Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

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.

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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.

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Exercise for Stress Related Back Pain

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Anyone that treats back pain knows that mental stress is a primary cause. Mental stress causes muscle tension, which can result in headaches, neck pain, upper and lower back pain, and more.

Certain stresses (and chronic stress) can also trigger your "fight or flight" biological response which can cause the release of stress hormones that are detrimental to your health and well being and can also lead to back pain. Stress is bad news.

The good news is...one of the best ways to counteract stress, and stress related back pain, is Exercise.

I came across a great article entitled 5 Mind-Blowing Benefits of Exercise.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Maybe you exercise to tone your thighs, build your biceps, or flatten your belly. Or maybe you work out to ward off the big killers like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But how about sweating to improve your mind? "Exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning," says Harvard Medical School psychiatrist John Ratey, author of the book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. "Even 10 minutes of activity changes your brain." If you need a little extra incentive to lace up those sneakers, here are five ways that exercise can enhance your brainpower:

1. It reverses the detrimental effects of stress. Jumping on the treadmill or cross trainer for 30 minutes can be an instant way to blow off tension by boosting levels of "soothing" brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. What's fascinating, though, is that exercise may actually work on a cellular level to reverse stress's toll on our aging process, according to a June study from the University of California at San Francisco. The researchers found that stressed-out women who exercised vigorously for an average of 45 minutes over a three-day period had cells that showed fewer signs of aging compared to women who were stressed and not active. Working out also helps keep us from ruminating "by altering blood flow to those areas in the brain involved in triggering us to relive these stressful thoughts again and again," says study coauthor Elissa Epel, an associate professor of psychiatry at UCSF

Click here for full story

My Take: I can't think of anything that gives you more bang for the buck than regular exercise. All you have to do is get to the gym or exercise at home 3-4 days per week, and your body takes care of the rest. And most people have complete control over whether they exercise or not. It usually comes down to a choice between the TV and the couch or the gym (or your garage). Make it happen!

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

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How Fitness Can Help Alleviate Depression and Anxiety

(BY CHRISTIAN PITKIN - EQUINOX PERSONAL TRAINER)   6-18-10

 

Depression and Suicide are a growing epidemic in our country as well as worldwide.  Unfortunately, I know this all too well.  In 2003, my Dad took his own life due to numerous setbacks that led him to depression and becoming a completely different person in the last few months of his life.  I loved my Dad so much as I was very close to him.  He was one of my best friends and someone I could talk to about anything.  He was our whole family’s bedrock and someone whom we could all turn to for advice.  As he was the last person who I ever thought would end is own life, none of us were educated on the signs of depression and ultimately how to curtail and minimize the effects depression has on someone.  Specifically in my Dad’s scenario; He was 67 years old at the time, with a stock market and career going in a downward spiral (the career portion not his fault!). He had suffered a herniated disc which prevented him from exercising.  He had exercised all his life and this was devastating for him and only led him deeper into depression.  Soon thereafter, he could not sleep a wink and was not thinking clearly at all before he ended it.  Clearly, exercising would have been an element that at least would have made him feel a lot better and very well could have saved his life.

 

Here are some facts about depression and suicide that are startling:

 

• 10 percent of people in the U.S. ages 18 and over in a given year are deppressed, or more than 24 million people.
• Ninety percent of all people who die by suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.
• Over 34,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year.
• Each year approximately ONE MILLION people in the world die by suicide.

 

Now, what is one of the ways to prevent or alleviate anxiety, depression and/or suicide?  Yes, fitness will certainly help a lot!   As I learned in a Web MD article I read, when you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins.  These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain and also create positive feelings in your entire body.  For example, after I have an amazing workout or push myself on a long run, I have a sense of euphoria afterwards.  This feeling one gets will certainly help create a more positive outlook in one’s life as well as one’s interaction with their loved ones.  Even for us non-depressed folks who may simply feel down at times (which happens to all of us at one time or another) we need this endorphin rush.

