Posted by Dr. Jonathan Walker on June 3, 2009 under Back pain, Chiropractic, Neck pain | 
Have you ever wondered why chiropractic works? Most people, even those who have seen a chiropractor before, have never been given a good explanation of why the chiropractic adjustment makes them feel better. Hopefully this will give you a better understanding of how chiropractic helps millions feel great and stay out of pain!
Improves Joint Movement
The most basic effect the adjustment has is to improve the way the joints in the spine move. Remember the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz? Although I rarely see a patient whose joints are actually squeaking, I have seen lots of folks that are in need of a little “oil”. Rather than lubricating your joints chemically, the adjustment When normal motion is lost this leads to arthritis, disc bulges, and the joint pain and stiffness that countless people experience every day. The chiropractic adjustment is unique in that it is able to specifically target joints that are fixated, or not moving properly, and restore movement. This is why many people will notice an immediate improvement in the way they can turn their head or move their low back immediately after an adjustment.
Stimulates Pain Blocking Nerves
To explain this effect of the adjustment, we’ll condense several hundred hours of graduate level neurology into a few minutes. I have lots of incredibly boring textbooks that discuss this in great detail if you’d like to have more detail on the subject (strangely, nobody has every taken me up on this)! We have nerves in the body that cause pain (nociceptors) and nerves that block pain (mechanoreceptors). The pain blocking nerves are located in high concentration in the tiny muscles that attach between the bones in the spine. Research has shown that the quick stretch that takes place during the adjustment causes the pain blocking nerves to be stimulated, causing a decrease not only in pain but in muscle tightness and spasm as well.
Retrains the Joints
Next time you sign a receipt or a check, pay attention to how it feels. For most of us this is an act that is second nature, and we could do it with our eyes closed. Now take the same pen and try and sign your name with your left hand! If you’re like most people it will feel completely unnatural and look like the average first graders handwriting. Why is it that your dominant hand can write so effortlessly and smoothly, while the opposite hand feels awkward and uncoordinated? Both hands have the same birthday, and they connect to the same brain. Then why the difference? Because your writing hand has been TRAINED to perform that task! As we discussed, if an injury caused you to use your non-dominant hand to write, over time the handwriting would begin to look smooth and natural. This is a process called motor learning, or more simply, retraining the joints. This is EXACTLY want we want to accomplish with your spine! It is also the reason you will be adjusted relatively frequently for a short period of time in the acute phase of care. In order to retrain the joints, they must be treated with a certain frequency. If you were to practice writing once a year with your opposite hand would you ever really improve your signature? Of course not. It’s the same principle with the spine.
Posted by Dr. Jonathan Walker on May 13, 2009 under Back pain, Chiropractic |
Is your back pain ruining your golf game?
It starts out as just a twinge, but by the last 5 holes it becomes unbearable. You’re hesitant to really swing that new driver for all it’s worth – fearing that you’ll injure your back even worse . Or maybe you’ve had to stop playing golf completely because your back pain and sciatica are so bad.
Do Any Of These Conditions Affect Your Golf Game?
· Back pain
· Sciatica
· Disc bulging/herniations
· Muscle spasms
· Lumbar facet syndrome
Sure, you can numb the pain if you take enough Vicodin, Soma or some other pill. But the real problem is while you play through all “numbed up”, you are definitely injuring your back even more….without knowing it.
Friends May Tell You Back Pain Comes From a Bad Swing…They’re Wrong!
If your drives are getting shorter and shorter and your putts less smooth, it has more to do with your back than your swing.
Studies show that about one-third of touring PGA and LPGA players are playing with back pain right now. These pros have the best swing mechanics in the world, yet still have back pain!
In addition to that, another study conducted at the University of Calgary showed… “Pain-free golfers demonstrated over twice as much trunk flexion velocity on the downswing”.
This means the less back pain you have, the more flexible your spine is and the faster you can swing – hitting the ball straighter and farther.
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS:
Your driving distance is determined primarily by club-head speed. The larger the arc that the club-head travels through, the faster the club will be going when it contacts the ball. The size of your swing arc will depend on your spinal and pelvic flexibility, not your strength.
Flexibility is much more important to your long game than strength. If you want to hit longer and more powerful golf shots you must improve your posture and flexibility.
My name is Dr. Jonathan Walker, owner of Ocala Chiropractic Center. I am a chiropractic physician, and I work with Dr. Anthony Sancetta, a medical physician. We are the only practice in Marion County that has both types of doctors working together to achieve the best results. Over the years since we’ve opened the doors, we’ve helped hundreds of golfer’s in the area feel better, return to the course and hit longer, straighter shots.
