When Back Pain Strikes - Who Should You See?

In a study entitled "The Manga Report", prominent health economists Pran Manga and Douglas Angus of the University of Ottawa, Canada, found chiropractic management to be the best choice of health care for patients with low back pain - in terms of safety, scientific evidence of effectiveness, evidence of cost effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of Health in response to that province's staggering public deficit of the early 1990's, this landmark document represents the largest existing analysis of the scientific literature on low back pain to date.

The Report's primary focus was to determine the most cost-effective health care service available for the treatment of low back pain. In an attempt to address the Ontario government's cost saving concerns, the Report concentrated on comparing the value of chiropractic and medical management of this socially and economically crippling condition. The findings of the Report were based on a review of randomized controlled trials, case control/cohort studies, descriptive studies and meta-analysis/literature reviews - in total, over 400 references concerning both chiropractic and medical treatment methods.

The following are the key findings of this study:

1. On the evidence, particularly the most scientifically valid clinical studies,

spinal manipulation applied by chiropractors is shown to be more effective

than alternative treatments for low back pain (LBP).

2. There is no clinical or case-control study that demonstrates or even implies

chiropractic spinal manipulation is unsafe in the treatment of LBP. Their

interpretation of the literature suggests that chiropractic manipulation is

safer than medical management of LBP.

3. Indeed, several current medical therapies of LBP are generally contraindicated

on the basis of the existing clinical trials. There is also evidence in the literature

to suggest spinal manipulation is less safe and less effective when performed by

non-chiropractic professionals.

4. There is an over-whelming body of evidence indicating that chiropractic

management of LBP is more cost-effective than medical management.

5. There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of LBP

was transferred from physicians to chiropractic doctors. Evidence from Canada

and other countries suggests potential savings of many hundreds of millions of

dollars annually.

6. Workers' compensation studies report that injured workers with the same

specific diagnosis of LBP returned to work much sooner when treated by

chiropractors than by physicians.

7. There is good empirical evidence patients are very satisfied with chiropractic

management of LBP and considerably less satisfied with physician management.

8. The use of chiropractic has grown steadily over the years. Chiropractic is

now accepted as a legitimate healing profession by the public and an increasing

number of physicians.

Tips For a Pain Free Neck

Neck pain is a common reason people seek chiropractic care. Whether it is a stiffness, ache or sharp, debilitating pain, problems associated with the neck - which can include headache, arm/hand/shoulder symptoms and upper back disorders - present a significant burden to our health care system, to our productivity and to our lives.

The causes of neck pain are numerous. Two factors, however, are by far the most prevalent: posture and spinal alignment. Fortunately, both of these factors can be improved with knowledge, commitment and chiropractic treatment.

The following points may be useful in ensuring your neck remains pain-free:

POSTURE: Optimum posture is where, when viewed from the side, the centre of the ear lies directly over the midpoint of the shoulder. Viewed from the front, the head should not be tilted, shifted or rotated in relation to the rib cage. Optimum posture also involves having normal cervical, thoracic and lumbar curves. Your chiropractor can help to accurately assess your posture, and can give you specific exercises and suggestions to improve postural faults.

ERGONOMICS: Ergonomics involves such things as how one sits or stands at work, at a desk, computer or while watching TV or reading. It can also include driving or sleeping positions. To minimize neck, shoulder and upper back fatigue, avoid prolonged positions where the head is tilted or pushed forward. Change positions and tasks regularly and often, choosing a new task or position that works the body the opposite way. Strive for correct, balanced posture while working, traveling, playing and sleeping. This means do not prop your head up with pillows when sleeping on your back!

INJURY: Trauma to the neck must be treated appropriately, beginning with an accurate diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis of neck trauma, whether it was the result of a car accident, fall, sports or some other injury, should always include x-ray. X-ray is used to assess the structural condition of the spine, including the cervical curve. Abnormal curves in the cervical spine are major contributors to chronic neck pain, headache and other neck related problems. Chiropractic treatment has been shown to correct or improve abnormal spinal curves.

STRESS: We all must deal with stress in our lives. How we deal with it determines the level of tension we feel, and this can play a significant role in whether or not we experience neck related symptoms. To help us cope with stress more effectively, several behavior or attitude adjustments may be beneficial. Exercise moderately for about 45 minutes every day. Make adequate sleep and a healthy diet priorities. Maintain balance in your life between work and play, and in your relationships. Keep life in perspective. See the lighter side of situations. Seek and express humour.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure!

