Neck Pain and Smoking – What’s the Connection?

There is a lot of convincing peer reviewed literature (research) that supports chiropractic as one of the first and best courses of care to consider when choosing a treatment option for neck pain and headaches. This is because there is low risk, few rare side-effects, and most importantly, IT REALLY WORKS! But, there are other considerations in the management of neck and headache pain that perhaps we haven’t thought about. One is smoking.

There are several convincing studies that have looked at the exposure to tobacco smoke and smoking in terms of its effect on neck pain. Let’s look at some statistics. One study reported that as many as 213 per 1000 people reported neck pain. The 12-month prevalence of neck pain ranged between 30-50% of which activity-limiting pain was reportedly as high as 11.5%. Women were found to be more at risk than men which peaks in middle age. Risk factors for neck pain include genetics, poor psychological health, and EXPOSURE TO TOBACCO. Interestingly, smoking/exposure to tobacco is listed as a risk factors but disk degeneration is not! Researchers also pointed out that the use of equipment made to prevent injury to the head/neck such as helmets and face shields was NOT associated with increased risk for neck injury in bicycling, hockey or skiing as some have suggested that wearing protective head gear increases vulnerability to injury. THIS IS NOT THE CASE, so wear your helmet! This study concluded that there are some things we can’t modify regarding increased risk of developing neck pain (such as gender, genetics, and age); however, the modifiable risk factors of smoking, exposure to tobacco, and psychological health CAN be helped so that’s the LEAST WE SHOULD DO!

Two new studies show that smoking is directly tied to neck/back pain and the development of arthritis. Interestingly, the Harvard study reported that the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis was twice as high for current vs. past smokers, and both current and past smokers were at greater risk when compared to those who had never smoked. The 2nd study (Paris, France) found that smokers had an earlier onset of inflammatory back/neck pain and a worse course of the disease than non-smokers. Taking these two studies together, the interactions between environmental factors and the onset, the degree of severity and the ultimate outcomes of rheumatic diseases, “…it’s becoming increasingly clear how detrimental the influence of smoking is on most of these diseases.” The worst scenario was found in those who smoked >25 years and, >20 “pack years” (>1 pack/day for 20+ years). The “bottom line” is that smoking and exposure to smoke have significant negative health affects, not only for present health, but also for future pain, suffering and quality of life. Thankfully, it’s been shown that if you quit smoking, the likelihood of improved health affects is high so of course, QUIT NOW and you’ll be ahead of the curve.

In fact, a conscientious surgeon recommending a spinal fusion may say, “…you must quit smoking or else I will not perform the surgery that you need.” The reason for this insistence is because the risk of fusion failure goes up 500% in smokers (fusions are needed in certain types of back and neck surgeries).

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.

Is It Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) symptoms are characterized by chronic generalized pain, and can include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, joint stiffness, numbness or tingling, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and sometimes effects our ability to process thought clearly (cognitive dysfunction). It can come on fast, almost overnight, or, develop very slowly over years of time. This highly variable onset makes establishing a diagnosis very challenging, and can also sometimes take years before the diagnosis is firmly established. In fact, the term “fibromyalgia” was not formally recognized as a diagnosis by the American College of Rheumatology and American Medical Association until 1987, and it remains a diagnosis made by excluding other diseases!

POPULAR MYTHS

MYTH: “Your symptoms are all in your head.”
TRUTH: FM is a “MEDICAL DISORDER” where the nervous system’s ability to process pain is different when compared to those who don’t have FM. Why there is a difference between individuals is the big question. Some research suggests these brain processing differences may be the result of childhood stress, or prolonged or severe stress.

MYTH: “Only lazy, inactive people get fibromyalgia .”
TRUTH: Research shows this not to be the case. In fact, most people with FM are focused and driven, and that stress associated with that intense drive may play a significant role in the development of FM symptoms.

MYTH: “There are no effective fibro treatments.”
TRUTH: The good news is that as more studies on FM arise, we are beginning to understand more about FM, resulting in more effective treatments. The “catch” is that what works for one individual may not work for another making it essential to find a “good doctor” (or rather, a good team of health care providers) who is willing to listen and continually try different approaches until an effective management approach is found.

