6 Super Cool Chiropractic Marketing Ideas to Increase Patient Appointments This Summer

Good ole summertime is here and so begins the summer slump (no pun intended) for chiropractic practices. Several times throughout the year chiropractors face the challenge of keeping patient flow consistent, but it's a fact, patient appointments always seem to decline a little more during summer season.

Reasons vary; but the biggest reason is people just get busy and their routines have changed. When the normal school routine has ceased for the summer months, another routine starts up and what happens is the trip to the chiropractor gets left out of the summer routine.

I guess it's easy to do. Sports and other activities take a break and summertime activities take over. During the school year, many families will schedule their chiropractic appointments after school; they swing by on the way home. When you remove "picking up the kids from school" from a mom's daily schedule, you also remove that convenience factor of already having everyone in the car and already being out of the house.

So what is a chiropractor to do? How can one compete with the thrill of summertime fun and get squeezed back into a mom's busy daily routine? This is when you have to get creative in your chiropractic marketing.

First of all you have to think like a kid and you have to think like a parent. Not so hard to do with a little help.

Below are six seasonal ideas to boost your chiropractic marketing and keep those patients from falling off their chiropractic routine. These ideas are simple and the cost is minimal. One day a week of throughout the summer months, have a theme day. I've listed a few ideas below;

Beach Blowout Day- Let your patients know that on this special day summer, kids can come in dressed for a day at the beach. Bathing suits, flip-flops, beach towels, hats, sunglasses. Let them choose how over board they go. Purchase a cheap plastic pool fill it with sand, not the whole pool, just enough to cover up some trinkets you buy from the party store. These are usually sold in large bags. Bury the trinkets in the sand and let the kids dig for one or two trinkets.

Fill the Food Bank Day- This one is great for kids as they love to give to others. Summertime is a slow time for area food banks. On this day, you can have your student patients bring in a can or boxed food item.

Creative Writing or Art Contest- Have your student patients write something about why they come to the chiropractor and how it helps them. Or have them draw a picture showing what they do at the chiropractor. Have a wall dedicated to displaying these works. You can even have the works judge by other patients as they come in. The works can be numbered and your patients can vote for their favorite. Have a coupon for a snow cone as a prize for the winners.

The Chiro Shop- Set up a mini store with affordable toys and items that kids can look at throughout the summer. Give each item a cost in tickets. Each time kids come in they get a ticket to save up for something they see in the shop. You can also give tickets when they have participated in any of the events already mentioned. Give a ticket for bringing a friend. Give a ticket for being on time. Encourage the kids to tell you what they are saving up for.

Popcorn Mania- Rent a popcorn machine for a day and serve fresh popped pop corn in paper cups.

Where's Chiro Waldo- Find Waldo stickers and place them in odd places all over your office and waiting room. Tell the kids to see how many they can find. Maybe they should get a ticket for each one they can point out. Don't forget to include the wee ones in this activity. Make some easy to find.

This is also a great way to get your staff involved with the chiropractic marketing, interacting with the patients and enjoying their time at work during the summer months.

Plan your activities, type them up on some bright summer colored paper and set them out at the front desk for your patients to see. If you collect patient emails, send the activity calendar in an email to all of your patients. Are you on Facebook? Post the activities there too and your patients can follow along via your status updates.

Sounds like super summer fun at the chiropractor's office. You might even gain some new patients when you become the coolest chiropractor in town.

Golf Related Injuries Can Be Helped by Seeing a Chiropractor

When you play golf you are using lots of your body to perform a shot, many people do not think this thought. Golf has lead to serious injuries, such as chronic back pain and joint injuries. When a shot is performed the motion causes you to use both upper body muscles and lower body muscles, these muscle can become strained especially with golfers that have just started out as their body is not used to moving in this way. If you have any injuries of pains due to golf then you should see your Oxford chiropractor right away!

Oxford chiropractic centres specialise in realigning the spine which relieves tension and strain on the muscles and nerves. Oxford chiropractors do not use medicine during a treatment; instead they use a hand on approach using trusted techniques they have learnt. The exercises they perform on your body are used to strengthen your muscles, especially those in the lower back. Lower back pain is often the most common condition a golfer will experience as they are always turning the lower back to an angle that is has not been used to as it's not an every day movement.

By seeing an Oxford Chiropractic practitioner you will strengthen you muscles and this will mean your body will heal quicker and you will not experience pain once and after playing a game of golf. The Oxford Chiropractor will also teach you stretches to perform before and after a game to ensure you do not pull a muscle whilst playing. Stretching will also allow you to play for longer and practice for a long time.

The chiropractic treatment helps prevent future injuries, however in the event that you do suffer an injury maybe because you have hit your club into the ground at a force and you back has gone into a spasm visiting an Oxford chiropractor will drastically reduce the recovery time. If you visit them regularly you back and muscles will be in great shape and you will not feel any pain at all playing golf so you can enjoy your round of golf.

So, in conclusion Oxford chiropractors are a great way to eradicate golf related injuries. Don't put off treatment as it will only make your injury worsen and this could cause to long term injury which can put an end to you playing golf!

Causes of Chronic Low Back Pain?

Low back pain is a very common and sometimes debilitating condition that affects up to 80 % of the population. Most patients that develop the acute onset of low back pain will able to return to normal activities of daily living and become a functional member of society within 6 weeks of onset. Yet, a small percentage of the population can go on to suffer with chronic disabling lumbar pain.

Despite many scientific advances in medicine over the decades, improvement in the quality of healthcare and the proliferation of various new pharmaceuticals, controlling chronic low back pain can be difficult but not impossible. Surgical solutions for treating low back pain is difficult and often met with mixed results and should be the very last option.

Causes of Chronic Low Back Pain

The causes of chronic lumbar pain are many and can include one or a few of the problems listed below in combination, and the causes are not limited to this list:

•Degenerative Arthritis: This is the most common cause in adults, and is consistent with the normal wear and tear process to the lumbar spine.
•Other types of arthropathies: There are a number of conditions which fall under this section such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diffuse Idiopathic skeletal Hyperostosis(DISH), Lupus, Ankylosing Spondylosis or other HLA-B27 conditions.
•Fibromyalgia: Disease of disuse and muscle deconditioning.
•Stress: This could be either emotional or social stressors which can lead to lumbar pain via muscle spasm.
•Fractures: This can be as a result of any significant trauma such as a motor vehicle accident.
•Muscle Strains: The most common cause as a result of work-related injuries lifting injuries or other types of other trauma.
•Herniated Disc: Disruption of the disc that separates two vertebra that results in nerve root compression.
•Spinal Stenosis: Compression of the spinal nerves secondary to naturally progressive age related arthritis.
•Infection: Bacterial or fungal infection of the spine.
•Cancer
•Intra-abdominal or pelvic organ pathology: Kidney, pancreas, and aorta problems as well as others can mimic symptoms consistent with traditional lower back pain.

It is because the majority of lower back pain in our society is caused by muscle strain or arthritis, and the frequency is so common, that a delay or missed diagnosis of underlying rare conditions, such as but not limited to fractures, cancer, infection, renal stones, and aortic aneurysms, can occur.

What are the Predisposing Factors for Chronic Lower Back Pain?

There are a number of predisposing factors that can increase a patient's chances of having back issues. Problems such as smoking, alcoholism, obesity, low physical activity, psychosocial issues, sedentary jobs, prior failed back surgery, secondary gain, and deconditioning can all increase a patient's chances of developing or maintaining chronic lower back pain.

As it relates to treatment for lower back pain, it is fortunate that the vast majority of patients will have complete resolution of their pain within six to eight weeks of acute onset. The prevalence of lower back issues in our society persisting longer than two weeks is approximately 14%, with a point prevalence of approximately 7% (Deyo, R. A. 1990).

Treatment

The active treatment of lower back pain has two main focuses, the first of which should always be non-operative care. This should include physical therapy, chiropractic, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, limited use of narcotics, various injections (both diagnostic and therapeutic), weight loss, smoking cessation, muscle reconditioning, and the tincture of time.

As it relates specifically to aerobic exercise, fitness creates an overall protective effect on the spine by increasing muscle strength, endurance, and increasing endorphin levels. This can lead to avoiding conditions such as fibromyalgia, which is a disease of disuse.

The other generalized treatment algorithm may include surgery. It is known that surgical intervention for predominant low back pain typically does not result in excellent long-term results.

•Surgical fusion has been met with mixed results for the treatment of predominant low back pain and decompression has a very limited role.

•Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is showing some significant promise in the treatment of low back pain as well as artificial nucleus. Research is still ongoing as it relates to artificial nucleus replacement, yet artificial disk replacement is available and is no longer experimental as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed the initial research and approved ADR for human use since 2003. In Europe, artificial disk replacement has been an approved (CE mark) treatment for over 20 years.

Any patient that is considering treatment for chronic, disabling, low back pain should seek the advice of their primary care physician first and address many of the risk factors that have been outlined above.

Surgical intervention for chronic low back pain is not common, but evaluation by a spinal surgery specialist would be an important step to take if you, as a patient, have remained symptomatic, despite the conservative course, for longer than 6 to 8 weeks.

Becoming a Chiropractor Assistant

There are many facets concerning the medical field that we are not aware of. One that is becoming progressively popular is chiropractic care. People are starting to see the advantages that this has the ability to offer to a good deal of individuals. A good way to get some practice in is to become a chiropractic assistant.

