Chiropractic’s Role in National Healthcare – Houston, TX Chiropractor Comments
Clear Lake City / Houston TX Chiropractor Comments: In the 20 years that I have been a Houston chiropractor, I rarely have talked politics in the office, but the times are different. As it looks more and more like some type on national healthcare will be enacted by the government, I have decided to write this blog. To help ensure that Congress, insurance and managed care companies do not restrict your access to the essential chiropractic services that you have enjoyed and benefited from, I ask you to visit www.ChiroVoice.org. According to ChiroVoice.org., they are a chiropractic advocacy network is a dedicated group of national volunteers who educate policymakers about the value of chiropractic and work to positively impact any legislative efforts to reform the current national health care system. Through the chiropractic advocacy network, patients and chiropractic supporters can stay informed about important health care issues and help ensure that:
Congress does not restrict your ability to access essential chiropractic services.
Congress does not limit – but instead expands – coverage for services provided by Doctors of Chiropractic within Medicare.
Insurance and managed care companies do not deny patients’ access to the essential chiropractic services they need.
Your involvement makes a tremendous difference.
Each active member of the chiropractic advocacy network brings us one step closer to our goal of assuring full-scope access to chiropractic services. Chiropractic patients and supporters who are interested in serving as advocates may sign-up to receive special e-mail alerts about advocacy issues and important legislation. Network members will also receive a monthly e-newsletter.
On another note, since so many of our patients are active duty and retired military, I would urge you to call your national representative (ours is Pete Olson) and ask them to sponsor the bill HR 484. This will help to develop and implement a plan to provide chiropractic health care services and benefits for certain new beneficiaries as part of the TRICARE program.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Oh, My Aching…Leg? Sciatica Causes and Relief
Clear Lake City, TX, Leg Pain & Sciatica Specialist: I have been practicing in Clear Lake City, Texas since 1990 and my patients are always surprised to learn that certain low back conditions give rise to more than just low back pain. For example, leg pain can be more intense than low back pain, even though the cause of the leg pain is coming from the low back. When this happens, many patients complain that they have “sciatica,” which refers to radiating pain that starts in the low back and extends down into the leg. When the intensity of leg pain is worse than the low back, it can make patients wonder, “…where is my problem really coming from?”
To understand this better, a short “anatomy lesson” is appropriate. The spine can be divided into two halves, front and back. The structures in the front half include the larger, heavier bones called vertebral bodies and the shock absorbing cushions that lie between the vertebral bodies called the intervertebral disks. The disk is like a jelly donut where the center is liquid-like and the outer portion is a tough, criss-cross pattern cartilage arranged like the rings on a tree stump. There are also ligaments that hold the vertebrae and disks tightly together. The back half of the spine includes the spinal cord, nerve roots, as well as the small joints of the back called facet joints. Every movable joint has a joint capsule that helps lubricate the joint and limits the amount of movement, along with surrounding ligaments. The larger, heavier vertebral bodies and shock absorbing disks carry the majority of the weight (approximately 80%) while the smaller facet joints carry much less weight (only 20%) but are more responsible for guiding the movements of our back.
When leg pain is present, it can be caused by either a pinched nerve, or, an inflamed facet joint.
When a nerve is pinched, the cause is usually from the intervertebral disk where the jelly-like center leaks out and presses on the nerve that goes down the leg, commonly referred to as a “herniated disk with sciatica.” This type of pain is quite specific, easy to describe and often extends below the knee to the ankle or foot. It can include muscle weakness, numbness in certain areas of the leg, and bending forward increases low back and leg pain while bending backwards reduces the leg pain (and sometimes the LBP).
When a facet joint capsule tears (technically, called a “sprain”), the pain is “referred” down the leg in a generalized, non-specific manner, usually described as a “deep ache,” often hard to describe and usually does not go below the level of the knee. Here, it feels better to bend forward and worse to bend backwards, of which neither movement changes or affects the leg in a specific way. Disk related leg pain carries a potential for surgery if all non-surgical approaches fail, while facet joint referred leg pain rarely requires invasive treatments or surgery.
The good news is that both of these sources of low back and leg pain are very treatable with chiropractic care in my office! The important point to remember is that obtaining prompt treatment, when symptoms first appear is best – as waiting and hoping it will subside on its own often results in a longer treatment course and is less satisfying for all concerned.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Chiropractic vs Medical Treatment
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: In the two decades that I have been practicing chiropractic in the Bay Area part of Houston, TX, I have noted that there are many patients who suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). In fact, CTS is one of the most common work related injuries. In spite of multiple studies that show the benefits of chiropractic treatment with patients suffering from CTS, many medical doctors are unaware of the studies and still tell their patients that chiropractic treatment is either ineffective, or may actually harm them. This unsupported ill advice can easily result in the patient not even considering chiropractic care as a potential effective form of treatment. This can be especially damaging to a patient who cannot tolerate anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, or aspirin. In fact, side effects secondary to stomach pain (gastritis and/or ulcer) can be quite common, especially at the recommended dose of 2400 mg / day. Moreover, if poor tolerance to these medications exists and an unsatisfying response to conservative medical treatment occurs, the “next step” offered to the patient may be surgery. Surgery that may have been avoidable had chiropractic treatment been considered as a viable alternative.
