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Tuesday, April 12, 2011
A Answer To Pain Relief At Back In Shape Holistic Therapy
A balanced approach to whole-body wellness and pain relief.
You will find a friendly staff who cares about you and your health.
Back in Shape Chiropractic strives to provide the most focused, personalized care possible. By treating a limited number of patients in our intimate office setting, our doctors offer exceptional integrated health care at all times. Back In Shape provides a "wait-free" office policy, so exercise your right to prompt service in a pleasant atmosphere by scheduling your free consultation today!
We believe that it is not only our job to help you feel better, but to give you the tools to become independently healthy for life.
We believe that it is not only our job to help you feel better, but to give you the tools to become independently healthy for life.
Research Supports-based chiropractic medicine, acupuncture, herbs and massage therapy into a program customized to your needs allows you to return to your active lifestyle without pain!
Dr. Anthony Nguyen
Dr. Anthony is committed to providing his patients with the most advanced and state of the art corrective spinal care offered today. After graduating from Rider University with a biochemistry degree, Dr. Anthony attended the Palmer Chiropractic College West to obtain his doctorate degree. During his years of study he acquired a thorough understanding of the chiropractic science and has applied his knowledge in treating all types of patients.
Chiropractic (chiros and practikos are Greek words meaning done by hand) care is a health care profession that is used to diagnose and treat mechanical disorders of spine and musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic care is based on the premise (basis) of dysfunction of spinal joint and in many different conditions of diminished health and can interfere with the nervous system.
Chiropractors use the term vertebral subluxation and concentrates mostly on the musculoskeletal components of spinal injury.
Subluxation is a medicine directly used for joints and associated nerves.
Chiropractic care will help in the following conditions such as headaches, back pain, jaw pain, neck pain, scoliosis, stress, hip pain, pinched nerves, joint pain and shoulder pain.
Different cases in which chiropractic care reduces the use of surgery and x-ray:
- Chiropractic care reduces the cost of treating back pain.
- Chiropractic care reduces hospitalizations among back pain patients.
- Chiropractic care reduces back surgeries.
- Chiropractic care reduces cost of medical imaging such as x-ray or MRI.
Chiropractic care is holistic, stressing the overall health and wellness. It recognizes many factors like diet, exercise, rest, environment and heredity that affect health. Chiropractic care recommends changes in life style such as eating habits, exercise and sleeping habits.
Headaches
Headaches affect just about everyone at some point and they can present themselves in many different ways. Some people only experience pain in one part of their head or behind their eyes, some people experience a pounding sensation inside their whole head, and some people experience nausea, while others do not. The pain itself may be dull or sharp and may last for anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Fortunately, very few headaches have serious underlying causes, but those that do require urgent medical attention.Although headaches can be due to a wide variety of causes, such as drug reactions, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), tightness in the neck muscles, low blood sugar, high blood pressure, stress and fatigue, the majority of recurrent headaches are of two types: tension headaches (also called cervicogenic headaches) and migraine headaches. There is a third, less common, type of headaches called a cluster headache that is a cousin to the migraine. Lets start out by taking a look at each of these three types of headaches.
Tension Headaches
Tension type headaches are the most common, affecting upwards of 75% of all headache sufferers. Most people describe a tension headache as a constant dull, achy feeling either on one side or both sides of the head, often described as a feeling of a tight band or dull ache around the head or behind the eyes. These headaches usually begin slowly and gradually and can last for minutes or days, and tend to begin in the middle or toward the end of the day. Tension headaches are often the result of stress or bad posture, which stresses the spine and muscles in the upper back and neck.Tension headaches, or stress headaches, can last from 30 minutes to several days. In some cases, chronic tension headaches may persist for many months. Although the pain can at times be severe, tension headaches are usually not associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, throbbing or vomiting.
The most common cause of tension headaches is subluxations in the upper back and neck, especially the upper neck, usually in combination with active trigger points. When the top cervical vertebrae lose their normal motion or position, a small muscle called the rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPM) muscle goes into spasm. The problem is that this small muscle has a tendon which slips between the upper neck and the base of the skull and attaches to a thin pain-sensitive tissue called the dura mater that covers the brain. Although the brain itself has no feeling, the dura mater is very pain-sensitive. Consequently, when the RCPM muscle goes into spasm and its tendon tugs at the dura mater, a headache occurs. People who hold desk jobs will tend to suffer from headaches for this reason.
