Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Chiropractic as a Stress Management Tool

Our San Francisco Chiropractic Clinic is located in the heart of the Financial District in what we call the Corporate Jungle. It is one of the most desirable places to work in the world, but at the same time it can be very competitive and stressful.

We like to think of Executive Express Chiropractic as a wellness "Pit Stop" for busy corporate executives and office workers...as well as urbanites on the go. We have little to no waiting, and we have a "no appointment needed" policy. That's right...you can just show-up and get the treatment you need...in a jiffy. WHY? Because appointments and waiting are stressful.

When we are under stress it causes muscle tension and misaligned vertebrae...especially in the neck, upper back, and between the shoulders. Stress can also trigger tension and migraine headaches. Chronic stress can weaken your immune system leading to ongoing colds, flues, and sickness.

Chiropractic adjustments and massage are like a magic wand for stress. In fact, I can't think of any treatment on earth that can counteract the damaging effects of stress as fast and efficiently as 100% natural chiropractic care...and a nice warm-up massage.

Now, if you have been grinding it out in the corporate jungle for many years and have let your health go, you will most likely require a sequence of chiropractic adjustments to get your spine aligned and your nervous system and muscles re-balanced. About half our patients require this. No problem...you still get our no-wait, no-appointment needed service (you can still make apts, they are just not required). This really makes it easy to work on chronic conditions on your lunch break or before and after work...or on Saturday.

The last thing you want to do is let stress build up in your body over extended periods of time without eventually taking action. They call stress the "silent killer" as it can lead to heart attacks and stroke if not managed properly.

Chiropractic is the perfect stress management tool. Your chiropractor can also help you with your diet, workout program, ergonomics, sleep positions, and relaxation methods such as meditation and visualization. 

And it doesn't have to be a big time consuming extravaganza. Modern chiropractors understand the value of your time and how to optimize your visit for maximum benefit.

One thing for sure...our San Francisco Chiropractors get it. To find out for yourself call Executive Express Chiropractic at  415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation.

Neck Pain, Headaches and Stress

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

When we are experiencing mental stress it causes our muscles to become tense...mostly in the upper back, neck, and across the shoulders. This can lead to neck pain and headaches. If the stress is ongoing, the headaches and neck pain can become chronic (pain that persists for over 90 days). 

All of us handle stress differently. Some people thrive under stress and perform at their best. Others get sick and unable to function...and everything in between.

I have been practicing chiropractic in downtown San Francisco for almost 20 years now. My patients have been mostly office workers and executives that are working long hours trying to make a name for themselves or further their careers. For the most part...it's the life they choose.

They understand that the SF Financial District is the corporate jungle and in order to get ahead they have to work very long hours in a stressful go go environment.

What many don't realize when they start is how stressful this can be on your body...even if you are young. And if you have any weak links as far as health conditions that tend to flair-up when you are under stress...look-out, because here they come.

Neck pain and headaches are probably the 2 most common stress related symptoms we treat at Executive Express Chiropractic. Here are the 7 most common symptoms of stress:

1. Headaches

2. Fatigue

3. Neck, shoulder, back tension or pain

4. Sleeping problems

5. irritability or mood swings

6. Digestive Disturbances/hormone problems

7. Allergies or sinus problems

My Take: There are things you can do to increase your ability to manage and resist stress. Chiropractic adjustments help to keep the spine, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system in balance which can help with all 7 of the most common symptoms of stress. 

A healthy (I prefer vegan) diet, plenty of exercise, rest, and lots of water can also increase your resistance to stress. As will a good cervical pillow and ergonomic chair at work.

Hey...once we become adults we own the keys to the Porsche (our body's). We are the ones that make all decisions about what we eat, when we exercise and how often, how much rest we get, if we see a chiropractor on a regular basis, etc.

From what I have noticed...the people than learn to strike that balance between really hard work and longs hours...and a healthy "chiropractic" lifestyle...seem to do the best...in health and in wealth.

Bust just know...the greatest wealth is health!

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

Directions to our San Francisco Chiropractic Clinic

Checkout our 5 star reviews

San Francisco Chiropractor Holds Chronic Back Pain Week

Press Release: Chronic Back Pain Week

Dr. Eben Davis and Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco is opening their doors to local back pain and neck pain sufferers who feel they have run out of treatment options.

