Friday, September 6, 2013

Chiropractor - Neck Pain and Those Poor Body Aches


When the body goes through an accident, it typically causes the body to go into protection mode and tighten up the muscles when the impact is about to occur. This is one of the worst things that a person can do at such a time. People that are under the influence during an accident are typically not hurt as bad because their response times are slower and their bodies are more relaxed. While drinking is not something that is suggested at all, allowing your body to relax during an accident can bring some definite advantages.

The head gets thrown forward and backwards when the impact occurs and when the airbag explodes at more than two hundred miles per hour the people in the car will be hit in the face and chest area directly. While the airbags do save lives, as it has been proven, it also causes very visible injuries that are noticeable almost immediately.

When the accident occurs, the head is typically forced into a movement that causes pulling and strain to the neck muscles and it nearly always results in a headache on the spot. As the car comes to a stop the body is jerked from side to side and can cause damage to the lower and mid back and hip area. These types of pains often show up after the accident has occurred due to the overwhelming pain from other injuries that have occurred and are felt more instantly.

When the emergency room begins their evaluation they will typically treat the pains with pain killers and muscle relaxers. While this does work to take the edge off of the injury, the underlying injuries are left to heal by themselves. Many times the body will require other help to eliminate the long term damages that have been caused.

It can be very stressful to visit the chiropractor for the first time. Many people worry about what the chiropractor will do that cannot be done at a regular doctor's office. They are often also concerned with getting physical treatment and not using medication to help. The chiropractors have been educated intensively on the structure of the body and how it works internally and they are also licensed to practice these types of services. They are extremely familiar with the muscle groups and what is necessary to speed up the healing process in the body.

Once the initial x-rays and exam are completed the chiropractor will put together a plan for treatment that will almost always take effect immediately. The treatment plan may include manipulations, sonic vibrations with heat packs, and massage therapy. The manipulations are what most people fear because it can be heard. It is just like cracking your knuckles. It allows the bones to align and it causes the muscles to relax around the joints. It is not painful but it can be a source of fear for those that have not been to a chiropractor before.

Immediately after the collision, until the specialist can be seen, the person should be extremely careful. The Fort Collins Chiropractor that specializes in bodily injuries that are affecting a person's daily activities and overall health is often the best path to follow. Living in chronic pain is not something that is necessary when a simple phone call can get the sufferer some relive.

Whiplash Injuries and Chiropractic Care

The term whiplash is used to describe injuries to the neck muscles that are caused by a sudden jerk of the head backward, sideways and or forward like what happens in most accidents. No matter if the injury took place as a result of a sports injury, an accident at the workplace or in a car accident, the injury should be treated with chiropractic treatments. Whiplash injuries can be tricky as they do not always show up immediately and can take years to develop. There are some basic symptoms of whiplash that include blurred vision, irritability, nausea, pain between the shoulder blades, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, difficulty swallowing, and pains I the neck or stiffness in the neck. When someone begins to experience such side effects they should get to a chiropractor to have a checkup.

One of the best choices to cure whiplash is to take advantage of the mechanisms that the chiropractor has in place to help with neck sprains. The focus of the chiropractic care that deals with curing whiplash is to treat the spinal discs, improve muscular strength, reduce muscle spasms, and optimize the motion that is available in the spine.

Applying a general treatment path for whiplash is not possible as the signs and complexities are different depending on the person and what they went through. This makes the chiropractor apply specific treatments that will help to treat the dysfunctions from the injury and it is designed by looking at the results of the chiropractic exam.

Of the many different treatments that are applied, many of the chiropractors will use the following types of treatment:

1. Chiropractic Manipulation to Treat Whiplash: One of the most common whiplash treatments for chiropractic adjustment, joint dysfunction, or manipulating the spine involves moving the injured joint gently on in short bursts in the direction that it has become difficult to move it in. This is done by the chiropractic doctor so no more damage is created.

2. Muscle Stimulation or Relaxation as a Treatment For Whiplash: This chiropractic treatment technique uses stretches that are gentle of the muscles that are tense and sometimes forcing the inhibited muscle to contract. A more vigorous stretch routine may be put in place if the muscles are extremely tight and the chiropractic doctor feels it is necessary.

3. Miscellaneous exercises for Whiplash: There are several different exercises that are used for whiplash that include Stabilization/Sensorimotor exercise and McKenzie exercises. These are used as a portion of the chiropractic care in cases of injuries like whiplash.

The McKenzie exercises have been created to cut down on disc derangement that is a result of an injury like whiplash. It requires simple movements to be made in the injured area and is typically taught by the chiropractor and then practiced at home.

Stabilization and sensorimotor exercise techniques are used to correct any flowed movement patterns that occur during activities that are routine and are part of a person's normal life. It trains the nervous system to control the movement patterns and to coordinate which improves the ability of the neck muscles to control the stability in the neck area.

Lifestyle and Ergonomic changes: All of these treatments are designed to minimize any strains in the body while going about the daily activities that a person has. The advice from the chiropractor will be to avoid or minimize the impact of activities that are completed through the day at work, home, or during any recreational times that affect the whiplash injury. More importantly, the chiropractor will teach the injured person how to go about their day with "self use" in mind so they do not cause more damage or more pain. They also use stress reducing techniques as part of the chiropractic treatment if it is necessary.

When a person is treated for whiplash by chiropractic professionals, they may be asked to perform treatments that have been described here as well as other treatments. They may also be referred to another medical professional in order to get the best treatment possible for their injury.

Massage Chairs Are Prevalent in Chiropractor Offices


Chiropractic medicine is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating problems of the spine, nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors are specialists in holistic medicine and use natural therapies to help their patients to restore health to their backs. Chiropractors use a variety of treatments such as massage therapy to restore health to the back. Massage chairs are becoming increasingly prevalent in many chiropractor offices across the country.

Chiropractors are in high demand as they specialize in areas like pediatrics, sports injuries, neurology and orthopedics. The origin of chiropractic medicine dates back to the times of ancient Egypt. The origin of the word chiropractic comes from the Greeks. It uses the Greek words cheir and praxis which combined mean a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy is central to chiropractic care.

People often seek chiropractic care primarily for pain conditions such as back pain, neck pain and headaches. Chiropractors practice holistic, natural medicine. Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs for pain relief. This must be done by a medical doctor or M.D. Chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from a college accredited by the Council on chiropractic education.

Chiropractic medicine has enjoyed a surge of growth in the United States. In fact, many health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and private health care plans now cover chiropractic treatments. Many state workers compensation systems also cover chiropractic treatments. Chiropractors are also able to bill Medicare and many states cover of chiropractic treatment under Medicaid.

Chiropractors work with patients to determine the root cause of conditions related to the back, neck and shoulders. Most of these conditions are related to the spinal column. This also includes the soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments that connect the bones of the spinal column.

Chiropractors are known for making manual adjustments to the spinal column. They use the force from their hands to exert pressure on the bones of the spine to align them. Most people are familiar with the cracking or popping sounds of getting an adjustment to their spine.

Chiropractors use massage therapy to warm up the muscles and soft tissue areas around the spine prior to making an adjustment to a patient. Massage chairs are increasingly used to perform massage therapy for chiropractic patients. A massage chair helps to loosen tight muscles, ligaments and tendons. This helps the spine to adjust more freely.

Typically pressure on the spine is concentrated on a few of the vertebrae which puts undue pressure on the muscles, tendons and ligaments which hold the spine together. This concentrated force causes stiffness in these soft tissue areas. This can be caused by incorrect posture, improper lifting techniques or by an injury.

The chiropractor seeks to alleviate the concentrated pressure off of these areas. A doctor helps the patient to identify how they can better distribute the stress put on their spine. Patients may need to make changes to their posture or lifting to help the spine to recover and prevent future injury.

Massage chairs provide an effective means to help the soft tissues to become more flexible and elastic. They help to elongate the muscles with soothing massage techniques. As the muscles relax, then elasticity is restored allowing a greater range of motion. Regular massage chair therapy helps to reduce built up tension and stiffness in these critical areas. Massage chairs are available for home use as well as professional health care use. Massage chairs may be the perfect complement to your back care.

Facet Injections As a Choice for Back Pain


Facet injections are minimally invasive procedures that temporarily relieve pain resulting from an inflammation in a facet joint. Pain associated with a facet joint is not fully understood, but it is believed that it is possible that it stems from one of several causes, injury, arthritis, or degeneration, and it can produce symptoms similar to disc degeneration. A facet injection's benefits only last temporarily; from a mere day up to a year as it is a minimal procedure. Facet injections are usually used in conjunction with physical therapy and/or other forms of treatment such as chiropractic spinal manipulation.

Dual purpose

Facet injections work by introducing a long term corticosteroid, along with an anesthetic agent developed to numb the area, into the facet joint that is painful, either entering the capsule or alongside the surrounding tissue of the joint. The facet injection also has a purpose beyond the temporary pain relief; it can also be used as a diagnostic procedure. The facet injection blocks pain signals sent to the brain by numbing the nerves in that area, patients that benefit from these injections may be candidates for facet rhizotomy, which is a procedure in which the nerve endings in the affected area are deadened by use of an electric current that destroys the nerves and prevents them from signaling the brain for pain.

Candidates for facet injections are patients suffering from (any or all of these symptoms) neck, lower back, arm combined with leg pain, caused by inflammatory response in the joints. Facet injections are often recommended for patients that did not show improvement to other remedies such as rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy or back braces.

