Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Optimizing your health

Many of the patients who come to our clinic for care have underlying problems which they are not aware of.

During our initial consultation, a review of a patient’s history usually reveals a fall or auto accident, which appeared to be minor at the time. During the examination, it is common for the patient to exhibit restricted range of motion of the neck and some discomfort with this test. They are surprised that areas along their neck and spine are tight and tender.

We usually discover minor symptoms or loss of range of motion of the neck, such as tension in the shoulders, intermittent headaches, numbness or tingling of the fingers or stiffness of the neck. Many patients consider these a normal part of aging or lifestyle stress. We don’t realize that these symptoms may not be caused by normal aging, but by nerve interference.

When we look at the underlying area of the neck on x-ray, inevitably we find premature wear and tear, which we can trace back in time to that seemingly benign fall or accident. This is often the result of an undetected whiplash injury. The underlying cause of the symptoms is, in fact, a subluxation of the spine, which interferes with the brain’s ability to communicate with the body.

Chiropractic care involves the finding and removing of these minute changes, which can have a devastating effect on your health. We are a health conscious society today, but in order to achieve optimum health, we must look below the surface (symptoms).

Chiropractic may offer the best opportunity for relief from the pain of whiplash, according to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine. Ninety-three patients with chronic whiplash symptoms were divided into three groups based upon the nature and severity of their symptoms. All 93 patients received an average of 19.3 chiropractic adjustments over the study period (about four months).

Results showed that two of the three groups (patients with neck pain, restricted neck range of motion and/or neurological symptoms improved under chiropractic care, with 85.5 percent reporting “some benefit,” 33.5 percent improving by two symptom grades, and 31 percent being relieved of all symptoms. The authors of this study conclude, when it comes to treating whiplash, chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment.

If you want to reach your health potential, don’t wait for the breakdown. If you have a trauma, even a small one, have your neck evaluated. My dad used to say, “It’s not just about adding years to your life, but also about adding life to the years.”

Get your spine checked today. The Durden Chiropractic Clinic is available to assist you in your pursuit of adding life to the years. Call 770-631-7600.