Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Pain in The Neck, Arms, or Hands?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Chronic Neck Pain Doctor Comments:

We have been treating patients with neck and arm pain for over 15 years now at our San Francisco Back and Wrist Pain Center. Often times, patients with arm and hand pain think they have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or tendinitis, when the source of the symptoms is actually coming from the neck. This is very common. I mean...who wouldn't think the problem was where the symptoms are?

Well...anyone that treats a lot of cervical disc herniations or upper extremity conditions would know that the nerves that innervate or control the arms and hands, originate in the cervical spine (neck).

It's not uncommon for a patient to receive a diagnosis of CTS from a general practitioner or nurse case manager...just because they have hand/wrist or arm pain.

Anyway, a good chiropractor will always check the neck to the fingertips on both sides when checking a patient that presents with neck, shoulder, arm, or hand pain. This would be considered the standard of care.

Chronic Low Back Pain and Chiropractic

San Francisco Chiropractor and Chronic Back Pain Doctor Comments:

Chronic back pain is not much fun...sometimes nothing seems to help. Some chronic low back pain  patients have tried medications, physical therapy, yoga, acupuncture, and everything else under the sun...often times with very little or no results. But they still have not tried chiropractic care.

I'm amazed sometimes that patients wait so long before giving chiropractic a shot. After all...chiropractic IS the worlds largest, drugless, healing profession. And, Low Back Pain is one of the most common conditions we treat...often times with great success, when nothing else would help.

I think some people a scared that the chiropractic adjustments will hurt...or that it will be expensive...or that they will have to see the chiropractor forever.  Well...I understand...there is a lot of information floating around out there...and some of it is not very accurate.

Sure, chiropractic treatments can be a little uncomfortable if someone has acute low back pain. But for the most part, a skilled doctor of chiropractic will start off very gently...often times you can barely feel it. We can even use non-force techniques when indicated.

As far as chiropractic medicine being expensive...I guess it depends on what you are comparing it to. Compared to back surgery it's not expensive. Compared to an aspirin I guess it is.  At my San Francisco Chronic Back Pain Center-treatments run in the $50-$100 range, plus x-rays and modalities. About the same as physical therapy. Often times insurance will pick up some or most of the costs...it just depends on your specific health plan (call 415-392-2225 for a complimentary benefits check).

How long you need to see a chiropractor for your low back pain depends on the severity of your condition. A set of x-rays and a physical exam will help determine what is best for you.

Treatment programs at my SF Back Pain Center are anywhere from 10-40 visits, occasionally less...occasionally more. There is no cookbook approach...everyone is different...it just depends on your individual clinical presentation.

It's true that some patients see the chiropractor forever...for maintenance care...maybe once per month. But...they do it because they want to...they like the way they feel when they do. At my clinic, about half my patients choose maintenance care...it just makes sense. After all, we take our car in for an oil change and a tuneup every so often. What do we need more...a car or a healthy body?

The bottom line is...chiropractic is an effective, affordable, solution for chronic low back pain, and should be at the top of the list...not at the bottom.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for chronic back pain care at our San Francisco Financial District Chiropractic Center...please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.    

Stress, The Holidays, and Back Pain

San Francisco Chiropractor and Chronic Back Pain Doctor Comments:

For some...the holiday season can be very stressful. There are many reasons for this...financial concerns...family issues...problems on the job, and many others. The holidays are a time of reflection, so extra emphasis can be put on the things we are worried and concerned about the most.

This extra stress load can manifest as physical symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, anxiety, and depression. In fact, every year around this time I see quite a few patients at my San Francisco Chiropractic Center for stress related back and neck pain. Many of these problems could be avoided with some basic stress reduction strategies, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and good nutrition.

Anyway...I found a really good article entitled Don't Let Stress Ruin Your Holidays that gives some sound, practical advice, as well as some specific stress reduction techniques. A little effort can go a long way towards making your holidays less stressful.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Chronic Back Pain Center...please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

Eating Right When Traveling For The Holidays

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

For most of us...it's hard enough to eat right at home...it's almost impossible to eat right on the road...or at the airport. But...even fast food chains like McDonald's have good choices these days...like salads or baked potatoes (without the butter).  Subway is a good choice...just skip the mayo and the oil...and ask for low-fat bread.

See this excellent post by The Healthy Recipe Doctor at the Web MD Blog entitled Taste Test Tuesday-Subway On The Road. This Blog is a great souce of information.

Have a Great Holiday :)

 

Artherosclerosis IS Reversable With Diet

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

I just got through reading John McDougall, MD's most recent newsletter, and I came across a article on how to reverse heart disease. It is entitled...

If I Could Be Your Doctor, I Would Love To Tell You How:  To Keep Your Arteries Clean And Reverse Artherosclerosis

Dr. McDougall really has a handle on explaining the benefits of plant based nutrition and lifestyle. I have personally been on a plant based McDougall style diet for over 15 years now. And...I have had patients reverse heart disease (and other diseases) by adopting a vegan lifestyle. Not an interesting topic around the holidays...but one that's worthwhile...and real. 

If you live in San Francisco and would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our Financial District Back and Wrist Pain Center...simply call 415-392-2225.

Dealing with Chronic Back Pain and Clinical Depression

San Francisco Chiropractor and Chronic Back Pain Doctor Comments:

Patients that have chronic back pain often develop depression as well. Living day in and day out with debilitating pain can take a toll...physically...and mentally.

I always look for signs and symptoms of depression when I am treating a patient with chronic back pain at my San Francisco Chiropractic Center. Sometimes they take a while to reveal themselves and sometimes I know from day one...because the patient tells me.

