Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday July 5th
We will not be having regular office hours on Monday July 5th, but I will be seeing patients by appointment. Please call the office at 270-450-0848 to make an appointment. If you do not get forwarded, please call my cell at 270-366-9257.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
What is a Chiropractor? What Kinds of Problems do They Treat?
What is a Chiropractor? What Kinds of Problems do They Treat?
A chiropractor, or Doctor of Chiropractic, is a licensed physician with the educational and professional expertise in the area of treating musculoskeletal disorders of the spine; in other words, they are experts at treating symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Chiropractors commonly work with problems such as sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, disc problems, arthritis, and many others.
The word Chiropractor comes from the Greek words for “hand” and “practice or treat”, so Chiropractic literally means “treating with the hands”. This definition is very appropriate to the practice of Chiropractic, as Chiropractors work with their hands to “adjust” or “mobilize” the joints of the spine in order to provide a drug and surgery free method of relieving a person’s symptoms and restoring their spine back to normal health. Chiropractors rely on different adjusting techniques to correct postural problems, reduce structural misalignments, and improve joint range of motion. A Chiropractic adjustment is a specific movement or maneuver performed by a Chiropractor that includes the proper force, speed, and direction in order to effectively move or mobilize the bones of the spine. Chiropractors rely on their extensive background in spinal anatomy combined with years of hands-on education to provide adjustments in a comfortable, pain free, and safe manner.
Before beginning adjustments on a patient, Chiropractors typically take a thorough history, including information about the patient’s presenting problems, as well as past health history, relevant family health history, and a review of systems. A Chiropractor also performs a complete orthopedic and neurological exam to determine if the patient is a candidate for Chiropractic adjustments or if a referral needs to be made. The exam also helps to determine the projected length of treatment and expected outcomes. In some offices x-rays may be taken or referred out, depending on the needs of the patient.
Besides treating musculoskeletal conditions of the spine, many Chiropractors are heavily involved in preventative health measures as well. They are advocates of proper nutrition, exercise, non-smoking, natural foods, limited use of medications, proper posture, and proper biomechanics while at work. Many Chiropractors also recommend maintaining the health of the spine through the process of regular “maintenance” adjustments.
This has been a brief overview, for more information about the practice of Chiropractic, call or visit a local Chiropractor in your area.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please visit the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
A chiropractor, or Doctor of Chiropractic, is a licensed physician with the educational and professional expertise in the area of treating musculoskeletal disorders of the spine; in other words, they are experts at treating symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Chiropractors commonly work with problems such as sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, disc problems, arthritis, and many others.
The word Chiropractor comes from the Greek words for “hand” and “practice or treat”, so Chiropractic literally means “treating with the hands”. This definition is very appropriate to the practice of Chiropractic, as Chiropractors work with their hands to “adjust” or “mobilize” the joints of the spine in order to provide a drug and surgery free method of relieving a person’s symptoms and restoring their spine back to normal health. Chiropractors rely on different adjusting techniques to correct postural problems, reduce structural misalignments, and improve joint range of motion. A Chiropractic adjustment is a specific movement or maneuver performed by a Chiropractor that includes the proper force, speed, and direction in order to effectively move or mobilize the bones of the spine. Chiropractors rely on their extensive background in spinal anatomy combined with years of hands-on education to provide adjustments in a comfortable, pain free, and safe manner.
Before beginning adjustments on a patient, Chiropractors typically take a thorough history, including information about the patient’s presenting problems, as well as past health history, relevant family health history, and a review of systems. A Chiropractor also performs a complete orthopedic and neurological exam to determine if the patient is a candidate for Chiropractic adjustments or if a referral needs to be made. The exam also helps to determine the projected length of treatment and expected outcomes. In some offices x-rays may be taken or referred out, depending on the needs of the patient.
Besides treating musculoskeletal conditions of the spine, many Chiropractors are heavily involved in preventative health measures as well. They are advocates of proper nutrition, exercise, non-smoking, natural foods, limited use of medications, proper posture, and proper biomechanics while at work. Many Chiropractors also recommend maintaining the health of the spine through the process of regular “maintenance” adjustments.
This has been a brief overview, for more information about the practice of Chiropractic, call or visit a local Chiropractor in your area.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please visit the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
Friday, June 25, 2010
People ask me all of the time: What kind of mattress should I get?
The mattress market has exploded recently and there are more choices than ever before. Every manufacturer talks about how much better their mattresses are and how research has shown that people get better sleep with their products. I guess it is even important that you can drop a bowling ball on your mattress and not spill a glass of wine. So what is the deal? How is a person to decide?
