Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Get Energized-Take A "Power Nap" at Work!

San Francisco Chiropractor comments:

I just read a great article entitled How To Power Nap At Work on the www.Spine-Health.com Back Pain Blog. What I discovered is very interesting, and explains why taking short power naps of 20-30 minutes in the middle of the day, can give you the energy and mental capacity to get through the rest of the day.

According to this article, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison were power nappers.

I guess a lot of people don't get enough sleep, 63% only get 6 or less hours...which is not enough in most cases...leading to reduced performance and productivity at work. A power nap sure makes more sense than loading up on coffee or Starbucks drinks to get through the day.

This article explains the actual physiology behind the power nap...check it out.   

Spondylolisthesis: Back Surgery or Chiropractic?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

I just read a post on the Spine-Health.com back pain blog, entitled:

How I Decided To Have Back Surgery

It is written by a back pain patient with a Grade II Spondylolisthesis, that decided to have back surgery after trying everything else. Her story does not name all the therapies she tried...hopefully chiropractic care was one of them, and not just medications. Anyway...she had a very successful outcome, and is now pain free.

It is my belief that surgery should only be considered as a last resort. I have had hundreds of patients over the years with a Grade II Spondy...and I would have to say...most respond favorably to chiropractic care.

There are techniques to actually reduce the slippage of the vertebrae. There are also very specific exercises and physical therapy methods for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

If there is a way to avoid the knife and any permanent fusions...by all means do it. But if conservative care does not work...surgery should at least be considered.

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

Nothing Is More Important Than Your Health

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

As we approach the New Year, I have been thinking about an article I read many years back. It was actually a survey of the richest people in the world. What got my attention was the answer to this question:

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be...what would you do different?

The #1 answer was:

I would take better care of myself. I would eat better, exercise more, and have less stress.

This really hit home for me...and I have tried to live my life accordingly. This famous quote sums it up:

‘When Health is absent, Wisdom cannot reveal itself, Art cannot become manifest, Strength cannot be exerted, Wealth is useless, and Reason is powerless."

Herophiles, 300 B.C.

The time to think about your health and your future is NOW...not when it's too late.

Headaches, Pinched Nerves, and Chiropractic

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I know first hand how bad headaches can be. I was introduced to chiropractic because of migraine headaches. I started having migraines when I was about 22 years old. They progressively got worse...I even had a brain scan to see if there were any tumors. I actually became bed ridden for a month, because the pain was so intense.

Then, I developed an allergic reaction to the Percodan medication I was taking, and ended up in the hospital for about a week. It was quite a ride...considering the fact that prior to this, I was working out 4-5 times a week with weights, and running every day. None of the doctors could figure out what was going on.

Then, a friend recommended that I see a chiropractor. At this point I would have tried anything. So, I made an appointment and went in. The chiropractor told me I had pinched nerves in my neck, from vertebral subluxations and disc degeneration.

He said it may have started when I was younger...as I was in a pretty bad auto accident when I was 10 years old. Then, there was the stress from my new job as a stock broker. He said all these things can cause the bones to lose their normal position, and pinch the nerves the neck bones protect when they are where they are supposed to be.

So, he recommended chiropractic adjustments over a 3 month period...and the rest is history. Sure, the problem did not go away over night...but over a period of 6-8 weeks, it slowly got better. Everyone was amazed...including me...enough to want to become a chiropractor. 

Here we are...25 years later...and I can't remember the last time I had a migraine headache. And...over the years I have helped hundreds of Bay Area patients with headaches due to pinched nerves and subluxations...it's the missing link for a lot of people...maybe you too.

If you are suffering with migraine headaches or neck pain...and would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Chiropractic Center...simply call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation. Chances are...you will be glad you did.   

