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.

Headache and neck pain are common problems that affect millions of people around the world. If you are suffering from this type of condition, you're not alone. The good news is that chiropractic care is an excellent way to not only treat these common problems, but also help avoid future episodes.

Research Shows Chiropractic Helps With Neck Pain and Headaches

For many years, people with neck and headache pain in Alexandria, KY have been helped by the chiropractic adjustments of Dr. Michael Wagner D.C.. Our success is supported by a recent review done in Canada that found that non-invasive, non-drug treatments are the best choice for neck and headache pain.

The review looked at 15 studies from 1990 to 2015 and found that conservative treatment comprised of chiropractic adjustments, exercises, and stretches was advisable before resorting to drugs or more invasive treatments.

Earlier scientific studies have shown that chiropractic is effective and safe for neck pain and many other health conditions.

We Can Help Clients Find Relief From Neck Pain and Headaches

If you're struggling with neck pain or headaches, 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.

Reference

Varatharajan S, Ferguson B, Chrobak K, et al. Are non-invasive interventions effective for the management of headaches associated with neck pain? An update of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. European Spine Journal 2016; February 6:1-29.

There are many different kinds of headache, but one of the most common types is known as "cervicogenic headache," or those that start in your neck.

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. sees a lot of patients in our Alexandria, KY office who are suffering with frequent, reoccurring headaches. Thankfully, chiropractic adjustments can usually help, potentially reducing these types of headaches by 50%, and research confirms it.

Research Shows Chiropractic Helps With Cervicogenic Headaches

A study was conducted involving 80 participants who reported experiencing at least five cervicogenic headaches during the prior three months. The goal was to see how effective chiropractic was for this type of head pain, as well as to determine the number of treatment sessions necessary to achieve a positive effect.

The subjects were split into four separate groups, so that each group was similar in age, gender, number of cervicogenic headaches, and their intensity. Of the four groups, two engaged in chiropractic treatments and two received light massage. Furthermore, one group assigned to each treatment received eight sessions and the other group received double that amount.

Each person was assessed based on head pain, neck pain, and disability prior to the study and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment was complete. The researchers found that those who received chiropractic as opposed to massage reported fewer headaches at the conclusion of the study. Furthermore, improvements were maintained when checked six months after treatment ended.

Additionally, individuals who were taking medications for their headaches were able to lower their intake after completing the study. Those who received chiropractic had lower medication usage 24 weeks post-study.

We Can Help Patients Find Relief From Head Pain

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has helped many people who were suffering from headache pain in our Alexandria, KY office. Call us today at (859) 448-0056 for more information or for an appointment.

Reference

Haas M, Spegman A, Peterson D, Aickin M, Vavrek D. Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial. The Spine Journal 2010; 10: 117-128.

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. sees many patients weekly in our busy Alexandria, KY chiropractic office who are looking for relief from the pain and agony they feel due to herniated discs. Our experience isn't unique; the medical research verifies that chiropractic care is a successful way to treat herniated disc pain.

Don't Suffer! Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. and Chiropractic Care Helps With Disc Herniation

One particular research study involved 27 people, 8 male and 19 female, who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirming a disc herniation in either their neck or lower back. The subjects documented that they were experiencing pain, limited range of motion, and sensory issues bad enough to keep them off work.

Over the course of the research study, the participants were treated using one of two common chiropractic techniques: traction for herniated discs in the cervical area or flexion distraction for the men and women who had herniation issues in the low back.

Each individual was seen four or five times per week for the first two weeks, then three times weekly, and then as needed for the remainder of the study. Depending on the severity of the disc herniation, treatment ranged anywhere from six weeks to six months, with MRIs being performed at various stages to identify what effect, if any, the chiropractic care was having in regard to the disc herniation.

Research Proves Chiropractic Helps With Back Pain and Herniated Disc

The researchers reported that 80 percent of the participants enjoyed a "good clinical outcome," meaning reduced pain and a reduction in other symptoms, such as numbness. Additionally, 77 percent of these men and women also showed MRI evidence that their disc herniation was either reduced or resolved completely. This resulted in 78 percent of the study participants being able to return to their place of work and led the researchers to conclude that chiropractic adjustments is both "safe and helpful" for disc herniations.