As a chiropractor, questions about mattresses come up all of the time. I will admit, I am not an expert on mattress technology, but I do know just a little about the human body and I also read a lot, so let me share with you what the experts say.
Number one, don’t go for the bells and whistles and don’t believe every advertisement you hear. You are better off spending your money on quality construction rather than the latest trend. Of the three main types of mattress construction: traditional coil, air, or memory foam, none are considered better than the others. It is best to discover which type works best for you. What you are really looking for is a mattress that is firm (not hard) and supportive of your body. When you are lying on a mattress it should not feel like one part of your body is sinking in or sagging more than the others. If you move around a lot at night, the memory foam may not be for you, as it tends to keep you in one position more. If you tend to be cold natured at night, the memory foam make work good for you, because it tends to hug your body more. If you and your partner (or whoever sleeps in bed with you) are of greatly different size and shape, the adjustable air bed may be a good choice. The key here is to find the type of mattress that fits YOU best.
There is a secret to shopping for a mattress. Go to a reputable mattress store or furniture dealer; go in the late afternoon or early evening and go with whoever usually sleeps in bed with you. Pick a mattress within your price range and lay on it for at least 15-20 minutes before trying a different mattress. Lay in the position that you normally sleep in and pretend that you are there to sleep. Pay attention to your body and try and feel if you are being supported correctly and spend the time to find out if the mattress is going to be comfortable for you. If you fall asleep, chances are you are either too tired, or you made an excellent choice.
Having the right mattress can go a long way toward getting a better night’s sleep and helping out with mild cases of lower back pain, so shop around, take your time, and make sure that you are getting the correct mattress for you.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please visit the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
As a chiropractor, questions about mattresses come up all of the time. I will admit, I am not an expert on mattress technology, but I do know just a little about the human body and I also read a lot, so let me share with you what the experts say.
Number one, don’t go for the bells and whistles and don’t believe every advertisement you hear. You are better off spending your money on quality construction rather than the latest trend. Of the three main types of mattress construction: traditional coil, air, or memory foam, none are considered better than the others. It is best to discover which type works best for you. What you are really looking for is a mattress that is firm (not hard) and supportive of your body. When you are lying on a mattress it should not feel like one part of your body is sinking in or sagging more than the others. If you move around a lot at night, the memory foam may not be for you, as it tends to keep you in one position more. If you tend to be cold natured at night, the memory foam make work good for you, because it tends to hug your body more. If you and your partner (or whoever sleeps in bed with you) are of greatly different size and shape, the adjustable air bed may be a good choice. The key here is to find the type of mattress that fits YOU best.
There is a secret to shopping for a mattress. Go to a reputable mattress store or furniture dealer; go in the late afternoon or early evening and go with whoever usually sleeps in bed with you. Pick a mattress within your price range and lay on it for at least 15-20 minutes before trying a different mattress. Lay in the position that you normally sleep in and pretend that you are there to sleep. Pay attention to your body and try and feel if you are being supported correctly and spend the time to find out if the mattress is going to be comfortable for you. If you fall asleep, chances are you are either too tired, or you made an excellent choice.
Having the right mattress can go a long way toward getting a better night’s sleep and helping out with mild cases of lower back pain, so shop around, take your time, and make sure that you are getting the correct mattress for you.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please visit the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
I am having headaches that feel like a tight band around my head, what do I do?
Headaches are one of the number one problems that drive people to either visit a doctor or take over-the-counter pain medication. As a chiropractor, headaches are also one of the most common problems that I treat on a daily basis.
The most common type of headache is the tension headache, where the sufferer experiences a tight band around the head, almost as if the head were caught in a “vise-grip.” The pain and tightness is usually the most intense at the base of the skull and tends to start in the neck and shoulder muscles. The headache can last only one (1) day but may last up to a week or more. Tension headaches tend to be aggravated by stressful situations and can be brought on by prolonged periods of sitting in incorrectly supported positions such as while driving or sitting in a chair with poor support.
Even though tension headaches are the most common, researchers and medical professionals cannot reach an agreement as to the likely cause and appropriate treatment. As in many cases, it is often the most obvious answer that is easily overlooked. The fact is that most tension headaches sufferers also have poor upper back and neck posture, have reduced mobility of the joints of the neck, and experience chronic tightness of the neck and upper shoulder muscles. For many people, treatment and correction of these underlying causes is an extremely effective means to either reduce or totally eliminate these headaches.
