Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Local SF Business Spotlight: Peacock Construction

Every other month we feature a local San Francisco business in the Executive Express Chiropractic "Online Health Bulletin". This month we are profiling SF Financial District neighbor, Peacock Construction, who built our space. I can tell you first hand...these guys are world class. Check it out:

Peacock Construction, Inc. is a general contractor specializing in commercial interiors throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.  With nearly 30 years of experience, the company has completed tenant improvement projects in virtually every type of investor, developer, or institutionally-owned building in the market, and has a strong reputation for offering competitive pricing and quick project completion. 

Peacock Construction has an in-house crew able to construct complete build-outs, or respond to simple service requests.  The company has significant experience in office tenant improvements, as well as retail build-outs, including banks, brokerage offices and retail showrooms. It has successfully completed multiple floor projects, often in occupied space, and has worked in well-appointed Class “A” high-rise building such as Embarcadero Center, to more moderate projects in mid-rise and garden office buildings.

In addition to office tenant improvements, Peacock has significant experience building all types of restaurants, from high-end dining establishments, to fast food eateries, and has also successfully completed many high tech tenant improvements, including wet labs, server rooms, clean rooms and emergency power facilities.

Another market niche for the company is healthcare-related work. Peacock Construction built Executive Express Chiropractic’s modern, efficient and luxurious office in Embarcadero Center, and also has experience with other types of medical offices, clinical laboratories, nursing/rehabilitation centers and hospital facilities.

Notable among Peacock’s thousands of successfully completed projects in San Francisco are Osha Thai Restaurant, Metropolitan Medical office facilities, Morgan Stanley’s flagship retail branch, Crunch Fitness on Union St. and Boston Properties’ regional office.

For more info Visit Peacock Construction online.

Executive Express Chiropractic San Francisco Eco-Friendly Design Statement

Spring Cleaning with Vegetables

By Jill Nussinow, MS, RD, The Veggie Queen™ http://www.theveggiequeen.com

Here in California, it’s difficult sometimes to tell winter from spring because it may be continually rainy, as it has been this year. Looking at the vegetables and herbs at the farmer’s market, I know that spring is here. While asparagus hit the scene late this year due to cold, then wet weather, it is now locally available. I am patiently awaiting local artichokes but the other vegetable signs of spring have arrived: beautiful baby leeks, green garlic, nettles, dandelion, watercress and other, greens.

The latter two are what I will discuss here as they are less widely used. Spring is a great timing for clearing your system of the heaviness of winter. Greens help in this process. Two of the best are stinging nettles and dandelion, which like other greens, keep your body alkalinized (which is how you want it versus being acidic).

When purchasing nettles, be careful. Do not handle the stems or leaves without protection as you can get stung. That sting can stick with you for more than a day. Generally, a pair of gloves or tongs works well for putting the nettles into, and taking them out of, a plastic bag. Recently, though, I was stung through the bag but that’s only happened once in years of purchasing them.  Do not eat nettles uncooked. In order to deactivate their sting, dunk them in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then take them out and use them. How, you might be asking? Use nettles any way that you use cooked greens, mixed with beans, in casseroles, as a side dish. You can also make tea from them to drink daily to help naturally, gently and safely detoxify your body. I make soup with nettles (recipe below) and sometimes use the nettle tea in my husband’s green smoothie that will be featured in one of my upcoming newsletters.

Nettles grow near moist areas, such as stream and riverbeds, and are often classified as weeds. They are highly nutritious and not to be overlooked despite their sting, as they are high in iron, vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. They can be dried and used later. They are only available fresh in the spring, and sometimes in the fall or winter, depending upon the weather.

