Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

San Francisco Chiropractor Patient Review

Every week at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco we profile a patient that has achieved outstanding results by adhering to their recommended chiropractic treatment plan. This week our featured patient is Maria Estrera. Maria chose us because of our expertise treating Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) with chiropractic and Active Release Technique (ART). Maria presented with back, neck, and shoulder pain that was interfering with her work and daily activities. Maria is better now and has referred many friends and co-workers to our Embarcadero Center Chiropractic Clinic. Thanks Maria :-)

To Schedule an appointment at Executive Express Chiropractic at the San Francisco Embarcadero Center (near the Ferry Building) call 415-392-2225.

Executive Express Chiropractic on facebook

Best Treatment for a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

San Francisco Chiropractor

Have you been diagnosed with a pinched nerve in the neck? If so, you most likely have pressure on a spinal nerve root as it is exiting from in between the cervical vertebrae. A pinched cervical nerve root is usually caused by a herniated disc or a bulging disc.

Sometimes degeneration of the spine or degeneration of the disc can cause bone spurs or bony growth that can encroach upon the environment of the nerve resulting in a condition called spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis.

The symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck vary from person to person and can include neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, arm pain, hand pain, pain that radiates from the neck down the arm, numbness and tingling in the fingers, weakness of grip, and night pain.

In fact, you can have a pinched cervical nerve and have no symptoms in the neck at all, but have symptoms in the hand. This makes it tricky sometimes as the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can mimic the symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck. Some patients actually have both CTS and pinched nerves in the neck.

The good news is, we can treat most disc herniations and disc bulges, as well as spinal degeneration and CTS without drugs or surgery.

At our San Francisco Chiropractic facilities, as well as at other chiropractic clinics around the world, a combination of chiropractic care, nonsurgical spinal decompression, Active Release Technique (ART), and Deep Tissue Laser Therapy, is used to successfully treat most of the primary causes of  pinched nerves in both the neck and low back.

Many patients end up on a wild goose chase trying to figure out the right kind of treatment for a pinched nerve or carpal tunnel syndrome, which can often times lead to cortisone shots, pain meds, and unnecessary surgery.

So, how would you know if you qualify for nonsurgical treatment for your herniated disc in the neck, bulging disc, or spinal stenosis? Well, the best way to find out is to get checked by a doctor that specializes in treating herniated discs without surgery.

We are one of the only clinics in the SF Bay Area to offer cervical decompression therapy with the DRX9000c...a very expensive machine that is designed and built to treat herniated and bulging discs in the neck.

If you live or work near the San Francisco Financial District you can visit Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center. Call 415-392-2225. 

Or, you can check my recommended list for chiropractors at various locations around the US who do something similar.

You can always send me an email to ebendavis@yahoo.com and I will try to make my best recommendation for a doctor near you.

Please do not think that there is no hope for you or that surgery is your only option. Take the time to educate yourself and find a doctor that has the skills and advanced technology to help you get better.

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic San Francisco

San Francisco Chiropractor For Dancers

Executive Express Chiropractic patient Patricia Morgovsky talks about how chiropractic care and Active Release Technique (ART) has helped keep her on the dance floor. Patricia was suffering with back, neck, and foot pain from long hours on the computer and Salsa dancing. Patricia likes the walk-in convenience and friendly staff of Executive Express Chiropractic and has told many friends and co-workers.

To schedule an appointment at Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco, call 415-392-2225.

Visit Executive Express Chiropractic on facebook

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic

NYC Chiropractor for Dancers

Herniated Discs "CAN" Be Repaired Without Surgery!

San Francisco Spinal Decompression Doctor Comments:

We have been treating herniated discs at Executive Express Chiropractic (formerly Front Street Chiropractic) for over 18 years now...without drugs or surgery.

I am amazed at the amount of herniated disc patients that think that they are doomed...and that the only option they have is back surgery. Heck...most of the people with disc herniations don't even know they have them...and never will.

So...just because you have a cervical disc herniation, or a lumbar disc herniation, does not mean it's the end of the world.

Sure...there is a sub-set of disc herniation patients that develop serious problems and do require surgical intervention...but this is the exception...not the rule.

There is also a sub-set of herniated disc patients that are not surgical candidates (even though they may have been told they were), who have symptoms that become chronic (persist for more than 90 days). These patients often end up in a "no mans land" where nothing seems to help (even chiropractic), and either they don't need surgery, or they don't want it. Now what do you do? 

