Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

The NFL and Chiropractic

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I have a few friends (chiropractors) that treat professional athletes on a regular basis...especially professional football players...they need it the most for obvious reasons.

According to the article A look at the role of chiropractors in the NFL from Chiropractic Economics magazine...a chiropractic business journal...every single NFL team with the exception of the Oakland Raiders (maybe that's what they need) utilize the services of chiropractic as part of the triage of managing and preventing injuries.  

I know first hand because I have assisted with the treatment of many professional athletes, that they are really fond of some of the techniques that we offer at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco.

In addition to chiropractic adjustments for spinal alignment and restoration of joint dysfunctions...NFL players seek out  Active Release Techniques (ART) and The Graston Technique...both of which we incorporate into our treatment protocols at Executive Express.

So you have to figure...that if the most finely tuned bodies in the world turn to chiropractic...it probably makes sense for you to. And it's not just the athletes themselves who get regular chiropractic adjustments...it's their families also.

It's not uncommon for professional football players(Joe Montana and family still get adjusted) to roll in with wife and kids...why?...because it just makes sense. They know how important spinal alignment is...and they want their loved ones to share in the benefits of chiropractic also.

So anyway...when you see all the brutal hits that will be taking place in Sundays Superbowl...just know there will be chiropractors on the sidelines on red alert...just as we are for you. Enjoy the game.

For a complimentary consultation at Executive Express Chiropractic at the SF Embarcadero Center...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

DRX9000c Cervical Spinal Decompression

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We treat about 10 patients with lumbar disc herniations on the DRX9000 for every 1 patient we treat on the DRX9000c. There's just more people with lumbar disc herniations.

And...all of the research that's being done (that I know of) is on the DRX9000 lumbar system.

So...what do you do if you have cervical disc herniations, cervical disc bulges, cervical stenosis, or cervical disc degeneration and you want research?

Hmmm...that's a good question. I guess you wait.

Or...you try and find some people that have actually done the DRX9000c cervical spinal decompression that you can talk to. But just know...just because the DRX9000c may have worked for them...it still doesn't mean it will work for you. Heck...even if the was research that showed an 85% success rate...that's still 15 out of 100 people it did not help.

Does it seem like I am trying to talk you out of spinal decompression for the neck? Hardly...I'm just being honest. Listen...if you are to the point where nothing else is working and you do not want surgery or maybe you are not even a surgical candidate...the DRXc may be just the answer you are looking for. But There's only one way to find out...DO IT!

Yes we have patients that you can talk to that have done the DRX cervical decompression therapy. And yes, some have to keep doing it every so often to maintain the results...but so what...what matters is they found a solution.

So don't listen to the naysayers...make your own decision. Because all in all what matters most is how you feel after you do it. And there isn't a person on earth who knows how that will turn out...so why not solve the mystery. The DRX9000c is safe and effective. If it does not help at least you will know and you can move on...still whole.  If it does you have your life back...a good risk-reward.

For a complimentary DRX9000c consultation at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

Headaches and Hand Pain: Is There a connection?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I have been practicing chiropractic in downtown San Francisco for 17 years. I have always had a special interest in helping patients with headaches because I myself was introduced to chiropractic because of my own headaches.

A while later I became an expert on the causes, prevention, and cures for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). In fact...it is not likely that between 1995-2005 that there is a single chiropractor in the world who treated more cases of upper extremity disorders. A lot of this had to do with the Dot-com boom and our proximity to the epicenter.

One thing I knew first hand, but confirmed during this period...headaches and CTS symptoms are often times connected...connected at the neck...here's how:

The nerves that exit from in between the bones of the cervical spine, travel down the arm and into the hand. Pressure on these nerves in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) can cause signs and symptoms of CTS. Some of the most common sources of pressure are vertebral subluxation, cervical disc herniations, disc bulges, stenosis, and disc degeneration...the same conditions that can cause headaches.

