Poor posture is often due to years of standing slouched and this bad “habit” usually starts at a young age.  Just look around when you’re in an airport or shopping mall and notice the many people have poor posture.  In fact, people’s posture may reflect their attitude – if they’re happy, sad or depressed.  Poor posture may be related to self-consciousness, especially during adolescence.  It is also genetic as we frequently see a “trait” throughout family members with similar postural tendencies.

The most common postural fault associated with headaches is the forward based head and shoulders.  From the side, it appears that the head is significantly forward relative to the shoulders, the upper back is rounded forward and the shoulders are rolled forwards and rotated inward.  One exercise that helps reduce this postural bad habit is tucking in the chin and pretending a book is balancing on top of the head.  The objective is to not allow the book to slide forward off your head and land on your toes!

It takes approximately 3 months of CONSTANT self-reminding before the new “good habit” posture becomes automatic, so be patient.  Soon you’ll “catch yourself doing it right” without thinking about it.

Frequently, posture is faulty lower down the “kinetic chain.” The first link of the chain is the feet and the last link is the head. Since we stand on two feet, any change in that first link or the feet, can alter the rest of the chain, especially areas furthest away – the head, resulting in headaches. For example, if one leg is short, the pelvis drops, the spine shifts (scoliosis), the shoulder drops and the head shifts trying to keep the eyes level. A short leg usually needs to be managed with a heel lift, an arch support or combination of both to properly treat the headache patient.

Most health care providers EXCEPT Chiropractic Physicians typically ignore these issues. Chiropractic Doctors are specifically trained to analyze posture and correct it. You can depend on our clinic for up-to-date treatment approaches such as these.

When considering treatment to correct bad posture that may be causing your headaches, our chiropractors and physical therapists come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value). 

Let’s take a look at these!

1. Should you obtain the services of an attorney?  If you want to significantly reduce your stress when it comes time to negotiating with the insurance company, especially towards the end of the process, then YES!  Needless to say, you HAVE TO seek council if you plan to not settle and need to go to court.  However, you do not have to get an attorney immediately unless you just don’t want to deal with the insurance company at all. Typically, it’s worth having an attorney as they are experienced in “…the process.”
2. Recovery from neck pain can vary between a simple strain at 2-6 weeks to a herniated disk that may require surgery. We recommend you ask us this question about once a month as it will help you decide about this as well as questions 1 and 7.
3. The insurance company may delay the payment of the car repair costs for a number of reasons.  Until the insurance company inspects the car’s damages, they will not authorize the repair shop work, which can take weeks!
4. If you have hired an attorney, he/she will communicate for you.  If not, it is appropriate for you to communicate with the insurance company.  The important thing is to NOT settle the claim until you’re sure you can do all of your pre-MVC activities without difficulty or pain, which often can take a full year or more.
5. These are call “discovery depositions” where you will be asked questions about the accident such as, where you hurt, what you can and can’t do since the MVC, what tests and treatment you’ve received and what the results were. Your attorney will tell you the strengths and weaknesses of your case. The deposition “process” is quite easy and there is no reason to feel intimidated.  Most attorneys are very courteous and will treat you kindly so don’t worry unnecessarily!
6. Preparing for court is similar except you can’t ask questions – they ask & you answer!  Your attorney will tell you to answer only the question being asked and your attorney will later be able to ask you to clarify what was “left out.” Always be kind, courteous, and NEVER let the other attorney get you angry!
7. See #2 above.  If you have ongoing radiating pain in your arm (from your neck) or leg (from your low back), the “prognosis” for complete recovery is less favorable. Similarly, if you have ligament damage in your neck, there will probably be an accelerated pace of arthritis formation that may not bother you much for 5-10 years or longer but may later in life.  We, as your expert witness, will describe your “impairment” and bring this to the jury’s attention.

We hope this information is appreciated! We realize that you have a choice in where you go for your health care needs.  We truly appreciate your consideration in allowing us to help you through this potentially difficult process.

When considering treatment for whiplash injuries, our chiropractic and physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).

