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.

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!!

http://drjamesroman.com/

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!!

http://www.drjamesroman.com/

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!!

http://www.drjamesroman.com/

Chiropractic Care In Lawrenceville. Lawrenceville Chiropractor Talks About Neck Pain!

Neck Pain and Chiropractic Treatment

A 42 year old, female patient presented with neck pain that had been present for 2 months. The pain came on gradually and without a specific cause. Her vocation is answering the phone for a busy mail order shoe store. She works 40 hours a week, 5 days per week and never weekends. Pain worsens with work, especially by the end of the 8 hour shift. Other pain producers include driving more than 30 minutes, reading more than 30 minutes, and washing hair with the head back. Pain improves with resting the head on a chair or pillow, moving the head in circles, 600 mg of Ibuprofen (repeated 3x/day), and a hot shower. She describes the pain as an ache with intermittent sharp pain that is becoming more frequent, “…when I move the wrong way.” There is no shooting pain into the arms or hands.

Sound familiar? This is a “typical” neck pain patient that presents to chiropractic offices around the world. What is different is that every person is unique and each case must be individually managed. For example, some patients “hate doctors” or are extremely anxious about going to any doctor. This might stem back to a prior “bad experience” with a health care provider at a very young age or perhaps even a more recent event. None-the-less, the approach used in this type of presentation may be best if it is very methodical, reassuring, and fully explained. A “low-force” type of manipulation may be best suited for this type of person as “cracking” of the neck may be too frightening for this patient. On the other hand, a different patient may not be happy unless there is a “good crack” and will not be satisfied until a chiropractic adjustment is performed.

It is equally important in both cases that a complete explanation of, 1) What is the condition causing the symptoms? 2) What can be done to treat it (that is, “what are my treatment options”)? 3) Will the proposed treatment “fit” into my busy schedule, financial situation, and my philosophy about health care? Providing answers to these questions will usually end with the best results, as the patient will understand the issues most important to them and will have confidence that those issues are understood and appreciated by the doctor. In both cases, management may include 1) modifying the work station by switching to a head set rather than pinching a phone between the neck and shoulder; 2) evaluating the patient at their work station to check for proper posture at the desk, proper computer monitor positioning, etc. and making modifications as needed; 3) teaching the patient cervical range of motion exercises and other stretches that can be done at the work station, multiple times a day, that only take a minute or two; 4) cervical traction (if this “feels good” when tested during the exam); 5) use of a cervical or contoured pillow; 6) neck / upper body strengthening exercises; 7) the use of ice as needed; 8) an anti-inflammatory diet (for example, a gluten-free diet); 9) nutritional supplementation, as indicated. Of course, most of the time, all of these approaches do not have to be included, but are options.

Neck pain, headaches, and upper back pain are conditions are commonly treated by chiropractors. If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service. We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.

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

http://www.drjamesroman.com/

Your Lawrenceville GA Chiropractor - Pain Specialist!

Lawrenceville Ga Chiropractor - Back Pain!

Chiropractic Care For Low Back Pain –
What Does the Research Say?

There has been a debate for years regarding the use of spinal manipulation and its benefits in the treatment of low back pain. Since the founding of chiropractic in 1895, the initial reaction against the early pioneer chiropractors resulted in doctors of chiropractic (DC’s) being incarcerated for “…practicing medicine without a license.” But chiropractors kept forging ahead and because of obtaining good results and helping millions of people, by 1971, Medicare adopted coverage for chiropractic – a first in chiropractic’s history. In 1975, the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare invited an international group of health care provider types (MD’s, DC’s, DO’s, etc.), to share with each other at the National Institute of Health, and determine what the “current” research status of spinal manipulative therapy was at that time. Recommendations for future needed research resulted and the proceedings were published in: The DHEW Publication No. (NIH) 76-998 “The Research Status of Spinal Manipulative Therapy.” That landmark gathering stimulated a plethora of research that was to follow over the course of the next 30+ years and continues today. Due to the overwhelming positive benefits of chiropractic published in many research studies, by the late 1980’s, most insurance companies included coverage for chiropractic care. Today, many chiropractors practice in multidiscipline health care centers that include DC’s, MD’s, and PT’s others. The following list of research studies has had a significant impact in vaulting chiropractic to its current accepted status in the health care system (the URL is included for further study):

1) Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Townsend J, Frank AO. British Medical Journal 1990 (Jun 2); 300 (6737):1431-1437. http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/ABSTRACTS/LBP_of_Mechanical_Origin.shtml

2) Manga P, Angus DE, Papadopoulos C, Swan WR. A Study to Examine the Effectiveness and Cost-effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain. 8/1993; Ontario, Canada. http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/GUIDELINES/Manga_93.shtml

3) Bigos S, et. al., 1994, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat6.chapter.25870

4) Meade TW, Dyer S, Browne W, Frank AO. Randomised Comparison of Chiropractic and Hospital Outpatient Management for Low Back Pain: Results from Extended Follow up. British Medical Journal 1995 (Aug 5); 311 (7001): 349–351 http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/ABSTRACTS/Chiropractic_and_Hospital_Outpatient.shtml

5) Luo X, Pietrobon R, Sun SX, Liu GG, Hey L. Estimates and Patterns of Direct Health Care Expenditures Among Individuals With Back Pain in the United States. Spine 2004 (Jan 1); 29 (1): 79–86. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14699281

At this clinic, we are most appreciative to have the opportunity to provide care to our patients and strive to make the experience highly satisfying. If you, a family member or a friend requires care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services. We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

If your suffer with chronic or acute pain, Please give our office a call at 770-817-0833 for a FREE Consultation!!

http://www.drjamesroman.com/