How Long Do I Need To See A Chiropractor?

There are hundreds of chiropractic techniques out there. Some claim to fix serious problems in a single visit. Some chiropractic techniques have treatment programs that take several years…and everything in between. It can be very confusing for the consumer…and that’s an understatement.

I have personally benefited from long term corrective type care, and short term relief care. I have never tried the one visit method…somehow this does not seem possible…but there are patients that swear it has worked for them.

As a chiropractor in Menomonee Falls,Wisconsin…(it’s been 16 years now) I have focused primarily on tailor made treatment programs based on individual needs. Sometimes this is very short term treatment…just a few visits…and sometimes it’s longer term…a few months.

There is no cook book answer…everyone is different.  A patient that was involved in a car accident certainly needs more chiropractic adjustments than a patient that slept funny.

A patient with a herniated disc in the neck will require more adjustments than a patient with a sprain.

At Pain Free Great Posture we consider your age, your over-all level of physical conditioning and health, whether or not there are multiple areas of involvement (eg: neck, mid back, low back), and if the problem is new or chronic.

Managing chiropractic treatment programs can be an art. So, I also learn from experience helping previous patients with similar conditions.

I also modify the treatment as a patient improves. Yes, chiropractic has a fantastic success rate, as well as patient satisfaction rate…but some people do not respond. Together, we have to decide when chiropractic is not working. I refer out at this point for a second opinion.

Anyway…how many visits you need depends on many factors…but in the end, it’s up to you to decide how you wish to use chiropractic. It’s not an all or none treatment. Typically, you will benefit from whatever you do…even if it’s only one or two sessions.

Personally, I use chiropractic adjustments as a component of an over-all health program which includes exercise, good nutrition, plenty of rest, good ergonomics, and lots of water.

The more attention you put on these other components of health, the less you have to lean on chiropractic. But if need be….chiropractic can pull a heavy load for you…naturally!

Dr. Paul Kramer owns Pain Free Great Posture in Menomonee Falls, WI.  To schedule an appointment call 262-251-8306.

What Really Causes Whiplash?

Whiplash is a non-medical term for a condition that occurs when the neck and head move rapidly forwards and backwards or, sideways, at a speed so fast our neck muscles are unable to stop the movement from happening.  This sudden force results in the normal range of motion being exceeded and causes injury to the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) of the neck. Classically, whiplash is associated with car accidents or, motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) but can also be caused by other injuries such as a fall on the ice and banging the head, sports injuries, as well as being assaulted, including “shaken baby syndrome.”

The History Of Whiplash. The term “Whiplash” was first coined in 1928 when pilots were injured by landing airplanes on air craft carriers in the ocean. Their heads were snapped forwards and back as they came to a sudden stop. There are many synonyms for the term “whiplash” including, but not limited to, cervical hyperextension injury, acceleration-deceleration syndrome, cervical sprain (meaning ligament injury) and cervical strain (meaning muscle / tendon injury). In spite of this, the term “whiplash” has continued to be used usually in reference to MVCs.

Why Whiplash Occurs. As noted previously, we cannot voluntarily stop our head from moving beyond the normal range of motion as it takes only about 500 milliseconds for whiplash to occur during a MVC, and we cannot voluntarily contract our neck muscles in less than 800-1000 msec. The confusing part about whiplash is that it can occur in low speed collisions such as 5-10 mph, sometimes more often than at speeds of 20 mph or more.  The reason for this has to do with the vehicle absorbing the energy of the collision. At lower speeds, there is less crushing of the metal (less damage to the vehicle) and therefore, less of the energy from the collision is absorbed.  The energy from the impact is then transferred to the contents inside the vehicle (that is, you)! This is technically called elastic deformity – when there is less damage to the car, more energy is transferred to the contents inside the car.  When metal crushes, energy is absorbed and less energy affects the vehicle’s contents (technically called plastic deformity).  This is exemplified by race cars.  When they crash, they are made to break apart so the contents (the driver) is less jostled by the force of the collision.  Sometimes, all that is left after the collision is the cage surrounding the driver.

