NYC Chiropractor – The Center for Chiropractic & Decompression NYC

Anyone who has experienced eliminating upper back pain is aware of just how annoying, distressing, as well as sore this can be. Even though upper back pain just isn’t as common as pain in the lower back, upper back pain … Read more

Sciatic Pain Relief Strategies: Cause Of Burning Up Upper Back Pain

Chiropractic & Exercise Effective for Neck Pain

When it comes to neck pain the best medicine is no medicine at all according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

1. Medication
2. Exercise
3. A Chiropractor

The patients treated by a chiropractor experienced the highest rate of success with 32 percent saying they were pain free, compared to 30 percent of those who exercised. Only 13 percent of patients treated with medication said they no longer experienced pain.

Chiropractic & Exercise Effective for Neck Pain, Not Medication Study Says

If you often deal with back and leg pain, or you have weakness in your extremities, you might be suffering from a herniated disc. This condition can be quite painful depending on the severity of the disc injury. For those who have extremely severe pain, it can affect their lifestyle daily.

In a normal and healthy back, the discs provide cushion to the bones that are found in the spine. They act as a shock absorber and help to keep the spine in proper alignment and flexibility. However, if a disc is damaged, then it may bulge out of the spine or even begin to break apart. When this happens, it is known as a herniated disc. It is also known under the name of slipping or ruptured disc as well.

The discs become less lubricated and become more dry as an individual grows older. Because of this, herniated discs are more likely to be seen in the aging crowd. However, they can also be caused by a severe spine or back injury. If the disc is not pressing on any nerves in your back, however, you may not experience any pain or even realize that an injury has occurred.

Numbness or pain is likely caused by a disc that is pressing on a nerve in this case. Tingling or weakness can also be a result of this problem. Because of this, conditions like sciatica are often caused by the condition of herniated discs. An examination should be done to make a full diagnosis and get proper treatment.

A misconception that people often have is that taking lots of rest will help a herniated disc. In actuality, this can cause more harm than help. Resting should only be done for a short amount of time if you are in a lot of pain. More than two days on rest can worsen the condition by weakening the muscles. It is best to stay active, even if it is only by taking short walks.

Heating treatments can also be a good way to treat muscle spasm or pain. Other people might find that ice packs and similar cooling treatments give them more relief. Generally, if the pain is acute (within 48 hours) ice should be used. Either should be used for only up to fifteen minutes every few hours.

Herniated discs cannot necessarily be prevented, but there are precautions that you can take to keep your discs healthy. Try your best to keep proper posture and lift objects safely. Exercising regularly and keeping yourself at a good weight is also recommended to take additional load off of your back.

New York, NYC; Understanding Herniated Disc Related Pain

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a set of symptoms generally accompanied by wrist pain, numbness, tingling and sometimes weakness of the wrist, hand or fingers.  Generally, it is a repetitive stress injury (RSI) and occurs as a result of accumulation of micro trauma that occurs over time.  In some cases it affects one wrist while in others it may affect both wrists/hands.

Who Gets Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Anyone who uses their hands to do repetitive tasks can fall victim to carpal tunnel syndrome.  Receptionists, or anyone who works long hours on the computer, as well as hair dressers, factory workers, plumbers, mechanics or anyone else for that matter with jobs that require repetition of the same task over and over again.

What Is Double Crush Syndrome?

Double crush syndrome is a presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome that is accompanied by damage to the nerve as it exists the cervical spine, or the neck.  In many cases patients report no neck pain at all and there only presentation is pain or discomfort at the wrist and hand.  In this case, there is often involvement in the neck as a result of forward head posture creating adverse tensions in the neck and increasing pressure on the discs and nerves.  This may be the case if you’ve treated your carpal tunnel at the wrist and had limited or no relief.

Learn more about cold laser therapy and how it can help treat carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome NYC; Avoid Surgery With Cold Laser Surgery

Searching for ‘Back Pain Doctor NYC‘?