Facet injections can be used to treat spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, sciatica, herniated disc, arthritis, or post-operative pain. People with active infections, are pregnant, have bleeding problems should not receive these injection. Also, persons with high blood pressure or diabetes should use caution as facet injections may raise levels of blood sugar (this effect last for about 24 hours), and can raise blood pressure levels.

Speedy pain relief

Facet joint injections are administered as an outpatient treatment by surgeons, physiatrists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and neurologists using a fluoroscope. A fluoroscope is like an x-ray machine that allows the doctor to see the needle to help assure proper placement and a proper path. The patient usually feels a sensation similar to pressure but doesn't really feel pain as the area injected is usually numbed with a local anesthetic prior to the injection. Often the patient will be given drugs to lessen anxiety to help them relax during the injection. Most patients can walk immediately following the injection, but they will need someone to drive them home. The patient should notice pain relief within a week following the injection. If a lessening of pain is not noticed after ten days a second injection may be given, but if after three injections the patient feels no relief they are unlikely to benefit from further treatment. Typically half of patients given facet injections will gain relief from the treatment, and the procedure may be given three times per year.

Lower risks

Risks involved are considered minimal, but there are some; these include internal bleeding, infection at the site, allergic reaction, pounding in the temple, and damage to the nerve. There are also side effects which include fluid retention, hot flashes, mood swings or interrupted sleep patterns, and a rise in blood sugar levels. Diabetics have to be monitored carefully due to this. Also, patients who take anti-clotting or blood thinning medications should discuss the treatments with their family physician before beginning treatment.

Facet injections are a good choice in treatment to try before deciding on an invasive surgery when it comes to combating moderate to severe back pain, as it may just do the trick- with a lowered chance of complications and health risks.

A Chiropractor's Role With Neck Pain and Stiffness in Ballet Training


When a ballet dancer's core muscles are weak, or when a dancer is working an intense schedule without enough recovery time, where does the strain go? Often to the neck and shoulders.

Ballet dancers (and other style dancers) will typically work with increasing tension and strain, aching muscles, and mild pain, until the condition develops to the point of an acute and sharp neck pain. They will start to feel an extreme stiffness of their neck, having difficulty moving it in any direction. When the pain reaches its worst level, it might be accompanied by shooting pain down into both shoulders and perhaps even to the elbows.

This kind of discomfort may develop very gradually, so there is not necessarily personal neglect involved. Usually the pain is less in the morning, although the stiffness is noticeable. With additional time and attention given to warming up the neck and upper back, a good part of a heavy rehearsal day, starting with class, could be danced well with tolerance of the discomfort. Most likely, however, as the day goes on, the pain increases, often described as a "stabbing pain", with certain movements. The neck stiffness can return despite the dancer being warmed up. The strain becomes visible to others, watching or coaching.

At this point a dancer will be forced to take time out to seek professional help. Upon examination by a chiropractor, for example, it will be found that the back of the neck and mid back muscles are in tight spasm. The muscles under the chin may be in spasm as well, holding the head at a downward angle. The dancer easily understands that he/she has made this condition worse by working with the head not centered over the shoulders. (When the postural plumb line is violated in any way, extra muscle gripping will show up, as the body always finds a way to compensate and "balance" itself).

What is alarming is that, by viewing an x-ray of this kind of neck, it can be seen that the normal curve is not only decreased, but has reversed! And, quite distressing news to a young ballet dancer, the front of the middle neck bones may be severely degenerated, because of the chronic pressure on the front of them.

This curve reversal is all too common among classically trained dancers. Traditional ballet positions demand that the neck appear tall and straight. Although no harm is intended, the muscles along the front of the neck get stronger and stronger. This development straightens the neck bones, and continues through the years of training, until the normal curve reverses. The front of the neck bones actually start to grind, and gradually arthritis sets in.

The goal of chiropractic care would be to re-mobilize the neck bones that are locked in spasm, along with releasing the chronic tension of the shoulder and upper back muscles. Early treatment can prevent the development of the reversed curve, and eventual arthritis. The tight neck muscles can be relaxed and stretched, relieving the compression that reduces the natural curve. Massage, machine traction and a supportive pillow for sleeping can all contribute to chiropractic treatment, countering the harmful tendencies that have become a habit for the ballet dancer.

The neck of a ballet dancer can be held in a tall and slightly straightened position without leading to harm. All ballet students need to understand how to relax and stretch properly, as well as how to strengthen the core muscles to prevent neck strain and back pain. Education will prevent ballet dance injuries.

Take advantage of the available dance education that is on line and in the stores. There is so much information! Dance smart!

How Could My Digestive System Be Causing My Back Pain?


This article reveals one of the major hidden causes of back pain, particularly lower back pain. This problem is a common reason why pain keeps coming back, even after physical treatments such as physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage.

The underlying cause that I'm talking about is a little valve between the large and small intestine called the Ileocaecal Valve, or ICV. When this valve dysfunctions it causes a very important stabilizing muscle in the lower back called illiacus to become "switched off". This destabilizes the lumbar spine and causes the discs to be placed under strain.

When this happens we are very vulnerable to injury. It only takes the slightest twist, lift, strain or sudden movement in the wrong direction and we are in trouble. Often people with this problem even say "I didn't even do anything, my back just started hurting."
When those muscles are switched off it can also cause your back to feel very tired or fatigued after sitting for a long period.

The confusing thing is that you can have this problem with absolutely no digestive symptoms, although people with ICV problems often do experience bloating, gas, abdominal cramping and tenderness. There is also often tenderness over the area of the valve, which is located about half way between the belly button and the right hip.

One of the most classic signs of this condition is pain or stiffness first thing in the morning that goes away once you get moving, but is back again the next morning. The pain is most often in the lower back, but can affect anywhere that you have a problem- the neck is also a common area. If you wake up each morning with a stiff neck that seems to loosen up after a hot shower but comes back the next day then it's likely you have an ICV problem.

There are many factors that can cause ICV problems, such as allergies (especially food allergies and intolerances), gut parasites, stress, physical pressure, toxicity, nutritional deficiency and dysfunction of the kidneys, bladder or gall bladder.

If any of the above sounds like you, the first thing to try would be to get some probiotics- beneficial bacteria for the gut. Make sure these are kept in the fridge where you purchase them to ensure you get live bacteria. Often an anti-parasitic herb or homeopathic remedy is needed also- if you consult a chiropractor trained in Applied Kinesiology or Neuro Emotional Technique they will be able to test what you need.

It can also to helpful to massage gently but firmly over the area of the valve in a clockwise direction.
Doing what you can to decrease your stress levels is also helpful.

There are two basic ways that the ICV can dysfunction- it can fail to open properly, in which case waste material is retained for a long time before it is passed (even though you may be regular); or it fail to close properly, in which case the bowel contents can come back up into the digestive system.

Either way, this causes the body to become toxic. One of the body's responses to this is to retain fluid, which can cause other problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and tingling or numbness in hands and feet. It can also cause headaches. However back pain is by far the most common symptom.

If you have recurring back pain, especially lower back pain, then it might be time to visit a chiropractor who specialises in Applied Kinesiology.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Managing Tennis Elbow and Golfers Elbow With Chiropractic


Lateral epicondylitis, more commonly known as tennis elbow, and medial epicondylitis, more commonly known as golfers elbow, are conditions which describe pain and inflammation of the tendons and muscles at the elbow joint. If the irritation is at the lateral epicondyle or outside of the elbow it is referred to as tennis elbow and if it is at the inside or medial epicondyle it is referred to as golfers elbow. Both of these conditions are named as such due to these sports inclinations to specifically overuse these muscles and attachments. However, any repetitive movements of the wrist, forearm, and elbow or continued gripping of tools or equipment can cause these conditions including gardening, painting, knitting, cooking, and more.

Tennis elbow and golfers elbow can cause pain, stiffness, and the temporary inability to properly flex or extend the elbow or grip an object.

Rarely will epicondylitis heal on its own. At best, ice and medication may keep it at bay but usually further treatment is required to address not only the symptoms but the underlying cause of the pain and dysfunction.

Chiropractic is a natural, holistic practice that has helped many patients rehabilitate from tennis and golfers elbow. A chiropractor providing a physical examination to assess these conditions will check for loss of range of motion (flexion and extension), joint and tendon tenderness, and weakness. Once the level of epicondylitis is determined, the chiropractor can plan a course of rehabilitation which may include adjustments to the spine and extremities, heat and ice therapy, low-level laser therapy, electrotherapy, acupuncture, massage, temporary bracing, and home strengthening exercise therapy.

Chiropractic care for tennis and golfers elbow has helped many people avoid surgery and the reduse the use of pain medications which only mask symptoms and do not treat the cause of the pain. Surgery is invasive and involves the risks associated with anesthesia, infection, and scar tissue development, which can lead to more pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic is a safe and cost-effective alternative which treats the underlying cause of the pain and provides for a complete rehabilitation.

Chiropractors are licensed Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) who are trained extensively in the biomechanics of the body as whole and how to correct imbalances and injuries naturally using manipulative therapies. Adjustments are medical practices and should never be attempted by anyone other than a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. A visit to your local chiropractor could help you safely and effectively manage your tennis elbow or golf elbow pain and dysfunction once and for all.