Chronic Back Pain Week will be held 3/21/2011 to 3/26/2011. During this time, Executive Express Chiropractic will be offering complimentary Back pain assessments and spinal decompression treatments on the DRX9000.

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical, drug-less treatment that is performed on a special machine that is designed and built to treat chronic back conditions naturally.

Some of the chronic back and neck pain conditions that can be helped with the DRX9000 are disc herniations, disc bulges, degenerative disc disease, and facet syndrome.

Says Dr. Davis “Many patients have been told they need back surgery, or neck surgery for their lumbar or cervical disc herniations. They just don’t realize they have other options. This is what we want them to know”.

Over 80% of the population in the US will suffer a serious episode of back pain at some point in their lives. Many of these people will go on to suffer with chronic back pain, which is back pain that persists for over 90 days. Some will suffer with serious, chronic, back pain or neck pain that will interfere with their ability to have a normal active life or earn a living.

Dr. Davis, and his team of chiropractors in San Francisco, are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic back pain. And they invite you to come to their Spinal Decompression Clinic in the SF Financial District to find out if the DRX9000 makes sense for you. Or the DRX9000c, which treats cervical disc herniations.

To schedule your complimentary back pain assessment and free spinal decompression treatment on the DRX9000 or DRX9000c, please call 415-392-2225 and mention Chronic Back Pain Week.     

We will also be hosting a free lunchtime seminar "Nonsurgical Solutions for Chronic Back Pain" on 3/24/2011 from 12-1pm. The seminar will be sponsored by Boston Properties and will be held in the Embarcadero center Conference Center at EC4. To RSVP call 415-392-2225

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic

 

Low Back Pain: Why do so many people have it?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

At any given point in time over 31 million Americans are suffering with low back pain. One half of all working Americans admit to having back pain each year. Experts estimate that over 80% of us will experience a back problem at some point in our lives. Why?

Well, when you consider that up to 70% of the population is overweight or obese, and obesity is a primary cause of back pain, we would have to consider obesity as a primary cause of back pain.

In addition, the typical American diet (high fat, high animal protein, processed foods, sugar)  which is responsible for the obesity epidemic is also pro-inflammatory, meaning it creates an internal environment in the body that constantly triggers your immune response, which is very harmful to your organs, joints, and tissues.

There are also other causes of inflammation .

This chronic inflammation can lead to conditions such as arthritis, spinal degeneration, and disc disease...as well as many organic disorders.

Then, there are the normal sports injuries, car accidents, bad posture habits, and work injuries that injure the low back...and this is a big number.

An often overlooked cause of low back pain is mental stress or the psychological component. This is more common than most doctors realize and needs to be considered as a primary cause of back pain.

What is the best treatment for low back pain?

Since most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer...chiropractic makes the most amount of sense (at least in my biased opinion).

Chiropractic is mechanical...it's physical...it's done by hand to correct physical misalignments (mechanical) of the spine. If you have a pebble in your shoe...that's physical. The solution is not chemical. Sure,  you can take a drug (chemical) so you don't feel the pebble...but to fix the problem you need to remove the pebble (physical).

You also want to look at your lifestyle choices. If you are eating the typical American diet (or anything close) and are carrying too much weight and have chronic inflammation...this can lead to physical misalignment's that keep re-occuring. Most good chiropractors can help you lose weight. Personally, I prefer a plant based diet (which is anti-inflammatory)...and my #1 resource is Dr. John McDougall, MD. 

Many back pain patients are also out of shape and de-conditioned. Making regular exercise a part of your life can help with acute and chronic low back pain. Your chiropractor can also help put together an exercise plan for you.

For every effect there is a cause. For every cause there is an effect. Sure, low back pain can often be hard for doctors to understand and treat...but for your chiropractor, it's business as usual.

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director of Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco (415-392-2225).

Executive Express Chiropractic on facebook

Eben Davis on facebook

Reviews of Executive Express Chiropractic

 

 

5 Tips To Relieve Holiday Stress Headaches

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Stress Headaches are very common during the Holiday Season. It seems we often try to do more than we should to try to please everyone, which can cause muscle tension and stress headaches.

