Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Cervical Spinal Decompression For Radicular Arm Pain

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

Cervical Disc Herniations are a primary cause of radiating arm pain from the neck...or radicular pain. Often times nothing seems to help and surgery looks like the only option. Neck surgery can be scary. Sure medical science has advanced and there are microsurgery's...but they still do the old fashioned cervical spinal fusions.

Once you have had cervical fusion, you can never try nonsurgical spinal decompression...you are disqualified from treatment. Cervical spinal decompression may have helped you, but you will never be able to find out.

This is why I feel surgery should always be a last resort, and cervical decompression therapy should be considered, as long as you qualify medically...not everyone does. This is determined by the spinal decompression doctor.

Hey...you can always have surgery...but it can never be reversed. Nonsurgical spinal decompression will either help you or it wont. So...you will be out some time and money if it doesn't work...big deal...you will still be whole...and at least you tried it...so know you know. But what if it does and you get your life back? Well...that's the objective. Will it work? There's only one way to find out...try it.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Clinic at the Embarcadero Center...simply call 415-392-2225 and press 1. Ask for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Davis. Or, fill out our online appointment request form and put "CC" in the special offer code field. We will contact you ASAP.

For a Free Report visit www.SanFranciscoSpinalDecompression.com.

Read some: Bay Area Spinal Decompression Success Stories

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center Relocates

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

It's been pretty crazy as we move out of our Front Street Chiropractic location...across the street to the Embarcadero Center. It sure is amazing the stuff you accumulate over time. But...by Friday it will be all done...except for the DRX9000 spinal decompression machines.

We have a nonsurgical lumbar spinal decompression machine...DRX9000...and a Cervical Spinal Decompression machine that hooks to it. These machines can only be moved by certified Axiom Worldwide technicians and there is a waiting list to get one of them out here. So they will sit for a few weeks while we wait.

No big deal I guess. Actually, the new space at One Embarcadero Center, is temporary space. Our new clinic is under construction on the Lobby Level of Embarcadero One. We will keep the temporary space also for administrative functions and maybe even another DRX9000 or DRX9000c...as we anticipate a big demand for these services. 

Back, Neck, Arm, and Hand Pain: Are They All Connected Somehow?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Question: I often times have low back pain and neck pain that travels into the arms and hands...all at once. Either they are OK...or I have all of these symptoms all at once. It can be really bad, and my medical doctor just gives me pain pills and tells me to take it easy. It happens maybe 1-2x per month. What causes this? 

Answer: Actually, this is not that unusual. The back, neck, arms, and hands are all connected to each other by the nervous system. The nervous system consist of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The nerves branch off the spinal cord and exit from in between spinal vertebra and connect to all the parts of the body.

The nerves that exit from the neck bones, travel down the arm and into the hand. So any pressure on these nerves from a misaligned vertebrae (subluxation) can cause pain in the arm and hand...because nerve pain can travel down the nerve (radicular pain).

And, since all the bones of the spine are interconnected...it may be that you have a couple of real specific vertebral subluxations that move in and out of alignment depending on your activities and stress levels. I call these transitional subluxations...they can be quite unpredictable.

Humans, Just Like Wild Salmon, Thrive In A Healthy Habitat

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

I just finished reading a feature story on the front page of today's San Francisco Chronicle, entitled:

California's last best run of wild salmon.

The story goes on to explain how the Chinook salmon are running stronger than ever at Butte Creek now that their habitat has been returned closer to it's natural state.

Apparently, over the years there has been some serious exposure to chemicals and pollutants that contributed to the almost fatal decline of the salmon run.  This, along with various man made diversions prevented the natural spawning pattern. So, by removing these stresses and allowing nature to restore the Eco-balance, a healthier context was achieved.

Anyway...I could not help but compare the (previous) context induced unhealthy state of the Butte Creek Salmon population, to the unhealthy (contextual) state of the American human population. 

Now, if we could only apply these same principles to our health care system we would be in much better shape. We could even teach these principles in schools. The principles of contextual healing. 

Osteoporosis & Diabetes: What Do They Have In Common?

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

Osteoporosis and Diabetes are very common diseases in our society. And most people believe they are stricken by them...that it's just bad luck that I got Diabetes. Or that Osteoporosis and it's associated bone loss, is something that just happens with age.

Type I Diabetes (Juvenile) patients lose the ability to make insulin, and can occur up to 40 yrs of age. It is thought to be an auto-immune response...but really, causation is unknown. Type I is insulin dependent, but can benefit from proper nutrition.

But, Type II Diabetes (Adult-onset) which is more common, is often times directly connected to food choices, which can lead to excess weight and insulin resistance. In fact, the typical American diet is quite capable of causing Type 2 Diabetes...which is why it is so prevalent. But, Type 2 can often be cured by diet.

Osteoporosis is a little tricky. The meat and dairy industries want you to think that you need to consume their products to maintain strong teeth and bones...even build muscle. After all...Milk Is Good Food, right? Sure it is...for baby cows. It gives them everything they need to multiply their body weight and plump up real quick. Get this...COWS DO NOT EVEN DRINK THEIR OWN MILK AFTER THEY ARE WEANED. WE ARE THE ONLY SPECIES THAT DRINKS ANOTHER SPECIES MILK.   

