Can You Lose 25 Pounds Before May 1st?

This is it - there are two months left before the clothes get smaller and tighter. Are you ready? Do you have a plan? Is the "WHY?" big enough? For me, it's now or never. As many of you, who have been patients of mine for a while, know, I have been at the forefront of wellness for the last 15 years. I have trained with elite doctors in various fields, spoken at seminars all over the country, and contributed to 2 NY Times Bestselling Books. Because of my involvement and training, more often then not, I could share with you cutting edge information long before it became mainstream.

Well, over the last two years I have pulled back in many areas of my life. Some where for a good reason and have paid off; one of which was MY WELL BEING. I have been just like everyone else you know ..... BUSY. In fact, I allowed my "busy" life to get in the way of what should be most important to me - My Health. The truth is it doesn't matter what's going on in someone's life - there's no excuse for getting sloppy. And that's what I allowed to happen to me. Does that sound familiar? Do you know anyone (maybe yourself) who doesn't feel or look as good as they should? Well, with 50% of our country heading toward obesity - there must be a lot of it going on. What are you going to DO about it (notice I emphasize the word "do")?

First, take an inventory of your life. I am not going to guess how you feel and what areas of your life are being affected by your weight/fitness, but I can share with you some of the things that put me over the edge. Here is a small list (does it sound familiar?) - everything hurt on some level (hips, back, knees, shoulders, etc), fatigue - getting tired throughout the day and feeling like I needed another cup of coffee all the time, sleeping poorly - waking up throughout the night and in the morning not feeling refreshed in any way, skin changes, getting 'winded' walking my dog up the slightest hill, frequently irritated eyes', NOT ABLE TO WEAR 1/2 THE CLOTHES IN MY WARDROBE (that's a good hint, right?), having a difficult time bending over to put on my socks and shoes' (was there something in the way?), etc. There are other ways my body told me it was time, but the list goes on.

Second, ask "HOW?". There's a VERY important concept that everyone needs to know. It's called Mirror Imaging. We use it in the practice when we are helping people to get better physically and with their spine, but the same can be said about lifestyle. In our first book, Body by God, we discussed how we researched Sumo Wrestlers to see how in the world they are able to gain so much weight so rapidly. The idea was to show the readers that Sumo Wrestlers are the best at GAINING weight so if you want to LOSE weight - just do the opposite or "mirror image". What most people do is they eat very high calorie meals that combine too much carbs, proteins and fats. In addition, whether we are busy or not, we seem to eat few meals during the day. And finally, we usually eat those meals and stop moving physically. Guess what - that's what Sumo Wrestlers do. The eat a maximum of two times per day. Each meal is HUGE (tons of different kinds of foods mixed together) and as soon as they are done - they take a nap. What does that equal? FAT gain.

Third is to have a SMART PLAN. Most people have a dumb plan - they say "On Monday it's all gonna change. I'm going to stop eating this and that, drink more water and go to the gym.". But the truth is - most normal people can't handle that. Just like in healing you have to remember - YOUR BODY REQUIRES TIME TO CHANGE. The reason soooooo many people fail with diet and exercise is that they try to do too much at once. The solution is to make small changes at a time and then to add changes as you get going. For example, I will not have any alcohol during the week. Think about how easy it is to have one or two glasses of wine. Those are empty sugar calories that go straight to the gut. Also, no more desert at night (Ben and Jerry Heathbar crunch be damned!). I have cut out my 3rd cup of coffee for the day as well. I will do this for a full week and then the next week I will begin back at the gym. Small changes are easier, more relaxing and simpler to stick to. So give it a try. I don't have to tell you what to eat - you already know. I don't have to tell you what NOT to eat or drink - you know that, too. And finally, I don't have to tell you that moving is better then not moving. You just have to DO!

One more thing - it helps to hold yourself accountable. My staff will split $1000.00 if I don't lose 25 pounds before May 1st. It's written in the office - right above their time cards. My goal is to keep the money - I am motivated!!

