Since the late 1980s, researchers have embraced the biopsychosocial model (BPS) to understand both the causative and prognostic factors associated with neuromusculoskeletal disorders, which includes back pain. In order to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients with back pain, it’s important to understand the role that factors outside of the biomechanical injury model play in both the injury and recovery processes. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there that can be detrimental to the patient.

In one study that included 130 low back pain (LBP) patients with persistent or recurring back pain, participants answered questions about the cause of their LBP, including what they’ve learned since receiving care. Their answers revealed that such patients see their LBP as: 1) due to the body being like a broken machine; 2) permanent; 3) complex; and 4) very negative. Nearly 9 in 10 patients (89%) indicated they learned these beliefs from healthcare professionals.

The study’s findings indicate that healthcare providers may be in the best position to educate patients about their condition. However, responses from 103 primary care physicians (PCPs) suggested that they considered biomechanical risk factors to be the most important short-term and long-term factors for a sudden episode of acute LBP.

When it comes to giving yourself the best possible chance of recovery from LBP, here are some things to keep in mind in addition to utilizing non-surgical treatments that are recommended by current guidelines, of which chiropractic care is an excellent choice: 1) Research has demonstrated that depression, anxiety, and self-limiting beliefs about future ability to work or do physical activity are psychosocial factors that are associated with poor outcomes.  2) Insufficient sleep and smoking are also lifestyle behaviors that can slow one’s recovery from injury, which includes low back pain! 3) Because movement is necessary to diffuse nutrients into cartilaginous tissue, it’s important to stay active during the recovery process to maintain joint health. Physical activity also keeps the muscles from deconditioning, especially the deep muscles that control posture.

Doctors of chiropractic are trained to approach treatment from a biopsychosocial perspective and to consider all factors that affect the patient’s chief complaint and quality of life. Through patient education, spinal manipulation, mobilization, exercise training, the use of modalities, and more, chiropractors can greatly help those struggling with back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions!

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

At East Sacramento Chiropractic we take our time to do a thorough examination to identify all of the postural strains you may have in your muscles and joints. Our doctors are experts at identifying treatments, stretches and exercises to make sure you have all the tools necessary to live a pain free, active lifestyle. An appointment with East Sacramento Chiropractic will ensure you are sitting, standing and performing your activities in the best position possible. 

Give us a call at 916-469-9235  or request an appointment here with your Sacramento Chiropractor.

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One of the questions I am asked most frequently is, "Doctor, what kind of a pillow should I use?"

Why Does Your Pillow Matter?

A proper pillow will facilitate a good night’s sleep without waking up at night or waking up with pain or a stiff neck. Having the wrong pillow over time can exacerbate unnecessary neck pain.  There are a few factors that go into making a self-guide to determine the proper pillow for you.

While there are many choices on the market, I have found the best results with a few different pillows after interviewing my patients, so I thought I’d share some general guidelines when making a decision on what type of pillow may be best for you. 

The first thing to determine is what type of sleeper are you. Meaning, do you sleep on your back or on your side? This will help determine which type of pillow may be best for you. If people tell me they sleep on their stomach, I try to help them slowly change their sleeping posture because sleeping on the stomach is very hard on the neck and back and often leads to long term aches and pains when getting up in the morning.

Here are some guidelines:

Determining Type of Pillow:

What if someone told you that your sleeping style would determine the type of pillow you need? Let’s roll into our sleep style section.

 Back Sleeper:

Sleeping on your back might appear to be comfy, but will highlight the underlying issue of snoring if you have a pillow that allows your head to sink. As you lay your head back, gravity will push the tongue back and block your throat. A better alternative will be a pillow that offers height, neck support, and throat at a comfortable level.

 Stomach Sleeper:

Sleeping on your stomach might be comfortable for a few nights, but after a while can become taxing on your back and neck. However, having the right pillow can negate some of these issues. A firm/plump pillow will force your neck into an odd angle that might lead to some discomfort. A better alternative would be a softer option.

 Side Sleeper:

One of the most common positions to sleep in is on the side. You will need more support to keep the neck at a neutral angle.

After practicing for 10 years now, I have found the Tempur Pedic Neck Pillow to yield the best results for my patients with neck pain. While it does not work for everybody, it has been the pillow most patients tell me works best for them. Here is some info about the Tempur Pedic Neck Pillow.

Tempur Pedic Neck Pillow:

This is one of my favorite pillows because I have found over the years that my patients get the best results with this pillow. The Tempur Pedic pillow has an ergonomic shape developed by doctors to promote proper alignment and support for the neck. This pillow is designed to allow neck and shoulder muscles to relax completely, for shoulder, neck and back pain. The pillow allows for back and side sleepers with its design.