Regular exercise has been proven to help:

·         Reduce stress

·         Ward off anxiety and feelings of depression

·         Boost self-esteem

·         Improve sleep

Exercise also has these added health benefits:

·         It strengthens your heart.

·         It increases energy levels.

·         It lowers blood pressure.

·         It improves muscle tone and strength.

·         It strengthens and builds bones.

·         It helps reduce body fat.

·         It makes you look fit and healthy.

In conclusion, as I work at Equinox as a Personal Trainer, I can honestly say that I have learned an abundance of reasons how exercise is helpful for the human body AND mind.  Although, I wish I had known this many years ago, it’s never too late to start practicing important habits that will benefit you for a lifetime.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you ever would like to talk about anything on your mind J  Also, please take a look at a few links below that you may find helpful.

Christian Pitkin
NASM Certified Personal Trainer
Equinox Personal Trainer – San Francisco
415-786-1947
christian.pitkin@pt.equinox.com

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/mh00043

www.afsp.org

http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?page_id=0528C91E-E3A5-FC13-A6616EC3811FE48C

 

 Executive Express Chiropractic patients and friends are entitled to a special 3 Day VIP pass at Equinox Fitness San Francisco. Contact drjacobs@executiveexpresschiro.com for more info.

 

 

Meditation for Back Pain and Arthritis

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I follow quite a few pain blogs every day and try and stay on top of what is happening in the world of back pain and chronic pain syndromes. I use this information to help educate my patients, doctors, and staff, as well as the readers of this blog on natural solutions for pain reduction.

Meditation has been around for thousands of years. While science has yet to fully understand what is actually happening, they are able to measure the physiological effects of meditation as it relates to stress reduction and pain control. The results are outstanding.

When you consider that pain is actually a 'perception' by the brain of damaged tissue at a particular body part, it's easy to see how patients with chronic pain can actually 'anticipate' this pain, creating neurological patterns that can contribute to chronic pain syndromes. This is especially true with chronic back pain, neck pain, and arthritis.   

Anyway...I came across an article today based on a study done by scientists at Manchester University entitled:

Meditation 'reduces the emotional impact of pain making it easier to bear'

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Dr Brown said: 'The results of the study confirm how we suspected meditation might affect the brain.

'Meditation trains the brain to be more present-focused and therefore to spend less time anticipating future negative events. This may be why meditation is effective at reducing the recurrence of depression, which makes chronic pain considerably worse.'

Dr Brown said the findings should encourage further research into how the brain is changed by meditation practice.

He said: 'Although we found that meditators anticipate pain less and find pain less unpleasant, it’s not clear precisely how meditation changes brain function over time to produce these effects.

'However, the importance of developing new treatments for chronic pain is clear: 40 per cent of people who suffer from chronic pain report inadequate management of their pain problem.'

My Take: Meditation should be incorporated in medical back pain and arthritis clinical protocols. It’s fairly easy to learn how to do this or to find highly trained experts who can conduct workshops at medical facilities that can teach back pain and arthritis patients, as well as many other chronic pain syndrome patients such as Fibromyalgia patients, how to help manage pain…without drugs or surgery.  It's a lot cheaper too.

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

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Headache from stress? Consider chiropractic

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Stress is a primary cause of both migraine and musculoskeletal related headaches.

With migraine headaches, the stress can act as a trigger. Or the stress itself, especially if ongoing, can be the underlying cause of the migraines.

Mental stress can also cause muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and skull, which can cause tension headaches. Chronic muscle tension can lead to pinched nerves as the muscle spasms pull the vertebra they attach to out of alignment.

Unfortunately, there are also some other very unhealthy physiological responses that go along with mental stress...such as elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, lowered immune function, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

The good news is...chiropractic can help.

Chiropractic adjustments can help to relieve muscle tension, re-position vertebrae, improve immune system function, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress.

