Archive for the 'Conditions & Treatments' Category

Lower Back & Leg Pain

Published
by
Dr. Gould
on July 4, 2008
in Cincinnati Chiropractors and Sciatica
. 0 Comments

It all started with lower back pain

I thought the pain would go away. Then over time, the pain started radiating down into my buttock and lower leg. Does this describe your problem? If so, know that you are not alone. This is one of the most common complaints I hear from patients while taking their history.

low-back-pain.bmpSo why does this happen?

There are a variety things that can cause this. However, in each case, it is due to nerves being irritated or compressed. In the majority of instances this type of a problem begins as a mechanical problem. What do I mean by a mechanical problem? Simply put, our spine and pelvis are made up of many parts. Parts that not only fit together in a very specific way but also allow movement. Each part is connected to the other by ligaments. The ligaments not only hold everything together but allow a certain amount of motion. On occasion, due to trauma, repetitive activities or simply weakness due to a poor fitness level the parts of our spine and pelvis can shift outside of their normal position. When this happens, the ligaments become inflamed and due to their proximity to neurological structure put pressure on these structures. Where this happens will determine a patients pain pattern. In the leg, pain can occur on the front, side or back. It can occur in the upper leg, lower leg and foot. In fact, the term sciatica is often used for pain that radiates into the leg. Sciatica is actually graded due to severity. Pain into the buttock is called primary sciatica. Pain that continues through buttock into the thigh area, is called secondary sciatica. Pain that continues through the buttock and thigh area and into the lower leg and foot is called tertiary sciatica. As a general rule, the further down the pain goes in the leg the more serious the case.

Below is a great example of how a compressed nerve can cause both lower back and leg pain.

Is this problem correctable?

In the majority of instances the answer yes! The first thing we need to do is to find out exactly where in your spine the problem is originating from. Once we find the problem area, we work on correcting the faulty position and mechanics. As you begin to heal, you will notice the pain will begin to retrace. I tell my patients it’s like playing the movie backwards. The last pain you had to show up will be the first thing to go away. Example: A person starts out with lower back pain that eventually goes into their buttock and then down the back of their leg to just above the knee. Once I begin treating them the pain will move up until it is no longer in the leg. Then it will move out of the buttock and only in the lower back. Finally, the lower back pain will be gone.

If you are suffering with lower back and leg pain and live in the Cincinnati area give me a call. Life is too short to be encumbered by pain.

I hope this post was helpful.

Yours in health,

Dr. Gould

Chiropractic Treatment

Published
by
Dr. Gould
on April 19, 2008
in Cincinnati Chiropractors, Conditions & Treatments and Wellness 101
. 0 Comments

xray-view-box.bmpIf you have never been to a Chiropractor, you probably have heard many things about chiropractic, some good, some bad. I call them Chiropractic Myths! Below I would like to talk about some of the common misconceptions about Chiropractic.

Does Chiropractic Care Hurt?

In the majority of instances no. The typical response to a chiropractic adjustment is a feeling of relief and well-being. If a person comes into my office in excruciating pain, when I adjust them there may be a temporary increase in their pain. This increase in pain is transient.

Do M.D’s refer to Chiropractors?

Yes, the majority of medical doctors find treating musculoskeletal problems frustrating. Meaning their typical treatment involves pain medication and muscle relaxers. Neither of which, get to the actual cause of the problem.

Do Chiropractors require a lot of treatments?

This typically depends on the patient’s goals of treatment. You have to remember that Chiropractic Care is not Symptom-Based. The goal is to correct the “cause” of the patient’s problem, not just the “symptom.” Chiropractic care is very similar to orthodontics. Putting braces on crooked teeth is effective due to corrective pressure and time. This is what our body responds to, pressure and time. Straightening teeth takes time, your spine is no different. Most people want everything now! Sorry, that’s not the way it works. If you want to get the most out of any endeavor, it takes time and commitment.  Anything less is doomed to fail.

Why should someone choose a Chiropractor?

If you are looking for a holistic approach to your health challenge, Chiropractic is your answer. Chiropractic’s Philosophy is one that works with the body, not against it. Within you there is a Life-Force, very similar to software that runs and monitors “all” the processes of your body. Chiropractors have a name for this force, we call it the body’s ”Innate-Intelligence.” This inborn intelligence has the ability to heal you and keep you healthy all the years of your life. Spinal problems cause a disruption in the flow of this intelligence, allowing you to become susceptible to illness, injury and disease. Correcting spinal problems restores this flow of innate in your body, allowing you to regain your health.

Does chiropractic care help with conditions other than pain?

Yes, people are often amazed after beginning Chiropractic Care how other symptoms begin to fade away. Below are a few examples:

  • Menstrual cramps, the kind that ocurr both before and after a woman’s period begins. My female patients are always amazed that they are cramp free when there lower back and pelvic area is in alignment.
  • Stomach problems also resolve after correcting the spine in many cases.
  • Blood Pressure goes down (both diastolic & systolic) after upper neck adjustments. Recent Study

Becoming healthy takes time and commitment. If you are ready to begin your journey back to health I’m here to help you.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Gould

Is Your Pillow Causing Neck Pain

Published
by
Dr. Gould
on April 10, 2008
in Cincinnati Chiropractors, Neck Pain & Stiffness and Wellness 101
. 0 Comments

The ideal sleeping position is lying on your back or on your side. No sleeping on your stomach! Having the right pillow however, will allow your spine to stay properly positioned, which will not only allow you to sleep deeply but will also prevent neck problems.

