What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

So what IS CTS?  According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (National Institutes of Health), CTS occurs as a result of the median nerve, which is located in the middle of the forearm and hand on the palm side, getting pinched or squeezed at the wrist.  This results in numbness, or tingling and later, weakness in the part of the hand that is innervated by the median nerve (palm and index, 3rd and half of the 4th fingers).  The reason this occurs so frequently is primarily due to the way the wrist is designed.  There are 8 little wrist bones that make up the “tunnel” (“U” shaped-see pictures)

There are 9 tendons that travel through the tunnel and the median nerve sits on top of the 9 tendons, just under the “roof” of the tunnel (a ligament). When the hands and fingers have to move rapidly such as when typing, playing piano, working on a fast paced, repetitive motion job (eg., packing cookies, meat packaging, etc.), the tendons rub together and create friction.  As a result, the tendons swell and the median nerve gets squeezed or pinched between the swollen tendons and the roof (ligament). This process results in the symptoms: numbness, tingling, burning, itching, “half-asleep,” driving numbness, difficulty picking up things with the finger tips, buttoning a shirt, grip/pinch weakness (opening a jar weakness), difficulty in differentiating between hot and cold, and sleep interruptions from the numb/tingling sensations.  If not properly treated, the muscles at the base of the thumb can shrink (“atrophy”).

Chiropractors are appropriately trained to diagnose and treat CTS – most importantly, WITHOUT SURGERY!  The following represents a logical, effective chiropractic treatment approach for CTS: 1) Joint manipulation: this includes the hand, wrist, forearm, and in some cases, the elbow, shoulder, and neck; 2) Exercises: wall/wrist stretches, isometric and isotonic resistance; 3) Cock-up wrist splint use, especially at night; 4) Ergonomic modifications (workstation issues); 5) Physical therapy modalities such as low level laser therapy.

We realize that you have a choice in who you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs.  If you, a friend or family member require care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR RELIEF FROM CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME! OR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO: www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.com

Arch Supports…“JUST SAY NO!”

Almost every doctor or foot expert in the country will tell you to pick shoes that have “good arch support”.  However, a study performed in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reviewed 35 years of research on footwear.  They concluded that there is no evidence whatsoever, that arch supports either treat or prevent injuries.  None.

They even contacted all the major shoe companies and asked for their research.  None replied.  What that means is, they either don’t have any research, or the research they have, shows their shoes don’t work.

The same goes for all the orthotics on the market.  Its all smoke and mirrors.  There is no evidence that these gadgets work.

From what I have observed over the last fifteen years in my office, arch supports actually make your body worse.  Arch supports tend to do the following:

1. They make your body posture slump forward.
2. Your breathing will be more restricted when wearing arch supports.
3. Your gait will be more restricted.
4. Your feet will tend to pound at the ground when you walk.
5. Arch supports limit your ability to change directions, causing decreased sports performance.
6. Your body will be more unstable when wearing arch supports.

You can test these things for yourself.  Do the following tests, first without shoes, then with shoes on.  (95% of shoes have arch supports in them)

1. Have someone stand in back of you and gently push on your shoulders.  See if you are more stable with shoes or without.
2. Have someone look at your posture, how does it look?
3. Take a few deep breaths see if you get restricted.
4. Walk around a little.  Do walk tall or do you slump over.  Do you pound the floor?
5. Shuffle around a little and see you change direction (move like playing tennis or shadowboxing)  Is you ability to change direction better, the same or worse with the shoes on.

Some of these tests, you may not notice a difference.  But, for most, you will.  Sometime it can be very dramatic.

What’s the best type of shoe ?  Time after time, when I have performed these tests with people, the best shoes turn out to be a flat, flexible shoe with a wide toe box.  A shoe with a small heel is good for most people, provided the back of the heel is the highest part of the shoe.

Vibram five finger shoes are the best by far, but they look weird and aren’t everyone’s style.  MUDD’s women’s shoes are perfect, I’ve never seen a bad shoe from them.  The have a nice size heel and women usually say they are the most comfortable shoe they own.  Cheap flat tennis shoes like Chuck Taylor’s or PF Flyers work out great.  I used to recommend Sketcher’s, however, in the past couple of years the company got sucked into the arch support vortex, and they are doing strange things with their shoes.  So I can no longer recommend them.  New Balance has some OK shoes, but all of them need to be altered slightly to make them work right.