Most people who want this spot are already enrolled in college and looking to become a chiropractor full time. If you are not in college for this already than you may at least want to enroll in a Medical Terminology class. This is taken by individuals who wish to earn a medical certificate or degree. If you cannot afford the course than merely purchase a textbook and teach yourself.

When you are very familiar with the medical terms and jargon you will be prepared to put together a resume. Any medical experience that you have should be written down. You must also refer to the course that you took. This is specially assistive for people who have never worked in the medical field before. Quality traits like, intelligence, hard worker, and sympathetic need to be written down.

Make a point that you take care at what you write and put your heart in it. It is not uncommon for one single practice to acquire virtually fifty resumes at a time. They are in high demand and the main doctor is going to be really selective. Now that you are finished it is time to go find a job. This isn't easy so be diligent.

One of the easiest ways to begin your search is to visit Craigslist. Many alternative health care professionals will utilize this as a means to find new employees. As good as this is you should also try to visit the offices in person. Give them your resume and tell them just how much you wish to study. If you are in chiropractic college make a point that you tell them this.

Back Pain, Neck Pain, Sciatica - Three Alternative Considerations

If you have back pain you know it can be, well - a pain in the back. Neck pain and sciatica are no fun either. So what do you do?

If you run off to a conventional doctor the first thing that will probably happen is you will be given a prescription for some type of drug that is a pain killer.

While this in itself may not sound like a bad thing at first, drugs for pain can get rather pricey especially if you have to keep getting refills to keep the pain in check. And, of course these also come along with the possibility of your developing a dependency on the drug and ending up with an addiction.

The next biggest conventional tactic is surgery. That means cutting into your body and causing problems that were not there to start with, like damaging muscles and tendons. Plus the body is opened up and exposed to all the super bugs, like MRSA, that tend to hang around in our hospitals these days due to the over use of antibiotics by conventional medicine in the hospital setting.

So what are we to do?

Many of us have tried less conventional protocols like massage and chiropractors. And some of us have had various successes or set backs with these procedures.Yet when it comes to becoming a Lortab junkie for life, a cripple due to inadvertent surgery or a corpse on a morgue table because of some super bacteria I say bring on the massseuse and the chiropractor.

What is more there are numerous other choices you need to be aware of today if you are considering that it is time to see a doctor because of back pain, neck pain or sciatica. Here are 3 other things you should consider first.

One, educate yourself. Learn everything you can about your problem. Read, watch videos, attend lectures, join forums and become informed about your condition.

"Isn't that what my doctor is for?" you ask, "To know about all these things?"

Well, yes and no. You see we are living in a world today of information abundance. You have heard of "information overload" - well doctors are human too and there is just way to much information being put forth these days for a doctor to know everything even in their own specialty.

So it is up to you to become responsible for and to be informed about your own health and health problems. Become a partner with your doctor(s) and not just a patient. To many doctors this concept will be new, you will have to educate them. Your doctor may still provide 90-99% of the information on your problem but that small percentage of "new" information you provide your doctor with may led him to discover what you really need.

Two, there are all kinds of new devices available now to help with pain before consigning yourself to surgery. There are decompression methods, inversion therapies, modified inversion therapy, different supports like back bubbles, support pillows, new heating pads that use light instead of heating coils and trigger point therapy devices to name just a few.

Hey and the good news is that even though some of these devices are in the hundreds of dollars they are still much cheaper and much less intrusive than hospital stays and surgeries.

Three, nutrition. By now most of us know about chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM. These help some people and others they don,t. Why? If your neighbor worked out 30 minutes a day and looked like a Greek god and you did the same thing and looked like Fat Albert wouldn't you want to know why?

Of course you would. And really here we need to get back to being educated again. Learn about terms like: synovial fluid, COX2, and hyaluronic acid. Learn what vitamins, minerals and supplements you need for healthy bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. For example:

Did you know you can take all the calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D you want but if you are low (and most people are ) on magnesium then you will have weak bones, muscles, etc. and the back pain, neck pain, and sciatica that becomes the result of insufficient magnesium levels.

The point to remember from all this is, that you don't have to become a drugged zombie or chopped meat on a surgeon's table to deal with back pain, neck pain or sciatica. There are other alternatives available.

Scoliosis: A Spinal Disorder

About 5 to 7 million Americans are affected by a disorder called scoliosis. It is a medical condition in which the spine curves away from the middle, side to side. People who have scoliosis sometimes also have lordosis (curving of the spine inward) or kyphosis (curving of the spine outward). There are three different types of scoliosis, dependent upon how it is contracted. They are: a) congenial, b) neuromuscular, and c) idiopathic, or of unknown cause. Scientists do believe that genetics play a role; however the precise mechanisms and relationships to the disorder remain unclear. One of the most common forms of scoliosis is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Girls are more prone than boys in developing a severe form of it, requiring medical attention.

There are times when the spine itself is normal, but scoliosis develops in response to a problem somewhere else in the body. Muscle spasms in the back, a difference between leg lengths, and even poor posture can cause this type of functional scoliosis. Neuromuscular scoliosis can be very severe. In this form of scoliosis, one has difficulty with muscle control and strength, due to diseases such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or polio. Scoliosis thus affects individuals to various degrees of severity. People with a milder form of functional scoliosis can seek treatment through chiropractic care; however, those with a more serious condition do need to seek more invasive medical solutions.

Not only does scoliosis limit one's range of physical abilities, it also may hurt one's emotional growth and outlook, especially in the teenagers it commonly afflicts. In some cases of scoliosis, the damage is so severe that the rib cage presses in toward the heart and lungs, thereby inducing further health problems such as lung infections and pneumonia.

Scoliosis often exists in a mild form that can be detected only by trained professionals. There is no need for great concern in these cases, as long as the condition is being monitored. In any case, when children and teenagers have scoliosis, their conditions need to be followed with great care, since their bones are in the midst of rapid growth. Their spines can grow and curve even more to the side within a few months. Thus, for those in this age group, consistent and frequent checkups are an absolute must.

Several methods are used to help detect scoliosis. The best way to begin is to get a postural analysis during your physical examination. If there seems to be significant abnormal curvature in your spine, your doctor may then refer you to a specialist. Next, an X-ray is taken of the spine to determine the location and degree of spinal curvature.

After the X-ray, your doctor may also want to examine your wrist and bones too. Knowing your skeletal age and characteristics will help your doctor evaluate the rate of bone growth and progression of scoliosis. Your doctor may ask you to go in for checkups regularly in order to monitor the spinal curvature.

There is also a device called the inclinometer, or Scoliometer, which helps estimate the amount of curvature in the spine. The Scoliometer is handy in that it reduces X-ray exposure and is completely pain-free and non-invasive.

When the scoliosis progresses slowly, very little treatment may be needed. On the other hand, scoliosis in pre-menstrual girls is very likely to become aggressive in growth, especially the year before their first menstruation when they grow at a very rapid rate. Scoliosis can be exacerbated very quickly during this growth spurt. Once menstruation begins, their growth rate slows down and the scoliosis does not develop as rapidly.

Besides periodic checkups, treatment options may involve either the use of a brace or even surgery. People with mild cases of scoliosis generally lead very normal lifestyles. Braces are used when a child is still growing. The brace can help prevent further curving of the spine, but cannot cure scoliosis or forcibly reverse the curvature already there. When the scoliosis shows signs of potentially harming vital organ function, surgery for scoliosis - also known as spinal fusion - may help reduce the degree of curvature and prevent such damage. Doctors resort to surgery in only the most severe, debilitating cases of scoliosis.

Scoliosis can sometimes be very painful, and chiropractic care can help relieve much of that pain. Scoliosis is a disorder that cannot be "cured" per se, but chiropractic care can certainly help in managing and reducing the discomfort, enabling one to live with scoliosis more easily.

Scoliosis can be a worrisome, uncomfortable disorder even in its mildest stages. If you are concerned that you or child may have scoliosis, please contact your physician immediately.

Lower Right Back Pain - The Facts

Back pain is a very common condition, one which sufferers often visit their doctors to seek treatment for. The patient is looking for solutions or at minimum information pertaining to the problems that they are experiencing. The doctor may not be able to provide the information.

Lower Right Back Pain Information

The back is made up of the spine and vertebra the spinal column and nerves, ligaments, tendons muscles and this structure makes the back an incredibly flexible and mobile body area, but small changes in any of these components of the back can cause the back to become unbalanced, causing pain.
The following problems can occur which would cause such imbalances:

• Strained muscles


• Torn ligaments


• Joint stiffness


• Joint damage/ Injury


• Disc issues


• Nerve compression/Irritation


• Fractured bone

It is very common to experience stiffness, aching or pain in the lower back, lower right or lower left back. The reason is that the issues are common is because the lower back is susceptible since it is used when lifting, can be put out of balance through back posture as the upper body must be supported. This fact also leads to a higher likelihood of age related wear and tear being present, as we get older.

As mentioned previously, the lower right back pain can be caused by poor lifting technique, bad posture, or sporting injuries, and since the lower right and lower left back are made up of many muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and bones, these improper movements can cause injury or inflammation in one or more of these structures, leading to lower right back pain.

There are three types of muscles that broadly speaking act on the spine, and those are flexor, extensor and oblique muscles. The flexor muscles help you bend forward, or flex the spine, which would occur whilst lifting objects for example. The right flexor muscle may cause lower right back pain, the left flexor can also cause low right back pain due to imbalanced that might be cause by the left flexor.

