Showing posts with label Headaches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Headaches. Show all posts

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 And Non-Drug Back Pain Doctor Reports:

Each year in the United States, 70 million prescriptions are written for anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In 2006, the estimated cost to consumers of pain management drugs around the world was $30 billion. Due to the fact that 5.4 percent of NSAID users develop serious bleeding conditions requiring hospitalization, each year 103,000 Americans are hospitalized and 16,500 die due to long-term NSAID use.


The annual medical cost of NSAID-related GI complications is $3.9 billion dollars. The 16,500 deaths each year caused by NSAID drugs is more than five times greater than the number of Americans killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and it accounts for one-third of the total cost of treating arthritis.


Just one FDA-approved anti-inflammatory drug, was estimated to have caused between 88,000 and 138,000 serious heart events, including heart attacks and strokes leading to death.


The number of Americans killed by this particular drug exceeds the number of Americans killed in both the Vietnam War and the War on Iraq (I and II) combined! Remarkably, up to 42% of physicians in the United States and the United Kingdom remain unaware of the dangerous side effects of anti-inflammatory medications.


To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can improve your back or neck pain without NSAIDs, 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 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 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.

Some Headache Causes And Solutions


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor And Headache Doctor Comments:

There are many people who frequently suffer from headaches, even on a daily basis. Many feel this is "normal." In fact, when they come in for treatment, they may not even bring it up and only after asking if they have headaches, do they then discuss it, acting as if everyone has headaches. Others are completely debilitated and can’t go to work, drive a car, or even leave the house due to the intense pain and pressure, as if their head might explode.

When patients come to my office, I’ve found it is very important to take a very thorough health and family history.

I find patients frequently tell me important clues to the cause of their headaches. For example, if one of my patients indicates that she has had headaches, as long as she could remember and the family history includes her mother having headaches that were debilitating and an MRI revealed that part of her brain stem extended down into the upper part of the neck, this would prompt an MRI of the patient which could reveal a similar finding. Another example is a patient with headaches that occur only at the time of one week prior to menstruation. This may lead to the trial of several nutritional vitamin / herbal approaches aimed at reducing fluid retention or build up that frequently occurs pre-menses. Other causes have included traumas from car accidents, slips and falls, sports injuries, and other activity related causes.

In these cases, examination may lead to a diagnosis of abnormal biomechanics in the cervical spine and chiropractic treatment addressing these findings may prove very satisfying. Other causes may include stress and/or psychological conditions that required co-management with mental health practitioners and/or their primary care physicians. The combined efforts of medication and chiropractic treatments are most satisfying for these patients.

In general, the cause of headaches are usually multi-factorial and therefore, the most effective treatment is a multi-dimensional approach in which chiropractic treatment methods are, in most cases, the most important contribution to the successful management of headaches.

Chiropractic treatment approaches include spinal manipulation, mobilization, muscle release techniques such as trigger point therapy, longitudinal and /or transverse friction massage, manual and/or instrumental traction both at home and office, physical therapy modalities including ice/heat, electrical stimulation (several types), low level laser therapy, infrared, diet and nutritional counseling, and stress management.

Co-management needed for some patients can be arranged through this office and may include primary care physicians, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, pain management, rheumatology, internal medicine and neurology.

Most important is that you feel confident that if you, your family or friends require treatment for headaches, our office will provide you with a comprehensive approach most likely to bring about a very satisfying outcome or result.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with the doctor, 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.

The Neck And Headache Connection


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor And Headache Doctor Comments:

Patients with headaches also commonly complain of neck pain. This relationship is the rule, not the exception and therefore, treatment for headaches must include treatment of the neck to achieve optimum results. The term, “cervicogenic headaches” has been an accepted term because of the intimate connection between the neck and head for many years. There are many anatomical reasons why neck problems result in headaches. Some of these include:

· The first 3 nerves exiting the spine in the upper neck go directly into the head. They penetrate the muscles at the top of the neck near the attachments to the skull and therefore, any excess pressure on these nerves by the muscles or spinal joints will result in irritation and subsequent pain.

