Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Bigger Picture - Examining Health and Well Being Alternatives


Alternative treatments in the medical world have grown in popularity over the years, as patients seek additional options for treating everything from lower back pain to the common headache. With healthcare costs rising many times alternative medicines can offer a less expensive and equally effective treatment for basics ailments.

It is no wonder that in addition to your general practitioner there are other health professionals available to assist you with your overall health and well-being. Alternative medicines and treatments can compliment a medical plan when all practitioners work together for the common good of the patient. Most people are accustomed to their doctor telling them to stick out their tongue, but this routine gesture is also quite often one of the first requests when performing Traditional Chinese acupuncture. This treatment is based on energy flow in the body through meridians and is based around Qi.

In the United States, there are over 70,000 Physical Therapists. PTs are traditionally thought of in the scope of injury recovery, but with their extensive medical training they can serve as an excellent resource to assist with wellness, treatment and prevention. There are alternative medicines and then there are mainstream practitioners who work in hospitals in the Chicago area and employ similar techniques and practices when writing their treatment plan. A prime example of this would be a physical therapist using a dry needling technique to treat pain muscle dysfunction. This entails performing the standard physical therapy assessment to determine the structural or muscular dysfunction.

After discussing with a GP for menopause-related symptoms, a patient at the Momence hospital might opt to consult with a Naturopath who uses supplements to treat patients in lieu of prescription drugs. These practitioners use natural supplements to balance inner health. For the menopausal patient isoflavone-rich soy-based products, multivitamins, evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil and many other supplements might all be incorporated into the patient's overall treatment plan to alleviate symptoms.

A physician at a Kankakee hospital might include massage therapy as a part of a patient's treatment in addition to traditional medical intervention. Traditionally a patient with lower back pain would see a physical therapist or a chiropractor after consulting with their doctor, but massage therapists offer another alternative treatment. Depending on coverage, some insurance companies will even cover massage therapy as a part of a patient's treatment.

This more customized, holistic approach offers patients a wide range of treatments and maximizes the knowledge and expertise of both traditional and alternative medicine.

Toxins and Chiropractic Detoxification - A Chiropractor's Holistic Approach


Toxins are the source or toxicity in our body. Our body collects lots of toxins on a daily basis. We get these toxins from the air, the food we eat, the fluids we drink, and also from our body by which is naturally produced. Our liver is responsible for eliminating these toxins by filtering them from the blood and removing them from our body through excretion. However, once the liver becomes overwhelmed or becomes weakened from an injury or disease, these toxins will start accumulating in the body which would affect our health and wellness in the long run.

Toxins can make our bodies less efficient when these "body burdens" build up over time. You may find out that you are not as healthy anymore. Several body conditions can occur as a result of build up of toxins. It is thought to lead to illness and has been associated to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency, and metabolism inefficiency. When the body's internal cleansing system becomes overwhelmed, it will become sluggish and less efficient which may cause more pathological conditions to occur such as fibromyalgia, weight gain, arthritis, headaches, and allergies.

Currently, the risk of Alzheimer's disease is being associated with high exposure to aluminum. Also, many research studies show the disturbing relationships between autism and mercury. The United States Centers for Disease Control estimates that over 80% of all illnesses have environmental and lifestyle causes. It is estimated that one in every four Americans suffers from some level of heavy metal poisoning, including mercury, lead, cadmium, and aluminum.

There are many points in the body that are meridian points for supplying energy. Once the body gets infected by toxins, these meridian points weaken and the flow of energy is interrupted. Detoxification can have an important place in a chiropractic clinic. Chiropractic care uses various methods to achieve detoxification, including massage therapy, ion balancing detoxification, supplements and nutrition planning, and exercises.

Through chiropractic detoxification, it is possible to detoxify the body by making changes to its biochemical balance. A chiropractor works by manipulating the soft tissues of the body and the spinal cord to increase the flow of bile throughout the body. The bile is the primary channel by which toxins are gathered from different organs for removal from the body. When the flow of bile increases, it helps rejuvenate the cells in the body and restores their natural ability to effectively remove toxins.

Chiropractic detoxification can help clean your body internally and can help keep your skin look younger. You will also experience less colds and flu, less aches and pains, and your immune system becomes stronger. You may also experience side effects such as fasting, allergy-like symptoms, bad breath, headaches, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. However, these only indicate that your body removes the toxins from detoxification and these usually occur only at the beginning and won't last long.

The objective of chiropractic care in this approach is to identify dysfunctions, and prevent the subsequent degeneration of the body by detoxification. If you listen and follow your chiropractor's advices, then you can live a disease-free, healthy life.

Chiropractic Helps In Tennis Elbow And Golfer's Elbow


Epicondylitits is not just caused by tennis and golf. This can be caused by any kind of activity that needs repetitive gripping of objects. When there is an elbow pain that starts on the lateral or outer side of the elbow, it is known as tennis elbow. This takes place when there is an inflammation or irritation of the tendons of the forearm muscles at the point where they are connected to the bony protuberance at the elbow joint which is known as lateral epicondyle. The technical term of this condition is known as lateral epicondylitis which means the inflammation of the epicondyle.

Other activities that can result in tennis or golfer's elbow are knitting, carrying heavy bags, knitting, computer work that involves poor posture and chopping food. The condition is known as medical epicondylitis or Golfer's elbow when the inflammation takes place on the medial side or inside of the elbow. Tennis elbow is more commonly seen to occur rather than Golfer's elbow.

Epicondylitis at times start farther way up the neck or the arm. If someone is having disc subluxation or disc complication, the nerves that provide the forearm muscles movement might get irritated resulting in tense muscles and putting extra strain on the tendon attachment. This gives a predisposition to the pain in the elbow already present and this is despite of whatever the cause of the pain might be. When someone new to a sport starts to play, the problem starts. He or she uses weird methods and tests the clubs and racquets and practice more than the body can take. If this condition is ignore, further complications may take place like arthritis or more subluxations. Chiropractic treatment is the best way to treat epicondylitis in a natural way.

Your chiropractor can find the root cause of the problem and then make a proper treatment plan to help you recover fast. This plan might also consist of electro-therapy, hot and cold therapies, ultrasound, massage therapy, bracing and stretching exercises. Chiropractic treatment has been reported to be more effective than medications and other form of treatments. Chiropractic treatment is very natural and helps in treating the condition without resulting in any kind of side effects. If you are suffering from Tennis elbow or golfer's elbow, then you should consult your chiropractor soon so that he or she can act fast and the pain and discomfort can be relieved.

Chiropractic Marketing in Difficult Times


Whether you're a chiropractor, dentist or some other type of health care professional, you face the same challenge that all small businesses face: getting new customers. This can be especially difficult when the economy is tugging patients in directions other then attending to their health. Because there wasn't a chiropractic marketing course in chiropractic college, you may find yourself distracted from your primary goal of helping people. Even more frustrating is not being able to properly evaluate the overtures of practice marketing specialists, advertising gurus and any other salesperson who can dial your practice phone number.

Worse, it's the tendency of many small business people to make a classic mistake during a downturn. Cut back. However, this is the very time to deploy your reserves to increase your profile. It feels counterintuitive, but by increasing your visibility and being in action (at the precise time your competitors are likely cutting back), means your dip won't be as deep, and you'll be the market leader when things turn around. Which they always do.

Here are seven, level-headed, no-brainer chiropractic marketing ideas that can pay big dividends during these challenging times:

1. Establish or improve your practice website.

Effective marketing starts here. If you've ignored the Internet as a source of new patients, thinking it's merely a fad, or projecting your use of the Internet onto prospective new patients, you're missing the boat. Over a million people each year use the Internet to search for a chiropractor. Can those potential new patients find you? Can they learn about you and tour your practice without leaving home? Can they download your admitting paperwork? Can they watch a video explaining your philosophy and practice vision? Start here.

2. Encounter as many strangers as possible.

This is the least expensive, most effective form of chiropractic practice marketing. Being "aggressively friendly" as the Disney organization refers to it, is a powerful marketing tool. Introduce yourself while waiting in line at the grocery store or movie theater. Frequent more than one dry cleaner. Handout your business card. Be friendly, curious and show up as a helpful resource rather than a desperate pickup artist at a singles bar. Your goal is to become familiar. Most people have acquired a fear of strangers. This protected you nicely as an 8-year old walking home from school, but today it stands in the way of growing your practice.

3. Give more talks, seminars and lectures.

The fear of public speaking is so rampant and constrains so many chiropractors, that your willingness to face the fear and share your vision of health and healing is a huge marketing advantage. Whether inside your practice, or giving talks at service clubs, civic organizations, support groups or other gatherings, tell the chiropractic story. Where else are they going to hear it? Public speaking is a learned skill that anyone can acquire. Join a Toastmasters group and practice. As a marketing strategy, public speaking, lay lectures and spinal care classes can be done for next to nothing, positions you as the expert while making you more familiar.

4. Contact your inactives.

An old marketing adage suggests that "the people most likely to come to your practice, are those who have already been." A steady stream of inactives is the mark of a successful practice. As patients have their inevitable relapse, most will want to return to the familiarity of your practice. Yet, many, because they originally dismissed themselves from care with a formal goodbye, feel a bit awkward returning. They are merely waiting for a postcard, newsletter or some other indication that it's safe to return and they won't be subjected to an "I-told-you-so" scolding.

5. Track the source of every new patient.

It doesn't seem like much more than a clerical function, but many chiropractors are especially lax about this important patient feedback. Many, just thankful that someone has shown up to become a patient, fail to dig deep about the motivation behind the patient's visit. "How did you find out about our practice?" "Do you know any of our other practice members?" "Have you visited our website?" Find out what marketing efforts are returning new patients and which ones aren't. Do more of what works.

