Low Back Pain: Is It Serious?

Back problems can cause a good deal of worry and for good reason. Any problem that doesn’t go away on its own in a reasonable period of time should be a cause for concern. Rarely, severe back pain can be caused by tumors and other destructive processes, so it’s important to have these serious conditions ruled out with a thorough examination and x-rays or other imaging.

The other serious aspect of back pain, much more common than a spinal cord tumor, is how it can affect your quality of life, often with devastating consequences. Research has shown how disabling severe back problems can be. In terms of quality of life, the decrease can be even more than that seen with heart and lung problems. This may not seem correct at first glance, but if you think about a back problem making you unable sit or function at work, or basically being able to enjoy life, then it becomes more understandable.

The trouble is, many of us think lying on the couch will do the trick, or taking aspirin every day is a good long-term solution.

We direct our care at improving the posture and mobility of the spine as a way to speed recovery. We find that just addressing the pain with medications or adhering to strict bed rest can be counter productive. The treatments are applied in a careful and specific manner. As the loads on the spine are more equalized and as joints begin to exhibit more flexibility, the body is placed in a more optimal environment for healing. Since self-care is also integral to our approach, we will encourage proper stretching and exercises to help maintain and extend what we can do in the clinic.

YOU MAYBE A CANDIDATE FOR DRUG FREE RELIEF! FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO: http://www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com

Whiplash: What Are The Odds of a Permanent Injury?

I’m sure you’ve heard someone claim, “…you’re not really injured – you’re just going for a big settlement!”  Or, “…that person isn’t really hurt, they’re just in it for the money!” Though there are cases that may fit this scenario, the majority of people who are injured in a motor vehicle collision would gladly forfeit any settlement to have their health and sometimes their life back. So, where in this process does the truth lie?  Do most people “fake” their complaints or, are they really in pain? And, is there a way to determine who is more likely to suffer with problems long after their case is settled?

To answer this question, the Quebec Task Force (QTF), published two studies to investigate what types of whiplash injuries, which they term “whiplash associated disorders” (WAD), sustained in a rear end or side impact motor vehicle collision might end up with no residual injury vs. those more likely to become permanently disabled or impaired. The first of the two studies published in 1995 introduced 3 categories of injuries:

1. Those with neck pain, stiffness or tenderness only – no clinical (exam) findings;
2. Neck complaints and clinical findings including decreased ranges of neck motion;
3. Neck complaints and loss of neurological function including numbness or weakness in arm strength and/or altered reflexes.

The QTF then set out to investigate whether this approach could indeed accurately predict those more vs. less likely to end up with significant disability with ongoing problems.  They published these results in 2001 and found if they broke down the 2nd category into two groups, those with vs. without neck motion loss, those patients who fell into the 2nd group (with neck motion loss) and the 3rd group (those with neurological signs) were more likely to suffer long term disability compared to those in groups 1 and 2a (without neck motion loss).  However, these conclusions have been challenged by many as being too simple because they do not include the psychological problems like depression, anxiety, and poor coping abilities, all of which play an important role in predicting long term disability.  Also, treatment strategies must include aspects to deal with the post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and coping, not just the biological injury aspects. A convincing study published in 2008 looked at 226 studies on this subject and reported on 7 prognostic factors and found that 50-75% of people with current neck pain will report neck pain again 1-5 years later. Older age and psychosocial factors including psychological health, coping patterns, and the need to socialize were the strongest predictors.  Three other potential predictors that require more investigation include the presence of arthritis, genetic factors, and compensation policies.

The bottom line or best advice to minimize our chances of having chronic, disabling neck pain after a car crash is, don’t stop living!  That is to say, carry on with work and hobbies as much as you possibly can so that you don’t fall into the negative spiral of disability.  If you feel yourself slipping, get help sooner than later!  Pain relief and function restoration are strong goals and chiropractic has been found to be one of the first and most effective forms of treatment recommended by all treatment guidelines published on whiplash management. Comparing potential side effects, medications carry a significant list of negative effects while chiropractic carries very few and, a host of positive benefits.

We realize that you have a choice in where you go for your health care needs and we truly appreciate your consideration in allowing us to help you through that potentially difficult process.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR WHIPLASH! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 262-251-8306

Non-surgical Scoliosis Treatment Without Bracing

One of the toughest things I have had to watch over the last fifteen years of practice, is how people with scoliosis are treated.  Medically, scoliosis is treated with two options,  bracing and fusion surgery.  Both of which are harsh options that can lead to a lifetime of pain and serious health consequences.

