Blog ArchiveHide
2012
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
2011
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
It's not all in your head- Wayzata, Plymouth, Minnetonka MN.
Posted on 2012-02-29 10:11:27
It’s not all in your head- Wayzata, Plymouth, Minnetonka MN.
Treat tension headaches at the source
Everyone experiences headaches, but did you know there are two main categories? Most people – in fact, 95 percent of people according to the American Chiropractic Association – suffer from primary headaches.[1]
The most common form of primary headaches, tension headaches, can be triggered by poor posture, sedentary behavior, sleep patterns and work ergonomics. Add in other factors such as stress, fatigue, and malnutrition and a throbbing headache can surface abruptly – a painful way to carry out the day.
Secondary headaches are typically more severe than primary headaches and are the result of an underlying disorder such as meningitis or a serious neck injury.
Typical responses for a headache are to reach for the medicine cabinet, lie down for a short time, or simply try to ignore it. Unfortunately, most remedies do not address the issue where it starts, and relief is short-lived.
Chiropractors across the world will agree – the solution is not to provide relief temporarily, but to find the source of pain, treat it, and let headaches be a thing of the past.
One thing leads to another
Chiropractors have an extensive knowledge of joint, muscle, and bone functionality. Their expertise in the musculoskeletal system gives them an ability to identify pain at the source. They know that pain in one section of the body can be a response to a disturbance in a completely different area.
When a tension headache occurs, we experience cranial and facial pain, even though there is not an injury to the face or the brain.
According to a New York Times article, “The brain is insensitive to pain, so that is not what hurts when you have a headache. Rather, the pain occurs in the following locations:
- The tissues covering the brain
- The attaching structures at the base of the brain
- Muscles and blood vessels around the scalp, face, and neck”[2]
Most tension headaches are a result of a disturbance in another part of the body. Multiple factors can intensify the issue such as light, work environments, food, and sleep patterns.
How chiropractic can help
Throughout time, our bodies adapt to repetitive poor posture and work ergonomics.
As this happens, alignment in the neck, upper back and spine become compromised.
This stress and misalignment upon the musculoskeletal system can be a great causer of tension headaches.
It is important to consult with a chiropractor to discover what is causing headaches, and how to treat them. People may be experiencing headaches but are unaware that their posture and musculoskeletal health can be the source.
Chiropractors can help by restoring range of motion and correcting the body’s biomechanics through adjustments and spinal manipulation.
A headache is a message from your body, telling you that something is out of order. If headaches are becoming a common problem, it is up to you to take control – visit with your chiropractor and fix the problem at the source.
[1] American Chiropractic Association. (Accessed: February 2012) Headaches & Chiropractic. http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=2186
[2] New York Times. (Accessed: February 2012) Headache, Cluster In-Depth Report. http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/cluster-headaches/print.html
Does Back Pain Go Away on Its Own?
Posted on 2012-02-23 15:32:48
Does Back Pain Go Away on Its Own?
What Causes Back Pain?
The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements-for example, picking up a pencil from the floor-can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss.
Back injuries are a part of everyday life, and the spine is quite good at dealing with these often "pulled" muscles. These very minor injuries usually heal within 1 or 2 days. Some pain, however, continues. What makes some pain last longer is not entirely understood, but researchers suspect that the reasons may include stress, mood changes, and the fear of further injury that may prevent patients from being active. In addition, sometimes a painful injury or disease changes the way the pain signals are sent through the body, and, even after the problem has gone away or is inactive, the pain signals still reach the brain. It is as if the pain develops a memory that keeps being replayed.
Will Back Pain Go Away on Its Own?
Until recently, researchers believed that back pain will "heal" on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. A recent study showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily but will most likely return. The study demonstrated that in more than 33% of the people who experience low-back pain, the pain lasts for more than 30 days. Only 9% of the people who had low-back pain for more than 30 days were pain free 5 years later.1
Another study looked at all of the available research on the natural history of low-back pain. The results showed that when it is ignored, back pain does not go away on its own.2 Those studies demonstrate that low-back pain continues to affect people for long periods after it first begins.
What Can I Do to Prevent Long-Term Back Pain?