Whiplash Symptoms. Symptoms can occur immediately or within minutes to hours after the initial injury.  Also, less injured areas may be overshadowed initially by more seriously injured areas and may only “surface” after the more serious injured areas improve. The most common symptoms include neck pain, headaches, and limited neck movement (stiffness). Neck pain may radiate into the middle back area and/or down an arm.  If arm pain is present, a pinched nerve is a distinct possibility. Also, mild brain injury can occur even when the head is not bumped or hit. These symptoms include difficulty staying on task, losing your place in the middle of thought or sentences and tireness/fatigue.  These symptoms often resolve within 6 weeks with a 40% chance of still hurting after 3 months, and 18% chance after 2 years.  There is no reliable method to predict the outcome. Studies have shown that early mobilization and manipulation results in a better outcome than waiting for weeks or months to seek chiropractic treatment. The best results are found by obtaining prompt chiropractic care.

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

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

We Have Been Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) since 1995.

It wasn’t that long ago that patients would look at me strange when I suggested that the source of CTS symptoms is usually in the neck (conditions such as vertebral subluxations, cervical disc bulges and herniations, disc degeneration, facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, and forward head posture).

I used to hear something like this every day…”The pain is in my hand…why are you checking my neck?”

My fellow doctors, my patient’s primary doctors, my wife…everyone thought this was a little strange…that is until they witnessed the results we were getting treating carpal tunnel patients from the neck down to the fingertips.

The reason seems obvious now…now that it is almost a form of malpractice not to consider pathology in the neck when it comes to diagnosing and treating CTS symptoms.
WHY? Because the nerves that innervate or connect and control the arm and hand originate in the neck. And pressure on these nerves in the neck causes the same signs and symptoms as true carpal tunnel syndrome.

The nerve involved is CTS is called the median nerve. The median nerve originates in the neck. It is formed by branches of nerve roots from C5-C8 (C=cervical) which is the lower part of your neck. You have 7 bones in your neck (cervical spine)…and nerves exit from the left and right (underneath) of each bone. These nerves connect and form the 3 major nerves that control the arm and hand. The median nerve, the radial nerve, and the ulnar nerve.

The median nerve (named median because it travels down the middle of the arm) travels through an area of bones and ligaments in the wrist called the carpal tunnel, where it is susceptible to pressure from either the contents of the tunnel expanding (nerves and tendons from inflammation and overuse, repetitive stress injuries-RSI) or the diameter of the tunnel contracting (bones out of alignment from poor ergonomics, trauma, degeneration, and congenital defects, tumors). If either of these situations occur it can put pressure on the median nerve causing clinical CTS. In fact, by definition CTS is median nerve compromise in the carpal tunnel. True CTS is rare.

Again (and this can be hard to grasp)…pressure on the nerves in the neck that form the median nerve causes the same symptoms (in the hands) as CTS when they have pressure on them. Here are the most common symptoms:

• Pain in the arm and hand or hands
• Numbness and Tingling in the arms and hands
• Weakness of grip
• Night pain in the hand/s
• Burning sensations in the hand
• Clumsiness of hand/s
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Swelling of the hand

So how do you know if you have CTS or if the problem is in the neck? You don’t…you have to be checked by an expert to find out. A doctor that spends the majority of their day treating patients with neck, shoulder, arm and hand pain.

And…just because your doctor may correctly identify your carpal tunnel symptoms cause as originating the neck…it does not mean they know what to do about it.

My treatment approach is to work from the neck to the fingertips on both sides. We also address the entire spine because the spine functions as a unit. Heck…you could even have a problem in your leg that is causing imbalances in the spine, leading to nerve pressure in the neck, resulting in CTS symptoms in your hand. Strange but true.

This is why so my people with hand pain find it hard to get the right kind of treatment and end up in a viscous circle of diagnostic testing, cortisone, pain pills, crazy treatments, and even surgery.

Anyway…the bottom line is this. If you have CTS symptoms you need to find yourself a doctor that not only can diagnose CTS and it’s related disorders…but that also has a proven method of treatment. This is often times not easy.