The medical people in my area probably won’t like me for writing this article, but I felt that I need to speak up.  And, if I can keep one kid off the operating table or from going through the pain that bracing causes, I feel I’ve done my job.

If you or your child has scoliosis you need to find out the cause.  Are there malformed bones ?  Tumors ?  Infection ?  This requires imaging studies like X-rays, CT or MRI scans.  These conditions are rare, but they do happen and imaging will quickly find them.  Tumors and infections must be treated immediately.

Most scoliosis is called idiopathic scoliosis.  That means, they don’t know the cause.  As a result, the treatments are misguided and detrimental.  Which always leads me to ask the question; how can you correct something if you don’t know the cause?

The typical scenario goes something like this:  A child gets a physical at his primary doctor or at school, and they notice a curvature in the spine.  The doctor or nurse tells the parents and refers them to an orthopedic specialist.  They take some films and find out they have idiopathic scoliosis.  If the curvature is measured to be below 40 degrees, the child is given a brace which the he or she will have to wear as close to 24/7 as possible.  The child is usually terrified at this point and must be talked into (or scared into) wearing it.

Now, keep in mind, idiopathic scoliosis in children is rarely painful.  However, it starts becoming painful after the bracing begins.  Children will often be up all night crying.  They suffer embarrassment at school and become limited in their daily activities like gym class and sports.  All this to find out that six months later when they are checked again, the curvature is the same or worse.

If the curvature is over 40 degrees, or if the parents and child can’t stand what is happening with the brace, surgery is suggested.  The surgery involves cutting the patient open and fusing the spine with rods and screws.  This is done, “to keep the curve from getting worse.”  Which it usually does.  The only problem is, now the area of fusion can’t move.  So the child may be severely limited in terms of activities after surgery.  Also, this fusion can cause biomechanical problems in the spine that can lead to debilitating pain.  Just having the metal hardware in the body can cause a myriad of symptoms.

The surgery may have to be re-done if the child’s growth causes problems.  Another problem many people fail to consider is this…once that rod is in there…it stays in there !  There are very few doctors with the training and the courage to take the rod out once its in there.

So what’s the answer ?  How should scoliosis be managed ?  By people who straighten spines for a living.  Chiropractors.

Chiropractors have been managing scoliosis patients for over 100 years.  Without surgery and with little or no bracing.

Mostly due to competitive reasons, orthopedists tend to scoff at chiropractic, saying it doesn’t work on scoliosis.  They often say there is no evidence that it helps.  There is evidence…its just not published in orthopedic journals.  (for obvious reasons)  There are many chiropractic techniques that help scoliosis.  They can even help after the child has been braced.

Unfortunately, they can’t undo surgery.  At that point, chiropractic can only be used for pain relief.

The smartest thing to do if you or your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis is to get a second opinion.  Explore your options.  Take a deep breath and relax.  You aren’t in a rush.  Don’t let anybody talk you into immediate drastic action, like bracing or surgery.

See a chiropractor, but not just any chiropractor.  Make sure the one you choose uses techniques that work to correct scoliosis.  Some chiropractors use different techniques that aren’t designed to correct scoliosis.   Some have attended schools that unfortunately do not teach scoliosis management as part of their curriculum.

Don’t expect overnight miracles.  Good scoliosis treatment can take several months to years.  Much like braces on teeth.  But, corrections can be made without dangerous surgery and without painful bracing.

I use a technique that does a consistently good job straightening scoliosis.  I like it because it works on the cause of scoliosis and lets the body correct itself.

To find out more about it, log on to www.painfree-greatposture.com or www.abcmiracles.com/scoltestimonials.htm

To set up a free consultation with me, call Jennifer at 262-251-8306.

Patient Had Vertigo But is Now Doing Much Better

How to Improve Your Odds of Crash Survival

You might ask, what does this headline have to do with chiropractic?  It’s often said case management or patient care is much more than just what we do to our patients (such as in chiropractic, applying a spinal adjustment). The patient education portion of our care plan can frequently make or break a successful outcome in a case.  It is the goal of this Health Update to potentially save your life by empowering you with the knowledge needed when it’s time to purchase your next car.  This is about what specific automobile features contribute to crash survival – hence, saving lives!

