Chiropractic/What is this all about?

Mission

It is our mission to ...

. . . give health to those who need it and hope to those who seek it.

. . . ensure that every individual in our community has the right to have optimum health through a properly functioning nervous system by detecting and eliminating subluxations.

. . . ensure that every member of our community experiences healing from the inside, not from an outside source.

. . . ensure our community has health and hope.

For, those who have health have hope; and for those who have hope, have everything.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism.

The brain, which controls the ENTIRE body, receives and transmits information through the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Nervous system function is impaired when any part of this communication is disrupted.

Chiropractic is the science of locating offenders to this natural and much needed communication. Chiropractic care is the art of correcting what is causing the negative impact to one's nervous system. Whether it is a flu, a pain, or a cancer, the one common finding is nervous system dysfunction.

THE SCIENCE OF CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic works by restoring your inborn ability to be healthy. When proper communication is established between the brain, the spinal cord, and the spinal nerves, the cells of the body are best suited to resist disease and ill health.

The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and help remove any interference to your natural state of being healthy.

There are many reasons why nervous system communication can become faulty. One reason is due to loss of normal motion or position of the spine, which can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system due to the resultant inflammation around poorly moving joints. Research has shown that this inflammation can disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses. With improved spinal joint movement there is often improved nervous system function.

ON THE FIRST VISIT
Helping to restore proper spinal joint movement, and improved nervous system function begins with a thorough case history. This gives the doctor a background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details affecting your current health.

After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal joints. These examinations help to identify areas of spinal malfunction, and the resulting nervous system deficit.

The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation therapies may be recommended. Progress is monitored with periodic examinations and follow-up reports.

A CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is not moving properly (“fixated”). This restores proper motion to a joint, which helps the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to improve spinal function, nervous system function, and improve one’s health.

CHIROPRACTIC SAFETY
In the words of New Zealand government’s inquiry, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe.” Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.

LIVING HEALTHIER
While there are no shortcuts to speed your body’s natural healing process, there is a lot you can do to give yourself the best chance of a quick recovery.

You should learn proper sitting and lifting methods. Specific exercises may be suggested to strengthen the muscles that support your spine. Many exercise programs like yoga and Pilates focus on these same muscles. Proper rest is an important aspect of the healing process, which is why restful sleep at night is so important to your health.

During the healing process, proper nutrition is very important. Many natural supplements can be taken to reduce inflammation and increase one’s rate of healing.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR SENIORS
More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, chiropractic care is growing in popularity. One reason is because chiropractic treatment does not involve the utilization of drugs or surgery.

Restoring spinal movement can help improve mobility, vitality, and endurance. Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms, and other chronic ailments that are often associated with the aging process. The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR LIFE
The way each individual person adapts and compensates for their injury determines the length of time needed to restore one’s nervous system to optimum function. Long-standing problems do take time to correct, but it will not take forever.

There are three phases of care: acute treatment, rehabilitation, and maintenance. During the acute phase, the goal is to treat the cause of one’s problem as quickly as possible. The rehabilitation phase includes treatments designed to promote strength in areas that were once weak, and to set the stage so that a reoccurrence of a similar injury does not happen again. The maintenance phase takes place when the first two phases are fully completed, and the patient finds that periodic check-ups serve as preventative visits to keep their bodies functioning properly. It is no different than getting a periodic check-up on your teeth from your dentist.

Most patients find that preventative visits are part of a healthy lifestyle.

How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is ALWAYS up to you!



Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is the treatment of the body’s soft tissues with the hands for therapeutic and healing effects. Our Licensed Massage Therapists use a variety of techniques, including Relaxation, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point therapy and Pregnancy massage, to enhance our patient’s vitality.

What is Gonstead?

This Blog is sponsored by Mike Wall DC of Wall Family Chiropractic Center, Tacoma WA 98444 

Schedule an appointment

 

