Medical versus Chiropractic

Have you ever considered who is best suited to treat back pain?

 

Since there are so many treatment options available today, it is quite challenging to make this decision without some help.

 

A study looking at this very question compared the effectiveness between medical and chiropractic intervention.

 

Over a 4-year time frame, 2780 patients were followed (initial, 2-week, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 48 month intervals) with questionnaires. Both acute (symptoms less than 7 weeks) and chronic (symptoms longer than 7 weeks) low back pain (LBP) patients were treated using conventional approaches by both MDs (Medical Doctors) and DCs (Doctors of Chiropractic).

 

Chiropractic treatments included spinal manipulation, physical therapy, and exercise plan, and self-care education.

 

Medical therapies included prescription drugs, an exercise plan, self-care advice and about 25%of the patients received physical therapy.

 

The study focused on present pan severity and functional disability (activity interference) measured by questionnaires mailed to the patients.

 

It was reported that chiropractic was favored over medical treatment in the following areas:

- Pain relief in the first 12 months (more evident in the chronic patients)

- When LBP pain radiated below the knee (more evident in the chronic patients)

- Chronic LBP patients with no leg pain (during the first three months)

 

Similar trends favoring chiropractic were seen for disability but were of smaller magnitude.

 

All patient groups saw significant improvement in both pain and disability over the four year study period.

 

Acute patients saw the greatest degree of improvement with many achieving symptom relief after three months of care.  Noteworthy, at the three year point, 1/2 to 3/4 off all the patients reported at least 30 days of pain during the prior year including those that responded well after early treatment.

 

Also, 19% to 27% of chronic LBP patients noted daily pain during the prior year. This suggests that LBP is more likely to return at times in future, which many have similarly reported to be true.

 

However, this study also found that early intervention reduced chronic pain and, at year three, those acute LBP patients who received early intervention reported fewer days of LBP than those who waited longer for treatment.

 

While both MDs and DCs treatment approaches helped, it's quite clear from the information reported that chiropractic should be utilized first.

 

These findings support the importance of early intervention by chiropractic physicians and make the most sense for those of you struggling with the question of who to see for your LBP.

(reprinted from "weeklyhealthupdate" Ben Altadonna)

 

~ Don't Forget ~ The Ultimate Health Workshop Starts tonight!! When:    2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings starting March 9, 2011 Times:    From 6:15pm to 8:00pm Meal:     A light dinner will be served Cost:      All are welcome- dinner and admission are free! RSVP:    Required   (760) 724-8888 Have a great month! Dr. Hill and Staff Hill Chiropractic & Wellness www.VistaChiro.com Call us today! (760) 724-8888

Nutrition and Diet Tips

Nutrition and Diet Tips

A healthy diet calls for a wide variety of nutrients and vitamins and provides many benefits, such as helping achieve and maintain a healthy weight level and providing one with enough energy and vitality for daily exercise. In addition to eating a variety of healthy foods for adequate nutrition, there are several other aspects of self care that help support and maintain a healthy diet over the long term. Drink Plenty of Water It is vitally important to drink plenty of water as part of a healthy diet to nourish the entire body, which is comprised of about 60% to 70% water. Drinking water to stay well hydrated allows nutrients to travel to the major organs in the body, helps remove waste and helps protect joints and organs. Article continues below Water is also important for the spine and back. For example, intervertebral discs consist largely of water (at birth, discs are about eighty percent water, although this usually declines with age). Therefore, keeping the body well hydrated by drinking water regularly is important to nourish the spinal discs and help keep them healthy. It is generally recommended to drink at least 8 large glasses of water each day as part of a healthy diet. In addition, it is important to drink water continuously through the day rather than drinking only when thirsty. Drinking enough water to stay well hydrated also helps with maintaining optimal weight or achieving weight loss as necessary. Exercise Regularly Getting enough exercise is critical for many reasons. When it comes to the back, exercise provides the double-benefit of helping problems heal more quickly and helping prevent a recurrence of the pain. Movement through gentle, controlled exercise stimulates a flow of nutrients within the spinal structures that helps with the healing process. For example, physical activity causes the intervertebral discs to swell with water and then squeeze it out, a process necessary to allow the exchange nutrients between the discs and other spinal structures. If physical activity and gentle exercise is lacking, the spinal discs are deprived of the nutrients they need to stay healthy and functional. A focused exercise program - usually guided by a spine health professional - is a critical part of almost any back pain treatment. Most exercise programs include a combination of stretching, strengthening and low-impact aerobic exercise. For people who do not have back problems, exercise is also important in order to reduce the risk of developing back problems in the future. Avoid Smoking In addition to consuming proper amounts of certain nutrients and vitamins, there are also substances that harm the body and are detrimental to one's overall health. In particular, smoking (nicotine) is harmful in many ways. When it comes to back problems, there is now evidence that smoking damages the vascular structures of the discs and joints in the back, causing weakness that leads to low back pain. One study concluded that development of low back pain and lumbar spondylitis was significantly associated with smoking history. Please see Does Smoking Cause Low Back Pain? for more information. In addition, nicotine undermines the fusion process after spine fusion surgery by inhibiting bone growth. Spine fusion surgery is an extensive procedure, and patients who choose to have this surgery to address their severe, ongoing back pain should quit smoking to give the best chance possible of allowing the bone to heal. See Obtaining a solid spine fusion for more explanation. Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption Alcohol acts as a depressant, which can contribute to feelings of depression and chronic pain. In turn, ongoing pain and depression are interrelated and each can worsen the affects of the other. Alcohol lacks nutritional value and adds unneeded sugar to the diet, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Kelly Andrews, DC spine-health