Here are a few simple things you can do to both prevent stress headaches from happening and to get rid of them if they do happen:

1. Use a cervical pillow such as a Tempur-Pedic neck pillow which will help the neck muscles to rest and recover when you sleep. Soft pillows cause the muscles to work when you sleep which can contribute to stress headaches.
2. Buy an ice gel pack from your local drug store and keep it in the freezer. When you feel like you are stressed out you can ice the neck muscles for 15 minutes to reduce the muscle spasms and prevent a headache from coming on. You can also ice after you get a headache. Make sure to use a paper towel between the ice pack and your skin  to prevent ice burn.
3. Roll a hand towel into a roll and put it under your neck. Lie on it whenever you feel stress related muscle tension or a headache coming on. Do this for 5-10 minutes several times per day.
4. Do these neck stretches at work or at home. Do not do them if they cause pain.
5. Visit your chiropractor if you do all of the above and the headaches persist. You may have caused  a bone to lose it's proper position in the neck and a chiropractor can put it back in place for you.

So there you go...you don't have to let Holiday Stress related headaches ruin the party. Be proactive...especially if you are prone to headaches.

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director of Executive Express Chiropractic in San Francisco. To schedule an appointment call 415-392-2225.

 

Has Chronic Back Pain Taken Over Your Life?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

We have been helping patients with severe chronic back pain for almost 20 years at Executive Express Chiropractic (formerly Front Street Chiropractic) in downtown San Francisco.

Chronic back pain is defined as back pain that has lasted for over 90 days.

The #1 predisposing factor to chronic back pain is a previous episode of back pain. When you consider that 85% of all Americans will have back pain at some point in their lives, it's a miracle everyone does not have chronic back pain.

Why does back pain become chronic and persist with one person and go away with someone else?

Well...that's a great question, for which there are many opinions. Since this is my blog, and I have 20 years experience treating thousands of patients with chronic back pain, I will give you mine.

I have noticed...and there are many exceptions...that in general, patients that live a healthier lifestyle, have a more normal body-weight, exercise frequently, eat right (especially a plant based diet), manage stress well, and have a stable family and work life...tend to recover quicker from back pain, and are less likely to develop chronic back pain.

Note: Smoking, drugs, or excessive drinking is a turbo-booster for chronic back pain. 

And...there is often times more to back pain than just the physical part (bone out of place, too much body-weight, etc). There is frequently an often overlooked mental component to chronic back pain...which is why we recommend visualization techniques, meditation, and yoga for our spinal decompression and chronic back pain patients.

Anyway, I believe health is a spontaneous occurrence when the conditions are right. When we eat right, exercise, get plenty of rest, maintain our spine, refrain from excessive drinking and drug use, and have a positive mental attitude, our body makes happy cells. Happy thoughts become happy molecules.

Health Update: Recent research suggests that people that sit all day but workout, are still at risk for chronic back pain and other health problems. Sitting all day also inceases the risk of heart attack. It seems we need to move around way more than we think. An hour a day at the gym 3x per week on the weights is not enough (great huh?).

So what can you do if you have chronic back pain that has taken over your life?

Well, at Executive Express Chiropractic we will first determine if there is a physical component to your back pain. Physical meaning a bone out of alignment putting pressure on a nerve. Is there a short leg? Is the pelvis rotated? Is there a herniated or bulging disc? Spinal degeneration? Do you have poor posture?

As part of our initial intake we will cover lifestyle "Red Flags" such as smoking, obesity, excessive alcohol or drug use, etc.

Physical, chemical, and mental stresses cause what chiropractors treat...Vertebral Subluxations.

Our San Francisco chiropractors will work to correct the subluxations with chiropractic and spinal decompression (if indicated) and teach you about what causes them with education about lifestyle choices.

If we can help you to adjust the factors that are responsible for creating the conditions of health, we can work together to break the chronic back pain cycle...which can be difficult at times. 

Chiropractic adjustments, Nonsurgical spinal decompression, Active Release Technique (ART), Deep Tissue Laser Therapy, Graston Method, Exercise, TLC, and Lifestyle Modification...That's our magic formula for chronic back pain.

Will it work for you?

We sure hope so...it's better then the alternative. Who knows...you might just get your life back.

Check out the Executive Express Chiropractic YouTube Channel to listen to what some of our patients have to say.

To find out if you are a candidate for chronic back pain treatment at Executive Express Chiropractic call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online on our secure server.

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic

Executive Express Chiropractic on facebook

 

Could Moderate Drinking Actually Be Good For You?

