Monday, February 20, 2012

Got Neck Pain? New Study Says Chiropractic Care and Simple Home Exercises Work Better Than Painkillers

Painkilling drugs are associated with dangerous side effects, addiction and overdose. And it turns out they are also much less effective than harmless natural treatments. A new study shows that simple remedies like chiropractic treatments and home exercises relieve sub-acute neck pain better than pharmaceutical drugs - and without all the negative side effects.

Dangerous painkillers can (and should) be avoided

It's estimated that 75 percent of Americans deal with neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain accounts for millions of trips to the doctor every year. The pain can be acute and severe enough to interfere with our everyday lives, but modern medicine offers little help. At best, you get over-the-counter pain relievers or narcotic drugs, all of which come with dangerous side effects and are often not effective enough to get rid of pain.

A new study published on January 3, 2012 inThe Annals of Internal Medicinedemonstrates the power of alternative therapies for neck pain. Participants in the study were divided into three groups: one group made regular visits to the chiropractor, one group received traditional drug therapy, and the third group was instructed on how to perform therapeutic exercises at home to combat their neck pain.

At the end of 12 weeks, it was clear participants who engaged in non-drug therapy fared better than those who received painkillers. In the chiropractic group, 57 percent of individuals reported at least a 75 percent reduction in pain. In the home exercise group, 48 percent reported similar pain relief. However, only 33 percent of the painkiller group saw such results.

The long term benefits are equally impressive. Even one year later, patients in the chiropractic and home exercise groups were still experiencing benefits. About 53 percent in each of these groups still saw at least a 75 percent reduction in pain. In the painkiller group, only 38 percent reported this kind of pain relief.

Besides being less effective, the painkiller group was also increasing their medication over time, which can lead to more serious side effects.

"The people in the medication group kept on using a higher amount of medication more frequently throughout the follow-up period, up to a year later," says Dr. Gert Bronfort, research professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minnesota and an author of the study.

He adds, "If you're taking medication over a long time, then we're running into more systemic side effects like gastrointestinal problems."

It's clear that pharmaceutical drugs are not only dangerous, but ineffective compared to safer natural alternatives for dealing with neck pain.

Sources for this article include:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/for-neck-pain-chiropractic-and-exercise-are-better-than-drugs/

http://www.annals.org/content/156/1_Part_1/1.abstract

About the author:
Elizabeth Walling is a freelance writer specializing in health and family nutrition. She is a strong believer in natural living as a way to improve health and prevent modern disease. She enjoys thinking outside of the box and challenging common myths about health and wellness. You can visit her blog to learn more:
www.livingthenourishedlife.com/2009/10/welcome.html

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/034689_neck_pain_chiropractic_painkillers.html#ixzz1my7g0vkz

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Avoid Antibiotics - There Are Alternatives

There are situations when antibiotics are necessary and sometimes life-saving. Severe infections of the nervous system, kidneys, blood, and lungs require antibiotics. But common respiratory and ear infections, for example, do not need antibiotics. Most of these are caused by viruses anyway, so antibiotics will have no benefit. And antibiotics can cause significant adverse health effects, including setting the body up for future infections. Antibiotics kill off beneficial bacteria that discourage infections. Antibiotics also have a suppressing effect on the immune system, especially whilte blood cell productions and the body's own ability to fight infection. In addition, overuse of antibiotics and exposure to antibiotics through the food we eat has led to bacterial resistance. Then antibiotics are ineffective in fighting infections and we have to move to stronger antibiotics with even more side effects.

A much better solution is to use antiviral and antibacterial herbs and supplements to fight infections. So at the first sign of a virus take a Chinese Herbal Yin Chiao (pronounced "chow") formula. There are also children's liquid versions of this formula (Yin Chiao Jr by Health Concerns and Children's Clear and Release by Golden Flower). Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is also an excellent antiviral and safe for children. Echinacea is sometimes helpful to stimulate white blood cell production as well. These are all available at many health food stores or on the Internet.

For any infections take liquid silver, vitamin C (children can take Emergen-C powder, vitamin A (10,000-50,000 IU), and increase your vitamin D to at least 10,000 IU (children can take 4,000-5,000 for infections).

Use homeopathic Belladonna pellets for any type of acute inflammation and infection, whether it's a fever, red sore throat, earache, or skin infection. If colds develop with congestion then switch to Pulsatilla. And for flus with chills, aching muscles, and extreme tiredness take Gelsemium. Homeopathic medicines are always safe for children as well.

Stock up on these supplements for the winter season. Keep them available and start taking them at the first sign of infection.

