Sharing the Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: Today I would like to ask people to share the benefits of chiropractic care. There are numerous people who benefit from chiropractic care, but it is also important that you share your experiences with other people. While many people enjoy being treated by their doctor of chiropractic so that they can get well without the need for dangerous drugs and possible surgeries, too many other people do not know what to expect when they visit a chiropractor. Instead, the fear of the unknown or just being uninformed keeps them from trying chiropractic.
When I was first opened my chiropractic office in 1990, I remember overhearing a conversation at the table next to me about a patient’s chiropractic visit. She was explaining to her friends how much better her back pain was and how she could play tennis again, pain free. She explained how her chiropractor had helped her so much. One friend asked her if she was not scared about getting her bones “cracked” and perhaps becoming worse off. Luckily, the patient explained what a chiropractic adjustment was and that it did not hurt at all. She also mentioned that she did not want to take medicine because she had children to take care off and the pills would not fix the problem. Her friend was surprised with the answer and said that she would consider going to a chiropractor in the future. It was wonderful seeing what an informed response could do to change someone’s perception.
Some people only think that chiropractors treat back pain or accident victims. They are surprised when they talk to someone who went for relief of their headaches or brought their child for earaches.
We see this when we ask our patients to write an online review. We want them to let people know what their chiropractic experience was and their results. Many people assume that everyone knows the benefits of chiropractic care, but in fact they do not. In 2022 35 million people in America used chiropractic care, but that is only 10% of the population.
If more people tried drug free chiropractic care, then we could reduce our dependance on opioids, require less surgeries, 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!
Preventing Youth Sports Injuries
Houston Chiropractor Comments: In my opinion, kids getting involved in youth sports is one of the best things that they can do. Not only do they get the benefit of performing exercise to strengthen their bones and muscles, but they learn about time management, commitment and teamwork. Unfortunately, it is not without injuries.
I had the joy of helping coach several of my children’s youth teams. While it is common for parents to help coach, especially at the youth level, it is not always the best way to prevent injuries. While I had a good understanding of several sports, others, such as soccer, I had no understanding on how to train them.
The lack of proper training from at a young age leads to bad mechanics and overtraining. More than 3.5 million kids ages 14 and under receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year. 90 percent of student athletes report some sort of sports-related injury. 54 percent of student athletes report they have played while injured. 62 percent of organized sports-related injuries occur during practice.
Of these sports basketball has the most injuries overall, but the number of injuries varies with each age group. Football is the most dangerous sport for children ages 5 to 14, while basketball has the highest number of injuries among people ages 15 to 24.
One of the best things to do is to get a preseason physical. In Texas, the male and female sport participants are required to get a physical to play Intermediate or High School sports by a doctor or nurse. Every year we find at least one child who is not cleared to play due to an undiagnosed problem.
Another thing that I suggest is to talk to the athletes about understanding the difference between pain and soreness. Some of the athletes think that it is a badge of honor to be able to play with the pain. Unfortunately, this usually leads to a worsening of the injury.
The kids should be encouraged to play a variety of sports and to cross-train. I see young athletes that are playing on an indoor and outdoor soccer team or they are playing on 2 different select baseball teams. If the child is very good at a young age, some of the coaches/clubs will try and keep the team together and play year-round. The child needs to either play another sport or take time off to prevent an overuse injury.
The team needs to make time for a proper warm-up before practice and adequate stretching when the practice is over. Make time to do both of these.
The young athlete needs to stay properly hydrated, eat a healthy well-balance diet, and make sure to get adequate rest.
Finally, the athletes need to wear the proper equipment for their sport. They should not be playing basketball in running shoes or playing soccer in high-top basketball shoes. This also is true for the proper protective equipment and correct sized equipment like tennis racquets and soccer balls.
If you have any questions about a possible injury or how to possibly prevent a problem in the future, please contact us. We have been treating athletes of all levels and ages for over 30 years in our office in Clear Lake City, TX and we can help you.
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 Treatment For Paresthesia
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: Recently I have had two separate patients referred in to my office with a diagnosis of paresthesia from their medical doctor. While I was performing my history and examination, I asked them if they knew what paresthesia was. They were not exactly sure, so I told them that it was an abnormal touch sensation, such as burning or prickling, that occurs without an outside stimulus.
Their medical doctors had ruled out any neuropathy that was linked to deficiencies (like with B vitamins), diabetes, infections, and exposure to toxins like alcohol or heavy metals. My job, as a chiropractic doctor, was to find out if it was caused by any nerve compression or injury.
One of the patients had been involved in an auto accident that had caused neck and arm complaints. Specific chiropractic adjustments of the neck and upper extremity were able to remove the irritation of the nerve and alleviate the symptoms. Physical modalities were able to remove the inflammation and the patient was able to have a complete recovery.
The other patient had been sleeping on a hard metal bunk for several months while overseas working. His problem had been gradually getting worse over time until his employer sent him back home. His condition required extensive soft tissue work to break down the muscle scar tissue with IASTM, performing nerve flossing as well as specific stretches and exercises. He was able to recover approximately 90%.