Believe me, I know. When I was having my headaches I tried everything. I tried muscle relaxers, pain pills, massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, biofeedback, migraine medication...everything...and none of it worked.  And...I also had hand pain which made my condition seem like it was from Mars to all the doctors that treated me...or tried to.

So I know first hand there is a connection between headaches and hand pain. This really helps when it comes to treating CTS symptoms and migraine headaches. And, I also know it can seem like an endless loop when none of the doctors you go to have a clue about what to do.

So anyway...I guess the moral of the story is chiropractic can help. Not just any chiropractor though. The chiropractor must be proficient at doing chiropractic adjustments to the neck, shoulder, arm and hands...not all of them are.

So do some homework...go online and talk to people you know. There is a chiropractor out there for you...you just have to flush them out.

For a complimentary headache or CTS consultation at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

Spinal Decompression For Leg Pain

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

Leg Pain or Sciatica is mostly caused by pinched nerves in the low back from herniated discs, bulging discs, pinched nerves, disc degeneration, or spinal stenosis. These are some of the most common conditions we treat at Executive Express Chiropractic.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and is formed from branches (nerve roots) of nerves that exit from the lumbar spine. Pressure anywhere on the nerve branches, or on the sciatic nerve itself, can cause pain down the leg (sciatica), numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain.

Conventional treatments such as pain medications, cortisone, physical therapy, and even chiropractic...often time do nothing to help sciatica.

When a lumbar spinal disc is not functioning properly, pressure builds up inside...as do waste products which are catabolic (tear down) to the disc tissue. The intradiscal pressure can force the canter of the disc...the nucleus, onto nerve tissue...causing inflammation, dysfunction, and leg pain.

It becomes a viscous cycle...and over time the discs degenerate further as they are unable to receive adequate nutrients and fluid from the bloodstream. And...spinal discs above and below the injured disc become prone to injury....and the same thing starts to happen to them.  This is why we often times see multiple levels of disc herniations.  

Anyway...there is a treatment called nonsurgical spinal decompression that is having great success treating herniated and bulging lumbar discs...even degenerative disc disease. Spinal decompression is able to reduce intradiscal pressure by enlarging the disc space and elongating the spine. Nonsurgical spinal decompression actually creates a "negative pressure" which sucks the herniated disc fragments back into the center of the disc where they belong. This helps to re-establish fluid exchange, re-position the disc, and promote healing...and reduce leg pain. 

We offer this service at Executive Express Chiropracticin downtown San Francisco. You can learn more about spinal decompression by reading this Spinal Decompression Special Report.

You can find out if you are a candidate for lumbar decompression therapy at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center by calling 415-392-2225...ask for a complimentary consultation...or request an appointment online.

Osteoarthritis study shows cause more than just wear and tear

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I just read an article on the excellent www.medicalnewstoday.com. The article is entitled:

Pain is not a Symptom Of Arthritis, Pain Causes Arthritis: New Study

The article gets a little bit technical, but it's still easy to read if you pass over some of the mumbo-jumbo.

The bottom line is this: Pain is a perception in the brain. In order for the brain to perceive a pain signal it has to travel from the joint (in the case of arthritis) or site of damaged tissue, over nerves and into the spinal cord...then up to the brain. The nerves that carry the pain signal appear to become more sensitive to pain signals the more they carry them (a survival instinct).

In addition, the nerves appear to carry inflammation to the spinal cord which can find it's way to other joints in the body causing even more arthritis (inflammation of a joint).  

Very interesting stuff. Now of course since this is a medical website...the solution is a potential drug that can block this process. But from a chiropractic point of view...this is old news. I have always known this process occurs and refer to it as "axoplasmic transportation"...whereby chemicals from a distal site of injury travel over the nerve to the spinal cord predisposing the spinal joints and connecting nerves to injury and inflammation.

Because of my extensive work with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), I know first hand that inflammation from the hand can travel to the neck....and inflammation from the neck can travel to the hand. This is called "double crush syndrome". The reason we are so successful treating CTS and related disorders is because we treat the neck to fingers on both sides...on everyone...and usually the rest of the spine also (think about how this ties into this study).