For more information on shoes and other health topics, log on to: www.painfree-greatposture.com or if you have foot problems and want more info., log on to: www.stopyourfootpain.com

Fibromyalgia And Your Upper Neck

How can a spinal problem possibly contribute to your fibromyalgia symptoms? As with many disorders, especially pain, the nervous system is involved. The nervous system can get affected thorough structural changes in the spinal column. The classic one is the disk bulge producing a painful sciatic nerve. But, there are also other ways to interfere with the function of nervous system.

When viewing the neck from the side, there should be a forward curve with your head above your shoulders, not in front of them. When forward head carriage is present or when there is a reduction in this forward arch, this may cause additional strain to the upper cervical spine or spinal cord, allowing delicate nerves to be compromised. Chiropractic care should improve your posture if this forward head carriage is present.

The upper neck can also be influenced by mal-alignment  of the upper vertebrae, such as the atlas. This small bone supports the weight of the skull and is necessary for the great rotational range of motion of the neck.

During neck trauma, the head and neck can be put through a violent range of motion that causes the soft tissues (muscles and ligaments) to tear. Blows to the head, childhood or sports injuries and even poor sleeping posture, can cause the upper neck vertebrae to displace, injuring the soft tissues of the joint. Swelling and inflammation can also be a source of irritation to the nervous system. Scar tissue can develop after trauma, which may affect the precise movements of the upper neck.

The atlas surrounds the spinal cord and as it displaces, it can also pull or tether the spinal cord through attachments of delicate ligaments (dentate). This could cause irritation to the nervous system.

The disorders of poor posture and displaced vertebrae can be assessed through x-rays. Range of motion tests are necessary to see how your function may be affected. In some patients, fibromyalgia symptoms can improve substantially. However, most people will need a comprehensive approach that also incorporates an exercise program and nutritional or weight loss support. Chiropractic care is a natural alternative for those who wish a drug-free and non-invasive approach. It carries few risks of side effects and is balanced by the potential to help patients who also have spinal disorders contributing to their poor health.

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

What is “Good Posture?”

Have you ever noticed how many people have terrible posture?  One of the most common faulty postures is called “forward head carriage” or “anterior based occiput.”  Other terms are  “hump back” or slouching. There are several reasons for this common postural fault.  One is the weight of the head is, on average, approximately 10-13 pounds and if it’s positioned too far forwards, the muscles in the upper back and neck tighten up much more than normal, fatigue and become painful. Also, the muscles that attach to the skull have different degrees of strength. They also attach and pull at different angles, contributing to the common forward head carriage posture.  The muscles of the chest are much stronger than those in the mid and upper back and tend to pull our shoulders forward. The following pictures offer a good view of both a faulty posture as well as a “good” posture. Notice the forward shift in the line in the pictures of poor posture and backwards shift in the good posture pictures.

As you can see, the weight of the head is back over the shoulders and the shoulder posture is appropriately positioned back in the image titled “Good Head Posture.”

It is important to understand correcting Forward Head Carriage can take time – in fact, it takes a minimum of 3 month before this becomes an automatic new “habit.”  Of course, it could take longer if you sit in slouchy chairs, soft chairs or wear arch supports.  The great benefit you receive with your care at our office is that forward head posture gets corrected without exercises or any strain on your part.  Your body stands more upright without you having to think about it.

If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service.  We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR NECK PAIN! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 262-251-8306 OR LOG ON TO: WWW.PAINFREE-GREATPOSTURE.COM

Is Chiropractic Safe for Elderly Patients?

One of the more common concerns that elderly patients have about chiropractic care is…Is it safe?

As we know…it’s not like we get bigger and stronger as we age…although, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle (and chiropractic care) will help preserve us and slow down the effects of aging.

In any case…most elderly patients are concerned that chiropractic adjustments could harm them, because of the force involved, or the twisting and “cracking”. Heck…I would be concerned too.

But here’s the deal. It’s not only elderly patients that may require special care…it’s every patient. What about children? Does a chiropractor do the same adjustments on them as an adult? What about a patient with whiplash? What about someone that is very sensitive to the touch and has a low pain threshold?

Chiropractic is a philosophy, science, and an art.

The philosophy is based on the premise that nature is perfect and cannot be improved upon. The science is the understanding of the relationship between the nervous system, the spine, and health. When the spine is in alignment the nervous system functions properly and can control and coordinate all body functions as intended. This is when the body is in a state of balance, harmony, or homeostasis. Or as chiropractors like to say…a state of ease.