Muscle pain can be quite severe and heat can sometimes soothe muscle pain. For this reason, many patients take to the hot water bottle or the hot tub to try and get some relief. This should be avoided in an acute injury because inflammation is present. With inflammation, there is increased heat and the additional heat you provide is like adding gasoline to a fire. The results are usually not good.

A better choice with an acute injury is to ice the area, but this also needs to be done with some caution. The simplest ice pack is ice cubes placed in a plastic bag. While effective, you can cause a frostbite injury if you leave the pack on for too long. When you first ice the area, you will go through several phases before some pain relief is achieved. At first the pack will feel cold. The next phase is a burning sensation and the ice will almost feel hot. This is followed by an aching or throbbing sensation. Just before the area is numbed, a very sharp pain will be experienced followed by the relief you desire. This can take from five to ten minutes to go through all of the phases. Once numbness is achieved, the pack should be removed. You should most definitely not fall asleep while the pack is on.

If this simple procedure does not solve the problem it’s best to get your spine checked by a doctor of chiropractic.

Back pain is one of the most common problems we treat in our office. You can always schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your health concerns, and the different techniques we use in our office to help get you well again. Just call (201) 339-8889 for an appointment at our Bayonne office and (908) 490-1800 for an appointment at our Scotch Plains office.

Most people are aware of the “lift with the legs” motto, which means bending your knees when lifting something. But there are also some other gems you need to know to avoid a back injury. First, the back disks are highly pressurized (full of water) first thing in the morning. This makes your back more stiff. It also makes stresses on the disk more substantial with lifts. So if possible, avoid lifting heavy things or in stooped awkward positions, first thing in the morning. If you have a choice of doing laundry first thing in the morning or at night, do it at night.

Another thing to think about when lifting something awkward or heavy is to get some help. There’s no point in trying to be superman or superwoman and test the limits of your back strength. A second person helping could save you a trip to the chiropractor.

Another “don’t” for the low back is to avoid sitting as much as possible. While some jobs make this difficult, there’s no reason to follow eight hours of sitting at the job with four hours of evening sitting at home. The back craves and thrives on motion, especially walking. Why not go for a thirty-minute walk after dinner, instead of being a couch or chair potato? The spine is architecturally designed for walking. This is where it is at its optimum. Sitting in a chair is a very unnatural position for the lumbar spine. The walking, while helpful for the back, can also pay dividends for your heart health and longevity.

Another important “do” for the low back is stretching. Simple stretching for 30 seconds each, the calves (lower legs), hamstrings (back of the thighs) and quadriceps (front of the legs), can help to keep the back flexible. Recall that we are supposed to lift with the legs. If the legs muscles are tight and/or weak, then the low back is going to take up much more of the weight and stress, increasing your risk for injury.

If you’d like to discuss this information more specifically for your spinal type and condition, or have concerns about injuries you’ve suffered in the past, just call (201) 339-8889 for the Bayonne office and (908) 490-1800 for the Scotch Plains office to make an appointment. Consultations are always complimentary. Adhering to a few good spinal “hygiene” principals can do a lot to maintain spinal health and keep your visits to our office to a minimum. Prevention is the key to good health.

However, once you realize that lots of people have degenerated discs and it does not mean surgery. It is important to understand how the disc works in the low back, how it is injured, and how it can be safely treated, to get the best results with your condition.

So what is a disc? A disc is nothing more than cartilage similar to the cartilage in your knee. Cartilage covers bones and connects them allowing a joint to be formed. Cartilage and ligaments are what make motion possible but they also restrain movements that are too large. In the case of the spine, there are 24 individual bones called vertebrae. The disc is a cartilage that connects each of these vertebrae.

The disc can be injured just like a knee or an ankle can be sprained. The injury will stretch the ligaments and cartilage and cause them to tear. Whenever the body is injured, inflammation follows which serves to begin the healing process. Damaged tissue is consumed and scars are laid down.

