Archive for the ‘adjustment’ category

Navigating the Chiropractic Technique Jungle

April 2, 2010

[originally published in KCN, September 2001 / cartoon provided by TomLamarCartoon.com]

Technique Jungle TomLamarCartoon.com  SpinalColumnBlog.com Dr.Thomas Lamar

Diversified, Gonstead, Cox Flexion Distraction, Activator, Thompson, Sacro Occipital Technique, NIMMO Receptor Tonus, Applied Kinesiology, Logan Basic, Cranial, Pierce-Stillwagon, Pettibon, Directional Non-Force, Toftness, Chiropractic Spinal Biophysics, Toggle Recoil, Neuro Emotional Technique — the list goes on, and on, and on, easily surpassing the 100 mark.  To the average chiropractic patient, or non-patient for that matter, these names probably seem like some sort of cryptic chiropractic jargon.  But to the chiropractor, these names parallel a walk down the tool aisle at Sears — these names represent chiropractic adjustive techniques.

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The Unstable Pelvis

March 26, 2010

[originally published in KCN, April 2010]

Every chiropractor who has been in practice for some time has had a population of patients that did not respond as he would have expected.  Oh sure, many of them got relief from the chiropractic care provided, but it only lasted for a few hours — a day, tops.  And mind you, we’re not talking about the first few visits, but, rather, a well-established pattern.  Or the patient did well with the adjustments, only to have the back misalign again from a trivial event.  It’s been my experience that not every patient falls into the typical “restore-motion-to-stuck-spinal-joint-and-watch-patient-get-better” category.  Sometimes we chiropractors need to acknowledge that not every case of mechanical back pain is due to spinal joints being” stuck” or “locked” — instead, sometimes it’s just the opposite: the joints are too loose.

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How ‘bout that weather?

March 12, 2010

[originally published in KCN, October 2001]

One thing I’ve come to learn about Northwest weather is that it definitely is not predictable.  And turning to the T.V. weathermen for guidance is, well, not predictable.  But for some, tracking the weather patterns can be quite predictable.  As a matter of fact it comes naturally, whether they like it or not.  No Hi-Tech weather equipment.  No degree in meteorology.  Just one or more arthritic joints is all that is needed for the perfect weather station.

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Hiccups

March 5, 2010

[originally published in KCN, July 2001]

Hiccups.  Who hasn’t had them?  And who hasn’t heard of at least a dozen ways to cure them?  Perhaps you are accustomed to the popular home remedies of sudden fright, holding the breath, breathing into a paper bag, inducing sneezing with pepper, or drinking water with baking soda from the wrong side of the cup while the ears are covered tightly.  Or if you are well versed in the various medical treatments available, you’ll know that amongst the accepted procedures there are an assortment of medications, the inhalation of ether through the nose, the popular digital rectal massage, tongue traction, uvula stroking, and surgical excision of the phrenic nerve (which isn’t always a wise idea as this procedure literally paralyzes the diaphragm).   Well, I’ve got a new one to add to your list, and it’s one that a New York woman will be forever grateful for:  chiropractic.

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Torticollis

February 26, 2010

Spinal Column Radio Torticollis Podcast[originally published in KCN, March 2010]

Torticollis. While it might sound like a strange Italian dish, it’s not.  Imagine waking up one morning with your ear pressed to your shoulder as if cradling a telephone receiver.  The only problem is, there is no telephone to be found  — only an unrelenting, painful neck spasm with absolutely no ability to bring your head back to any semblance of socially accepted posture.  Most would agree, it’s a pretty disturbing situation to find yourself in.  Thankfully, in most cases, the “fix” for torticollis can be as simple as a visit to your local chiropractor. (more…)

The New Wonder Drug

December 4, 2009

Chiro Adj Bottle2[originally published in KCN, January 2001]

Ever wonder what’s in my medicine cabinet?  One LARGE bottle.

It’s something I know that the pharmaceutical companies would love to capture and call their own.  Let me share the label with you…. (more…)

Steer Clear of Neck Braces

November 27, 2009

[originally published in KCN, December 2009]

Cervical Soft CollarEver so often I will spot someone wearing a brace around their neck. To be clear, I’m not talking about the rigid neck braces that EMT’s and paramedics employ to stabilize a suspected neck injury when they arrive on an accident scene. I’m talking about the soft, usually white, neck-supporting collars that are worn by people who are suffering from neck pain. These devices are often prescribed by well-meaning doctors, or are purchased by patients themselves at local pharmacies as a form of self-care for neckache. And while they look official, the irony is that they don’t do a bit of good. In fact, according to most research, they actually do more harm than good!

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Seed or Soil?

November 20, 2009

[originally published in KCN, December 2000]

Seed or SoilWith the Holiday Season upon us comes its not so welcomed compadre: the “Cold and Flu Season.”  And with news reporters telling us that our nation’s drug companies are running a little low on the Traditional Flu Shots that we have come to expect, many are being forced to abandon these “shots” of artificial “immunity” for, perhaps, as some new studies are suggesting, something that will ultimately benefit them more in the long run:  bolstering their body’s immunity, naturally.

Louis Pasteur reminds us that “the microbe is nothing” and that “the soil is everything.”  In other words, if germs (microbes) were seeds, in order for them to grow and “germinate” into viable disease states, they would need fertile soil in which to do so.  The question we need to pose to ourselves is “What is the condition of our ‘soil’?”  Are you a “Disease Gardener’s Paradise”, or are you actively doing things to make your “soil” an inhospitable residence for “seeds?”

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