Is it bad if I crack my own neck or back?

Is it bad if I crack my own neck or back?

This common question arises often with new and existing patients, and the answer is not always to their liking. When people consistently self-adjust their own joints—specifically their neck or lower back, they are unfortunately in most instances making things worse.

Often, patients who “crack” their back or neck are really trying to remove tension from muscles and joints in the spine. This release of pressure that creates the sound gives some relief from said tension, but it comes back a short time later. So why is that? Based on knowledge of how joints work and practice experience, the relief doesn’t last because moving these joints alone is not the answer.

X-rays at a Chiropractic office

X-rays at a Chiropractic office

A common question potential new patients will ask my staff while on the phone making an initial appointment is—does the doctor require X-rays for all new patients? In our office the answer is no, but for some offices the answer is yes.

X-rays, or radiographs are an important tool a Chiropractor can use to rule out conditions that would make an adjustment contraindicated. The decision to take X-rays should be based on a proper history and exam of the patient. After 25 years in practice, experience has shown me far too often this decision made by some Chiropractors is for the wrong reasons.

If you take a statin for cholesterol lowering..this post is for you

If you take a statin for cholesterol lowering..this post is for you

Approximately 11 million Americans are on statin medications, and their use has steadily risen over the last 20-30 years. Statin medications are primarily used to lower total and bad (LDL) cholesterol by blocking the ability for the body to make its own cholesterol. There are also other drugs that reduce cholesterol by reducing the amount absorbed from food in the digestive system.

This post is not designed to sway people from taking these medications, rather to educate you on other processes in the body that statins inhibit. For statins to work they have to reduce cholesterol formation at some point in the process—but unfortunately this also doesn’t allow another important molecule to be formed in normal quantities. This is CoQ-10, and it is extremely important for the body to function, in fact without it you wouldn’t be alive.

Two symptoms of a stroke you shouldn’t ignore

Two symptoms of a stroke you shouldn’t ignore

According to research stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, killing an estimated 5.5 million people per year. Only heart disease has a higher mortality rate, and those people who survive a stroke often have permanent injuries. The average age of a stroke victim is usually over 65, but it can occur often younger than that as well.

Some causes of stroke are sedentary lifestyle, obesity, high cholesterol, family history, and diabetes. Similar to a heart attack, strokes are often survivable, but quick recognition of symptoms and immediate medical care is essential.

Indications for Chiropractic evaluation following a car accident

Indications for Chiropractic evaluation following a car accident

There are approximately 6 million car accidents that occur in the United States per year. Florida has the most accidents by far, and Texas has the most fatalities of people involved in a crash. When a car is traveling above 50 miles per hour, the likelihood of being injured is about 70%; and when speeds are in excess of 70 miles per hour the risk of injury and fatalities rise sharply.

When a patient presents to my office after a collision, there are a few questions that will indicate if someone is injured more times than not even prior to the exam. Was the person aware of the impending crash? If not, the risk of injury to the head/neck/torso rises significantly. Think of the last time that you came downstairs in the dark and missed the last stair? As your foot landed, it jarred your body all the way from the foot up your spine, doesn’t feel good does it!! Now imagine a 2000lb car traveling at any speed slamming into your car without any warning—same issue on a larger scale.

Can I have arthritis without pain?

Can I have arthritis without pain?

Unfortunately, our bodies don’t last forever. Let me be clear from the start, everyone gets arthritis at some point in their life, it’s just a matter of when and where.

A common question patients ask me is, “can I have arthritis without any symptoms?” The answer is a resounding yes!!! Arthritis can manifest itself in a couple of ways—the most common is Osteoarthritis (OA), which is what I am speaking of in this article.

Usually, OA changes are present for decades prior to someone feeling their effects. Arthritis causes a slow and steady reduction in the amount of cartilage in a joint, which over time reduces space. As more and more space is lost within a joint, the body adapts and creates bone spurs and other changes to compensate.

What kind of pillow should I sleep on?

What kind of pillow should I sleep on?

Choosing the right kind of pillow is critical to long term mobility and stability of the neck. I am asked what type of pillow is best to use at night so many times per week, I thought I would write out an answer.

The most important aspect of a pillow is its height. If you stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself, what should be seen is that the head is midway between both shoulders. When sleeping on your side, that relationship shouldn’t change.

What about Chiropractic adjustments seen on social media?

What about Chiropractic adjustments seen on social media?

In the past few years, patients have consistently asked my opinion about Chiropractic adjustments they have seen on many social media portals. Some of these videos are harmless and show how an adjustment is performed, which I have no issue with. Some are sensationalism to the extreme and are about getting likes and attention, my focus will be on the latter types of videos seen on the web.

The reasons listed below are specific to Chiropractors that chose to put a strap around the base of a patient’s skull while they are laying on their back, then applying a quick jerk to the patient’s head and neck. One term used for this type of maneuver is the “ring dinger.” using a Y-strap. In no way are my recommendations a personal judgement of any provider who chooses to do this, but this article is meant to educate the public about the risks associated with this type of adjustment, versus a more traditional Chiropractic treatment/adjustment.