Another highly nutritious “weed” is dandelion. Spring dandelion is often the mildest form. Because I am such a wonderful organic gardener (this is a joke), I have an abundance of dandelion. Many people avoid dandelion because it is bitter. Young dandelion is often less bitter but if you find that you don’t care for the flavor, cooking it and mixing it with other greens such as kale or collards might help you get it into your diet. Like nettles, dandelion helps clean up your liver, which is the body’s major organ for detoxification. Dandelion root tea is wonderful for this but it’s easiest to purchase that already made, rather than attempting to dig up dandelion roots. (I’ve done it once but it wasn’t worth the effort and I had to sacrifice one of my lovely dandelion plants in the process.) For many people, drinking the tea is easier than eating the leaves although I encourage eating many green leafy vegetables.

Watercress is not just for fancy tea sandwiches. These tender, bitter leaves make fine punctuation marks in spring salads and soups. I make a potato and watercress soup that includes small spring leeks. Watercress really grows in water, in similar places to nettles, and is wonderful paired with seasonal citrus which helps cut the pungent taste.

To help put more spring in your step, buy some nettles, dandelion and watercress and eat them cooked (always for nettles) or raw in as many ways as possible.

Here’s an easy and tasty green soup, using the freshest seasonal vegetables, which you will find at your local famer’s market.

Early Spring Green Soup with Nettles, Garlic and Leeks

Serves 4 to 6

This is a wonderfully easy blend of very fresh ingredients that needs little more than some salt but you can easily add thyme and bay leaf when cooking it.

4 minutes high pressure; quick release

1        tablespoon olive oil

1        medium onion, diced

1        cup chopped green garlic

1        cup chopped leeks, green and white parts

2        cups potatoes, diced

1         bunch nettles, carefully removed from stems      , a scissor works well

2         cups chopped dandelion greens and/or watercress

6         cups homemade vegetable broth

½-1   teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Sauté onion, garlic and leeks for 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and broth. Lock lid on cooker and bring to high pressure. Reduce heat. Cook for 4 minutes. Quick release the pressure. Remove the lid, carefully tilting it away from you. Blend with a hand blender. Add salt and pepper, to taste

Note: to cook this on the stovetop, add the onion, leeks and potatoes and broth, cook for about 15 minutes at a simmer, until the potatoes are getting cooked through. Stir in the green garlic and nettles and other greens, if using, and simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. Blend as above.

©2011, The Veggie Queen™, http://www.theveggiequeen.com

To get more recipes, sign up for my monthly newsletter on my website.

Non-Surgical Disc Herniation Treatment

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We have been helping herniated disc patients in the SF Financial District for almost 20 years now with our unique brand of chiropractic and spinal rehabilitation.  

About 6 years ago we added non-surgical spinal decompression to the mix with the DRX9000. The DRX9000 lumbar decompression system is a machine that uses computerized technology to treat lumbar disc herniations, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, and degenerative disc disease.

Spinal disc decompression is often times able to repair herniated discs without surgical intervention.

Patients that have been suffering for years with chronic back pain, sciatica, leg weakness, and muscle spasms, more often than not are able to return to a more normal "active" lifestyle.

Non-surgical treatment of herniated discs was once thought impossible. I know that's what I thought when I first heard about spinal decompression therapy...without the knife.

But that was then, and this is now. Non-surgical spinal disc decompression is now considered the "Gold Standard" for drug-less, non-surgical intervention for low back pain and sciatica secondary to a pinched nerve in the low back. 

The majority of pinched nerves are caused by either a herniated lumbar disc or a bulging lumbar disc...both of which respond favorably to spinal decompression treatment with the DRX9000 or other decompression systems...there are many good ones.

So...have you been told by your medical doctor that you need back surgery? Have you had numerous cortisone injections? Have you tried physical therapy or chiropractic care with limited success? If so, you may be a candidate for spinal decompression therapy with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c, which treats cervical disc herniations.

Anyway, YES...there is such a thing as non-surgical disc herniation therapy...and it's available at our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center in downtown San Francisco.

To find out if you are a candidate for lumbar decompression therapy or cervical decompression therapy with the DRX9000 or DRX9000c, call 415-392-2225 and ask for a Complimentary Consultation.

