From now through February 29th, we are offering one-hour massage gift certificates at an amazing discount of 30% off our normal price!

That’s only $45.50 to give the gift of a relaxing 1-hour massage!  (Normal price is $65).

If you want to give an extra special treat of a warm and soothing hot-stone massage, that’s only $52.50! (Normal price is $75).

What a great Valentine’s Day gift for a loved one.

Valentine Bonus:

• Buy 2 gift certificates and you will receive a FREE 30-minute massage for yourself!
• Buy 4 gift certificates and receive a FREE 60-minute hot-stone massage for yourself!

Call our office today at 215-938-8500, to take advantage of this offer.  Gift certificates can be emailed (PDF format), mailed via USPS (same day), or picked up at the office.

Here’s an interesting study done this year that demonstrated the superiority of spinal manipulation and exercise as compared to medicine for the treatment of acute and subacute neck pain:

http://www.annals.org/content/156/1_Part_1/1.abstract

Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Home Exercise With Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck Pain

A Randomized Trial

1. Gert Bronfort, DC, PhD;
2. Roni Evans, DC, MS;
3. Alfred V. Anderson, DC, MD;
4. Kenneth H. Svendsen, MS;
5. Yiscah Bracha, MS; and
6. Richard H. Grimm, MD, MPH, PhD

+

Author Affiliations

1. 
   
   From Northwestern Health Sciences University, Pain Management and Rehabilitation Center, and Berman Center for Outcomes and Clinical Research at the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Hello! I hope this holiday season finds you healthy and content with your many blessings.

I just wanted to spend a moment to detail some of our new and exciting changes in our practice…

1) Our practice name has changed to “Huntingdon Valley Pain Relief Center”. This name more accurately describes our focus and will help eliminate any confusion among newer clients.

2) We are in the process of remodeling our whole office. Some of the changes include: new walls, fresh paint, a snack & beverage area for patients, new ceiling & lighting, and more. Stop in… have a snack and drink on us. You’ll see and feel the difference.

3) We have a new “Walk-In” policy. This means that if you are a new or established patient, you can simply come in during our open hours and you will be taken care of very quickly. If you still want to make appointments, that’s fine with us. Just remember that appointments are optional.

If you are in pain, give us a call or simply stop in. You know we’re here to help. And remember that you can stop in any time, whether you are in pain or not. I’d be happy to see you.

So I would like to extend warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year… from myself and my staff. We hope to see you soon.

Dr. Goldman attended a continuing education seminar and became certified in instrument adjusting.  He was instructed by three top chiropractic doctors in the country and deepened his skill and education in the utilization of the Impulse IQ adjusting instrument.

This is the next generation in adjusting instruments, which allows Dr. Goldman to provide patients with an outstanding adjustment experience.  Dr. Goldman is one of the few doctors in the area using the Impulse IQ instrument and the only Certified Impulse IQ Chiropractor in Huntingdon Valley.

In the hands of a skilled certified doctor, the Impulse IQ instrument delivers multiple, safe and precise impulses every second in order to correct joint dysfunction and relieve pain.

COMPUTERIZED ADJUSTMENT

High-tech computerized adjustments with Impulse iQ® actually precisely measure how the spine is moving during the treatment so that just the right amount of care can be provided.

YEARS OF RESEARCH

Over five years of research have gone into the development of the Impulse iQ Adjusting Instrument® to create gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments that are safe and effective for patients of all ages.  High-tech computerized adjustments with Impulse iQ® actually precisely measure how the spine is moving during the treatment so that just the right amount of care can be provided.

CONTROLLED FORCE

Impulse iQ® has three different force settings for different parts of the body and to treat patients of all ages. The controlled low force thrust of Impulse® make treatments comfortable.

EXTREME SPEED

Impulse iQ® is twice as fast as other adjusting instruments and 100x faster than manual chiropractic adjustments. The gentle thrust is faster than the body’s tendency to tighten up and resist the adjustment.

Are you suffering from hand pain? Perhaps you have shooting pain from your hand into your wrist and forearm.

Have you tried nearly everything to stop the pain? Have you tried pain killers, physical therapy, squeezing rubber balls, using wrist braces, ice, heat, and stretches without success?

Sometimes, doing those things can be all you need to get rid of the pain. But often times it isn’t enough, and eventually you will become so frustrated with your nagging pain, that you believe getting surgery is the only solution.

In most cases, your wrist pain is caused by a combination of joint dysfunction and abnormal muscle tension in your forearm. In many cases the joint problem has its origin in your neck. This is largely overlooked by many physicians, who are trained only to examine the specific area of pain.

In some cases you may have been misdiagnosed and don’t really have carpal tunnel syndrome at all. The problem may actually have its root in your cervical spine (your neck) and/or your forearm.

You can find out what is truly causing your wrist and hand pain today.

Call our office or just stop in for a consultation and examination with myself. No appointment needed. You are always welcome.

During our consultation and examination, I would examine your whole spinal area, and most likely be able to quickly diagnose your condition. Then I will determine if you are a good candidate for care at our office.

If you qualify for treatment at our center, I will recommend a combination of chiropractic adjustments (of the spine and wrist), laser therapy treatments, and other natural therapies to help get you out of pain and get you back to enjoying normal activites again.

Why suffer, when a natural, safe, and quick solution is right within your grasp?

Are you suffering from neck, back, and/or shoulder pain? Does your pain begin as tension in the upper back and creep upwards until the pain shoots upwards causing a piercing headache? Does the pain settle over or behind your eye or at your temple?

If you answered “yes” to any of the wbove questions, you may have one of the most common causes of neck pain and headaches. I see this problem in my practice almost on a daily basis. And there is usually a quick fix for it too.

The culprit may be a myofascial trigger point (muscle knot) in one of your muscles between your neck and upper back/shoulder area.

The most common muscle trigger points I see in my practice pop up in these muscles: the trapezius, the elevator scapula, the rhomboid. If you have a “fired up” trigger point in one of these muscles, you will have pain, stiffness, and will not be happy.

The most common causes of these trigger points includes: muscle strain, repetitive poor posture, whiplash, stress overload, and/or spinal joint dysfunction.

Injuries(even small ones) from years ago, such as car accidents, falls, sprains/strains, can be the cause of your neck pain today.

But the solution can be simple, virtually painless, and fairly quick. You’ll need to take action.

What makes trigger points so tricky, is the fact that they send out pain to other areas of the body. This means that your trigger point in your shoulder area can create pain in your neck and head.

It’s my job to find out the cause of your pain, and develop a natural solution to get you out of pain and back to life as quick as possible.

Over years of practice, I have developed the skill to locate hidden trigger points in your neck and back. Through a consultation and exam I can also figure out possible causes and develop of plan to help you get out of pain and avoid a possible relapse.

If you are suffering with unrelenting neck or back pain, call our office today for a no-hassle, no-pressure, consultation & examination with me (Dr. Goldman). I look forward to meeting you, helping you become pain-free, and getting you back to life.

Statistics have indicated that back pain will affect around 80% of all people at some time in their life.  Back pain can range from the lower back area to the upper back and shoulder blade area.  Back pains are especially bad when they impact every day functions such as walking, bending, sleeping, or sitting.  Americans spend billions of dollars every year fighting their back pains.  Is there any way to prevent it?  Here are five simple ways to help prevent back pain.

