Chiropractic Care in Canada

Guest Post from Dr David Peeace

 

With over 8,000 practicing chiropractors in Canada who help thousands of Canadians live pain-free lives every day, now is an opportune moment to celebrate being a chiropractor. Chiropractors are experts in the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, with rigorous academic and practical education earning them a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). As chair of the Canadian Chiropractic Association’s Board, and as a Doctor of Chiropractic, I want to share with you some of the great strides our profession has made – and where we are continuing to grow!

In 2018, I am proud to report that the evidence that informs our practice is flourishing. One of the most compelling pieces of research that came out earlier this year, was Jan Hartvigsen’s publication in The Lancet on prevention and treatment of low back pain. It’sa must read.

The Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation (CCRF) is also entering an exciting new era. The CCRF will be funding National Research Priorities that were developed in collaboration with leaders across the country and CCRF researchers.

The National Research Priorities were designed to target chiropractic research where Canadians need it most. In areas where our care can have the greatest impact on Canadians’ health. Patient-centred care that is supported by research is integral to the Canadian chiropractic profession.

The CCA believes in strong regulation and supports the governing authority’s mandate to protect public interest through effective enforcement of those standards. In addition to regulation, the Canadian Chiropractic Guidelines Initiative (CCGI) has been an amazing force in transforming the culture of the chiropractic profession to one that is guided by evidence-informed practice.

As a national professional association, we take great effort to support members’ professional practice. Being part of the chiropractic community plays a role in public health, a role that we here at the CCA take very seriously. Our national position statements are written and revised with public health at the center of what we do.

For example, the CCA recognizes that vaccination and immunization are established public health practices in the prevention of infectious diseases. And that vaccination is not within the scope of chiropractic practice. You can read a full list of position statements here.

Continuously and consistently sharing these messages with our membership – and engaging in important discussions with leaders and stakeholders – will always be a large part of our national advocacy role.

While I’ve spoken a lot today about what we do, what I’m most passionate about is why we do it. Chiropractors are here to help Canadians live healthy, active, and pain-free lives. We are experts in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of conditions and disorders related to the muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems.

Chiropractors are most often recognized for their expertise in resolving persistent back or neck pain and headaches or migraines that prevent patients from enjoying their everyday lives. That is why I’m proud of the work the CCA is doing, and that of my colleagues. Together, we can make Chiropractors an integral part of every Canadian’s healthcare team by 2023.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Peeace

The blog post Chiropractic Care in Canada is courtesy of http://www.americanchiropractors.org

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/chiropractic-care-in-canada/

Get to know the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative (CCGI)!

What is CCGI?

The Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative (CCGI) works to enhance the health of Canadians by fostering excellence in chiropractic care. Here are a few ways the initiative – made up of chiropractors and chiropractic researchers – work to meet this goal:

• Clinical Practice Guidelines: CCGI develops, adopts and disseminates guidelines for practitioners to diagnose, manage and treat patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
• Evidence-informed practice: these guidelines encourage chiropractors to integrate the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.

CCGI works closely with chiropractors across Canada, provincial associations, regulatory bodies, and educational institutions.

How does it help me?

CCGI helps to ensure Canadians receive effective and consistent care and has developed many tools designed specifically for patients. These include:

• Guidelines: For patients looking to learn more about musculoskeletal conditions and how to improve overall health, these guidelines and resources are categorized by body region or topic: https://www.chiropractic.ca/guidelines-best-practice/patients/
• Exercise Videos: CCGI developed an exercise video series to help patients manage neck and low back pain. Patients can use these videos with the confidence that they are based on the evidence-informed guidelines: https://www.chiropractic.ca/guidelines-best-practice/exercise-videos/

Ask your chiropractor to explain how these resources may apply to you and for advice on helpful resources!

What’s on the horizon for CCGI?

The organization is in the early stages of developing three guideline implementation toolkits for chiropractors and patients regarding the clinical and self-management of (1) lumbar spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spine which can lead to numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs), (2) persistent headache associated with neck pain, and (3) concussion and persistent symptoms. All of which will help Canadian’s manage their pain.

The post Get to know the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative (CCGI)! See more on: http://americanchiropractors.org

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/get-to-know-the-canadian-chiropractic-guideline-initiative-ccgi/

Canada’s Low Back Pain Epidemic

Involuntary spasms in your lower back? A dull throbbing ache? Shooting pain down your leg? You are most likely suffering from low back pain (LBP). If you’ve never had low back pain, chances are you will at some point in your life. Just check these statistics:

• In six-month period, five in 10 Canadians suffered low back pain¹
• Up to 85% of working people can expect to experience low back pain during their lifetime²
• In Canada, the low back pain-related estimate of the medical costs ranges between 6 and 12 billion dollars annually³

Low Back Pain Causes

Low back pain is a complex condition with multiple contributors to pain, including physical, social and psychological factors. Lifestyle factors, such as obesity and being sedentary are associated with the occurrence of low back pain as well.
Our backs play a supportive role for our bodies – at rest and in motion. Extra bodyweight puts greater demand on our spines and other joints. Research shows that a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) increases the risk of suffering low back pain. With growing rates of obesity , Canadians are increasing their chances of developing low back pain.

In addition, we are more sedentary than ever before. In industrialized countries, 75% of workers sit for long periods of time. Prolonged sitting may negatively affect your muscles and joints and lead to deconditioning (decline in physical functioning), fatigue and stress on the spinal discs causing pain in the lower back. In an effort to combat sitting, newer products such as standing desks, have been increasing in popularity. However, recent research produced at the University of Waterloo also found that standing desks may lead to lower back pain as well. The key take away message as discussed by Daniel Viggiani, lead author, is that regardless of whether you are sitting or standing at work, make sure to move around and shift your posture often.

Responses to the Low Back Pain Epidemic

Low back pain has also been one of the key drivers for opioid prescription. With increasing awareness of its risks, limited efficacy and potential for misuse, emerging evidence has suggested that medication should not be the mainstay in the treatment of low back pain. Instead, recent guidelines recommend self-management, manual therapy, physical activity and psychological therapies. There is a shift in placing less emphasis on pharmacological and surgical interventions in the care of low back pain.

