Monday, March 1, 2010

March Is Pediatric Month!! Your Lawrenceville Chiropractor Talks About Kids & Chiropractic Care!



Chiropractic care for kids - 3 surprising conditions a chiropractor can help!

Think chiropractic care is just for stressed out, latte-drinking adults? Think again. These medical techniques, which have been around since Athens was battling Sparta, are an increasingly popular way to help kids lead a healthy life. In fact, while many of us might consider chiropractic care for children after a car accident or for kids living with scoliosis, you might be surprised to learn that your Lawrenceville, GA chiropractor can also help kids with these conditions:

Birth trauma

A number of studies have shown that traumatic births, including those that require use of vacuum extractions or forceps, can damage the nerves on a baby’s delicate spinal system. It’s not just limited to instrument births, either. Some experts theorize that epidural use during labor, which can force a woman to push before her body is ready, also damages the newborn’s nervous system. A study published in the Journal of Manual Medicine found that about 12% of newborns have spinal imbalances.

When it comes to infants, these spinal misalignments are more than a simple crick in the neck. Experts suspect they cause fussiness, sleeping problems, excessive spit-up, and poor feeding. Misalignments may also be the reason some newborns only nurse on one side.

A chiropractor will provide the gentle adjustments needed to put your baby’s spine into proper alignment, allowing your child to be well and healthy.

Colic

Endless crying. Sleepless nights. Any parent who’s lived with a colicky baby knows the frustration of living with this chronic condition. Often the solutions don’t offer much relief. From homemade concoctions to useless medications, parents are often forced to wait until their little one “outgrows” colic.

There’s increasing evidence, however, that chiropractic care can give colic relief to parents and their baby. For instance, one study of colicky infants found that 94% of those who received chiropractic care improved within two weeks. In another study, 91% of babies showed less inconsolable fussiness within just two chiropractic visits. Furthermore, a 1999 Danish study discovered that chiropractic care was more effective than drug treatments in calming colicky babies.

Ear infections

This infection of the middle ear is one of the leading causes of pediatric visits in the United States. What makes these infections worse is that they reoccur—sometimes for years. Chronic, serious ear infections can lead to permanent hearing damage and speech problems.

Common wisdom dictates either a course of antibiotics, a wait-and-see attitude or, at worse, the insertion of ear tubes. Chiropractic care is different, though. Its goal is to actively stop the source of the infection without invasive procedures or medications. Chiropractic adjustments alleviate ear infections by allowing the ear canal to drain properly. The result? No fluid buildup, no infection.

You want the best for your child. So, if your little one suffers from any of these conditions, it’s important to look at safe, effective, and drug-free alternatives. A Lawrenceville, GA chiropractor can help you find relief for your child—and for you.
For a FREE Consultation for you or your child, please call the office at 770-817-0833 today!!
Dr. James Roman

Monday, February 22, 2010

Lawrenceville Chiropractor Talks About Natural Headache Relief!



Lawrenceville Chiropractor Discusses Headache treatments – which one is right for you?

From screaming-child-induced tension headaches to blinding, blurry-eyed migraines, nearly 45 million Americans suffer chronic headaches. If you need headache-busing relief, what are your options? Here are two common ways to find relief for that pounding noggin:

Medications

There’s a smorgasbord of drug treatments that may relieve headaches. Some treat the symptoms, like pain or, in the case of migraines, nausea. Others might stop or prevent the headache. Migraine sufferers might be prescribed antidepressants to relieve pain, but these are particularly potent drugs than can trigger everything from weight gain and constipation to dizziness and drowsiness. They don’t just affect your body; they can affect your mind, too. Powerful migraine medicines have been known to cause unpleasant side effects like restlessness, agitation, and insomnia.

Chiropractic relief

You don’t have to subject yourself heavy-duty prescription meds to find relief from debilitating headaches. Chiropractic medicine, which has its roots in ancient Greece and China, is a safe and effective alternative. Part of the modern medical community since the late 1800s, Doctors of Chiropractic, or DCs, restore the body to a natural state of wellness through non-invasive, non-drug methods.

Got tension? Headaches caused by stress are the most common cause of headaches. Tense muscles can strain muscles in the neck creating aches that radiate through the head, shoulders, and upper back. A 2001 review of clinical trials suggests that chiropractic care had the same tension headache reducing power of commonly-prescribed medications.

A good chiropractor won’t simply adjust your spine and send you on your happy way. A top-notch practice will also show you simple exercises that will allow you relieve the tension between visits. So, the next time a co-worker pilfers your lunch, you’ll have the exercise tools you need to stop that headache before it starts.