If your back pain is not resolving quickly, visit your doctor of chiropractic. Your pain will often result from mechanical problems that your doctor of chiropractic can address. Many chiropractic patients with relatively long-lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting chiropractic treatment.3 The relief they feel after a month of treatment is often greater than after seeing a family physician.4
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is a safe and effective spine pain treatment. It reduces pain, decreases medication, rapidly advances physical therapy, and requires very few passive forms of treatment, such as bed rest.5
How Can I Prevent Back Pain?
- Don't lift by bending over. Instead, bend your hips and knees and then squat to pick up the object. Keep your back straight, and hold the object close to your body.
- Don't twist your body while lifting.
- Push, rather than pull, when you must move heavy objects.
- If you must sit for long periods, take frequent breaks and stretch.
- Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels.
- Exercise regularly. An inactive lifestyle contributes to lower-back pain.
What Should I Tell My Doctor of Chiropractic?
Before any treatment session, tell your doctor of chiropractic if you experience any of the following:
- Pain goes down your leg below your knee.
- Your leg, foot, groin, or rectal area feels numb.
- You have fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, weakness, or sweating.
- You lose bowel control.
- Your pain is caused by an injury.
- Your pain is so intense you can't move around.
- Your pain doesn't seem to be getting better quickly.
References
- Hestbaek L, Leboeuf-Yde C, Engberg M, Lauritzen T, Bruun NH, Manniche C. The course of low-back pain in a general population. Results from a 5-year prospective study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003 May;26(4):213-9.
- Hestbaek L, Leboeuf-Yde C, Manniche C. Low-back pain: what is the long-term course? A review of studies of general patient populations. Eur Spine J 2003 Apr;12(2):149-65.
- Stig LC, Nilsson O, Leboeuf-Yde C. Recovery pattern of patients treated with chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for long-lasting or recurrent low back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2001 May;24(4):288-91.
- Nyiendo J, Haas M, Goodwin P. Patient characteristics, practice activities, and one-month outcomes for chronic, recurrent low-back pain treated by chiropractors and family medicine physicians: a practice-based feasibility study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000 May;23(4):239-45.
- Time to recognize value of chiropractic care? Science and patient satisfaction surveys cite usefulness of spinal manipulation. Orthopedics Today February 2003;23(2):14-15.
Chiropractic Was Rated Most Effective Treatment For Low Back Pain In Consumer Reports Survey: Alternative Therapies
Posted on 2012-02-14 12:36:59
Americans Are Flocking to Alternative Therapies
Most Americans believe that prescription medications are the most effective treatments for many common illnesses, but a Consumer Reports survey of more than 45,000 people finds that three-fourths of us are turning to alternative therapies like yoga and acupuncture.
The new report says 38 million adults make more than 300 million visits per year to acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and other practitioners of alternative and complementary techniques.
"Despite the hoopla over alternative therapies, when we asked respondents how well the therapies they used worked for 12 common health problems, results showed that they were usually deemed far less helpful than prescription medicine for most of the conditions," Consumer Reports Health says in its September issue.
Also, over-the-counter medications in many cases are more popular among consumers than widely used dietary supplements, according to the survey.
Most Popular Alternative Therapies
Chiropractic, deep-tissue massage, and mind-body practices like yoga dominated the list of alternative treatments that respondents said were helpful for back pain, neck pain, and the aches of osteoarthritis.
And though meditation is widely touted as an effective way to relieve anxiety, insomnia, and depression, the survey says prescription antidepressants are used by more people.
Among key findings of the survey:
- Consumers ranked prescription drugs as most effective for nine of 12 conditions -- allergies, cold and flu, depression, anxiety, digestive problems, headache and migraine, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, and osteoarthritis.
- Of the 46% of respondents who used prescription drugs for osteoarthritis pain, 53% said it helped a lot; 54% of respondents used glucosamine/chondroitin for osteoarthritis symptoms, and 25% said it helped a lot.
- Of the 27% of respondents who used meditation, 42% said it helped "a lot" with anxiety.
- 43% of respondents used deep-breathing exercises for anxiety, and 34% found it helped a lot.
- Chiropractic care was ranked as the most effective treatment for back pain.
- Pilates, yoga, and deep-tissue massage all rated about the same as prescription medication for back pain.
- Vitamins and minerals were the most commonly used alternative treatments for general health, with 73% of respondents taking them.
- A majority of people who said they used alternative therapies had told their doctors about it.
