Condition of the Month: Back injury

REDUCING YOUR RISK OF INJURY, SPASM & PAIN

Take the test and see if you are at risk!

Injury
Every year injuries rob millions of Americans of personal productivity and enjoyment of life. Back injury and pain is the third leading cause of physical disability in the US, and represents 40 percent of all recorded absences from work. Some experts note that back injuries account for 80 percent of workers compensation costs and the overall cost of back pain is estimated to be an astronomical $30 billion per year.

Many of us may be experiencing “silent,” unintentional micro-injuries that may predispose us to major injury to our back or other joints. These tiny injuries accumulate as a result of small, degenerative changes in joint function and chemistry. They may progress slowly and painlessly to the point where a sudden and severe pain occurs when you did nothing more than bend over to pick up your keys. In reality, it may be this final simple movement that triggers a major injury – the straw that broke the camel’s back.

How Can We Help Protect Ourselves?
Individualized treatment that focuses on nutrition and on restoring optimal joint function that may help reduce pain and restore mobility to an injured back or joint. Simply stated, we want to help you increase your personal productivity and enhance your enjoyment of life.

Muscle Spasms & Cramping
Muscle spasm and cramping is often brought on by direct injury or overuse. In addition, when injury occurs we instinctively adjust our posture into a position that produces the least amount of pain. As our muscles hold the body in the new, unnatural position, they can become exhausted and cramped.

Muscle spasm and pain are often treated with muscle relaxant drugs. The sedative effect of these drugs may impair mental and physical abilities. Some people complain about feeling “dopey.” And you definitely should not be driving or operating machinery while taking these drugs.

Proper Nutrition for Better Muscle Health
A working muscle requires a variety of nutrients (electrolytes) including minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium for proper muscle function. Specific herbs may also be helpful, and the care we provide focuses on all of these necessary factors.

Pain
Americans spent an estimated $7 billion on pain management in 1995. For many people, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen) will be the primary pain-relieving agent used. What many people don’t know is that continued use of these drugs may result in ulcers and kidney-related problems. These drugs also reduce the good prostaglandins that encourage healing. And more significant is that recent research has shown two of the newest anti-inflammatories (Vioxx & Celebrex) cause cardiovascular disease in 0.4% of all persons who use these drugs. That’s significant! If you’ve been injured and are experiencing pain and inflammation, why not consider other natural alternatives that may help relieve some of your discomfort without the possible unwanted effects.

Natural Botanicals
Studies have shown that bioflavonoids, have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties without the negative effects of the drugs. Bioflavonoids naturally occur in greatest concentrations in the seeds, skins and leaves of plants. Ginger and tumeric are also rich in bioflavonoids.

Comprehensive Support is Available
We offer a scientifically designed program to help support the tissues at risk to injury, spasm and pain. Our program combines care to promote proper function to the compromised areas of the body with specific exercises and comprehensive nutritional support. Could this program help you? Find out! Fill out the “Injury Assessment Questionnaire” that follows and e-mail back to us and we’ll let you know if we can help.

Injury Assessment Questionnaire

Rate each symptom based on your health profile over the last 30 days.

0=never or almost have a symptom

1=occasionally have the symptom (several times a month to once a week)

2=regularly have the symptom (2-5 days a week)

3=frequently have the symptom (every day)

Section A

1		fatigue
2		generalized muscle achiness
3		numbing or tingling sensation on lips, tongue, fingers and feet
4		localized pain, cramping, spasms or weakness
5		cramps or spasm in many muscles
6		muscles twitch and/ or tremble (eyelids, thumb, calf muscles)
7		muscle weakness
8		muscle wasting or loss
9		restless leg movements and cramps at nite
10		hypermobility in joints
11		injure easily (sprain or strain)
12		headaches
13		cannot fully straighten or extend legs and/or arms
14		decreased sensation in hands and feet
15		difficulty speaking, swallowing or breathing
16		back pain

Total points

Section B

1		pain, stiffness, soreness, tenderness in back, hip, knee, ankle, foot, toes, neck, shoulders, arm, elbow, wrist, hand or fingers
2		shooting, aching, tingling pain down the back of leg
3		most joints feel stiff, warm, swollen and/or tender
4		joint pain in one or few joints periodic aggravations
5		muscle loss around inflamed joint
6		affected jointed have limited range of motion due to stiffness
7		headache
8		difficulty chewing or clicking jaw
9		numbness/ tingling in the neck, shoulders and arms
10		joints hurt when moving or when carrying weight
11		joint stiffness worse with rest, better with movement
12		ankle or knee sprains easily
13		slow reflexes
14		lumpy, painful nodules around joints
15		joint pain or stiffness worse with movement, better with rest

Total points

Section C

Score 3 for all questions you answer YES to

1	Yes/No Yes No	sedentary (no aerobic or weight bearing exercise)
2	Yes/No Yes No	drink several cups of coffee daily
3	Yes/No Yes No	eat a restricted diet
4	Yes/No Yes No	drink alcoholic beverages
5	Yes/No Yes No	joint problems worsen after eating specific foods
6	Yes/No Yes No	recent infection
7	Yes/No Yes No	stress (at home, work or school)
8	Yes/No Yes No	exposure to toxic chemicals
9	Yes/No Yes No	malabsorption (diarrhea)
10	Yes/No Yes No	weight loss of more than 10 pounds in last 3 months
11	Yes/No Yes No	use diuretics
12	Yes/No Yes No	use magnesium-containing antiacids or laxatives
13	Yes/No Yes No	use sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate (TUMS)
14	Yes/No Yes No	recent traumatic injury, major surgery or fracture
15	Yes/No Yes No	use anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, corticosteroids)
16	Yes/No Yes No	use hormone replacement therapy (estrogen)

Total points this section

Grand total for all sections

your name
e-mail address

Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Please don’t forget to return it for your personalized evaluation.

Sincerely,

 

Dr. William J. Rice, DC, DACBN, CCN, FACCN