Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Management Strategies

Many patients ask whether I treat conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.   Usually they are surprised to learn that chiropractic approaches are very effective for this condition.

Interestingly, it is the rule rather than the exception that carpal tunnel syndrome is accompanied with other conditions also caused by repetitive types of activities like work or hobbies.  Therefore, a very important treatment strategy is educating the patient about the causes of CTS.  Overuse and fatigue typically precedes the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other types of conditions affecting the upper extremity such as tennis elbow, shoulder bursitis, and neck pain are often present with the CTS.  Once all the conditions are identified, the next important aspect in the treatment process is gaining an understanding of the patient’s work or hobbies. A successful outcome is dependent on identifying faulty workstations and modifying the work environment so that repetitive forces in awkward positions can be corrected.  This is important because the most effective treatment approach can be made totally ineffective by a faulty workstation.

To find out more about how I treat carpal tunnel syndrome, log on to www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.com

What Is Fibromyalgia and Can Doctors Agree On the Diagnosis?

Fibromyalgia (FM) has long been considered a condition involving the soft tissues of the body, that is, the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It is defined as “a chronic, generalized pain condition associated with symptoms of fatigue, stiffness, and sleep disturbance and is characterized by the physical findings of local tenderness in many specific but widely dispersed sites. Fibromyalgia is the most common cause of widespread pain. The prevalence of this disorder in the general population is between 3% and 5%… Most patients with fibromyalgia remain symptomatic for several years, and no cure has been identified.”  Disturbances in the central nervous system (CNS) has also been linked to this condition.

In one study, 168 FM patients had the CNS evaluated by hearing tests, eye movement tests, and a test that evaluates balance/dizziness.  Abnormal findings were common in the FM patient group compared to non-FM subjects. Another study utilized an electrical current treatment approach through the skull to stimulate part of the brain to see if that would help a group of patients with FM. Two different parts of the brain were stimulated as well as a sham or fake treatment approach.  One of two parts of the brain that was stimulated resulted in reductions of pain that lasted for three weeks and mild improvements in quality of life were reported.

Comparing 287 general practitioners (GPs), 160 orthopedists, 160 physiatrists, and 160 rheumatologists, evaluating a patient injured in a motor vehicle crash, those most likely to diagnose FM were rheumatologists (83%) with physiatrists and GPs in the middle at 60% and 71%, respectively.  Orthopedists were least likely at 29%. There were five factors found to be important in the respondent’s agreement or disagreement with the FM diagnosis:

1. The number of FM cases diagnosed weekly by the respondent (strong predictor).

2. The patient’s gender (females > males was a strong predictor).

3. The force of the initial impact (least important).

4. The patient’s psychiatric history before the trauma (more important).

5. The initial injury severity (least important).

This information is important as the shift from considering fibromyalgia to be strictly a condition of the muscles and other soft tissues to being a condition of the central nervous system will affect our future treatment strategies.  Obtaining multiple opinions from various types of practitioners will most likely result in a variety of opinions. Treatment options utilizing chiropractic, exercise, and strategies to facilitate sleep have been shown to be very effective.

YOU MAYBE A CANDIDATE FOR DRUG-FREE RELIEF!

LOG ONTO www.stopyourfibronow.com for more information.

Medical vs. Chiropractic Treatment in Acute and Chronic Back Pain

Have you ever considered who is the best suited to treat back pain?  A study looking at this very question compared the effectiveness between medical and chiropractic intervention.  Over a 4-year time frame, 2780 patients were followed (initial, 2-week, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 month intervals) with questionnaires.  Both acute (symptoms <7weeks) and chronic (symptoms >7weeks) low back pain (LBP) patients were treated using conventional approaches by both the MDs and the DCs.  Treatments from the chiropractors included spinal manipulation, physical therapy, an exercise plan, and self-care education.  Medical therapies included prescription drugs, an exercise plan, self-care advice and about 25% of the patients received physical therapy.

The study focused on present pain severity and functional capacity, measured by questionnaires that were mailed to the patients. It was reported that chiropractic was favored over medical treatment in the following areas:

♦ Pain relief in the first 12 months (more evident in the chronic patients)

♦ When LBP pain radiated below the knee (more evident in the chronic patients)

♦ Chronic LBP patients with no leg pain (during the first 3 months)

This study also found that early intervention reduced chronic pain.  While both medical and chiropractic treatment approaches helped, it’s quite clear from the information reported that chiropractic treatment approaches should be utilized first.  Not only because it is more effective, but also because it is safer and less costly.

To find out more about how I treat low back pain and other low back related conditions like sciatica, spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis 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.

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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

Fibromyalgia and “Lyrica”

As you may or may not have heard, Lyrica is a drug recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms. Recently television advertisements have appeared describing the drug as the only approved medication for fibromyalgia.