Check-out our Spinal decompression Reviews on YouTube

Directions to our Spinal Decompression Center in San Francisco

 

Natural Relief for Neck Pain from Arthritis

Dr. Andrea Mills, DC

If you have ever had neck pain or headaches, and you’ve gone to see you doctor, they may have told you that either “your X-rays are normal” or “you have arthritis in your neck, but it’s part of the normal aging process.”

So let me ask you this... if arthritis of the neck is the normal aging process, why don’t all your joints have arthritis? Are your shoulders or your hips fine? Aren’t they the same age as your neck?

I see a lot of X-rays, and arthritis of the neck is one of the most common findings in patients over age 40. Also called cervical arthritis, it's basically wear and tear, or degeneration of the vertebrae (bones) in the neck.

What Causes Arthritis of the Neck?

Have you ever been in a fender bender? You know, one of those "minor" accidents that really didn't cause too much damage? Maybe you had a little dent in the bumper or the fender of your car, but you were OK?

If you have arthritis in your neck and have ever been in a fender bender, there's a good chance that slight accident started the problem you are experiencing now.

No one ever told you that, did they?

Any accident that has enough force to damage your car, will damage your spine. But because we "feel OK" afterwards, we tend to ignore it and not get it checked out.

When you are in a car that is hit, the impact throws your head either forward, backward, or to the side. Since your head weighs about as much as a bowling ball, the entire injury puts a lot of strain on the delicate neck, and can cause the curve that gives your neck strength and stability to straighten out.

Once that happens, you are pretty much guaranteed to have arthritis in your neck 10-20 years down the road. Unless you fix it.

You can also get arthritis if you have bad posture, where your head juts forward and your shoulders are rolled forward. This puts excess pressure on the spine, and causes it to wear out faster.

Think of it this way... try holding a bowling ball in your hands with your arms straight out in front of you. Hard to do, right? That's because there is more strain on your arms with the weight out in front of you.

The same thing happens with your neck. Your head should be right over your shoulders. If it's too far forward, it puts extra pressure on the spine, and can cause arthritis if left that way.

Symptoms of arthritis in the neck

• Neck stiffness
• Headaches
• Numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in the hands
• Spasms in the neck muscles, shoulders, and upper back
• Pain in the lower back or legs (especially if your spinal cord is being pushed on)
• Strange, unexplained symptoms anywhere in the body (again, if the spinal cord is being impinged anywhere)

 

A mild case of arthritis can be helped with non-invasive treatments like chiropractic care, or osteopathy. Acupuncture can help arthritis pain as well, especially if yours is a mild case. Find a practitioner who is comfortable teaching you exercises that will help restore the proper curve to your neck, and who will address your posture to correct anything there that is contributing to the extra strain.

Moderate to severe cases are harder to treat with non-invasive treatments, but can still be successfully helped; it just takes a little longer.

If there are bone spurs and the discs have thinned, we may be able to drop pain levels, but we won't be able to fix the bone spurs. With the proper home traction tools, you may be able to help heal your discs a bit, depending on how thin and dried out they are.

 

For pain and deep healing, many chiropractors are now using deep tissue laser therapy. These high powered lasers have been used in Europe for years, and were finally cleared by the US FDA in 2005 or 2006. We’ve seen people with severe arthritis have huge decreases in pain in just a few treatments.

 

Traditional Medical Management of Arthritis

The traditional medical management of arthritis of the neck usually consists of NSAID's for inflammation and pain, and muscle relaxers to help the spasms. These osteoarthritis drugs can have some serious side effects, so take them with caution, and they were not designed for long term use.

If medications don't work, the next step is often cortisone injections into the neck. While the cortisone will help with inflammation, it may only be temporary (I've had people tell me they had relief for only 12-24 hours). A side effect of cortisone injections is that they will cause the stabilizing tissues of the spine (ligaments and tendons) to wear out faster, ultimately leading to a more unstable neck and further arthritis!

If you have arthritis of the neck, there is hope. If it's mild case, you may be able to reverse some of the damage, and you can definitely fix the postural distortions that are making it worse.