Executive Express Chiropractic November Patient Newsletter: Sneak Preview

Discover what a new paper in the Journal Alcoholism found that might make you fall off the wagon!

 

•   "Hair” proves link between chronic stress and heart attacks.

•   1 in 7 home kitchens would flunk restaurant inspections – most are worse!  How bad is yours?

•   Study: Popular diet pill Meridia increases heart attack risk.

•   Shocking and surprising things CHEFS probably don’t want you to know.

•   Researchers find Mother Nature’s Staph infection blocker?

 

All that in this issue PLUS: How A Mother Saved Her Newborn Baby Boy When Her Doctor Had Left Him For Dead!

San Francisco – Is it possible?  Can it be true?  There is no way… right?

             As revealed in a new paper in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, people who do NOT drink alcohol do NOT live as long as people who do.    

            According to an article in Time Magazine, “Research suggests that — for reasons that aren't entirely clear — abstaining from alcohol does tend to increase one's risk of dying, even when you exclude former problem drinkers. The most shocking part? Abstainers' mortality rates are higher than those of heavy drinkers.

“Moderate drinking, which is defined as one to three drinks per day, is associated with the lowest mortality rates in alcohol studies.”

            WOW!  According to this paper, people who do not drink at all die sooner than heavy drinkers... not people who have a drink or two a night – but… HEAVY DRINKERS!

            According to the article, a moderate drinker, defined as 1-3 drinks per day, had the lowest mortality rate. 

            Even though researchers do not know the real answer, there are plenty of theories as to why these findings exist.

            One is that moderate alcohol consumption (especially red wine) can improve circulation, cardiovascular health and reduce stress. Stress reduction may be the most important item on the list.   Here is why…

            There is a vast amount of research linking stress to poor health, possible disease and shortened lifespan.

            In fact, a press release from September 3, 2010 states researchers had finally found direct evidence linking stress to heart attacks.

It’s All About HAIR

            According to the press release, “Researchers at The University of Western Ontario have provided the first direct evidence using a biological marker, to show chronic stress plays an important role in heart attacks. Stressors such as job and marital and financial problems have been linked to the increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease including heart attack.”

            This study, published in the journal Stress, said researchers developed a method to measure cortisol levels in hair.  This is important because cortisol levels are an indicator of stress levels and now the cortisol/stress level can be measured for several months leading up to the heart attack.  

            Until now, cortisol levels were only measured in saliva, urine and serum.  Because of this, stress levels were only seen at the time of the measurement – not leading up to the event.  Doctors and researchers have suspected for a long time that stress was bad for you but it has been hard to measure and “prove.”  Now, it looks like we can all say with relative accuracy… that…

STRESS KILLS!

            This might shed new light on the alcohol research above.  Maybe it’s not alcohol as a chemical compound that is beneficial to your longevity… Maybe the key is alcohol’s role in stress reduction.

            Who knows?  Right now, no one knows for sure, but we do know that correlation is not causation.  In other words, just because drinkers live longer does not mean “alcohol is good for you.”  For example, if the reason drinkers live longer is actually due to a reduction in stress… then it may be possible to get the same results without alcohol consumption. Maybe learning to control stress through meditation and other ways will be found to be just as effective.  The mind-body connection is what’s really important.  Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, and science has now linked it to your stress levels, which basically links it to the way you think.

            The way you handle situations in life every single day is actually a matter of not just happiness… but of…

Life and Death

            So here’s a little advice:  Learn about stress and stress management ASAP. Most likely it will not only lead to a happier life… but a longer one.

WARNING:  Popular Diet Pill

Increases Heart Attack Risk

            Healthday News reports a new study linking the popular weight loss drug Meridia, to an increase in non-fatal heart attacks and strokes.  A researcher said the drug only increases the risk for those who already have a history of heart attack and stroke and they should not take the drug in the first place.  Others say, “Good old-fashioned diet and exercise is the only substantive sustained therapy that's shown to be helpful.  There's no quick-fix pill.”

Researchers Discover

Mother Nature’s

Staph Infection Blocker?

            Staphylococcus aureus can cause a bunch of health problems, including minor skin rashes to serious skin and life threatening blood infections that require immediate hospitalization.

            Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, is a growing public health problem in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions because it doesn't respond to most antibiotics. “Staph” causes infections by first adhering to the host.  This is usually made by contact with the skin – especially if the skin is scraped or cut.  The “staph” clings to the host and multiplies rapidly – forming a group or colony called a biofilm. 

According to ScienceDaily, a recent study tested healthy females and found that drinking cranberry juice cocktail stopped both E. Coli and Staphylococcus aureus from forming biofilms.  E. Coli is the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections. Researchers believe the bacteria cannot cause infections if it cannot adhere to the surface and from biofilms. 

Terri Camesano, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) said, “What was surprising is that Staphylococcus aureus showed the most significant results in this study. We saw essentially no biofilm in the staph samples, which is very surprising because Staph aureus is usually very good at forming biofilms. That's what makes it such a health problem.”

            Researchers also said these results “create more questions than answers.”  More research needs to be done – but drinking a little cranberry juice might not be a bad idea. J

            P.S. The research detailed in the current study was supported by grants from the Cranberry Institute and the Wisconsin Cranberry Board.

            And don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health talk to us. Contact Executive Express Chiropractic with your questions at info@executiveexpresschiro.com or call 415-392-2225. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in your lifelong good health.

Click here to Subscribe to our Online "Health Bulletin" Newsletter and read past issues.

 

Altadonna Communications © 

Is your chronic back pain cause mental or physical?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

We have been practicing chiropractic in the San Francisco Financial District for almost 20 years now. During this time our chiropractors have delivered over 100,000 chiropractic adjustments. 

We have pretty much seen it all as far as chronic back pain is concerned. And we have seen enough chronic back pain (and chronic neck pain) patients to know that the cause of chronic back pain (CBP) is not always physical. In fact, often times the problem is mostly psychological. 

I came across an article recently on Anne Asher's excellent Back & Neck Pain Blog entitled Bad Luck May Be Good Omen for a Bad Back. This article describes recent research that suggests the psychological component of chronic back pain may be more than we think. Here is an excerpt from the article:

If you've endured some difficulties in your life before you got a chronic back condition you may be in luck as far as your prognosis goes. The key here is some - as in falling between no life adversity and a lot of it. A new study, to be published in the September issue of Pain surveyed 396 adult chronic back pain sufferers. They found that people who have met with some life challenge prior to a back problem reported better function and less use of the health care system for their back pain than the others.

So what constitutes some adversity? Study participants said they had dealt with illness, violence, death of a loved one or friend, relationship and social stress or disaster.

I'm convinced that the link is psychological and/or social.  It seems the researchers for this study agree. Dr. Mark Seery, investigator and assistant professor of psychology at University of Buffalo says, "the data suggest that adversity-exposure also may protect against psychiatric disturbances that occur with CBP."

My Take: As chiropractors who deal primarily with physical causes (and solutions) of back pain, we need to be alert to psychological, social, and family disturbances that may be at the root cause of a patients chronic back pain. In reality, this is business as usual for a seasoned chiropractor. Because it doesn't take much time in the field to realize that there is more to back pain than the pain itself.

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

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic

Executive Express Chiropractic on facebook

Follow Dr. Eben Davis on Twitter

 

San Francisco Chiropractor Provides "Pit Stop" For High Stress Office Workers

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

We built Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center with one thought in mind...Service!

We knew the #1 complaint a patient has when they visit a chiropractor in San Francisco is wait time...so we eliminated it.  

We also knew from our previous 16 years serving the Financial District that people have crazy schedules that change moment to moment, so making and keeping appointments can be challenging...so we decided to make them optional.

That's right...you can just walk in any time without an appointment....and be seen in a jiffy!  

And we don't keep complicated clinic hours that are hard to remember...we are open M-F 9-6pm. We are also open on Saturday 9-1pm (a great day to bring the entire family).

Oh...have you ever tried to find a parking space in the SF Financial District during the day? It can be impossible...so we wanted to have validated parking also...and we do, at the Embarcadero Center.

We also wanted to have a knock-out design that was built using only eco-friendly products and kept electronic records...so that's what we did (check-out our design statement). We even have touch-screen paperless check-in.

But most importantly...we wanted to have a warm and friendly (highly trained) staff and the most advanced equipment and tools to serve our patients. We are always investing in new technologies and staff training to make ourselves better able to treat all the conditions that our patients present with.

