Saturday, May 30, 2015

Milk and Calcium for Bone Health

If you want to get more calcium in your diet, there are many foods besides milk and dairy that will help keep your bones strong.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/nutrition-diet-weight-loss/sources-calcium-food

Cold Laser Therapy for Healing and Pain

The light from low level lasers can penetrate the skin and tissues between 2-5 cm and those photons are absorbed by the tissue cells to generate more energy, which is believed to help those tissues heal faster.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/cold-laser-therapy-pain-management-treatment

Thursday, May 28, 2015

X-Rays Explained

An x-ray of the spine will help medical professionals determine if there are tumors, fractures, or structural abnormalities in the spine such as scoliosis or a slipped vertebrae.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/diagnostic-tests/x-ray

Spinal Stenosis: Steps Clinical Study for the Minimally Invasive Totalis Procedure

Featured Clinical Trial
Right now spine specialists around the United States are accepting patient's diagnosed with or who may have spinal stenosis for the Steps Clinical Trial.
Do you suffer with pain, tingling, or numbness in your leg(s) when walking or standing? Have medications and injections failed to provide relief? Are you considering a lumbar decompression surgery? You may be eligible to participate in a clinical research study designed to produce scientific information to demonstrate the treatment effect of the Totalis procedure, a minimally-invasive alternative to traditional spine surgery that does not require general anesthesia and allows most patients to return home the same day. The Study is intended to provide clinical data required by Medicare to support insurance coverage.
Learn more about the Steps Clinical Study for the
Totalis Procedure and find Study locations.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Can Massage Help Your Back Problem?

Most episodes of acute lower back pain are caused by muscle strain, such as from lifting a heavy object, a sudden movement or a fall. Massage can help work out the spasm/irritation caused by a muscle strain. Learn more...

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Pulled Back Muscle Treatment

Back muscle strains typically heal with time. Many heal within a few days of initial injury, but healing can take as long as 3 or 4 weeks. See what initial treatments can help ease muscle strain discomfort during recovery. Learn more...

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Neck Strain: Causes and Remedies

Neck muscle strain (or other soft tissue strain or sprain, such as ligaments or tendons) can result in a stiff neck and/or pain in a shoulder muscle. How can they best be prevented and remedied? Learn more...

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Is Muscle Strain Causing Your Neck or Back Pain?

Many episodes of back or neck pain are due to a muscle strain or other soft tissue sprain. This type of injury often improves with time and non-surgical care, such as medications and chiropractic manipulation. However, if the pain continues or worsens or is accompanied by arm pain, leg pain, or numbness, there is often a specific condition that requires treatment.

Featured Article:
Pulled Back Muscle and Lower Back Strain

Friday, May 22, 2015

Artifical Cervical Disk Replacement - Are You A Candidate?

Spine-health

Do you have arm pain, weakness or numbness and/or neck pain?

You may be a candidate for Mobi-C.

The Mobi-C® Cervical Disc (Mobi-C) has been designed as an alternative to cervical fusion, replacing the cervical disc to restore segmental motion and disc height.
Watch how it works

Real Experiences

Both Chuck and Melinda have suffered from debilitating numbness, pain and weakness in their arms and neck. The struggle to find pain relief became a daily battle for each of them. Watch Chuck and Melissa as they talk about their experiences with cervical pain and how Mobi-C allowed them to return to a normal life of work, family, and fun
  » Watch their stories now

Mobi-C is an Alternative to Cervical Fusion

In a surgery with the Mobi-C Cervical Disc, the unhealthy disc is removed, but instead of a bone spacer or plastic implant along with a plate and screws, a Mobi-C is implanted into the disc space.
Where a fusion procedure is intended to eliminate motion at the surgery levels, the goal of a surgery with Mobi-C is to allow motion at those levels.
Cervical Disc
Cervical Disc
» Find out what others are saying about Mobi-C

Surgery with Mobi-C:

  • Will replace your worn out discs.
  • May help keep neck movement:
    • Bending forward-to-back.
    • Bending side-to-side.
    • Turning left-to-right.
  • Matches disc height to the levels above and below. This can help un-trap nerves.
  • May lessen your neck and/or arm pain.
  • May lessen any arm tingling.
  • May help you return to your normal life of work, family, and fun.
» Find a Surgeon» Are you a candidate?