For more information on natural arthritis remedies from arthritis expert Dr. Andrea Mills, visit her at  http://www.natural-arthritis-relief.com.

Neck Pain Relief in San Francisco

San Francisco Chiropractor Review: Knee Pain

Executive Express Chiropractic San Francisco patient Michael Deneui presented to our clinic with severe post surgical knee pain. Michael had been searching for a clinic that offered Class IV Deep Tissue Laser Therapy in San Francisco. Michael reports he is almost pain free and his life is back to normal.

Chiropractor Reviews San Francisco

Low Back Pain and Spinal Fusions

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

You may think it’s odd to discuss low back pain (LBP) from the perspective of spinal fusion because as chiropractors, we do not perform surgery...so why discuss it?  We feel it's very important that we discuss research such as this so we can help our patients make informed treatment decisions.  Now, there are certainly times when a surgical procedure for back and leg pain is necessary and appropriate for some patients, but the problem is, there are also some patients who have been told they need spinal surgery,  when in fact, they may be better off NOT proceeding with surgery. So, the question is, what happens to those patients who elect not to have surgery vs. those who do choose to proceed with surgery?

            That question was addressed in a study where a total of 1450 patients injured at work were followed over a 2-year time frame. There were a total of 725 patients who proceeded with the fusion surgery and the other 750 elected NOT to have the surgery. A fusion surgery can be described as when two or more vertebra are fused together, usually because there are neurological problems such as shooting leg pain, weakness and/or numbness in one or both legs.  The conditions treated in this study included herniated disks, degeneration of the disk, and radiating leg pain. There were primarily 3 factors that were compared between the two groups, namely, 1) ability to return to work,  2) disability (the inability to work), and 3) opiate (narcotic) drug use. Other factors compared included the need for re-operations, complications, and death.

            The results showed, in general, those who proceeded with surgery had significantly more problems compared to those who did not have surgery.  For example, only 26% returned to work, compared to 67% returned to work.  The total number of days off work were 1140 vs. 316 days, respectively.  There were 17 vs. 11 deaths, respectively and, 27% of the surgical group required re-operations with a 36% complication rate. Also, there was a 41% increase in the use of narcotic medication with 76% continuing the use after surgery.

            Again, there are times when surgery is absolutely the right choice.  Those times include when there is a loss of bladder or bowel control, progressively worsening neurological symptoms in spite of non-surgical care, and of course, unstable fractures, cancer/tumor and infections, but that’s about it! In other words, if you don’t have one of the before mentioned conditions which do require surgery, don’t be too quick to jump at the chance of “getting it fixed” with surgery. As the study suggests, the post-surgical results favor those who elected NOT to have surgery.  Also, when in doubt, don’t trust the opinion of only one surgeon – always get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion.  It is also very important to consider your current level of function or, your ability to do your desired tasks...and unless there is a significant loss in that ability, consider additional time with non-surgical treatment.  The non-surgical treatment you can expect to receive from chiropractic includes (but may not be limited to) spinal manipulation, spinal disc decompression, exercise training, physical therapy modalities (ice, heat, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, traction, etc.), deep tissue laser therapy, dietary counseling, and job modification information.

            We realize you have a choice in who you choose to provide your health-care services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain or sciatica in San Francisco, especially if back surgery is being considered, we would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to discuss your options.

To schedule an appointment for a complimentary low back pain assessment, call Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco at 415-392-2225.

Reviews and directions to our SF Chiropractic Clinic

Source: Nguyen, Trang H. MD, PhD*; Randolph, David C. MD, MPH*; Talmage, James MD†; Succop, Paul PhD*; Travis, Russell MD‡ Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Fusion Among Workers' Compensation Subjects: A Historical Cohort Study. Spine: 15 February 2011 - Volume 36 - Issue 4 - p 320-331.

 

Sciatica Pain Relief in San Francisco

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

Sciatica describes leg pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs, that is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve in the low back or buttocks. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. In some people the sciatic nerve is the diameter of a quarter at it's largest point.

