Do I need orthotics?

I have a poster in my office that advertises orthotics, and the above question is one I get often.  A common reason for knee, hip, and back pain is poor arch support from shoes-but does this mean that orthotics are needed?

Orthotics are typically molded inserts made from a cast of someone’s foot, and then inserted into a sneaker or dress shoe for the purpose of supporting the foot arches. These can be fitted by podiatrists, chiropractors, orthopedic doctors, or physical therapists; and they can be obtained outside of a medical office by purchasing them online or other retail settings.

Here are reasons to consider orthotics:

1. Persistent heel/foot pain in the morning, or after sitting for a while then rising to walk.

2. Flat feet (usually present from birth).

3. Feet that develop corns or callouses.

4. Persistent ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain.

5. Patients with diabetes or who have bunions.

6. People with balance and stability issues.

7. After knee or hip replacement surgery.

8. Individuals involved in high impact sports-especially (runners, soccer/basketball players)

Proper support of the foot is key to potentially avoiding a multitude of conditions, from arthritis to general wear and tear on the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons of the foot, ankle, knee, and hip joints.  Some studies have indicated that proper foot support could reduce lower extremity injuries and may help manage chronic knee conditions.   

Remember the initial point of contact of the body to the ground is the foot, and if the way stress from the ground is loaded into the lower extremities is compromised, this in many cases causes chronic wear and tear injuries to joints and surrounding soft tissues.

One last thought: When it comes to foot inserts, you get what you pay for. Invest time and energy into having your foot, knees, and spine properly evaluated by a medical professional before you purchase orthotics. A good pair of orthotics will run you $300-600 dollars but will last for years to come-its worth the investment in yourself. Listed below are some links to research concerning this topic. 

Are foot orthotics efficacious for treating painful medial compartment knee osteoarthritis? A review of the literature - Marks - 2004 - International Journal of Clinical Practice - Wiley Online Library

The Effect of Foot Orthoses on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in: Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association Volume 93 Issue 4 (2003) (japmaonline.org)

Effectiveness of Foot Biomechanical Orthoses to Relieve Patients Suffering from Plantar Fasciitis: Is the Reduction of Pain Related to Change in Neural Strategy? (hindawi.com)

Can custom-made biomechanic shoe orthoses prevent problems in the back and lower extremities? A randomized, controlled intervention trial of 146 military conscripts - ScienceDirect

Are there times when a Chiropractor shouldn’t adjust my neck?

Understanding Neck Adjustments: A Chiropractor's Insight

Neck adjustments, often colloquially referred to as "neck cracking," hold a polarizing position among patients seeking chiropractic care. Addressing prevalent neck and upper shoulder tension, many individuals resort to self-stretching and rotational movements in an attempt to alleviate discomfort. These actions not only stretch muscles but also release gases in the adjacent joints, creating an audible noise.

At our chiropractic office, we understand the diverse perspectives on these sounds emanating from spinal joints. We prioritize patient choice, offering various adjustment options tailored to individual preferences.

When a Doctor of Chiropractic administers a manual neck adjustment, it involves applying specific physical forces to release fixations within the spinal joints. The resulting noise can vary based on factors like joint tension, muscular contraction, scar tissue, and the presence of arthritis. Safety remains paramount, guiding us to opt for gentler, non-"cracking" adjustments in certain situations to ensure the patient’s well-being.

  1. Prior history of stroke or TIA’s (mini-strokes).

  2. Patients with a history of cervical fusion surgery.

  3. Patients presenting with the worst headache of their life.

  4. Complaints of dizziness/vertigo intensified by head rotation with accompanying nausea.

  5. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (joint hypermobility and increased flexibility of connective tissue).

  6. Documented DISH (flowing/blocklike arthritis in front of the neck).

  7. Conditions causing super flexible joints throughout the body.

  8. Severe neck arthritis.

  9. Diagnosis of Marfan’s syndrome.

  10. Within 2-3 weeks after significant trauma like a car accident or fall.

Chiropractic care, generally regarded as one of the safest alternative medicine options, sometimes demands a delicate approach, especially concerning neck adjustments. Self-manipulation, despite its prevalence, can lead to unintended injuries to muscles, arteries, and joints. Trusting trained spinal specialists for adjustments is crucial in mitigating such risks.

