Archive for the 'Cincinnati Chiropractors' 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

Chronic Ear Infections

Published
by
Dr. Gould
on April 23, 2008
in Cincinnati Chiropractors and Infants & Children
. 0 Comments

Ear infections are seen most often in children 6 to 36 months of age. What’s so frustrating is up to a third of these children will have six or more episodes before starting school. Some children can have up to twelve episodes in one year.  Ear infections are not only stressful for the child but also for the parents, due to worry and loss of sleep.

Did you know?

Each year in the United States, approximately 30% of children under the age of three receive antibiotics as a treatment for acute earaches. Treating earaches actually is the most common reason for outpatient use of antibiotics. Scientific studies have shown little evidence of shorter duration of symptoms, fewer recurrences or better long term out-comes. Researchers have actually found that giving so many children so much antibiotic medication poses a serious risk to the children and their community. It promotes the emergence of strains of microbes that are resistant to the very antibiotics that are being used.

Can Chiropractic Help?

A chiropractic treatment plan of gentle adjustments, offers hope for comforting relief without recourse to heavy use of antibiotics or surgery for the placement of tubes. The chiropractic approach is an alternative to traditional medical treatments that may be less effective and involve serious side effects.

Isn’t it time you try a more natural approach? If you answered yes, call me.

Yours in Health, Natually!

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

Seeking A Drug-Free Approach

Published
by
Dr. Gould
on April 13, 2008
in Cincinnati Chiropractors, Drug-Free Approach and Wellness 101
. 0 Comments

Are You Paying Attention 

pills2.bmpEach day all of us are bombarded with drug advertising. Even your medical doctor can’t escape it, due to a constant parade of drug reps bringing free lunches and free samples. It is unprecedented. What I find so fascinating is how effective it is. 

Lets look at the typical drug commercial on television.  First you are warned about a certain condition and how will impact you life.  Then you are alerted that there is a solution for this condition.  The solution usually comes in the form of a colored pill.  

It’s at this point in the commercial where most people become deaf. You know, the part where they talk about Side-Effects. I suggest the next time you listen. Listen Carefully! It’s interesting that the drug that suposedly gets rid of 1 symptom, may cause 5 or 6 new symptoms.  Of course, the same company will have a drug for those symptoms also.  What a business!

If someone came to me with neck pain, and I caused them to hurt somewhere else, I’d never see them again. Yet people will take a drug that has multiple-side-effects (in many instances worse than the symptom they are taking the drug for) and will go back for more.  Now that is Amazing!  

Are You Seeking a Drug-Free Aprroach

If so, you have to ask yourself the question… Do I want to continue treating the symptom or do I want to begin treating the cause.  In the below video I talk about this difference.

Remember, you always have a choice in how you deal with your health challenge.  Ask yourself the question am I treating the cause or the symptom?  Don’t forget that pain is our body’s oil light.  Don’t ignore it by masking it with a drug. 

Yours in Health, Naturally.

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