No title needed--just awesome.

Best in health, naturally,
Dr. Marc

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Prevent Knee Injuries With Chiropractic

Many researchers believe the knee is the most complex joint in the human body.  It is also the most imperfect and easily injured.  The good news is that chiropractic adjustments can help solve these injuries.

The 3 Most Common Knee Injuries

ACL, MCL and Meniscus

According to researchers, the three most common knee injuries occur at the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and meniscus.  "The ACL is located inside the knee joint and stabalizes the joint by preventing the shin-bone (tibia) from sliding forward beneath the thighbone (femur).  A hard twist or excessive pressure on the ACL can tear it, so that the knee gives out and can no longer support the body."

The MCL, located inside the knee, is another crucial knee stabilizer.  MCL injuries often occur along side injuries to the ACL.

The meniscus, "is a wedge-like rubbery cushion where the major bones of your leg connect," and "helps the knee joint to carry weight, glide and turn in many directions.  It also keeps your femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone) from grinding against each other" (Sports Med 2006; 36:635-41).

ACL, MCL and meniscus injuries are common among athletes as they engage in a lot of twisting, pivoting and cutting motions that stress the knee joints.  Older people may suffer from similar injuries due to degenerative wear and tear over the years.

Other Knee Injury Sources

Misaligned bones (vertebrae) is another source that can effect the knee joints.  When Sacroiliac (SI) and lumbar (low-back) subluxations occur, they may affect the hip and, in turn, leg alignment and leg length.  Leg length differences can cause disproportionate strain on the entire lower body, including the knees. 

Clinical evaluations have shown that anterior knee pain (AKP)--at the front of the knee, is typically associated with SI joint dysfunction.  This dysfunction can lead to muscle inhibition and ultimately knee pain.  Chiropractic adjustments correct SI dysfunction through low back and pelvis adjustments.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is another common source of knee pain.  Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage in knee joints erodes, causing restrictive movement and the bones to rub against each other.

Knock knees and bow legs in children are also a precursor for knee issues in an individual.  However, most children outgrow these conditions.  Understanding the importance of good posture and a healthy diet and weight will help with such issues.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease "is a generally benign, self-limited knee condition most commonly found in rapidly growing athletically active adolescents." (Am Fam Physician 1990;41:173-6.)  Symptoms of Osgood-Schlatter Disease may be tenderness, pain and swelling in the knee.  Such symptoms can be brought on by sporting events that involve jumping, such as volleyball, basketball or running, or by the knee having direct contact with the ground.  Most times, patients find that non-operative treatments such as rest, icing, activity modifications and physical therapy can help correct this painful knee condition.

Other Natural Solutions to Prevent Knee Injuries

• Chiropractic adjustments are an excellent way to avoid vertebral subluxation, associated pains such as knee pain and many other ailments
• Add antioxidants to your diet to destroy disease-causing free radical chemicals
• Use supplements such as Glucosamine and chondroitin for pain relief and prevention
• Exercise your body to maintain healthy bones and knees 

If you have any questions about knee pain, please schedule a time to meet with me in the office, so we can address your condition.  Remember, pain is not a lifestyle!

Best in health, naturally,
Dr. Marc

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Health Disclaimer  

This information on this web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting Dr. Marc, your pediatrician or family doctor.

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Fight the Flu and Common Cold With Chiropractic

It's that time of year when coughing, sneezing and the flu is swirling around us.  Chiropractic can help boost your immunity this season!

In 1918, the flu pandemic swept across the world infecting 100 million people and killing a high estimate of 50 million people.  During this time, preventative measures, treatment and cures for the influenza were unknown.  As the flu pandemic was spreading across the world, the practice of chiropractic was on the verge of extinction as the practice became the target of medical doctors with lenient slander laws.  Because many chiropractors had such a decline in business during this time, chiropractors began doing house calls, adjusting anyone who had the flu. 

The outcome for those infected with the flu who were adjusted by a chiropractor were astounding, thus they were nicknamed, "Flu Doctors":

In Davenport, Iowa, 50 medical doctors treated 4,953 cases, with 274 deaths. In the same city, 150 chiropractors including students and faculty of the Palmer School of Chiropractic treated 1,635 cases with only one death.

In the state of Iowa, medical doctors treated 93,590 patients, with 6,116 deaths – a loss of one patient out of every 15. In the same state, excluding Davenport, 4,735 patients were treated by chiropractors with a loss of only 6 cases – a loss of one patient out of every 789.
National figures show that 1,142 chiropractors treated 46,394 patients for influenza during 1918, with a loss of 54 patients – one out of every 886.

