FREE Lunch Talk at Portobello Banquets for You and Your Loved Ones!

Dr. Butler will be hosting a "Pain Free" lunch seminar thisFriday, June 29th for your friends and family members. This seminar will allow them to learn about the Butler Spine Program - a revolutionary new treatment that has a 90% success rate. Also, a special offer will be made at the lunch seminar to save them thousands of dollars on the cost of the program!!

The free gourmet lunch and "Pain Free" presentation will be held at Portobello's Banquets this Friday, June 29th at 11:30am. Please let all of your friends and family, who are suffering from stenosis, herniated discs, or neuropothy, know that help is on the way!

This seminar will also be available to those who have successfully completed the Butler Spine Program! There are only 12 spots remaining, so have reserve your spot today by calling us at (862) 226-0928.

Testimonials

When I first came to Dr. Butler's office, I had been to several specialists. I had undergone MRI and it was determined I had three herniated discs. One in particular was causing all the pain I have had. It was constant in the back of my right thigh and numbness in my right foot. The pain would shift depending if I was sitting or standing rapidly becoming unbearable. I had gone to doctors for consultation and epidural shots none of which worked. I was also prescribed celebrex which also was ineffective. After my last consultation I was told surgery was my only option. While searching through my medical plan website looking for doctors for surgery I saw one of Dr. Butler I also saw an ad for him in The Bergen Record Sports section. I called the office and setup an appointment. Dr. Butler explained to me how the pain was happening and what could be done to correct it. I was a bit skeptical at first but did the two complimentary treatments. After the second one, I felt a lot better the next day, I was able to move around pain free under no medication what so ever. Additionally the staff at the Oakland Spine Center is extremely friendly. I highly recommend Dr. Brad Butler and Dr. Jeff Wells to anyone that has any neck and back pain. Donald H. Ringwood, NJ

I became Dr. Butler's patient in August 2010. Before my first visit to his office, in July 2010, I was in the emergency room with herniated cervical disc, and received two epidurals: first one in the E.R., second one as a follow-up with pain management. Both times, I was told surgery, surgery, surgery. But my preferred option was a non-invasive, more natural type of treatment. I found that in Oakland Spine & Rehabilitation Center with Dr. Butler. When Dr. Butler saw me in his office for the first time I was still in pain (on the pain scale 1-10, my pain level was about 7-8) and very limited movement of my arm and my neck. Dr. Butler is very knowledgeable and a very good listener. He listened and he heard what I was saying, he explained how, what and why I was having severe pain and discomfort; he came up with the treatment plan that was appropriate for me. As of mid September 2010, I received about 12-14 treatments of laser, chiropractic adjustment, spinal decompression. I noticed end of my fourth treatment, I was moving my arm, my neck more comfortably with less pain; end of my sixth treatment I was in the plane going on vacation. After eight hours of flight, my eight-year-old neice and I were in Paris, walking, shopping, enjoying the view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower. All these could not be possible if it was not for Dr. Butler and his entire staff in Oakland Spine & Rehabilitation Center. I am very, very grateful to Dr. Butler, Dr. Wells, and the entire staff for their knowledge, their care, their help with everything and giving me my preferred option of non-invasive, natural healing type treatment. Thank you. Ayse S. Pequannock, NJ

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Impressionable Youth.
Alcohol is responsible for 4,700 deaths per year among young people under the age of 21. At least 14 studies have found that the more young people are exposed to alcohol advertising and marketing, the more likely they are to drink, or if they are already drinking, to drink more.
Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, May 2012

Health Alert: Oxygen and Cancer.
A new study suggests the primary cause of uncontrollable tumor growth in some cancers may be hypoxia (low oxygen levels in cells) and not genetic mutations, as is widely believed.
Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, May 2012

Diet: Be Careful What You Watch.
Researchers digitally removed the names of fast food chains from their commercials, showed them to young people ages 15-23, and asked them to identify which restaurant chain each commercial represented. Even after controlling for the total amount of time spent watching TV, young people whom correctly identified more than 50% of the restaurants were twice as likely to be obese compared to those whom did not.
American Academy of Pediatrics, April 2012