Chiropractic and Migraine Headaches

Chiropractic and Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches affect approximately 12% of the population globally each year. Severity ranges from mild to severe; and frequency ranges from occasionally to chronic. Common treatments include medication, rest, avoiding bright lights, and ice packs. In most cases time is the best remedy, as once the migraine starts it has to resolve on its own.

One treatment that is often overlooked is Chiropractic adjustments. Most, but not all migraines start with some kind of trigger, which can be physical, chemical, or stress related. In 25 years of practice often times what I have seen is physical restriction of the joints/muscles in the neck region is a common cause of triggering migraines. Reducing chronic restriction and tension of the neck joints and muscles is key to preventing migraines or lessening their severity.

Which multivitamin is best for me?

Which multivitamin is best for me?

When it comes to purchasing supplements, you get what you pay for. Using cheap ingredients, with lots of fillers is a way to maximize profit, but the body will not absorb these nutrients any better. There is no vitamin or supplement that has 100% absorbability, no matter what the label says each dose contains. So, my advice is use the recommendations listed above, and turn your bottles over and look at the ingredients-you will be surprised at what is there.

Why do my knees hurt when I start running more?

Why do my knees hurt when I start running more?

Running is a form of exercise that some love, and others hate. For those of you who loathe lacing up sneakers, but keep at it, all too often its knee pain that makes you stop. Rest usually ends the discomfort, but once running is re-initiated, the pain returns. This cycle is very common, and the reason for its occurrence has more to do with muscle imbalance and less to do with the type of shoe you use, or the number of miles conquered.

Walking produces forces on our feet that are 1-2 times the weight of your body. Running on the other hand will drive approximately 2-4 times your body weight into your feet, and then to your knees. Here is research that discusses this for those reading who like detail: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2782094/

There is one major group of muscles that are commonly imbalanced/weak that cause knee/thigh pain—which are the glutes. Yes, it’s true—are your surprised? The gluteal/buttocks muscles have an extremely important function while running to buffer forces as each foot strikes the ground. But all too often we work our glutes only while running or walking forward—not moving side to side.

Is your neck stiff upon waking?--your pillow could be the culprit

Is your neck stiff upon waking?--your pillow could be the culprit

“Doc, your adjustments are helping me, but I keep waking up with a stiff neck.” This is a common statement from patients, and the solution isn’t always more massages or adjustments. Often times the pillow being used is too thin or thick and causing the neck to be lower or higher when a person sleeps on their side. In my experience, consistent poor posture while sleeping reduces the effectiveness of a chiropractic adjustment—resulting in lingering neck discomfort.

Ideally, a sleeping pillow should be 4-7 inches in height, but that also depends on how wide a person’s shoulders are. For petite females it averages 4-5 inches; but for a Colts football player with wide shoulders— 7 inches in height is the norm. Everyone has a different measurement from the tip of their ear to the tip of their shoulder. It’s imperative that your pillow fits into that measurement, if it doesn’t then chronic neck pain and headaches can occur.

Why are my muscles always tight—Could it be low Magnesium?

Why are my muscles always tight—Could it be low Magnesium?

Symptoms of mild Magnesium deficiency are chronically tight muscles, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, fatigue, and irritability. Severe deficiency symptoms are nausea, nervousness, loss of appetite, low potassium, and abnormal heart rhythm.

There few minerals our body needs more than Magnesium. This substance is vital for over 300 different chemical reactions in humans and yet is highly vulnerable to deficiency. Certain medications such as acid blockers, birth control pills, and steroids can all cause lower levels. Here are other factors/diseases that cause your levels to be lower: Stress, older age, IBS, celiac disease, diabetes Type I and II, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Re-check your form during weight lifting

Re-check your form during weight lifting

Every week a patient comes into my office who has somehow strained their lower back. Upon questioning a common answer they report is an increase in working out at the gym. I next ask them which exercises they have been performing at an increased frequency. Their answer is almost always dead lifts, or squats. These two exercises are very helpful at building up muscles in the lower extremities especially if performed using weights; but the problem lies in improper form.

Why Chose Our Practice?

Why Chose Our Practice?

Most patients who come to my office do so by referral from their family doctor or a referral from one of my patients. I have purposely strived to garner most of my business through word of mouth from those who have experienced care in our office or are familiar with the way we practice. I believe this is the best way to build a practice, and more importantly to gain the trust and confidence of patients early on.

Vitamins: Cutting through the hype

Vitamins: Cutting through the hype

Almost every week in practice I am asked, “Doc, is this supplement I am taking good.” My answer is usually the same, it’s not an answer but a question. I ask them why they are taking them in the first place. I then encounter strange looks that resemble my dog cocking his head and looking at me with a puzzled look of where is the treat you promised me. Unfortunately, vitamin supplements are something that we all kind of know is a good idea, but the confusion is which ones are worth buying, and I believe patients in a subconscious way go with ones that are recommended by a friend, an article in a newspaper or magazine, or an infomercial that is on TV at 3 a.m. But the question remains, who is fact checking that these supplements contain the magic stuff to make you feel good, and enough of it to match with research that has been done. On a good note, most vitamins you take have been extensively studied for safety; but the problem is most over the counter supplements do not put in quality ingredients, or enough of what you need. Patients end up taking lots of vitamins and they lose track of why they started taking them in the first place.

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.