Fort Myers Chiropractor.com

Information circulating before Super Bowl XLIV was that Indiana Colts Dwight Freeney was using chiropractic care to recover from his ankle injury. He had been seen recently in an ankle boot then soon thereafter walking bare foot on the beach.  The scoop is that he was actually treating with a Chiropractic Physician, Dr. Leon Mellman who was treating his ankle for proper bone alignment and assessing his spine for unwanted side effects from limping on the bad ankle.

Keeping good motion in the ankle joint is a great approach to insure proper healing and function. Keep in mind that the sooner you seek chiropractic care for a sprained ankle or spine… the sooner you will heal and restore proper function. Many problems occur when scar tissue or adhesions develop in the injured tissues that restrict proper function. Use ice, not heat, to reduce swelling and inflammation in the affected area. Apply it multiple times per day for 20 minutes at a time.

A chiropractic physician is the right choice for musculoskeletal injuries like back pain, accident injuries and sports injuries, due to the fact that their medical education exceeds that of other physicians in the area of anatomy and physiology. A chiropractor can diagnose, take x-rays or order MRI studies to successfully treat your injury.

Dr Rob Watkins

Fort Myers/Estero 590-9555

LaBelle 675-8900

Proper office ergonomics can make all the difference in the way you feel at the end of the work day. Reducing little bits of repeated stress from your day equals less stress overall by the end of the day.

The American Chiropractic Association published the following article that gives some great tips on how to reduce stress at work.

By Chris Sorrells

Nearly anyone who has used a computer has experienced discomfort in the neck at some point. The most common cause is overuse of the neck musculature to hold the head up, instead of letting the spine do the job. This occurs when the worker juts the head forward while viewing the screen. People are rarely conscious they are doing this. When a screen is too far away for the eyes to see properly, our heads move closer to the screen to fix the problem. Unfortunately, this creates other problems such as neck strain.

Adjusting the Monitor
In general the screen should be about an arm’s length away; it can be moved within a six-inch range, either way, depending on the worker’s vision. Monitors should always be placed where the user can look straight at them. Constantly looking off to one side to view the screen creates static load in the neck musculature, as well as muscle imbalances that can add up to significant injury. Adjustable monitor arms allow the screen to be placed in front of the worker and then slid out of the way for other tasks.

For users without glasses or for those who use single-vision lenses, the top of the glass screen should be at eye height. This position will let the eyes gaze down on the screen at the preferred angle. Workers who have bifocals will often tilt the head up to view the screen through the lower part of the lenses. The best solution is to discuss single-vision computer glasses with an optometrist. Otherwise, workers should lower the screen a few inches, so they can view the monitor with the head in a straight forward position, without the chin pointing up or down.

Positioning the Chair
A properly adjusted office chair is the most important tool that allows an office worker to work efficiently and safely. If there is insufficient lumbar support, patients can compensate with a back support, rolled towel or small pillow. If the seat is too deep—keeping the workers from being supported—they can use a back support or full-length pillow to take up the extra room.

In addition, educate your patients about how to adjust their chairs:

• Lower the chair until feet are well supported on the ground.  If they are not firmly planted, use a footrest to provide support.
• Adjust the seat depth so there is one-to-three-fingers’ space between the front of the chair and the back of the knee.
• The seat angle and the backrest should allow for approximately a 105-degree angle between the torso and thighs. Sitting too upright increases the pressure in the lumbar intervertebral discs. Leaning too far back will cause the neck to compensate, putting it at risk.
• Adjust the armrests so they are one inch below the forearms. If the patient has any neck issues, bring the armrests up to provide support, without reaching down or up to use them.

Choosing a Keyboard
Design
Most keyboards have a standard design copied from typewriters with a number pad thrown on the right side for increased efficiency. Users typically plop down in front of the computer and center themselves between the side of the keyboard on the left and the mouse on the right.  Now the right arm is externally rotated and reaching to use the mouse and then reaching across the mid-line of the body to type, so it is never in a good position.

The best solutions are to move the mouse to the left or use a keyboard that has the number pad on the left side.  Workers can then center themselves by lining the bellybutton up with the “B” key.

