Sore Muscles? Exercise And Massage Can Offer Equal Relief

A new study comparing the benefits of massage and exercise has concluded that working out is as effective as massage at relieving the aches and pains of sore muscles. The research, conducted by the National Research Center for the Working Environment in Copenhagen, asked 20 participants to perform a shoulder exercise designed to engage both of the trapezius muscles between the neck and shoulders. Two days later, the subjects returned to the lab and rated the pain of the aching muscles on a scale of one to ten. The average pain experienced by the participants was described as a five. Subjects then received a 10 minute massage on one shoulder and spent 10 minutes exercising the other. Participants were asked again to rate their pain. Both massage and exercise offered relief, with massage decreasing the pain by an average of .07 points and exercise relieving an average of .08. Researchers are unclear how massage or exercise relieve soreness, but believe that they help to clear out metabolic byproducts associated with tissue damage.

 Dr. Michael J. Paralovos at TOTALHEALTH of Naples is a great resource for functional fitness.  He is a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer and a Crossfit Mobility trainer and a former college athlete.  With his profound knowledge in sport and fitness his patients can maximize their results.  TOTALHEALTH of Naples also offers spinal decompression as well as traditional chiropractic care in his North Naples office at the Greentree Professional Center.  To find out if you may benefit from spinal decompression or traditional chiropractic care visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule an appointment.

 

Author: ChiroPlanet.com
Source: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, online March 21, 2013.
Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2013

 

 

 

Back Pain Surgery Leads to Spinal Condition

Highlighting the need to explore non-invasive treatment alternatives for back pain such as chiropractic care, medical researchers have concluded that a common surgical procedure designed to relieve back pain, instead exposes patients to a 29 percent greater risk of developing a degenerative spinal condition. The study, conducted in Nantong, China, examined the medical histories of over 35,000 back-pain surgery patients who underwent a spinal fusion to relieve the pain. After the procedure, 29 percent of the patients developed adjacent segment degeneration (or ASD), a long-term degenerative condition of the spine. ADS patients often experience new back problems and pain symptoms to previously non-injured vertebrae. In a spinal fusion, a surgeon fuses faulty vertebrae together with supplementary bone tissue to immobilize the area and relieve pain. After a spinal fusion, patients are unable to move the fused vertebrae, which forces intervertebral joints above and below the surgery site to do double duty to make up for the now-immovable portion of the spine. The researchers concluded that the extra wear and tear on these vertebrae results in the degenerative condition. They also recommended that patients explore alternatives to surgery, including chiropractic care, before consulting a surgeon.

Don't fall victim to unnecessary spinal surgeon!!  Find out the natural options like chiropractic, non-surgical spinal decompression and functional rehab. 

Dr. Michael J. Paralovos, Chiropractor at TOTALHEALTH of Naples offers spinal decompression as well as traditional chiropractic care in his North Naples office at the Greentree Professional Center.  To find out if you may benefit from spinal decompression or traditional chiropractic care visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule an appointment.

Author: ChiroPlanet.com
Source: Spine. April 1, 2013 - Volume 38 - Issue 7 - p 597–608.
Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2013

The Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care vs. Medical Care

With a shaky economy and the unknown future of healthcare in the US, consumers need better options in relieving pain and promoting health. A visit to a medical office for neck or low back pain can quickly progress to medication dependence and thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Chiropractic care is growing in popularity due to its approach to wellness and prevention healthcare, not reaction medicine. As more research reveals the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care for treating neuromusculoskeletal complaints such as neck and low back pain, more insurances are including it as a covered benefit, and more medical doctors are referring their patients to chiropractors for relief.

Medical care is expensive!

An average visit to a medical office ranges from $60 to $300+ depending on the doctor and nature of the visit. Even with insurance coverage, a deductible or large co-pay can quickly add up to a deep hole in your wallet. You leave the office only to go to a pharmacy to purchase prescription medications that may be harmful and/or addictive. By the end of it all, you owe about $1000 to the medical office because you hurt your back gardening last weekend. The pain medication eases the pain, but does not address the underlying injury by masking it. Once the medication is gone, the pain comes back, and long story short you become addicted to medication. This may sound all too familiar to you or someone you know. For many people this is their current situation, the insurance companies continue to pay pharmaceutical companies to keep producing chemicals to keep up the addiction rates, a vicious cycle.

