DR. MARK’S NEWSLETTER APRIL 07

So what kind of conditions do Chiropractors treat anyway? And is it the muscle, or the bone, or the nerve? To learn more read on!!!

This month’s newsletter deals with the conditions that chiropractor’s treat and the tissues that are affected.

What do chiropractors treat? There still seems to be so much confusion on what it is that chiropractors treat. My practice focuses on neuro-musculoskeletal pain. These are conditions that involve the muscles, the nerves and the joints. This could be of the neck, the back, the shoulder, the elbow, the hip, the knee, the ankle, or any joint of the body. Often people are led to believe that chiropractors treat bones and that we don’t treat muscles. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a chiropractor I treat the structural and functional relationship between the muscles, the nerves and the joints. If you have a bone problem you need to go to an orthopedic doctor. They are the doctors that specialize in that type of problem. That would include a fracture, dislocation, infection or another type of pathology to the bone or joint. I am including joints in this because joints can experience all of the problems that I just listed for bones. I treat the functional problems that joints go through with injury as well as repetitive stress from work, play or just life.

These symptoms include pain, stiffness and limited function. If you have a muscle problem, including a strain, spasm, or pulled muscle, then you have a chiropractic problem because these types of muscle problems always involve the functional aspect of the joint and therefore chiropractic treatment would be beneficial. Not only is that but the therapy that we use is designed specifically for muscle problems. Now if you have muscle pathology, like an infection, a tumor, or a complete tear, then again you need to seek a medical doctor. Fortunately those types of conditions are very rare. Regarding the nerve, it is involved in any pain syndrome. If you feel pain the nerve is involved. It could be pinched, or irritated by the muscle, the joint tissues or even the disc. Again chiropractic care is the treatment of choice for nerve pain because you have to remove the functional joint and muscle irritation to remove the nerve irritation. Both the adjustment and the therapy treat the nerve problem.

Your nervous system controls your entire body and is why chiropractic has any affect at all on any condition. When you get adjusted you are getting a systemic nerve tune up that affects your entire nervous system. If you have nerve pain down your arm or leg with or without numbness or tingling then this could be due to a disc related problem and this is also a chiropractic type of problem. If you have a severe disc herniation, then you need a surgical consult to determine if surgery is an option for you. But I would never have surgery without first trying our decompression table. Back surgery is the number one failed surgery. So please contact me and try the decompression treatment before you ever have surgery.

Chiropractic is anatomy and physiology. It is structure and function. If you are experiencing pain, spasm, stiffness, decreased range of motion, headache, numbness, tingling or any combination of these symptoms then you most likely have a chiropractic problem and you need to call the office for an appointment. If you are alive you are going to experience pain. If you practice good habits on a regular basis you will minimize the pain. But those good habits can’t completely eliminate the need for chiropractic treatment. You can live with the pain, try to cover up the pain with medication, exercise or any number of different things, or realize the need and benefit of chiropractic and get adjusted. The benefits are so powerful you don’t even realize. Not only does it help you feel better now without the harmful effects of drugs, but it helps your whole body regain balance and also helps fight the effects of long term degeneration. Just know that when you receive chiropractic care you are doing so much good for yourself that it can’t even be measured.

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, DR. MARK

This month’s newsletter deals with a good foundation and the importance of ORTHOTICS!

IF YOU, A LOVED ONE OR A FRIEND HAS TROUBLE WITH THEIR FEET, PAINFUL HEAL SPURS, PLANTAR FASCITIS, MORTON’S NEUROMA OR HAS FLAT FEET READ THIS….OR EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T.. VERY IMPORTANT!!

Many of you have heard me tout the benefits of a good pair of orthotics. This month I thought I would go over the benefits of orthotics and review the benefits of a solid foundation from your feet up in relation to your spinal health. As you may or may not know most shoes are not good for your feet. They rarely come with proper inserts and as a result you have flat feet.

Take your shoes off right now and stand up, look at your arches and see if they are still there. They are most likely not. This can lead to a multitude of problems with not only your feet, but also your spine. In fact it can cause your spine to subluxate or go out of alignment due to rotation of the leg bones and then the pelvis. This can lead to you needing to get adjusted more often.

I personally have been wearing orthotics for the past 21 years and I have recently added a great new semi-custom line to the office that is excellent and very affordable. We offer both custom and semi-custom inserts for your shoes and I have enclosed on the back of this letter some great information that will help you understand more about this very important aspect of your long term spinal health.

Many problems that people suffer from with their feet are due to fallen arches and can lead to a lot of pain if not corrected. If you or someone you know is suffering from this type of problem please tell them about our office and pass this info on to them.

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, DR. MARK

IF YOU, A LOVED ONE OR A FRIEND HAS TROUBLE WITH SLEEP OR HAS INSOMNIA READ THIS….OR EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T.. VERY IMPORTANT!!

This month’s newsletter deals with a good night’s sleep.