If you have a herniated disc and suffer from chronic back pain and are near Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. in Alexandria, KY, contact our office today to see what chiropractic can do for you!

Reference
BenEliyahu, DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1996;19(9):597-606.

Chiropractic is based on the concept of aiding your body to naturally heal through spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes that encourage wellness. For Dr. Michael Wagner D.C., this involves working to restore your body's natural performance to avoid the need for drugs or surgery. We notice that most of our Alexandria, KY patients are pleased to find a natural answer for their health problems.

One benefit of chiropractic care is that it helps people decrease or eliminate the use of drugs. Medications are commonly issued to individuals who have back pain. This is such a significant concern that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued a news release stating that opioid (painkiller) risks overshadow the advantages when prescribed for back pain.

Some of the most popular opiates, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, and codeine. Numbers supplied by the AAN mention the fact that about 50% of the people taking these types of substances for a period of three months are still taking them five years down the road. This can further complicate the issue of back pain and recovery, particularly if an narcotic dependency occurs.

Compare that to chiropractic care which involves natural healing and the benefits are clear. While a pill might be useful at temporarily reducing the symptoms of a health condition, it's not a long-term solution to the problem. Drugs don't fix your damaged spine; it will only cover up the pain.

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. will first examine you to get to the origin of your back pain and then work with you to solve the spinal interference -- without risky drugs.

If you're ready to get out of pain, naturally, give our Alexandria, KY office a call at (859) 448-0056 to make an appointment with Dr. Michael Wagner D.C..

References

• Risk of opioids outweigh benefits for headache, low back pain, other conditions. American Academy of Neurology;September 29, 2014.
• What are opioids? National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/what-are-opioids

We care for a large number of people in our Alexandria, KY office, and Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. has helped many people eliminate a variety of health challenges. However, a frequent worry that seems to prevent some men and women from getting treatment is whether or not chiropractic is safe. Well, according to three different studies (out of many on the issue), the answer to this concern is a clear: "Yes! Chiropractic is safe!"

Australian Study: Chiropractic is Safe

The first article(1) was published in Spine and included 183 women and men between the ages of 20 and 85. Each participant was suffering from some kind of back pain, and half of the individuals received real chiropractic adjustments whereas the other half were given two sham chiropractic treatments. Information was obtained after each real or fake adjustment to discover whether or not any undesirable side effects were caused by the genuine chiropractic treatments.

Researchers found that nobody reported any significant negative side effects whatsoever after receiving one or two sessions of chiropractic. Some individuals did state that they had a headache (just 9% of people) or muscle stiffness (about 1 out of 3) post-treatment, but the results were not serious.

National Survey Confirms that Chiropractic Care is Safe

The second article(2), also published in the important medical journal, Spine, was performed in an effort to determine the safety of chiropractic care. The test group was much larger as it involved just under 20,000 people. Each participant received chiropractic adjustments of the cervical spine, with over 50,000 total adjustments for all study participants.

Again, the investigators found no serious negative side effects. The experts calculated the risk of total adverse reactions to be approximately six out of every 10,000 consultations or every 100,000 treatment sessions. And, just as with the first study, some people did report non-serious, milder, unwanted effects such as dizziness (16 out of every 1,000 treatment consultations and 15 out of every 1,000 treatment sessions) or a headache (4 out of every 100), and this caused the authors to determine that "the risk of a serious adverse event, immediately or up to 7 days after treatment, was low to very low."

Chiropractic Care Is Safe for Children

This third research paper(3) is unique from the previous two reports, as it concentrates on the safety of chiropractic care for kids. In this case, researchers analyzed results reported by both chiropractors and parents involving 816 children who participated in 7,173 chiropractic treatment sessions.

Out of 5,438 chiropractic appointments made for the children, chiropractors answering the survey reported only three cases where there were adverse side effects. When parents were surveyed, they indicated only two adverse side effects out of 1,735 visits. Furthermore, both chiropractors and parents reported "a high rate of improvement with respect to the children's presenting complaints."

Based on studies like these, chiropractic has been judged safe and effective for everyone. To discover what chiropractic can do for you, call our Alexandria, KY office and make an appointment today at (859) 448-0056.