The Basic Principles of the Gonstead Method of Chiropractic Analysis

 The Gonstead Concept of chiropractic begins with a basic biomechanical principle of physics. Every engineer, architect, builder and carpenter knows the importance of a proper foundation in constructing a building, for this insures durability and long life. Any slight change or shift in the foundation can cause a great amount of deviation in the top part of the structure and, perhaps, ultimately, its collapse.
 The body’s foundation is formed by the pelvic girdle. When this bony structure consisting of hip bones and the lower bones of the back is level, there will be maximum balance and stability in the spinal column. When the pelvic girdle or any of the vertebrae (bones making up the spinal column) become tilted or rotated out of their proper position, dramatic changes may occur in the body.
These misalignments can cause pressure on the discs that separate the vertebrae. (The condition of the disc is the key to the patient’s health problem in many cases.) Vertebra can become misaligned either from the cumulative effects of several minor episodes or from a single accident. Nature frequently is able to cope with these jolts to the spinal column without assistance. Sometimes, though, vertebrae tilted or rotated out of their normal position can be too much for nature to deal with effectively.
In order to more fully understand what occurs, we should know that the discs are really pads between the vertebrae and consist of a spongy substance surrounded by fibers of cartilage. When there is misalignment of a vertebra, there is uneven pressure on the disc causing it to swell and protrude. (One often hears this referred to as a slipped, herniated or ruptured disc.)
Chiropractors call this condition a SUBLUXATION when it results in the pinching or compressing of the nerves that run through that particular area. These compressed nerves often become inflamed and impede the proper transmission of impulses to the section of the body controlled by these nerves. A seemingly endless list of ailments and pain may be brought about by these subluxations.
Generally, misaligned vertebrae in the spine are easily recognized, particularly those in the upper portion of the vertebral column. However, less easily found and often overlooked are misalignments in the foundation or lower portions of the spine.
The ability to recognize and correct these misalignments forms an integral part of the Gonstead Concept. For example: When the lower portion of the spinal column has misaligned vertebra, the body tries to keep itself and its skeleton upright and straight. Often it compensates by causing a vertebra above to become misaligned. This is the body’s way of attempting to re-establish the normal perpendicular position of the body.
If just the top misaligned vertebra was adjusted, in cases where additional vertebrae are misaligned, only limited relief could result. This would not be getting to the source of the trouble. For complete and lasting results, all of the misaligned vertebrae must be identified and then a program can be initiated to restore them to their normal position. Every chiropractic case presents a different combination of misaligned vertebrae.

Colicky Babies? By MIKE WALL DC

Many parents are simply too nervous taking their babies to see a chiropractor. The main reason is the stereotype of "Snap, Crackle and Pop" that chiropractic invokes, but consider this.
The real truth is simply wonderful because the adjustments that a chiropractor will do on your baby are basically applying gently pressure with the finger to areas on the neck and back. You may see your baby totally relax before your eyes as the misalignments are corrected.
As a child is being born due to the stretching and compressing of the body as the baby emerges the neck and back vertebrae can go out of alignment as they enter into the world. If your delivery included a prolonged pushing stage, forceps or vacuum extraction, or other forms of assisted delivery, the chances of a misalignment are that much greater.
The most widely accepted definition of "colic" is uncontrollable crying in babies, especially from the ages of 0-3 months, and often lasting for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week for three weeks or more.
If you have a colicky baby, and other forms of treatment don't seem to be helping very much, there is hope, and it could come from your doctor of chiropractic. Infantile colic can be as troublesome for the parent as the child experiencing the condition. Characterized by a multitude of symptoms, the child suffering from infantile colic does not usually respond to simple comforting methods and exhibits periodic fussiness that can last over hours or days. No matter how long the condition lasts, parents know that struggling with a colicky child can be frustrating and exhausting.
The digestive system can be affected and ineffective digestion of breastmilk and formula can cause major discomfort in your baby, leading to colic episodes, in fact, the functioning of major systems in the body can be compromised If misalignments, called vertebral subluxations, are big enough. In many cases the infant appears to be in pain and will pull up his/her legs. At times the child's abdomen will be hard and distended. Occasionally the passage of flatus will give relief, yet these attacks may last for hours. To make matters more complicated, this condition rarely responds to traditional health care. This leaves many parents troubled as an infant's episodes of crying and fussiness persist.
As with selecting any health care provider, you need to ask questions first. In this case, "Have you adjusted other infants?" would be most important. Ask for referrals that you can contact if you are unsure.
Although chiropractic care does not treat the symptoms of colic specifically, Doctors of chiropractic have found after adjusting hundreds of' babies that most will respond within the first few weeks.- Why does chiropractic work when other methods fail? It's simple really.
Nerve supply is vital to the proper function of every system of the body, including the stomach, intestines, and other abdominal organs. Any vertebral subluxation causing interference to the nerves in this area could adversely affect gastric function and result in discomfort, gas and other colic symptoms. Parents living near Tacoma WA can schedule an appointment here www.wallfamilychiropactic.com

