Spinal Chat

Chiropractic on "The Doctors" Again

Schedule a vacation day away from work or program your DVR to record "The Doctors" this Monday, April 23.

The April 23 episode, dedicated to the theme of "That pain may not be what you think," features another television appearance by Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, president of Parker University. Dr. Mancini appeared on the March 14 episode of "Dr. Phil" in a segment discussing chiropractic care and his new book, The Power of Self-Healing.

The April 23 episode is significant from a chiropractic perspective not only because of Dr. Mancini's appearance, but also because multiple segments emphasize the chiropractic philosophy of "treat the cause, not the problem" – what goes on in one part of the body can affect other parts of the body, and pain in one area may actually be caused by a problem somewhere else.

During Dr. Mancini's segment, the audience first watches a video that outlines how a female patient went to see Dr. Mancini, complaining of low back pain as her primary symptom. Dr. Mancini examined her, finding problems in her pelvis, low back, upper back and neck. In addition, he noted that the patient was "putting 50 percent more weight on one foot" compared to the other. Dr. Mancini then was shown adjusting the patient.

As the video concluded, Dr. Mancini and the patient came out on stage to talk to the show's lead host, Travis Stork, MD. Dr. Mancini said what makes chiropractic unique is that DCs "look for the cause of the problem, not just management of the symptoms," and outlined how his patient was likely suffering from various stresses contributing to her symptoms. For example, the woman had a busy travel schedule and had suffered a prior accident (physical stress); her diet included too much sugar, which Dr. Mancini said stresses the nervous system and causes inflammation (chemical stress); and the stress of starting a new business was causing tension in her spine (emotional stress). Dr. Stork echoed Dr. Mancini's point, telling viewers that stress can reflect itself in different areas of pain.

Dr. Mancini also shared that "the body communicates through the nervous system." As he spoke, images appeared on the screen behind him, showing the spine and suggesting its ability to communicate with the entire body. Dr. Mancini also mentioned that many chiropractors perform adjustments using hand-held manual devices. As he explained how the device corrects misalignments, he demonstrated its use by clicking it several times on a spine model.

The patient herself may have made the most impact on audience members / viewers when Dr. Stork asked her how she was doing. Her enthusiastic response: "I have never felt so good ... I feel like I am a new person and I can't wait to see what will happen going forward."

ACA Member Makes Second Appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show"

The American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) member Steven Shoshany, D.C. recently made his second appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show." Dr. Shoshany was invited to appear in a special segment about chiropractic care on the Emmy award-winning program.

The segment ended with an on-camera adjustment of a patient with back pain.

ACAnews / March 2012

National Public Health Awareness Week, April 2-8, 2012

A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement!

This year, during the week of April 2-8, 2012, the American Public Health Association (APHA) will address the issue of prevention and wellness to ensure that all is being done to improve our nation’s health.

Every year, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for millions of premature deaths. Americans miss 2.5 billion days of work because of these illnesses, and all of that lost productivity adds up to more than $1 trillion. Injuries, unexpected accidents and violence affect people daily in all aspects of life. Unintentional injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, poisonings, and burns rank among the top 10 causes of death for people aged 44 and younger.

Catching and preventing these illnesses and incidents before they develop is the key to improving our nation’s health. There are so many small steps we can take to begin leading healthier lives; sometimes it just takes a little motivation.

Uniting around this year’s theme of A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement, all of us can incorporate the following measures into our lives and encourage more Americans and their communities to take these preventive measures to help improve their lives. Little steps can lead to big changes.

The American National Health Association is encouraging people to:

• Be active and eat healthy
• Live tobacco and drug free and don't abuse alcohol
• Help prevent communicable diseases by washing food and hands
• Have routine screenings to improve sexual and repreductive health
• Identify signs of depression and suicide early and refer people to appropriate resources

www.nphw.org

Talking With Your Patients About Complementary Health Practices

Did you know that approximately 38 percent of adults (about 4 in 10) and approximately 12 percent of children (about 1 in 9) are using some type of complementary health practice? However, according to a telephone survey of people aged 50 and older, only a third of all respondents said they have ever discussed these practices with their health care providers.