If you’re in pain, like many New Yorker’s, you’ve probably turned to the internet to find a quick and reliable source for treatment and relief.  Back pain is no laughing matter.  In fact, 8 out of 10 people will suffer from some form of back pain or discomfort in their lives.  It is the number one reason for missed work days and can seriously affect ones bottom line.

Like the rest of us your job description probably entails a large amount of sitting.  Sitting for prolonged periods is perhaps one of the most detrimental things to your health and you probably didn’t even know it.  In a recent NY Times article found here they chronicle the research done at the Mayo clinic the uncovers just how lethal sitting is to our health.  The bottom line? Movement is essential for life.

Those who moved more had overall better health.  When it comes to back pain sitting is also one of the most damaging things a person can do on a consistent basis.  Restoring normal motion to the spinal column through a technique known as flexion distraction (or continuous passive motion) can help alleviate muscles spasm and re hydrate painful spinal discs.  These types of ‘back to basics’ approaches to manual medicine are extremely effective at eliminating pain and restoring function to bad backs.

There are many different manifestations of back pain and these recommendations may only be appropriate for certain forms.  Our facility is equipped to address all forms of musculo-skeletal back pain using the latest advancement in chiropractic and rehabilitation.

To find out if we may be able to help you regain your life and return to normal activity contact us today at 646-770-0916 to schedule your appointment.

———————————————————————————-

View a recent CBS News Report on Pregnancy Related Back Pain with our founder Dr. Noam Sadovnik; Dr. Max Gomez reporting.

Back Pain Doctor NYC; Back Pain Treatment Manhattan NY

NYC Acupuncture and the Treatment of Temporomandibular (TMJ) Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex and most used joints in the body. It connects the lower jaw, called the mandible, to the temporal bone at the side of the head. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control its position and movement. When it works well, it moves smoothly up and down and side to side, allowing us to talk, chew, and yawn with ease.

For people with TMJ disorder (TMJD), problems with the joint and muscles around it may cause:
• Pain in the face, jaw, neck, or shoulder
• Stiff jaw muscles
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw
• Painful clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw when the mouth is opened and closed
• A sudden major change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together
• Headaches, earaches, dizziness, and hearing problems may also be related to issues in the TM joint

Acupuncture and massage therapy have proven to be effective at reducing the pain associated with all categories of TMJD.
• Acupuncture relieves pain by moving stagnant blood and energy, or Qi, in the meridians. Acupuncture is effective for stress management or emotional balancing when TMJD is rooted in stress or other emotionally induced teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Acupuncture supports dietary changes, such as reducing cravings for caffeine and sugar which aggravate TMJD
• Craniosacral Therapy(CST) and Myofascial Therapy to release tight muscles, fascial restrictions, and trigger points, and to gently shift the bony structures of the cranium and jaw into their proper alignment
• Herbal Therapy as necessary for pain relief, stress relief, other emotional balancing, muscle tension, and bone support (as in degenerative conditions)

Recent studies have revealed scientific reasons why acupuncture is a successful therapy in the treatment of TMJD. Western medical literature suggests that one way in which acupuncture reduces pain sensation is through direct stimulation of the nerve, which changes the quality of signaling along nerve cells. Further studies support this idea by demonstrating that acupuncture directly stimulates the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters, among other biological actions. These are naturally occurring substances that help dampen and block pain perception by the brain.