Exercise: Not Enough!
On average, Americans spend only about 2 hours each week participating in sports and fitness activities. The CDC recommends adults aged 18-64 get about four hours of physical activity each week by exercising moderately (ex: brisk walk) for 2.5 hours per week and engaging in a vigorous activity, such as running and muscle strengthening, for 1.5 hours per week.
American Time Use Study, May 2012

Chiropractic: Did It Move?
If there is no "popping" sound accompanying an adjustment, did the joint move? Try this: "Pop" one of your knuckles and notice how far the joint moves. Try again, and even though the joint moves just as far, there is no sound. So, whether a joint "pops" or not does not correlate with if it moved or not. Of course, it is possible that the surrounding muscles are so tight, the joint cannot be moved enough to "pop" that joint.

Wellness/Prevention: Rolling Down The Highway.
Heart attack death rates are 27% higher for people living within 100 meters of a major roadway, compared to those who live at least 1,000 meters away. Living close to a highway is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in those with underlying cardiac disease. Besides air pollution, exposure to noise could be a possible mechanism underlying this association.
Circulation, May 2012

FREE Lunch Talk at Portobello Banquets

Dr. Butler will be hosting a "Pain Free" lunch seminar next Friday, June 29th. This lunch is the ideal setting for your friends, family members or co-workers, who are suffering from stenosis, herniated discs, neuropathy or severe spinal arthritis, to learn about the Butler Spine Program - a revolutionary new treatment that has a 90% success rate. Also, a special offer will be made at the dinner to save them thousands of dollars on the cost of the program!!

The free gourmet lunch and "Pain Free" presentation will be held at Portobello's Banquets next Friday, June 29th at 11:30am. Please let all of your friends and family, who are suffering from any of these conditions, know that help is on the way! Seating is limited, so have them reserve their spot today by calling us at (862) 226-0928.

Testimonials

I became Dr. Butler's patient in August 2010. Before my first visit to his office, in July 2010, I was in the emergency room with herniated cervical disc, and received two epidurals: first one in the E.R., second one as a follow-up with pain management. Both times, I was told surgery, surgery, surgery. But my preferred option was a non-invasive, more natural type of treatment. I found that in Oakland Spine & Rehabilitation Center with Dr. Butler. When Dr. Butler saw me in his office for the first time I was still in pain (on the pain scale 1-10, my pain level was about 7-8) and very limited movement of my arm and my neck. Dr. Butler is very knowledgeable and a very good listener. He listened and he heard what I was saying, he explained how, what and why I was having severe pain and discomfort; he came up with the treatment plan that was appropriate for me. As of mid September 2010, I received about 12-14 treatments of laser, chiropractic adjustment, spinal decompression. I noticed end of my fourth treatment, I was moving my arm, my neck more comfortably with less pain; end of my sixth treatment I was in the plane going on vacation. After eight hours of flight, my eight-year-old neice and I were in Paris, walking, shopping, enjoying the view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower. All these could not be possible if it was not for Dr. Butler and his entire staff in Oakland Spine & Rehabilitation Center. I am very, very grateful to Dr. Butler, Dr. Wells, and the entire staff for their knowledge, their care, their help with everything and giving me my preferred option of non-invasive, natural healing type treatment. Thank you. Ayse S. Pequannock, NJ

When I first came to Dr. Butler's office, I had been to several specialists. I had undergone MRI and it was determined I had three herniated discs. One in particular was causing all the pain I have had. It was constant in the back of my right thigh and numbness in my right foot. The pain would shift depending if I was sitting or standing rapidly becoming unbearable. I had gone to doctors for consultation and epidural shots none of which worked. I was also prescribed celebrex which also was ineffective. After my last consultation I was told surgery was my only option. While searching through my medical plan website looking for doctors for surgery I saw one of Dr. Butler I also saw an ad for him in The Bergen Record Sports section. I called the office and setup an appointment. Dr. Butler explained to me how the pain was happening and what could be done to correct it. I was a bit skeptical at first but did the two complimentary treatments. After the second one, I felt a lot better the next day, I was able to move around pain free under no medication what so ever. Additionally the staff at the Oakland Spine Center is extremely friendly. I highly recommend Dr. Brad Butler and Dr. Jeff Wells to anyone that has any neck and back pain. Donald H. Ringwood, NJ