Visit these additional resources to learn more about the Cervical Spine:

» LEARN MORE about your options with Mobi-C

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Are You Considering Cervical Fusion Surgery?

When considering cervical fusion surgery it is important to know your options. One option to look into is the Mobi-C® Cervical Disc (Mobi-C) which has been designed as an alternative to cervical fusion for cervical disc replacement to restore segmental motion and disc height.

Take our short survey to see if you're a potential candidate for you Mobi-C® Cervical Disc replacement surgery.

You may be a candidate, click here to take the survey.

To learn more about your options, click here to learn about the MObi-C® Cervical Disc.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Myths about Treatment for Back Pain and Back Problems

Back problems are often complex, so it's no wonder that myths abound. Pain causes, treatment options and effectiveness, and patient needs can all become mired in misinformation. Make sure you are well informed. Learn more...

Monday, May 18, 2015

How to Select the Best Chiropractor

If you decide to explore chiropractic to address your back pain, it may take some time to find the right practitioner for you. Learn what questions to ask when interviewing potential chiropractors, and what you can expect during chiropractic care. Learn more...

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Treating Herniated Disks in the C-Spine

When a cervical herniated disc is treated, the first methods are often to use physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation, activity modification, and possibly anti-inflammatory medications.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/conservative-treatment-a-cervical-herniated-disc

Specialists Who Treat Back Pain

When it comes to physicians who treat spinal conditions and back pain, there is no one option that works for everyone. Many types of health practitioners care for patients with spinal conditions, and each has a slightly different role. Learn more...

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Chiropractic Manipulation under Anesthesia

Some patients may experience high levels of pain with any movement of their spine, so that manipulations are not tolerable unless done under anesthesia.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/manipulation-under-anesthesia-pain

Friday, May 15, 2015

Should You See a Doctor for Your Back Pain?

Pain is our friendliest enemy- it keeps us out of trouble even though it often seems to actually be the problem. But how do you know if your pain will go away by itself or if you should see a doctor? In most cases, back pain will get better on its own within a few days. But what if it doesn't? Persistent back pain may mean it's time to consult a back specialist.

Featured Article:
Should I See a Doctor for Back Pain?

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Can Chiro Treat Lower Back Pain in Pregnant Women?

Chiropractic treatments for pregnant women suffering from lower back pain has a very high success rate and can be combined with other treatments that do not include adding medications into the system.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/pregnancy-and-back-pain/treatments-low-back-pain-during-pregnancy

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Stay Active in Spring!

For the millions of people who have chronic, long-standing low back pain, golf can still be an enjoyable sport. However, a regular routine of stretching and low-impact exercise is critical to maintain the ability to play golf.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sports-and-spine-injuries/playing-golf-low-back-pain

Biking is a popular form of aerobic exercise, and is often a favored form of exercise by people with low back pain conditions. Biking may be a good exercise option for many reasons:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sports-and-spine-injuries/bicycling-and-back-pain

Chiropractic manipulation refers to a chiropractor applying manipulation to the vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. Chiropractic manipulation (also known as chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation), is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-manipulation

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Could Your Lower Back Pain Be Caused by SI Joint Dysfunction?

Dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint, or SI joint, is thought to cause low back and/or leg pain. The leg pain can be particularly difficult, and may feel similar to sciatica or pain caused by a lumbar disc herniation. While it is not clear how the pain is caused, it is thought that an alteration in the normal joint motion may be the culprit that causes sacroiliac pain.