Lyrica was originally used to treat neuropathic (nerve) pain such as that seen in shingles or diabetes. Since many millions of people suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms in the U.S. (at least 3-6 million), it’s little wonder that patients may be interested in this treatment. For some, the thought of a new wonder drug can be irresistible.

Although treating pain is important, many patients may find this approach wanting because the cause of the pain isn’t addressed. For those who choose the drug approach, they need to consider side affects associated with the drug. In one study, 14% of patients discontinued use because of side effects. The most common side effects were dizziness and sleepiness. More rarely, patients complained of disturbance of balance, confusion, thinking abnormally, blurred vision, and swelling of the legs.

With any type of drug you consider, discuss your concerns with a medical doctor. For some patients, drug treatment can be effective but it’s probably best to try more conservative treatments first.  Especially, those methods that will address the cause of your pain.

Have you considered chiropractic in your fibromyalgia care plan? How is your  posture? Are you as active as you want to be? These factors can influence how much pain you experience and are often overlooked by the typical patient with fibromyalgia. The most common pain symptom in fibromyalgia is low back pain. Many scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients with low back pain. It also has a very low risk for side affects or adverse reactions.

Have you addressed the excess weight you may have put on over the years? Weight-loss and a low -inflammation diet are important adjuncts to fibromyalgia care and have been shown in studies to be effective. Another conservative approach is aerobic and strength/resistance exercise. These activities can greatly influence your symptoms and are also backed up by solid scientific evidence.

To learn more about how fibromyalgia can be treated safely and effectively log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com and order a copy of my free report. Or, if you’d like to discuss your fibromyalgia symptoms more specifically just call 262-251-8306 to make an appointment for a complementary consultation. We are always available to educate the public about natural chiropractic health care.

What Causes Low Back Pain From Degenerative Discs?

Back pain that is caused by degenerative discs is very common.  But, its causes are poorly understood.  For years, doctors observed that people with degenerative discs may have back pain and they may not.

On MRI, some people can have really bad looking degenerative discs and have no pain at all. Another person can have just a small disc problem and have excruciating pain.  And, of course, there are all kinds of situations in between.

These findings led to many different theories about the origins of low back pain. And, of course, many different treatments.

A study done in 2005 has done quite a bit to answer the question; “What causes a painful degenerative disc ?”

The scientists dissected discs from patients who had degenerative painful discs, degenerative non-painful discs and healthy discs.  They found that the painful degenerative discs had small tears in them and the tears were inflamed.  Non-painful degenerative discs were not inflamed and didn’t have the tears.

The tears in the disc are slow to heal because the disc is under stress (tensile stress).  The stress doesn’t allow the disc to heal.  It’s the same as when you cut yourself badly.  You need to have stitches in order for the ends of the wound to be held together with no stress. Then, the cut can heal.  Like any damaged tissue, the disc needs to be stress-free in order to heal.

So, how do you get rid of the pain ? Controlling inflammation and taking stress off the disc are keys to getting rid of low back pain.  This means, don’t use heating pads, don’t eat foods that increase inflammation and get your spine re-aligned to take pressure off the injured disc.  If you do these things, the disc heals itself and the pain goes away.

To find out more about how I treat painful degenerative discs, log on to www.NewBackPainReliefInfo.com and get a copy of our free report.  Or call Jennifer at 262-251-8306 and set up a free no obligation for treatment consultation.

References:

The Pathogenesis of discogenic low back pain., Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-British Volume, January 2005, Vol. 87-B, Issue 1, 62-67.

Fibromyalgia Relief – Is It Possible?

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, you may have been told by your doctor that you need to learn to live with it. But here’s some good news about a recent fibromyalgia treatment study: The study compared 2 groups of patients with fibromyalgia. One group included Chiropractic with their treatment, which included spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy and passive stretching.

Chiropractic care improved the range of motion of the neck and low back but that’s not all… after 1 year of Chiropractic treatment, 20 female patients with fibromyalgia found statistical improvement in the intensity of their pain, complaint of non-restorative sleep, and impact of fibromyalgia on functional activities.  In other words: fibromyalgia sufferers had less pain, slept better and could live a more fulfilling life.

Fibromyalgia affects between 10-12% of the general population and is the second most common condition diagnosed in rheumatology clinics. Though no “cures” of this condition have been reported, there is good evidence that chiropractic care helps and helps a lot.

From my personal experience in treating fibromyalgia, I know that only certain chiropractic techniques will work well.  The doctor’s experience and training make all the difference. You don’t have to live with it!

Like all doctors’ offices, care may vary from office to office. But…if you are looking for a Chiropractor who has successfully helped fibromyalgia sufferers, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com. and order your copy of my free report entitled “Why Your Doctors May Be The Biggest Obstacle You Face In Ever Getting Rid Of Your Fibromyalgia Pain !”

References

1. Wolfe F, Ross K, Anderson J, Russell IJ, Hebert L. The prevalence and characteristics of fibromyalgia in the general opulation. Arthritis Rheum. 1995; 38(1):19-28.