The good news is that these treatments do not involve drugs or surgery. Both Chiropractors and Physical Therapists can work with headache sufferers to increase the mobility of the neck joints and to decrease the tension in the surrounding muscles. They can also provide advice related to proper ergonomics while driving and sitting and simple tips for things you can do at home when you feel a tension headache starting.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please visit the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
The most common type of headache is the tension headache, where the sufferer experiences a tight band around the head, almost as if the head were caught in a “vise-grip.” The pain and tightness is usually the most intense at the base of the skull and tends to start in the neck and shoulder muscles. The headache can last only one (1) day but may last up to a week or more. Tension headaches tend to be aggravated by stressful situations and can be brought on by prolonged periods of sitting in incorrectly supported positions such as while driving or sitting in a chair with poor support.
Even though tension headaches are the most common, researchers and medical professionals cannot reach an agreement as to the likely cause and appropriate treatment. As in many cases, it is often the most obvious answer that is easily overlooked. The fact is that most tension headaches sufferers also have poor upper back and neck posture, have reduced mobility of the joints of the neck, and experience chronic tightness of the neck and upper shoulder muscles. For many people, treatment and correction of these underlying causes is an extremely effective means to either reduce or totally eliminate these headaches.
The good news is that these treatments do not involve drugs or surgery. Both Chiropractors and Physical Therapists can work with headache sufferers to increase the mobility of the neck joints and to decrease the tension in the surrounding muscles. They can also provide advice related to proper ergonomics while driving and sitting and simple tips for things you can do at home when you feel a tension headache starting.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please visit the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
What is Sciatica? How can it be Treated?
Sciatica generally refers to any set of symptoms running into the leg, which can include pain, numbness, burning, tingling, or all of the above. Sciatic symptoms can go part way down the leg or all the way to the toes, depending on the severity of the condition. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve or other nerves of the spine are compressed as they leave the spine and travel down the leg. It is important to understand that sciatica refers to the symptoms of pain, numbness, or tingling, and not the condition that is causing them. Sciatica can be caused by bulged or herniated discs, a muscle problem known as Piriformis Syndrome, Spinal Stenosis, chronic back problems, or complications from a back injury.
Treatment of Sciatica involves applying measures to control or reduce the resulting inflammation and swelling around the sciatic nerve, as well as measures to correct the causative condition. The application of ice is an effective means of reducing swelling and inflammation, however, the ice should not be applied on the leg where the symptoms are being experienced, rather, in the area of the lower back or hip were the symptoms originate. Ice should be used only 15-20 minutes at a time with 30minutes between applications. There are over-the-counter medications that can be used for control of swelling and inflammation, but should be used short-term only.
For diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the sciatica, it is best to turn to a qualified health care professional. For the treatment of non-complicated Sciatica, both Chiropractic and Physical Therapy have been shown to be superior treatment methods when compared with treatment by a medical doctor using pharmaceuticals. Physical Therapists can work with the different muscles involved in order to reduce the tightness of the muscles and increase range of motion. Chiropractors can also work with the affected muscles, but also employ spinal adjusting or “spinal mobilization” to directly relieve the pressure off of the nerves and speed up the healing process.
If you are experiencing Sciatica or similar symptoms, it is best to be evaluated by a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist in your area to determine what type of sciatica you have, and to determine the proper course of treatment.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
Treatment of Sciatica involves applying measures to control or reduce the resulting inflammation and swelling around the sciatic nerve, as well as measures to correct the causative condition. The application of ice is an effective means of reducing swelling and inflammation, however, the ice should not be applied on the leg where the symptoms are being experienced, rather, in the area of the lower back or hip were the symptoms originate. Ice should be used only 15-20 minutes at a time with 30minutes between applications. There are over-the-counter medications that can be used for control of swelling and inflammation, but should be used short-term only.
For diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the sciatica, it is best to turn to a qualified health care professional. For the treatment of non-complicated Sciatica, both Chiropractic and Physical Therapy have been shown to be superior treatment methods when compared with treatment by a medical doctor using pharmaceuticals. Physical Therapists can work with the different muscles involved in order to reduce the tightness of the muscles and increase range of motion. Chiropractors can also work with the affected muscles, but also employ spinal adjusting or “spinal mobilization” to directly relieve the pressure off of the nerves and speed up the healing process.
If you are experiencing Sciatica or similar symptoms, it is best to be evaluated by a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist in your area to determine what type of sciatica you have, and to determine the proper course of treatment.
Dr. Calvin Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor of nine (9) years is the owner of The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY. For more information please the website at www.thefixchiro.com, or telephone at 270-450-0848, or visit the office in The Village Business Center (behind The Home Depot, next to Dallas Medical and David Spicer Jewelers) in Paducah, KY.
Friday, June 18, 2010
What a great week!