Here’s another option:

Therapeutica:

The therapeutic pillow was created for back and side sleepers. The wedge extension helps to support the upper back in a neutral position, and the center cavity will cradle your head comfortably. However, if you are a side sleeper the "side cavity" is flexible enough that it will keep your head aligned with the shoulder.

If you have neck pain and have been trying to get better sleep, I hope this article was helpful for you in determining your next step to buying the right pillow. 

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

At East Sacramento Chiropractic we take our time to do a thorough examination to identify all of the postural strains you may have in your muscles and joints. Our doctors are experts at identifying treatments, stretches and exercises to make sure you have all the tools necessary to live a pain free, active lifestyle. An appointment with East Sacramento Chiropractic will ensure you are sitting, standing and performing your activities in the best position possible. 

Give us a call at 916-469-9235  or request an appointment here.

In this article, your Sacrament Chiropractor Dr. Sandy Bell will reveal why back surgery may or may not be necessary for you. Lower back pain is a huge problem in our society and it is my hope that this article will help to demystify ways to get better results with your lower back treatment and really learn what treatment option may be best for you. 

A lower back disc is the cushioning between two spinal joints or vertebra. They are made of onion-like rings of fibrocartilage and in the middle have a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposis. Picture a jelly donut when you think of a lumbar spine disc. A disc bulge in your back is when the jelly donut is squished so that the jelly is pushed out to the edges of the donut causing the structure to bulge out. A disc herniation is when the jelly bursts through the donut and leaks out. Hopefully, that gives you a visual of what happens when you have a lumbar disc problem.

Disc bulges and disc herniations can put pressure on the sensitive nerves that exit through the holes in your spinal canal, thus causing lower back and leg pain. They can also be totally benign and show up on MRI even when people have no pain and this is where clinical expertise comes in when treating this problem. In fact, asymptomatic disc herniations are present in 20-36% of the adult population. Meaning people can have disc herniations without even knowing it!

More than ever, spinal surgeons are reluctant to operate on lower back discs because the results can be mixed. In my practice, we are seeing more patients from medical doctors than ever before because they want patients to receive a course of conservative care before invasive means of treatment (ie. spinal injections, surgery). 

Research supports the above management of LDL patients: "Data supports the effectiveness of manipulation for LDL. Existing research suggests some early benefit of using SMT (spinal manipulative therapy) and minimal risk when applied by a trained practitioner (16,47). McMorland reported that SMT produced results equal to surgical decompression in 60% of LDL patients who had failed earlier medical management. He concluded: "Patients with symptomatic LDH failing medical management should consider spinal manipulation followed by surgery if warranted" 

Here’s a video of a patient that had back surgery, but would have done things differently if he had the choice:

Here at East Sacramento Chiropractic, we specialize in caring for your spine and everything attached. We also care about your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your back pain give us a call at 916-469-9235 or Click here to schedule your appointment.

References:

McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ.
Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study . J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010 Oct;33(8):576-84. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.08.013

In this article, you will learn the secrets to how Chiropractic care can not only help your neck and back pain but get you running like a revved-up sports car. 

Most People know that Chiropractic care helps significantly with neck and back pain relief, but few know what the adjustments are really doing for the body. For example, a study out of the University of Chicago in 2007 showed Chiropractic to be as effective as not just one, but two blood pressure medications for those with high blood pressure. This study was spotlighted on WebMD and is just one of the ways that chiropractic helps with whole body health. 

Watch the video below to learn how Chiropractic Care positively effects your entire body…

At East Sacramento Chiropractic we take our time to do a thorough examination to identify all of the postural strains you may have in your muscles and joints. Our doctors are experts at identifying treatments, stretches and exercises to make sure you have all the tools necessary to live a pain free, active lifestyle. An appointment with East Sacramento Chiropractic will ensure you are sitting, standing and performing your activities in the best position possible. 

Give us a call at 916-469-9235  or request an appointment here.

Most people will experience some form of headache during their lifetime. The good news is that most headaches are related, at least in part, to the neck or cervical spine (a cervicogenic headache or CGH) and can be easily managed with chiropractic care. 

Although the exact mechanism of CGH is still under debate, there are two possible explanations that are backed by research.  The first includes irritation of the sensory nerves in the upper cervical region that communicate with the fifth cranial nerve (the trigeminal nerve) and its nucleus, which is located in the upper cervical region of the spine. This irritation results in referred pain that radiates into the frontal aspect of the head. The second possible mechanism involves irritation of the greater occipital nerve by connective tissue bridges between the spinal cord covering (the dura) and the muscles located at the base of the skull.