1. Eat Right.  Excess weight puts more stress on your lower spine and contributes to injuries.  Animal-based foods (all meats, poultry, fish, and dairy) contribute to a pro-inflammatory diet and also lead to the production of chemicals that fuel the pain process.  Eating a healthy, whole food, and plant-based diet will reduce pain and inflammation, and can help reduce your back pain.
2. Minimize Stress.  Life is stressful!  Everyone experiences stress of some degree or another.  Excess stress causes muscles to tighten and interferes with the normal healing process.  Prolonged stress leads to homone imbalances of the stress glands of the body – the adrenal glands.  These glands secrete hormones that regulate many body functions including: sleep, digestion, weight gain, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, immune system, arthritis, allergies, heart function, fatigue… to name a few.  These glands can be checked easily in our office and can usually be balanced/repaired through diet and supplements.
3. Maintain Good Posture and Ergonomics.  Maintaining good posture means keeping the body in a balanced and neutral position as much as possible.  Avoid stressful and damaging prolonged postures where ever you are.  Moat people use computer work stations both at home or at work.  These can be a problem if the ergonomics aren’t set up correctly.  Screens should be centralized and keyboards should be positioned where the height allows your arms to be bent at 90 degrees.  Some lower back pillow is recommended if you are sitting for long periods.  Frequent breaks to move and stretch can also help maintain body posture and balance.
4. Perform Healthy Exercises Regularly.  Regular cardiovascular exercise is important to help maintain good cardiovascular health, manage weight, and reduce stress.  But nothing replaces targeted spine-specific exercises to focus on your core.  Some of the bast exercises for your core also involve balance and muscle endurance.  Some examples are:
• Quadruped – on hands and knees.  While holding abdominals in tight (hollowing), alternate straightening opposing arm and leg and holding for 5 seconds.  Repeat 20 times.
• Bridge – on back.  Lift pelvis, torso, and shoulder blades off floor and hold for 30 seconds.  Repeat.
• Plank – pushup position supported on the forearms rather than hands.  While keeping abdominals in tight (hollowing), hold your body straight for 30 seconds.  Repeat.
• One Leg Balance – standing.  Keep abdominals in and balance on one foot (stork stand) for 30 seconds.  Switch legs and repeat.
5. Get Adjusted By Your Chiropractor.  Everyday activities, stress, and toxins take their toll on our bodies.  Our joints and muscles tighten, become restricted, and become imbalanced.  Adjustments help to retore normal joint motion and can rebalance your spine and body.

The Patient

• 52 year old female with a history of lower back pain, mid back pain, sleep difficulties, and digestive troubles
• Patient is overweight by 30 pounds
• The patient had a traumatic spinal injury from a slip and fall 3 years ago, that was corrected by spinal surgery

The Patient’s Complaints

• Moderate to severe lower back pain, hip pain bilaterally, and pain down the back of the thighs
• The patient has difficulty walking normally and must use a cane due to her disturbed gait and balance

Snapshot of My Examination Findings

• Past surgical reports, X-ray evaluations, and MRIs were reviewed and revealed moderate to severe degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and showed the site of the surgery at L5S1.
• Patient demonstrates a loss of balance while standing and walking
• Guarding (protective movement and positioning) of the lower back and lower extremity
• Multiple areas of spinal subluxations (jammed spinal bones that irritate the nervous system) with focal tenderness to the lumbar vertebrae when pressed
• Painful range of motion of the lumbar spine in flexion and extension (worse in extension)
• Painful muscular fibers and trigger point activity around the lumbosacral spine and the hip areas bilaterally
• Positive orthopedic test for sciatic nerve irritation

My Diagnosis

• Lumbar Spine and Disc Degeneration
• Pain and Instability of the Lumbosacral Spine
• Subluxations of the Spine and Hip area, dysfunction and pain
• Sciatica

My Recommendations

• A course of 12 visits of integrative care to include the following:
• Chirporactic adjustments of the spine, and hip areas
• Myofascial release to the lower back, hips, and lower extremity areas performed by massage therapist
• Progressive therapeutic exercises targeting the lower back and core, with a focus on restoring normal balance
• Ice the lower lumbar spine at home as needed for 15 minutes per hour

The Prognosis

• Fair

Discussion

Lower back pain can be caused by many different things.  Causes range from simple joint dysfunction or sprain/strains, to joint degeneration or even internal organ disease.  My exam was critical in determining that this patient’s pain had a biomechanical cause.  It was the joints, muscles, and nerves that were involved.

Post-surgical cases can be the most difficult, due to internal weakness at and around the prior site of the surgery.  In this case, the weakness centered in the patient’s lumbosacral spine and in her core.  Following surgery she had rehabilitation, but the exercises she had learned were not continued. In time, she became de-conditioned, overweight, and developed a weak and unstable core.  This resulted in chronic back pain that is marked by episodes of aggravations and recovery.

One of the best solutions for chronic lower back pain, is chiropractic care with core stabilization exercises.  This combination can help keep the spine healthy and prevent repeated relapses.

Upon following our advice and treatment schedule, this patient has had an approximate 50% improvement in 4 weeks of care, with less pain,  improved balance, and increased range of motion.  She has had moments where she was able to walk without limping, but she still has a way to go.

Our Approach To Post-Surgical Chronic Lower Back Pain

If you were a new patient visiting our office, we always start with a thorough case history, consultation, and examination.  I may recommend diagnostic studies (x-ray or MRI) if I need more information. At this point, if I determine that care is appropriate and you decide to begin care, I will design a treatment plan for you.  If at any time I discover something beyond the scope of my practice, I won’t hesitate to contact your primary care provider to discuss a possible referral to another healthcare provider.

We follow a very effective  treatment strategy based on the letters ASR.  They stand for:

• A – Adjust (whole-body adjustment techniques)
• S – Support (spinal pelvic stabilizers and other joint supports)
• R – Rehabilitate (targeted exercise therapy/physical rehab)

Our Wellness Program Options

• Relief Care – We offer short-term plans for fast pain relief and recovery.  When many people seek care in our office they have one goal… relief.  So that’s where we start!  During this initial stage of intensive care, we have the following obligations: 1) To uncover the underlying cause of the health problem.  2) To suggest a care plan to produce the fastest results possible.  3) To offer ways patients can participate in their recovery.  4) To explain the value of exercise, nutrition and other aspects of wellness.

• Rehabilitative Care – We offer comprehensive plans for optimal recovery following injury.  Many of our clients want to continue corrective care into the next phase of care – the rehabilitative phase. Wisdom has taught us that long-lasting pain relief can be achieved only when complete healing occurs and your body returns to optimal function. This part of the healing process usually involves therapeutic exercises. We provide one-on-one coaching through this phase of care and focus on flexibility, strength, endurance, balance, and core-conditioning.

• Supportive/Wellness Care - We offer ongoing plans to help keep you active and feeling great.  Many of our clients enjoy regular chiropractic “checkups” and/or massage because they have found that they feel better, have more energy, and enjoy life more.

• Weight Loss & Detox Programs – our 30-day “Quick-Start” program can help you lose weight fast, detoxify, regain your energy, and enjoy life again!  Experience one-on-one counseling and personal attention from our holistic nutritionist, Stephanie Brabazon.  We may also use laser auriculotherapy to help you lose weight.  Laser therapy is non-invasive, requires no needles, and is painless. We see many overweight people that have tried diets but have failed because they have difficulty curbing their appetite and cravings. Our program helps to curb your appetite, depress hunger cravings, stimulate your metabolism to burn off extra calories, and correct internal body hormonal imbalances.

