Chiropractic Services: Dr Rob practices several techniques to find the best fit for his patients needs. Cox Flexion Distraction technique is a great way to decompress the lumbar discs of the lower back. This techniques feels great and has been very effective in the treatment of lower back pain.

Massage Services: We have two relaxing massage rooms available for massage each week. Our massage therapist is trained to get into the deep tissues of the back for a therapeutic massage. Massage is a great in combination with chiropractic treatment.

Physical Therapy: We offer ultrasound, electrical stimulation, TENs, hydroculation, cryotherapy, muscle rehab stretching and strengthening and decompression therapy in our new physical therapy suite.

We would love to help you with your back pain too. Visit our main website for new patient information. www.DrRobWatkins.com

Call us at 239-590-9555

Exciting news about chiropractic that has been known for years but has not always been heard by medical ears…

Esteemed authors Niteesh Choudhry, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School and Arnold Milstein, MD, Mercer Health and Benefits, San Francisco, CA, developed this authoritative report which reviews the existing peer reviewed literature and arrives at the following conclusions:

* Chiropractic care is widely used with almost half of all patients with persistent back pain seeking out this form of treatment.
* “Chiropractic care for the treatment for low back and neck pain is highly cost effective, represents a good value in comparison to medical physician care and to widely accepted cost effectiveness thresholds.”
* “The addition of chiropractic coverage for the treatment of low back and neck pain…will likely increase value-for-dollar by improving clinical outcomes…”
* “We project that insurance coverage for chiropractic physician care…is likely to drive improved cost effectiveness of US care.”
* “Our findings support the value of health insurance coverage of chiropractic care for low back and neck pain at average fees currently payable by US commercial insurers.”

About the Authors:

Niteesh Choudhry, MD, PhD: Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Associate Physician in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics and the Hospitalist Program at Brigham and Women?s Hospital.

Arnold Milstein, M.D, MPH: Medical Director of the Pacific Business Group on Health(PBGH),the largest employer health care purchasing coalition in the US.. He is also Chief Physician at Mercer Health and Benefits, San Francisco, California.

Dr. Rob

Fort Myers 590-9555

LaBelle 675-8900

About The Back

The spine is a column of 24 bones (vertebrae), cushion by spinal discs, and moved and supported by muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Built into these bones are openings top to bottom and through each side. Through these openings pass most of the body’s nerves — from the brain to all of the body’s tissues and organs. The spine itself is divided into four main sections — cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacrum/coccyx (tailbone). The lower back, or lumbar region, is where most back pain is felt.

Common causes of back pain are:

Muscle fatigue can be caused by many factors — either as an accumulation of factors over a period of time or as a result of a single activity for which your body was not prepared. The more common factors include:
Improper posture.
Incorrect lifting techniques.
Repetitive twisting, bending, or reaching.

Sprains and strains from injuries and/or trauma. Symptoms of back sprain or strain generally include:
Muscle spasms, cramps, and stiffness. Pain aggravated by weight bearing or specific movements, which is relieved by rest.

Disc problems and arthritis from repetitive trauma of bending, lifting, old injuries, and heredity. Symptoms can include:
Progressive or persistent back and/or leg pain.
Extremity numbness or tingling.
Increased pain or coughing, sneezing, or laughing.

Sciatica is caused when the sciatic nerve, which runs down the length of both legs, is compressed or inflamed. The nerve can be irritated by things such as an injury to the low back or by sitting too long on a lumpy object (such as a wallet). Symptoms of sciatica include:
Pain that runs from the low back to the back of the leg toward the toes.
Pain worsened by activities that add pressure to the spine — such as laughing, coughing, sneezing.

Beating Back Pain:

There is no way to predict accidents but there are things that you can do to strengthen your back and reduce the risk of muscle fatigue, sprain, strain, disc problems or sciatica.
Where non-slip shoes.
Avoid long hours in one posture (whether sitting, standing, or sleeping).
Drive defensively.
Use ladders when reaching high places (rather than chairs, boxes, or other objects not intended for standing).
Exercise. Active, aerobically fit individuals have fewer back injuries, miss fewer workdays, and report fewer back pain symptoms.
Quit smoking. Some evidence suggests that smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to have lower back pain.
Proper bending and lifting techniques.

Chiropractic and Back Pain

Chiropractic examination is thorough and may include:
A complete medical history, including previous treatments and other factors that may play a role in the current case.
X-rays or other imaging tests (if clinically necessary).
Tests of range of motion, strength, coordination, posture, and others.
Physical examination, including (but not limited to) orthopedic and neurologic testing, laboratory work-ups, etc.
Palpation (examination by touch).

Chiropractic treatment will be based on the results of all tests performed. Because each case is different, each person’s treatment is different. All chiropractic modalities are non-invasive (do not pierce the skin), drugless, and promote overall health. Treatments commonly used in the chiropractic office included (but are not limited to):
The treatment most unique to chiropractic is spinal adjustment or manipulation. The Doctor of Chiropractic often, but not always, performs this method of care manually. Each adjustment is chosen following careful examination and should never be performed by someone who has not been thoroughly educated, trained and licensed in this procedure. The purpose of the adjustment/manipulation is to improve alignment of spinal structures as they relate to the nervous system, which will result in a relief of pain, improved function, and a reduction of inflammation. For back pain, adjustments may be applied to the spine, but if pain radiates to or affects other locations, those sites may be adjusted as well.
Therapies such as electrical muscle stimulation, massage, application of heat or ice, ultrasound, or others may be used.
The Doctor of Chiropractic will incorporate advice on appropriate exercise, posture, diet and nutrition, and other lifestyle factors that can play a role in health and healing.

To hasten your recovery from back pain — and to prevent re-injury — follow all of your chiropractors recommendations, including follow-up visits and prescribed rest and exercise. And when you have questions, ASK! Your active participation in your care is an essential component to your chiropractic treatment.

www.DrRobWatkins.com

Spinal discs are shock absorbers of the spine and they can bulge, herniate, degenerate and tear, but they don’t “slip.”There are 3 curves in the spine. One in your, one in your middle back and also in the lower back. The spinal discs and these 3 curves serve as the “shock absorbers” of your body. Separating each vertebra, they create space for the spinal nerves to exit the spinal cord. These nerves go to the organs and tissues of your body. The bulk of the discs contain rings of fibrous tissue called the annulus and the center of the disc is more of a soft jelly consistency.

We generally see two types of disc problems:

1. A bulging disc is defined as a weakened area of the annulus that can allow the softer center of the disc to bulge out like a balloon. Similar to a tire that bulges at a weak point when under pressure. This can put pressure on nearby nerves. Bulging discs respond well to Chiropractic care. You see when spinal vertebrae misalign, it puts the disc under a torque which can cause it to bulge. Aligning the spinal vertebrae can relieve the pressure and torque allowing the disc to return to normal. With improved spinal function we’ve seen many cases in which surgery was threatened, resolve nicely.

2. Herniated Disc: A herniated or ruptured disc is more serious. It can occur anywhere in the spine, but seems most common in the lower back due to increased stress on the lower region of the spine. This is when part of the soft center pushes out through a weakened area due to trauma or degeneration, putting pressure on the spinal cord.

Stretching techniques, simple exercises, such as walking, increased water intake and improved nutrition offer a natural, non-surgical resolution for many disc problems.

Many Chiropractors are offering disc decompression procedures that are very effective and the changes can be seen comparing pre and post MRI studies.

Keep your spine in line so you can feel fine!
If you need a chiropractor in SW Florida, visit SWFLSpinalCare.com.