Canadian chiropractors are trained to assess and diagnose back pain, as well as offer comprehensive treatment plans. Typically, plans are holistic. A chiropractor addresses all contributing factors of low back pain, such as joint dysfunction, injury, ergonomics, exercise and overall health and then develops a customized program to relieve pain, increase mobility and get you back on your feet. Chiropractic treatment is a drugless and non-invasive treatment option.

How Chiropractic Expertise Can Help Low Back Pain

Chiropractic treatment relieves low back pain using effective clinical tools like manipulation, mobilization, soft tissue therapy, exercise, patient education, modalities (i.e. ultrasound, laser) and rehabilitation. Extensively trained in spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), chiropractors are proficient in providing specialized care which has been proven effective in reducing pain, improving function, and decreasing the chances of low back pain becoming a chronic condition.

Click here to read more about how chiropractic expertise in treating low back pain can ease pain and lower your risk of recurrence.

Canadian chiropractors can provide education on your spine and posture, as well as create a personalized treatment plan including back exercises and ergonomic solutions for your workstation.

Find a chiropractor today and join the other 4.5 million Canadians visiting their chiropractor each year!

Find out about insurance coverage for chiropractic treatment here.

---

[1] GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet. 2016 Oct 8;388(10053):1545-1602.

[2] Hoy D, Bain C, Williams G, March L, Brooks P, Blyth F, Woolf A, Vos T, Buchbinder R. A systematic review of the global prevalence of low back pain. Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Jun;64(6):2028-37. doi: 10.1002/art.34347. Epub 2012 Jan 9. Review.

[3] Church J, Saunders D, Wanke M, Pong R, Spooner C, Dorgan M. Citizen participation in health decision-making: past experience and future prospects. J  Public Health Policy. 2002;23(1):12-32. Review.

[4] Seaman, David R., Body mass index and musculoskeletal pain: is there a connection? Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2013, 21:15

[5] Laurie K. Twells, Deborah M. Gregory, Jacinta Reddigan, William K. Midodzi, Current and predicted prevalence of obesity in Canada: a trend analysis, CMAJ, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2014

[6] Angela Maria Lis, Katia M. Black, Hayley Korn, Margareta Nordin, Association between sitting and occupational LBP, Eur Spine J. Feb 2007; 16(2): 283–298.

[7] https://uwaterloo.ca/news/news/standing-desks-may-lead-lower-back-pain

[8] Borgundvaag B, McLeod S, Khuu W, Varner C, Tadrous M, Gomes T. Opioid prescribing and adverse events in opioid-naive patients treated by emergency physicians versus family physicians: a population-based cohort study. CMAJ Open.  2018 Mar 1;6(1):E110-E117.

[9] Traeger AC, Buchbinder R, Harris IA, Clavisi OM, Maher CG. Avoid routinely prescribing medicines for non-specific low back pain. Br J Sports Med. 2018 Mar 7.

[10] Bussières AE, Stewart G, Al-Zoubi F, Decina P, Descarreaux M, Haskett D, Hincapié C, Pagé I, Passmore S, Srbely J, Stupar M, Weisberg J, Ornelas J. Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Other Conservative Treatments for Low Back Pain: A Guideline From the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2018 Mar 29.

[11] Almeida M, Saragiotto B, Richards B, Maher CG. Primary care management of non-specific low back pain: key messages from recent clinical guidelines. Med J Aust. 2018 Apr 2;208(6):272-275.

[12]  Foster NE, Anema JR, Cherkin D, Chou R, Cohen SP, Gross DP, Ferreira PH, Fritz JM, Koes BW, Peul W, Turner JA, Maher CG; Lancet Low Back Pain Series Working Group. Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. Lancet. 2018 Mar 20.

The article Canada’s Low Back Pain Epidemic Find more on: http://www.americanchiropractors.org

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/canadas-low-back-pain-epidemic/

Warm up and cool down stretches for golfers

I have had two requests already this morning for warm up and cool down stretches for golfers. A good video sess on warm up and cool down stretches for golfers sounds like a good way to conquer my writers block. By the end of these videos, you will clearly see why being a chiropractor was my calling and not an actress or hairstylist. In fact, after the freeze frame in the first one with the constipated face, it will also be clear I don’t know how to edit videos at all. That’s ok. In the name of all of you feeling good, I will sacrifice my dignity once again!!

It isn’t hard to understand why 80% of golfers have back pain, especially this time of year. When you add up the swings you take during your round including your shots and all of your practice swings, it ends of being a lot of one directional repetition. The golfers that I see tend to be really limber in one direction and very stiff in the other. There are a few simple steps you can take to minimizing your chances of injury with warm up and cool down stretches for golfers. This will help you feel good while doing the sport you love.

Tip 1-Warm your body up BEFORE you golf. This does NOT mean stretch. A lot of us rush to the course after work, hop out of our car hoping not to be late and run up to the first tee to take our swings.
Next time you golf, try this. Start with spinal twists-spread your feet shoulder with apart, interlace your fingers, point your hips forward and rotate your shoulders INDEPENDENTLY of your hips. This will help loosen up your spine.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPz1_eldYOIXtJXiNd8Nr8-IIAslT2Ok_L5hb8KinKPPxhNqtjXpEs3KO0cn7s6uw/photo/AF1QipMCVyd_zQSA0j7xVmtKq54feFirHhLNVqs-ST82?key=dkV1TFRsN0dDZjFZNDdyU0VjQjlHcUJEdEtTZlRR

Second–Try some walking lunges. This will help loosen up your hips and start firing your muscles.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMPyTA3Ca2ttRycyyz0VisiajxtlHkxUwgSz0VMl3febikO9_I1sa688SirgRR-fA?key=OUpmSGxSdjJLc2RxbHg4NlhmaE8wR1RTdk40SUpR

Third- Activate your hip flexors with some high knee marches.

http://https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP2qZmjlCVz1MJ0oaohpjhhE78VuqfjbMby-Edx6Ym40V32qEhooCNovveg2xo0lw/photo/AF1QipMS-cWPHiHrV4rtynVAT7Ba5v40ngM8ilhml0ou?key=aVU2LVNnMmlZYnZpa3otWGkzX1RKZy0xTUVrVkJn

Lastly, try some standing crunches to activate your abs. While your standing, grip your finger tips LOOSELY behind your head. Crunch your opposite elbow to your opposite hip. Do about 15 of these on each side. ( Sorry, my expert videographer Sue went into a massage before I could make this video. You can figure out how to do standing crunches though. If not standing, lie on your back. Now you are ready to golf!

