Ventura Spinal Care Center » Where:Ventura-CA

More Evidence of the Benefits of Conservative Chiropractic Treatment for Low Back Pain

admin — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:52:22 +0000

Chiropractors everywhere will tell you the same thing: Conservative chiropractic treatment should always be considered prior to any back surgery. In fact, an entire chapter in a newly released textbook published by Springer Science+Business Media, Surgery For Low Back Pain, is dedicated to chiropractic treatment. The book was edited by a consummate group spine surgeons from Europe. The inclusion of chiropractic methods in clinical decision marks another example of the global growth and acceptance of healing benefits of chiropractic treatment.

Low back pain is one of the most prevalent conditions contended with in clinical practice, and the pathologies thought to be its cause are the main signals for spine surgery. But “true evidence” about indications actually remains elusive and, therefore, the very different techniques used need to be discussed and (re)evaluated.
Whether or not you are considering back surgery, for more on the chapter, “The place of chiropractic care in the treatment of low back pain,” written by Christopher J. Colloca, D.C., a Phoenix, Arizona based chiropractor with affiliations in the Department of Kinesiology at Arizona State University, log on to chiroeco.com

Technorati Tags: back surgery, Chiropractic treatment, Low Back Pain, Where:Ventura-CA

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A Pill Won’t Cure Obesity-Related Conditions

author — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:45:58 +0000

I was talking with a new patient of mine, a fifty-year-old woman who’d come to my chiropractic clinic for relief from hip pain, and as we were discussing her health history, she mentioned that she “used to have” high blood pressure, but now that she was on medication, it was “normal.” She said that she was very happy that she no longer needed to worry about her high blood pressure. She was surprised when I explained to her that her medication merely “regulated” her condition, but that it did not eliminate problem. As this woman was obese, I explained to her that her weight, in addition to causing her hip pain, was also the culprit that continued to cause the high blood pressure for which she needed the medication. I told her that as a chiropractor, I could temporarily relieve her hip pain with chiropractic treatment, but that it would likely come back again unless she lost some of the excess poundage she carried around each day.

Obesity is a serious condition that causes innumerable health problems such as heart disease, risk of stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and a plethora of musculoskeletal problems that, more often than not, lead to osteoarthritis. The only prevention is weight loss. The only “cure” is weight loss. The only hope for a healthy outcome is weight loss. Pharmaceuticals may regulate the symptoms of conditions caused by obesity, and chiropractors can help to temporarily relieve the pain, but there is not a traditional or alternative therapy that can rectify obesity.

There’s no getting around it, either. Losing weight is hard work and the more an individual needs to lose, the harder it can be. And, the indisputable fact is that no one can lose weight for you. But, the health “rewards” are worth it. Just ask anyone who’s lost a significant amount of weight. Health-wise, it’s a life-changer. And, studies have shown that many people with high blood pressure problems who lose their excess weight are often able get off their blood pressure medications altogether.

Technorati Tags: high blood pressure, obesity, weight loss, Where:Ventura-CA

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April is Foot Health Awareness Month

author — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:32:22 +0000

Did you know that April is Foot Health Awareness Month? As a chiropractor, I think that it is always good for us to have special days set aside to look at the various areas of our health that we might improve upon. That said, if you are someone who experiences foot pain, you are, no doubt, aware of your feet every single day, week, and month of the year, especially if you are on the run for fun or fitness. Running, though “naturally” good for us, can be hard on our lower extremities for all sorts of reasons from bad gait and poor running shoes to the surfaces we choose to run on.

The impact forces during running can be two-three times your body weight and this, in and of itself, makes your feet particularly vulnerable to injury. Add to this general vulnerability the frequent reasons for foot pain and injury mentioned above, and its no wonder that so many people suffer from foot problems. Pain-free feet are important whether you run or not, but if you’re a runner (or thinking of becoming one) it is critical for you to make sure that your feet, and the rest of your body as well, are in good shape for it. As experts in restoring and improving motion in the entire musculoskeletal system, your chiropractor can examine your feet, analyze your running mechanics, and determine if certain conditions need correction before you continue, or begin, a running regime.

With summer just around the corner, more runners than ever will be hitting the roads, parks, and tracks. If you’re planning on being one of them, whether you currently have foot pain or not, it’s a good idea to see your chiropractor, just to “run” on the safe side.

Technorati Tags: chiropractor, foot health, foot pain, running, Where:Ventura-CA

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Intervention When It Comes to Junk Food?

author — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 19:39:12 +0000

Recent scientific research found that junk food is addictive. Hm-mm, what a surprise! Of course, it won't come as a surprise to anyone who has children and has had to deal with the "drama" that takes place when a "fix" at McDonald's is passed over for a nutritious home-cooked meal that might include (yikes!) vegetables. And, it won't come as a surprise to those who've tried to lose weight by eating a healthy diet of fresh fruits and veggies and then found themselves at a midnight In-N-Out Burger drive-thru. In fact, it probably won't come as a surprise to most people that the study found that eating junk food can change the chemistry in your brain. Though, food addiction is nothing new, this particular study found that because high-calorie foods affect the brain in much the same way as cocaine and heroin, and it leads to compulsive eating habits that resemble drug addiction, foods stripped of its nutrients, i.e., junk food, makes us more hungry because our bodies "think" we need more food when, in fact, we need more nutrients.