Featured Article:
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)

Treatment Options for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Treatments for SI joint dysfunction are usually non-surgical and focus on trying to restore normal joint motion. For severe cases of pain that are not improved by several weeks or months of conservative treatments, surgery may be an option. Learn more...

Chiropractic Procedures for the Sacroiliac Joint
Chiropractic adjustment is often the first line of treatment for sacroiliac joint pain. Learn the two primary types of adjustment chiropractors use for SI joint pain treatment and what patients can expect. Learn more...

Sacroiliac Joint Exercises for Sciatic Pain
Range of motion exercises directed at the SI joint can often restore normal movement and alleviate sciatic nerve irritation and pain. Review the steps for three helpful exercises to complement conservative treatment. Learn more...

Saturday, May 2, 2015

A Refresher on Common Chiropractic Techniques

There are well over 100 types of adjustment techniques used by chiropractors throughout the world. Typically, chiropractors will focus on and utilize 8 to 10 different approaches in their practice. Read more below:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/understanding-spinal-manipulation

Desk Jobs & Road Trips Beware!

Desk Job? Watch Out!

Did you know a desk job can be hazardous to your health? Instead of sitting all day, consider alternating standing and sitting at work.  Here are 9 ergonomic tips to help you:

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/9-ergonomic-tips-synchronizing-your-work-station-and-office-chair

Road Trips & Lower Back Pain

Road trips are not the most ideal situation for people dealing with a history of low back pain.  Here are 7 tips to alleviate your back pain on your next trip:

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/7-tips-alleviate-back-pain-your-road-trips

Friday, May 1, 2015

Back Pain: Chiropractic vs. Medical Doctors

Back Pain:
Chiropractic vs. Medical Doctors
Who Get Better Results and Who is More Cost Effective?

Chiropractic Proves 300% more effective
Chiropractic Proves 50% More Cost Effective

BY: Donald Capoferri DC, DAAMLP
William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP
Mark Studin DC, FASBE(C), DAAMLP, DAAPM

In 2010 a study of back pain patients insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee revealed patients receive nearly 3x better results at almost half the cost when consulting a chiropractor instead of a traditional medical doctor.

Statistics show that back pain, and more specifically lower back pain will affect 70-80% of all Americans.  Back pain is one of the top 10 most costly conditions treated in the United States.  Costs directly associated with examination and treatment are in excess $50 billion dollars per year.  Indirect cost of back pain include lost work day, reduced employee productivity and disability are $47 billion dollars.  That makes the total economic impact of lower back pain in excess of $97 billion dollars per year.

The study was conducted on 85,402 patients, all insured with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.  This insurer was chosen because it provided equal access to both traditional medical and chiropractic care. The population of patients were diagnosed with the following conditions: Spinal disc disorders, Lower back pain, muscle spasms, joint mobility restrictions, Sacroiliac joint sprain/strain and lumbar spine sprain/strain.  The results of the study revealed those patients who initiated care with a chiropractor had a 61% “very satisfied response” when surveyed.  Those patient who initiated care with a medical doctor had a 27% “very satisfied response.” The patients who initiated care with a chiropractor incurred 40% less cost than those choosing traditional medical care.

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that chiropractic care is more effective and less costly than medical care for back pain.  In contrast to this and many other studies indicating the efficacy of chiropractic care for back pain, only 7% of U.S. back pain sufferers consult a chiropractor.  Using the data from this study insurers nationally would realize billions of dollar of savings if the population of back pain patients initiated care with a chiropractor first. 

Insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractic care at this juncture with statistical evidence, are paying more for care and delaying necessary, effective care for no apparent reason other than politics or prejudice. If all restrictions for chiropractic access were removed carriers would save money and offer a significant public health benefit. The statistics speak for themselves.

Reference:
Liliedahl R., Finch M., Axene D., Geertz C., (2010) Cost of Care for Common Back Pain Conditions Initiated with Chiropractic Doctor vs. Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy as First Physician:  Experience of One Tennessee-Based General Health Insure, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 33 (9) pgs. 640-643