Overcoming Back Pain Without The Use Of Painkillers


If a person has back pain they have two treatment options available, they could use painkillers however there are risks associated with those painkillers. When our body registers pain it is not an inconvenience but a warning that something is wrong and needs to be corrected. If a person takes a painkiller that suppresses the pain system they increase the risks of doing even more damage to their back. There will be negative side effects by using these painkillers and you also need to factor in the cost of this prescription drugs which can be rather costly.

There is another option available to back pain sufferers instead of taking these medications what they should do is schedule an appointment with a local chiropractor who can treat their condition. A chiropractor is a doctor of chiropractic medicine, they specialize in treating back, neck and soft tissue injuries. You will have many chiropractor's to choose from so it would be prudent to find out which of these local doctor are the best choice out there.

One way to find all of these professionals is to use the search engines and create a list of all the chiropractic clinics in your area. Now that you know who is offering these chiropractic services the next thing you need to do is review the track record of these professionals to figure which of them is the best choice overall.

An effective way to gauge the effectiveness of a chiropractor is to look over the feedback that has been left by other patients who have used the services of the organization in the past. When you read over this feedback it will become clear who is the most popular chiropractor in the area.

Once you have booked an appointment with the chiropractor you are going to be prompted to fill out a variety of different medical forms so the doctor can assess your overall health. The chiropractor will order a series of X-rays to determine whether there is additional damage to your spine.

After the chiropractor has isolated where the pain is coming from they are going to utilize their highly targeted chiropractic techniques which will alleviate the discomfort that you are feeling. The majority of back pain suffers report a dramatic improvement in their condition after the very first treatment. Depending on how serious your condition is you may have to go for multiple sessions. Since there are no drugs being prescribed you never have to worry about harmful side effects like those associated with painkillers.

Tips On How To Become A Chiropractor


Often, chiropractic care treatment is a necessary element in life. It is necessary that people have a place to go to have their aches and pains taken care of. If you are in the business of relieving pain, there is a need to provide yourself with the best possible resources to make that happen. Although it is not easy to do, to become a chiropractor that is well established and one that is thought highly of by his customers, you need to focus your attention on the details of your business.

There are many things that go into becoming a chiropractor including all the necessary equipment. If you are to give chiropractic care treatment to your patients, you need to start with the pieces of the business that are the most important to them. For example, having the right chiropractic tables to use is a hugely important tool. Yet, they are quite the costly choice too.

To purchase the ideal chiropractic tables, it is essential to take a look at what is offered on the market. What you will find is that there are exceptional quality products to select from. Some of those that are offered provide for the right level of quality but also offer a high price tag to match it. While providing safety and comfort to your patient during chiropractic care treatments is the most important element, it can be just as important to keep in the black as well. Doing a bit of research for the ultimate best product is the most essential tool of all.

Now, look the other way, at your bottom line. When it comes to chiropractic care treatments, it is essential to get the paper work down. One ideal way to manage these expenses is to use chiropractic software. From handling the accounts payable to the accounts receivable, you need accurate software to help you to do just that. Additionally, some higher quality products will provide chiropractic software tools that will help you to manage your patient files as well. In this case, you will want to help yourself and your bottom line by finding the right chiropractic software for your needs. With many to select from, solutions are available to fit virtually all budgets.

The benefits of chiropractic care are the best thing for many people who are in pain. If you are going to become a chiropractor with the highest of standards, you do need to invest the time and energy into purchasing the best quality for your clients. Ultimately, to do this, you need to invest the necessary time in learning about what is out there and then purchasing the best product for both your customers and your bottom line. To provide chiropractic care treatment, you must provide the best of the best in products for your clients.

Relieving Pain With a Local Chiropractor


Whether you are experiencing pain because of an accident or illness or aging has your back misaligned, the services of a chiropractor can help you. Your chiropractor should have the proper training and work in a professional environment that is clean and relaxing, as well. The first thing that your treatment specialist will do is talk to you about the problems that you have been experiencing. You may want to discuss treatment options with your chiropractor, as well.

Neck pain, arthritis and disc pain can all be relieved with the assistance of a chiropractor. Reno, NV chiropractors can also relieve pain associated with pinched nerves, chronic headaches, and pain from carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have any type of chronic pain that doesn't seem to respond to traditional treatments then it is time to see a chiropractor. Most patients who visit this specialist will experience a sense of satisfaction that simply can't be fond with traditional medicine, and may even have long term results that aren't available with prescription medications.

Your chiropractor will work with you to first perform an initial exam to identify the cause of your problems. After the initial exam you may be referred to a lab for more diagnostic testing or you may need some follow up care at the office. The chiropractor will treat your condition as needed, so you may require the services of another office or physician if you are suffering from any physical ailments that can be treated with another options in addition to chiropractic care. These options all ensure you are as healthy and pain-free as you can possibly be.

Your chiropractor has a code of ethics that he or she follows the same as all physicians. The treatment that you receive can help you become pain free by relieving stress on joints, but they may also provide you with information that can help you reduce pain without the use of medications. For instance, you may learn how to deal with mental stress that is often linked to pain using relaxation techniques recommended by the chiropractor.

A local chiropractor is a must have when you experience back, neck or shoulder pain on a daily basis. Even leg and hip pain can be treated by a chiropractor, and many people even rely on this type of doctor to help heal common ailments. Your chiropractor can do more than simply relive pain associated with illness or injury. Your chiropractor will even take several kinds of insurance, so you pay less out of pocket when relieving your back pain. You don't have to suffer needlessly with a chiropractor who can provide instant relief for most types of pain.

See A Chiropractor For Head And Neck Pain


Many of those experiencing pain with your head or neck have probably become frustrated with the limited and often pathetic treatment options that are available to you. There is very little that modern conventional medicine can do to aid those suffering. In fact, many of the standard treatments run a high risk of either leaving you addicted to pain medications or suffering from additional injuries sustained during major surgery. For these types of pain, you should instead consider seeking treatment from a chiropractor.

For any of those that suffer from migraine headaches in particular, it is well worth trying out seeing a chiropractor for help. The evidence on how well manipulation of the neck and spine can help this condition is mixed. Some people experience a great deal of improvement, and have fewer headaches, while other people see very little or no improvement. The important thing to note, however, is that there is virtually no risk to attempting this type of treatment for this very painful and potentially debilitating condition. That makes it well worth at least attempting it to see if you fall into the group who will have a better quality of life as a result of manipulation.

A more typical condition for chiropractic treatment is whiplash. This is a form of neck pain caused by a sudden movement the head forwards or backwards, as if in a head on car collision, and people often find that it is helpful to have a skilled chiropractor work on them for this form of pain.

Other common reasons to see a chiropractor are if you have numbness or tingling in your extremities, disc injury or sciatica, and especially if you are experiencing these dysfunctions after an auto accident. Many chiropractor's today also provide services like massage therapy, physical therapy, spinal decompression, nutritional counseling and x-ray machines. Some of the more hi-tech chiropractor's even have digital motion x-ray, where you can see an x-ray come to life.

The most important reason for going to see a chiropractor is the simple fact that the vast majority of people do benefit from the treatments, and the risks are minimal, if not, virtually nonexistent. That means that if you gave it a try for a few months, there is a fairly good chance you may be rid of your migraine headaches, or feeling better from that whiplash. But you will never know unless you take that first step and schedule your first appointment.

Chiropractor House Calls


Most people think of having a doctor visit as a popular practice from the past. Nowadays, relatively low percentage of doctors makes house visits on a regular basis. However, the medical house call industry is abruptly becoming popular again. This is an approach that greatly benefits physicians as well as patients. People would like to be treated in a nurturing, friendly, and convenient way. It becomes increasingly difficult to leave home for doctor visits especially when we age and fall ill. The similar is also true in case of people who are too busy to go see a doctor.

Chiropractic is an alternative medicine that has been proven to work effectively in many cases. If you are suffering from back pains, muscle stiffness, arthritis, or muscle spasms, the pain could be too severe that you could hardly move. You might need chiropractor house calls, which have become prevalent during these days. You can avoid the hassle of travelling and save a considerable amount of time, not having to leave home and go to the practitioner's office.

You may search for the information on chiropractor house calls online and find many interesting websites filled with experienced chiropractors who are willing to provide chiropractic treatment at your house. Before getting chiropractor house calls, you should keep in mind the following:

  • The majority of people seek chiropractor house calls for pain conditions e.g. headache, back pain, and neck pain;

  • Chiropractors in the US are required to earn (from properly accredited colleges) a degree "Doctor of Chiropractic";

  • Risks and side effects depend upon the type of chiropractic treatment being used;

  • Always let your doctors know about all complementary and alternative practices you are using. Let them see the full picture of how you manage your health, to ensure mutual and safe care;

Nowadays, researchers are studying the effects of chiropractic treatment methods - how they work, conditions and diseases that they are most helpful.

Causes of Upper Back Pain


Some of us may occasionally have discomfort in the upper back. The upper back is the 12 vertebrates with ribs attached to it that connect to the breastbone. This skeletal area is commonly referred to as the thoracic cage. It provides protection for the major organs of the body. This area consists of the thoracic cage and the soft tissues and muscles between them.

This higher back area generally experiences little movement. It is meant to be flexible and to provide a protective area for the major organs like the heart and the liver. Other areas such as the neck and lower back have greater range of motion than the upper back area.

There are a number of conditions which can affect the back. Although, upper back pain is less likely then lower back pain or neck pain. However, there are situations involving the thoracic area. This can lead to pain, soreness and discomfort.