6. Deliver a more valuable adjustment.

A review of effective marketing wouldn't be complete without an admonition to deliver the best office visit possible. Is your office carpet or furnishing showing their age? Is there clutter that steals the serene and peaceful experience you're trying to create for patients? Are you 100% present with the patient in the adjusting room? Delivering a more valuable adjustment does not mean that you have to move every bone! Focus with clear intention. Visualize the ripple effects of helping each patient. Be ready to listen, yet reluctant to force feed patients your chiropractic dogma. Show up interested, and you'll be perceived as interesting-a powerful practice marketing technique.

7. Be grateful.

When your numbers are down and you're being seduced into scarcity thinking, it's difficult to be grateful. When your practice volume is eroding and you have a tendency to worry, it's difficult to be grateful. But be grateful anyway. Focus less on the no shows and the early dropouts. Instead, lavish your attention and gratitude on those who want what you have. "Birds of a feather flock together." In other words, people who value their health enough to seek care in your practice these days, have friends with similar values. Remember, whatever you apply your energy to, grows-whether it's no shows or health-conscious families who "get" and want chiropractic.

Turns out that marketing your chiropractic practice in difficult times is the same way you market your chiropractic practice in good times. The key is to recognize that marketing is part of running a successful chiropractic practice. These are chiropractic marketing ideas that work, regardless of the economy, the weather or the time of year.

Various Chiropractic Treatments For Muscle Atrophy


Muscle atrophy is also known as muscle wasting. It is when the mass of the muscle decreases due to several factors. Chiropractic care deals with nerve, muscle and bone disorders. It does not use any form of pharmaceutical medicine and invasive surgical procedures in treating physical and physiological disorders. Chiropractors in restoring and preserving health and body functions use conventional treatments.

Signs and symptoms of muscle atrophy may include pain, muscle weakness, restricted movements, and decrease muscle tone. Symptoms usually appear depending on the location where the problem occurs. For instance, if the atrophy is on the face, then there is facial weakness, decrease facial expression, speak difficulties, and difficulty swallowing. If the atrophy occurs in the extremities, then there will be weakness of the extremities and limited range of motion and movement.

There are many causes of muscle atrophy. These causes may consist of lack of exercise or movement of the affected body part, muscle injury or accident, diseases such as arthritis, alcohol associated myopathy, long-term use of corticosteroid, burns, congenital disorders, and spinal cord injury. Chiropractors base their therapeutic program on the location of the affected part.

Spinal manipulation is the most common method used by chiropractors in treating spinal misalignment or deformity. Muscle stiffness causes abnormal curvature of the spine by pulling the vertebrae. Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation through applying several mild and soft thrusts onto the spinal area. This is done in successive sessions with a chiropractor until the structure of the spinal column is reestablished.

Massage therapy is another chiropractic treatment used to treat muscle wasting. It helps to disentangle any twisted or distorted muscle fibers. Furthermore, it helps to relax the muscles to prevent continuous involuntary muscle contraction. Another method that chiropractors use is the dry needling therapy. Trigger points where the muscle or tissue is damaged cause pain. To relieve pain, these muscles and tissues are treated by inserting fine needles through the skin into the affected muscle or tissue.

Exercise is a very important chiropractic method of treating muscle atrophy. Exercise enhances muscle strength and joint mobility. With proper exercise and stretching technique, spasm and strain of muscles, ligaments and tendons are prevented. It also increases blood circulation needed for healing because blood carries nutrients and minerals needed for the muscle to heal.

Application of hot and cold is also necessary in treating muscle wasting. Cold compact reduces swelling and inflammation by inhibiting cell fluid from escaping. On the other hand, hot compress is applied to increase blood flow to the affected area essential for healing. Chiropractors also use electrotherapy to treat atrophy. It is done by applying controlled and small amount of electricity to inhibit involuntary muscle contraction and prevent muscle spasm that causes atrophy.

Chiropractic care has been used successfully in treating muscle atrophy. This is proven by various studies made by different researchers all over the world. The effectiveness and safety of suing chiropractic treatments have been established. Minor side effects such as tenderness on the treated area and mild pain have been noted to disappear 24 to 48 hours after each treatment.

Chiropractic for Dogs


A pet, especially a dog, is a member of the family. I grew up with a Weimaraner and two Airdales. We all want what's best for them, like we do ourselves, our kids, our family. Many are now supplementing their dog's diet with Omega 3s, feeding them all-natural or organic dog food, or raw meat and veggies. But what about chiropractic? Is that for dogs?

The answer is a resounding "YES!" Chiropractic is for any mammal with a brain, a spinal cord, spinal nerves and a spine to protect it. Both dogs and us start our as a 1/2 cell from the male dog and 1/2 cell from the female dog.

Dogs also have a spine, in fact very similar to our own. When you rotate the dog spine to standing up, it looks almost exactly like a human spine. Humans have 24 spinal vertebrae, 7 in the neck (cervical), 12 in the back (thoracic) and 5 in the low back (lumbar). We also have a fused sacrum and coccyx. Dogs have 27 vertebrae, 7 in the cervical, 13 in the back, and 7 in the lumbar. Dogs also have a fused sacrum.

So what's the difference? Besides number, there isn't one. Both us and dogs rely on the Innate Intelligence of the body to express life. That intelligence is transmitted through the body via the brain and spinal cord. As long as the nerve impulse can flow freely, the dog will express all the health it is capable of. The spine's job is to protect the spinal cord, unless something happens. There could be interference to that flow of nerve energy, if the dog is subluxated, the dog will not be expressing all the life it is capable of and the dog's body will begin to malfunction.

AD Speransky, the great Russian neurophysiologist, proved this is his landmark book, "A Basis for the Theory of Medicine" in the 1920s and 1930s. Unfortunately his research was directly done on dogs in Soviet Russia and it would never be allowed today, but Speransky proved that he could irritate any nerve in the body to produce any disease known to man. In one instance, he made a dog blind by irritating the sciatic nerve. He would irritate the nervous system and just see what happened to the dog, its organs, etc. He was able to create any disease and symptom known to man, just by irritating the nervous system.

Speransky was interested in giving medicine a theory to work with instead of just reversing symptoms. What he did in effect was prove chiropractic, though he didn't know at the time. A subluxation is the most devastating type of irritation known to the nervous system. If this happens to your dog, just how much life is he expressing?

Dogs respond much better to chiropractic than humans. Their only connection to the Innate Intelligence of the body, the Inborn Wisdom, is through the nervous system. Dogs don't have limiting beliefs as humans do. Most humans can slow their healing time by their own disbelief. Tremendous research has been done on this, especially by the great cancer surgeon Bernie Siegel.

Does it seem a little weird to take your dog to the chiropractor? It shouldn't. There is no reason dogs should suffer and take drugs instead. Chiropractors look for nerve interference, the cause of malfunction. The vet looks to treat symptoms and disease. Many times we're stuck in the medical mindset and can't break out. The easiest way to rethink that is to ask if we'd give our healthy kids the same medicine as our sick kid. The answer is of course no because it would make the healthy kid sick. So what happens when we give chemicals to a dog with an already depressed immune system and sick. Chemicals make the symptom go away, but further depress and already depressed immune system.

As we've determined in our chiropractic studio, both humans and dogs need a good nerve supply to work properly. If you want to do all you can for your best friend, let him get checked out by your chiropractor.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Treating Enuresis (Bed-Wetting) With Chiropractic Care


What It Is & Who It Affects

Bed-Wetting is potentially a humiliating problem for children and, at times, equally as frustrating for their parents. While many children wet the bed during the first few years of their lives, they should be able to establish bladder control by ages four or five. The term used to define the inability to properly control the bladder is "enuresis," and can refer to either daytime or night-time involuntary urination.

Primary enuresis occurs when a child over five years has never been able to establish proper bladder control. Secondary enuresis occurs when a child or teen who has been able to establish proper bladder control, but has regressed back to bed-wetting. Boys are slightly more likely to wet the bed than girls. ("Enuresis n.d.") In all cases, however - primary or secondary, boy or girl, child or teen - chiropractic care is an ideal form of all-natural treatment since bed-wetting is oftentimes due to a spinal misalignment.

A Possible Cause of Enuresis

Many parents want to know exactly what causes their child to struggle with enuresis. Unfortunately, bed-wetting is often viewed as just a childhood problem that needs to be outgrown and no treatment is ever sought. There may be a cause for the bed-wetting; however, including possible irritation to the nervous system from abnormal spinal alignment. ("Enuresis n.d.")

The body has specific muscles that tell the bladder to empty. The nerve supply to these muscles is by way of the sacral parasympathetic nerves. The urogenital diaphragm, which receives its nerve supply from a spinal nerve, also controls bladder function. In addition, the sacrum (tailbone) develops as five separate segments until they fuse together in adulthood. Because the segments are separated throughout childhood, their misalignment can cause nerve irritation, especially to the bladder area. (Fysh, 1993) Due to this possibility of nerve and spinal involvement in bed-wetting, a natural choice for treatment is to seek chiropractic care.

How Chiropractic Care Can Make a Difference

The results of one nocturnal enuresis study conducted on children strongly suggested the effectiveness of chiropractic care, with wet night frequency significantly decreasing post-treatment. (Reed, Beavers, Reddy, Kern, 1994)At the appointment, a Doctor of Chiropractic will complete a thorough examination of the child, teen, or adult before performing a gentle spinal adjustment. ("An unexpected natural cure," n.d.) These adjustments are part of a safe and effective treatment plan aimed at stopping or reducing the frequency of bed-wetting occurrences. In addition, chiropractic care is free of medications or surgery, offering an all-natural alternative to managing enuresis and improving overall health.

Resources

Enuresis. Chiropractic BioPhysics.

An Unexpected Natural Cure for a Humiliating Problem. Choose Natural.