When the spine is out of alignment it interferes with this process and creates imbalances which can lead to sickness and dis-ease. The art of chiropractic is locating, identifying, and correcting subluxations so that the body can heal itself and restore health and function.

This can be done in hundreds of different ways. As long as the objective and outcome is the correction of subluxations than it is considered chiropractic (in my opinion).

Chiropractic techniques vary and can be used with very small amounts of force. They also can be done without any uncomfortable twisting.  Knowing what chiropractic technique, and what level of force, and what complimentary therapies to use with each patient…especially the elderly patient, is the art of chiropractic.

At our office, we incorporate chiropractic techniques that can be custom tailored to your body. They can be very gentle techniques…or more aggressive techniques when indicated.  Complimentary therapies like cold laser can also be used to effectively reduce pain without any sensation at all.

So I guess the moral of the story is that chiropractic is safe and effective and makes sense for the elderly patient. But chances are…it won’t be the same treatment we do for the 20 year old grandson. There is a chiropractic technique, and level of treatment and intensity for everyone…and applying it is an art…the art of chiropractic.

For more information on us, log on to: www.painfree-greatposture.com

Treatment Alternatives for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that usually affects different organ systems in the body, causing a number of symptoms. Some of these include:

1)      The muscles (the musculoskeletal system): tender, achy, stiff, tight muscles, trigger or tender points all over the body;
2)      The nerves (the nervous system): headaches, light headedness, sleep disruption, depression, anxiety, numbness/tingling (overlaps with the cardiovascular system);
3)      The stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal system): diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel, leaky gut, heart burn, lack of appetite, abdominal cramping;
4)      Breathing (the respiratory system): hyperventilation, rapid / shallow breathing patterns;
5)      The heart (the cardiovascular system): racing heart rate – palpitations, feeling cold all the time, numbness/tingling (overlaps with the nervous system);

Because of the multiple systems involved, there are many challenges to managing Fibromyalgia.  Studies suggest a balance between several approaches works best.  Some of these approaches include biomedical treatments, organ-specific treatments, and cognitive interpersonal treatments.  Within these categories, the following can be broken down further:

1)      General – those treatments directed at the whole body such as anti-inflammatory measures.  These include (but are not limited to) medications (corticosteroids, NSAID’s – such as Advil, Aleve) and nutrients (ginger, turmeric, boswellia, Vitamin D, and others).  Other anti-inflammatory measures include diet, such as the Paleo Diet or “caveman diet.”  This diet eliminates grains or flour-based products from the diet.  That means no more breads, pastas, crackers, cookies – anything made with flour.  This approach emphasizes consuming fruits, vegetables, grass-fed lean meats and fish.  The main ingredients in grains that are of concern in the Paleo Diet are gluten and lectins
2)      Central – those treatments directed at the chemical factors in the brain that control mood, depression, anxiety and so on.  These include (but are not limited to) medications (tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxers like Cyclobenzaprine, SSRI, SNRI and Trmadol) and certain nutrients (neurotransmitter support such as 5-HTP – tryptophan, DHEA and others).
3)      Psychotherapy and active behavioral therapy – treatments that are supportive of nervous system such as cognitive behavior therapy, aerobic exercise, patient education, multidisciplinary therapy, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and strength training.
4)      Passive physical intervention – chiropractic therapy, massage therapy and other forms of manual therapy, and acupuncture.

The goal of this article is to look at fibromyalgia from a holistic perspective so that those struggling with FM and similar conditions can better appreciate the concept of multidisciplinary treatment, of which chiropractic care plays a significant role.  Coordination of care and finding the “right” health care providers cannot be over-emphasized.

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment planning and realize you have a choice of providers. Chiropractic care can be a life changer for fibromyalgia sufferers, choosing one with experience treating FM is very important.  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! Log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com

Exercises For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition resulting in hand and sometimes neck and arm complaints.  This can include numbness or tingling in the fingers, leading to dexterity problems such as difficulty buttoning clothing or picking up small objects.  There are also issues with strength loss / weakness noticed such as when turning door knobs, opening jars, and even problems with turning the key to start a car. One big problem with CTS is people often wait too long before having it treated thinking it will “…go away” or disappear just like it started.  CTS rarely gets better without some form of treatment and seeing a chiropractor makes perfect sense prior to considering surgical intervention.