Another cause of tension type headaches comes from referred pain from trigger points in the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) or levator muscle on the side of the neck. These are much more common in people who suffer a whiplash injury due to the muscle damage in the neck region.
Migraine Headaches
Each year, about 25 million people in the U.S. experience migraine headaches, about 75% are women. Migraines are intense and throbbing headaches that are often associated with nausea and sensitivity to light or noise. They can last from as little as a few hours to as long as a few days. Many of those who suffer from migraines experience visual symptoms called an "aura" just prior to an attack that is often described as seeing flashing lights or that everything takes on a dream-like appearance.Migraine sufferers usually have their first attack before age 30 and they tend to run in families, supporting the notion that there is a genetic component to them. Some people have attacks several times a month; others have less than one a year. Most people find that migraine attacks occur less frequently and become less severe as they get older.
Migraine headaches are caused by a constriction of the blood vessels in the brain, followed by a dilation of blood vessels. During the constriction of the blood vessels there is a decrease in blood flow, which is what leads to the visual symptoms that many people experience. Even in people who dont experience the classic migraine aura, most of them can tell that an attack is immanent. Once the blood vessels dilate, there is a rapid increase in blood pressure inside the head. It is this increased pressure that leads to the pounding headache. Each time the heart beats it sends another shock wave through the carotid arteries in the neck up into the brain.
There are many theories about why the blood vessels constrict in the first place, but no one knows for sure. What we do know is that there are a number of things that can trigger migraines, such as lack of sleep, stress, flickering lights, strong odors, changing weather patterns and several foods; especially foods that are high in an amino acid called tyramine. At the end of this chapter, I have listed a number of foods that are most likely to trigger migraines, as well as some lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce the likelihood that you will trigger a migraine headache.
Chiropractic Care for Headaches
Numerous research studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments are very effective for treating tension headaches, especially headaches that originate in the neck.
A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that "spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than commonly prescribed medications." These findings support an earlier study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics that found spinal manipulative therapy to be very effective for treating tension headaches. This study also found that those who stopped chiropractic treatment after four weeks continued to experience a sustained benefit in contrast to those patients who received pain medication.
Each individuals case is different and requires a thorough evaluation before a proper course of chiropractic care can be determined. However, in most cases of tension headaches, significant improvement is accomplished through manipulation of the upper two cervical vertebrae, coupled with adjustments to the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. This is also helpful in most cases of migraine headaches, as long as food and lifestyle triggers are avoided as well.
Trigger points in the Splenius muscles are an extremely common cause of headache pain that travels through the head to the back of the eye, as well as to the top of the head.
The Suboccipitals are actually a group of four small muscles that are responsible for maintaining the proper movement and positioning between the first cervical vertebra and the base of the skull. Trigger points in these muscles will cause pain that feels like its inside the head, extending from the back of the head to the eye and forehead. Often times it will feel like the whole side of the head hurts, a pain pattern similar to that experienced with a migraine.
The Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle runs from the base of the skull, just behind the ear, down the side of the neck to attach to the top of the sternum (breastbone). Although most people are not aware of the SCM trigger points, their effects can be very widespread, including referred pain, balance problems and visual disturbances. Referred pain patterns tend to be deep eye pain, headaches over the eye and can even cause earaches. Another unusual characteristic of SCM trigger points is that they can cause dizziness, nausea and unbalanced.
The trapezius muscle is the very large, flat muscle in the upper and mid back. A common trigger point located in the very top of the Trapezius muscle refers pain to the temple and back of the head and is sometimes responsible for headache pain. This trigger point is capable of producing satellite trigger points in the muscles in the temple or jaw, which can lead to jaw or tooth pain.
Numerous research studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments are very effective for treating tension headaches, especially headaches that originate in the neck.