COEXISTING CONDITIONS

There are some specific conditions that go hand in hand with FM, and though it’s not clear which comes first (FM or the condition), a clear relationship has been established. Some of these co-existing conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis (several different types can be associated), chronic fatigue syndrome, various sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress syndrome, anxiety, depression, and others. Often, blood and other lab tests come back negative and hence, the diagnosis is made by excluding those other conditions. What is MOST important is that to feel your best, these other conditions also need to be managed.

TREATMENT

As stated above, the management of FM is aimed at all the condition(s) affecting the person with FM. This is why a multidiscipline “team” of health care providers is so important, as we all have our own emphasis and perspective on what to do for patients. Options include: a clinical psychologist to manage the chemical and hormonal imbalances, a primary care doctor whom “believes in FM,” and a chiropractor to manage the musculoskeletal issues of FM. Other alternative approaches such as massage therapy, Yoga classes, and acupuncture can also provide significant relief. Nutritional counseling is also highly effective in the management strategy of FM. Most important is the fact that coordination between these various approaches be supervised. Since we deal with the whole person, chiropractors are the PERFECT CANDIDATE for that job!

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 – A Yoga Class!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a very common problem that affects many people. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports about 28,000 CTS cases per year and because so many sufferers jump to a surgical option, it’s become THE LEADING CAUSE of lost workdays in the United States. Women are 71% more likely more likely to develop CTS than men!

In a review of over 31,000 cases, women spent an average of 30 days off work because of CTS. Jobs most commonly affected include: production workers in food processing and clothing manufacturing, typists who work at keyboards for hours on end, and construction workers who use tools that vibrate, such as jackhammers or tools that have poorly designed handles. The Journal of the American Medical Association recently estimated that almost 3 percent of adults in the United States may suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at some point in their lives.

Now that we’ve learned how susceptible we are to CTS, what are some things you can do to decrease your chances of acquiring Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? For starters, keep your weight reasonable (Body Mass Index between 19 and 25), take “mini-breaks” during the repetitive work day, and receive chiropractic treatments aimed at releasing the tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, forearms, hand and adjusting the associated joints.

You can also stretch! There are many different types of stretches that should be considered. Feel free to watch the entire 37-minute YouTube video below that addresses many exercises that may help:

As you perform these various stretches, take deep breaths, “feel” the different fibers of muscles stretch and keep the intensity, “…within reasonable pain boundaries.” That is, a “good hurt” is what you’re striving for here, no sharp pain is allowed!

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.

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Sleep and Stroke Risk!
Adults (in the normal weight range) who sleep less than 6 hours per night have a much greater risk of stroke symptoms during middle age and old age than their peers who sleep more than 6 hours per night.
University of Alabama, Aug 2012

Health Alert: Insecticides and IQs!
A study found a difference between how boys and girls respond to prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos. At age seven, boys had greater difficulty with working memory (a key component of IQ) than girls with similar exposures. MRI scans show that even low to moderate levels of exposure during pregnancy may lead to long-term, potentially irreversible changes in the brain. The chemical is used in agriculture, wood treatments, golf courses, parks, and road medians. Low-level exposure can also occur by eating fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed with chlorpyrifos.
Neurotoxicology and Teratology, Aug 2012

Diet: What Do They Eat?
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman talks about the importance of nutrition and her post-workout staple: chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is a common athlete favorite because of its carb/protein ratio and vitamins for muscle recovery. Beach volleyball player Kerry Walsh eats almond butter and honey sandwiches before she competes. The sugar from honey is immediately energizing while the protein and fats in almond butter help sustain that energy boost. Polo player Ryan Bailey says his power breakfast is gluten-and-dairy-free buckwheat banana pancakes with fruit.
European Lung Foundation, July 2011

Exercise: 'Exergames'?
Active video games (AVGS, also known as "exergames") are not the perfect solution to the nation's sedentary ways since most AVGs provide only "light-to-moderate" intensity physical activity. It's recommended that the average adult get 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each day.
Michigan State University, August 2012

Chiropractic: What Is A Stinger?
You may have heard of an athlete in a contact sport (football, rugby, ice hockey, wrestling) receiving a "stinger." This injury occurs when the head and neck are forced to the side and the nerves that branch off the spinal cord in the neck become compressed. This can cause a stinging or shooting pain down one arm, followed by numbness or weakness. These injuries often go unreported because symptoms can quickly resolve, but if left untreated, repeated trauma can result in persistent pain or arm weakness.
WebMD, 1999

Wellness/Prevention: Yoga and Depression During Pregnancy.
Many pregnant women experience hormonal mood swings during pregnancy, and 20% experience a major depression. Expectant mothers who participated in 90-minute yoga sessions over a 10-week period experienced a considerable reduction in depressive symptoms, and also reported having a stronger attachment to their babies in the womb.
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, August 2012

Don't Let The Labor Day Holiday Weekend Spoil Your Results!