This week has been awesome! I am so happy with all of the positive feedback we are getting. Sarah and I are very grateful to everyone who shared their ideas with us and helped get our marketing and advertising on the right track. I would like to give a special thanks to Sign-A-Rama, they went out of their way this week for us. Stay tuned for more posts next week. To all of our new clients: it was great working with you and I look forward to serving you in the future.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Should I use ice or heat? I answer this commonly asked question.
I get asked this question more than any other and the answer is actually pretty simple. Let me explain first what ice and do when you put them on your body, then I will explain the two different scenarios for their use, followed by some do’s and don’ts.
Both ice and heat serve to interrupt the pain that is traveling from an injured area to your brain. Essentially what happens is that the information your body transmits about the heat or cold, travels to your brain faster than pain, so you don’t feel the pain as much. Both heat and cold serve to reduce muscle spasms and muscle tension. Heat increased the circulation to an area, thereby bringing more nutrients and taking away more harmful waste products. Ice reduces the circulation to an area, thereby reducing swelling. So, they both work and technically it probably does not matter which you use, but there are specific times when one works much better than the other.
It is always best to use ice for the first 48-72 hours right after an injury; this is also known as an acute injury. R.I.C.E is an acronym standing for the things you should do to treat an acute injury; Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. The ice will help to decrease the swelling and inflammation. After the first 48-72 hours, you can switch to heat, which will help to relieve any muscle tension while you continue to heal.
It is best to use heat for chronic muscle soreness or soreness after an activity (as long as an injury with swelling is not present). The heat will help the muscles relax better. Heat can also be helpful for chronic joint pain such as arthritis (osteoarthritis).
The directions for using ice and heat are the same. Apply ice or heat for 15-20 minutes at a time only! No longer! Then take away the ice or heat until the skin returns to room temperature, I usually recommend 30-40 minutes, then you can re-apply the ice or heat. It is ok to use a bag of ice or a commercial ice pack. For heat, it is best to use a moist heat source such as a hot shower, hot tub, or hot towel (but be careful not to burn yourself).
Now for the don’ts. Do not put ice directly on your skin; always use a towel or other protective barrier. Leaving ice on for longer than 20 minutes can have the exact opposite effect from what you are going for (think about what happens to your nose and cheeks when you come inside after being out in the cold for a long time). Never, never use an electric heating pad, especially not to sleep on. I know it feels good, but you are probably doing yourself more harm than good.
Both ice and heat serve to interrupt the pain that is traveling from an injured area to your brain. Essentially what happens is that the information your body transmits about the heat or cold, travels to your brain faster than pain, so you don’t feel the pain as much. Both heat and cold serve to reduce muscle spasms and muscle tension. Heat increased the circulation to an area, thereby bringing more nutrients and taking away more harmful waste products. Ice reduces the circulation to an area, thereby reducing swelling. So, they both work and technically it probably does not matter which you use, but there are specific times when one works much better than the other.
It is always best to use ice for the first 48-72 hours right after an injury; this is also known as an acute injury. R.I.C.E is an acronym standing for the things you should do to treat an acute injury; Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. The ice will help to decrease the swelling and inflammation. After the first 48-72 hours, you can switch to heat, which will help to relieve any muscle tension while you continue to heal.
It is best to use heat for chronic muscle soreness or soreness after an activity (as long as an injury with swelling is not present). The heat will help the muscles relax better. Heat can also be helpful for chronic joint pain such as arthritis (osteoarthritis).
The directions for using ice and heat are the same. Apply ice or heat for 15-20 minutes at a time only! No longer! Then take away the ice or heat until the skin returns to room temperature, I usually recommend 30-40 minutes, then you can re-apply the ice or heat. It is ok to use a bag of ice or a commercial ice pack. For heat, it is best to use a moist heat source such as a hot shower, hot tub, or hot towel (but be careful not to burn yourself).
Now for the don’ts. Do not put ice directly on your skin; always use a towel or other protective barrier. Leaving ice on for longer than 20 minutes can have the exact opposite effect from what you are going for (think about what happens to your nose and cheeks when you come inside after being out in the cold for a long time). Never, never use an electric heating pad, especially not to sleep on. I know it feels good, but you are probably doing yourself more harm than good.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
I woke up with horrible neck pain. Is it torticollis? What should I do?
First things first…..Don’t Panic! Don’t go running off to the ER or urgent care or any of those kinds of places. There is a perfectly good explanation for what is happening and if you stay calm and be smart, there are some things you can do on your own that will help.
Torticollis, also known as wry neck syndrome, is another way of saying that your neck really hurts bad and is all twisted in the wrong direction and you can’t move it. The reason you can’t move your neck is because of the muscle spasms. If you Google “torticollis” or “wry neck syndrome”, you are going to get a wealth of information, most of it pretty confusing. The reason for the confusion is because there are some very serious versions of these disorders that are very rare and involve permanent shortening of the muscles. The only treatment is surgery and/or injections. If you have what is known as congenital torticollis or chronic acquired torticollis, then this article is probably not for you. What I am talking about is acute torticollis.