Our Passion

It’s our passion to help you feel great and be your best!

After meeting with Dr. Ken Goldman and discussing your heal goals, we will put together aspecific treatment plan just for you.  We have many natural therapies to consider – chiropractic, massage, exercise, nutritional counseling, and laser therapy techniques.  This strategy sets us apart from many other health practitioners, and gives our patients the best opportunity to achieve superior health.

We will do our best to find the cause of your problem and correct it.  If at any time we discover something beyond the scope of our practice, we won’t hesitate to refer you to another healthcare professional.

We accept most health insurance plans and provide a variety of affordable payment options (even for those without health insurance coverage).  We also accept car accident cases, work injuries, personal injuries, and sports injuries.

We don’t want you to have to resort to dangerous medicines, injections, or surgery.  Our approach is to use chiropractic care and other natural therapies (such as massage, rehab exercises, or nutrition) to correct your back pain quickly and  naturally.

Many people think that once they begin chiropractic care, they’ll have to go forever.  This is simply NOT true.

After a thorough interview and exam, we will work together to come up with a treatment plan that will work for you.  You are always in charge of how much care you want and the frequency of your visits.  Like many other healthy habits, you may want to receive regular chiropractic checkups, massage therapy, and other natural therapies because they can help you maintain superior health.

Following completing the initial set of forms, I will conduct an interview and introductory exam.  The purpose of this visit is to determine if you would be a good candidate for care at our center.  After the introductory exam, I’ll let you know if I think I can help you. At this time, specific diagnostic testing or outside referrals may be necessary for your appropriate care. If I don’t feel that I can help you, I’ll let you know and may refer you to another doctor.

If it looks promising, I’ll invite you back to receive a full examination to more accurately identify the cause of your problem.

The full examination is usually attended to on your second visit, which may be later the same day or the following day. This two-visit approach accomplishes several things:

• Reduces the length of your first visit
• Gives us time to correlate our findings
• Avoids overloading you with too much information

In certain situations, and based on my professional judgment, we sometimes make exceptions. It just depends on your unique situation.

Regardless of your health goals, please understand that we see ourselves as mere servants. You’re the boss! It’s your body, your health and your future. Our job is to offer you the finest wellness care possible, and it’s up to you to decide how much of it you want and how fast you want to proceed.  Our wellness program options may help you understand this better…

Relief Care – When many people seek care in our office they have one goal: relief. So that’s where we start! During this initial stage of intensive care, we have several obligations:

• Uncover the underlying cause of the health problem
• Suggest a care plan to produce the fastest results possible
• Offer ways patients can participate in their recovery
• Suggest advanced strategies for long-term benefits
• Explain the value of post-symptomatic wellness care

Typical relief care programs range in length from 6 to 24 visits.  The more severe and more chronic the condition, the longer it may take for you to progress through this phase of care.

Rehabilitative Care – Many of our clients want to continue relief care into the next phase of care – the corrective or rehabilitative phase. Wisdom has taught us that long-lasting pain relief can be achieved only when complete healing occurs and your body returns to optimal function. This part of the healing process usually involves therapeutic exercises. We provide one-on-one coaching through this phase of care and focus on flexibility, strength, endurance, balance, and core-conditioning.

Typical rehabilitative care programs range in length from 6 to 12 visits.  The more severe and more chronic the condition, the longer it may take for you to progress through this phase of care.

Weight Loss & Weight Management – We provide one-on-one nutritional counseling, exercise program design, and utilize a special laser therapy technique, called auriculotherapy, to assist our clients lose weight in a way that is safe and very effective.

Laser auriculotherapy is non-invasive, requires no needles, and is painless. We see many overweight people that have tried diets but have failed because they have difficulty curbing their appetite and cravings. Laser therapy helps to curb your appetite and depress hunger cravings. Our laser technique also stimulates your metabolism to burn off extra calories and correct internal body hormonal imbalances.

Typical weight loss care programs range in length from 12 to 24 visits.  If you are severely obese, it may take longer to progress through this phase of care.

Ongoing Maintenance/Supportive Care – Many of our clients want to continue beyond both the pain relief and rehab phases of care.  Routine chiropractic checkups are enjoyed by millions (both young and old) who want to keep their spine, nervous system, and body as healthy as possible.  Why is regular care needed?  Because subluxations (misalignments of the spine and extremities) continue to occur in life.  Life is stressful!  You may need weekly checkups, or you may do fine with monthly visits.  It just depends on your body and your lifestyle.

So how much chiropractic care do you need?  It really depends on your unique situation and your personal health care goals.

Wow, are we excited about the recent changes in our wellness center!

1. We have finished our expansion and improved our chiropractic and massage services! Our office now extends all the way from the front of our building to the back.   We are very happy with the addition of two spacious, private, quiet, and newly decorated rooms. You are going to love receiving a relaxing therapeutic massage in either our “green room” or our “yellow room”.  We also converted the old massage room to another chiropractic treatment room.  These changes will allow us to provide better care for all of our patients!
2. We acquired an additional therapeutic exercise device that is just going to amaze you! The machine is called the PowerVibe by a company called Zen Pro.  It is a “whole body vibration” therapeutic exercise device.  You are going to be shocked at how fast (just 10 minutes) you can get the physiological effects of 45-60 minutes of exercise. The PowerVibe helps minimize pain, promote healing, improve balance, promotes weight loss, enhance muscle and bone growth, and prevent osteoporosis.   Also, it’s just plain fun to use!

1. We just launched our new web site – NaturalTherapyDr.com – and updated this blog! You may have noticed the new look already.  I welcome you to visit our new site.  Poke around.  It’s loaded with exercise videos, educational videos, and lots of great information about our practice.  Remember to share it as well!
2. Help me welcome Audrey Krieger! Audrey is a certified massage therapist, and the newest member of the Spectrum Wellness team.  She is highly skilled and puts her heart into every massage!

I’m excited about this new year!  Give me a call if you have any questions or concerns about these changes… I’d love to hear from you.  We’re looking forward to helping you meet your health goals in 2011!