Watching your back,
Dr. Brad
201-651-9100

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: A Broken Heart?
Patients with broken heart syndrome, also known as apical ballooning syndrome (ABS), have blood vessels that don't react normally to stress. ABS affects mainly postmenopausal women. Symptoms mimic a heart attack, but heart arteries show no blockages and no permanent damage. In ABS patients, rather than blood vessels getting bigger to provide more blood during mental stress, blood vessels get smaller and prevent blood from going where it's needed. ABS is associated with severe mental or emotional stress, like death of a spouse or family member, divorce, and claustrophobia. For most, heart function returns to normal in a few weeks.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, November 2010

Health Alert: Deceptive Food Labels.
Current FDA labeling protocol prevents the public from knowing the true amount of trans fat in their food products. This may cause individuals to exceed the daily recommended value of 1.11 grams of trans fat from processed foods and lead to adverse long-term health side effects. Current law requires that fat content of more than five grams be listed in one gram increments, less than five grams be listed in .5 gram increments, and lower than .5 grams as containing zero grams. So, if a product has .49 grams of trans fat, the label can list the trans fat content as zero! Despite what seems to be a small amount of trans fat to ingest, increasing daily trans fat consumption from .9% - 2.1%, or from 2 grams to 4.67 grams, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30%.
American Journal of Health Promotion, January 2011

Diet: Get Your Vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency could be linked to the development and severity of certain autoimmune lung diseases, (lupus and type 1 diabetes). Those with connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency - 52% vs 20%.
Chest, January 2011

Exercise: Exercise Combats Chronic Diseases.
Regular activity can help prevent or manage high blood pressure, boosts HDL or "good" cholesterol while decreasing triglycerides (this lowers plaque build-up in arteries), and can help prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers.
Mayo Clinic

Chiropractic: What Is Double Crush?
If there is irritation of a nerve root in the neck, as that nerve passes into the arm, it passes through several muscles and joints before it enters the hand. If the already irritated nerve then has a "secondary stress", there may be regional symptoms at that location. That second insult to the nerve is the "double crush" phenomenon. When a chiropractor adjusts the neck and the nerve root becomes less irritated, the secondary symptoms can resolve. This is true for entrapment syndromes (developed from associated muscle adhesions or "trigger points").

Wellness/Prevention: Lower Your Risk.
Consistent exercise (30-minute walk every day) lowers the risk of colon cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other cancers. Those who exercised consistently for at least 10 years had the lowest risk of all.
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, December 2010

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms appear to be associated with longer-term physical (headache, tinnitus), emotional (irritability) and cognitive (diminished concentration or memory) symptoms. Conversely, concussion/mild traumatic brain injuries do not appear to have long-term negative effects on troops.
Archives of General Psychiatry, January 2011

Health Alert: Vegetables Can Help Win The War.
33% of US children are either overweight or obese. Children who grow vegetables alongside their parents eat them regularly and with gusto. 93% believe children who engage in vegetable gardening with their parents are more likely to take an interest in eating vegetables.
Burpee Garden Company, January 2011

Diet: Fueling The Body On Fat.
When energy levels within cells drop, it sets off a series of events designed to increase the amount of calorie-rich dietary fat the body will absorb. This energy reset mechanism is critical for survival under natural conditions of scarcity to ensure a steady supply of fuel. Thousands of years ago, this would have been crucial, now it's trouble because we eat so much fatty food. This process takes place on a daily basis even when there is already plenty of fat stored in the body. Obesity is all about fat absorption and storage, if you could turn that down, you could have a major effect on a disease that is slowly killing the population.
Cell Metabolism, January 2011

Exercise: Want To Lose Weight?
When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn -- and the easier it is to keep your weight under control. You don't even need to set aside major chunks of time for working out. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk during your lunch break. Do jumping jacks during commercials. Better yet, turn off the TV and take a brisk walk. Dedicated workouts are great, but physical activity you accumulate throughout the day helps you burn calories, too.
Mayo Clinic, January 2011

Chiropractic: Let There Be Music!
There is a high rate of injury to professional classical musicians and teachers that can be disruptive to practice and potentially threatening to top careers, with females and string players at particular risk. The majority of injuries were to the shoulder and proximal thoracic spine and the absence of injuries in amateur players suggests a relationship to overuse. The use of postural and ergonomic programs and chiropractic treatment programs for classical musicians and teachers could decrease the risk of injury.
Clinical Chiropractic, June 2004

Wellness/Prevention: Decrease Prostate Cancer Risk.
Prostate cancer affects one in six men; it is the most commonly diagnosed male cancer. Any type of regular exercise improved survival, regardless of intensity. Walking at least 90 minutes per week at a normal or brisk pace decreased risk by 46%. Those who engaged in at least three hours of intensive exercise each week had a 61% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer.
Journal of Clinical Activity, January 2011

Could a Laser Save Your Life??