Chiropractic treatment regarding CGH includes a combination of spinal manipulation; soft tissue therapies, such as myofascial release; active release techniques of the tight suboccipital muscles; manual and/or home cervical traction; and posture correction.

Unfortunately, the origin or cause of the headache may not be so benign and uncomplicated.  Warning signs of a complicated type of headache include (but are not limited to) the following: a very intense, unusual headache that comes on suddenly; significant visual and/or auditory problems; and other neurological signs and symptoms such as balance disturbance, dizziness, weakness, paralysis, speech difficulties, mental confusion, and nausea or vomiting. Until proven otherwise, the following types of headaches should be considered as potentially dangerous: a headache that progressively worsens over 24 hours; a headache that follows head trauma; and headaches that wake one up from sleeping, and/or last greater than 48 hours.

Doctors of chiropractic care are trained to evaluate and treat patients with headaches, and guidelines recommend chiropractic as an initial form of care based on its efficacy and safety. 

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

At East Sacramento Chiropractic we take our time to do a thorough examination to identify all of the postural strains you may have in your muscles and joints. Our doctors are experts at identifying treatments, stretches and exercises to make sure you have all the tools necessary to live a pain free, active lifestyle. An appointment with East Sacramento Chiropractic will ensure you are sitting, standing and performing your activities in the best position possible. 

Give us a call at 916-469-9235  or request an appointment here.

Smoking tobacco causes more than 480,000 deaths annually, which makes it the leading cause of preventable death in the United States (US)—that is nearly one in every five deaths in the country! Smoking causes more deaths than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, car accidents, and firearm-related deaths COMBINED. More than ten times as many US citizens have prematurely died from cigarette smoking than American soldiers have died in ALL the wars fought by the US over its 240+ year history.

Tobacco use increases the risk of death from all causes in men and women. Smoking causes approximately 90% of all lung cancer deaths and 80% of all COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)-related deaths. Smoking also elevates the risk for coronary heart disease (2-4x), stroke (2-4x), and lung cancer (25x). Cigarette use diminishes overall health, increases absenteeism for employment, and increases healthcare utilization and cost.

Regarding the lungs, smoking damages the airways starting with the small air sacs (alveoli), leading to COPD, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Most cases of lung cancer are caused from smoking cigarettes. Tobacco smoke can trigger an asthma attack and/or make an attack worse.

 n a reproductive capacity, smoking can increase the risk for preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ectopic pregnancy, orofacial cleft in infants, and miscarriage.

Smoking harms virtually EVERY organ of the body. Hence, it’s the cause of many diseases. Smokers have an increased risk for osteoporosis, gum and tooth decay, and cataracts. This does not take into consideration the harmful effects that second-hand smoke inflicts to the innocent bystanders.

Cigarette smoking can cause cancer almost ANYWHERE in your body: bladder, blood (acute myeloid leukemia), cervix, colon and rectum (colorectal), esophagus, kidney and ureter, larynx, liver, oropharynx, pancreas, stomach, trachea, bronchus, and lung. Smoking also increases the risk of dying from cancer and other diseases among those who have or have had cancer.

If this article scares you, GOOD! Take home message: Don’t Smoke, and if you are already a smoker, QUIT!

Here at East Sacramento Chiropracticwe specialize in caring for your spine and everything attached. We also care about your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your back pain give us a call or Click here to schedule your appointment.

Each year, Americans make 7.5 million doctor visits related to shoulder/upper arm pain. After neck and back pain, shoulder pain is one of the top reasons patients seek chiropractic care. So, why are shoulder injuries so prevalent?

Though there are many possible explanations that address this question, there’s a simple answer: anatomy. There are essentially three joints that make up the shoulder: 1) scapulothoracic joint, 2) the glenohumeral joint, and 3) the acromioclavicular joint. These joints work simultaneously and in harmony to carry out the many tasks we throw at our upper extremities from swimming to swinging a tennis racket or even reaching up to hang a curtain or change a light bulb. The overall structure of the shoulder favors mobility over stability and as a result, there is a greater chance for injury. So, what can we do to prevent shoulder injuries?

Perhaps the most important strategy is to think before you act; that is, don’t take unnecessary chances such as over-lifting in especially awkward positions. Try asking someone else for help instead. Also, use proper form and stay conditioned. Research shows that a strong core (back and belly) can help prevent shoulder injuries.