A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that "spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than commonly prescribed medications." These findings support an earlier study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics that found spinal manipulative therapy to be very effective for treating tension headaches. This study also found that those who stopped chiropractic treatment after four weeks continued to experience a sustained benefit in contrast to those patients who received pain medication.
Each individuals case is different and requires a thorough evaluation before a proper course of chiropractic care can be determined. However, in most cases of tension headaches, significant improvement is accomplished through manipulation of the upper two cervical vertebrae, coupled with adjustments to the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. This is also helpful in most cases of migraine headaches, as long as food and lifestyle triggers are avoided as well.
Trigger Point Therapy for Headaches
Trigger point therapy for headaches tends to involve four muscles: the Splenius muscles, the Suboccipitals, the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and the Trapezius. (see Anatomy of a headache.) The Splenius muscles are comprised of two individual muscles the Splenius Capitis and the Splenius Cervicis. Both of these muscles run from the upper back to either the base of the skull (splenius capitis) or the upper cervical vertebrae (splenius cervicis).Trigger points in the Splenius muscles are an extremely common cause of headache pain that travels through the head to the back of the eye, as well as to the top of the head.
The Suboccipitals are actually a group of four small muscles that are responsible for maintaining the proper movement and positioning between the first cervical vertebra and the base of the skull. Trigger points in these muscles will cause pain that feels like its inside the head, extending from the back of the head to the eye and forehead. Often times it will feel like the whole side of the head hurts, a pain pattern similar to that experienced with a migraine.
The Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle runs from the base of the skull, just behind the ear, down the side of the neck to attach to the top of the sternum (breastbone). Although most people are not aware of the SCM trigger points, their effects can be very widespread, including referred pain, balance problems and visual disturbances. Referred pain patterns tend to be deep eye pain, headaches over the eye and can even cause earaches. Another unusual characteristic of SCM trigger points is that they can cause dizziness, nausea and unbalanced.
The trapezius muscle is the very large, flat muscle in the upper and mid back. A common trigger point located in the very top of the Trapezius muscle refers pain to the temple and back of the head and is sometimes responsible for headache pain. This trigger point is capable of producing satellite trigger points in the muscles in the temple or jaw, which can lead to jaw or tooth pain.
Avoid Headache Triggers
- Stress may be a trigger, but certain foods, odors, menstrual periods, and changes in weather are among many factors that may also trigger headache.
- Emotional factors such as depression, anxiety, frustration, letdown, and even pleasant excitement may be associated with developing a headache.
- Keeping a headache diary will help you determine whether factors such as food, change in weather, and/or mood have any relationship to your headache pattern.
- Repeated exposure to nitrite compounds can result in a dull, pounding headache that may be accompanied by a flushed face. Nitrite, which dilates blood vessels, is found in such products as heart medicine and dynamite, but is also used as a chemical to preserve meat. Hot dogs and other processed meats containing sodium nitrite can cause headaches.
- Eating foods prepared with monosodium glutamate (MSG) can result in headache. Soy sauce, meat tenderizer, and a variety of packaged foods contain this chemical which is touted as a flavor enhancer.
- Headache can also result from exposure to poisons, even common household varieties like insecticides, carbon tetrachloride, and lead. Children who ingest flakes of lead paint may develop headaches. So may anyone who has contact with lead batteries or lead-glazed pottery.
- Foods that are high in the amino acid tyramine should also be avoided, such as ripened cheeses (cheddar, brie), chocolate, as well as any food pickled or fermented foods.
Low Back Pain
Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 10% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.
The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is a very unstable part of the spine. Unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported and stabilized by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from the ground, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.
As long as it is healthy and functioning correctly, the low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury. Professional powerlifters can pick up several hundred pounds off the floor without injuring their low back. However, if the low back is out of adjustment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as taking a bag of groceries out of the trunk of their car, picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat can cause a low back injury.
Until recently, researchers believed that back pain would heal on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. Recent studies showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. It is important to take low back pain seriously and seek professional chiropractic care. This is especially true with pain that recurs over and over again. Contact our chiropractor . . . we can help!
The Causes of Low Back Pain
There are many different conditions that can result in low back pain, including: sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and inflamed joints. While sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress and even kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss can lead to pain.
