Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Slip And Fall... but I'm OK!!

  Too many people take on accidents and traumas with out even knowing they have hurt themselves.  It may not be hurt themselves as in constant pain, bruising, bleeding or something else, but in a way we call Subluxation.  #Fatheroftheyear  What we do is fall, look around, laugh, get back up and hope nobody saw.  We may find a secluded spot and cry?  As long as there is nothing broken or bleeding, we generally chalk it up to "I'm OK!"  As a Chiropractor for 10 years, I can say that I have seen my share of patients who were OK at the time and are suffering now, months or years later.  It's not always what we see that is important to take care of, but rather what we can't see that we need to take care of.  #Spinalhygiene
  What we know is that our body protects what it values the most.  Brain / skull  --  Spinal Cord / spinal column  --  Heart and Lungs / rib cage.   So really when you look at it even if there is no bruising or bleeding, you can and most like do have some internal injuries.  The most prevalent in slip and falls are the tailbone and low back.  Pain in most cases is present for some time and muscle spasms and tension is probably going to be there.  But how do you correct your misstep? 
  The answer:  Get checked out by a Chiropractor, Orthopedic, Physician, some one who can correctly evaluate your spine's structure and function to see if you may have any latent symptoms that will show up down the road.  In most cases, only the Chiropractor will do an assessment as to whether future problems are possible,  orthopedics and physicians are classically trained to address the here and now, not the future or progression of a possible problem.
Brought to you by:  Community Chiropractic PA

Monday, February 10, 2014

Who Goes To A Chiropractor..?

WHO GOES TO A CHIROPRACTOR...?  
  The simplest answer should be "anyone with a spine", the more accurate description is "someone with neck or back pains".  So how did this happen?  I can entertain the idea that chiropractors are known for being experts in the field of neck and back pain, but to pigeon hole the whole profession to "neck and back" doctors, we are living inside the box.  I have help those who have Migraines, Plantar Fascitis, Fibromyalgia, Digestive disorders, or any number of other ailments that may not be neck and back specific.  So what do Chiropractors really do?
  Chiropractors are like that "Jack" of all conditions, "Masters" of the spine.  The CNS or central nervous system; brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves are your gold mine.     The CNS is responsible for every action and reaction that your body has.  It is involved in every decision that your cells make.  Therefore, the best doctor is your own body! 
  Chirorpactors understand this and try to make educated and skilled decisions on how to clear the way for your body's healing potential to come out.  No other profession is given the amount of schooling and hands on specificity to move bones of the spine to help the function of the body, that Chiropractors are given. We all need to understand that the human body has limitations to it.  When those limitations are compromised or injured, then it's very hard to function optimally.  Medications only cover up the symptoms, rarely to aid in the healing process.  It is up to you, the individual, and those you seek help from to brandish a plan of treatment to get you back to optimal functioning.  Chiropractic should be a part of that plan.
  More and more have been turning to chiropractic as their health treatment of choice.  Back in the 1980s and 90s, with the aid of insurance, Chiropactic made a strong surge forward, but as of the turn of the century as Chiropractic has stayed the same insurance coverages slowed down and people yet again fell back onto a Medical model of healthcare.  The nations health, according to the WHO, has steadily declined since then.  Remarkably enough, the top 3 killers in the nation today are all products of a lazy, unhealthy and most noteably poor lifestyle choices.  Chiropractic isn't the be all end all of the nations problems, but it's a start.!

Friday, February 7, 2014

I've Got A "Crick" In My Neck!

Many of us, at one time or another, wake up with a strange feeling in our neck.  It's the feeling that you just can't turn it as far as you would like.  (NECK MOTION)  Then as you go through your morning it seems to get worse.    WHAT'S GOING ON?  You think to yourself. Why does it hurt so much to turn to one side and not the other?  So you take something, maybe, or you massage it, or maybe you just deal with it and hope it gets better.  (NECK MOTION-now) It pulls down by your shoulder blade and hurts to move your head to one side, down and now up.  What is it you ask?

TORTICOLLIS!

Most likely you kinked your neck while you were sleeping in an awkward direction and you are now paying for it.  What has happened is that the muscles around your neck are reacting to the pressure that you put on your neck nerves the night before. #pinched nerve  Your muscles spasm and tighten up the already swollen joint capsule.  Some torticollis' are worse than other but all respond well to 4 things. 

1.  Ice
2.  Ultrasound
3.  Light Stretching 
4.  Chiropractic Adjustment

Chiropractic treatment of a spasmotic torticollis is very effective.  You need 2 visits, maybe a 3rd, to completely relieve it.  After the first days treatment, you can expect ~50% improvement in both range of motion and pain relief.  On the second day, you can expect about 85% improvement.  At that point you can more than likely function normally for the continued time.  You will most likely deal with the problem longer if you do nothing or just cover it up with medications.