In essence, while self-care has its place, the manipulation of one's spine should be entrusted to qualified professionals for optimal safety and efficacy in addressing neck-related concerns.

For tailored guidance on neck adjustments or any related queries, our chiropractic team is here to support you. Schedule a consultation to explore safe and effective chiropractic care options aligned with your specific needs.

Will I need surgery?

This is the question that patients routinely ask me during the initial consultation at my office. The answer to this question is multifactorial and will be different for each patient.  A comprehensive history and thorough exam usually gives clues as to if surgery is needed or not.

I learned early on in Chiropractic school, and this has been the case after practicing for over 25 years, in general you know after taking the history if care will help an individual. I do not start care with a patient unless I am fairly certain that I can help them via conservative care, and I tell them this upfront to avoid wasting time and money.

The list below is not an exhaustive list, but a good starting point in ascertaining if someone needs surgery for a spinal or extremity complaint:

1. The pain has been there for more than 6-12 months and is steadily worsening.

2. Upper or lower extremity weakness

3. Difficulty walking, poor balance, or instability while standing or moving.

4. Urgency with going to the bathroom along with back or neck pain.

5. Condition has been treated by multiple providers and continues to not respond or worsen.

6. Progressive loss of ability to perform daily tasks with pain or weakness.

7. History of Cancer

8. Signs of instability in a knee, shoulder, or hip i.e., clicking, popping, or sharp pain upon movement

9. Pain worsens with in clinic treatment or home care given to the patient.

10. Documented spinal or extremity fracture.

A caveat to the above list is that patients sometimes present to my office with imaging that shows severe degenerative changes to their joints and discs and have chronic pain. More times than not Chiropractic, Physical therapy, or massage therapy can help patients get out of pain and start functioning better in a non-operative way. Just because the images look horrible, doesn’t mean a person’s body isn’t compensating in some way to allow them to be pain free and function just fine.

Most adults over the age of 40 already have arthritis and discal narrowing of some kind, but degenerative changes and arthritis don’t automatically mean surgery, and any good surgeon will tell you that. Surgery is the last thing most quality surgeons want to do.

Proper Ergonomics For Deskwork

In the last 50 years since the advent of the computer, the human body has endured a significant change in the way it functions. Almost all jobs that are not labor intensive require some sort of data entry in the workplace. Unfortunately, this places the head, neck, and upper back in positions that were not intended.  Additionally, in the last 20 years cell phone use has increased astronomically, and it seems that if people are not on their computers, they are hunched over their phones.

When patients come in, besides a comprehensive examination, I discuss with them their habits on the aforementioned devices. This inevitably leads to posture recommendations that go hand in hand with treatment at our office to help patients reach treatment goals.

Here is a listing of the most common tips I give patients concerning ergonomics.

  1. Have your computer monitor at eye level, feet on the floor.

  2. Make sure that the area between your shoulder blades keeps in touch with the back of the seat at all times. Avoid leaning, or creeping forward to reach the mouse, or otherwise.

  3. If possible, use a headset for phone calls.

  4. Get up every 30 minutes to reset posture and reduce pressure on the lower back.

  5. Avoid sitting on your feet, or leaned over to one side or another.

  6. Practice activating your postural muscles for support by intermittently pulling your belly button to your spine while simultaneously pulling your shoulders together for 3-5 seconds multiple times per hour through the day. Its hard to slouch when your belly button is tucked in.

  7. When breathing, make sure your shoulders don’t rise when you breathe in-if so you are using the wrong muscles to breathe. Proper breathing in causes your belly button to protrude out, not your shoulders to go up in your ears.

While using your cellphone or tablet, place it on a pillow to raise it up, versus you putting your head down. This is especially important for teenagers, as poor posture starts early using devices that cause chronic spine tension when the head is down all the time.

These tips will improve posture and reduce stress on the neck/upper back and should lead to less chronic pain.

How much water should I drink. Really?

How much water should I drink. Really?

It’s an age-old question, how much water should I consume per day? The short answer is more than you think. But before we dive into the amount let’s go over why its important.