Due to the fact that there are a whole lot of things that can cause low back pain, and some of those things can be quite serious if left untreated, it is important to seek professional help. Chiropractors are the experts at diagnosing the cause and determining the proper treatment for low back pain. Here are some of the most common causes I see:
Subluxations
Whenever there is a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating low back pain. Fortunately, subluxations are easily treatable and often times a significant reduction in pain is experienced almost immediately after treatment.
Disc Herniation
Contrary to popular belief, a herniated disc does not automatically mean that you are going to suffer from low back pain. In fact, one study found that almost half of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not suffer any back pain from it. On the other hand, herniated discs can be a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, once a disc herniates, they rarely, if ever, completely heal. Further deterioration can often be avoided through regular chiropractic care, but a complete recovery is much less common.
Sprains, Strains and Spasms
This is commonly the source of low back pain among the "weekend warriors". You know, the type who have very little physical activity during the week, but once the weekend arrives, they push themselves way too much. By the end of the weekend, they are lying flat on their back counting down the hours before they can get in to see their chiropractor. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen and tight.
Stress
Whenever you become stressed, your body responds by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, flooding your body with stress hormones and tightening up your muscles. When you are stressed all the time, the chronic tension causes your muscles to become sore, weak and loaded with trigger points. If you are stressed out all of the time and you have low back pain, it is important to do some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, as well as to get regular exercise.
Treating Low Back Pain With Chiropractic
Chiropractic treatment for low back pain is usually pretty straightforward. Most commonly, it's simply a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of your bones and joints.
Chiropractic for the low back has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective treatment for low back pain. In fact, major studies have shown that chiropractic care is more effective, cheaper and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment. This makes sense because chiropractic care is the only method of treatment that serves to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. All other treatments, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and bed rest, only serve to decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself.
Acupuncture, Chiropractic And Massage Therapy
Acupuncture historically has been most famous for pain relief. Chiropractic is also famous to relieve musculoskeletal pain by restoring normal function to he joint. Massage is a perfect compliment to both these methods to aid with various musculoskeletal complaints and to reduce overall stress. Our Combined office is very unique because we have all of these holistic services in one location , One or all 3 of these services can be used in our office to help you reduce or eliminate your pain.
IF YOU HAVE PAIN THERE IS A VERY HIGH CHANCE WE CAN HELP YOU!
Jack Chang, MSTCM, L.Ac. is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, specializing in the Master Tung’s Acupuncture methods (as taught by Dr. Robert Chu) in which he effectively treats pain, neuromusculoskeletal disorders, and a wide variety of internal diseases. He specializes in pain of all types including pains associated with Chemo/Radiation Therapy.In 2008, he graduated from American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco with a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In 2005, he joined ITARA – International Tung’s Acupuncture Research Association, to preserve, standardize, educate, and research new applications of the Tung family system of Acupuncture established by Dr. Robert Chu.
Jack Chang, L. Ac. is a faculty member at Five Branches University teaching Qi Gong I & II to students.
Acupuncture has a high success rate for reducing pain. The combination of balancing the body's natural energy with specific acupoints is very effective.
Recent research revealed that when the Acupuncture needle is inserted into the body it stimlates the body to release Adenosine which helps to significantly reduce pain, regulate sleep and decrease inflammation.
The study was done at the Center for Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Scientists have found that many acupuncture points are related to nerve bundles or muscle trigger points. By stimulating these points pain and discomfort are minimized and calmness is heightened.
We provide safe and effective relief from symptoms such as neck, back and shoulder pain, headaches, pinched nerves and sciatica, among others. We also offer personalized treatment programs to prevent pain from recurring.
Our patients obtain successful results through a collaborative partnership with their health care provider. Whether working with our chiropractor, acupuncturist or massage therapist, at Back In Shape Chiropractic you will benefit from the full support of our health care professionals.
We are committed to ensuring you completely understand your diagnosis and treatment, and to providing you with the most effective treatment. We bill for most insurance policies and same day appointments are available. For answers to any questions you may have.