So, the question remains, “what can I do for CTS?”  There are several things a CTS sufferer can do to help manage this condition.  Some risk factors such as gender and age cannot be changed but other factors can be changed including taking “mini-breaks” throughout the work day and/or work station modifications, managing weight as obesity (defined as a BMI >30 and a waist size >35” for women and >40” for men), wearing a wrist splint, as well as performing exercises to stretch the wrist area.

A study out of the University of Oklahoma reported 2 out of 3 patients with mild to moderate CTS avoided surgery by performing specific exercises.  The concept of a 5-minute warm-up stretch each day before starting the workday is similar to a runner stretching before a run to prevent injury.

Step A:  Extend and stretch both wrists and fingers acutely as if they are in a standing push-up position. Hold for a count of 5.
Step B:  Straighten both wrists and relax fingers.
Step C:  Make a tight fist with both hands.
Step D:  Then, bend both wrists down while keeping the fist. Hold for a count of 5.
Step E:  Straighten both wrists and relax fingers, for a count of 5.
Step F:  Then, let your arms hang loosely at the side and shake them for a few seconds.

This exercise should be repeated 10 times and can be repeated several times a day.

Chiropractic is a perfect choice when considering a health care provider for the treatment of CTS as these exercises can easily be taught to you at our office.  In addition, many other non-surgical treatment options for CTS are available.

We realize you have a choice in who you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs.  If you, a friend or family member require care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR NON_SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME!  Log on to www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.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

Whiplash & Chiropractic Treatment

The term ‘whiplash’ represents a collection of symptoms that occur as a result of a soft tissue injury of the neck.  This includes over stretching and/or tearing of muscles, tendons, ligaments, disk tissue and/or nerve injuries due to the extreme movements that occur during a whiplash event (usually arising from a car accident).  We have discussed the mechanism of injury and the symptom complex that can arise in past articles.

So the question is – how many patients who sustain a whiplash injury actually improve and recover compared to those that don’t? In one study, it was stated that 43% of patients will suffer long-term symptoms after a whiplash type of injury. More specifically, if a patient is still symptomatic after 3 months following the injury, “…then there is almost a 90% chance that they will remain so.”  They go on to state that no conventional treatment has proven to be effective in helping these chronic cases.  The purpose of their study was to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment in a group of chronic whiplash patients.  To do this, they studied 28 patients (20 women and 8 men, between ages 19-66, mean 39) over a 2-year time frame, injured in motor vehicle collisions. Their symptom severity was graded on an A to D scale (A=minimal symptoms vs. D=disabling symptoms, with B= nuisance and C=Intrusive or partially disabling). Those in Groups C & D either had to significantly modify their work or, they lost their jobs and relied on continual use of medications.  The chiropractic treatment included spinal manipulation (adjustments), controlled resistance of muscles to improve stability and coordination, and the use of ice.  Treatment from an emergency facility and/or their general practitioner and physical therapy had been previously utilized for on average 15.5 months, before entering this chiropractic-based study.  Initially, 27 of the 28 were classified into symptom groups C or D and symptoms included neck pain (82%), neck stiffness (36%), and other complaints of headache, shoulder, arm and back pain. Following treatment 26 of the 28 (93%) improved, 16 by one symptom group and 10 by two symptom groups and this degree of improvement was assessed and agreed upon by both an orthopedic surgeon as well as by a chiropractor.  Seventeen (61%) improved to a point of satisfaction where care was discontinued after the 1st assessment with 4 of the 17 considering return for treatment due to a return of symptoms.  Litigation was still pending in 20 of the 28 cases at the time the study concluded.

This study is very important as over 90% of chronic whiplash cases improved from chiropractic management well beyond the point of improvement obtained through standard emergency, family practice and physical therapy.  Other studies have pointed out that early intervention or treatment with chiropractic manipulation and management approaches generally results in a more favorable response compared to waiting for longer time periods. To be able to obtain this level of success after an average of 15.5 months is truly remarkable!

Chiropractic methods often utilized for patients with a “whiplash” injury include spinal manipulation (or adjustments), mobilization techniques (this includes stretching, figure 8 movements, manual traction), muscle release work (this includes trigger point therapy, myofascial release/friction massage, and others), and promoting self-help approaches (this includes exercise, home traction methods, computer station modifications and other job modifications as indicated, and others).

We realize you have a choice in where you choose for your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, chiropractic care is a logical first choice and we would be honored to offer our services.

For more information on these types of injuries, log on to www.chiropracticimpactreport.com

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