The human body is approximately 60% water, so for every 10 kilograms of body weight, 6 of those are water. Water is critically important to the function of our bodies, here are a few of the benefits:

-helps with detoxification

-aids weight loss

-lubricates and protects joints

-Normalizes body temperature

-Maintains bowel movement regularity

-Keeps skin smooth and youthful

-Improves mood

Benefits of consuming more fiber per day

Benefits of consuming more fiber per day

Eat more fiber. You've probably heard it before. But do you know why fiber is so good for your health?

Dietary fiber — found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes — is probably best known for its ability to prevent or relieve constipation. But foods containing fiber can provide other health benefits as well, such as helping to maintain a healthy weight and lowering your risk of diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

Selecting tasty foods that provide fiber isn't difficult. Find out how much dietary fiber you need, the foods that contain it, and how to add them to meals and snacks.

Is assisted stretching safe?

Is assisted stretching safe?

One of the newer trends out there are facilities who specialize in assisted stretching-which will in theory help to loosen acute or chronically tight muscles in a way an individual cannot do on their own.  On the surface I have nothing against anyone seeking out additional help in loosening tight muscles, but I have concerns about utilizing individuals who work for companies without proper training.

In most cases when patients come to my office with chronically tight and stiff muscles, they usually tell me that massage helps, but sometimes the tension remains.  As a practitioner this is an indication that the source of the stiff/tight muscles isn’t being addressed. Common causes of muscles that stay stiff are poor posture, low Magnesium, ill fitting pillow/mattress, stress, lack of sleep, and weakness in areas around the spine that support normal movement and posture.  

The Benefits of Chiropractic and Massage

The Benefits of Chiropractic and Massage

There are certain things in life that just go together without much thought. Peanut butter and jelly, popcorn and a movie, or Sonny and Cher (yes, I am dating myself). 

Chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy are other examples of a match made in heaven.

One of the hardest things to do as a chiropractor near you is adjusting someone’s spine while all the surrounding muscles are tight and like beef jerky

Often times if those muscles are tense, it increases the likelihood of post-treatment soreness that lasts a day or so. For better adjustments and potentially less post-treatment soreness, I recommend for many of my patients a massage prior to Chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic and Migraines

Chiropractic and Migraines

Chiropractic and MigrainesMigraine headaches affect over 37 million men, women, and children in the United States every year, and the WHO rates migraine headaches in the top ten of the most disabling medical illness affecting people throughout the world.

I became a Chiropractor 26 years ago with one purpose: to reduce the suffering of those afflicted with physical pain to the best extent possible and achieve that drug free as often as I can.

Chiropractic adjustments are a safe, and natural way to treat migraine headaches in a vast majority of cases. In my personal experience of over a quarter of a century of practice, spinal adjustments reduce the frequency and intensity, and at times eliminate migraine headaches from patients time and time again. 

Are Chiropractic Adjustments safe?

Are Chiropractic Adjustments safe?

This is a common question I am asked directly or indirectly by patients during their initial appointment.  My answer is of course Yes! in the vast majority of cases.  One of a Chiropractor’s jobs is to discover contraindications to spinal adjustments via the history and initial exam. Most practitioners do a great job of this, and if an issue is found, a prompt referral elsewhere is given.

Lets take a look at the cost of malpractice insurance for Chiropractors, vs other health care providers.

What Medicare beneficiaries need to know about Chiropractic

What Medicare beneficiaries need to know about Chiropractic

When people seek out medical treatment under the age of 60 their choices are cash or commercial insurance of some kind. There are also other choices in the marketplace like Medi-Share or plans in the Affordable Care Act. Once you are above 65 years old, for many Medicare kicks in.

Medicare part B covers a wide variety of services in its plans, and even some medications; but when it comes to Chiropractic, the coverage is limited.

Currently, Medicare part B will only cover chiropractic adjustments that are deemed medically necessary, but will not cover any other services recommended by the Chiropractor during treatment. This can include X-rays, Ultrasound and other therapies, traction, massage therapy, and nutritional supplements.

The good news is that the visits for spinal manipulation(adjustments) do not have a limit, but the caveat is they must be medically necessary and the doctor must be able to document the need for care. Active treatment for back or neck pain can not go on indefinitely, even though spinal adjustments can feel good, there needs to be a start and end to active treatment. Anything after that is maintenance care, which Medicare also does not cover.

