What You Can Do To Help Yourself
Chiropractic treatment protocols have been time tested and they work. The best way to make the fastest, most complete recovery is to follow the doctors’ instructions.
More often than not, we make recommendations that include at home therapies such as icing or stretching. Making the time to work on your prescribed stretches and exercises at home will help speed your recovery. Remember that your should not feel pain or “pay a price” for doing your at home therapy. You should feel as though you worked the area but it shouldn’t be painful. If you feel discomfort with any stretches or exercises consult with Dr. Jones before continuing.
Hot and cold therapy is an effective at home treatment. The rule of thumb for which to use is as follows:
Use cold packs when you are experiencing any level of pain. Pain always means that inflammation is present. Inflammation always responds more favorably to cold compresses versus heat applications. Use cold packs in 20 minute sessions and ice as many times per day as possible. You should allow for a 20 minute break in between icing sessions. If the ice makes the injured part ache or aggravates the pain in any way, discontinue and consult with Dr. Jones for further instructions.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Why Do I Have Back Pain?
Why Do I Have Back Pain? A Chiropractic Overview
The other day I had a new patient walk into my San Diego, California office asking for chiropractic treatment. He was bent over 45 degrees at the waist, complaining of lower back pain and saying “Doc, Why do I have back pain? I have no idea how I got this way but I am having trouble standing up and sitting down, can you help me?” This is a common new patient presentation in our office. More often than not, the typical back pain patient can’t recall a specific cause of their back pain. Sometimes the pain has advanced enough to affect the nervous system resulting in sciatica nerve pain.
Patient’s like this always want an explanation as to how they got the way they are. Most of my patients have followed a typical course on their way to experiencing back pain.
The joints, muscles and ligaments that allow movement, move the body and provide stability in the low back are among the biggest and strongest in the body. This being the case, it usually takes a significant single injury to damage these structures. A hard fall, car accident or a long day of strenuous lifting are examples of single events that can cause back pain all by themselves.
However, most cases of back pain are caused by cumulative stress. Cumulative stress comes from postural stress (excessive sitting), poor lifting habits, awkward sleeping habits, etc. Cumulative stress also known as repetitive stress takes place over months or sometimes years.
The bottom line is that most back injuries arise from events that seem small and insignificant by themselves but after months or years of exposure to these stresses lead to irritation of the joints and muscles resulting in back pain.
Once the joints, muscles and ligaments of the lower back have been exposed to extended periods of stress, they become very vulnerable to injury. This process follows a predictable path. The joint is stressed by some activity, the stress irritates the soft tissues of the joint, the irritation causes inflammation and the inflammation causes pain and scar tissue formation. Scar tissue limits joint motion, causes pain in the joint and is often sensitive to changes in weather. We all know someone that knows better than the weather man as to when it is going to rain. It is scar tissue build up and arthritis that causes joint pain when it is going to rain.
Once this process has begun, a severe case of back pain can arise from something as simple as picking a sock up off the floor or reaching for a cup of coffee.
Unfortunately for the patient, the little things that they do on a regular basis that stress their backs don’t become apparent until after they are in pain. I always advise my patients to pay special attention to the specific activities or movements that aggravate their backs while they are in pain. These are the activities that are often responsible for the cumulative stress that I discussed at the beginning of this article.
Joints are complex structures that in most cases are very durable and work without pain. However, the process described above can happen silently, over time, resulting in severe back pain and / or sciatica for the person who has ignored proper back care through the course of their lives. Chiropractic care from a licensed chiropractor can be very effective in relieving your back pain. Chiropractic care is a safe, effective and affordable form of treatment that has a history of success with relieving low back pain.
Key: chiropractic,back pain,chiropractor,sciatica,low back pain,chiropractic treatment,nerve pain
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
The other day I had a new patient walk into my San Diego, California office asking for chiropractic treatment. He was bent over 45 degrees at the waist, complaining of lower back pain and saying “Doc, Why do I have back pain? I have no idea how I got this way but I am having trouble standing up and sitting down, can you help me?” This is a common new patient presentation in our office. More often than not, the typical back pain patient can’t recall a specific cause of their back pain. Sometimes the pain has advanced enough to affect the nervous system resulting in sciatica nerve pain.
Patient’s like this always want an explanation as to how they got the way they are. Most of my patients have followed a typical course on their way to experiencing back pain.