Acute torticollis can have a variety of causes, but usually the cause is unknown; you just wake up in the morning with your neck hurting and stuck in a bad position. It is very common to see this type of severe neck pain after an automobile accident, sports injury, or other type of injury. It is also common to see torticollis in the early spring and late fall when people begin sleeping with their windows open all night. The cool air tends to cause the neck muscles to spasm and get stuck.
So, what do you do? For the first few days, I would do nothing. That is right; I am a Chiropractor, telling you not to come to me right away. Look, what am I going to do? I can’t adjust your neck with it all stuck to one side, it is just going to hurt. So, stay home and use ice. For the first 72 hours you should use ice and rest. When you use ice, put the ice in a towel and put it on your neck for 20 minutes (NO LONGER!), then take it off for the remainder of the hour. Put it back on for 20 minutes. Do this every couple of hours.
Sometime toward the end of the 72 hours, it is going to be very important to see someone (EVEN IF YOU ARE FEELING GREAT). I am course going to recommend a Chiropractor, but there are other health care providers you can see. You are going to want to have your neck evaluated to rule out any complicated factors or underlying problems. You do not want this to become a chronic or long term problem. A Chiropractor will evaluate your neck and recommend the necessary treatments (if any) that are necessary to get you back to normal.
If you follow the icing recommendation for the first couple of days, your recovery time should be relatively short. You can simply use a zip lock bag of ice, or you can get one of those nice, flexible, re-usable ice packs. They are available from most pharmacies or visit your Chiropractor.
Torticollis, also known as wry neck syndrome, is another way of saying that your neck really hurts bad and is all twisted in the wrong direction and you can’t move it. The reason you can’t move your neck is because of the muscle spasms. If you Google “torticollis” or “wry neck syndrome”, you are going to get a wealth of information, most of it pretty confusing. The reason for the confusion is because there are some very serious versions of these disorders that are very rare and involve permanent shortening of the muscles. The only treatment is surgery and/or injections. If you have what is known as congenital torticollis or chronic acquired torticollis, then this article is probably not for you. What I am talking about is acute torticollis.
Acute torticollis can have a variety of causes, but usually the cause is unknown; you just wake up in the morning with your neck hurting and stuck in a bad position. It is very common to see this type of severe neck pain after an automobile accident, sports injury, or other type of injury. It is also common to see torticollis in the early spring and late fall when people begin sleeping with their windows open all night. The cool air tends to cause the neck muscles to spasm and get stuck.
So, what do you do? For the first few days, I would do nothing. That is right; I am a Chiropractor, telling you not to come to me right away. Look, what am I going to do? I can’t adjust your neck with it all stuck to one side, it is just going to hurt. So, stay home and use ice. For the first 72 hours you should use ice and rest. When you use ice, put the ice in a towel and put it on your neck for 20 minutes (NO LONGER!), then take it off for the remainder of the hour. Put it back on for 20 minutes. Do this every couple of hours.
Sometime toward the end of the 72 hours, it is going to be very important to see someone (EVEN IF YOU ARE FEELING GREAT). I am course going to recommend a Chiropractor, but there are other health care providers you can see. You are going to want to have your neck evaluated to rule out any complicated factors or underlying problems. You do not want this to become a chronic or long term problem. A Chiropractor will evaluate your neck and recommend the necessary treatments (if any) that are necessary to get you back to normal.
If you follow the icing recommendation for the first couple of days, your recovery time should be relatively short. You can simply use a zip lock bag of ice, or you can get one of those nice, flexible, re-usable ice packs. They are available from most pharmacies or visit your Chiropractor.
Monday, June 14, 2010
What causes tension headaches? Can a chiropractor help?
Back in the mid to late nineties several researchers set out to find the cause of so called tension headaches (also known as cervicogenic headaches). They made a discovery that confirmed what many chiropractors already knew, and had the potential to change how headaches would from then on be treated. But, nothing changed. What happened? Maybe we were all too busy watching Bill and Monica on T.V., or maybe The Spice Girls had our rapt attention. Maybe over-the-counter pain meds for headaches is way too big of a business for a few researchers to compete with. I don’t know, but let me share with you what they found.
First of all, let’s talk a little about headaches. There are too many different kinds to even think about, but the broad categories are: tumor related, infection related, blood pressure related, lifestyle related (chemical, drug, alcohol, etc.), and everything else. If you don’t know what kind of headaches you are having, it is best that you visit a doctor and find out. If you have headaches that fall into the “everything else” category, then keep reading, this information is for you.