Anyway...I don't think we need to figure out new drugs to treat these problems...we need to figure out how to (teach people) maintain a healthy context to minimize inflammation....which can trigger more inflammation.

Proper spinal care and alignment can also help reduce the transmission of inflammation and toxic chemicals from damaged tissue through the spine.

We don't need to over-think this...just eat right (preferably plant foods), exercise, use proper ergonomics, get plenty of good sleep, stay away from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco...and get your spine adjusted on a regular basis...Thats my prescription.

Well...this is good stuff...I hope you found it interesting.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco...please call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

Executive Express Chiropractic of San Francisco Puts on Spinal Decompression Seminar for Embarcadero Center Tennants

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Well...we did our first Brown Bag Lunch Series seminar with Boston Properties...the very well run property owner/manager of the Embarcadero Center, where we are located.  Boston Properties really knows how to handle tenant relations...and we are glad to be a part of it.

The name of the seminar was: Nonsurgical Solutions for Chronic Back & Neck Pain

Our clinic was not big enough to handle serving lunch to 35-40 people...so Boston Properties set us up in  a space right across from our clinic. It was pretty cool because the room is currently being used to display the Chinese New Year Dragon display that goes up this time of year...this thing must be 200 feet long.

Anyway, after lunch and a short introduction to spinal decompression therapy with the DRX9000, we all walked over to Executive Express Chiropractic and did an interactive tour and demonstration of our services.

We had a couple of our DRX9000 alumni on hand to help answer questions and we even set one up so participants could see first hand how we are able to treat serious back and neck problems, such as disc herniations and bulging discs...without surgery.

All in all it was a lot of fun and I think everyone that came left knowing a lot more about what we do and how modern medical advancements such as nonsurgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 work, and why it is so popular.

If you are a tenant at the Embarcadero Center and are interested in having us present a seminar at your company, please contact ebendavis@yahoo.com.

For a complimentary consultation at Executive Express Chiropractic to discuss your chronic back or neck pain...simply call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

Spinal Decompression and Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

  Nonsurgical spinal decompression is not just for herniated or bulging discs. At least not at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco. We have had just as much success treating degenerative disc disease (DDD) as we have herniated discs...in both the lumbar and cervical spine.

How does spinal decompression help a degenerated disc?

Well...lets talk about why spinal discs degenerate in the first place. In order for a spinal disc to remain healthy it needs to be able to receive nutrients from the blood stream and pass off waste products. This is similar to the way a pond or lake stays healthy...nutrients flowing in...waste products flowing out.

When things are working the way they are supposed to the spinal disc...pond, stream, whatever...a certain acid-base balance that is pro-life is maintained. Interfere with this process with an injury to the spine or the disc...and acid builds up, which eats away at the disc...slowly. 

In addition, when we suffer injuries to the disc we usually lose proper spinal alignment, which creates abnormal pressure on the disc, which can also cause degeneration.

Nonsurgical spinal decompression can help with both of these problems by re-positioning the discs, elongating the spine which can help it move into a more normal position...and pumping on the disc...like a respirator on a lung to help it to do what it would if it could.

By helping the disc do what it would if it could, it actually helps it to be able to do it on it's own...and in the process the discs heal.

Kind of a long winded explanation...but in my opinion that's what's happening.

But even if it's not..who cares?...it's doing something that nothing else seems to be able to do...and that's what matters most.

If you have degenerative disc disease and feel like you have nowhere to turn...spinal decompression may be the answer you have been searching for.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression at Executive Express Chiropractic...please call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

                                            Because You Just Can't Afford To Be In Pain!

DJD makes it hard to exercise, which leads to more DJD

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), also known as Osteoarthritis,  can make it very painful to do even menial tasks such as household chores or walking to the bus...or even getting out of bed. In fact...some of my San Francisco Chiropractic patients tell me in the beginning, that they have just given up on exercise all together because it is too painful.