Below are a few tips when selecting a pillow:

  1. When choosing a pillow, be selective. When lying on your side, your head and neck should remain level with your mid and lower spine. When lying on your back, your head and neck should remain level with your upper back and spine. In other words, your pillow should not be so thick that it causes your head and neck to be propped up or angled sharply away from your body.
  2. Be wary of pillows that are made out of mushy foam materials. The weight of your head can displace this kind of foam, leaving little support. Choose firmer foam and materials that press back and support the head and neck.
  3. If you find yourself sleeping on your side with one hand propped under your pillow, that’s a clue that you’re not getting the support you need from that pillow.
  4. There is no such thing as a universal fit when it comes to pillows. We are all different! Find one that is consistent with the shape and size of your body.

If you currently have neck pain and find that you are doing all of the above correctly, I would advise you to give me a call to set up an appointment to be evaluated.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Gould

Postpartum Headaches

Published
by
Dr. Gould
on April 5, 2008
in Conditions & Treatments and Headaches
. 0 Comments

migraine0.bmpOn a daily basis, I see and treat a variety of health problems. One of my more interesting cases began with a phone call from an Internist, located in the Kenwood area of Cincinnati.

The conversation went something like this, Doc, I have a 43 year old female that just gave birth several days ago. She was in labor for almost 3 days. While in labor, she developed a severe migraine headache, which she has had ever since. Here is my dilemma, she is determined to breast feed and because of that fact, I cannot give her any narcotics for her pain.

An MRI study of her head was completed, a vasculature study of her head was completed and x-rays of her neck. It’s a mystery, we cannot figure out what is causing the headaches. Would you take a look at her for me? I agreed and told him to send her immediately to my office.

When she arrived at my office, she was crying due to the unrelenting pain. She looked absolutely exhausted. I had her sit down on my examination table, then I asked her several questions. She described her headache and said that it was so painful she could hardly sleep, think or function.

I examined her paying particular attention to her upper neck area. I had suspected that her top vertebrae in her neck (C1 or Atlas) had gotten displaced while she was in labor. I was correct it had. After explaining what I had found and pointing it out to her, she was eager for me to try to help her.

After carefully positioning her on my adjusting table, I adjusted her atlas or the top vertebra in her neck. I then told her to go home and try to sleep and to return to my office the next morning.

I was working on another patient the next morning when she walked in. She walked past the room I was in and smiled at me. No tears just a smile. I knew she was better! I finished up with the patient that I was with and then went in the other room to see how she was doing. She was amazed that she was 95% better. I rechecked her Atlas it was barely out, I re-adjusted it and told her to call me in two days to let me know how she was doing. She did, her headache was completely gone.

Do you suffer with headaches?

If you do and you have never had your spine, specifically your upper spine, chiropractically evaluated you should. You may find that it’s the solution. Strong medications and narcotics never get at the true cause. They only treat the symptom and leave you dealing with side-effects.  If you live in the Greater Cincinnati area and you are suffering with headaches call me.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Gould

Pain at Work

Published
by
Dr. Gould
on March 30, 2008
in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Headaches and Repetitive Stress Injuries
. 0 Comments

ergo2.bmp

Since opening my practice in 1988, I have had the privilege of teaching many local companies both big and small, the importance of Work-Station-Fit. What do I mean by Work-Station-Fit? I teach people how to make adjustments to their work environment so that the work environment fits their body, instead of their body trying to fit their work environment. By making a few simple changes comfort and fatigue are greatly reduced. This is what Ergonomics is all about.

Regardless of what you do for a living, having a simple understanding of Ergonomics can prevent a lot of pain syndromes and health problems. Improper ergonomics can lead to a variety of problems. Here are the most common problems: headaches, neck pain, shoulder and arm pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, upper back and lower back pain, varicose veins in the lower legs.

I’d like to give you a brief simple lesson in body mechanics.

First of all, our body is very efficient when it comes to energy consumption when we maintain an ideal posture. This ideal posture has a name, it is called the Neutral Position. Our body is said to be in a neutral position when all the weight of our body is balanced on the boney structures of our body, allowing it to be transferred into the seat pan of a chair (if we are sitting) or into the floor (if we are standing).

However, when we deviate from this neutral position our energy consumption goes up due to our weight being transferred away from our bone to the muscle. Going from the sitting position to the standing position requires us to get out of the neutral position. Imagine trying to stand in a position that is halfway between sitting and standing. I can tell you you would not last long. Why? Your muscles are now primarially responsible for holding all of your body weight up, not your bones. The load gets transferred from the boney structures of your body to the muscles.

So now you understand why you should try to obtain this neutral postition. So what does the neutral position look like? Here are a few guidelines:

If you are standing…

Stand straight up. Legs and feet symmetrical. Your head is looking straight ahead. Your arms are at your sides or if you are working at a table your elbows can be bent at a 70 to 90 degree angle. If you are working with your hands and eyes the table top should be elevated.

If you are sitting…

As you sit down push your bottom all the way back into the back of the chair, that way when you straighten up a natural curve will form in your lower back. Your head should be looking straight ahead. Not looking up or looking down. Now position your monitor, so that if you brought it to your face the center of the screen would touch your chin. Remember the 90 degree rule, elbows and knees should be at 90 degrees. Your feet should be flat on the floor. The edge of the seat pan (the part directly underneath your knees) should not be putting pressure on the back of your legs. Pressure on this area prevents the blood from returning from the lower leg, this can cause varicose veins. If your chair allows you to make and adjustment, make the adjustment. If not, put something under your feet to eliminate the pressure on the back side of the knee. If you use a keyboard keep your hands and wrists straight. Any deviation from this can lead to carpal tunnel issues.

Below is a humorous example of both good and bad ergonomics. Pay attention and learn.

I hope this has been helpful.

Yours in Health!

Dr. Gould