Dr. Kurt Meininger, Forsyth County, Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Offers No Waiting, No Hassles, Same-Day Relief For Back and Neck Pain Sufferers:

Your life is busy... you're in a hurry... waiting in line... waiting for calls... always waiting. But when it comes to getting pain relief... waiting is just out of the question.

South Forsyth Chiropractic, located between Alpharetta and Cumming understands. We've delivered effective back and neck pain treatment to trusted clients since 1992. Our office provides immediate walk-in service, with most patients in and out within just 30 minutes or less.

In fact, you do not even need an appointment... just walk in during open hours (Mon., Wed. & Fri.: 10:00am - 1:00pm and 4:00pm - 7:00pm)... and you'll be seen quickly!

We work with each client individually to address your specific complaints, offering advanced non-surgical pain-relieving therapies. Patients frequently realize immediate alleviation of symptoms, whether facing a simple sprain/strain or a chronic disc problem.

Our safe, therapeutic services include modern chiropractic care (manual manipulation or low-force instrumentation), back and neck traction, electrical muscle stimulation, core-strengthening exercises, deep tissue fascia-muscle stretching, low-level (cold) laser therapy, pressure point therapy and nutritional/diet counseling. We work hard to make each visit a wonderful experience. Your satisfaction is our top priority.

Routine appointments are available via convenient phone scheduling... but are not necessary. Get the urgent pain relief you want when you need it the most. Visit South Forsyth Chiropractic; 5670 Atlanta Highway; Ste. C-1; Alpharetta, GA 30004 today.

Dr. Meininger’s treatment has been successful with chronic back and neck pain, degenerative or herniated discs, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, pinched nerves, headaches, sciatica, Fibromyalgia, whiplash and all sorts of sports-related injuries.

For complete details call Dr. Meininger's office at 770-777-0900.

South Forsyth County - Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:

Here's What You Need To Know To Quickly And Easily Boost Your Immune System... This Will Help Protect You Against Any Flu Virus - Including The H1N1 - Swine Flu Virus!

The H1N1 - Swine Flu Virus is quickly spreading all over the world. You can't control the outcome… but you can take action and boost your immune system.

Here's The Secret:

1) Boost your immune system with Vitamin C - aka - (Ascorbic Acid)!

First of all, if you tried Vitamin C in the past and it didn’t seem to work… that’s because most of the tablet forms available on the market are too weak and ineffective. Those tablets go in one end and out the other. I’ve heard numerous times that our digestive system only assimilates approximately 10% - 20% of the tablet. It is a waste of time and money to take those big tablets!

Bottom Line:

Buy Vitamin C - (Ascorbic Acid) only in it's true “POWDER” form! The drug store doesn’t carry the powder form… so you have to go to a special vitamin or nutritional store - etc. Also – you need to only get the powder form - NOT the crystal form or NOT a combination of Vitamin C plus Calcium... JUST THE PURE POWDER!

Vitamin C – powder: How much do you need to take when you’re HEALTHY and how much do you need to take when you’re SICK?

Here’s a SIMPLE way to determine how much Vitamin C your body requires WHEN YOU’RE HEALTHY:

Take 1/2 teaspoon of the Vitamin C powder (approx. 2500 mg)… mixed in water… and see if it makes you “gassy”… or have diarrhea. If so… that amount is TOO much… then… the next day… test 1/4 of a teaspoon. Once you figure that out… that’s how much Vitamin C your body requires at a “healthy” state.

Everyone in your family might require different amounts of Vitamin C powder, when their healthy, so you’ll have to follow this formula for each individual.

How much Vitamin C your body requires WHEN YOU’RE SICK?

When you start feeling a fever coming on… or you start to catch a “cold” - etc… START TAKING THE VITAMIN C MORE OFTEN! You can take your usual dosage once every 4 hours throughout the day until you feel better. When you’re “SICK” – your body will utilize every single molecule… so you won’t get “gassy” or get diarrhea! Just remember to separate the Vitamin C from any medications you might be taking because they don't mix very well.

IF YOU FOLLOW THIS ADVICE – YOU CAN HELP OVERPOWER THE FLU OR COLD VIRUS!... QUICKLY, EASILY AND SAFELY!

2) Boost your immune system with CHIROPRACTIC spinal manipulation!