Chiropractic Manipulation: A Study Regarding Headaches

Chiropractic Manipulation: A Study Regarding Headaches


Headaches are a common complaint in patients presenting for professional care, including chiropractic management.  Patients with headaches seek chiropractic care because they find manipulation or adjustments applied to the cervical spine and upper back region are highly effective in reducing the intensity, frequency and duration of the headache pain.  This is because the cervical spine / neck, is often the origin of the headache as the three nerves in the upper neck (C1, 2 and 3) pass through the thick, overly taught neck muscles in route to the scalp / head.  When the muscles of the neck are in spasm, the nerves get “pinched” or squeezed by the overly tight muscles resulting in headache pain.  Each nerve runs to a different part of the head and therefore, pain may be described as “…radiating over the top of head (sometimes into the forehead and eyes),” or, into the head and over the ear, sometimes reaching the temple.  Also, an area located in the back and side of the head is the area where the C1 nerve innervates, so pain may also be reported in that location.  When more than one of the C1-3 nerves is pinched, the whole side to the top of the head may be involved.

In the October 2009 issue of The Spine Journal, Western States Chiropractic College, Center for Outcomes Studies, reported benefits are obtained with the utilization of spinal manipulation in the treatment of chronic cervicogenic headaches.  The word “chronic” means at least 3 months of headache pain has been present.  This new study compared 2 different doses of therapy using several outcome measures including the pain grade, the number of headaches in the last 4 weeks and the amount of medication utilized.  Data was collected every 4 weeks for a 24 week period and patients were treated 1-2 times/week and separated into either an 8 or a 16 treatment session with half the group receiving either spinal manipulative therapy or a minimal light massage (LM) control group.

The results of the study revealed the spinal manipulation group obtained better results than the control group at all time intervals.  There was a small benefit in the group that received the greater number of treatments with the mean number of cervicogenic headaches reduced by 50% in both pain intensity and headache frequency. 

The importance of this study is significant as there are many side effects to medications frequently utilized in the treatment of headaches.  Many patients prefer not taking medications for this reason and spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) offers a perfect remedy for these patients.  Couple SMT with dietary management, lifestyle modifications, stress management, and a natural, vitamin/herbal anti-inflammatory (such as ginger, turmeric, boswellia) when needed, a natural, holistic approach to the management of chronic headaches is accomplished. 

www.wallfamilychiropractic.com  

Low Back Pain: Why Is It So Common?

This question has plagued all of us, including researchers for a long time!  Could it be because we’re all inherently lazy and don’t exercise enough? Or maybe it’s because we have a job that’s too demanding on our back?  To properly address this question, here are some interesting facts:

1.    The prevalence of low back pain (LBP) is common, as 70-85% of ALL PEOPLE have back pain that requires treatment of some sort at some time in life.
2.    On a yearly basis, the annual prevalence of back pain averages 30% and once you have back pain, the likelihood of recurrence is high.
3.    Back pain is the most common cause of activity limitation in people less than 45 years of age.
4.    Back pain is the 2nd most frequent reason for physician visits, the 5th ranking reason for hospital admissions, and is the 3rd most common cause for surgical procedures.
5.    About 2% of the US workforce receives compensation for back injuries annually.
6.    Similar statistics exist for other countries, including the UK and Sweden.

    So, what are the common links as to why back pain is so common?  One reason has to do with the biomechanics of the biped – that is, the two legged animal. When compared to the 4-legged species, the vertically loaded spine carries more weight in the low back, shows disk and joint deterioration and/or arthritis much sooner, and we overload the back more frequently because, well, we can! We have 2 free arms to lift and carry items that often weigh way too much for our back to be able to safely handle. We also lift and carry using poor technique. Another reason is anatomical as the blood supply to our disks is poor at best, and becomes virtually non-existent after age 30.  That makes healing of disk tears or cracks nearly impossible. Risk factors for increased back injury include heavy manual lifting requirements, poor or low control of the work environment, and prior incidence of low back pain.