About the author:

Dr. Randall Neustaedter, OMD, has practiced and taught holistic medicine for more than thirty years in the San Francisco Bay area, specializing in child health care. He is a licensed acupuncturist and doctor of Chinese medicine, author of The Holistic Baby Guide, Child Health Guide and The Vaccine Guide. Visit his website,www.cure-guide.com,to register for a free newsletter with pediatric specialty articles and follow him on Facebook, at Dr. Randall Neustaedter, OMD.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/034737_antibiotics_alternatives_infections.html#ixzz1kNzLJkwj

Monday, January 16, 2012

Bad Posture Equals Bad Health

Bad posture is a modern day health epidemic that is much worse than most people naturally assume. Posture is the window into your spine. The spine has a powerful relationship with the brain, spinal cord, and overall organ function. This intimate connection means that poor posture and spinal health will lead to an overall decrease in brain and organ function.

Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Roger Sperry says that the spine is the motor that drives the brain. According to his research "90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine." Only 10% of our brain's energy goes into thinking, metabolism, immunity, and healing. Sperry demonstrated that 90% of brain energy goes into processing and maintaining the body's relationship with gravity.

One of the worst types of health problems people experience is a loss of the natural curves of their spine. Ideally, we should have a 40-45 degree curve in our neck that many chiropractors and neurosurgeons refer to as "the arc of life." This curve helps to protect the brain stem and the spinal canal for the spinal cord and nerves that travel to every region of our body.

Subluxation is the term for misalignments of the spine that cause compression and irritation of nerve pathways affecting organ systems of the body. Subluxations can manifest as pain, but since only a small portion of spinal nerves transmit pain sensations they are often unnoticeable by the individual. Losing the arc of life in the neck, forward head posture, and scoliosis are three of the most dangerous forms of subluxation.

Subluxation patterns such as forward head posture and loss of the neck curve are most often created by trauma and/or poor posture. Examples of trauma include the birth process (especially with forceps delivery), falls, car accidents, & sporting activities. The typical individual in our society today spends at least 3-4 hours a day slumped in front of a television, computer, and texting cell phone. These behaviors cause the head to shift forward and create a lasting posture pattern called forward head posture.

This 'forward head posture' can add up to 30 pounds of abnormal leverage pulling the entire spine out of alignment and may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity," says University of California's director of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Rene Cailliet.

As forward head posture decreases lung capacity it affects the body from effectively oxygenating cells. This can lead to asthmatic conditions, blood vessel problems and heart disease. The oxygen deficit affects the entire gastrointestinal system leading to altered nutrient absorption and peristaltic activity. Lowered oxygen states also decrease endorphin production turning the perception of non-painful sensation into pain experiences.

Some chiropractors specialize in corrective care techniques that reduce or eliminate forward head posture and restore the natural curves of the body. This is done through gentle & specific adjustments that take pressure off of the brain stem and nerve pathways and enhance function to the body. Corrective rehabilitative exercises are prescribed to address postural abnormalities and create lasting objective postural and x-ray changes. Specialized chiropractors are able to demonstrate these changes to the individual with pre-post x-rays, nerve scans, postural pictures and other technology.

Studies have shown that corrective based chiropractic care effectively reduces forward head posture and enhances the arc of life. A 2009 study by Morningstar and Jockers showed that this corrective process dramatically enhanced lung function. As the respiration process improves more oxygen gets into the body. This improves blood flow into every organ system of the body dramatically improving overall function.

Reference:
Improvement in Forward Head Posture, Cervical Lordosis, and Pulmonary Function with Chiropractic Care, Anterior Head Weighting and Whole Body Vibration: A Retrospective Study-Mark Morningstar DC, DAASP, FRCCM, FAAIM 1, David Jockers DC, MS, CSCS2J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - October 12, 2009

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/030956_posture_health.html#ixzz1jfEGjgYy

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Additional Advice For Pregnant/Post-Birth Mothers

It is imperative a pregnant mother appreciates that consistent chiropractic care during pregnancy not only strengthens her health but also helps to ensure that her baby has optimum room to grow and move. Further to this it is critical to share with her that research shows that correct alignment of the pelvis and spine contributes to a more straightforward labour with less pain and trauma for mother and child, and may significantly reduce labour time.