"How can a Laser save someone's life? Well, over the years I have seen tens of thousands of patients who have seen chronic pain ruin their lives. I have seen families break up, jobs lost leading to poverty and loss of homes, and severe drug addictions develop. So, literally, those people LOST their Lives. One of the major contributors I have seen that has prevented people from regaining their lives is a FEAR OF TRYING SOMETHING UNCONVENTIONAL. More people have succumbed to the pressure the doctor put on them to undergo pain management and/or surgery then I can believe ---- and have forever regretted it. Why do we fear things we are unfamiliar with? In many cases - if we could just get over the fear and DO IT, it would make ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. Read the following quote I keep by my desk, "Face and get through your fears and the world will open up. Give into your fears and the world will get smaller around you".

There is NEW HOPE for those people you know who suffer from chronic pain, sciatica, herniated discs and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - It's the New Life Laser! Oakland Spine and Rehab is now NJ's only New Life Laser Center. The laser therapy does what no other therapy can do - It reduces pain and stimulates accelerated healing. It is most effective for people with chronic pain conditions, but is also helpful for acute injuries and tendonitis. If you have someone you know who suffers - PLEASE HELP THEM TO STOP THE MEDICATIONS. They can hear about this therapy on our website OR EVEN BETTER.... refer them in to our office for a FREE CONSULTATION to see if New Life is right for them.

Watching your back,
Dr. Brad
201-651-9100

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Burned Out!
"We found that physicians, particularly residents, had less job satisfaction and personal support than nurses or nurse anesthetists. The results showed that physicians, especially younger ones, had higher levels of cynicism and emotional exhaustion and are at a high risk of burnout. Our data suggest that burnout is evident in approximately one half of the chairs of academic anesthesiology departments." 34% reported high job satisfaction currently. 28% reported extreme likelihood of stepping down as a chair in one to two years. 28% also met the criteria for high burnout, and 31% were in the moderately-high burnout category.
The Stroke Association

Health Alert: Alcoholism Risk Linked To Obesity Risk!
The link between a family history of alcohol dependency and obesity risk has become more prominent over the last few years. A higher percentage of males and females with a family history of alcoholism were found to be obese in 2002 than in 1992. 15% of the US population was obese in the late 1970s, compared to 33% in 2004. An obese individual has a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension, several cancers, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. What we eat now has more calories than the food we ate in the 70s and 80s, but it also contains the sorts of calories - particularly a combination of sugar, salt and fat - that appeal to what are commonly called the reward centers in the brain."
Archives General Psychiatry, 2010

Diet: Fad Dieters Fatter?
The 'best' diet is one that is sustainable, flexible and results in long-term weight loss. People who go on gimmicky quick-fix diets often regain the weight quickly and many end up heavier than they were to start with. Fad diets are a sure path to disappointment, so avoid them. Traits of successful weight losers include reducing fat intake, eating breakfast every day, weighing in at least weekly, limiting television time to less than 10 hours per week, and exercising for around an hour each day.
Dietitians Association of Australia, January 2011

Exercise: Exercise Yourself To Sleep.
Struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep? It might help to boost your physical activity. A good night's sleep can improve your concentration, productivity and mood. Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep.
Mayo Clinic

Chiropractic: That's A Lot Of Bones!
Here is a fun fact: there are 206 bones in the human skeleton. Chiropractors use bones as levers to adjust joints to keep them moving properly.
Journal of Manipulative Physiology Therapy, 1991

Wellness/Prevention: No More Sugar!
Sweetened drinks are the primary source of added sugar in the daily diet of children. Each 12-ounce serving of a carbonated, sweetened soft drink contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. A child who consumes one can of regular soda needs to walk 45 minutes just to burn it off. Waters, low-fat milk, and pure fruit are all healthier alternatives to sugar-sweetened drinks.
Nationwide Children's Hospital, January 2011