Yes - This is very important! Since the beginning of time, it has been a known fact that the immune system is directly linked to the nervous system. If it’s been a while since you last got treated by your chiropractor… make a call today and get back on a regular schedule of treatment.

Your nervous system and immune system respond expedientially when you get chiropractic treatments… when you're sick or even when you’re already feeling good and healthy! Trust me… you’ll figure this out quickly.

HERE'S 6 WAYS TO FURTHER HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THE H1N1 - SWINE FLU OR ANY OTHER FLU VIRUS:

1) Avoid large groups of people...
2) Wash hands often...
3) Buy a face “mask” now… instead of waiting...
4) Clean surfaces of shopping carts/public restrooms...
5) Be careful in the emergency rooms / hospitals…
6) Thoroughly cook meats (meat/fish)...

JUST USE YOUR COMMON SENSE!

Here’s what you need to know about the H1N1 - Swine Flu virus:

H1N1 - Swine Flu FACTS: The 2009 outbreak of swine flu occurred in Mexico. This is a variant of the H1N1 strain responsible for the 1918 pandemic… which infected over two million (2,000,000) Americans and killed over five hundred thousand (500,000) Americans! This current mutated variant was first identified in Mexico City and the surrounding area in March to April 2009. Within a few weeks, thousands of people had been infected and the amount of people who have died, so far, is unknown. The Mexican government has introduced emergency measures, and sparked a coordinated international effort to contain the outbreak, which involved quarantine measures, restrictions in travel and stockpiling of treatments. This outbreak prompted the World Health Organization, on April 26, 2009 to declare the world one step closer to a pandemic, by raising the pandemic alert level from 3 to 4. Phase 4 refers to when there are small clusters -- e.g., <25>(Excerpt from Wikipedia.com - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza)

I HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS!

**This is for informational purposes only… and not intended for medical advice. Although Vitamin C is a safe and natural supplement, if you have any medical problems or questions concerning Vitamin C… please consult your primary physician.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can improve your immune system, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Non-Drug Back Pain Doctor Reports:

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Back Pain Doctor Reports:

Have you ever considered who the best is suited to treat back pain? Since there are so many treatment options available today, it is quite challenging to make this decision without a little help.

To facilitate, a study looking at this very question compared the effectiveness between medical and chiropractic intervention. Over a 4-year time frame, 2780 patients were followed (initial, 2-week, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 month intervals) with questionnaires. Both acute (symptoms <7weeks)>7weeks) low back pain (LBP) patients were treated using conventional approaches by both the MDs and chiropractors. Treatments from the chiropractors included spinal manipulation, physical therapy, an exercise plan, and self-care education. Medical therapies included prescription drugs, an exercise plan, self-care advice and about 25% of the patients received physical therapy.

The study focused on present pain severity and functional disability (activity interference) measured by questionnaires that were mailed to the patients.

It was reported that chiropractic was favored over medical treatment in the following areas:

- Pain relief in the first 12 months (more evident in the chronic patients)
- When LBP pain radiated below the knee (more evident in the chronic patients)
- Chronic LBP patients with no leg pain (during the first 3 months)

Similar trends favoring chiropractic were seen for disability but were of smaller magnitude. All patient groups saw significant improvement in both pain and disability over the four year study period. Acute patients saw the greatest degree of improvement with many achieving symptom relief after 3 months of care. Noteworthy, at the 3 year point, ½ to ¾ of all the patients reported at least 30 days of pain during the prior year including those that responded well after early treatment. Also, 19 to 27% of chronic LBP patients noted daily pain during the prior year. This suggests that LBP is more likely to return at times in the future, which many have similarly reported to be true.

However, this study also found that early intervention reduced chronic pain and, at year 3, those acute LBP patients that received early intervention reported fewer days of LBP that those that waited longer for treatment. While both MDs and chiropractic treatment approaches helped, it’s quite clear from the information reported that chiropractic treatment approaches should be utilized first.

These findings support the importance of early intervention by chiropractic physicians makes the most sense for those of you struggling with the question of who to see for your LBP.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive Back Pain treatment may be of benefit to you or a loved one, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Wrist Pain - Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome Doctor Reports:

Many patients ask whether I treat conditions like wrist pain - carpal tunnel syndrome. Once it is clear that we do indeed treat this common condition, the discussion turns to the topic of the different treatment strategies that exist. Usually patients are surprised to learn that chiropractic and low-level laser therapy approaches are very effective for this condition. In fact, questions about CTS frequently do not occur until after a few visits addressing other complaints, as patients often do not associate chiropractors as a treatment option for CTS.