Surrounding our brain is a thin layer of very sensitive tissue called the dura mater. Through some advanced imaging, the researchers found that there is a small “tissue bridge” connecting this dura mater to the muscles of the cervical spine (neck). They further found that changes to the muscles of the cervical spine greatly affect what happens to the dura. Increased tension in the cervical muscles causes increased tension on the dura and results in kinks or folds in the dura. When this happens, it would be similar to wearing a hat too tight all day.
What causes changes in the muscles? Postural changes in the cervical spine, misalignments of the joints, and decreased mobility of the joints are the most common causes. These issues tend to either be caused by injury or more often just slowly occur over time.
A chiropractor specializes in adjusting or mobilizing the joints of the spine in order to restore normal motion and reduce the tension on the cervical muscles, thereby reducing the tension on the dura, resulting in reduction in headache intensity and frequency. A Chiropractor will examine your spine to determine if your headaches are cervicogenic in nature and either recommend a course of care or make the appropriate referral if necessary.
First of all, let’s talk a little about headaches. There are too many different kinds to even think about, but the broad categories are: tumor related, infection related, blood pressure related, lifestyle related (chemical, drug, alcohol, etc.), and everything else. If you don’t know what kind of headaches you are having, it is best that you visit a doctor and find out. If you have headaches that fall into the “everything else” category, then keep reading, this information is for you.
Surrounding our brain is a thin layer of very sensitive tissue called the dura mater. Through some advanced imaging, the researchers found that there is a small “tissue bridge” connecting this dura mater to the muscles of the cervical spine (neck). They further found that changes to the muscles of the cervical spine greatly affect what happens to the dura. Increased tension in the cervical muscles causes increased tension on the dura and results in kinks or folds in the dura. When this happens, it would be similar to wearing a hat too tight all day.
What causes changes in the muscles? Postural changes in the cervical spine, misalignments of the joints, and decreased mobility of the joints are the most common causes. These issues tend to either be caused by injury or more often just slowly occur over time.
A chiropractor specializes in adjusting or mobilizing the joints of the spine in order to restore normal motion and reduce the tension on the cervical muscles, thereby reducing the tension on the dura, resulting in reduction in headache intensity and frequency. A Chiropractor will examine your spine to determine if your headaches are cervicogenic in nature and either recommend a course of care or make the appropriate referral if necessary.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
If I go to a Chiropractor for my neck pain, will I have to keep going forever?
I get asked this question and ones like it a lot; the short answer is YES.
You probably did not expect me to say that did you? Probably if I was smart, I would come up with some compelling reasons why this is not true, but what can I say, the answer is YES.
Let’s look at this a little more closely, and I will explain. First of all, NO, you don’t really have to keep going to a chiropractor forever if you go once for neck pain, low back pain, headaches, or anything else like that. You don’t have to do anything except pay taxes (or something like that). However, there are three basic reasons that people tend to return to a chiropractor after going once. Let’s talk about them.
The first reason is a really bad reason, and I would advise you to make sure that you don’t keep going back to a chiropractor for this reason. Reason number one: you get told that if you don’t keep coming for a long time that you will end up having surgery, or being paralyzed, or something even worse. This is not true, but some chiropractors out there still insist on feeding their patients this line of bull. The real reason here is that it works out well for the Chiropractor’s pocketbook. If you hear something like this, run!
Reason number two: Many patients do not realize how bad they are hurting, or how bad it is affecting their lives until they start feeling better after getting adjusted by a Chiropractor. They may go through the normal period of corrective care (usually a couple of months) and for the most part feel normal again. Here is the kicker though, after you have been adjusted by a good chiropractor and your body really begins to feel great, you want to keep it that way. Also, you are now much more aware of what your body is supposed to feel like, so when it begins to feel just a little bit off, you want to get back to normal, quick! Hence the frequent return to the chiropractor for “maintenance” adjustments.
Ok, the final reason: Can you ever stop eating? Can you ever stop breathing? Sleeping? You get the point, something are necessary for life. Are Chiropractic adjustments as important as eating and breathing? Of course not! Think about this though, let’s say you are 75lbs overweight and you have horrible eating habits and you don’t exercise. Now, go on a diet and start working out at the gym. For the sake of our example we will pretend that in 16 months you have lost the 75lbs, are eating great, and exercise regularly. What is going to happen if you all of a sudden stop? What if you go back to your old habits? Will you keep the weight off, or will you end up right back where you were? The same is true with Chiropractic adjustments. In order to keep the spine as healthy as possible you have to keep up healthy habits, like getting adjusted on a regular basis.