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Sleep Tight?
Children with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), despite little indication of short sleep from traditional measurements, were more likely to experience problems with learning, attention/hyperactivity and conduct than children without EDS. Obesity, symptoms of inattention, depression, anxiety, and asthma have been found to contribute to EDS.
Penn State, May 2012

Health Alert: Obesity Projections!
At current projections, 42% of the US population will be obese by 2030, with 11% categorized as severely obese. Severe obesity is defined as a body mass index over 40 or roughly 100 pounds overweight. $550 billion could be saved in the next 20 years just by keeping obesity rates at the current level!
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, May 2012

Diet: Protein and Diabetes.
Diabetes risk increases with higher intake of total protein and animal protein. For every 5% of calories consumed from protein instead of carbohydrate or fat, the risk of developing diabetes increased 30%. Increased animal protein intake coincided with increased intakes of saturated fat, cholesterol, and heme iron, and with increased body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Vegetable protein intake was not associated with diabetes risk.
Diabetes Care, May 2012

Exercise: Cancer and Exercise.
Physical activity is linked to lower rates of breast and colon cancer deaths. Exercise helps moderate insulin levels, reduce inflammation and possibly improve the immune response. Even though direct effects of physical activity on cancer are not definitely proven, given that physical activity is generally safe, improves quality of life for cancer patients, and has numerous other health benefits, adequate physical activity should be a standard part of cancer care.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, May 2012

Chiropractic: Interesting Anatomy.
Every organ, tissue and cell in your body requires a two-way information connection with your brain, via the nervous system. How important is your nervous system? It is the only system/organ encased in solid bone, as your skull houses your brain and your vertebra encapsulate your spinal cord.
Gray's Anatomy

Wellness/Prevention: Commutes Risk Health.
Individuals with the longest commutes are least likely to report frequently engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise, and most likely to show risk factors for poorer cardiovascular and metabolic health. Commuting more than 10 miles to work is linked with high blood pressure.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, June 2012

Low Back Pain or Hip Osteoarthritis: Which One is it?

Low back pain (LBP) can have many causes. The primary goal of the chiropractic physician is to identify the main pain generator(s) and manage the patient accordingly. This requires a careful history, examination, and often, a low back/pelvic x-ray. So, how does this work?

When first presenting for care, the patient tells us about their complaint in the history portion of our evaluation. Here, we not only ask about the main reason for their appointment or, what’s bothering them now but also their past history. We also discuss old injuries such as slips and falls, sports injuries that date back to high school, motor vehicle induced injuries, as well as family history (we ask if family members have or have had low back trouble since it’s been reported that there is a genetic link identified for osteoarthritis). We also inquire about the patient’s current activity level and how well those activates are tolerated, often using tools completed by the patient that can be scored and compared periodically during care to track the benefits of treatment. When we finally return to the primary complaint history, we ask about the location, mechanism of injury, notable changes in the course of the condition, the onset date, pain related activities that increase or decrease pain, the quality of pain, radiation patterns, severity levels (such as a 0-10 scale), and timing issues such as, worse in the mornings vs. evenings.

When patients say, “…I have low back pain,” they may point to anywhere between the lower rib cage and their hip area. In other words, everyone interprets where their low back is located differently. So, when differentiating between low back pain and hip pain, one would think that the patient would either point to their low back or their hip, right? Well, where does hip osteoarthritis usually hurt? That’s what makes it so hard! The pain location can vary and move around in the same patient anywhere in the pelvic region including the groin (which is common), to the side of the pelvis, to the buttocks, the sacrum and in the low back. To make it even more challenging, degenerative or injured disks in the lower lumbar spine can refer pain directly into the hip area and also create localized low back pain. In fact, patients often have BOTH conditions simultaneously! Usually, during examination, we move the hip in the socket and feel for reduced motion and watch for pain patterns in certain positions. When comparing the two sides, we both can feel, “…a difference between the two.” The osteoarthritic (OA) hip is comparably more tight and painful with rotation movements. For example, the patient is seated with their leg crossed, trying to touch their knee to their opposite shoulder. In the OA hip patient, they may only be able to get it half way there compared to the other side and often complain of groin pain. The “ultimate test” is the x-ray that reveals the loss of the joint space – the “cartilage interval” – which narrows on the OA hip side.