Common shoulder conditions include (but are not limited to): inflammation (bursitis and tendinitis), instability ("sloppy" joints), arthritis (bone/cartilage injury/wear), fracture, and nerve injuries. Injuries can be acute (from an obvious cause) or more commonly, they can be chronic from wear and tear and can occur gradually over time (from no obvious, single cause).

It’s important to understand that a shoulder complaint may be the end result of dysfunction throughout the body, just as a knee problem can place added stress on the hip (or vice versa). So in addition to direct treatment of the shoulder, your doctor of chiropractic may identify and treat problems elsewhere in the body (forward head carriage, poor core strength, leg length deficiency, etc.) that likely contribute to your shoulder pain complaint. In order to promote a speedy recovery, your chiropractor may also recommend certain food or vitamins/supplements with the aim of reducing inflammation.

Here at East Sacramento Chiropractic we specialize in caring for your spine and everything attached. We also care about your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your back pain give us a call or Click here to schedule your appointment.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common complaint, with symptoms ranging from subtle numbness to extreme pain and disability in the hand/wrist that can force a change in a worker’s vocation. According to the current research, the cause of CTS is the compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel at the wrist, which can be the result of repetitive motions involving the wrist, physical injury, and/or conditions like inflammatory arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy, and more. In other words, anything that reduces the tunnel’s size can result in median nerve compression and hence, carpal tunnel syndrome.

Researchers have found that industrial jobs that require repetitive, forceful work—those that involve heavy tools, for example—increase the risk for CTS, but the evidence isn’t as clear regarding jobs that involve repetitive motions with limited force, such as typing on a keyboard.

According to one Danish study that monitored the wrist health of 5,600 technical assistants, computer keyboard use may not be a likely cause of CTS. While the study did find that 11% of the workers experienced tingling or numbness in one or both hands, only 5% were considered to have developed CTS based on their overall description of symptoms—which is similar to what would be found in the general population. The study did find that using a mouse for twenty or more hours per week increased the risk for CTS. 

However, that is not to say that working at a computer all day does not cause pain or strain in the hand/s, wrist/s, forearm/s, shoulder/s, or the neck. As mentioned above, just over half of the workers who experienced symptoms like tingling or numbness in the hands did not meet the diagnosis criteria for CTS.

Dysfunction anywhere along the course of the median nerve from the neck, shoulder, and elbow to the wrist can place pressure on the nerve and result in symptoms that mimic CTS. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate and treat the whole person in order to identify problems that either mimic or contribute to the symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. In many cases, a patient may not experience satisfying and lasting results unless problems elsewhere in the neck, shoulder, elbow, or lower arm are also addressed.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

At East Sacramento Chiropractic we take our time to do a thourough examination to identify all of the postural strains you may have in your muscles and joints. Our doctors are experts at identifying treatments, stretches and exercises to make sure you have all the tools necessary to live a pain free, active lifestyle. An appointment with East Sacramento Chiropractic will ensure you are sitting, standing and performing your activites in the best position possible. 

Give us a call at 916-469-9235  or request an appointment here.

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Low back pain (LBP) is the second most common reason for doctor visits in the United States and it is a condition that most of us will at some point in our lives. Last month, we reviewed the wide acceptance of spinal manipulation as the treatment of choice for both acute and chronic LBP.  This month, let’s take a look at what you can do outside the doctor’s office to self-manage acute and chronic low back pain.

One of the best self-management protocols for LBP is exercise that targets the lower back. It appears that the optimal time to engage in exercises for the lower back is during the work day since doing so may help alleviate some of the overuse and repetitive strain contributing to one’s LBP. Let’s focus on exercises you can perform from either a sitting or standing position during short work breaks…

RULES: Perform slowly to a full/firm stretch without pain; take three slow deep breaths for each; only do exercises that "fit" your job and time limits—this might be only one every fifteen minutes; make it work!

SITTING EXERCISES: 1) Sitting Forward Bends – bend forward and reach for the floor (as far as reasonably tolerated). 2) Sitting trunk rotations – twist slowly left, then right. 3) Cross Leg Stretch – cross one leg over the other; grasp and pull the crossed leg knee to the opposite shoulder while arching the back to its maximum until a firm stretch is felt in the buttocks.