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Stroke And Stress.
Seven million British adults could be at risk of stroke. 15% in the UK citizens consider themselves extremely stressed, 20% of women and 10% of men. High blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke and alongside a bad diet and lack of exercise, high levels of stress are a key contributor to raising blood pressure. 20% admitted they did not exercise, and 20% exercised only 30 minutes once a week. Middle aged people (45-54 year olds) are at an increased risk of stroke, with 25% admitting to never exercising, as well as having the highest levels of stress across all age groups - with 50% claiming to be more than 'moderately stressed'. 40% of the British public is not even aware of the link between exercise and stroke prevention.
The Stroke Association

Health Alert: Don't Have A Heart Attack!
Heart disease is the #1 killer today in the US and 60% of the time there are no warning signals! Simply put it is time to exercise, eat right and decrease your stress.
The American Heart Association

Diet: Omega-3 Benefit.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) consumption may show a reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline.
Nutrition Reviews, December 2010

Exercise: Race Against Age.
Impairments to health and physical performance are not primarily a result of aging but of unfavorable lifestyle habits and lack of exercise. Physically active elderly people have a life expectancy 4 years higher than non active people.
Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, AlphaGalileo Foundation, December 2010

Chiropractic: Immune Boost!
Chiropractic Adjustments give your immune system a boost by increasing the activity of phagocytes (helpful microorganisms that engulf and destroy invasive organisms).
Journal of Manipulative Physiology Therapy, 1991

Wellness/Prevention: Smoking May Thin The Brain.
Brain imaging studies have reported tobacco smoking is associated with large-scale and wide-spread structural brain abnormalities. The cerebral cortex is an area of the brain responsible for important higher-order functions, including language, information processing, and memory. Reduced cortical thickness has been associated with normal aging, reduced intelligence, and impaired cognition. Smokers exhibited cortical thickness measurements negatively correlated with the amount of cigarettes smoked per day and the magnitude of lifetime exposure to tobacco smoke.
Biological Psychiatry, Dec 2010

Whiplash: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury - What's That?

When you woke up today, you thought this was like any other Tuesday. You packed the kid's lunches and off to school they went. You're on your way to work and everything is on schedule- it's a good day! You are stopped at a red light when out of nowhere, someone crashes into the back end of your car and you feel your head snap back over the headrest and then bounce forwards, almost hitting the steering with your forehead. Everything goes blank for a second or two. "What just happened?" Initially, you're in "shock," and after checking to make sure you're not bleeding, you notice that your neck and head are hurting in a way that's new to you. When the police arrive and start asking you questions about what had happened, you try to piece together the sequence of events of the collision but you're not quite sure how it all fits together. Your memory just isn't real clear. Within the first few days, sig nificant neck pain and headache overshadow everything else but you begin to notice that you're ability to "think clearly" is just not quite right. Your memory seems fuzzy, you lose your train of thought easily, sometimes in the middle of a discussion, and you are tired - really tired! Taking a nap several times a day is needed. The other day, you were discussing a project with a group of co-workers and you had to ask "...now where was I?" several times during the discussion as you lost your place in the middle of a thought.

Mild traumatic brain injury or, MTBI, is exactly what is described above. Many patients do not even mention these things to their chiropractor when they present after a car crash as it's hard to describe these symptoms and many feel it's just because they are tired or upset about the accident. When directly asked if any of these symptoms exist, the patient is often surprised and say, "...how did you know?" They are even more surprised when they learn there is an actual reason and explanation for feeling this way. Most of the time, the patient has to be asked if these symptoms exist! This is actually "normal" behavior for those suffering from MTBI.

To better understand how this occurs, think of the more catastrophic situation where the person hits their head to the point of creating an internal bleed and is unconscious. In this case, it's easier to appreciate the presence of a "brain injury." With severe head trauma, the person usually has significant memory loss, having no memory of the accident and maybe worse, not being able to recognize family or friends. Losing the memory of days, weeks, months or years of time is common with these severe head injuries. However, in MTBI, there is less bruising to the brain and consequently, there are less severe symptoms. Though the symptoms are similar, MTBI is in a way, a mild form of the above. With MTBI, the person does NOT have to hit their head on anything to bruise the brain. This is because the speed at which the head is propelled forward and back literally slams the brain into the inside walls, creating th e bruising. Because the brain is suspended inside our skull, damage to some of the nerve cells occurs, most commonly the brain stem, the frontal lobe and/or the temporal lobe. Depending on which part of the brain is injured, the physical findings may include problems with walking, balance, coordination, strength/endurance, as well as difficulties with communicating ("cognitive deficits"), processing information, memory, and altered psychological functions. Recognizing these symptoms and managing MTBI in a coordinated approach with a neuropsychologist is sometimes needed.