How often is hip OA found? In a recent article, after reviewing 2000 patient files and 1000 x-rays of patients 40 years or older, 19% (~1 out of 5) demonstrated x-ray findings of hip OA. THAT’S A LOT! Chiropractic management of hip OA includes mobilization, manipulation, stretching the muscles surrounding the hip joint, leg length correction (sometimes requiring heel lifts in the short leg shoe), foot orthotics if the ankles roll in too far as that causes the knees knock and hips move inwards (like a card table with the legs partially folded, making the table top – or pelvis unstable), PT modalities (like ultrasound or electric stim), exercise/stretch instruction, nutritional strategies and others. If/when the time comes, we will help set up a referral to the orthopedic surgeon for joint replacement, as any “quarterback” of your care should.

We realize you have a choice in who you choose to provide your healthcare services. 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.

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: No Emails?
Being cut off from work email significantly reduces stress and improves focus. Heart rate monitors were attached to computer users in an office setting, while software sensors detected how often they switched windows. People who read email changed screens twice as often and were in a steady "high alert" state. Those removed from email for five days reported feeling better able to do their jobs and stay on task, with fewer stressful and time-wasting interruptions.
UC Irvine and US Army, May 2012

Health Alert: Misusing Prescription Drugs At A Young Age!
The peak risk for misusing prescription pain relievers occurs in mid-adolescence, specifically about 16 years old and earlier. Clinicians and public health professionals are prescribing more pain relievers, and research suggests an increased misuse of these drugs and increased rates of overdose deaths. Each year, 1 in 60 young people (between 12-21 years old) begin using prescription pain relievers outside the boundaries of what their doctor intended.
Journal of the American Medical Association, May 2012

Diet: How Much Protein Do I Need?
For healthy adults, an estimator used for daily protein intake is 0.36 grams per 1 pound of body weight. Formula = 0.36 grams/pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 155 lbs, you should consume 56 grams of protein per day (155lbs x .36g/lbs = 56g).
Institute of Medicine, 2002

Exercise: Jogging For Life.
Jogging 1-2.5 hr/week increases the life expectancy of men by 6.2 years and women by 5.6 years. Jogging improves oxygen uptake, increases insulin sensitivity, improves lipid profiles (raising HDL and lowering triglycerides), lowers blood pressure, reduces platelet aggregation, increases fibrinolytic activity, improves cardiac function, bone density, immune function, reduces inflammation markers, prevents obesity, and improves psychological function.
EuroPRevent2012 Meeting, May 2012

Chiropractic: Get A Grip!
Nationally ranked Judo competitors experienced up to a 16% increase in grip strength after receiving a cervical spinal adjustment.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, January 2012

Wellness/Prevention: Zinc About It!
People regularly taking oral zinc may experience shorter common cold symptoms than those who do not. Higher doses appeared to have a better effect, but taking zinc for just 2-3 days seemed to have no impact at all. Common adverse events associated with zinc supplements are nausea and a bad taste.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, May 2012

Whiplash: How Do X-rays Help?

Whiplash commonly occurs as a result of a motor vehicle collision when (typically) there is a sudden stop or slow down that occurs so fast a person cannot adequately brace himself or herself, even when aware of the impending collision. This is because the “whiplash” effect is over in about 500 msec and we cannot voluntarily contract a muscle quicker than about 800 msec. The injury effect is worsened by several other factors including: 1. Small target / large “bullet” vehicle; 2. Too much seat inclination; 3. Improper headrest position; 4. A “springy” seat back; 5. A tall slender neck (females > males); and 6. Head rotation at the time of impact. Suffice it to say, in many cases, there is little one can do to avoid injury. So, how do x-rays help?