In the case of the disc, the degeneration is usually at the back portion of the disc, because that is the location of the original injury. The disc also contains a more watery center called the nucleus. When injury to the disc occurs, the joint does not move properly. Lack of movement can be just as detrimental as too much movement. With this lack of motion there is less movement of water, in and out of the nucleus. The nucleus then dehydrates and the disc begins to collapse under the weight of gravity.

You were likely shown an x-ray of the degenerated disc and told that the space between the vertebrae is smaller because the disc material is degenerating. An MRI or CT scan can also show the degenerated disc. However, it does not mean that you need surgery.

The body is meant to handle degeneration of the disc and many people do quite well despite what an MRI or x-ray may show. Other patients have a bulging of the disc along with the loss of height. This bulging, called a herniation, can press on the nerve and cause back or leg pain (sciatica).

If the pressure within the disc can be lowered, then it is possible to create a vacuum that draws the bulging disc away from the nerve. Decompression treatment uses this effect as a treatment for back pain and leg pain caused by a degenerated disc.

When considering treatment for your back pain due to a degenerative disc, our chiropractic and physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ can offer you relief. Our physicians come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value). 

This relationship is the rule, not the exception and therefore, treatment for headaches must include treatment of the neck to achieve optimum results.  The term, “cervicogenic headaches” has been an accepted term because of the intimate connection between the neck and head for many years.  There are many anatomical reasons why neck problems result in headaches.  Some of these include:

• The first 3 nerves exiting the spine in the upper neck go directly into the head.  They penetrate the muscles at the top of the neck near the attachments to the skull and therefore, any excess pressure on these nerves by the muscles or spinal joints will result in irritation and subsequent pain.
• The origin or nucleus of the 5^th cranial nerve called the Trigeminal, innervates the sensation to the face and is located in the upper cervical region near the origin of the 2^nd cervical spinal nerve, which innervates sensation to the back of the head up to the top.  Therefore, problems located in the upper neck will often result in pain radiating up from the base of the skull/upper neck over the top of the skull to the eyes and /or face.
• The 11^th cranial nerve that innervates the upper shoulders and muscles in the front of the neck arises from the top 5 to 7 spinal cord levels in the neck.  Injury anywhere in the neck can result in spasm and pain in these large muscle groups.
• Other interconnections between the 2^nd cervical nerve and trigeminal/5^th cranial nerve include communication with the 7^th cranial / facial nerve, the 9^th cranial / glossopharyngeal nerve, and the 10^th cranial / vagus nerve.  These connections can affect facial muscle strength/movements, taste, tongue and throat movements, and stomach complaints such as nausea from these three cranial nerve interconnections, respectively.

When patients seek treatment for their headaches, a thorough examination of the neck, upper back, and cranial nerves is routinely performed for the above reasons.  It is common to find upper cervical movement and vertebral alignment problems present in patients complaining of headaches. Tender points located between the shoulder blades, along the upper shoulders, on the sides of the neck and particularly, at the base of the skull are commonly found.  Pain often radiates from the tender point over the top of the skull when pressure is applied in the upper neck/base of the skull area. Tenderness on the sides of the head, in the temples, over the eyes, and near the jaw joint are also common. Traction or pulling the head to stretch the neck is often quite pain relieving and this is often performed as part of the chiropractic visit and can also be applied at home with the use of a home cervical traction unit. Chiropractic adjustments applied to the fixated or misaligned vertebra in the upper neck often brings very satisfying relief to the headache sufferer.  Exercises that promote movement in the neck, as well as strengthening exercises are also helpful in both reducing headache pain and in preventing occurrences, especially with stress or tension headaches.

When considering treatment for headaches, our chiropractic and physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ offer state-of-the art technologies to offer relief from headaches. Our physicians come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).

Whiplash pain can be much different from other types of injuries. When a car accident is severe, the pain will come on right away. If the injury produces a mild or moderate sprain, sometimes it takes a few days for the pain and inflammation to reach its maximum. Sometimes it is stiffness that is the prominent symptom and the patient notices this in the first few weeks after the accident. The delay in pain is often seen in low speed collisions where typically there is very less damage to the vehicles.