    Other risk factors include psychosocial issues such as fear of injury, beliefs that pain means one should not work, beliefs that treatment or time will not help resolve a back episode, the inability to control the condition, high anxiety and/or depression levels, and more.  Because there are so many reasons back problems exist, since the early 1990’s, it has been strongly encouraged that we as health care providers utilize a “biopsychosocial model” of managing those suffering with low back pain, which requires not only treatment but proper patient education putting to rest unnecessary fears about back pain.

    http://www.wallfamilychiropractic.com/   

Low Back Pain and Balance Exercises

Low Back Pain and Balance Exercises


    You may recall last month, we talked about the relationship between low back pain and balance, particularly our unfortunate increased tendency to fall as we “mature.”  This month, we’re going to look at ways to improve our balance by learning specific exercises that utilize the parts of our nervous system that regulate balance or, proprioception.  Particularly, our cerebellum (back of the brain that regulates coordination), the vestibular system (the inner ear where the semi-circular canals are located), the ascending tracts in our spinal cord (the “highways” that bring information to the brain from our feet and the rest of our body), and the small “mechano-receptors” located in our joints that pick up our movements as we walk and run and sends that information through our nerves, up the spinal cord tracts to the brain.  Here are some very practical exercises to do, “…for the rest of our lives.” Start with the easy ones!

1.    Easy (Level 1): Standing eyes open/closed - Start with the feet shoulder width apart, look straight ahead to get your balance and then close the eyes and try not to sway counting to 30 by, “…one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, etc.” Repeat this with your feet closer together until they touch each other.  You can make this harder by standing on a pillow or cushion -- but don’t start that way!

2.    Medium (Level 2): Lunges - from a similar starting position as #1, step forwards with one leg and squat slightly before returning back to the start position. Repeat this 5x with each foot/leg.  As you progress, you can take a longer stride and/or squat down further with each repetition. You can even hold onto light dumbbells and/or close your eyes to make it more challenging.

3.    Hard (Level 3): Rocker or wobble board exercises - use a platform that rocks back & forth or, wobbles in multiple directions.  Rock back and forth, eyes open and then closed, once you get comfortable on the board.  You can rotate your body on the board, standing straight ahead (12 o’clock) followed by 45 degree angles as you work your way around in a circle at 45 degree increments (12, 1:30, 3, 4:30, 6, 7:30, 9, 10:30 and back to noon). Repeat these eyes open and closed.  The Wii Balance board is a fun way to exercise – check that out as well.

    You can “improvise” and mix up different exercises and create your own routine.  Just remember, stay safe, work slowly until you build up your confidence and keep challenging yourself. 


http://www.wallfamilychiropractic.com/   

The Neck is Your Life Line

The Neck is Your Life Line


    The nervous system is the master control network for your body, directing virtually every function and action, from monitoring your life needs, to precisely responding to threats to your health.

    Each system, from your heart and blood vessels, to your digestive and immune systems, is directed through nerve impulses originating in your brain or spinal cord that travel through its protective bony structure: the spinal column.

    The neck region is the most vulnerable region of the spine to injury. Indeed, even death can be brought through significant trauma to the neck. When the trauma is not fatal, the consequences can still be severe, such as when paralysis strikes.

    Most people will not experience these severe injuries, however sprains of the delicate ligaments with subluxation (misalignment) do commonly occur. Despite the injury being smaller, their location (the neck) makes their impact more profound. Functions throughout the body can be impaired when the nerves in the upper neck are compromised.

    Within chiropractic, there are specialists who focus their entire care on the uppermost two vertebrae of the spine.

    Because every nerve passes through the neck, if irritation or compression is present, virtually any system of the body can be affected. The point being is that a neck disorder will not necessarily just cause neck pain or headache. Dizziness, digestive problems, fatigue, high blood pressure and generally reduced quality of life are some of the symptoms patients commonly experience.

    If you have suffered a severe whiplash, you may have noticed far more than a stiff neck. Indeed, recent research suggests whiplash needs to more thought of as a whole body disorder.

    We take these injuries in our office and address them in both a specific and comprehensive manner. Most patients who have suffered a neck trauma will require x-rays to analyze the posture of their spine.  X-rays may also need to be taken in motion to test the stability of your ligaments and to determine precise levels of impaired movements. Without this road map, it is difficult to determine how care should be directed and factors that could influence your long-term prognosis, such as degeneration.


Thanks to Michael Wall of  Wall Family Chiropractic Center for sharing this important information Wall Family Chiropractic center is located:

13412 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444

 (888) 401-8398

www.wallfamilychiropractic.com

Neck Pain – Can Chiropractic Really Help?

Neck pain is a very common problem affecting up to 70% of the adult population at some point in life.  Though there are specific causes of neck pain such as arising from a sports injury, a car accident or “sleeping crooked,” the vast majority of the time, no direct cause can be identified and thus the term nonspecific is applied. There are many symptoms associated with patients complaining of neck pain and many of these symptoms can be confused with other conditions.  Wouldn’t it be nice to know what neck related symptoms are most likely to respond to chiropractic manipulation before the treatment has started?  This issue has been investigated with very favorable results!