The Patient

• 63 year old male with a history of diabetes
• Otherwise unremarkable history

The Patient’s Complaints

• Severe left sided heel pain that began 3 months ago, and is made worse by walking and prolonged standing
• The patient to forced to limp when trying to walk
• Occasional left sided knee pain and lower back pain

Snapshot of My Examination Findings

• Patient demonstrates a loss of balance while walking
• Guarding (protective movement and positioning) of the left lower extremity
• Multiple areas of spinal subluxations (jammed spinal bones that irritate the nervous system)
• Painful range of motion of the left hip joint
• X-ray evaluation of the left foot and heel showed only mild degenerative changes (bony arthritis); no heel spur seen
• Extreme tenderness of the plantar aspect (bottom) of the left foot and heel when touched by hand
• Digital and visual evaluation of the arches of the foot revealed a severe arch drop of both his left and right arches

My Diagnosis

• Plantar Fasciitis and Excessive pronation (“fallen arch”) of the left foot
• Lumbosacral area joint dysfunction and pain
• Multiple spinal and left hip subluxations

My Recommendations

• A course of 12 visits of integrative care to include the following:
• Chirporactic adjustments of the spine, feet, left knee, and left hip
• Myofascial release to the feet, hips, and lower back area performed by massage therapist
• Wear custom spinal pelvic stabilizers (orthotic inserts) to support the arches
• Progressive therapeutic exercises targeting the feet and lower extremity, with a focus on restoring normal balance
• Ice the left arch at home as needed for 15 minutes per hour

The Prognosis

• Fair to Good

Discussion

Plantar fasciitis is a fairly common condition that we see in our practice.  It affects the section of soft tissue on the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot.  When the sheath (plantar fascia) of elastic (connective) tissue becomes over-stressed, it can become inflamed and very painful.  The most common problem occurs when the three arches of your foot drop too far or collapse (through time and stress), the plantar fascia becomes abnormally pulled and  stretched out.  This pulling can lead to inflammation and pain in your heel, your arch, and even in your forefoot.  In severe pain cases, a burning sensation can be felt going across the bottom of the foot, and walking would be very painful and difficult.

Upon following our advice and treatment schedule, this patient has had an approximate 75% improvement in 2 weeks of care.  He is virtually pain free and is now able to walk without limping.  The knee, hip, and lower back problems have also shown considerable improvements.

Our Approach To Plantar Fasciitis

If you were a new patient visiting our office, we always start with a thorough case history, consultation, and examination.  I may recommend diagnostic studies (x-ray or MRI) if I need more information. At this point, if I determine that care is appropriate and you decide to begin care, I will design a treatment plan for you.  If at any time I discover something beyond the scope of my practice, I won’t hesitate to contact your primary care provider to discuss a possible referral to another healthcare provider.

We follow a very effective  treatment strategy based on the letters ASR.  They stand for:

• A – Adjust (whole-body adjustment techniques)
• S – Support (spinal pelvic stabilizers and other joint supports)
• R – Rehabilitate (targeted exercise therapy/physical rehab)

My approach that works so well with the spine can be applied to other joints of the body. Virtually every articulation of your skeletal system is susceptible to fixations that can impair function and range of motion.  We have a variety of other treatment options to help you recover quickly and completely.  Some of our other treatment options could include:

• Massage therapy
• Laser therapy
• Electrostimulation treatment
• Home TENS unit
• Therapeutic taping
• Targeted rehabilitative exercises for the feet, lower extremity, and lower back
• Exercise modification
• Home exercise program
• Nutritional supplementation and dietary modification

We don’t want you to have to resort to dangerous medicines, injections, or surgery.  Our approach is to use chiropractic care and other natural therapies (such as massage or rehab exercises) to correct your plantar fasciitis problem quickly and  naturally.

Have you ever wondered why some physical problems never seem to get better? Perhaps you have an injury that has become “chronic”.    Maybe it’s a “bad” back… or a stiff neck… or a sore shoulder.  Whatever it is, you know that something’s wrong.  You should be feeling better by now.  You would love to get out and enjoy the Spring weather.  Or start going to the gym.  Or begin that new exercise class.But you hurt too much.  So why isn’t your body healing normally?  Some days you feel like there’s an improvement, but then the pain is back again.  Why?

I put together the simple diagram at the top of this post to help you understand why. The diagram describes a concept called “The Vicious Cycle of Injury or Trauma”.  This diagram explains the process of an injury and the reasons why you may not be healing properly.

The top of the diagram is where things begin.  Your injury may be mild, severe, or somewhere in between.  But whatever your injury, cellular death occurs at the tissue level.  Muscle fibers tear, ligaments stretch, discs bulge, etc.

Going clockwise, the next circle shows that your injury results in pain, inflammation, and spasm:

• Pain is your body’s “alarm system” letting you know that your body has passed it’s limit.
• Inflammation is your body’s response to the damaged tissue.  Inflammation is the beginning of the healing process.
• Spasm (uncontrolled muscle tightening) is your body’s way of putting a “natural splint” on the area to prevent further injury.

Next you suffer a loss of range of motion.  Examples of how this could manifest include:

• Low back stiffness in the morning.
• A tight neck while in the car.
• An inability to reach behind yourself and scratch your back.

Any of your joints can suffer a loss of motion if there’s local swelling, pain, or muscle spasm. When you have a loss of normal motion for some time, two things happen:

• Your muscles will shrink and weaken (atrophy).
• Adhesions (tough patch-up tissue) will develop in and around the injured area.

Unfortunately, chronic pain results in fatty infiltration into the supporting muscles.  You can get a sense of this by inspecting a cheap cut of meat.  The marbling of fat is the “fatty infiltration” into the muscle.  The tough gristle areas are the adhesions that can develop in and around your muscles.

When you suffer a loss of motion, adhesions and spasm, your normal blood flow will be restricted.  Limited blood flow means that your injured site is receiving less oxygen and less nutrition than normal.  This leads to more tissue death, and the cycle starts all over again.

So how can you get out of this cycle if you feel you’re trapped?

It all starts with coming in to our center for a visit.  After a thorough exam, I will develop a reasonable wellness strategy to help you break the cycle.  Always remember that physical problems can be best fixed with physical solutions.  It can include:

• Chiropractic care
• Massage therapy techniques
• Trigger point therapy
• Laser therapy
• Weight loss techniqes
• Rehabilitative exercises

Please understand that we can’t make you heal, but we can ensure that as you heal, you’ll heal more perfectly.

In your care, we’ll use natural techniques to “attack” each area of the Vicious Cycle.  We have found that the combination of natural therapies works the best to break the vicious cycle because we target multiple points of the cycle at once.

With the help of natural therapies we can:

• Reduce your pain, inflammation and spasm
• Improve your range of motion
• Restore muscle strength and endurance
• Reduce adhesions and trigger points
• Improve blood flow to your tissues

If you’re in pain due to a big or little injury, don’t ignore the problem.  It is critical that healing start as soon as possible.  By getting treatment early, you can prevent abnormal chronic pain patterns from taking root.

With natural therapies you can finally be free of your pain and be the best you can be.

We are pleased to announce the introduction the Posture Pump – Back Model 2000.  This device is designed to be used at home to help relieve back pain and stiffness.  It is painless and easy to use and can physically decompress, shape, and lubricate your spine.   It is portable and can be used at home, in the office, or when traveling.

In February we first introduced the Posture Pump – Neck Model 1000 for the neck.  (For more information on the Neck Model 1000 click here.)

Since then we have had great results with several clients.  So I started exploring the Back Model 2000 and was very impressed with the research behind the product.

This Posture Pump – Back Model 2000 device provides effective relief and lasting correction for:

• Acute back pain
• Chronic back pain
• Sciatica
• Disc bulges
• Disc herniations
• Slouching posture

You can learn more on the Posture Pump web site by clicking here.

You will also be happy to know that both models of the Posture Pump are covered 100% by most major medical insurance if prescribed by a licensed chiropractic doctor.

Please let us know if you are interested and we will schedule a time for a quick evaluation to see if you are a good candidate to for Posture Pump therapy.

