The Road to Olympic Gold is Paved with Chiropractic Care

By Dr. Dave Edenfield

If you watched any of the 2014 Winter Olympics you no doubt marveled at the athletic prowess of the US Olympic Team.  Whether your favorite winter sport is skiing, skating, hockey or any of the other events, you can’t help but be impressed at the level of physical fitness exhibited by this country’s athletes.  While we may have come in second place to Russia this year when it came to the sheer number of medals won by American athletes in the winter games, one place that we come in first is in the medical care given to our athletes.  This includes chiropractic care.

While the public knows about all the hard work it takes to win a gold medal, what most people do not realize is how hard the members of the medical staff work to make sure that all our athletes are maximizing their potential.  The US Olympic Team travels with a number of sports medicine specialists, including chiropractors who aren’t only there to assist athletes when they sustain injuries, but they are also there to help them prepare for competition.

Michael Reed, medical director for the US Olympic Committee summed it up best by stating that, “Chiropractors have really come a long way in terms of the Olympic Games. And the demands of athletes are one of the main reasons why.”

You read that right, Olympic athletes demand chiropractic care.  This is nothing new.  During the 2008 Summer Games, the US beach volleyball team requested that their chiropractor, Dr. Ernest Ferrel, accompany them to all their matches.  When you consider the demands that athletes place on their bodies, it should come as no surprise that they require a medical professional that is trained in everything from physical therapy, to nutrition and stretching.  Chiropractic is like one-stop shopping for nearly every sports medicine need.

Another chiropractor chosen to assist athletes during the 2010 Winter Olympics, Dr. Blasé Toto, stated,

“These athletes are used to receiving chiropractic care at their home training centers because they know that it helps them to perform at their top level. Since we’ll all be there for about a month, the athletes will need someone to continue their regular chiropractic routine.” In addition to maintenance and performance care, Dr. Toto was also available for acute-injury treatment for the duration of the Winter Games.

The reason that top athletes require so much maintenance has to do with the fact that they are required to push their body to extremes in order to compete.  Everything from circulation, to respiration, to nervous system response needs to be functioning at levels well above that of mere mortals.  The best way to think about Olympic athletes is to liken them to Formula 1 racecars, whose need for exotic fuel and constant fine tuning is absolutely critical to winning a race.  If one component on a Formula 1 car fails during a race, the results can be catastrophic.  So it is with the world’s most demanding physical competitors.

Just as athletes take years to prepare for competition, the selection process for the Olympic Team medical staff is equally challenging.  To make the cut for inclusion on the USOC medical staff, chiropractors are required to volunteer for a two week rotation at an Olympic Training Center.  While there they will treat any athletes in either a rehabilitation and/or long-term care capacity.  Their performance as care givers will be evaluated just as is those of the athletes in their care. Completing this voluntary program does not assure a chiropractor of making the team.  Some, like Dr. Toto, worked as a volunteer for years before being invited to the games.

“It had been a goal of mine for a long time, but I didn’t think it would ever happen because it had been 14 years since I’d first worked with the USOC,” Dr. Toto said. “I’m humbled and grateful and excited. I’ve never served in the military, so this is my opportunity to serve my country by caring for the best athletes it has to offer.”

Not Just for Star Athletes

Fortunately, even weekend warriors can take advantage of sports-related chiropractic care.  Whether you are a runner, skier, golfer, tennis player, cyclist, or just like to play the occasional pickup softball or basketball game, your neighborhood chiropractor can help you get the most out of the effort while creating the least strain to your body.  Remember, not only top athletes run the risk of injury while pursuing their avocation.  In fact, the average Joe and Jane is much more susceptible to sports injuries than top athletes, mainly due to the fact that their bodies are not accustomed to supporting the high strain that competition demands.  Most amateur athletes also do not know how to prepare for event like Olympians.  In fact, there are as many different stretching routines as there are sporting events, since various sports stress different parts of the human frame. (Your chiropractor can help you tailor a stretching routine to suit your sport.)

While you may not be preparing for a shot at a medal, remember that the way you maintain your body will have a direct bearing on how it performs day in and day out.  Particularly if you tend to lead a more active lifestyle, having a chiropractor on your team is as important to your well-being as that of every Olympic athlete who knows that the road to the gold is paved with chiropractic care.

