Almost all pain is caused when pain nerves, called nociceptors, found in muscles, ligaments, joints, and blood vessels in or near the area of pain are stimulated.  The pain nerves are stimulated by inflammatory biochemicals produced by the body in response to repetitive stress, irritation or injury.  Stimulation of pain nerves also causes muscle spasm or tightness.  Low back pain is simply the pain process occurring in the region of your low back or pelvis. 

Examples of repetitive stress, irritation or injury to the body include the following:  a car accident, work or sports injury, improper lifting, reaching or twisting, sneezing, poor posture, lack of exercise, extended sitting or standing, inadequate rest, poor diet and emotional stress.

If you ignore the pain and discomfort associated with repetitive stress, irritation or injury to the body, then over an unspecified period of time, numerous muscular and biomechanical conditions can develop including:

• Low back and hip muscle trigger points
• Lumbar facet joint dysfunction/stiffness/restriction
• Sacroiliac and hip joint dysfunction/stiffness/restriction
• Abdominal core muscle weakness
• Lumbar disc problems, including disc derangement and protrusion/herniation
• Lumbar spine osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

Chiropractic is a field of manual medicine that literally means “by hand.”  Chiropractors specialize in the treatment of low back pain and many other neuromusculoskeletal pain conditions.  Although their primary treatment is manual manipulation or adjustments, chiropractors are trained and licensed to provide many types of therapy to relieve pain.  Chiropractors can help low back pain because they utilize a comprehensive model by examining and addressing the person’s entire body, posture and activities.

The chiropractic approach to conquering your low back pain begins with a thorough history/consultation and physical exam, which may include x-rays or other tests.  If it is determined that chiropractic can help, then a treatment plan will be recommended.  If your condition is not suitable for chiropractic treatment, you would be referred to another medical specialist.

TREATMENT

The chiropractic treatment approach includes manual procedures, therapy and advice such as:

1. Chiropractic spinal and extremity adjustments or manual manipulation:  Adjustments are vitally important because they correct biomechanical joint restrictions that are almost always present with low back pain.
2. Physiotherapy:  The primary purpose of physiotherapy is to address acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasm.
3. Muscle soft-tissue techniques:  Help to reduce muscle/ligament pain, tightness, adhesions, and improve muscle/ligament function.
4. Therapeutic exercises:  Utilized early in your care before undertaking a comprehensive exercise program.  Specific “low tech” rehabilitation exercises and assisted stretches are recommended to regain core stability, strengthen weak/inhibited muscles, improve flexibility, range of motion and balance, and prevent re-injury.
5. Diet and supplement suggestions:  An anti-inflammatory diet with appropriate supplementation can significantly help reduce pain and prevent the development of serious low back conditions.
6. Lifestyle modifications:  If there are things you are doing at work or with your recreational activities that are contributing to your low back pain, then those issues need to be addressed.

THE CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT

Chiropractic adjustments are the most effective way to correct stiff/restricted/fixated spinal and extremity joints that develop as a result of repetitive stress, irritation or injury in the low back region.

THE ADJUSTMENT:

• Gently applied by hand
• Stimulates pain blocking nerves called mechanoreceptors, which helps restore normal joint movement
• Reduces and inhibits pain
• Reduces and inhibits muscle spasm and tightness
• Increases arterial blood flow, which helps reduce pain and inflammation

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT AND CONQUER LOW BACK PAIN?

• It is very important that you do not ignore your low back pain.  Pain means something is wrong and it needs to be addressed so that a chronic condition does not develop.
• Protect your spine by making it a habit to use good posture as much as possible.  When sitting, be sure to support your lumbar (low back) curve.  Try not to sit for more that 30 minutes without standing up and stretching out.
• Begin an exercise routine, preferably under the guidance of your chiropractor.  Start the exercise at the appropriate time so that you do not re-injure yourself.
• Try to eat a simple, anti-inflammatory diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, raw nuts, lean meats, chicken and fish.
• Consider supplementation including:  a multiple vitamin/mineral, omega 3 fish oil (EPA/DHA), magnesium and vitamin D3 as your foundation.

Obtain routine chiropractic checkups:  Just as you need regular dental exams, you need regular spinal exams.  Oftentimes, people have tight and tender muscles and joints but are not consciously aware of it.  Chiropractic care is one of the best ways to manage and prevent low back problems and maintain a healthier life.

Now that Tom Brady and his New England Patriots teammates have eliminated the Denver Broncos from the playoffs, one might think the end of (Tim) Tebowmania has finally arrived. Not so quick. I found a story this week worth sharing. Whether or not you like Tebow, I think you’ll agree it’s a miraculous story.

In a recent e-mail, I read about a woman named Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink.

She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn’t think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy, and we’ll make him a preacher.

Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy Aug. 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher.

He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.

It might be several months from now before we see Tebow back on the field and see his name plastered in the headlines. When that does happen again, perhaps now you’ll have a little better insight into why he drops to a knee and honors his faith.