As a chiropractor, I work with my patients to achieve overall health through regular chiropractic care, a nutritious diet, good hydration, and daily exercise. If any one of these components is missing, as far as I'm concerned, good health and longevity are at risk.

For more on this study, go to reuters.com.

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Drugs…Just in Case?

author — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 22:55:51 +0000

As a chiropractor who believes in the human body's ability to heal itself, often with the aid of natural, non-invasive, drug-free chiropractic treatment, I am always dismayed, but never surprised, at some of the pernicious claims and tenacious effrontery of drug companies when it comes to pain killers, in general, and the "treatment" of a number of conditions that don't get any better with drugs or are made worse by them. And, as a chiropractor who has helped hundreds of headache sufferers not only get temporary, but permanent relief, when I read about a drug study for yet another pain med that will likely keep headache sufferers numbed to their pain, but in the process numb to the rest of their life as well, I feel like shouting from the rooftops: "Try chiropractic first!" But, today, when I read about a study, sponsored by Merck (who also makes the product), I really felt compelled to say that this particular study is shamefully playing to the fears of migraine sufferers when, in fact, the drug itself only offers "less severity" at best when it comes to a migraine headache.

The study, conducted by Dr. X. Henry Hu of Merck & Co.and colleagues, found that one in five migraine sufferers had "avoided" a work-related commitment because they were afraid of getting a migraine, while 27 percent reported canceling a work commitment for this reason, and round 28 percent said they had avoided or canceled social commitments due to fear of migraines.

I have treated many patients who told me how much they'd "feared" the onset of a migraine and limited their activities in life because of that fear, so I do understand how devastating the fear of migraines can be. And, yet, the only "solution" this study offered?

This study is "important," said Dr. Hu, because the unpredictability of migraines could contribute to people's anxiety and fear about them and early treatment with migraine drugs called triptans can help reduce headache severity. "Because of the lack of predictability of future migraine attacks, migraine sufferers may benefit from increased education on the importance of keeping medications available at all times," he and his colleagues concluded.

My conclusion? If you suffer from migraines, give your chiropractor a call today!

SOURCE: Headache, published online March 25, 2010.

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Ventura Chiropractor Answers the Question: “Will I Have to See My Chiropractor ‘Forever’?”

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:42:41 +0000

As a chiropractor in Ventura I commonly hear this question asked by those considering chiropractic care: “If I start going to a chiropractor, will I have to always go?” I often wonder why this particular question doesn’t come up for someone who goes to a general medical practitioner. Think about it: How strange would it be if someone asked, “If I go to Dr. Smith for a general checkup and he gives me a prescription for a temporary condition I might have, will I have to see him ‘forever’?” The answer is “Of course not.” You don’t have to see Dr. Smith again, but you probably will for your yearly or bi-annual checkup and, naturally, in between if you’re not feeling well.

The same is true when you go to see a chiropractor. Most of the time, individuals go to see a chiropractor because they’re in pain (not feeling well). After the chiropractor has treated them and gotten them out of pain (a ‘prescription,’ so to speak, for a temporary condition), the chiropractor will probably suggest maintenance care (a general checkup even when you’re feeling okay). The only difference is that a chiropractor will likely suggest that you come in monthly. Why? Because chiropractors are all about preventative care whenever possible. Maintenance care is like a “tune up” that not only helps your body to maintain the “crisis” treatment you received when you were in pain and keeps you healthier and stronger so that you can avoid future injuries, but during your maintenance visit your chiropractor can make sure that you don’t have a “temporary condition” that needs to be corrected before it becomes “crisis” treatment.

Cumulative effects of awkward sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related influences can produce pain, often excruciating pain, in your back, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, etc. Getting “checked out” and “readjusted” on a regular basis keeps small conditions from becoming big problems.

So, to the question “If I start doing to a chiropractor, will I need to go “forever”? The answer is “No, but you may want to, for your health’s sake!”

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, Where:Ventura-CA

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Your Ventura Chiropractor Offers Several Different Types of Chiropractic Care Plans For A Range of Health Goals

admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:29:06 +0000

Your Ventura Chiropractor, Dr. Steven Alff, offers a variety of chiropractic treatment plans that are effective when working with your musculoskeletal system, from dealing with basic health issues to treating specific disabilities. After thoroughly examining you, Dr. Alff will recommend to you which approach would be most beneficial for you personally. As your Chiropractor in Ventura, Dr. Alff will likely present a number of individualized treatment options from which you will be able to choose in accordance with your present health issues as well as your long term health goals.

