Neck Pain and Neck Pain Triggers You’ve Probably Never Thought Of

Neck Pain and Neck Pain Triggers You’ve Probably Never Thought Of

By Dr Greg Millar, DC CCEP; Dr Ken Randolph, DC ASBCE; Dr Justin Walbom, DC; Dr Ryan Friel, DC; Dr Jessica Davis, DC and Dr Kay Bishop, DC
Millar Chiropractic Clinics - Huntsville, Madison, Jones Valley and Decatur Alabama 

Your neck is flexible and supports the weight of your head (10-12 lbs), so it can be vulnerable to injuries and conditions that cause pain and restrict motion. Neck pain causes include:

• Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too many hours hunched over your computer or smartphone, often triggers muscle strains. Even minor things, such as reading in bed or gritting your teeth, can strain neck muscles.
• Worn joints. Just like the other joints in your body, your neck joints tend to wear down with age. Osteoarthritis causes the cushions (cartilage) between your bones (vertebrae) to deteriorate. Your body then forms bone spurs that affect joint motion and cause pain.
• Nerve compression. Bulging disc, herniated disks, or bone spurs in the vertebrae of your neck can press on the nerves or nerve roots branching out from the spinal cord.
• Injuries. Rear-end auto collisions often result in whiplash injury, which occurs when the head is jerked backward and then forward, straining the soft tissues of the neck.
• Diseases. Certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer, can cause neck pain.
• Occupation. While not as common as low back pain, it is estimated that as much as 20% of workers have neck pain yearly. (Studies reported 16% for men and 20% for women).   Machine operators, carpenters, and office workers have a lifetime prevalence of neck pain at 81%, 73% and 57% respectively. Other occupational neck pain jobs include sewing machinist (98%), welders (94%), teleprinter operators (79%) microscopist (66%), seamstress (60%). 
• Sports Injuries. Sports injuries can last a lifetime. Sports like football, cheerleading, hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, track and field events, baseball, soccer, and more.

You find yourself seeking neck pain relief, but pinpointing the cause can sometimes be tough.  To get to the bottom of the cause, you’ll need to take a look at your lifestyle.    What’s Causing Your Neck Pain?  Here are some things that cause neck pain that you might not have thought of: 

1.  Sleeping on Your Stomach: You know who you are.  Stomach sleepers enjoy their sleep position so much that most of them don't want to change it even though it causes neck pain.  The problem is that sleeping on your stomach causes your head to turn to the side for hours at a time.  This forces your neck into an over rotated position for most of the night.  It practically guarantees that you’ll have neck pain. The good news is that you can train your body to sleep in a new sleep position.  Start slowly.  If you wake up on your stomach, just switch to your side or back each time.   Try this: Put a banana clip or clothes pin on the front of your pajamas.  This may provide you with just enough discomfort to roll you over to your back or side.  

2.  Weight on Your Shoulder: Carrying a heave purse by the shoulder strap. Carrying bags things like dog food on you shoulder, Shoulder Rides for kids. Even though the shoulder can be nice and flat, its not designed to carry heavy weight. We have nerves exiting the neck into nerve plexus right at the top of the shoulder. Putting weight on this area is almost assured that you will have neck pain.   

3.  Your Phone: Most of us don’t hold our phones up high enough.  Instead, we hold them down, forcing our neck into a compromised position for long periods of time.  Over time, this causes a stiff neck and even neck pain as the weight of your head puts pressure on your neck. Change the way you hold your phone and never hold it up with your shoulder.   If you’re sitting at work or at home and need to go online, opt for using the computer and keep the screen high enough that viewing it doesn’t force you to look down.  

4.  Neckties: Yep.  You read that right.   Neckties that are tied too tight increase tension in your neck.  To make sure your tie is loose enough, check to see if you can fit the width of your finger between your shirt and neck.   If not, loosen the tie. Finally, an excuse to loosen your necktie a bit more!  