Home Remedy Tips
• Change your diet! Believe it or not, this is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to treat TMJD. Gum-chewing, caffeine and sugar are often the biggest culprits.Try cutting out the coffee, tea, sodas and energy drinks.
• Relax your neck and shoulder muscles with heat. Use the heat from the hot water during your morning or evening shower to help relax the muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper back.
• Self massage for your chewing muscles. The main muscle to focus on for self massage is the massater muscle, which runs from the cheekbone just in front of the ear to the angle of your jaw. Use the pads of your fingers to locate tender points along the muscle fibers. When you locate a tender point, press and hold until the pain starts to dissipate.
• Lighten your load. The weight of a large bag or briefcase can cause misalignment of the spine, especially in the neck and upper back. Try to carry only what’s essential, or at the very least, switch between shoulders as you move through your day.
• Work on your posture. Most people who sit in chairs and at desks for most of the day, have a tendency to jut their chins out and lean forward in their chairs. If you’re angled forward this puts a strain on your neck and back, and ultimately on the jaw. Try to keep your head aligned properly over your neck and shoulders, and use a hands free device for the phone instead of cradling it between your shoulder and your cheek.

We have substantial clinical experience in treating a variety of TMJ dysfunctions. We treat the root cause as well as the symptoms–providing you with lasting relief. Contact us to discuss your unique health needs and to make your appointment today.

Maya Carlet, L.Ac, LMT
The Center for Integrative Practices
mayacarletlac@gmail.com
www.thecenter1201.com

Journal Articles

1. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15 Issue 12: December 15, 2009 http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2009.0015
2. The short-term effects of acupuncture on myofascial pain patients after clenching. Shen YF, Goddard G. Center for Orofacial Pain, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143-0768, USA. 2007 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17714105

TMJ Dysfunction, NYC – Acupuncture Treatment of TMJ/Facial Pain

Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older Community-Dwelling Men and Women: a prospective study ¹

The Facts:

a. The authors studied the association between thoracic       hyperkyphosis and mortality in over 1300 individuals with a mean age of 73.

b. If the individual laid on their back and was unable to rest the head on the table without putting the neck into hyperextension they were considered to have thoracic hyperkyphosis.

c.   Patients were followed for an average of 4.2 years.

d.   Those “with hyperkyphotic posture had greater mortality rates. Increased severity of “kyphotic posture” appeared to be associated with a higher risk of mortality.

Discussion: Obviously, the inability to bring the head back to neutral resting position COULD be also caused by factors other than thoracic hyperkyphosis, but what’s important here is that POSTURE appears to be associated with early mortality. Interestingly, thoracic kyphosis was found to be twice as common in men (44%) as women(22%) in this study, which seems to be at odds with conventional thought that thoracic hyperkyphosis is commonly caused by osteoporosis, a condition much more common in women.

The “NORMAL” Thoracic Kyphosis…

Obviously, a radiographic evaluation of the T spine gives us a much more accurate idea of the sagittal curvature.

Harrison defined the thoracic kyphosis as ELLIPTICAL in shape, having a Noamson’s (Cobb) angle of 44.2 degrees from T1-T-12. Realizing the difficulty of visualizing both T1 and T12 on the radiograph, Harrison recalculated the model to reflect a thoracic kyphosis of 33.3 degrees between T 3 and T10. ²

Vaz et al, define the average thoracic kyphosis as 47 degrees in healthy young adults. ³

Boseker et al, defined a range of “normalcy” between 20-50 degrees in healthy children. ⁴

So you can see that opinions vary as to what is actually normal. I encourage interested readers to come to do some reading and establish in their mind what they consider to be the appropriate upper limits of thoracic kyphosis. Personally, I generally tend to view curves in excess of 40 degrees (as measured from T3-T10) as suspect. That’s just my opinion based on my reading of the literature, but 40 degrees is an upper limit you will find frequently cited. Regardless of which value you consider appropriate, it is important to have some sort of firm upper limit, above which you will start considering clinical intervention.

Clinical Management:

A number of tools have been looked at for treating thoracic hyperkyphosis but definitive research is still sorely lacking. Some options you may want to consider are exercise, bracing, and spinal remodeling. Here are two simple, inexpensive tools I have found to be helpful.

