Chiropractic Care

When faced with the thought of having to undergo back surgery, who wouldn’t want a real alternative?

Those who suffer from back pain may finally be able do just that as evidence mounts supporting the growing movement toward chiropractic care as the “first option” for relief over costly and invasive procedures such as spinal surgery. One job-related statistic underscores just how big a deal that really is: Back pain injuries outnumber all other occupational injuries in the U.S.

To that point, the latest study to show that seeing a chiropractic doctor from San Diego Spine & rehab first reduced the chance of having to undergo surgery was recently conducted by a collaboration of prestigious institutions, including Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine and the University of Washington School of Public Health. Their published results (“Early Predictors of Lumbar Spine Surgery After Occupational Back Injury: Results from a Prospective Study of Workers in Washington State”) found that while close to half—or 42.7 percent—of that state’s workers who visited a surgeon wound up going under the knife, only a scant 1.5 percent of those who first consulted a chiropractor shared the same end result. The outcomes reflect conditions of similar severity.

Prior studies support the more recent study findings, in that, patients who visit a chiropractor first have consistently better health results, less use of opiod medications and considerably lower medical bills. This is why it is extremely beneficial to see our professional doctors here at San Diego Spine & Rehab.

“As more data continues to surface, I expect that patients and practitioners will move to-ward considering chiropractic care first, medicine second, and surgery last,” said the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress’ Gerard Clum, D.C., in noting that health providers like the University of Pittsburgh have already adopted this approach.

Find out how San Diego Spine and Rehab can help! Call for your Complimentary Consultation!

SDSR Mission Valley (858) 573-0550

SDSR Oceanside: (760) 630-8400

We look forward to helping you learn to live well.

Preventing Stress through Chiropractic

Posted on January 22, 2015 by admin

Typically, the average person experiences a fair amount of stress through their lifetime and for most it’s very difficult to prevent. Stress can easily slow somebody down and hinder their daily performance. Stress is a natural (and healthy) human reaction but if its becomes severe it can lead to other diseases and illnesses.

Many people see chiropractic as a way of healing but can also be used when there is no physical issue. Chiropractic can be used in many different ways to prevent stress – so don’t fret! When you come to your first visit at San Diego Spine & Rehab our chiropractor will assess you by asking you to identify the risk factors and other contributing reasons that can spike your stress levels. If the patient also has some physical issues our chiropractor may feel the need for laboratory exams.

One your chiropractor has decided a course of action, it’s time to go. The main technique your chiropractor may do is spinal manipulation. This technique is great because it can be used both as a preventative measure for future ailments but also as a mean of healing. During the treatment the chiropractor will maneuver the spine to locate the proper alignment of the spine.

back pain

The spine is looked at as one of the most important pieces to your entire body and will benefit your health and wellness. The spine supports the body and protects the spinal cord where every second there are millions of neural impulses being sent to and from the brain. Assuring that these impulses are traveling smoothly it’s a key element to preventing stress. If your spine is happy and healthy your nervous system can work at its very best.

Another method to prevent stress is a massage. Activating your muscles through stimulation can allow the body to relieve itself of stress. Many patients exclaim how relaxing a chiropractic session can be. There are a few other techniques that may be used to relieve stress such as soft needling, therapeutic exercise, electro-physiotherapy, and many others. To top this all off your chiropractor can also help set a plan after the session including health teaching, lifestyle modification, and even diet. All of these tools can be implemented to live a life with less stress.

Our office is comprehensive and provides an extensive diagnostic and therapeutic range of services. Our specially-trained staff has one goal in mind – to relive you of pain and discomfort. We want to help. Call us today to schedule your appointment!

Abnormal Spine Curvature and Care

Posted on January 15, 2015 by admin

Abnormal curvature of the spine is looked at as a deformity or disorder. There are three main types of spinal curvature.

·         Scoliosis: The most common type of spinal curvature. It is viewed as excessive sideways curvature of the spinal column.

·        Kyphosis: This type is described as an excessive outward curvature of the back  resulting in a hunchback.

