Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Over 90% Patient Satisfaction with Chiropractic Care

A recent study on the experiences of chiropractic patients in the United States with chronic pain gave high marks for patient satisfaction to their doctors. Published in the Journal of Patient Experience in 2019, this observational study of chronic low back pain and neck pain patients was done for over three months. Of the patients, 1,835 out of 2,636 completed the three-month follow-up.

Using a four-option rating scale (Never, Sometimes, Usually, and Always), it found patients rated the following attributes as Usually or Always:

Access:

93% were able to get an appointment when needed.

97% received a same-day answer to a question. 87% received a timely answer after regular hours.

88% saw the doctor within 15 minutes of their appointment time.

Communication:

96% felt they had received an explanation in a way they could understand.

95% felt the doctor carefully listened.

98% said the doctor showed respect for what they said.

Global Rating:

80% rated their chiropractor a 9-10.

17% rated their chiropractor a 7-8.

The perceptions of the chiropractic care received on their clinical outcomes at the 3 months follow-up were:

97% said they felt better.

94% said the treatment helped.

97% said they had improvement.

Reference: Hays, R. D., Sherbourne, C. D., Spritzer, K. L., Hilton, L. G., Ryan, G. W., Coulter, I. D., & Herman, P. M. (2020). Experiences With Chiropractic Care for Patients With Low Back or Neck Pain. Journal of Patient Experience, 357–364. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373519846022

Disclaimer

Material on this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It is general information that may not apply to you as an individual, and is not a substitute for your own doctor’s medical care or advice.

Reading this blog should not be construed to mean that you and I have a patient-physician relationship.

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Thursday, June 3, 2021

New Study Shows Chiropractic Adjustments Help Stroke Patients Regain Movement Function

A study published this month in the research journal Brain Sciences showed that adding Chiropractic adjustments to the physical therapy received by chronic stroke patients resulted in greater muscle strength and more improved movement (motor) function than physical therapy alone.

Holt K, Niazi IK, Amjad I, Kumari N, Rashid U, Duehr J, Navid MS, Shafique M, Haavik H. The Effects of 4 Weeks of Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments on Motor Function in People with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Brain Sciences. 2021; 11(6):676. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11060676

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Finding Relief After a Car Accident Without Drugs or Surgery

Keyword(s): car accident relief without drugs

Meta description: Even if you don't feel immediate pain following a car accident, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem. However, waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances that you'll need more aggressive interventions later, so finding relief from pain soon after a car accident without drugs is important.

Bottom Line:

Screech. Bam. Uh-oh... you've been involved in a car accident. Your day has been thrown upside down, and a million thoughts are racing through your head.

If you don't feel immediate pain, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem - but waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances you'll need more aggressive intervention later.

With the stress of an accident, calling the insurance company, getting a car repaired, etc. - it's not uncommon for people to make the mistake of putting their health and well-being last on the to-do list.

Why it Matters:

Taking the right action steps as quickly as possible after a car accident can make a huge difference in your overall health and healing.

Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, your body may begin to "heal" with more scar tissue than necessary. What’s more, trying to live "around" your injuries can cause additional stress on other parts of your body, which can lead to additional injuries.

Research has shown that active care involving range of motion, mobility, and strengthening exercises can effectively reduce pain.

To give yourself the best chance to find relief without the need for drugs or surgery, we recommend 3 simple steps…

Get an evaluation - a complete evaluation can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

2. Begin receiving care - after reducing inflammation, movement-based techniques are often recommended to help you regain your quality of life.

3. Stay consistent - getting well is a process and staying consistent with your care will help you to heal as quickly as possible.

Next Steps:

There's no way around it - auto accidents aren't fun.

However, with the right healthcare team, you can get back to your full life and activities without the need for drugs or surgery.

The key is in sticking to the 3 steps above.

This simple plan will give you the best chance to get well quickly and stay well for years to come!

Science Source(s):

The Effectiveness of Conservative Management for Acute Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) II. PLOS One. 2015.

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Friday, March 26, 2021

Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident: What Does it Mean?

Keyword(s): shoulder pain after a car accident, Parsippany

Meta description: Car accident in Parsippany? You may be surprised to learn that shoulder injuries, like whiplash injuries, are some of the most common challenges after a car accident.

Bottom Line:

It may surprise you to learn that shoulder injuries, like whiplash injuries are some of the most common challenges people face after a car accident.

If you’re driving and have your hands on the steering wheel at the time of an accident, the sudden forces created by the event can result in a torn rotator cuff.

