How Does Chiropractic Help Headaches?
There are six randomized controlled scientific studies showing chiropractic care is beneficial for headache sufferers. But, the average person may not understand exactly how it works.
There are three main ways that chiropractic helps headaches. First, chiropractic treatments relax muscles. Muscle tension is one of the main causes of headaches. Tense muscles in the neck and upper back can refer pain up into the head as shown in the pictures below. You may notice the areas of pain depicted in the drawings, correspond to your painful areas. Relaxing these muscles, can help relieve your pain.
The second way chiropractic helps headaches is by relieving pinched nerves. If a nerve in the upper part of the neck gets pinched, you can get pain that runs up into your head via a nerve called the greater occipital nerve. You can see the area it affects in the drawing below. Taking the pressure off the nerves, by re-aligning the bones of the neck, will relieve the pain.
The third way chiropractic helps is by improving your posture. By improving your posture, the muscles of the neck do not have to contract as hard to hold up your head. It also makes it less likely that a nerve will get pinched. Improving your posture, will give you lasting relief of symptoms.
If you are suffering from headaches, you can get relief. For more information check out other articles on www.painfree-greatposture.com. Or, call Karen or Pat at 262-251-8306 and set up a Free No Obligation Headache Solution Evaluation with local headache treatment expert, Dr. Paul Kramer. He will discuss your situation with you and perform a non-invasive surface EMG test to see if you might be a candidate for treatment. This test will pin-point the areas where you are having trouble and give Dr. Kramer information he needs to determine if he can help. The test is painless and free. Just call 262-251-8306.
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.
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 !
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.
Can Chiropractic Reduce Sports Injuries?
Chiropractic care can be very helpful in treating sports injuries. In fact, it can help an athlete get back on the field in a surprisingly short period of time.
But, can chiropractic actually prevent injuries from happening? A recent study involving 59 Australian Rules Football players says yes it can!
The players were divided into two groups. The first group received standard medical, paramedical and sports science management including medication, surgery, massage, strength conditioning and rehabilitation. The second group received all those procedures plus chiropractic care of the spine pelvis and lower extremities once a week for six weeks and every two weeks for three months.
The chiropractic intervention group had less back pain. They also had lowered the incidence of injuries to the hamstrings, lower limb muscles and knees. And, the athletes missed play for far shorter periods due to injury.
In my own clinical experience, I have found that patients who have regular treatment and pay attention to their posture have far fewer injuries.
To find out more about how I treat and prevent sports injuries, call Jennifer or Pat at 262-251-8306 for a free consultation. We can talk about your situation and get you treatment and prevention options that work!
What Many People Don’t Know About Chiropractic And What We Can Do For YOU*
*Especially if you have back pain
In just a moment I’m going to tell you some very interesting information about Chiropractic that most people do not know – but more importantly – what it can do for you and how it might even change your life.
This is really good stuff… especially if you have back pain now or have ever had back pain in the past.
But first, there is something else you should know about. I think you’ll really like it.
Did you the use of Aspirin dates all the way back to around 400 B.C.? It’s true. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, who lived sometime between 460 B.C. and 377 B.C., left historical records that included the use of the bark of the willow tree to treat fever, headache and various pains.
It wasn’t until 1829 that scientists started figuring out what was going on. That’s when they discovered a compound called salicin in the willow plant was responsible for the pain relief.
In that same year, scientists were able to turn salicin into salicylic acid. The problem was that salicylic acid was very rough of the stomach and mouth… which limited its use. Then, in 1853 a German scientist named Charles Frederic Gerhardt buffered (neutralized) the harshness of the acid by coating salicylic acid with sodium and acetyl chloride. Although it worked, it was time consuming and Gerhardt stopped working on it because he didn’t think it was worth it.
OOOOPS!
In 1897 a German pharmacist working for a German pharmaceutical company Bayer, started looking for a solution for his father’s rheumatism. His name was Felix Hoffmann and he “re-discovered” Gerhardt’s work and in 1899 patented a “new” pain reliever under the name Aspirin.
As a quick and interesting aside: During that same month, Hoffmann synthesized heroin by accident. His discovery of heroin obviously didn’t end up working out as well as aspirin!
But, one of the truly remarkable thing about all this is:
Scientists did not have a clue how aspirin worked until 1971! In that year, John Vane theorized how it worked for which he was awarded a Nobel prize in 1982.
Today, over 70 million pounds of aspirin are produced annually all over the world making it the world’s most widely used drug… and scientists still theorize about the exact mechanisms of aspirin.
So what’s all this have to do with Chiropractic and your back pain?
Here’s what: Believe it or not – Chiropractic and aspirin have many things in common.
First — they can both be traced WAY back in history.
In fact, Hippocrates, who used a form of aspirin back in 400 B.C., also used a form of spinal manipulation.… and so did ancient Egyptians and many other cultures.
