Can I Have Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: I was recently talking to a patient, when they mentioned that they wished their brother could go to a chiropractor for his back pain. I found out that her brother had back surgery 5 years ago, and assumed that he could never get adjusted by a chiropractor again.
This, unfortunately, is a common misunderstanding of patients. People think that if they have ever had neck or back surgery, that they can not go to a doctor of chiropractic and get a spinal adjustment again.
The main thing to understand is it will depend on where and what type of spinal surgery you had to determine when and how can get adjusted again.
After practicing in the greater Houston area for 34 years, we have developed a great working relationship with several spinal surgeons. For a typical discectomy most surgeons will suggest that we wait 4-6 weeks before beginning chiropractic care. A spinal fusion will typically require waiting 4-9 months before receiving a chiropractic manipulation. If a patient received a spinal fusion cage or scoliosis rods, we do not adjust that specific area, but we can adjust the surrounding areas.
A recent study noted that 10% of patients receiving regular chiropractic treatment had at least one prior spinal surgery in the past. Patients With a History of Spine Surgery Receiving Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation in US Academic Health Centers: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study – PMC (nih.gov) As spine specialist, doctors of chiropractic are uniquely qualified to help with post-surgical rehabilitation and to help minimize a reoccurrence.
Chiropractic care after back surgery will help increase spinal motion, minimize joint adhesions, and help reduce any associated joint pain.
Just because you had neck or back surgery in the past, it does not mean that you cannot experience the pleasure of health by receiving chiropractic care now.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Do You Have To Keep Going To A Chiropractor After You Start?
Houston Chiropractor Comments: I was recently talking with someone when they told me that they wanted to start chiropractic care, but were worried that they would have to keep getting adjusted forever if they did.
Unfortunately, it was not the first time that I had heard that. Since only about 10 percent of the population goes to a doctor of chiropractic, there is a lot of misinformation about chiropractic care.
In my 35 years of being a doctor of chiropractic (DC), we have treated some patients one time and resolved their problem and we have some patients that come one time a month, and have done that for 30+ years.
In my Houston, Texas office we like to find out what is causing the patients’ complaint / pain, fix the problem with chiropractic care and exercises / stretches, and then leave it alone.
Most of the time, this works well. The patients’ complaints are alleviated and they are given stretches and exercises to help prevent a reoccurrence. Think of it like going to a dentist and he fixes a cavity and then tells you to brush and floss to prevent future cavities.
Some patients do well with their home-care program, but eventually life gets busy and they stop doing their stretches and exercises. Since they are usually still doing the same activities…the problems that had resolved, return. The patients have these exacerbations periodically until they make their home-care, part of their daily routine.
Finally, some patients find that the quality of their life is improved with regular chiropractic care. They find that they need less medication, visit other doctors less frequently, and generally have more energy. For these patients, it is like having a tune-up so that they can enjoy life to the fullest.
You do not have to get chiropractic care forever, but you might just find that you want to have regular chiropractic care and experience the pleasure of health.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Are Chiropractic Adjustments Painful?
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Every month, at least 10 – 12 new patients ask me if their chiropractic adjustments will hurt. For most people, it is the fear of the unknown. They have never been to a chiropractor, so they have no idea what to expect. Some have been referred in by a doctor, friend, or co-worker, but even if they are told it is safe, they ask me if it will be painful.
Sometimes I will joke that it will not hurt me at all … and then smile. Patients want reassurance that the treatment will not hurt more than the pain that brought them to our Houston Texas office.
If an adjustment is performed correctly, it should not be painful. Sometimes if there is a serious injury with a lot of swelling and muscle spasms, there might be some soreness noted in the area around the injury.
The actual adjustment removes any restriction in the joint and allows more pain free movement. It also allows any irritation of the nerve to be reduced. These things help to reduce rather than cause pain.
Some patients hear the sound of a chiropractic adjustment and assume that it must cause pain. They think that the sound is two bones grinding together or breaking. In fact, it is just gas in the joint capsule typically. Here is a video explaining the noise that you may hear after an adjustment. Beecher Chiropractic – What is that Chiropractic Noise? (youtube.com)
In summary, typically there is no pain from a properly performed chiropractic adjustment. If you do have any discomfort after an adjustment, it will typically be minimal, such as you might feel after lifting weights or doing yard work. Finally, if you notice any increase in pain after an adjustment put ice on the painful area for 20 minutes and it should go away.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Benefits Of Walking
Houston Chiropractor Comments: If you have had lower back pain in the past, new research out of Australia has confirmed what we suspected. The study showed that if you have recovered from low back pain, then walking can help to prevent a reoccurrence.