Why it Matters:

Your shoulder is one of the most dynamic and unstable joints in your body and one of the most complex parts. It’s made up of a collection of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

The rotator cuff in your shoulder is a ball and socket joint made up of three bones: your arm bone (the humerus), your shoulder blade (the scapula), and your collarbone (the clavicle).

The supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your shoulder are designed to help you lift and rotate your arm.

It's hard to ignore a torn rotator cuff because…it hurts! Signs of a tear include shoulder pain when lifting your arm, weakness, pain when lying down, or a limited range of motion.

Did you know…

· Shoulder impingement has been estimated to occur in 10% of people involved in car accidents.

· The risk of neck or shoulder pain 7 years after a collision was 3 times higher for people who suffered whiplash injuries.

Next Steps:

Ignoring a shoulder injury after a car accident is not a good idea.

Your shoulder is designed to move, and if you try to "let it heal" by not moving it, you're putting yourself at risk for a frozen shoulder.

Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) results from adhesions that develop in the shoulder due to lack of movement. It can cause severe pain and takes months to heal.

Needless to say, if you experience shoulder pain after an accident, time is of the essence!

Our team is here and can provide a complete evaluation and treatment plan for you to get moving safely and heal quickly. Just give us a call.

Science Source(s):

The Association Between Exposure to a Rear-end Collision and Future Neck or Shoulder Pain: a Cohort Study. JCE. 2000.

Subacromial Impingement in Patients with Whiplash Injury to the Cervical Spine. JOSR. 2008.

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Monday, March 22, 2021

How Long Does Whiplash Last?

Keyword(s): how long does whiplash last

Meta description: Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, and

confusion. None of these sound like a good time. If you've been involved in a car accident, you may be

wondering how long these symptoms are going to last…

Bottom Line:

Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, and confusion — none of

these sound like a good time…

And if you've been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how long these symptoms are going to last.

There’s good news! With a proper evaluation and early treatment, there’s a high likelihood of getting well within a matter of weeks.

Why it Matters:

One of the most common injuries associated with whiplash is ligament tearing.

Ligaments are the short, tough bands of connective tissue that hold together the bones in your neck and

joints of your body. If these ligaments are torn, it can cause neck pain.

The average time it takes a ligament to heal is about 6 weeks with the proper care and treatment.

 The acute inflammatory phase of injury last up to 72 hours.

 The repair phase takes up to 6 weeks.

 The final (remodeling) phase of healing can last up to 1 year.

A non-healed ligament injury can result in osteoarthritis.

(We should also note, if you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or impaired memory, you may

have suffered a mild brain injury. A majority of people with these injuries recover within 3 months.)

Next Steps:

After an accident, the most important step you can take is to receive a full evaluation.

Only after a complete evaluation will you be able to know what type of injuries you've sustained, and most importantly, how to get well.

It’s surprising how many people shrug off a "small" accident and push their symptoms aside.

While that may save a little time today, it's likely to result in much more pain down the road – so don’t

wait.

Make a mental note right now to call your favorite trusted chiropractor as soon as possible if you or someone you know experiences an accident.

Science Source(s):

Ligament Injury and Healing: A Review of Current Clinical Diagnostics and Therapeutics. ORJ. 2013.

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Whiplash: The Symptoms You Need to Know

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and

forward. Here are the symptoms everyone in Parsippany needs to know.

Bottom Line:

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and forward.

It's the most common injury that happens during an automobile accident, and it's one of the leading

causes of chronic neck and back pain.

While a fender bender may not seem like a big deal, new research has shown that even small accidents

can result in significant injuries.

Why it Matters:

The violent forces that occur during an auto accident can cause damage to your spinal discs, ligaments,

tendons, and bones - even at "low" speeds.

Most of these injuries happen because your head is whipped backward and forward very quickly. This

rapid motion often results in torn ligaments and injured discs.

Symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, confusion, and even depression may indicate that

you've suffered a whiplash injury.

You may not immediately notice any immediate pain because of an adrenaline spike at the time of the

accident. For many people, these symptoms develop over hours or even a few days and go unnoticed

until the initial shock of the car accident has worn off.

To recap…

 Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration injury that can affect your ligaments, spinal discs,

muscles, and joints.

 Symptoms of whiplash may include neck or back pain, headaches, radiating pain, confusion, and

difficulty sleeping.

 There is often a period of little to no pain before the symptoms of whiplash injuries worsen.

Next Steps:

It's smart to get a complete evaluation after an auto accident to minimize your risk of long-term pain.

Getting the right care at the right time can make a big difference in your ability to heal quickly.