Migraine sufferers will find relief in chiropractic care, too. A migraine happens when the blood vessels to the brain are restricted. The restricted blood flow causes the pounding pain as well as the visual side effects, such as blurry vision or auras. A chiropractor will make adjustments in the upper back to keep blood flowing properly. Numerous studies have shown that spinal adjustments are successful in reducing the average time of each episode as well as reducing the overall number of migraines experienced.

There is help for you headaches. Your Lawrenceville, GA chiropractor will adjust your spine to relieve the cause of your symptoms as well as give you easy, at-home techniques to relieve headaches when they hit.
For a FREE CONSULTATION, Call 770-817-0833 Today!!
Dr. James Roman
Your Lawrenceville,GA Chiropractor

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Lawrenceville Chiropractor : Natural Relief For Sciatic Pain!


3 reasons you need a chiropractor for Natural Sciatic Pain Relief!

Stinging and tingling and numbness, oh my! Living with sciatica can be hard. The pain can be debilitating, especially if it becomes a chronic condition. You know there are lots of options to treat your sciatic pain, but which one is right for you? Here are three reasons why you should seek relief from a Lawrenceville, GA chiropractor:

It’s drug-free.

Anti-inflammatory medications are a common conventional treatment for sciatic pain. While they are effective at relieving pain for some patients, they’re not always the most effective—or the safest—solution. Some doctors may even prescribe anti-depressants, which are supposed to block the pain messages sent to the brain.

In severe cases of sciatic pain, conventional doctors may recommend steroid injections. The problem with these injections is that they can spur unpleasant side effects, including infection, pain, and deterioration of the tissue around the injection site.

For drug-free relief, look for an experienced chiropractor. Applying spinal adjustments with their hands or with handheld tools, chiropractors can relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve—without drugs and the associated side effects. In fact, studies suggest that spinal adjustments may be more effective at pain relief than medication. For example, one study of more than 3,100 sciatica sufferers who had not gotten relief from drug treatments found that 50% reported excellent pain relief when given chiropractic care.

It’s non-invasive.

For the most debilitating cases of sciatica, conventional medicine sometimes turns to the scalpel. The surgeon relieves compression on the irritated nerve by opening up bone around the nerve or, if necessary, removing a ruptured disk. Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, evidence presented in The Journal of the American Medical Association, surgery was no better than other treatments at treating sciatic pain. Like any surgery, this treatment carries risk, such as infection, and it requires a recovery time. Surgical treatments can also be costly.

Chiropractic medicine treats sciatica without needles or scalpels. Rather a chiropractic professional will use his or her hands as well as handheld tools to adjust the spine and relieve pain. There’s also no recovery time, which means you can continue to work, play, and enjoy your life while receiving treatment.

It gets to the root.

Pain medication is fine for relieving the discomfort of sciatica, but it may not do a thing to cure the cause of the problem. Instead of putting the proverbial bandage on the ache, the goal of chiropractic care is to stop sciatic pain where it starts. Your chiropractor will use spinal adjustments, tissue massage, and special stretches to relieve the pressure that triggers your pain.

If sciatica is limiting the things you love to do, it’s important to seek help now. Find a Lawrenceville, GA chiropractor to give you drug-free, non-invasive treatments that don’t just relieve the pain but get to the source of your problem as well. For a FREE CONSULATION, call 770-817-0833 Today!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Your Lawrenceville GA Chiropractor Talks About The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care For Pregnancy!


Chiropractors - 5 reasons every mom-to-be needs one

The pregnant waddle—the hallmark of a woman nearing the end of pregnancy. Although this decidedly ungraceful gait is bound to produce a few chuckles—usually from those who aren’t pregnant—it’s a sure sign that a woman’s spine and pelvis are out of balance. As a result, expecting moms frequently suffer from problems like lower back pain and sciatica. But there’s more to a waddling walk than aches and pains. Here are five reasons why pregnant women should visit a Lawrenceville, GA chiropractor:

1. Give junior room to grow – When the spinal cord is adjusted properly, the pelvis remains in the correct position, which allows the maximum room for your little one to grow. It might also make you feel more comfy because when baby has room, you may be less likely to get an elbow jammed into your ribs on a regular basis.

2. Avoid a breech birth – Mounting evidence suggests that a specific type of manipulation can actually turn breech babies in the weeks leading up to labor. According to an article in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 82% of breech babies turned into the correct birthing position using a chiropractic method called the Webster Technique.

3. Set the stage for a healthy delivery – The same spinal adjustments that give your baby room to grow also keep the pelvis in the proper position for a safe delivery. When the baby has space to navigate in the womb, it can rotate into the proper birthing position, potentially reducing the amount of time you spend in labor.

4. Relieve your aches – From sciatica to back aches, chiropractic medicine has long been used to alleviate everyday aches and pains. Now, an increasing number of pregnant women are turning to this alternative form of medicine to relieve discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments counteract the changes brought on by weight gain, hormone changes, and postural adaptations.