The joints, muscles and ligaments that allow movement, move the body and provide stability in the low back are among the biggest and strongest in the body. This being the case, it usually takes a significant single injury to damage these structures. A hard fall, car accident or a long day of strenuous lifting are examples of single events that can cause back pain all by themselves.
However, most cases of back pain are caused by cumulative stress. Cumulative stress comes from postural stress (excessive sitting), poor lifting habits, awkward sleeping habits, etc. Cumulative stress also known as repetitive stress takes place over months or sometimes years.
The bottom line is that most back injuries arise from events that seem small and insignificant by themselves but after months or years of exposure to these stresses lead to irritation of the joints and muscles resulting in back pain.
Once the joints, muscles and ligaments of the lower back have been exposed to extended periods of stress, they become very vulnerable to injury. This process follows a predictable path. The joint is stressed by some activity, the stress irritates the soft tissues of the joint, the irritation causes inflammation and the inflammation causes pain and scar tissue formation. Scar tissue limits joint motion, causes pain in the joint and is often sensitive to changes in weather. We all know someone that knows better than the weather man as to when it is going to rain. It is scar tissue build up and arthritis that causes joint pain when it is going to rain.
Once this process has begun, a severe case of back pain can arise from something as simple as picking a sock up off the floor or reaching for a cup of coffee.
Unfortunately for the patient, the little things that they do on a regular basis that stress their backs don’t become apparent until after they are in pain. I always advise my patients to pay special attention to the specific activities or movements that aggravate their backs while they are in pain. These are the activities that are often responsible for the cumulative stress that I discussed at the beginning of this article.
Joints are complex structures that in most cases are very durable and work without pain. However, the process described above can happen silently, over time, resulting in severe back pain and / or sciatica for the person who has ignored proper back care through the course of their lives. Chiropractic care from a licensed chiropractor can be very effective in relieving your back pain. Chiropractic care is a safe, effective and affordable form of treatment that has a history of success with relieving low back pain.
Key: chiropractic,back pain,chiropractor,sciatica,low back pain,chiropractic treatment,nerve pain
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Nutrition For Bone and Joint Health
Nutrition Guidelines For Bone and Joint Health
The following recommendations cover nutritional support for bone and joint health as it relates to sprain / strain injuries. That being said, these recommendations will also help you maintain your spinal health. Nutritional support is a valuable asset to your chiropractic care.
The following supplements are considered very important.
Chondroitin Sulfate: 500 – 1000 mg daily - Nutritional support for strengthening joints, ligaments and tendons
Glucosamine Sulfate: Take as directed. - Very important for the formation of bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and synovial (joint) fluid
MSM: 500 – 1000 mg 3 X daily - This is a sulfer compound that reduces pain and inflammation. MSM is also important for joint and tissue repair
Calcium: 1500 – 2000 mg daily - Needed for repair of connective tissue. You should use two forms of calcium – calcium chelate and calcium gluconate. Very important for skeletal strength (especially for women but men should supplement as well.)
Magnesium: 750 – 1000 mg daily – Works in conjunction with calcium
Essential Fatty Acids: Take as directed – Promotes cardiovascular and cellular health.
Grape Seed Extract: Take as directed – A powerful anti-inflammatory
Manganese: 15 mg daily – Strengthens wounded ligaments and tendons
Things to Avoid
Smoking: Nicotine cause blood vessels to constrict resulting in decreased blood flow to healing tissues.
Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant which increases painful sensations. If you get caffeine by drinking soda pop you are also taking in ALOT of sugar.
Sugar: Sugar increases your sensations of pain. In combination with caffeine, sugar hampers your efforts to feel better.
Exercise should be avoided whenever it contributes to your injury. Working through the pain does not work for those recovering from an injury. Conversely, exercise in general is helpful while recovering from most injuries. Ask Dr. Jones if you have any questions about exercise.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
The following recommendations cover nutritional support for bone and joint health as it relates to sprain / strain injuries. That being said, these recommendations will also help you maintain your spinal health. Nutritional support is a valuable asset to your chiropractic care.
The following supplements are considered very important.