·         Lordosis:  This is characterized as a forward curvature of the spine most commonly in the lumbar section of the spinal column.

At San Diego Spine & Rehab we can help you overcome your pain and get back on your feet. Spinal Manipulation is most typically used to treat these different types of abnormal curvatures. Spinal adjustments are used to help relocate the spine and relieve pain. Chiropractors do not use any surgical or invasive methods to treat the curvatures.

To be sure you see a certified chiropractor, visit our professionals at San Diego Spine & Rehab. This way you can ensure the spinal manipulation is done correctly and risk-free. Typically an X-Ray or MI will be used to diagnose the spinal curvature. Once confirmed the chiropractor may now use gentle force to readjust the spine within in range. This is why it is crucial to see a skilled and professional chiropractor.

After a few sessions the spine is restored to its natural alignment. This prevents nerve compression, results in good posture, pain relief, decrease in muscle tension, stiffness, and helps maintain a healthy body. Many believe that when the spine is properly positions it allows the body to have the ability to heal on its own and increases the ability of the immune systems leading to a high chance or prevention against diseases.

If you are in need or a physical therapist – look no further. Call San Diego Spine & Rehab today so we can pave a path to recovery!

Living with Osteoarthritis: Treatment Options

Posted on September 19, 2014 by admin

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. Often called wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time.

While osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, neck, lower back, knees and hips.

Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists. But osteoarthritis treatments can slow the progression of the disease, relieve pain and improve joint function.

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Pain. Your joint(s) may hurt during or after movement.

Tenderness. Your joint(s) may feel tender when you apply light pressure to it.

Stiffness. Joint stiffness may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.

Loss of flexibility. You may not be able to move your joint(s) through its full range of motion.

Grating sensation. You may hear or feel a grating sensation when you use the joint(s).

Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, may form around the affected joint(s).

Research from The Mayo Clinic suggests that a combination approach, much like our Integrated Medicine Approach is a great course of action for patients living with OA. Some of the services we offer in that area include:

Physical therapy. A physical therapist can work with you to create an individualized exercise regimen that will strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase the range of motion in your joint and reduce your pain.

Durable Medical Equipment (Braces or Shoe Inserts). Consider trying splints, braces, shoe inserts or other medical devices that can help reduce your pain. These devices can immobilize or support your joint to help you keep pressure off it.

If conservative treatments don’t help, your physician may consider procedures such as:

Cortisone shots. Injections of corticosteroid medications may relieve pain in your joint. During this procedure your doctor numbs the area around your joint, then places a needle into the space within your joint and injects medication. The number of cortisone shots you can receive each year is limited, because the medication can worsen joint damage over time.

Lubrication injections. Injections of hyaluronic acid derivatives (Hyalgan, Synvisc) may offer pain relief by providing some cushioning in your knee. These agents are similar to a component normally found in your joint fluid.

Find out how San Diego Spine and Rehab can help YOU deal with OA today! Call for your Complimentary Consultation!

SDSR Mission Valley :( 858) 573-0550

SDSR Oceanside: (760) 630-8400

We look forward to helping you learn to live well, with or without OA!

Back Pain: It Doesn’t Have to Rule Your Life!

Posted on August 13, 2014 by admin

We’ve all been there. You aren’t used to this level of pain, and you’re able to tolerate it, initially. You carry on with your daily life, uncomfortably adjusting in the office, in the car, and when you’re trying to sleep at night.

The days, weeks, and months go by, and before you know it, your pain is increasingly affecting the everyday tasks that never seemed so taxing before! In the United States, the most common cause of disability in people under 40 years of age is back pain!

Back pain can not only be painful, but it also takes a toll on our emotions, immunity, and our ability to perform essential functions in our everyday lives. Back pain is typically caused by our everyday body mechanics, like poor posture or sleeping positions. Occasionally, back pain is also caused by rare and serious conditions or injuries. Throughout our lives, certain occupations and life events (like pregnancy) can also cause chronic back pain.