STANDING EXERCISES: 1) Hamstring Stretch – place one foot on an elevated surface (like a chair seat, foot stool, or guard rail); perform an anterior pelvic tilt by arching your low back until you feel a firm stretch in the hamstrings. Switch sides and repeat. 2) Groin Stretch – do exactly the same steps as the hamstring stretch but this time, rotate your trunk to the side of the standing leg (away from the stretched leg) until you feel the stretch in the inner thigh or groin muscles. 3) Backward Bends – place your fists behind your low back and slowly bend backwards to a maximum tolerated point.

These "portable" exercises can be performed frequently throughout the work day, whenever you can spare 30-60 seconds. The most important point is to do these exercises on a regular basis. It may help keep your LBP from worsening during your workday.

Here at East Sacramento Chiropractic we specialize in caring for your spine and everything attached. We also care about your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your back pain give us a call to schedule your appointment.

 Whiplash and headaches are a very common duo that frequently occur after motor vehicle collisions. The good news is that most headaches that arise immediately following a head injury (or shortly thereafter) usually improve after minutes or days. But unfortunately for some, these headaches may persist over the longer term and even become a permanent part of life.

 Researchers use the terms "post-traumatic" and "post-concussive" headache to describe long-term, intractable headaches associated with trauma. Given the back-and-forth, to-and-fro (and every combination in between) mechanism of injury in car crashes, it’s easy to understand why headaches develop. What isn’t so easy to appreciate is why most clear out while others don’t and become chronic.

 Mild brain injuries are essentially a concussion (also referred to as mild traumatic brain injury or mTBI). This is usually a brief disturbance of brain function causing loss of consciousness or transient difficulty in thought processes. Mental fog, difficulty completing simple tasks, and losing one’s place in the middle of a thought or sentence are common mTBI symptoms.

 Because standard neurological exam and imaging techniques (CT, MRI, X-Ray, and EEG) usually come back negative, many physicians have resorted to calling these symptoms "psychological." However, newer technologies such as diffuse tensor imaging or functional MRI can detect  the microscopic injuries to the nerve fibers in the brain that may cause the previously described symptoms.

 A unique difference between the classic chronic tension-type headache vs. those associated with post-concussive syndrome are the additional neurological symptoms: dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, personality change, sleep disturbance, and impaired libido.

 Additionally, patients may also experience difficulty concentrating, poor work efficiency, and difficulty maintaining attention or retaining information—it’s no wonder why disability rates are so high in this patient population. It’s a LOT to deal with!

 Treatment of this type of headache and constellation of symptoms has traditionally centered on treating each symptom individually, as there is no "magic pill" that gets to the underlying brain disturbance. However, there is hope that patients can benefit from a multi-disciplinary method of combining several techniques such as transcranial pulsed electromagnetic field, biofeedback, brain stimulating games or exercises, chiropractic management of the cervical spine, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the use of fish oil, vitamin D3 with a gluten-free diet, etc.

 Doctors of chiropractic are trained to identify these types of headaches and frequently team up with allied healthcare providers to form a "team" to BEST serve the patient’s needs. Though it is fortunate most headaches associated with car accidents gradually taper off by the three- to six-month point, it’s important to NOT lose hope for the less fortunate who continue to struggle with post-concussion syndrome headaches.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, here at East Sacramento Chiropractic we specialize in caring for your spine and everything attached. We also care about your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your back pain give us a call to schedule your appointment.

 The connection between our sinuses and headaches is well established, but what about the relationship between neck pain and our sinuses? Is there a connection?

 Sinusitis is very common in the spring when pollen counts are high and times when the cold and flu are rampant. It usually manifests with a clear runny nose and pain over the affected sinuses and other "histamine" related symptoms (watery eyes, sneezing, etc.).

 The Mayo Clinic states at least two of four primary symptoms of chronic sinusitis (CS) need to be present to confirm a CS diagnosis: 1) thick, discolored nasal discharge or drainage down the back of the throat (post-nasal drip); 2) nasal obstruction due to congestion that interferes with nasal breathing; 3) pain, tenderness, and swelling in the eyes, face, nose, forehead; 4) a reduced sense of taste and smell in adults and a cough in children.

 Other CS symptoms can include: 1) ear pain; 2) jaw or teeth pain; 3) cough—often worse at night; 4) sore throat; 5) bad breath (halitosis); 6) fatigue; 7) irritability; 8) nausea; and 9) neck pain. Acute sinusitis has similar signs and symptoms when compared with CS, but they are short-lived. Symptoms that warrant a primary care consideration include: 1) high fever; 2) severe headache; 3) mental confusion; 4) visual changes—double vision, blurriness, etc.; and 5) profound neck pain and stiffness.