Dr. Dave Edenfield  and Dr. Steven Warfield are part of the team of doctors and therapists at http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com and http://endyourpain.org who are dedicated to helping you and your family lead  healthier, happier and pain-free lives.  

I Have to Hand it to You

By Dr. Steven Warfield

Believe it or not the hand is one of the most sophisticated parts of the human body.  It is also the most complicated, each hand having 27 bones.  (The foot only has 26.)  14 of which are the phalanges of the fingers, 5 metacarpals and 8 carpal bones.  The metacarpals are the bones that connect the fingers with the wrist.  Add to this the web of muscles, ligaments and tendons used to articulate the hand, fingers and wrist and you have an exceptional work of biomechanics.  You also have an exceptional number of ways in which to experience discomfort and dysfunction.   

Many of the maladies that occur in the hand and wrist are due to repetitive motion injuries.  This is not unusual, especially if you spend most of your day working on a computer.  Another common source of hand strain has to do with people who are engaged in sports that require repetitive use of the upper body, such as weight lifting, golf and tennis.

Below I have detailed a few of the more common medical conditions that can occur in the hand and wrist along with their treatments. 

Trigger Finger

While it sounds like a condition that only cowboys and Jesse James would contract, trigger finger can afflict most anyone.  The condition is associated with the locking of a thumb or finger in either a bent or straight position.  Caused by a thickening of the sheath that surrounds the tendon, the condition tends to afflict those whose work or hobby rely on repetitive gripping motions.  Farmers, Musicians and industrial workers often encounter the condition since they use repetitive thumb and finger movements often.  Trigger finger is more common in women than men and tends to happen most often in people who are 40 to 60 years old. It is also more common with people who have either arthritis or diabetes. 

Sometimes painful, sometimes merely annoying, the condition can be treated by immobilizing the finger by using a splint.  If the symptoms persist, the addition of anti-inflammatory compounds such as ibuprofen or naproxen may be added to the treatment regimen.  Some doctors may also recommend steroid injections.  Typically it takes from six to eight weeks to treat the condition.  But some will recover within a few weeks by resting the finger and using anti-inflammatory drugs.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This condition may start with a dull throbbing in the wrist that could soon expand to include pain in the fingers and/or arm.  The symptoms can include everything from numbness to tingling in the fingers to a weakening of the hand itself.  Too much time spent at the computer keyboard is one cause of this condition, as well as any activity that requires repetitive flexing of the tendons in the hand or wrist, along with prolonged gripping activities such as working a computer mouse.

Typical treatment for carpal tunnel includes manipulation of the wrist and elbow as well as adjustment of the upper spine.  Other treatment modalities such as ultrasound and wrist supports designed to keep the wrist in the proper alignment can be employed by your chiropractor.  Resting the affected area as well as applying cold packs may also be necessary.

Treatment time for the condition varies from patient to patient depending upon its severity along with possible contributing factors such as a pinched nerve.  While both men and women are equally susceptible to this malady, middle age is the most common time in life for carpal tunnel syndrome to occur.

Tendonitis of the Wrist

The first signs of this problem are usually associated with pain and swelling a half inch from the base of the thumb.  Sufferers of this malady will find it exceedingly difficult to grasp objects or any other movement that requires the use of the thumb or the wrist.  While typically caused by the swelling of the sheath surrounding the tendons connecting the wrist and thumb, if left untreated, the pain may spread to the thumb or the forearm.

Common to baseball and tennis players, more than four million Americans are treated for tendonitis annually.  After diagnosing the condition, the chiropractor will treat the cause of the tendonitis, as opposed to treating the symptoms.  Treatment may include a combination of manipulation, ultrasound, immobilization, ice, electrical muscle stimulation and/or massage.  With proper treatment it isn’t unusual to see a reduction in pain and inflammation within three to six weeks.  Once healed, your chiropractor may also recommend stretching exercises to help keep the condition from repeating.

Other conditions of the hand include such things as arthritis, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, mallet finger and gamekeeper’s thumb, all of which can cause discomfort and dysfunction in the hand or wrist. Should you or someone you know exhibit symptoms or show signs that their hand or wrist are bothering them, the most important thing is to seek treatment before complications set in.   Because as sophisticated as our hands might be, the one thing they can’t do is heal these conditions all by themselves.