But, it was not until 1895 that D.D. Palmer invented “Chiropractic.” Chiropractic was new and different because Palmer theorized the nervous system controlled every function of the body and Chiropractic adjustments (specific spinal manipulations) removed interference to blocked or pinched nerves. This, in turn, not only relieved pain… it helped the entire body function better and heal from all sorts of illnesses and diseases.
Just like willow bark and eventually aspirin, spinal manipulation got results and became very popular… but the mechanisms were not understood.
But here’s were Chiropractic & Aspirin differ – in a very big way…
Doctors and scientists had no clue how aspirin worked – but it was hailed by the medical community as a wonder drug and mass-produced.
Doctors and scientists were not sure how Chiropractic worked – so it was branded unscientific and quackery.
Seems a little unfair – don’t you think?
Thank goodness in many areas, research has finally caught up with Chiropractic!
For example, Chiropractic’s ability to help relieve back pain is well researched. It is a safe, effective and cost-effective way to relieve back pain.
How Does Chiropractic Work?…FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK:
Many times when you have back pain it is caused by a spinal joint sprain – or “subluxation.” Ligaments hold two bones together to form a joint and a sprain occurs when a ligament is injured by over stretching it.
This can happen due to small micro traumas over several years or one acute event like a car accident, sports injury or slip and fall. When the ligament becomes stretched and injured joints do not function properly, delicate nerve fibers can be injured.
Over time, even if untreated, pain can go away even though the spinal joint is not functioning properly. This can lead to flare-ups in the future and degeneration as the joint moves improperly and wears out. This is why something small – like bending over to pick up a pencil – can cause severe back pain.
Chiropractic adjustments and treatments are designed to normalize spinal motion as much as possible. This allows the spinal joints to heal better.
Here’s a simple way to look at it:
If you broke your arm and didn’t get the bone set properly – it would heal out of place and crooked. The pain might go away in the short term – but there would most likely be big problems in the future. The best thing to do is put everything in place and then let it heal properly.
Chiropractors are experts at getting your spinal bones and joint “in place” and working properly so they can heal correctly.
Chiropractors are also experts at keeping spines functioning properly to minimize future problems – much like periodic Dental check-ups and cleaning prevent tooth decay and loss down the road.
So, if you have back pain, you might want to try something that has a history starting in 400 B.C. with the father of medicine – Hippocrates – and has been practiced, improved and proven to help back pain.
If you do, just give us a call at 262-251-8306 and we will help you in any way that we can; conservatively and affordably!
I hope you found this information interesting and helpful.
For more information about how I treat back pain log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com
Chiropractic – “Only Proven Effective Treatment” for Chronic Whiplash
You might have wondered, “who should I go to for treatment of my whiplash problem?” You have many choices available in healthcare ranging from drug related approaches such as narcotic medications to natural forms of treatment such as chiropractic, exercise, and physical therapy. Trying to figure out which approach would best serve your needs can be challenging. To help answer this question, one study reported the superiority of chiropractic management for patients with chronic whiplash. It also looked into which type of chronic whiplash patients responded best to the care.
The research paper begins with the comment from a leading orthopedic medical journal stating, “Conventional treatment of patients with whiplash symptoms is disappointing.”
In the study, there were 93 patients divided into three groups consisting of:
1) Group 1: Patients with a “coat-hanger” pain distribution (neck and upper shoulders) and loss of neck range of motion (ROM), but no neurological deficits;
2) Group 2: Patients with neurological problems (arm/hand numbness and/or weakness) plus neck pain and ROM loss; and,
3) Group 3: Patients that reported severe neck pain but had normal neck ROM and no neurological losses.
The average time from injury to first treatment was 12 months and an average of 19 treatments over a 4 month time frame was utilized. The patients were graded on a 4-point scale that described their symptoms before and after treatment.
Grade A patients were pain free;
Grade B patients reported their pain as a “nuisance;”
Grade C patients had partial activity limitations due to pain; and
Grade D patients were disabled.
Here are the results:
Group 1: 72% reported improvement as follows: 24% were asymptomatic, 24% improved by 2 grades, 24% by 1 grade, and 28% reported no improvement.
Group 2: 94% reported improvement as follows: 38% were asymptomatic, 43% improved by 2 grades, 13% by 1 grade, and 6% had no improvement.
Group 3: 27% reported improvement as follows: 0% were asymptomatic, 9% improved by 2 grades, 18% by 1 grade, 64% showed no improvement, and 9% got worse.
This study is very important as it illustrates how effective chiropractic care is for patients that have sustained a whiplash injury. It’s important to note that the type of patient presentation that responded best to care were those with neurological complaints and associated abnormal neck range of motion. This differs from other non-chiropractic studies where it is reported that patients with neurological dysfunction responded poorly.
YOU MAYBE A CANDIDATE FOR DRUG FREE RELIEF!
FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL JENNIFER AT 262-251-8306
To find out more about my office and how I treat chronic neck problems, log on to www.painfree-greatposture.com