Interestingly, it is the rule rather than the exception that carpal tunnel syndrome is accompanied with other conditions also caused by repetitive types of activities such as work duties and/or hobbies. Therefore, a very important treatment strategy is educating the patient about the causes of CTS and other repetitive motion injuries that usually accompany CTS. It is important to include information regarding four common aspects that relate to causation, which include: 1. Force, 2. Repetition, 3. Faulty posture, and, 4. No rest time. The net result of these four items is overuse injuries referred to as cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs).

One of the leading types of CTDs is wrist pain - carpal tunnel syndrome. However, because over utilization typically precedes the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome, other types of conditions affecting the entire upper extremity such as tennis elbow, shoulder bursitis, as well as neck pain secondary to muscle guarding must be included in the evaluation process. Once all the conditions are identified, the next important aspect in the management process is gaining an understanding of the patient's work and/or hobbies as a successful outcome is dependent on identifying faulty workstations and modifying the work environment so that repetitive forces in awkward positions can be corrected. The most successful management approaches stem from discussions with the patient regarding these important aspects of the condition, as the most effective treatment approach may be totally ineffective without rectifying a faulty workstation.

An example of a common workstation cause includes placing a computer keyboard on top of a desk instead of underneath the desk in a pull out type of drawer. This is because any extreme position of the wrist when it has to bend to 90 degrees creates significant pressure inside the carpal tunnel as the nine tendons inside the tunnel slide back and forth during finger movements. If the forearms are resting on the edge of the desk while typing on the keyboard, this adds to the pressure and increased friction to the sliding tendons resulting in tendonitis, or inflammation of the tendons. Because the carpal tunnel is a small confined space where a nerve and 9 tendons pass from the forearm into the hand, even a small amount of swelling will result in excessive pressure inside the tunnel, pushing the nerve upwards into the roof of the tunnel or, the ligament that crosses the wrist. This results in numbness, tingling and eventually weakness and complaints such as difficulty in buttoning shirt, picking up small objects like pins, or unscrewing jar are common.

Once the workstation is properly modified and the patient is properly educated so that excessive, repetitive forces can be minimized, treatment approaches addressing each individual injured region from the neck to the hand will be much more effective. We encourage you to ask us about managing your carpal tunnel complaints and look forward to helping you, your family or friends who have this problem.

For more information on non-surgical treatment options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Wrist Pain please go to my website and request my FREE 16 page report specifically on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive Car crash and whiplash injury treatment may be of benefit to you or a loved one, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Fibromyalgia Doctor Reports:

Fibromyalgia (FM) has long been considered a condition involving the soft tissues of the body, that is, the muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. It is defined as “a chronic, generalized pain condition associated with symptoms of fatigue, stiffness, and sleep disturbance and is characterized by the physical findings of local tenderness in many specific but widely dispersed sites. Fibromyalgia is the most common cause of widespread pain. The prevalence of this disorder in the general population is between 3% and 5%... Most patients with fibromyalgia remain symptomatic for several years, and no cure has been identified." Disturbances in the central nervous system (CNS) have also been linked to this condition.

In one study, 168 FM patients had the CNS evaluated by hearing tests, eye movement tests, and a test that evaluates balance/dizziness. Abnormal findings were common in the FM patient group compared to non-FM subjects. Another study utilized an electrical current treatment approach through the skull to stimulate part of the brain to see if that would help a group of patients with FM. Two different parts of the brain were stimulated as well as a sham or fake treatment approach. One of two parts of the brain that was stimulated resulted in reductions of pain that lasted for three weeks and mild improvements in quality of life were reported.

Comparing 287 general practitioners (GPs), 160 orthopedists, 160 physiatrists, and 160 rheumatologists, evaluating a patient injured in a motor vehicle crash, those most likely to diagnose FM were rheumatologists (83%) with physiatrists and GPs in the middle at 60% and 71%, respectively. Orthopedists were least likely at 29%. There were five factors found to be important in the respondent's agreement or disagreement with the FM diagnosis:

- The number of FM cases diagnosed weekly by the respondent (strong predictor).
- The patient's gender (females > males was a strong predictor).
- The force of the initial impact (least important).
- The patient's psychiatric history before the trauma (more important).
- The initial injury severity (least important).