Did you know the car you choose can improve the odds of crash survival by 400%? In the popular magazine Consumer Reports, they wrote, “Ultimately, safety is active and passive, balancing the ability to avoid an accident and to survive one.” Typically, the first thing we do as consumers when we consider safety in a particular car is to look at the crash-test results.  While this is important, we must first consider the size and weight so we compare crash-test results between cars in the same weight class since statistics show there are two times as many occupant deaths annually in small vs. large cars. Keeping size and weight in the foreground, when evaluating crash-test results, the front and rear end “crumple zone” of the car should be designed to absorb crash forces by buckling and bending in a serious collision. If you’ve ever watched race cars crash, you usually see car parts bend and break off as they bounce off the guard rail or other cars, sometimes to the point where all that is left is the cage surrounding the driver.  Amazingly, the race car driver often climbs out of the cage and walks away, seemingly unharmed.

The next important car feature to consider is a car with a structurally superior passenger compartment. Look for a high quality “restraint system” made up of 3 components: seat belts, airbags, and head restraints. These work together to keep us safe and in place during a crash while the outside of the car crumples, absorbing the energy of the crash.

So where do you look to get this information?  There are several resources available:

1. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) tests front end impacts at 35 mph, and in 1997 added side impact tests at 38 mph.  They also test for the rollover potential for SUVs and trucks and grade the results for each category from 1 to 5 stars representing the likelihood of suffering a life-threatening injury in a crash.
2. Since 1995, the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has used a method reviewed by Consumer Reports as being more realistic by crashing only half of the vehicle at similar speeds into fixed barriers, since most crashes are not direct, whole car strikes.
3. Consumer Reports is a 3rd option. They integrate the data from both NHTSA and IIHS and gives us their “CR Safety Assessment,” and run 40 new cars each year through numerous individual tests.

Other important “accident avoiding” features often overlooked include: Tires – greatly impact braking and emergency handling so REPLACE them as needed; Braking-check for the distance required to stop the car at different speeds- the shorter, the better; Emergency Handling-data about accident avoidance and choosing a vehicle with electronic stability control (ESC), especially in SUVs is wise; Acceleration-the quicker a car can get to highway speeds, the better; Driver position and visibility-a good view of the surroundings, especially the “blind spots” is important.  We realize you have a choice in where you go for your health care needs and we truly appreciate your consideration in allowing us to help you.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR WHIPLASH! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 262-251-8306 OR FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO: WWW.THECHIROPRACTICIMPACTREPORT.COM

Fibromyalgia: Dietary Guide

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition affecting multiple body systems is not limited to any one aspect of health. Because of this, there is no ONE diet that works the same for all FM patients. Since most dietary guidelines that address FM are based on general healthy eating principles utilized for many conditions such as hypoglycemia, diabetes, food allergies, headaches, digestive disorders, and fatigue, let’s review some of the most popular and successful dietary approaches that have been reported regarding FM.

Basic Guidelines:

1. Carbohydrates: AVOID all refined carbs (white flour products). Eat whole grain bread, oatmeal, granola, nuts. Avoid artificial sweeteners and limit sugar intake to a max. of 40g/2000 calories. Eat roughly 14 grams / 1000 calories consumed of soluble dietary fiber such as apples, oats, and legumes vs. insoluble fiber such as bran. Your total carb intake from all sources should be between 30-55% of your total calories.
2. Fats: AVOID saturated fats (these clog up circulation, lead to inflammation and pain).  That means <10% of total calories consumed, so limit or eliminate foods such as cheese, beef, milk, oils, ice cream, cakes, cookies, mayonnaise, margarine, chips and chicken skin. Eat mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and include regular amounts of omega 3-fats. Eat < 300mg/day of cholesterol; Try to avoid ALL trans fats such as cakes, cookies, crackers, pies, bread, margarine, fried potatoes, chips, shortening.  Take omega 3 fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) as these help make other omega 3 fats like EPA and DHA, and are very helpful for the brain.  ALA is found in flaxseed, linseed oil, or cod liver oil. Limit total fat intake to 20-35% of calories consumed.
3. Protein: Go easy on red meat as they are high in saturated fat. Instead, eat more fish and vegetable protein (legumes and soybeans are great). When eating meat or poultry, remove all visible fat and skin before eating. Maintain protein at 20-40% of total caloric intake.  AVOID: processed meats, especially salt-cured, smoked or nitrate-cured.
4. Fruits & Vegetables: Whole fruits are superior to juices.  Include blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, kiwis, peaches, mango, cantaloupe melon and apples. Some FM sufferers cannot tolerate citrus fruits but if you can, fruits like oranges and grapefruits are great.  Vegetables are crucial. Good choices include carrots, squash, sweet potato, spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.  These foods reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancers).
5. Dairy Products:  Choose organic varieties of milk. This also applies to yogurt and cheese.
6. Healthy drinks: Drink 8 glasses of water a day or diluted fruit juices, or herbal teas.  Drinking water helps flush out toxins.  Avoid coffee, tea, and alcohol as these increase fatigue, increase muscle pain and interfere with normal sleeping patterns. Limit or eliminate alcohol.
7. Healthy Snacks: Chopped vegetables, unsalted nuts and/or seeds; AVOID ALL commercial snack foods (except salt-free air-popped popcorn) as these are high in trans fats & salt.  Avoid chocolate and candy.
8. Junk Food: Regular consumption of this is BAD for FM patients due to the high levels of fat, sodium, calories and general lack of nutrition.
9. Artificial Sweeteners:  AVOID them!  Examples: aspartame, NutraSweet, & saccharine.
10. MSG:  (monosodium glutamate (MSG) and Sodium (Salt) can aggravate FM!
11. QUANTITY:  Eat smaller light meals, especially in the evenings.