Let’s use a classic “rear-end collision” as our example. The driver (female) is seat-belted, in a small compact car, and her car is stopped in traffic. All of a sudden, the car is struck from behind by a ¾ ton pickup truck (“bullet vehicle”). Just before impact, the driver, startled by the squeal of the tires breaking suddenly, turns her head to look behind the car via the rear view mirror. Upon impact, the car is propelled forward and she feels her head accelerate back initially (50-150msec), ride over the headrest (because it was set too low) and then accelerate forwards (150-300msec), without striking the steering wheel (the air bag does not deploy). Her head returns back to an upright position (~500msec) and the she reports being “shaken up.” She visits her chiropractor and an examination reveals neck pain at the endpoints of forward and backward bending, headaches, numbness into the left arm to the thumb side of the hand and weakness in certain arm and wrist muscles. The chiropractor orders a flexion-extension cervical spine x-ray as shown below:

The x-rays are explained to the patient as follows: “…The middle image shows a reversed cervical curve when bending forwards but notice how little the spine and head have moved forwards? It hurts because the ligaments that hold the bones together have either over stretched or tore, which is called a “sprain.” If the head and neck are forced far enough forwards, then something has got to give. Either bones will fracture or, ligaments will tear, or both. When ligaments tear, the bones separate or open up greater than the levels above and below (see the 2 arrows). This creates a rather acute angle, like someone broke a stick (see the 2 arrows). Looking closely on the x-ray, the vertebra above appears to be sliding forwards (C4 over 5), which again supports torn ligaments and loss of stability.”

We realize you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, 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.

Neck and Headache Pain and Posture

Neck pain is one of the most common complaints for which patients present to chiropractic offices. Headaches are also another very common problem and often go hand-in-hand with the presence of neck pain. So, the question that is frequently asked is, “…why do headaches and neck pain often travel together?”

There are many types of headaches, some of which we have discussed previously with migraine and tension-type headaches being the most common. This month, the focus is on how headaches and the neck are related to each other and what YOU can do about it.

The relationship between neck pain and headaches is strong! In fact, in some cases, headaches will occur ONLY when the neck hurts. One reason is because the first three nerves that exit out from the top of the cervical spine (C1, 2 and 3) have to travel through the thick group of muscles that insert onto the back/base of the skull along the occipital rim. Because we carry a lot of stress in the neck muscles, when they tighten up, they squeeze or pinch those 3 nerves and pain then radiates into the back of the head and sometimes up and over the vertex to the eyes or behind the eyes. If you take your fingers or thumb and push firmly into those muscles at the very top of the neck or base of the skull, it often feels, “…like a good hurt.” This is because they are usually tight since most of us carry our head too far forwards and the muscles have to contract and constantly work to keep the head from gliding even further.

So, what can YOU do about it? Let’s talk about a few GREAT posture retraining exercises. Tuck in your chin to the point where the voice changes pitch (your voice will start to sound “funny”). At that point, release the chin slightly so the voice clears and stay in position! That is the posture or head position of choice. Initially, it will be very difficult to remember to hold that position very long because your muscles (and brain) aren’t used to it and, you’ll slip back into the old forward head carriage habit or chin poke position. So, be patient with yourself because it takes about 3 months of constant self-reminding to, “…keep that chin tucked,” before this new “habit pattern” is formed in the brain.

Another great exercise is an “offshoot” of this, where you tuck the chin in as far as you can (making a double or triple chin) holding that position for 3 seconds, and then tip the head back as far as you can without releasing the chin tuck and hold for another 3 seconds. Repeat this 2-3x / “set” and perform this multiple times per day.

A 3rd great exercise for improving the forward head carriage posture is performed by lying on your back on a bed so that the edge of the bed is at the middle of the neck and head is dangling off the bed. Take a tightly rolled up towel (a hand size towel works well) and place it under the neck so that is resting on the edge of the bed so that your head can fall back towards the floor. Take some deep breaths and concentrate on relaxing all your neck muscles. Periodically, slowly rotate your head left to right, right to left, and “feel” the different muscles stretch as you do this. If you can afford 15 minutes, that’s PERFECT! But, if you only have a few minutes it’s still GREAT!

Between maintaining a chin tuck upright posture and retraining the curve in your neck with the head hang off the bed exercise, you’ll feel (and look) much better!

We realize that you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for neck 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: Chiropractic Management

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a very common cause of chronic pain and fatigue. It’s plagued with the combination of not knowing what causes it (in many cases) and, the fact that very few treatments seem to work. Also, patients often relay information about a “bad experience” with a doctor who down plays the diagnosis or worse, outwardly denies that it even exists! This makes it all the more challenging for the patient who is simply just trying to find answers as to how to manage living with this condition.