Beavers, S., Kern, G., Reddy, S.K., and Reed, W.R.: Chiropractic Management of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis. 1994 Nov-Dec; 17(9):596-600.

Fysh, Peter. Chiropractic Management of Enuresis. Dynamic Chiropractic. 1993, July 11(16)

Chiropractic Dangers


Alternative medicine has gained traction in recent years as more and more Americans become wary of traditional medical treatment for various reasons. Unfortunately, many alternative medicine treatments are not scientifically grounded and, as such, may be ineffective.

Chiropractics is no exception. Aside from curing certain physical pains, chiropractics has not been proven as a viable alternative to traditional medicine. In fact, chiropractics has been found to be more dangerous than traditional medicine in many ways.

Since its foundations are in physical manipulation, many of the dangers associated with chiropractics are physical ones. However, bad chiropractics may not just leave an individual physically sore. Inexperienced chiropractors may cause their patients to suffer:


  • Chiropractic stroke

  • Temporary or permanent paralysis

  • Further aches and pains

  • Death

These problems are more common than many individuals may realize. Since chiropractors often perform adjustments on the spine and neck, both of which are highly sensitive areas, they may seriously injure an individual if they are not careful in their manipulations.

Individuals who suffer injuries after receiving an adjustment from a chiropractor may be entitled to financial compensation for their pain and suffering. In order to seek this compensation, individuals will need to pursue legal action against the responsible chiropractor.

Regardless of whether the chiropractor decides to settle out of court or to take the case to trial, it is important for victims of chiropractic malpractice to seek experienced legal help before they pursue legal action. An experienced lawyer may be able to help an individual win his or her case.

Health Savings Accounts and Chiropractic Care


The healthcare industry in the United States is dominated by the culture of conventional Western medicine. And health insurance caters to those who control the industry: medical doctors and hospitals. There is a long history of prejudice against chiropractic by medical doctors, which is one reason that chiropractic care is not often covered by health insurance.

Many research studies have shown that chiropractic care is beneficial and that it is more cost effective in the treatment of low back pain and other common musculoskeletal conditions than traditional Western medicine is. Chiropractic also lowers health care costs by focusing on prevention, was well as on treatment.

It is surprising that health insurers choose not to cover treatment that is as beneficial and cost effective as chiropractic care is. Studies have continually shown that individuals who seek the care of a chiropractor on a regular basis are healthier and, generally, spend less on health care than those who do not.

Chiropractic Care and Consumers

What is not surprising is that consumers are wise enough to see the advantages of chiropractic care. Many people prefer to see a chiropractor simply because they see tangible benefits from the care they receive. Many others are disillusioned with traditional Western medicine and the healthcare system, and they look for alternatives such as chiropractic care.

It is clear, both from patient testimonies and from clinical research that consumers benefit from chiropractic care. Unfortunately, they may have difficulty affording chiropractic care because it's often excluded from healthcare insurance policies.

Health Savings Accounts can help consumers afford chiropractic care, even when it is excluded from their health insurance policy. They can pay for chiropractic care and other alternative medicine with pre-tax dollars by using a Health Savings Account.

Many chiropractors keep their costs as low as possible in order to make chiropractic care more available to consumers. They can, however, only absorb so much of the cost of providing that care. Another way chiropractors can help clients gain access to chiropractic care is to encourage the use of Health Savings Accounts.

Health Savings Accounts and Consumer Choice

The combination of a Health Savings Account and a High Deductible Health Insurance plan is supposed to encourage individuals to become thoughtful, wise consumers of health care. The individual is spending more of his or her own dollars on healthcare, so she will be more concerned about how those dollars are spent.

Health Savings Accounts give consumers more choice in how their healthcare dollars are spent. Money in the HSA must be spent on approved medical expenses, but there are really very few restrictions on what kind of healthcare you choose. More and more chiropractic patients are discovering that having an HSA is saving them money on their medical expenses.

Traditional health insurance has gatekeepers and controls. Even when chiropractic care is covered (not typical on individual plans), the individual requesting chiropractic care may be required to go see their family physician (or gatekeeper) and get a referral. Not all medical doctors will refer to chiropractors. If chiropractic care is covered on the health insurance plan, and if you can get a referral (which amounts to permission to see the chiropractor), there may be limits to the number and types of treatments you can receive.

Using a Health Savings Account to pay for chiropractic care gives you, the consumer, more choice. You can choose what type of medical treatment to get, where you will get that treatment, and how many treatments you will get. You can spend HSA dollars on preventive care as well, and actually have the government give you a tax deduction for keeping your family well.

Did You Know That A Chiropractor Can Help With Your Child's Asthma?


Jonny, is a five-year-old boy, who has been suffering from bronchial asthma for the past three years. His attacks were now coming daily and he was on increasing doses of medication, which included the bronchodilator spray, Ventolin, and steroids.

In the last 3 years Jonny has been hospitalised 6 times due to his asthma and as a result he has missed out on 50% of his schooling. Because of his asthma, Jonny's quality of life has slowly diminished, he is unable to socialise with his peers let alone undertake all the activities a 5 year old should be part of.
Jonny's mother was very concerned about her son's condition. She had just been told by Jonny's physician that his medication dosage could not be increased any further at his age, even though his asthma attacks were occurring daily and were quite debilitating.

A friend of Jonny's mother recommended she try her Chiropractor, as she was able to help with her daughter's asthma. On his first visit, the Chiropractor noticed a slight spinal problem in Jonny - in the area associated with asthma. Following 8 Chiropractic visits over a period of 2 翻 weeks, his mother stated that Jonny had not needed to use his inhaler for 2 days. In addition to this, his wheezing had ceased and he could run without grasping for air. Follow up assessment 4 months later revealed that Jonny had been free of asthmatic attacks and had not required his medication since his last adjustment. He is now able to participate in soccer (his favourite sport), is able to run around with his friends and has not missed another day from school.

So how did Chiropractic help Jonny with his asthma?

Before we can understand how a Chiropractor can help with asthma, we must first understand what asthma is and how it affects your child.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a lung condition which occurs when there is a narrowing of the airways due to constriction and inflammation of the airways. Symptoms may include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. There is increased evidence that if left untreated, asthma may cause a long term decline in lung function. Currently, there is no real cure for asthma. Instead doctors prescribe medication as a way to temporarily manage their symptoms.

Some side effects of asthma medication include: poor growth, osteoporosis, stomach upset, nausea, wheezing, headaches, skin rash, poor liver function, cough, sneezing, allergic reactions, sinus infections, nose bleeds, upper respiratory tract infections, anaphylaxis, feeling faint or dizzy, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, and the list goes on.

With this list of side effects, is medication a safe way to manage asthma? What is a possible alternative? Chiropractic care has been shown to be effective in alleviating the symptoms related to asthma due to the belief that there is a strong link between asthma and interference with the nervous system and the spine.

How can Chiropractic help your child with asthma?

Chiropractors believe that there is a strong relationship between the spine and asthma. The nerves from your child's spinal cord passes through the spine and travels to the different organs of the body. The nerves from the mid-back region carry vital information to your child's lungs to allow them to function optimally. When a spinal misalignment exists (subluxation) in this area of your child's spine, it may cause nerve pressure and affect the function of the lungs. This in-turn may contribute to asthma.

Removal of this irritation, allows the nerves to send the right information through to the lungs, and allow it to function optimally. The result... healthier lungs. This is how a Chiropractor can help alleviate the effects of asthma.

While medication aims to mask the symptoms of asthma, a Chiropractor aims to correct the actual cause - subluxations. Since Chiropractors are the only health professionals qualified to identify and correct these subluxations, taking your child to see a Chiropractor for their asthma just makes sense!

Parents are often surprised to find that a Chiropractor can help babies and children. They often ask, "isn't my child too young to have a spinal problem?" The answer I always give is a resounding NO! Did you know that the first spinal problem usually develops at birth? And many times it remains undetected? In my busy Ramsgate practice, I have helped many children with asthma. Some were able to get off their medication, and others are now able to enjoy a more comfortable life.

Chiropractic adjustments for children are very gentle, and sometimes even quite ticklish. Spinal adjustments by a qualified Chiropractor are safe and highly effective!

Many children (and adults for that matter) around the world visit a Chiropractor to help them with their asthma. If you are tired of seeing your child suffer and would like a more natural approach to their asthma consider a qualified Chiropractor.

Chiropractor - History of Chiropractic


The history of the chiropractor dates back as far as 17,500 BC. Hippocrates believed that a misaligned spine contributed to the health of an individual. Modern day chiropractic goes back over 100 years, when the first adjustment was given by Dr. Daniel Palmer on September 18, 1895.

Dr. Palmer, born in Canada in 1845, was very much interested in the healing art and first learned magnetic healing. This form of healing used the magnetism in the body. In 1886, Dr. Palmer opened his first office of magnetic healing in Burlington, Iowa. From there, he went on to open another office in Burlington, Iowa in 1887.

His interest was finding the cause and effect of sickness. He studied to discover what causes sickness and what effects sickness has on the human body. The first chiropractic adjustment he gave in 1895 was performed on a man who had lost his hearing 17 years previously. He reported to Dr. Palmer that at the time of losing his hearing, he had strained his back and had heard a noise in his back when this happened. Suspecting that there could be a spinal misalignment, Dr. Palmer examined him and did find a vertebra out of line. Dr. Palmer adjusted the vertebra back into position and the man's hearing did improve.

This proved Dr. Palmer's theory that if the spine is aligned correctly, the nerve flow to all parts of the body will work correctly and, thus, the body will be healthy and free of disease. Dr. Palmer was excited to think that he may have discovered a cure for all sickness.

