“Back and neck problems usually begin with an acute episode which heals quickly.  However, much recent evidence indicates that these problems tend to reoccur, with gradually increasing pain and disability.

Many studies have found that the best predictor of a new episode of back pain is a previous one.

It is now understood that back and neck pain are similar to asthma.  They are both chronic, intermittent problems that occur periodically over the course of a lifetime, rather than an acute disease that can be cured.  Like asthma, back and neck problems must be managed and kept under control.

Two thirds of people who have had back pain in the past are likely to have symptoms every year.  There are more than 100 million back pain sufferers a year in the United States.

If tissue heals with poor function, symptoms can ... Read More »]]> From Malik Slosberg, D.C.

“Back and neck problems usually begin with an acute episode which heals quickly.  However, much recent evidence indicates that these problems tend to reoccur, with gradually increasing pain and disability.

Many studies have found that the best predictor of a new episode of back pain is a previous one.

It is now understood that back and neck pain are similar to asthma.  They are both chronic, intermittent problems that occur periodically over the course of a lifetime, rather than an acute disease that can be cured.  Like asthma, back and neck problems must be managed and kept under control.

Two thirds of people who have had back pain in the past are likely to have symptoms every year.  There are more than 100 million back pain sufferers a year in the United States.

If tissue heals with poor function, symptoms can persist long after they heal.  Such areas may become chronic and at risk of re-injury.

A good long term recovery is best achieved by restoring function.  The back and neck are used every day.  If they are injured and function is not restored, they will get hurt again due to the repetitive stress they are exposed to in the course of everyday life.

Exercise training is effective in preventing back and neck pain.

Proper exercise improves muscle strength, endurance, and motor control, enhancing the way muscles work together to stabilize the spine, protect it from injury, and decrease pressure on discs, joints, and ligaments.

Chiropractic care increases the benefits of exercise by restoring and maintaining movement and function, as well as, reducing pain and relaxing muscle spasm.

Chiropractic empowers patients, encouraging them to play an active role in their care.  Patients work together with their doctor to understand their health problems, gain a sense of confidence, effectiveness, motivation, and control of their own health.

Chiropractic and exercise help restore and maintain health, function, activity levels, and quality of life.”

www.ashbychiro.com

The first stage is the inflammatory stage. This is typically the first three to four days after you hurt yourself or a chronic injury flares up.  The most important thing to remember about this stage is DO NOT USE HEAT as a method of feeling better.  It will make your condition worse!  ONLY USE ICE  for the first three to four days.  And….only apply the ice for a duration of 20-25 minutes every 2 waking hours.  That’s right.  Do not put any ice on an area when you are in bed, laying down, or anywhere where there is a possibility of you falling asleep.  Bad, bad, very bad idea.  Heat and prolonged use of ice will cause EXCESSIVE SWELLING in the area that you are ... Read More »]]> There are basically three stages the body goes through in order to heal from an injury.

The first stage is the inflammatory stage. This is typically the first three to four days after you hurt yourself or a chronic injury flares up.  The most important thing to remember about this stage is DO NOT USE HEAT as a method of feeling better.  It will make your condition worse!  ONLY USE ICE  for the first three to four days.  And….only apply the ice for a duration of 20-25 minutes every 2 waking hours.  That’s right.  Do not put any ice on an area when you are in bed, laying down, or anywhere where there is a possibility of you falling asleep.  Bad, bad, very bad idea.  Heat and prolonged use of ice will cause EXCESSIVE SWELLING in the area that you are trying to heal and create less inflammation.

Another great idea for this initial time period is to rest.  Yes, rest.  Those projects that you’ve been putting off can be put off for another week.  The dishes that you always do can be done by another family member.  Give up the guilt!  They’ll probably be hurt sometime in the future too and then it will be your turn to do the laundry and all those other daily chores.

It’s also a great idea to find a highly educated, qualified body practitioner to lead you through this process to totally recovery so that your injury will not effect you for the rest of your life.

The second stage that your body goes through to heal an injury is the Repair stage.  This can be up to six weeks after the injury/acute flare-up.  The most important thing to remember about this stage is that your body TAKES LONGER TO HEAL THAN YOU EXPECT.  It’s true every time.  There is more going on under the surface than we can feel.  Take your time returning to your normal way of life and your normal intensity of exercise.  Mark 4-6 weeks from your injury on your calendar, your phone, and your refrigerator.  Wait until those dates to resume your weekend warrior zesty-ness!

Again, for all of you “I don’t usually like a stranger touching my body” or “I’m fine.  I don’t need to pay for bodywork.” or “I just don’t need bodywork.” people…… make it happen.  Your future self with thank you.  Especially if you find a good practitioner.  I guarantee it.   Bodywork is awesome once you find the practitioner that will listen to your story and covey real confidence that they can help you.