This information is important as the shift from considering FM to be strictly a condition of the muscles and other soft tissues to being a condition of the central nervous system will affect our future treatment strategies. Obtaining multiple opinions from various types of practitioners will most likely result in a variety of opinions.

Previous reports of treatment benefit utilizing chiropractic approaches, exercise, and strategies to facilitate sleep restoration remain strong in the management process of FM.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue treatment may be of benefit to you or a loved one, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Headache Doctor Reports:

One of the reported causes of both migraine and tension headache is cervical muscle tension and spinal joint abnormalities in the neck. When considering treatment for headaches, whether it’s a tension-type or migraine, there are many choices available. The question is which of the many options offer the best benefit?

One study compared the effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) to that of relaxation and thermal biofeedback (RTB). Both groups were treated using one of these approaches, and if at least a 50% improvement was not achieved, the other form of treatment was then utilized. Results were calculated at 3, 6, and 12 month timeframes. The PT group of 30 females used standard physical therapy approaches that included:

- Posture correction for alignment of head and spine
- Cervical range of motion for neck and shoulders
- Isometric strengthening of the neck
- Flare-up management techniques
- Active self mobilization of the spine
- Whole body stretching

The goal was to target muscular abnormalities and those in this group were to perform the above twice per day for 30 min. The RTB group were instructed in relaxation and thermal biofeedback (RTB) treatment that focused on muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and the use of a thermal feedback device that determines when the subject’s temperature changes telling them if they are successfully relaxing. The participants were to practice at home and utilized audiotapes for relaxation and monitor success with the portable biofeedback unit.

Using the PT approaches, only 13% reported a successful outcome compared to 51% in the RTB group.

In the follow-up of 3, 6 and 12 months, both groups reported continued benefit. When the subjects reported less than 50% benefit with either method, they were given the other treatment option, and the PT approach achieved a 47% success rate and the RTB 50%. These findings suggest that treatments that focus on muscle tension reduction (such as the RTB group) might result in a better outcome compared to only addressing posture, range of motion and flexibility. However, as illustrated in the follow-up group, PT did have a positive beneficial effect. An important point – the subjects in the RTB group demonstrated the ability to reduce migraine pain and the associated disability by using a self-applied form of care. When teaching the patient to self-manage their condition by instruction and training, the greater the likelihood is for a successful outcome.

Chiropractic focuses on many self-management training procedures including (but not limited to) the training of the use of ice vs. heat, application of pressure point therapy, strengthening and stretching exercises, proper methods of bending and lifting, as well as ergonomics and posture. The use and instruction of relaxation is also a commonly recommended form of care, which this study found to be most beneficial.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive headache and Migraine treatment may be of benefit to you or a loved one, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Whiplash-Car Accident Injury Doctor Comments:

You might have wondered, “Who should I go to for treatment of my whiplash injuries?” You have many choices available in healthcare ranging from drug related approaches such as narcotic medications to natural forms of treatment such as chiropractic, exercise, and meditation with many others in between. Trying to figure out which approach or perhaps combined approaches would best serve the needs of the presenting patient is truly challenging.

To help answer this question, one study reported the superiority of chiropractic management for patients with chronic whiplash, as well as which type of chronic whiplash patients responded best to the care. The research paper begins with the comment from a leading orthopedic medical journal stating, “Conventional treatment of patients with whiplash symptoms is disappointing.” In the study, there were 93 patients divided into three groups consisting of:

1) Group 1: Patients with a “coat-hanger” pain distribution (neck and upper shoulders) and loss of neck range of motion (ROM), but no neurological deficits;
2) Group 2: Patients with neurological problems (arm/hand numbness and/or weakness) plus neck pain and ROM loss; and,
3) Group 3: Patients that reported severe neck pain but had normal neck ROM and no neurological losses.

The average time from injury to first treatment was 12 months and an average of 19 treatments over a 4 month time frame was utilized. The patients were graded on a 4-point scale that described their symptoms before and after treatment.

Grade A patients were pain free;
Grade B patients reported their pain as a “nuisance;”
Grade C patients had partial activity limitations due to pain; and
Grade D patients were disabled.