5. Reduce use of pain meds – With aches and pains just a memory, you’ll rely less on the drugs you used to take for relief. Drug-free treatments are not only better for you, they’re better for the baby nestled inside your body.

The American Pregnancy Association considers chiropractic care to be a safe treatment during pregnancy. Experienced prenatal chiropractors can make effective adjustments as well as suggest exercises and stretches that help you maintain a healthy spine between visits.

So, what about the waddle? It occurs when the pelvic joints move too much and the bottom of the spine locks into one position. An experienced chiropractor will make adjustments that return your walk to a less duck-like state. You’ll also feel more comfortable after your chiropractic adjustments, too.

Say goodbye to the waddle and embrace the other benefits of prenatal spinal care—consult a Lawrenceville, GA chiropractor today.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Lawrenceville Chiropractor Talks About How To Get Rid Of Your Pain!


How a chiropractor can help you kick this pain in the butt


Burning, shooting pain. Weak, numb feelings. For those who live with sciatica the effects range from mild to debilitating. If you’re looking for sciatica solutions from a Lawrenceville GA chiropractor, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about this condition.

What is sciatica?

This type of pain is caused by irritation at the root of the body’s largest nerve. Symptoms vary, but they include pain along the buttocks or rear of the leg, burning or tingling sensations, numbness or weakness, or shooting pains. Sufferers feel pain from their lower back down through their leg, and, in some cases, all the way to their toes.

What causes sciatica?

Along with nerve irritation, this painful condition can be caused by narrowing of the spinal canal (lumbar spinal stenosis), a slipped vertebrae, disc degeneration, and pregnancy. It can be made worse by being overweight, not getting enough exercise, sleeping on an overly-soft mattress, and—unfortunately for Manolo fans—wearing high heels.

How can I get help for sciatica?

Many sufferers turn first to conventional medical treatments, such as anti-inflammatory prescription drugs. While these treatments are effective for some, they don’t always treat the root of the problem, and, what’s worse is that they have a host of side effects. Another sciatica treatment used in more severe cases is cortisone injections. They offer powerful relief by alleviating the inflammation, but they’re a short-term solution—your doctor may only allow you to do this a few times a year. In the most serious cases, sciatica patients resort to surgery.

Can chiropractic treatments help?

Yes! If needles and scalpels make you cringe and you don’t want to turn to drugs, consider treatment by a qualified chiropractor. A 2006 Canadian study suggests that spinal manipulation offers a safe, non-invasive alternative to conventional therapy by reducing levels of the inflammation-causing substances that cause sciatica. In addition, a British study found that sciatica patients receiving chiropractic care recovered more quickly than patients that who were advised to take a wait-and-see approach to care.

Rather than treating the symptoms, chiropractors will work with you to find the root cause of the pain. Spinal adjustments relieve sciatica by manipulating the joints and discs that may be causing the inflammation. Chiropractic sciatica treatments also include stretching exercises and deep tissue massage.


If you’re living with the pain of sciatica, you owe it to yourself to find a non-surgical, drug-free treatment. A skilled Lawrenceville GA chiropractor can help you find the relief you need and deserve, so you can enjoy your favorite activities—whether it’s bowling with the boys or planting a new rose bush—without pain.

If you have any health problems that concern you, Please give our office a call at 770-817-0833 for a FREE Consultation!!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Your Lawrenceville Chiropractor Talks About Back Pain!


Does Chiropractic Work? - What Do Insurance Companies Say?


If chiropractic care helps patients get better faster and costs the patient and/or insurance company less, shouldn’t EVERY low back pain patient FIRST see a chiropractor before any other type of doctor? That is in fact, what should be done, based on a recent report!

On October 20, 2009, a report was delivered on the impact on population, health and total health care spending. It was found the addition of chiropractic care for the treatment of neck and low back pain “…will likely increase value-for-dollar in US employer-sponsored health benefit plans.” Authored by an MD and an MD/PhD, and commissioned by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, the findings are clear; chiropractic care achieves higher satisfaction and superior outcomes for both neck and low back pain in a manner more cost effective than other commonly utilized approaches.

The study reviews the fact that low back and neck pain are extremely common conditions consuming large amounts of health care dollars. In 2002, 26% of surveyed US adults reported having back pain in the prior 3 months, 14% had neck pain and the lifetime prevalence of back pain was estimated at 85%. LBP accounts for 2% of all physician office visits where only routine examinations, hypertension, and diabetes result in more. Annual national spending is estimated at $85 billion in the US with an inflation-adjusted increase of 65% compared to 1997. Treatment options are diverse ranging from rest to surgery, including many various types of medications. Chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation and mobilization, is reportedly also widely utilized with almost half of all patients with persisting back pain seeking chiropractic treatment.