I’m running a special 14-day offer for those golfers suffering with back problems. Until May 26, $47* will get you all the services I normally charge new patients $250 for!
Why would I practically give away my services? Because patients tell me too often…
“I only wished I had found you sooner”
This happens so often, I decided to do something about it and run this ad. Just call before May 26, 2009 and here’s what you’ll get…
· An in-depth consultation about your health where I will listen…really listen.
· A complete nerve, muscle and spinal exam to find the “cause” of your problem.
· A full set of specialized x-rays to look for misalignments, bad posture, and joint degeneration… (NOTE: These would normally cost you at least $100).
· A thorough analysis of your exam and x-ray findings so we can map out your plan to better health.
We’ll answer all of your most probing question about chiropractic and what it can do for you.
The appointment will not take long at all and you won’t be sitting in a waiting room all day either.
To take me up on this special offer, you must call 352-732-5590 before May 26, 2009.
If It’s Good Enough for the Pros…
The PGA has a full time chiropractor present at every PGA event year round. Even Tiger Woods has had a chiropractor on his team since the beginning of this career. In fact, he rode on the Chiropractic Centennial Float in the 1995 Pasadena tournament of Roses Parade. Before the parade, he said…
“I’ve been going to the chiropractor for as long as I remember. It’s as important to my game as practicing my swing!” – Tiger Woods
When you call between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and 9:00 am and 1:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday, tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Special Golfer’s Evaluation before May 26, 2009.
Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule.
Our office is called Ocala Chiropractic Center and it’s located just east of the downtown square on East Silver Springs Blvd.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jonathan Walker D.C.
Dr. Anthony Sancetta D.O.
P.S. Golf is a sport that requires your back in every aspect. If you do not address your back pain properly, it can haunt you and force you to give up golf forever.
Don’t let back pain handicap your golf game any longer.
Phone 352-732-5590
*Not applicable to Medicaid, Medicare or Medicare replacement policies. BUT HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS! An evaluation with Dr. Sancetta is covered by Medicare, and can help determine if you’re a candidate for treatment! The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee services, examination or treatment.
Posted by Dr. Jonathan Walker on April 4, 2009 under Back pain, Chiropractic, Research Articles |
Finally, there’s a treatment to conquer back and leg pain without dangerous medications or painful surgery.My name is Dr. Jonathan Walker D.C., clinic director of Ocala Integrative Medicine. I work with Dr. Anthony Sancetta D.O. to help find pain relief solutions for countless patients. I understand what it feels like to live in pain, because I see it every day.
I’ve seen hundreds of people with disc herniations and sciatica leave the office pain free.
When cushions in your back joints, called discs, get injured or wear out, they begin to degenerate and cause pain. Bulging and herniations begin to form, pressing on the nerve roots.
The most common invasive treatment for disc herniations is surgery. Even with health insurance the patient is left with their own portion of the bill, in excess of $10,000-$15,000, and sometimes more.
In addition, the recovery time and missed work can be anywhere from 3 to 6 months, not to mention the obvious severe risks associated with all surgeries.
Before You Go Under The Knife And Opt For Spinal Surgery…
You should seriously consider a less invasive approach called spinal decompression.
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a new technology that has been proven to help disc herniations. It creates a vacuum effect on the disc, which pulls the disc back into its normal position and brings in a fresh blood supply to promote healing.
The conditions this amazing treatment has proven successful are:
- Herniated and/or bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Back pain
- Sciatica
- A relapse or failure following certain surgeries
- Lumbar Facet syndromes
Proof This Treatment Works
While non-surgical spinal decompression is a rather new treatment, there’s plenty of research to back up its claims. Here’s just a handful of scientific studies…
“We thus submit that decompression therapy should be considered first, before the patient undergoes a surgical procedure which permanently alters the anatomy and function of the affected lumbar spine segment.” – Journal Of Neuroscience Research
“86% of the 219 patients who completed the therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms” – Orthopedic Technology Review
“vertebral axial [spinal] decompression was successful in 71% of the 778 cases” – Journal of Neurological Research
“good to excellent” relief in 86% patients with Herniated discs” – The American Journal of Pain Management
“decompression therapy reported a 76.5% with complete remission and 19.6% with partial remission of pain and disability” – Rio Grande Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery
Another study presented at the American Academy of Pain Management in 2007 showed…
“Patients reported a mean 88.9% improvement in back pain and better function…No patient required any invasive therapies (e.g. epidural injections, surgery).”
As you can see, spinal decompression has a high success rate . What this means for you is that in just a matter of weeks, you could be back on the golf course, enjoying your love life, or traveling again.
Could This Be Your Sciatica And Back Pain Solution
It’s time for you to find out if spinal decompression will be your sciatic pain solution.