To ensure safe, coordinated care among all conventional medicine and complementary health practices, it’s time to talk. Talking not only allows fully integrated care, but it also minimizes risks of interactions with a patient’s conventional treatments. When patients tell their providers about their use of complementary health practices, they can better stay in control and more effectively manage their health. When providers ask their patients, they can ensure that they are fully informed and can help patients make wise health care decisions.

©National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine clinicaldigest. March 2012

Bones of the Spinal Column or Nerve System Disturbances?

We live our lives through our nervous systems. Whether it's enjoying a sunset, digesting dinner or warding off an infection, our nervous systems control everything. Better nervous system = better life.

Our culture is focused on blood, such as pulse, blood pressure and cholesterol. Yet these largely result from nervous system directions. Even the smallest nervous system disturbance can affect the way your whole body works.

Since the moving bones of the spinal column are in such close proximity to the spinal cord, and the 31 pairs of nerve roots that branch out from it, many people think chiropractic is all about bones.

But chiropractors see ourselves as nerve doctors, not bone doctors. The spinal column is merely where we find the subluxations that are often the source of nerve disturbances between the brain and body. Reducing nervous system tension allows your body to work normally so health can return. Simple, really.

Chiropractic Care Can Help Your Body Adapt and Perform Well

Have you ever thought about the difference between something living and something dead? What changes the moment that we, or our pet or a plant or tree stops living?

Scientists know that one of the things that distinguishes something that is alive from something that isn't, is its ability to adapt to its environment. A rock doesn't adapt. Nor does a fence post. But we do if we're alive.

We generally take it for granted, but moving out of the path of an approaching vehicle, perspiring when it's hot or squinting in the bright sun are all adaptations. These and the many other ways we adapt to our environment are governed by the integrity of our nervous systems - the focus of your chiropractic care.

While many see chiropractic care as a source of neck and back pain relief, our interest in your spine is because it's the most vulnerable part of your nervous system. Nerve interference along your spine can wreak havoc with your ability to adapt, accommodate and respond to your environment. If chiropractic helps you with an ache or a pain, we're delighted. Sometimes less obvious is its ability to help you adapt and optimally perform mentally, physically and socially... which is the true definition of being healthy!

©Association of New Jersey Chiropractors

Dr. Who? You Can Be The Doctor of Chiropractic!

Regardless of a doctor's specialty, the prestige of the school they graduated from or their years of experience, they can't cure headaches, mend broken bones or heal a wound. Only you can do that... If your healing ability isn't impaired.

Your inborn healing ability is responsible for the tremendous success that chiropractic patients enjoy. The only thing doctors can do, regardless of their discipline, is to help reduce barriers to the incredible healing ability you were born with.

Which is why all of us at Association of New Jersey Chiropractors are interested in your nervous system. It's what controls every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body. The nerves along your spine are the most vulnerable part of your nervous system. By reducing nervous system compromise from the moving bones of your spine, Dr. You takes over and does the healing!

How does it feel to be a doctor? Do you know anyone whose healing ability needs a boost? Tell them about chiropractic!

©Association of New Jersey Chiropractors

Tell A Friend About Benefits of Chiropractic!

Chiropractic doesn't benefit from huge advertising campaigns or media coverage like those enjoyed by the drug industry. Lucky for us, a recommendation from you is more powerful than all the advertising in the world. How can you introduce others to chiropractic? Here are a few simple ideas:

Be Confident. Know that chiropractic has helped a lot of people with all different types of health problems. A better working nervous system can help just about anyone, whatever their current health status may be.

Tell Your Story. Let folks know how you've been helped with chiropractic care. Explain how chiropractic works and your experiences in our practice.

Answer Questions. Most people have misconceptions about chiropractic, and they may have a lot of questions as a result. Simply share your experiences, which will help dispel their fear of the unknown. Remind them that, just as there are great and not so great dentists, it's no reason to write off dentistry!

Ask For Help. We have some printed information we can equip you with to help answer questions that your friends and family may have. Or, have them call us. I'm happy to answer questions over the phone without cost or obligation.

Email A Friend. Forward any page from our website to someone you think we can help. It's a great way to offer hope and encouragement. Then, let them decide if chiropractic makes sense.