Tip 2-While you are out on the course, take a practice swing in the opposite direction before each hole. This will counter the effects of always swinging the same way. More and more we are seeing the pros on the tour do this. It will help keep you limber in BOTH directions.

Tip 3-Stretch yourself out after you golf before your body has a chance to cool down. Try a gentle forward fold while dropping your head down to stretch your back and hamstrings.

Make sure you stretch your hip flexors out doing a lunge as well and holding it. (Also no camera woman for this one, sorry!)

Any spinal rotation stretch you can do would help too.

(I was pretty much sick of taking these pics of myself by this point…couldn’t help it.)

Most people don’t hold their stretches long enough. Stay in your stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds. Also, keep in mind, the first point of injury is wrestling the golf bag out of the trunk.

If you have any questions on how to customize a stretching plan for yourself and your sport, call me. I’m happy to help!

The post Warm up and cool down stretches for golfers appeared first on Active Family Chiropractic Blog.

Warm up and cool down stretches for golfers Read more on: www.americanchiropractors.org

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/warm-up-and-cool-down-stretches-for-golfers/

2018 CCA National Convention & Tradeshow

Hello and welcome,

Wow! Another National Convention and Tradeshow has come and gone. It seems like just yesterday that we were wrapping up NCT’15.

Thank you to all that attended NCT’18. It is with your enthusiasm that we had an even bigger and better NCT, and we look forward to continuing to grow in Halifax in 2020. The CCA National Convention & Tradeshow continues to be Canada’s largest chiropractic show, bringing together chiropractic clinicians, researchers, chiropractic stakeholders, and exhibitors.

This year, we explored the important theme of A Better Approach to Pain Management – Chiropractic Care Changes Pain. I would like to thank Dr. Carlo Ammendolia for bringing his Boot Camp Program for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis to convention. He provided attendees with hands-on skills to treat LSS, a leading cause of pain, disability, and loss of independence in people over the age of 65.

Recognizing Threatening Conditions that Mimic Common Complaints, from Dr. Brandon Steele, helped refresh participants’ knowledge in diagnosing the causes of chest pain, back pain, hip pain, arthritis and many other issues. In regards to the role chiropractors play in pain management, Dr. Jason Busse highlighted chiropractic’s unique opportunity in battling North America’s opioid crisis.

There are so many more to be highlighted, and I am very proud of the role the chiropractic community plays in helping Canadians manage their pain.

In addition to many panels, workshops, and seminars, I was thrilled with our amazing keynote speakers! Scott Stratten, president of Unmarketing, kicked off Friday night by challenging us to rethink our ideas of the digital and real world.

Esteemed chiropractor, Dr. Greg Kawchuck got us all determined to explore strategies that will extend the shelf-life of chiropractic in today’s evidence-based, integrated healthcare environment. And of course, it was an honour for me to interview Canadian Olympic Track Silver and Bronze Medal winner Andre De Grasse and his chiropractor, Dr. Alban Merepeza, about their amazing partnership.

Not only did we experience so much informative and inspiring content, but we had a lot of fun too!

Kicking off with Rock Star Karaoke at the Friday night reception has become a fun tradition of NCT. Our Denim & Diamonds gala at Calgary’s legendary Ranchman’s was a rootin’ tootin’ good time. I have to admit it was thrilling to watch colleagues ride the mechanical bull in our Born to Rodeo fundraiser to benefit the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation (CCRF).

Since 1976, the CCRF has been funding chiropractic research to discover the best, evidence-informed care for patients living with pain and disability caused by spinal dysfunction and disease, and our amazing community raised $26,000 at the gala!

These incredible few days would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. Thank you to our host province of Alberta who, not only showed us their Calgary hospitality but also sponsored our Denim & Diamonds gala.

Our industry truly shows its community spirit with our sponsorships from the Canadian Chiropractic Guidelines Initiative (CCGI), Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (MMCC), and the Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association (CCPA). Vitality Depot, Rocktape, Performance Health, and Foot Levelers showed spectacular support for our industry with their respective sponsorships, and our unique partnerships with CCA Plus members, Telus Health and The Personal Group Insurance, brought in more support for the CCRF!

Last week, we brought together our extraordinary Canadian chiropractic community, as well as members of the ACA, NCA, and DCA who met to discuss the future of chiropractic care and experience our Canadian hospitality.

This weekend was a reminder of the important work we do and made me confident in our vision that chiropractors will be an integral part of every Canadian’s healthcare team by 2023.

There is so much more to say, but for now, I’ll leave you with an open invitation to join us for NCT 2020 in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia!

Yours in health,

Alison Dantas

The following article 2018 CCA National Convention & Tradeshow Read more on: www.americanchiropractors.org

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/2018-cca-national-convention-tradeshow/

Simple Home Upgrades That Can Help Seniors Age in Place

 

For seniors, being able to age in place plays a critical role in staying comfortable, safe, and secure. Aging in place simply means being able to stay in your own home as you get older. It’s a simple idea that can keep you happy later in life. If you are looking for ways to comfortably age in place in your home, you should carefully consider making these important upgrades.

 

Be Careful in Bathrooms 

 

When it comes to preventing injuries at home, the one area seniors need to focus on most is the bathroom. Thousands of injuries happen in the bathroom every year. Slippery floors and elevated edges on tubs can make everyday bathing extremely risky for aging adults. If you have mobility issues, the risk can be even worse. Luckily, there are some simple fall prevention ideas that can help you improve the safety of your bathroom. These fall prevention projects could even save your life. Small adjustments, such as adding grab bars in the tub or a shower seat, can give you more stability when surfaces are slippery. Have a big tub that’s difficult to get into? Consider replacing it with a walk-in/zero-entry shower. Preventing bathroom slips is the simplest way for seniors to stay safe in their homes.

 

Reduce Fall Hazards Throughout Your Home

 

Preventing falls in bathrooms is a good first step for senior safety at home, but you need to be sure the rest of your house is safe as well. Falls account for the majority of serious injuries to seniors, and most seniors are injured when falling in their own homes. Falls can even be deadly. Take a look around your house to make sure your floors are safe for you to walk on. Carpet may be your best bet at preventing serious injuries if you do happen to fall. Be careful of any rugs you have and make sure they are tacked down securely. Also, be aware of any uneven surfaces, cords, or furniture that could trip you up when walking around. Shorter items, like stools and baskets, should be tucked away safely so you won’t trip over them.

