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Don't Choose Drugs for Back Pain

Here in our Estero, Bonita Springs practice, Dr. Green has helped several patients heal from back pain. If you are dealing with back pain, you've most likely been tempted to take some medications to reduce the pain. You should understand that research indicates that chiropractic care is oftentimes a much healthier approach than drugs when it comes to relieving this common type of pain.

In a 2013 study published in the journal Spine experts included 101 people who had experienced back pain for more than two days. Each patient was then designated to one of three groups. The first group, which consisted of 37 individuals, received chiropractic care and a placebo of the medication diclofenac. The second group of 38 patients received fake chiropractic adjustments and the actual drug. The third group of 25 individuals served as the control as those subjects received sham chiropractic care and also received the placebo, thus having no real care at all.

All of the participants who received some type of treatment, whether through chiropractic or the medication, fared better than the control patients who had no real treatment. However, when the two active groups were compared to one another, the patients who received chiropractic adjustments had results that were "significantly better" than those who took the drug.

Chiropractic: Natural Healing

Because chiropractic is non-invasive and doesn't use drugs, it helps promote healing without adverse effects. For instance, anti-inflammatory drugs can result in ulcers, high blood pressure, and other serious health complications. Plus, the benefits of chiropractic last longer as it's purpose designed to correct the source of the problem, not just treat the signs and symptoms.

If you're ready to get help for your back pain naturally, then chiropractic is for you. Make an appointment in our Estero, Bonita Springs office with Dr. Green today at (239) 495-1166. We'll help ease your back pain in a healthy way!

References

von Heymann WJ, Schloemer P, Timm J, Muehlbauer B. Spinal high-velocity low amplitude manipulation in acute nonspecific low back pain: a double-blind randomized controlled trial in comparison with diclofenac and placebo. Spine 2013;38(7):540-548.

If you have thoracic outlet syndrome after an auto collision, don't worry. Dr. Green sees this type of problem very often in our Estero, Bonita Springs office. Let's look at why thoracic outlet syndrome is frequently experienced after a car crash and see how chiropractic can help you heal.

The thoracic outlet is a bundle of blood vessels and nerves that travel through your neck and shoulder to your arm. These nerves and blood vessels don't have a lot of space, so they pass under and between the strong bands of muscles that support your head.

In a collision, these muscles can be stretched and strained. If damaged, the muscles become swollen and tender, and they can develop scar tissue which limits movement and puts pressure on the tissues of the thoracic outlet. Pressure on the nerves can cause tingling or numbness in the shoulder, elbow and even the hand. Pressure on the blood vessels can also cause problems in the arm.

Estero, Bonita Springs Thoracic Outlet Treatment

Chiropractic can be an effective way to treat thoracic outlet syndrome, as Dr. Green will help improve mobility in your spine and restore normal nerve function in your neck and shoulder.

Dr. Green is here in Estero, Bonita Springs to help you recover from thoracic outlet syndrome. We've been helping patients since 2006 and we can probably help you, too. Dr. Green will first determine what's causing your pain and then work to restore your body to its natural functioning. Give our office a call today at (239) 495-1166 to make an appointment.

Many people experience headache pain, and tension headaches are a frequent problem in our busy world. Postural problems and stress are common causes of tension headache pain, and ones that Dr. Green and the staff here in our Estero, Bonita Springs chiropractic office have a lot of experience in treating.

Research Shows Chiropractic Eases Tension Headaches

The scientific literature confirms our results: A 2016 study from Spain managed a group of 76 men and women with chronic tension headaches. The participants were divided into four treatment groups: 19 patients were treated with suboccipital inhibition (the therapist presses on the tight tissues at the top of the spine); 19 with chiropractic adjustments; 19 with both adjustments and suboccipital inhibition; and 19 received no treatment.

The authors discovered that the spinal adjustments were beneficial at relieving pain, and that the best results were found when adjustments were coupled with the suboccipital inhibition.

When we get stressed, the nerves and tissues in the neck can be disrupted, leading to pain. Chiropractic works by getting rid of these stresses and restoring the normal nerve function to the tissues.

We're Here to Help Clients Find Help From Tension Headaches

If you live in Estero, Bonita Springs and are suffering from any kind of headache, we're here to help you get relief. Call Dr. Green today at (239) 495-1166 for an appointment or more information.

Citation

Espi-Lopez GV, Rodriguez-Blanco C, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A, et al. Do manual therapy techniques have a positive effect on quality of life in people with tension-type headache? A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine 2016; February 29.

Chiropractic is centered on the philosophy of allowing your body to heal naturally through spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes that promote wellness. For Dr. Green, this involves working to reestablish your body's normal functioning to avoid the need for medications or surgical treatments. We notice that most of our Estero, Bonita Springs patients are relieved to find a natural approach for their health problems.