The upper portion of the back has two main functions in the body. The first is providing the major organs with a protective barrier. The second is to transmit the body weight between the head and the lower extremities. Although it is not move as much it must be flexible to help distribute weight of your body.

What are causes of upper back pain? There seem to be two main groups of discomfort coming from this region. One general group is joint dysfunction. The other is classified as soft tissue irritation.

In the case of joint dysfunction, this generally involves the soft tissue and state of the bone in the spinal column. The spine consists of many small bones and the soft tissues in between. Discomfort can result when these joints do not function correctly.

The other common cause of discomfort and the upper part of the back has to do with the soft tissues. The soft tissues hold the vertebrae together and maintain the flexibility of the spinal column. Pain can result from over exerting this area or from injury.

When we picture over exerting our muscles, we think that we are strenuously working them out. In the case of upper back pain, working at the computer can cause much discomfort to this area. If the muscles are held under tension, they become fatigued and stiff.

There are a few cases which are less common problems for the upper back. Certain conditions such as a herniated disc, or arthritis, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia can be severe situations. These can involve a variety of treatments including surgery. These situations can also cause much discomfort and pain to those with it.

Some of the typical treatments for upper back pain are exercises, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment and massage therapy. Exercises include a lot of stretching to improve flexibility. Physical therapy uses stretching exercises and massage to naturally help the body. Chiropractic manipulation may be used to help straighten and better aligns the spine. Massage therapy may be given by therapist or a massage chair.

There are a number of treatments for upper back pain. Normally, your physician or chiropractor will perform a number of tests to determine what the situation with you is. However, the tests are not always 100% accurate in detecting the root cause. This area the body is very complex and sometimes difficult to diagnose.

It is always important to check with your health advisor about your situation. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort, see your physician and find out what options may be available for you.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Chiropractic Marketing in Difficult Times


Whether you're a chiropractor, dentist or some other type of health care professional, you face the same challenge that all small businesses face: getting new customers. This can be especially difficult when the economy is tugging patients in directions other then attending to their health. Because there wasn't a chiropractic marketing course in chiropractic college, you may find yourself distracted from your primary goal of helping people. Even more frustrating is not being able to properly evaluate the overtures of practice marketing specialists, advertising gurus and any other salesperson who can dial your practice phone number.

Worse, it's the tendency of many small business people to make a classic mistake during a downturn. Cut back. However, this is the very time to deploy your reserves to increase your profile. It feels counterintuitive, but by increasing your visibility and being in action (at the precise time your competitors are likely cutting back), means your dip won't be as deep, and you'll be the market leader when things turn around. Which they always do.

Here are seven, level-headed, no-brainer chiropractic marketing ideas that can pay big dividends during these challenging times:

1. Establish or improve your practice website.

Effective marketing starts here. If you've ignored the Internet as a source of new patients, thinking it's merely a fad, or projecting your use of the Internet onto prospective new patients, you're missing the boat. Over a million people each year use the Internet to search for a chiropractor. Can those potential new patients find you? Can they learn about you and tour your practice without leaving home? Can they download your admitting paperwork? Can they watch a video explaining your philosophy and practice vision? Start here.

2. Encounter as many strangers as possible.

This is the least expensive, most effective form of chiropractic practice marketing. Being "aggressively friendly" as the Disney organization refers to it, is a powerful marketing tool. Introduce yourself while waiting in line at the grocery store or movie theater. Frequent more than one dry cleaner. Handout your business card. Be friendly, curious and show up as a helpful resource rather than a desperate pickup artist at a singles bar. Your goal is to become familiar. Most people have acquired a fear of strangers. This protected you nicely as an 8-year old walking home from school, but today it stands in the way of growing your practice.

3. Give more talks, seminars and lectures.

The fear of public speaking is so rampant and constrains so many chiropractors, that your willingness to face the fear and share your vision of health and healing is a huge marketing advantage. Whether inside your practice, or giving talks at service clubs, civic organizations, support groups or other gatherings, tell the chiropractic story. Where else are they going to hear it? Public speaking is a learned skill that anyone can acquire. Join a Toastmasters group and practice. As a marketing strategy, public speaking, lay lectures and spinal care classes can be done for next to nothing, positions you as the expert while making you more familiar.

4. Contact your inactives.

An old marketing adage suggests that "the people most likely to come to your practice, are those who have already been." A steady stream of inactives is the mark of a successful practice. As patients have their inevitable relapse, most will want to return to the familiarity of your practice. Yet, many, because they originally dismissed themselves from care with a formal goodbye, feel a bit awkward returning. They are merely waiting for a postcard, newsletter or some other indication that it's safe to return and they won't be subjected to an "I-told-you-so" scolding.

5. Track the source of every new patient.

It doesn't seem like much more than a clerical function, but many chiropractors are especially lax about this important patient feedback. Many, just thankful that someone has shown up to become a patient, fail to dig deep about the motivation behind the patient's visit. "How did you find out about our practice?" "Do you know any of our other practice members?" "Have you visited our website?" Find out what marketing efforts are returning new patients and which ones aren't. Do more of what works.

6. Deliver a more valuable adjustment.

A review of effective marketing wouldn't be complete without an admonition to deliver the best office visit possible. Is your office carpet or furnishing showing their age? Is there clutter that steals the serene and peaceful experience you're trying to create for patients? Are you 100% present with the patient in the adjusting room? Delivering a more valuable adjustment does not mean that you have to move every bone! Focus with clear intention. Visualize the ripple effects of helping each patient. Be ready to listen, yet reluctant to force feed patients your chiropractic dogma. Show up interested, and you'll be perceived as interesting-a powerful practice marketing technique.

7. Be grateful.

When your numbers are down and you're being seduced into scarcity thinking, it's difficult to be grateful. When your practice volume is eroding and you have a tendency to worry, it's difficult to be grateful. But be grateful anyway. Focus less on the no shows and the early dropouts. Instead, lavish your attention and gratitude on those who want what you have. "Birds of a feather flock together." In other words, people who value their health enough to seek care in your practice these days, have friends with similar values. Remember, whatever you apply your energy to, grows-whether it's no shows or health-conscious families who "get" and want chiropractic.

Turns out that marketing your chiropractic practice in difficult times is the same way you market your chiropractic practice in good times. The key is to recognize that marketing is part of running a successful chiropractic practice. These are chiropractic marketing ideas that work, regardless of the economy, the weather or the time of year.

Chiropractic - Coughs and Colds


As seasons change some children appear to have an endless number of coughs, colds and runny noses. These are often explained as a normal part of growing up. But are these constant infections "normal"?

To understand why young children get recurrent colds (upper respiratory tract Infection or URTI), it is important to understand how we come in contact with the organisms that cause infection and how our bodies protect us.

What causes a cold?

The organisms that cause coughs, colds and runny noses are found in the air (they are airborne). These organisms enter our bodies through our noses and mouths. This is why it is important to teach children to cover their face and mouth when they cough or sneeze.

When a child who is infected coughs or sneezes millions of tiny organisms are propelled into the air. If breathed in by other people they also may become infected, and so it spreads. How many times have you had a cold and said "Oh the kids brought it home from kindergarten or school"?

So do we "catch a cold" or is the truth really something different? If we simply "catch a cold" from being around others who have one, why do some children have more colds than others? Everyday we are all exposed to organisms in the air that can make us sick. Our body is designed in a way that may protect us from many potential illnesses, if it is functioning properly.

Bodies protection system

Our first line of protection against organisms that cause infections is in our nose and mouth. The nose has lots of very fine hair which "filters" the air we breathe and offers us protection against air borne organisms. In the mouth, we have tonsils which help filter air before it reaches our lungs.

Once an organism enters our body the immune system produces 'good' organism to fight off the infection. The immune system is where the problem may lie. If our immune system is not functioning at full capacity, our body cannot fight off the organisms and an infection has the opportunity to 'set in'.

Chiropractic care is directed at ensuring the nervous system is balanced and operating effectively, which in turn may have a significant effect on how well our immune system is working. If a child's immune system is fully functioning they have a better chance of fighting off colds and infections.

If your child suffers from constant coughs, colds and sore throats see your chiropractor. It may reduce the number of colds your child has. With less days off school and reduced costs in medication it may be well worth it.

Practical advice

If your child develops a cold, and they are not at high risk of complications, then do the following to help clear it up quickly.


  • Get plenty of rest

  • Drink lots of liquids

  • Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have cold symptoms

  • Stay home and avoid contact with other people to protect them from catching the illness

  • Most healthy people recover from a cold without complications.

Source: Dept of Health and Human Services, CDC http://cdc.gov/flu/

In my house it seems like a continuous struggle to get my children to remember to cover their mouths when they cough and wash their hands regularly. To my 3 year old, who looks at his hands and doesn't see any dirt, its a logical question to ask why he should wash them? (Explaining facts about getting sick doesn't seem to influence him either).

One of the best ways I've found to get little children interested in washing their hands is to make it fun. Try adding some bubbles and all of a sudden my 3 year old can't wait to get to the sink. Bright coloured hand towels with 'kid' designs also seem to help with the drying part.

The best method of all is to set a good example. Letting your children see you wash your hands with soap and dry them regularly helps reinforce the habit. Often it's the little habits, like hand washing, that make all the difference in protecting children from getting ill.

Fact

A sneeze can send water droplets 1.8 meters through the air at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour.