Thoracic Rolls

One method of actively addressing the thoracic kyphosis is to simply place the patient over a large foam roll ( our Multipurpose Rolls in the 10-13″ range work well for this), have them raise their hips up, and then “roll” themselves up and down over the roll by alternately flexing and extending the knees. This does two things. First, it introduces a fulcrum effect into the mid T spine to help reduce the kyphosis. Secondly the rolling motion helps mobilize the spine and costovertebral articulations to promote a reduction of kyphosis.

Thoracic Arch

Another method is to simply allow the patient to passively rest over a foam roll or fulcrum for 20-30 minutes. This time frame allows for stretching of the paraspinal tissues to occur and for the spine to “remodel” into a reduced kyphosis. I use our Thoracic Archfor this purpose and we now have lots of doctors using these arches on a regular basis to remodel the T spine.

I generally start with the patient over the arch with the fulcrum at the apex of the kyphosis as shown above. Once they can comfortably relax for the full 20-30 minutes without any problems or soreness, I place a 1″ spacer beneath the arch to raise it up and increase the leverage effect into the mid thoracics. Occasionally, I may end up placing an additional spacer or two as needed to effectively introduce extension into the thoracics.

References:

1.Kado DM, Huang MH, Karlamangla AS, Barett-Connor E, Greeendale GA. Hyperkyphotic posture predicts mortality in older community-dwelling men and women: a prospective study. JAGS 2004;52:1662-7

2. Harrison DE, Janik TJ, Harrison DD, Cailliet R, Harmon SF. Can the thoracic kyphosis be modeled with a simple geometric shape? The results of circular and elliptical modeling in 80 asymptomatic patients. J. Spiinal Disord Tech. 2002 Jun;15(3):213-20.

3. Vaz G, Roussouly P, Berthonnaud E, Dimnet J. Sagittal morphology and equilibrium of pelvis and spine.Eur Spine J. 2002 Feb;11(1):80-7.

4. Boseker EH, Moe JH, Winter RB, Koop SE. Determination of “normal” thoracic kyphosis: a roentgenographic study of 121 “normal” children. J Pediatr Orthop.2000 Nov-Dec;20(6):796-8.j

Reprinted from Maitlin Manufacturing

Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older Men and Women

Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older Community-Dwelling Men and Women: a prospective study ¹

The Facts:

a. The authors studied the association between thoracic       hyperkyphosis and mortality in over 1300 individuals with a mean age of 73.

b. If the individual laid on their back and was unable to rest the head on the table without putting the neck into hyperextension they were considered to have thoracic hyperkyphosis.

c.   Patients were followed for an average of 4.2 years.

d.   Those “with hyperkyphotic posture had greater mortality rates. Increased severity of “kyphotic posture” appeared to be associated with a higher risk of mortality.

Discussion: Obviously, the inability to bring the head back to neutral resting position COULD be also caused by factors other than thoracic hyperkyphosis, but what’s important here is that POSTURE appears to be associated with early mortality. Interestingly, thoracic kyphosis was found to be twice as common in men (44%) as women(22%) in this study, which seems to be at odds with conventional thought that thoracic hyperkyphosis is commonly caused by osteoporosis, a condition much more common in women.

The “NORMAL” Thoracic Kyphosis…

Obviously, a radiographic evaluation of the T spine gives us a much more accurate idea of the sagittal curvature.

Harrison defined the thoracic kyphosis as ELLIPTICAL in shape, having a Noamson’s (Cobb) angle of 44.2 degrees from T1-T-12. Realizing the difficulty of visualizing both T1 and T12 on the radiograph, Harrison recalculated the model to reflect a thoracic kyphosis of 33.3 degrees between T 3 and T10. ²

Vaz et al, define the average thoracic kyphosis as 47 degrees in healthy young adults. ³

Boseker et al, defined a range of “normalcy” between 20-50 degrees in healthy children. ⁴

So you can see that opinions vary as to what is actually normal. I encourage interested readers to come to do some reading and establish in their mind what they consider to be the appropriate upper limits of thoracic kyphosis. Personally, I generally tend to view curves in excess of 40 degrees (as measured from T3-T10) as suspect. That’s just my opinion based on my reading of the literature, but 40 degrees is an upper limit you will find frequently cited. Regardless of which value you consider appropriate, it is important to have some sort of firm upper limit, above which you will start considering clinical intervention.