Chiropractic offers the patient a “quarterback” or, someone who can coordinate care (when needed) from different health care providers, as well as offer the patient a very effect treatment option. In one study, chiropractic spinal manipulation was used in conjunction with ischemic compression with results measured by tracking pain, fatigue levels and sleep quality by the use of validated questionnaires completed by the patient. In this 24 FM patient trial (members were recruited from a regional Fibromyalgia Association group), the subjects had symptoms for >3 months, and a total of 30 treatment were performed. After the first 15 treatments, about 2/3rds of the subjects reported significant improvement (questionnaire score improvements of at least 50%) in the pain, fatigue and sleep quality! Even better, after 30 treatments, there was a 77% reduction in pain intensity, 64% improvement in sleep quality, and 75% reduction in fatigue level scores. Moreover, these improvements were maintained even a month after treatment ended. Also, they found that subjects with less than 35% improvement after 15 treatments did not have a satisfactory response after the 30 treatments. A trend (though not statistically significant) suggested that older subjects with more severe symptoms and chronic pain tended to do have a greater number of tender points, and responded more poorly to treatment. The conclusion reported this favorable response deserves a larger scaled study.

So, what you can expect when you arrive for treatment? The first “order of business” is to obtain your health history, paying particular attention to your specific treatment goals. This is also the time when we review your daily activities and quantify your activity tolerance so we can properly compare your current (baseline) level of function to future re-evaluations. Part of the assessment may include measuring your physical performance, although that entirely depends on your level of function at the time of the initial examination. Usually, after 2-3 treatments and after reviewing your response to the treatments, we will begin incorporating home-based exercises or if you’re already exercising, augment your current program. These exercises may include stretching, core stabilizing strengthening exercises, balance training, aerobic exercises, and others. Depending on your confidence with exercise and, of course, your goals, other forms of exercise may also be recommended such as yoga, Palates, water exercises, health club programs, and/or others. We may recommend various modalities such as electric stimulation, ultrasound, pulsed magnetic stimulation, low level laser therapy, class IV laser therapy, and/or others. A massage therapist may also be considered as part of your “management team.” Coordination of care with your primary care physician is also important. Nutritional counseling can also be highly effective and may include an anti-inflammatory diet such as a low gluten diet, and specific vitamin recommendations may include a multiple vitamin mineral, magnesium, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and/or CoQ10 (anti-oxidant). Most important is that we can facilitate as a “quarterback” with your other personal management strategies.

If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Management

In many cases, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) results strictly from overuse activities though, as we have discussed previously, other conditions such as hypothyroid, taking birth control pills, pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, certain types of arthritis, etc. can also be involved as a contributor and/or the sole cause. When these conditions are present, they must be properly treated to achieve a favorable result. However, the majority of cases are the result of a repetitive motion injury. So, the question remains: What is the role of the patient regarding activity modification during the treatment process of CTS? How important is it?

To answer this question, let’s look at a fairly common type of CTS case. In our hypothetical case, the patient is female, 52 years old, moderately obese (Body Mass Index 35 where the normal is 19-25), and works for a local cookie packing company. Her job is to stand on a line where cookies are traveling down a conveyor belt after being baked and cooled. She reaches forwards with both arms and grasps the cookies, sometimes several at a time, and places them into plastic packaging which are then wrapped and finally removed from the belt and placed into boxes located at the end of the line. Each worker rotates positions every 30 minutes. A problem can occur when other workers fall behind or when there aren’t enough workers on the line, at which time the speed required to complete the job increases.

So now, let’s discuss the “pathology” behind CTS. The cause of CTS is the pinching of the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel, located on the palm side of the wrist. The tunnel is made up of 2 rows of 4 carpal bones that form top of the tunnel while a ligament stretches across, making up the tunnel’s floor. There are 9 tendons that travel through the tunnel and “during rush hour” (or, when the worker is REALLY moving fast, trying to keep up with production), the friction created between the tendons, their sheaths (covering) and surrounding synovial lining (a lubricating membrane that covers the tendons sheaths), results in inflammation or swelling. When this happens, there just isn’t enough room inside the tunnel for the additional swelling and everything gets compressed. The inflamed contents inside the tunnel push the median nerve (that also travels through the tunnel) against the ligament and pinched nerve symptoms occur (numbness, tingling, and loss of the grip strength). The worker notices significant problems at night when her hands interrupt her sleep and she has to shake and flick her fingers to try to get them to “wake up.” She notices that only the index to the 3rd and thumb half of the 4th finger are numb, primarily on the palm side.