5.  Your Computer Monitor:  If your monitor is slightly off either too high or too low or to the left or right, you’re hurting your neck.  Too high or too low causes you to move your head up or down to compensate. To the left or right causes you to turn your head to one side for an extended period of time.   If your job requires you to sit at a desk for eight hours or more a day, neck pain is just waiting to happen. The solution?  Move your monitor so that it is directly over your keyboard and elevate (by using books or a computer stand) it so that you don’t have to look down to see your screen.  

6.  Your Pillow: Your pillow has a lot to do with neck pain. Too much pillow, your head is bent forward and you'll have neck pain. We recommend sleeping with as little pillow as possible. Also too much pillow actually makes breathing harder. 

7.  Your Lights: If the lighting above your desk is insufficient, you’ll crane your neck forward to read your computer screen.  The forward position of the head places stress on the upper vertebrae in your neck and the muscles at the base of your head.  Headache and neck pain are often the result.   

8.  Your Eyes: Get your eyes checked.  Near or far-sightedness, if left untreated, can cause craning of your head – similar to poor lighting conditions.    

9.  Late Night TV:  We all love late night TV as much as the next guy, but if you’re in the habit of lying down with just a pillow propping up your head while you watch TV at night, your in for a double whammy!  This position results in both a forward and a rotated position of the neck. Just like too much pillow this position puts stress on the back of the neck muscles.    

10. Getting in and out of a car or truck. Most of us don't think about it but in order to get in and out of most cars and trucks we have to bend and croon our necks. This puts additional strain on neck muscles. Try to get in and out of your care holding your neck in one position as you get in and out. 

Bonus: Today posture plays an important roll in neck pain. Is your head forward? Are you shoulders rounded forward? Is one shoulder higher than the other? If so you probable have or are going to have neck pain. We call this upper crossed syndrome and its produces neck pain with uncanny certainty. The good news is its treatable.  

When to See Your Doctor: Neck pain often occurs over a long period of time.  This makes it hard to uncover the cause.  If you’ve eliminated these possible culprits and still find yourself seeking neck pain relief, a visit to your Millar Chiropractor can help. Millar Chiropractors specialize in neck pain relief through chiropractic adjustments and physiotherapy.  Millar Chiropractors work to alleviate neck pain by restoring motion to joints and muscles. 
   
Our team of experienced chiropractors specializes in treating neck pain at the source.  To see if you can benefit from chiropractic care, call our office to schedule a free consultation today at 256 830-0000.

Millar Chiropractic Clinics
303 Williams Ave SW
Huntsville AL 35801
(256) 830-0000 

Copyright 2002-2016 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard. Please see our Terms of Use page that apply to this this blog.

Habits For A Healthy Back

This is a repost from Harvard Medical School publications.

Habits for a healthy back

If you find yourself dealing with back problems on a regular basis, it’s worth making sure that your everyday habits are “back-friendly.”

When done without proper form, routine activities — vacuuming the house, working at your desk, driving, gardening, or even sleeping — can take a toll on your back. Be kind to your back by following these tips:

• Choose good seating. Your office chair should provide good back support — ideally, with an adjustable backrest, lumbar support, armrests, and wheels). Arrange your workspace so you don’t have to do a lot of twisting to reach for frequently used items.
• Travel light. Don’t overload briefcases, purses, or backpacks.
• Drive with your back in mind. Sit back in your seat and, if necessary, use a rolled blanket or towels behind your lower back for lumbar support. Shift your weight occasionally. If you have cruise control, use it when you can. Also consider using a foam seat cushion to absorb some of the vibration. When driving long distances, take frequent breaks to stretch.
• Sleep in alignment. If you can, sleep on your side with your knees bent and pulled slightly toward your chest. Your pillow should keep your head level with your spine — you don’t want your head propped up too high. Choose a mattress that’s firm enough to support your spine.

Copyright 2002-2016 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard. Please see our Terms of Use page that apply to this this blog.