We now have available a special type of cervical (neck) traction, called The Posture Pump.  This device provides effective relief and lasting correction for:

• Acute neck pain
• Chronic neck pain
• Headaches
• Disc bulges
• Disc herniations
• Forward head posture

In many cases, the Posture Pump device adds a needed complement to your in-office care.  A thorough evaluation will provide the necessary information to determine if the Posture Pump is right for you.  If you are interested in this device or have any questions about it, just ask.  You can learn more on the Posture Pump web site by clicking here.

The Posture Pump is safe, easy to use, and is covered by most insurance carriers.  It may be the missing piece of the puzzle to your optimal recovery.

If you suffer from chronic low back pain and want to experience freedom from your pain, you will want to pay particular attention to your core.  To finally gain control of your back pain and reduce the chance of a relapse, you have to improve the condition of your core.  The term “core” may have you thinking of Pilate’s, Yoga, or doing sit-ups until your six pack burns.  Unfortunately the term “core” is frequently misused and the true nature of the core is greatly misunderstood.

To understand the true nature of your core, you need to understand your body design.  Your bones, ligaments, and joint capsules (passive restraints) provide stability toward the end of joint motion (ROM).  They don’t provide much stability in the neutral position.  That’s where the muscles come in to play, and provide support and stiffness.  Your body muscles are set up in three basic layers.

The outer layer of muscles are your large muscles.  These are big, strong muscles that are designed to move your skeleton.  They also are the muscles that give your body its shape.  The rectus abdominus muscles (the “six-pack”) is an outer layer muscle, and technically not part of your core.

You have a middle layer of muscles that lie beneath the outer layer of muscles.  These muscles connect to your spine and are designed for stability and control.  These are muscles of endurance that allow you to maintain good posture while you go about your day.  These middle layer muscles work continually to protect your spine as you put your body through its many different positions – sitting, bending, twisting, running, jumping, etc. If your core is weak, you will be susceptible to injury as you try to sustain static postures (i.e. sitting), or try to perform dynamic activities (i.e. playing soccer).

You also have a deep layer of muscles that act as “sensors” for your nervous system.  These small muscles attach to your spine and give continual feedback to your brain with each joint movement. These deep muscles are muscles of endurance and enable you to maintain good posture, balance, and position sense.

The muscles of your middle layer and deep layer make up your true core.  And because your core is composed of muscles of endurance, you must work it differently.  You can’t just do the normal exercises promoted in most health clubs or gyms.  Focusing on strength doesn’t help the true core.  Muscular endurance, posture, and balance must be your focus if you want to improve the condition of your core.

Your body stability is a dynamic function and includes:

• Static positioning
• Controlled movement
• Alignment in sustained postures
• Movement patterns that reduce body strain, avoid injury, and allow efficient muscle action

Your body stability and movement patterns may be altered by any combination of the following:

• Injuries
• Insufficient muscular strength or endurance
• Poor neuromuscular control
• Fatigue

To improve the condition of your core, research has shown that very moderate levels of muscle activity can be enough to create stable joints.  To work the endurance muscles of your core, only about 10% of your maximum contraction is needed to provide joint stability.  In contrast, when doing strength training you have to work at 70-80% of your maximum contraction in 1-2 sets of 8-12 repetitions.

This is great news!  Even if you are suffering from chronic back pain today, you can take active steps towards recovery.  I have been working with patients with chronic back pain since 1992, and have seen many amazing recoveries from patients following our easy program.  If you are committed to our program of core stabilization exercises, you will in most cases be able to gain control of your back pain within 4 to 6 weeks.

No drugs.  No surgery.  No expensive traction devices.  No high-tech computerized exercise devices.

Just a series of core stabilization exercises that are so simple, I’ve pictured the basic part of the program on this site.  Sounds simple?  That’s because it is.

Just click here to see the core stabilization program.

How Common Are Shoulder Problems?

Shoulder pain is a common complaint that is often associated with neck pain and upper back pain.  The only complaint we see more frequently in our office is low back pain.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 13.7 million people in the United States sought medical care in 2003 for shoulder problems.”

When you think of shoulder injuries, you probably think of sports-related injuries seen in baseball or tennis.   However, shoulder injuries can be easily caused by many normal everyday activities. The shoulder is so  susceptible to injury because it has the greatest range of motion of all the joints of the body.  And with increased motion, you have less stability.

To appreciate the incredible design of the shoulder itself and to understand the complexities in caring for shoulder problems we have to first take a look at the basic anatomy of the shoulder.  The shoulder consists of three major bones and over twenty different muscles.

Basic Shoulder Anatomy

The two main bones of the shoulder are the humerus and the scapula (shoulder blade).  The joint cavity us cushioned by articular cartilage covering the head of the humerus and face of the glenoid.  The scapula extends up around the shoulder joint at the rear to form the roof called the acromion, and around the shoulder joint at the front to form the coracoid process.  The end of the scapula, called the glenoid, meets the head of the humerus to form a glenohumeral cavity that acts as a flexible ball-and-socket joint.  A ring of fibrous cartilage surrounding the glenoid is called the labrum, which stabilizes the joint.  Ligaments connect bones of the shoulder and tendons join the bones to the surrounding muscles.

Two major tendons of the shoulder are the biceps tendon, which attaches the biceps muscle to the shoulder and helps stabilize the joint, and the supraspinatus tendon, which helps form the rotator cuff.  Four short muscles originate on the scapula and pass around the shoulder where their tendons fuse together to form the rotator cuff.

Other major muscles that make up the shoulder girdle are the deltoids, the biceps, the triceps, the pectoralis, the rhomboid, the trapezius, the latisimus dorsi, the teres major, the levator scapula, and others.

All of these anatomical components, along with the muscles of your upper body, work together to manage the stress your shoulder receives as you lift, extend, flex, and throw.

Common Shoulder Problems

• Tendonitis:  Inflammation of a tendon.  Commonly affecting the biceps tendon at the front of the shoulder.  Symptoms include painful shoulder motion and increased pain at night.
• Rotator Cuff Strain or Rupture:  Injury to the muscle and tendon that covers, rotates, and raises the shoulder.  Symptoms include shoulder pain and difficulty raising the shoulder.
• Impingement Syndrome: Rubbing and clicking of the shoulder on overhead motions.  The ball of the shoulder joint rubs against the ledge (the Acromium) over the shoulder.  It is frequently associated with tendonitis and rotator cuff problems.  Symptoms include pain during movement of shoulder and increased pain when raising shoulder approaching 90 degrees.
• Subluxations: Bones shifting from their normal place and becoming “stuck”.  Symptoms include joint stiffness and weakness. Pain may or may not be present.
• Bursitis: Inflamed bursa sack.  Symptoms include painful to the front or side of the shoulder and pain at night.
• Myofascial Pain: Muscle inflammation involving any of the shoulder muscles.  Symptoms include local and/or referred pain in the shoulder, the upper back, the neck, the head, the shoulder blade area, or in the arm.
• Nerve Irritation: Inflamed or irritated nerves originating from cervical spine or the brachial plexus.  Symptoms include shoulder pain, neck pain, arm pain, shooting or burning pain traveling from neck to shoulder, to arm, and to the hand.

Our Approach To Shoulder Problems

First we would start with a thorough case history, consultation, and examination.  I may recommend diagnostic studies (x-ray or MRI) if I need more information. At this point, if I determine that care is appropriate and you decide to begin care, I will design a treatment plan for you.  If at any time I discover something beyond the scope of my practice, I won’t hesitate to contact your primary care provider to discuss a possible referral to another healthcare provider.

