Chiropractic Works

Chiropractic works! So why are there people who still don’t go to a chiropractor for care? There are plenty of misconceptions about chiropractic that keep people from getting the conservative, effective treatment they need. Let’s clear up a few things right now!

Are chiropractors “real” doctors? Chiropractic education is very similar to medical and dental education that demands three to four years of undergraduate studies and an additional four years of post-graduate education. Chiropractic coursework includes anatomy, physiology, orthopedics, neurology, x-ray, nutrition, and philosophy. In the sector of x-ray study, chiropractors , as a matter of fact, have quite a few more hours of education than medical doctors. Chiropractic studies in x-ray consist of x-ray safety, techniques, factors, positioning, and interpretation. In addition, chiropractors have more hours of study in nutrition than students in medical school receive. Chiropractors are sanctioned in all fifty states as doctors.

Is chiropractic safe? Chiropractic adjustments are considered to be one of the safest therapies for the neck and back. It is not only safe for adults, but for children and even infants. Spinal manipulation is encouraged by most medical doctors prior to a patient being recommended to undergo surgery. It is a natural, drug-free alternative to strong drugs like steroids and painkillers.

Does chiropractic hurt? Most patients feel immediate pain relief after an adjustment and increasingly more relaxing and comfortable over time. Adults and children, alike, often look forward to their chiropractic treatments.

Hope that this clears up a few misconceptions. If you are suffering from back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot pain, or headaches and migraines, you don’t need to suffer any longer. Chiropractic works. Call your chiropractor today!

Technorati Tags: back pain, chiropractic, chiropractor, chriorpactic treatment, foot pain, headaches and migraines, hip pain, knee pain, neck pain, should pain

I just read about a recent Consumer Reports survey of its readers that I, as your chiropractor, found “highly satisfying.” The survey, which included 14,000 Consumer Reports subscribers, found that “hands-on” therapies, led by chiropractic care, were the top-rated treatments for people suffering from back pain. In fact, chiropractors were given the highest “satisfaction with care” ratings, well above those given to medical doctors who administered various forms of care to back pain sufferers

The survey, reported in the publication’s May 2009 issue, found that more than half of the respondents had “pain (that) severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer, and 88 percent said it recurred throughout the year.” The report stated that while many go to a primary care physician first for diagnosis and treatment, the majority were disappointed with the results.

On the other hand, 59 percent reported that they were “highly satisfied” with the care they received from chiropractors. The next highest rated practitioners were physical therapists (55 percent) and acupuncturists (53 percent), followed by “specialized” physicians (44 percent) and primary care physicians (34 percent).

Respondents were also asked to rate the types of treatments they received. Again, chiropractic/spinal manipulation got top honors, with 58 percent rating it as “helping a lot.” Spinal injections were next highest, rated at 51 percent, followed by massage (48 percent) and physical therapy (46 percent). Other highly rated treatments included prescription medications (45 percent), yoga (44 percent), movement therapy and acupuncture (both 41 percent).

According to a Dynamic Chiropractic article on that report, “Chiropractic ranked first out of 11 treatments, including massage, acupuncture, and exercise, in its ability to treat back pain. More readers said that chiropractic ‘helped me feel much better’ than any of the other therapies.” Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs ranked eighth and 10th, respectively.

So, if you’ve been “highly satisfied” with your chiropractic care, you’re not alone! In fact, more and more people are turning to chiropractic treatment not only for back pain relief, but for a wide variety of painful conditions from sports and repetitive stress injuries to arthritis.

A public version of the report can be found on the Consumer Reports Web site

Technorati Tags: back pain, chiropractic, chiropractor, Consumer Reports

Scoliosis an Introduction

When the body is seen from behind, a normal spine looks straight without much deviation from laterally. But, if the spine is seen to have a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature, the patient might have a condition called scoliosis.The disorder shouldn’t be confused with bad posture, although it frequently gives the appearance that the person is leaning to one side. Characterized by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra, this complicated deformity often produces a distinctive “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is created by the vertebrae in the region of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their connected ribs posterior hence causing the symptomatic rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. The pulmonary and cardiac functions can be obstructed if the thoracic curve and rib rotation is more than 70 degrees. This intensity of curve and subsequent cardiac and pulmonary changes are often seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and, as such, present a threat to life.

Anatomy

The spine displays four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, all of which are obvious from a side view of the trunk. In the lower spine there is a healthy “C-shaped” curve called swayback or lordosis, while the thoracic curve in the chest vicinity has a “reverse C” called a kyphosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe heightened swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Alterations from normal that are visible from a side view frequently accompany scoliosis changes. Occasionally round back deformities are simply due to bad posture and can often be resolved with postural exercises. A small percentage of people with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are seen in conjunction with vertebral deformity. This type of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much harder to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.

Almost anyone can help to identify a child or grownup with scoliosis just by viewing the person in a standing position, preferably bare-chested and in boxers, and observing the following:

• One shoulder may be more elevated than the other.

• One scapula (shoulder blade) may be higher or more conspicuous than the other.

• There may be more area between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang freely at the side.

• One hip may seem to be more elevated or more conspicuous than the other.

• The head is not centered over the pelvis.

• One side of the back appears higher than the other when the individual is observed from the rear and asked to lean forward until the the spine is horizontal.

The child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further assessment once scoliosis is identified. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

There are various causes and many varieties of scoliosis, nevertheless the most prevalent, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for approximately 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is observed with equal occurrence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This affliction can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent types, based upon the age of onset. Idiopathic Scoliosis commonly runs in families and may be caused by genetic or hereditary influences. For reasons yet to be found, girls are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. The most frequent time for the development of Idiopathic Scoliosis is during adolescence when children are finishing the last major growth spurt. Unfortunately, at this age young people are reluctant to permit their body to be seen by parents and other adults, so it is smart to have this age group examined on a regular basis.

If a scoliotic curve is found in the growing adolescent, it is vital that the curves be monitored for development by periodic examination and sometimes standing X-rays. In ninety percent of conditions, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, though| increases in spinal deformity necessitate evaluation to decide if a brace or other therapy is required. In a small number of people, surgical treatment may be required.~Surgery may be necessary for a small number of people.

Brace support (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children when an increase in their scoliosis or kyphosis is observed, or when new symptoms of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis are diagnosed. There are quite a few types of braces, all created to prevent curves from increasing through acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces will not usually make the spine completely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. However, bracing is effectual in preventing curve progression in an impressive number of skeletally-immature adolescents.

There is no simple resolution for scoliosis. Most cases, even though regularly monitored, are not actively treated. The common medical treatment for moderate instances is a brace, whereas severe cases are sometimes treated surgically. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Besides bracing, many other therapies have been used successfully including specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments. It looks as if the best results have been supported with a multi-faceted approach to the management of this affliction.

There are chiropractors, that have expertise managing scoliosis conditions.

Technorati Tags: back pain, chiropractor, scoliosis