Blog
Topic of the week Issue 1 July 2010
Posted on 2010-07-07 15:37:42
Fibromyalgia – What Is
It, and Can Chiropractic Help?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder involving widespread pain and sensitivity in the entire musculoskeletal system. To be diagnosed with FM, a patient will typically possess a minimum of 11 out of 18 specific tender points on the body. In addition to pain, patients will also report long-term fatigue, and/or disturbed sleep and mood. Other disorders commonly associated with FM may include: irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ pain and dysfunction, psychological conditions and some autoimmune diseases. Fibromyalgia is a widespread condition.
Some investigators estimate as many as 2% of the general population in the United States suffers from FM with women affected 10 times more than men.1 With the combination of symptoms faced by the FM patient, finding the solution to this problem is a tough task.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Medical science is yet to discover the cause for this condition. Because there are so many different symptoms
associated with fibromyalgia, there are just as many theories for what causes it. Since those with FM often experience an altered mood – such as depression – many experts focus on the psychological aspect of the disease. Others feel that FM is more a physiological entity, and has its origins in physical trauma or chronic postural alterations. Some suggest that FM is a central nervous system disorder, with imbalances in neurochemicals – since those with FM are hypersensitive to even the slightest stimuli. They often have a pain response to normally non-painful pressure or activity. It’s not out of the question that a combination of psychological and physical triggers can result in the onset of many of FM symptoms. Chiropractors often offer their skills to FM patients, hoping to relieve some of their symptoms. In fact, evidence suggests that those with FM consult with chiropractors quite regularly. According to a study conducted at a tertiary Mayo Clinic, 37% of the 300+ FM patients surveyed had visited a chiropractor in the previous 6 months. - Alice May Brock
But does chiropractic work for them? Some recent studies indicate it does. In one example, chiropractors surveyed FM patients before, during and after a series of treatments to see if they responded favorably to chiropractic adjustments combined with a specific soft tissue technique known as ischemic compression. In this preliminary study, 60% of the subjects who were treated with this protocol experienced a significant improvement – with respect to pain reduction, improved sleep and decreased fatigue. What was especially encouraging was the improvements were reported to be maintained in a 1-month follow up.
Unfortunately, the number of subjects used in this study was too small to make these results more impressive. Although pure scientific research on the chiropractic treatment of fibromyalgia is lacking, some early studies are showing that chiropractors could help improve these patients’ quality of life.
Chiropractors are trained as neuromusculoskeletal specialists, and one of the main focuses of chiropractic care is the positive effects it can have on a person’s nervous system. Since all information from the outside world is collected and analyzed by the nervous system, it’s logical to assume that if a person with FM is sensitive to a stimulus that others are not, there may be something wrong with this system.
Vertebral subluxations are focal areas of spinal restriction and/or malposition. When present, these lesions can not only irritate the nerves that exit the spine (peripheral nervous system), but the irritation caused by subluxations will also feed back into the brain (central nervous system). Information from the joints of the spine is passed on to an important structure in the brain called the cerebellum. This part of the brain has been known traditionally to be important for body awareness, balance and coordination. However, more recent studies have shown the cerebellum to be intimately involved with maintaining proper cognitive function and playing a significant role in emotional stability. Therefore, irritation of the joints in the spine caused by vertebral subluxation may be linked to any of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. More studies are needed to show the positive effects that chiropractors can have with FM patients. However, having chiropractic care alongside other traditional treatment methods (including exercise, massage techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy) is likely to give these patients a better chance for recovery.
Since 1995
Disclaimer: Information contained in this Wellness Express
newsletter is for educational and general purposes
only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions
about your health. Any information contained
herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician
or other healthcare professional.
Copyright 2010 Mediadoc™
kin PL,
Computer Use and Adolescent Neck Pain
Posted on 2010-06-30 10:40:34
http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=54328
office ergonomics self check
Posted on 2010-06-25 15:33:29
- The computer monitor should be about arms length away give or take about 6 inches.
- Elbows should be bent 90 degrees and should not rest on the arm rest while typing or mousing.
- Your knees should be about 2 inches away from the front of your seat.
- Sit upright. Do not slouch. Add a lumbar support if you do not touch the back rest.
- Keyboard should be tilted down about 5 degrees. If this is not possible at least lay the keyboard flat.
- Your feet should be flat on the ground. If this is not possible use an adjustable footrest. Most are inexpensive.
- If you are on the phone a lot consider using a headset.
For further ergonomic tips and an ergonomic check
list check out OSHA’s website at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/index.html
Chiropractic Care Helps Multiple Sclerosis Patient
Posted on 2010-06-18 09:05:14
According
to a recent case study published in the Journal
of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health, a 51-year old female patient
suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), among other complaints, sought chiropractic care. She had previously been treated by a number
of other health care professionals, including a neurologist and
gastrointestinal specialist.
"Chiropractic care is often
thought of only in terms of relief from a back or neck injury,” said Dr. Long, a Tacoma-based chiropractor who
strives to keep current with the latest research and developments in health and
wellness.
"But
the truth is that case studies suggest many different health problems may
respond to a regular program of chiropractic care."
MS is a highly debilitating disease
of the central nervous system and is caused by a number of factors. It is diagnosed through a series of tests
conducted by medical professionals. There is no known cure for the condition.
This particular patient was examined
by her team of chiropractors using an instrument known as the Insight
Subluxation Station. They detected the
presence of vertebral subluxations in
the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
“A
subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that disturbs normal nervous system
function,” said Dr. Long. “Many
chiropractors, including myself, have non-intrusive technology allowing them to
conduct Surface Electromyography (sEMG) and thermal imaging tests to assist in
locating where such conditions exist.”
The patient was seen for a total of
105 chiropractic sessions, at the time of the case study report, starting with
three visits per week and decreasing to one visit per week. SEMG and thermal tests, using the Insight
Subluxation Station, were conducted at various points in the course of care to
monitor results. Her doctors also
introduced a special diet to reduce inflammation in the body and
stress-relieving exercises.
After just 12 chiropractic sessions,
the patient reported a lessening of pain
throughout
her body and increased mobility. Her
symptoms continued to show improvement during her chiropractic care, and she
was able to discontinue the use of some of her medications.
“There are certainly no guarantees
with any course of care,” said Long. “But we see, from time to time, individual case studies that give rise
to hope for many. Positive results for
MS sufferers through chiropractic care have been reported in case studies since
the early 1990's, but we must always keep in mind that every case depends on
the specific factors associated with that case."
Anyone wishing
more information may contact Dr. Long, whose office is located at
I do not tell patients not to have their children vaccinated
Posted on 2010-06-07 14:40:36
I do not tell patients not to have their
children vaccinated but I do tell them to inform themselves about the risks and
long term effects of vaccinations. If you are relying upon the pharmaceutical
industry to give you the truth about their safety and effectiveness then you
might as well not bother. Big Pharma is not interested in the truth; they
are all about the almighty dollar. Nobody in my family has been vaccinated and I would put our health
record up against anybody’s. There are
always two sides to the story. Do your
own research and investigation and then make a decision that is right for you
and your family. Check out the link
below to find out more about vaccinations.
3D Spine Simulator
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