The extensor muscles, which exist in the gluteal and lower back muscles and allow you to sit up straight, extending the spine may also become fatigued, or strained causing soreness. The lower right or lower left extensors may become inflamed or injured and cause back pain.

The oblique muscles, which attach to the sides of the spine, allow rotation of the spine allowing you to turn. Injury or straining of these muscles can cause a large number of problems due to imbalances that will likely occur.

In addition to simple muscle strain, injury to ligaments, joints, and bones can also cause muscle pain. If one of these structures is injured or inflamed, back muscles can go into spasm, drastically limiting your movement and cause pain in the lower right back.

Stress is a common cause of pain in the lower right back. Stress will make your back muscles tighten. This happens to every muscle in the body, as we move into a "fight or flight" response. Muscles that are tightened lack the energy they need to support the spine. If the stress is frequent, and measures are not taken immediately to relieve it, lower right back pain can easily develop.

Severe Lower Right Back Pain

Lower right back pain that lasts more than two week is duration or if the pain is intense and does not ease for a week, or you experience numbness or tingling, then immediate medical advice should be sought. It may mean that rest is required, or medication to take down inflammation or a battery of tests needs to be done to find out the cause. Whilst rest may be recommended, it is still a good idea to do a small amount of exercise, 30 minutes a day if possible, to prevent the muscles from weakening, or the joints from seizing up.

If the muscles weaken, they will not protect or support the back as completely, and so may result in further unnecessary injury. The rest / severe back pain event cycle will continue, with the situation becoming worse every time, unless care is taken to prevent the cycle from continuing.

Symptoms of Lower Right Back Pain

To be able to fully and quickly treat back pain, you need to be aware of the causes of lower right back pain, and the symptoms that may be experienced. This can involve understanding what location the pain is felt in, the type of pain, and the severity of that pain. Does the pain move around, or is it concentrated in one area?

1. Numbness in buttocks or extending down leg - You may have a herniated disc - see a doctor immediately. This may also be sciatica caused by a trapped nerve, in which case you may want to consider consulting a chiropractor.


2. Pain from twisting, or bending? - You may have pulled a muscle, or you may have a herniated disc - see you doctor.


3. Blood in the urine - You may have a kidney issue. See a doctor immediately.

Lower Right Back Pain Treatments

The pain can be helped by having stronger more mobile muscles in the back, as they will be better able to support the spine, and prevent further issues.
If the spine is stiff, and not in the neutral position, it is worthwhile visiting a chiropractor to get your spine reset toward the neutral position. This course of treatment will not happen immediately, but really does work.

Gentle exercise initially, to build up the strength in the back should be performed, and nothing that causes intense pain. You're doing it wrong, or have another issue if that happens, in which case visit your doctor. Any exercise should also be accompanies by gentle stretching both before and after exercise.

The Chiropractic College Guide

A chiropractic college develops and educates professional physicians who specialize in treating patients with skeletal, muscular and nervous disorders, while avoiding surgical and drug interventions. A chiropractic school's programs includes at least 4200 hours of combined laboratory, clinical and classroom experiences. The chiropractic student learns how to diagnose patients and develop doctor-patient relationships while enhancing their communications skills.

Treatment techniques, physical therapy, professional issues, manipulation, spinal adjustment and other therapeutic procedures are taught as well. The clinical and laboratory components are an integral part of a chiropractic college. Students are given the opportunity to put what they have studied into practice and begin treating actual patients while under close supervision.

Prerequisites required for entry into a chiropractic college include successful completion of at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate education, classes in all the basic sciences (e.g. Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition...), and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Most applicants to chiropractic schools already possess a baccalaureate degree, usually in one of the sciences. The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) sets forth guidelines which colleges must follow when establishing standards and admission requirements.

Most chiropractic colleges offer a typical four-year education, although some have a three-year accelerated program. The first two years strengthen the background in basic sciences, while the second two focus more on clinical application. The average cost of tuition varies widely from $11,000 to $20,000 a year, depending on whether the program runs 9 or 12 months a year. Traditional financial aid is available however. On successful graduation from a chiropractic college, the student receives the degree Doctor of Chiropractic and is then eligible to sit the State boards examination and become licensed.

After graduation, the prospects are almost endless. There is an employment rate of nearly 100% for new graduates and chiropractors rarely ever go through career switches. The chiropractic field is one of the fastest growing career fields out there and is expected to increase even more because of the interest in natural healing. Most graduates become private practitioners or enter group practices while a few conduct research, work in hospitals or teach. To maintain licensure, 12-48 hours of continued education is required yearly. In this way, chiropractors are enabled to earn their diplomat status in specialties such as sports injuries, pediatrics, neurology, rehabilitation, family practice, nutrition, radiology, internal disorders... Many chiropractors are beginning to use alternative therapies such as massage or heat therapy and are focusing on holistic healing and lifestyle changes.

Currently there are 19 chiropractic colleges that are accredited by the CCE. Finding the perfect one involves analyzing and comparing what each offers. Check out the school environment and the curriculum. Find out if the program teaches alternative or adjunct therapies and if a broad spectrum of manipulative techniques is included. Explore the clinical setting and see how involved the students are and how many patients they get to treat. For most students, hands-on application is the most important part.

A chiropractic education is an excellent choice with many benefits. More and more of the chiropractic colleges are developing pre-chiropractic training so the education can be completed all at one place. The average annual earning of a chiropractor is upwards of $60,000 and steadily increasing. Compared to this, a chiropractic education is relatively inexpensive and quickly pays for itself.

The Average Costs of Chiropractic Care

Despite tough economic times and skyrocketing costs of traditional medical treatment, you simply cannot afford to ignore or neglect your health needs. Sooner or later, you'll have to "pay the piper." In most cases, dealing with pain now will save you time and money later. It's almost always better to address your health needs now rather than waiting until you experience some type of crisis.

Spinal problems, neck or back pain and similar conditions can adversely affect your productivity at work. Health issues, and the failure to treat them, can produce a domino effect not just in the health care industry, but in the overall economy.

The Costs of Chiropractic Care vs. Traditional Care by a Physician

Chiropractic's lower average costs are a significant advantage and one of the reasons chiropractic has become so popular. Experts have compared various factors relating to patients who chose chiropractic care with the same factors as they relate to people who opted for traditional medical care. The differences between the two types of treatment involve three main factors: diagnostic imaging, surgical rates and level of patient satisfaction.

Treatment costs were found to be significantly lower for patients who chose chiropractic care, because chiropractic treatments do not require any medical equipment or prescription medication. I actually read somewhere that chiropractic treatments cost somewhere in the neighborhood of 90% less than surgery.

What a Chiropractor's Fees Cover

A research survey conducted by Chiropractic Economics magazine indicates that the average chiropractic session costs about $65. The cost can actually be as low as $34 or as much as $65, depending on the procedures performed and the stage of treatment you're in. In addition, overhead costs vary among different regions of the country, and this, too, can influence the prices chiropractors charge.

Usually, your first visit will cost more than a "regular" visit because so many more procedures are involved, and your chiropractor will need to spend extra time with you at the beginning. Your first visit to your chiropractor will probably also be your longest, and follow-up visits are typically less expensive.

If any additional procedures or equipment, such as massage sessions, acupuncture or x-rays, become necessary for your treatment, your chiropractor may charge you for those services. Charges will vary for each of these additional services, but your doctor should inform you in advance.

Opportunities for Additional Savings

Although research shows that chiropractic care is already more cost-effective than traditional medical treatment, there are some opportunities for additional savings:

Many health insurance plans include chiropractic care in their coverage. You may be able to take advantage if you're covered by one of these health insurance plans.

Chiropractic treatments are tax-deductible.

Some chiropractors only accept cash payments. These practitioners frequently charge less than others or provide discounts to compensate for patients being unable to use their health insurance coverage.

Some chiropractors (like us) believe offering new patients very affordable "First Office Visits" allows patients to easily determine for themselves whether chiropractic care can help them without spending a lot of money.

Kinesiology

Kinesiology is rapidly gaining in popularity as a powerful but gentle, holistic therapy that can be used in a wide variety of situations and for many different purposes. If you want to check out your allergies, get some help with stress or sort out health problems without drugs then a visit to a kinesiologist may be exactly what is needed. You may also experience kinesiology when your chiropractor is checking the best place to manipulate or when your aromatherapist checks for the most suitable oils to use for your massage.

George Goodheart, an American chiropractor, developed kinesiology in the 1960's. He used muscle-testing to evaluate the effectiveness of his treatments. In kinesiology gentle pressure is applied to a muscle and the response monitored. The normal muscle response is to lock. By placing a limb in a particular position it is possible effectively to isolate an individual muscle (often an arm muscle) and test its response to this pressure. If the muscle gives way or is spongy, it indicates an energy disturbance in the meridian system. The meridian system is an essential, but unseen, factor in health. It is responsible for conveying the life force to every tissue in the body. If this is disturbed in any way then ill health is likely to occur. So, the response of the muscle can give us vital information about energy disturbances within the body. If, for example, a muscle tests spongy or unlocks in the presence of a food it may mean that the person is allergic to that food. A stressful thought will also result in an unlocked response from an associated muscle. If the muscle unlocks after a verbal question is asked, it indicates a NO answer to that question: an "other than conscious" or "body wisdom" answer.