There are a lot of factors that determine the extent of injury following a low speed whiplash. One of these is the neck posture prior to impact. Was the head turned? This can occur if the patient was looking at the rear view mirror during the collision. Low speed collisions can occur in parking lots. If the patient was turned to see if a space was clear, this can make a simple trauma result in a significant injury.

Besides the position of the patient prior to the collision, the speed and amount of vehicle damage are sometimes good criteria for the severity of the trauma. However, it may not be in many cases because of crumple zones. Cars are built with crumple zones. These areas are crushed during the collision and absorb the energy of impact. In some low speed collisions, there is less crumple and more of the force is transmitted to the occupants. This is but one reason why vehicle damage won’t always equate with the spinal damage.

Another factor in whiplash is whether the head-rest was properly positioned. A proper head-rest should be close to the back of the head and itshigh pointslightly above the top of the head. The reason for the high position is that in a rear-end collision, the patient who is being hit will rise slightly with impact. If the head- rest is too low, then the neck will bend around it like a fulcrum causing even more injury. The same thing happens if the seat is reclined too far and the head whips backwards before hitting the head-rest.

Because symptoms can come on slowly and minor vehicle damage is not a good indicator of injury, a thorough examination is required. It is important to be checked by a competent health care provider after any motor vehicle collision.

When considering treatment for whiplash injury, our chiropractic and physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ offer a safe and painless treatment option. Our physicians come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value). 

“Do you think a back brace will help my condition?” 

This is a question that is frequently asked of many health care providers who treat low back pain.  The answers typically vary, as there is support for and against the use of a brace when low back pain is present.  In a Feb. 2009 study, the use of an elastic lumbar belt was studied in a group of subacute low back pain patients for its effect on functional capacity (lift and carry types of activities), pain intensity, and the effects on health care service costs.  This study was unique in that it was carried out in several different locations and, the patients were randomized and received either a lumbar belt or nothing (“control group”). 197 patients were included in the study, which is a good sample size for research purposes.  The results of the study, at the end of 90 days, revealed a higher score for the back brace treated group than the non-braced control group.  The pain scale improved greater in the brace treated group as an improvement of 42 points vs. 32 points was reported.  Similarly, 61% in the brace treated group used no medication compared to 40% in the non-braced group.  It was concluded that patients with subacute low back pain improved significantly in functional status, pain reduction and medication utilization.

The use of back braces has been considered a “standard” in the treatment of patients with LBP for many years. One argument against using back braces centers around becoming “dependant” either physically or mentally on its use and this has long been a concern amongst health care providers.  For most patients, this is not a concern as most do not “enjoy” the use of a brace and they look forward to discontinuing their use of it.  Braces are particularly helpful when the patient cannot stop performing needed activities, such as work.  This is especially true for farmers who have to tend to the animals and crops during planting, cultivating and harvest times of the year.  In addition, single moms or dads who have to go to work in order to provide for their children are driven to stay on the job.  In these cases, the use of a back brace can be of utmost importance.

There are many types of back braces.  Some are narrow and are particularly favored when frequent bending and/or twisting movements are required by a job, sport, or other daily activity. Other braces are taller in the back and taper in the front, which give better support but still allow some bending / twisting movements.  Some braces are more rigid and can actually stop movement in certain directions.  These types include a hard, rigid surface that is placed in the area of the back where movement is not desired.  These are used at times when there are fractures of the spine, after spinal surgery and in scoliosis bracing. Some braces are to be worn low on the pelvis to support that area, while most are placed in the center of the low back region.  There are also rib belts sometimes used when ribs fracture, soft and rigid neck braces sometimes used after car accidents, and braces for the arms or legs.  The decision to use a brace rests on the degree of injury and the patient’s ability to avoid certain activities or positions.  When the injury is significant and/or the patient cannot control his/her activities (such as work), then the use of a brace may be one of the most important treatment approaches for that patient.  It’s similar to having stitches when a deep or wide cut occurs.  Ask us about the use of supports, braces, or belts if you or your family or friends are suffering with low back pain.