In the same epidemic, New York health authorities (who kept records of flu as a reportable disease) showed that under chiropractic care, only 25 patients died of influenza out of every 10,000 cases; and only 100 patients died of pneumonia out of every 10,000 cases. This comparison is made more striking when viewed in the following table:
Influenza
—————————————Cases               Deaths
Under medical care                10,000             950
Under chiropractic care         10,000             25
Pneumonia
—————————————Cases               Deaths
Under medical care                10,000             6,400
Under chiropractic care         10,000             100

The same epidemic reports show that chiropractors in Oklahoma treated 3,490 cases of influenza with only 7 deaths. But the best part of this is, in Oklahoma there is a clear record showing that chiropractors were called in 233 cases where medical doctors had cared for the patients, and finally gave them up as lost. The chiropractors saved all these lost cases but 25.

The results that chiropractic care had on patients with influenza is not surprising, as research has shown that there is a direct interaction between the nervous system and the immune system when chiropractic care is administered. 

How chiropractic revs up the immune system:

• Chiropractic adjustments ensure that the nerves from the brain down the spinal cord to the adrenal glands (which help manage the immune system) are not obstructed by vertebral subluxations which are misalignments in the spine that put pressure on the nerve system.

• Chiropractic adjustments decrease the stress hormone cortisol which increases our odds of becoming sick.

• Chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck have shown an increase to the white blood cell count up to 200%, which helps the body's immune system to be strong. 

Let us help you be well this season!  If people around you are getting ill, or if you usually come down with illness yourself this time of year get ahead of things and schedule a chiropractic wellness check-up.  Call (360) 823-2225 and ask for your wellness check-up today.

Best in health, naturally,
Dr. Marc

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References:
1. "Chiropractic: Maybe the Best Defense Against Influenza." ChiroUnity. 27 April 2009.
2.  Rhodes WR: “The Official History of Chiropractic in Texas.” Texas Chiropractic Association. Austin, TX. 1978. 
 

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5 Tips to Keep Your Spine Aligned While Driving

In 2005, the Census Bureau reported that Americans, on average, spent more than 100 hours commuting to work per year, with the average commute lasting 24.3 minutes.  According to the American Community Survey (ACS), the longest commutes happening within the country, were most prominent on the East coast:

The cities fortunate to have a shorter commute time average were: 

Corpus Christi, Texas (16.1 minutes)

Wichita, Kansas (16.3 minutes)

Tulsa, Oklahoma (17.1 minutes) 

Omaha, Nebraska (17.3 minutes)

As a chiropractor, these amount of time spent commuting concerns me, and this doesn't account for the time spent driving to the grocery store, taking children to school, extracurricular activities, vacations, etc.   Many of the patients I see have problems stemming to how they sit in their vehicle as they commute, and many are who work from their vehicle.  Here's a list of tips to help keep you comfortable and healthy during those accumulated hours spent in your vehicle.

5 Tips to Keep Your Spine Aligned While Driving

1) Seat position matters.  Position your seat so you can reach the pedals and steering wheel with ease.  Your back should not come away from the seat as you reach for the peddles are make other driving movements.  Lumbar support may be necessary if your car lacks sufficient lumbar support.
2) Adjust your headrest.  Your headrest should center the back of your head. 
3) Rest your hands properly.  The days of 10 and 2 are gone.  9 and 3 is key!  By placing your hands in the 9 and 3 position your shoulders are able to relax.  Be mindful to not rest your wrists at 12 o'clock or clench the steering wheel.  These movements can cause numbness.  Also, be mindful of how you reach for the stick-shift.  Adjusting seat placement and/or back position to meet comfort levels is necessary.
4) Smart Phone Neck.  Americans are enthralled with smart phones.  Consider the amount of time you spend looking at your phone and for how you tilt your head down as you read your email, messages etc.  Over time, tilting the head in a downward position can strain the ligaments in the neck.
5) Working in vehicle.  There is a large amount of the workforce that works from their vehicle--ie. plumbers, police officers, service technicians, etc.  When possible, take your work indoors--inside a coffee shop, the office or to the park, to free your back from the twists and turns that working inside a vehicle requires.

As an expert in ergonomics, I am happy to check patients sitting in their car.  Call to set up your time for me to do a quick seat/position check.

Unofficial Pole:  How long are you in your vehicle on an average day.  For me it's 35 minutes.

Best in health, naturally,
Dr. Marc

References:
Google Images
US Census Bureau

Other good links:
Seats to look for when buying a car

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A Success Story

Dr. Marc and Dixie Caris

By far the best part of my job is seeing patients so thankful because of how much better they are feeling as a result of natural chiropractic care.  Here's one success story that shares how the body heals with chiropractic.