Here are the results:
Group 1: 72% reported improvement as follows: 24% were asymptomatic, 24% improved by 2 grades, 24% by 1 grade, and 28% reported no improvement.
Group 2: 94% reported improvement as follows: 38% were asymptomatic, 43% improved by 2 grades, 13% by 1 grade, and 6% had no improvement.
Group 3: 27% reported improvement as follows: 0% were asymptomatic, 9% improved by 2 grades, 18% by 1 grade, 64% showed no improvement, and 9% got worse.

This study is very important as it illustrates how effective chiropractic care is for patients that have sustained a car crash with a resulting whiplash injury. It’s important to note that the type of patient presentation that responded best to care were those with neurological complaints and associated abnormal neck range of motion. This differs from other non-chiropractic studies where it is reported that patients with neurological dysfunction responded poorly when compared to a group similar to the Group A patient here (neck/shoulder pain, reduced neck ROM, and with normal neurological function).

References:
1.Khan S, Cook J, Gargan M, Bannister G. A symptomatic classification of
whiplash injury and the implications for treatment. Journal of Orthopaedic
Medicine 1999;21(1):22-25.
2.Woodward MN, Cook JCH, Gargan MF, Bannister GC. Chiropractic
treatment of chronic whiplash injuries. Injury 1996;27:643-645.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive car crash and whiplash injury treatment may be of benefit to you or a loved one, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:

Over the years there has been a great debate over organic versus non-organic foods. Do you really need to go organic… or… is it just a waste of money?

The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) is a nonprofit organization that advocates in Washington D.C. for policies that protect global and individual health. Among the many valuable services they provide is a Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

It is based on the results of nearly 43,000 pesticide tests performed on produce and collected by federal agencies between 2000 and 2004. Nearly all of the data used took into account how people typically wash and prepare produce - for example, apples were washed and bananas peeled before testing.

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested, these had the highest pesticide load, making them the most important to buy organic versions of or to grow organically yourself:

Peaches - Apples - Sweet bell peppers - Celery - Nectarines - Strawberries - Cherries - Lettuce - Grapes (imported) - Pears - Spinach - Potatoes

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested, the following 12 foods do not have to be organic. These had the lowest pesticide load, and consequently are the safest conventionally grown crops to consume from the standpoint of pesticide contamination:

Broccoli - Eggplant - Cabbage - Banana - Kiwi - Asparagus - Sweet peas (frozen) - Mango - Pineapple - Sweet corn (frozen) - Avocado - Onion

Why Should You Care About Pesticides?

The EWG points out that there is a growing consensus in the scientific community that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can have adverse effects on health, especially during vulnerable periods such as fetal development and childhood.

A few other notes from the EWG: Nectarines had the highest percentage of samples that tested positive for pesticides (97.3 percent) followed by peaches (96.6 percent) and apples (93.6 percent). Peaches had the highest likelihood for multiple pesticides on a single sample: 86.6 percent had two or more pesticide residues.

For more information about how we can improve your overall health or for more information about our pain relief services, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Comments:

Coronary heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Stroke is the number three cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.

Heart Attack Warning Signs - Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often, people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

For more information about how we can improve your overall health, exercise, diet or about our pain relief services, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com/

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County - Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Back And Neck Pain Doctor Comments:

Most chiropractic patients have x-rays taken of their lumbar spine. Since x-rays do carry a very small risk of tissue damage, this risk needs to be outweighed by benefits. So, how are x-rays used in our clinic?

First, x-rays can tell us about medical conditions that may require referral to another health care provider such as a spine tumor or an infection. Fortunately, these diseases are very rare, but they do need to be considered in every patient, especially those who may have certain "red flags" such as back pain at night or rest, or if there is also a fever. In addition, certain severe traumas (like a fall) can produce fractures. In an older adult with osteoporosis, or someone taking steroid medications over years, even a minor trauma event can be enough to cause a break, because the bone is in a weakened condition.

After these very rare conditions are ruled out, your x-rays can provide important information about your anatomy and physical posture. For example, curvatures of the lumbar spine, such as scoliosis, are virtually undetectable without an x-ray. If we know how your spine is deviated, this information can help direct the adjustment more specifically. Sometimes leg lengths are uneven and a person may require an orthotic (arch support) or heel lift to level the foundation for your spine. About one in ten patients will have an unequal leg length of a centimeter or more.

In terms of the bone anatomy, x-rays can show the planes and angles of the disks between bones and whether any degeneration is present. If the degeneration is advanced, then a natural bone fusion may be present. It should be obvious that if the spinal anatomy does not allow movement or if the joints are literally fused movement is impossible, then manipulative adjustments are not appropriate… but low-force instrumental adjustments are utilized instead.

