The latest statistics show that there are over 500,000 spinal surgeries each year in the US. Although in some cases it's necessary to have back surgery, the reality is that if you can avoid this type of invasive procedure, you're often better off.

Dr. Wagner is here to make sure that people in Alexandria, KY have a natural, non-surgical option for back problems. We've helped many people recover from back pain without the need for surgery.

There are countless reasons to avoid unnecessary medical procedures: Surgeries often result in a longer recuperation time and additional complications, neither of which is a desirable scenario. Luckily, as one medical study has found, chiropractic care may actually keep you out of the operating room altogether.

Research Supports Chiropractic Treatment Helps Avoid Back Surgery

In this paper, 1,885 workers with back injuries were assessed over a three year period. When the workers first sought care with a surgeon, over 42 percent ended up having back surgery. For patients who saw only a chiropractor, only 1.5 percent had surgery!

These findings suggest that chiropractic care can help you recover from back pain without surgical treatments.

If you live in the Alexandria, KY area, Dr. Wagner can probably help you with your back pain. Give our office a call today at (859) 448-0056 for more information or an appointment.

Keeney BJ, Fulton-Kehoe D, Turner JA, et al. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State. Spine 2013;38(11):953-964.

We work with many back pain patients in our Alexandria, KY chiropractic office, and Dr. Wagner and our staff uses a variety of techniques to help get you out of pain and restore your spine's normal, healthy function. We find spinal decompression to be an effective approach.

Understanding Spinal Decompression Therapy

To help you better understand spinal decompression therapy, think of the discs in your spine like small balloons filled with jelly. When you squeeze them (which occurs due to normal living, sustaining an injury, or other medical conditions), they can protrude, placing pressure on the nerves in your spine. This affects your brain's ability to communicate with tissues in the rest of your body.

If the force on the discs becomes too high, the discs can herniate or protrude. This reduces the cushioning between your vertebrae and can cause pain. The objective of spinal decompression therapy is to reduce this pressure to help improve your body's function and also reduce your level of discomfort.

Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Help Me?

Spinal decompression therapy relieves disc pressure through the use of a specially designed table that gently elongates your spinal column through slow and controlled movements. This reduces the pressure placed on your discs. Some studies show an increase in disc height by as much as 1.3 millimeters after just six weeks of spinal decompression therapy.

If you're wondering if spinal decompression therapy could help you feel and function better, simply call our Alexandria, KY office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wagner today. Your optimal health is our number one goal!

Resources

Apfel CC, Cakmakkaya OS, Richmond C, et al. Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11(155). doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-155

We treat a large number of men and women with back pain in our Alexandria, KY office, and Dr. Wagner finds that quite a few cases of back pain stem from the sacroiliac (SI) joint. Research has revealed that about twenty-five percent of all back pain originates in the SI joint, and now new research corroborates what we see in our clinic: chiropractic is an effective approach to treating this issue.

Research Supports Chiropractic Treatment Helps Increase Movement in the SI Joint

In the study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 32 women with sacroiliac joint dysfunction were split into two groups and asked to participate in one of two treatment therapies. one group was given a chiropractic adjustment isolated to the sacroiliac joint, and the second group received an adjustment to the sacroiliac joint and the lumbar spine.

Scientists observed significantly more improvements in both pain and movement immediately following treatment, two days post-treatment, and 30 days after for the patients who underwent high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation to both the sacroiliac joint and the lumbar spine. This demonstrates that chiropractic therapy administered in these two areas offers both prompt and lasting results for sacroiliac joint pain sufferers even with only a single treatment session.

So, if you are dealing with sacroiliac joint pain, or live with back and leg pain and want to know whether your sacroiliac joint is the source, a visit to our Alexandria, KY office could be the first and best step towards feeling better. Give our office a call today at (859) 448-0056.

Kamali F, Shokri E. The effect of two manipulative therapy techniques and their outcome in patients with sacroiliac joint syndrome. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2012;16(1):29-35.

Dr. Wagner sees many back pain patients in our busy Alexandria, KY chiropractic office. Many of our patients have some form of spinal condition that is causing them pain and distress. Fortunately, Dr. Wagner has found that spinal decompression treatment is a great way to help these folks.

What is Spinal Decompression and How Can it Help Me?

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a treatment method that takes all of the positive benefits that one normally gets from chiropractic, traction, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, and myofascial release and combines them all into one.

The objective of this technique is to keep you off the operating table, and that is exactly what it's accomplished for a number of men and women, as it has a documented 85% success rate.

Some of the problems spinal decompression helps with include generalized back pain, sciatica, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, compression fractures, and joint pain.