At San Diego Spine and Rehab (South Bay Physical Medicine), we are motivated each and every day by patients who tell us that they want to reduce their pain to do things as simple as being able to vacuum the carpets, and those really important things like holding/playing with their children. There is no task too small when a patient is dealing with pain on a daily basis. We call these Motivating Factors. Motivating factors are often even hobbies, such as getting back to the golf course, or running a 5K!

San Diego Spine and Rehab has combined the expertise of several highly qualified medical professionals to bring you a facility where you can access a strategic, and successful Treatment Plan, with those Motivating Factors of your own at the center of it all! We even provide complimentary Child Care in our offices!

Along with hindering your ability to perform everyday essential functions, back pain can also cause an emotional toll on you. For people with mild to moderate low back pain, a supervised exercise program may be enough to treat physical and psychological symptoms. Many times when a person exercises under supervision, studies show that their depression improves, their anxiety can improve, and their condition improves overall.

Don’t let back pain rule your life anymore!

Call San Diego Spine and Rehab today to schedule your COMPLIMENTARY Consultation, and see what we can do to help YOU take control of your pain, and get your life back today! We want to help you succeed with your motivating factors, and see you achieve a better quality of life overall

We can’t wait to see you at your next appointment!

 Chiropractic Care: What Benefits Can You Expect?

Posted on June 6, 2014 by admin

Happy Friday!

Our very own Dr. Madden recently presented us with some outstanding information about what Chiropractic Care can do to help YOU, our patients. We couldn’t wait to share these facts with you, to further help you understand why we opt for an integrated approach that includes Chiropractic Care for your health and wellness! Chiropractic is so beneficial, that most health plans include Chiropractic benefits*!

How Can Chiropractic Help Me? 

1)      Neck and Back Pain:

-These are complaints that we are most known for helping with

-Whether it is chronic pain from years ago, or acute pain that just happenedàwe re-align your spine to keep you balanced and eliminate pain

2)      Headaches and Migraines:

-Although headaches are common among the population, they are not normal!

-Chiropractic adjustments and stretches can at times provide instant relief

3)      Immunity:

-When a chiropractor adjusts the spine, we are helping the nervous system perform at its optimum. Your nervous system helps control your immune system and keep you from getting sick.

-Getting adjusted regularly can help keep you healthy!

4)      Stress:

-It is safe to say that stress is a big part of people’s lives, especially during times like deployment.

-The shoulders and neck are common areas that hold this stress. Adjustments and muscle work can help to eliminate those knots.

5)      Pregnancy and Pediatrics:

-Chiropractic is a great, non-invasive form of treatment for pregnant moms! It is safe, and can provide relief from pain so they can enjoy their pregnancy.

-Kids can also benefit from chiropractic care. We modify our adjustments so they are gentle and safe- we can adjust children of any age, even newborns! We can help them with colic, constipation, feeding problems, reflux, and many more.

Chiropractic is great for everyone, but at San Diego Spine and Rehab, we approach patient care from all aspects. We not only are overseen by a Medical Department, but we have physical therapy, rehabilitation experts, massage therapists, and of course, chiropractic.

*At SDSR we know that chiropractic is not covered under Tri-Care. That is why we offer it at an extremely affordable price, so that patients are able to include it as part of their prescribed treatment plan.

Author: Ashley F. Madden, D.C. (One of the phenomenal chiropractors at our Mission Valley location)

Give us a call today to set up your FREE consultation and see if chiropractic care is right for YOU!

Mission Valley Office: (858) 573-0550

Oceanside Office: (760) 630-8400

Be sure to check out our sister practice, South Bay Phyiscal Medicine in Chula Vista, as well! They offer the same integrated approach, and complimentary consultations! Check out their website www.SouthBayPhysicalMedicine.com  or give them a call at (619) 869-8900! We are here to help you achieve the health and wellness goals that mean so much to you!

Check out this cool infographic from www.mixaroma.com that gives even more fun and interesting facts about not only Chirpractic Care, but also Massage Therapy (another service offered here at San Diego Spine and Rehab)!

 That’s all for now, but we will be back soon with more on how you can live your best life with Integrated Medicine!

Have a great weekend! We can’t wait to see you at your next appointment!