I had an auto accident in June of 2011.  I was broadsided on the driver's side of my body, particularly my upper back and left shoulder.  Due to chiropractic treatment, much of the pain is gone, but I will need ongoing chiropractic treatment due to lingering pain.  My spine and left shoulder get out of alignment easily.  While I needed a can initially, I walk well without a cane.  I still have a great fear of driving, but the chiropractor can't fix that.                                         -Dixie Caris  March 2012

I am thrilled with Dixie's progress.  Simply put, chiropractic works.

Best in health, naturally,
Dr. Marc

Do you have a success story that you would like me to share? Please email me at drmarc@davisfamilychiro.com

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17 Quick Tips for a Healthy Spine

One of Dr. Davis' primary focuses as a chiropractor, is preventing health problems before the onset of symptoms.  During his appointments with patients, examining the spine for postural misalignments, is routine.  Such misalignments, also known as vertebral subluxation, may lead to a wide range of ailments, such as back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome and headaches.  Studies have also suggested that vertebral subluxations may be related to ear infections, Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, colic and other maladies.  Dr. Davis also emphasizes the power of prevention with his clients by teaching monthly wellness courses and educating patients about vertebral subluxation and how treat them through chiropractic adjustments, as well as teaching about nutrition, stress reduction and exercise, as a means of  preventative measure.

1.  Schedule an appointment with Dr. Davis for a chiropractic checkup.  Even the slightest postural discrepancies, over a period of time, can have harmful effects on the spine.  Dr. Marc is educated to detect and prevent such conditions before they turn painful.

2. Strive to be well.  Having a "wellness attitude," is on that focuses on prevention and strives to address issues when they arise, rather than ignore them or try to cover them up with potentially harmful medications.

3.  Switch from coffee to green tea.  Green tea contains the emerald elixir, which is an antioxidant which is filled with healing chemicals that are known to prevent Osteoarthritis, an attack on the spine that occurs in older individuals.

4.  Be an ergonomic expert!  Invest in a headset for your home, office and mobile telephones, to avoid unnecessary neck strain associated with cradling the phone between the shoulder and ear.  Consider trading out your traditional computer mouse, which require repetitive movements that can lead to muscular imbalances, for a touch pad or a roller ball device.

5.  Ask your doctor about glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements in relation to your health situation.  Both supplements are linked with preventing degeneration of cartilage in joints.  Make sure that you speak with your doctor about any other supplements and/or medications that you might be taking.

6.  Watch your water intake.  Six to eight glasses of water a day is essential in keeping the intravertebrae disks separating the spine's vertebrae soft and elastic.  Dehydration can cause the disks to lose flexibility and shrink, thus failing to provide cushion for adjacent vertebrae.

7.  Nourish your spine with daily multivitamins and minerals.  Always consult with your doctor or chiropractor before beginning a new regimen.

8.  Avoid carrying your wallet in your back pocket.  Doing so, may hurt your spine and put unnecessary pressure on your sciatic nerve.  The disproportionate pressure can also lead to posture incongruities which can lead to low-back pain.

9.  Request a posture check from Dr. Davis.  This procedure can help identify any posture problems that you should be aware of, before they become painful or lead to a disorder.

10.  Sleep on your back.  As much as you might like to stretch out on your stomach, sleeping there can tweak vertebrae in your neck, leading to vertebral subluxations.

11.  Choose a soft spine-friendly pillow made from down feathers.  Or ask your doctor about the many therapeutic pillows on the market.  AND make sure you pack your pillow with you while on trips.  You might not know how accustomed you've become to your pillow until you have trouble sleeping at your hotel, or wake up with neck pain the following morning.

12.  Purchase a neck-cradling pillow for road trips and airplane flights.  Extra support while sitting upright for long periods of time, helps avoid strains in the neck area.

13.  Stretch each day.  As a rule of thumb--for every 30 minutes of inactivity i.e. sitting at your desk during work hours, take a three minute stretch break.  Set a timer to remind yourself to be kind to your back.

14.  Be active.  Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and incorporate both strength training and aerobic programs.

15.  Incorporate abdominal strengthening exercises into your fitness regimen.  Low back pain is often associated with weak abdominal muscles.

16.  Pass up excessive caffeine, sugar, processed and fried foods.  Not only do these foods drain the body of energy, they interrupt appropriate nutrients from reaching the spine.