The study mentions that walking allows a combination of gentle oscillatory movements, loading and strengthening the spinal muscles and structures, as well as relaxation, stress relief and the release of endorphins.
Over 800 million people around the world suffer from low back pain. In 7 out of 10 cases, the pain will alleviate only to return in the future.
Most chiropractors and other doctors will recommend stretching and exercising to help prevent, or at least minimize, a reoccurrence. Walking is a low cost, and widely accessible form of exercise regardless of age, socio-economic status, or geographic location.
The study, recently posted in The Lancet, showed that walking almost doubled the length of time before a reoccurrence. In addition, the study group reported missing work only half as frequently. Additional benefits were an increase in bone density, cardiovascular health, weight loss, and improved mental health.
As we say at Beecher Chiropractic, movement is medicine.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Chiropractic Care of Motorcycle Injuries
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: As the weather warms up here in the Houston, Texas area, more people begin to start riding their motorcycles. Unfortunately, some vehicle drivers fail to notice the motorcycle traveling next to them and some motorcycle riders think that traffic laws do not apply to them.
That is when the accidents occur and injuries are the outcome.
Since motorcycle riders do not have the benefit of a solid object protecting them and do not have seatbelts to restrain their motion, they tend to acquire different injuries.
Motorcycle riders and passengers tend to have more abrasions, contusions, and broken / dislocated bones. It is important to properly document all the cuts and bruises to not only be able to address the injuries, but to document any scarring or impairments in the future. Patients who have slid on the pavement or gravel are often surprised when they find that some of it got under their skin and they notice it days or weeks later.
The injured rider’s body also tends to roll or flip over on the ground or pavement instead of being restrained in a vehicle and having a sudden acceleration / deceleration. This results in more global injuries to multiple areas instead of the focal injuries (neck and shoulder) typically seen in auto accidents.
Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) are uniquely qualified for this. Orthopedists MD) and physical therapists (PT) tend to only examine the areas that the patient complains of such as a shoulder or knee and they do not document other areas, such as the neck and back complaint, until after the other area has been surgically corrected or the therapy has finished. At Beecher Chiropractic Clinic in Clear Lake City, Texas we examine not only the area that you are complaining about, but evaluate the mechanism of injury and try to anticipate what other areas might have been injured. This way all your injuries are diagnosed and treated at the same time, if possible.
Hopefully you never get injured on your motorcycle, but if you do, we will be happy to get your injuries resolved as quickly as possible.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Manipulation vs. Mobilization
Houston Chiropractor Comments: I recently had a prior patient return for treatment of her low back pain. Her HMO doctor had referred her to physical therapy (PT) for treatment of her pain and she went there. She had asked to be referred to my Clear Lake City, TX office, but her GP stated that chiropractors and PT’s treat low back pain the same so he would not refer her to my office.
The visit at the physical therapy clinic started out the same as most clinics. She had an examination followed by some therapy. After the therapy was completed, she asked about getting her back adjusted.
That is when she found out about the difference between chiropractic manipulation or adjustments and PT mobilization.
A chiropractic manipulation is typically a high velocity end range technique. A PT mobilization typically takes a joint through their range of motion, but does not take the joint beyond its end range.
The chiropractic manipulation requires a lot more skill to deliver the correct treatment. It usually requires several thousand adjustments before a chiropractor can determine the exact amount of force and speed to manipulate patients of any age correctly.
The mobilization usually is slower in speed and does not go through the full joint range of motion. They typically consist of slow, rhythmical, oscillating techniques similar to stretching.
After 3 visits with the PT my patient had not seen any improvement, so she decided to pay out of pocket to see me. After the first chiropractic manipulation she had a 50% reduction in pain and it was completely relieved in 3 visits.
Both of these treatments have their place, but they are not the same and neither are the results.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Chiropractor Near Me
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: I am old enough to remember when new patients to my office were either referred by their friends, family member, or co-worker. Phonebooks were merely a way for people to look up your phone number without calling information.
That all changed in the early 1990’s. First, insurance companies started switching to managed care plans. With these plans, patients first looked to see if you were on their HMO or PPO list. Then they would see if you were near their home or work for convenience.
Next came the internet. Now patients could look up all the information about a provider or clinic. This made looking for a doctor easier. You could get all the information that you wanted (and some that you didn’t want) at the push of a button. As time progressed, you could read blogs about specific questions that you had or videos to see the correct way to stretch.
