’t cause pain” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ scoliosis/DS00194/ DSECTION=symptoms).
According to Lou et al. in 2010, three-dimensional lateral curvatures of the spine affect 2-3% of the adolescent population. According to ACT Youth who utilizes the 2000 US Census Bureau statistics, the number of adolescents in the United States is 41,747, 962. Averaging 2.5% of all adolescents having scoliosis equates to 1,043, 699 children facing issues as result of scoliosis. Lou et al. (2010) continue, “Brace (orthotic) treatment is recommended for growing children with curves of 25–45°. Surgery is the final treatment option for curves greater than 45° and its goals are to obtain safe correction, to produce a solid spinal fusion of the curve region, and to bring the spine and body into a more balanced position (p. 292). However, they conclude, ” Although brace treatment for scoliosis has been used for more than fifty years, its effectiveness is still debatable… Most studies used the amount of curve progression (as measured by the Cobb angle) to determine the effectiveness of brace treatment. Some defined success as 5° or less curve progression” (Lou et al., 2010, p. 292).
While allopathic medicine is still entrenched in the debatable practice of bracing and eventually surgery with the eventual progression of scoliosis, there are proven solutions. A study performed in 2011 concluded that as a result of chiropractic spinal manipulation, a thoracolumbar curvature (scoliosis) averaged a 17.2° reduction that was maintained for 24 months. (The length of the study) Across all spinal groups, an average of 10° reduction was obtained that persisted for 24 months. (The length of the study) It also concluded that pain scales reduced by 60% at 24 months and function improved by 70% while respiratory capacity increased 7%. Although this was a limited study with 28 patients, it is the first scientific conclusion that documents and reflects the results of what chiropractors have been realizing in their offices for over a 100 years.
The real issue is that if adolescents have their curvatures reduced by 10°-17.2°, then bracing and surgery are not an option because they will not be indicated. As bracing has been deemed “highly questionable” in the literature and now the literature reflects chiropractic as a highly effective modality, the standard of care across professions should be chiropractic care for scoliosis as first line treatment and should be standardized in every discipline.
For a Free No Obligation, Scoliosis Correction Without Bracing or Surgery, Consultation, Call Jennifer or Pat at 262-251-8306.
Log on to www.Painfree-Greatposture.com for more helpful information.
REFERENCES
1. Retrieved fromhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scoliosis/DS00194
2. Retrieved fromhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/scoliosis/DS00194/DSECTION=symptoms
3. Lou, E., Hill, D., Hedden, D., Mahood, J., Moreau, M., Raso, J., (2010). An objective measurement of brace usage for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Medical Engineering and Physics, 33(3), 290-294.
4. Retrieved from http://www.actforyouth.net/health_sexuality/demographics/
5. Morningstar, M. (2011). Outcomes for adult scoliosis patients receiving chiropractic rehabilitation: A 24-month retrospective analysis. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 10(3), 179-184.
Do I Really Have Carpal Tunnel?
Pain in the wrist and hand can be a difficult thing to diagnose properly.
When you visit your doctor, it’s important to have a thorough examination and to ask a lot of questions. I’d be skeptical if the doctor only examines the wrist and hand, and leaves out the elbow, shoulder and neck. The reason this is the case is that problems of the neck and other joints, can refer pain into the wrist and hand. Not all wrist pains are a problem with constriction at the carpal tunnel. Pain into the hand can come from compression of nerves in the neck. Your carpal tunnel pain needs to correctly differentiated from a problem in the neck, shoulder or elbow.
It is very common to have a problem in the neck and in the carpal tunnel at the same time. This is called “Double Crush”.
Your doctor should ask how long the problem has lasted, and if there has been any trauma. Trauma to the neck is especially important, and could be a sign that your wrist problem is really a neck injury.
Some patients simply need to have their computer monitor adjusted. How we sit and whether there is forward head posture are also important considerations. The forward head posture can stretch your spinal cord and nerve roots, making the nerves more susceptible to pressure.
I am Dr. Paul Kramer D.C. and I treat many patients with carpal tunnel symptoms. Sometimes the problem is local to the wrist, but most patients will require a more comprehensive approach.
If you’d like care that avoids the dangers of drugs and surgery, then log on to: http://www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.com
Pain Relief During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and suffering from back pain, neck pain, headaches, migraines, sciatica or other pain, you are limited in what can be done. You can not take drugs because they can adversely affect your child.