Man...that's no way to live. And...it just compounds the problem, because life is motion. Without motion in a joint, toxins build up inside and degeneration marches forward...full steam ahead.

If you have ever known anyone that started to get sore joints, then all of the sudden was unable to do the things they really enjoyed doing...like taking walks or going to the gym...you know how helpless they can feel.

Well...this is what we deal with every day at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco. And the thing is...most of our patient encounters that involve degenerative joint disease (DJD) or degenerative disc disease (DDD) result in a favorable outcome. And the sooner we can get to work the better.

Yes, chiropractic care can help DJD or DDD. In fact, nothing can help more than chiropractic in my opinion.

Chiropractic seeks to restore normal joint function which is a primary cause of DJD and DDD. By restoring motion and proper alignment, we can help re-establish normal circulation between the joint capsule and the bloodstream...flushing waste products out and bringing fresh nutrients in. Chiropractic adjustments also help reduce abnormal wear and tear by re-aligning the joints.

And most of the time...favorable results happen quick...it just depends how bad the problem is and how long it has been there.

And the best part of course is that chiropractic care is all natural...no drugs...no surgery...and most of the time...no pain. Chiropractic at Executive Express is gentle. Some patients don't like the cracking sounds...even though it is harmless...so we don't make them. But if you like them we can do that too.

So come find out for yourself why Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center is considered the Go-To chiropractic clinic for Financial District office workers and executives.

Give us a call at 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online on our secure server.

Weight Training can be good for Back Pain

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I have been practicing chiropractic in downtown San Francisco for 17 years. I have been lifting weights for over 30 years. One thing for sure...full body resistance training has many benefits...including back pain reduction, according to recent research at the University Of Alberta.

From a personal standpoint this is good to see...as it confirms what I have been telling patients for years...weight training is good stuff...not only for building muscles and weight loss...but for back pain also. 

Anyway...check out this article from the always informative www.medicalnewstoday.com.  The article is entitled:

Easing Back Pain Through Weights, Not Aerobics

WARNING: It's best to work with a personal trainer in the beginning to learn how to use gym equipment properly and to come up with a program specific to your needs. You should also consult with your doctor first if you have chronic back pain... maybe even share this article with them.

For a complimentary consultation at Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center in downtown San Francisco...call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online using our secure server. 

If the DRX9000 Works Why Doesn't Insurance Cover It?

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

This is one of the most common questions we are asked at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco. And why not?...if you have health insurance, and there is a treatment that is safe and effective...and known to help...why don't they pay? 

Hey...I'm not an insurance expert, but I know they have lengthy processes that involve double blind studies to prove the safety and efficacy of medical treatments. DRX9000 Nonsurgical spinal decompression has just not been around long enough.

Sure, there is very favorable preliminary research that has been done at John Hopkins University, The Mayo Clinic, and Duke University (see DRX9000 Special Report)...but this only opens the door for the long term studies. Geez...it might be another 5 years before this happens...who wants to wait?

Not the patients we see at Executive Express...they want spinal decompression now. Heck...it's not $100,000...it's around $5-8K...depending on what you need...everyone is different. And we even have ZERO interest financing...we make it easy.

Listen...spinal decompression doctors do not make the insurance rules...we just play the cards we are dealt. We own the DRX9000 (lumbar decompression system) and the DRX9000c (cervical decompression system) because they work...and it has nothing to do with insurance.

So...if you have lumbar or cervical herniated discs that are interfering with your life, and you feel you have nowhere to turn...the DRX9000 or DRX9000c may be the answer to your prayers.

The best thing to do is find a spinal decompression doctor and find out if you are a candidate...because not everyone is. You can go to www.axiomworldwide.com, they have a doctor finder tool.

If you live or work in San Francisco...you can visit Executive Express Chiropractic at the SF Embarcadero Center. We offer a complimentary consultation. You can call 415-392-2225...or schedule an appointment online.