Respondents were online subscribers of Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports recommends that people who decide to try alternative treatments talk to their doctor first to set realistic expectations for improvement.
Sports Injury Prevention in Children in Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Plymouth MN from a Chiropractors Perspective
Posted on 2012-02-08 20:41:26
Sports Injury Prevention in Children in Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Plymouth MN from a Chiropractor's Perspective
Great article from the American Chiropractic Association...
Keep Young Athletes Healthy and Fit
-
Wear the proper equipment. Certain contact sports, such as football and hockey, can be dangerous if the equipment is not properly fitted. Make sure all equipment, including helmets, pads and shoes fit your child or adolescent. Talk to your child’s coach or trainer if the equipment is damaged.
-
Eat healthy meals. Make sure your young athlete is eating a well-balanced diet and does not skip meals. Avoid high-fat foods, such as candy bars and fast food. At home, provide fruit rather than cookies, and vegetables rather than potato chips.
-
Maintain a healthy weight. Certain sports, such as gymnastics, wrestling and figure skating, may require your young athlete to follow strict dietary rules. Be sure your child does not feel pressured into being too thin and that he/she understands that proper nutrition and caloric intake is needed for optimal performance and endurance.
-
Drink water. Hydration is a key element to optimal fitness. Teenage athletes should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Younger athletes should drink five to eight 8-ounce glasses of water.
-
Drink milk. Make sure your child has enough calcium included in his/her diet. For children over 2 years of age, ACA recommends 1 percent or skim milk rather than whole milk. Milk is essential for healthy bones and reduces the risk of joint and muscle related injuries.
-
Avoid sugar-loaded, caffeinated and carbonated drinks. Sports drinks are a good source of replenishment for those kids engaged in long duration sports, such as track and field.
-
Follow a warm-up routine. Be sure your child or his/her coach includes a warm-up and stretching session before every practice, game or meet. A slow jog, jumping rope and/or lifting small weights reduces the risk of torn or ripped muscles. Flexibility is key when pushing to score that extra goal or make that critical play.
-
Take vitamins daily. A multi-vitamin and Vitamin C are good choices for the young athlete. Vitamin B and amino acids may help reduce the pain from contact sports. Thiamine can help promote healing. Also consider Vitamin A to strengthen scar tissue.
-
Avoid trendy supplements. Kids under the age of 18 should avoid the use of performance-enhancing supplements, such as creatine. Instead, they should ask their coach or trainer to include weekly weight training and body-conditioning sessions in their workout.
-
Get plenty of rest. Eight hours of sleep is ideal for the young athlete. Lack of sleep and rest can decrease performance. Sluggishness, irritability and loss of interest could indicate that your child is fatigued.
Article on the Giants and Patriots Team Chiropractors
Posted on 2012-02-06 20:03:00
Chiropractic and Active Release helpful for athletes in Wayzata, Plymouth, MN and Minnetonka and for the Giants and Patriots
Article from the American Chiropractic Association:
As the New England Patriots and New York Giants prepare to play on the biggest stage of all for football fans – the XLVI Super Bowl, February 5, 2012, Indianapolis,Ind. — the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, points to the role of the team Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) in optimizing functionality, endurance and overall conditioning.
Dr. Michael Miller of the Patriots and Dr. Robert DeStefano of the Giants explain that chiropractic is fundamental to the consequences of jarring impacts, enhancing body mechanics and joint motion while improving structural balance vital to preventing and addressing many common injuries.
“Professional athletes rely greatly on the coordinated efforts of the entire healthcare team, comprised of athletic trainers, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, orthopedists and chiropractors,” says Dr. DeStefano. “With the exception of 24/7 availability, preparing for Super Bowl is no different than the regular season. As injuries present themselves, we work systematically to provide the athlete with the care needed. In the end, we hope for quick recovery and high-level performance.”
Dr. Miller, who notes that the Patriots have dedicated their season and championship wins to Myra Kraft, the late wife of the team’s owner Robert Kraft, adds, “Most of our players will get adjusted prior to games to adequately prepare their bodies for battle. Several times during the playoffs, incidents occurred that required chiropractic care and, subsequent to sideline treatment, players were able to return to action the following play. We expect to have the same efficiency going into and during the Super Bowl.”