You Can't Fix Dumb. Not Recommended with YOUR office Chair

How to Pick the "Right" Office Chair

By: Dr Greg Millar DC CCEP
Millar Chiropractic Clinics - Huntsville, Madison, Jones Valley, Decatur, Alabama

We have all heard that sitting is the new smoking. Study after study keeps telling us just how bad prolonged sitting is for us. Prolonged sitting in an office chair can definitely cause low back pain or worsen existing back or neck problems. The main reason for this is that sitting, in an office chair or for that matter, sitting in general, increases stress in the back, neck, shoulders, arms and legs. That stress can add large amounts of pressure to the back muscles, ligaments tendons and spinal discs. From a medical prospective sitting dramatically increases the intrathecal pressure (pressure in the spinal cord). 

When sitting in an office chair for long periods, the natural tendency for most of us is to slump over or slough down in the chair. This posture can overstretch the spinal ligaments and muscles and strain the surrounding structures of the spine. When repeated time and time again, incorrect sitting posture can damage spinal structures and contribute to or worsen back and neck pain.

Top Six Guidelines to Setup Your  Office Chair

An office chair is a tool just like any other piece of office equipment. When used properly, it can help you maximize back support and maintain good posture while sitting. However, simply owning a good office chair or ergonomic office chair is not enough. It is also necessary to adjust the office chair to the contours, size and shape of the individual's body to improve comfort and reduce aggravation to the low back and neck.

The first step in setting up an office chair is to look over the entire work area. Establish the desired height of the individual's desk or workstation. This decision is determined primarily by the type of work to be done and by the height of the person using the office chair. The height of the desk or workstation itself can vary greatly and will require different positioning of the office chair, or a different type of ergonomic chair altogether.

Once the workstation has been situated, then the user can adjust the office chair according to his or her physical proportions. Here are the most important guidelines - distilled into a quick checklist - to help make sure that the office chair and work area are as comfortable as possible and will cause the least amount of stress to the spine:

1. Elbow measure
   First, begin by sitting comfortably as close as possible to your desk so that your upper arms are parallel to your spine. Rest your hands on your work surface (e.g. desktop, computer keyboard). If your elbows are not at a 90-degree angle, adjust your office chair height either up or down.
2. Thigh measure
   Check that you can easily slide your fingers under your thigh at the leading edge of the office chair. If it is too tight, you need to prop your feet up with an adjustable footrest. If you are unusually tall and there is more than a finger width between your thigh and the chair, you need to raise the desk or work surface so that you can raise the height of your office chair.
3. Calf measure
   With your bottom pushed against the chair back, try to pass your clenched fist between the back of your calf and the front of your office chair. If you can't do that easily, then the office chair is too deep. You will need to adjust the backrest forward, insert a low back support (such as a lumbar support cushion, a pillow or rolled up towel), or get a new office chair. 
4. Get up and move
   No matter how comfortable one is in an office chair, prolonged static sitting is not good for the back and is a common contributor to back problems and muscle strain. To avoid keeping the back in one position for a long period, remember to stand, stretch and walk for at least a minute or two every half hour. Even a quick stretch or some minimal movement - such as walking to the water cooler or bathroom - will help.Low back support
5. Against the back
   Your bottom should be pressed against the back of your chair, and there should be a cushion that causes your lower back to arch slightly so that you don't slump forward or slouch down in the chair as you tire over time. This low back support in the office chair is essential to minimize the load (strain) on your back. Never slump or slouch forward in the office chair, as that places extra stress on the structures in the low back, and in particular, on the lumbar discs.

4. Resting eye level
   Close your eyes while sitting comfortably with your head facing forward. Slowly open your eyes. Your gaze should be aimed at the center of your computer screen. If your computer screen is higher or lower than your gaze, you need to either raise or lower it to reduce neck strain.
5. Armrest
   Adjust the armrest of the office chair so that it just slightly lifts your arms at the shoulders. Use of an armrest on your office chair is important to take some of the strain off your neck and shoulders, and it should make you less likely to slouch forward in your chair.

A twenty minute walk will help even more, promoting healthy blood flow that brings important nutrients to all the spinal structures. In general, moving about and stretching on a regular basis throughout the day will help keep the joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons loose, which in turn promotes an overall feeling of comfort, relaxation and ability to focus productively.