It may be helpful for you to have some information, ahead of time, about the diverse chiropractic treatment plans Dr. Alff will likely recommend.

Relief Care is a type of chiropractic program offered to people who are in the throes of almost any acute pain or distressing soreness, no matter the reason for the problem. The reason for this type of treatment is to give fast pain relief. The length of the treatment phase likely will fluctuate as the treatment depends entirely on the scope of the condition or disability experienced by the person and how quickly it can be remedied.

Corrective Care is often a “more advanced” form of chiropractic treatment. It is for individuals who have endured spinal difficulties over an extended period of time, which is to say, for individuals who have a persistent condition that has developed into a more difficult issue as a result of neglect of specific therapy. Corrective treatment ordinarily stretches over a longer time period. The length of time is determined by the scope of the progressive harm and how swiftly the person responds to the treatment.

Maintenance Care, as the name implies, is intended to maintain or support any type of therapy already administered to a patient. In many cases, chiropractic care is extended solely after the initial treatments have been estimated to be successful. The objective of this kind of chiropractic care is to inhibit the potential of the original affliction coming back and to avoid degenerative changes in the future.

Wellness Care is provided to those people that aren’t afflicted by acute discomfort, but are looking to maximize their overall health. Regular chiropractic treatment enhances the flow of blood and oxygen within the body, increases muscle flexibility, helps prevent work and play injury, and boosts a person’s all round sense of well-being.

Whether you are presently suffering from pain or you want to increase your overall health, chiropractic care can help. Call Dr. Alff, your Chiropractor in Ventura, today!

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Ventura Chiropractor Explains the Importance of Chiropractic Care

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:49:08 +0000

Did you know that chiropractic care has been growing in popularity for a long time and that it is continuing to increase yearly as the selected healthcare alternative for many folks? As the primary chiropractor in Ventura, I can confidently state that people are selecting chiropractic care due to the many added advantages that such treatment provides. No other medical method is less invasive to the body and, at the same time, can promote the body’s natural potential to heal itself, rather than masking symptoms with prescription drugs.

Let’s face it, where there’s a musculoskeletal system, such as in the human body, there’s the possibility of musculoskeletal disorder such as low back pain and neck pain, pain in the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints, and ankle and foot pain. Nobody is immune from misalignment of the spine and joint irritation, even though quite a few complications are often the end result of sports injuries, accidents, and the aging process. Irrespective of the source, any type of motion on a traumatized part of the body can not merely lead to pain or suffering, but incapacity. And, not surprisingly, a number of musculoskeletal conditions, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible disability.

It has been reported of chiropractic treatment that its “many benefits surpass” correcting a particular problem. And, even though fixing a specific condition is fantastic, a patient who comes in to see a chiropractor for lumbar pain, for instance, not only benefits from pain ease, but also greater circulation, a lessening or elimination of lactic acid, easier travel of oxygen and nutrients within the body, more flexibility, much less general pain and tenderness, swifter recovery time, a more relaxed feeling, and the reduction of future injuries! Is it any question why chiropractic care has become the treatment of preference for so many people?

Along with offering expert musculoskeletal care, chiropractors will also include education and support when it comes to improving your overall health and wellness. Chiropractors fully understand that in order for folks to get healthy and stay that way, it is necessary to choose a natural, healthy lifestyle that includes drinking lots of water to keep the body hydrated, following a nutritious diet program, and developing a regular stretching and exercise routine.

Chiropractic care doesn’t exactly work “miracles, ” but it comes fairly close in numerous areas that may surprise you. For instance, chiropractic treatment can help women that are pregnant give birth more easily. It can increase developmental abilities of babies, including helping fine motor skills, and it can commonly eliminate scoliosis. Chiropractic adjustments for kids will help reduce bronchial asthma difficulties, ear infections, and even bed-wetting. In addition to the positive aspects stated earlier, regular chiropractic management can help adults to feel more energetic and vigorous, which consequently boosts productivity and enjoyment of life. And, finally, for aging baby boomers and the senior population, not only can chiropractic treatment assist in lowering age-related complications and keep a person more active in later years, it can decrease the balance problems that all too frequently end up in dangerously critical injury from falls.

If you’re already visiting a chiropractor, that’s great! You’ve no doubt already felt many of the positive factors mentioned above. In that case, why not inform friends or family members about chiropractic? Don’t let someone you care about fall victim to the sort of misinformation relating to chiropractic care that can keep them from experiencing their day more completely. If you have loved ones who are in pain, tell them about your Ventura chiropractor. They’ll thank you!

Technorati Tags: asthma, balance problems, bed-wetting, chiropractic care, Chiropractic treatment, chiropractor, healthy lifestyle, infections, pregnancy, regular exercise, Where:Ventura-CA

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