I guess we are kind of a "Pit Stop" for high stress office workers in the San Francisco corporate jungle.

And nobody does it better.

No appointments. No Waiting. No Hassles.

Validated Parking, friendly staff, state-of-the-art treatment, chemical free healing environment, and a convenient Embarcadero Center location...that's Executive Express Chiropractic.

To schedule an appointment call 415-392-2225.

Check-out our cool San Francisco Chiropractic microsite

Reviews and directions to Executive Express Chiropractic

Executive Express Chiropractic on facebook 

Chronic Back Pain can be "Hard To Explain"

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Often times patients with chronic back pain find it hard to explain to others what they are experiencing. Unless someone has experienced chronic pain themselves, or have had someone very close to them with some sort of chronic pain syndrome,  it is very difficult to comprehend what someone with chronic pain is going through.

This is especially true with chronic back pain, or chronic neck pain.

And back pain doctors can be the worst sometimes. I know first hand because I decided to become a chiropractor because of my life changing experience as a chiropractic patient with migraine headaches and chronic neck pain.

At one point (before I discovered chiropractic) I was told to brace for the worst because I most likely had a brain tumor.

I was treated like a laboratory experiment instead of a human being that was unable to function normally because of chronic headaches and neck pain. And it did not seem like there was anyone on the planet that could get a grasp on the situation until I discovered chiropractic.

My experience with chronic neck pain and headaches has helped me to help other chronic pain victims over the past 18 years, because I know first had what it feels like.

Anyway...I came across a (kind of funny) How-To-Guide on explaining chronic pain entitled  How Do You Explain Chronic Pain to Others.   Here is an excerpt from the article:

 

This information comes with a “CAUTION” as it is not to be used with anyone except the most obnoxious of our fellow humans and guarded from those who have a sincere concern for our health and well-being. I would hate for them to find out what evil lurks in my heart toward some select individuals I have had the misfortune to meet along the twisted trail of my life.

1.    Chronic pain arrives with satchel in hand much like those huge termites on the termination company commercials. You’ve seen those, haven’t you as this large, repulsive over-sized termite knocks on the door and wants to come in? His purpose is clearly to devour our homes and our lives. He is to be considered the enemy as we declare war upon him and his intrusion. Don’t ever let him in. Unfortunately, there are some individuals who resemble him. Don’t let them in, either.
2.    Some doctors can be as insensitive as any other human because they have been told to “keep a professional distance” or haven’t a clue what they’re about. Give me a doctor who knows about pain from personal or family experience anytime over  the one who has lived a pristine life of being spoiled, catered to and admired.
3.    All male doctors should remember some of us are RN’s and know the male anatomy. We know exactly where to place a knee if driven too far by the glassy-eyed stare at the clock on the wall which indicates he either doesn’t care about what we’re saying or has already made up his mind about us based on our history; if he has read it at all. Beware. We know immediately whether you, male or female physicians, care about us at all and we are drawing our own conclusions, about you. “Power to the patient!” is our cry.
4.    Wouldn’t it be lovely and rosy if each doctor treated us as they, themselves would like to be treated or if they thought of us as they would a parent, sister or brother. This applies only if their immediate family is comprised of understanding individuals endowed with saint like qualities; otherwise forget it. We would love you for it. You don’t know how badly we want to find physicians like you.

Click here for full story

My Take: Just know that most people are not going to understand what it feels like to be in chronic pain...and unless they are a close friend or a family member, they probably could care less (unless they are trying to sell you something). Don't get discouraged, find support groups (and read blogs) of people with chronic pain and learn about treatment options that may be working for them. I know for myself, chiropractic turned out to be the answer. But nothing works for everyone.

Try to stay away from pain pills, OTC medications, and drugs if you can. It's doubtful that your chronic pain is from a deficiency of Motrin.

Consider the nutritional aspect of chronic pain. Dr. John McDougall, MD is a great resource.

And try to exercise frequently (which can be hard with chronic back pain or neck pain), because exercise helps with stress, which is a primary cause of pain (read: Exercise for Stress related Back Pain).

If you live in the SF Bay Area and would like to find out if you are a candidate for chiropractic care at Executive Express Chiropractic please call 415-392-2225. We validate parking at the Embarcadero Center.

Reviews and directions to our San Francisco Chiropractic Center