 

 

Have a great month!

Dr. Hill and Staff
Hill Chiropractic & Wellness
www.VistaChiro.com

Call us today!
(760) 724-8888

 

How to Easily Enhance Weight Loss

Exercise Before Breakfast - Counteracts Poor Diet and Aids Weight Loss

A new study suggests that exercising in the morning, before eating, can significantly lessen the ill effects of a poor holiday diet. Researchers recruited healthy, active young men and fed them a bad diet for six weeks. A group of them that exercised before breakfast gained almost no weight and showed no signs of insulin resistance. What's more, they burned the fat they were taking in more efficiently. According to the New York Times: "... Working out before breakfast directly combated the two most detrimental effects of eating a high-fat, high-calorie diet. It also helped the men avoid gaining weight." Sources:    New York Times December 15, 2010    Journal of Physiology Nov 1, 2010;588(Pt 21):4289-302 The study in question lasted for six weeks. It included 28 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 25, divided into three groups; those who: 1.    Exercised before eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast, and drank only water during exercise 2.    Ate a carbohydrate-rich breakfast before exercising, and drank sugary drinks such as sports drinks during their workout 3.    Ate an identical diet but did not exercise at all The men who exercised, ran and cycled at a strenuous intensity four times a week. Overall, the men had identical high-calorie, high-fat diets. The primary difference was whether—and most importantly, when—they exercised. The other difference was the type of beverages they drank during exercise. At the end of the trial, the non-exercising control group had gained an average of more than six pounds, and had developed insulin resistance—the precursor to type 2 diabetes. Those who ate breakfast prior to hitting the gym gained an average of about three pounds; half the weight gain of those who did not exercise. However, they too had developed insulin resistance... The only group that gained almost no weight, and showed no signs of insulin resistance were those who exercised before eating breakfast, and drank only water during their workout. I want to draw your attention to how the type of beverage consumed during exercise can also have a major impact on your weight loss and health goals. You'll want to avoid all types of sugary drinks, including sports drinks, for up to two hours after your workout because fructose obliterates the growth hormone response. Clearly, the fasting exercise group reaped the benefits of both fasting and not ruining their efforts with carbohydrate-rich beverages... The authors concluded that: "This study for the first time shows that fasted training is more potent than fed training to facilitate adaptations in muscle and to improve whole-body glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity during hyper-caloric fat-rich diet." That's quite remarkable, considering all three groups consumed very high caloric diets. This is powerful evidence that occasional indulgences do not have to lead to excessive weight gain, which is great news for most of us, especially in light of the recent holidays. But even beyond holiday excesses, it's quite clear that something as simple as modifying your schedule to exercise before eating your first meal of the day can have a very beneficial and protective impact on your health and weight.       It's 2011 ! We hope you all had a great holiday season.  As we start into 2011, it is a great time to stop by the office and get a Chiropractic "check up".  There is no better prevention to illness than making sure your body is in proper alignment.  Additionally, with applied kinesiology (muscle testing)  we can determine if there is a specific nutritional deficiency that if supported can make your new year even better. Have a great month! Dr. Hill and Staff Hill Chiropractic & Wellness www.VistaChiro.com Call us today! (760) 724-8888