There are various branches of kinesiology (e.g. health kinesiology, applied knesiology, educational kinesiology, classical kinesiology, etc.). All use the basic muscle-testing skills. Each kinesiology very much reflects the interests and personality of its developer. For example, applied kinesiology reflects its origin in chiropractic with its emphasis on correcting structural problems. Health kinesiology was developed by a psychologist with an interest in nutrition and electro-magnetic pollution. Some branches of kinesiology do not accept verbal muscle-testing, but rely on a system of reflex points and finger modes instead. Kinesiology techniques have also been incorporated into other therapies, so, for example, homeopaths, Bowen practitioners, chiropractors and aromatherapists may use muscle testing to confirm their judgement about the correct course of action.

During a typical kinesiology consultation the practitioner takes a case history and then the client lies (fully clothed) on a couch. The practitioner will test one or more muscles using gentle pressure. Depending on the response, the practitioner will then stimulate or sedate various acupuncture points. No needles are involved, but the points can be re-balanced using various techniques depending on the particular branch of kinesiology. Sometimes homeopathic remedies, magnets, crystals etc. are also placed on the body. Many kinesiologists will give advice on nutritional supplements, flower remedies, exercise programmes and life-style changes as well. No two sessions are alike even for people with apparently identical symptoms.

People consult a kinesiologist for a variety of reasons. They may be physically ill and want some help with their problems. Kinesiology has successfully treated people with a wide range of physical problems including eczema, asthma, migraine, arthritis, hay fever, allergies, M.E., menopausal problems, menstrual problems, tiredness, IBS, hyperactivity, etc. They may have been through a whole range of medical tests and have no diagnosis for their symptoms. They may be anxious to reduce their dependence on drugs. They may be emotionally distressed and want help with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, lack of self-confidence, etc. They may be an athlete seeking to enhance his or her performance, a mother worried about her child's poor school report, a businessman stressed by his work load, an accident victim suffering pain and emotional trauma or a person who cannot see the way forward. People from all walks of life find an answer within Kinesiology for their needs. They respond to a system which respects the body's own inner knowledge about itself and its problems.

Sceptics sometimes believe it works because the client believes it does, but kinesiology works with small babies, the mentally handicapped, animals and the downright sceptical. One of the youngest clients I ever had was a baby who was 6 weeks old and was failing to thrive. In fact, she was losing weight because she was sick every time she was fed. Different feeds had been tried but without any success. The baby was brought to see me. She slept through the whole session, during which I established that she was allergic to the tap water that was used to mix the feed. This problem was quickly solved; the baby stopped being sick and started to gain weight much to everyone's relief.

Sometimes a client will only need a single appointment for their problems, but more generally people need a series of appointments. Some clients recognise that Kinesiology can be used in a preventive manner rather than just dealing with problems when they arise. These clients will continue to have Kinesiology sessions in order to maintain their health and well-being.

Kinesiology can also be used as an emergency first aid. Earlier this year I took part in a sponsored bike ride in Cuba. As well as riding 250 miles I saw 14 "clients" - fellow cyclists with knee injuries, back problems, headaches and infected insect bites. Many of the consultations took place in the dirt beside the road but almost everyone was pleased with the speedy results of their unfamiliar treatment. Two participants - a GP and a pharmaceutical company sales rep - had thought they would be unable to complete the ride because of knee injuries. They both found that after a short kinesiology session they were able to get back on their bikes and complete the ride.

Conventional medical professionals are also becoming interested in applying kinesiology in their own work. A Swiss doctor with some training in kinesiology told me that he always uses muscle-testing before prescribing an antibiotic to check if the patient will experience an allergic reaction to it. Since he has started doing this he has not had one single patient experiencing an adverse reaction to an antibiotic. If this simple procedure were widely implemented within medicine, it would save the NHS a huge amount in drugs and save patients many uncomfortable experiences of severe drug reactions.

Dentists too are beginning to find kinesiology a useful tool. Kinesiology can be used to check bite alignment after dental work, to establish the correct order for the removal of amalgam and even to establish which tooth needs to be filled. A friend told me how she had several teeth filled and numerous X-rays in order to remove her severe toothache. Nothing had worked, until I used muscle-testing to establish which was the problem tooth. She told her dentist about my findings and he agreed to look at that tooth, although he was not surprisingly sceptical that I could pinpoint the problem when his best endeavours had failed. Much to his surprise he found that I was correct and the painful problem was quickly resolved.

Modern developments are keeping kinesiologists busy too. Some years ago I helped a teenager with epilepsy. As a result of my work she became fit-free and was able to stop taking her drugs much to her delight and her consultant's surprise. Recently she started having fits again. When she came to see me she told me she had experienced 7-10 fits in the previous week after being fit-free for over two years. I established through muscle-testing that having her tongue pierced two weeks before was largely to blame. Fortunately for her we were able to use some kinesiology procedures so that she could keep her tongue stud and become fit-free again.

When I started practising kinesiology in 1982 no one had heard of it, but now it is becoming more and more popular with articles in the press and interviews on television and the radio. The popularity of kinesiology is likely to grow as more and more clients and practitioners recognise its value. My hope for the future is that Kinesiology will become integrated into the main stream medical and educational systems, without losing its ability to generate powerful new techniques to help people become truly whole.

First published in the Green Life Directory

Scoliosis and Chiropractic Treatment

Scoliosis is "a lateral curvature in the normally straight vertical line of the spine". In layman's terms, the spine has a sideways curve in the shape of either a "S" or "C". If the curve is at or above 60 degrees, then scoliosis can be spotted visually due to the patient's waist and shoulders being uneven. The actual cause of the various types of scoliosis is currently unknown. Some people have it when they are born, noticed during adolescence/early 20's, or in the later years of their life (it is more common in children and adults 18-25). Every case is unique to that particular patient. Whether the scoliosis is mild or severe, there will be some level of pain and stiffness. Getting in to see a chiropractor as soon as possible is the first step in the rehabilitation process.

How is scoliosis diagnosed? In some, the curvature of the spine is visually detectable, while others need special testing to make an accurate diagnosis. The main test is called an "Adams Forward Bending" test. There are also other reliable tests such as X-rays and palpation, orthopedic, and neurological testing to determine the extent of the damage that has been caused by scoliosis. The chiropractor will also take a detailed history of the patient's medical history, family's medical history, as well as work-related and/or recreational/daily activities.

How is scoliosis treated? The methods of treatment depends on the severity of the disorder. Traditional methods are the use of an orthopedic brace, moist heat, and surgery. The use of an orthopedic brace helps prevent the spine from further curvature. It holds it in place but does not limit (all or most) of the patients mobility or interrupt daily or recreational activities. Moist heat is used to decrease pain and stiffness. If it is an extreme case, surgery may be required. Spinal Fusion Surgery places rods and hooks along the spine to prevent any further curvature. There is also placement of a spinal cord monitor to lessen the chances of paralysis. This form of treatment is the absolute last resort, due to the high risk factor for further injury or complications.

There is another option available...chiropractic treatment. Use of a chiropractor for treating scoliosis is gaining respect and popularity among patients and within the medical community. It is now recognized as a reasonable and practicable form of medical care. It not only treats the existing condition, but prevents that condition from worsening. It also aids in the prevention of new medical issues rising to the surface. A majority of patients who suffer from scoliosis, and have used this form of treatment, showed dramatic favorable results in the size of the spinal curves. Studies also showed that after chiropractic care patients saw an increase in overall stability and even a total correction of the spine. In essence, it has improved their quality of life and and decreased the need for more traditional methods of care.

After an initial assessment, the chiropractor and the patient's physician will decide which treatments will be the most beneficial and produce an optimal end result. Some of the chiropractic treatment options are spinal manipulation, shoe lifts, electric stimulation, and isotonic or other exercise methods. It will be up to the chiropractor and the patient's physician which of the above methods will be used. If none of the above methods will work, they will refer the patient to a specialist.

It is important to remember that for any treatment to work, regular visits to a primary care physician, specialist (if any), and chiropractor. They can track the progress of a patient throughout the rehabilitation process. This will allow them to decide if the current treatment is working or if any changes need to be made.

Scoliosis is a condition that needs to be treated by a team of medical professionals. Their goal is to increase muscle strength, and improve mobility. It will also help the patient become more independent, and making them less dependent on medications by decreasing pain/soreness and stiffness. Get with a physician and chiropractor today and start enjoying all that life has to offer.

Cervical Disc: Degeneration and Replacement

Patients with degenerative cervical disc disease who have long been trying to relieve arm and neck pain with conservative treatments such as exercise, chiropractic, physiotherapy, etc., all to no avail, can benefit from cervical disc replacement.

Degenerative disc disease is a spinal condition where one or more discs in the neck become damaged, causing arm pain, arm weakness or numbness with some degree of neck pain. Discs act as shock absorbers between the spinal bones or vertebrae. When a disc deteriorates and loses its ability to act as a cushion, it starts compressing adjacent nerves or the spinal cord, which causes neck pain that worsens by sitting, bending or twisting.

Cervical Disc
Before digging deep into cervical disc degeneration and replacement surgery, one must understand what cervical discs are.