It is important that if you have any sort of change in your arms or legs that involve numbness, tingling, burning or weakness, that you get evaluated by a doctor that has treated these conditions. You can start with your doctor of chiropractic first to see if it is caused by a mechanical complaint or by your medical doctor to see if there is another cause, but do not wait several weeks or months. Waiting can allow the paresthesia to become permanent to some degree.
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!
How To Choose A Great Chiropractor
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: A problem that some of my patients have when they move away, is how to find a great chiropractor in their new city. Some people have never been to a chiropractor before, but they hear wonderful stories from their friends and want to experience the benefits of chiropractic care themselves.
All of the doctors say that they are the best and their websites and advertisements say wonderful things about their clinics, but are they really good doctors with your best interest at heart or their own.
One of the best things to do is to get a referral from a friend or doctor who recommends the chiropractor. In the 33 years that I have been in practice, I have noticed that patients feel the most relaxed when their doctor or good friend gives them our name and number. They already have more trust in your judgement if other people vouch for you.
Another things to do is to check and see if the chiropractor is on your insurance plan. The insurance companies make sure that the doctor is following published treatment guidelines and uses an accepted fee schedule. This helps to prevent overtreatment and surprise billing.
You should also check the chiropractors credentials by accessing their state licensing board’s website to confirm qualifications and any possible disciplinary action.
Contact the doctor’s office via phone or email and ask some questions. If by phone, is the receptionist pleasant and respectful. If by email, do they respond quickly and will they answer your questions.
Once you go in the office, the doctor should perform a history and an examination. X-rays do not always need to be taken. Ask why they are needed. The chiropractor should give you an expectation of when you should see improvement and what will change if it doesn’t occur. The doctor should not try to sell you a treatment package at the start of care. They need to make sure that you will respond to their treatment first. Not everyone responds the same to care. Some people need more therapy and others less. No “cookie cutter” treatment plans should be given. You should see a noticeable reduction in your symptoms in 2-weeks or less if the proper therapy is being performed.
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!
Health Benefits of Chiropractic
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: As the new year begins, people set their goals and make resolutions. One of the main goals tends to be making healthier choices. People want to eat better, drink less alcohol, exercise more and generally improve the quality of their lives.
This is where Chiropractic care comes in. 😊
Research has found that chiropractic adjustments may be an effective treatment for various forms of neck and/or back pain. Seeing a doctor of chiropractic may also lower your need to take pain relievers or undergo more invasive treatments like surgery.
Chiropractic care can improve your posture. Standing up straight will allow you to feel more energetic and vibrant.
Spinal adjustments from a chiropractic doctor have been shown to minimize migraines and neck related headaches.
Regular chiropractic care has been shown to reduce pain and improve range of motion of your spine and other joints. This will help to reduce symptoms of chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.
Many patients notice an improved immune function. When the nervous system has a lot of irritation, it can lower the body’s ability to fight of infections. Removing that irritation allows the body to operate at its maximum potential.
Many patients report improved digestion, lowered blood pressure and better asthma control with regular maintenance adjustments.
Another benefit is healthier pregnancies. Through the years we have helped dozens of women to have less discomfort during their pregnancy and easier deliveries of their baby.
Finally, by easing the spinal tension and related pain you are able to relax and enjoy a more peaceful slumber.
If you wish to experience the pleasure of health, schedule a chiropractic appointment today.
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 Relief For Sciatica
Bay Area Chiropractor Comments: One of the most painful things that patients come to my Houston, Texas office for treatment is sciatica. They cannot find a comfortable position to relax. They have sharp pain radiating down their leg. They are trying to find any relief.
Sciatica is when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, causing pain to radiate from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the leg. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It starts at the lower portion of the spinal cord, passes deep in the buttocks, runs down the back of the thigh before dividing above the knee joint.
Some doctors and patients think that any pain that radiates down the leg is sciatica, but that is not true. That is why it is important that you are examined by a doctor that can make an accurate diagnosis and has the experience to treat the sciatica several different ways. You don’t want to waste your time doing things that don’t give you relief.
In my 34 years of being a chiropractor, I have been able to treat the majority of my sciatica patients with complete relief of their symptoms in 2-8 weeks. Most of the patients respond well to chiropractic spinal adjustments and physical therapy. Some patients respond better to doing stretches and exercises that can be primarily done at their house or at a gym. A few of my patients require co-management with a medical doctor that understands sciatica for medication management.
If the sciatica does not show a reduction in pain by at least 50% in 2 weeks, then ordering an MRI would be appropriate. We would then know if we needed to change the type of treatment being performed or if we needed to refer the patient to another provider.
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!
IME’s and Peer Reviews
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Independent Medical Examinations (IME’s) and Peer Reviews have become common in the modern health care system. As a chiropractic orthopedist in Houston, Tx that performs both of these, I am aware that most patients do not know what they are.