It's a great feeling when you help others. It's something we get to experience every day. You can enjoy that same great feeling too.

©Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC)

Go Red for Women

What Is Go Red for Women?

To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association (AHA) created Go Red For Women – a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health. More women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. But 80 percent of cardiac events in women could be prevented if women made the right choices for their hearts involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking. Make it your mission to learn all you can about heart attacks and stroke — don’t become a statistic. CALL 9-1-1

The Goal of Go Red for Women

In 2010, the AHA set a goal of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease and strokes by 20% while improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% by the year 2020.

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die.

Signs of a Heart Attack:

1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

If you have any of these signs, don’t wait more than five minutes before calling for help. Call 9-1-1...Get to a hospital right away.

©American Heart Association

What's the Big Deal?

A sore throat is a small thing. It could be a sign that you’ve exhausted your immune system.

An upset stomach is a small thing. It may be a symptom of producing too much (or too little) stomach acid. Or eating foods that you know aren't going to "agree" with you.

Back pain is a small thing. It might be how your body reminds you that change is needed. A change in the way you move or think. Or perhaps a change in how you deal with stress.

Subluxation is a big thing. When your brain loses touch with part of your body and can’t regulate it, that’s big. Impaired nerve communication is a big problem. Even if the symptom you notice is small, the fact that your brain's communications to your body are getting misdirected is a serious issue.

An adjustment is a big thing. A precisely applied energy that helps restore nervous system integrity is big. Really big. Knowing where and how to apply this energy takes a big commitment of education, expertise and experience.

Chiropractic is a BIG thing. Maybe one of the biggest secrets in health care! After all, it can restore nervous system function, which is what controls every other aspect of your body's ability to function. Chiropractic has faced big opposition by those who don’t understand it, and by those who would like to keep it a secret. You could play a big role by sharing your experience with others. That would be a big help!

©ANJC Health eNews

"Baby, It's Cold Outside"

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" is the name of a statewide non-perishable food, coat, hat, glove and scarf drive being sponsored by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors, a nonprofit state organization. Dr. Brenda Rooney of Optimal Family Chiropractic is participating in the program. People can drop off food items, coats, hats, gloves and scarves at her office for those in need. These items will be donated to Jersey Cares, Salvation Army, Goodwill and other local charities throughout the state.

Dr. Rooney's office is located at 230 Route 206, Bldg 3, 1st Fl, Flanders, NJ 07836, (973) 584-4888. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm and 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Thursday hours are 11:00am to 12:00pm and 3:00pm to 7:00pm. The office is closed on Tuesdays.

Dr. Rooney's office will be collecting items through February 15, 2012.

Stay Healthy During Holiday Season

Whether you're scheduled for a long road trip, shopping for a small army of friends and family members, wrapping dozens and dozens of gifts or camping out in the kitchen to get all your cooking complete, major holidays can easily put your body at risk of injury. Prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, extensive walking, awkward positions, overeating and plain old mental exhaustion are all common when the holiday season comes into full swing. Here are a few common sense tips to assist in keeping you healthy and pain-free this holiday season.

• Traveling: bring water and small snacks to stay well hydrated and to keep your blood sugar levels stable, wear comfortable shoes and clothing, bring along a small blanket and travel pillow, bring all required travel documents as well as any maps or reservations for rental cars and hotels, be careful and obtain assistance when handling heavy/bulky luggage and gifts - use a push cart or dolly and obtain assistance whenever appropriate and/or possible

• Shopping: bring water and small snacks to stay well hydrated and to keep your blood sugar stable, wear comfortable shoes and clothing, have your shopping day pre-planned in regards to locations to visit and gifts to purchase, use shopping carts when available and take gifts to your vehicle frequently rather than risking injury by lugging pounds of gifts from store to store, be careful and obtain assistance when handling heavy/bulky gifts

• Cooking: maintain proper posture while at the counter/sink, alternate between sitting and standing positions, take frequent breaks, stretch often, careful when using knives and other sharp objects

• Gift Wrapping: maintain proper posture, stretch frequently, be careful not to leave scissors or sharp cutting objects on the floor where they can be accidentally stepped on or where they can be accessed by small children or animals, be careful and obtain assistance when moving or wrapping larger or bulky gifts

• Holiday Eats and Treats: do your best to avoid over indulgence of those holiday eats and treats, maintain activity levels to counter act all that holiday feasting, avoid driving when you've consumed those holiday spirits

• Treat Your Body To A Holiday Gift: if you find those aches and pains creeping in or just want to be in tiptop shape this holiday season, stop by your chiropractor's office and treat your body to the most valuable gift of all... the gift of health!