There are several studies available that will enlighten those who simply are not aware of the effectiveness of chiropractic care in the treatment of CTS.
The type of treatment that one may receive when being treated in our office includes manipulation of the bony joints of the neck and upper extremity. The objective of this is to improve the mobility of the joints and loosen the muscles through which the nerves pass, particularly, the median nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel and innervates the 2nd to 4th fingers. There are several exercises of both stretching and strengthening types that strive for similar goals. Physical therapy modalities such as low-level laser therapy have reported beneficial results. Modalities such as ultrasound, interferential current (IFC), ice massage over the tunnel, and other therapies may also be utilize. There may be other treatment approaches that may suggested on an individual case basis.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Chiropractic Reported Best for Back Pain Relief
Clear Lake City, TX Chiropractor Comments: As a practicing chiropractor in the Houston area since 1990, I was not surprised to see the recent positive press about chiropractic care. According to the May 2009 Consumer Reports chiropractic was voted the best in pain relief for people suffering from back pain. The actual results were:
Chiropractor- 59%
Physical therapist- 55%
Acupuncturist- 53%
Physician, specialist- 44%
Physician, primary care- 34%
This is similar to the results that I see in my office in Clear Lake City, TX. While this survey showed the patients who were “highly satisfied”, almost all of our patients are either satisfied or highly satisfied with their care. Patients are glad to find out that their headaches, back and neck pain and other complaints can be alleviated without drugs or surgery. They are also happy to find out exercises and stretches that can be done at home to prevent the problems from reoccurring. Their satisfaction makes my job all the more enjoyable. Let me know if I can make you a satisfied patient also!
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
What is Orthopedics?
Clear Lake City, TX Chiropractor’s Comments: Orthopedics is the branch of chiropractic medicine that deals with the prevention and correction of disorders of the joints, skeleton, muscles and other supporting structures. Orthopedics comes from the Greek word “Ortho” meaning straight and “pedics” meaning children. Medical orthopedics utilizes surgery to correct these musculoskeletal complaints. Chiropractic orthopedics, a recognized council of the American Chiropractic Association requiring extensive post-graduate education and testing, utilizes manual therapy and rehabilitation to correct the musculoskeletal problems instead. As a doctor who is board certified chiropractic orthopedics in Houston, TX, I am frequently asked to do consultations or second opinions for patients to determine the underlying cause of their complaint(s). I take an extensive history and perform an appropriate examination to arrive at the accurate diagnosis. The correct diagnosis is important to determine whether the patient will respond to chiropractic care or does he/she need to be referred to another doctor. If I feel that the patient would benefit from chiropractic orthopedic medicine, then I design a specific treatment plan with the appropriate chiropractic care, exercises and stretches to allow the maximum improvement possible.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
The Neck and Headache Connection
Houston Chiropractor’s Comments: In the 20 years that I have been a chiropractor, I have noticed that patients with headaches commonly complain of neck pain. The term “cervicogenic headaches” has become an accepted term due the close connection between the head and neck for many years. There are many anatomical reasons why neck problems result in headaches. One of these reasons is that the top 3 nerves exiting the spine penetrate the muscles that connect the head to the neck, any excess pressure on these nerves by the muscles or spinal joints will result in irritation and subsequent pain. Another reason is that some of the cranial nerves affect sensation and motor function around the head, neck and face.
When patients come to our office seeking treatment for their headaches, a thorough examination of the neck, upper back and cranial nerves is routinely performed. It is common to find a decrease in the neck’s range of motion and bone alignment. Muscle tenderness is also common and contributes to the headaches and neck pain.
It is best to have your cervical spine examined by a chiropractic spine specialist to determine the cause of your pain. Specific treatment, stretches or exercises may be recommended to prevent the pain from becoming a chronic problem.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
What is the best pillow for neck pain?
I have been practicing chiropractic in the Clear Lake City / Bay Area part of Houston, TX since 1990, and one of the most common questions I am asked is “What is the best pillow for neck pain relief?”
For most people, the answer is a water based pillow. At my office, we recommend the Chiroflow pillow. This neck pillow can be adjusted for customized density and support. A study in the “Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation” February 1997 showed that they worked well to relieve neck pain.
In addition to the cervical pillow, make sure of what is causing your neck pain. It is best to have your cervical spine examined by a chiropractic spine specialist to determine the cause of your pain. Specific stretches or exercises may be recommended to prevent the pain from becoming a chronic problem.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