Clinical Management:

A number of tools have been looked at for treating thoracic hyperkyphosis but definitive research is still sorely lacking. Some options you may want to consider are exercise, bracing, and spinal remodeling. Here are two simple, inexpensive tools I have found to be helpful.

Thoracic Rolls

One method of actively addressing the thoracic kyphosis is to simply place the patient over a large foam roll ( our Multipurpose Rolls in the 10-13″ range work well for this), have them raise their hips up, and then “roll” themselves up and down over the roll by alternately flexing and extending the knees. This does two things. First, it introduces a fulcrum effect into the mid T spine to help reduce the kyphosis. Secondly the rolling motion helps mobilize the spine and costovertebral articulations to promote a reduction of kyphosis.

Thoracic Arch

Another method is to simply allow the patient to passively rest over a foam roll or fulcrum for 20-30 minutes. This time frame allows for stretching of the paraspinal tissues to occur and for the spine to “remodel” into a reduced kyphosis. I use our Thoracic Archfor this purpose and we now have lots of doctors using these arches on a regular basis to remodel the T spine.

I generally start with the patient over the arch with the fulcrum at the apex of the kyphosis as shown above. Once they can comfortably relax for the full 20-30 minutes without any problems or soreness, I place a 1″ spacer beneath the arch to raise it up and increase the leverage effect into the mid thoracics. Occasionally, I may end up placing an additional spacer or two as needed to effectively introduce extension into the thoracics.

References:

1.Kado DM, Huang MH, Karlamangla AS, Barett-Connor E, Greeendale GA. Hyperkyphotic posture predicts mortality in older community-dwelling men and women: a prospective study. JAGS 2004;52:1662-7

2. Harrison DE, Janik TJ, Harrison DD, Cailliet R, Harmon SF. Can the thoracic kyphosis be modeled with a simple geometric shape? The results of circular and elliptical modeling in 80 asymptomatic patients. J. Spiinal Disord Tech. 2002 Jun;15(3):213-20.

3. Vaz G, Roussouly P, Berthonnaud E, Dimnet J. Sagittal morphology and equilibrium of pelvis and spine.Eur Spine J. 2002 Feb;11(1):80-7.

4. Boseker EH, Moe JH, Winter RB, Koop SE. Determination of “normal” thoracic kyphosis: a roentgenographic study of 121 “normal” children. J Pediatr Orthop.2000 Nov-Dec;20(6):796-8.j

Reprinted from Maitlin Manufacturing

Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older Men and Women

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex and most used joints in the body. It connects the lower jaw, called the mandible, to the temporal bone at the side of the head. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control its position and movement. When it works well, it moves smoothly up and down and side to side, allowing us to talk, chew, and yawn with ease.

For people with TMJ disorder (TMJD), problems with the joint and muscles around it may cause:
• Pain in the face, jaw, neck, or shoulder
• Stiff jaw muscles
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw
• Painful clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw when the mouth is opened and closed
• A sudden major change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together
• Headaches, earaches, dizziness, and hearing problems may also be related to issues in the TM joint

Acupuncture and massage therapy have proven to be effective at reducing the pain associated with all categories of TMJD.
• Acupuncture relieves pain by moving stagnant blood and energy, or Qi, in the meridians. Acupuncture is effective for stress management or emotional balancing when TMJD is rooted in stress or other emotionally induced teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Acupuncture supports dietary changes, such as reducing cravings for caffeine and sugar which aggravate TMJD
• Craniosacral Therapy(CST) and Myofascial Therapy to release tight muscles, fascial restrictions, and trigger points, and to gently shift the bony structures of the cranium and jaw into their proper alignment
• Herbal Therapy as necessary for pain relief, stress relief, other emotional balancing, muscle tension, and bone support (as in degenerative conditions)