Managing the stress itself is sometimes difficult. Visiting the chiropractor is easy.

Chiropractic helps me manage my own stress levels. A couple of chiropractic adjustments per week make it so I can do way more than I could without them.

And chiropractic can do the same for you.

Chiropractic can help prevent stress related tension headaches or migraine headaches. And chiropractic can help get rid of them once they hit.

Check it out for yourself. Chances are...you will be glad you did.

If you have a headache story comment below.

If you have headaches and live in the SF Bay area...give Executive Express Chiropractic a call at 415-392-2225 and ask for a complimentary consultation. We would love to meet with you and see if you are a candidate for headaches treatment.

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What is Fibromyalgia?

San Francisco Chiropractor: Health Update

Fibromyalgia – Important “Fibro Facts”

 

So you think you may suffer from Fibromyalgia (FM) and you’re trying to find out more information about FM…..but where do you start?  Certainly you can “Google” the word “fibromyalgia” and spend the rest of the day, week, or maybe month reading about the symptoms, clinical signs, the many treatment options and the different types of doctors who treat FM patients.  You will certainly learn a lot!  But you will still most likely remain confused as to what to do about it.

First, what is fibromyalgia?  It is a chronic (long standing) painful condition resulting in widespread pain throughout the body and it’s usually difficult to isolate a cause or reason for such significantly disabling symptoms.  It is very common, affecting 3-6% of the general population (global) and 6-12 million Americans (2-4% of the US population). Woman are affected more than men (75-90% are women), and it is typically diagnosed between 20-50 years of age.  It affects people physically, emotionally, and socially.  The symptoms can fluctuate but it never completely disappears. The cause, though still debated, points to the central nervous system in which a “minor” pain signal reaching the brain is somehow magnified and perceived as more intense (this is called “central sensitization”).  This makes the FM patient hypersensitive to normal stimulations like a hug or a when hitting a bump in the road with the car.

How is it diagnosed?  Prior to 1987, it was not recognized by the AMA as an illness or cause of disability.  In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) reported the initial criteria for diagnosing FM.  There are no blood tests, x-rays, biopsies, EEG’s, EMG’s or other tests for FM.  Hence, a thorough history (frequently revealing fatigue, sleep problems, mental fog, depression, headache, and bowel problems) and examination ruling out other disorders is appropriate.  Diagnosis includes a history of widespread, chronic pain and the presence of multiple tender points (at least 11 of 18) located all over the body.

What is the treatment? Pain management has been the focus and this can include medication, ice/heat, exercise, lifestyle adjustments, counseling when anxiety/depression are issues, dietary strategies, sleep management, but perhaps most important is education – about FM and how to “live with it.” That is, learning how to “control it” since no one has found the “cure.”  Exercise in short durations of time by walking or swimming (not too strenuous). Expect post-exercise soreness so don’t overdo it initially, or you’ll be “convinced” you shouldn’t be exercising.  Diet – avoid glutens/grains and emphasize fruits, vegetables, lean meats (grass fed chicken, beef, and fish), and consider nutritional support from a multiple vitamin, calcium/magnesium, fish oil (omega 3 fatty acids), Vit D3, and Co-Q10.  Find a good “team” of doctors – chiropractic, family doc, and rheumatologist who YOU are comfortable with and who will work together for you.  Don’t expect miracles – it may lead to disappointment.

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in the team to help those suffering with FM.  If you, a friend or family member require care for fibromyalgia, we would be honored to offer our services. 

