Chiropractor Mchenry New Patient Special Free Consultation

Chiropractic Should Be First Treatment Choice for Sciatica, Study Shows

Dr. Mike Hartlett — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:57:21 +0000

Vol 15 Issue 46
Sciatica – a group of symptoms that include pain, numbness and/or weakness in the lower back, buttocks, hip and down one leg – is a common condition. If the condition does not easily resolve with medical treatment, the next option is usually surgery. But a new study shows that Chiropractic is as effective as surgery, without the risks.
Sciatica is generally thought to be caused by a herniated or slipped disk between the vertebra in the lower back: The disk cracks and pushes some of the material out of place, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Over 250,000 surgeries are performed every year to address sciatica. The surgery is called micro discectomy – the surgeon removes the protruding disk material, which takes the pressure off the nerve. Risks and complications, in addition to those for any surgery, can include nerve root damage, bowel or bladder incontinence, bleeding and infection. For roughly one in five patients who receive the surgery, the condition recurs.
Some surgeons opt for spinal fusion to prevent recurrence. Spinal fusion also has the same risks and complications as a micro discectomy, and more. In this surgery, bone is grafted onto adjacent vertebra to make the area immobile. However, if more than two vertebra are fused, it is unlikely to stop the pain: the fusion stops so much of the normal motion that the other joints are severely stressed trying to compensate. So, not only is the patient still in pain, he is also likely to have further problems.
These operations are also expensive. A micro discectomy costs about $25,000. The cost of a spinal fusion varies depending on where the bone graft comes from, how many vertebra are to be fused, and so on. But you can pretty much count on at least $100,000.
The good news is that the new study comparing the results of chiropractic vs. surgery found that Chiropractic, in the majority of cases, is just as effective as surgery.
Participants in the study, all candidates for spinal surgery, received either the surgery or a series of 21 Chiropractic treatments over a period of a year. At the end of the year, 60 percent of the Chiropractic treatment group’s sciatica had improved as well as those who had had surgery.
The study’s authors concluded that “Chiropractic care should be considered as a first line of care for herniated lumbar discs that cause sciatica.”

Sources: Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences: http://cjns.metapress.com/app/home/main.asp?referrer=default; Living Well Magazine, http://www.livingwellmagazine.net/health/balance/1725-chiropractic-care-can-prevent-the-need-for-back-surgery.html

Consumption of Sugar Drinks

Dr. Mike Hartlett — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:47:21 +0000

Great article to check out! Enjoy Consumption of Sugar

NATURAL APPROACH RECOMMENDED FOR TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Dr. Mike Hartlett — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:22:27 +0000

Vol. 6 Issue 71
A study was conducted to evaluate NSAIDs in the treatment of osteoarthritis and to assess a more effective treatment option. Alternative treatments tested included Chiropractic, glucosamine sulfate supplements and exercise. Researchers noted that NSAIDs should not be considered as a treatment option, due to the detrimental effects NSAIDs have on joints and other organs.
Based on several studies that were reviewed, researchers concluded that “a truly effective approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis should include Chiropractic, nutrient supplementation (glucosamine), and rehabilitative stretching and exercise.”
Such treatment was said to lead to a better quality of life, reduce health care expenses and NSAIDs-related deaths.
Osteoarthritis is a prevalent problem in the United States for adults between the ages of 25-74. Osteoarthritis of the hands affects 42.4 million Americans; 29 million suffer from the condition in the feet; 5 million in the knees, and 765,000 of the hips.
SOURCE: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Vol. 20, No. 6, July/August 1997.

New Study Finds Cholesterol Levels Not a Major Factor in Heart Disease

Dr. Mike Hartlett — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:22:14 +0000