Criticism of this new healing technique came from many, especially the medical community, as it did not involve the traditional medical theory of health. For years, chiropractic was discredited, made fun of and even referred to as quackery. A lot of this still goes on today, but, unfortunately, this is due to misunderstanding. Many people do not understand the concept of chiropractic and have only listened to the propaganda that's been broadcast. In fact, it wasn't until the early 1970s that insurance companies started to recognize chiropractic as legitimate health care and allowed claims to be paid for chiropractic care.

In 1897, Dr. Palmer opened his chiropractic school in Davenport, Iowa, calling it the Palmer Infirmary and Chiropractic Institute. The name was later changed in 1907 to Palmer School of Chiropractic. Enrollment at first was low, with only 24 students in 1906, but today there are over 20 schools with enrollment of over 10,000 students.

Educational requirements to receive a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree is a minimum of eight years of study. That includes a four year undergraduate degree with two years of pre-professional studies. The studies include chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pediatrics, dermatology and genetics. Before being able to graduate, a one year clinical internship must be completed. After graduation, four national and state examinations (in the state they plan to practice in) must be passed before their license is obtained.

Today chiropractic is better accepted by the medical community as being a legitimate health care provider and ranks second behind medicine as the largest health provider.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Two Different Chiropractic Opinions on How to Care For Your Back and Neck Pain


Just like many other professions, within the field of chiropractic there are different opinions on how to treat health problems. The result is that patients may see different results and pay different costs.

While musculoskeletal chiropractors address relief of symptoms, traditional chiropractors concern themselves with structural correction of a patient's problems.

Musculoskeletal chiropractors, who are also known as symptom relief chiropractors, primary focus on relieving symptoms such as back pain or headaches. These professionals treat problems through manipulations to the spine to decompress joints, free fixations and reduce pain. Other important information to know about musculoskeletal chiropractors includes:


  • Electrotherapies such as ultrasound or laser acupuncture are often used to relieve pain

  • The length of treatment and frequency of adjustments are most often determined by a patient's symptoms, along with insurance coverage

  • Treatments periods are usually shorter

  • Long-term corrective care is not addressed by a symptom relief chiropractor. This is because even though a patient may initially feel better, the root cause of their problem has never been corrected. As a result, their spine remains structurally misaligned and degenerates, causing damage and dysfunction to discs and joints

A traditional chiropractor works toward subluxation and structural correction of the spine. A subluxation is a misaligned vertebrate that interferes with nerve impulses in a patient's body. Nerve impulses are the electrical impulses from the brain which regulate body functions and keep individuals alive.

There are three basic types of subluxations:


  1. Physical, that include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions and improper lifting

  2. Emotional that are a result of grief, anger or fear

  3. Chemical causes from alcohol, drugs, pollution or poor diet

A patient may have subluxations without any form of pain or discomfort. Over time subluxations can start to show it's symptoms. Chiropractic examinations are important to identify and locate the problem before it grows into something more serious.

Other important information a patient should know about a traditional chiropractor includes:


  • Traditional chiropractors want patients to see relief, but their primary focus is on removing nerve interferences and restructuring a patient's spine to its most stable biochemical position. This is accomplished through a rehabilitation program that includes adjustments and spinal exercises

  • The length of correction and frequency of adjustment is dictated by the severity of a patient's misaligned vertebra

  • Even though symptoms may have ceased, a patient's spine may not be its maximum corrected position. Consequently, adjustment schedules are kept intense to allow structural correction in the shortest amount of time

  • The progress of patients is monitored through posture patterns, X-rays and spinal readings until the misalignment is corrected

Since subluxations are silent and research shows they begin at birth resulting in dysfunction and dis-ease, the traditional chiropractor recommends families to be checked, especially children. Because of this the traditional chiropractor will work out fair and equitable payment plans so families can afford care, regardless of insurance coverage.

So remember when choosing a chiropractor, choose based on your health goals either temporary relief or maximum correction. Ask your chiropractor what their goals are. Ask them whether they have a wellness program that will continue care to prevent an injury from coming back. And finally, ask whether your family should be checked for subluxations that exist but may not be causing any pain. The choice is yours.

Chiropractic Advice for Treating Your Feet Right


Your feet are on the front lines every day, pounding the pavement to carry you among your daily activities. Thus it is only natural that you should treat your feet. Chiropractors stress the following important tips of advice in treating your feet right.

Wear shoes that fit

Chiropractors warn that poor quality, ill-fitting shoes can cause foot, leg, hip, back, or other pain. Shoes that fit appropriately will provide the quality arch and sole support you need as well leave ample room for your toes. Shoes that lack arch support can pull the body out of alignment and create stress and inflammation in the heels, ankles, knees, hips, or back, causing tension and pain. These stresses and imbalances can then extend to other areas of the body and cause additional pain and dysfunction, such as neck pain or headaches.

Wear the appropriate shoes for the job

All shoes are not made the same and the same shoe is not appropriate for every situation.

If you are going to the beach then flip flops may be appropriate but if you are planning to exercise, be sure you wear appropriate running or exercise shoes. It is also important to recognize situations where more advanced foot wear is necessary. For example, if you are going mountain hiking you may need to invest in a hiking boot that will provide the extra support you need.

Limit the amount of time you spend in high heels

Women are not going to stop wearing high heels but chiropractors stress they should limit the time they spending wearing high heels. Symptoms involving aches, pains, stiffness, or numbness after extended periods of wearing high heels may be a sign of biomechanical imbalances in the body caused by the repetitive stressors of wearing heels. A chiropractor can help you restore your body alignment and reduce or eliminate your pain and inflammation.

Strengthen your feet

Exercising your body is important and don't forget your feet. One of the simplest exercises you can do for your feet is to stand barefooted and do toe raises. Gently lift the heels off the ground and stand on the balls of your toes for a few seconds, lower, and then repeat the exercise. This can be performed in a few minutes a day almost anywhere. Doing the exercise at your desk to take a break from sitting at a computer is a great way to strengthen your feet and give yourself a quick energy boost.

Relax your feet

At the end of a long day, take the time to massage your feet or if you have a partner, massage each other's feet. Elevating your feet on the couch or in a recliner, or soaking them in a warm bath or in Epsom salts are also good ways to relax your feet and give them the care they deserve. Treat your feet right and they will return the favor.

Can Chiropractors Help Babies With Colic?


Symptoms of Colic

Symptoms for colic seem to be standard for babies that are otherwise healthy, these include:

*Crying episodes that occur normally in the afternoon and evening and the crying begins suddenly - the episodes normally last minutes or can go on for longer Clenching of the fists, arched back, and tightened abdominal muscles are typically seen as well

*Passing of wind during the episodes

*Restlessness during the colic episode

Can Chiropractors Help Colicky Babies?Chiropractors believe that when your baby is being born the vertebras in the spine can be stretched and become misaligned. This is especially true when the mother experiences a hard labor where a vacuum or forceps have to be used in order to assist with birth. If the misalignments are severe, it can cause various aspects of the body to be affected, including digestion.

Many parents are reluctant to take their infant to a chiropractor simply because of the stereotype of popping and cracking noises of the spine. However, for babies, chiropractors gently apply pressure to the neck and the back, which realigns the baby's spine. Remember, infants bones are very soft, so there is no cracking sounds heard and it is an all-natural way in which to treat colic.

As the spine of the infant is gently positioned correctly, digestion can improve dramatically and as it does, colicky episodes lessen or become a thing of the past.

Finding a Chiropractor that has worked with infants is important as many have extensive experience and of course, this is going to give your baby the best chance of recovering from the colic quicker. This is a natural way to help you baby and of course, most parents jump at the chance of a natural way in which to help relieve their child's pain naturally.

Final Thoughts

If you have an infant suffering from colic, realize you have options with chiropractic help. As the infant's spine is realigned, parents begin to notice their baby sleeping more soundly through the night with fewer colicky episodes. Of course, it may take several treatments in order to bring your baby's spine into the correct alignment, but it is a pain-free and drug-free way to find relief for your baby.

Side Sleeper Pro Pillow: Designed By a Chiropractor for Natural Sleep Comfort and Less Stiffness


There are literally thousands of different pillows on the market. You can walk into any Wal-Mart, Target or Marshall's and pick one up for $10 or you can go down to Brookstone or any specialty sleep store and spend $60, $70 or even $100.

The Side Sleeper Pro Pillow was designed by renowned Chiropractor/Physician, Dr. Larry Cole, to give side sleepers more comfort & natural alignment throughout the night and to alleviate that morning stiffness that is so common. He did this with the objective of making the pillow a great value as well. So the Side Sleeper Pro retails for only $20 and has all the benefits of a pillow that you may pay more than $50 for.

We have carried various infomercial pillows over the years - Contour Cloud, Sobakawa, and Buckwheat to name a few - all a great quality/value combination. Until now, though, I haven't seen a good quality pillow that is specially designed for those of us that sleep on our sides at an economical price.

In order to be comfortable, side sleepers require a pillow that is designed differently than most. With a regular pillow, we find ourselves constantly plumping, reshaping & adjusting our pillow throughout the night in an effort to get comfortable. And, even after we do get somewhat comfortable, some of us wake up feeling stiff and out-of-whack because a regular pillow is not designed to support the natural way our bodies rest.

The Side Sleeper Pro Pillow cradles the neck, head, shoulders and back, giving your body the proper natural alignment to wake up feeling refreshed. You won't spend half the night re-shaping and flipping your pillow over because it is ergonomically-designed to keep you in a natural state of comfort.

Whether you're idea of comfort is lying on your side with both arms extended, being curled up on your side in the fetal position, or lying on your side with both arms pointing downward, the Side Sleeper Pro is a great value & definitely worth giving a try. I have definitely rested better than I have in years.

Musicians Injuries: OUCH, It Hurts When I Play (But Please Don't Tell Me To Stop!)