There are 23 discs in the human spine, six of which rest in the neck (cervical region), 12 in the middle back (thoracic region), and 5 in the lower back (lumbar region). Each cervical disc rests between seven small bones (cervical vertebrae), numbered C1 to C7. These discs are made of varying percentage compositions of collagen and ligaments, and act as the cushions or shock absorbers in the cervical spine and allow the neck to be flexible and absorb the load (axial load) of the head.

Disc Degeneration
Degenerative disc disease may lead these small shock-absorbing discs to lose their flexibility and ability to cushion the spine. In the cervical region, this condition typically occurs at the C4-5, C5-6, or C6-7 segment.

Cervical disc degeneration can be hereditary, develop with old age or through an injury. Patients with the condition may experience numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the neck, arms, or shoulders due to irritated or pinched nerve roots in cervical vertebrae, making it hard for them to perform daily activities.

The worn out disc typically shrinks in its height, which can also contribute to the pinching on the nerves in the neck.

Disc Replacement
Cervical disc replacement is a revolutionary surgical procedure using artificial cervical disc implants, an alternative to cervical spine fusion which involves locking two or more of the vertebrae together to stabilize the pain.

Unlike the fusion operation, the replacement surgery involves permanently removing the degenerated or damaged cervical disc and replacing them with an artificial disc device (prosthetic disc).

The artificial cervical disc is inserted between two cervical vertebrae after the removal of the diseased disc. The artificial disc helps fill the gap between two bones as well as maintain or reestablish the normal height of the disc space.

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July of 2007, the artificial disc device is intended to decompress (relieve pressure) on the nerves and spinal cord as well as preserve motion and flexibility in the neck.

The surgery is more advantageous as it eliminates the need for a bone graft, as well as helps patients regain the postoperative neck motion faster and return to normal activity early.

Who and Who Does Not Need It?
If one or two discs in your neck are badly damaged and causing chronic pain in neck and arms, then you may be a candidate for disc replacement surgery.

But the surgery may be considered only if the pain is not relieved adequately with six months of conservative (non-surgical) care, which includes anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, physical therapy, or cold/heat therapy.

The surgery is mostly considered for patients with cervical disc herniations that are significantly taking toll on patients' quality of life and ability to function.

However, the implantation of artificial disc is not an option for all patients. Those with arthritic back bones or suffering from degenerative disc disease at multiple segments in the spine are not appropriate candidates for this surgery.

Tips For How to Decide to Become a Physician Assistant

The decision to be a Physician Assistant is a primary one today. Thirty years ago, many applicants went to PA school because they failed to get into medical school. That would be a bad decision today. You need to investigate and talk to enough people in various medical professions so that what ever you do is your first choice.

It takes some time and energy to go through this process. Perhaps you know a PA and can talk to them and maybe even shadow them for a day as they go about their business. Speaking to other professionals in medicine is a good idea also. Look at MD, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, Optometrist, Nurse and Nurse Practitioner as options. Decide only on the one you have the most passion for.

Medicine is at its core an altruistic profession. The reality is, a number of insurance companies, state and federal agencies, and regulatory bodies will direct, regulate, stone wall and otherwise pressure your decisions toward their point of view. Many patients will have conscious and unconscious motives for their visits other than getting well. You will have to be aware of all the standards and requirements, and adhere to them while sorting out the patients needs and motives. Often there will be a tight time constraint also.

To do this day after day requires that you are really passionate about the journey as well as the product of that journey.

One place to seek assistance is your state Physician Assistant society. This organization and it's local chapters are an invaluable resource for anyone thinking about entering the profession.

The Benefits of SMS Marketing for Your Chiropractic Practice

If you're a chiropractor, you know that the field is extremely competitive and that advertising dollars must be used in an efficient manner. That means getting value on the dollar for each advertisement you run. One highly effective form of advertising for chiropractors is SMS (Short Message Service) or text message marketing.

SMS Ads Are Designed for Local Businesses

An SMS advertisement has proven to be a powerful tool for small to mid-sized local businesses. There are a few reasons for this.

1. It has immediate impact.
2. It can be targeted very specifically.
3. It has a high open rate and high conversion rate

In other words, local businesses such as chiropractic practices can really benefit from the fact that SMS marketing can garner immediate results. Offering special discounts, announcing new services or reminding people of a free talk you're going to give will create a connection with patients and potential patients on which they may act.

Plus, you can specifically target a text. Perhaps you're giving a free talk on low back pain and one of your SMS marketing lists is focused on people who have acknowledged that as a complaint. Reminding them of that presentation could result in their attending and deciding to become a patient.

Finally, the open rate on SMS ads makes them a highly attractive manner of marketing. About 90% of SMS advertisements are opened and the conversion rate ranges from 10% to 30%. Those are fantastic numbers for any business.

Low Cost and Low Risk

Overall, SMS marketing costs are low. Going with a service that offers various plans based on usage is one way to make sure you're not wasting money. You don't want to pay for services you won't be using.

Another way to make sure you use your dollars effectively is to use a service that does not require you sign a long-term contract. Try a service provider for a few months, two to three, to get a sense of how SMS marketing works and to see how good they are.

Before signing on, it's a good idea to already have a list of people and their cell numbers who have said that they want to receive your SMS announcements. Although you'll want to continue to expand and update this list, if you already have a list of interested cell phone users, you'll be able to hit the ground running.

As Powerful as You Make It

Text message marketing has great potential. The advertisements are short and to the point, which means they can be targeted easily. Also, the fact that they are short means that people know when they open them they will be spending just a few seconds on an advertisement that they can act upon, file away or simply discard.

In other words, this is a great way for chiropractors to quickly connect with people who are on the go, have little time to waste and who may not want to be bothered with going to a website. Use this marketing tool to generate return visits, connect with potential patients and to offer those on your list useful information and important discounts.

Colic: 3 Stages and 3 Causes

When most people think of colic, they picture a screaming baby. In actual fact, colic is often a build up of symptoms that ultimately results in a frazzled and exhausted baby. Depending on what stage your baby is currently at, there may be no crying at all! Before considering the causes, let's briefly consider the progression of colic from early and mild symptoms.

In the early stage, the infant may be suffering a few cramps, they may appear restless and may moan and groan frequently. If not resolved within a few days, the symptoms worsen. The moaning and groaning become more intense and can continue even when they are asleep, cramps are more severe, the hands are frequently in little fists and the baby may suffer crying spells that can last up to an hour. This is the intermediate stage.

As this continues unresolved, the baby loses sleep and becomes more and more tired and irritable. The nervous system becomes hyper-irritable and the crying can last for several hours at a time and can continue for weeks and even months.

The sooner the parent takes effective steps to help, the greater the likelihood of breaking the cycle. This may include medication to treat the symptoms but if the underlying cause is identified and treated, the cure is far quicker and more certain. So let us gain a better understanding of the type of colic which is affecting your child.

Imagine how gas might get trapped in a babies digestive tract. The first stop for milk and gas that might be 'gulped' is the stomach and so this is one of the three main causes of colic - stomach gas. It is best treated through static and dynamic burping techniques - techniques that will allow gas to be released through the mouth.

The next and most common cause of colic symptoms is a pocket of gas that is 'trapped' in the baby's intestinal tract. This causes cramping, bloating and discomfort. Ultimately, the pain results in crying. This type is best treated through techniques that help to unlock pockets of gas and promote the movement of gas through the intestines.

The third type of colic has nothing to do with gas yet the symptoms are very similar - an uncomfortable, crampy and crying baby. This type of colic has more to do with spasms in the musculature of the spine and pelvis primarily, as well as kinks in the spine. This type may best be treated by a chiropractor who specializes in babies although there are a range of gentle stretches that a parent can easily learn and which often eases the symptoms dramatically.

You can find out more about the types and stages plus how to treat you baby by visiting our website and watching diagnostic clips, do's and don't as well as a complete program of techniques and exercises which can easily and quickly be learned and applied by the dedicated parent.

Should Basketball Coaches Be Certified to Coach?

In our world the doctor, accountant and chiropractor all experience rigorous training to prepare for their lifes work. Once trained they enter the world or working with and helping people in many ways. Their impact on the world as a whole, while very worthy, is no more than the impact that coaches can have on young people through athletics. Why then are coaches not mandated to gain the same certification to execute their work?

The lack of respect given to the coaching profession has been an ongoing process. Coaches like teachers were once respected and even feared. This process has decreased the control and influence of coaches and increased the power of parents and players. In the end the coaching profession has been watered down to a trickle.

Given this brief history lesson, just about anyone can put a whistle around his or her neck and take the responsibility of the coach. You have to love the time and effort put into helping young people but the quality of their coaching leaves a lot to be desired.

So what is the answer to this undesirable situation?

My challenge to the basketball coaching industry is to push for certification. Officials are certified. Athletic trainers are certified. Almost all professions have some kind of certification and on-going training.

Canada and Europe have mandated coaching certification for their hoop coaches for years. Working with a series of levels of certification, this is a serious matter for these coaches. Improving and sharpening their coaching skills is required of them, not only suggested. Do Canada and the European countries have coaching preparation and training figured out?

As a consultant for coaches I am often asked for my take on certification and the status of our coaching approach in the US. Here is a few of my thoughts on the topic:

1. Each coach must have a philosophy of coaching that is a written, detailed document expressing their believe in how the game should be taught, coached and played.

2. Each coach must have an overall plan to teach a comprehensive list of fundamentals and skills needed by all players at all levels.

