An often overlooked treatment that is highly successful for slipped or herniated disc is available in our office. This is a non-surgical alternative procedure for relieving low back, neck, arm and leg (sciatica) pain.

Treatment is directed towards relieving pressure on structures such as nerves and disc that may be a major source of pain. It can relieve the pain associated with bulging, herniated and degenerative disc. If you or someone you know have any one of these conditions have them call and schedule an appointment to see if they are a candidate for spinal decompression. Chiropractic first, Drugs second and Surgery last!

"Doctor, why do I need an adjustment once a month? I'm feeling fine!" For an answer, let's start with an examination of the human body, which is composed of several hundred trillion tiny cells.

Some of these cells are joined into groups which makes up organs. Some make up bones, some hair and so forth. These systems may work independently of each other or they may work in conjunction with each other. They work, however, only when ordered by the central nervous system.

Your body, like an electronic computer, does what it is told to do by either internal or external stimuli.

As an electronic computer must have an air conditioning system to filter the air in which it works, so must your body. Your built in air conditioning sytem is geared to maintain your normal temperature of 98.6 degrees day and night.

More interesting facts: Your body contains approximately 100,000 miles of blodd vessels, some trillion red blood cells and 232 million nerve fibers. Your heart pumps about 3,000 gallons of blood every 24 hours.

I think that after marveling at these facts performed by your body, you will decide that it makes sense to maintain the central nervous system which controlls all the other systems. We see to it that our car has regular oil changes, grease jobs and tune-ups. Why not do the same for your irreplaceable body? Remember, we can install new parts for a damaged car or simply relegate it to the junk yard. But the body has no trade-in! Let us help keep yours in mint condition with a monthly adjustment. It pays to maintain good health.

As you have probably heard, the country is currently in the grips of a massive opioid epidemic. In 2010, 16,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose. That was four times as many as in 1999. By 2015, that number had nearly tripled to 52,000 deaths. The death toll continues to rise. This problem is formally recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services. This past March, the governor of Maryland even went so far as to declare a State of Emergency because of the problem’s severity. While the epidemic is full of complexity, one factor certainly playing a role in its growth is that these powerful medications are prescribed to many patients after only minor operations. 

Factors That May Lead to Opioid Abuse

According to a recent study, patients are equally likely to become chronic opioid users after minor operations as they are following major ones. Among people who are prescribed opioids for reasons unrelated to surgery, only 0.4% will develop a problem. After a major surgery, the rate is 6.5%. However, that is only slightly higher than the rate for patients who have had minor operations, which is 5.9%. A better identifier for who will become a chronic user seems to be the person’s history with chronic pain. Those who became addicted to opioids after any type of surgery were 50% more likely to have previously suffered from arthritis or chronic back pain. Smoking also played a role. Smokers were 34% more likely to abuse opioids they were prescribed following surgery. For those who had preexisting substance or alcohol use problems, the odds of becoming addicted were also 34% higher.  These factors have led many experts to call for better screening practices before opioids are prescribed.  

Don’t Risk Becoming a Victim of the Opioid Epidemic

No one plans to become addicted to opioids, but when you combine the strength of these drugs and the pain people are often in when they begin taking them, it’s not hard to see how we got to a crisis. It also shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that people with chronic back pain are especially susceptible to becoming addicted. The pain can be so severe that patients will accept just about any fate if it means some kind of relief. Fortunately, if you experience pain, your local chiropractor may be able to help. Their noninvasive treatments can be quick, are often highly effective, and importantly don’t involve the use of prescription medications. In fact, some patients feel better than they have in years after just one adjustment. Call your local chiropractor today if you’re suffering from pain that won’t seem to go away.

How can you boost brain power? It’s an important question to ask, especially with the rise of dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases. Is there really anything that can be done to achieve optimal brain health in an effort to ward off these debilitating diseases? Indeed there is! Reuters recently reported on a study that found more and more physical exercises are proving useful for brain health. Tai Chi seems to dominate the cognitive function category. But they’re definitely not alone – which is great news for people who like activities that are more energetic. A variety of strength training and aerobic exercises have been shown to slow cognitive decline in adults over the age of 50. Neurons in the brain fire whenever people are engaged in a form of physical activity. Even something like walking regularly can have a profound effect on brain function. The neurons in the brain fire whenever people have to balance and contract their muscles. Not only does the rapid firing help the body to perform these functions even better, they keep the brain active and healthy. The Harvard Health Blog recommends walking at the very least. If people aren’t into that, they can try:

• Swimming
• Dancing
• Tennis
• Aerobics Classes

And even hiring a personal trainer. The goal here is not so much what type of physical activity a person engages in, but the regularity in which they do it. Exercising at least three days a week is a good start for achieving optimal brain health.