Well...it was this very reason that we purchased our first nonsurgical spinal decompression machine over 5 years ago. Sure, we were already very successful treating disc bulges and disc herniations...but sometimes chiropractic, massage, exercise, acupuncture, and physical therapy was not enough. Sometimes we just  had no answers...and neither did anyone else.

But things changed when we started incorporating lumbar decompression and cervical decompression into our disc herniation protocols.

Then, a few years ago we began to offer full body Active Release Technique (ART).

Recently, we purchased a Lite-Cure deep tissue laser, so we are able to offer deep tissue laser therapy which is able to accelerate healing in herniated disc patients.

Things are different now. And YES...herniated discs can be repaired without surgery.

My Recommendation: Find a doctor that offers all of these services. If you live or work near downtown San Francisco, you can visit Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center. 415-392-2225.

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic

Checkout our spinal decompresion testimonials

If you do not live in San Francisco I can recommend the following herniated disc doctors who all do something very similar to what we do:

Herniated disc doctor New York City

Herniated disc doctor Newport Beach, CA

Herniated disc doctor Denver, CO

Tiger Woods has Cervical Facet Syndrome: What is it?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Tiger Woods has been suffering with severe neck pain ever since he returned to play several months back. In fact, neck and shoulder pain caused him to withdraw from THE PLAYERS Championship.

Tiger and his team thought that he had a bulging disc in the neck, or a herniated disc. However, recent MRI findings reveal an inflamed facet joint. The medical diagnosis for this condition is cervical facet syndrome or facet joint syndrome.

So what is facet joint syndrome anyway?  Here's an excerpt of what the Cleveland Clinic has to say:

Facet joints occur in pairs at the back of each vertebra. The facet joints link the vertebrae directly above and below to form a working unit that permits movement of the spine. The structure of the facet joint is identical to other joints in the body, such as knees and hips.

The bone surfaces of the facet joints are covered with a specialized tissue called articular cartilage. The joint is lined by a membrane called the synovium and enclosed in a fibrous sac called a joint capsule. A thick liquid (synovial fluid) surrounds the joint, allowing the bones to move without friction.

Facet joint syndrome refers to pain that occurs in the facet joints. This syndrome most often affects the lower back and neck. Lumbar facet syndrome might cause referred pain to the buttocks and thigh. Facet syndrome in the neck might cause headaches or shoulder pain.

What are the symptoms of facet joint syndrome?

Symptoms of facet joint syndrome in the lower back include:

• Pain or tenderness in the lower back
• Pain that increases with twisting or arching the body
• Pain that moves to the buttocks or the back of the thighs — This pain is usually a deep, dull ache.
• Stiffness or difficulty with certain movements, such as standing up straight or getting up out of a chair

Symptoms of facet joint syndrome in the neck include:

• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Difficulty rotating the head

What causes facet joint syndrome?

There are several possible causes of pain that originates in a facet joint. An injury and/or changes associated with aging might cause the cartilage cushion that covers the bones to wear away, causing pain as the bones of the joint rub together.

In addition, small nerves that branch out from the spinal nerves supply the facet joints. Irritation or pinching of these nerves also can lead to pain. Poor posture, which forces the spine out of alignment, can be a factor in the development of pain from the facet joints. Trauma, inflammation, infection, and disc degeneration are other suggested causes of facet joint pain.

Read full article here

My Take: Facet syndrome is actually fairly common with golfers and many other professional athletes.

We treat quite a bit of facet joint syndrome at Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco...as do chiropractors around the world...especially sports oriented chiropractors.  

We use a combination of chiropractic care, deep tissue laser therapy (to reduce inflammation), Active Release Technique (ART), and nonsurgical spinal decompression of the cervical spine.

I'm not sure what kind of treatment Tiger Woods has received for his facet joint syndrome, but I would be very surprised if it did not include all of the above.

The problem is the professional golf tour is non-stop...so no matter how state-of-the-art the treatment...you still need to give the body adequate time to recover. Plus, Tiger has been under a lot of mental stress, which can slow down the healing process.

From my own experience, most cervical facet syndrome's do not require surgery or cervical rhizotomy, the nerve deadening procedure.  But, often times professional athletes will do what ever it takes to stay in the game, and deal with the consequences down the road.

However, YOU (the average person) don't have to do this. Most of us have the luxury of being able to rest and recover, such that we don't have to force a treatment that we have to pay for down the road (common in professional sports).

Anyway...hopefully Tiger gets rid of his neck pain and can win a few this year...he is long overdue.

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director of Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco.

Visit Executive Express Chiropractic on Facebook.

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic.