3. Each coach must have a plan to implement the training of individual, small group and teams of players.

4. Each coach must demonstrate the ability to create drills and create solid, fundamentally oriented practice plans.

5. Each coach must have knowledge of the communication and technical skills of the game.

6. Each coach must learn-by-doing and be able to teach all aspects of the game.

7. Each coach must demonstrate an ability to teach, listen, instruct and discipline players and deal with outside factors such as parents.

8. Each coach must participate in on-going coach training outside of the occasional attendance at coaches clinics.

9. Each coach must secure and work with a mentor during the entire year.

10. An understanding and appreciation of basketball history is important for all coaches.

Because our country does a poor job of training its coaches, I am pushing, with many other influential basketball people in our country, for a coach certification program.

Not only do we not train our coaches, but do a poor job of on-going training. Other than an occasional clinic, our coaches are not challenged or self-motivated to become better at their trade as other professions. To go a step further, our coaches self-improvement doesn't come close the expectations we put on our players to get better on a daily basis.

So all that being said, I am researching this topic and am asking hundreds of people in the basketball industry to help me adopt a curriculum for coach training.

Some of the questions I ask are; "What parts of the game do players need to master and in what priority?"

I have asked many people provide a list of your top 10 skills in a prioritized list. I would be happy to share the results with you when they are compiled and also share with you the outline I devise for my Coaches Academy and my Coach Certification program.

Flushing Stress and Anxiety Away With Chiropractic

Stress can be a serious condition if it remains untreated. It can cause anxiety attacks, heart disease, or general pain and stiffness. One of the best options to relieving stress is chiropractic adjustments. Stress can significantly be reduced with the help of a chiropractor. With spinal manipulations and a good diet, the body will be able to adapt better to stress.

Stress knots in the body can drastically hinder the way one performs their daily activities. The body tries to compensate for the pain the muscle is causing, but in return the body starts to become uncomfortable and extremely tight. When a condition arises in the neck, if it isn't treated, it can then form down the shoulders and into the low back.

The biochemical and physiological aspects of the human body receive a lot of attention from chiropractors. When the body has prolonged tension in the muscles, regardless of the location, it can lead to behavioral and personality changes. A spinal manipulation benefits the spine and surrounding muscles. This technique removes the irritation in the nerves and releases tension in the muscles allowing the body to properly adapt to the daily stresses in life.

A spinal adjustment sends certain signals up to the brain that turns off the stress response. The human body can actually handle stress very well if it's given the chance. Routine chiropractic adjustments, a healthy diet, and moving well will keep the body in tip top shape to deal with daily stresses.

Managing stress with chiropractic care helps to improve reflexes, joint and muscle movement, and range of motion. Some people are so prone to stress that the joints and muscles must be retrained so the individual doesn't hold stress and tension in their body. For greater results, spinal adjustments may be combined with massage therapy.

A few tips and helpful hints to reduce any physical stress and tense muscles are:

Take a quick five minute stroll whether it is inside or outside. Continuous movement helps prevent muscle restriction.

Change the scenery. Sometimes all it takes is little break to chit chat with someone or just look at the window. Observing others, or "people watching", is a quick way to get the mind off any stressful thoughts.

Simply close your eyes and imagine being anywhere in the world. Take a few deep breaths and re-group your thoughts to positive images

Stress can definitely bring out the worst in some people. Chiropractic care is an important and natural way to rid stress and tight muscles.

10 Ways to Decrease Inflammation Naturally

What is Inflammation?

Whether we are conscious of it or not, we all experience inflammation on a daily basis, yet few among us fully understand the vital purpose that inflammation serves in our bodies and the havoc it can wreak upon us when it goes unchecked. Many see inflammation as the redness, heat, swelling, and pain that we get upon injury, and while this is true, it represents only one kind of inflammation: acute inflammation. Inflammation, by itself, is a natural process and without it healing could not take place in the body. Acute inflammation is seen as the body's reaction to injury, helping to aid in repair and protect damaged tissue, and is at the heart of protecting our bodies from disease and illness. This type of inflammation acts to heal by getting more nourishment and immune system activity to the area that needs it most.

Where inflammation becomes dangerous and even deadly is when it manifests as chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation, as the name suggests, represents inflammation that lasts weeks, months, and even years and occurs when the initial stimulus which led to acute inflammation persists, as the body interprets the stimulus as unresolved. This form of inflammation can be sinister in nature, silently damaging your tissues without the usual redness, heat, swelling or pain that would normally be seen with acute inflammation. Tissue damage is a classic hallmark of chronic inflammation, often forming fibrous or scar tissue from the tissue which once existed in the site of repair. New blood vessel formation (or angiogenesis) is another common hallmark of chronic inflammation, which plays a part in many disease processes, such as cancer.

Chronic inflammation has been linked with autoimmune disorders, allergic reactions, viral and bacterial infections, and a host of other diseases and disease processes, such as:

• Asthma


• Crohn's Disease


• Rheumatoid Arthritis


• Heart Disease


• Multiple Sclerosis


• Diabetes


• Celiac Disease


• Alzheimer's Disease


• Cancer


• Obesity


• Atherosclerosis


• Allergies

And many other conditions (including other inflammatory conditions such as gastritis, endocarditis, tendonitis, etc.)

10 Ways to Decrease Inflammation Naturally

1. Ready. Set. GO!

In addition to naturally lowering inflammation throughout the body, exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, while lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and improving mood and anxiety (lowering the risk of depression) and improving blood sugar levels, helping to optimize body weight, while reducing fat. If you're not accustomed to exercising, start slowly by simply walking every day. Yoga and water aerobics are my two favorite low-impact forms of exercise---as you build more stamina and strength, you can begin to incorporate more into your life. An important point to drive home is this: exercise need not be stuffing yourself into a gym. Gardening, cleaning, walking, biking, and other forms of physical activity is something we all require, so simply moving every day, in conjunction with eating a healthy diet, are the two most important thing you can do for your body.

2. Redefine Your Sweet Tooth

Simple sugars, such as those found in most processed foods, wreak havoc on our bodies, causing an abrupt spike in our blood sugar levels, while raising insulin levels to counterbalance the spike. This leads to lowered immune system function, promotion of obesity, and a rise in inflammation, increasing the levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in the body. Eating complex carbohydrates, whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and healthy sources of protein can help balance blood sugar levels while improving satiety and decreasing inflammatory processes in the body. As a general rule, the more natural and unprocessed the food source, the more regulated your blood sugar levels will become.

3. Trim the FAT

Excess fat stored in fat cells (adipose tissue), by itself, causes inflammation and inflammatory processes to occur in the body.In fact, these very inflammatory processes can lead to insulin resistant type II diabetes as well as resistance to cortisol, making it even more difficult to lose weight in those suffering from obesity. Diet modification, regular daily exercise, food portion control, chewing your food twice as long as you normally would (while eating at a slower pace), and having the support of family and friends can help overcome obesity once and for all, helping to avoid the many health conditions associated with obesity.

4. Break the Habit

Aside from smoking being the number one cause of preventable disease and premature death, smoking has also been linked with causing inflammation and raising C-reactive protein inflammatory markers, contributing to heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and atherosclerosis.From a chiropractic perspective, patients who smoke have altered healing times, so a bone fracture can take considerably longer to heal for a smoker in comparison to non-smokers. The body has a tremendous ability to heal itself and quitting smoking today can greatly improve the chances of avoiding the harmful and potentially life-threatening effects smokers face.

5. Tea Time

The beneficial effects of tea, especially green and white tea, has become well known in popular culture, but it's worth highlighting the many benefits of tea, stemming primarily from the polyphenol compounds they contain---helping to hold inflammation at bay through the powerful antioxidants they contain. Tea has been shown clinically to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, bowel disease, and liver disease (to name a few), while helping with weight loss and the effects of arthritis (and other inflammatory diseases).When choosing a tea, make sure it's organic. Also, realize that all non-herbal teas contains these beneficial polyphenol compounds, from green tea to black tea, but the darker the tea, the more fermentation and processing has taken place and the more caffeine is present, so choosing a white tea or green tea will give you more of these beneficial compounds.

6. Find Your Inner Peace

Stress is an absolute killer---that much is known to us, yet the degree to which stress kills is remarkable. Stress has been linked with heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, depression, diabetes, colds, kidney disease, asthma, ulcers, and cancer (to name a few) and has been shown to raise C-reactive protein, driving inflammation in the body.Finding ways to curb stress in your life is of the utmost importance. Some stress reducing methods include: daily exercise, meditation and prayer to clear the mind, talking it out with loved ones or a therapist, yoga and tai chi (or qi gong), taking time to spend with family and friends, laughing daily, and, as Dr. Mercola always suggests, emotional freedom technique ( an EFT example can be found here ), which I personally use and recommend.In chiropractic, we find many people carry stress in their neck, shoulders, and low back and much of the pain our patients experience can be attributed to stress. We have found that regular adjustments in our clinic have helped our patients deal with the side-effects of stress, aiding in stress management.