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is similar to getting a 2nd opinion. At my office we perform IME’s for both Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC), as a designated doctor, and for insurance companies. The actual IME is an examination performed by a doctor on a patient who was not previously involved in the treatment of that patient, to evaluate the patient’s course of prior treatment and current condition.
The purpose of the IME can vary depending on who orders the examination. The examination can be ordered by an insurance company, the patient, or an attorney representing the patient. Typical questions asked are, is the patient at maximum medical improvement (MMI), is there an impairment ratine (IR), what is the extent of the injury, and can they safely return to work (RTW). Currently only 250 MD’s, DO’s, and DC’s have passed the requirements of the TDI-DWC to perform these designated doctor examinations. The rigid requirements to perform these exams are carried over to the insurance IME that is typically performed as part of an accident claim.
A peer review is the evaluation of work of another doctor in the same field of care. Typically the review will make sure that the minimum documentation standards are being met and that the treatment rendered is supported in the medical records. It functions as a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field. The review will show if any of the documentation requirements noted in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) are absent and if any of the treatment exceeds the accepted treatment guidelines. This also helps the reviewed doctor to improve the medical records for future patients.
I have performed 100’s of peer reviews and IMEs over the last 30+ years. I am currently on the Medical Quality Review Panel (MQRP) for the TDI-DWC and I am a Standards of Care Reviewer (SCR) for the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE).
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!
Is Chiropractic Safe After Neck or Back Surgery?
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: Periodically I will be talking to the spouse or parent of a patient and they will state “I wish that I could get chiropractic care, but I had neck or back surgery in the past”. Having surgery in the past does not prevent you from receiving chiropractic care in the future.
The most important thing to determine is what surgery was actually performed. Most patients that I talk to do not know exactly what surgery was performed or even what specific level of their spine was operated on.
There is a big difference between a patient that had a single level foraminotomy or discectomy vs a multi-level fusion with hardware. The foraminotomy and discectomy are minimally invasive surgeries that typically only require about 4-6 weeks for the surgical wound to heal before a patient can resume or begin chiropractic care. A spinal fusion will typically require about 6-9 months for the fusion to heal. The area that was fused cannot be adjusted, but the areas above and below the fusion can become problematic and require chiropractic care.
After a person has had spinal surgery, chiropractic care is actually very beneficial. After you have been operated on, you will begin to develop scar tissue. Chiropractors are very good at minimizing the amount of scar tissue development and keeping the spinal joints moving as much as possible. This will help to slow the arthritic changes that commonly occur after neck and back surgery.
In summary, don’t assume that you cannot enjoy the benefit of chiropractic care after surgery. Talk to your doctor of chiropractic and get the facts first. Then you can 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!
I Can’t Believe That My Doctor Referred Me Here
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Some of my patients are still surprised that another doctor referred them to our office. They still think that most doctors don’t send patients to chiropractors.
In my 34 years of being a doctor of chiropractic (DC), I have seen a great change in the attitude of most doctors. In the late 1980’s there were still some older doctors that didn’t understand how chiropractic worked, so they spoke poorly about my profession. As the years have gone by and more patients and doctors have seen or received the excellent benefit of chiropractic care, the acceptance of chiropractic has risen.
During my time in practice, I have worked to treat the conditions that I get the best results on and refer the patients who would benefit from another doctor. As a result, we have an excellent reputation with the medical profession in our area. We get referrals from family doctors, ortho and neurosurgeons, podiatrists, dentists and physical therapists.
I have found that most doctors are happy to refer you to our office if you are not responding to your treatment or therapy with them. The key thing is for them to know what is working and realizing when someone might provide better care.
Don’t be surprised that you have been referred here, instead be thankful that your doctor referred you somewhere that you could get better results. You might even be surprised when you see him or her here getting treatment. 😉
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!
Goals and Expectations
Houston Chiropractor Comments: January is the time of the year that people set their fitness goals. Some people have the goal of losing weight. For some it is becoming stronger. Others wish to become more flexible. Still others wish to train for a specific event like a 5K fun run or hiking trails. These goals are all excellent, but for some people the expectation of when they see results should be realistic.
As people get older, it takes longer to get the results that we expect. We remember how much weight we use to lift at the gym. We recall how fast we use to run or how far. Some people have not ever really exercised before, but have read an article or saw an exercise video and think that those results should be easily obtainable.
This time of the year we see too many patients who have various sprain and strain injuries or even muscle tears. Remember that slow and steady wins the race. Lift a little less than you think. Run a little slower than you want. Aim for losing 1-2 pounds a week instead of 4-5. Do your program once correctly instead of having to constantly restart after you hurt yourself or binge eat.
This also leads to having realistic goals on your recovery. Patients tend to think that since their injury came on quickly, they should recover immediately. Unfortunately having your complaint resolve in 1 visit doesn’t happen always. Just because you had a low back injury resolve in 2 weeks 20 years ago doesn’t mean that you will respond the same this time.
After we examine you, we will be able to set realistic goals for improvement and recovery and what your expectation should be for relief should be. Do your therapy correctly the first time and we won’t have to work around any exacerbations or aggravations.
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!