Angle
Due to the variability of people’s shoulder widths and forearm lengths, many workers cannot use a standard keyboard without sustained ulnar deviation at the wrists. This causes static use and overload of the forearm muscles. A keyboard that allows angle and pitch adjustments is the solution to this problem.

Reach
Reaching to use a keyboard that is too high forces the upper traps to fire continuously, creating tension, fatigue and pain. A keyboard tray is the most helpful of the ergonomic tools, as it can fix problems ranging from excessive reach for the keyboard and mouse to improper wrist angles when typing.  Since the proper writing height is several inches higher than the proper typing height, the tray will allow both functions to be performed safely.

Rest Breaks and Task Rotation
To work properly over time, muscles need a break to rid themselves of lactic acid and waste products while delivering oxygen to the tissues to prevent overuse and damage.

Teach patients to take a 15-second micro-break each hour. This is an easy solution for employers to accept, which helps gain compliance. During the micro-breaks, the office workers should shake their arms out or do simple stretches you can provide for them. Computer users should also frequently look away from their screen to focus on something about 20 feet away. This allows a break for the eye muscles. If they can’t seem to remember to take breaks, an egg timer can serve as a reminder. A software program such as RSI Guard can also help workers tailor breaks to the amount of work.

People are always concerned about how it will look if they seem to be taking too many breaks or are unproductive. By spreading tasks, like going to the fax and copier, returning phone calls and meeting with co-workers throughout the day, they can still be productive while giving their body a break from the computer.

Starting with these simple adjustments, your patients who work in an office should feel happier and healthier at their jobs in no time.

Chris Sorrells is the president of www.ErgonomicsSimplified.com, a free online resource for health professionals. He can be reached at Chris@ErgonomicsSimplified.com.

Dr Rob

Fort Myers / Estero – 590-9555

LaBelle – 675-8900

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

Back pain is a common ailment, suffered by up to 80% of the population at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, because the back is such a complex structure, many people are unsure what has caused their pain and what to do about it. Adding to the confusion is often conflicting reports in the media about what preventative and at-home treatments work. So how does one know what to do? It is first important to understand the spine, the most common injuries, and where to turn for help.

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

• Purchase equipment that fits. Don’t try to adapt your swing to the wrong clubs: A six-footer playing with irons designed for someone five inches shorter is begging for back trouble.
• For the women in golf: If you have “inherited” your husband’s or significant other’s golf clubs, they might be difficult for you to use. Not only are the clubs often too long, but the shaft is often not flexible enough for a woman’s grip. Women typically play better with clubs that are composed of lighter, more flexible material, such as graphite.
• For the men in golf: It is a good idea to spend some extra time performing quality stretches-before and after your game-to increase your trunk flexibility. While men are traditionally stronger than women, they usually aren’t as flexible. Men need to improve their flexibility to maintain a more even and consistent swing plane and thus improve the likelihood of more consistent performance.
• For senior golfers: If you show some signs of arthritis in the hands, consider a larger, more specialized grip for added safety and performance.
• For all golfers: For some, scores may not be as important as enjoying the social benefits of the game. Having clubs that are comfortable will increase the chances of playing for a long time without significant physical limitations.
• Take lessons. Learning proper swing technique is critical. At the end of the swing, you want to be standing up straight; the back should not be twisted.
• Wear orthotics. These custom-made shoe inserts support the arch, absorb shock, and increase coordination. “Studies show custom-made, flexible orthotics can improve the entire body’s balance, stability and coordination, which translates into a smoother swing and reduced fatigue,” Dr. Stude says. While the upper part of a shoe may score style points, what the foot rests on affects your game.
• Avoid metal spikes. They tear up greens and can increase stress on your ankles, knees and back.

I hope that these tips can help. Feel free to contact me for consultation about your back and your game.

www.DrRobWatkins.com

Fort Myers – 590-9555

LaBelle – 675-8900

Chiropractic care is not only a great choice for your back pain but studies show that it is more cost-effective and better than medications for a positive outcome.