Many of you have heard me tout the benefits of MELATONIN. This month I thought I would go over the benefits of melatonin in detail, as well as review the proper sleeping positions.
As you may or may not know a good nights sleep is becoming rare. Millions of people suffer from insomnia and it is becoming an epidemic. If you watch T.V. even a little you have no doubt seen the numerous commercials advocating the latest drugs that are suppose to help you sleep. The problem is that they are still “DRUGS” and ultimately they are NOT safe and prolonged use can be harmful. MELATONIN on the other hand is perfectly safe as it is the body hormone produced by the Pineal Gland that regulates the body’s sleep cycle. As it gets dark outside Melatonin production goes up with peak production around 2 A.M.
Melatonin has also been shown to have antioxidant properties therefore it helps with the harmful effects of free radicals. Melatonin is present in many of the foods we eat, including meats, fruits, vegetables, rice and grains. As we age unfortunately we produce less and less and by 80 years of age Melatonin is barely detectable in the blood. Melatonin supplementation at bedtime can be enormously beneficial. Melatonin can reset your body’s sleeping clock naturally without the negative side effects of a drug and you wake up feeling great. Please take a natural source. I have a great product in 3 mg. size that is only $6.00 for 60 caplets that usually last Pam and I a few months. We take it on trips and use it for the occasional “can’t get to sleep” night. If I am really struggling to fall asleep I take 6mg. It is safe and effective. If you suffer from this type of sleep pattern please give me a call and I would be happy to give you more information and relate the many benefits of Melatonin. Now for the review of proper sleep positions.

NEVER EVER SLEEP ON YOUR STOMACH!!!
This is the #1 rule if you are over 13-15 years of age. If you do sleep on your stomach it will guarantee that you have chronic back and or neck pain. Sleeping on your side or back is equally fine. If you are on your side make sure that your head is NOT tilted up or down, but properly supported. Put a pillow between your knees and make sure both of your knees are bent and on top of each other. If you are on your back again make sure that your head is not tilted up or down and put a pillow under your knees for proper elevation. Your feet should be on the mattress. The best type of pillow is either down filled or memory foam so that the proper amount of support is achieved. The best type of mattress is again either memory or the new select type that allows you to dial in the proper amount of firmness just for you. If you are waking up in pain and you went to bed feeling good, then you either slept on the wrong mattress, on the wrong pillow, or in the wrong position. You should wake up feeling better then when you went to bed. If you think your mattress is causing you problems, and you are not in the position to buy a new one, here are a few tips to help. First flip your mattress, you probably haven’t in awhile. Second go to Costco and buy a memory foam mattress topper. These can really help a lot and they are much cheaper than a new mattress. Next place a plywood board under your mattress, this will help get rid of some of the sag in your old mattress. If you have more questions give me a call.

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, DR. MARK

IF YOU, A LOVED ONE OR A FRIEND HAS DISC RELATED NECK OR BACK PAIN WITH OR WITHOUT PAIN INTO THE ARM OR LEG, NUMBNESS, TINGLING, OR BURNING, SCIATICA, FAILED BACK SURGERY, CHRONIC NECK OR BACK PAIN THAT NOTHING HAS HELPED, YOU ABSOLUTLY NEED TO READ THIS…..OR EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T…VERY IMPORTANT!

I have so much to tell you, I don’t know where to start! First I have just acquired a STATE OF THE ART RAJALA SPINAL DECOMPRESSION TABLE. This table is a non-force, non- adjustive computerized spinal disc decompression table that was designed for people with disc related conditions, sciatica, failed back surgery, chronic pain or people that have not responded to traditional chiropractic.
This procedure is also perfect for the person that has neck or low back pain, but does not want or is not comfortable with traditional chiropractic adjustive procedures. The table works by providing a gentle spinal decompression/traction by way of a computerized pulley system and a sliding table mechanism. It is easy, painless and research has shown it to be 70-80% effective with the most severe of cases!!! This table combined with our already awesome physical therapies is going to change peoples lives and either keep them from surgery or help them after it has failed. To help you learn more about this awesome procedure I have enclosed a beautifully done CD-ROM for you that completely explains exactly what the procedure provides as well as many facts and testimonies. If you would like additional copies for your family or friends or would like a DVD version please call the office or e-mail me I would be glad to send you additional copies of your choice.
In fact, I would love for you to try the table. This is an appointment only procedure so if you will please call the office and make an appointment. I will also provide you with additional copies of the CD/DVD to give to family members or friends. This is truly a breakthrough table and you or someone you know could be so benefited by it. So again, please give me a call.

MORE GOOD NEWS!! ACCUPUNTURE/ HOMEOPATHY/ MASSAGE

I am honored to announce the addition of Sybil Ihrig, L.Ac., D.O.M.. Sybil is now on staff to provide acupuncture, oriental medicine, homeopathy, and massage on a full time basis. She has years of experience in dealing with a multitude of different problems. So if you, a loved one, or a friend is suffering from a problem and you want a natural approach or if traditional medicine has not helped then, give Sybil a call at the office or directly @ (760) 504-8851. She can also be reached @ LifeForceQi@aol.com.

Remember it is the “little” things and I am committed to help you find the best way for you to get well and stay that way. Also I will never recommend someone or something unless I have personal experience with it. So you can trust that it is the real deal!!

AS ALWAYS I AM HERE FOR YOU AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR REFERRALS AS MANY OF YOU HAVE SENT YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN WITH THE COUPONS!!! KEEP IT UP!!! THANK YOU AGAIN!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS,

DR. MARK