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/