    The ability to predict a favorable response to treatment has been termed, “clinical prediction rules” which in general, are usually made up of combinations of things the patient says and findings from exams. In a large study, data from about 20,000 patients receiving about 29,000 treatments, was collected and analyzed to find out what complaints responded well to chiropractic treatment.  The results showed that the presence of any 4 of these 7 presenting complaints predicted an immediate improvement in 70-95% of the patients: 1. Neck pain; 2. Shoulder, arm pain; 3. Reduced neck, shoulder, arm movement; 4. Stiffness; 5. Headache; 6. Upper, mid back pain, and 7. None or one presenting symptom.  Items not associated with a favorable immediate response included “numbness, tingling upper limbs,” and “fainting, dizziness and light-headedness in 4-12% of the patients.  The “take-home” message here is that was far more common to see a favorable response (70-95%) of the patients compared to an unfavorable response (4-12%), supporting the observation that most patients with neck complaints will respond favorably to chiropractic treatment.

    So, what do we do as chiropractors when a patient presents with neck pain?  First, after gathering preliminary information such as name, address and insurance information, a history of the presenting complaint is taken. This consists of information including what started the neck complaint (if you know), when it started, what makes it worse, what makes it better, the quality of pain (aches, stiff, numb, etc.), the location and if there is radiating complaints, the severity (0-10 pain scale), timing (such as worse in the morning, evening, etc.), and if there have been prior episodes. Various questionnaires are included that are scored so improvement down the road can be tracked and a past history that includes a medication list, past injuries or illnesses, family history and a systems review are standard.  The exam includes vital signs (BP, pulse, height, weight, temperature and respiration), palpation, range of motion, orthopedic and neurological examination.  X-ray and/or other “special tests” may also be included, when needed. A review of all the findings are discussed and after permission to treat is granted, a chiropractic adjustment may then be rendered.  A list treatment options may include:

1.    Adjustments;
2.    Soft tissue therapy (trigger point stimulation, myofascial release);
3.    Physical therapy modalities;
4.    Posture correction exercises and other exercises/home self-administered therapies;
5.    Education about job modifications;
6.    Co-management with other health care providers if/when needed. 

Health Update: Neck Pain

What Is This Pain in My Neck!


    “When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t move my neck!  Every time I try to move it, I feel sharp pain on the left side of the neck shooting down into the shoulder blade.  It just came out of nowhere!”

    Chances are, you are suffering from a common condition called torticollis, which literally means, “twisted neck” after the Latin terms of “torti” (twisted) and “collis” (neck).  The common name for this is “wry neck,” and it’s basically a painful muscle spasm, like a “Charlie-horse” but located in the neck muscles.  Usually, a person wakes up in the morning with this and the cause is often related to sleeping with the window being open or a fan or air conditioner blowing on you.  It can also relate to a “cold settling in the muscle” after a cold or flu virus.  Trauma such as falling or a car accident can also cause torticollis. However, most of the time, patients with torticollis are not sure what caused the abrupt onset of symptoms.

    Usually, torticollis will gradually improve over a 2 week time frame. However, it only takes a few days to a week (at the most) if you receive chiropractic adjustments.  Most importantly, without treatments, the sharp pain can last a week and can severely limit your activity, often prohibiting work as well as your desired “fun” activities.  Hence, most people prefer having this treated as opposed to “waiting it out.” In some cases, it can last longer than a month and in rare cases even longer, so getting this treated is highly recommended.  Also, try to get in for a treatment immediately before the muscle spasm really sets up.  We find this to be the most effective approach.  Here are a list of symptoms and treatment suggestions for torticollis:

Acute Torticollis Symptoms
·    Muscle spasms
·    Neck and shoulder pain
·    Neck and spine contortion (neck twisted to right or left side of body)

Pain Relief Treatments for Acute Torticollis
·    Chiropractic neck and spinal adjustment
·    Analgesics
·    Heat packs
·    Muscle relaxants
·    Rubs and ointments (Icy Hot, BioFreeze)
·    Massage with essential oils
·    Reiki
·    Sleep / Relax
·    Supportive cervical collar

   
Thanks to Michael Wall of  Wall Family Chiropractic Center for sharing this important information Wall Family Chiropractic center is located:

13412 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444

 (888) 401-8398

 http://www.wallfamilychiropractic.com/