Headaches and Migraines "Story"

People are often surprised when I tell them a good percentage of my patients are being treated for headaches and migraines. The truth of the matter is that there is often correlation between headaches and neck pain. Misalignments of the vertebrae in the upper neck will often feel more like a headache at the base of the skull. Chiropractic adjustments are very effective at treating these types of conditions.

Another common condition is the forward head posture. When the head sits forward from it's ideal alignment above the shoulders, it stresses the neck muscles that hold your head up. At 1 inch forward, a 10 pound head takes 20 lbs of tension to hold up. At 2 inches forward it becomes 30 lbs. and so on. Often the pain is felt at the base of the skull where these muscles attach. This can also be felt as tension at the temples or around the entire forehead. Chiropractic adjustments can help re-align your spine and head and reduce this abnormal tension.

Migraines are a different story. They often start as a visual disturbance such as spots or tunnel vision, then the pain hits. A true migraine will often be so severe that the patient cannot function, cannot work or think, and usually ends up in a dark room for much of the day due to light sensitivity. Nausea and vomitting is not uncommon. If you ask a doctor what causes a migraine, you usually get something about dilation of the blood vessels in the head creating pressure and pain. This is a "what" and not a "why".

Why migraines occur is not yet fully understood, but figuring out and reducing the triggers is the quickest way to reduce their occurence and severity. The more common trigers are certain foods including chocolate and wine. In women, hormonal imbalances are often triggers during certain phases of their menstrual cycle. Physical stress and/or emotional stress can also trigger a migraine. Stress to the neck as described earlier is often a big factor. Once these triggers are found and delt with, reduction of symptoms by 50% or more is often seen.

As you can see, all of these factors can contribute to the patients' condition to various degrees. One can have a food trigger, as well as a hormonal, and seasonal allergy trigger. When a patient only gets an adjustment, without a consultation and evaluation, they are being treated like a machine that needs to be fixed. They are not being treated like a person with a multifaceted condition. Make sure your chiropractor is a doctor and not just a "mechanic".

So, what is your headache "story"?

Low Back Pain "Story"

A funny thing happened this week. We received 5 calls this past Monday all from people in severe low back pain. Our office always takes in low back patients, but it was unusual that they all called in on Monday. By Thursday, they were all doing significantly better. I know chiropractic care is effective, but sometimes it even amazes me how fast it can work.

I believe that the biggest reason we get great results is because I listen to your "story". Anyone can take a history on a patient to find out that they have low back pain. It takes patience and persistence for a doctor to find out that someone's low back pain first started 12 years ago after lifting a suitcase, and the pain was initially on the left side, but now is on the right side and it goes down the right leg to just past the knee, with left big toe numbness that has been there for 12 years, and that there has been six or seven episodes in that time frame, and that some relief was found initially through physical therapy, but now the pain came back. Other very important information includes what position the patient sleeps in, and on what type of mattress, what type of exercise do they like to do (if any), what sports did the patient play in high school or college, and how much of the patient's current job involves prolonged sitting or constant lifting?

I must say it is a little disconcerting when a new patient comes in my door and immediately lays down on the table for an adjustment. Invariably these patients have been to another chiropractor, who obviously did not talk to them much at all, much less find out their "story".

With all of the advice you can get from late-night infomercials, pharmaceutical companies, or shoe and mattress sales people, ask yourself this:
do they know your "story"?

Newfound respect for Will Ferrel, George Bush, and Oprah

Just finished the Grand Rapids Marathon. Unofficial time: 5 hrs 27 min. As much as I am happy with my time, it was far behing Will Ferrel, George Bush, P Diddy, and Oprah. I started my run with the Al Gore pace team (he did it in just under 5 hrs). I think I saw that Will Ferrel did it under 4!
New at the marathon was the addition of pickle juice as a refreshment. I understand there is some value to all the electrolytes in pickle juice, but I could not bring myself to drink some out of fear of an upset stomach.