Ergonomic Nutrition

Robert Silverman, D.C. says neither ergonomics nor nutrition can bring about the degree of optimal health that an educated "marriage" of the two offers - and he has the clinical outcomes to support his perspective. Dr. Silverman runs a private clinic in White Plains, N.Y., specializing in diagnosing joint pain and soft-tissue management.

Ergonomic Nutrition Basics
Dr. Silverman says that because everything in the body is connected, conditions cannot be treated with a single modality. "Ergonomics - including good posture and proper exercise - really only works well when we make sure the nutrients the body needs to build healthy tissue and repair damaged tissue are provided.

"If a patient practices incorrect ergonomics, we are going to see some breakdown in the body. An emphasis on nutrition helps us slow the resulting breakdown and degeneration

If an injury occurs, good nutrition allows us to build tissues and structures back from the inside out at a biochemical level."

by Carol Marleigh Kline, JACA Online editor

Nervous System Circuitry

Your spinal cord is like the information superhighway with the "circuitry" necessary to run your body:

Sensory Nervous System: Taste, touch, sight, sound and smell are examples of sensory organs sending messages to your brain.

Motor Nervous System: Motor nerves control how your muscles work, such as standing or walking, coordination and balance.

Autonomic Nervous System: The autonomic nervous system controls cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory and many other involuntary functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System: The sympathetic nervous system has a deep connection with your hormonal system to secrete adrenaline and alert your entire body to impending danger, real or imagined (ie, fight or flight).

Like an electrician, we're interested in the circuitry of your body. The moving bones of the spine are often the source of "brown outs," short circuits and blown fuses. If you think chiropractic is only about your back, think again!

ANJC Health eNews: Association of New Jersey Chiropractors October 2011 Issue

USA Weekend: Chiropractic Care Works

A recent edition of USA Weekend touted chiropractic care and yoga as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies that work.

The article cites a review of 270 studies that found that spinal manipulation works just as well as pain medication for reducing the intensity of low back pain. The article went on to briefly explain how spinal manipulation works and listed the health care providers that offer the treatment.

The full story may be read at http://bit.ly/nIbsDX.

Information provided by American Chiropractic Association.

Victoria Beckham Feeling Better Thanks to Chiropractic

Victoria Beckham was spotted out and about in Los Angeles for the first time since giving birth in July to daughter Harper Seven. She was looking tired and wearing flat shoes instead of her usual six inch Louboutin shoes.

Beckham, the mother of four had been suffering with a herniated disc and is seeing a Doctor of Chiropractic to ease the pain.

You can read her tweets at http://bit.ly/q6nVhS.

Health Care vs. Sick Care

Traditionally, we see doctors when we have some type of obvious ache or pain. Yet, waiting for these obvious symptoms to appear before finally seeking help is becoming an increasing burden on our health care system, our economy and our well-being.

And while it may be called "health" care, it's actually sick care.

Chiropractors are leading the way with real health care that's designed to keep you well. Not surprising, it's called wellness care. And the research is astonishing!

A recent analysis published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics looked at 311 chiropractic patients aged 65 years or older who had been receiving "maintenance" chiropractic care for five years or longer. When compared with subjects who were not receiving chiropractic care, they had half as many medical doctor visits and overall had healthier habits.

Other studies further confirm what a growing number of our own patients have been telling us: it's actually less expensive to stay well, than it is to get well.

InMotion Stabilizing Orthotics: Proven on Mount Kilimanjaro

Dr. Dan Moore had a burning desire to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. More than 10years after setting his sights on this feat, he did it, all with the help of Foot Levelers' individually designed InMotion® Stabilizing Orthotics. Dr. Moore credits the Celliant® in the InMotion® for helping him reach the top. Celliant® has been shown to increase tissue oxygen up to 10.2% in active patients.*

"My InMotions were far superior to other insoles. I needed orthotics that could take the beating."