Recent studies have revealed scientific reasons why acupuncture is a successful therapy in the treatment of TMJD. Western medical literature suggests that one way in which acupuncture reduces pain sensation is through direct stimulation of the nerve, which changes the quality of signaling along nerve cells. Further studies support this idea by demonstrating that acupuncture directly stimulates the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters, among other biological actions. These are naturally occurring substances that help dampen and block pain perception by the brain.

Home Remedy Tips
• Change your diet! Believe it or not, this is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to treat TMJD. Gum-chewing, caffeine and sugar are often the biggest culprits.Try cutting out the coffee, tea, sodas and energy drinks.
• Relax your neck and shoulder muscles with heat. Use the heat from the hot water during your morning or evening shower to help relax the muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper back.
• Self massage for your chewing muscles. The main muscle to focus on for self massage is the massater muscle, which runs from the cheekbone just in front of the ear to the angle of your jaw. Use the pads of your fingers to locate tender points along the muscle fibers. When you locate a tender point, press and hold until the pain starts to dissipate.
• Lighten your load. The weight of a large bag or briefcase can cause misalignment of the spine, especially in the neck and upper back. Try to carry only what’s essential, or at the very least, switch between shoulders as you move through your day.
• Work on your posture. Most people who sit in chairs and at desks for most of the day, have a tendency to jut their chins out and lean forward in their chairs. If you’re angled forward this puts a strain on your neck and back, and ultimately on the jaw. Try to keep your head aligned properly over your neck and shoulders, and use a hands free device for the phone instead of cradling it between your shoulder and your cheek.

We have substantial clinical experience in treating a variety of TMJ dysfunctions. We treat the root cause as well as the symptoms–providing you with lasting relief. Contact us to discuss your unique health needs and to make your appointment today.

Maya Carlet, L.Ac, LMT
The Center for Integrative Practices
mayacarletlac@gmail.com
www.thecenter1201.com

Journal Articles

1. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 15 Issue 12: December 15, 2009 http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2009.0015
2. The short-term effects of acupuncture on myofascial pain patients after clenching. Shen YF, Goddard G. Center for Orofacial Pain, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143-0768, USA. 2007 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17714105

If you’re in pain, like many New Yorker’s, you’ve probably turned to the internet to find a quick and reliable source for treatment and relief.  Back pain is no laughing matter.  In fact, 8 out of 10 people will suffer from some form of back pain or discomfort in their lives.  It is the number one reason for missed work days and can seriously affect ones bottom line.

Like the rest of us your job description probably entails a large amount of sitting.  Sitting for prolonged periods is perhaps one of the most detrimental things to your health and you probably didn’t even know it.  In a recent NY Times article found here they chronicle the research done at the Mayo clinic the uncovers just how lethal sitting is to our health.  The bottom line? Movement is essential for life.

Those who moved more had overall better health.  When it comes to back pain sitting is also one of the most damaging things a person can do on a consistent basis.  Restoring normal motion to the spinal column through a technique known as flexion distraction (or continuous passive motion) can help alleviate muscles spasm and re hydrate painful spinal discs.  These types of ‘back to basics’ approaches to manual medicine are extremely effective at eliminating pain and restoring function to bad backs.

There are many different manifestations of back pain and these recommendations may only be appropriate for certain forms.  Our facility is equipped to address all forms of musculo-skeletal back pain using the latest advancement in chiropractic and rehabilitation.

To find out if we may be able to help you regain your life and return to normal activity contact us today at 646-770-0916 to schedule your appointment.

———————————————————————————-

View a recent CBS News Report on Pregnancy Related Back Pain with our founder Dr. Noam Sadovnik; Dr. Max Gomez reporting.