Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Male Having Headaches

MALE HAVING HEADACHES


A twenty-six year old male appeared in my office with complaints of headaches of one year duration. The patient describes his headaches as starting in his neck, creating a tightness that runs to the top of his head then behind his right eye. The patient relates some relief when he "pops" his neck. The patient has been to six medical physicians in the last year. He has had multiple examinations and tests including MRI and CT. All the examinations were negative. He has been on numerous medications including steroids without relief. The patient gives a past history of being involved in an automobile accident approximately six years ago.

Examination of this patient showed his reflexes to be +2 in the upper extremities. Cervical range of motion was restricted and painful. Palpable tenderness at C1, C2, and C6-T2. Cervical compression tests were positive on the left and right. Cervical distraction tests were positive.

X-rays were taken of this patient’s neck. The x-rays were reviewed with the patient. The intervertebral foramina were open. There were no thin discs and no signs of significant degeneration. The vertebral bodies were rotated to the right with a misalignment noted at C2.

I explained my findings with the patient including the x-rays. I discussed his options. He realized that he had tried almost everything before coming here. I suggested a series of spinal manipulations to try to restore normal function to the vertebrae of the neck. The patient agreed. The patient was given his first spinal manipulation. I advised the patient to return the next day.

The patient stated that his headache felt a little better. However, he slept much better. The patient was treated again. He was told to return the next day.

The patient comes in saying that his headaches are a lot better. I suggested a course of treatment of six weeks and then I would do a re-evaluation. The patient agreed.

During the course of treatment the patient had good days and bad days. The bad days involved headaches however, never as bad as the original complaint. The patient continued to sleep and rest better.

At the end of the six weeks the patient was re-evaluated. His original findings had improved however; there remained a restriction in the cervical range of motion. The patient was advised he needed two to three more weeks of care. The patient agreed.


At the end of three weeks the patient appeared to have fully recovered.


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Stress Induced Headaches

STRESS INDUCED HEADACHES


A twenty-seven year old female appears in my office with multiple symptoms, including pain in the neck and shoulders, tightness in both arms, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, knots in her stomach, some nausea, irritable and nervous.  The patient was the manager of a local business.

The patient has recently had a physical exam including blood work.  All tests were within normal limits.  The patient had been placed on a number of medications, including anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxers and “nerve pills”.  The patient has tried her medications without satisfying results.  She continues to have pain and symptoms.

Examination of this patient revealed normal reflexes of the upper and lower extremities.  Range of motion was restricted in the neck and low back but without additional pain.  The remainder of the orthopedic tests was essentially negative.  Neurological tests were negative.  Palpable muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders and low back.  Trigger points were located in the trapezius muscles, scalene muscles, supraspinatus muscles, and the latissimus dorsi.  Motion palpation suggested a subluxation (segmental dysfunction) at the levels of C1, T2, T8, and L5. 

X-rays were taken of the patient. Radiological findings were negative for fractures and pathologies.  Subluxations (vertebral misalignments) were noted at C1, T2, T8 and L5.  My findings from the clinical examination and X-rays were discussed with the patient and her husband.  I suggested that physical and emotional stress from her job was the most probable cause of her symptoms but that the stress was superimposed upon an underlying spinal weakness. I advised a trial course of spinal manipulations for the reduction of her nerve pressure symptoms and specific therapies for her muscle problems.  The patient and her spouse agreed.

The patient was treated for four weeks and then re-evaluated. The headaches were gone and the patient was sleeping much better.  The trigger points were approximately sixty percent better.  She had no nausea and no knots in her stomach.  She continued to work in the high stress of her job as manager but without the symptoms and without medications.

Her treatment continued until her spinal problems stabilized.   She was placed on a once a month program to handle the continued stress of her job and to prevent the return of her multiple symptoms.

NEXT WEEK-MORE CASE STUDIES OF ACTUAL PATIENTS WITH HEADACHES.

If you or someone you know suffers from headaches, let me try to help.

CHIROPRACTIC - the great stress reliever. 


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

HEADACHES!!



There are lots of people with different types of headaches (some sources cite 39 different types).  I have helped a hundreds+  headache sufferers to get varying levels of improvement, from resolved to very seldom having a headache.  Not by choice I have specialized in headaches.