Viewed by both teams as a valuable healthcare component, chiropractic care is commonly used to address neuromusculoskeletal strain injuries, including neck pain, low back pain, strains to the hamstring and quadriceps, and certain whiplash injuries. Additionally, it provides treatment for other extremity problems, such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), carpal and tarsal tunnel misalignments, and shoulder, elbow, knee and ankle tribulations.
Being involved with the Patriots for over 30 years, Dr. Miller knows first-hand that the players appreciate the service he provides, and he is excited to enter another Super Bowl together, sharing, “As we get closer, I’m reminded of a mantra from head coach Bill Belichick who says, Do your job. If done well, it will reap rewards.. I wish both teams health through this next game and may the best team WIN!”
To learn more about professional football and chiropractic, visit the Professional Football Chiropractic Society, an organization that encompasses chiropractors from all 32 NFL teams, including Dr. Miller and Dr. DeStefano, which provide the highest quality chiropractic to the elite athletes.
Giants have Active Release certified Chiropractor on Staff. So do we! If those credentials are good enough for the Giants, shouldn't it be good enough for the athletes of Wayzata, Minnetonka, and Plymouth MN
Posted on 2012-02-05 08:15:08
Active Release Chiropractor for the Giants
Great video showing an Active Release Technique Certified Chirorpactor who is on the staff of the New York Giants. If having those credentials is good enough for the Giants shouldn't it be good enough for the athletes of Wayzata, Plymouth MN, and Minnetonka. Dr. Dave Freidson is one of about 10 individuals in the state who is full body certified in Active Release Technique.
Neck Pain and Shoulder Pain from Shrugging Shoulders in the Winter in Wayzata, Plymouth MN, and Minnetonka
Posted on 2012-02-03 19:22:55
Shrugging of the shoulders causes neck pain and shoulder pain for our patients in Wayzata, Plymouth MN, and Minnetonka.
I’ve noticed that subconsciously in the winter, people shrug their shoulders when they’re outside due to the cold weather. When they get inside, their shoulders are often still shrugged. If this is you, please make a conscious effort to drop your shoulders down. And if you are one that shrugs your shoulders during the day when you are at the computer, or are stressed, please consciously remember to lower your shoulders. Shrugging of the shoulders for a prolonged duration can do a lot to cause neck pain and shoulder pain.
Low Back Pain More Likely in Obese Adults
Posted on 2012-02-02 12:41:46
Low Back Pain More Likely in Obese Adults
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- An age related disability, known as degenerative disc disease, was recently found to be linked to obesity. As a person ages their spinal discs begin to break down and will result in loss of fluids or tears in the outer layers of the discs, all together eventually causing the degenerative disease. A recent study at the University of Hong Kong found that adults who are overweight or obese were significantly more likely to have disc degeneration than those with a normal body mass index (BMI).
According to the World Health Organization, obesity is the most preventable risk factor for a number of diseases including low back pain. Low back pain by itself can limit your function and is associated with substantial socioeconomic and health-care costs. Back pain also impacts psychological well being, and diminishes overall quality of life. Low back pain is often related to degenerative disc disease, so experts suggest that people with higher BMI could develop the disease.
The experts of the study take this notion further by recruiting 2,599 participants who are 21 years or older during 2001 and 2009. They were recruited whether they were experiencing lower back pain or not. The average age was 42. About half the participants were men and half were women. Researchers conducted radiographic and clinical assessments, and MRIs of the lumbar spine were obtained for all participants. Research found that age had a lot to do with who had the disease, the higher the age the higher the prevalence of the disease; 73% of participants had disc degeneration, with men (76%) having a significantly higher prevalence of degeneration than women (71%); and the BMI tests showed that 7% of subjects were underweight, 48% were in the normal weight range, 36% were overweight, and 9% were obese.
"Our research confirms that with elevated BMI there is a significant increase in the extent and global severity of disc degeneration. In fact, end-stage disc degeneration with narrowing of the disc space was more pronounced in obese individuals. Since overweight and obesity are worldwide concerns whose prevalence continues to rise, our study's findings have considerable public health implications. If these issues continue to plague society, they can further affect spine health leading to low back pain and its consequences," Dr. Dino Samartzis, lead researcher at the University of Hong Kong, was quoted as saying.
SOURCE: Arthritis & Rheumatism, January 2012
Office Hours
Community Content
Review Us
Like us on Facebook
Contact
- Phone: 952-475-4080
- Fax: 952-475-4082
- Email Us