Dr.’s Steven Warfield and Dave Edenfield offer the most advanced treatments for back pain, sciatica, neck pain, whiplash and headaches. They also treat auto accident victims with state-of-the-art technologies.  For more information visit http://endyourpain.org 

or http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com

Chiropractic and Future Moms

by Dr. Dave Edenfield

As many new mothers can attest, the muscle strains of pregnancy are very real and can be more  than just a nuisance. The average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds, combined with the increased stress  the curvature of her lower back is increased, placing extra stress on the spinal disks. In compensation, the normal curvature of the upper spine increases, as well. Pregnancy hormones help loosen the ligaments attached to the pelvic bones. But even these natural changes designed to accommodate the growing baby can result in postural imbalances, that run the risk of creating stability issues. placed on the body by the baby, may result in severe discomfort. Studies have found that about half of all expectant mothers will develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies. This is especially true during late pregnancy, when the baby's head presses down on a woman's back, legs, and buttocks, irritating her sciatic nerve. And for those who already suffer from low-back pain, the problem can become even worse. During pregnancy, a woman's center of gravity almost immediately begins to shift forward to the front of her pelvis. The displaced weight increases the stress on her joints. As the baby grows in size, the woman's weight is projected even farther forward and

What Can You Do?  Exercise

•               If you weren't active before your pregnancy, check with your doctor before starting or      continuing any exercise.

•              Walking, swimming, and stationary cycling are relatively safe cardiovascular exercises for  pregnant women because they do not require jerking or bouncing movements. Jogging can be  safe for women who were avid runners before becoming pregnant-if done carefully and under a  doctor's supervision.

•              Be sure to exercise in an area with secure footing to minimize the likelihood of falls.

•              Stop your exercise routine immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms, such as vaginal  bleeding, dizziness, nausea, weakness, blurred vision, increased swelling, or heart palpitations.

Health and Safety

•              Wear flat, sensible shoes. High or chunky heels can exacerbate postural imbalances and make you less steady on your feet, especially as your pregnancy progresses.

•              When picking up children, bend from the knees, not the waist. And never turn your head when you lift. Avoid picking up heavy objects, if possible.

•              Get plenty of rest. Pamper yourself and ask for help if you need it. Take a nap if you're tired, or lie down and elevate your feet for a few moments when you need a break.

Pregnancy Ergonomics: Your Bed and Desk

•              Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to take pressure off your lower back. Full-length "body pillows" or "pregnancy wedges" may be helpful. Lying on your left side allows unobstructed blood flow and helps your kidneys flush waste from your body.

•              If you have to sit at a computer for long hours, make your workstation ergonomically correct. Position the computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or below your eye level, and place your feet on a small footrest to take pressure off your legs and feet. Take periodic breaks every 30 minutes with a quick walk around the office.

How Can Your Doctor of Chiropractic Help?

Before you become pregnant, your doctor of chiropractic can detect any imbalances in the pelvis or elsewhere in your body that could contribute to pregnancy discomfort or possible neuromusculoskeletal problems after childbirth. Many pregnant women have found that chiropractic adjustments provide relief from the increased low-back pain brought on by pregnancy. A recent study showed that pregnant women went from a low back pain rating of 8 on a 10 scale to a 3 on a 10 scale while under Chiropractic care. Chiropractic manipulation is safe for the pregnant woman and her baby and can be especially attractive to those who are trying to avoid medications in treating their back pain.

Chiropractic care can also help after childbirth. In the eight weeks following labor and delivery, the ligaments that loosened during pregnancy begin to tighten up again. Ideally, joint problems brought on during pregnancy from improper lifting or reaching should be treated before the ligaments return to their pre-pregnancy state-to prevent muscle tension, headaches, rib discomfort, and shoulder problems. 

Dr. Dave Edenfield  and Dr. Steven Warfield are part of the team of doctors and therapists at http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com and http://endyourpain.org who are dedicated to helping you and your family lead  healthier, happier and pain-free lives.  