Who Gets Chronic Low Back Pain? Can Spinal Decompression Help?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Chronic Back Pain Doctor Comments:

I just re-read the 8 page DRX9000 Special Report I wrote about yesterday on Chronic Low Back Pain (LBP), Spinal Decompression, and the DRX9000. I also decided to check out some expert websites and see what they had to say about Low Back Pain. I'll tell you...it seems like everyone on earth will have low back pain at some point.   

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, back pain is the second most common neurological condition in the US-only headaches is more common. But...like I already knew...most cases of acute low back pain self-resolve, or respond to conservative treatment, such as chiropractic and physical therapy, or conservative medical care.

It's the 5-10% (depending on the source) of these patients that don't respond to treatment, or have recurring problems with the spine, that become what we call chronic. It is pretty much universally accepted that if a back problem persists for more than 3 months...it is considered chronic.

Then there are varying levels of chronic low back pain...from very mild, to debilitating. What I find really interesting is that one of the best indicators of whether a bout of back pain will become chronic, is a previous episode of low back pain. Since almost everyone in the US will experience an episode of low back pain...does this mean that all these people are now predisposed to chronic back pain???   

DRX9000 Spinal Decompression: Special Report Makes Headline News

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

I just read the 8 page special report that was recently published in the Anesthesiology News Medical Journal about the DRX9000 Decompression System. The Special Report is entitled:

Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression To Treat Chronic Low Back Pain

There are three highly recognized medical doctors, including Dr. John B. Leslie, MD of the Mayo Clinic, that were in charge of the study.

Here are some highlights from the Low Back Pain (LBP) study:

• Low Back Pain is the second most common reason for a visit to the doctor.
• Low Back Pain costs over 26 billion dollars  per year.
• Mechanical LBP accounts for 97% of all cases of back pain.
• More than 90% of all lumbar disc herniations occur at L4/5 and L5/S1.
• Low Back Pain from Disc Herniations is the most unresponsive form of Chronic LBP.
• Conventional Traction can actually cause an INCREASE in intradiscal pressure, an event that is detrimental in treating LBP (the DRX9000 is NOT conventional traction).
• Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression with the DRX9000 showed promise in treating LBP arising from multiple causes, up to 90% pain reduction, and satisfaction scores of 8.5 out of 10.
• Well deserved long term clinical trials are currently underway. 

            This is good stuff...it's about time there was some top notch research done to prove what doctors around the world that are using the DRX9000 (spinal decompression system) already know...it works.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center...please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary DRX consultation.

Spinal Decompression with the DRX9000 is NOT a Magic Bullet

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

I talk to a lot of people about spinal decompression with the DRX9000...I'm amazed at what some patients are hoping for. I spoke to a lady last week with multiple level disc herniations in her low back. She wanted to know if we could get her in for a session so she could fix her back problem before she goes on vacation. When I told her the treatment protocol was 20 one hour sessions over 6 weeks, she about fainted.

When I went on to explain the home care regimen and exercise program, she started heading for the door...she was looking for a MAGIC BULLET.

The DRX9000 spinal decompression machine I have at my San Francisco Chronic Back Pain Center cost $150,000. It requires highly trained staff to operate...and has very specific treatment protocols that must be adhered to in order to give the DRX the best chance of working. It's not easy treating herniated lumbar discs...or herniated cervical discs...we must create the proper environment for healing to take place.

In fact...the DRX9000 treatment regimen for the lumbar spine includes wearing a specially designed lumbar support during the day to make sure things you do when you leave the clinic do not reverse the work the DRX spinal decompression system does. You also need to refrain from exercise. You will do specific spinal exercises once you reach the half way point.  In addition, you need to drink 80-100oz of water per day. This helps to hydrate the spinal discs and flush out waste products.

There's a lot involved with decompression therapy (with the DRX9000). Some folks just aren't ready for it. But...for those that are...there is often times a bright light at the end of the tunnel. The more you put into the lumbar or cervical spinal decompression...the more you get out of it...like anything else in life.

Sure, you may do everything perfectly, and the DRX9000 still doesn't help you. But...at least you increase the odds of a favorable outcome when you give it your best shot. It's just the smart thing to do.   