The 5 Most Common Concerns About Chiropractic


"So what's the deal with chiropractic?", I was asked last week. As in, "what's really going on with that popping sound and is it really beneficial or is it kind of a fraud treatment?" This type of question is becoming more and more common in conversations I have with friends of friends or random restaurant/bar encounters. It's clear that general curiosity and skepticism are linked to my profession, but the only people asking me questions meet me in a setting that makes them feel they have "special access" to my honesty. So here they are! The 5 most common questions/concerns/reasons people avoid trying chiropractic care and my honest responses and solutions.

1-Fear of Neck Popping

Steven Seagal has no doubt made my profession a little more challenging. Hollywood has put more than a little fear into the hearts of people on my table when I take their head and neck into my hands. I think that over 80% of my using the word "relax" is connected to neck adjustments. This fear has created several types of chiropractic options. If this is a fear of yours, look for chiropractors that use tools to adjust, deep tissue techniques, or "non-rotatory" adjustments (adjustments with out the rotation or turning of your head). As for the traditional "popping" sound from an adjustment, I want you to know it's not a bone crunching, breaking or snapping. It's as simple as a pop you get from your knees when you squat down or a pop from the pull of a finger. The sound comes from the joints being stretched open and creating a small air bubble. This air bubble cushion creates more space for a "pinched nerve", allows better motion of the joint and indirectly relaxes muscles by releasing endorphins (your natural opiates!). But as I tell my patients, it's common to have that tensing, neck-protecting, survival mode fear and it's OK to opt-out of the "popping" adjustment.

2-Fear of the Lifetime Sales Pitch

I have fielded phone calls and seen faces of hesitation about signing up for an initial chiropractic appointment due to a fear of having to sign up for life. And I've met plenty of people in my profession that treat a care-plan like a car sale. There are tons of big words and analogies to use to convince someone to buy-in to an extensive treatment plan that they may not need. But questioning a doctor's opinion of an X-ray or diagnosis makes most people nervous. But guess what...you should! If your doctor can't explain to you in better terms, can't back up their reasoning, or makes you feel bad for asking questions-get another doctor. In my opinion, educating you is part of what we get paid to do. And the X-rays and testing we do to make a diagnosis is always an open topic to you. Know, however, your symptoms are not always directly correlated to your X-rays. Radiologist Medical Doctors will tell you there are "picture problems" and there are "problem problems", meaning that just because something shows up on an MRI or X-ray (picture) doesn't mean it's the definite cause of the pain/symptom/problem. Imaging is only necessary in a small number of cases, but there are plenty of chiropractors who often use a "scary" X-ray to pitch a long-term plan. So ask questions until you decide fully if the explanation makes sense and feels right to you.

3-Treatments Don't Last Long

Just getting an adjustment can do wonders to reset the nerves, joints, and even muscles in your body but it's by no means the total solution to correcting a problem. As simple laws of physics state, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In daily life this equates to the idea that if you continue poor postural habits, have an inflammatory diet, and disregard the need to stretch and do some form of exercise you will have a reaction of discontent from your body over time. This also means that getting an adjustment is only going to create a long-term benefit if you also treat the muscles and ligaments and make changes at home too. The principal that muscles and ligaments stretch across joints and move them has created my theory on care. I've worked for chiropractors that use a combination of cold laser therapy, hot stone massage, focused deep tissue, rehab exercise and even infrared sauna heat to address the bones, joints, muscles and ligaments involved in your injury. There are also many chiropractors that stay up-to-date with nutritional seminars and sports exercise techniques to help you change your daily activities to make them helpful instead of harmful. Don't be afraid to ask for a referral to a physical therapist, yoga instructor or massage therapist to help your chiropractic care be more efficient and longer lasting!

4-Cost

Healthcare is expensive no doubt. And if you are shopping around for options, you should be aware of a few things. A typical 1st visit to an MD runs between $80 and $150 for the cash rate and you can expect to also pay for a prescription muscle relaxer, pain killer and/or anti-inflammatory medication. For your first visit with a chiropractor, you should be able to find a good doctor for around $50-100 including either your first treatment or an X-ray (if necessary). You will be expected to return to an M.D. after the course of medications to report changes or get a refill and you will pay about the same amount as the first visit and possibly end up with a referral to a physical therapist or massage therapist. You can get the same referral from a chiropractor with most insurance companies (this usually excludes HMO's). Everyone differs in treatments necessary but in general you should notice a difference in your pain levels by visit 6-8. So for chiropractic beginner treatment course, expect to pay about $35-$45 per treatment for a total of about a $300 investment to get a qualified diagnosis from a doctor and 6-8 treatments. This is highly cost-effective compared to the 2-3 visits you'd get with an MD plus cost of muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory meds that may only calm and mask a problem. Physical therapy and massage are fantastic treatment methods too, but PT's and Licensed Massage Practitioners are not licensed/trained to give a diagnosis-they are only allowed to treat a problem already diagnosed as safe for them to treat so you may have to see an M.D. or D.C. first.

5-Fear of Becoming Addicted

People definitely enjoy good chiropractic treatments which has created a fear of becoming addicted or reliant on the care. I'd say this fear is as valid as an addiction to working out at the gym or taking yoga classes. Workouts, yoga and good chiropractic feel great because they release endorphins (natural happy molecules) into your body and help you connect with how your body feels. And the more you do them, the more you become aware when something feels "off" or "uncomfortable" which makes you want to do them more. So I don't deny that people can get a little bit addicted to care, but as long as you do the exercises and stretches recommended, you shouldn't feel that you rely on seeing a chiropractor (or any other medical professional) to "fix" you. Your care should be designed to help you figure out what needs to change in your life to be able to take care of your problems on your own and to only see your provider occasionally if the scales of a balanced life tip and you need a little extra help.

What Can Zero Point Energy Do For You?


What is zero point energy? In physics, the zero point field concept was first proposed by Albert Einstein and Otto Stern in 1913. It was first believed that it was a vacuum of empty space. Current belief is that it is the field of all potentiality.

More and more is being written about this topic, such as the book The Field by Lynne McTaggart. There is a system of healing by Dr. Richard Bartlett called Matrix Energetics that utilizes the zero point field. What happens when our bodies are in this zero point field, when they are exposed to this energy? Our bodies were created, in fact everything was created in the field of all potentiality. When in this field the body is reminded of where it came from, Source.

When the body is reminded it "remembers" that its true nature is to be free of discomfort, pain, and dis-ease. Does the field cure anything? No, the body heals itself. The body resonates in the energy and returns to homeostasis. In my years as a Chiropractor, I am very familiar with this concept. Chiropractic adjustments do not heal the body; the body heals itself when it is free from nerve interference. Our bodies hold the potential for all healing to occur.

More and more we are seeing a shift from traditional healing methods into energetic and vibrational medicine. Many of the current paradigms for manifesting are based on raising our vibration or frequency to become more aligned with that we are seeking.

What I have found is a line of products using this zero point energy. I could not be more excited. I am using the amazing Amwand, energized with this zero point technology. I am on a mission to wand the world, one person at a time!! I carry my wand with me wherever I go and wand everyone who asks. I am getting great results with pain and other conditions. I also have a pendant with this energy that I wear all the time.

Chiropractor Schools Offer Excellent Income Potential


Becoming a chiropractor today can turn an individual into a highly paid successful worker. With more people turning to holistic, natural, and non-surgical medical treatments the already high salary is increasing yearly.

For individuals seeking to become chiropractors the future of the business is positive. The wellness industry, which is based upon an integrative medicine approach is mainstreaming chiropractors and putting them in the forefront of natural medicine therapies. The rewards of helping patients overcome chronic pain, recover from injuries, and decrease stress in a natural way is gaining in popularity. As a result individuals may turn to this approach first before trying surgery, which will translate into a steady growth in income.

Many chiropractors make more than the average depending on how busy they want to be and where they live. For example, if a chiropractor lives in a big city and sees 100 patients a week at $50 per visit the earnings for the expertise will equal $5,000. Depending on how hard a doctor wants to work he/she can increase the amount of patients per day and greatly increase their overall income. Using this example a chiropractor can easily make $20,000 a month. A chiropractor with this work load would make $240,000 a year.

Gaining this income is not without hard work. Chiropractors first have to gain a bachelors degree and then go on to a graduate program located at accredited schools throughout the United States. Through schooling, motivated individuals will gain an understanding of and be a part of the healing arts. Chiropractors know that good health is directly linked to a normally functioning nervous system. The nervous system is made up of the spine and nerves connected to all parts of the body.

Being an excellent chiropractor can place a doctor in the high-end pay scale and have them working with professional athletes and Olympic athletes. Athletes understand the benefits to natural practices of chiropractic therapy and massage. Many organizations have chiropractors as an integral part of the health care team. This translates to numerous avenues and job options for chiropractors to take. The field is continually growing and will keep chiropractors busy up to retirement where they can enjoy their earnings in their free time.

Data collected by the American Chiropractic Association found the average earnings a year for a chiropractor to be $81,500 in 2000. With the industry continually gaining in popularity projected job growth is above average at 14 percent through 2016. This information coupled with the knowledge and skills needed to be a chiropractor shows that the individuals practicing the therapy are rightly getting paid for their services.

A chiropractor can make a high income annually because more individuals are seeing the benefits to this medical practice. The increase in patients is having a direct increase on the upward slope in income. If being a respected doctor and a highly paid individual based on the expertise it takes to be a chiropractor sounds like a good career path then waste no more time and start the process now.

What's the Best Way to Sleep?