New York City Chiropractor Steven Shoshany offers cervical spinal decompression, laser, Active Release Techniques, and Kinesiotaping. He has lots of experience with professional athletes and facet syndrome. I highly recommend him.

Executive Express Chiropractic San Francisco

Active Release Technique (ART) and Chiropractic

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Active Release Technique is a state-of-the-art soft tissue method that actually includes an examination and treatment component with each session.

Dr. Adam Jacobs DC, the clinic supervisor at Executive Express Chiropractic San Francisco, is full body certified in Active Release Techniques (ART).

We incorporate a highly targeted Active Release treatment with all our chiropractic adjustments.

ART and chiropractic is an amazing combination.

A primary component of a Vertebral Subluxation, which is what chiropractors treat, is Myopathology, or abnormal muscle function. Active Release Techniques are able help chiropractic adjustments restore more normal muscle function making chiropractic adjustments hold better and last longer.

Plus...being able to actually test the injured muscle during each session makes it possible to measure progress and direct the chiropractic treatment more efficiently.

One thing for sure...the results we obtain are much better since we began incorporating Active Release Techniques into our chiropractic treatment protocols.

And,  Active Release Technique really makes sense for whiplash treatment.

If you have never experienced ART, you can find a certified Active Release Techniques provider near you and try it out for yourself.

If you are looking for a San Francisco Active Release Provider you can visit Executive Express Chiropractic.

For a complimentary ART session call 415-392-2225 and mention this blog post.

Check us out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SocialBackDoctors

Neck Pain that won't go away? What should you do?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

We have been helping patients with neck pain at Executive Express Chiropractic (formerly Front Street Chiropractic) for around 18 years now, and have helped thousand of patients with neck pain.

In fact...neck pain may be the most common condition we treat.

There are all sorts of things that can cause neck pain. Things like stress, which causes muscle tension and can actually pull bones out of alignment. Poor ergonomics...sitting in awkward positions for extended periods...even years. Auto accidents. Sports injuries. Repetitive motion injuries, which are very common, and neck pain for which there is no known cause.

Heck...you can have a perfect chair and a perfect workstation set-up, and still acquire a repetitive motion injury simply because you are working too much. Do you think there's anyone in the SF Financial District that's doing this?  The body has it's limit's.

So...what if you get neck pain and it just wont go away? Or it starts to get progressively worse?

Well...what you shouldn't do is ignoree it. Symptoms are the body's way of warning us that something is not working right...kind of like the warning lights and instruments on the dashboard in your car. It's funny...people will ignore the body's warning signs, but they will take their car right into the shop if one of the warning lights comes on. Hmmm.

If you have neck pain...the first thing you should do is apply ice. See our You-Tube video for proper icing technique. You might just have some tight muscles. The second thing you should do is make an appointment to see your chiropractor...or if you are a patient of Executive Express Chiropractic, just come on down (you don't need an appointment).

You should refrain from working out, lifting anything heavy, sitting at a desk for an extended period, or driving long distances until you get the all clear from your chiropractor.

If you have pain that wont go away even after the ice, or the pain is getting worse, this could be a little bit more serious. Your chiropractor is still the place to go, but you will most likely have to see them for a short course of treatment. Most of our new patients fall into this category. 

The good news is, chiropractic is drug-less, for the most part pain-less, does not take a lot of time, and is not expensive.

At Executive Express we take it to a whole new level with zero to very little wait time, advanced treatment methods such as Deep Tissue Laser, Active Release Techniques (ART), and nonsurgical spinal decompression, and 5 star customer service (see Google Reviews).

So if neck pain strikes...ice first. If the neck pain is just a strain it may go away with ice therapy. If not...see your chiropractor.

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director and founder of Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco.

Map and reviews of Executive Express Chiropractic  

What is Kyphosis? Is it preventable? Is it treatable?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

We have been helping patients with kyphosis for over 18 years at Executive Express Chiropractic(formerly Front Street Chiropractic) in downtown San Francisco. How much we can help depends on the following:

1. The underlying cause of the kyphosis (is it acquired or congenital?). See Mayo clinic link below.

2. The age of the patient and the severity of the problem (the younger the better).

3. Are there any complicating factors such as a scoliosis, or a short leg, or foot pronation (sometimes a short leg or foot pronation can be adjusted with custom orthotics). Do any medical complications such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) exist?

4. Are there any bad habits that could be accelerating the kyphosis development that can be modified immediately...like sleeping postures, ergonomic set-ups, laptop usage, driving, knapsacks? (this is why we like to see children when they are very young).

5. Emotional factors such as depression, learning disabilities, family instability, and emotional trauma can also play a role in kyphosis.