The American Chiropractic Association just released an article outlining the results of several studies showing the benefit of Chiropractic care for chronic lower back pain and chronic spinal pain.

“The cost-effectiveness and safety of chiropractic has been documented in several studies. ACA is pleased that insurance companies are starting to recognize the value that doctors of chiropractic and other conservative providers can offer to their members,” said ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. “Especially during the health care reform debate, it’s important that chiropractic and other conservative care methods are taken into serious consideration as a cost-effective alternative to the utilization of expensive surgery and hospital-based care,” he added.

Wellmark conducted the Physical Medicine Pilot on Quality in 2008 for Iowa and South Dakota physical medicine providers. A total of 238 chiropractors, physical therapists and occupational therapists provided care to 5,500 members with musculoskeletal disorders. According to Wellmark, data from participating clinicians show that 89 percent of the patients treated in the pilot reported a greater than 30-percent improvement in 30 days.

The pilot compared data for Wellmark members who received care from doctors of chiropractic or physical therapists with a member population with similar demographics who did not receive such services. The comparison showed that those who received chiropractic care or physical therapy were less likely to have surgery and experienced lower total health care costs, according to Wellmark.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of back pain, neck pain, headaches and other neuromusculoskeletal complaints. A significant amount of evidence shows that chiropractic care for certain conditions can be more effective and less costly than traditional medical care. Recent research includes:

• A study published in the October 2005 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) found that chiropractic and medical care have comparable costs for treating chronic low-back pain, with chiropractic care producing significantly better outcomes.
• A March 2004 study in JMPT found that chiropractic care is more effective than medical care at treating chronic low-back pain in patients’ first year of symptoms.
• A study published in a 2003 edition of the medical journal Spine found that manual manipulation provides better short-term relief of chronic spinal pain than do a variety of medications.

Chiropractic care helps millions every year. Let us help you today, call 239-590-9555 in Fort Myers and 863-675-8900 in LaBelle.

Dr. Rob Watkins

Fixing People in Pain!

Spinal discs -  not disks.

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.

How to pick a good Chiropractor Fort Myers, Estero or LaBelle

I find the best way to find any professional, is to ask someone you trust for a recommendation. Often your family and friends can point you to the best chiropractor, doctor, attorney or whichever professional that you are looking for. They recommend them because they have had a positive personal experience.

Other methods can be to review comments posted online or information provided on various websites. Many doctors that want to be open to prospective new patients will post resourceful information about their practice techniques, education and case studies for you to review.

Things to consider when picking a good Ft. Myers Chiropractor:

1. Did they graduate from a school that teaches a variety of techniques? – Different types of cases require different techniques for treatment. There is not “one technique” that will be best for all patients and all cases, so check to make sure the doctor you are looking into is not “locked into” one technique.
2. Are they involved in supporting their profession? – A doctor that is involved in the success and support of their profession is more likely to be on the leading edge of techniques and procedural knowledge to best serve your needs.
3. Are they involved in their church or community? – This is a strong indicator of their personal character traits. This will say volumes about how caring your prospective doctor is.
4. Are their recommendations based on a case by case criterion or do they treat everyone the same? X-rays for everyone, no matter if there has been an auto accident injury or just a strain? Long term treatment plans, no matter the details of the condition? – Your condition is specific for you and the history of your past. It would be irresponsible to try to “cookie cut” a treatment plan to fit everyone, including you.
5. Is the doctor’s staff courteous and considerate of you? – Believe it or not, most people will discontinue with care regardless of how much they like their doctor, if they don’t like the doctor’s staff… You may want to consider how helpful and courteous the doctor’s staff is before investing your time with a doctor’s office.

I hope this short article will help you in your search for a Fort Myers Chiropractor. Remember a chiropractic physician has a medical education similar to that of a medical physician with a primary difference of diagnosing and treating your condition without drugs and surgery. According to the American Medical Association, chiropractic physicians receive more hours of anatomy, physiology, neurology, x-ray and orthopedics than medical doctors receive. Those classes are the ones that pertain to your back pain, are they not?

Yours in Health,

Dr. Rob

Fort Myers Chiropractor