7. The Good Fat

As the name suggests, essential fatty acids are fats that are essential to our survival---our bodies are unable to make them, so we must obtain these fats from our diets. Unfortunately, the standard American diet contains 14 to 25 times more omega-6 fats than omega-3; this despite the fact that the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 should be closer to 1:1. There are innumerable conditions associated with inadequate omega-3 fat consumption, ranging from heart disease to mood disorders like ADHD and schizophrenia to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The bottom line is that we need to make a conscious effort daily to ensure we are getting our omega-3 fats to help drive down inflammation in the body and protect our brain, heart, and neural tissue.Good sources of omega-3 fats can be found in many seeds and nuts, like walnuts and flax seeds, as well as wild caught varieties of fish, especially wild caught salmon and krill or cod liver oil, and eggs that are of the free-range (or cage-free) variety. It is important to make the distinction between farm-raised salmon and wild caught salmon---they are not the same and contain vastly different levels of the nutrients our bodies need. Also, with increased pollution, it has become very important to make sure to buy fish that contains the lowest levels of heavy metals, like mercury.

8. Healthy Herbs (and Spices!)

Cox-II inhibitors are prevalent in many of our prescription pain medications and were present in Vioxx, the drug that was eventually pulled from the market for its link to heart attack and stroke. Cox-II inhibitors are also naturally present in many herbs, to a much lesser potency than prescription drugs and with fewer side effects, working to decrease inflammation present in the body. Many herbs were used to model drugs we use today, and in the case of aspirin, it was originally modeled after white willow bark which contains salicin (similar to, but less potent than the synthetic acetylsalicylic acid in aspirin). Herbs like turmeric (curcumin), white willow bark, ginger, devil's claw, boswellia, and hops have all been proven to decrease inflammation naturally, providing benefits especially with people suffering from arthritis. While not an herb, Bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme found in pineapple, has also proven effective with inflammation, as well as treating injury to the body.Consider cooking more meals at home using fresh, organic herbs and spices, as many contain beneficial compounds that boost our body's innate ability to heal itself naturally.

9. Chemical-Free

The Environmental Working Group and the President's Cancer Panel have both issued reports this year detailing the hazards of certain chemicals, toxins, and pollutants which pose particular risks to our health. Conditions affiliated with environmental pollutants and toxins are vast, but typically include: endocrine and nervous system defects, asthma, cancer, skin, eye, and lung irritation, ADHD, and a weakened immune system. These reports were in agreement that people should buy organically whenever possible, that they should drink filtered water, be aware of environmental pollutants (such as radon), and that they should make efforts to avoid certain household chemicals.

10. Take Your Taste Buds on a Trip to the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Diet has long proven effective in helping to curb heart disease, cancer, Alzeheimer's disease, obesity and type-II diabetes, among the multitude of other health benefits it promotes.The diet centers on eating plenty of fresh, preferably locally-grown fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, whole grains, and heart-healthy oils (like olive oil) on a daily basis, while incorporating herbs and spices into your meals in the place of salt. Red meat is consumed sparingly in favor of fish, chicken, and eggs---all of which are consumed in vastly fewer quantities than what we typically consume in the standard American diet.When considering your diet, take into account the trends around us, noting that the way we do things now is not how we've always done things, and that obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and the like are on the rise. In 1950, Americans consumed (on average) 144 pounds of meat per person, per year. Jump ahead to 2007 and we see that the average American now eats close to 222 pounds of meat per year ---an astounding 78 pounds more meat annually per person in the course of only 57 years! The change begins with you.

What You Need To Know About How To Become A Chiropractor

There are many things that will be necessary to become a chiropractor. As someone that has a scientific mind, that wants to help people to better their lives and has the willingness to work hard to make that happen, there are many benefits to providing chiropractic care to patients. Most people do not realize the true benefit that using a chiropractor can provide to your daily life. Yet, they are necessary and it is often necessary to seek out this profession if you can tolerate hard work and long hours.

To become a chiropractor, the first thing that will need to be done is the enrollment into a chiropractor school. This process is often the most costly of steps but can be the ideal way to find out if this is something for you. Here, you will learn a great deal about becoming a chiropractor. Additionally, you will find that you will need to have a love of science to truly take in all that is present here. Once you attend a chiropractor school, you are off to an internship.

Here, you will learn about becoming a chiropractor through first hand knowledge. Often, this first hand approach can be the most beneficial to your career. It will teach you not only to deal with the aches and the pains that people face but also help you to handle the personal side of the equation. Nothing is simple when it comes to dealing with patients including their inability to understand what they truly need to do to overcome pain.

Once your internship is done and you are licensed, you are a chiropractor. But, your journey probably does not stop there. In fact, you may then determine that opening up your own office is necessary. This means getting together all that is necessary to do. That means pulling together everything from chiropractic tables to chiropractic software to manage your business with. Of course, this is no little feat, especially if you are starting from scratch and on your own. Yet, to become a chiropractor practicing in his own business, this is the best route to take.

When you do become a chiropractor, you will find that there are many rewarding aspects to the job. You get to help people with pain that they just can not describe. You get to provide individuals with the very best way in which they can find these pains relieved. Ultimately, you take away the very thing that is hurting them the most. The need for more chiropractors is out there and it is continuously growing. Yet, establishing yourself from the get go can be the most rewarding of all things that you do when it comes to becoming a chiropractor.

Appreciating Your Chiropractor

Chiropractic is a healing discipline that involves spinal manipulation. Since the body has its own ability to heal based on the spine as a vital body part, then the purpose of chiropractic treatment is to stabilize the body connections to create an overall positive effect on health.

Ninety percent of manipulative treatments focuses mainly on spinal manipulation. People choose this method of healing because of the many testimonials attesting to the effectiveness of this healing method. Through traditional medicine, healing could be more complicated and agonizing before it can actually bring results that could be felt by a patient. With chiropractic treatment is little to no need for advanced technological equipment. Hence, little money is spent. The world of healing has been revolutionized with chiropractic's non-invasive and fast-acting treatments. Hence, more and more people choose chiropractic for their body aches and pains, especially around the neck and back.

Chiropractors are graduates of a field of study which allows them to earn knowledge on chiropractic as a method for healing. Upon graduation from chiropractic school, aspiring practitioners are required to take a board examination in order to gauge their readiness to handle cases and patients. A chiropractor's license to practice is essential to define the area where this chiropractor can practice his profession.

It is said that chiropractic is the second most popular method of healing next to medicine. Aside from the government, chiropractors also regulate themselves to prevent abuse and fraud and strive to upgrade their skills in order to maintain patients' trust. Over the years, people have grown more and more confident about visiting chiropractors for body aches and pains. And they have also become more aware that this type of treatment is contraindicated for those who have certain medical conditions. As with any other way of healing, chiropractic is not good for everybody. As long as a patient is honest when giving his medical history to a chiropractor, he will be safe.

Chiropractic has long been debated over for its safety. In 1976, chiropractors sued the American Medical Association because of the AMA's report claiming chiropractic is a form of quackery. Of course, this was vigorously disputed by those who studied and practiced it. Eventually, chiropractors won the case. Today, surgeons, medical practitioners, and chiropractors are working hand in hand in order to find better solutions to various types of disorders, especially those involving the musculoskeletal system. Now, there is a harmonious relationship between medicine and chiropractic which has proven itself through time as a safe and effective method of healing.

Chiropractic Treatment Is Suitable For The Elderly

Chiropractic care focus on the connection between the musculoskeletal structure and the body functions with special regards to the spinal area. Our nervous system is responsible for controlling the functions of other organs, muscles, and body systems. The nerves and the nerve roots are connected from the brain into a vast muscular bundle widely known as the spinal nerve. It travels along the spine and branch out in the spinal vertebrae. These vertebrae connect the various body parts and organs towards the spine. Any condition that pinch the nerves, such as trauma, pressure, or spinal misalignments, can cause disruption of the function of the nervous system.

It is not surprising that as we get older, our body functions begin to deteriorate. Our muscles respond slower and shrink. Our body has less than the body requirement for fluids. Our bones lose density and become more brittle. The elderly are much more prone to musculoskeletal injuries. When they get injured, they take a longer recovery period. If they seek medical treatment, their age can mean they become more sensitive to the side effects of medications and surgery puts them at far more risk.

Given this set of conditions, medication-free and noninvasive chiropractic treatment is preferably suited to older people. In working with the elderly, DCs make use of gentle techniques appropriate to the aging body. Ongoing wellness and preventive care are essential elements of treatment. This may include recommendations on exercise, nutrition and lifestyle modifications.

At present, chiropractic care is the third largest health care system that provides a safe and effective treatment for pain due to spinal misalignments. Since many health problems are linked with irregularities in the spine, chiropractic is very efficient in dealing with these various conditions. Chiropractors are specially trained to identify and treat subluxations. According to them, these subluxations cause unfavorable disturbances with your nervous system. Anti-inflammatory medication regimen and other pain relievers only mask the symptoms, may cause unwanted side effects, and do not deal with the real cause of the problem. Chiropractic care provides a drug-free, pain-free, and safe treatment that takes care of the root of the problem.

Do you know that musculoskeletal injuries due to falling are very common among our elderly? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are responsible for about 90% of the 850,000 bone fractures which happen every year among Americans past the age of 65. DCs can reduce the incidence of falling by using chiropractic adjustments to stabilize the mechanoreceptors located on the cervical spine. Additionally, they will provide instructions on how to do stretching and exercise to increase overall flexibility, mobility, balance, coordination, and strength.

Chiropractic adjustments for the elderly can enhance the range of motion of the spine and extremities. For the elderly, this would allow them to bend and lift up their young grandchildren. They can also do much more activities without experiencing any pain. It can absolutely enhance their daily functions. Oftentimes, increased range of motion is immediately observed after a few sessions of chiropractic rehabilitation.