Any headache is too many!

You feel a pounding headache coming on, but what kind of headache is it?  The most common types of headaches include:

Tension-type Headaches - There are two types, episodic and chronic. Someone with chronic headaches often wakes up and goes to sleep with a headache and feels a constant tightness or ache in the head and neck areas.

Migraine HeadachesA vascular-type headache, migraines are debilitating and often are accompanied by nausea/ vomiting and acute sensitivity to sound and light. Women suffer more from migraines than men, possibly due to frequent hormonal changes.

Cluster Headaches Occurring more often in men, cluster headaches may actually be the most severe of all headaches. They usually only last 30-60 minutes, however, they may recur several times throughout the day. Chronic smoking and alcohol use often contribute to the onset of cluster headaches.

Hormone Headaches More frequent among women, hormone headaches usually occur in conjunction with PMS and menstruation. Women who take birth control pills may also experience hormone headaches with greater frequency. Symptoms are similar to those associated with a migraine – a one-sided, throbbing headache that includes light/noise sensitivity.

Rebound HeadachesCaused by the over use/abuse of over-the-counter and prescribed headache remedies that often contain caffeine. Headache sufferers tend to use the medications in higher dosages or more frequently than prescribed, causing a headache “rebound effect.”

NEXT WEEK - CASE STUDIES OF PEOPLE I HAVE HELPED WITH HEADACHES!

Do you know someone who complains frequently of headaches? Based on the success our practice enjoys with all types of headaches, direct them to our practice!








Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Supplementation for Prescription Depletions


As previously stated the topic for the last 5 weeks has been that we work with basically three kinds of people that need supplements. First are those people having multiple symptoms (recognized or unrecognized) that do not yet have a diagnosed health problem. Second are those that are near to or new to a diagnosis of a health problem. Third are those folks that have been on medications for a while for a specific set of health problems.

This week we cover the third category, those folks that have been on medications for a specific set of health problems. Tennessee pharmacies fill an average of 18.7 prescriptions per person per year and ranks second in the country for prescription drug abuse. It also has the eighth highest drug overdose mortality rate in the U.S.

An aspect of this drug abuse is the wear and tear that each prescription takes on your body by depleting essential nutrients.

As examples, the well known prescription drugs: (do not take it upon yourself to determine which of this information you need, consult your doctor)

Anti-Hypertensives - it is possible that they can cause depletion of : calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins C, B1, B6 and/or zinc.

Beta Blockers - might affect C0Q10 and melatonin.

Acid Blockers - might affect vitamin D3, B12, folic acid, calcium, chromium, iron, zinc and phosphorus.

Hormone Replacement Therapy - calcium, folic acid, magnesium, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C and zinc.

This is by far not an exhaustive list of drugs and their effects. Physicians must look more deeply and determine underlying causes to determine whether drugs are harming patients – and what we can do to reverse these effects.

If you have concerns, please call (423) 954-9591 for a free consultation.

NEXT WEEK; NEW TOPIC (YET TO BE ANNOUNCED)

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Supplements to consider for specific situations

By now, if you have done your homework, you have eliminated your food allergens, you have filled out your Systems Survey and evaluated your overall health.  Now we need to talk over the second type client that needs supplementation.  (NOTE: There are basically three kinds of people that need supplements. First are those people having multiple symptoms (recognized or unrecognized) that do not yet have a diagnosed health problem. Second are those that are near to or new to a diagnosis of a health problem. Third are those folks that have been on medications for a while for a specific set of health problems.)

That is no way that I can give an exhaustive discussion of supplements and ailments in the context of a blog article. Just be aware that many times there are natural alternatives to the initial stages of health problems. Not everyone responds and no one should venture to treat themselves without keeping their PCP informed and aware.

I have utilized specific supplements for conditions like gallbladder (and lack of a gall bladder), early onset diabetes, arthritis, ulcers, allergies, sinus, poor circulation, loss of energy, ED, bladder problems, etc., the list is endless.

In trying to provide information to my readers I finally decided that I would be unable to provide enough information to any reader in this format. Therefore, if you have specific questions, please e-mail me at doc@docros.com and I will get back with you in a timely fashion. Be as specific with your information as you can.