The opposite view of healthcare

Same situation, but instead of seeing your family doctor for the pain, you decide to see a chiropractor. A typical visit at a chiropractic office costs between $30 and $60. Many chiropractors offer a free or discounted examination and x-rays, something you will never see at a medical office. TOTALHEALTH of Naples offers a $75 initial consultation, examination, x-rays and treatment for new patients - visit www.totalhealthnaples.com for the special pricing.  The chiropractor's goal is to get you out of pain AND fix the underlying issue so the pain doesn't return. Since chiropractors do not use harmful medications, the pain relief may not be instantaneous, and can be discouraging to those looking for a "quick-fix." Initial treatment periods may last a few weeks but the overall cost of care still remains much less than going to see a medical doctor.

Chiropractic care saves you money and takes it away from Big Pharma

Recent research has been examining the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care among other natural alternatives (physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage) versus conventional medicine. A 2012 systemic review found spinal manipulation therapy to be more cost-effective for neck and low back pain when compared with general practitioner care, physiotherapy or exercise. A study in 2007 compared care costs of a patient under the direction of a chiropractor as their primary care physician (PCP) versus a medical doctor. After 70,000 member-months spanning a 7-year period, hospital admission costs were decreased by 60.2 percent, cost of days spent in the hospital were decreased by 59.0 percent, and outpatient surgeries and procedures were down by 62.0 percent. If these numbers were not astonishing enough, the costs associated with pharmaceuticals decreased by 85 percent when compared to conventional medically driven care. All of these comparisons were done in the same time frame, geography, and health maintenance organization product.

Get the big picture?

The message would seem to be clear, but only recently have insurance providers and the medical industry began accepting chiropractic care as a viable and cost-effective treatment for neck and low back pain. If you haven't been to a chiropractor in Naples, it's time you started. Ask friends and family to refer you to a trusted chiropractor or look-up reviews online for someone in Naples. The next time you need to see a doctor, help out your body and your wallet by going to your chiropractor in Naples, FL.

Dr. Michael J. Paralovos is a chiropractor at TOTALHEALTH of Naples located in North Naples, FL.  If you would like more information about how chiropractic can help you (and save you money!), visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426.

Article courtesy of Dr. Daniel Zagst and www.naturalnews.com

Long-term Benefits of Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is a catchall phrase for back pain treatments that include nonsurgical options, such as traction, or operative procedures such as endoscopic decompression and laminectomy. The desired effect is the same for all three - to remove pressure from the affected discs of the spine. The long-term benefits of the spinal decompression will vary depending on prior spinal health, age, weight and the type of procedure.

 

Dr. Michael J. Paralovos, Chiropractor at TOTALHEALTH of Naples offers spinal decompression as well as traditional chiropractic care in his North Naples office at the Greentree Professional Center.  To find out if you may benefit from spinal decompression or traditional chiropractic care visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule an appointment.

 

SYMPTOM RELIEF

 

Herniated discs, sciatica, and failed back syndrome are painful diseases. Symptoms elicited by spinal compressive disorders include radiculopathies, or nerve-generated pains, muscle weakness and numbness of the arms or legs. A long-term benefit of spinal decompression is the reduction of these adverse symptoms, namely pain relief, by removing pressure from the nerve roots. The Mayfield Clinic found that leg pain was reduced by 80 percent after spinal decompression.
 

Increased Mobility

Spinal disease is compounded by obesity, but people with chronic back and neck pain cannot workout without distress. Weeks following the decompression will entail rest and physical therapy, but the long-term effect is to increase mobility. A 2002 study featured in Neurosurgery highlighted the benefits of decompression, stating that 94 percent of patients either returned to full, painless mobility or mobility with minimal restrictions.
 

Decreased Debility

A commonly shared fear is that of being dependent on others as the years pass. Spinal disorders, such as herniated disc, can lead to muscle weakness and atrophy and incontinence, which preclude the ability to remain in the work force. Low back pain has been cited as the second most common reason people miss work. Decreased pain and mobility will lead to the long-term benefit of the ability to continue working.

 

Dr. Michael J. Paralovos, Chiropractor at TOTALHEALTH of Naples offers spinal decompression as well as traditional chiropractic care in his North Naples office at the Greentree Professional Center.  To find out if you may benefit from spinal decompression or traditional chiropractic care visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule an appointment.

 

Article courtesy of www.livestrong.com and Juliet Wilkinson

Chiropractic Care Versus Doctor of Chiropractic

There are many misconceptions about what chiropractic is or what a chiropractor does.  To be specific, chiropractic care is one of the treatment services provided by a doctor or chiropractic (chiropractor/chiropractic physician).  This article, written by Dr. Michael J. Paralovos, Naples chiropractor, explains the differences.