We realize that you have a choice in where you seek help for your health care needs and we truly appreciate your consideration in allowing us to help you through that potentially difficult process.

Neck Pain - Can Chiropractic Really Help?

Neck pain is a very common problem affecting up to 70% of the adult population at some point in life. Though there are specific causes of neck pain such as arising from a sports injury, a car accident or "sleeping crooked," the vast majority of the time, no direct cause can be identified and thus the term nonspecific is applied. There are many symptoms associated with patients complaining of neck pain and many of these symptoms can be confused with other conditions. Wouldn't it be nice to know what neck related symptoms are most likely to respond to chiropractic manipulation before the treatment has started? This issue has been investigated with very favorable results!

The ability to predict a favorable response to treatment has been termed, "clinical prediction rules" which in general, are usually made up of combinations of things the patient says and findings from exams. In a large study, data from about 20,000 patients receiving about 29,000 treatments, was collected and analyzed to find out what complaints responded well to chiropractic treatment. The results showed that the presence of any 4 of these 7 presenting complaints predicted an immediate improvement in 70-95% of the patients: 1. Neck pain; 2. Shoulder, arm pain; 3. Reduced neck, shoulder, arm movement; 4. Stiffness; 5. Headache; 6. Upper, mid back pain, and 7. None or one presenting symptom. Items not associated with a favorable immediate response included "numbness, tingling upper limbs," and "fainting, dizziness and light-headedness in 4-12% of the patients. The "take-home" message here is that was far more common to see a favorable response (70-95%) of the patients compared to an unfavorable response (4-12%), supporting the observation that most patients with neck complaints will respond favorably to chiropractic treatment.

So, what do we do as chiropractors when a patient presents with neck pain? First, after gathering preliminary information such as name, address and insurance information, a history of the presenting complaint is taken. This consists of information including what started the neck complaint (if you know), when it started, what makes it worse, what makes it better, the quality of pain (aches, stiff, numb, etc.), the location and if there is radiating complaints, the severity (0-10 pain scale), timing (such as worse in the morning, evening, etc.), and if there have been prior episodes. Various questionnaires are included that are scored so improvement down the road can be tracked and a past history that includes a medication list, past injuries or illnesses, family history and a systems review are standard. The exam includes vital signs (BP, pulse, height, weight, temperature and respiration), palpation, range of motion, ort hopedic and neurological examination. X-ray and/or other "special tests" may also be included, when needed. A review of all the findings are discussed and after permission to treat is granted, a chiropractic adjustment may then be rendered. A list treatment options may include: 1. Adjustments; 2. Soft tissue therapy (trigger point stimulation, myofascial release); 3. Physical therapy modalities; 3. Posture correction exercises and other exercises/home self-administered therapies; 4. Education about job modifications; 5. Co-management with other health care providers if/when needed.

We realize you have a choice in healthcare providers. If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

Fibromyalgia Facts

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that is characterized by widespread, generalized pain "all over" the body that does not follow any specific anatomical pathway like the course of a nerve, muscle, or blood vessel. It is often diagnosed only after all other conditions have been eliminated by using various testing approaches such as blood tests, x-ray, CT or MRI Scans, and others. Controversy exists between health care providers (HCP's) as some believe that FM either doesn't exist at all or if it does, it's grossly over diagnosed while others feel most patients have some form or degree of FM. Because of this common split in beliefs, patients may be treated poorly by those non-believing HCP's, which often alienates them from seeking further care for FM.

Recent literature suggests FM is disorder of "central pain processing" or, a specific situation where the pain threshold (the point where pain is felt) is reached sooner than what is normal. Fibromyalgia has been classified into 2 separate groups - primary and secondary FM. Primary FM is diagnosed when no known cause can be identified while secondary FM is related to a specific cause such as a disease or condition. Conditions that have been reportedly associated with FM include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), TMJ (jaw disorders), chronic low back pain, and headaches. There are genetic as well as environmental factors associated with FM. Researchers have found that there is a strong familial component with 1st degree relatives where an 8 fold greater risk of developing FM compared to the general population exists. These people are also more likely to have one of the other associated conditions previously menti oned (IBS, TMJ, headaches). Environmental factors can lead to FM in 5-10% of the cases. Some of these include physical trauma such as car accidents, following infections such as parvovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and Lyme disease. Psychological stress, hormonal alterations such as hypothyroid, drug side effects, vaccination reactions and certain catastrophic events such as war are included in the "environmental factors" category. Gender differences include woman being 2-3 times more likely to suffer from FM than men.