   

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR FIBROMYALGIA AT EXECUTIVE EXPRESS CHIROPRACTIC! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 415-392-2225

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Questions & Answers With Dr. Dan Dinenberg of One Medical Group San Francisco

Daniel Dinenberg, MD                                                       

Specialty:

Family Medicine

Expertise:

Annual Physical

Birth Control Counseling

Diet and Nutrition Counseling

Diabetes and Hypertension

Healing Touch and Guided Imagery

 Integrative and Functional Medicine

 Lifestyle Modification

Preventative Health and Education

Skin Rash and Biopsy

Stress Management

                                      Travel Medicine and Vaccination

Daniel Dinenberg is an excellent family practice physician who has extensive training in integrative and holistic medicine.  He is focused on individualizing health care for each patient, utilizing the connection of mind/body/spirit while promoting the strengths of western medicine along with exercise, nutrition, and Healing Touch.  Daniel is Board Certified in Family Practice through the UCSF/Santa Rosa Family Medicine program. He has completed training and received Board Certification in Holistic Medicine through the American Board of Holistic Medicine.  Daniel believes strongly in the innate healing power of the human body and utilizes a functional approach to patients, specializing in helping patients to achieve more vitality and better balance in their lives.  Dr. Dinenberg recently completed a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine.

 

 How do you incorporate your holistic training into your practice?

Well, my background is that  I’m Board Certified in Family practice and in Holistic medicine. Throughout my training, my goal has always been to figure out how to incorporate the innate healing of the body into my practice. The medical model doesn’t teach wellness, prevention, nutrition, etc. and they mainly focus on disease.   My holistic training helps me to teach my patients  the importance of a healthy mind and body as it relates to healing vs. simply treating the symptom with a drug.

 What are your goals for healthcare?

I observe the big picture…using broader strokes to heal on a bigger level which includes exercise, nutrition, and life balance. I use functional medicine and try to get the body into balance. I look at the biochemical, biotransformation, detoxification, hormonal, immune, and inflammatory systems of the body, as well as try to understand the interconnectedness of symptoms...  For example, how does not getting enough  sleep affect the inflammatory reaction, natural cortisol production, and hormonal balance in the body.  I seek to treat the whole person…  and that’s when true healing happens.

Do you utilize any hands on techniques in your practice?

  I use various techniques and some are almost hands off healing such as healing touch, Reiki, energy work, etc. I mainly use it for things like stress reduction, anxiety, insomnia by using guided mediation and imagery. I use an individualized treatment program and clinical assessment for a person by figuring out what is going on with the person, and applying the appropriate healing modality specific for that person, instead of using a generalized approach.  I try not to do any test that won’t change my management of the patient and may be costly.

 What would you consider to be the keys living a lifestyle of health and vitality?

 

1.       What you put in your body (nutrition)

2.       Exercise/movement

3.       Connection to loved ones (including yourself, friendships, family).

4.       Replenishing sleep

5.       Managing stress

Side note: Yoga is a great help making that mind/body connection

  

 

 

What is your philosophy to living a healthy lifestyle?

  Life is all about balance and allowing yourself to enjoy being in balance, and allowing it to bring happiness and fulfillment into your life at every level.  Health is our natural state.

 As you can see, Dr. Dinenberg has a very special approach to health care. 

www.drdan.md

One Medical Group are a boutique primary care San Francisco Doctors office with locations conveniently located in New York City and San Francisco.  One Medical Group offers a refreshingly modern health care experience that is more personalized to your needs with same day appointments that start on time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soldiers Who Suffer Back Pain Are Unlikely To Return To Duty

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I came across an interesting post on www.sciencedaily.com about soldiers who suffer back pain while on duty in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The name of the article is  Back Pain Permanently Sidelines Soldiers At War. Here is an excerpt from the article:  

Cohen explains that the reasons why few military personnel return to their units after leaving with back pain may simply be a reflection of the outcomes for back pain in civilian life. "Back pain has notoriously low success rates for treatment," he says. The biggest predictors of a poor outcome, he said, are psychosocial factors. People who are depressed or anxious, who cope poorly with stress, who are unhappy in their jobs, and those with other psychological issues are more likely to remain disabled by back pain. Cohen, who is also director of chronic pain research at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, said those with back pain who remain in the country where they are deployed may be more motivated to stay on the job or are more satisfied with their role in the military. 

