Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Executive Express Chiropractic Update

Embarcadero Center Chiropractic and Spinal Decompression Clinic Right on Schedule to Open Early October 2008

Dr. Eben Davis and his team of chiropractors, massage therapists, and special assistants, are eagerly awaiting the Grand Opening of their new state of the art clinic on the Lobby Level of Embarcadero Center One.

Sure, there have been some of the typical setbacks that occur when building out a new retail/professional space from scratch...but so far these have just been minor. For example...we decided we wanted the touch screens that patients will interact with, to be placed inside the walls vs. outside the walls on wall mounts. It will just look a lot better. Since the main wall is curved like the shape of the spine, it was a little tricky (see Executive Express Chiropractic Press Release).

We also decided to have the sound system done by a company called MUZAK, who will install custom Bose speakers with individual sound controls for all the rooms. The music itself will be customized to help create the atmosphere we are after.

Anyway, Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center is destined to be something special. Nothing is more precious than time when you are grinding at out in the corporate jungle. And it's hard to be productive when you are in pain...which is where we come in.

Our new oasis in the heart of the Financial District will allow patients to walk-in without appointments and be seen almost immediately. You will know that you can come over and not get trapped in the waiting room. So anyway...that's where we're at...we will keep you posted.   At this point it's All Systems Go!

In the meantime we are treating patients at our administrative facilities at Embarcadero Center One, Suite 500. For a complimentary consultation at Executive Express Chiropractic with Dr. Eben Davis...please call 415-392-2225, press ext 1(24 hr live operator). 

San Francisco DRX9000 Doctor Speaks Out About Costs!

Not all SF Bay Area Spinal Decompression Doctors Are The Same

Recently, I have noticed an increase in the amount of inquiries we get by email and by phone, that have to do with the price of spinal decompression with the DRX9000.

We will hear questions like this:

1. How much is spinal decompression per session?

2. What do you charge for the DRX9000?

3. What kind of insurance do you accept for the DRX9000?

So...I would like to address some of these issues now. First of all, each case is handled differently at our clinic...Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center in downtown San Francisco.

Some patients may have only a single level disc herniation...while others have lumbar disc herniations at every level. Some patients are young....some are older. Some patients have both herniated discs in the lumbar spine and herniated disc in the cervical spine. Thoracic disc herniations are rare...but often times they get picked up when we order a lumbar MRI...this complicates matters.

Anyway...to just throw a price out there, without having examined the patient, seems unprofessional to me. It's not like buying a gallon of gasoline. There is an art to making proper recommendations and setting patients up on the DRX9000. And, there are decisions that need to be made throughout the DRX decompression treatment process. Experience is key... and just like with anything else...you get what you pay for.

Herniated Lumbar Disc Getting Worse? Consider the DRX9000

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

If you have a herniated disc in your low back, and your condition is not responding to chiropractic care, physical therapy, or medications...what should you do?

What if you know you have a herniated disc, but most of the time it is OK...do you need to worry it could get worse?

These are both questions and concerns that I am dealing with on a daily basis at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco. Here's my take:

If you know you have a herniated disc, it is because you had an MRI at some point...which means your low back was really bothering you and you probably went on some kind of treatment plan...and were given home care instructions by a chiropractor, PT, or medical doctor.

If your back got better and you stuck with the home care...maybe the pain never comes back, because you know you have the herniated disc and modify your lifestyle to prevent further injury.

However...if you do all of this and the herniated disc pain never improves, or only improves a little..or keeps coming back...now you should be concerned.

Sometimes disc herniations take on a life of their own and get progressively worse and unresponsive to conservative treatments. This can be scary...and could lead to a serious downward spiral.

This is where nonsurgical spinal decompression should be considered. 

Chiropractic, DRX9000 Spinal Decompression, or Surgery?

San Francisco Chiropractor and Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

I try to stay current on back pain news and treatment options...so I read a lot of reports, blogs, and news stories about low back pain, and neck pain. One thing for sure...back pain in general is sort of a mystery.

Ten patients can have the same exact mechanical lesion...say a lumbar disc herniation at L5...but they all present with a different set of signs and symptoms...and for the most part the cause is unknown. Heck...some people have a disc herniation and never even know they have it because they have no symptoms.

One of the main reasons I like what I do so much is because chiropractors are not focused on treating symptoms. We are focused on restoring proper spinal alignment and function...the symptoms improve as a by product. We know what the optimum position of the spine should be. And we know if we can move the spine closer to this optimal alignment there will be less pressure on the nerves and the body will be able to heal itself.   Lot's of times this is easier said than done...especially with disc patients.

Sure, we are not always able to re-align the spine...sometimes a patient's back is so inflamed we can barely touch it. But we have other tools to deal with this...tools like the DRX9000 spinal decompression machine.