References

1. Walker BF, Hebert JJ, Stomski NJ, Clarke BR, Bowden RS, Losco B, French SD. Outcomes of usual chiropractic. The OUCH randomized controlled trial of adverse events. Spine 2013;38(20):1723-9.
2. Thiel HW1, Bolton JE, Docherty S, Portlock JC. Safety of chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine: a prospective national survey. Spine 2007;32(21):2375-8.
3. Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz D. The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore NY 2009;5(5): 290-5.

Since trauma to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is often quite painful, we do our best to help our Alexandria, KY patients find relief as quickly and effectively as possible. In fact, Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. will tell you that the medical literature shows just how much chiropractic care can help ease pain in the jaw.

Research Supports Chiropractic Helps With TMJ Pain and Discomfort

For instance, a study published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice involved 15 people with TMJ pain who were managed with neck adjustments, middle-back manipulation, and trigger point therapy via dry needling. Subjects were examined prior to these therapies and at 15 days and two months post-treatment. The authors reported positive results such as reduced discomfort, greater jaw mobility, and lower disability at both follow-ups.

Another group of researchers conducted an analysis of almost 800 papers involving manual and manipulative therapy for disorders such as TMJ and discovered similar results. The authors concluded that there is a "fair...level of evidence" that chiropractic care can help ease symptoms associated with jaw pain and other upper extremity disorders.

This is great news since the causes of TMJ are largely unknown. While trauma to the jaw or neck can cause pain symptoms, there are other factors to consider as well, such as bruxism, arthritis, and clenching of the jaw due to tension.

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. Can Help Clients Find Relief From TMJ Pain

No matter what is making your jaw ache, call Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. today and schedule an appointment to come into our Alexandria, KY location. We'll do our best to help you smile pain-free!

References

• Gonzalez-Iglesias J et al. (2013, November). Mobilization with movement, thoracic spine manipulation, and dry needling for the management of temporomandibular disorder: a prospective case series. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice;29(8):586-95
• Brantingham J et al. (2013, March-April). Manipulative and multimodal therapy for upper extremity and temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics;36(3):143-201
• Oral Care. WebMD. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/temporomandibular-disorders-tmd on November 2, 2015

We encounter a large number of sports injuries in our Alexandria, KY clinic, and Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. is generally able to assist these athletes. Stanford Children’s Hospital reports that more than 3.5 million children of the ages 14 and below are injured each year when playing sports. Add that to the almost 2 million adults hurt every year while participating in sports-related activities, as reported by statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and you can start to see the necessity of minimizing these types of widespread injuries. One approach to possible achieve that goal, according to a study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, is to receive routine chiropractic care.

In Australian Rules football, hamstring and other leg traumas are common, frequently sidelining the players and impacting their team's chance at winning. One particular study was conducted using 59 semi-elite Australian Rules footballers to see whether chiropractic could reduce these injuries and help keep them in the game.

Research Proves Chiropractic Helps in Treating Sports Injuries

For this study in particular, all of the players was given medical treatment. Furthermore, half of them also engaged in chiropractic sessions at the rate of 1 session per week for the first 6 weeks, biweekly treatments for the next three months, and one session a month for the remaining 3 months of the study. The other group had no chiropractic intervention whatsoever and were used as the control group to determine the benefits of chiropractic.

Following 24 matches, scientists noticed a lessened amount of lower limb muscle strains in the group that had been given chiropractic care. Additionally, that very group also missed fewer matches connected to non-contact knee injuries. This lead the researchers to conclude that chiropractic should be added to sports training programs to dramatically decrease the number of leg injuries.

Dr. Michael Wagner D.C. Can Help People Find Comfort From Sports Injuries & Help You Recover Faster

If you or your child plays sports and you would like to make sure more time is spent on the field as opposed to on the bench, call our Alexandria, KY office at (859) 448-0056 and make an appointment today. We will do our best to keep you in the game!

References

• Hoskins, W, & Pollard, H. (2010, April 8). 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, 11(64), doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-64
• Misra, A. (2014, March 17). Common sports injuries: Incidence and average charges. Department of Health & Human Services.
• Stanford Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). Sports injury statistics.