The military needs to find a way to get soldiers with back pain back to their units wherever possible, Cohen says. He suggests that could be accomplished if there were more pain management options in Iraq or Afghanistan, following the model used for soldiers with symptoms of combat stress. When those symptoms are treated at mental health clinics on base, approximately 95 percent of service members returned to their units. When treated in a transitional unit in nearby Kuwait, the figure was around 50 percent. When sent to Germany, fewer than 10 percent returned.

 The article talks about combat stress and the physiological component of back pain...along with the notorious poor outcomes for back pain treatment.

My Take: It is common for back pain to be the physical manifestation of psychological stress...and god knows the stress these soldiers are under. It should be a foregone conclusion that some will handle it better than others. And, I don't think we need back pain research or any kind of research to tell us that the farther a soldier is taken away from the source of stress, the less likely they are to want to return...would you?

Anyway, war is not pretty, and we need to make sure that anyone brave enough to deal with it while defending our country gets the health care they need...while they are on active duty...and after-wards...forever.

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

Stress, Back Pain, and Chiropractic

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

According to experts, there are 3 basic forms of stress...Physical, Chemical, and Mental. And...experts tell us they are all interconnected. Another-words, one can lead to the other. Lets take a look at each one of them and see how stress relates to back pain, which is one of the most common physical ailments patients present with at a chiropractors office.  

Physical stress can come from sitting all day at a desk in front of a computer with poor ergonomics.  Auto accidents. Sports injuries. Physical abuse. Slips and falls. Carrying a heavy bag all day. Knapsacks in kids. A bad mattress or pillow. Shoes that don't fit right.  Manual labor...and more. 

Chemical stress to the body can result from drugs and alcohol...even prescription drugs. In fact, there are way more deaths and addictions to prescription drugs than street drugs. Environmental and workplace pollutants like asbestos, mercury, and lead. Toxins and preservatives in our food chain and water. Chemicals in our homes in the carpet and paint...even some of the things we buy like plastics, cleaning supplies, personal care items, and rubberized (cookware and toys) items are loaded with chemicals. An often overlooked source of chemical stress is the food we eat (the typical american diet is loaded with processed foods and chemicals).  

Mental stress is what most people associate with the word Stress. Mental stress can come about from being at a job you don't like. Being in a bad relationship. Financial problems. Problems with  your children at home. An illness in the family. Harassment at home or at work. Or just feeling like you don't have enough time or energy to get through the day...or you have no control over your life.  In fact, when they study cancer in the lab with mice...the mice that are unable to exert their will to stop a spin wheel produce the highest level of cancer producing stress hormones than any other activity. It appears that not having control is the ultimate mental stress. 

So how does this tie into back pain and chiropractic?

Well...all 3 stresses can lead to a malfunctioning nervous system and are primary sources of "vertebral subluxations" which is what chiropractors treat. For instance...mental stress can cause muscle tension that can pull bones of the spine out of alignment, irritating spinal nerves, resulting in back pain, neck pain, and headaches...along with many other painful conditions.  This can lead to the chemical stress of pain medications

Physical stress can cause spinal degeneration and lead to painful back conditions such as disc herniations and spinal stenosis. Back pain can then cause mental stress from the inability to perform normal daily activities at work and home. This tends to get progressively worse as time goes on...especially if pain medications are involved (which adds chemical stress to the mix). 

When chemical stress is put on the body from poor lifestyle choices such as alcohol, drugs, and tobacco...it can actually weaken the immune system predisposing the body to all sorts of physical ailments including back pain. Things that would normally not cause physical stress, do when the body is weak. Nothing is worse for back pain than cigarette smoking. And a chemical stress dependency can lead to excessive mental stress as the patient copes with the problem.