Sciatica is usually caused by a pinched nerve in the lumbar spine from a herniated disc or a bulging disc. Degenerative disc disease and Facet syndrome can also cause sciatica...as can Piriformis syndrome. There is a muscle in the buttocks called the Piriformis muscle that the sciatic nerve passes through on it's journey down the leg to the feet.

Some people that sit a lot like truck drivers or office workers are prone to Piriformis muscle irritation, especially if they have a wallet in their back pocket which can cause postural imbalances and piriformis muscle spasms.

Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve root channels (secondary to disc degeneration or bulging or herniated disc pathology) can also cause sciatica symptoms.

Sciatica is usually an indication that your back condition is advancing and getting worse.

So what's the best treatment for sciatica pain?

Well, it depends who you talk to. Many orthopedic surgeons will want to either to cortisone injections to get the inflammation down...then physical therapy. Or, if the disc herniation in the low back is severe and the spine is unstable and has a lot of degeneration, they will want to perform back surgery.

A chiropractor will probably want to try a short course of spinal adjustments, massage, and exercise rehabilitation.

A spinal decompression doctor may want to do a combination of any of the above, or simply try spinal decompression as a stand alone treatment for your herniated disc, stenosis, bulging disc, or facet syndrome.

At our spinal decompression clinic in San Francisco, we incorporate spinal disc decompression with the DRX9000, deep tissue laser therapy, massage, Graston method, and spinal core rehabilitation to achieve favorable outcomes for sciatica related neurovascular compression syndromes.

We work with Medical doctors, Physical Therapist, Physical Medicine doctors, and acupuncturists as needed.

Degenerative Disc Disease in the lumbar spine is a process that usually unfolds over many years...ultimately leading to bulging discs, herniated discs, and sciatica.

Spinal decompression machines are designed and built to treat the causes of sciatica and not just the symptoms like pain medications and cortisone injections.

Can you do spinal decompression at home or hang on an inversion table for sciatica?

I would not do it...you could make your back problem worse.

Hey...don't get me wrong...inversion tables and home decompression systems work fine for some people and feel pretty good for low back stiffness...but don't take the chance with sciatica.

So anyway, if you have sciatica and you want to find out if spinal decompression treatment makes sense for you, I would find a chiropractor, physical medicine doctor, or orthopedist, that incorporates nonsurgical spinal decompression into their treatment programs for chronic low back pain.

To find out if you are a candidate for spinal decompression in San Francisco, call 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

Spinal decompression reviews

Directions to our SF Chiropractic and Spinal Decompression Center

 

How to Live With Fibromyalgia!

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that produces widespread pain that can literally change the life of a FM patient, but as they say, “…life must go on!” Therefore, this Health Update is dedicated to discussing ways to empower you with tips to make FM as least activity restricting as possible. Ways to gain self-control of FM include the following:

1.  Exercise:  There are two forms of exercise you should include in your self-management program. One is light aerobic exercises such as walking and/or water exercises with the objective to increase your heart rate. The other is strength training with a low weight / high repetition approach emphasizing the part of the exercise where you slowly release the weight back to the start position (the eccentric part of the exercise).  Here is a list of tips from the National Fibromyalgia Association that should help: 

a. Start slow – don’t overdo it the first few times you exercise as post-exercise soreness is normal but, it’s exaggerated in the FM patient.

b. Listen closely to your body’s feedback! Increase the activity according to your tolerance – NOT TOO QUICKLY!

c. Start with only a few minutes of gentle exercise and work your way up.

d. Walking is a GREAT form of exercise.  It can be done inside (in the winter, for example), outside, and/or in water (to reduce weight bearing loads).

e. Track your progress by keeping a log of what and how much you’re doing. This can be accomplished by wearing a pedometer (that measures steps), a heart monitor (that measures pulse rate), and keep track of the distance and time, when possible.  Make notes how you felt during and after the exercise.

f. Stretch before and after exercising.

g. Keep your chiropractor informed and work as a “team” to advance your program. 