Now we have reached a time where people are choosing a doctor of chiropractic simply based off their Google or Yelp reviews or because they came up #1 on a search for “Chiropractor Near Me”.
It has been an interesting journey for sure. Luckily, we have blogs covering almost any topic and YouTube videos to show common stretches. We have also been blessed with wonderful patients who have written hundreds of reviews.
In addition, when you type “Chiropractor Near Me” and you live in Houston, Clear Lake, Webster, Friendswood, Pearland, Seabrook, or Pasadena, we come up at the top of the list. We are always ready to help you experience the pleasure of health.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
The Supplements That I Take
Houston Chiropractor Comments: I get asked frequently, “What supplements do you take?” I try to eat a healthy diet with a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, but I still take supplements to make sure that I receive all the nutrients that my body needs.
Multivitamin
The number one thing that I take is a general multivitamin. This will usually cover the minerals and essential vitamins that my body will require. This is beneficial since at times my diet may be lacking in one or more essential nutrients and this helps to support various bodily functions.
Probiotic
The second supplement that I take is a probiotic. This helps to promote a healthy balance of flora in your gut. This will aid in digestion, boost your immunity, and help to prevent gas and bloating.
Vitamin D
While some people get their vitamin D from sunshine, people working indoors or not spending time outside need to take a supplement to get their daily requirements. This will help with your bones, heart, mood, and immune system.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
This will commonly be called a fish oil supplement. This will aid in reducing inflammation in the body as well as helping with heart, brain, and joint health.
Supplements alone will not correct a poor diet. You should also eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and sleep, and periodically receive chiropractic care. Experience the pleasure of health.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Can Chiropractic Help Menstrual Cramps
Houston Chiropractor Comments: An unfortunate problem for some women is that of dysmenorrhea. This is the occurrence of painful menstrual cramps of uterine origin. More than half of women experience some degree of discomfort with their periods. Up that 15% of women with dysmenorrhea find the discomfort so severe and debilitating that they stay home from school or work to recuperate.
Typical medical treatment involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or oral contraceptives. Other treatments used by patients include lying on a heating pad, gentle exercise, or abdominal massage.
Articles published in the NIH National Library of Medicine show that chiropractic spinal manipulation can help reduce the cramps. As the lower spine is manipulated, there is an increase in the blood flow to the pelvic area. This is believed to cause the relief. In addition, spinal manipulation helps to release endorphins that help to reduce pain, lower stress, improve mood, and enhance your sense of well-being.
This is one of the many amazing benefits of chiropractic care. Let us help you experience the pleasure of health.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Common Chiropractic Myths
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: I am always surprised by the chiropractic myths that still persist in 2024. Even though chiropractors perform 1 million adjustments in the USA each day, people still do not know the truth about chiropractic.
The most frequent comment that I hear is a fear of getting their necks adjusted. People think that if they get their neck adjusted, they will either have a stroke or get their neck broken. Millions of adjustments are performed each year to the cervical spine (neck) with no complications. The only way that a neck could break during a chiropractic manipulation is if there was already an underlying problem in the cervical spine such as cancer. During the exam and after reviewing x-rays, a doctor of chiropractic would diagnose this and refer the patient out for proper care. People having strokes present to the office with vascular dissection already occurring. During the exam, a modern chiropractor notes these findings and complaints and refers the patient to the emergency room instead of treating them.
Another myth is that patients believe that they have to be referred to a doctor of chiropractic from their medical physician. This is only true for HMO’s. For most patients, we are considered a primary care provider. Just like MD’s and DO’s the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) does not need a referral to treat a patient. This is different from a PT who needs a referral from a treating doctor.
A third myth is that once you go to a doctor of chiropractic, you will have to go the rest of your life. For most patients, when they come in with pain or a complaint, their chiropractor will give them a treatment plan that will explain what will happen on each visit and how long it will take. After their problem is resolved, they will be discharged. Some patients will stay with chiropractors for maintenance care because they feel better with regular adjustments. This is similar to going to your PCP for physicals and wellness visits.
A fourth myth is that chiropractors are not trusted by other doctors. This was more common in the late 1980’s when I began practicing. Over the last couple of decades, this opinion has changed greatly. Most doctors have a better understanding of what we do and the great results that we obtain. I personally have several dozen doctors and dentists as patients. Sometimes the doctors refer to us in hopes of preventing surgery or limiting the medications that a patient might need and sometimes it is for a pregnant woman hoping to avoid bedrest or to turn a breach baby. The doctors that are unaware of what we do are changing their minds once they are educated on what chiropractic is.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