Go to www.welladjustedbabies.com to get more helpful information from Dr. Jenn.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Structural and Functional Rehab of the Spine

Cervical Curve and Its Importance

A New Cervical Lordotic Home Traction Device: The Denneroll—An Initial Case Series

Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 6:34AM
CBP Seminars

Deed E. Harrison, DC
President CBP Seminars, Inc.
Vice President CBP Non-Profit, Inc.
ICA Nevada State Assembly Rep
Chair PCCRP Guidelines
Editor—AJCC
In a previous issue of the AJCC (2008), I presented the evidence for in office CBP^® Technique structural rehabilitative procedures. According to the CBP publications, mirror image^® exercises and traction procedures should be performed in-office at least 3-4 times per week for 9-12 weeks in order to obtain significant improvement in abnormal alignment of the spine and improvements in a patient’s chronic disorder(s).^1-5
However, the evidence based practice guideline/protocol of care for CBP technique, recommends home exercise and home traction for patients as a supplementary procedure to the in-office intervention program.^4,5Also, home traction and exercise may be the only viable means of rehabilitation for patient’s whom live many miles away from a given practice or for schedules that are simply not conducive to regular care.
Problematically, to my knowledge, there exist no formal publications documenting the potential benefit/effect of different types of home traction procedures aimed at rehabilitation of the sagittal plane curvatures of the spine. Thus, the purpose of the present article is to present preliminary information on the immediate effect of one traction session using a new cervical orthotic device termed the Denneroll.
Materials and Methods
The Denneroll (Designed by Adrian Dennewald, D. C. of Australia) is a new cervical sagittal plane orthotic device designed to passively stretch the cervical lordosis into a more lordotic position. See Figure 1. Its unique design allows it to support the upper thoracic
curvature while simultaneously create a 3-point bending extension load on the cervical spine.
Most commonly, the Denneroll has 3 primary positions that are used for aiding in the rehabilitation of the cervical lordosis:
1) The apex of the Denneroll orthotic is placed in the upper cervical region (C2-C4) region. This position allows extension bending of the upper cervical segments while causing slight anterior head translation. An upper neck setup and example x-ray subluxation is shown in Figure 1. The red line represents the ideal curvature after Harrison et al.⁶ while the black line shows the patient’s subluxated alignment.
2) The apex of the Denneroll orthotic is placed in the mid-cervical region (C4-C6) region. This position allows extension bending of the mid-upper cervical segments while creating a slight posterior head translation. SeeFigure 1.
3) The apex of the Denneroll orthotic is placed in the upper thoracic or lower-cervical region (C6-T1) region. This position allows extension bending of the majority of cervical segments while creating a significant posterior head translation. See Figure 1.

Figure 1. On the top row from left to right, 3 uniquely different subluxated lateral cervical curvatures are shown; the red line represents the ideal curvature of the neck after Harrison et al.¹ On the bottom row, three primary placements of the Denneroll cervical orthotic are shown. The Denneroll placement should match both the shape of the cervical curve and the amount of sagittal head translation correction that is desired.
For a preliminary investigation, 11 Chiropractors volunteered for an initial neutral lateral cervical radiograph and completed a neck disability index. One out of the 11 lateral cervical came out with digital artifacts that could not be corrected and was discarded; while another had a normal cervical lordosis on the initial lateral x-ray. This left 9 subjects.
The 9 subjects were asked to lie supine on the floor over the Denneroll orthotic device for 10-13 minutes. Only 1 traction-session was used. The Denneroll location was selected by a trained practitioner.
Following the 10-13 minute traction session, the subjects were asked to relax comfortably for 3-5 minutes without stretching or bending the neck. Once the 3-5 minute interval elapsed, a second neutral lateral cervical radiograph was obtained.
Results
The initial and follow-up lateral cervical radiographs were analyzed with the PostureRay x-ray digitization system. Only 2 of the many reported variables are shown in Table 1. The cervical lordosis using the posterior body margins of C2-C7 and the sagittal plane translation of C2-C7 were recorded. From Table 1 it can be seen that a significant improvement in the cervical lordosis (9.8°) and reduction in sagittal plane head translation (7.4mm) were obtained.
Figure 2 shows subject #9’s initial and after lateral cervical alignment. Here the green semi-circular line represents the ideal cervical lordosis after Harrison et al.⁶; while the red line represents his lateral cervical alignment.