This article takes a look at musicians' injuries. For an expert perspective, I interviewed Dr. Sarah Mickeler, B.Mus., D.C. Dr. Mickeler is a former professional musician and a chiropractor who concentrates on musicians' injuries in her practice.

1) What led you to specialize in musicians' injuries?

I have a very personal connection to musician's injuries. I had trained as a classical clarinet player and it was during my undergrad that I started to have all sorts of problems from playing too much and with poor posture. Unfortunately, I was told, as many others are, that I should just play through the pain and that maybe it would get better! Of course, it didn't, and it eventually led to the demise of my career as a clarinetist, because I was totally unable to hold up my instrument. So, I decided to pick a new career that would help others musicians - and hopefully before they got to the point that I was at! Chiropractic appealed to me because of the whole health care paradigm that it embodies - as chiropractors, we diagnose and fix the cause, rather than masking the symptoms.

2) What is different about treating musicians than treating the general population?

Often, what I tell people who don't understand the specifics of musicians' injuries, is that "it takes one to know one". As a musician, it can be very difficult to explain to a physician or physiotherapist or even another chiropractor what the mechanics look like when you are playing your instrument. But when someone comes into my office and says that they play flute, or guitar, or tuba, or whatever, I know exactly what the physical component of playing their instrument involves. That is a very important first step.

Secondly, not only do you have to be able to have a good understanding of what playing that instrument involves, but you have to be able to see that person play. Even if someone tells me they play violin (I automatically think: "ok, so they will be leaning their head to the left and have right shoulder problems, etc..."), I am often shocked to see how over the years of playing they have contorted themselves into a little pretzel while they play!

So, on the first or second visit, all of my musicians bring in their instruments and I do a thorough playing analysis to see what it is that they're doing right and wrong. It could be that their posture is contributing to their injury. Or maybe there's something about the instrument that we could change; it might just need a minor adjustment in the thumb rest or a key positioning.

For instance, I have very small hands and found it difficult to reach some of the alternate fingering keys on my clarinet - so I had them sawed off and re-soldered on in a different direction so I could reach them.

Thirdly, it is important to recognize that there are some really common reasons for performance injuries. The most common ones are a change in repertoire, a change in the instrument (such as a new mouthpiece or something similar), a change in practice time or an upcoming recital. If we can pinpoint what it is that the performer has been doing differently lately to contribute to their injury, that helps immensely.

And lastly, it is so important to realize, especially for freelance artists, that you can't just tell them to take a muscle relaxant, and take a few weeks off. If these people took a few weeks off, they wouldn't have a roof over their head or food on the table. While it's occasionally absolutely imperative that a break be taken, most of the time I take a holistic approach to treating performers and change and fix what we can, within the obvious limitations of current gigs and upcoming events.

3) What's the most common injury that you see in your office?

In my office, there is a tie for the most common injury. The first is upper back/shoulder/neck pain - I lump these together because those terms can mean the same thing to a lot of people - often someone will come in and say that their shoulder hurts and point to the pain, but to me what they're pointing to is actually their upper back or lower neck. This one is often a function of poor posture or poor practice ergonomics. If we can figure out how to improve the overall posture and ergonomic situation then this tends to resolve quickly.

And the second most common injury is hand and arm pain. You would not believe how many people walk into my office with numb and tingly hands and fingers - which can be very scary if you're the one to experience it - to find out that the problem isn't actually their hands and fingers at all, but it's a little further up the arm and can be quite easily treated once properly diagnosed. Or they come in with tennis elbow - but they have never held a tennis racket in their life! In my office, I call tennis and golfer's elbow "musician's elbow" because it is a repetitive strain injury. It is really, really common and surprisingly easy to treat.

4) What can musicians do to prevent injury?

First of all, don't be a hero! There is just no reason to practice for hours on end without a break. Always remember to take a little break for every 30 minutes that you are playing. Secondly, don't play through pain. The pain signal is there to tell you that you are doing something wrong. Playing through it is not going to get you anywhere - other than in more pain and in worse shape down the road. Thirdly, be aware of your ergonomics. If you sit to play, does your chair fit you properly? In rehearsal, do you have to strain at all to see both the stand and the conductor? Are your arms contorted oddly in order to be able to play properly? This is not good. And lastly, seek the help of a professional who can not only help you with the injuries that you are currently dealing with, but can help you avoid future injury and optimize your overall performance.

You can find out more about Dr. Sarah Mickeler and her Toronto-based chiropractic practice concentrating on musicians' injuries at http://www.drsarah.ca.

To echo Sarah's advice, please pay attention to any pain signals your body is sending you! Admitting you're having a physical problem doesn't make you any less of a musician - it means you're a very smart musician with years of playing ahead of you!!

This article was originally published on the Muses Muse Songwriter's Resource website (February 2005) http://www.musesmuse.com.

(c) Copyright Linda Dessau, 2005.

Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident


Unfortunately, many people have been involved in car accidents. Sometimes the accidents are severe, being either fatal or life-threatening to the driver or passengers involved but other times they are minor fender benders and the persons involved are able to walk away from the accident unscathed or so it seems at first.

At first drivers and passengers may feel a little stiff but appear to be uninjured. But it is not uncommon for car accident injuries to go hidden for months or even years. When people do begin to have pain, they may feel it in their back and neck and the pain may be accompanied by headaches and tension.

These symptoms may get worse over a period of time and eventually completely debilitate a person, preventing him or her from performing their normal daily activities. Many people suffer from these symptoms without realizing that their injuries resulted from their seemingly small car accident.

Many people go on without getting properly diagnosed, using painkillers to mask the pain and wearing braces to temporarily reduce the pain. Those people would do well to visit a chiropractic doctor. These doctors specialize in soft tissue as well as structural damage and are well acquainted with car accident injuries.

A chiropractor can take x-rays and assess your injuries. Most people are surprised at how misaligned their necks and joints can really get from simple car accidents. But receiving regular chiropractic care is a natural way to treat the pain and tension resulting from whiplash and other car related injuries.

Chiropractors can readjust your neck and back getting it into proper alignment, use muscle stimulation procedures to reduce tension, and assign and instruct you to do the proper exercises to strengthen your back and muscles. A chiropractor will try to correct all of the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can be such a great source of pain.

Chiropractic care is great because it is natural; the pain is treated by directly fixing the problem rather than prescribing drugs. It is also less invasive. No surgical tools, cutting, or blood is involved. All joint alignments are done with the force of the hands.

Visiting the chiropractor is not at all like visiting any other general physician or a surgeon which many people are apprehensive about. Rather, many people report their appointments as relaxing and look forward to their next treatment.

Patients can also be assured that chiropractic care is safe for everyone and it is important that all passengers, even children are checked out by a chiropractor. Chiropractors have gone through years of vigorous specialized training and schooling, passed many tests, and gone to great lengths to become licensed and certified to treat all people, children included.

It is wise to see a chiropractor immediately after a car accident to insure that you don't have any hidden injuries that will severely affect your life later. Don't wait, do it before your case with the insurance companies is closed, because often times insurance companies will cover the cost of chiropractic treatment of car accident related injuries.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

When You Should See an Orthopedist Rather Than a Chiropractor


A good chiropractor can set your back right. Relief of back pain can be fast and simple with a chiropractor. A few visits may be all it takes to get you feeling better. But some conditions do not improve permanently with chiropractic treatment. Orthopedists are qualified to access deeper problems and find a solution with medical treatments. Sometimes in tandem, both chiropractors and orthopedists can help you fix your back problem. Each has their own specialties and abilities. Each can help you and neither is better than the other, just different.

Chiropractors aim to diagnose, treat, and prevent ailments of the spine. They function on the basic theory that your nervous system, especially located in the spine, affects your total health. Chiropractors are more a treatment option than a means to diagnosis. Though many chiropractors will want to diagnose you, this is more an alternative opinion than a traditional medical diagnosis. Most chiropractors can treat back pain effectively, but two things should be considered before undergoing chiropractic treatment. The seriousness of your injury or origin of your pain, and the symptoms you experience. Some things are more effectively treated by a chiropractor, and other things are more in the domain of an orthopedist.

The seriousness or origin of your pain may determine which option is better for you. If you know about the injury you have sustained and there is no fear of complicating the condition by undergoing manipulative therapy, you can go to a chiropractor with no problem. If you slept funny and have a horrible kink in your neck or stiff back that can even border on immobilizing, go to the chiropractor. These sorts of injuries and aches respond well to the treatment that a chiropractor offers. You may also be advised on how to prevent such things from happening anymore with periodic visits or training on posture or self-adjustment.

If your pain is associated with injury or you don't know the origin of your pain it may be better to see an orthopedist. For less serious injuries, the orthopedist may recommend a chiropractor or physical therapy. But it is always better to be safe than sorry. If there is any question about your pain it is best to have a medical examination. Any chiropractic therapy to a back that has a spinal cord injury could worsen the injury. If symptoms include any numbness or tingling, leg pain, fevers, or problems with bowel or bladder go to an orthopedist.

Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Care - Safe Spinal Correction


Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic care is a safe and painless spinal correction that helps reactivate the natural healing abilities of the body and restore its balance. If you need to undergo treatment, it is important to look for an atlas orthogonist, a certified Doctor of Chiropractic. An Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractor must have extensive training, and specializes in correcting the misalignment of the spinal cord with the use of the atlas orthogonal percussion instrument.

Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic care is different from other chiropractic methods. This technique is considered painless and gentle, as there is no need for any kind of manipulation such as cracking or twisting. Since the process only requires gentle adjustments to the affected area, a lot of patients find it hard to believe that it can be effective. Additionally, the process involves an accurate X-ray analysis so the spinal correction is made without any twisting procedures or forceful twitching.