Our office will be closing at 4pm on Friday, Aug. 31st and will be closed all day on Monday, Sept. 3rd in observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Often, patients fall behind in their treatment because they miss appointments and do not make them up. This may cause the symptoms or pain to require more time to get better. In order to avoid this mistake, please call our front desk to reschedule appointments from Monday, Sept. 3rd to Tuesday, Sept. 4th.

Craig Justin will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 4th, from 8am to 12:30pm, to accommodate patients missing their Monday acupuncture sessions.

Wishing you a safe and healthy holiday!

As always,
The Staff at Oakland Spine

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Fatty Food Pictures?
Looking at images of high-calorie foods stimulates the brain's appetite control center, which leads to an elevated desire for food. This stimulation of the brain's reward areas may contribute to overeating and obesity. This is a striking finding because the current environment is inundated with advertisements showing images of high-calorie foods.
Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting, June 2012

Health Alert: GlaxoSmithKline Pleads Guilty!
GlaxoSmithKline, the world's 4th largest company, pled guilty to fraud and agreed to pay $3 billion dollars to resolve criminal and civil charges against the company. The matter relates to failure to report the safety data of certain prescription drugs, as well as false price reporting. It is the largest payout by a drug company over fraud, and the largest healthcare fraud case to date. James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General said, "Today's multi-billion dollar settlement is unprecedented in both size and scope. We are determined to stop practices that jeopardize patients' health, harm taxpayers, and violate the public trust and this historic action is a clear warning to any company that chooses to break the law."
Medical News Today, June 2012

Diet: Muscle Power and Caffeine.
As we age, our muscles naturally change and weaken. A study found caffeine boosts power in older muscles, suggesting the stimulant could aid elderly people to both maintain their strength and reduce their risk for falls and injuries. With the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle to preserve health and functional capacity, caffeine could prove beneficial to the aging population.
Society for Experimental Biology, June 2012

Exercise: Good Reasons.
Exercise increases your stroke volume (the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat), improves your self-esteem, and reduces your susceptibility for coronary thrombosis (a clot in an artery that supplies the heart with blood).
Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

Chiropractic: A Recommendation By A Prominent Physician.
"[The] best people to manage back pain are osteopathic and chiropractic physicians. Why? Because they are specially trained in the mechanical abnormalities which cause 95% of back pain and they know how to correct these defects manually."
~ Paul Hemenway Altrocchi, MD, MPH - former Professor of Neurology at Stanford Medical School

Wellness/Prevention: Leave Your Car At Home?
People who walked 150 minutes per week had lower health care costs and mortality rates.
European Journal of Public Health, June 2012

Keep Hydrated During Our Water Bottle Give-Away

When you visit the office this week for treatment, you will receive a FREE WATER BOTTLE during our Water Bottle Give-Away!

This Friday, August 31st is also FAN FRIDAY!! We would love for you to join us and to share your personal success stories about our office. Whether taping your story or simply writing it down, let us know how we have succeeded in helping you to achieve a healthier and happier life.

Those who wish to share a video testimonial will be entered into our iMac raffle as well! Remember, there are only THREE WEEKS left in our iMac Give-Away.