Is it safe to visit a Chiropractor while pregnant?

Is it safe to visit a Chiropractor while pregnant?

This question comes up often from expectant mothers once they find out they are pregnant.  Expecting mothers want to avoid any risks that may cause harm to their unborn child, and there can be a misconception by family members, friends, or health care providers that Chiropractic adjustments are unsafe while pregnant.

This is simply not true in the vast majority of cases.   In fact, chiropractic care may be an important type of care which helps manage the aches and pains that come with pregnancy as the body changes since certain medications for pain cant be taken while pregnant.

There are many hormonal and physical changes that females experience during pregnancy. Some of these will have an impact on posture and comfort. As the baby becomes heavier, the center of gravity shifts, and your posture adjusts accordingly.

The truth about supplements-how many do you take per day?

The truth about supplements-how many do you take per day?

According to the CDC about 57% of Americans take supplements consistently and spend around 30 billion dollars annually. I believe that deep down most people feel that these would not be necessary if they consumed an overall better diet. There is also validity to the fact that over farming the same ground for the last century has reduced the amount of nutrients in fruits and vegetables. So supplementing a good diet makes sense, and I personally take supplements mostly for that reason; but they have never been designed to be a replacement for quality food.

What I run into often in practice is my patients are taking 4-7 different bottles of supplements per day, and over time they lose track of why they are taking them. They open up a cabinet and see bottles and bottles of supplements; one for Vitamin C, one for Vitamin D, etc—but I recommend patients take a good multivitamin, and skip taking one bottle for each Vitamin/Mineral and save some money.

Can bacteria in my gut slow weight loss?

Can bacteria in my gut slow weight loss?

The weight loss industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States. Unfortunately, it seems that as we age its harder to lose and keep weight off. There are dozens of approaches out there, all promising quick weight loss, but research shows most people after losing weight, slowly put the pounds back on.

Whether you are doing Low-carb, Keto, weight watchers, Atkins, or intermittent fasting; they all can achieve weight loss, but it’s the long-term loss that counts. Is it will power that leads to success or could something else more sinister be affecting the ability to keep the weight off?

Bacteria in your gut number in the trillions, and this number needs to stay consistent for proper health. Most bacteria in your gut are either beneficial or inert-which means they don’t affect your health one way or the other. There is also a small percentage of bacteria in the large intestine that are pathogenic, which means they create nasty symptoms by how their waste interacts with the human body.

Could my feet be contributing to my back pain?

Could my feet be contributing to my back pain?

When a patient presents to our office with lower back pain, often times the cause is not an old injury, getting older, or just bad posture; more often than you think the root cause is improper foot mechanics. Foot mechanics is a fancy way of describing what happens to the foot while a person is walking/running, and how that force is either absorbed by the arch in your foot, or other structures in the body.

The knees and hips take their fair share of force, but those areas connect ultimately to the pelvis and lower back. If you think logically, the force of striking the ground has to go somewhere. By carefully evaluating the foot and its arches, astute practitioners can gain valuable insight on less obvious causes of lower back pain.

Unfortunately, more times than not, many health care providers will not take the time to delve into all the factors that cause chronic pain in a patient, which leads the patient to return for more visits, spend more time/money without any lasting relief. What usually happens is a trial of care is performed without results, and then the patient looks elsewhere for relief.

The importance of a correct diagnosis the first time

The importance of a correct diagnosis the first time

When people visit healthcare providers it would seem the most basic thing is to know what is wrong with them.  Symptoms can be complex and vary tremendously, but it is a practitioners job to sift through the myriad of clues to ascertain the correct diagnosis.

I was taught in school early on to listen more than I speak, and the patient will tell you what is wrong with them!!! Sounds crazy, but research validates this truth. Specific, pointed questions during the history will oftentimes lead to a better diagnosis, but listening comes first.

It also follows logically that the history should guide examination and potential imaging.  But it always comes back to what the patient is actually saying; some healthcare professionals are at times more concerned with asking their next question than listening to what is being said to them. 