The DRX9000 lumbar decompression machine, and the DRX9000 cervical decompression machine, help the spine to do what it would if it could...pump and hydrate the spinal discs. I call it a respirator for discs. 

Weekend Binges Tough On Weight Loss Programs

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

I just read an interesting article on www.revolutionhealth.com. The article is entitled:

Weekends Tough On The Diet

The article goes on to explain how research shows weekend binges interfere with weight loss programs. Geez...like you need research to know this. In my opinion...the problem with most diets is...they are just really hard to stick with. People are hungry all the time. Most diets are about cutting back on the same foods...not making new food choices.

It's no wonder when the weekend comes along...after toughing it out all week at work while starving yourself...you unwind by eating more. And we all know...nothing is more powerful than the hunger drive.

So what's the solution then?  Well...a diet centered around starchy plant foods is very satisfying. Foods like oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat pastas, potatoes, beans, and legumes...along with fresh fruits and vegetables is your best bet. And...it's amazing what kind of vegan dishes you can make.

When you eat a diet centered around starches, you can eat as much as you want...you don't have to count calories. You get all the vitamins you need, plenty of protein...and your bodyweight will naturally seek it's normal level. It almost sounds too good to be true...but it is.

But, here's the deal...this only works if you make it a part of your lifestyle...not just a weight loss tool. Because the second you go back to eating the things that caused you to be too heavy, you will revert back to the way you were...cause and effect.

However, you can cheat a little every once in a while and it wont be the end of the world. In fact, I know people that cheat one day per week and it helps them to stay with the program.

Your Wrist Pain Might Be Coming From Your Neck!

San Francisco Back, Neck, and Wrist Pain Doctor Comments:

When you have wrist pain you don't usually think to yourself, Hmm...I wonder if this wrist pain is from pinched nerves in my neck? Especially if you have no pain in the neck. Heck, even if you do have neck pain, and wrist pain...it does not occur to most people that they may be connected.

Of course that all changes when they come to Executive Express Chiropractic at the SF Embarcadero Center. The neck is the first place we look after we check for carpal tunnel syndrome (and other problems) in the wrist. After all...the nerves that control the arm and hand don't come from the sky,,,and they don't come up the leg...they come from the neck.

These nerves exit from in between the spinal bones in the lower part of your neck...they divide and travel down the arm and into your hand. The biggest nerve, which is the median nerve, travels through an opening in the wrist bones called the carpal tunnel. Pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel is called carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). CTS is rare. Usually wrist pain is not CTS..it is something else...like pressure in the neck from a pinched nerve or misaligned vertebrae.

You can have a pinched nerve or irritated nerve in the neck and not have neck pain...and still have wrist pain...confusing, but true.

Anyway...wrist pain can remain a mystery if the neck is not checked...and a good chiropractor is the person to see. A chiropractor can most likely identify the problem and fix it....neck or wrist...or both.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at our SF Financial District Back and Wrist Pain Center...simply call 415-392-2225, press 1(24 hr live operator). Ask for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Eben Davis at Executive Express Chiropractic. 

DRX9000 for L5 Lumbar Disc Herniations

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

The most common lumbar disc to herniate is the L5-S1 disc. The L5-S1 spinal disc is the disc in between your 5th lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum...your tail bone.

The L5-S1 lumbar disc absorbs more load than the other lumbar discs (L1-L4) and therefore is more prone to injury.

Most of the patients that we treat at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco have a primary disc herniation at L5-S1. Our method of treatment is the DRX9000 lumbar spinal decompression machine, made by Axiom Worldwide.

Not everyone that has a herniated lumbar disc needs spinal decompression...only those that do not respond to conventional chiropractic care, physical therapy, or other conservative treatments. I usually give chiropractic a fair chance to deliver results...but if chiropractic fails to achieve a favorable outcome, we consider lumbar decompression with the DRX9000.

If the herniated disc is at L5...we set the machine to target the L5-S1 disc level. The DRX9000 is able to actually isolate on a specific spinal disc...unlike regular traction which pulls everything.

How hard we pull is determined by your body weight, your overall physical condition, and whether or not you are in acute pain or not. Typically, we start off very easy and work our way up. Usually patients enjoy the DRX sessions...some even fall asleep. My patients tell me it sure beats cortisone injections.

Anyway, if you have been diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc at L5-S1, and would like to find out if you qualify for the DRX9000...you can find a doctor near you by going to www.axiomworldwide.com. They have a doctor finder tool.

If you live or work in the SF Bay area and would like a complimentary consultation at Executive Express Chiropractic at the San Francisco Embarcadero Center...simply call 415-392-2225, press 1 (24 hr live operators). Ask to meet with Dr. Eben Davis. You can also email me at ebendavis@yahoo.com.   