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for spinal decompression at our SF Financial District DRX9000 Center...please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression For Disc Herniations

San Francisco Chiropractor and Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

I have been treating chronic back and neck pain patients at my San Francisco Financial Chiropractic Clinic for over 15 years now. About 2 1/2 years ago we purchased a DRX9000 lumbar decompression machine, so we could treat disc herniations in the low back...non-surgically.

Then...a few months later we purchased a DRX9000c cervical decompression system,  so we could help disc herniations in the neck without drugs or surgery. The results have been very good...and we continue to offer these services along with traditional chiropractic care, exercise, and massage...it's a great mix.

Sure, spinal decompression therapy takes a while...about six weeks from beginning to end...but the patients that choose decompression therapy for the most part, have nowhere else to turn. Some have tired everything, including chiropractic, physical therapy, medications, and acupuncture...nothing seems to help.

So...why not give nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c a shot...it's very safe, and it could turn out to be the missing link. I tell patients that the downside is time and money...because either it will help you or it wont...and the only way to find out is to try it.

Hey...what's the downside with surgery? There are all kinds of risks and potential problems depending on the surgical procedure. No point in getting into them, because we all know what they are. You can always have surgery. The thing is...if you have surgical fusion of the neck or low back...you can never have spinal decompression...it will be contraindicated. It's something to think about :)

The New Year is a great time to start...and we have openings for January 2008 start dates.

If you live in the SF Bay Area and would like to find out if you are a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression therapy with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c at our San Francisco Decompression Center...please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary DRX consultation.   

Chiropractic Treatment Can Work Wonders For Shoulder Pain

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Shoulder pain can be difficult to treat. Most of the shoulder problems we see at our San Francisco Chiropractic Center, are the result of sports injuries, auto accidents, or from moving or lifting something.

Shoulder problems can also develop slowly over time from awkward or repetitive movements. We call this a repetitive stress injury, or RSI.

The typical form of medical treatment for shoulder pain is pain killers, and anti-inflammatory medications. This will help sometimes...usually if the shoulder pain is from a simple sprain-strain of the neck or shoulder muscles. But, other times the shoulder pain will not resolve...this is when x-rays or an MRI may be ordered to see if there is a rotator cuff tear, or some other sort of problem which may be more serious and could require physical therapy or surgery.

Sometimes you can have a rotator cuff injury for months or years and not even realize it...especially if you do not participate in sports or perform regular exercise. I have seen this happen to legal secretaries, and other sedentary workers in the SF Financial District...typically from repetitive motions over the years. It happens silently.

I have a patient right now at my San Francisco Chiropractic Clinic that knows she has a torn rotator cuff and needs surgery...but just doesn't have the time to do it. Some days she does not even feel the pain.

 

Chiropractic, the Elderly Patient, and Chronic Back Pain

San Francisco Chiropractor and Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

I have been helping elderly patients with chronic back pain at my SF Financial District Chiropractic clinic for over 15 years now. Sometimes the results are fantastic...other times there's just not much we can do...and everything in between.

Sure the best time to start chiropractic treatment is when you are very young...but it is never too late. We just need to make sure that what we do is safe and gentle.

Conditions such as lumbar or cervical herniated discs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), spinal stenosis, and vertebral subluxation, can be helped with gentle chiropractic, done by hand, or with instrumentation (very gentle). There are even non-force techniques that we can use if the elderly patient is frail.

Then...if chiropractic care does not deliver results...we can always try non-surgical spinal decompression, cold laser, massage, or acupuncture. Sometimes a combination of therapies works best for the elderly patient...it just depends on the individual.

The best thing to do if you are in your golden years and have chronic back or neck pain, is to have a chiropractic exam. Most chiropractors will give senior citizens a discount and treat them with tender loving care...I know we do.

If you are a senior citizen and would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Chiropractic Clinic...please call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation. Chances are...you will be glad you did.