There are three ways you can earn a chance to win an iMac just in time for the new school year:

1. Refer a friend or family member to the office
2. Bring a friend or family member to one of our PAIN FREE Dinner Seminars
3. Share your personal success story with us on FAN FRIDAY

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Feeling Sleepy?
One third of all workers sleep less than six hours each day, instead of the recommended 7-9 hours. People especially at risk of not getting enough sleep include those in the health care, social assistance, and transportation fields.
CDC, June 2012

Health Alert: Cancer and Aging.
Why does our risk of developing cancer increase as we age? By the time we stop growing in our teens, we accumulate a large percentage of the mutations we will have during our lifetime. There's a mismatch between the mutation curve and the cancer curve, meaning that if cancer is caused by reaching a tipping point of mutations, then we should see higher cancer rates in 20-year-olds, as this is when the mutation rate is highest. The body's healthy cells function best in healthy, younger tissue; however, in older tissue, cancerous cells may adapt better in that environment than healthy cells and more easily propagate.
Oncogene, June 2012

Diet: Food Industry Should Be Regulated?
"The obesity crisis is made worse by the way industry formulates and markets its products, and so must be regulated to prevent excesses and to protect the public good," writes Kelly Brownell, a leading food expert. He argues that left to regulate itself, the food industry has the opportunity, if not the mandate from shareholders, to sell more products irrespective of their impact on consumers. Thus, government, foundations, and other powerful institutions should push for regulation of, and not collaboration with, the food industry.
PLoS Medicine, July 2012

Exercise: Good Reasons.
Exercise reduces your risk of developing Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes, reduces the risk of developing breast cancer and improves mental cognition (a short-term effect only)
Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

Chiropractic: Joint Friction?
The supplement chondroitin sulfate significantly reduces the friction coefficient of articular cartilage, which, in turn, leads to a decreased risk of joint degeneration.
Journal of Biomechanics, 2007

Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D and Fractures.
Taking 800-2,000 IUs of vitamin D per day significantly reduces the risk of most fractures in men and women age 65 and older. In a study, the top 25% of Vitamin D consumers sustained 30% fewer hip fractures and 14% fewer fractures of other bones. There was no benefit to taking Vitamin D supplements in doses below 800 IUs. The cost of treating a hip fracture is $26,912.!
New England Journal of Medicine, June 2012

Weekly Health Update

Mental Attitude: Catching Colds?
The risk of contracting a cold, regardless of pre-existing immunity, after being exposed to cold viruses is 52% less in parents compared with those who have no children. The finding may be expected considering that when children get colds, the parents may develop protective antibodies against the specific viruses that cause these colds. However, the findings revealed that based on levels of antibodies to the study viruses, the lower risk of colds in parents could not be explained by pre-existing immunity. Volunteers who were parents tended to develop fewer colds irrespective of whether or not they had protective levels of antibodies. One possible explanation may be that being a parent improves regulation of immune factors (cytokines) that are triggered in response to infection. According to earlier research, cytokine responses explain the protective effects of psychological factors, such as lower stress or a positive attitude against the risk of colds.
American Psychosomatic Society, July 2012

Health Alert: Cortisone.
Injections of corticoid preparations can have severe side effects. In 278 cases of complications after corticoid injections, medical errors were found to have been committed in 40% of cases. Typical errors include faulty asepsis, treatment without indication, and injections that were too closely spaced in time or in excessive doses.
Deutsches Arzteblatt International, July 2012

Diet: The Not So Small Intestine.
Have you ever wondered how your body gets nutrients out of your food? Your small intestine absorbs most of your food; however, the small intestine is not that small. The average surface of the human small intestine is about the size of a tennis court!
Gray's Anatomy

Exercise: Good Reasons.
Exercise improves respiratory muscle strength and muscle endurance (particularly important for asthmatics), reduces your risk of having a stroke and helps you to burn excess calories.
Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

Chiropractic: Move Your Joints!
Range-of-motion exercises can help maintain normal joint function by increasing and preserving joint mobility and flexibility.
The Cleveland Clinic, 2007

Wellness/Prevention: Constant Change.
A big reason to stay healthy is that the cells of your body are constantly replaced. Eating right and exercising will give the new cells the best chance to become healthy cells. For example, did you know that humans shed and re-grow outer skin cells about every 27 days? That's almost 1,000 new skins in a lifetime!
Gray's Anatomy

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

Dr. Butler will be hosting a "Pain Free" dinner seminar on Wednesday, August 15th, 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 dinner and "Pain Free" presentation will be held at Portobello's Banquets at 6:00pm on Wednesday, Aug. 15th. Please let all of your friends and family, who are suffering from stenosis, herniated discs, or neuropathy, know that help is on the way!

These seminars fill up quickly, so have your loved ones reserve their spot today by calling us at (862) 226-0928.