Neck pain from sitting at your desk? Try Chiropractic

San Francisco Financial District Chiropractor Comments:

Most of the patients we treat at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco, spend their day sitting at a desk in front of a computer. Many of them go home and do it some more. So we treat our share of neck pain that happens from long hours of sitting, keying, and mousing.

Sure,  there are ways to counteract the stresses that are put on the neck, and the rest of the spine from sitting...but most people don't know what they are (proper ergonomics and exercises). Some people know what to do and they still don't do it. When you're working and trying to meet deadlines and get stuff done...it's common just to deal with the aches and pains in the neck until they become unbearable and reach crisis mode.

Well...I will let you in on a little secret that some very smart people know...routine chiropractic care can help your body to adapt to the stresses of grinding it out at the computer all day. And a chiropractor can teach you what you need to know about exercise and ergonomics.

I have patients that come in 1-4 times per month...and they have been doing so for years. Are they rich? Some of them are..and very busy too...they just make it happen because they value their health. But for the most part...my chiropractic patients are just like you and me...working in the corporate jungle to support our families and save for the future.

They are smart because they know the time and expense they put into the chiropractic care pays dividends. They can work longer hours, get sick less often, have fewer episodes of neck and back pain...and spend more quality time with their families.

You see chiropractic care is not expensive...as long as you value what it gives you...health and well being...and resistance to stress. I mean after all...do you really have time to be in pain?

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at Executive Express Chiropractic in the SF Financial District...simply call 415-392-2225, press 1 (24 hr live operator) and ask for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Eben Davis.

Spine Disease Is Silent

San Francisco Executive Express Chiropractor Comments: 

Often times when a patient presents with a really bad spine condition, they wonder what happened. I hear things like..."I've never had any problems with my back...are you sure those are my x-rays?"

Why is this?  Well...most degenerative conditions develop silently. A heart attack is usually the first symptom of heart disease..35% of the time a fatal one. By the time cancer is detectable it is usually life threatening.

And, so it goes with degenerative diseases of the spine...most of the degenerative process occurs silently...leading to conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and disc herniation.

So how do I prevent these diseases from developing?  The best thing you can do is try to maintain a healthy context (internal and external environment). Most diseases are an adaptation to an unhealthy context (lifestyle). The food you eat, the amount of exercise you get, the amount of stress you expose yourself to, the amount of alcohol you drink, the amount of sleep you get, etc. All of which are controlled by you.

Sure, you can still get sick if you have a healthy lifestyle...but it just decreases the odds dramatically...and you feel so much better too. Life has more meaning...and is just more fun when you can get out and do things...especially when you get older.

So..I guess the moral of the story is...you should have your spine checked on an ongoing basis even when you are feeling good. Just like you should eat right, workout,  and do all the other things that make up a healthy context...even when you are feeling good. It's a lot easier to stay well than to get well. And remember...disease is silent. You can't expect to ignore your health and not have to pay the price.

Life is like a cafeteria...you can have whatever you want...and they always put the deserts first...but at the end of the line there's someone there to collect. So do the smart thing...you only have one body...and one spine...take good care of it.

For a complimentary consultation with Dr. Eben Davis at Executive Express Chiropractic...call 415-392-2225, press 1(24 hr live operator). We are located at the Embarcadero Center in downtown San Francisco.

Is Chiropractic Expensive?

San Francisco Financial District Chiropractor Comments:

Everything is relative. When someone asks me if chiropractic care is expensive...my response is always the same...compared to what?

You could go to a chiropractor for 2-3 years and it would probably be less than a day in the hospital. But...you could buy several bottles of Advil for what you have to pay for one visit to the chiropractor.

I guess a lot of it depends on how much you value your health and vitality. Some people would rather spend their days in pain than invest money out of their own pocket to get healthy...or stay healthy.

And, quite frankly...YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY...it's not your insurance companies, it's not your employers...it's not the governments...it's YOURS. You decide what you eat, what you drink, and what you smoke. You decide what you think, how late you work, and how you deal with stress. You decide if you go to the gym, go to the chiropractor, or pop a pill. You are the guardian of your own health.

In reality...there is nothing more important than your health...because without it, everything else is meaningless. This famous quote says it all:

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

- Herophiles

So, is chiropractic expensive?  Please...not when you consider the quality of life that the typical chiropractic patient gets back from the treatment. There is no better investment than to invest in your health. Chiropractic is the worlds largest, drugless healing profession...and it did not get there with smoke and mirrors either. Chiropractic got there by delivering results...results that are real...results that change lives.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center in downtown San Francisco...simply call 415-392-2225, press 1(24 hr live operator). Ask for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Eben Davis.