In any case…don’t just head to the operating table or give up on getting better. It may be that you just have not found the right doctor…a doctor that knows CTS, and the CTS-cervical spine connection…and how to treat it.

To schedule a complimentary CTS evaluation with me, Dr. Paul Kramer call Jennifer at 262-251-8306 or visit us online at www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.com or visit my practice web-site at www.painfree-greatposture.com.

Why Choose Chiropractic?

Why would you go to a chiropractor instead of an MD, DO or physical therapist?

One thing that makes chiropractic unique is that from day one, chiropractors are trained to think of the body as being designed to function properly.  As long as the body is given proper air, food, water, safety and rest, it will function at its best.

We view disease as a process that happens when the body is not functioning as it should.

Chiropractors focus on the spine because it contains the spinal cord and nerve roots that can get be injured, when the spine misaligns.  The spinal cord and nerve roots carry messages to and from the brain.  If the messages don’t get thru, the body will not function like it should.  Re-aligning the spine helps the body to function better.

But then we go even deeper to find out what caused the spine to misalign in the first place.  Was it caused by a trauma, a bad mattress, a toxin that affected the muscles,  a diet filled with junk, exhaustion from not sleeping or …?  Once the body is given what it needs, it will function like it should and pain will go away.

This way of looking at the body is much different than modern medicine.  Modern medicine treats the body by using drugs to mask symptoms.  The underlying problems are then ignored until they get so bad that surgery becomes necessary.  This is a bad way of thinking and it is probably why our healthcare system is in a shambles today.

Now, I’m not saying that drugs aren’t totally necessary.  I’ve treated many patients who have needed medication because the pain was so intense they couldn’t do anything without it.  But, they got the problem treated properly, so their body functioned better and they no longer needed to take the pills.  Last I checked, there is no pill that will move a bone away from a nerve.

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

Why Fibromyalgia Can Kill You!

I have been treating fibromyalgia for about 8 years now and it has been an adventure to say the least.  Unfortunately, many medical doctors don’t even think it exists.  The average fibromyalgia patient that comes to see me has seen four other doctors.  When I started eight years ago it was six.

The story is always the same.  Pills, pills, pills.  No results.  Live with it.

When treating a fibromyalgia patient I’ve always tried to focus on what might be causing the widespread pain.  I’ve found that about 80% of fibromyalgia patients have a particular type of misalignment in the spine that can be corrected.  When the misalignment is corrected, most of the pain goes away.

I say most, but not all, because I have found that for about half the fibromyalgia patients, spinal adjusting is not enough. They need help with other problems as well.  These problems can lead to other more serious diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer.

The problems have to do with inflammation (swelling) that comes from oxidative stress.  Oxidative stress is a term used to describe what happens when the body is overwhelmed by toxic foods and drugs.  As the body tries to process these toxins, it gets swollen and damaged.  The swelling is systemic, meaning that it happens all over.  It affects the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and digestive tract just as much as the muscles and joints.

The all over pain of fibromyalgia is really a warning signal that more serious problems are going on.

The good news is that it is treatable.  If the body is given the nutrients it needs, it will repair itself.  The pain will go away and many other illnesses can be prevented.

How do you find out if you are one of the fibromyalgia patients that needs nutritional therapy ?  You need to get your blood checked for signs of inflammation.  These are the same tests your MD would use to look for cardiac inflammatory problems.  Tests like CRP, homocysteine and fibrinogen.

In an MD’s office, they would treat the inflammation with drugs.  In my office, I order the blood tests and then I treat the problems with nutrition.  The side effects are non-existent, it works better and the body gets what it really needs.

To find out more about how I treat fibromyalgia, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com

Reference:  “Why myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) may kill you !: disorders in the inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways may explain cardiovascular disorders in ME/CFS”  Maes M, Twisk FN. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2009;30(6):677-93.

Back School 101… 3 Ways To Prevent Making Your Back Pain Worse

Chiropractic care for patients with low back pain (LBP) not only includes spinal manipulation or adjustments but also patient education in regards to heat/ice, performing daily activities and exercise.