Patients may experience different changes in the body after undergoing the initial Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic adjustment. These changes are due to the response of the nervous system to the structural spinal correction. However, the symptoms felt are a positive sign of healing. The body should undergo various cycles of repair in order to heal and they usually show themselves in different ways such as sleepiness, muscle soreness or stiffness, tiredness and improvement of symptoms.

The procedure has longer lasting effects. Although the atlas can be misaligned again in the future, many people who undergo Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic care need fewer visits to the doctor compared to most other treatments. Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic care provides gentle, simple and remarkable results - and this means improved health and better relief.

People suffering from atlas subluxation complex, or the misalignment of the structure of the bone of the neck and head, usually experience stress, pain and tension, which can greatly affect one's mental and physical activity. Atlas Orthognal Chiropractic care can help alleviate pain, and in some cases, relieve pain within seconds or minutes of the adjustment. In fact, many of the patients who have been living in constant pain walk out of the chiropractic office after the initial Atlas Orthogonal adjustment feeling better than they have in years.

Accurate spinal care can also help reduce the need for taking medication or undergoing surgery. The following are just some of the symptoms and health concerns that can be treated with Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic care:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome

• Arthritis

• Asthma

• Headaches/migraines

• Stress/chronic pain

• Neck/back pain

• Sciatica

• Athletic injuries

• Scoliosis

• Injuries from car accidents

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Herniated discs

• Allergies

• Seizures/epilepsy

• Sinus problems

• Bell's Palsy

• Dizziness

• Trigeminal Neuralgia

• Horner's Syndrome

Since these adjustments involve only a tiny amount of force to the upper part of the neck, it is safe and painless. In fact, it is recommended that children go through the process as soon as possible in order to prevent the usual childhood ailments.

Pregnant women can benefit from the Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic procedure as it helps eliminate the occurrence of pain in the legs, between the shoulder blades and the lower back. In addition, headaches and nausea can also be reduced.

Atlas chiropractic care can also help athletes perform better, increase stamina and flexibility and recover faster from injury and training. Furthermore, elderly people are encouraged to undergo this procedure to relieve pain, enhance mobility and avoid dependency on certain drugs.

Chiropractic: The MMA Training Secret the Pros Don't Want You to Know


So you want to gain respect as a MMA fighter? The pros have an edge they don't want you to know about...

Ever wanted more flexibility and the ability to hold out longer against submissions? Have you wondered why opponents seem so much stronger and don't crumble fast enough under your blows even though you spend the same amount of time in the gym? Ever had to take a day off from training because you over did it the day before?

Those at the top of their MMA game have a secret which them the edge when it comes to surviving joint locks and holds, building more strength and preventing lost training time. It's chiropractic.

Most people immediately associate chiropractic with back pain but it offers so much more than that. Yes, you may want to seriously consider turning to a chiropractor if you receive a serious back, neck, shoulder or leg injury, however this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits chiropractic offers mixed martial artists.

The top pros in the MMA game not only utilize chiropractic to pop themselves back into shape after grueling sparring bouts but to keep their bodies in tip top shape all of the time. Chiropractic adjustments and correcting the alignment of the spine can do wonders for loosening up the body and enabling more flexibility as well as positioning your body to be able to get the most out of strength training. A healthy back and strong core has been proven time and time again to release the full potential to be had from weight lifting and other strength building workout routines.

Though what the top MMA fighters of the last few years will tell you is perhaps the most important part of this type of treatment for them is that it is actually often most valuable as a form of preventative medicine. By being in top form fighters can avoid injuries in the first place, especially during training periods leading up to important fights. As you know, getting injured in training, even a minor injury can mean weeks out which can make all the difference in winning and losing an upcoming match up.

However, perhaps the most underestimated advantage of incorporating chiropractic into regular training is the mental benefits. When you feel your best and are confident you are in the best possible condition your mental attitude soars and that is clearly the most decisive factor in any battle.

Chiropractors Methods For Aligning Your Spine


When medicines can't help patients with their chronic back problems, chiropractic methods provide them the much needed respite. Chiropractic is a branch of healthcare that specializes in diagnosis, cure and prevention of mechanical problems in the muscular-skeletal structure of the human body, with special emphasis on the spine. This treatment is imparted through many techniques such as massage, exercise, acupuncture and food supplements.

Chiropractic practitioners firmly believe that disorders of the spine may affect the common health of an individual as it obstructs the body's function. Over many years, chiropractic treatments have the record of being one of the most excellent of treatments. It has obtained acceptance between medical circuits and healthcare institutes in the US.

Chiropractors apply chiropractic adjustment to align the spine. This is one of the most common treatments used in this field. According to a recent study, almost 90% cases that come to chiropractors, are cured through this method.

What is Chiropractic Adjustment?

Chiropractors align the spine through a spinal adjustment where a three-joint complex is taken above the normal range of movements, taking special care that the spine is not dislocated or damaged. A sudden jolt is used and attempts are made to increase the spine's range of motion.

It can cause a release which is audible. different methods are applied for aligning the spine such as massage, manipulation, stimulation, mobilization, etc. Once the spine is unlocked from its incorrect position it can easily realign itself. However, various sessions are needed before the spine sets absolutely.

What Techniques are Applied?

Since every situation is unique, chiropractors learn several aligning techniques. The weight, height and muscle structure of the chiropractor and the patient decide which approach or technique will be essential. Most competent techniques are the one that will align the spine without application of too much pressure. The chiropractors are trained how to contain pressure with respect to the patient's height, weight, etc.

Aligning your Spine the Chiropractic Way

This process of spine alignment is painless. Gentle pressure is applied with minimal force. Patients hardly complain about any kind of uneasiness. The popping sounds from your body don't mean something has broken within. These pops are produced due to small pockets of gas. They are equivalent to the cracking of knuckles.

Patients who don't loosen themselves or stay stiff during the therapy sometimes think some sorts of discomfort. For this reason, all chiropractic practitioners advice their patients to stay relaxed and calm during the whole treatment. Several first-time patients stay stiff and prevent the adjustment; with several sessions they tend to loosen up their body. With chiropractors who are licensed and trained to practice, one must not worry about damages. With several alignment treatments, the popping sounds will vanish and your spine will experience normal levels of flexibility.

Chiropractic methods for alignment can be used for:

* Stiffness and pain in the shoulders, neck, arms, back, chest, hands, hips, abdomen, feet,legs.
* Nerve disorders.
* Headaches.
* Arthritis
* Trauma and injuries in the body like whiplash.
* Sports injuries like tennis elbow, sprained joints, muscles and ligaments, etc.

Chiropractic Medical Billing


When it comes to medical billing and coding for any specialty, accuracy of diagnostic and procedural codes is of utmost importance. Accurate billing ensures your practice timely reimbursement as well as protection from any kind of related litigation.

Medicare Coverage for Chiropractic Treatment

Medicare reimburses chiropractors only for spinal manipulation procedure provided to correct a subluxation. It is also necessary that this subluxation is validated through X-ray or physical examination. Medicare also requires the chiropractor to indicate clearly the level of subluxation on the claim and list it as the primary diagnosis. The neuromusculoskeletal condition necessitating the treatment would be the secondary diagnosis. Medical necessity for the spinal manipulation has to be substantiated by providing the correct diagnostic codes or the ICD-9 codes. Moreover, the treatment has to be legal in the state where it is performed.

Any diagnostic procedure a chiropractor may order to prove a subluxation of the spine including X-rays is not covered; these can be used only for documentation purposes. Medicare does not reimburse services such as lab tests, nutritional supplements, office visits, traction, examinations, supports and more provided by a chiropractor.

Coming to spinal manipulation, Medicare covers up to 12 chiropractic manipulations per month, and 30 chiropractic manipulation services per year for each patient. Again, medical necessity has to be established if these services are to be properly reimbursed.

• 98940 -- Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, one to two regions
• 98941 -- Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, three to four regions
• 98942 -- Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); spinal, five regions
• 98943 -- Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT); extraspinal, one or more regions

Coverage by Private Insurers

Private payers might reimburse a global fee for chiropractors. In this case chiropractors are eligible for a certain fee for each visit, whatever be the services provided or CPT codes billed. Chiropractors may also bill for modalities apart from the manipulation and office visit codes, these modality codes are 97010 - 97530, which are reimbursed by some insurance companies.

Physical medicine modalities a chiropractor may report include supervised and constant attendance modalities.

Supervised Modalities

Supervised modalities do not demand personal contact with the healthcare provider, and are eligible only once per date of the service.

• 97010 Application of a modality to one or more areas; hot or cold packs
• 97012 Application of a modality to one or more areas; traction, mechanical
• 97014 Application of a modality to one or more areas; electrical stimulation
• 97016 Application of a modality to one or more areas; vasopneumatic devices
• 97018 Application of a modality to one or more areas; paraffin bath
• 97022 Application of a modality to one or more areas; whirlpool
• 97024 Application of a modality to one or more areas; diathermy (e.g., microwave)
• 97026 Application of a modality to one or more areas; infrared
• 97028 Application of a modality to one or more areas; ultraviolet

Constant Attendance Modalities

Constant attendance modalities are time based and require direct individual contact with the service provider.