So...as you can see...all 3 types of stress are interconnected. Heck...you can be healthy as a horse...get hit with the shell shock mental stress of a death in the family, not be paying attention and step off a curb and break your ankle. The mental stress lead to the physical stress...which could now lead to chemical stress from pain killers and most likely more mental stress from depression and loss of control. It can be a vicious cycle. 

However, for the most part, you do have control over the decisions you make day in and day out. And it's those decisions that steer you either in the direction of health or illness...it's up to you. 

Sure...there are obstacles, and STRESS, and accidents, and things that seem to be out of your control (but are they?)...and some people seem to have it easier than others...But in the end, it's the choices YOU make that mostly determine where you go (in health and wealth). In fact...you are the end product of your decisions...so make them good ones. Be the paddle...not the ball...and include chiropractic in the mix. Not only can chiropractic help remove pressure off of the nervous system (physical stress). We can help teach you about the things that cause what we treat (Vertebral Subluxations)...physical, chemical, and mental stress.

We can help reduce physical stress from your nervous system with our treatments, which will help the body adapt to all 3 stresses at optimum levels. And, we will do our best to educate you about vetebral subluxations and the stresses that cause them.  Our goal is to help you find that balance point where health and stress co-exists. There is no way to escape the forces of stress. All we can do is learn to manage it in the best way possible. 

Health is a spontaneous occurrence when the conditions are right. We just have to learn what the conditions are and seek to create them. They are a little bit different for all of us.

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

     

Headache Treatment San Francisco

 

Health Update: Headaches

 

 

Chiropractic Care and Headaches

“I can’t believe how much my head hurts!”  I’ve been laid off from work for the last 3 weeks and worried about making my mortgage payment this month – I think the stress is getting out of control!  Pain starts in my neck and radiates into my head eventually making my whole head hurt, especially behind my eyes.  There are times I feel like my head might explode!  I can’t stand loud noises or even normal noise.  Over the counter medications aren’t touching it and I can’t drive if I take some of the medications my doctor prescribed.  I don’t know what to do next.”

This history is classic for the diagnosis of a tension-type of headache (TTH).  As unemployment rates reach new highs and stress levels climb, it is no wonder more and more people are presenting with this condition.  Even prior to the recession, TTH was the most common type of headache experienced by adults affecting 10-65% of the population.  The impact on daily living by TTH is significant as it disrupts daily activities, quality of life, and work.  These types of headaches, according to the International Headache Society (HIS), can last from 30 minutes to 7 days, do not include nausea/vomiting but may include increased sensitivity to light or noise (rarely both at the same time).  The most common frequency is less than 15 TTH’s/month. 

Medication has been the primary medical form of treatment and some patients require the regular use of certain medications, even when headaches are not present - - as in some cases, it’s too late to start meds once the headache starts.  In these cases, Amitriptyline has been the most frequently prescribed medication and it’s considered the drug of choice for TTH.  Chiropractic spinal manipulation (CSM) has been reported to be helpful in a number of prior studies.  One reported equal benefit as Amitriptyline with 6 weeks of treatment.

A recent publication conducted a study using a new design where TTH sufferers with more than 10 headaches per month were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 1) cervical spinal manipulation (CSM) + amitriptyline, 2) CSM + placebo (fake) amitriptyline; 3) sham CSM + real amitriptyline; or 4) sham CSM + placebo amitriptyline.  That way, one can determine which of the two or, the combination of both is most beneficial.  An initial period of 4 weeks was followed by a 14 week treatment period. A headache diary was used to track headache frequency in the last 28 days of the treatment period.  Nineteen completed the study and the combined effect carried the most statistically significant result with a close second with CSM alone.  A larger sample size was recommended for a more statistically powerful evaluation.

This study is important as CSM by itself was found to be at least as (if not more) effective than Amitriptyline alone, which is the medication of choice for TTH.  Hence, if CSM or Amitriptyline alone are not found to be satisfying, the combination of the two is strongly supported by this study. 

If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service.  We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future. 

To find out if you are a candidate for headache treatment at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

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