May all the good things in life be yours, not only at

Thanksgiving, but throughout the upcoming year.

From the staff at Alpharetta Back & Neck Center.

Winter is coming but that doesn't mean you're destined to get sick. While you are more likely to get sick in the winter, this correlation isn't directly tied to the rain and cold. The temperature drop does have an impact, but it's because cooler weather keeps us indoors.

Respiratory (URI) infections are transfered more readily in the winter time for two reasons. "Dr William Schaffner, an infection disease expert at Vanderbilt University recetly stated, "The first is we spend more time in enclosed spaces, close to each other, so that we have more prolonged face-to-face contact"

The second reason has to do with humidity. During the winter months, there's a lot less humidity so when a virus enters the air it's able to stay there longer, allowing anyone close to it to breathe it in. The theroy goes that if you get caught in the rain and stay in wet clothes you're more likely to get sick, but experts say this is a myth.

Get adjusted vs. Flu shots. Your body has the ability to fight off infection if you stay adjusted and allow the body to heal itself. "Healing comes from Above Down and Inside Out"

We are partnering with Scentsy to support Kids Battling Cancer. You can help in 2 ways.

1. Refer a friend or family member to the practice and I will donate a Scentsy Buddy to a child in your name to CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATANTA.

2. Send a Scentsy Buddy to the kids on your own.

Visit ScentMinded.net/dr for more information. Ends November 30th 2019.

ARE YOUR MEDICAL BILLS COVERED? Did you know there is a portion of your automobile policy that not only allows you to go to any doctor you want regardless of your health insurance but pays your bills? Your car insurance protects your car, not the people inside of it. Medical Payments (often called Med Pay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers the medical cost of all passengers in your vehicle including you if they are injured in an accident. Med Pay will cover the medical cost resulting from an accident regardless of who was at fault. Only injuries caused directly by the accident will be covered by Med Pay. Keep in mind Med Pay is purchased on a by vehicle basis. This means if you have two cars you must purchase Med Pay for both if you wish to be covered in either car. It's also very important to point out that Med Pay is not a replacement for health insurance. Med Pay coverage is strictly limited to injuries that occur during auto accidents and almost always has a limit (We suggest a minimum of $10,000 in coverage). Your health insurance can also cover your injuries if you are in a car accident: the difference is that Med Pay will cover the other people in the car. Additionally, Med Pay or PIP covers your medical cost from an accident at 100%, usually without deductibles and co-payments. If you use your health insurance to cover your accident-related medical expenses you may be subject to plan restrictions, high deductible, co-payments and re-payment. What does all that mean for you? It means that at the end of your accident related treatment you may not have any outstanding doctor bills to pay and so have decreased your liability. This low cost insurance can be an effective way to pay for your treatment bills. Check your automobile declaration page or call your insurance agent to find out your specific coverage's. Most insurance agents do not recommended it. It is an optional coverage and you must request it.  Contact your insurance agent to find the right coverage to fit your individual needs. If you or anyone you know has been involved in an automobile accident the key to recover is early evaluation and treatment. Don't wait to see if it goes away, call our office immediately.

An often overlooked treatment that is highly successful for slipped or herniated disc is NOW 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 are often a major source of pain. It can relieve the pain associated with bulging, herniated and degenerative disc. If you have had a positive MRI you are very much an excellent candidate. 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!

Members of the chiropractic profession forged a new spirit of cooperation and understanding during the Interprofessional Collaborative Spine Conference (ICSC), which took place Nov. 8-9 in Pittsburgh, Pa.  Organizers of this first-of-its-kind event hope to enhance patient outcomes as well as increase integration of manual therapies for back pain in the wake of the ongoing opioid crisis.  ICSC was organized and hosted by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) with the support of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT) and the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (AOPT), which represent three of the major provider groups of non-drug manual therapies for pain.  Manual therapies such as spinal manipulation have received increased attention and support in recent years by major health care organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Family Physicians for their ability to effectively manage many cases of back pain and in some cases reduce or alleviate the need for prescription opioids.  Research shows that back pain is one of the most common conditions for which opioids are prescribed.  "The chiropractic profession was honored to take part in the Interprofessional Collaborative Spine Conference," said Michele Maiers, DC, MPH, PhD, vice president of the American Chiropractic Association.  "We are committed to working together with our colleagues in physical therapy and osteopathy to raise awareness and promote integration of non-drug manual approaches."  "Providers of manual therapies have an unprecedented opportunity to positively impact the lives of millions of people who struggle with back pain. Together, we can find ways to improve what we do and to communicate better with patients.  The Interprofessional Collaborative Spine Conference was an important step in that direction," said Julie Fritz, PT, PhD, FAPTA, associate dean for research at the University of Utah College of Health, who helped plan the conference.

A recent literature review found some interesting evidence suggesting that chiropractic care may have certain benefits for those suffering from insomnia. In the review, researchers evaluated some 15 studies that met their criteria. Their findings suggested that many of the therapies utilized by certain chiropractors including cranial manipulation, physio and manual therapies as well as mind-body therapies may have benefits for insomnia sufferers. However, no studies have been directly conducted to specifically evaluate and support these findings but based on these previous studies, it may be worth additional investigation.