 

Install a Ramp or Lift

 

If you have stairs around your home, they could limit your ability to get around safely. Those with mobility issues or wheelchairs should consider alternatives to steps and stairs to make life safer at home. For steps outside and ledges around your home, ramps can make getting around much faster and safer. If you’re in a wheelchair you may even be eligible for Medicare coverage for ramps. If you have larger staircases inside, a lift or elevator may be a good option to consider. Installing a chair lift or elevator in your home generally ranges from $2,545 to $6,220. But installing one of these helpful options can add value to your home and quality to your life.

 

Use Technology to Stay at Home 

 

Technology can help seniors age in place as well. For seniors living alone, or those who are at home alone for extended periods of time, an in-home monitoring system can be an easy, economical way to stay safe. Getting help quickly in the case of a fall, injury, or illness could mean the difference between life and death, and you may not be able to reach a phone in your time of need. These days, there are quite a few in-home monitoring systems to choose from. Some options may require WiFi, while others work off your cellular phone network. There are also contracts and other elements to consider. Research your options and find a system that works for you and will help you feel safer at home.

 

By being able to age in place, seniors can maintain their independence and control over their own life. Ensuring a safe, comfortable environment in your home can add years to your life and add joy to those years. So, make sure your home is set up so you can enjoy the best years of your life in safety, comfort, and happiness.

 

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The following post Simple Home Upgrades That Can Help Seniors Age in Place Find more on: http://americanchiropractors.org/

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/simple-home-upgrades-that-can-help-seniors-age-in-place/

Tips for Buying a Mattress (And Sleeping Well)

The following blog post Tips for Buying a Mattress (And Sleeping Well) is courtesy of ACC

 

Consider the importance and value of a good night’s sleep (beyond the price tag) when you are looking for a new mattress. Your back will thank you!

Lack of sleep can have a significant impact on your quality of life, social interactions, and even your mood¹. Sleep deprivation can also cause a decrease in your work productivity, the greater number of sick days used, and result in increased injury rates due to poor response time and accuracy.

A 2011 study by the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) reports that 41% of women and 36% of men claimed their back pain was exacerbated by a poor night’s sleep². The pain can often be attributed to the firmness, size, or the offered back support of the mattress. If you’ve ever woken up with a sore neck or back, you may want to evaluate the quality of your mattress. Your mattress can play an important role in maintaining your musculoskeletal (MSK) health. Here is what to keep in mind when making a purchase.

When to replace your mattress

Waking up from slumber with a sore back on repeated occasions can be a sign that it is time to switch to a newer mattress. Typically, it is said that after 10 years, the bed will begin to deteriorate, which is the best time to consider buying a new one.

Current research suggests that¹:

1. Medium-firm mattresses can be beneficial for individuals with chronic mechanical low back pain and are considered more comfortable compared to soft mattresses. They also have been shown to improve sleep quality by 55% and decrease back pain by 48%.
2. The standing posture of an individual’s spine should be similar to their sleeping posture. Since standing posture varies from individual to individual, mattresses that are custom made may be more beneficial in reducing pain.
3. Using an adjustable bed based on individual preferences is associated with increased sleep quality.
4. Mattresses that promote skin warming may improve sleep quality by reducing early morning awakening and enhancing deep sleep.
5. Soft mattresses decrease excessive compressive forces on your joints, however, mattresses that are more firm help to maintain proper sleep posture as they prevent sagging of the hips.

Take time to try out the bed before you buy and see if it’s right for you. There are many options to consider when it comes to purchasing a mattress. Make sure to take the time to explore and do your research, especially if you are looking for specific features to meet your needs. A good night’s rest is important for your MSK health and ensures you can continue doing your daily activities. Consider these tips for your next mattress—your back depends on it!

 

References

1 Radwan A, Fess P, James D, Murphy J, Myers J, Rooney M, Taylor J, Torii A. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; systematic review of controlled trials. Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation. 2015 Dec 1; 1(4):257-67. 
2 UtBritish Chiropractic Association, Mind Your Posture When Buying a Bed, https://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk/gfx/uploads/member%20area/New%20posture%20sheets/Mind%20your%20posture%20-%20buying%20a%20bed%20-%20sleep.pdf

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/tips-for-buying-a-mattress-and-sleeping-well/

5 Stretches and Exercises for Better Posture

5 Stretches and Exercises for Better Posture was first seen on http://americanchiropractors.org

How many hours a day do you spend looking at a screen with your head tilted forward? Think about it. Chances are if you own a cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, you’ve spent hours viewing these devices. Other instances where you might tilt your head forward include watching television, driving and even reading a book. This constant state of having your head tilted forward causes postural alterations, often leading to faulty movement patterns, which increases the stress placed on the neck, shoulders, as well as the head.¹

Upper cross syndrome is described as a muscle imbalance pattern located at the head and shoulder region.² It is most often found in individuals who work at a desk or who sit for the majority of the day and continuously exhibit poor posture.² The term ‘upper cross’ can be broken down into two components. ‘Upper’ simply refers to the head and neck region, as there is a lower cross syndrome for the low back and pelvic regions as well. ‘Cross’ refers to the distribution of tight or overactive muscles, which crosses with weak or underactive muscles. Primarily, tightness of the upper back muscles crosses with the tightness of chest muscles, while weakness of the neck muscles in front crosses with the weak muscles of the mid back.² Common signs and symptoms of upper cross syndrome include forward head posture, rounding of the shoulders, hunched upper back, headaches, as well as pain in the shoulders, upper back and neck.³

The good news is that work station adjustments and appropriate exercises and stretches often improve posture and muscular coordination.¹

Below are some of the following stretches and exercises that you can do to help improve your posture:

Stretches:

• Trapezius Stretch
  • In a sitting position, slowly and with ease, draw your right ear towards your right shoulder. You may place your right hand over your head and let it rest on your left cheekbone for slightly more pressure. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Repeat on other side. Perform 3-4x throughout the day.