My patients usually ask me -"What is the best way to sleep?" to which I always answer: "Well, what position do you sleep in?" The reason for this reply is that just be modifying a couple of things here and there, you can get a restful and comfortable night's rest no matter what position you actually sleep in.


Back Sleepers

Yes, this is actually the preferred position to sleep because it places the least amount of stress to your spine-IF you:

Place a cervical roll or rolled-up towel under your neck. Make sure that your head is in a neutral position (that you are neither looking up or down). If you find that you cannot be "in neutral" then you need a smaller roll.

Place a pillow under your knees-This takes stress off
of your lower back. You could buy a special pillow for this, but a
regular pillow works just fine.


Side Sleepers

-If you sleep on your side, then follow these tips to minimize the
amount of stress to your spine.

Use a cervical pillow-Ideally, the pillow should take into account how wide your shoulders are-the wider your shoulders, the taller the pillow should be. This is because you want to keep your neck in a neutral position.Place a pillow between your knees. Not only will this feel more comfortable, if you have hip joint pain-this definitely helps.Try not to sleep on your side with your arm up over your head-this causes stress on the nerves that come out of the neck and into the arms and cause tingling or numbness down the arms.


Sleep on your Belly-

This position places the most stress on your neck.
In this position you have your head turned to one side or the other for hours at a time. This is quite stressful to your neck muscles and joints.

Your body will try to shift your position to compensate. This is why people who toss and turn the most are belly sleepers.

To sleep more comfortably(belly sleepers):

Place a pillow under your waist, and do not use a pillow for your head.

Remember that there are other variables that will affect the quality of your sleep, like the condition and firmness of your mattress. If your mattress is too old it will sag and not provide enough support.

Avoid super-soft mattresses-they may feel comfortable at the
beginning, but in the mornings, the lack of support will make you feel sore. Your mattress should be firm, but not hard to provide the adequate support.

As with anything, if any of these recommendations cause you increased pain, consult your chiropractor-there may be other factors present that should be checked by a professional.

Sweet Dreams!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

TMJ Chiropractor


I see people in my Chiropractic office on a daily basis who say "I'm here to see the chiropractor because I have TMJ" so this article is for those of you who have experienced the jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, or inability to chew that is associate with "TMJ."

The first thing to look at is the acronym "TMJ"... what does it stand for? The medical name is Temperomandibular Joint. If we break this down further into its separate parts we have three separate terms. The first word is Tempero, which truly means Temporal. The temporal bone is part of your skull. The second word is Mandibular, which means mandible...which means Jaw. The third word is Joint which simply means the area where bones come together. So if we look at them all together we get the Joint where your Jaw meets your Skull.

When someone walks into my chiropractic office and says "I have TMJ" its the same thing as saying "I have elbow" which is kind of funny when you think about it. What these people actually mean is that I have TMJ pain, and it can be quite debilitating. The symptoms range from pain during eating or chewing, to massive headaches, to neck or ear pain.

Many people start to develop TMJ pain randomly, without any injury or trauma. Others develop this pain after dental work, such as surgery, which forces their jaw to be open for a prolonged period of time. There are also numerous other reasons people will develop TMJ pain such as problems in the neck, imbalances in the muscles of the face, and chewing gum. But regardless of what the cause may be there is always a solution.

Causes of TMJ Pain:
The true causes of pain in the jaw are muscle or joint related. It's very rare to get TMJ pain because of your teeth, or because of how you bite down. Many people will experience TMJ pain after dental work and will logically head back to their oral surgeon for help, who then fits them for a mouth guard. Unfortunately the TMJ pain isn't caused by a lack or a mouth guard, you didn't have the pain before the work was done so something must have happened to the actual jaw. So these people may get a little relief by using a mouth guard as a crutch but it's usually not permanent or dramatic.

When you are forced to hold your jaw open for a prolonged period of time the muscles in your jaw get very tired, and they will normally get very tight or go into a small spasm. This is because they aren't used to being worked in such a manor. When these muscles become overly tight it become painful to open or close the mouth, chew food, yawn, or talk. Jaw and facial muscles need to be evaluated by someone who specializes in muscles and joints to see where there are tight and spastic muscles.

The other causes of TMJ pain are muscle tightness in your neck or joint tightness in your neck and jaw. Some people who slump at their desk all day or who have forward head posture will develop jaw pain. As people sit for long periods of time the muscles in the back of their neck get fatigued and the muscles in the front of their neck become short and tight. Specifically the Sternocleidomastoid(SCM) muscles in the front of the neck can be problematic. Sometimes people will get jaw pain because the back of their necks get fatigued and the neck itself become very stiff and rigid. This doesn't allow for normal motion in the neck and this can irritate the nerves coming from the neck and going to the jaw. Chiropractic care can help these issues. Some people who have been in car accidents and experienced whiplash will be more prone to TMJ problems due to the stress on the neck. This presentation is almost always a case for your chiropractor because they deal with care accidents and whiplash on a daily basis.

Some strategies to try:

1. Sleep on your back with a cervical pillow. A cervical pillow is one with a dip in the center. It enables your neck to get back into alignment while sleeping and may take pressure off the neck and jaw.

2. Test your SCM muscles by squeezing them. Some parts of these muscles may refer into the jaw or ear during squeezing. Apply pressure for 2 minutes to relieve these trigger points.

3. Visit your chiropractor to have them check your SCM muscles, your posture, and the back of your neck for areas that may be too tight and may be causing irritation.

4. Don't chew gum.

Injuring the Hamstring and Patience With Rehabilitation in Ballet Shoes and Pointe Shoes


The hamstring muscle, at the back of the thigh, must be strengthened to ensure that it is not out-powered by the quadriceps at the front of the thigh, causing imbalance in the body structure. If the quadriceps muscle is much stronger that the hamstrings, which is the usual case, it can pull on the hamstring muscle and cause injuries.

Other imbalances such as the misalignment of the pelvis can also lead to extra tension in the hamstrings. Chiropractic care is a necessary routine for would-be ballerinas and men in ballet.

Patience to warm up before class, and then afterward, to cool down with relaxed stretching, (meaning not in a rush, not when your mind is already focusing on something else), is extremely important for the hamstring. It is a large muscle with a plentiful blood supply that is capable of creating substantial inflammation and scar tissue once the muscle is pulled.

Growth spurts can cause imbalances as well, resulting in temporary loss of balance, flexibility and strength.

Without understanding these factors, well-trained and serious ballet students will struggle to work harder, endure a little more pain, and may become very frustrated when the expected optimum results don't show up. They might feel that they should be adding some cross training or more ballet classes. However, this will only irritate the hamstring injury.

Once a hamstring is pulled, and on the mend, stretching to do the splits should only be done after use of the pinky ball on the hamstrings, quads, gluts and even calves (why not while you're at it). And of course after a full class when you are at your warmest. Then stretch to feel a stretch, not to feel pain.

It's often a month or two after a hamstring pull, that the muscle will feel well again, with the best of care. With no special treatment, the muscle will be unwell, with the condition possibly lingering for months.

Work your best in ballet class to avoid injuring the hamstring muscle. Don't stretch with partners. Exercise patience with rehabilitation, and see a chiropractor or physio therapist for help. Strengthening and stretching properly will get you the best ballet positions, as well as years dancing in ballet shoes and pointe shoes.

Secret to Instant Headache Relief


Nowadays headache has become a very common problem. Even though there are different types of headaches but one of the most common one is cervicogenic headache. This type of headache is associated with our neck.

The cervicogenic headache normally begins when the spinal joints of our neck become misaligned putting too much stress on the joints, muscles, and nerves. The excessive stress causes the nerves to turn inflamed leading the muscles and joints to tighten up more, thereby making the headache worse.

Even though there are lot of medication available to provide you with the quick relief from headache but the most effective and safest ways for the treatment of headache is considered to be chiropractic care. This treatment method known as chiropractic care aligns the spinal joints in the neck taking the pressure off the joints, nerves and muscles.

This treatment has shown good results to majority of patients with instant relief from the headache. In fact an expert chiropractor can also determine the root cause behind the spinal joint misalignment.

The headache can be caused due to various reasons such as poor sitting or sleeping position, spinal misalignment, stress etc. The chiropractic treatment basically works on rectifying or modifying the common cause behind the spinal misalignment in order to prevent future injuries to the joints.

In case you are regularly suffering from headache and want a proper treatment for this problem which is not only safe but also effective than chiropractic treatment is the best way. Painkillers for headache are not a permanent cure for your problem and they also have side effects.

It harms our health if used on regular basis. More and more people are moving towards chiropractic treatment to get relief from their headache problem and in order to lead a normal and pain free life.

Save Cash on the Chiropractor, Invest in an Ortho Bed


There's nothing worse than getting up in the morning with an aching back again. This can be quite often caused from sleeping on a bad mattress. No one wants to start off their day feeling tired and with pain in their back or muscles. It gives them a lousy feeling that appears to last the whole day. For any person wishing to avoid this sort of dilemma the ortho bed may be the solution.

Countless many people are making periodic trips to a chiropractor due to back problems their spine has to be continuously realigned because it is out of place. This is because the spine needs adequate support to retain its natural shape. Over time, this can amount to a considerable amount of money as well as long series of treatments.

An ortho bed has been found to help various men and women steer clear of these issues. Its firm support assures the spine and also the rest of the body shall be in its correct position. Also, it's very comfortable and one is able to enjoy a restful night's sleep.