For 10 days only, $47* will get you all the services I normally charge new patients $257 for!
What does this offer include? Everything. Here’s what you’ll get…
- An in-depth consultation about your health and well-being where I will listen…really listen…to the details of your case.
- A complete neuromuscular examination.
- A full set of specialized x-rays to determine if a spinal problem is contributing to your pain or symptoms… (NOTE: These would normally cost you at least $100).
- A thorough analysis of your exam and x-ray findings so we can start mapping out your plan to being pain free.
- You’ll get to see everything first hand. I’ll answer all your questions about spinal decompression. I’ll let you know if this amazing treatment will be your back pain solution, like it has been for so many other patients.
Call today…phone 352-732-5590!
The normal price for this type of evaluation, including x-rays, is $250 so you’re saving a considerable amount by taking me up on this offer.
Call today and we can get you scheduled for your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening.
Our office is located just east of the downtown square on Silver Springs Blvd, just a few minutes from you. When you call, tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Spinal Decompression Evaluation so she get you on the schedule and make sure you receive proper credit for this special offer.
*Not applicable to Medicaid, Medicare or Medicare replacement policies. BUT HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS! An evaluation with Dr. Sancetta is covered by Medicare, and can help determine if you’re a candidate for treatment! The patient and any other person responsible for payment has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee services, examination or treatment.
Posted by Dr. Jonathan Walker on January 31, 2009 under Back pain, Chiropractic, Neck pain, Research Articles, Whiplash |
The syndrome of whiplash was first described in litigation in 1928. Since
that time whiplash has had an unsavory reputation. Many researchers and doctors avoided involvement with whiplash injuries and opinions varied.
Over time, it became clear that complaints of patients sustaining this type of injury were, in fact, fairly consistent. The most common complaint, neck pain, could easily be understood, but other symptoms, such as ringing in the ears, dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, numbness, and back pain, were not so easily explained clinically.
According to research statistics, nearly one-third of all motor vehicle accidents are rear-end collisions. Newton’s first law of motion states that “an object continues either at rest or in a state of motion in a straight line, unless it is acted upon by an external force”. When a vehicle stopped at a red light is hit, the car is moved forward by the external force of the impacting vehicle. This force pushes the seat and driver forward. The neck, which is not in contact with the seat, remains stationary, causing hyperextension of the neck. When the front vehicle stops, the driver is thrown forward.
Although the shoulder harness prevents the driver from hitting the steering wheel or windshield, it forces the head to fly forward in a twisting motion, causing hyper flexion of the neck. Most injuries are a result of hyperextension, when the neck can exceed the maximum physiologic extension of 70 degrees by as much as 120 degrees, stretching some muscles as much as 30%.
The forces exerted on the head and neck with rear-end collisions can be quite high. For example, one G is the force exerted by the earth’s gravity which causes an object to fall at 32 feet per second. Pilots begin to pass out at 6 Gs, and at 8 Gs you are pinned to your seat. If a 150-pound person is subjected to 10 Gs, this is a force of 1,500 pounds. In crash testing, with impacts below 10 mph, the head can be subjected to 10 to 15 Gs for 100 milliseconds.
If the average head weighs 12 pounds, then it becomes a weight of 120-180 pounds. Talk about a headache!
Research involved with the actual injuries sustained by victims of whiplash show tearing of muscles, ligaments, vertebral disc derangement, tears in the ligamentous capsules surrounding the joints, damage to the sympathetic nervous system and peripheral nervous system, occult fractures, mild concussions, and micro-hemorrhages of the brain tissue and spinal cord, as well as stress disorders.
Many of these injuries are imperceptible on MRIs, CT scans, and x-rays. The symptoms range from muscle pain, headaches, jaw pain, vertigo, nausea, visual problems, forgetfulness, and unexplained numbness in the arms and legs, etc.
Symptoms may not present themselves for hours, days, months, or even years after the accident. Scientific evidence supports these characteristic of whiplash injuries. Other studies show that neck pain presents in 65% of patients within 6 hours of the accident, 28% within 24 hours, and 7% within 72 hours, though those people suffering symptoms immediately after the accident are more likely to continue to show symptoms more than 2 years following the initial injury.
People who have pre-existing conditions such as arthritis, and women due to their smaller frame and less muscle density than men, are more likely to be injured, though the speed and size of the vehicles involved, as well as the position of the seat and other factors play a significant role in determining the severity of an injury. Government reports revealed over one million injuries from rear-end collisions in 1990, and estimates project that over 25 years the prevalence of chronic pain from whiplash is more than 9% of the total U.S. population.