• Levator Scapulae Stretch
  • Similar to the trapezius stretch, the above stretch can be modified by gently pulling your head and directing your nose to your underarm region. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Repeat on other side. Perform 3-4x throughout the day.

• Chest Stretch (Brugger’s Position of Relief)
  • Sitting on the edge of a chair with legs slightly wider than shoulder width apart, have your palms face upwards and lift the chest up. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Perform 3-4x throughout the day.

Strengthening Exercises:

• Chin Tucks
  • While seated, look forward and bring your head backwards, as if you were making a double chin. Make sure not to tilt your head down. Hold this for 8 seconds. Repeat 5 times and that’s one set. Perform 3-4 sets throughout the day.

 

• Shoulder Blade Squeeze
  • Sitting comfortably on a chair with arms relaxed by your side, squeeze shoulder blades together without raising them. Hold for 8 seconds before releasing. Repeat 5 times and that’s one set. Perform 3-4 sets throughout the day.

 

In addition to these stretches and exercises, read our office ergonomics guide for further tips to optimize your work station: https://www.chiropractic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/office-ergonomics.jpg

Should you wish to pursue more information regarding upper cross syndrome or further exercise instruction, please consult with a chiropractor today!

 

References:

1. Dawson-Cook, S. (2011). How’s Your Posture? American Fitness. (3), 24.
2. Upper Crossed Syndrome. Muscleimbalancesyndromes.com. Retrieved 25 January 2017, from http://www.muscleimbalancesyndromes.com/janda-syndromes/upper-crossed-syndrome/
3. Upper Crossed Syndrome: 4 Steps to Correct Rounded Shoulders and Hunchback Posture. (2015). Darwinian Medicine. Retrieved 25 January 2017, from http://darwinian-medicine.com/upper-crossed-syndrome-4-steps-to-correct-rounded-shoulders-and-hunchback-posture/

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/5-stretches-and-exercises-for-better-posture/

MSK 101: An Overview of Musculoskeletal Conditions

MSK 101: An Overview of Musculoskeletal Conditions is courtesy of ACC

Musculoskeletal (MSK) health is an important part of your daily life. That’s why educating Canadians on the benefits of a healthy MSK system is an important priority for the CCA. As we have discussed in previous blogs, there are many ways to help prevent MSK conditions, and the more you know, the more you can do to enhance your overall health and wellbeing.

This post will give you some brief insight about MSK conditions.

What is the MSK system?

The musculoskeletal (MSK) system is a complex network of muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments that offers us the ability to perform our daily activities. The MSK system supports literally everything we do, and provides structure, protection and function to the body. As you can imagine, without a healthy MSK system, it becomes very difficult to do the activities you love.

What is an MSK condition?

Musculoskeletal conditions include a wide range of disorders that can impact the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and connective tissue. It may result from physical trauma, or other causes such as overuse. Injuries are considered acute, subacute, chronic or recurrent depending on the duration or pattern of presentation. MSK conditions commonly affect body parts such as the head and neck, shoulders, mid-back, low back and pelvis, elbows and hands/wrists. Unfortunately, if not managed promptly, MSK injuries may become chronic and result in debilitating pain and dysfunction. Due to the high prevalence of these injuries, MSK conditions are the second greatest cause of disability worldwide!

How Can MSK Conditions Impact Your Health?

MSK conditions can impact Canadians of all ages! Yet, the prevalence of these conditions tends to increase with age and may complicate the ability to complete simple and essential daily tasks. Inevitably, aging is a risk factor for developing MSK injuries due to, for example, the progressive loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) and a decline in muscle strength that increases the likelihood of injury from sudden falls¹. Unfortunately, data suggests that falls have increased significantly and can result in fractures and even hospitalizations². Therefore, to ensure healthy aging, Canadians are urged to keep moving and maintain a healthy MSK system to ensure mobility and independent living for many years to come.

How To Prevent MSK Conditions Moving Forward?

Healthy aging is a key priority for everyone. There are certainly ways to help enhance our chances, including maintaining an active lifestyle. Physical activity and exercise not only are a great way to maintain a healthy weight, prevent chronic conditions and manage stress, they also help maintain strength, endurance and mobility as we age. These can be critical components to preventing falls which can lead to developing an MSK condition and pain. We have many other tips to help you prevent injury or pain from occurring. Most of these tips are centred on an active lifestyle, and taking extra precautions when being active.

How Can a Chiropractor Help?

Visiting a chiropractor to discuss how you can prevent injuries or manage any pain or dysfunction may be a great start to healthy aging. Chiropractors not only treat MSK conditions, but they can help guide you with preventative measures as well. You may not be thinking about back pain now, but it’s important to always keep the future health of your back in mind. Visiting a chiropractor for guidance and treatment can be key to prevention.

Remember, we have your back and we want everyone to enjoy life feeling happy and healthy. Learn more about how a chiropractor can help you with preventative and MSK care.

1. https://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/publications/public/injury-blessure/seniors_falls-chutes_aines/index-fra.php
2. International Life Sciences Institute, Healthy Lifestyles, Diet, Physical Activity, and Health: Europe Concise Monograph Series, https://www.ilsi.org/Europe/Publications/ILSIcm11-004_Diet08.pdf.

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/msk-101-an-overview-of-musculoskeletal-conditions/

What causes muscle soreness after working out?

The blog post What causes muscle soreness after working out? was first published to http://www.americanchiropractors.org

You may have heard the expression, “no pain, no gain” when it comes to embarking on a fitness journey, but have you ever wondered why certain forms of exercise result in pain in the form of muscle soreness?

The technical term for muscle soreness after exercise is DOMS, which stands for delayed-onset muscle soreness. Besides feeling sore, this term also encompasses experiencing reduced range of motion and muscle strength. You will usually experience this 24-48 hours after you try new activities/exercises or increase the intensity of your workout. While DOMS can seem similar to trigger points, trigger points are different in that they are a type of muscle soreness that are the result of an overused muscle and feel more like a “knot” in the muscle.

There is a myth that DOMS is caused by lactic acid build-up. However, lactic acid lasts in your muscles only 1-2 hours after finishing a workout, so that’s not the likely cause. Resistance training causes micro-tears of muscle fibers, which draws increased blood flow and inflammation to the area (you may even notice some mild swelling), which stimulates the pain receptors in the muscle cell and makes them more sensitive to movement. The muscle damage is temporary, and as the muscle rebuilds itself as a response to this process, it gets stronger and can handle heavier loads.