Remember, even small accidents can cause injuries, so if you've been involved in an auto accident, be

sure to reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can help you get on the road to relief!

Science Source(s):

Biomechanics of Whiplash Injury. Chinese Journal of Traumatology. 2009.

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Low Back Pain Becomes Chronic More Often Than Previously Thought

By Dr. David I. Graber
One-third of people with acute low back pain becomes chronic according to a new study out this week in JAMA. Previous recommendations and clinical guidelines have stated the natural course of most episodes of low back pain (LBP) to be a self-limiting condition lasting 30-90 days. The current study by Stevens, et al. questions this.

Among their findings is that the overall transition to chronic LBP was 32%. These results indicate that the transition from acute to chronic LBP is much greater than historically appreciated. Chronic low back pain is more difficult to treat and is more costly to manage.

They further found that approximately 60% of the patients who developed chronic LBP at six months were in the low-risk and medium-risk groups. The severity of an episode of back pain and the risk factors present isn’t very predictive of it becoming chronic.

Several factors were associated with increased odds of developing chronic LBP. These were:
Higher baseline disability as assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index
Having health insurance (e.g., Medicaid)
Higher body mass index (e.g., obesity)
Smoking
Having back and leg pain
Psychological co-morbidities (e.g., diagnosed depression/anxiety)
Non-concordant care – care that does not follow clinical guidelines
This study adds support to the clinical philosophy of treating and managing patients with low back pain episodes, rather than letting the condition “heal on its own.”
Stevans JM, Delitto A, Khoja SS, et al. Risk Factors Associated With Transition From Acute to Chronic Low Back Pain in US Patients Seeking Primary Care. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(2):e2037371. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.37371

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Overusing Smartphones Isn’t Very Smart

Smartphone use has skyrocketed over the past decade. Combining multiple functions that include voice calling, text messaging, internet browsing, accessing email, global positioning system (GPS) navigation, desktop synchronization, capturing high-quality photos, and third party applications (apps), they have become essential to the modern lifestyle for most people.

This has not come without a cost, physically and psychologically. There are a number of conditions that are caused or aggravated by excessive smartphone use. In addition to the general terms of “smartphone addiction” or “iPhoneitis”, below is a list of specific conditions related to smartphone use:

Text Neck or iPosture: American adults spend an average more than 3.5 hours on their smartphones every day, meaning they may be looking down or slouching for long periods of time. This contributes to a flexion posture of the cervical spine, reduces the craniovertebral angle, and increases scapular dyskinesis. [1] [2]Smartphone overuse in office workers significantly increases the chance of neck pain by 6 times. [3]

Text Claw: Repetitive strain injury is caused by the constant bending and small repetitive movements of the thumb against the screen. Sometimes this can lead to tendonitis.[4]

Cell Phone Elbow: Cubital tunnel syndrome - compression of the ulnar nerve. Describes tingling or numbness in ring and pinky fingers after bending the elbow for long periods of time.[5]

Computer Vision Syndrome: Eye problems caused by too much computer use. Research shows that between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some symptoms.[6] These include eye strain or irritation, blurred or double vision, headache and neck pain.

Nomophobia: A psychological condition when people have a fear of being detached from mobile phone connectivity.[7]

Phantom Pocket Vibration or Ringing Syndrome: When people think their mobile phone is ringing or vibrating when it's not. Studies have found the incidence of people experiencing these physical hallucinations as between 50 -95% .[8]

Our office has been able to help with most of these conditions. Please contact us to discuss how we may be able to help you, your family, friends, or co-workers.

[1] Ashiyat K. Akodu, Sunday R. Akinbo, Queen O. Young, Correlation among smartphone addiction, craniovertebral angle, scapular dyskinesis, and selected anthropometric variables in physiotherapy undergraduates, Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, Volume 13, Issue 6, 2018, Pages 528-534, ISSN 1658-3612,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2018.09.001.

[2] Öğrenci, A., Koban, O., Yaman, O., Dalbayrak, S., & Yılmaz, M. (2018). The Effect of Technological Devices on Cervical Lordosis. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences, 6(3), 467–471. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2018.107

[3] Derakhshanrad N, Yekaninejad MS, Mehrdad R, Saberi H. Neck pain associated with smartphone overuse: cross-sectional report of a cohort study among office workers. Eur Spine J. 2020 Oct 27. doi: 10.1007/s00586-020-06640-z.