However, you can get a tremendous amount of relief pain with the ABC style of anterior spinal manipulation. This type of chiropractic is gentle to have done and provides immediate relief of pain. You also will notice how much easier it is to get up out of a chair and walk. The body functions better and the results happen immediately, not sometime later.
To find out how it is done, watch this video:
Then call Jennifer or Pat and set up an appointment for a free consultation where you can find out how this new type of treatment can help. Call 262-251-8306.
Some Lower Blood Pressure With Chiropractic Visit
That headline comes from a May 6, 2010 feature story on the Pittsburgh, PA, TV News station KDKA. The story starts off by noting that millions of people have high blood pressure. And they note that if left untreated it can be deadly.
Most people treat blood pressure with medication. However, the story notes that some people are turning to chiropractic for help. As a result, these people are seeing improvement in their blood pressure numbers.
The story focused on Dr. Michael Vactor who stated in an interview that, “Basically, one in four adults inAmericahave some form of high blood pressure.”
The article also quoted Bill Bird, a patient who is now sold on chiropractic. Bill has a very stressful job selling cars resulting in high blood pressure requiring prescription medication. After a few visits to the chiropractor, his blood pressure had improved to the point where his medical doctor cut his medication in half. Looking to the future, Bill optimistically stated, “30 to 45 days of my blood pressure staying at the levels it is, I’m going to be off it 100 percent.”
In spite of the fact that studies have now shown that chiropractic can help lower blood pressure, some in the medical profession are still skeptical. Dr. Vactor noted, “If we can get somebody’s blood pressure to be lowered without medication, it’s amazing because most doctors you talk to will tell you it can’t be done.”
The article also interviewed Dr. George Bakris, a medical doctor whose expertise is high blood pressure, and who conducted a blood pressure study involving chiropractic on 50 patients at the University of Chicago Medical School. “We saw miraculous changes in blood pressure,” said Dr. Bakris. “We saw 12 to 13 millimeter reductions in blood pressure.”
In the conclusion of the article, Dr. Vactor noted that in spite of the medical approach to treat high blood pressure, chiropractic could have a unique answer. He states, “We’ve never been able to find a drug or a medication that can lower blood pressure that fast with no side effects.
For a FREE consultation regarding your blood pressure, call Jennifer or Pat at:
262-251-8306 and see what chiropractic can do for you !
Acid Reflux and Posture
A study published this month showed a relationship between postural balance and reflux gastroesophagitis. ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21971878 )
The study involved a fifteen year old girl with a severe spinal deformity that pushed her shoulders forward and to the side. She had symptoms of positional imbalance, intermittent respiratory infections, gastrointestinal discomfort, trouble swallowing and heartburn for several years.
She had her spinal deformity surgically corrected and her symptoms went away.
This is an interesting report because in raises a number of questions. Can other types of misalignment in the spine cause gastrointestinal problems? Do these problems have to be severe before you get symptoms? If you want to avoid drugs and surgery, can chiropractic fix these problems?
Based on my clinical experience, the answer to the above questions is yes!
To find out more about how I treat posture problems, log on to: www.painfree-greatposture.com
Chiropractic vs. Physical Therapy for Back Injuries
Patients with back injuries often don’t know who to see to get treatment. Often, they will go to a physical therapist over a chiropractor because their medical doctor will recommend PT. But, is that really in your best interest ?
A study compiling data from Worker’s Compensation cases in Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Texas and Wisconsin involving 894 cases filing claims in 2006 revealed lower disability recurrence for patients under chiropractic care compared to patients treated by physical therapists and medical doctors. In fact, patients under physical therapy treatment were twice as likely to have recurrent disability as a patient under chiropractic care.
Chiropractic was also cheaper than physical therapy by $122 per week.
Physical therapy has its place. For post operative rehabilitation, severe trauma, neurological disorders, and the like, physical therapy can be tremendously beneficial. But for most back injuries, physical therapy is not the best choice of treatment. In fact, the authors acknowledged that part of chiropractic’s benefit is that it keeps patients from using other treatments that slow recovery.
Chiropractic is the best option for back injuries and has been confirmed in numerous studies. For more information on how I treat back injuries log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.