· The origin or nucleus of the 5th cranial nerve called the Trigeminal, innervates the sensation to the face and is located in the upper cervical region near the origin of the 2nd cervical spinal nerve, which innervates sensation to the back of the head up to the top. Therefore, problems located in the upper neck will often result in pain radiating up from the base of the skull/upper neck over the top of the skull to the eyes and /or face.
· The 11th cranial nerve that innervates the upper shoulders and muscles in the front of the neck arises from the top 5 to 7 spinal cord levels in the neck. Injury anywhere in the neck can result in spasm and pain in these large muscle groups.
· Other interconnections between the 2nd cervical nerve and trigeminal/5th cranial nerve include communication with the 7th cranial / facial nerve, the 9th cranial / glossopharyngeal nerve, and the 10th cranial / vagus nerve. These connections can affect facial muscle strength/movements, taste, tongue and throat movements, and stomach complaints such as nausea from these three cranial nerve interconnections, respectively.

When patients seek treatment for their headaches, a thorough examination of the neck, upper back, and cranial nerves is routinely performed for the above reasons. It is common to find upper cervical movement and vertebral alignment problems present in patients complaining of headaches. Tender points located between the shoulder blades, along the upper shoulders, on the sides of the neck and particularly, at the base of the skull are commonly found. Pain often radiates from the tender point over the top of the skull when pressure is applied in the upper neck/base of the skull area. Tenderness on the sides of the head, in the temples, over the eyes, and near the jaw joint are also common. Traction or pulling the head to stretch the neck is often quite pain relieving and this is often performed as part of the chiropractic visit and can also be applied at home with the use of a home cervical traction unit.
Chiropractic adjustments applied to the fixated or misaligned vertebra in the upper neck often brings very satisfying relief to the headache sufferer. Exercises that promote movement in the neck, as well as strengthening exercises are also helpful in both reducing headache pain and in preventing occurrences, especially with stress or tension headaches.

Since neck pain and headaches are one of the most common complaints presenting to the chiropractic physician, please ask for more information about this if you or a loved one is suffering. It’s one of most significant acts of kindness you can give to those you care about.

To learn more about our Headache and Neck Pain treatment programs, call our office at 770.777.0900 and/or 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.

Low-Level Laser Therapy? What Is That?


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor And Low-Level Laser Therapy Doctor Comments:

May patients ask me what the low-level laser is and how long it’s been around. Here’s the fascinating low-level laser story:

Albert Einstein proposed it way back in 1917. It sounded like something straight out of a science fiction novel. The use of low-level focused light waves as a therapy to heal tissue. But, just like most of his brilliant ideas… Einstein was WAY ahead of his time and everyone laughed at him.

It’s important to note… MOST of Einstein’s brilliance was thought to be foolishness by the scientific community of his time. And nothing has changed. Scientific breakthroughs – especially in health care – are often violently opposed by the status quo. That is unless some big-wig corporate fat cats stand to line their pockets with silver.

Anyway, it was 43 years after Einstein’s prediction that he was proven right and low-level light was first developed into a therapy. In 1960, Hungarian surgeon, Endre Mester, first reported his experience using laser light to treat non-healing infections and inflammations (swelling) in rats.

Mester’s reported a 70% success rate treating these infections which led to the
development of a science he called “laser biostimulation,” or the stimulation of the local immune system.

Today there is an entire science field devoted to this subject call photobiology -- The study of how light affects living things. Since 1967, more than 2,000 clinical studies have been published worldwide on low level lasers. Many of the studies are positive… but… many were small and not designed well enough to stand up to the scientific standards we have today.

Recently, however, all that has changed. One of the most difficult things I know is getting a patent and market clearance from the FDA for anything related to health care. Well, in February, 2002 the first patent and market clearance was given to a
low level laser for the non-surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The patent and market clearance were granted after a low level laser manufacturer conducted double studies with General Motors and Baylor College of Medicine as part of their trials.

One of the numerous positive results was an amazing 75.6% of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome showed improvement. And listen to this: the study showed the low level laser even worked on patients that already had surgery.

And with so many modern medical “cures” causing worse problems then the conditions they were initially intended to treat… one of the most important benefits was… No Documented Side Effects! Not one. The only warning was not to shine the laser directly in the eye for a prolonged period of time.

Low-level laser therapy has been successful in helping patients with: Headaches, Fibromyalgia, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Back pain, Neck pain and Whiplash!

To learn more about
low-level laser therapy call our office at 770.777.0900 and/or 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.