Chiropractic Physicians Urge Conservative Treatments for Pain Amid Opioid Epidemic

During National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM) this October, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) will bring attention to the public health crisis caused by pain, and in particular the overuse of prescription painkillers, with the theme #PainFreeNation. The campaign is part of the chiropractic profession's ongoing efforts to educate the public about the value of exhausting conservative forms of care for both acute and chronic pain before resorting to higher risk options, such as opioids.

National Chiropractic Health Month is a nationwide observance that helps raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic services and the profession’s natural, whole-person, patient-centered approach to health and wellness. 

"Opioid medications involve the risk of overuse and addiction. Beyond this, prescription drugs that numb pain may convince a patient that a musculoskeletal condition is less severe than it is, or that it has healed. This misunderstanding can lead to overexertion and a delay in the healing process or even to permanent injury," explains ACA President Anthony Hamm, DC. 

President Hamm notes that people in pain should be informed of all management strategies, including non-drug approaches such as chiropractic, to reduce their risk of overuse and addiction. 

"Each patient is unique, and care plans should be tailored to focus on what is the safest, most effective treatment for the individual. Chiropractic physicians stand ready to work together with medical physicians to help address this epidemic that has caused unnecessary suffering, enormous loss of human potential and massive financial and personal costs," he adds.

Fortunately, health care quality organizations have begun to recognize the value of this conservative, multidisciplinary approach. Earlier this year, the Joint Commission, which certifies more than 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including every major hospital, revised its pain management standard to include chiropractic services and acupuncture. Clinical experts in pain management who provide input to the commission's standards affirmed that treatment strategies may consider both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches. 

For updates and more information on #PainFreeNation as October 2015 approaches, go to www.acatoday.org/NCHM and follow ACA on Twitter at@ACAtoday and on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

The American Chiropractic Association based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

Don't Let Your Pillow Keep You Awake

Rest and sleep are the body's chance to heal itself from the postural, physical, and nervous insults of the day. The use of some of the following pillows can improve the quality of rest and repair, allowing one to wake up more rested and ready to face another day.

Different Types of Pillows
It is important to note that not all pillows work well for everyone.  A short trial of one week should be enough time to decide whether or not the pillow is providing benefits.

• Knee Pillows - Side Sleeping -  using a traditional pillow either between the knees (when sleeping on the side) or below the knees (when sleeping on the back) can help alleviate strain on the lower back.  When sleeping on the side, bending the knees and placing a pillow between the knees prevents the knees from coming together and keeps the spine in the neutral position.  When there is no support between the legs, the upper leg rotates downward, pulling the pelvis, and distorting the natural curve of the spine.  Adding support between the knees can prevent back pain induced by these types of forces and allow the back to heal and rest while sleeping.  Usually a firm pillow between the knees works better than a softer pillow because it serves somewhat as a kickstand to keep the upper leg from rotating over the lower leg.
• Knee Pillows - Back Sleeping - when sleeping on the back, placing a pillow underneath the back of the knees helps reduce the load on the lower back.  Some people even prefer to have two pillows to elevate their knees higher.  With two or more pillows underneath the knees, the lumbar spine is flattened, putting less force on the facet joints of the spine.  This position is the best overall to help the back rest comfortably, and many people find that this is the only way they can sleep during a severe bout of back pain or while recovering from spine surgery.
• Body Pillows - a pillow that is as long as the body can serve several functions for people who prefer to sleep on their side as the top portion can be used to support the head and neck, while the bottom portion supports the knees and legs.  Some people find this more comfortable than using separate pillows for the head and knees.  In particular, women who are pregnant may find that a body pillow that provides added support for the abdominal area helps them rest comfortably.  Throwing the top leg over the body pillow while side sleeping should be avoided as this places a twisting force on the lower thoracic and lumbar spine.
• Neck Pillows - a pillow that is contoured to fill the spaces under the head and neck can be helpful for people with cervical spine problems.  Also called cervical pillows or orthopedic pillows, this type of pillow had a deeper depression where the head lies, and extra support under the neck.  People with cervical pain may favor these pillows, as they fill the hollow space created by the neck and help keep the neck in alignment with the spine.  Some orthopedic pillows tend to wear out after one or two years and may need replacing.