To lessen your risk of serious injury, wear your seatbelt, sit up in your seat with your seat in the upright position, and stop thinking of your head restraint as a headrest. The majority of people have their head restraint improperly positioned. Correctly adjusted, your restraint should be about even with eye level, and with no more than a two-inch gap between the restraint and your head.
If you are in an accident, even what appears to be a minor one, after life-threatening injuries have been ruled out, follow-up with a physician who specializes in soft-tissue trauma.
Remember, prevention is always best… drive safely, and watch out for the car behind you.
Posted by Dr. Jonathan Walker on November 19, 2008 under Back pain, Nutrition |
You read that correctly. As you can probably imagine, WHAT you eat matters, but the idea is s
till pretty powerful. When you hear the phrase “You are what you eat”, do you actually think about what this means? As we’ll discuss today, this is very literally true, and has some incredible applications.
If you think back to eighth grade biology, you remember the pictures of a human cell. Big squishy round thing in the middle (nucleus), a covering that looks like it’s made of Skittles (cell membrane) and with a bunch of funny looking stuff floating around inside (endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, etc). It’s a whole lot more complicated than this, but that’s not the point. Each part of that cell is composed of fats and proteins that come from the food we eat.
The part of the cell that is especially important for our topic today is the cell membrane (the Skittle covering). The membrane is made of the fats that you eat, primarily omega-3 and omega-6 fats. If you’ve heard any thing about eating salmon or taking fish oil to increase he omega-3s in your diet, then you already know how healthy these essential fats are. Have you ever considered why?
The cell membr
ane (made omega-6s and omega-3s) is responsible for regulating inflammation in the body. When you think of inflammation you probably think of a sprained ankle or when you hit your thumb with a hammer. This is acute inflammation, and it’s normal and healthy. Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is when your body is always producing low levels of pro-inflammatory chemicals. This chronic inflammation occurs when the cell membranes have too many omega-6s and not enough omega-3s. When the body is always inflammed this leads to problems such as heart disease, arthritis, chronic pain, even cancer.
This is why supplementing wiith omega-3s (fish oil, flaxseed oil) and eating foods rich in omega-3s helps to fight inflammation. Even more important is limiting the amount of omega-6 fats in your diet. These are found primarily in grains, vegetable oils, and processed foods. Studies have shown that a diet rich in omega-3s helps to prevent conditions ranging from heart disease to Alzheimers. In Europe, fish oil is prescribed to help patients recovering from a heart attack or stroke. In my practice, I’ve found patients who are supplementing with omega-3s have less pain and recover faster. If you have questions on what type of fish oil is best or how much is necessary for you, our staff can help you make good decisions.
So next time you’re about to eat another meal of processed, pro-inflammatory, omega-6 laden food, decide if you want to be eating to cause pain, or if you want to choose health! If back or neck pain is keeping you from doing the things you love, be aware that the inflammation in your body might be related to the inflammation from your plate!
Posted by Dr. Jonathan Walker on November 17, 2008 under Acupuncture, Back pain, Research Articles |
This is the blog of Dr. Jonathan Walker, clinic director of Ocala Chiropractic Center in Ocala, FL. My goal is to provide solutions to problems such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches that countless people in Marion County are needlessly suffering from. I also hope to inform you about some of the most cutting edge information on health and nutrition.
Today’s post will cover one of the more popular “alternative” treatments for a host of ailments- acupuncture. Does it really work? How can it help your problem? Read on to learn more…
Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing disciplines in the world. Most of the acupuncture treatments in the United States are using a system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, just as the cuisine of China, Japan, Thailand, and virtually every other Asian country all very distinct, each country has it’s own system of acupuncture. Even more interesting, there is evidence of acupuncture being practiced in ancient Egypt as well as in bush tribes in South Africa.
The most common acupuncture treatment method is inserting tiny steel needles into various points in the body which run along paths called meridians. Ancient acupuncture theory states that these needles are affecting the flow of energy, or “chi” along these meridians. Modern science has shed light on at least three methods by which acupuncture helps treat certain conditions:
- Chemical- the release of pain blocking hormones called endorphins is triggered when specific points are stimulated.
- Cellular- cells called fibroblasts, which aid in the healing reponse of tissue move to the area where an acupuncture needle is inserted.
- Electrical- conduction of signals in the nervous system is affected during acupuncture treatments.
If you are in pain, this information may be interesting (hopefully!) but your primary concern is whether or not acupuncture can help you. A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine compared acupuncture for low back pain to traditional medical treatments. The acupuncture treatments were 50% MORE effective in relieving low pain than the conventional approach of medication and rehab exercises.
If you’re interested in trying acupuncture for yourself you can call my office or visit our website at www.ocalachiropracticcenter.com for more information. Stay tuned for more information…
