Surgery Often Not Needed For Spinal Stenosis

A recent study showed that people over 50 with Spinal Stenosis do as well with non-surgical care as surgery. 

Patients who met the criteria of surgery were divided into 2 groups, one treated with surgery and the other treated with exercise and hands-on treatments. After 2 years the surgical group was no better than the ones who didn't have surgery.

Our practice uses a combination of non-surgical treatments for people with spinal stenosis. These include Chiropractic adjustments, spinal mobilization, traction, exercise, and nerve glides.

Surgery Versus Physical Therapy for Treating Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162:I-32. doi:10.7326/P15-9009
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2214174

Whiplash Injured People Still Suffer For Years After The Accident

A recent study followed  people with had whiplash injuries (neck sprain or neck  from a car accident to find out how they were doing physically in their quality of life. While whiplash injuries are looked upon as minor, compared to bone fractures, herniated discs, or dislocations, the findings suggest that the ongoing pain and disability is anything but minor.

Compared to others who did not have a whiplash, they found 5 years after the accident that whiplash patients:

Have twice as much neck pain of non-whiplash patients.
25% have headaches related to the accident.
Had worse overall physical and psychological health.
Those with more severe injuries were worse.

The damage from whiplash, or any neck injury, can linger on long after the damage was done. Proper treatment and ongoing self-care is needed to recover as fully as possible, and to maintain and manage good health.



Five Years after the accident, whiplash casualties still have poorer quality of life in the physical domain than other mildly injured casualties: analysis of the ESPARR cohort.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4702400/

The Right Way To Warm Up

Don't stretch to warm-up before exercise.

At least no the way most of us were taught. The best way to prepare for your favorite sport or activity is to get your blood moving with light cardio, followed by dynamic stretching. 

Dynamic stretching is slowly moving through a range of motion slowly, contracting the muscles opposite of those your lengthening. Starting with small movements and moving onto larger full body ones. Eventually, you'll do movements specific to your sport or activity.

The NY Times has a great article on this:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/playmagazine/112pewarm.html?mwrsm=Facebook&_r=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com

Here's a good video demonstrating some movements:
http://www.nytimes.com/video/sports/playmagazine/1194830066044/stretching-the-truth.html

Former NFL Superstar Jim McMahon Finds Relief From Chronic Pain By A Long Island Chiropractor

Former NFL Superstar Jim McMahon has been ravaged by injuries and head trauma. Chiropractic treatment on his neck has helped improve his quality of life. What amazes me is that all the focus of his chronic conditions was on his head. Almost every concussion has a upper neck injury associated with it, especially the multiple head injuries he has had.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/li-doctors-help-jim-mcmahon-get-his-life-back-and-they-can-help-others-too-1.9493358

Video interview clip:

http://abc7chicago.com/1177783/

The Best and Healthiest Ways To Make Coffee!

For all you Java lovers!

1. Choose Organic: Coffee beans are one of the most heavily sprayed crops with pesticides. So, you should select only coffee beans that are certified organic. Whenever possible, purchase sustainable "shade-grown" coffee. 
2.  Whole Bean: You'll want to purchase whole bean coffee that smells and tastes fresh, not stale. Grind it yourself to prevent rancidity as pre-ground coffee may be rancid.
3. Drink it Black: Coffee is best if you drink it  black, without sugar or flavorings. If you do add sugar, use no more than one teaspoon. Try using Coconut sugar or raw sugar, which are better than white sugar.
4. Coffee Filters: If you use a "drip" coffee maker, be sure to use non-bleached filters. The bright white ones are chlorine-bleached, and some of this chlorine will leach from the filter during the brewing process. 
5. Coffee Mugs: Please be careful about the container you use. Avoid plastic cups as the BPA will leach into your drink, and also avoid Styrofoam cups that can leach polystyrene molecules. Your best bets include glass and ceramic travel mugs.
6. Brew your coffee using pure or filtered water. Use the following link to see how to best use the various brewing methods:

http://greatist.com/eat/the-healthiest-coffee-brew-method

Hands-on Treatment Repairs and Prevents Muscle and Connective Tissue Damage

Recent research studies have confirmed again what I've seen in practice for over 3 decades. Hands-on treatment, such as friction massage, myofascial and active release, mobilization, and other soft-tissue techniques we use in the office, help prevent and repair overuse conditions.

Overuse conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and scar tissue formation are prevented and reduced by these types of hands-on (manual) therapies.

We also use the cutting edge soft-tissue therapy that use special tools, such as FAKTR to help the more stubborn cases.


http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/01/mechanical-stimulation-shown-to-repair-muscle/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26810536

Herniated Discs Can Heal

A recent study has found that low back herniated discs (LDH) can heal without surgery. This is the first study to investigate changes in the size of LDHs, and disc heights over a significant period of time (8 years). Only 12.5% became worse, most remained unchanged or decreased. The findings encourage those who suffer from a herniated disc not to rush into surgery. 

Our office treats patients with herniated discs non-surgically with hands-on manipulation, special traction therapies, and disc-reduction exercises.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4714478/