Chondroitin Sulfate: 500 – 1000 mg daily - Nutritional support for strengthening joints, ligaments and tendons
Glucosamine Sulfate: Take as directed. - Very important for the formation of bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and synovial (joint) fluid
MSM: 500 – 1000 mg 3 X daily - This is a sulfer compound that reduces pain and inflammation. MSM is also important for joint and tissue repair
Calcium: 1500 – 2000 mg daily - Needed for repair of connective tissue. You should use two forms of calcium – calcium chelate and calcium gluconate. Very important for skeletal strength (especially for women but men should supplement as well.)
Magnesium: 750 – 1000 mg daily – Works in conjunction with calcium
Essential Fatty Acids: Take as directed – Promotes cardiovascular and cellular health.
Grape Seed Extract: Take as directed – A powerful anti-inflammatory
Manganese: 15 mg daily – Strengthens wounded ligaments and tendons
Things to Avoid
Smoking: Nicotine cause blood vessels to constrict resulting in decreased blood flow to healing tissues.
Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant which increases painful sensations. If you get caffeine by drinking soda pop you are also taking in ALOT of sugar.
Sugar: Sugar increases your sensations of pain. In combination with caffeine, sugar hampers your efforts to feel better.
Exercise should be avoided whenever it contributes to your injury. Working through the pain does not work for those recovering from an injury. Conversely, exercise in general is helpful while recovering from most injuries. Ask Dr. Jones if you have any questions about exercise.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
Monday, November 2, 2009
What is Chiropractic and how does it Work?
What is Chiropractic and how does it Work?
The chiropractic philosophy begins with the principle that the human organism has an innate power to maintain its own health. Chiropractic care focuses on adjustments to correct spinal malfunctions, called subluxations, in order to remove interference that may affect the spinal cord and the nerves that exit between the bones of the spine. The nervous system controls all the organs and tissues of the body, so a nerve system functioning at its best facilitates the body's ability to cope with disability and disease.
The chiropractic approach to health care incorporates a holistic view, stressing the patient's overall well being. The chiropractic approach recognizes that many factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment and heredity.
Chiropractic focuses on maintaining optimal health naturally so that the body is better able to resist disease, rather than simply treating the symptoms of disease. Chiropractors use natural, drugless, non-surgical health care and rely on the body's inherent recuperative abilities.
Chiropractic is whole-body health care that views the human body as much more than the sum of its parts. Chiropractors see their patients as more than people coming to their office with a set of symptoms.
This unique health care approach views the body as having an innate, natural ability to adapt to changes in its internal and external environments and maintain itself in a state of health. Traditional medicine and its allied health fields typically views the body from a more mechanistic standpoint — as a system of parts that can be altered through outside interventions to produce certain results. Both approaches have important roles to play, but they are fundamentally different.
Chiropractic treatment focuses on the nerve system (the brain and spinal cord) which manages the body’s vast chemical interactions to ensure proper function off all of the bodies’ cells. The brain sends messages through the spinal cord across a huge network of spinal nerves to deliver information to every cell, organ and system of the body. This information system coordinates the myriad chemical reactions that dictate how well you sleep, how food is digested, your ability to concentrate, physical coordination, the capabilities of the immune system and all aspects of body function.
When bones of the spine become misaligned or move out of their normal position, they can distort the flow of information from the brain to the body. Without the proper information from the nerve system, the body cannot function to its full potential.
While chiropractic is very effective at treating conditions such as neck and back pain, lower back pain and tension headaches, we can see from the systems that it impacts that it is really much more than back pain care.
Chiropractic Treatment is initiated with a detailed history and evaluation of the patient. The chiropractor will make many considerations when doing the evaluation, including your age, general health, occupation, past injury history including treatment and lifestyle. If major trauma or disease is involved, your chiropractor may refer you to a trusted medical doctor, orthopedist or neurologist for a consultation and necessary treatment.
Once a diagnosis has been rendered, your chiropractor will choose from a range of treatment options, manipulations, ultrasound, muscle stimulation, heat or ice therapy, exercise, specific stretches, etc to help restore your pre-injury status. Your chiropractor may also analyze your home and work environment in order to ensure that you're not re-injuring yourself and creating a chronic condition.
A good, well rounded chiropractic program will include at home therapies to speed your recovery. Exercises such as swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and stationary bicycling may be suggested as these activities have been proven effective in decreasing neck and back pain.
The goal of chiropractic care is to return the patient to normal activities as quickly as possible, with the knowledge you need to minimize or eliminate your problem.