• 97032 Application of a modality to one or more areas; electrical stimulation (manual), each 15 minutes
• 97033 Application of a modality to one or more areas; iontophoresis, each 15 minutes
• 97034 Application of a modality to one or more areas; contrast baths, each 15 minutes
• 97035 Application of a modality to one or more areas; ultrasound, each 15 minutes
• 97036 Application of a modality to one or more areas; Hubbard tank, each 15 minutes
• 97039 Unlisted modality (specify type and time if constant attendance)

Therapeutic Procedures

Chiropractors may also report therapeutic procedures; these are time based and require direct contact with the service provider. Some of these are:

• 97116 Therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes; gait training (includes stair climbing)

• 97124 Therapeutic procedure, one or more areas, each 15 minutes; massage, including effleurage, petrissage and/or tapotement (stroking, compression, percussion)

• 97530 Therapeutic activities, direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider (use of dynamic activities to improve functional performance), each 15 minutes

• 97532 Development of cognitive skills to improve attention, memory, problem solving, (includes compensatory training), direct (one-on-one) patient contact by the provider, each 15 minutes

• 97542 Wheelchair management (e.g., assessment, fitting, training), each 15 minutes

Chiropractors can bill a separate E&M code on occasions such as visit of a new patient, or an established patient presenting with a new injury, re-injury/recurrence, exacerbation, or for a re-evaluation to decide whether any modification in the treatment plan is required. When billing your services, your exam is to be coded correctly, and then Modifier -25 has to be added under the modifier section. This will clarify that the medical examination was a service distinct from your therapeutic manipulation procedure and therefore should be paid in addition to the adjustment. Medicare does not reimburse chiropractic maintenance therapy.

Use of Modifier -59 (Distinct Procedural Service) by Chiropractors

Modifier -59 is used to report a procedure or service that is distinct or independent from other services provided on the same date. Physical medicine modalities provided just to relax and prepare a patient for manipulation will not be separately reimbursed when they are reported on the same day as the manipulation. On the other hand procedures such as hot/cold packs (97010), massage (97124), and/or manual therapy (97140) performed on separate body regions unrelated to the manipulation procedure, are eligible for separate reimbursement. You have to append the modifier -59 to the appropriate code. When this modifier is used along with any other modifier, ensure that -59 is reported first.

Advantages of Professional Services

• In-depth knowledge of exclusions/exceptions related to a particular code
• Excellent awareness of all requirements pertaining to accurate billing and coding
• Professionals stay constantly updated regarding changes in codes, and related rules and regulations
• Knowledge regarding Medicare rules as well as those of private payers.

New Developments

• Chiropractors are required to use ICD-10 codes on electronic as well as paper claim transactions, providing the dates of service for all procedures done after October 1, 2013. Failure to include this might lead to claim rejection.

• Regarding HIPAA compliance, with effect from January 1, 2012, for all electronic transactions including eligibility enquiries, remittance advices and claims, Version 5010 format has to be used instead of the current standard Version 4010/4010A1. This changeover is in order to facilitate the use of ICD-10 codes which are going to be implemented soon.

Therefore all electronic health transactions are to be done according to Version 5010 to avoid delay in payment due. June 15, 2011 has been declared by Medicare as the National Testing Day for the 5010 conversion.

Chiropractic Myths


Myth #1: Chiropractic is addictive.

Reality: Chiropractic isn't addictive, however, it is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, more energetic and pain free as a result of chiropractic care. It's similar to how some people get used to exercise and the feelings that come from a workout.

Myth #2: Chiropractic is just for back pain.

Reality: Chiropractic has been used to help many symptoms ranging from sinus pain, migraines, rib pain, menstrual cramps and knee pain. Chiropractic adjustments can also be used on an ongoing basis as prevention, similar to taking antioxidants to ward off disease.

Myth #3: "I can crack my own neck/back. I don't need a chiropractor."

Reality: The need to pop your neck or back is caused by tension from a jammed or fixated vertebra, which causes another part of the spine to compensate by moving too much and popping a lot. The jammed part should be adjusted by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spinal column will be balanced and stop being so moveable and noisy. Cracking or popping your own spine may give you relief for a while but soon the urge to 'pop' reappears because the cause of the spinal tension hasn't been corrected.

Myth #4: Chiropractic is dangerous.

Reality: Recent research states that patients are no more likely to suffer a stroke following a visit to a chiropractor than they would after stepping out of their family doctor's office.1 This means that there is no increased danger from getting a chiropractic adjustment than there is by going to your medical doctor's office. Another study found that treatment of neck pain with anti inflammatory drugs, like Advil, cause 100-200 deaths per million cases. 2 Compare this with the ratio of 1-2 cases per million for chiropractic. It's about 100 times safer to go to a chiropractor than to take over the counter medication. That's something to think about!


  1. Spine 2008 (Feb 15); 33 (4 Suppl): S176-183

  2. J. Manipulative Physiol. Ther. 1995 Oct;18(8):530-6.

Myth #5: Chiropractic is only for adults.

Reality: We take our children for regular check-ups at the dentist and optometrist, but we never think of taking them to a chiropractor. Teeth and eyes are important but what about their spines? Did you know that most adult problems that chiropractors deal with actually have a start in childhood. The 'growing pains' of a 12 year old boy can become crippling low back and leg pains in adulthood. It's better to stop it at the beginning than to wait until it gets worse.

Myth #6: Spinal adjustments are uncomfortable.

Reality: Most times a spinal adjustment itself will not hurt at all. In fact a great sense of relief is usually experienced. On some occasions it may feel like a bruise is being pressed or similar to the sensation of tender muscles after starting an exercise program. Over time, as your nervous system integrates the effects of the adjustments, most people feel a continuing sense of ease. This is one reason many people make chiropractic the cornerstone of their wellness lifestyle.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Can a Chiropractor Relieve Your Menopause Symptoms?


Anxiety isn't the only menopause symptom. Menopause can also cause a slew of other emotional and physical symptoms including back pain and discomfort. The good news is that menopausal women who suffer from back problems are finding relief through chiropractic medicine.

What is chiropractic medicine? It is a treatment that assists in restoring balance, healing and energy throughout the body. When our bodies lack balance, the hormonal and stress response system are affected. Thus, chiropractic medicine works by alleviating pressure on the nerve roots of the spine, helping to relieve discomfort. It detects dislocation (subluxation) and promotes correction by encouraging the function, repair, coordination and communication of the nervous system. Chiropractic medicine is a non-invasive drug-free treatment that is performed by a chiropractor.

How is it performed? First of all, chiropractor treatment will vary for each patient, as different techniques may be used to help alleviate certain symptoms or health conditions. Therefore, a chiropractor will want to know the medical history of the patient and their current health problems. Once this information has been processed, treatment will then be provided.

Most chiropractors will use their hands to perform treatment; however, they may also use other treatment methods such as light, heat, ultrasound, electrotherapy and other special adjusting instruments. You will also likely be provided with information regarding a personalized exercise program, nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help improve your symptoms.

Is treatment painful? No. Most people find chiropractic medicine to be quite relaxing. What may be unnerving to some patients are popping sounds that joints make when they are adjusted. This popping noise is the sound that occurs when a gas bubble between the joints pop. It's the same sound and feeling that happens when you crack your knuckles.

How can a chiropractor help during menopause? Chiropractic medicine can relieve a variety of painful and uncomfortable menopause symptoms related to estrogen deficiency including:

o Back pain

o Headaches and/or migraines

o Stress and tension

o Neck problems

Chiropractor treatment is also considered beneficial for treating the beginning stages of osteoporosis. It is incredibly effective at restoring flexibility to joints and decreasing muscular tension and pressure on nerves.

Chiropractic treatment can provide relief fast, which is often why it is one of the most celebrated alternative remedies. That being said, you will need more than one chiropractic treatment. The average patient has eight annual visits, but this number will vary depending on the health concern.

Are their any risk? It is extremely rare for complications to occur during chiropractic treatment, especially if performed by an experienced and qualified chiropractor. Therefore, it is a low risk, non invasive therapy that is virtually safe for everyone.

How do I find a chiropractor? Although you don't need to be referred to a chiropractor by your doctor, it is a good idea to first consult your health care provider to find out if he/she has any recommendations. You should also speak to others who have had chiropractor treatment to learn about their experiences and ask them about their chiropractors.

You can find chiropractors to help treat your menopause symptoms by checking your local yellow pages, phoning your local hospital, or doing an online search with your city and "chiropractor" as the main keywords.

The Chiropractic Approach Towards Sleep Issues


Sleep is important to good health and functioning, so insufficiency of it is a serious matter. Through it, our bodies recharge and renew to prepare for the next day's challenges. It is one of the most important functions for the brain to operate properly and is required for our nervous system to regulate responses to external stimuli.

Everyone's individual sleep needs vary, but most healthy adults need an average of eight hours of sleep during the night. However, the quality usually counts more than the quantity when it comes to sleeping. Having enough uninterrupted sleep is more likely to help maintain the body's natural sleep pattern and result in more restful and restorative sleep.

Inadequate amounts of sleep can take on a raw edge to anyone's life. This can lead to reduced productivity, moodiness, irritability, poor concentration, impaired memory, decreased learning and logical reasoning abilities, and difficulty in all areas of life due to increased feelings of stress. In some cases, people will not realize that the discomfort, pain, and anxiety they are experiencing throughout the day are outcomes of poor sleep. Frequent need for naps, extreme irritability during daytime, difficulty staying awake when sitting still, looking tired, frequent emotional outbursts, slow reaction times, too much dependence on caffeine, difficulty focusing and concentrating, and poor appetite are some of the crucial signs of abnormal sleeping patterns.

Insomnia is the most common of all sleep-related problems. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that insomnia affects up to 40 percent of the general population every year. Insomnia varies depending on the individual. It can be difficulty falling asleep, waking up often with difficulty falling back into sleep, waking too early in the morning, or poor sleeping quality. Other common types of sleep problems and disorders are sleep apnea, snoring, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder, and narcolepsy.

Chiropractic, combined with complementary and alternative therapies, has proven effective in diagnosing sleeping disorders and providing treatments that offer the promise of a better night's sleep. One of the examples is due to sleep apnea where breathing stops for a short period of time during sleeping. Chiropractic therapy can help clear up the airways and improve the patient's ability to breathe deeply.

Chiropractic adjustments are made to help in clearing up energy blockages throughout the body and improve circulation to stiff and tired muscles. This helps to improve natural deeper relaxation for a more restful sleep at night. Naps are reduced during daytime and the mood is much improved.