Chiropractic care is best recognized as the adjustments (spinal manipulations) applied to vertebral subluxations of the spinal column.  A vertebral subluxation is best defined as fixation, stiffness or misalignment of at least one vertebra of the spine resulting in aberrant nerve impulses and spinal motion.  These adjustments come in different forms and application.  Traditionally the diversified/ manual adjustment is what people commonly think of when they hear the term chiropractic.  This maneuver can be thought of being aggressive and accompanied with an audible sound.  Other adjustments can be applied via computerized instruments, drop tables and low force manual adjustments.  The chiropractic adjustment is a powerful modality to help alleviate spinal pain, increase spinal range of motion and reduce subluxations.  Though it’s efficacy, the chiropractic adjustment is just one specialty that the chiropractor utilizes.

On the other hand the doctor of chiropractic has the privilege to work as a portal of entry provider, perform work and school physicals, provide chiropractic adjustments and perform physical therapy, make nutritional recommendations, order MRIs and other advanced diagnostic tests, order labs and refer to other healthcare providers when necessary to name but a few services.  With this being said, not all chiropractors perform exactly the same treatment.  All chiropractors have the patient’s best interest in mind but have different approaches to achieving results.  At TOTALHEALTH of Naples, chiropractic · functional rehab, we utilize traditional chiropractic adjustments along with physical therapy rehab procedures to help maximize treatment outcomes.  We also encompass spinal decompression therapy, which helps heal damaged/spinal discs without the use of chiropractic adjustments.

So the next time you hear chiropractic or chiropractor, don’t assume you’ll automatically be adjusted.  As mentioned above the chiropractor is capable of performing more than just chiropractic treatments. As research continues to validate non-allopathic healthcare expect much more from your chiropractor.

TOTALHEALTH of Naples is located in North Naples in the Greentree Professional Center.  Our chiropractor, Dr. Michael J. Paralovos is accepting new patients from the Naples area.  Please visit our website www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule your appointment today. 

*For more info on the scope of practice lookup Florida statute 460.00

7 Bad Habits That Cause Back Pain

This is a great article from www.everydayhealth.com.  It discusses the 7 bad habits to kick to prevent back pain. You may also visit a Naples chiropractor for preventative and rehabilitative back care.  TOTALHEALTH of Naples can help with lower back pain through chiropractic treatment. Visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule an appointment today.  When you're in the throes of back pain or simply want to ward it off, avoiding these habits will help protect and strengthen your back and your entire body.  The numbers are astounding: Back pain will affect 80 percent of us at some point in our lives. And whether it's a dull ache or a sharp stabbing sensation, back pain comes in all shapes and sizes.  But if you don't yet have back pain, you might be surprised to learn that an obvious injury isn't the only cause. Often it can result from repeated behaviors that stress your body.  If you're battling back pain now — or if you want to take steps to prevent an achy back — make the effort to undo these seven bad habits: Not exercising. "The failure to perform any exercise, particularly abdominal strengthening exercises, may lead to poor posture and increased low back pain," says Nancy E. Epstein, MD, chief of neurosurgical spine and education at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. and clinical professor of neurological surgery at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, N.Y. Good exercises for back pain prevention include pilates or other trunk or "core" strengthening activities that can increase stability in the back muscles. Cardiovascular exercises such as swimming, walking, and bicycling are also recommended, along with movements that improve flexibility. Bad posture. "Poor posture can add strain to muscles and put stress on the spine," says Tae M. Shin, MD, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Los Angeles. Over time, he adds, the stress of poor posture can actually change the anatomical characteristics of the spine. To avoid back injuries, try to stand with your knees slightly bent and one foot forward to take pressure off the lower back and reduce back strain. When sitting, Dr. Shin advises sitting with your hips slightly higher than your knees. Lifting incorrectly. Often back injuries occur when we try to lift heavy objects and do so incorrectly. Bend your knees and use the power of your legs, keeping the weight close to the body. Also, be sure to avoid twisting. Being overweight. Keep your weight under control for back pain prevention. "Being overweight, especially in the mid-section, shifts your entire center of gravity forward and puts additional strain on your back muscles," says Shin. Try to stay within 10 pounds of your ideal weight to avoid experiencing unnecessary back pain. Exercise and a healthy diet can help toward this goal. Smoking. Nicotine restricts the flow of blood to the discs that cushion your vertebrae and increases the rate of degenerative change, says Shin. Cigarette smoking also reduces calcium absorption and prevents new bone growth, leaving smokers with double the risk of an osteoporotic fracture compared with non-smokers. Not getting enough calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients are essential for bone strength. If you don't get enough calcium and vitamin D in your daily diet, discuss the possibility of supplements with your doctor. Being sedentary. Limiting activity as a means of pain management when you're experiencing back pain can be counterproductive. Activity increases blood flow to the affected area, decreasing inflammation and reducing muscle tension, says Shin. When you're in the throes of back pain or simply want to ward it off, avoiding these habits will help protect and strengthen your back and your entire body.  You may also visit a Naples chiropractor for preventative and rehabilitative back care.  Total Health of Naples can help with lower back pain through chiropractic treatment.  Visit www.totalhealthnaples.com or call 239.260.1426 to schedule an appointment today.  By Kristen Stewart Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH http://www.everydayhealth.com/back-pain/7-bad-habits-that-cause-back-pain.aspx

 

 

Is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Right For You?