We follow a very effective  treatment strategy based on the letters ASR.  They stand for:

• A – Adjust (whole-body adjustment techniques)
• S – Support (spinal pelvic stabilizers and other joint supports)
• R – Rehabilitate (targeted exercise therapy/physical rehab)

My approach that works so well with the spine can be applied to other joints of the body. Virtually every articulation of your skeletal system is susceptible to fixations that can impair function and range of motion.  We have a variety of other treatment options to help you recover quickly and completely.  Some of our other treatment options could include:

• Massage therapy
• Laser therapy
• Electrostimulation treatment
• Home TENS unit
• Therapeutic taping
• Targeted rehabilitative exercises for the shoulder
• Exercise modification
• Home exercise program
• Nutritional supplementation and dietary modification

We don’t want you to have to resort to dangerous medicines, injections, or surgery.  Our approach is to use chiropractic care and other natural therapies (such as massage or rehab exercises) to correct your shoulder problem quickly and  naturally.

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that affects the section of soft tissue on the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot.  It is considered a stress irritation to the sheath (plantar fascia) of elastic (connective) tissues running nearly the entire length of the foot.  These connective tissues provide the primary support for the undersurface of your foot.

If the three arches of your foot drop too far or collapse (through time and stress), the plantar fascia becomes abnormally pulled and  stretched out.  This pulling can lead to inflammation and pain in your heel, your arch, and even in your forefoot.  The level of discomfort can range from mild to severe.  In severe pain cases, a burning sensation can be felt going across the bottom of the foot, and walking would be very painful and difficult.  For some the pain is felt every time they stand up.

By the age of 20, nearly 80% of us has some kind of foot problem, and by age forty almost all of us do.

http://www.footlevelers.com/conditions/foot_problems.php

The most common cause of plantar fasciitis is excessive pronation, which is considered the most common of all foot problems. In excessive pronation, some of the bones of the foot drop to a less stable position due to a structural weakening and misalignment of the foot arches and bones of the foot. The arches themselves may be unnaturally stretched causing a flattening of the feet.  This results in abnormal stress on the entire foot, which leads to abnormal biomechanical stress on the ankle, knees, hip, sacroiliac, and spine.

From the time you learn to walk, your feet assume three crucial functions: they support your body whenever you stand, walk, or run; they assist you in achieving movement from one place to another; and they help protect your bones and soft tissues from damaging shock stress as you move. Being overweight, having minor structural defects in the feet, or injuries — all of these factors can contribute to additional foot and body stress. So even though one-quarter of all the bones in your body are in your feet, having to perform these three strenuous tasks day after day can (and often does) lead to some type of foot and/or body problem. It’s not too surprising to learn, therefore, that by the age of twenty, nearly 80% of us have some kind of foot problem, and by age forty almost everyone does.

http://www.footlevelers.com/conditions/foot_problems.php

If plantar fasciitis or excessive pronation aren’t treated, they can lead to progressive development of foot malfunction and discomfort. Your feet can become “tired and achy” or you may experience burning pains.  Your walking may begin to feel “clumsy” as you try to move your foot in a way that avoids further pain.  Left untreated for a long time can result in the formation of a heel spur.  Heel spurs are small deposits of bone-like calcium on the heel bone (calcaneus), usually on or near the bottom of the foot where the long tendons of the arches (plantar fascia) insert into the bone.

Some experts believe that a spur is the body’s attempt to strengthen its foundation. Being overweight, having abnormal foot biomechanics, or running regularly on hard surfaces can cause excessive stress on the foot, which may lead to the production of a spur. Other authorities contend that spurs are a normal part of the aging process: some studies have shown that calcaneal spurs are more frequently found in people after age 50. The best data currently available projects that between 11% and 16% of the population have heel spurs. It is also interesting to note that spurs occur almost twice as often in adult females as they do in adult males.

http://www.footlevelers.com/conditions/heel_spurs.php

Foot pain means that you should make an appointment to be evaluated in our office right away.  But most problems of the feet are symptom-free (painless).  Even if your feet don’t hurt, the structural imbalance and weakening of your foundation can have a serious impact on the rest of your body. If you are currently having pain in your knees, hips, low back or neck, the reason may be because you have excessive pronation.  Your feet may not be properly supporting the rest of your skeleton.  The abnormal stress will work its way up into the rest of your of your body.

If you are having pain in your ankles, knees, hips, back or neck, contact our office to discover if your feet could be a contributing factor.

We follow a very effective  treatment strategy based on the letters ASR.  They stand for:

• A – Adjust (whole-body adjustment techniques)
• S – Support (spinal pelvic stabilizers and other joint supports)
• R – Rehabilitate (targeted exercise therapy/physical rehab)

Maybe you’ve never heard of subluxations before. That’s okay.  If you’re a chiropractic patient, you probably have.  

A subluxation is a condition where a joint (the place where two bones meet) becomes jammed.  The bones become stuck and don’t move right, which causes nervous system interference.  This interference distorts the communication between your brain and your body, and can cause all kinds of health problems.

Subluxations causing nervous system interference can occur at any joint in the body. The core of your body (the spinal joints or vertebrae) frequently subluxate.  Subluxations are also common in the extremities.  The foot, knee and hip joints can subluxate.  The hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints can subluxate.

The body is complex.  A subluxation doesn’t just involve two bones and some nerves.  Muscles can become abnormally tight or weak.  Pain patterns develop.  Connected discs, ligaments, and other tissues can become damaged and inflamed.  Over time, degenerative changes can occur.  Bone spurs, arthritis, and other forms of decay can set in.

Subluxations are serious!

Joint subluxations are caused by three basic factors:  physical stress, chemical stress, and emotional stress.  Physical stress includes slips and falls, car accidents, repetitive motions, sprains and strains, sports injuries, improper lifting, and the like.  Emotional stress includes mental stress, anger, fear, unforgiveness, and the like.  Chemical stresses include smoking, alcohol, drugs, pollution, poor diet, and such.

You can have subluxations and not even know it.  Like tooth decay or cancer, subluxations may be present before any warning signs appear.  How can you know if you have a subluxation?  The best way to know is to be evaluated at our office by myself (or by another chiropractor).  

I use several different evaluation techniques to determine the presence of subluxations.  I check bone and muscle symmetry, test joint motion, and use a series of other indicators to evaluate each patient.  The results of a thorough examination can reveal the location and severity of subluxations you may have.

Chiropractic doctors (like myself) are the only licensed health care professionals dedicated to the detection, reduction, and prevention of subluxations.  I use a highly effective whole-body adjusting approach to improve joint biomechanics and reduce nervous system interference.  

Learn More About Dr. Ken Goldman’s Techniques

The natural care we provide for auto injuries feels great and is very effective.  We get quick results that last.  Instead of just covering up your pain with mind-numbing medications, we focus on the injured areas and provide a variety of natural therapies to speed up your recovery.

We have been able to help people like you suffering from auto injuries such as:

• Whiplash (cervical acceleration deceleration trauma)
• Headaches
• Back Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Arm, Elbow, or Wrist Pains
• Hip, Knee, Leg, or Foot Pains
• Muscular Spasms
• Joint Stiffness and Inflammation

Regardless if your condition, I’d like to remind you that our practice mission is: To Promote Superior Health Through Natural Therapy. We accomplish this through a holistic approach and integrative care – combining chiropractic, massage, exercise, nutritional counseling, and laser therapy techniques.