Sciatica That Wont Go Away?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Herniated Disc Doctor Comments:

If you have pain in the leg (sciatica) that just wont go away...you may be a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000. Your sciatica is most likely the result of pinched nerves in your lumbar spine. The primary cause of a pinched nerve in the low back is a herniated lumbar disc. 

Sometimes a herniated disc will respond to conservative care such as chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, or medications. But...other times the herniated disc will not respond to anything and the condition becomes chronic...and severe.

This is where spinal decompression shines...when nothing else would work. Sure, it wont help every single person that does it...but the results are outstanding. Research is currently being done at the Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins University on the DRX9000. There is a DRX 9000 Special Report out with the initial clinical findings, which are very promising.

So, if you suffer with pinched nerves in the low back and sciatica...and it just wont go away...consider the DRX9000 spinal decompression treatment...it might just be what the doctor ordered.

If you live in San Francisco and would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center...simply fill out our Free DRX Info request Form...and we will contact you right away. Or call 415-392-2225.

Read some Bay Area DRX9000 Sucess Stories

Order a Free DVD and Spinal Decompression Info Kit at www.SanFranciscoSpinalDecompression.com 

Chiropractic Adjustments: How Many Do You Need?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Chiropractic is very popular these days...as it should be. After all...chiropractors don't use drugs...we don't do surgery...and we have a very high patient satisfaction rate as a profession.

But the thing is...there are hundreds of chiropractic techniques out there...each of them having their own treatment protocols. Some chiropractic patients only see their patients a few times...other doctors require hundreds of visits for maximum correction...and everything in between.

So...how do you decide? Well, just like you decide on anything...you educate yourself. And, you listen to what close friends and relatives have to say about chiropractors that they have had a good experience with. You try to find a chiropractor that has a message that makes sense to you.

Personally, I like the internet because I can research health care providers before I see them. or refer to them. I can go to their websites or read their blogs and see if we have anything in common. Since I am a Vegan...I look for other Vegans...but I don't rule a doctor out because of what they eat.

Anyway, getting back to the subject matter...How many chiropractic adjustments should you need? 

Back Pain, Children And Stress

San Francisco Chiropractor and Chronic Back Pain Doctor Comments:

I just got through reading an article on the front page of the 5/20/2008 Marin Independent Journal, entitled:

"STRESS OUT, BREATH IN-Novato students practice guided relaxation"

The article goes on to talk about how stress starts at a very early age, and how Sinola School is trying to help students (eighth graders) relax a little. Stress is known as a silent killer, and is responsible for many health problems in children and adults. So, they are experimenting to see if early intervention can make a difference...I think it can.

I know from my experience as a chiropractor that stress can play a big part in musculoskeletal disorders such as neck and back pain. And stress can interfere with treatment also. I have seen it over and over. Patients trying to get better, but they just cant get a handle on controlling stress.

Sometimes, even keeping the chiropractic or decompression appointments becomes too much stress...it's a viscous cycle, that can be hard break. 

There are many good ways to manage stress, such as relaxation and visualization techniques, exercise, and yoga. Even activities like hiking and fishing can help with stress, along with just learning how to take time off and not work so hard. Biofeedback therapy is also useful.

There is a book I recommend called Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain that I use personally for relaxation and visualization. Sometimes being proactive is all it takes...which means acknowledging there is a problem. It's just not worth the risks.

For a complimentary consultation at our San Francisco Back and Wrist Pain Center...fill out our online request form and we will contact you right away.      

Is Spinal Decompression Expensive?

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

Many patients feel they may not be able to afford non-surgical spinal decompression because they have heard it's expensive. When someone asks me if decompression therapy is expensive...I always ask...compared to what?

Compared to a bottle of Advil it's expensive...but compared to Back Surgery it's cheap.

Sure, nonsurgical spinal decompression can cost anywhere from $4500-$10,000 or more, depending on where you go and how many sessions you get. But so can a vacation to Hawaii...and what's more important?

I have had several local maids working 2-3 jobs come in and pay for lumbar decompression and not complain about the price at all. And I have had bus boys and waiters do the same...even students. They came because they wanted to get rid of their chronic back or neck pain.

These patients value their health enough to spend what would be considered a large sum of money compared to what they earn...to try to get it back. They did their homework and decided it was worth the financial risk.

And you know what?...they know there's a chance it might not work, but that's OK, because life is not the same without their health...now that it's lost. And nothing is more important than getting it back...especially money, which is difficult to make more of when you are crippled with pain.

One of my most favorite quotes 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.

So, sometimes it's a little tough to take when the big time corporate executive, making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year thinks the treatment is too expensive. Or rules out decompression treatment all together because it is not covered by her insurance.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center... please fill out our online information request form and we will call you back to arrange a complimentary phone consultation.

For a copy ot the Free Report & DVD That Everyone Is Talking About Visit: www.SanFranciscoSpinalDecompression.com. 

Foods That Kill: The Shocking Truth

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

Is Breast Cancer a Disease of Diet?  What about Prostate Cancer?

Can Too Much Protein make you Sick?  Can it cause Osteoporosis?

Do Vegetarians Get Colon Cancer?  Do I need Dairy Products To Get Calcium?

Watch this Video Entitled: Foods That Kill Healthy Eating to find out.