X-rays can also show us how one area of the spine mechanically compensates for a deviated area below. Sometimes, pain may be present at compensatory areas but without knowledge of the cause of this deviation, care may be less optimum. Just as the lumbar spine may compensate for a pelvic problem, so to can a neck condition be caused by abnormal postural lower down the spine. The x-rays can show us how case management needs to be altered to reflect your individual needs.

In any case, x-rays are important to reach an accurate diagnosis, which is the first step on the road to recovery and regaining your vitality and quality of life.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive Back and Neck Pain program may be of benefit to you or a loved one regaining health, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Doctor Reports:

In a lot of cases, the body can naturally recover from any disease or injury. Although doctors have their place, it is really the wisdom of the body that does the heavy lifting. Chiropractic doctors especially, recognize this healing capacity: the body needs no help, just no interference. They refer to it as Innate or inborn intelligence. Others may revere it as Mother Nature. Scientists commonly call it homeostasis and when diseases heal over time it is called natural history or taking nature's course.

So what is the natural history of carpal tunnel syndrome? How will one fare over time? Recently, researchers looked into this question by studying 132 carpal tunnel syndrome patients over an average of two years (Ortiz-Corredor F, Enriquez F, Diaz-Ruiz J, Calambas N. Natural evolution of carpal tunnel syndrome in untreated patients. Clin Neurophysiol 2008;119(6):1373-8.). They studied objective nerve tests as well as patient reports of symptoms. None of the patients received treatment from any doctors. The results were impressive, only 23% had a worsening of their symptoms. About 29% stayed the same throughout the study. Amazingly, 48% showed recovery. As far as the objective nerve tests, 8% got worse, 67% remained constant and 25% improved.

This study speaks to the incredible power of the body to heal itself and the researchers concluded that conservative treatments therefore, may be all that is needed for many patients. Of course, conservative treatments in medicine can range from doing nothing at all, to rest, to prescription drugs and bracing.

Chiropractic care will involve specific adjustments for the wrist and or the areas that supply the nerves to the wrist, such as the neck. When a problem in the nerve is caused by compression at both the wrist and neck, it is called double-crush syndrome. In addition, strengthening and stretching exercises can add support to the wrist, especially in long term sufferers who may have used excessive bracing, which can produce weakness. Most patients will benefit from a comprehensive approach. Even nutritional adjuncts can benefit some patients, such as taking B6. However, over the long term, taking excessive quantities of vitamin B6 can cause problems for some patients. Being overweight is also an important risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as for many other diseases.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive Carpal Tunnel Syndrome program may be of benefit to you or a loved one regaining health, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Fibromyalgia Doctor Comments:

Fibromyalgia is a complex disease that requires a comprehensive approach. Often, the spine is neglected and chiropractic care is, therefore, underutilized. This seems surprising since so many patients have spinal pain and chiropractic care is one of the most proven treatments for this condition. Chiropractic care of the fibromyalgia patient may also incorporate a structured exercise program utilizing strength training and aerobic components, as well as nutritional adjuncts.

Sound nutrition is one of the keys to vitality. One scientific study (Altindag O, Celik H. Total antioxidant capacity and the severity of the pain in patients with fibromyalgia. Redox Rep 2006;11(3):131-5.) looked at antioxidant (such as vitamin C and E) markers in the blood of patients who had fibromyalgia symptoms. The researchers wanted to see if patients with low levels of these vitamin markers experienced more pain. The results indicated that patients with fibromyalgia are exposed to oxidative stress and this increased oxidative stress may play a role in the cause of the disease. Supplementation of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins C and E may be indicated based on the results of the study.

A preliminary study (Bramwell B, Ferguson S, Scarlett N, Macintosh A. The use of ascorbigen in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients: a preliminary trial. Altern Med Rev 2000;5(5):455-62.) looked at 12 fibromyalgia patients and gave them a blend of vitamin C and broccoli powder. The results suggested that physical impairments were reduced and quality of life was increased.