Dr. Anthony welcomes the opportunities to meet with you and is currently accepting new patients. Whether you suffer from neck or back pain, headaches, auto accident, sports-related injuries or other nervous systems conditions, Back In Shape Combined Care may be the help you've been looking for.
Call us today to begin your healing. (650)343-4600
Our Address:
Back In Shape Chiropractic
517 South B Street, Suite B
San Mateo, CA 94401
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Non-Surgical And Drugless Treatment With Chiropractic, Acupuncture And Massage Therapy
Are You Seeking Chiropractic, Acupuncture Or Massage Therapy?
Chiropractic is a natural method of healing using a non-invasive and drug-less approach to the treatment of patients. Focusing on spinal health and well-being, the individual is viewed as a whole and integrated being.
Because the body's various systems are interconnected, spinal mechanics - including the vertebrae, corresponding nerves, and soft tissues - play a major role in the health of the whole body. Structural or mechanical abnormalities in the spine, which cause pain, dysfunction, and loss of mobility, can be successfully treated.
Acupuncture is a natural method of treating illness and pain that involves the stimulation and balancing of chi through points, called acupoints, located throughout the body. Dr. Chang is Nationally Board Certified in acupuncture and regularly treats patients for the whole family. Common conditions that we have great success with include: Sciatica, Allergies, Arthritis, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Infertility, Head Aches, Nutritional Balancing, Food Allergies, Insomnia, Anxiety, Infertility, Stress Relief, Quit Smoking... and so much more..
Clinical Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish Massage Deep Tissue and Shiatsu, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused on individual type of integrative massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesion's.")
Chiropractic is a natural method of healing using a non-invasive and drug-less approach to the treatment of patients. Focusing on spinal health and well-being, the individual is viewed as a whole and integrated being.
Because the body's various systems are interconnected, spinal mechanics - including the vertebrae, corresponding nerves, and soft tissues - play a major role in the health of the whole body. Structural or mechanical abnormalities in the spine, which cause pain, dysfunction, and loss of mobility, can be successfully treated.
What conditions are treated effectively with chiropractic?
Chiropractic has been shown to be effective for subacute back pain and flare-ups of chronic low back pain. It is also effective for neck pain. Manipulation of joints and the body's soft tissues may also be helpful for pain from other conditions, such as frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and other sports injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Acupuncture is a natural method of treating illness and pain that involves the stimulation and balancing of chi through points, called acupoints, located throughout the body. Dr. Chang is Nationally Board Certified in acupuncture and regularly treats patients for the whole family. Common conditions that we have great success with include: Sciatica, Allergies, Arthritis, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Infertility, Head Aches, Nutritional Balancing, Food Allergies, Insomnia, Anxiety, Infertility, Stress Relief, Quit Smoking... and so much more..
What does an acupuncturist do?
In addition to asking questions, the acupuncturist may want to take your pulse at several points along the wrist and look at your tongue to observe its shape, color, and coating. The acupuncturist may also observe the color and texture of your skin, your posture, and other physical characteristics that offer clues to your health.
The acupuncturist then asks you to lie down on a padded examining table, and inserts the needles, twirling or gently jiggling each as it goes in. You may not feel the needles at all, or you may feel a twitch or a quick twinge of pain that subsides as soon as the needle is completely in. Once the needles are all in place, you rest for 15 - 60 minutes. During this time, you'll probably feel relaxed and sleepy and may even doze off. At the end of the session, the acupuncturist quickly and painlessly removes the needles.
How many treatments do I need?
For chronic back pain, one or two treatments a week for 1 to 2 months may be recommended.
Clinical Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish Massage Deep Tissue and Shiatsu, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused on individual type of integrative massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesion's.")
How Fast Will I Get Results With Deep A Tissue Massage ?
It's important to be realistic about what one deep tissue massage can achieve. Many people ask for more pressure, thinking that if the therapist just pushes hard enough, they can get rid of all their knots in an hour. This just won't happen. In fact, undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime is best achieved with an integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and ways of moving, relaxation techniques and a regular program of massage.
Please feel free to call if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment. Conveniently located In Down Town San Mateo.
Back In Shape
517 S. "B" St.
San Mateo Ca. 94401
(650) 343-4600
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