2. Schneider MJ. Tender points/fibromyalgia vs trigger points/ myofascial pain syndrome: a need for clarity in terminology and differential diagnosis. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995;18:398–406.

3. Blunt KL, Rajwani MH, Guerriero RC. The effectiveness of chiropractic management of fibromyalgia patients: A pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1997  Jul-Aug;20(6):389—399.

4.  Çitak-Karakaya I, Akbayrak T, Demirtürk F, et al.  Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2006 (Sep);29 (7):524—528.

Can Neck Problems Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Neck problems are a common cause of pain and numbness in the hands.  The nerve involved in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is called the Median Nerve and it runs from your first three fingers, thru the carpal tunnel, up your arm, to your neck.

CTS happens when the tendons of the wrist swell and compress the median nerve as it passes thru the carpal tunnel.

However, if the nerve is pinched at the neck, you can get the same pain and numbness in the hands as when you have CTS.  The symptoms are the same, but the nerve is compressed in the neck, not the wrist.

You can also have a condition called “double crush” where the nerve is compressed at both sites.  Chiropractors have known for decades that the reason CTS surgery has such a high failure rate, is because undiagnosed neck problems are not addressed.  A growing body of research is supporting treatment of the wrist and the neck for CTS.

An article appearing in the March 2009 issue of the Journal Of Orthopedic Sports and Physical Therapy showed that people with CTS have larger postural distortions in the neck and less range of motion than normal healthy people.  Other studies have confirmed that pinched nerves in the neck are often mis-diagnosed as CTS.

If you are interested in more information on how I treat CTS log on to www.ReliefFromCarpalTunnel.com and order a free report.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2009;39(9):658-664, Epub 19 March 2009.
doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.3058

Can Dizziness And Vertigo Be Caused By Dehydration?

Yes, dizziness and vertigo can be caused by dehydration.  Your brain is made mostly of water.  Your body is made mostly of water for that matter.  When you don’t get enough water, it can alter brain and nerve function and sign of this happening is dizziness.

How do you know if you are dehydrated?  Well, if you drink less than 64 oz. (2 liters) of water a day, you are dehydrated.  64 oz. of water is one half a gallon.  That’s water.  Not, juice, soda, coffee, milk, beer, tea or soup. Water.  If you don’t drink enough water, your body can extract water from these drinks in order to save your life.  But, in the long run, you will never get enough water to get you out of a dehydrated state.  And, you will start to get symptoms.

If you exercise or work and sweat a lot, you will need even more water.  In that case, take your body weight, divide it by two and that is the number of ounces of water you will need every day.  For example, I am 180 pounds, so I need 90 ounces of water a day, because I do work out and sweat.

Many people say to me “Well, I don’t feel thirsty, how can I be dehydrated ?”  And, it can be kind of confusing.  You see, when you have been dehydrated for a long time, your thirst mechanism shuts down.  You don’t feel thirsty until your mouth is actually dry.  It’s a strange phenomenon, but if you start drinking water regularly, your thirst mechanism comes back.

Drinking enough water is part of the treatment regimen I prescribe for dizziness and vertigo. If you suffer from one of these ailments, you should definitely try drinking more water.  If that doesn’t take it away completely, the answer may be elsewhere and you may need a combination of therapies to get relief.

To find out more about how I treat dizziness and vertigo log on to www.stopvertigonow.com.  Or call Jennifer at 262-251-8306 to schedule a free no obligation consultation where we can go over your situation and see if I can help.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-Who Can Fix It?

When you have painful carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), life can be miserable.  Dreams and goals are often put on hold.  What’s worse, many CTS sufferers don’t know what type of doctor to go to or where to get accurate, cutting edge advise.

Chiropractors are often thought of as just “back doctors” but research shows they can be a big help with CTS. For example, one study reported significant improvements in strength, range of motion, and pain reduction after chiropractic treatment was given to 25 patients diagnosed with CTS.  Even better, the majority of the patients reported continued improvements for 6 months or more.

In another study, this time comparing chiropractic care to standard medical care between 91 patients with CTS, one group received standard medical care (night wrist splint and 2400 mg/day of ibuprofen). A second group received chiropractic treatment that consisted of spinal and wrist adjustments, ultrasound, and wrist splinting at night. This study proved that chiropractic care could be included as a drug free form of therapy for patients with CTS.

Like all doctors’ offices, care may vary from office to office. But, if you are looking for a Chiropractor who offers safe and effective wrist and hand symptom care, log on to www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.com for more information.

Or call 262-251-8306 and talk to Jennifer about a free consultation with no obligation for treatment.

References

1)  Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, Meyer JJ. Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.  Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21(5):317-326.

2.   Bonebrake AR, Fernandez JE, Dahalan JB, Marley RJ. A treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993;16(3):125-139.