17.  Maintain regular chiropractic checkups to stay subluxation-free.  Ask your doctor to suggest a schedule that will keep you on track.  Remember, your spine is worth the time and effort to avoid pain and be healthy!

Davis Family Chiropractic, PLLC

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Dairy Farmers Seek Chiropractic Care For Cows

Sarah Gilbertson adjusts 7 year old cow, Lucky

Dairy farmers are turning to new creative methods to keep cows healthy, happy and their milk production high.  From installing waterbeds for cows to rest on, massage and playing classical music to content their cows minds, farmers are also implementing chiropractic care to promote optimal health for their livestock.

Wisconsin Veterinarian, Sarah Gilbertson, was recently called in to help Lucky, a seven year old dairy cow who had been walking with a limp for a couple of weeks.  Instead of painkillers, Gilbertson prescribed a full spinal massage and a chiropractic adjustment.

"The cows tolerate it incredibly well," says Gilbertson.  "They may be apprehensive at first, until they discover how good it feels." 

Chiropractic treatments for cows range from correcting minor calve issues, hip strains to overall tuneups in older cows.

Though scientific data on the subject of cows, pampering and increased productivity has yet to be confirmed, farmers who have implemented the practices, agree to an increase in milk productivity.

Not too much of a surprise, even if it's cows we're talking about.

Best in health, naturally,

Dr. Marc Davis

article/image sources:
The Daily Herald
The Columbian

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Dr. Mancini Discusses Underlying Pain and the Benefits of Chiropractic

Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, DC, President of Parker University and top Doctor in the field of chiropractic, recently discussed pain and chiropractic on the cable series, The Doctors.

What is important to know, he explains, is that pain often stems from another location than we think and for reasons we often fail to recognize.

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO PAIN:

• Regular travel
• Improperly addressed and/or corrected pain resulting from accidents ie. a fall, auto accidents, sports injuries
• Unbalanced Diet--too much sugar contributing to inflammation
• Stress--built up tension causing a physiological effect on the muscles

If you have not yet been checked by a chiropractor, I urge you to visit one in your area. Silent problems are still problems. It so much easier and cost-effective to catch small problems BEFORE they become a CRISIS. For a limited time, our website has a promotion for a complete Chiropractic check up for you or your loved one. Go to www.davisfamilychiro.com today, print the coupon and then schedule your Chiropractic Check-up by calling (360) 823-2225.

Best in health, Naturally,
Dr. Marc

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Hidden Injuries From Automobile Collisions: Why You Always Need a Chiropractic Checkup Following a Motor Vehicle Accident

Some Injuries – like burns, bruises and cuts – are easy to spot.  Others, however, may only be detected during an examination of chiropractic.

Many of these “hidden injuries” stem from automobile accidents.  And although elusive, these injuries are far from minor.  Immediate diagnosis of auto-related injuries like whiplash, hairline fracture and misaligned spinal bones (vertebrae) is critical.  That’s why Dr. Davis examines accident victims’ entire musculoskeletal system to detect hidden injuries.

Dr. Davis doesn’t limit this approach to just those involved in high-speed, high impact accidents.  Even low-impact collisions, where there are no skid marks and minor to no visible vehicle damage, can injure occupants.  “Crash tests indicate that a change of vehicle velocity of 4 km/hr (2.5pmh) may produce occupant symptoms.  Vehicle damage may not occur until 14-15 km/hr (8.7 mph).” (J Manupulative Physiol Ther 1998;21:629-39.)

Regardless of the speed or circumstances involved, early chiropractic intervention is vital.  Left undiagnosed, veiled auto injuries can lead to a lifetime of pain and agony.

Read on to learn about some of the most common auto injuries and how chiropractic care can help.

Back Injury

Motor vehicle accidents – specifically rear-end collisions, striking nonmoving objects or getting broadsided by another vehicle – are a leading cause of back injury: particularly low-back pain (LBP).
The force of impact can instigate trauma to the spine.

When vertebrae (spinal bones) become misaligned, it results in a condition known as vertebral subluxation.  This is a common finding in patients with back pain. 

Dr. Davis corrects vertebral subluxations with safe and gentle maneuvers known as chiropractic adjustments. 

Scientific research shows that chiropractic adjustments restore proper spinal alignment and effectively relieve LBP.

In a study of 681 patients with LBP, researchers noted that those who received chiropractic and physical therapy were “much more likely to perceive improvement in their low-back symptoms” than patients who received only medical care (Spine 2006;31:611-21).