I hope this inspires people to aim high with their health and fitness goals. I am not genetically made for running, but I did it. Start small and build upon it. You might surprise yourself. Just do it!

Marathon

Well, my first marathon is now only a few days away. The big question is: am I ready?
My answer: I don't know. I've never done a marathon before.
My gut says that I am ready, although my gut also told me that 19 miles was enough about a month ago. ( a marathon is 26.2 miles).
Wether or not I do well, I am sure that I will finish.

I would like to thank my wife Sheri Beth for her support during my training. She has offered me both encouragement and accountability throughout the past 8 months. She also happens to watch over our daughter while I take up to 5 hours to run on the weekend. Thanks honey.

One final pitch for the Anticancer Fund. You still have time to call the office and pledge money for this worthy cause. Like I've been saying all along, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but it's easier to profit from the pound of cure. We need more studies done on how diet and lifestyle changes can make a difference in cancer prevention. That's what the Anticancer Fund does. Our office number is (616) 301-3000.

I have never been much of a runner myself, and I hope that maybe I have inspired others to start running. If you are thinking about it, you can check out this video on stretches for runners. I shot it last week at John Collins Park in East Grand Rapids, on a beautiful but unseasonably warm October day. Hope this weather holds out for my big run!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMV6-KzV_WY

Running

I must admit I really don't like running long distances. Running around Reeds Lake here in East Grand Rapids is pleasant enough. Now that the weather is cooling off, it has truly been ideal (when it's not raining).

Being a Chiropractor, I can't help but analyze gait patterns in my fellow runners (occupational hazard). It comes as no surprise to me that more 50% of all runners are injured at any given time. Low arches, high arches, and internal or external rotation of the foot, ankle and hip can transfer their poor biomechanics up the lower body chain to the pelvis and spine and create low back pain, sacroliac pain, sciatica, and even upper back and neck pain. This is not new information for the seasoned runner. Many physical therapists and shoe stores offer gait analysis, often for free. What often is lacking however, is a postural analysis.

Yes, posture is even more important when you are running. Who knows about good posture? I can tell you from experience that the average person is so far off, that they could not attain good posture if you asked them to. Standing up straight is not enough. How do you know if you are straight enough? How far does your head protrude out from over your shoulder? Are your shoulders aligned in front of or in back of your pelvis? How much is your pelvis tilted? Do you have too much curve, or maybe not enough curve in your low back? Most Chiropractors can give you this information with a simple postural analysis.

If you have had physical therapy and still have low back pain, or the back pain has been on and off for years, or you even have had spinal surgery and the pain has come back, a Chiropractor usually can help.

That's my two cents for today. Now it's off to see patients. Have a great day!

Anticancer tip #4 Tumeric

Anticancer Tip #4: Tumeric is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory food known to man today. It helps stimulate apoptosis (self destruction) in cancer cells and inhibits angiogenesis (tumor growth). Recent studies suggest that it can also enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Assimilation into the human body is best when combines with black pepper. Mix ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder with a generous pinch of black pepper into a little olive oil for an anticancer dressing for salad or basmati rice.
Research such as this is far too uncommon today. You can’t patent turmeric, so there is little financial incentive to perform scientific studies on it. Please consider pledging money for my first marathon run to raise funds and awareness for Anticancer.

AntiCancer Tip #3

Eat more omega 3 fatty acids. A lack of this essential nutrient has been associated with increased inflammatory reactions in the body. Recent studies suggest that cancer thrives and tumor growth is promoted under these conditions. Good sources of omega 3 fatty acids are salmon, flaxseed oil, and free range chicken eggs.

Studies such as these are few and far between. You can't patent flaxseed oil or salmon, so there is little financial incentive to research them. To help ensure studies such as these continue, please consider donating to the Anticancer Fund. Dr. Schafer is running his first marathon taking pledges to keep the research going.