Here is an excerpt of what The Mayo Clinic has to say about kyphosis:

Kyphosis is a forward rounding of your upper back. Some rounding is normal, but the term "kyphosis" usually refers to an exaggerated rounding, more than 50 degrees. This deformity is also called round back or hunchback.

With kyphosis, your spine may look normal, or you may develop a hump. Kyphosis can occur as a result of developmental problems; degenerative diseases, such as arthritis of the spine; osteoporosis with compression fractures of the vertebrae; or trauma to the spine. It can affect all ages.

Mild kyphosis may cause few problems. But severe cases can affect your lungs, nerves, and other tissues and organs, causing pain and other problems. Treatment for kyphosis depends on your age, the cause of the curvature and its effects.

 Some of the common conditions that accompany a thoracic kyphosis are Forward Head Posture and Hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine. Both are adaptations to the kyphosis...or is the kyphosis an adaptation?...who knows...and it doesn't really matter. What matters at Executive Express Chiropractic is can we help it? And if so, how? 

Primarily we can help treat and prevent Postural (aquired kyphosis) kyphosis.

What we want to do is focus on the things we know we can change...like bad posture habits, and adjusting any kind of a short leg or foot pronation with orthotics.

Then, we want to look at what we think we can adjust as far as the kyphosis complex itself, any hyperlordosis, or forward head posture.

Depending on the patients age, we will taylor make a treatment program that consist of mirror image exercises, specific chiropractic mirror image adjustments, and Active Release Techniques (ART), to turn on muscles that are not working enough, and turn off muscles that are working to hard. We also may use home cervical traction methods to help re-position the head over the body (move it back).

In severe cases we may incorporate class IV deep tissue laser therapy with the LiteCure LCT-1000 to break up scar tissue formation from long standing muscle spasms and inflammation.

We also look to strengthen the abdominal muscles as weak abs can lead to hyperlordosis and compensatory kyphosis. Everything is connected.

So sure...we can help correct kyphosis...but it's sure a lot easier to prevent it from happening in the first place which is why we like to see kids...the younger the better. Children love chiropractic...after they get used to the process. And...they don't need a whole lot of treatment. Children heal quick. 

I have a 4 year old daughter and she is always on her laptop playing games with her head looking down. So I make sure I teach her how to do this at a desk with good posture...and I adjust her to counter-act these negative influences. With video games, computers, and all the other electronic devices that invite poor posture in kids...chiropractic is the perfect antidote. 

So whether you are an adult and you already have a kyphosis...or you are a parent and you think your child is developing a kyphosis...or you just want to prevent it from happening at all...chiropractic should be right at the top of your list.

Sure, there are some medical conditions that can contribute to kyphosis that are beyond the scope of chiropractic, and you can read about them on the Mayo clinic website link above...but my experience has been that chiropractic is the best tool for kyphosis treatment and prevention.  

To find out if you are a candidate for care at Executive Express Chiropractic in the San Francisco Financial District...call 415-392-2225.  

 

Active Release Techniques (ART) San Francisco

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Dr. Adam Jacobs, our head clinician at Executive Express Chiropractic in SF Financial District, is full body certified in Active Release Techniques.

So what exactly is Active Release Techniques (ART) to patients? Here is the explanation from the Active Release Techniques (ART) website:

What is Active Release Techniques (ART) to Patients?

Click to Play

ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

How do overuse conditions occur?

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:

· acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc),

· accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)

· not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

What is an ART treatment like?

Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

These treatment protocols - over 500 specific moves - are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.

What is the history of Active Release Techniques?

ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy noticed that his patients' symptoms seemed to be related to changes in their soft tissue that could be felt by hand. By observing how muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves responded to different types of work, Dr. Leahy was able to consistently resolve over 90% of his patients' problems. He now teaches and certifies health care providers all over the world to use ART.

I also noticed on the ART website homepage that the chiropractor of the world champion New Orleans Saints is a certified ART practitioner. There is a photo of Dr. David Edwards holding the Lombardi Trophy. Congrats Dr. Edwards and the New Orleans Saints.

In fact, ART is one of the preferred treatments for NFL players. But you don't have to be an elite athlete to enjoy the benefits of ART...especially if you live or work near the San Francisco Embarcadero Center.

If you would like to find out more about Active Release Techniques (ART) at Executive Express Chiropractic...simply call 415-392-2225 and ask for Dr. Adam Jacobs...or request an appointment online. 

If you do not live in the SF Bay Area, you can find an ART provider near you using the Active Release Techniques (ART) provider search.