Monday, April 26, 2010

How a Monk Solves Back Pain

What can St Francis of Assisi teach us about alleviating back pain?

       A highlight on Standing Desks--A new option for back pain sufferers

Standing desks are a new idea for some, and an old, old idea for others.  Notice in Bellini's depiction of St. Francis of Assisi in the Desert (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giovanni_Bellini_St_Francis_in_Ecstasy.jpg). 


Not only is St. Francis in an amazing extended position (we'll come back to that), but look in the lower right hand corner and you will find a standing desk!  He is able to stand, move, write, read, and think without the tired stance of a chair.  In your most energetic state, what position would you want to be in?  Likely, it is standing.  I've never had a patient tell me, "I was so excited, I had to sit down and slouch."

Speaking of slouching: did you notice St. Francis' excellent, extended posture.  As infants, we adapt well to curling up, and we often return to this position as we age.  Full extension (back, arms, hips, and shoulders) is rare, even for mature adults.  Yet, our bodies were made for extension.  Perhaps we could include more of this each day.


It would be valuable for us to consider a standing desk.  We could read, write, email, and even blog from an energetic position--one that allows us to move and work.

Want to dig further?: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/technology/personaltech/22basics.html

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Do I need x-rays to see a chiropractor?

FAQ: Do I need x-rays to see a chiropractor?

Answer: No.  For the great majority of our patients, x-rays are not needed.

At Tri-Synergy Chiropractic, we are focused on evidence-based medicine.  We will recommend tests (eg xrays, CT, MRI) only when clinically necessary.

As a physician, I am interested in diagnosing the cause of your symptoms.  I'm able to do this by providing a thorough physical exam, including appropriate neurologic and orthopedic testing.  We look at muscles, bones, nerves--all of your anatomy.  Not just your spinal alignment.  Imaging--including x-ray, CT, MRI--may be helpful for your diagnosis, but for most of our patients, it is not needed.  I may recommend treatment that I can provide or refer you to another specialist.

We do not depend solely on one form of testing to diagnose or predict treatment.  We may not need any x-rays at all to help you feel better.  We are more likely to recommend specific exercises for your back pain, rehab for an ankle sprain, or gentle muscle release for your neck pain.

If you are near the High Point - Greensboro, NC area and looking for a chiropractor who will solve your problem, without a lot of visits, find us: Tri-Synergy Chiropractic

Sunday, April 4, 2010

If you have the keys, you're more likely to drive it

Pitfalls of over use of testing in medicine

Continuing the discussion from the previous post:

Imaging and other tests can be a great help in diagnosis and measuring improvement.  Testing also increases cost for a patient, risk of side-effects, and even harm patient outcome.  It is surprising to learn the evidence behind multiple negative tests: even if a patient's tests show no direct problem, the more tests a patient has, the worse their health outcome.  This means we (as patients and doctors) should be judicious in our use of all testing, regardless of whether the insurance company will cover the cost.

As a recent commentary on the NPR show "Marketplace" points out, doctors who own a testing device are more likely to use them--regardless of clinical need or benefit to the patient.

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/03/30/am-cat-scans/


Patients should encourage informed consent from their doctors--information about the risks and benefits from any test or treatment recommended.  Doctors who own an x-ray machine, CT scan, or access to an MRI machine are more likely to use it.  Whether the increase is from a conscious drive to cover or justify machine expenses, or subconscious convenience of access--patients need to be encouraged to make informed decisions about their health care.

If you're looking for a chiropractic physician who will encourage you with informed options, check out:
www.TriSynergyChiro.com