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment planning and realize you have a choice of providers. If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR FIBROMYALGIA! FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE TREAT FIBROMYALGIA LOG ON TO : WWW.STOPYOURFIBRONOW.COM

Can Car Accidents Cause Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is one of those diagnoses that is pretty loose.  The name itself doesn’t mean much.  Fibromyalgia translated into English means muscle pain.  So if you have aches and pains all over, your doctor may tell you, “you have fibromyalgia.”

There is a diagnostic criteria that has been developed that says if you have 11 of 18 common tender points, you have fibromyalgia.  The problem is, you can have 11 of those points become tender for a variety of different reasons.  So fibromyalgia may not be the most accurate diagnosis.

This brings me to my point about car accidents and fibromyalgia.  Neck injuries sustained during car accidents can cause pain in the muscles all through the body.  It effects mainly the neck, but you can get pain in the back, arms, head and legs.  The pain can travel from day to day and it can vary in intensity.  If the injuries from the car wreck are not treated properly, they can lead to a lifetime of pain.(1)

Typically these neck injuries are called whiplash.  But that diagnosis is only made during the first few months after the injury.  This is because many doctors have been trained to think that whiplash will heal itself within a few months after the injury.  This idea is totally false according to the vast majority of scientific medical evidence.

So, you may show up at a doctors office years after your injury, telling him/her that you have pain that started after the crash.  Over the years it may have gotten progressively worse.  The doctor will diagnose you as having fibromyalgia, because there is no diagnosis code for chronic whiplash.  Even if there was, he/she wouldn’t look at it that way, because of their training.

In my experience, in successfully treating fibromyalgia, a minimum of 2 out of 3 cases have been whiplashed.  It could be from a car wreck, a fall or even a sports injury.

To find out more about how I treat fibromyalgia log on to: www.stopyourfibronow.com
For more information regarding car accident injury treatment, go to: www.thechiropracticimpactreport.com.

(1) “The Fluctuation in Recovery Following Whiplash Injury”, Injury, Volume 36, Issue 6, June 2005, pages 758-761

How Do You Know If You Have Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition where there is widespread / whole body pain that is often difficult to diagnose.  Some patients may spend years of going to different doctors, undergoing many tests (of which most, if not all, are “negative”), and they may be diagnosed with different conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, or mononucleosis before a diagnosis of FM is finally given.  Needless to say, this process can be very frustrating!

The reason for this dilemma is that there is no single diagnostic test (blood test, x-ray/image finding, etc.) that verifies the diagnosis of FM, leaving doctors in a position to “rule out” all other possible “diagnose-able” conditions first, before considering FM as “the” diagnosis.  Another challenge is the fact that FM symptoms vary widely from one person to the next and even vary within the same person at different times of the year.  There are a few “guidelines” doctors can use to help secure the diagnosis of FM.

One such guideline is from The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) which requires that “widespread” pain be present throughout the body for at least 3 months (“widespread” is defined as pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist).  The ACR also has identified 18 points on the body of which at least 11 of the 18 “tender points” must be present to secure the diagnosis of FM.  There is debate as to the accuracy of this rather stringent criteria as FM symptoms can come and go and vary, making the 11 of 18 tender point findings sometimes change between visits.  Hence, widespread pain above/below the waist on both left/right sides of the body for at 3 months has become a more accepted indicator for diagnosing FM.