 

 

The Spinal Link to Headaches

The Spinal Link to Headaches

 

Headaches are so common that we rarely question the cause.  Headaches can be caused by something as simple as jet lag to something serious such as a brain tumor.

 

If you suffer from headaches, it is important that you get the diagnosis correct. Remember that head pain is the symptom, not the actual problem.  It is how your body indicates that there is a problem, so therefore requires some determining of the cause.  Every case is different.

 

If you are not getting your headaches under control, then why not take a different and more natural approach to your health.  There is no headache bone in your spine, nor a button the chiropractor can push to make the headache go away on its own.  It can take one visit or several, but generally an improvement is seen in a very short period of time.  It's impossible to determine if you have a spinal problem and whether this is the cause for your headaches, without an examination.  Why not set up an appointment today?

 

To your health,

 

Dr. Hill and staff

(760) 724-8888

 

 

COUPON SPECIAL

- only a couple weeks left! -

 

SPECIAL 10% Discount on Cataplex A-C-P

Mention Coupon Code 12310 when purchasing, and save 10%!

 

 

Holiday Hours:

Christmas Eve: Closed at noon

New Year's Eve: Closed at noon

 

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

DAN Certified, Holiday Hours

Did you know . . . Dr. Hill is DAN certified?


DAN is an acronym for "Defeat Autism Now". A DAN certified Chiropractor is one who is involved with the support of organ and nutritional deficiencies associated with Autism. These include digestive disorders, food allergies and reactivity, and metabolic functions especially involving liver detoxification and support for cognitive processes, to increase focus and function.

If you or someone you know struggles with Autism, call for an appointment to see how Dr. Hill Chiropractic can help.

Looking forward to helping you get healthy and stay healthy this year and well into the next,

Dr. David Hill and Staff
(760) 724-8888

www.VistaChiro.com



PLEASE NOTE

HILL CHIROPRACTIC will be CLOSED WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY for the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving.



COUPON SPECIAL

SPECIAL 10% Discount on Cataplex A-C-P
Mention Coupon Code 12310 when purchasing, and save 10%!

Cold and Flu Season has Arrived

But Cataplex A-C-P has too! As we move once again into cold and flu season (not to mention back-to-school), it is important to keep your immune system in peak condition. Cataplex A-C-P is one way to not only combat any effects you may already have, but many patients use this whole-food supplement as a preventative immune booster to stay healthy during this vulnerable season. In addition to any supplements you may be taking to keep your immune system strong, remember that regular adjustments will help keep proper blood flow and restore normal nerve supply, thereby helping to keep you healthy.

Looking forward to helping you get healthy and stay healthy this year and well into the next,

Dr. David Hill and Staff
(760) 724-8888

www.VistaChiro.com

COUPON SPECIAL

SPECIAL 10% Discount on Cataplex A-C-P Mention Coupon Code 12310 when purchasing, and save 10%!

Breaking your Resolutions

Breaking your Resolutions

With over half the year gone, here are four ways to achieve your resolutions and improve your health once and for all:

 

1. Set attainable goals - Unreasonable goals set people up for failure. 

If you have been 50 lbs overweight since college, it's unreasonable to

think you're going to drop that weight overnight. Instead, set

reasonable, short-term goals and objectives.

 

2. Have a support system - Surround yourself with people who will help

you achieve your goals.

 

3. Be positive - Healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising or quitting

smoking can have a big impact on your overall health. Rather than

focusing on what you are giving up, focus on the gain.

 

4. Persevere - Many times, resolutions are derailed by one slip up. This

doesn't have to be the case. If your resolution is to quit smoking and

you smoke a cigarette, start fresh the next day. Use your slip up as a

learning tool. Why did it happen and what can you do to prevent it

from happening again?