Archive for the ‘low back pain’ category

Waiting for Pain

January 31, 2011

Just as the dip stick tells us when it's time to add oil, so too the spinal check tells us when its time to adjust. Of course, in both cases we always have the option of forgoing these proactive checks and waiting for breakdown!

[originally published in KCN, February 2011]

If you are waiting for pain to dictate how often you should see your chiropractor —or whether or not to see one in the first place — you’re waiting too long.  Because without a spinal check from a chiropractor, you simply don’t know if your spine needs to be adjusted — as  there is no reliable way to truly know.  Spinal misalignments often crop up and cause little to no pain.  And while this might not seem like a big deal, it is when you realize that these off-kilter vertebrae are slowly sapping the health of the body by robbing its effectiveness to function correctly. (more…)

No, Dr. Hoffman, I Salute You!

December 31, 2010

[originally published in KCN, January 2011]

Having just celebrated the first anniversary of my internet radio show, Spinal Column Radio, I have a heightened awareness and interest in other health radio programs — especially when another professional makes a positive reference to chiropractic.  So you’ll understand when I tuned my ear to Dr. Ronald Hoffman’s long-standing, nationally-syndicated, medical broadcast, “Health Talk,” as he “saluted his chiropractic colleagues” in a recent live show. (more…)

Crowbars and Chiropractic

August 30, 2010

[originally published in KCN, September 2010 / cartoon provided by TomLamarCartoon.com]

“Crowbars and chiropractic.”  Two words that have sort of an odd relationship at first glance.  But as a chiropractor, I contend it is because of crowbars, new clientele seek me out.  Let me explain.

(more…)

Growing Pains

April 23, 2010

[originally published in KCN, Febuary 2002]

If the mere mention of “Growing Pains” reminds you of the popular 80’s Alan Thicke and Kirk Cameron sitcom, then you probably weren’t one of the select 10-20% that were tagged with this misleading medical diagnosis when you were a child.  Misleading in that, from a physical sense, it doesn’t hurt to grow.  But then, why do children experience this reoccurring “vague leg pain”? — with pain so intense at times that it actually causes some to cry themselves to sleep.

(more…)

Low Back Pain…yeah we do that.

April 16, 2010

[originally published in KCN, January 2002]

It may come as a surprise, but after authoring some 46 Spinal Column articles over the past 5 years, I have yet to dedicate one to the condition that we chiropractors most often see — low back pain.  Sure, I’ve made reference to it many times, but I’ve never given it the spotlight.  Perhaps, that’s exactly what I have been afraid of — giving it the “spotlight.”  Much of the media and scientific journals have made lower back pain and chiropractic one and same.  And while we are grateful for the validation and coverage, many in our profession, and rightfully so, are afraid that we might get pigeon-holed into becoming known as “low back doctors” when chiropractic really has so much more to offer.

(more…)

The 12 Days of Health and Wellness: Day 4

December 16, 2009

DAY 4 — low back pain

Join us as we count down the days until Christmas with the American Chiropractic Association’s “12 Days of Health and Wellness.”

(more…)

Up in Smoke

August 21, 2009

[originally published in KCN, March 2000]

smoking-camelI wonder what Joe Camel’s spinal X-rays look like.  Not very pretty in my estimation.  In fact, I’m even starting to question whether he really is  a camel after researching the impact cigarettes can have on the spine.  Perhaps under his cool camel persona lies a spinal deformed horse with a bad nose job.  If so, kudos to the ladies and gentlemen in Joe’s marketing department for fooling us all for so long.

Bad addictionSo what’s up with smoking and spinal health anyway?  Is there a link?  Will the courts order tobacco companies to provide lifetime chiropractic care for their puffing patrons?  Probably not.   After all, the bad habit hasn’t been “conclusively” linked to poor spinal health.  Hmmm.  Nevertheless, the physiology of the spine and pharmacology of the potent chemicals in cigarettes suggests that a connection is very plausible. (more…)

…But wait! There’s more!

August 14, 2009

[originally published in KCN, February 2000]

visceral-but-wait-guyToday it is becoming more and more accepted by the health care community and public at large that chiropractors are great back doctors.  I would agree.  The scientific literature certainly supports our primary method of treatment for back pain, and more insurance companies are covering our services for it.  Considering our history of long uphill battles to gain “acceptance”  as a viable health care profession,  it is understandable that we might be drawn to settle into this “comfortable chair” of being labeled as back pain specialists.  But to do so would really be undermining the true potential that the art, science, and philosophy of chiropractic has to offer. (more…)