Heat vs. Ice: This topic is controversial, as often, patients will be told by their friends and family to use the opposite of what we may recommend to our patients. In general, when pain is present, there is inflammation… so use ice to reduce swelling and pain. When heat is inappropriately utilized during this inflammatory phase of healing, vasodilation or, an increase in blood supply to the already swollen injured area often results in an increase in pain. The use of heat may be safely applied later in the healing process during the reparative phase of healing, but as long as pain is present, using ice is safer and more effective.

Daily Activities: Improper methods of performing sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and lifting can perpetuate the inflammatory phase, slow down the healing process, and interfere/prevent people from returning to their desired activities of daily living, especially work. Improperly performing these routine activities is similar to picking at scab since you’re delaying the healing process and you can even make things worse for yourself.

Exercise: There are many exercises available for patients with low back pain. When deciding on the type of exercise, the position the patient feels best or, the least irritating is usually the direction to emphasize.

When bending backwards results in pain reduction (referred to as “extension-biased”), standing and bending backwards, performing a sagging type of pushup (“prone press-up”), laying backwards on large pillows or on a gym-ball are good exercises. The dosage or duration exercises must be determined individually and it is typically safer to start with 1 or 2 exercises and gradually increase the number as well as repetition and/or hold-times. If sharp/”bad” pain is noted, the patient is warned to discontinue that exercise and report this for further discussion with their chiropractor. It is normal and often a good sign when stretching/”good” pain is obtained at the end range of the exercise.

We recognized the importance of patient education in our approach to managing low back pain cases, and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

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

Back Pain? You Need to Treat the Whole Body.

Yesterday, I had a patient say to me “wow, its amazing that everything in the body is connected.”  She said this after I had adjusted her low back and her neck pain went away.

I get this type of comment often and its sort of strange when you think about it.  The fact that everything in your body is connected is self-evident.  One part of the body cannot be damaged without all the other parts being affected.

Think about it.  When you get a sinus infection, what happens ?  You get a fever and chills from your body temperature elevating.  You heart rate goes up.  Your respiration changes.  Your appetite goes down.  Your head aches, the neck can get stiff, and on and on.  All caused by an infection in your nose.

American medicine tends to look at the body as a collection of a bunch of parts.  If the appendix gets infected, take it out.  If the blood pressure rises, take a pill to make the heartbeat weaker.  If the low back hurts, inject the area with numbing medication.

American medicine never seems to stop and consider that maybe the appendix is infected because of an intestinal problem.  Or the blood pressure is high because of dehydration.  Or the low back is hurting because of poor posture.

Now, I’m not saying that you don’t need to treat things medically.  For example, an appendix operation could save your life.  What I am saying is, that people need to focus on the issues that caused the condition to occur in the first place.  If you don’t, you are simply masking over issues that will come back to haunt you later.

When it comes to the spine, this is especially true.  John Bland MD author of Disorders of the Cervical Spine says:

“ We tend to divide the examination of the spine into regions: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine clinical studies.  This is a mistake.  The three units are closely interrelated structurally and functionally-a whole person with a whole spine.  The cervical spine may be symptomatic because of a thoracic or lumbar spine abnormality and vice versa ! Sometimes treating a lumbar spine will relieve a cervical spine syndrome, or proper management of a cervical spine will relieve low backache.”

The spine needs to be treated as a whole unit.  To be even more accurate, the body needs to be treated as a whole.

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

Fibromyalgia – Important “Fibro Facts”

So you think you may suffer from Fibromyalgia (FM) and you’re trying to find out more information about FM…..but where do you start?  Certainly you can “Google” the word “fibromyalgia” and spend the rest of the day, week, or maybe month reading about the symptoms, clinical signs, the many treatment options and the different types of doctors who treat FM patients.  You will certainly learn a lot!  But you will still most likely remain confused as to what to do about it.