I don’t think he’s deserving of the criticism he’s endured for such a personal and obviously meaningful gesture. Something tells me it doesn’t faze him one bit.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue of The Rock River Times

http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/01/18/pro-football-the-miraculous-story-behind-tim-tebow/

“Chiropractic care has been instrumental in my life, both on and off the field, and I am excited to share this with the American public,” says Rice. “I have been blessed with a long and healthy career as a professional athlete, and as I move forward into the next stage of my life, chiropractic care will continue to be an important part of my game plan.”

A Doctor-Professor answers the old question “What is the single best thing we can do for our health” in a completely new way. Dr. Mike Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at St. Michael’s Hospital.

The study, funded by the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine and co-authored by ACA’s 2011 Researcher of the Year Dr. Roni Evans, is making headlines across the country. The results of the study have appeared in AARP Blog, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, WebMD and “World News with Diane Sawyer” among other media outlets.

Simply walking outside in the freezing weather without layers of warm clothing can intensify older joint problems and cause a great deal of pain. As muscles and blood vessels contract to conserve the body’s heat, the blood supply to the extremities is reduced. This lowers the functional capacity of many muscles, particularly among the physically unfit. Preparation for an outdoor winter activity, including conditioning the areas of the body that are most vulnerable, can help avoid injury and costly health care bills.

Simply put, warming up is essential. In fact, when pressed for time, it’s better to shorten the length of your workout and keep a good warm-up than to skip the warm-up and dive right into the workout. Skipping your warm-up is the best way to get hurt. You can complete a good warm-up in 15-20 minutes. And believe me, it will make your workout more pleasant and safe.

The American Chiropractic Association suggests that you start with some light aerobic activity (jogging, biking, fast walking) for about 7-10 minutes. Then follow these tips to help you fight back the winter weather:

Skiing – do 10 to 15 squats. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, knees aligned over your feet. Slowly lower your buttocks as you bend your knees over your feet. Stand up straight again.

Skating – do lunges. Take a moderately advanced step with one foot. Let your back knee come down to the floor while keeping your shoulders in position over your hips. Repeat the process with your other foot.

Shoveling snow can also wreak havoc on the musculoskeletal system. The ACA suggests the following tips for exercise of the snow shoveling variety:

* If you must shovel snow, be careful. Listen to weather forecasts so you can rise early and have time to shovel before work.

* Layer clothing to keep your muscles warm and flexible.

* Shoveling can strain “de-conditioned” muscles between your shoulders, in your upper back, lower back, buttocks and legs, so do some warm-up stretching before you grab that shovel.

* When you do shovel, push the snow straight ahead. Don’t try to throw it. Walk it to the snow bank. Avoid sudden twisting and turning motions.

* Bend your knees to lift when shoveling. Let the muscles of your legs and arms do the work, not your back.

* Take frequent rest breaks to take the strain off your muscles. A fatigued body asks for injury.

* Stop if you feel chest pain, or get really tired or have shortness of breath. You may need immediate professional help.

After any of these activities, if you are sore, apply an ice bag to the affected area for 20 minutes, then take it off for a couple of hours. Repeat a couple of times each day over the next day or two. If you continue to feel soreness, pain or strain after following these tips, it may be time to visit a doctor of chiropractic.

Dr. Filson, who began providing care to the players in 1990 through its then manager, Joe Torre, Major League Baseball (MLB) legend, says, “Chiropractic care is always available to players of the Cardinals and the visiting team, it is utilized by many.  With chiropractic care, players report that they feel better and have better endurance.  Body mechanics are significantly improved, enabling better pitching, hitting and throwing.”

In 2006, Dr. Filson was awarded a World Series ring for his role with the Cardinals, and was proud to play a similar role in the 2011 championship.  He also treated David Eckstein, Most Valuable Player on the Cardinals 2006 World Series Team, citing the importance of chiropractic care in helping players to achieve optimal performance:  “I am proud to have provided chiropractic care to the Cardinals for so many years, and gratified that chiropractic has contributed to the players’ optimal performance during every game.  We are all excited about bringing home the 2011 World Series title.”

According to Dr. Gazdar, who began working with the San Francisco Giants in 2008, and was seen by millions celebrating at the pitcher’s mound with the players following the game-ending play that resulted in the Giants World Series title, “Chiropractic care was a significant factor in the San Francisco Giants 2010 victory.  One of the Giants’ pitchers relied upon chiropractic adjustments for all of his pitching starts, and virtually every player benefited from chiropractic services.”

Both doctors express their enthusiasm for the inclusion of chiropractic care for virtually every team participating in professional sports, including golf, football, hockey, basketball and baseball.

About the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress

A not-for-profit organization, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress aims to inform and educate the general public about the many benefits associated with chiropractic care.  To learn more about the Foundation, please visit them on the web at www.yes2chiropractic.com or call (866) 901-F4CP(3427).