Hi Mark.
That is an easy one. Generally right after an injury, you want to reduce the amount of inflammation that is developing. You would do this with ice. The acronym of R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compress and elevate. This is the general protocol for sprained ankle, wrist or some other distal joint. However, it doesn’t work on the spine. That is where proper chiropractic care is needed to prevent further injury and inflammation. Of course, not all chiropractic is the same. In the instance where an injury to the spine is involved, large cracking of the joints can cause more injury. This is why I practice adjusting very precisely with a tool so that only the area that needs work gets the proper treatment. Adjusting with the hands has been shown repeatedly in the research to be vague and over forces the joint.
Since I’m experienced in structural medicine, I take a more comprehensive approach where I define weakness and dysfunction so that all areas of concern are taken care of. That is why my patients get better faster, stay better, and don’t need to keep coming back over and over and over like other chiropractic type treatments.

Of course, I have 17 years of specialized experience and I give my patients the rewards of this experience.

Mark, you can begin to use warm as the injury begins to heal but proper treatment of the injury will reduce or keep the scar tissue from forming. This is important as strain and sprains are a common cause of injuries later in life as well as joint problems.
Give the office a call and find out if you should be concerned about your pain.

Thanks,
 
Dr Bob
Expert Health and Rehabilitation
Goaskdrbob.com

Hi Deb.
There is a gut buster of a question! Well all kidding aside, this is a problem plaguing almost every American. What do I mean? We are seeing some of the most diseased digestive tracts in recent years that I am frankly worried for everyone. What does this mean? Well, antacids like prilosec, zantac and others are the most prescribed drug in the United States! We have been told that our stomachs make too much acid and that’s why there is indigestion pain. That is absurd! Acid is the most important process of digestion. Acid breaks down protein and some fats, it allows absorption of minerals, it allows the absorption of Vit B12, it initiates small intestine acids, it sanitizes the food so organisms in our food are killed and don’t make us sick, and is necessary to allow the stomach cell to grow properly. The stomach is only a staging tank that has one real purpose…to mix acid with food to start the primary process of digestion. This makes sense since digestion is the only means for your body to get the needed nutrients to repair, grow and defend not to mention energy. So if digestion is impaired, you body sees it as an emergency. So taking an antacid at that point just shuts digestion down to the point where your stomach can’t yell at you for treating it badly. I perform comprehensive exams and lab work to properly identify digestive issues. In fact, it is one of the first things that I evaluate because without proper digestion, you can’t properly absorb anything!
I have several prescribed supplement protocols that address the common digestive problems to even some of the most involved digestive issues. That is why our patients are happy. They can eat without problems.
So for general digestive recommendations I tell all of my patients to drink plenty of water but not during the mean (dilutes stomach acid), eat frequent small meals not large meals, a probiotic that has enzymes is very good to take. However, if you need to take a lot of pro biotic then I would look at supporting the gut first so the bio elements you take can thrive. Lastly, I always recommend soluble fiber. Not insoluble fiber but a product that has more soluble fiber in it. Soluble fiber helps feed the bio elements whereas insoluble does not. Of course stay away form processed foods altogether!

Remember to think or your stomach as the organ to get the nutrients processed and in your body so it can do its job of growing, healing, repairing and defending.

Thanks,
 
Dr Bob
Expert Health and Rehabilitation
Goaskdrbob.com

Hi Jamie.

Your right! Muscle relaxers create more problems than they solve. Here’s why: if you have an unstable position of the spine and the nervous system instructs muscle to tighten up to compensate and that other areas of the spine now must handle the load for the unstable area, the muscle relaxers screw that all up. So the areas that need to be tighter to stabilize are stopped, and the areas that need to be stronger to handle the added load are stopped…that’s right, trouble. Secondly, you will have a sense that you can do more during the time of instability and make your condition worse. Research clearly shows this and has for over 15 to 20 years. Proper adjustments and stability rehabilitation is the key. That’s why my patients get better faster and stay better longer. I perform the necessary rehabilitation to stabilize the spine and evaluate and adjust properly so that stability occurs sooner. In fact, you can ask any one of my patients about their stability care. It works very well is necessary to achieve the best outcomes. I have many years experience in biomechanics of the neuromusculoskeletal system. I have very specific protocols to address the problems my patients have successfully. So if you are taking a muscle relaxer, you are making more problems in the long run and you are definitely not increasing stability. In fact, while taking muscle relaxers, you will not be able to strengthen the area because of the relaxing affect. This is just a very bad idea.

Jamie, pain is not simply a reason to take a pill or get an improper adjustment. You need an expert. You can call for a consult at no charge.

Remember that relaxing is what you do after work not after pain.

Thanks,
 
Dr Bob
Expert Health and Rehabilitation
Goaskdrbob.com

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