Spinal decompression works by reversing the influences of wear, tear, and gravity that compresses the intervertebral discs in your spinal column. The movie below demonstrates how it works to eliminate stress on your back and helps eliminate pain and disability.

Dr. Wagner Can Help Patients Find Relief From Chronic Back Pain

If you live in Alexandria, KY and you're suffering with back problems, spinal decompression therapy might be the answer. Call Dr. Wagner today at (859) 448-0056 for a consultation or appointment.

We know how difficult persistent headache pain can be. Dr. Wagner and our staff have worked with many men and women in our Alexandria, KY chiropractic office, and we've had great success in helping patients eliminate their headache pain.

Research Supports Chiropractic Helps With Cervicogenic Headaches

A 2016 research paper confirms what we see in our office. In this study, the authors started with 110 individuals who were suffering with headaches that originated in the cervical spine. 58 of these patients were given a series of neck adjustments; 52 were given some stretches and exercises. The treatment period for both groups was four weeks.

The study found that the individuals who received cervical and thoracic spinal adjustments "experienced significantly greater reductions in headache intensity, disability, headache frequency, headache duration, and medication intake as compared to the group that received mobilization and exercise."

The investigation also found that these results were maintained at the three-month follow-up exam.

Chiropractic is a safe and effective way to treat chronic headache pain, back pain, neck pain, and many other health conditions. If you're tired of suffering, give Dr. Wagner a call today at our Alexandria, KY office at (859) 448-0056. We're here to help get you out of pain.

Reference

Dunning JR, Butts R, Mourad F, Young I, et al. Upper cervical and upper thoracic manipulation versus mobilization and exercise in patients with cervicogenic headache: a multi-center randomized clinical trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2016;17(1):64.

Although some people are still uncertain about chiropractic care, even the American Medical Association (AMA) suggests that adjustments should be tried prior to surgery--the one option that should be a last resort.

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has seen many back pain patients in our Alexandria, KY office who have been hurting for years and who are worried that they might need an operation for their back pain. Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has had great success in helping patients recover and avoid risky back surgery, and the science backs up our experience.

Research Supports Chiropractic Helps You Avoid Risky Surgery

For example, in one study carried out on about 2,000 Washington State workers who suffered from a back injury while on the job, more than 40% who saw a surgeon first following their injury found themselves having back surgery within three years. That compares to just 1.5% of the individuals who first sought treatment with chiropractic care, proving that this natural approach is very effective at keeping you out of the operating room.

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. Can Help Clients Find Comfort From Back Pain Without Surgery

There are options to risky medical procedures. Chiropractic is a proven effective and safe way to improve the function of your spine, which is the root cause of back pain. Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has helped many patients in Alexandria, KY recover. Give our office a call today at (859) 448-0056 for an appointment.

Reference

Goodman DM, Burke AE, Livingston. Low Back Pain. The Journal of the American Medical Association 2013;309(16);1738.

Keeney BJ, Fulton-Kehoe D, Turner JA, et al. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State. Spine 2013;38(11):953-964.

Many people experience headache pain, and tension headaches are a common problem in our busy world. Postural problems and stress are common causes of tension headache, and ones that Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. and the team here in our Alexandria, KY chiropractic office have a lot of experience in treating.

Research Supports Chiropractic Eases Tension Headaches

The scientific literature verifies our findings: A 2016 study from Spain managed a group of 76 patients with chronic tension headaches. The participants were divided into four treatment groups: 19 patients were treated with suboccipital inhibition (the therapist presses on the tight tissues at the top of the spine); 19 with chiropractic adjustments; 19 with both adjustments and suboccipital inhibition; and 19 received no treatment.

The researchers found that the spinal adjustments were beneficial at relieving pain, and that the best results were found when spinal adjustments were coupled with the suboccipital inhibition.

When we get stressed out, the nerves and tissues in the neck can be disrupted, resulting in pain. Chiropractic works by removing these strains and restoring the normal nerve function to the area.

We're Here to Help Clients Find Relief From Tension Headaches

If you live in Alexandria, KY and are suffering from any kind of headache, we're here to help you get relief. Call Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. today at (859) 448-0056 for an appointment or more information.

Source

Espi-Lopez GV, Rodriguez-Blanco C, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A, et al. Do manual therapy techniques have a positive effect on quality of life in people with tension-type headache? A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine 2016; February 29.

Don't Choose Drugs for Back Pain

Here in our Alexandria, KY office, Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has helped countless people recover from back problems. If you are struggling with back pain, you've probably been tempted to take drugs to decrease the pain. You should recognize that research indicates that chiropractic is usually a much healthier approach than drugs when it comes to alleviating this specific type of problem.