References

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^[i] J Chiropr Med. 2013 Jun;12(2):74-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2013.06.003.

^[ii] J Chiropr Med. 2007 Spring; 6(2): 70–74.

^[iii] Can Fam Physician. 2013 Aug;59(8):841-2.

^[iv] Chiropr Man Therap. 2012 Oct 9;20(1):32. doi: 10.1186/2045-709X-20-32.

  

The Facts About VAX-D

By Dr. Steven Warfield

As I pointed out in my last blog Above the Curve, 50% of adults experience a back or neck injury during their lifetime.  The bad news is that depending upon the nature and severity of the injury, many times this has meant surgery followed by a long, slow, painful recovery.  The good news is that modern advances in medical technology have produced a non-surgical alternative to going under the knife for many people.  Some would call this a miracle.  We refer to it by its trade name: VAX-D.

More precisely called vertebral axial decompression therapy, VAX-D is a computer controlled machine that works by slowly lengthening and decompressing the spine creating a negative pressure within the discs.  This reversal of pressure creates an intradiscal vacuum that not only takes pressure off pinched nerves, but helps to reposition bulging discs and pull extruded disc material back into place.  Imagine you are holding an Oreo cookie. The cookie parts are the vertebra of the spine. The cream center is the disc. If you squeeze the cookie we get the cream pushing out. That is similar to a disc bulge. Now imagine if the cream were really sticky and couldn’t pull away from the cookie parts. If we gently pulled the cookie parts away from each other the cream  would get pulled back toward the center of the cookie. This is similar to what VAX-D does.

Developed by Dr. Allen E Dyer MD in 1989, VAX-D treats herniated and degenerated disks by lowering spinal pressure. This lowered pressure actually creates a partial vacuum that allows the disc to retract.  Many times even severe protrusions can be retracted to their proper position using this treatment.

The equipment itself consists of a split table upon which the patient lies face down. (Anyone who has ever had a massage will relate to this.)  The patient is placed in a pelvic harness and extending his or her hands forward both hands grasp two patient-operated handgrips.  To start the treatment, the table separates in two, stretching the patient’s lower back.  If the patient should start to feel any discomfort, releasing the handgrips stops the treatment immediately.  This way the patient is always in control of the procedure. 

How Effective is VAX-D?

VAX-D is classified as a Class II Medical device that has been approved by the FDA.  A study conducted in 1994 by the Division of Neurosurgery, Health Sciences Center, San Antonio Texas and another study conducted in 1996 by the University of Illinois in Chicago concluded that between 70-75% of patients with herniated discs, degenerated discs or facet syndrome experienced significant reduction in pain.  It is important to note that the patients who volunteered for these studies had unresolved chronic back pain despite previous treatment that included bed rest, pain medications, physical therapy, and/or previous back surgery.

What Makes VAX-D Different?

VAX-D is not traction.  While traction has been used for decades to treat herniated discs, it is uncomfortable.  Conventional traction uses two harnesses, one for the chest and another for the pelvis.  Using your body’s own weight to decompress the spine can cause the muscles to tighten in an effort to resist the stretch.  This can produce additional discomfort.  VAX-D on the other hand totally eliminates the chest harness and uses intermittent stretching that gradually increases force which means your body’s own muscles do not tense up and fight the treatment.  And unlike traction, only VAX-D can create a vacuum effect which relieves disc pressure without pain or risk of injury to the patient.

Typical VAX-D treatments last from anywhere from 20-45 minutes.  The recommended treatment regimen is 24 sessions followed by a maintenance program.  While there is no guarantee that VAX-D will work for you, it has proven effective more than 70% of the time when treating acute or chronic lower back pain, leg pain and numbness, sciatica, and even for those with back pain where other treatments including surgery have proven ineffective.

Is VAX-D Right for You?

Vax-D is used by Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Medical doctors. Contact Dr. Dave Edenfield or myself to determine if VAX-D is right for you.  Basically you have nothing to lose but your pain.

Dr.’s Steven Warfield and Dave Edenfield offer the most advanced treatments for back pain, sciatica, neck pain, whiplash and headaches. They also treat auto accident victims with state-of-the-art technologies.  For more information visit http://endyourpain.org 

or http://chiropractic-jacksonville-fl.com