More than 43 randomized trials of spinal manipulation for LBP were published in peer-reviewed medical journals.  Of that number, 30 trials showed that chiropractic care provided more improvement than the comparison treatments.  “Other studies have shown that chiropractic care compared with medical care is safer, costs no more and often costs much less and has consistently greater patient satisfaction for treatment of similar conditions.

“Consequently, there is now better public and professional opinion of chiropractic with coverage by insurance companies and government agencies.  That trend is likely to continue.” (Clin Ortho Rel Res 2006;444:243-9.)

Whiplash

Dr. Davis notes that patients who assume they are fine after an accident – and aren’t thoroughly examined – may not begin suffering the debilitating effects of whiplash for months or even years after the original trauma.  Researchers have termed this phenomenon delayed onset whiplash associated disorder, or DOWAD.


Whiplash can spark misalignment and serious injury to the joints, vertebrae, discs, muscles, nerves and ligaments of the neck.  Fortunately, chiropractic care can help.

Other Neck Injuries

Automobile accidents may be particularly traumatic to the head and neck.  That’s why the doctor takes great care to properly X-ray the spine of the neck (cervical spine).

In one case, a hospital emergency department missed a cervical spine fracture-dislocation in a 77-year old man involved in a car accident.  “The patient visited a chiropractic clinic six days later, where X-ray films were again obtained, finding that the patient sustained fractures of C5 and C6.”  The patient also suffered dislocation of the same vertebrae (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2002;25:263-69).

Another study details the case of a 17-year-old girl who endured a motor-vehicle collision.  In addition to pain in her neck and shoulder, the patient’s symptoms included vertigo (dizziness), tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and confusion.  The patient sought chiropractic care.

“During ten weeks of care and 22 office visits all symptoms subsided.” In addition, all vertebrae instability was completely resolved (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:279-87).

Headaches

Headaches often accompany neck injuries and are also associated with cervical vertebral subluxations, which may spark muscular dysfunction and nerve interference.

According to one scientific report, a 21-year-old woman with neck pain reported suffering from headaches following a motor vehicle collision.  She also demonstrated moderate range-of-motion restrictions in her neck.

After a year of soft-tissue treatment that produced ineffective results, the woman began receiving chiropractic care.  “The patient described greater and more immediate relief [with chiropractic] and longer pain free periods than could be achieved by soft tissue treatment alone.” (J Manupulative Physiol Ther 2001;24:520-5.)

Chest and Rib Injury

The skeletal structure of the midback includes 12 pairs of ribs and 12 vertebrae.  Each of the vertebrae is attached to a corresponding pair of ribs.  In an auto accident, however, these bones can become misaligned, fractured or both.

One study revealed that seat-belted drivers in older cars without air bags have a higher incidence of chest and rib injury than those whose cars feature both safely devices.  Out of 42,055 accidents, the steering column (39 percent) and steering wheel (36 percent) were the primary instigators of injury (Ann Thorac Surg 2006;82:444-50).

During a chiropractic adjustment, the doctor slowly moves misaligned vertebrae and ribs back into place.  This process relaxes the connecting muscles: a vital step in reducing patients’ midback pain and improving mobility.

Everyone is Different

It’s important to remember that no two accidents are exactly alike.  And no two people will have exactly identical injuries.  “The same collision may cause injury to some individuals and leave others unaffected,” say researchers (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:420-7).

Variables include the following:

ü  Posture of the occupants

ü  Ligament strength

ü  Body positions in the vehicle

ü  Amount of muscle activation (i.e. did the person see the impending collision and tense up?)

ü  Health of the nervous system

ü  Overall Health

Because so many factors come into play, schedule an immediate chiropractic appointment after any auto accident – no matter how minor.

And remember: You have the right to choose your own health-care professionals.  Don’t be pressured into interventions without first requesting a second opinion from a doctor of chiropractic.

Optimal Health University™ is a professional service of PreventiCare Publishing®. The information and recommendations are appropriate in most instances. They are not, however, a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider such as Dr. Davis. Copyright, 2012.

Dr. Marc Davis adjusts patients at Davis Family Chiropractic, a thriving wellness-oriented office located next to Fred Meyer in Fisher’s Landing. For FREE monthly tips and community events subscribe to Dr. Davis’ blog “Health Naturally” by going to www.davisfamilychiro.com and clicking on “Blog”.  To schedule a time to meet with Dr. Davis call (360) 823-2225. Mention “LacamasLife” and “Free Scan” to get a free computerized Back and Neck Scan (regularly $210).

DAVIS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC, PLLC
“For a Lifetime of Standing Tall!”
2415 SE 165^TH Avenue, Suite 103
Vancouver, WA 98683
(360) 823-2225

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