If you are seeking help for auto related injuries, we promise to do our best to first clearly diagnose your problem and correct it. On your initial visit we will carefully discuss the details of the accident and the nature of your injuries. We will then perform a careful and detailed examination.

At this point, if we feel that we can help you, we will develop a reasonable treatment plan and begin a course of treatment. Your treatment plan will vary based on your condition prior to the injury, and on the severity of your injury.

We typically recommend the combination of chiropractic care, massage therapy, and other natural therapies because they work the best to reduce pain quickly and will allow your body to heal more perfectly.  Natural healing provides lasting healing.

However, if after the examination or at any time during the course of treatment, we discover something beyond the scope of our practice, we will not hesitate to contact your other health care providers to discuss your possible referral to another health care professional.

We believe that the human body is a masterpiece and that your health is among your most valuable possessions. It’s our passion to share the amazing power of natural therapies with people like you, to help you feel great and be your best!

At this point in time, all of the services we recommend will be fully covered by your auto insurance. Many people express concern that your auto insurance rates will increase if you use the medical benefits on your policy.  Don’t be concerned about that because I believe it’s illegal for any auto insurance company to raise your rates for using the medical benefits on your policy.

I am pleased to announce the addition of the Foot Levelers Associate™ Platinum to our wellness practice.  A tool that will allow me to make a digital scan of the feet.  The Associate™ Platinum will help me efficiently and accurately screen for imbalances that contribute to problems in any number of places, like your knees, hips, and low back — even if your feet don’t hurt. It’s amazing what your feet can tell you about your spinal health!

Your feet are the foundation for your entire body. Like any structure, your body’s foundation must be balanced to properly support the weight above it. If your arches in one or both of your feet collapse, your body doesn’t get the correct postural support, causing an imbalance in your skeletal frame.

The Associate™ Platinum digital scanner will help me develop more precise care plans and use postural support, like custom-made orthotics from Foot Levelers, to obtain positive results in nearly everyone — from children to seniors.

I would like to welcome new patients to visit our wellness center in Huntingdon Valley for postural exams to determine their chiropractic needs. Our wellness center offers a variety of natural therapies for total body health and would be willing to provide on-site screenings with the Associate™ Platinum at health fairs and other community events.

If you’ve never had your feet scanned, you probably don’t know what they are supposed to look like. Don’t wait for aches and pains to tell you there’s a problem.

Call us now to schedule an appointment, and learn how your feet can affect your health!  Your entire body will thank you!

Glucosamine (glucosamine sulfate), chondroitin (chondroitin sulfate), and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are widely used natural supplements used in the treatment of osteoarthritis (bone and joint).  They have been shown to be most helpful for knee pain, but reports have shown that they can help with all types of osteoarthritis. They are commonly used, especially in veterinary medicine, but their overall acceptance varies.

When patients ask me if they think a supplement can help them get rid of some pain, I tell them that for the best long-term outcomes, embracing a lifestyle of healthy eating and exercise is the most critical. Healthy living is the key.  Let me tell you my story…

Starting in the year 1999, I personally had serious back and neck problems that stemmed from past injuries and degenerative spinal conditions. I had serious pain, loss of motion, and muscular weakness.  It became so bad, I could barely exercise or practice chiropractic.  As the pain became chronic, I had mild depression and discovered that life became very hard.  I didn’t want to just cover up the pain, so I refused to take medications.

I received good care that included various natural therapies and chiropractic care.  Both helped, but my problems really became minimal only when I adopted a lifestyle of healthy eating and regular exercise. I started focusing on core strengthening exercises and I began to eat a whole-food plant-based diet.  Within 30 days, my pain diminished.  Through my lifestyle changes, I was finally able to gain control over my back/neck pains.  I thank God that he has designed our bodies with the ability to heal… from the inside.  This is much better than just pain relief through medications.

I don’t believe there are any real shortcuts to true health… such as glucosamine, chondroitin, or MSM supplements.   Today in my practice, in addition to chiropractic care, I offer patients coaching on exercise, nutrition, and healthy living.  Spectrum Wellness is a holistic and integrative approach to wellness.

In short… I do recommend a superfood supplement, called Intramax, that does contain glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM.  Although supplementation can be of some help, any supplement should only be an addition to a foundation of healthy living.

Don’t believe what they tell you.  There is no pill that can replace a lifestyle of healthy living.  True health can’t be found in a bottle.  Here’s the truth… you can achieve superior health through a commitment to healthy living!

Whiplash has numerous possible causes including motor vehicle accidents, roller coaster rides, sports injuries, and slips and falls. Car accidents are the most common cause, as there are many thousands of motor vehicle accidents in the United States every year – resulting in injuries and death.

Injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents range from mild to severe. The most common type of spinal injury is whiplash. This occurs when the head and cervical spine (the neck) is accelerated and then suddenly decelerated. Most whiplash injuries occur when you are sitting relaxed in your stationary car and you are unexpectedly rear-ended.

The time immediately after the accident is of critical importance. If severely injured, hopefully EMTs will arrive on the scene quickly and you will get the care you need. We have some of the best medical professionals in the world. What you do about your injuries in the next hours, days and weeks can forever affect your health.

If you’re involved in an accident, try not to be misled if the damage to your vehicle is minimal. Your body reacts very differently than metal, glass and plastic! Upon a rear-end impact, your body presses deeply into your seat. Your head moves with your body backwards until they reach the limits of your seat. Then, your body quickly changes directions and moves forward to the limit of your seat belt. Next, your head starts moving backward in the opposite direction. Because your head is unrestrained by your seat belt, your head is jerked backward and forward beyond its normal limits.

You can reduce the severity of a whiplash injury by wearing your seat belt properly, and making sure your headrest is adjusted to prevent your head from snapping over the seat.

Try not to minimize your injuries. Just as a car can have internal damage beyond the scraped pain on your bumper, your body can have deep injuries to your delicate spinal structures. Pain and stiffness of motion of varying severity will result from whiplash injuries. Often headaches appear, but can begin a week or more after the accident. These injuries can’t be healed by pain pills, muscle relaxers, or cervical collars. At this point, an immediate chiropractic examination is essential.

In my interview with a patient, I will conduct a thorough case history and detailed examination. I will review any imaging films or reports done at the emergency room or from other physicians. If I determine that it is safe to receive care at our office, I will make recommendations for your optimal recovery. In many cases, treatment can begin immediately.

In our office we have found that the integration of chiropractic care and massage therapy to be extremely effective in proper healing. Chiropractic adjustments of the spine and extremities helps restore proper position and motion of joints. Massage therapy targets the injured muscles and helps reduce pain, tension, and spasm, and promotes relaxation. You may also benefit from adjunctive therapies we can perform such as laser therapy, electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, therapeutic taping, or therapeutic stretching. We may prescribe a TENS unit (a small portable electrical stimulation device) or a series of home-based therapeutic exercises.

Since starting my practice in 1992, I’ve had the honor of helping hundreds of clients with a variety of neck injuries including whiplash. I’m very pleased with our integrated approach to patient care at Spectrum Wellness. Our care is top-notch and personal. Our goal is to help you to achieve superior health… and we will do everything in our power to help you get well and stay well after the trauma of a whiplash injury.