So, what are the treatment options for FM? Typically, if you go to a medical doctor, you can expect various forms of drug therapy - possibilities include anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, and sleep aids but with these, watch out for grogginess, side effects and some habit forming/dependency problems. Pain killers or analgesics - opioides are NOT appropriate but often prescribed and narcotics can also be habit forming. Tylenol is perhaps the safest but is not very effective. Anti-inflammatory include aspirin, ibuprofen but watch for stomach irritation and blood thinning problems. Dr. Christopher Morris, MD reports that drug treatments for FM have, "...very limited success in providing significant improvement in most patients." He recommends behavior modification for sleep improvement, exercise (walking, water exercises, strength training, yoga, tai chi, Qi Gong), as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, massage therapy , chiropractic, acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnosis, and dietary modification. Examples of dietary changes include avoiding foods with certain additives including MSG (monosodium glutamate) and aspartame where in one study, "complete resolution" of FM symptoms was reported.

Patients with FM NEED a "quarterback" to guide them in their management of FM and chiropractic is the PERFECT choice as many of these holistic approaches are utilized or can be coordinated through our office.

We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment planning and realize you have a choice of providers. If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Nerve Gliding Exercises

There are many different exercises that can be done for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and we've discussed some of these in the past.

To understand "why" gliding exercises are helpful, let's review the anatomy. There are 9 tendons that move through the narrow carpal tunnel at the wrist. This confined space is literally jammed full and when we move our hands and fingers in a fast, repetitive manner, we produce friction and therefore heat between the tendons that attach the muscles in the forearm to the fingers in the hand. These tendons are in "sheaths" that wrap around the tendon and provide lubrication for the sliding tendon. If the friction/heat builds up too quickly, swelling occurs, which increases the pressure inside the confined space of the carpal tunnel. The median nerve sits on top of all these sheathed tendons and when they expand or swell, the nerve gets pushed up into the roof of the tunnel (the transverse carpal ligament). An analogy would be a river or lake rising to a point where a bridge that goes over the river is eventuall y engulfed by the rising water. Any object under the bridge would get pushed into the bottom of the bridge (which would represent the median nerve being pinched up against the bridge, or transverse carpal ligament. When nerves are pinched, depending on how hard the pinch, there is numbness, weakness, pain and tingling. If the nerve is damaged, the symptoms are more severe. Therefore, in treating CTS, a combination of ice massage over the carpal tunnel (for about 5 minutes or until numb), chiropractic joint manipulation, a splint at night to prevent wrist bending (which increases CT pressure) and EXERCISE are very important. Follow our recommendations as the when to start the exercises - too soon may actually irritate CTS more!

The concepts behind gliding exercises include: 1. Break up adhesions that form between the sliding tendons and their sheaths; 2. Move blood and other fluids OUT of the tunnel; 3. Improve the range of movement of the wrist and fingers joints. So here they are:

1. FINGER EXTENSIONS: a. Hold the arm out straight at shoulder height (near a wall); b. Rotate your arm so the palm faces downwards; c. Bend the wrist backwards as hard as possible by pressing the palm of the hand against the wall. d. Reach over with the opposite hand, grab the thumb and pull back so that a firm "good hurt" stretch is felt in the forearm and HOLD for 5-10 seconds. Repeat this 3 times, pulling the thumb a little harder each time. Repeat this on both sides (so you can see what the difference is in terms of flexibility) 3x/day or as directed.
2. BEAR CLAW to FULL FIST: a. Same start position as "1"; b. bend the wrists back & fingers pointing up, so that the palms face away from you and open up the fingers & thumb (the "high 5" position); c. Flex/bend only the tips of your fingers keeping the base of the finger knuckles straight ("Bear Claw"); hold 5 seconds and then repeat a. & b. but change "c" so that you make a full fist by bending all the hand joints; hold 5 seconds and repeat the entire cycle 3 times (hand open - bear claw - hand open - full fist x3) and repeat multiple times a day or as directed.

We realize you have a choice in who consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend or family member require care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services.