Foot Levelers' individually designed Stabilizing Orthotics support all three arches in the foot, leading the industry with its patented Gait Cycle System®. The InMotion® provides shock protection, energizes performance and results in quicker recovery. Celliant® stimulates blood flow and increases tissue oxygen levels. Dri-release® helps remove moisture four times faster and silver helps control odor and bacteria.

Optimal Family Chiropractic uses Foot Levelers technology. We have the ability to screen our patients for foot imbalances to ensure that they receive the best possible care.

Cell-Phone Elbow

Minimize the Perils of Mobile Technology
By now, most people have heard of BlackBerry thumb. Recently, there has been talk of a new repetitive strain injury called "cell-phone elbow." As technology advances, allowing us to do more tasks on smaller equipment, our bodies often pay the cost. With a growing potential for injuries from tools we rely on, it's a good time to educate your patients about what they can do to minimize their risk.

Addressing Cell-Phone Elbow
Dr. Peter Evans, director of the Hand and Upper Extremity Center at Cleveland Clinic, recently coined the term "cell-phone elbow" to describe the paresthesias, pain and weakness some people experience from excessive phone use. These symptoms can progress to atrophy, weakness and clawing of the ulnar digits, affecting daily living tasks, as well as typing and writing.

Cell-phone elbow is not a new diagnosis but simply a new name for cubital tunnel syndrome. The two biggest controllable risk factors for cubital tunnel syndrome are prolonged flexion of the elbow at greater than 90 degrees and pressure placed directly on the ulnar nerve as it passes around the underside of the elbow. With technology allowing for full Internet access, social networking and entertainment to be performed from cell phones, more people spend greater time using them. The more time spent staring at that little screen, the longer people keep their elbows bent, which diminishes blood flow to the nerve and results in injury. Compounding the problem is resting on the flexed elbow when using the cell phone at a desk or in a car, which leads to direct nerve compression, in addition to elbow flexion.


Doctors of chiropractic can play a key role in educating patients about the risks of excessive time holding a phone to the ear and looking at a screen. If your patients experience overuse symptoms, it is also important to help them analyze the other activities they do that may contribute to the problem. Sleeping with the elbows bent and habitually crossing the arms, as well as working on a surface that is too high, pinch the nerve and should be addressed.

To eliminate prolonged elbow bending, remind patients to use headsets, which free the hands to take notes or type, eliminating the need to pinch the phone between the ear and shoulder. Simply showing patients what happens to the vertebrae and nerves in this extreme side-bent position is often enough motivation to get them to begin using a headset.


Avoiding Posture Pitfalls
The popularity of texting, combined with the increasing amount of time spent in front of a computer, will very likely contribute to worsening posture. Teens and young adults are particularly at risk. Many people find it challenging to maintain their posture in everyday tasks. When you add staring intently at a small screen for long periods, it is easy to fall into a slouched, head-forward position.

Teach your patients to sit upright with the head over the shoulders while using the phone. If the PDA is to be used for lengthy typing, see if an external keyboard can be used. Resting the forearms on a pillow while texting or typing will also help minimize neck tension by allowing the upper traps to relax. Cue patients to look down with the eyes and gently tuck the chin to maintain a healthier posture.

In addition, make sure the screen is easy to read. Straining to see what is on the screen leads to jutting the chin forward, shifting work from the spine to the muscles to hold the head up. Avoiding use of PDAs while in bright sunlight can help.

While they describe conditions known before recent advances in technology, terms such as "BlackBerry thumb," "Wii-itis" and "cell-phone elbow" don't simply give new names to old problems. If these new terms help the public begin to recognize how everyday tasks can place them at risk for injury, maybe our patients will take ownership of their own health, instead of passively expecting others to "fix it." Our role is to help them move in that direction.


By Chris Sorrells, OTR, CHT, CEAS. Chris Sorrells is the president of www.ErgonomicsSimplified.com, a free online resource for health professionals. He can be reached at [email protected].