How to deal with DOMS?

Although DOMS is a natural process that indicates that your body is getting stronger, there are some things you can do at home to reduce the discomfort. Here are some tips:

• Prevent DOMS by doing longer warm ups before your resistance training.
• Take an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salts are high in magnesium, which help promote muscle relaxation and improved circulation.
• Do a gentle workout such as light cardio or stretching and yoga the day or two after an intense workout. Pick up the intensity again after the pain is gone.

Did you know your chiropractor can help you with injury prevention? See your community chiropractor to learn more.

References

1Everything you need to know about delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Lifecare Cottesloe Physiotherapy. https://www.cottesloephysiotherapy.com.au/blogs/2017/10/24/everything-you-need-to-know-about-delayed-onset-muscle-soreness-doms . Published October 24, 2017. Accessed March 1, 2018.

2What causes muscle soreness after exercising. Today I Found Out. http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/08/what-causes-muscle-soreness-after-exercising-note-its-not-lactic-acid/ . Published August 6, 2010. Accessed March 1, 2018.

3Feeling sore 2 days after working out? Here’s why. Fitbit Blog. https://blog.fitbit.com/delayed-onset-muscle-soreness/ . Published November 6, 2015. Accessed March 1, 2018.

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/what-causes-muscle-soreness-after-working-out/

Phase 1 | The 10-Day Cleanse

The following article Phase 1 | The 10-Day Cleanse is republished from www.americanchiropractors.org

When The New-Start Solution started to take shape back in 2014, it was designed around a weight loss strategy. That is what most people wanted so I set out to learn how weight loss happened, and why weight gain is at the epidemic level that is. Every bit of research led me back to one organ, The Liver. It soon dawned on me, weight loss, improved health, and increased energy levels are all in the same basket.

Every single adult in America should know the basics about the liver. Alcohol is bad for the liver. The liver is in the abdomen. The gallbladder is attached to the liver. Well, that is about it for basic knowledge. BUT, the liver is so much more. Let's dive a little deeper.

In the shortest terms i can come up with, "The Liver is in the Center of IT ALL!"

Every food we eat, every drink we drink, every cigarette we smoke, every medication we inject, every pill we take, EVERY thing we put in our body has to be processed by the liver. Through a system of blood supply, the liver is the main filter for all of the crap we expose our bodies to. If you eat a Snickers, the liver has to deal with it. If you drink a Coke, the liver has to deal with it. As you can imagine, during the last 20 years and the spike in processed pseudo-foods that we eat on a wildly regular basis, the liver has became overworked. 

This is the key to weight gain. We eat crap. We expose our liver to things like artificial sweetener, pop tarts, high fructose corn syrup, alcohol, and deep fried potatoes ALL THE TIME. Every single day. And that might be alright if the only job the liver had to do was filter out the bad stuff. Sorry, this is not a perfect world, because everything we eat plays a roll in our metabolic rate, and guess who is there to sort out our metabolic rate. The good ole liver. But how?

This is where it gets tricky. The liver has blood supply from both the heart and the digestive system. Actually 75% of the blood supply to the liver is actually the blood that drains from the digestive system called the Portal Vein. Ok, so every food we eat that gets digested, meaning, not regurgitated, goes into the stomach, small intestine and then large intestine. Every vitamin, mineral, nutrient, and calorie that is taken into the body from our digestive system pours into the portal vein and is taken to the liver for processing. So, instead of just filtering the toxins, the liver also has to set the standard for your metabolism. 

Oh, it gets even better. 

See, the liver is also responsible for controlling the amount of thyroid hormone that flows in the usable form. Common knowledge is that the thyroid sets our body temperature thus controlling our metabolism. We all know someone that has hypothyroidism, right? Let me guess, they are overweight? It is true, the thyroid hormones do control our body temperature, BUT the liver is what makes the thyroid hormone active.

Ohhhhh, more to come.

So, that Portal Vein we just discussed that brings all of the nutrients from our digestive system to the liver, well it has one other organ that dumps into it. THE PANCREAS. Yes, the pancreas is the hormone associated with diabetes. Insulin is released from the pancreas into the portal vein and take directly to the infamous liver. The liver has to monitor your incoming diet, inform the pancreas and brain of the sugar coming in, also monitor your already flowing blood and direct how much insulin needs to be released into the blood to stabilize the incoming sugar. 

I do not like to play favorites, and every organ in the human body has a reason to be there and a job to perform. BUT, the liver is the center of it all. The master processing plant. The coordinator. The liver is so important that it is actually the ONLY ORGAN IN THE HUMAN BODY THAT CAN REGENERATE ITSELF!! Yes that is how important it is. You can surgically remove 75% of your liver and it will grow back. Try that with a finger or spleen. You will have 25% of your finger, FOREVER. 

When I really dug deep into my research of how the body works, why weight loss happens, and how to make it happen, it came back to one thing has to happen first. YOU HAVE TO CLEANSE THE LIVER. The liver is exhausted in the vast majority of Americans, and it is not surprising that the overweight level is hitting 60%. 

The good news is. The liver is remarkable. It can heal itself. You just have to give it the material to do the work. Cut the crap food. Drink your water. Flood your system with antioxidants. The first 10-Days of The New-Start Solution has ALWAYS included this remarkable 10-Day Cleanse, and that wont be changing as long as our body continues to work like it does.  Click here to get yourself on the right track. You can start this week. It is only 10 days.

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/phase-1-the-10-day-cleanse/

What The New-Start Solution was Missing!?!?

The following post What The New-Start Solution was Missing!?!? Read more on: www.americanchiropractors.org

Over the last 4 years, I have spent endless hours critiquing The New-Start Solution (NSS) to cover every basis that I know of health. With a strong backbone in biochemistry, The NSS is designed to restore you body’s functions by flooding it with the necessary nutrients that are found in wholesome foods. Through the laws of nature, this design of healthcare restores your health in the same way that it grows.

With great success, The NSS has changed the lives of many patients, and I have taken feedback from each one to continue critiquing this program, giving me the foundation to write a book about it, called How Health Comes Apart. 