 Causation of CS include: 1) Nasal polyps; 2) deviated septum; or 3) other medical conditions (cystic fibrosis complications, gastroesophageal reflux or HIV and other autoimmune system-related diseases) that can block the nasal passage.

 Risk factors for CS include: 1) nasal passage conditions (polyps, deviated septum); 2) asthma; 3) aspirin sensitivity (due to respiratory problems); 4) immune system disorder (HIV/AIDS or cystic fibrosis); 5) hay fever/allergies; 6) pollutant exposure (air pollution, cigarette smoke).

 Complications of CS: 1) meningitis; 2) infection migration such as to the bones (osteomyelitis) or to the skin (cellulitis); 3) sense of smell loss (partial or complete "anosmia"); 4) vision problems (including blindness).

 Many are not aware that neck pain and stiffness and jaw or teeth pain are symptoms of CS. Conditions like this are a reminder that it’s important for both the doctor and patient to be aware of ALL the symptoms present, even if they seem like they aren’t connected. While doctors of chiropractic are trained to look for non-mechanical causes for neck pain when a patient seeks care, it makes it easier if the patient is forthcoming with all their symptoms, even the ones that don’t seem relevant.

The good news is that doctors of chiropractic are trained to manage CS and can offer patients advice on lifestyle changes that may reduce the risk of the infection recurring. Furthermore, chiropractors often work with allied healthcare professionals when antibiotics or other measures are needed.

Here at East Sacramento Chiropractic we specialize in caring for your spine and everything attached. We also care about your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your back pain give us a call to schedule your appointment. 

Low back pain (LBP) is the single greatest cause of disability worldwide and the second most common reason for doctor visits. Overall, LBP costs society more than $100 billion annually when factoring in lost wages, reduced productivity, and legal and insurance overhead expenses.

Studies regarding the use of spinal manipulation(SM)—a form of treatment offered by doctors of chiropractic—for LBP are plentiful and have led to the strong recommendation that SM should be considered as a FIRST course of care for LBP. The American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society both recommend SM for patients with LBP who don’t improve with self-care.

In 2010, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) reported that SM is an effective treatment option for LBP – EQUALLY effective as medication in reducing LBP and neck pain.

A 2013 study compared SM and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and found that SM was MORE effective than diclofenac, a commonly prescribed NSAID, for the treatment of LBP. Patients in the SM group also reported NO adverse side effects. More importantly, a 2015 study found that NSAID use can actually slow the healing process and even accelerate osteoarthritis and joint deterioration!

Doctors of chiropractic utilize SM as many conditions, including LBP— more than any other healthcare profession including osteopathy, physical therapy, medical doctors, and others. Chiropractors also combine other synergistic forms of care, such as patient-specific exercise training, to help patients learn how to self-manage their LBP, as recurrence is such a common issue.

Here at East Sacramento Chiropractic we specialize in caring for your spine and everything attached. We also care about your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your back pain give us a call to schedule your appointment.

 We all know that bacteria can cause disease, so it makes sense to be at least a little leery about taking a supplement that is loaded with bacteria. There is however, a growing volume of scientific support that probiotics (PBs) can both treat as well as prevent quite a few illnesses.

Probiotics literally means "for life" (pro biota), which suggests these must be "good" bacteria and indeed, our digestive system’s health depends on maintaining a balance between the good and bad flora. Since the 1990s, clinical studies have shown that PBs can effectively treat a number of condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, H. pylori (causes ulcers), bladder cancer recurrence, C-Diff (Clostridium difficile)—a dangerous gut infection associated with antibiotics, pouchitis (post-surgical complication after colon removal), eczema in children, and more.

Probiotics are not all the same, as different strains of bacteria have different functions and therefore, help us in different ways. For example, some organisms protect our teeth from getting cavities but can’t survive in the highly acidic environment of the stomach.

Solid evidence exists for probiotic therapy in the treatment of diarrhea. Lacotbacillu GG can shorten the course of infectious diarrhea in infants and children (but not adults). The Harvard.edu website describes two large review studies that suggest PBs can reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 60% when compared with a placebo.

Vaginal health is also improved by PB use, as it can reduce and/or eliminate recurring yeast infections. Lactobacilli can help treat bacterial vaginosis, which can potentially complicate pregnancies and lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This bacteria can also be used to treat UTIs, especially in women.

Come back next month for more much-needed information regarding probiotics…

The shoulder is not just one joint but rather four: the sternoclavicular (collar bone/breast bone), acromioclavicular (the "roof" of the ball & socket joint), glenohumeral (the ball & socket joint), and scapulothoracic joints (shoulder blade/rib cage joint). There are also many structures in the vicinity that can mimic shoulder pain—namely, the cervical spine (neck), the upper half of the thoracic spine (upper back), and the rib cage.