The nature and extent of your injury will determine how long it takes to heal. In general, recovery from neck and back sprains or strains can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months of ongoing treatment, depending on the severity of the injury, your age and ability to heal, and other factors. In general, the longer the patient waits before coming in for treatment the longer it takes for them to make a full recovery. The patient must also trust the doctor. Many times the patients’ pain is relieved before the physical problem that caused the pain is corrected. In order to give yourself the best chance at a long lasting “fix” the patient must follow the doctor’s prescribed treatment plan.
Your recovery will be faster if you follow the program designed by your chiropractor. Without proper treatment, prolonged stiffness, instability and discomfort may result.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
The chiropractic philosophy begins with the principle that the human organism has an innate power to maintain its own health. Chiropractic care focuses on adjustments to correct spinal malfunctions, called subluxations, in order to remove interference that may affect the spinal cord and the nerves that exit between the bones of the spine. The nervous system controls all the organs and tissues of the body, so a nerve system functioning at its best facilitates the body's ability to cope with disability and disease.
The chiropractic approach to health care incorporates a holistic view, stressing the patient's overall well being. The chiropractic approach recognizes that many factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment and heredity.
Chiropractic focuses on maintaining optimal health naturally so that the body is better able to resist disease, rather than simply treating the symptoms of disease. Chiropractors use natural, drugless, non-surgical health care and rely on the body's inherent recuperative abilities.
Chiropractic is whole-body health care that views the human body as much more than the sum of its parts. Chiropractors see their patients as more than people coming to their office with a set of symptoms.
This unique health care approach views the body as having an innate, natural ability to adapt to changes in its internal and external environments and maintain itself in a state of health. Traditional medicine and its allied health fields typically views the body from a more mechanistic standpoint — as a system of parts that can be altered through outside interventions to produce certain results. Both approaches have important roles to play, but they are fundamentally different.
Chiropractic treatment focuses on the nerve system (the brain and spinal cord) which manages the body’s vast chemical interactions to ensure proper function off all of the bodies’ cells. The brain sends messages through the spinal cord across a huge network of spinal nerves to deliver information to every cell, organ and system of the body. This information system coordinates the myriad chemical reactions that dictate how well you sleep, how food is digested, your ability to concentrate, physical coordination, the capabilities of the immune system and all aspects of body function.
When bones of the spine become misaligned or move out of their normal position, they can distort the flow of information from the brain to the body. Without the proper information from the nerve system, the body cannot function to its full potential.
While chiropractic is very effective at treating conditions such as neck and back pain, lower back pain and tension headaches, we can see from the systems that it impacts that it is really much more than back pain care.
Chiropractic Treatment is initiated with a detailed history and evaluation of the patient. The chiropractor will make many considerations when doing the evaluation, including your age, general health, occupation, past injury history including treatment and lifestyle. If major trauma or disease is involved, your chiropractor may refer you to a trusted medical doctor, orthopedist or neurologist for a consultation and necessary treatment.
Once a diagnosis has been rendered, your chiropractor will choose from a range of treatment options, manipulations, ultrasound, muscle stimulation, heat or ice therapy, exercise, specific stretches, etc to help restore your pre-injury status. Your chiropractor may also analyze your home and work environment in order to ensure that you're not re-injuring yourself and creating a chronic condition.
A good, well rounded chiropractic program will include at home therapies to speed your recovery. Exercises such as swimming, walking, low-impact aerobics, and stationary bicycling may be suggested as these activities have been proven effective in decreasing neck and back pain.
The goal of chiropractic care is to return the patient to normal activities as quickly as possible, with the knowledge you need to minimize or eliminate your problem.
The nature and extent of your injury will determine how long it takes to heal. In general, recovery from neck and back sprains or strains can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months of ongoing treatment, depending on the severity of the injury, your age and ability to heal, and other factors. In general, the longer the patient waits before coming in for treatment the longer it takes for them to make a full recovery. The patient must also trust the doctor. Many times the patients’ pain is relieved before the physical problem that caused the pain is corrected. In order to give yourself the best chance at a long lasting “fix” the patient must follow the doctor’s prescribed treatment plan.
Your recovery will be faster if you follow the program designed by your chiropractor. Without proper treatment, prolonged stiffness, instability and discomfort may result.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
Ergonomic Office Equipment Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav, the Ergonomic Mouse Pad
or Visit Ergonomic Blog, "Ergonomically Yours" And read the latest News in the Ergonomic World.
Better Health Steve Jones
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