AnnaStacia Nuffer

​Recently, I had an eye opening meeting with AnnaStacia Nuffer that helped me bring to light the one facet of health that The NSS was missing, emotion. AnnaStacia is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Reiki provider, and mother of three little girls. One conversation with AnnaStacia helped me understand that in the world of holistic health, I have a lot to learn. I have always been under the impression and understand that it is wholesome foods, nutrients, vitamins, and macronutrients are what are needed to nourish our health, but she brought a new understand of what “food” for our health really is.

AnnaStacia taught me the simple difference between “primary” and “secondary” food. See, the food that we eat, and The NSS focuses on is just our secondary food that fills the void of our body. As it is vital to remain full of nutrients from our diet, our “primary” food source is a symphony of our experiences, relationships, music, art, self-esteem, self-satisfaction, and more. She went on to explain how a person that is satiated with their primary food will be more resistant of giving in to emotional eating, or indulging in secondary foods that hurt our health.

I will always be a student of health, trying to learn as much as possible to translate into a healthcare model to pass along to patient care. AnnaStacia agreed to come on-board at New-Start Health Center to help me bring a well-rounded health care system to each and every patient we can. I am excited to have her help bring The NSS into a full spectrum wellness program, covering physical, chemical, and emotional standpoints of health.
​
Building New-Start Health Center has given me the greatest gift of all, meeting new and exciting people to grow this practice into its own. After only one session with AnnaStacia, I could feel my mind expanding to a whole new realm in holistic health I am confident that her approach to wellness is the final touch that The NSS needed to be complete. Stay tuned for more information regarding the bridge between biochemistry and emotional health. 

---

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/what-the-new-start-solution-was-missing/

The Cost of Doing Business. At Your Expense.

The following post The Cost of Doing Business. At Your Expense. is courtesy of http://americanchiropractors.org

As the Affordable Care Act continues to go under attack, potential repeal and replace seems to be inevitable at this point. The struggle with it among the majority of Americans is that is simply wasn't "affordable." 

I find it intriguing that we only focus on the cost of health insurance premiums, and forget to piece together why it is so high. Health insurance is set up to pay for health care, right? Have your ever taken a look at what health care facilities are charging for services? 

As you can see, we are spending much more in healthcare than any other country. The average person in our country spends $8233 a year on healthcare, and if you total it up, it actually comes to 17.6% of the GDP in the US. 

So, here is food for thought. 

If we are spending considerable more money on health care than any other country, we should be getting healthier, right? 

Unfortunately, we are not. The average life expectancy of Americans is dropping, and has been since 2010. We are becoming more and more overweight, using more and more medications, and the cost continues to rise. 

As a business person, imagine being an insurance company. You know that the services you are supposed to cover are getting more expensive, and more of your clients are needed those services every year. To stay in business, you have to make a profit, and unfortunately, the only way for an insurance company to do so, is to pass the cost onto its customer. 

But is that the only way for insurance companies to survive?

The Swing and Miss by ObamaCare..

 Canada has free healthcare. Right? So many wanted for the US to model after Canada and let ObamaCare do just that. Provide premium healthcare at a reduced cost. Many that couldn't afford health insurance hoped that ObamaCare would fix all of their problems. 

The only issue is, ObamaCare forgot to address one key component.

Health insurance companies are in the market to sell premiums, use that money to invest, make profit on, and have enough to pay your medical bills if they have to. They use foresight on your current health status, mark your premiums, and set your deductibles/out of pockets, to ensure they are making a profit with a minimal risk margin. 

So, why did it not work?

There are many reasons, and I do not want to get political, but this blog is to help describe one major flaw. When designing our healthcare reform, the administration only focused on the American's health insurance interest, and failed to address the product that ObamaCare was to pay for. 

As you can see from the picture, the cost of healthcare in the US is out of control. A medication as simple as Nexium can be 10X more expensive in the US as Canada. Enbrel can be up to $3000/month. How can we expect our government driven health insurance plan to function, when our government does not put the Pharmaceutical industry in check?

Hospital costs are no different. No surgery is simple, and complex situations happen, but at this stage in our health care system, an angioplasty is a pretty routine operation. Blockage of the heart is removed, and a stent is often put in place to keep the artery from collapsing. 

"According to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, if the procedure is done without any assistance from the insurance companies, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30,000 to $48,000 at a minimum."

And if you are going to get the little stent put in, the device itself can cost up to $3000. 

I am in no way shape or form trying to promote the search for "discounted healthcare" I am just trying to help you understand why insurance premiums continue to rise, and in reality, ObamaCare isn't really to blame. 

Our healthcare industry in America has gotten out of control, literally, with their costs. There is no mandated restrictions of costs of procedures. Hospitals are a "for profit" business type and a melting pot for inflated insurance costs. 

Before pointing the finger at our insurance company for how high our deductibles are, how how our premiums are, and how little they want to cover, we have to address the elephant in the room. Healthcare costs have got to come down before any health insurance plan can work. 

Feel free to comment to continue this discussion.

​-Dr. Mozingo

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/the-cost-of-doing-business-at-your-expense/

Why Am I Always Sleepy?!?!?!?

Why Am I Always Sleepy?!?!?!? was first seen on AmericanChiro

Chronic Fatigue is No Joke! Here at New-Start, a common question that I hear is; "why am I always so sleepy?" It would be great if the only question I needed to ask in return was, "how many hours a night do you sleep?" This is a valid question, and sometimes, minimal sleep time is a strong reason behind the fatigue symptoms. Unfortunately, it is not the only answer.  "Why am I always sleepy?" becomes a loaded question.

First question you need to ask yourself is, is your chronic fatigue a side effect to a medication you are prescribed? This is a short list of the commonly prescribed medications that actually have side effects of fatigue:

• Antidepressants
• Statins (Cholesterol)
• Blood Pressure Medication
• Antihistamines (Allergies)

At least one of these medications can be found in a vast majority of the US population, and a combination of them is quite common as well. Think about it, if you are on a medication that causes fatigue, how can you possibly keep from feeling fatigued?

Second, I always have to ask about stress levels. If you are on an antidepressant, sure the side effects can cause fatigue, but if you are stressed out, the body is just looking for rest. Stress comes in three forms:

• Emotional Stress
• Chemical Stress
• Physical Stress

Any one or combination of these types of stresses can max out your nervous system, leaving your body looking for a place to crash. 