Using a variety of pillows for both comfort and support can make a big difference in alleviating or avoiding back pain and getting a good night's sleep.  For people with spinal disorders, the right type of support can be especially important in helping the spine rest comfortably.

For example, most down or feather pillows offer very little structural support compared to pillows filled with firmer materials.  People who suffer from moderate or sever spinal dis degeneration, spinal stenosis, myofascial pain, or trauma often seem to experience a more restful night's sleep with a firmer pillow.  Pillow filled with grain or buckwheat hulls are often effective for people with any of the above mentioned conditions.

Our offices sell a variety of different chiropractic pillows including the contoured pillows and the buckwheat pillows.  Ask your chiropractor if you would benefit from a specific pillow for your condition.

Baseball Star Teixeira Uses Chiropractic, ART, and Graston to Stay in the Game

Yankee first baseman, Mark Teixeira, has a lingering calf injury.  He also has the goal of playing for 8 more seasons.  To reach that goal, he has committed to weekly, two hour sessions with Chiropractor Gil Chimes for chiropractic care and soft tissue work.  Chimes uses ART (Active Release Techniques) as well as Graston to help the calf muscle grow more supple to absorb and disperse force.  ART is a targeted deep muscle massage and Graston breaks up scar tissue.

To read more about this story, go to the April 2013 issue of Men's Journal.  Dr. Nathan Zachor is certified in ART and a number of our chiropractors are certified in the Graston Technique.  Please call our offices at 920-738-0200 (Appleton) or 920-720-0660 (Neenah) if you are interested in learning more.

Lower Leg Pain Workshop Offered

“Prevention of Common Lower Leg Injuries through Strengthening Exercises”

Dr. Nathan Zachor will present a workshop on lower leg injuries on Thursday, October 17th from 5:30 to 6:15. If you suffer from hip pain, IT band pain, knee pain or swelling, shin pain, foot or arch pain, shin splints or plantar fasciitis, you will want to attend this short but informative workshop at our Appleton office.

Find out why common injuries to the lower leg occur from running, cross training, and work settings.  Understand if you have  poor movement patterns in the lower leg that are due to muscle weakness, imbalance or asymmetry, or pain using simple movement screening tests that one can perform at home.  Learn how you can be proactive by incorporating corrective exercises to avoid common lower leg injuries during running, cross training, or daily activities.  Learn additional self-care tips on footwear selection, myofascial release tools and techniques for at home use, and training tips to work through injuries until stability and good movement is achieved.

See our previous blog post "Preventing Common Lower Leg Injuries" for additional information.

The workshop will be presented at Schubbe Resch Chiropractic and PT at 2200 S. Kensington Dr in Appleton.  Register by calling 920-738-0200 or emailing patientservices@schubbeappleton.com.  There is no charge for this event.

Preventing Common Lower Leg Injuries

Preventing Common Lower Leg Injuries through Preventative Strengthening Exercises:

                As the Fox Cities Marathon draws near, your training program intensity is beginning to peak.  Longer training runs may cause overuse injuries from cumulative stress on your lower leg tissues.  Overuse injuries that are typical in the lower leg include hip strain,  IT band syndrome, inner and outer meniscus (cushion between the knees) swelling, inner knee ligament soreness, kneecap tracking problems, soft tissue pain and strain on the front or side of the shin bone, foot  and inner arch pain, Achilles tendon strain, and plantar fascia inflammation, pain, and thickening.  A common breakdown in alignment of the lower leg due to weakness in specific muscles leads to many of the overuse injuries indicated above. 