Lots of people today have had the same mattress for many years. Over time, the weight of their entire body has caused failing springs as well as foam to become misshaped. Even though the bed still looks fine at a glance one cannot see are what is beneath the surface. All of these things add to the muscle and backaches one feels on arising.

The back, with its S shape, requires a mattress which will fill this space so as to have uniform support. The ortho bed is designed to fulfil this requirement. It allows the entire body to rest and bring about a comfortable sleep which allows one to start the day feeling refreshed and ready to start to work.

The ortho bed is suitable for any age or state of health. It is especially beneficial to disabled people who usually need extra comfort when they may be reclining. Those who are ill also enjoy its comfort whilst these are recovering. Quite a few really feel this kind of mattress offers a preventive against future back problems.

These beds are very well constructed. These are obtainable as a normal mattress or having a motorized adjustment, which makes it possible for them to become placed at specific angles, if desired. The later style has a remote control, which can make it easy to place the bed in whatever position is needed. This is especially helpful to bed bound people.

Manufacturers of these beds, realizing the need for something that would fit the body and yet be comfortable consulted with doctors and other people to develop the very best type of bed to fulfil the needs of the consumer. They use only the very best of construction materials for example latex, memory foam and springs. The ortho bed can also be obtained with air cushioning. This can be wonderful for folks that can not have their shape touching the material of this bed. The lifespan of an ortho bed is approximately twenty-five years which can make it a terrific investment for one's comfort and well being.

How to Relieve Neck Pain With Air Neck Traction


Are you suffering from neck and shoulder pain? You are not alone. Millions of people are suffering from neck pain due to bad posture, car accident and degenerative changes of the disc.

Pain in the neck is almost as common as back pain in the United States. The number of pain sufferers from cervical disc is staggering and appears to be rising. Between 38 and 50 percent of adults have some minor up to major neck pain.

Causes of Neck Pain

Pain in the neck can be triggered by pinched nerves, neck spasm, stress, trauma, injury, prolonged bad posture, etc. The pain can range from very mild discomfort to severe, burning pain.

Neck injury by whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury that most often happens to drivers who are hit unexpectedly from behind by another car. Most of these injuries are short-term, but 10% of whiplash sufferers will have long-term pain. The pain can be so severe that sufferers can not work or enjoy a normal lifestyle.

Disc Degeneration

Disc degeneration is another common cause of neck pain and most likely appears by middle age. As we age, the degenerative changes of the discs and facet joints of the cervical spine cause neck pain, usually felt as a stiff neck.

Due to many years of wear and tear, the discs become thinner and this causes the spaces between the vertebrae to become narrower. If the nerves in the cervical area are becoming irritated or pinched, this may lead to numbness or tingling in the neck and shoulders.

How To Treat Neck Pain With Neck Traction

There are many ways to treat neck pain. You can use at-home remedies, physical therapy or alternative treatments like seeing a chiropractor and acupuncturist. It is important to find a certified professional who can analyze the cause of your neck problem first.

For severe acute neck pain resulting from an accident or injury, doctors usually recommend bed rest, a neck brace or collar, and cold treatment (such as an ice pack) for neck pain relief.

A common neck pain treatment by chiropractors is neck traction. This is commonly performed to help relieve muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders, and to help relieve the pain of pinched nerves in the neck.

How does Neck Traction work?

During the cervical traction the weight of the head is gently lifted off the neck anatomy and may temporarily decompress pinched nerve roots and result in reduction of herniated inter vertebral disk. Visiting a chiropractor is the best way to get useful "adjustments" to the spine.

After the treatment you can obtain a neck traction device for home use. Some chiropractors may hesitate getting the traction device for you fearing it would result in the loss of your business.

Keep visiting your chiropractor after you have received a home traction device. The chiropractic adjustment is still beneficial and a chiropractor can answer your questions about the use of the device.

Neck Traction by Air Explained

An effective and affordable device is the inflatable device. Unlike over-the-door traction device the air neck traction device does not us a bag of water.

You just place it around your neck and pump the inflation bulb until you feel a comfortable stretch. Once the air traction device is filled up with air, it will lift the weight of the head while gently stretching your tight muscles, and relieving joint and nerve pressure.

Start at lower tensions to be certain the treatment does not increase your discomfort level significantly. Start with one traction session per day in mid-afternoon or evening. Proceed to two sessions per day, one in mid-afternoon and one just before bedtime.

Air neck traction units are very portable and can be used almost anywhere. The simplicity of the design makes it the ideal tool for home or office use.

Neck Traction Device Helps Relieve Stress and Tension

People who sit for long periods bending their head build up stress in the cervical spine causing neck pain. The muscles at the back of your neck must always be tensed to avoid your head falling forwards when you are sitting. Most common example is a computer job. The combination of built up stress and bad posture causes neck spasm.

In most cases this type of neck pain can be reduced or eliminated by adjusting the computer position and changing some work habits. Another way is to use the air neck traction device. When inflated this neck traction unit will lift up the head up and help straighten up the neck.

Just make slightly inflate it. Don't over pump the device. In this case you don't need a strong neck stretch. When you sit down behind the computer with the air neck traction device, it will help you to become more aware of your posture. This will help relieve the neck stress.

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Medical Chiropractors Vs Principled Chiropractors


There are basically two types of Chiropractors practicing today: medical Chiropractors and principled Chiropractors. Medical Chiropractors act and talk like "real doctors", i.e. Medical Physicians compared to Principled Chiropractors who practice totally different than medical Chiropractors.

When Chiropractors get licensed, they can practice any way they like within the confines of their state. The Chiropractic Colleges are required to teach an approved curriculum accredited by a federal agency. So how come Chiropractors are all different? Some schools are more medically oriented, and some others stress the philoscophy, art of Chiropractic. So when a Chiropractor gets out of school they will more likely practice the way they have been trained at their particular school.

Chiropractic is not medicine. So why would a school be medically oriented, and how does Chiropractic become medical when Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery? Some theorize that the college leaders of the profession had always wanted to become medical doctors, but could not get in medical school. Another reason may be that the leaders of the profession seek approval from the medical establishment. Regardless of the reason the Chiropractic profession is coming to a crossroads as to what it wants to offer the healthcare consumer in the United States.

The adjustment is the primary modality of medical Chiropractors. Their goal is to eliminate a symptom which is most likely back pain, neck pain, or some other pain in the body. They may also employ physiotherapy modalities such as ultrasound, lasers, electrical stimulation, nutrition, massage, and other exogeneous applications. Sometimes they will wear a doctors white coat and will want to be called "doctor."

The principled Chiropractor will not use the adjustment for pain, but to release the innate healing ability within their body. The philosophy of Chiropractic recognizes the human body is self-healing and always seeks homeostasis. They will find subluxations in a person. A subluxation is a state in a person where their nervous system is being interfered with. The most likely cause is by a spinal bone out of place which then puts pressure on a nerve root. Principled Chiropractors will not use any other modality as they are not treating symptoms.

The philosophy of Principled Chiropractors is sometimes hard for people to grasp as they are usually indoctrinated in western medicine.

In the upcoming future, there will be a intra-profession battle that will ensue as to which two different types of Chiropractors will prevail as the standard of practice within Chiropractic.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Joints That Mis-Align Or Lock Up Cause Pain - Chiropractic Treatment & Adjustments Heals This Injury


As a Doctor of Chiropractic here in Dallas, Texas, I work with a lot of patients who have joints that are misaligned. I provide various chiropractic treatments to cure this problem and I want to explain why the misalignment and lock up occurs. The function of each joint is to move two bones in relation to each other under muscular action. The muscles act, when they receive impulses, through nerves that originate in the spinal cord. The vertebral joints are like most other joints in that they move within defined limits corresponding to muscle activity that is controlled by nerves streaming from the spinal cord.

Very often injury, improper posture or other factors can irritate sensitive joint capsules that hold the lubricant that bathes the joint. A protective response is triggered that sends messages to muscles that control the joint, causing them to contract.

The result is to confine movement that might create more pain. This mechanism can also be triggered by injury or stress to other parts of the vertebra, such as its ligaments, disc, nerve, bone and even its own muscles. So any strain or injury to the joint or its associated structures may cause a muscle contraction that locks the joint partially or in its entirety. That locking can occur with the joint in its neutral "aligned" position or, if muscles contract, from its neutral position, the bones appear "out of alignment".

The mechanism serves a purpose while the injured tissue is healing by acting as nature's own joint splint. If you get a cut on your hand, you see how fast your cut heals, the skin becomes elastic and returns to normal. Unfortunately the spinal splinting mechanism can sometimes go wrong long beyond the time needed to revive the damaged tissue. The contracting muscle can be so over effective that it constricts its own blood supply, releasing acids that build up and trigger nerve endings into sensing pain, creating a further protective spasm. A vicious cycle has been completed. In such an area one ligament might be held in stretch while the opposite side remains lax. As time passes, the ligaments will respond by lengthening and shortening respectively to balance the force or pressure placed on them, perpetuating the "misaligned" appearance.

If you have a set of joints in a certain area of your back, lock up then other joints in the surrounding area must over compensate by increasing their own movement. As these other joints increase their range they become less stable and themselves run the risk of strain or premature wear and tear that results in "osteoarthritis".