Now we have covered why a person might keep going to a Chiropractor “forever.” Does that mean that if you go to a Chiropractor for a specific problem that you absolutely have to go back forever? No, it is still a free world. A good Chiropractor is going to explain the importance of “maintaining” a healthy spine however, and whether you choose to listen or not, is entirely up to you.
You probably did not expect me to say that did you? Probably if I was smart, I would come up with some compelling reasons why this is not true, but what can I say, the answer is YES.
Let’s look at this a little more closely, and I will explain. First of all, NO, you don’t really have to keep going to a chiropractor forever if you go once for neck pain, low back pain, headaches, or anything else like that. You don’t have to do anything except pay taxes (or something like that). However, there are three basic reasons that people tend to return to a chiropractor after going once. Let’s talk about them.
The first reason is a really bad reason, and I would advise you to make sure that you don’t keep going back to a chiropractor for this reason. Reason number one: you get told that if you don’t keep coming for a long time that you will end up having surgery, or being paralyzed, or something even worse. This is not true, but some chiropractors out there still insist on feeding their patients this line of bull. The real reason here is that it works out well for the Chiropractor’s pocketbook. If you hear something like this, run!
Reason number two: Many patients do not realize how bad they are hurting, or how bad it is affecting their lives until they start feeling better after getting adjusted by a Chiropractor. They may go through the normal period of corrective care (usually a couple of months) and for the most part feel normal again. Here is the kicker though, after you have been adjusted by a good chiropractor and your body really begins to feel great, you want to keep it that way. Also, you are now much more aware of what your body is supposed to feel like, so when it begins to feel just a little bit off, you want to get back to normal, quick! Hence the frequent return to the chiropractor for “maintenance” adjustments.
Ok, the final reason: Can you ever stop eating? Can you ever stop breathing? Sleeping? You get the point, something are necessary for life. Are Chiropractic adjustments as important as eating and breathing? Of course not! Think about this though, let’s say you are 75lbs overweight and you have horrible eating habits and you don’t exercise. Now, go on a diet and start working out at the gym. For the sake of our example we will pretend that in 16 months you have lost the 75lbs, are eating great, and exercise regularly. What is going to happen if you all of a sudden stop? What if you go back to your old habits? Will you keep the weight off, or will you end up right back where you were? The same is true with Chiropractic adjustments. In order to keep the spine as healthy as possible you have to keep up healthy habits, like getting adjusted on a regular basis.
Now we have covered why a person might keep going to a Chiropractor “forever.” Does that mean that if you go to a Chiropractor for a specific problem that you absolutely have to go back forever? No, it is still a free world. A good Chiropractor is going to explain the importance of “maintaining” a healthy spine however, and whether you choose to listen or not, is entirely up to you.
What causes Lower Back Pain when you wake up in the morning?
As a chiropractor, I get asked this question a lot, from people in their sixties and also from people in their twenties and thirties. Usually the symptoms are described as severe soreness and stiffness during the night while sleeping and/or when first getting up in the morning. For most people, the lower back pain and discomfort tends to ease up after thirty minutes to an hour after waking up.
So what is happening? Most doctors will just tell you that you have arthritis. While this may be possible, it is not exactly true. Arthritis is not a disease, but rather a process that can happen to a person’s joints, were the movement of the joints slowly decreases over time and allows stiffness and discomfort to set in. So, typically what has happened to someone who experiences pain at night while sleeping or stiffness in the morning upon waking up, is that the joints have stiffened up due to injury, lack of use, or chronic problems. Just like all the other tissues in our body, the joints need a constant supply of fresh nutrients and constant removal of waste products in order to stay healthy.
Unlike muscles, which have a blood supply to bring fresh nutrients in and take away waste products, the joints rely on movement. The movement of our joints acts as sort of a pump that is constantly exchanging fluid with the tissues around them. This allows for the delivery of fresh nutrients that can rejuvenate and repair joints as well as the removal of harmful waste products such as lactic acid. Through either acute injuries or chronic progressive miss-use, our joints tend to lose their normal movement, which allows for joint breakdown to occur, resulting in pain. The pain is usually worse at night or in the morning because a person has been very still for a prolonged period, resulting in more build up of harmful wastes. After moving around, the extra movement helps remove some of the waste and the joints begin to feel better, at least until the next morning.
Getting adjusted by a Chiropractor can help relieve this type of pain and discomfort as well as help restore the normal movement of the joints to prevent further occurrences.
