The fibromyalgia diagnosis is based on widespread bodily AND spinal pain. Most patients think that fibromyalgia is more a problem related to how intensely the brain perceives pain. While this is important, you have to also consider why the fibromyalgia patient is susceptible to such little pressure at various points. What makes their nerves so […]
Carpal Tunnel and “Manual Techniques”
Manual techniques refers to massage, deep tissue mobilization, and manipulation of the joints. These procedures are performed by chiropractors as a mainstay of their treatment. Several studies have shown that these techniques are helpful at reducing carpal tunnel symptoms. Sometimes scar tissue and tightness of the muscles of the forearms develop. Specific stretching exercises are […]
Low Back Pain and Failed Back Surgery
Back surgery is quite common in the United States with hundreds of thousands of operations performed each year. Sometimes these are laminectomies and diskectomies, and other times the spine is fused together so certain joints no longer move—a critical spinal function. The conservative medical approach/thinking to back pain is rest, medications, exercise, and physical therapy. […]
Whiplash and Muscle Weakness
Whiplash involves the over-stretching of nerves, muscles, and ligaments. The forces are so great during even low speed collisions that the muscles cannot resist the forces. The injury of whiplash produces inflammation to repair the damaged tissues. During this time, fast movements of your head and neck will result in pain, so most patients become […]
Headaches: A New Perspective on an Old Problem
It’s remarkable to consider how many different types of pain relievers there are for headaches—not just at the corner drug stores but also supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations. Drugs like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are consumed daily in America by the truckloads. Have you ever thought about how we approach a health problem or […]
Fibromyalgia, Syndrome X, and Antioxidants
Syndrome X is called the lifestyle disease or metabolic syndrome. Patients with this disorder are overweight, have high “bad” cholesterol (i.e. LDLs) levels, and high blood pressure. They may also have insulin resistance or even be diabetic. This syndrome leads to heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. Most of […]
Carpal Tunnel: Results of a Clinical trial of Two Treatments
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which starts at the neck and runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. In some cases, there may also be compression at other anatomical locations along the course of the nerve, like the neck. The median nerve controls sensations to […]
A Natural Solution To Back Pain
Getting your health back after a spinal injury can be problematic if you do not approach it holistically. What is meant by the term holistic? In general, it is caring for the person as a whole vs. individual parts, and using techniques that assist different bodily systems. It can be treating the mind as well […]
I’m Waking Up with a Stiff Neck!
Life is stressful enough during the day that it seems truly heartbreaking that many us cannot get the restorative sleep we need each night. Insomnia is an epidemic in the United States and many people wake up with actual pain and stiffness each morning. What a way to start the day! Sleep posture is critical […]
Can the Neck Cause Low Back Pain?
For most of us, when we hurt the low back while lifting, the pain starts at the lower spine. It’s usually not a difficult connection to make—that if it’s the low back that is strained, it is the low back that is injured. But in some cases, back pain seems to creep up or come […]