A common reply is, "I don't feel like my stress levels are that high." But this response is typically related solely to emotional stress, where chemical stress can act like a silent killer. Chemical stress comes in the form of airborne toxins, poor food choices, or even fragrances/makeup/lotions. The ingredients in the products that we breathe, eat, clean with, or beautify ourselves with often go overlooked. 

Ok, I am not saying that if you put perfume on, you will develop chronic fatigue. I am just saying that everyone is different, we have different sensitivities, and you can not overlook these things if you are suffering from chronic fatigue.

Third, I always ask if they are suffering from any digestive issues. 

• Constipated?
• Diarrhea?
• Heartburn?

Digestive health plays every role in your ability to digest and assimilate the nutrients of our food. If you have trouble breaking down, or retaining any of the good stuff from your food, your body will be in a starved state, like have no gas in your car. The energy we burn on a daily basis comes from our food, (I am sorry, but the caffeine in your morning coffee is not energy, you can ask questions about this if you wish) and if you are not making the right choices, or you are not digesting it, your body will break down and be exhausted. 

So, if you find yourself commonly fatigued, and constantly wondering why you can not seem to get enough sleep, go through these three questions. The only way to correct a condition is to stop the source of the issue.

~Dr. Mozingo

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/why-am-i-always-sleepy/

A Chiropractic “Miracle?” Probably Not…

The post A Chiropractic “Miracle?” Probably Not… is available on www.americanchiropractors.org

I had an interesting question brought to my office this past week from a local here in Columbus, Indiana. 

We were having an interesting conversation about New-Start Health Center, what all it offers, and also about the world of chiropractic care. He had never been to a chiropractor before, but was very encouraged because he had a friend who went to a chiropractor, and they fixed her dizziness spells. She had tried many different facets in the medical industry to get her vertigo under control, but it was one chiropractic adjustment that changed it all. It was like a miracle. An entire world of vertigo symptoms, vanished after one chiropractic adjustment.

​​So, the question was asked to me in my office, "can chiropractic fix dizziness spells?" 

For the traditional chiropractor, this is an easy question. One that gets their heart pumping and biting at the bit to piggy back on the miraculous story by completely agreeing that, YES, chiropractic can fix vertigo, headaches, thyroid problems, and EVERY other health condition that ails you. They will jump up and down discussing how nerve flow is the creation of life, and that it is impinged and that affects every aspect of life. They might even show you a safety pin example of nerve flow, and try to explain that the vertigo went away because they broke up the interference, allowing the body to heal itself. The root of the problem was a "subluxation" and the adjustment is the only way you can treat these conditions, and the chiropractic profession is the only way to go... Blah Blah Blah...

Sorry, I am not a traditional chiropractor. We practice Evidence-Based Chiropractic at New-Start Health Center, so we have a slightly different answer for you. 

Unfortunately, dizziness has many causes. This is a list from a quick search on google.

• sudden drop in blood pressure, as may occur upon standing suddenly
• heart muscle disease
• decrease in blood volume
• neurological conditions
• side effect from medications
• anxiety disorders
• anemia (low iron)
• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• ear infection
• dehydration
• heat stroke
• excessive exercise
• motion sickness

As you can probably imagine, a chiropractic adjustment is not going to help dizziness symptoms that are derived from heat stroke or low blood sugar. I am certain that even the most radical traditional chiropractors in the world can agree with that.

Sure, no chiropractor is going to treat a dizziness symptom if they have sweat running down their cheeks, or just got off a roller coaster, but if a patient comes in with a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in dizziness symptoms, will the traditional chiropractor catch it?

The biggest issue is in the exam and treatment of any patient with dizziness symptoms. As the traditional profession tries to stand it's ground on how chiropractic can work miracles and fix any condition, they lose touch in the true examination of the cause. This typically results in a trial and error effort to adjust the upper neck, hoping that the dizziness goes away, further prolonging the myths of the miracle. If it works, it's a miracle cure, if it doesn't, well, oh well, we tried right?

Evidence-based is different. I do understand the power of a chiropractic adjustment, but I also understand the boundaries that it has. 

Evidence-based chiropractic means, we treat what we KNOW we can fix. 

All symptoms have a root cause, all chiropractors can agree on that, but can we really find the root cause is the difference. A thorough history and examination is designed to exacerbate the primary cause of a symptom, helping to clarify the tissue causing the symptom. Basically, if I can do a test to make your symptom worse, then I can develop a reasonable diagnosis for the cause.

Dizziness is one of those symptoms. If a patient presents with sporadic dizziness, not experiencing dizziness at the time, and I can passively move the neck and produce a dizziness symptom, I might have a diagnosis to treat. If I can not reproduce the symptoms in any way, NO, I can not treat the dizziness cause, and I won't take a stab in the dark and say it might help.

Make sense???

This same principle carries through to all musculoskeletal pain syndromes as well. 

• Low back pain
• neck pain
• headaches
• sciatica 
• shoulder pain etc

Each of these symptoms have a root cause. Evidence-Based Chiropractic is effective at knowing what questions to ask, what exams to perform, and what outcomes to expect. By finding the specific pain generating tissue, muscle, joint, disc, nerve, etc, I can give you a more effective treatment plan. 

I mean, if you have a lumbar disc injury causing low back pain (which is actually pretty common), you would not want me taking an xray and then adjusting based on that radiograph. Considering x ray only shows bone tissue for the most part, you can not see a disc injury on x ray, and an adjustment with rotation will make it worse. Tissue based diagnosis will tell the evidence-based chiropractor not to adjust, and a disc protocol is in order for the condition.

The best part is, the results are reproducible. 

Even though I am ensuring I won't be able to produce any "miracle treatments," I can assure you that what I will try, will work. Maybe that is a miracle in itself?

Evidence is created to have a plausible plan for each treatment protocol. By diagnosing a specific symptom generator, it is permissible to give a prognosis that is actually accurate. 

This is a hard concept to get on board with. I can go on and on trying to describe the difference, but the main thing to understand is...

Evidence-Based Chiropractic is the future. We give reproducible results patient after patient. We can get you out of pain faster or get you to someone who can. We treat what we CAN fix, no never do a treatment with a need to "hope" it will work.

​

---

from American Chiropractors Directory - Feed http://www.americanchiropractors.org/chiro/a-chiropractic-miracle-probably-not/