With Chiropractors unfortunately at times some practitioners are more in a hurry to crack/adjust a spine, then look for clues as to why that wouldn’t be prudent. This at times leads to complications from care, and the patient is left to search elsewhere for a solution with a bad taste in their mouth.

Using the Power of light to heal the body!!

Using the Power of light to heal the body!!

L.A.S.E.R. (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a name for a type of intense radiation of the light spectrum. A laser is a beam of light in which high energies can be concentrated. Laser light has unique physical properties, which other types of light do not have. These are coherence and monochromaticity. These are what makes laser light is so effective compared to other kinds of light in the field of pain reduction and healing. Laser treatment (also known as phototherapy and low level laser therapy) involves the application of low power coherent light to injuries and lesions to stimulate healing and reduce pain. It is used to increase the speed, quality and strength of tissue repair, resolve inflammation and give pain relief. Low level laser technology has been found to offer superior healing and pain relieving effects compared to other electrotherapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, especially in dealing with chronic problems and in the early stages of acute injuries. Low level laser technology is a complete system of treating muscle, tendon, ligament, connective tissue, bone, nerve, and dermal tissues in a non-invasive, drug-free modality.

Should I do keto for weight loss?

Should I do keto for weight loss?

The ketogenic diet is all about eating the right foods in the right proportions. When you get it right, it'll trigger your body to start burning stored fat.

The ketogenic diet gets headlines because celebs like Kim Kardashian West and LeBron James have championed it for weight loss. But what exactly is it, and does the science support the hype?

The ketogenic — or keto — diet emphasizes high-fat foods and severely restricts carbohydrates. In fact, about 60% to 80% of calories should come from fat, according to Jason Ewoldt, RDN, LD, a wellness dietitian at Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program (HLP). He notes that a true keto diet also includes only moderate amounts of protein, and less than 50 grams of carbohydrates a day.

Interestingly, the keto diet has been around for a long time. Doctors first started using it, Ewoldt says, in the 1920s to treat kids with epilepsy, and it's still sometimes used for that. But today, it is gaining traction for weight loss or to fuel extreme endurance sports like marathon running and triathlons.

The right probiotics for leaky gut

The right probiotics for leaky gut

If you’re dealing with chronic diarrhea, gas, constipation, fatigue, headaches, skin issues or any other telltale signs of a leaky gut, you’ve probably been “prescribed” a probiotic. Maybe by a well-meaning friend. Maybe by a natural health specialist. Or maybe you “prescribed” it to yourself after a bit of online research.

In theory, taking probiotics for a leaky gut makes perfect sense. Leaky gut, after all, is a condition where the gut lining becomes unhealthy. It develops holes or leaks that allow partially digested food, toxins and bacteria to seep into your bloodstream. That causes inflammation and triggers disease.

And research shows that probiotics can help strengthen the intestinal barrier and prevent gaps and holes from developing. The problem is not all probiotic works.

In fact, a new study shows there may only be one probiotic that can truly plug your leaky gut and prevent disease.

Will eating eggs cause my cholesterol to go up?

Will eating eggs cause my cholesterol to go up?

To understand how breakfast became so complicated, it helps to remember what happened in the 1960s. Studies following the dietary habits of large populations that were published in the 1950s and 1960s suggested a link between cholesterol and heart disease. High blood cholesterol, after all, can lead to fatty deposits on artery walls that can harden and break off, forming clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Despite follow up studies that did not find a link between dietary cholesterol intake and blood cholesterol, in 1968, the American Heart Association advised people to reduce their consumption of cholesterol to 300 milligrams a day, a little more than you get in the yolk of an egg and eat no more than 3 eggs per week. Suddenly dietary cholesterol (and eggs, shrimp, lobster, and other high cholesterol foods) became public enemy #1. Food marketers started touting "cholesterol-free" on their packages. Egg consumption in the United States plummeted. And that was unfortunate because eggs are a very inexpensive source of protein and many other healthy nutrients like vitamins A, D, and B12.

Office Hours

Monday
7:30am - 12:30pm | 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Tuesday
7:30am - 1:00pm

Wednesday
7:30am - 12:30pm | 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Thursday
9:15am - 12:30pm | 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Friday
7:30am - 12:30pm

Saturday*
8:00am - 11:30am
*Saturdays vary. Call to schedule.