While this article is about traditional office chairs, some people prefer more active, ergonomic chairs, such as a Swedish kneeling chair or a Swiss exercise ball. While a traditional office chair is designed to provide complete support, these alternatives help promote good posture without a back support. They also require more active use of one's muscles (e.g. for balance and to sit upright). If you have an injured back or other health problems, it is advisable to first talk with your doctor prior to using one of these types of chairs.

There is no single type of office chair that is optimal for all patients, and people should determine their individual preference for comfort while following the guidelines explained in this article to promote good posture and back support while sitting in an office chair.

Dr. Greg Millar DC CCEP
Millar Chiropractic Clinics - Huntsville, Madison, Jones Valley, Decatur Alabama
1-800-462-4476
www.millarchiro.com


Copyright 2002-2016 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. You may share as long as you give credit tor a link to this article. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard. Please see our Terms of Use page that apply to this this blog.

BACKTALK TV Show June 05, 2012

Host: Dr Greg Millar, DC CCEP
Guest: Dr Jamie Bunis, DC  Millar Chiropractic - Huntsville AL (Jones Valley)
Subject: General Chiropractic

Call Toll Free 1-800 GoChiro (800-462-4476) for appointments or information at any Millar Chiropractic Clinic.

Click Here to Make an Online Appointment at any Millar Chiropractic Clinic

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Millar Chiropractic Clinic operates chiropractic clinics in Madison, Downtown Huntsville, Jones Valley and Decatur, Alabama. Madison Al Chiropractor, Huntsville AL Chiropractor,Jones Valley Chiropractor, Decatur AL Chiropractor.

Join us every Tuesday at 11:45am for BackTalk TV Show.

Copyright 2012 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard. NOTE: Please See  Notices and Disclaimers (link below) that apply to you, this blog and this content.  Notices and Disclaimers.   

BackTalk TV Show May 29th, 2012

Host: Dr Greg Millar, DC CCEP
Guest: Dr Jack Langston, DC  Millar Chiropractic-Decatur AL
Subject: General Chiropractic

Call Toll Free 1-800 GoChiro (800-462-4476) for appointments or information at any Millar Chiropractic Clinic.

Click Here to Make an Online Appointment at any Millar Chiropractic Clinic

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Millar Chiropractic Clinic operates chiropractic clinics in Madison, Downtown Huntsville, Jones Valley and Decatur, Alabama. Madison Al Chiropractor, Huntsville AL Chiropractor,Jones Valley Chiropractor, Decatur AL Chiropractor.

Join us every Tuesday at 11:45am for BackTalk TV Show.

Copyright 2012 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard. Please see: Notices and Disclaimers that apply to this this blog. http://millarchiro.com/NoticesandDisclaimers.html

The Truth About Vitamins

The Truth About Vitamins


During a graduate nutrition course at the University of Minnesota, a professor posed a challenge to the class: Construct a 2000 calorie-per-day diet that at least met the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for vitamins and minerals without the use of supplements. Most of the graduate students thought that this was going to be a simple assignment. After all, we had been told over and over again that people can get all of the nutrients their body needs simply by eating a well-balanced diet. Well, the professor was putting that statement to the test.

To everyone’s surprise, no one was able to come up with a sustainable daily diet that met the minimum RDA requirements. The graduate students discovered that it is impossible to get everything that you need from the food we eat. But how could this be? Certainly people have lived on this planet for a long time and must have been able to get everything they needed from their diet. The answer has to do with modern farming techniques, fertilizers and environmental stresses.

Following the Second World War, chemical manufacturers were sitting on huge stockpiles of phosphates and nitrates that were initially intended for use in explosives. They discovered that when they spread these same phosphates and nitrates on the soil where plants were growing, the plants grew bigger and looked healthier. Thus began the boom of the fertilizer industry.