At this stage, the worker often waits to see if this is just a temporary problem that will go away on its own and if not, she’ll make an appointment for a consultation, often at her family doctor (since many patients don’t realize chiropractic treatments REALLY HELP this condition). In an “ideal world,” the primary care doctor first refers the patient to the chiropractor for non-surgical management. Other treatment elements include the use of a night wrist splint, ice massage over the tunnel, and possibly modality treatments such as low level laser therapy and (one of the MOST IMPORTANT) “ergonomic management.” That means work station modifications, which may include slowing down the line, the addition 1 or 2 workers, and reducing the reach requirement by adding a “rake” that pushes the cookies towards the worker/s. Strict home instructions to allow for proper rest and managing home repetitive tasks are also very important. Between all these approaches, chiropractic is HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL in managing the CTS patient, but it may require a workstation analysis.

We realize you have a choice in who you 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.

Dr. Butler pictured in "201" Magazine!

In this month's edition of Bergen County premium magazine, "201", Dr. Butler was featured with his sons, Zach and Andrew, and NJ Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello at a charity event to support the Tomorrow's Children Fund. Dr. Butler donated $1000 at the event which goes directly to supporting families who's children are being treated for cancer at the center. This is the second year Dr. Butler was invited to attend this worthy cause. If you get the magazine - keep your eyes out for their picture!

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Facebook Addiction?
According to Dr. Cecilie Schou Andreassen, some users of Facebook have developed a dependency to the social networking site. "Facebook Addiction" is more common among young people who are anxious and socially insecure, probably because those who are anxious find it easier to communicate via social media than face-to-face.
Psychological Reports, May 2012

Health Alert: Infection and Cancer.
Each year, 16.1% of the 12.7 million total new cancer cases in the world are due to infections that are largely preventable or treatable. Most of these cancer-causing infections were of the gut, liver, cervix and uterus.
The Lancet Oncology, May 2012

Diet: Black Pepper and Fat.
Black pepper has been used for centuries in traditional Eastern medicine to treat gastrointestinal distress, pain, inflammation and other disorders. A new study found that Piperin, the pungent-tasting substance that gives black pepper its characteristic taste, can block the formation of new fat cells.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, May 2012

Exercise: Strong Bones!
Osteoporosis affects more than 200 million people worldwide, yet many are unaware they are at risk. The disease has been called the silent epidemic because bone loss occurs without symptoms and the disease is often first diagnosed after a fracture. Osteoporosis is more common in women, but men also develop it, usually after age 65. Young men who play volleyball, basketball or other load-bearing sports for 4 hours a week or more may gain protection from developing osteoporosis later in life. Men who increased their load-bearing activity from age 19-24 not only developed more bone, but also had larger bones compared to men who were sedentary during the same period. Bigger bones with more mass are thought to offer a shield against osteoporosis.
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, May 2012

Chiropractic: A Ringing Endorsement!
"I came to the point where I wanted an adjustment every day. I believe in Chiropractic."
~ Evander Holyfield, 4x World Heavyweight Boxing Champion

Wellness/Prevention: Ancient Remedy Slows Prostate Problems.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, or CAPE, is a compound isolated from honeybee hive propolis, the resin used by bees to patch up holes in hives. If you feed CAPE to mice with prostate tumors, their tumors will stop growing. After several weeks, if you stop the treatment, the tumors will begin to grow again at their original pace.
Cancer Prevention Research, May 2012

Join Us for Our T-Shirt and Hat GIVE-AWAY!!

To say thank you to all of our wonderful patients, we will be hosting our very first T-Shirt and Hat GIVE-AWAY! Come in this Friday, June 8th, to pick up your very own Oakland Spine and Rehab T-Shirt or Hat!

As always,
The Staff at Oakland Spine and Rehab