2. Sleep:  A poor sleep pattern is the “norm” for FM patients. The pain associated with FM usually interferes with sleeps, which leads to more pain followed by more sleep disturbance – it’s a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. The National Sleep Foundation and others recommend the following steps to help us sleep:

a. Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed at a similar time each night, even on weekends.

b. Room temperature – keep it cool, not too warm!

c. Caffeine – avoid this especially towards evenings (coffee, tea, soda, and/or chocolate).

d. Alcohol – avoid before bedtime as it can keep you awake.

e. Exercise – in the afternoon, NOT before bedtime.

f. Nap as needed but ONLY briefly – like 20 min. max.!

g. Be comfortable – wear soft PJ’s and consider a white noise machine.

h. Bedtime routine – consider reading, listening to soft music – whatever works for you! Once you find a routine that works, stick with it!

3. Diet: Talk to your chiropractor about food allergy, gluten sensitivity, diabetes, thyroid function, medication/vitamin use and any other unique issues that pertain to you.

4. Emotional control: Engage your family, good friends, your healthcare providers, and consider FM support groups.  Meditation, deep breathing and visualization exercises as well as cognitive therapy can also be very effective.

            If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services!

You may be a candidate for Fibromyalgia Treatment in San Francisco at Executive Express Chiropractic. For a no-obligation consultation call 415-392-2225 and mention this blog post.

San Francisco Chiropractor Review

Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco "Patient of the Week" is Chrystie Eccles. Chrystie was suffering with severe headaches for 8 years after a car accident. Chrystie was shocked at how quickly chiropractic helped her headaches as she had already tried various treatments such as PT and medications without any success. Check-out what Chrystie has to say about us.

San Francisco Chiropractor Reviews To schedule an appointment at Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco call 415-392-2225. Mention this blog post for a complimentary consultation.

More: San Francisco Chiropractor Reviews

Kinesio Taping and Chiropractic: a Perfect Match

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Kinesio Taping has been around for more than 25 years, and is currently breaking new ground in the fields of physical therapy, sports medicine, chiropractic, and athletic performance. Here is an excerpt from the "About" page at  Kinesiotaping.com:

The Kinesio Taping Method is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. It is used to successfully treat a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and medical conditions. Both Kinesio® Tex Tape and the training protocol have shown results that would have been unheard of using older methods and materials.

In the mid-1970s, Dr. Kenzo Kase was already a well-known Japanese practitioner licensed in chiropractic and acupuncture. He developed the tape, which has a texture and elasticity very close to living human skin, in response to limitations he encountered working with rigid sports taping methods on his own patients.

Dr. Kase was experienced with both Japanese and US norms for patient treatment. He began to have questions about the limitations of the Western medical mindset. He heard of a cryotherapy treatment for arthritis that utilized tape to adjust joint distortion. In Western medicine the presumption had been that once a joint is in a certain shape that cannot be changed. He was intrigued by the possibilities that this treatment could remediate the distortion.

He developed the tape, which has a texture and elasticity very close to living human tissue, in response to limitations he encountered working with rigid sports taping methods on his own patients.

My Take: Kinesio Tape is the perfect compliment to chiropractic adjustments which seek to restore normal joint position and function. The Kinesio Tape can be applied to injured areas post adjustment to give the support necessary for a more normal motion which will accelerate the healing process. 

In addition, Kinesio Taping can allow athletes to perform in situations that would otherwise subject them to further injury. The Kinesio Tape can be applied in various patterns and tensions to protect injured joints and muscles, but still allow for peak performance.

We use Kinesio Tape in San Francisco at Executive Express Chiropractic to help support injured spinal areas and extremities when we feel it is necessary. We also treat many athletes and performers that require special taping procedures to protect chronic injuries during competition or performance.

Bottom Line: Kinesio Taping and chiropractic are a perfect match...and we are proud to offer it to our patients.

If you are interested in finding out more about Kinesio Taping in San Francisco, call Executive Express Chiropractic at 415-392-2225. Ask for a complimentary Kinesio Taping demonstration and consultation.