Yet another challenge in pinning down the diagnosis is that the FM sufferer may experience signs and symptoms seemingly unrelated to FM, such as stomach ache/digestive problems or headaches. This can lead the doctor down other paths before considering FM as a diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia can be primary (no other condition caused it) or secondary (other condition(s) lead to the development of FM).  Hence, the diagnosis process focuses on identifying conditions which can be identified through standard diagnostic tests, often overshadowing the diagnosis of FM.  Testing for conditions such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, sleep apnea, diabetes, Crohn’s Disease, and/or others, often makes sense to both you and your doctor, but adds to the delay in diagnosing FM.  Here are some suggestions to help your doctor through this diagnostic maze:

• Ask questions:  Ask about what each test is for and what the next plan is if the tests are negative.  By increasing your understanding, this will reduce your frustration in this process.
• Keep records:  Obtain a copy of EVERY test you have and share the information with any new doctor or specialist.  This can save time and money!
• Find the “right” doctor:  Find a doctor you can trust and “talk to.” Not all doctors “believe” FM exists and some are close minded to considering it.  Try to locate a doctor with a lot of experience with FM cases and is willing to “…work with you.”
• Build a good relationship: Be open, honest and avoid anger, skepticism and don’t be confrontational.  Be upfront about what is frustrating you about your symptoms.
• Take care of yourself: Ultimately, “success” of treating FM demands a “team” effort between you and your doctor.  Managing stress (eg., deep breathing exercises), obtain care that works (eg., chiropractic, massage), eat a healthy diet (eg., gluten-free), exercise regularly but don’t overdo it, and get plenty of sleep and rest.

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment planning and realize you have a choice of providers. If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

For more information on how we treat fibromyalgia, log on to: www.stopyourfibronow.com

The Dangers of Medication for Back Pain

The most common medications prescribed for back pain are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.  (NSAID’s)  The medication works by stopping the swelling associated with injured tissues.  By controlling swelling, you can reduce the pain and promote healing.  At least that’s how they work in theory.

The research does show that NSAID’s are effective in reducing back pain.  However, there can be severe side effects.

16,500 people die every year as a result of taken prescription pain medication and another 20,000 people die from taken over the counter pain relievers. (New England Journal of Medicine 1999) The deaths occur mostly form gastro-intestinal bleeding because these drugs are really tough on the linings of the stomach and intestines.  But, there are other dangers as well.

The number one reason for liver failure in America is the use of NSAID’s.  The kidneys also get damaged and failure of these vital organs is also.  1000 doses of NSAID’s in a lifetime doubles the risk of renal disease. (New England Journal of Medicine 1994)

Those who consumed the highest amounts of NSAID’s increased their risk of dementia including Alzheimer’s dementia by 66% (Neurology, 2009)

What the drug companies won’t tell you is that chiropractic has been shown to be five times more effective than the NSAID’s Celebrex and Vioxx in the treatment of chronic  low back pain. (Spine 2003)  And, chiropractic has an impeccable safety record.

To find out more about how I treat back pain, log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com

Is Obesity Linked to Low Back Pain?

Low back pain has been recognized as a problem of epidemic proportions.  It’s estimated that approximately 80% of the North American population will experience low back pain at some point in their adult lives.  It’s no surprise that more and more people are going to chiropractors to find relief.

What’s alarming is the apparent link between the incidence of low back pain and obesity.  According to the American Obesity Association, 64.5 % of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese.  Recent evidence suggests that obesity seriously impacts the musculoskeletal system.   Obesity increases the risk of low back pain, spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis.

Why obesity causes back pain hasn’t been totally investigated.  However, I think common sense can be applied here.  The laws of physics would tell you that the excess weight causes more wear and tear on the joints of the spine.  The extra stress would cause more degeneration and pain.

Also many of the foods that lead to obesity like sugar and toxic fats, also cause inflammation.  Inflammation causes pain and accelerates the production of arthritis.

In order to lose weight, overweight people will need to exercise.  However, if the person is suffering from back pain, they may not be able to do anything.  The inactivity leads to more weight gain, which leads to more back pain, and on and on.

The good news is that chiropractic care that focuses on posture correction can relieve pain and restore function in people even if they are over weight.  The treatment along with diet correction and exercise can lead to dramatic improvements in health.

For more information on how I treat back pain, log on to: www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.