[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.
[originally published in KCN, June 2010]
There I sat in the dental waiting room, flipping through a magazine as my toe kept time to the Muzak. Suddenly, the young dentist poked his head out from behind the door and called my name. He looked worried. And to tell you the truth, I began to feel the same way — because I wasn’t there to be seen. It was my wife’s turn in the chair, and I was only waiting.
[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.
[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.
[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…)
[originally published in KCN, May 2001]
Ten percent dead? What? Now before you stop reading, hear me out. It’s interesting if you stop to think about it: dead or alive. Pretty much an all or none proposition. Right? Well, maybe not. What about instead of being completely alive, you were partially dead? What would that feel like? What might some of your symptoms be? While we all can understand the concept of being alive, and all have a firm grasp on the concept of being dead, the notion of being somewhere in between might be a new one for us.
Listen to Interview with the “Bear Chiropractor!”
[originally published in KCN, September 2000]
Now I’ve heard that neck pain can be a bear —but can a bear have neck pain? Apparently so. Just ask Fred. Fred, by the way, is a long-time resident of Montana’s Grizzly Discovery Center — that’s right, Fred is a grizzly bear.
Dr. Gale Ford, veterinarian and executive director of the center, told Dynamic Chiropractic (one of our popular trade publications) that Fred’s neck was most likely injured rough housing with one or more of his playmates. Much to Fred’s frustration, Dr. Ford’s initial treatment, which consisted mainly of antibiotics, offered no relief for his aching neck. Not giving up on her 700 pound, hairy patient, Dr. Ford did what she considered to be the next “logical” step — she called a chiropractor.
(more…)
[originally published in KCN, August 2000]
“Well Mrs. Jones, I believe I may have found the source of your back pain. From your examination and history, I was able to identify several areas in your spine suffering from the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. This is a condition in which some of the movable bones in your spine (vertebrae) lose their normal motion and position and become fixated or ‘stuck.’ The loss of motion and position of these bones can pinch or irritate the delicate nerve roots that exit between them, causing pain, muscle spasms, inflammation, and faulty nerve transmissions to the rest of your body. In addition, this loss of motion eventually deprives the joints and surrounding tissues of vital nourishment. Consequently, the degenerative effects of arthritis begin to set in.
“The good news is that I can help. (more…)
SpinalColumnBlog 