Figure 2. Before and After Denneroll x-rays. With the subject supine, the Denneroll was placed in the lower neck as in Figure 1 for 11 minutes. The following up x-ray was taken after 5 minutes of recovery (no Denneroll). Good improvement in cervical lordosis was found after 1 session indicating likely benefit.
Discussion
It is significant that following only one 10-13 minute session on the Denneroll orthotic device, a significant improvement in both the cervical lordosis and anterior head translation. Obviously the results presented herein are preliminary and follow-up should be and will be performed on this device.
From Table 1, the astute reader will see that a couple of the subjects showed remarkable change in lordosis while a couple of subjects showed little only slight change. This type of situation is typical of any/all treatment devices and is due to many variables:
· The elasticity of the individual subject’s tissues,
· The age of the subject,
· The state of degenerative joint disease-stiffness of the tissues,
· The shape of the thoracic curvature,
· Improper application during traction,
· Perhaps the device just won’t work for some individuals, etc.
Most of the above variables can be overcome with continued effort on the patient’s and the doctor’s part. However, as with all interventions, there is no such thing as a one size fits all.
To me, the information presented herein, is preliminary data indicating the Denneroll orthotic may be a viable home traction device to supplement a CBP Chiropractors in office rehabilitative treatments. When the shape of the cervical curve indicates, the Denneroll could be used on off days from office treatments; and in difficult cases, it could be used daily once tolerance is developed.
Hopefully, the information presented will stimulate further research into the effects of home traction units. After all the majority of us (including me) recommend home products to our patients and believe in their effects; but wouldn’t it be nice to know?
Note: If you would like more information on the Denneroll Cervical Orthotic device contact:drdeed@idealspine.com or see www.idealspine.biz.
References
1. Harrison DD, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1994;17(7):454-464.
2. Harrison DE, et al. Arch Phys Med Rehab 2002; 83(4): 447-453.
3. Harrison DE, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003; 26(3): 139-151.
4. Oakley PA, et al. J Canadian Chiro Assoc 2005; 49(4):270-296.
5. Harrison DE, Harrison DD, Haas JW. CBP® Structural Rehabilitation of the Cervical Spine. CBP Seminars, 2002; pgs:147-151. ISBN 0-9721314-0-X.
6. Harrison DD, et al. Spine 2004; 29:2485-2492.

cervical lordosis, Chiropractic BioPhysics, Denneroll Orthotic, subluxation, traction

Article originally appeared on Chiropractic BioPhysics, American Journal of Clinical Chiropractic (http://www.chiropractic-biophysics.com/).

See website for complete article licensing information.

Friday, May 20, 2011

New Study shows how Chiropractic can Help with Tension Headaches

Forward Head Posture, Cervicogenic Headache, and Anatomical Connection Found Between the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major and the Dura Mater

by Dr. Stephanie Maj

A new study, just published in Spine Journal, reports on an investigation of the muscles of the suboccipital triangle and their relationship to cervicogenic headaches (headaches that are caused by subluxations in the neck.)

This got me thinking of a problem I see in over 75% of patients that come to my office: Forward head posture. This position (see picture) puts the neck in an extended position which puts pressure on the nerves that go to the muscles in the back of neck, right under the skull (the rectus capitus muscle group).

This study reports that those muscles connect to the dura mater. The dura mater is the outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes, or meninges, covering the brain and spinal cord.

During the anatomic study of thirteen cadaver specimens, it was discovered that eleven of the 13 specimens had a connection between the rectus capitis posterior major muscle (at C2) and the spinal dura mater. [1] A previous report by Hack (Spine 1995) [2] discussed a connection found between the rectus capitis posterior minor and the dura mater and its relationship to cervicogenic headache.

What is most interesting in this new study is that manual traction of the rectus capitis posterior major resulted in gross movement of the dural sheath from the spinal root level at C2, all the way down to the T1 nerve root. Hack previously suggested that:

“It has been speculated that the function of the muscle dural bridge may be to prevent folding of the dura mater during hyperextension of the neck. Also, clinical evidence suggests that the muscle dural bridge may play an important role the pathogenesis of the cervicogenic headaches.”

The authors of the current study concluded that “various clinical manifestations may be linked to this anatomical relationship.” This is where Chiropractic comes in and the stress put on these upper neck structures from forward head posture becomes an important thing to evaluate.

According to Kapandji (Physiology of the Joints, Volume III), for every inch your head moves forwards, it gains 10 pounds in weight, as far as the muscles in your upper back and neck are concerned. That’s because because they have to work that much harder to keep the head (chin) from crashing onto your chest. This abnormal positioning also forces the suboccipital muscles (the ones that raise the chin) to remain in constant contraction, putting pressure on the 3 suboccipital nerves.

This nerve compression may cause headaches at the base of the skull. Pressure on the suboccipital nerves can also mimic sinus (frontal) headaches. It is these nerves and muscles that have the relationship with the dura mater and therefore the brain and headaches.

If you are suffering from headaches of any kind, take a look at how far your head is in front of your shoulders (they should line up ear over top of shoulder.) Chiropractic has great success correcting this postural abnormality and when corrected, can lead to less pressure on upper neck and significant reduction of headaches.

REFERENCES:

1. Anatomical Connection Between the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major and the Dura Mater
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 (Jan 27)
2. Anatomic Relation Between the Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscle and the Dura Mater

Spine 1995 (Dec); 20 (23): 2484-2486

Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net