                A good test to see if one’s lower leg alignment is normal is to perform a single leg squat in front of a full-length mirror.  If your hips are not level or if your knee caves inward of your second toe, then your muscles are probably not maintaining proper alignment.  This may suggest your outer hip stabilizing muscles are weak or fatigued.  If you see your foot arch falling during a single leg squat, then your front shin muscles are likely weak or fatigued.  Another common finding is that your knee may extend forward beyond your toes, which commonly suggests weakness and tightness in the posterior gluteal region. 

                See the following YouTube links for exercises to counteract these muscle weaknesses, improve your lower leg stability and alignment, and to prevent and stay injury free.  Try to perform the exercises below for 2-3 sets, 10 repetitions per set, 3-4 times per week for a minimum of 12 weeks .  Good luck everyone as you train and race this fall! 

Shin strengthening video             Hip strengthening video

              Buttock Strengthening video

About the author of this article:

                Dr. Nathan Zachor, DC is a chiropractic provider at Schubbe Resch Chiropractic and Physical Therapy in Appleton.  He is board certified in both functional rehabilitation and chiropractic.  Dr. Zachor is certified in multiple soft tissue techniques to treat athletic injuries including Active Release Technique (ART), Graston Technique (GT), Kinesiotaping Technique (CKTP), and Cold Laser Therapy.  He may be reached at Nathan.zachor@schubbeappleton.com or 920-738-0200 for any additional questions or concerns you may have related to the content of the above article.

New to Exercise Workshop

Join Dr. Nathan Zachor, Dr. Laura Kemps, and our physical therapists on Thursday, May 16th for a workshop designed for those new to exercise or exercising again after a prolonged time off.

Dr. Nathan Zachor will discuss Functional Movement Screening and explain how it can be used to determine your potential areas of injury before you resume an exercise routine.  Once deficiencies are identified, specific exercises can be prescribed to correct imbalances and avoid injury.

Dr. Laura Kemps will explain what BMI is as well Metabolic Syndrome and what they mean to your health. She will offer nutritional advice to help you eat better, feel better, and lose weight.

Our physical therapists will explain how much and what cardio you need in your exercise plan, show you some exercises you can do at home with minimal equipment, and offer exercise tips.  Participants will all leave with a home exercise program.

Get off the couch and back into life!  Register for this free workshop by calling 920-738-0200, or by emailing patientservices@schubbeappleton.com

Workshop is Thursday, May 16th from 6:00 to 7:00, and open to all, whether current patients of Schubbe Resch or not!  Location is 2200 S. Kensington Dr in Appleton.

Knee Pain in Females

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) refers to pain in the front of the knee and around the knee cap. While PFPS is considered an overuse issue that can occur in males and females, it is thought to be more common in females because of different joint alignment, movement patterns or strength deficits. It’s the most common condition reported in recreational runners and is often referred to as “runners knee.” However, it’s also common among active non-runners as well. This pain is common with activities like running, squatting, kneeling or going up and down stairs or after sitting for a long period of time.

In some cases of PFPS, there is weakness of the thigh or buttock muscles. In other cases, tightness of hamstrings or calves can increase compression under the knee cap. Certain jumping and running mechanics place extra strain on the knee joint and surrounding structures. As PFPS can be caused by weakness, tightness, or stiffness in the muscles that surround the knee, physical therapy treatment is based the specific findings of an individual’s examination. Treatment can include strengthening, flexibility, and manual therapy techniques. When leg alignment or movement patterns contribute to knee pain, patient education in improved mechanics for jumping or running, taping of the knee cap, knee bracing, or foot orthotics may be helpful.

Additional information on PFPS and it's management can be found at the American Physical Therapy Associations Move Forward PT website: http://www.moveforwardpt.com/SymptomsConditionsDetail.aspx?cid=f6dfe597-2f7d-4f1e-9aff-67694dca085f

Schubbe-Resch has physical therapists and physical therapist assistants that specialize in the treatment of PFPS and numerous other orthopedic conditions.