The most common area that most shoulder pain sufferers point to is the top of the shoulder—between the neck and upper arm/shoulder joint. This may indicate dysfunction in the neck, since it can refer pain to this area. When patients point to their upper arm, the shoulder "could be" the pain generator, but more information is necessary before their doctor can make a firm diagnosis. If raising the arm above the horizontal plane (90°) hurts, it could be an impingement caused by a swollen bursa ("bursitis"), tendon ("tendinitis"), and/or a tear of the rim of the socket ("glenoid labrum tear").

Specific orthopedic tests exist that help to differentiate between the possible causes or diagnoses but often, an MRI may be necessary to nail down a diagnosis. Unfortunately, an MRI can also show too much information, such as normal age-related changes, "silent" abnormal findings (like tears and frayed tissue that are not pain generators), which can actually make it more difficult to be sure what is causing the patient’s current shoulder pain.

When it comes to treatment, there is evidence to suggest conservative approaches, like exercises, are just as effective as surgical approaches. One review found the following:

• Subacromial impingement syndrome: Exercise is as effective as surgery at one, two-, four-, and five-year follow-ups (at a fraction of the cost of surgery).
• Rotator cuff partial thickness tears (<75%): Exercise is as effective as surgery (at a fraction of the cost).
• Atraumatic full thickness rotator cuff tears: Exercise significantly reduces the need for surgery (75%).
• Subacromial impingement syndrome: Exercise significantly reduces the need for surgery (up to 80%).

So if you suffer from shoulder pain, don’t jump to surgery as your first treatment option. Conservative treatments offered by doctors of chiropractic—such as manual therapies, exercise training, and the use of modalities—can help improve motion in the shoulder and the surrounding structures at a much lower cost and without the risks that come with more invasive procedures. Also, regardless of the treatment option you choose, keep in mind that it can take three, six, nine, or even twelve months to reach a satisfying end-point in treatment for these types of injuries.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

At East Sacramento Chiropractic we take our time to do a thourough examination to identify all of the postural strains you may have in your muscles and joints. Our doctors are experts at identifying treatments, stretches and exercises to make sure you have all the tools necessary to live a pain free, active lifestyle. An appointment with East Sacramento Chiropractic will ensure you are sitting, standing and performing your activites in the best position possible. 

Give us a call at 916-469-9235  or request an appointment here.

Last month, we discussed how slouching can contribute to neck pain and headaches, but we didn’t go into any detail about the other negative health ramifications of bad posture.

DIGESTION: Prolonged sitting is bad enough all by itself, but adding a slouched, slumped posture can distort or compromise the space that houses internal organs and negatively affect MANY vital functions, including digestion. This can lead to complaints including (but not limited to) discomfort, constipation, and heart burn.

BREATHING: Slouching can also reduce the space occupied by the lungs, hindering the ability to take in a deep breath and/or force air out of the lungs. This is the reason why good conductors have their musicians sit up straight with both feet on the floor (it’s not just to "look good")!

MOOD: Did you know that sitting for seven or more hours per day increases the risk of depression by 47% compared with sitting for four hours a day or less? Our energy levels also decrease with prolonged poor posture, further complicating this negative side effect.

WORK PERFORMANCE: Researchers have observed that sitting up straight increases alertness, reduces fatigue, and improves productivity. Moreover, co-workers may conclude that someone slumped over their desk is unmotivated, disinterested, or at the least, tired. Sit/stand workstations are gaining popularity, especially with the availability of low-cost options to transform a traditional desk into a standing desk. Studies show improved work performance when we have the option to change positions as needed during the day. Exercises you can perform at your desk, such as chin retractions, help strengthen the deep neck flexor muscles, which can help reduce poor neck posture. Stretching the chest muscles and keeping the "core" fit with pelvic stabilization exercises are also GREAT methods to improve our sitting posture!

VARICOSE VEINS: Prolonged sitting raises the risk for the formation of spider veins, especially in women, which can lead to varicose veins. Compression from sitting alters the flow of blood into the legs, and a proper fitting chair and sitting "correctly" can reduce the risk of developing circulatory dysfunction leading to varicosities or worse, blood clots.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

At East Sacramento Chiropractic we take our time to do a thourough examination to identify all of the postural strains you may have in your muscles and joints. Our doctors are experts at identifying treatments, stretches and exercises to make sure you have all the tools necessary to live a pain free, active lifestyle. An appointment with East Sacramento Chiropractic will ensure you are sitting, standing and performing your activites in the best position possible. 