Volume 15 Issue 84

A new study in Norway indicates possible errors in the way cholesterol levels are used to calculate the risk of heart disease.
The study’s authors say that clinical and public health recommendations regarding the ‘dangers’ of cholesterol should be revised. The study actually found that women with elevated cholesterol levels lived longer, and suffered fewer strokes and heart attacks than women with low cholesterol. They also said that “moderately elevated cholesterol (by current standards) may prove to be not only harmless but even beneficial”, especially for women.
A team of researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology reviewed the case histories of 52,087 men and women between 20 and 74 years old, following them for more than a decade. When they included adjustments for age, smoking and blood pressure, the study found that women with high cholesterol (more than 270 mg/dl) had a 28 percent lower mortality risk than women with low cholesterol (under 193 mg/dl). The risks for heart disease, cardiac arrest and stroke all declined as cholesterol levels rose.
This new perspective flies in the face of accepted medical theory and practice regarding cholesterol. It would appear that conventional medicine’s pronouncements demonizing cholesterol has been endangering lives more than saving them.
Meanwhile, Big Pharma has been riding the crest of its own massive, multi-billion-dollar wave of statin drug sales. Statin drugs are intended to lower cholesterol levels. But with them comes a list of nasty side effects, a few of which are quite serious.
The most common statin side effects include:
• headache
• difficulty sleeping
• flushing of the skin
• muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness
• drowsiness / weakness
• dizziness
• nausea and/or vomiting
• abdominal cramping and/or pain
• bloating and/or gas
• diarrhea
• constipation
• rash
The worst side effects of statin drugs involve damage to muscle tissue, causing kidney damage or even kidney failure, and death.
Statins have been on the market since the 1980s, and are one of the most-prescribed drug types in the world, with an estimated 17 million users in the U.S. alone.
Alternative practitioners, numerous conventional doctors and even some scientists, have been claiming for decades that the role of cholesterol in the body and its relationship to heart disease is completely misunderstood. They say the science showing the benefits of statin drugs is flawed, and the drugs themselves are simply too dangerous.
Source: PubMed, September 25, 2011, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21951982

McHenry Chiropractor describes intermediate neck exercise

admin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:40:42 +0000

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no exercise equipment.
It works the longus capitis, longus colli, SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to increase neck strength and muscular endurance.
The benefits are improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.

Begin by lying on the back with the head extended off the table, maintaining a chin tuck position.
Slowly extend the head back towards the floor and then raise the head, returning to the initial neutral starting position and repeat as instructed.
Move slowly through the range of motion.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

Chiropractor in McHenry explains knee exercises for beginners.

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:40:31 +0000

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no equipment.
It works the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to increase knee strength and muscular endurance.
By doing this exercise you can have the benefits of improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.

Begin lying on floor facing up.
Bend knees so feet are firmly on floor.
Extend arms upward toward ceiling.
Activate core muscles.
Lift hips off floor to attain a bridge position with knees, hips and shoulders in alignment.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

Initially, you may develop some cramping in the back of your thigh. A simple hamstring stretch before and after may prevent this from occurring.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

Chiropractic hip exercises for Mchenry.

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:40:15 +0000

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no equipment.
It works the gluteus medius/minimus, piriformis and hip lateral rotators muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to Increase hip strength and muscular endurance. By doing this exercise you can have the benefits of Improved stability, functional strength and injury

Begin lying on side on the floor with legs extended.
Top leg should attain a straight line through hip and shoulder.
Bottom leg may be bent for added stability.
Activate core muscles.
Lift top leg upward, abducting leg as foot simultaneously rotates. This will result in a toe-up position.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

Mchenry Chiropractor shares ankle exercises for beginners.

admin — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:40:08 +0000

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no equipment.
It works the peroneus longus/brevis, tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, gastrocnemius, soleus muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to improve muscular endurance, ankle strength, and proprioception.
By doing this exercise you can have the benefits of Improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.

Begin seated in a chair with good posture.
Extend leg.
Attempt to write alphabet from A through Z with toes, moving ankle in all directions.
Repeat for prescribed sets.

Chiropractor Mchenry shares low back exercises for beginners.

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:39:57 +0000

Here is a simple exercises that you can do at home with no equipment.
It works the multifidus, erector spinae, transverse abdominus, oblique muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to Increase low back strength and muscular endurance. By doing this exercise you can have the benefits of Improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention

Begin lying on your back.
Extend arms above head flat on floor.
Activate core and lift knees above hips and maintain a 90/90 hip and knee position.
Activate core.
Lift one arm off the floor and raise it towards ceiling until above shoulder level while simultaneously extending one leg downward towards floor.
Pause momentarily.
Return to start position, alternating sides.
Core activation should be maintained throughout entire exercise.
Repeat for recommended repetitions and sets.

Chiropractor Mchenry shares shoulder exercises for beginners.

admin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:39:51 +0000

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no equipment.
It works the areas related to the shoulder such as deltoid – anterior, deltoid – lateral, pec major – clavical head, and coracobrachialis muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to Increase shoulder strength and muscular endurance. By doing this exercise you can have the benefits of Improved stability, functional strength and injury p
Begin on floor on hands and knees.
Hips should be above knees and shoulders above hands. Attain a straight spine position.
Activate core muscles. While maintaining a straight spine, reach forward until arm is at shoulder level. Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.