I am probably overdoing it with my anti-sugar campaign, but here is another great article about the dangers of sugar.
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Showing posts with label The Fix. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Fix. Show all posts
Thursday, August 26, 2010
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
Monday, June 14, 2010
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.
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