Chronic pain from physical ailments may stem from the spinal cord, which can affect the brain that causes sleeping disorders. Many of the underlying causes of poor sleep such as stress, back pain, neck pain, and headaches can be corrected through chiropractic therapy.

Whether a person suffers from insomnia, sleepwalking, or inability to fall asleep in time, lack of sleep can make everything else in life so much harder which can be detrimental to a person's health. Chiropractic treatment is a good option if you don't want to rely on prescription drugs. Getting a good night's sleep might be the simplest way to live a fulfilling life. As the old Chinese proverb says, "Only one cannot sleep does one know how long the night is."

Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Bed Wetting


Very often patients come into Upper Cervical Clinics and are unsure about what Upper Cervical Chiropractic can help with. Often they show up simply because someone they know had said to them "I think my doctor can help you!" The patient comes based upon the recommendation of a friend, the knowledge that they are in pain, and they have hope that this new Upper Cervical Doctor can help them. So the question is what can Upper Cervical Chiropractic help with?

The answer in short is there really is no limit to what it can help with! The goal of Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic is to help your brain and body communicate as efficiently as possible. Who could not be helped by better brain to body communication? Everyone could! If there is a dis-connect between brain to body communication, the body's healing messages are being choked off and this can result in a wide variety of problems for the body. So when someone asks "what does an Specific Doctor do?" You can now answer, "They help the body and brain communicate to their best ability." And this is good for all people.

So getting to Bed Wetting specifically, all parts of the body are controlled by the brain. If the brain has proper communication to the body, the individual parts of the body should be able to function correctly. It is through was of the nervous system that the brain speaks to the bladder, sphincters, smooth muscles, etc. If there is a disconnect in this pathway it could lead to a problem such as bed wetting, inability to control urine output, frequent urination, etc. This is especially true in children. When a child receives his first Specific Correction, you would be amazed at how fast the body often responds and changes. Huge improvements are often seen with children who are under Upper Cervical Care.

Many have been helped with bed wetting through Upper Cervical Chiropractic. There is a direct link to brain stem and/or spinal cord pressure, resulting from the head not sitting over the spine properly, which results in bed wetting.

A mal-positioned head is not always observed without the use of x-ray. Birth trauma, accidents, falls or slips are usually the cause of this brain to body interference. By finding a Cape Girardeau Chiropractor who utilizes Upper Cervical Chiropractic you will know that they will be specifically looking at this problem. By looking at this area in a specific manner your Cape Girardeau Chiropractor can determine if you and your child have as many say "their head on straight", if you are unsure that this is the case be sure to "get your check-up from the neck up!"

Pinched Nerve Neck Pain - Causes, Symptoms, and Chiropractic Treatment


If you're experiencing chronic pinched nerve neck pain, don't hesitate to see a chiropractor for treatment. The following article discusses causes, symptoms, and effective methods of chiropractic treatment for pinched neck anguish.

What are the symptoms of pinched nerve neck pain?

Common symptoms of nerve neck pain include neck anguish (chronic or less severe) as well as pain radiating down the neck and arms or sometimes even as far down as the hands. The reason individuals experience nerve neck anguish is because your nerves, the cells that specialize in transmitting messages throughout your entire body become damaged.

Pinched nerve neck pain: how does it occur?

You can damage, injure, or "pinch" a nerve in a variety of ways: overstretching the nerve, constricting the nerve, and compressing are a few. Nerve neck pain can result from bony growths in your neck that occur from arthritis or any degenerative disease that places pressure on the nerves in the neck. You may suffer from neck anguish due to spinal stenosis, a condition that causes the space between your neck and spinal vertebrae to narrow. Spinal stenosis applies increased pressure to nerves. Herniated disks are also a contributor to pinched nerve neck anguish-in those cases, disks can "slip out of place". Carpal tunnel is also a cause of nerves, as that area which all finger tendons and nerves pass through the hand is a bottleneck area.

If you suffer from neck pain, consult a chiropractor for treatment options. Common pinched nerve neck symptoms include numbness in the hands or legs, back spasms, tingling, burning, or hot/cold sensations.

Are you experiencing pain radiating from your neck?

Does your neck feel weak?

Do you feel a numb, prickling, or burning sensation in your neck?

Do any of the sensations/pain extend beyond your neck?

If you're experiencing any or all of those neck anguish sensations, it's best to consult with a chiropractor. Very few patients need surgery for pinched nerves; for most of them, non-surgical treatments such as Chiropractic Care, physical therapy, or medication will provide relief from nerve pain. There are a variety of focused therapies to help you find relief from all your nerve symptoms and have a better long-term outcome. Let a chiropractor work with you to develop a treatment plan and get you on the road to recovery.

Consult a chiropractor about your neck anguish-although some nerve problems can be resolved without any treatment, others can degenerate and numbness, damage, burning, or tingling sensations can become permanent.

Chiropractic Care Helps Aid Patients With HPV


HPV, which stands for the Human Papillomavirus, is a Sexual Transmitted Infection that causes genital warts through physical contact. Doctors are often asked what they can do to help prevent further breakouts or to suppress the virus. The key to fighting the virus is by boosting your immune system and keeping it at high levels. There are many ways of doing this by simply exercising and eating right. If you smoke, then you better start becoming an ex-smoker because any type of drug that essentially lowers your immune system will only make things worse. So how does chiropractic care come into this?

Simple, when you see a chiropractor they analyze your bone structure and muscles. When someone has a low immune system your body is out of balanced and a chiropractor does what is called as an, adjustment, to unlock the body natural healing power, result in boosting your immune system in a more natural way rather than taking some drug or pill. Chiropractor practice and believe that all of us can heal ourselves through our own bodies and inner healing system by aligning are bones correctly which causes a healthy shift in your body.

You should not be afraid to visit a chiropractor if you have HPV as chiropractors have great knowledge of the virus because it means that your body is not aligned with where you want it to be which is why your body has taken on the negative virus. Chiropractic care placed upon HPV carriers has shown results of people living longer without any breakouts of new warts which is a great sign that your body is fighting the virus and will continue to for as long as you keep injecting a healthy lifestyle.

Using Chiropractic Treatment For Headache Relief


Headaches are such a common ailment that many Americans perceive them as normal. More than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches and of those, 28 million people suffer from migraines. Seven million Americans suffer from a headache at least every other day. A headache is the reason for approximately one-third of pain clinic visits. Even more amazing, a severe headache results in five percent of visits to a hospital emergency room. On any given day, millions of people in the U.S. look for ways to get headache relief.

Researchers and medical professionals have diagnosed 150 categories of headaches. Tension headaches, sometimes called chronic daily headaches, are the most common type among adolescents and adults. Muscles contract, causing mild to moderate pain, and these headaches frequently come and go over a prolonged period. Causes of headaches of the migraine variety are unknown, though doctors believe migraines are related to changes within the brain, including blood vessel contractions.

Migraines are often characterized by throbbing, pounding pain that ranges from moderate to severe in degree. A migraine can last from four hours to as long as three days and typically occurs between one and four times per month. Associated symptoms include nausea or vomiting, appetite loss, and sensitivity to noise, odors, or light. Children suffering from migraines may also feel dizzy, look pale, experience blurred vision, and get a fever. The condition can be so debilitating that sufferers of all ages are willing to try anything to get migraine headache relief.

People suffering from sinus headaches report a constant, deep pain in their forehead, cheekbones, or the bridge of their nose. Sudden movement of the head only intensifies this pain. Other sinus-related symptoms including fever, nasal discharge, and facial swelling often accompany these headaches. Cluster headaches are the least common primary headache types and these are characterized by intense constant or throbbing pain behind one eye or within the eye region that has a piercing or burning quality.

Depending on the type of headache being experienced, pain may be felt in the forehead, around the eyes, in the temples, or in the back of the head. While headaches of the cluster variety occur on one side of the head, other types occur on both sides. Patients may grow so accustomed to experiencing a certain type of headache that they refer to it as "normal." While headache pain may be common, it is never normal and migraine, sinus, cluster, and tension headache relief should be sought as soon as possible.

While exact causes of headaches that fall into some categories are unknown, research indicates that upper neck joints and nerves are the source of pain experienced by many common headache suffers. This area of the body is referred to as the cervical spine and the condition is referred to as a cerviogenic headache, which means "headaches coming from the neck." In its headache classification system, the National Institutes of Health classifies cerviogenic headaches as one of the five major types of headaches.

Spinal manipulations, also called spinal adjustments, are safe and effective remedies for headaches due to irritated upper neck joints and nerves. Within the U.S., Doctors of Chiropractic perform most spinal manipulations. The adjustments they perform safely and gently establish proper movement of the upper neck and its joints. Reported side effects have been few, if any, making spinal manipulation a viable alternative to medication-based headache remedies commonly used by American headache sufferers.

Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, are commonly taken to achieve stress, tension, and migraine headache relief. These medications are available without a prescription, making them easy for headache sufferers to obtain. However, they can also be quite harmful due to their side effects. Every year in the U.S., more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and more than 16,000 die from irritation or bleeding ulcers within the stomach and gastric tract stemming from NSAID side effects.

Another difference between medications and spinal manipulations is the result of the treatment. Medications tend to mask the pain experienced by headache sufferers. Spinal adjustments are designed to correct the cause of the headache. Using spinal manipulation rather than medication treatments for headaches also has major healthcare cost-saving implications. Research conducted by one expert reveals that the U.S. healthcare system could save more than $13 billion dollars a year if chiropractic treatments primarily used as headache remedies.

Whether they are seeking migraine, stress, tension, or sinus headache relief, people should explore all available treatments. Some may come to discover that the most recommended remedies for headaches are not as beneficial as they claim to be, due to their side effects. Chiropractic manipulation represents a safe and effective treatment option.