Consider these sobering facts:

• 85% of people will experience disabling back pain at some point during their lives.

• Disability from low back pain is increasing faster than any other form of disability - about 13% per year in the U.K. and 17% in the U.S.A.. This rate is 14 times higher than the rate of population growth. Low back pain is now the second most common cause of physical disability after cardiovascular disease.

• Low back pain is the leading cause of disability and health cost in adults aged 30 – 50, the prime work force. Thus, in real economic terms the financial burden of back pain is enormous.

• In workers' compensation plans, about 30% of all claims are for back injuries, more than twice the frequency of any other category of injury. However, this 30% of claims gives rise to approximately 60% of total compensation paid.

Good spinal health does not just happen, it is something you work at. The key is prevention. Keep your back fit through regular aerobic and specific strengthening exercises, think correct posture at all times and become ergonomically aware. As correct spinal alignment and function is the most important factor in maintaining a healthy back, get checked and adjusted regularly by your chiropractor.

Awareness of spinal health should begin in childhood. Good postural habits, diet and exercise are fundamental to the optimum development of young spines. However, spinal health for children should not end here. Since functional scoliosis can be significantly improved if detected early, children should have at least two scoliosis screenings before the age of 12. Also, many adult spinal problems begin as a result of childhood injuries. Chiropractic spinal check-ups for children may help avoid a large number of future spine-related health problems. Let's check your children today!

For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information.

For Optimum Development of Spines - Go For Daily Exercises and Regular Checkups

Dear Doc: I’m really concerned! Everyone I know, including myself, has suffered from back pain. What can we do to stop this epidemic?

Concerne

Dear Concerned: Back pain is an epidemic! Consider these sobering facts:

• 85% of us will experience disabling back pain at some point during our lives.

• Disability from back pain is increasing faster than any other form of disability, infact 14 times faster than the rate of population growth.

• Back pain is now the leading cause of disability and health cost in adults aged 30 - 50, the prime work force.

• In workers’ compensation plans, 30% of all claims are for back injuries, more than twice the frequency of any other category of injury.

Good spinal health does not just happen, it is something you work at. The key is prevention. Keep your back fit through regular aerobic and specific strengthening exercises, think correct posture at all times and become ergonomically aware. As correct spinal alignment and function is the most important factor in maintaining a healthy back, get checked and adjusted regularly by your chiropractor.

Awareness of spinal health should begin in childhood. Good postural habits, diet and exercise are fundamental to the optimum development of young spines. However, spinal health for children should not end here. As many adult spinal problems begin as a result of childhood injuries, chiropractic check-ups for children can help avoid numerous future spine-related health problems.

For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information.

Whiplash Trauma an Epidemic in Our Society!

Whiplash

Whiplash is a term widely used to describe the kinds of injuries sustained by motor vehicle accident victims whose cars were struck from behind. Whiplash trauma has been called an epidemic in our society, costing countless billions each year in health care expenditure, lost productivity and insurance claims. The real tragedy of whiplash, however, is the chronic pain and suffering experienced by many whiplash victims even years later. As chiropractic care is vital to obtaining the best possible outcome following whiplash trauma, we encourage patients to learn as much as they can about the nature of their problem. The following questions will help sharpen your knowledge of whiplash.

True Or False

1. There is little or no evidence that significant, long-standing physical damage occurs to the victims of rear impact motor vehicle accidents.

FALSE: Studies conclude degenerative changes such as spondylosis and osteoarthritis occur in the cervical spines (necks) of those injured in whiplash accidents in 40-60% of cases compared to only 6% of age and sex matched controls. In other words, whiplash victims are 6 to 10 times more likely to develop degenerative spinal conditions. These degenerative changes are significant in that they can impair mobility, produce pain and discomfort and may cause permanent and progressively detrimental effects on the nervous system. They are, however, in many cases reversible if correct treatment is administered early. Call our office if you would like more information about optimum treatment for whiplash injuries.

2. Headrests should be positioned so that the top of the headrest is at earlobe level, and the headrest is at least two inches from the back of the head.

FALSE: Correct positioning of the headrest is such that the top of headrest should be between the top of the ear and top of the head, and there should be no more than two inches between the back of the head and the headrest. The height positioning is important in order to limit the "ramping" effect that can occur in rear-impact collisions. Ramping occurs when the head is violently accelerated up and over the head restraint, resulting in greatly amplified shear forces on the neck and cervical spine. Similarily, studies show that headrests positioned more than two inches away from the back of head offer virtually no protection in rear-end collisions.