Finally, the last stage is the Remodeling stage. This can last up to one year after your initial injury.  Isn’t that amazing?  Again, it takes longer to heal than we expect.  Every time.  Anyway,  the most important thing to remember about this stage is to stay regular with your active lifestyle, exercises, stretches, and bodywork even though you feel good.  Pain is a wonderful motivator.  But who likes to be in pain?  Enroll your friends and family in a preventative maintenance plan to do with you so that you can add life to your years and years to your life.

-Dr. Matt Green   www.ashbychiro.com

All of the above symptoms are signs of a body that is properly adapting to its environment.  Scientists clocked how fast microorganisms come out of our mouths when we cough – 120 ... Read More »]]> I have heard many people in the last few days say that they were sick or that their children were sick.  When I inquired as to what was occurring, I heard descriptions of sore throats, coughing, fatigue, fever and lack of appetite.  It is interesting to me how our society views these types of symptoms as sickness. Unquestionably, symptoms like the ones I listed above are often uncomfortable to go through for a child or adult.  The question is, however, despite the fact that one does not feel well, are they sick?  The answer is no!  I invite you to consider the following.

All of the above symptoms are signs of a body that is properly adapting to its environment.  Scientists clocked how fast microorganisms come out of our mouths when we cough – 120 miles per hour!  This is an intelligent way to rId the body of a virus, bacteria or debris generated from adapting.

We all wash our clothes and dishes in hot water because we know it kills germs.  A fever accomplishes the same thing in our bodies.  The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the administration of any drugs to reduce fever below 104.2 (unless present in an infant) because it results in increased time of the cold or flu and lowered immune function in the long term.

A lack of appetite is the result of the body funneling its energy to respond to the invading pathogens.  Digestion uses a lot of energy and the body decreases its appetite to reduce food intake to save energy for other balancing functions.  The fatigue is often the result of all the internal biochemical and physiological functions your body is doing that one cannot see.  In additon, a decrease in food intake will result in a more tired body.  After the system has calibrated, the symptoms leave.

Are these miraculously apporpriate and orchestrated symptoms the sign of sickness?  No, they are signs of wellness.  The truth is your body can be considered healthy whether you have symptoms or not!  If you are not experienceing symptoms, your body is performing its regular functions to allow you to live.  If you are experiencing smptoms, the body is focusing inward to respond to an altered internal invironment.  A system that responds, adapts, and changes is HEALTHY!

Did you know that during the Flu Epidemic of 1917-1918 (Spanish Flu), Chiropractors were so successful with treating people with the flu that it lead to chiropractic being licensed in many different states in America?

It’s true. According to the World Chiropractic Alliance, an international organization associated with the United Nations Department of Public Health, Chiropractic was recorded to save up to 1 in every 1,700 treated as compared to western medical treatment which was recorded to save 1 in every 15 treated.

“Chiropractic adjustments have a positive effect on how the immune system functions.”

Chiropractors correct spinal misalignments which can cause nervous interference or “static” in the system. When there is “static” interfering with the communication system of the body, it hinders all systems from working at their optimum, including the immune system. When ... Read More »]]> Chiropractic for the Flu?

Did you know that during the Flu Epidemic of 1917-1918 (Spanish Flu), Chiropractors were so successful with treating people with the flu that it lead to chiropractic being licensed in many different states in America?

It’s true. According to the World Chiropractic Alliance, an international organization associated with the United Nations Department of Public Health, Chiropractic was recorded to save up to 1 in every 1,700 treated as compared to western medical treatment which was recorded to save 1 in every 15 treated.

“Chiropractic adjustments have a positive effect on how the immune system functions.”

Chiropractors correct spinal misalignments which can cause nervous interference or “static” in the system. When there is “static” interfering with the communication system of the body, it hinders all systems from working at their optimum, including the immune system. When misalignments are corrected, the static is cleared and the immune system is given a “boost”!

Current Research
Research done at Life Chiropractic University in 1994 studied the relationship between the chiropractic adjustment and the immune system of HIV positive patients for 6 months.
What they found was the patients who received chiropractic care had an increase of 48% in CD4 (immune) cells. The control group who did NOT receive chiropractic care actually had a decrease of 7.96% CD4 (immune) cells. Amazing, yes?

If you have never seen a chiropractor or have not been adjusted yet this winter flu season, make an appointment to get your spine checked at Ashby Chiropractic and Health Center by Dr. Matt Green at 510-845-4540. www.ashbychiro.com

“I would recommend to any person concerned about the upcoming flu season to add chiropractic to their list of things to do to remove interference to their nervous system, enhance their immune function, and give their body every extra bit of security it needs.”
-Dr. Terry Rondberg
President of World Chiropractic Alliance