In review of the scientific literature, it is noted that 1) chiropractic care is at least as effective as other widely used therapies for low back pain; 2) Chiropractic care, when combined with other modalities such as exercise, appears to be more effective than other treatments for patients with neck pain. Other studies reviewed reported patients who had chiropractic coverage included in their insurance benefits found lower costs, reduced imaging studies, less hospitalizations, and surgical procedures compared to those with no chiropractic coverage. They then utilized a method to compare medical physician care, chiropractic physician care, physiotherapy-led exercise and, manipulation plus physiotherapy-led exercise for low back pain care. They found adding chiropractic physician care is associated with better outcomes at “…equivalent to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $1837 per QALY (Quality-adjusted Life Year).”

When combined with exercise, chiropractic physician care was also found to be very cost-effective when compared to exercise alone. This combined approach would achieve improved health outcomes at a cost of $152 per patient, equivalent to an “incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $4591 per QALY.” When comparing the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care with or without exercise even at 5 times the cost of the care they utilized in their analysis, it was still found to be “substantially more cost-effective” compared to the other approaches. It will be interesting given these findings if insurance companies and future treatment guidelines start to MANDATE the use of chiropractic FIRST – it would be in everyone’s best interest!

If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.


If you are suffering from chronic or acute back pain, Please give our office a call at 770-817-0833 for a FREE Consultation!!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Chiropractor In Lawrenceville, GA - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome _ Wrist Pain!


Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) – What, Why, How?


WHAT? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS, is the most common of the peripheral nerve conditions where the median nerve is compressed or pinched at the wrist. The resulting symptoms include numbness/pain in the wrist, fingers (index, third, and forth), multiple sleep interruptions due to hand/finger numbness requiring frequent shaking and flicking, difficulty in gripping or pinching such as buttoning a shirt, threading a needle, lifting a coffee cup, frequent dropping of objects, and the inability to perform work duties. Pain can even shoot up the arm towards the shoulder and into the neck. Because there are 9 tendons over which lies the median nerve that pass through the rather tight tunnel made up of the 8 carpal bones of the wrist, even a little swelling can create CTS.

WHY? There are many possible causes but in general, whether its swelling, a spur, or a metabolic condition, the common denominator is median nerve pinch in the confined space within the carpal tunnel. A common cause of swelling can occur with performing repetitive motion work such as line assembly, meat packing, carpentry, and so on, and over time, the tendons inside the tunnel inflame or swell and the median nerve is pressed into the ligament that crosses over the roof of the tunnel on the palm side of the wrist. Once the contents inside the tunnel swell, all positions of the wrist other than neutral or, holding the wrist in line with the forearm further increases the pressure inside the tunnel. That is why sleeping with the wrist cocked in any direction often wakes up CTS patients. Those most at risk are women over 50 years of age. CTS can also be associated with other health conditions including (but not limited to) Lymes Disease, inflammatory arthritis, and hormone-related conditions including pregnancy, taking birth control pills (BCPs), hypothyroidism, diabetes, and menopause. Lifestyle issues that affect CTS may include high caffeine intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, as well as obesity.

HOW? So the key question is how are we going to help those with CTS? First, we must identify all the possible reasons why CTS developed in the first place and manage those issues. Therefore, an ergonomic (work place) assessment or, discussing and possibly observing the patient at work can be very helpful. Sometimes, a few simple changes to a work station such as moving the monitor of a computer in line with the keyboard/mouse or adjusting the height of the computer can really help. Changing a tool handle type (pistol vs. straight grip), propping up a part that is frequently worked on, moving the product closer to where it is being assembled, eliminate overhead reach requirements, standing on a raised platform, and so on, may be most important in long term results. Identifying and treating any condition that may be participating in the cause like thyroid disease, diabetes, medication (like BCPs), and weight management, is very important. Wearing a night splint is also very productive. Unique to chiropractic, treatments include manipulation of the neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and fingers, soft-tissue therapy including massage, mobilizing the forearm muscles and tendons, teaching carpal stretch and other upper extremity exercises, and nutritional counseling. Strategies here can include eliminating any suspected food allergy related products including dairy, glutens (wheat, oats, barley, rye), soy, corn, transfats, preservatives and some chemical additives. Increasing B-vitamins (especially B6), by increasing dark leafy vegetables and, increasing antioxidants including fruits and veggies. An anti-inflammatory vitamin program of fish oil, Vit. D3, magnesium, CoQ10, and a multiple vit./mineral may facilitate as well. Once CTS is controlled, preventing a recurrence is important by promoting good posture, exercise, and sticking with the life style adjustments described above. If you, a friend or family member requires care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services.


If you have any health problems that concern you, Please give our office a call at 770-817-0833 for a FREE Consultation!!