First, what is fibromyalgia? It is a chronic (long standing) painful condition resulting in widespread pain throughout the body and it’s usually difficult to isolate a cause or reason for such significantly disabling symptoms.  It is very common, affecting 3-6% of the general population (global) and 6-12 million Americans (2-4% of the US population). Woman are affected more than men (75-90% are women), and it is typically diagnosed between 20-50 years of age.  It affects people physically, emotionally, and socially.  The symptoms can fluctuate but it never completely disappears. The cause, though still debated, points to the central nervous system in which a “minor” pain signal reaching the brain is somehow magnified and perceived as more intense (this is called “central sensitization”).  This makes the FM patient hypersensitive to normal stimulations like a hug or a when hitting a bump in the road with the car.

How is it diagnosed? Prior to 1987, it was not recognized by the AMA as an illness or cause of disability.  In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) reported the initial criteria for diagnosing FM.  There are no blood tests, x-rays, biopsies, EEG’s, EMG’s or other tests for FM.  Hence, a thorough history (frequently revealing fatigue, sleep problems, mental fog, depression, headache, and bowel problems) and examination ruling out other disorders is appropriate.  Diagnosis includes a history of widespread, chronic pain and the presence of multiple tender points (at least 11 of 18) located all over the body.

What is the treatment? Pain management has been the focus and this can include medication, ice/heat, exercise, lifestyle adjustments, counseling when anxiety/depression are issues, dietary strategies, sleep management, but perhaps most important is education – about FM and how to “live with it.” That is, learning how to “control it” since no one has found the “cure.”  Exercise in short durations of time by walking or swimming (not too strenuous). Expect post-exercise soreness so don’t overdo it initially, or you’ll be “convinced” you shouldn’t be exercising.  Diet – avoid glutens/grains and emphasize fruits, vegetables, lean meats (grass fed chicken, beef, and fish), and consider nutritional support from a multiple vitamin, calcium/magnesium, fish oil (omega 3 fatty acids), Vit D3, and Co-Q10.  Find a good “team” of doctors – chiropractic, family doc, and rheumatologist who YOU are comfortable with and who will work together for you.  Don’t expect miracles – it may lead to disappointment.

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in the team to help those suffering with FM.  If you, a friend or family member require care for fibromyalgia, we would be honored to offer our services.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR FIBROMYALGIA!
For more information log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com

The Problem of a Low Back Problem

If you watch much television or have paid a visit recently to a family medical doctor for low back pain, the information you’re getting may be a flawed. For example, you’ve probably been told that back problems are not very serious and that the problem is quickly cured with simple treatments, such as going back to work or taking an aspirin. One commercial recently aired, shows a patient bent-over in a stuck position, who is apparently cured by taking two aspirin. These advertisements convey the message that back problems are trivial and that cures come in a bottle.

The reality is far different. Few studies show that taking pills does any good at all. More importantly, they tend to mask mechanical problems of the back that need mechanical types of treatments. Most back pains are problems of the spinal joints, either moving too little (fixation dysfunction), or too much (instability). These small problems grow bigger when you consider the spine is the lifeline of good posture. You really cannot do too much with a bad back. You may not be able to work, play, or even sit for longer than fifteen minutes. This can have far reaching consequences for everyday life and its enjoyment.

By treating these minor aches and pains as signals of something wrong that needs to be properly diagnosed and corrected, is the best way to manage this type of injury. When these problems are ignored or improperly treated, it’s only a matter of time before the minor sprain turns into a disk protrusion, and eventual degeneration or arthritis. With arthritis there will be substantial limits on the function of the low back. With lack of function comes reduced quality of life.

I am Dr Paul Kramer and I specialize in the mechanical treatment of these painful spinal conditions. My treatments involve spinal adjustments, which are designed to correct the misalignments of your low back vertebrae, and improve the range of motion of the individual spinal joints. When joints are functioning normally, then the nervous system will be less irritated. Your back muscles will become more relaxed and less painful if the joint is not irritated through improper position or excessive motion.

A comprehensive examination is the only way to determine if chiropractic treatment will be right for your particular spinal problem. I can also provide advice on how to minimize recurrences and prevent future flare-ups. By addressing problems when they’re small, future disability may be avoided.

YOU MAYBE A CANDIDATE FOR DRUG FREE RELIEF!

Log on to: www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com