Give us a call at 916-469-9235  or request an appointment here.

Patellofemoral (PF) pain (or pain in the area of the knee cap) is a very common problem, especially in women because they naturally have a wider pelvis. A wider pelvis can cause a "knock-knee" effect, which can be exacerbated by flat feet and ankle pronation (rolling in at the ankles). The net result is that outward pressure increases on the patella, which can be quite disabling and interfere with weight bearing activities. So, what can be done for individuals with patellofemoral pain?

Because we cannot change the width of the pelvis, the focus must shift to the foot/ankle and hip/knee muscle balance. A 2014 study set out to prove (or disprove) that exercises that target BOTH the hip and knee vs. the knee only would yield better long-term outcomes.

Here, researchers randomly assigned 31 women with PF pain to one of two treatment groups: Group A participated in BOTH hip & knee exercises for eight weeks and Group B engaged in ONLY knee exercises for eight weeks. Following the completion of each eight-week exercise program, the researchers examined each participant, followed by a re-examination three months later. The investigators found that patients in Group A experienced greater improvements with regards to pain and function.

The authors of the study concluded, "An intervention program consisting of hip muscle strengthening and lower-limb and trunk movement control exercises was more beneficial in improving pain, physical function, kinematics, and muscle strength compared to a program of quadriceps-strengthening exercises alone."

The "take-home" message hereis that patients obtain the best results when treatment—in this case, exercise—is applied to more than just the area of complaint. Chiropractic care includes assessment of the whole person, not just a localized area where the patient feels pain. Perhaps this is why chiropractic almost always scores highest in "patient satisfaction" surveys when compared with other healthcare delivery systems.

At East Sacramento Chiropractic we specialize in Active Release Technique which is a state of the art movement based massage which helps to reduce adhesions and tight spots in muscles that cause pain and inflexibility of joints and muscles. We also do biomechanical assessments to determine the cause of your pain so it doesn’t come back! Click here to schedule and appointment to see if your pain can be helped conservatively with our care. 

Low back pain (LBP) from a herniated disk often leads to surgical intervention. However, there are patients with this painful malady who can successfully "ride it out" and repeat MRI imaging six to twelve months later often fails to show little, if any, evidence of the original herniated disk that was initially very obvious. How is this possible?

 The proposed theory is that there must be some unique interplay between molecular signals that might explain why some herniated disks heal themselves while others do not. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are investigating this and published a report on their progress in the January 2016 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

 LBP affects 60-80% of Americans during their lifetime, and there are upwards of 300,000 surgeries for herniated disks annually in the United States alone. A disk can herniate when its outer fibers tear or give way, allowing the semi-fluid center to leak out. If the herniated disk material hits the nerve root exiting the spine, the classic sciatica, or pain down the leg, can result.

Dr. Dan Spengler states that about 50% of patients with disk herniation will improve within six weeks, and the actual herniated material may completely resorb over time. What troubles Dr. Spengler and other researchers is why this doesn’t occur with everyone.

  Looking specifically at the molecules that are frequently present when disks herniate, researchers have identified a group of proteins called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Certain MMPs have the ability to act like "Pac-Man" and literally chew through other proteins making it highly suspect that MMPs may be at the forefront of why some disks resorb while others do not! Additionally, when a disk herniates, bleeding occurs and white blood cells—specifically macrophages, which are immune system cells in our blood that ingest foreign materials and bacteria—also flood into the area.

 What most surprised the authors was the interplay between the macrophages and the MMPs. They found that when the blood/macrophages and one of two specific MMPs interacted in a very specific manner, disk resorption occurred and they were even able to replicate this process in a lab. They concluded the following, "These enzymes are more complicated and interesting than we originally thought. Rather than being big bulldozers, they’re a fine pair of scissors that cut certain things."

 The TAKE-HOME MESSAGE here is unless you are having progressive neurological loss (meaning muscle weakness or sensory pain that is progressing, and/or especially bowel or bladder weakness), there is NO RUSH to run and have surgery! Doctors of chiropractic can offer natural, non-invasive treatments to manage pain while you let your body manage the herniation!

Here at East Sacramento Chiropractic we specialize in caring for your spine and everything attached. We also care about your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your back pain give us a call to schedule your appointment.

Our new website is finally up. We’ve worked hard to get a beautiful new site ready and we’re proud to show it off. Thanks for reading our blog. We have lots of great blog posts in the works. Please check back or contact us now to find out how we can help you.