The problem with modern fertilizers is that they don’t replace soil trace minerals, such as chromium, zinc and copper, as do cow manure and other natural fertilizers. Over time, these trace minerals become more and more depleted from the soil and, consequently, our food supply becomes more depleted as well. The bottom line is that in order to get enough trace minerals in our diet to at least meet the minimum RDAs, it is necessary to take a good quality supplement.



How to Select a Good Multivitamin

All vitamin supplements are not created equal. Supplements are just like anything else— there are some good ones out there and a whole lot of supplements that are not as good. Here a few keys to determining whether a particular vitamin is good:

•In general, supplements sold through a health care professionals are top quality. These are called "Physician Grade". They tend to be a little more expensive than the supplements you find at your discount retailer, local drug store or health food store because the ingredients that go into them tend to be of a higher quality.

•High quality vitamins have chelated minerals. This makes a huge difference in how well the minerals are absorbed by your body. If you have any questions about specific supplements that you are taking, be sure to ask on of the Millar chiropractors.

•Most high quality vitamin formulations require that you take more than one capsule or tablet per day. This is simply because high quality ingredients, such as chelated minerals, take up more space than their cheaper counterparts.

•Most over the counter multivitamins are pressed or compressed into a pill or caplet form. The body has trouble digesting these vitamins and often they pass through and out the body without being absorbed.

•Several recent studies have demonstrated that most of the vitamins we take do not contain the actual quantity of vitamin or mineral on the label. "Physician Grade" vitamins are standardized in that they are certified by an independent lab to contain ALL the ingredients in the proper amounts as listed on the label.

The Bottom Line

Taking supplements as part of your overall daily health regimen is a simple and inexpensive way to ensure that your body has everything it needs to be healthy. When combined with regular chiropractic care, taking a high quality multivitamin will help to slow the aging process and decrease your risk of a number of degenerative diseases. Be sure to talk to your Millar Chiropractor to determine which multivitamin formula best fits your individual needs. Contact us directly at http://www.millarchiro.com/.



Copyright 2010 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard.

Sinus Headache or Migraine

Sinus Headache or Migraine

       For anyone who has ever experienced one, a sinus headache is very painful. What is a sinus headache? According to the Mayo Clinic, “Sinus headaches are headaches that may accompany sinusitis, a condition in which the membranes lining your sinuses become swollen and inflamed.” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sinus-headaches/DS00647  In addition, the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) states a sinus headache can cause a dull, deep, throbbing pain in the front of the head and face. Often one of the things that can make the pain worse is bending over or leaning over. Other things that can affect a sinus headache are cold and damp weather. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/sinus-headache-000073.htm One area the Mayo Clinic and UMM agree upon is that sinus headaches can be confused with migraine headaches. Consult a doctor to receive the correct diagnosis.

       Some people may wonder what the differences between sinus headaches and migraine headaches are because many of the symptoms are the same. Although migraine headaches may be made worse by bending over and even have some nasal congestion, they (migraines) will sometimes be made worse by light, loud noise and is accompanied by nausea. Sinus headaches on the other hand rarely respond to light or loud noise.

       Sinus headaches can start with allergies, a sinus infection or even a cyst in the sinuses. Both sinus headaches and migraines are painful and must be properly diagnosed by a doctor. Many people will try to self-diagnose their sinus headaches. Thus, they will also try to treat the sinus headache themselves. These people may do more damage to themselves than if they had gone to the doctor and been properly diagnosed and treated.


Sinus Headaches and Chiropractic

       A person may ask, “What does chiropractic have to do with sinus headaches?” The answer comes in the form of relief. Every part of our body connects with our spine through the nervous system and brain. The web site Millar Chiropractic and Nutrition Centers has a 3-D spine simulator in which each vertebra of the spine is shown along with the nerves and body parts innervated by the nerves from that vertebra. http://www.millarchiro.com/3d_spine/nerve_chart/index.htm

       Vertebra C-1 through C-4 is directly linked to the sinuses and sinus cavities. Therefore, sinus headaches may respond to chiropractic treatment. Additionally, chiropractors are uniquely positioned to try natural remedies which may also benefit your condition.