Our bodies are designed to function and move. It allows us to do various activities and go to different places. As we get older, all those movable body parts eventually wear down. For this reason, it is important for the elderly to have their spine aligned properly. Chiropractors, such as professionals from Chiropractic Colorado Springs, normalize the alignment of the spine and reduce any strain on it to decrease spinal deterioration and other aches and pains.

Chiropractic therapy can help lessen pain, improve joint function, enhance mobility, increase balance and coordination, and decrease stiffness. Although it's not truly a fountain of youth, chiropractic can do wonders in improving your comfort and quality of life.

You Miss 100% of the Shots You Never Take!

What do you want to achieve in life? You may want to advance your career; build better relationships with others; learn a new language; simplify your life; raise a family; the list goes on! How are you progressing so far?

What about your health?

Most of us try to save for the future, perhaps for our retirement or for an extended holiday abroad. We think of places we want to go, things we want to do and things we want to see in the future. However, if we don't take the steps NOW to care for our health, our savings will end up being spent on medication and health care instead of on the things that we want.

The hardest step to take is the first one!

Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, often regarded as "the greatest player of all time" is quoted as saying, "You miss 100% of the shots you never take". Gretzky missed hundreds of shots in his playing career, but the shots that people remember are the ones that scored goals. If you don't take the shot, then obviously you won't score. It is physically impossible to make a shot that you never took.

In essence, if you never take the first step you will never achieve your goals. This applies to any situation in life, including creating healthier habits. All it takes is making the choice to make changes and you are on your way to a healthier life.

8 keys to success!

1. Have a plan

You must have a plan of what you intend to do, how you want to incorporate healthier choices and then simply follow the plan. Then compare your progress with your plan later down the track, may it be 30, 60 or 90 days later. Using a journal is a great way to track your progress. Even on days where you feel de-motivated, you can encourage yourself by looking back and reviewing the progress you have made.

2. Benchmark yourself

In order to determine the progress you make, you need to know the current status of your health and note the areas of needed improvement.

3. Consult your health practitioner

To make benchmarking easier, consult your health care practitioner. Your health care practitioner can help you monitor things you may not notice or can't see for yourself. Make a booking with your local GP to get your cholesterol, blood pressure and sugar levels checked. In addition to seeing your GP, your chiropractor can evaluate the state of your spine, posture and muscles and even prescribe suitable exercises that won't predispose you to injury.

4. Be patient

You've made the right choice and taken the first steps, now you need keep it up and be patient. You won't see immediate benefits overnight, unless you were bitten by a radioactive spider and develop a six-pack overnight!

5. Expect obstacles

Unexpected things happen. It may be a sudden death, loss of a job, injury or even a party that you only recently found out about. It may break your routine for a short period of time, but don't let it take you completely off track. If you plan for obstacles to happen, you will be better equipped to handle them and move on.

6. Sleep

We have discussed the benefits of sleep in a previous article. It is far better to get a good nights rest, than to stay up late to work on tasks. You will wake up in a much more productive state and be more likely to make better health choices, e.g. instead of staying up late snacking on a Snickers, you go to bed early, wake up refreshed for your morning fitness regime and enjoy a substantial nutritious breakfast after.

7. Exercise

One of your health goals should be to exercise for 30-60 minutes three to five days a week. It will go a long way in helping you achieve a healthier body. Try something that you find fun. I enjoy tennis and soccer, hence I play those sports. Don't force yourself onto activities that you loathe since you will be less likely to stick at it. However, this rule doesn't apply if you don't like any form of exercise!

8. Keep it fun!

We all get bored easily, so having a plan that is too regimented will result in failure. When planning your new healthy lifestyle, why not invite a friend to join in. Make time each week for a bit of recreation and socializing. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage you for your efforts. It will make staying motivated a lot easier!

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take!"

Apply Gretzky's advice; take the shot; choose a healthier life; and you too can become a LEGEND!

Chiropractic Marketing - Top 5 Ideas for Marketing To Manufacturing Facilities

As an EHS professional, I work diligently to avoid work related injury and illnesses. To accomplish this I often need help from outside experts to address specific problems. Once I develop a strong relationship with them the amount of business and referrals go up as a natural process of doing business.

I believe chiropractors have an opportunity to partner with companies and become the vendor of choice for many services. Below are a few ideas I had as the person a chiropractor may be calling to market services.

1. Saving company's money. The fact is employees get hurt while at work more often than I would like. When this happens they need medical attention. Most manufacturing facilities have a relationship with a local medical clinic to provide immediate attention. Once an employee enters the clinic the injury typically gets treated by medical doctors. While all states are different, in most, a chiropractor can be added to the facilities panel (if required) and sent directly to them for appropriate injuries. I suggest looking for studies that support a cost savings in your marketing.

2. Understanding OSHA basics. A common struggle many in manufacturing facilities have is reducing, controlling or hopefully eliminating OSHA recordable cases. This is a key topic discussed routinely and one Chiropractors can help influence. If you accept work comp claims do you know the employers transitional work program? Most employers can meet restrictions and prefer to get employees back to work immediately even if it is not doing their normal job. Take the time to tour the facility, understand what they do and how the work restrictions you write affect their business.

3. Ergonomics is still on OSHA's mind. Many people believe ergonomics is a thing of the past and requires no action. That is not necessarily true. OSHA has a continued to support ergonomics in the workplace and issues citations under the general duty clause. If you have a passion for ergonomics don't assume employers know ergonomics is not dead. Share the information with them and conduct a free walk around inspection as a way to meet and greet them.

4. Make it easy for me. When talking to chiropractors I quickly realized they were much more available then other health care professionals. If I had a question, my call was returned or answered on the spot. This is a huge motivator for me. As with all jobs, everyone has to do more with less and getting answers quickly allows me to get things done faster. Highlight your ability to respond quickly when needed, it will go a long way.

5. While completing an internet search of what Chiropractors might be doing to market to manufacturing business I found some great current initiatives. Such as, health fairs, lunch and learns and spinal screenings. I find value in all these efforts but would be more likely to use you for these if you also provided other services.

If you would like to partner with manufacturing facilities in your area and become the go to chiropractor think about providing more value. The combination of reducing costs, making it easy for clients, participating in facility and or ergonomic assessment visits and treating work related MSD type injuries (when appropriate) makes you more than a vendor. You are now an integral part of the team and the go to chiropractor of choice.

Good Posture Can Prevent Bad Back Pain

Remember your mother or your teacher snapping at you to sit up straight and to stop slouching? It might have been annoying, but, as it turns out, they were right to correct you. Maintaining proper posture is the most important factor in preventing or reducing lumbar issues. It's also the simplest thing you can do to help reduce your own neck or back pain.

Maintaining healthy posture is important for keeping your spine strong and stable. When you slouch or slump, it puts additional pressure and strain on the muscles and ligaments that maintain balance. This in turn can lead to fatigue, back pain, muscle strains, headaches, weakened abdominal muscles and other issues. Bad posture can also cause movement or displacement of inter-vertebral discs, a common source of chronic back pain in chiropractic patients. It can also result in weakening of various muscle groups that help maintain correct posture, which can make it even harder to sit or stand properly.

Good posture, meanwhile, has many health benefits. It improves your airflow and helps maintain muscle strength in your torso. Good posture prevents strains, and is healthier for the muscular and skeletal systems. It also looks better - standing or sitting upright makes a person appear confident, put together, and assertive to others. You also look taller, thinner, and younger when standing up straight. Your good posture just may get you noticed!

What is Good Posture?

Contrary to popular belief, sitting or standing upright with your shoulders and head thrown back and your spine kept straight with your legs locked is not good posture. In fact, holding this position regularly is as harmful as slouching. Instead, a proper posture will maintain the natural curves of the spine.

The human spine has three natural curves:

- the cervical curve, a forward curve at the neck

- the thoracic curve, a backwards curve at the upper back

- the lumbar curve, a forward curve at the lower back

Proper posture will lead your back to naturally fall into this position, rather than exaggerating the curves and pulling on the back by slouching, or trying to straighten the curves and leading to stain.

Maintaining Good Posture

To have proper posture while standing, you should hold your chest high while you have your shoulders back and relaxed. Pull in your abdomen and buttocks while keeping your feet parallel and with your weight balanced evenly between them. Another way to help position yourself properly is to keep your ears, shoulders, and hips aligned together. Doing exercises, stretches, or yoga is a good way to strengthen the muscles used to maintain proper posture. If you've been slouching, these muscles may have become weakened, making it difficult to maintain your upright position.

Meanwhile, good seated posture involves keeping your neck, back, and heels aligned and feet flat on the floor. You should sit all the way back in the chair and use the chair back for support. Avoid bending or leaning forward, or natural slouching. Use of a lumbar pillow can help you maintain this position even if you forget about your posture or grow fatigued. Sitting this way reduces stresses on your back, which can help prevent or alleviate back pain.

Good posture is not just something that adults used as an excuse to yell at you during your childhood. It makes you look and feel better, and helps maintain muscle and skeletal health. Having good posture can keep you from suffering from back pain. So remember, sit up straight, stand up straight, and stop slouching. You don't even have to tell mom she was right.

If you have questions about your posture or back pain, visit a NJ chiropractor for a thorough analysis of your spine.