Vitamins such as C and E can act as antioxidants protecting your cells from damage. They are found in fruits (oranges, strawberries, kiwi) and vegetables (kale, broccoli, bell peppers). Heat and processing can destroy their actions so eating raw forms may be preferred. If you do not eat lots of servings (e.g. five to nine) of these foods every day, it is wise to consider supplementing with natural source vitamins to boost your blood stream antioxidant levels. There is some scientific debate about the benefits of natural versus synthetic vitamins and whether it's best to consume them through primary food sources. The important thing is to take a step in the direction with whatever path you choose. It may make an important difference in how much pain you experience as the above cited studies suggest. With less pain, this may help you to move and exercise more.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive fibromyalgia program may be of benefit to you or a loved one regaining health, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com/

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Headache Doctor Comments:

Adults may experience many different kinds of headaches. A primary headache is a headache that is not a part of another disease process. Secondary headaches can come from a poor eyeglass prescription, diabetes, the flu, or even a brain tumor. The most common primary headaches are tension-type, migraine, and cervico-genic (from the neck).

Tension type headaches feel like a tight band around your head. Stress seems to aggravate them and women tend to get this type of headache more frequently. Females are also more affected by migraine headaches.

There are two types of migraine: classical and common. The classical migraine headache may start with nausea or sickness in the stomach and proceed to an intense throbbing pain on one side of the head. The common migraine lacks this nausea and is more common than the classical type.

In cervico-genic headache, neck function is prominently disturbed. In addition to neck pain, there are usually tight neck and shoulder muscles, and a limited range of motion.

Recent research has shown that the three above described headaches can also overlap with one another. In chiropractic, we look to the spine as an often-overlooked factor in headache treatment. By objectively analyzing spine function, the doctor will identify the joints that are restricted in their range of motion or show abnormal posture and alignment. Many patients on x-ray, or through external postural analysis from the side, can show forward head posture. This is where the neck seems to arise from the front of the chest rather than back over your shoulders. The head is very heavy and with this poor posture, the muscles at the back of the neck must contract to restrain this heavy load.

There isn't one particular bone that is treated for these different types of headaches, the premise being that the headache is a symptom of another problem in the spine.

Chiropractic care has an excellent safety profile and several studies have shown that patents with headaches positively respond to chiropractic care without the side effects often seen with drug treatments. Chiropractic care is one of the most researched non-drug options available for patients. Unfortunately, many patients choose over-the-counter and prescription medications and don't consider more natural approaches that may get at the cause of the condition rather than just its effects.

If you'd like to discuss our non-invasive pain relief care approach to headaches, please call our office at 770-777-0900 to schedule a complimentary consultation and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Whiplash Doctor Comments:

The nervous system is the master control network for your body, directing virtually every function and action, from monitoring your life needs, to precisely responding to threats to your health.

Each system, from your heart and blood vessels, to your digestive and immune systems, is directed through nerve impulses originating in your brain or spinal cord that travel through its protective bony structure: the spinal column.

The neck region is the most vulnerable region of the spine to injury. Indeed, even death can be brought through significant trauma to the neck. When the trauma is not fatal, the consequences can still be severe, such as when paralysis strikes.

Most people will not experience these severe injuries; however sprains of the delicate ligaments with subluxation (misalignment) do commonly occur. Despite the injury being smaller, their location (the neck) makes their impact more profound. Functions throughout the body can be impaired when the nerves in the upper neck are compromised.

Within chiropractic, there are specialists who focus their entire care on the uppermost two vertebrae of the spine.

Because every nerve passes through the neck, if irritation or compression is present, virtually any system of the body can be affected. The point being is that a neck disorder will not necessarily just cause neck pain or headache. Dizziness, digestive problems, fatigue, high blood pressure and generally reduced quality of life are some of the symptoms patients commonly experience.

If you have suffered a severe whiplash, you may have noticed far more than a stiff neck. Indeed, recent research suggests whiplash needs to more thought of as a whole body disorder.

We take these injuries in our office and address them in both a specific and comprehensive manner. Most patients who have suffered a neck trauma will require x-rays to analyze the posture of their spine. X-rays may also need to be taken in motion to test the stability of your ligaments and to determine precise levels of impaired movements. Without this road map, it is difficult to determine how care should be directed and factors that could influence your long-term prognosis, such as degeneration.

Our health care team is dedicated to drugless natural methods to restore vitality. We try to work with your body with techniques that don't carry the all too common side effects commonly seen with long-term drug use or surgery.

If you'd like to discuss our non-invasive pain relief care approach, please call our office at 770-777-0900 to schedule a complimentary consultation and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.