One advantage of chiropractic care is that it helps people minimize or eliminate the use of drug treatments. Prescriptions are oftentimes supplied to people who have back soreness. This is such a significant concern that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued a report stating that opioid (painkiller) dangers outweigh the advantages when administered for back pain.

Some of the most well-known narcotics, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, and codeine. Figures presented by the AAN mention the fact that roughly 50% of the people taking these types of substances for a period of three months are still dependent on them five years down the road. This can further complicate the issue of back pain and healing, especially if an narcotic dependency occurs.

Contrast that to chiropractic which involves natural healing and the benefits are crystal clear. While a medication might be useful at temporarily relieving the symptoms of a health condition, it's not a solution to the problem. A drug won't mend your damaged back; it will only mask the pain.

Dr. Green will first examine you to get to the root of your back problems and then work with you to solve the spinal interference -- without risky drugs.

If you're ready for relief of your pain, naturally, give our Estero, Bonita Springs office a call at (239) 495-1166 to make an appointment with Dr. Green.

References

• Risk of opioids outweigh benefits for headache, low back pain, other conditions. American Academy of Neurology;September 29, 2014.
• What are opioids? National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/what-are-opioids

We treat many car accident cases in in our Estero, Bonita Springs office, and a common symptom we see in our patients is back pain. Why is back pain such a common problem after an auto collision? How can your chiropractor help you heal?

During a rear-end auto collision, your car and car seat are quickly accelerated forward against your torso. Since car seats don't perfectly align with the curvature of your spine, the car seat can put inconsistent force on your lower back. This can cause some of your spinal vertebrae to move in one direction while an adjacent vertebrae might move in another direction. This differential movement can sprain or strain the tissues that hold your spine together. This kind of injury can cause chronic back pain if not treated promptly. Thankfully, chiropractic is one of the most effective ways to treat back pain.

Dr. Green is here in Estero, Bonita Springs to help you recover from back pain. We've been helping patients since 2006 and we can probably help you, too. The first step is to get an accurate diagnosis to determine what's causing your pain and then we will determine an appropriate treatment plan of action. Call us today at (239) 495-1166 if you have questions or would like to make an appointment.

When playing activities that demand a lot of lower body motion, like football, soccer, and basketball, it's common to sustain some type of injury to your lower extremities. Between pulled hamstrings, sprained ankles, knee injuries, and more, many players have found themselves sidelined. Dr. Green has seen all of these problems in our Estero, Bonita Springs patients. The good news is, chiropractic care can help prevent some of these injuries from occurring and research proves it.

Research Supports Chiropractic Helps With Sports Injuries & Recovery

Dr. Green keeps current with all of the latest scientific research, and in a paper published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, researchers from Macquarie University in Australia studied 59 semi-elite Australian Rules football players. Roughly half were placed in a control group and the others were put in a therapy group that received sports chiropractic care at regular intervals. During the first six weeks, this meant getting care once a week. The following three months consisted of an adjustment every two weeks before reducing those to one visit monthly for the final three months of the study.

Researchers noted that there was a "significant" decrease in the number of lower limb strains the players received in the treatment group when compared to the control. Furthermore, they observed that the subjects who engaged in chiropractic also had fewer weeks of missed practice and games as a result of non-contact knee injuries. This led them to determine that sports chiropractic treatment should be added to "the current best practice management."

Every major sports organization in the United States and the US Olympic Team has chiropractors on staff for their athletes, because they know that chiropractic really works. If you live near our practice in Estero, Bonita Springs and would like to see if Dr. Green can help you boost your performance or reduce sports injuries, give our office a call today at (239) 495-1166 for an appointment.

Dr. Green Can Help People Find Comfort From Sports Injuries and Recover Faster

If you're troubled with severe pain, Dr. Green and our staff are here to help you feel better. Give our Estero, Bonita Springs office a call today at (239) 495-1166 for an appointment today.

Reference

Hoskins W, Pollard H. The effect of a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention on the prevention of back pain, hamstring and lower limb injuries in semi-elite Australian rules footballers: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11(64).

We work with many back pain patients in our Estero, Bonita Springs chiropractic office, and Dr. Green and our staff uses an assortment of techniques to help get you out of pain and restore your spine's normal, healthy function. We find spinal decompression to be a highly effective approach.

Understanding Spinal Decompression Therapy

To help you better understand spinal decompression therapy, think of the discs in your spine like small balloons filled with gelatin. When you squeeze them (which occurs due to normal living, sustaining an injury, or other medical conditions), they can protrude, placing pressure on the nerves in your spinal column. This affects your brain's ability to communicate with tissues in the rest of your body.

If the pressure on the discs becomes too high, they can herniate or bulge. This reduces the cushion between your vertebrae and can cause pain. The goal of spinal decompression therapy is to relieve this pressure to help improve your body's function and also reduce your level of pain.

Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Help Me?

Spinal decompression therapy relieves disc pressure through the use of a specially designed table that gently elongates your spinal column through slow and controlled movements. This lessens the pressure placed on your discs. Some studies report an increase in disc height by as much as 1.3 millimeters after just six weeks of spinal decompression therapy.

If you're wondering if spinal decompression therapy could help you feel and perform better, simply call our Estero, Bonita Springs office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Green today. Your optimal health is our number one priority!

Resources

Apfel CC, Cakmakkaya OS, Richmond C, et al. Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11(155). doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-155

In our Estero, Bonita Springs office, it isn't uncommon for us to see people struggling with sciatica pain, and Dr. Green has helped many of these people recover with chiropractic. What makes chiropractic care so useful to those who suffer with sciatica? First off, it reduces their recovery time and a Norwegian research study confirms it.

In the article, which took place in a Norwegian hospital's orthopedic division, researchers looked at 44 patients who presented with abrupt low back pain that was identified as acute sciatic nerve pain. The participants were all treated by a chiropractor, with the mean follow-up being two years after treatment.

The researchers found that all but two patients went back to work after receiving chiropractic adjustments, which is a 95% success rate. Furthermore, the average period of time that the patients spent off work "was reduced by two thirds as compared with that associated with conventional medical treatment."

Considering that the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 170,000 workdays were lost in 2013 due to employees dealing with back or spine-related issues, that is almost 112,500 work days that could potentially be recovered each and every year solely by receiving chiropractic care. Not only could that increase work productivity, but it could also decrease costs to businesses and employees from lost work.

If you live in Estero, Bonita Springs and you suffer with sciatic pain, Dr. Green is here to assist. Give us a call at (239) 495-1166 and we'll work with you to find the root cause of your sciatic pain and get you back on the road to health.

Orlin JR, Didriksen A. Results of chiropractic treatment of lumbopelvic fixation in 44 patients admitted to an orthopedic department. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2007;30(2):135-139.

Neck and headache pain are common problems that affect millions of men and women around the world. If you are suffering from this type of issue, you're not alone. The good news is that chiropractic care is a great way to not only treat these common issues, but also help prevent future episodes.

Research Shows Chiropractic Helps With Neck Pain and Headaches

For many years, patients with neck and headache pain in Estero, Bonita Springs have been helped by the chiropractic adjustments of Dr. Green. Our success is supported by a recent review done in Canada that found that non-invasive, non-drug treatments are the best choice for neck and headache pain.

The report looked at 15 studies from 1990 to 2015 and found that conservative treatment comprised of chiropractic adjustments, exercises, and stretches was suggested before resorting to drugs or more invasive treatments.

Previous scientific studies have shown that chiropractic is effective and safe for neck pain and many other health conditions.

We Can Help Clients Find Comfort From Neck Pain and Headaches

If you're struggling with neck pain or headaches, Dr. Green and our staff are here to help you heal. Give our Estero, Bonita Springs office a call today at (239) 495-1166 for an appointment today.

Reference

Varatharajan S, Ferguson B, Chrobak K, et al. Are non-invasive interventions effective for the management of headaches associated with neck pain? An update of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. European Spine Journal 2016; February 6:1-29.

There are many different kinds of headache, but one of the most common types is known as "cervicogenic headache," or headaches that start in your neck.

Dr. Green sees a lot of patients in our Estero, Bonita Springs office who are suffering with frequent, reoccurring headaches. Luckily, chiropractic adjustments can often help, potentially reducing these types of headaches by 50%, and research confirms it.

Research Supports Chiropractic Helps With Cervicogenic Headaches

A study was conducted involving 80 participants who reported experiencing at least five cervicogenic headaches during the prior three months. The objective was to discover how effective chiropractic was for this type of head pain, as well as to ascertain the number of treatment sessions necessary to achieve a positive effect.

The patients were divided into four separate groups, so that each group was similar in age, gender, number of cervicogenic headaches, and their intensity. Of the four groups, two engaged in chiropractic treatments and two received light massage. Furthermore, one group assigned to each treatment received eight sessions and the other group received twice that amount.

Each patient was assessed based on head pain, neck pain, and disability prior to the study and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment was complete. The researchers found that those who received chiropractic as opposed to massage reported fewer headaches at the conclusion of the study. Furthermore, improvements were maintained when checked six months after treatment ended.

Additionally, participants who were taking medications for their headaches were able to lower their intake after completing the study. Those who received chiropractic had lower medication usage 24 weeks post-study.

We Can Help People Find Relief From Head Pain

Dr. Green has helped many patients who were suffering from headaches in our Estero, Bonita Springs office. Call us today at (239) 495-1166 for more information or for an appointment.

Reference

Haas M, Spegman A, Peterson D, Aickin M, Vavrek D. Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial. The Spine Journal 2010; 10: 117-128.