Sleep has a huge impact on your health and wellness. Getting enough good sleep is essential for the refreshment of the body and mind. During sleep the body heals, boosts the immune system, rebuilds and recharges. Everyone is different, but most adults need around 7-8 hours of good sleep per night. To have superior health, you should strive to improve the quantity and quality of your sleep.

Your pillow is probably one of the most important parts of restful sleep. Your pillow should do a good job cradling your head and neck for many hours. When looking at your cervical spine (your neck) from the side, it should have a “c”-shaped curve (like a banana). Your pillow should support this natural curve of your neck. Your pillow is the least expensive and most immediate solution to a bad night’s sleep, and can help reduce headaches, tension and neck pain.

Quick tests to see if you need a new pillow:

• Does your pillow support your head and neck?
• Do you need to use more than one pillow or fold your pillow to get comfortable
• Are you in discomfort when trying to sleep?
• When you awake, are you in discomfort?

If you answered “yes” to any of the following questions, you could use a new pillow. We recommend a pillow called the Chiroflow. It is suitable for almost all of our clients.

This same pillow is also sold in the medical community and is called the “Mediflow”. It’s water-filled pillow that’s well-designed, durable and very affordable. It’s quick and easy to fill with water. Because you’re the one who fills the pillow with water, you determine the level of support.

Many of our patients report an immediate improvement of the quality of their sleep when switching to the Chiroflow pillow. I’ve found that it provides better support and a more restful sleep than even the top of the line memory foam pillows. I’ve seen memory foam pillows start packing down in just a few months and lose their supportive qualities. But unlike foam, the supportive nature of the Chiroflow doesn’t change because water doesn’t compress over time. I’ve been personally using and prescribing the Chiroflow water-filled pillow now for years and have been extremely satisfied.

Please call me or stop by for more information about the Chiroflow pillow and how you can improve the quality of your sleep.

With all this talk about pursuing a lifestyle of wellness, I want to address the number one reason people consult our office. Pain.

We, at Spectrum Wellness, accept clients with big pains or little ones. We handle acute or chronic conditions. Sport or work-related injuries. Even motor vehicle accident injuries. We welcome clients ranging from one end of the spectrum to the other.

What is pain anyway? Does it have a purpose?

Pain is a warning sign. It’s your body’s way of telling you that a limit has been reached. Like a smoke alarm, it’s not the alarm that’s the problem. The alarm has a cause, just like nearly every ache or pain has a cause. Some people choose to just cover up the pain instead of correcting the true cause. They end up believing that they’re totally fine because they feel fine. Unfortunately, the problem that lies below the surface of the pain still exists.

What’s your approach to dealing with pain?

Drugs?

Choosing to numb or cover up the pain with a chemical. Drugs can offer temporary relief, but they can’t correct structural or functional problems – such as spinal joint dysfunction (subluxation) or muscular problems. Just covering up the symptoms of a problem can be dangerous. Imagine if you were driving your car and a red flashing light appeared on the dashboard. Would it be wise to take a black marker and scribble over the light so that it wouldn’t shine in your eyes? Also, many drugs have dangerous side-effects and also have a long-term toxic effect on the whole body… just check out the back page of a drug advertisement in a magazine.

Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is an option that many people choose. However, exercising spinal joints that are misaligned is like continuing to drive your car with misaligned wheels! Some physical therapy facilities do adjustments like us.more than guide patients in an exercise program, but none offer the combination of natural therapies that we have.

Surgery?

This is the most drastic of all measures. Cutting through layers of skin and muscle tissue to cut, scrape, fuse, remove or alter body parts. While there may be times when surgery makes sense, they are risky. When it comes to emergency care, nothing beats Western Medicine. If I had a serious knife wound, I wouldn’t drop in to a fellow chiropractor’s office to get an adjustment! I’d get to an ER stat. Go to a hospital for sickness care… come to us for health care.

Natural Therapy?

Even better, Natural therapy is safe. The combination of chiropractic, massage and exercise therapy is the wise choice. Our focus is to find and correct the underlying cause of your problem.

Earlier this week, I was talking with Christine and Linda about our vision and our passion. After an insightful discussion we summed it up: Our passion is to help our clients get well and stay well – using natural therapeutic techniques that are safe and effective. We love the idea of promoting superior health in our community through natural therapies. We discussed just how different our approach to wellness is than the typical “Western” medical approach. To clarify our thoughts, I’d like to share the following story of a patient who visited us this month. Her story isn’t that unusual…

(I have changed the patient name to protect her privacy)

Debbie was referred in to our office by a caring family member. After she was warmly greeted by Christine and Linda, she was introduced to me. She was pleasant enough and seemed to carry herself well, but I could tell something was bothering her. After Debbie completed some health history forms I brought her into my exam room and began the interview. I looked over her forms with her and when I got to the pain/body diagram, my heart broke for her.

She literally had nearly every symptom checked and every body part circled – indicating she had pains everywhere. She indicated that her pain was a 9 out of 10 and was fairly constant. I discovered that she had been suffering from debilitating pains for over 14 years and had not been getting any better despite the numerous medications and injections she was given. She was at her wit’s end.

I began asking some hard questions. Did any of her doctors recommend chiropractic, massage or any other natural healing art?… “No.” Did any of her prior doctors advise her to a try healthier way of eating?… “No.” How was her diet? “Poor.”

Then I started the exam. Debbie was able to move fairly well during the exam and nothing really struck me as that extraordinary until I had her lie down on my exam table. I performed a detailed exam of her spine and the muscles of her back, thighs, legs, shoulders and arms. I discovered multiple areas of spinal subluxation (“stuck” spinal joints that cause nerve interference). I also found that she had multiple areas of extreme muscular tension and active trigger points (muscular “knots”) throughout her body. Some of her trigger points that were so “fired up” that when pressed they shot pain to across to other areas of her body.

I then asked her if any of her prior doctors examined her like this?… “No.” She told me she her doctors interviewed her and then she had x-rays, MRIs, and lab work. All tests revealed nothing wrong. It didn’t surprise me.  I see this type of case frequently.  I knew that all those expensive diagnostic tests don’t reveal the types of problems I found in her joints and muscles. And I found her problems (and the cause of her pains) by just using my hands. (Side note: chiropractic means “With Hands” or “Hand Practice”)

So what does traditional medicine do when they can’t find any causes?  She was prescribed medication to ease her pain. Over the years that changed to injections, and then more and more drugs. And she just didn’t think anything else could be done.

After finishing the exam, I clearly explained to Debbie what was wrong, and that I could definitely help. I provided hope. Her face lit up.

I let her know that I would accept her as a patient, and there was good hope that she would recover, but she would have to make a commitment to better health. She would have to start a program consisting of regular visits for chiropractic and massage therapy. It was also vital that she change her way of eating. She joyfully agreed. Her journey to superior health was just beginning.

This true story helped me clarify my passion as a chiropractic doctor and a natural healer. And in regards to wellness, it also revealed a very distinct difference between our approach and the typical “Western” medical approach…

We know that true health comes from within… not in a bottle.

And we don’t just cover up the symptoms with drugs… we uncover the true cause of the problem and provide natural and corrective care. How refreshing!

And in Debbie’s case… life-changing.