It helps to know what depression looks like and how it effects chronic back pain patients, if you really want to understand the connection.

Most of the time patients with chronic back pain get depressed because they do not respond to back pain medications or therapies...nothing seems to work. This sets up a chain reaction of signs and symptoms that can include fear, anxiety,  an depression. 

I found a really good article entitled Chronic Pain=Clinical Depression at the always informative www.spine-health.com blog. It's a must read if you want to know more.

For a complimentary consultation at our San Francisco Chronic Back Pain Center...call 415-392-2225.   

Playing a Musical Instrument can be Hazardous To Your Hands

San Francisco Chiropractor and Carpal Tunnel Expert Comments:

Playing a musical instrument requires repetitive movements of the hands and upper extremities...making musicians prone to carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries (RSI).

So...the question becomes:

What can be done to reduce and prevent the chances of becoming a CTS or RSI victim if you are a musician?  And...

What can you do once you develop symptoms? 

Well...I did a little research online...and I came up with a really good article entitled Hand Care For Musicians. Check it out...it has some really good information...including stretches and home care advice.

If you live in San Francisco and would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our SF Carpal Tunnel injury Center...please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary CTS Evaluation.

Can The DRX9000 Help YOU?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

It sure would be nice to know in advance if spinal decompression therapy with the DRX9000 would actually help fix your back problem.  But...in reality...there is just no way to know for sure.

In fact, at this point all there is are a bunch of testimonies of happy patients that found relief...and some old (not double blind peer reviewed) research studies done on small groups of people. Certainly not the kind of research that insurance companies want to see before they cover part of the costs...which is why the DRX9000 is not covered by insurance...YET. 

But, there is research in the works at the Mayo Clinic. A pilot study was just done and the findings were really good...they support the clinical results that are being obtained in doctors offices. This may lead to double blind studies. This is good stuff...but it takes a while to get done. In the meantime chronic back pain patients will just have to pay out of pocket for nonsurgical spinal decompression.

Hey...even if the double blind studies give the insurance companies what they need to include the DRX9000 and the other decompression machines in their system...it still does not mean it will actually work for you. Nothing works for everyone. And yes...plenty of folks do the entire treatment and do not achieve a favorable outcome...that's just the way it is...research or no research.

But decompression is drugless...and nonsurgical...so it's very safe. This is good. Patients in really bad shape that feel like they have tried everything for their back pain...haven't until they have tried spinal decompression. I guess that's why they do it. Yes...some will wait until there's research to support their decision...but others want to find out now. The choice is yours :)

If you would like to discuss your case to find out if you may be a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000...simply call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation at our San Francisco Chiropractic and Decompression Center.

SF Bay Area Spinal Decompression Therapy with The DRX9000

San Franciosco Chiropractor and Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression with the DRX9000 is not a new thing anymore. I think I was the first chiropractor in the SF Bay Area to offer decompression therapy for both the lumbar and cervical spine...at least with the DRX9000.

Anyway...now there are spinal decompression machines all over the San Francisco Bay. If you are a chronic back or neck pain sufferer...this is good. Good because if you live in San Jose, you don't have to drive all the way to see me in San Francisco for DRX treatment. More machines also means lower prices as well...simple supply and demand.

On the other hand...there is an art to setting patients up on the DRX9000 or DRX9000c that comes with time and experience...just like anything else. And, I'm sure we have more experience than most because we have been doing decompression therapy for longer.

If you are considering decompression therapy...the best thing to do is to try and learn as much as you can about the DRX9000 doctor and the clinic before you do anything...which is why I write this blog. An hour or so on this blog and you will know me pretty good...and our treatment philosophy...it's not for everyone.

I'm pretty sure this is one of the top ranked spinal decompression websites in the world...at least according to Google. God knows I put a lot of effort into it.  So check it out...and if you want to come meet with us...we would love to show you around.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression at our San Francisco DRX9000 Center...simply call 415-392-2225 and as for a complimentary DRX consultation. Chances are...you will be glad you did.

Read some: SF Bay Area DRX9000 Testimonials

San Francisco Chiropractor Treats Herniated Discs Without Surgery

Patients Find Relief, Chiropractor Finds New Promise in Nonsurgical Back Pain Treatment With The DRX9000

I have been helping patients with chronic, severe, low back and neck pain for 15 years at my San Francisco Financial District Chiropractic Center. About 3 years ago, after extensive research, I decided to incorporate lumbar nonsurgical spinal decompression into my chronic low back pain regimen. So I purchased a DRX9000 decompression system. We could now treat herniated lumbar discs.

Then...about a year later I purchased a DRX9000c cervical decompression system...so we could treat cervical disc herniations. Well...the results have been amazing. Patients that I am unable to help with chiropractic care, often times respond to spinal decompression therapy.

So...instead of just giving up, or having spinal surgery...nonsurgical spinal decompression is considered. Sure, spinal decompression does not help everyone...but nothing does.  And...spinal decompression with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c is very safe. As far as I know the DRX9000 decompression systems have NEVER caused permanent bodily harm...unlike surgery.

So...if you have cervical or lumbar disc herniations and feel like you have reached a dead-end as far as treatment options go...you should give the DRX9000 a shot. You can find a decompression doctor near you at www.axiomworldwide.com.

However...if you live in the SF Bay Area and would like to find out if you are a candidate for the DRX9000 or DRX9000c at my Financial District Decompression Center...simply call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation. Or...fill out our FREE Online DRX9000 Consultation Form

Read some: San Francisco DRX9000 Patient Success Stories