Dr. Michael J. Paralovos, chiropractor at TOTALHEALTH of Naples Chiropractic and Functional Rehab discusses the different spinal decompression options most commonly available in Naples, FL.

To find out if you are a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression and you live in the Naples, FL area, please call TOTALHEALTH of Naples to schedule a consultation 239.260.1426 or visit our website www.totalhealthnaples.com

Non-surgical spinal decompression is an optimal alternative approach to helping sufferers of low back and neck pain caused by herniated/bulging discs and the consequences of spinal stenosis (neuroforaminal and central canal).  Currently chiropractors tend to be at the forefront of this technology and advancement in healthcare.  This is likely due to the fact that chiropractors are the leaders in non-pharmalogical/surgical spinal health and wellness.   

So what is non-surgical spinal decompression?  This technology utilizes a computerized traction system to target damaged/herniated spinal discs that are limiting the patient from normal everyday activity.  The system is programmed to affect the disc lesion at a particular level, ie. if your herniation is at the level of the fifth lumbar disc then the decompression table will be set to that area, whereas traditional traction would give a non specific stretch in the entire lumbar region.  Once programmed, the patient will undergo intermittent loading and unloading cycles over the course of 15-30 minutes.  This repetitious protocol allows for nutrients to be pumped into the damaged disc and allow for waste by-products to be expelled.  The protocol is also designed to prevent any muscle spasticity from occurring.  Treatment plans can range anywhere from daily to weekly sessions for 2-4 weeks.

Now that you are familiar with the concept non-surgical spinal decompression, let’s focus on the differences of the types of tables that are commonly used in Naples, FL.  Though there are many manufacturers of this technology these are the big three: Vax-D, DRX 9000 and the Triton DTS. 

Vax-D was the first device on the market.  The Vax-D is diverse as it allows for treatment of the cervical and lumbar discs.  It also has the capability to perform the lumbar decompression prone and supine.  Through the years it continues to show progress and continues to attract people based on its reputation and effectiveness.  Generally this service is not covered by most insurance therefore the cost to the patient can range from $2500-$5000 on average.

The DRX-9000 is yet another big player in the spinal decompression arena.  Based on a similar concept to the Vax-D, the DRX-9000 comes with more features that can WOW the patient.  It comes with a built in DVD player to help pass the time by and it is equipped with bright flashing buttons to make it appear hi-tech.  The best feature of this device is it’s capability to lower the patient from a standing to recumbent position, this is ideal for the extreme acute cases.  Unfortunately the DRX-9000 is not diverse with its patient positioning and has limited program settings.  Due to the high cost of the device and limited insurance coverage the patient can expect to pay anywhere from $3000 and up.

The third decompression device is the Triton DTS.  This machine is manufactured by Chattanooga, one of the leading physical rehab companies in the industry.  Like the Vax-D the Triton DTS allows for cervical and lumbar decompression and also has the capability to perform the lumbar decompression prone or supine.  This is the most diverse table of the three as it can swivel to target a specific side, this is a key feature as most disc herniations are not symmetrical and are usually one sided.  It can raise or lower to assist with patient mounting and dismounting.  The Triton DTS is also diverse as it has multiple programming which can be beneficial to the patient depending on their degree of pain, limitation and prognosis.  Besides the effectiveness of the device on spinal disc problems, the Triton DTS tends to have shorter treatment time as it has advanced non-surgical spinal decompression with improved technology.  Triton DTS treatment has some insurance coverage but typically is more cost effective to the patient than most non-surgical spinal decompression units on the market.

You now have some information on the different types of non-surgical spinal decompression devices that are available in Naples FL.  Dr. Michael J. Paralovos, chiropractor at TOTALHEALTH of Naples has chosen to use the Triton DTS to help his patients with back and neck pain because he believes it is superior to the competition and more cost effective.  To find out if you are a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression and you live in the Naples, FL area, please call TOTALHEALTH of Naples to schedule a consultation 239.260.1426 or visit our website www.totalhealthnaples.com

Also, check out TOTALHEALTH of Naples YouTube channel for a video demonstrating spinal decompression http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1P2Qed-f5c&feature=g-all-u as well as other videos on health and chiropractic.