Whiplash: The Chiropractic Approach

Whiplash is a common injury in automobile accidents and some sports-related incidents. Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) diagnose whiplash by asking patients to explain important details of the incident and, in some cases, use advanced imaging. Chiropractic adjustments, massage and rehabilitative exercises are just a few treatments DCs may use. Exercises performed at home can also speed up the recovery process. Read more about the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash.

Chiropractic News - House budget plan to include repeal of Affordable Care Act

House budget plan to include repeal of Affordable Care Act
A House Republican budget proposal will include language to allow a repeal of the Affordable Care Act by a simple majority vote in the Senate. Future Medicare beneficiaries would receive support to buy private insurance, and Medicaid spending would be reduced and delivered as block grants to the states. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (3/16)

Chiropractic News - Link Between Obesity and Cancer in Women

Study links obesity to higher lifetime cancer risk in women
A Cancer Research UK study found a 40% greater risk of developing at least one weight-related cancer type among obese women compared with slimmer counterparts. For every 1,000 obese U.K. women, 274 are likely to get one of the cancers, compared with 194 among women of a healthy weight, the study says. HealthDay News (3/17)

Chiropractic News - Overweight Boys Higher Rsk of Knee Pain as Adults

Overweight boys may have higher risk of knee pain as adults
Excessive weight during childhood was linked to knee pain, stiffness and dysfunction among adult men, according to an Australian study in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. However, researchers found that overall childhood overweight measures were not significantly associated with knee problems. MedPage Today (free registration) (3/19)

Do you experience leg pain, tingling, or numbness when walking or standing?

Do you experience leg pain, tingling, or numbness when walking or standing?

You may have spinal stenosis, a common condition typically caused by changes that happen in the spine as we age.

» Find out More

Dr. Jardon - Have You Experienced Sciatica?

Dr. Rick Jardon on Sciatica

Join Current Care Today!

Current Care is the RI health community's central bank of patient's records. By joining it, you allow your doctors to access x-rays, blood work, medication lists...etc using their computers rather than waiting for faxes, mail or patients to pick up their information for them.

Everyone (not just my patients but friends, relatives co-workers...) should sign up! Stop by the office anytime and fill out the simple enrollment form that takes just two minutes and we will take care of it from there. Pick up more and have all of your family and friends fill them out and return to us. You can also enroll on the internet at CurrentCareRI.org or call 888-858-4815

Spring is Here. Use These Tips To Keep Out of Back Pain

So it's finally getting nice out! Believe it or not, this is usually my busiest period of time at the office. Why?
Most people haven't done very much activity during the winter (unless you call watching Dancing withe the Stars activity).

We've gained weight, exercised less and generally taken poor care of our backs. Then, the weather gets nice and we decide that all that work in the yard has to get done in a day!

Guess what? Your back can't take it. This is the classic case of overuse. What we were capable of doing last fall when we were in better shape cannot be accomplished now without building back up to it. 

So, some words of wisdom:

1. Start easy the first day or two. Spend short periods of time and gradually work up to longer periods of time each day.
2. Start with limiting the amount of time you stay bent over, as well as limiting the number of times you repetitively bend over
3. Lift light loads the first few days and find someone to help you lift the heavier stuff (lawn mowers...etc)
4. Make sure your body is warmed up before the activity, especially if it's cool and wet out. Dress in layers and as you get warmer shed layers. Do some easy cardio in the house before heading out. 5 mins of cardio (jumping rope, aerobics...etc) will build the internal heat in your muscles which makes them more flexible and less likely to strain with yardwork. Some easy back stretching after the cardio is even better.
5. Avoid early morning yardwork. We are generally stiffer in the morning (especially as we get older) and it's generally colder in the morning which makes us even less flexible.
6. The best thing that you can do is hire a neighborhood kid (if you can find one who wants to work anymore) and let him do the strenuous stuff as you boss him around with your coffee in hand

Hurt Your Back? Use Ice and Get in Quick!

Just a quick thought; if you hurt your back, remember to ice (not heat) and take ibuprofen asap and for the first 48-72 hours. Also, go swimming to help keep you loose while not stressing your back in the process. Call me asap so that we can nip it in the bud before it becomes a time consuming and costly issue.

Vitamin D Deficiency and What You Can Do

It looks like we will get some sun today! Did you know that no food naturally gives us Vitamin D? The only way for your body to get Vitamin D is either fortified foods (mainly milk) or your body making it which requires a certain level of sun. In the winter months, there is usually not enough sun for your body to produce it in adequate amounts. So, Vitamin D supplementation is almost a necessity for most people in the Northern climates. Research has recently found that Vitamin D deficiency is linked to many disease conditions afflicting us. A simple blood test can determine if deficiency exists.

Is a Herniated Disc Causing Your Pain?

There are many different terms used to describe spinal disc pathology and associated pain, including "herniated disc," "pinched nerve," and "bulging disc." Rather than try to reconcile the terminology, it's more useful to gain an understanding of the actual cause of the pain. Learn the differences between a herniated disc and a pinched nerve and how each is most effectively treated.

Featured Article:
What's a Herniated Disc, Pinched Nerve, Bulging Disc…?

DIY back passage | Sacroiliac joint dysfunction | Exercise pain

Do-it-yourself massage ideas to alleviate back pain!
http://www.spine-health.com/blog/how-tennis-balls-and-duct-tape-can-morph-a-do-it-yourself-massage-lower-back-pain

For patients with lower back or buttock pain that stems from the sacroiliac joint, a variety of chiropractic procedures can be applied and are often considered the first line of treatment.
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sacroiliac-joint-dysfunction/chiropractic-procedures-sacroiliac-joint

Exercise can be difficult while in pain, but it is a key aspect in healing from the injury and preventing future episodes of pain. Muscle pain and aches can be normal, but flaring joint pain should be a warning to avoid certain exercises. Check out this video:
http://www.spine-health.com/video/video-if-my-back-or-joints-hurt-should-i-work-through-pain

Using Medication to Manage Pain and Reduce Sleep Problems

Using Medication to Manage Pain and Reduce Sleep Problems

After pain management patients have tried behavior and environment modifications to improve their sleep, it could be appropriate to discuss over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids, changes to their pain medication, or even both. Learn more...

Free Cervical Pillow! Melting snow

I'm so excited about the warm weather that I decided to have a contest to see if anyone can guess on what day the huge pile of snow in my parking lot will completely melt. The winner will receive a FREE CERVICAL PILLOW.

So, just respond to this by hitting "like" on Facebook and place your bet in the comment section.

FYI: My guess is May 1.

Stay Safe While Shoveling - By Dr. Jardon

More snow so watch your shoveling mechanics.

Limit bending and twisting combinations by bending your knees as you bend forward and come back up. Do not twist to throw the snow until you are standing upright. Limit twisting by moving your feet towards the direction you're throwing it. Bending/twisting combinations can "unhinge" the facet joints, allowing more strain on the protective muscles and ligaments.

Also, make sure you're warmed up in the morning by stretching beforehand. Dress warmly.Take it easy for the first 5 mins and, as you warm up with the activity of shoveling, you can safely speed up. Also helpful, don't try to do it all at once. Do it in shifts.

But, here's the best advise, get a snow blower!

Dr. Jardon's Newsletter from Spine Health - Feb-March 2015