       In conclusion, sinus headaches are very painful and difficult to diagnose by the average person. This is because migraine headaches share some of the same symptoms. The best advice to follow is this; have your headache symptoms diagnosed properly by a chiropractor. Finally, empirical evidence from thousands of satisfied patients just like me is that chiropractic adjustments are an effective treatment for sinus headaches and migraine headaches.


References:

Mayo Clinic, Sinus Headaches, definition, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sinus-headaches/DS00647 retrieved July 17, 2010

University of Maryland Medical Center, Sinus Headache, http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/sinus-headache-000073.htm retrieved July 17, 2010

Millar Chiropractic and Nutrition Center, 3-D spine simulator, http://www.millarchiro.com/3d_spine/nerve_chart/index.htm retrieved August 7, 2010


Testimonial

     At Millar Chiropractic and Nutrition Centers – Danville Rd, Decatur, Alabama, Dr. Greg Millar DC treats a female patient who has had severe sinus headaches and migraine headaches for 40 years. The treatment has brought major relief to this patient. She no longer suffers the debilitating pain of sinus or migraine headaches. I know because that patient is me. Kathy R.

Copyright 2010 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard.

Interesting Case

Problem: This week I had a 43 year old lady present with chronic fatigue, chronic headaches and pain over all four quadrants of her body. She had yeast overgrowth but did not know it. She had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis, Endometrosis, Allergies, Type II Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sinus Problems and Thyroid disorder. Examination revealed tight and tender points across the body with moderate spasms. Numerous orthopedic tests were positive. She had both sensory and motor loss to the upper and lower extremities. She has a past surgical hx of gallbladder and hysterectomy. She has been in several past major auto accidents. She has had past severe hormone problems with past long and painful menstrual periods, severe mood swings and moderate PMS. She has current hormone problems in that she has hot flashes still and every night she goes to bed cold and wakes up about 3-4am sweating and very hot. She has been to numerous physicians. Her primary care physician tells her her problem is in her head and offers nothing to help. In taking her history, I also discovered that her body temperature is always very low in fact her body temp runs around 97.5 and I suspect Wilson's Temperature syndrome as well. I understand in the endocrinology community especially in the Eastern US that Wilson Temperature Syndrome is an unthinkable and unfounded diagnosis. But I think she has it anyway. By the way, this lady ate NO fish EVER and did not drink water. Instead she drank Mountain Due and Coffee all day long. Test: Her Sed Rate was 28/20. Her EBV IgM, IgG and nuclear antibody were all positive and very high. X-Rays demonstrated a mild to moderate scolosis with a loss of cervical curve and degenerative disc disease, spondylosis and moderate loss of disc space through out the spine. Her Complete Blood Count with Differential demonstrated a mildly elevated white count with elevated eosinophils and basophils both possibly elevated to allergic reactions and possible parasites in the case of eosinophils. Discussion: I have seen many patients in the past with this same sequella of symptoms and problems. The first things we need to do is get them sleeping, get them off Mountain Due and Sugar and ON Water and Fish oil. I have consulted infectious disease just to be on the safe side. I think she may have food allergies as well as a permeable/leaky gut and disbiosis. I think she may have bulging disc and other musculoskeletal problems as well. I also took her off ALL Sugar. NO foods that contain any sugar and started her on probiotics. I want her to start stretching daily for the FMS. This is one of those onion cases. These people have many layers of problems and we'll take them one at a time. I will update you on her progress. PS... She will get worse before she gets better. But I think with God's help we can walk her out of the woods. Dr Greg Millar



Copyright 2009 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard.