You can envision that as the affected area slowly gets tighter and stiffer, bending, lying on your back, or on one side can become a continual problem. The process can proceed unnoticed over months or even years until the over flexible area is injured and become painfully irritated. The solution is to seek chiropractic help and reduce or eliminate this from growing into a much larger problem that can lead to surgery. You should see your chiropractor at least once a year just for a routine check up because with the advances in equipment and techniques we use, you will find that simple adjustments and therapy will prevent these issues I've listed above from ever becoming a problem.

Tension Headaches And Forward Head Posture


I rarely get a headache, but when I do it always amazes me at how awful I feel. I'm not just bothered by the pain but my entire mood is altered. I feel like I want to crawl into bed and not come out until it's gone. I can't imagine living with headaches which a lot of people do. I also noticed that my first response to a headache is always to take a pill to try to alleviate it. I see hundreds of patients annually with this scenario and most of these patients have had the headaches for years and pop over the counter pain relievers by the thousands. I have read the latest statistics involving the devastating side effects of these medications published by the New England Journal of Medicine and that is why I am writing this article.

I have been in chiropractic practice for over ten years and have eliminated thousands of headaches without medication. The trick to permanently eliminating headaches is to correct the cause. According to an article that was published by a leading dental expert, the suboccipital nerve bundle(a bunch of nerves that sit between the base of the head and the top of your neck)is continuous with the meningial sheath that covers your brain. This meningial sheath is thought to be the leading source of headaches, in fact when you drink to much alcohol this sheath is what causes the headache part of the hangover. When we look at cause and cure we need enough cases to be sure that we have found the answer. I have personally seen 872 cases of headaches with 871 of these cases having what is termed FHP "Forward Head Posture". In all 871 cases of forward head posture I was able to eliminate or substantially reduce the forward head posture. Guess how many cases the headache pain was reduced or eliminated, that's right all of them, Bingo.

Forward head posture is commonly caused by poor ergonomics at work or at home. It is a learned condition. Your body adapts in time and in need to its environment. By over utilizing certain muscle groups and under utilizing others you develop an imbalance. This primary imbalance was documented by a well known neurosurgeon and spine rehabilitation expert Vladimir Janda, who termed the imbalance upper cross syndrome. The primary muscles that become hyperactive are the scalenes, SCM, and suboccipital group. This causes the head to move forward but at the same time the head also rotates to a chin up position to accommodate the eye line. This head rotation then closes the space between the occipital bone and the first cervical vertebrae. The suboccipital nerve bundle lies in this very tight space so when you have forward head posture you start pinching this nerve bundle which is linked with the meningial sheath and WHAM-O a headache is generated. This also explains why a lot of headaches come and go due to the head and body position. The ergonomic position you maintain for a prolonged period of time will determine how much pressure develops in this delicate nerve bundle. According to x-ray findings some people have more space in this area which makes them less likely to develop headaches from this postural distortion. Men generally are less likely to develop the FHP headache due to a larger space as well. People with computer jobs are at highest risk because of the constant sitting and forward driven ergonomics that are placed on the body in this type of job scenario.

So how do we correct this condition and eliminate those nasty headaches once and for all? You have to first take into consideration what created the postural dysfunction in the first place, remember it is a learned posture. There are three primary tissues you need to take into consideration: joints, muscles, and ligaments. Restricted joint motion must be eliminated through chiropractic adjustments. Slow twitch muscles must be retrained or stimulated, this can be done through reactive head weighting, I'll explain later. Ligaments do not respond to either adjusting or exercise and this is why long term correction often fails because most people that have tried chiropractic, massage, and exercise find it to be only short term relief. Ligaments need to be addressed through creep mechanisms which means pressure over time applied to a ligament will cause the ligament to uncoil and lengthen.

So at my office we have a 4 step process to eliminate forward head posture. Adjustments first, muscle detoxification second(this is done using a hand help vibrational tool and applied to the hyperactive muscles), ligament lengthening third(this is done using vibrational traction "VT" where a vibrating cylinder is placed under the neck and the head is then weighted to induce extension and held for 7-15 minutes causing the anterior neck ligaments to lengthen. ) and last glasses are placed on the patient which causes the head to rotate upward slightly and a headband with weight in the front is put on to cause the posterior neck muscles to become active. This chain reaction causes the head posture to return to normal. I then place the patient on a whole body vibration platform with the headband on to cause the active posterior neck muscles to become hyperactive which speeds up the correction time. After several treatments the forward head posture is eliminated and a simple home program with ergonomic tips is in place to prevent return of the FHP. Once the forward posture is successfully eliminated so to are the headaches, neck pain, shoulder tension, and other symptoms associated with this common condition known as FORWARD HEAD POSTURE SYNDROME.

Herniated Discs - Symptoms and Treatment Options


The disc is a gel like structure that sits between the vertebrae and when it becomes herniated it pushes out of its normal position. The herniated disc is a problem because it is irritating to the spinal nerves which are close to the discs. As we become older the spinal disc becomes less flexible. Some individuals as young as thirty years of age have been seen to have deterioration.

When the spinal disc loses its flexibility it can become ruptured. When that happens then the disc will push out of its normal position and is then herniated. When this occurs then the spinal nerves become pinched. There is usually some space between the spinal cord and the nerves but when the disc is pushed out of its normal position it will become compressed.

A herniated disc can happen in the case of an accident or an injury or it can happen slowly during a strain on the back caused by a job or sports. Sometimes it may happen when the space between the spinal cord and the nerves becomes smaller. A small space between the cord and the nerves can cause irritation of the nerves.

Some of the symptoms of a herniated disc are: leg and arm pain, weakness in the muscles, numbness, and in more severe cases there could be bowel and bladder incontinence. If you are feeling any of these symptoms it is a good idea for you to see your chiropractor and get a diagnosis as to what kind of condition you may be suffering with.

Treatment for a herniated disc that is most often recommended is spinal decompression. Spinal decompression therapy is a not invasive nor is it a surgical procedure, but it relieves the pressure from the nerves. Spinal decompression creates a vacuum effect that sucks the gel like structure back into position thus relieving the pressure on the nerve.

About eighty percent of the American population suffers from some form of back pain either intermittent or chronic. If you are one of that eighty percent you should see your chiropractor and get a diagnosis as soon as possible. If you have a herniated disc it will not go away on its own if it is ignored. A herniated disc can become progressively worse if it is not treated.

Spinal decompression is definitely an available treatment option if you live in the Bala Cynwyd / Philadelphia Pennsylvania area. You should see a chiropractor right away. They can tell you what treatment you should have for your herniated disc condition. They will gladly explain your condition to you and what therapy will help to relieve the pain.

There is no need to suffer from back pain when there is help available to relieve the pain, and allow you to take part in your former activities whether they are everyday activities of sport activities.

Chiropractors - Practice Building Made Easy


You became a chiropractor because you have a passion for helping people. If you were like me when I was starting my acupuncture practice, you hoped that this passion would effortlessly magnetize a plethora of perfect patients to you. But then the reality of being a business owner started to sink in. You began to realize that your love for what you do had to be coupled with the right business skills to make your practice a viable business entity.

In my experience, chiropractors tend to be much better at marketing their practices than other healthcare professionals. Many of them seem to have an instinct for getting and staying busy and making a lot of money in the process. But there are still many chiropractors out there who are struggling to make it. They can sense the potential for success, but they just can't seem to actualize it. They make less money and see fewer patients than they would like, all the while banging their head against the wall as to why things aren't working out the way they'd like.

Over the past several years, I have gained a lot of knowledge on how to build a successful practice, both from doing it personally and from coaching a number of healthcare professionals. I have realized that there are two essential ingredients to practice success for all businesses. There needs to be a healthy balance between these two ingredients at all times; if one is lacking, then the business is sure to suffer. Eight out of ten small businesses fail within five years of start up because one of these ingredients is deficient or altogether missing. I encourage you to make a commitment to mastering both of these essential components to practice growth. By doing so, you should grow a booming practice quickly and easily. You will also attract the right patients, develop a strong word of mouth campaign, and really enjoy what you do.

You could look at these ingredients as the inner and outer forms of marketing. The first essential step is to be completely conscious of the beliefs you have around building your practice. If you have studied the law of attraction, you realize that you get back what you put out. What you focus on expands. So, one of the best ways to grow your practice is to steep yourself in the imagination of your dream practice, really feel it, as if it is here now. Keep your focus on this ideal. Feel all of the qualities of your perfect practice. Allow yourself to believe that this level of success is within you already, for it truly is. Your job is to activate it by focusing on it all the time. If you focus on what you don't want (not being busy enough, having to find another job, regret, anxiety, doubt, etc.) your environment will give you recurring evidence to suggest that your beliefs around scarcity are true. You will have a hard time and always wonder why it is such a struggle. So, step number one is to free yourself of any beliefs that promote scarcity or limitation or 'building a practice is a long hard process.' Focus on what you want and feel it in your being as if it is here with you already. Come from this place when you promote yourself. Your business card, brochure, website, etc. should have this kind of power emanating from them.

Now, if you really do this, you will find that practice building is easy. Patients will find you. Synchronicity will take effect and you will be amazed by how effortless it is. Chiropractors really can build a great practice simply by focusing on what they want instead of what they don't want. The next step is to take effective action. This means getting some marketing systems in place that will draw an excess of the right patients to your practice. What I have found is that there are several creative ways to market your practice that are either free or quite inexpensive. I encourage you to get creative with your marketing to see how many cost effective strategies you can implement. If you need specific ideas, you can refer to my ebook below. If you market your practice in the right way and couple it with a prosperity mindset, you are bound for success.