When considering a back brace for your back pain, our chiropractic and physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ can offer a professional recommendation for you. Our physicians come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value). 

Antioxidants such as certain vitamins may offer an important link to muscle pain in some patients. Long used by athletes to speed wound healing and recovery from work-outs, vitamin C has now caught the attention of researchers, who are trying to see how this vitamin works and whether it is effective as a supplement for patients with muscle pain.

Sometimes patients will take individual nutrients for particular symptoms or because that was what was recommended by a doctor. Other times the nutrient is part of a larger regimen including food and weight loss advice, other vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Most patients take a variety of supplements but what they take varies a lot from patient to patient.

The “Myers cocktail” is based on the work of the late John Myers, MD. Gaby has modified this and used it as an intravenous vitamin-and-mineral formula for the treatment of a wide range of clinical conditions. It consists of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C. Patients who have experienced traumas have essentially suffered tissue and cellular damage. Antioxidants are part of the repair mechanism for cell healing. Vitamin C is important for tissue repair and its concentrations are lowered in patients who have suffered a trauma.

One study of twelve muscle pain patients showed supplementing with vitamin C (500 mg daily) showed a 17-20% decrease in symptoms. Because Vitamin C, in particular, has little known toxic effects at high doses, a few to several grams can be recommended daily. The vitamin should be buffered to minimize stomach irritation. Bowl tolerance (loose stools) occurs when the body is saturated with the vitamin. One way to ingest buffered vitamin C is to take one gram each hour until bowl tolerance is reached. That amount would then be the maximum dose for the patient. The dose should then be spread throughout the day. Taking vitamins with foods may also aid in their absorption.

Ask your health care provider about the different vitamins you may be taking and your general diet. Getting our nutrient from whole foods is the best source for different vitamins and minerals. Supplements should really be used to supplement a diet naturally rich in antioxidants, such as one with many daily servings of vegetables and fruits.

When considering additional treatment for muscle pain, our chiropractic and physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ offer state-of-the art technologies to offer relief from muscle pain. Our physicians come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).

There are many causes of CTS.  Most commonly, CTS occurs in people whom perform fast, repetitive motions including (but not limited to):  typing on a computer keyboard, using a computer mouse, sewing, driving, assembly line work, painting, writing, use of hand tools, sports such as racquetball or handball, and playing musical instruments. Many of these tasks involve bending or twisting of the wrists (think of a violin or flute player and you get the picture). CTS most often occurs in people 30-60 years old, affects women more than men and, can be either caused or contributed by other conditions such as fracture/trauma to the wrist or hand, arthritis of the wrist, diabetes, alcoholism, hypothyroid, kidney failure and dialysis, menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and pregnancy, infections, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, and others.

Symptoms most commonly include numbness or tingling in the thumb-side palm, thumb, 2nd, 3rd, and thumb half of the 4th fingers. The symptoms can extend to the elbow or higher to the neck or shoulder, can affect both hands (but one is usually worse than the other), and can interfere with daily activities such as buttoning shirts, opening jars, holding onto the steering wheel, riding a bike, working with the hands, etc.

During an initial examination, a Doctor of Chiropractic exam will often check your sensation with a sharp pointed object, percuss over the palm-side wrist, ask you to hold your hands back to back and palm to palm while counting the seconds to numbness, test grip strength, and also check the neck, shoulder and elbow as these areas refer pain back and forth. Sometimes, he or she will order an EMG to test the nerve’s damage. Conservative chiropractic treatment is highly effective and DEFINITELY should be done FIRST, before injections,medications, or surgery!

We realize you have a choice in who you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs.  If you, a friend or family member require care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services.

When considering treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, our chiropractic and physical therapy clinics in Bayonne and Scotch Plains NJ offer a safe and painless treatment option. Our physicians come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Hudson and Union Counties. Feel free to contact us for a Free, In-Office Evaluation. If you are looking for fasterservice, give us a call at one of our two New Jersey locations. For our Bayonne, NJ location, call 201-339-8889, and for our Scotch Plains, NJ location, call us at 908-490-1800. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value).