[4] https://www.mdedge.com/familymedicine/article/64202/pain/texting-tendinitis-teenager?sso=true

[5] Michael Darowish, Jeffrey N Lawton, and Peter J Evans. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, May 2009; 76(5):306-308 doi:10.3949/ccjm.76a.08090

[6] Dessie, A., Adane, F., Nega, A., Wami, S. D., & Chercos, D. H. (2018). Computer Vision Syndrome and Associated Factors among Computer Users in Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia. Journal of environmental and public health, 2018, 4107590. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4107590

[7] Bhattacharya, S., Bashar, M. A., Srivastava, A., & Singh, A. (2019). NOMOPHOBIA: NO MObile PHone PhoBIA. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 8(4), 1297–1300. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_71_19

[8] Mangot, A. G., Murthy, V. S., Kshirsagar, S. V., Deshmukh, A. H., & Tembe, D. V. (2018). Prevalence and Pattern of Phantom Ringing and Phantom Vibration among Medical Interns and their Relationship with Smartphone Use and Perceived Stress. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 40(5), 440–445. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_141_18

Disclaimer

Reading this blog should not be construed to mean that you and I have a patient-physician relationship.

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Office Closed Monday, Safe Snow Shoveling

Winter is coming today & Monday, and it's bringing real snow (not Jon Snow)! Very heavy snow is predicted for Monday, so we are cancelling hours for Monday, February 1st and will have hours all day Tuesday, 10 am -1 pm, 3-6 pm. Feel free to call and schedule.

In the meantime, to protect your back here is a quick video on good snow shoveling technique:

https://fb.watch/3mImYnI0YK/
ANJC Snow Shoveling

Be safe. Be well.

Sincerely,
Dr. David Graber

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Friday, January 29, 2021

Chronic Back Pain!

Alpha Stock Images – http://alphastockimages.com/

One in 4 Americans suffers from back pain at any given time. For many, it's an everyday companion. In addition to causing suffering and physical disability, researchers have found that chronic back pain also produces detrimental changes in the brain.

People with chronic low back pain (cLBP), over 12 weeks, show a greater brain age over their chronological age. They also show thinning of the brain or cortical area. What effects this has on their lives is still being studied.

These brain changes are mostly reversible with proper treatment! The combination of chiropractic adjustments and exercise has been shown to effectively lessen and manage chronic back pain. This reduces pain, increases function, and helps your nervous system heal.

Clark, B.C., Goss, D.A., Walkowski, S. et al. Neurophysiologic effects of spinal manipulation in patients with chronic low back pain. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 12, 170 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-12-170

Seminowicz DA, et al. Effective treatment of chronic low back pain in humans reverses abnormal brain anatomy and function. J Neurosci. 2011 May 18;31(20):7540-50. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5280-10.2011. PMID: 21593339; PMCID: PMC6622603.

Tan, W., et al. (2020). Spinal Manipulative Therapy Alters Brain Activity in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Longitudinal Brain fMRI Study. Frontiers in integrative neuroscience, 14, 534595. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2020.534595

Yu Gary, etal. Accelerated brain aging in chronic low back pain. Brain Research,2021,147263,ISSN 0006-8993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147263

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

New Study Shows Antidepressants For Back Pain Don't Work

Antidepressants are widely used for the treatment of back pain, sciatica, and hip and knee osteoarthritis. A study out this week in the prestigious British Medical Journal showed that this isn’t a good idea.

Antidepressants are the 4^th largest prescription medicine in the United States. Common brands include Pristiq, Cymbalta, Fetzima, Effexor, Elavil, Pamelor, Zoloft, Welbutrin, and Prozac. Used primarily for mood and sleep disorders, they are often prescribed for relief of back pain symptoms. About 1 in 4 Americans suffer from low back pain in any 3 month period, making it the most common type of pain.

The investigators looked at 33 studies of over 5000 patients to see how well antidepressants lowered pain levels and disability for several conditions after 3 months of use. They found that there was no benefit for back pain. There may be a slight benefit for those suffering from osteoarthritis or sciatica (pain going down the leg). These medications did show few serious side or adverse effects.

The safest and most effective solutions for chronic back pain, sciatica, and many forms of osteoarthritis are non-drug ones. Chiropractic care, exercise, and deflame nutrition programs that we offer in our office help many people suffering from these conditions.

Reference: Ferreira Giovanni E, McLachlan Andrew J, Lin Chung-Wei Christine, Zadro Joshua R, Abdel-Shaheed Christina, O’Keeffe Mary et al. Efficacy and safety of antidepressants for the treatment of back pain and osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ 2021; 372 :m4825

https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.m4825.full

Disclaimer

The inclusion of any link does not imply my endorsement of the linked site or its affiliates,

NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL CARE BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.