3. The forces generated in a 15 m.p.h. rear impact collision are equivalent to falling from a chair.

FALSE: Surprising though it sounds, the forces generated in a 15 m.p.h. rear impact collision are equivalent to falling from the top of a two story building! This is the reason why very low speed rear impact collisions can produce significant soft tissue injury, even when little damage was incurred to either vehicle.

If you or anyone you know has been in an auto accident or you think may have suffered a whiplash type injury please call Windmill Health Center.

For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information.

How to Keep Healthy and Fit Back!

Fitness means very different things to different people. Our notions of being fit range from daily walking, to gardening, to working each day at a manual job or playing golf twice a week. For some, being fit means nothing less than marathon running and triathlons. No matter how fit we perceive ourselves to be, one weakness common to most all of us is back fitness.

What is back fitness? A fit back requires balance between these five key components:

Strength - particularly the muscles of your lower back and abdomen. These “core” muscle groups are notoriously weak, and make us especially vulnerable to back strains.

Endurance - again, the back extensor and abdominal muscles need the most attention. Studies have shown that these muscles are some of the weakest and most easily fatigued in the body, and can show the most significant gains in strength and endurance when exercised properly.

Flexibility - particularly important is hip flexor and hamstring muscle length, as well as various muscle groups of the lower back. There are many good books on stretching, or ask your chiropractor for exercises specific to your needs.

Posture - one can have good back strength, endurance and flexibility but still be lacking back fitness because of poor structural alignment. Correct posture is critical to having a fit, healthy back. Spinal discs, joints, muscles and ligaments can only function correctly if posture is normal. Your chiropractor can show you specific exercises to improve your posture.

Spinal Function - A truly fit and healthy back requires a spine that has normal alignment and position, and that moves correctly. This is the only component of back fitness that we cannot remedy ourselves. Chiropractic doctors are the best-qualified health professionals for assessment and treatment of spinal functional disorders. Through a thorough examination of your spine and associated structures, your chiropractor can determine if your spine is positioned and functioning correctly. Safe, effective chiropractic treatment can then be provided, enabling your back to perform to its potential.

So before telling someone how fit you are, think back to these five components: do you really measure up?

For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information.

Want Relief From Sciatica, then Go See a Chiropractor!

Sciatica Pain

Most of us have heard of it. For some, sciatica may be so familiar the mere sound of the word sends reminder pains down the leg!

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve - the longest and largest in the body - becomes irritated and inflamed. The sciatic nerve is made up of five nerves that leave the spinal cord from the lower spinal column, join in the pelvic area, and travel down the leg. It is not surprising, then, that sciatica sufferers may experience pain at several locations along the sciatic nerve path, from the back of the thigh to the ankle, foot or toes. The pain of sciatica is often a deep ache which, upon movement, can become very sharp and may range from occasional to constant. Often accompanying sciatic pain are other sensations such as numbness, pins and needles, tingling, irritability or tenderness.

Sciatica has a wide variety of causes: strain or sprains of the lower back, disc problems, arthritic problems of the lower back or hips, poor posture, obesity, bone diseases, or internal diseases such as diabetes. One of the primary causes of sciatic nerve irritation is abnormal position and motion of the vertebrae in the lower back.

Sciatica Pain

Proper treatment for any symptom, including leg and back pain, must begin with a correct diagnosis. Your chiropractic doctor is specifically trained to diagnose the cause of your symptoms, and to recommend appropriate treatment. Research has found chiropractic care to be very effective for the relief of most forms of sciatica and back pain. The chiropractic profession emphasizes the importance of restoring and maintaining proper structural integrity (correct alignment and biomechanics) of the spine. A healthy spine involves, among other things, normal positioning and mobility of all joints of the back and pelvis. Many causes of sciatic pain irritate the sciatic nerve by adversely altering the normal positioning and mobility of the spine.

Through gentle spinal adjustments and other procedures, your chiropractor can help to restore normal position and optimum mobility to the spine and pelvis. Correct spinal biomechanics allow normal nerve function to return. Relief from sciatica pain may be as simple as a call to your chiropractor!

For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881 or Dr. Browner at (954) 892-1313 in Plantation, Fl.