For more information, go to our website www.thefixchiro.com
So what is happening? Most doctors will just tell you that you have arthritis. While this may be possible, it is not exactly true. Arthritis is not a disease, but rather a process that can happen to a person’s joints, were the movement of the joints slowly decreases over time and allows stiffness and discomfort to set in. So, typically what has happened to someone who experiences pain at night while sleeping or stiffness in the morning upon waking up, is that the joints have stiffened up due to injury, lack of use, or chronic problems. Just like all the other tissues in our body, the joints need a constant supply of fresh nutrients and constant removal of waste products in order to stay healthy.
Unlike muscles, which have a blood supply to bring fresh nutrients in and take away waste products, the joints rely on movement. The movement of our joints acts as sort of a pump that is constantly exchanging fluid with the tissues around them. This allows for the delivery of fresh nutrients that can rejuvenate and repair joints as well as the removal of harmful waste products such as lactic acid. Through either acute injuries or chronic progressive miss-use, our joints tend to lose their normal movement, which allows for joint breakdown to occur, resulting in pain. The pain is usually worse at night or in the morning because a person has been very still for a prolonged period, resulting in more build up of harmful wastes. After moving around, the extra movement helps remove some of the waste and the joints begin to feel better, at least until the next morning.
Getting adjusted by a Chiropractor can help relieve this type of pain and discomfort as well as help restore the normal movement of the joints to prevent further occurrences.
For more information, go to our website www.thefixchiro.com
Dr. Calvin Shanks opens The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions in Paducah, KY!
On June 14th, 2010, when The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions officially opens, Paducah, KY will join the ranks of cities such as Atlanta, GA, Colorado Springs, CO, Kansas City, MO, Tucson, AZ, and Austin, TX as home to a new, unique style of Chiropractic office.
When asked what makes The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions unique, Dr. Shanks replied: “We have an open door policy that requires no fixed appointments and affordable pricing with optional monthly and family plans. Our office is stylish, trendy, and comfortable; you won’t even feel like you’re in a doctor’s office!”
Dr. Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor for over nine (9) years, was quoted as saying “I wanted a way to give people what they wanted: no hassles, no waiting, as little paperwork as possible, and above all else, to be affordable for everyone, especially with the increasing health care costs that families are faced with today.”
Chiropractic is based on correcting “subluxations” or misalignments of the spine in order to improve a person’s health. Common symptoms that people seek the help of Chiropractor for are lower back pain, headaches, and neck pain. Chiropractors generally use their hands to adjust or mobilize the joints of the spine. Some Chiropractors also employ other physical therapy modalities such as electric stimulation and intersegmental traction.
When asked what types of treatments would be available at The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions, Dr. Shanks responded, “We will be offering spinal adjustments only.” When asked why, her further explained, “The other therapies are very effective, but in order to provide simple, accurate, and affordable care, I elected to just stay with spinal adjusting. There are many simple and easy things that I can share with clients that they can do at home that will help out as well.”
The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions opens Monday, June 14th, 2010. The office is located in The Village Business Center behind The Home Depot in Paducah. For more information, the website is www.thefixchiro.com.
On June 14th, 2010, when The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions officially opens, Paducah, KY will join the ranks of cities such as Atlanta, GA, Colorado Springs, CO, Kansas City, MO, Tucson, AZ, and Austin, TX as home to a new, unique style of Chiropractic office.
When asked what makes The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions unique, Dr. Shanks replied: “We have an open door policy that requires no fixed appointments and affordable pricing with optional monthly and family plans. Our office is stylish, trendy, and comfortable; you won’t even feel like you’re in a doctor’s office!”
Dr. Shanks, a practicing Chiropractor for over nine (9) years, was quoted as saying “I wanted a way to give people what they wanted: no hassles, no waiting, as little paperwork as possible, and above all else, to be affordable for everyone, especially with the increasing health care costs that families are faced with today.”
Chiropractic is based on correcting “subluxations” or misalignments of the spine in order to improve a person’s health. Common symptoms that people seek the help of Chiropractor for are lower back pain, headaches, and neck pain. Chiropractors generally use their hands to adjust or mobilize the joints of the spine. Some Chiropractors also employ other physical therapy modalities such as electric stimulation and intersegmental traction.
When asked what types of treatments would be available at The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions, Dr. Shanks responded, “We will be offering spinal adjustments only.” When asked why, her further explained, “The other therapies are very effective, but in order to provide simple, accurate, and affordable care, I elected to just stay with spinal adjusting. There are many simple and easy things that I can share with clients that they can do at home that will help out as well.”
The Fix, Chiropractic Solutions opens Monday, June 14th, 2010. The office is located in The Village Business Center behind The Home Depot in Paducah. For more information, the website is www.thefixchiro.com.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Fix Chiropractic Solutions opens Monday June14th
We will be open on Monday June 14th. Please visit our website www.thefixchiro.com for more information.
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