In a 2013 report published in the medical journal Spine experts included 101 people who had experienced back pain for at least 48 hours. Each person was then assigned to one of three groups. The first group, which consisted of 37 people, received chiropractic care and a placebo of the drug diclofenac. The second group of 38 patients received fake chiropractic adjustments and the real drug. The third group of 25 people acted as the control as those individuals received sham chiropractic care and also received the placebo, thus having no real treatment whatsoever.

All of the subjects who received some type of real treatment, whether through chiropractic or the drug diclofenac, fared better than the control subjects who had no actual therapy. However, when the two active groups were compared to one another, the patients who received chiropractic care had improvements that were "significantly better" than those who took the medications.

Natural Healing with Chiropractic Care

Because chiropractic care is non-invasive and doesn't use drugs, it helps promote healing without undesirable side effects. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs can result in ulcers, hypertension, and other serious health complications. Plus, the benefits of chiropractic last longer as it's designed to correct the source of the spinal interference, not just treat the signs and symptoms.

If you're ready to get help for your back pain naturally, then chiropractic care is for you. Make an appointment in our Alexandria, KY office with Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. today at (859) 448-0056. We'll help relieve your back problems in a healthy way!

References

von Heymann WJ, Schloemer P, Timm J, Muehlbauer B. Spinal high-velocity low amplitude manipulation in acute nonspecific low back pain: a double-blind randomized controlled trial in comparison with diclofenac and placebo. Spine 2013;38(7):540-548.

When playing activities that demand a lot of lower body motion, like football, soccer, and basketball, it's not at all uncommon to sustain some type of injury to your hips or legs. Between pulled hamstrings, sprained ankles, knee injuries, and more, many players have found themselves sidelined. Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has seen all of these problems in our Alexandria, KY patients. The good news is, chiropractic can help prevent some of these injuries from developing and research proves it.

Research Supports Chiropractic Helps With Sports Injuries & Recovery

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. keeps up-to-date with all of the recent scientific research, and in a study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, researchers from Macquarie University in Australia studied 59 semi-elite Australian Rules footballers. Roughly one-half were placed in a control group and the other half were put in a treatment group that received sports chiropractic care at regular intervals. During the first six weeks, this meant getting care once every week. The following three months consisted of an adjustment every two weeks before reducing those to one visit monthly for the final three months of the study.

The authors noted that there was a "significant" decrease in the number of lower limb strains the players received in the treatment group when compared to the control. Furthermore, they noticed that the subjects who engaged in chiropractic also had fewer weeks of missed practice and games as a result of non-contact knee injuries. This led them to determine that sports chiropractic intervention should be added to "the current best practice management."

Every major sports team in the United States and the US Olympic Team has chiropractors on staff for their athletes, because they know that chiropractic works. If you live near our practice in Alexandria, KY and would like to see if Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. can help you boost your performance or reduce sports injuries, give our office a call today at (859) 448-0056 for an appointment.

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. Can Help You Find Relief From Sports Injuries and Recover Faster

If you're suffering from severe pain, Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. and our staff are here to help you feel better. Give our Alexandria, KY office a call today at (859) 448-0056 for an appointment today.

Original Study

Hoskins W, Pollard H. The effect of a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention on the prevention of back pain, hamstring and lower limb injuries in semi-elite Australian rules footballers: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11(64).

In our Alexandria, KY practice, it's common for us to see people struggling with sciatic nerve pain, and Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has helped many of these people recover with chiropractic. What makes chiropractic so useful to those who suffer with this condition? For starters, it shortens their time of recovery and a Norwegian medical study confirms it.

In the study, which took place in a Norwegian hospital's orthopedic division, the authors looked at 44 patients who presented with sudden low back pain that was clinically diagnosed as acute sciatica. The participants were all treated by a chiropractor, with the mean follow-up being two years after treatment.

The authors discovered that all but two patients went back to work after receiving chiropractic care, which is a 95% success rate. Furthermore, the average period of time that the individuals spent off work "was reduced by two thirds as compared with that associated with conventional medical treatment."

Considering that the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 170,000 workdays were missed in 2013 due to employees dealing with back or spine-related issues, that is almost 112,500 work days that could potentially be recovered each and every year solely by receiving chiropractic care. Not only could that increase productivity, but it might also reduce costs to businesses and employees from lost work.

If you live in Alexandria, KY and you suffer from sciatica, Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. is here to assist. Give us a call at (859) 448-0056 and we'll work with you to find the root cause of your sciatica and get you back on the road to recovery.

Orlin JR, Didriksen A. Results of chiropractic treatment of lumbopelvic fixation in 44 patients admitted to an orthopedic department. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2007;30(2):135-139.