Leg Pain & Groin Pain with NO Back Pain

Problem: Today I had a man present with groin pain and leg pain to the foot worse on sitting and lying down and better with standing and walking. He has had similar groin pain in the past over the years but he has had no similar leg pain. He thinks he hurt himself lifting something heavy a week ago. Today, he had no back pain to speak of. In fact on examination, the low back had very little tenderness or spasms. He had a little edema over the sacrum. His groin and leg pain however he rated at a 9. During the exam his pain was so intense he could hardly carry on a conversation. My exam revealed several things. First, I could make the pain worse by having him sit on the table and raise a leg to 90 degrees. Secondly, with him lying on the table, when I lifted his uninvolved leg up to 35 degrees, pain shot down his leg and into the groin. Third when I tested his lower extremity sensory nerves (dermatomes) he had moderate hypersensitivity (too much) in one area of the involved leg followed by moderate hyposensitivity (too little) of the along the outside of the foot (S1) dermatome. Forth, his muscle strengths were somewhat diminished with some loss of strength at the involved leg quad and hamstring muscles both rated a 4/5. He had a negative heel walk and toe walk and denied any change to bowel. Finally he had a negative braggard's ruling out simple sciatica. Treatment: He had a defibrillator so e-stimulation was out. So I went with moist heat followed by laser to the sacrum and lateral/posterior leg along the nerve route and ultrasound to the upper lumbar para spinal muscles at T12 -L3 on the side of involvement. I did some manual therapy on his low back and sent him for X-rays at the local hospital as I want a radiologist to read these films. I think he has two things going on. First I think he has stenosis (narrowing of the central spinal canal) and secondly I think he has superimposed a bulging disc at L5. He also may have one at L4. I think he has neuroforaminal encroachment (disc pressing on the nerve root) causing inflammation. I will order an MRI after I get the x-rays back. I talked to him about anti inflammatory meds but he was already on Mobic. Discussion: Diagnosis is the key. If a doctor does not know what is causing the problem he can't fix it. God gives us the right to have more than one thing going on at a time. Most people have multiple pain generators. I talk everyday to patients that tell me that the doctor did not touch them in the examination. That means the doctor is guessing and that's why we have so many failures in low back pain treatment. Greg Millar DC CCEP




Copyright 2009 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard.

Fibromyalgia and Multiple Herniated Disc

Today Monday Feb 9th was a most interesting day of practice. CASE: I had a middle aged female patient in the Decatur Disc Treatment Center office who had multi level degenerative disc disease with stenosis and neuroforaminal encroachment with 2 herniations and 2 bulges in the lower cervical spine; 2 prolapsed disc in the thoracic spine at T7-8 and T8-9; and 2 herniations in the lumbar spine at L4-5 and L5-S1. She also has Rheumatoid arthritis. I have treated her for several years. She has been through several rounds of DTS decompression traction with good success particularly in the lumbar spine. She has also had several rounds of physical therapy again to good success particularly in core stabilization and in making her stronger and more vital. What made today so different was that she has for some time been experience mild fibromyalgia like symptoms. Today her FMS (fibromyalgia) was flairing and was setting off her neck and low back radiating pain. FMS is normally considered a non- inflammatory disease and her SED rate was a 2 on the 0-20 scale meaning that she had little or inflammation. However she stated that her fibro fog and fibro pain was at it's highest ever today. She also stated that the FMS pain (pain evenly divided in all 4 quadrants) was always there as background pain then as the day progressed her radicular or discogenic pain would break through and progress. Treatment: I treated the FMS by helping her to get to sleep and stay asleep. I put her on Fibromalic brand of magnesium with malic acid. I asked her to control her sleep time and make changes in her going to sleep patterns. I told her to use breath right strips at night. I ask her to take warm Epsom salt baths. I put her on (krill) fish oil 3000mg a day. I measured her anti-occident scan and it was under 12000 where it should be a min of 35-40,000. I put her on physician grade multi vitamins and water as her serum Co2 was in the 30's. I consulted in Dr. Gary Cohen Do physical medicine/rehabilitation and he suggested Gogi juice as well. We are going to repeat her NCV to make sure that no radiculopathy changes have taken place and were starting her on a round of conservative chiropractic care along with physical therapy core stablization. Results: Too new to rate. I will revisit this case in two weeks.

Copyright 2009 Millar Chiropractic Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this website including all links to other pages or websites herein including but not limited to text, graphics, images, comments, statements, or information from doctors, host or guest, and other material contained therein (Content) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not use this Content for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of Content you have seen, read or heard.