Tag Archive for: treatment

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The Fastest Men on Earth Receive Chiropractic Treatment

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“I would estimate that at least 90% of world class athletes use Chiropractic on a regular basis to prevent injuries and to improve their performance” says Sean Atkins PhD Exercise Physiologist.

Here is Usain Bolt receiving treatment from the Jamaican team Chiropractor:

It would appear that Usain Bolt’s Doctor of Chiropractic and the rest of the Jamaican medical team got him firing on all cylinders, given his awesome achievements at this year’s London 2012 Olympics.

The fastest man on a bike, the Multi Olympic gold medal winner and 2012 Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins from Great Britain, also swears by using Chiropractic treatment:

Here he is speaking about his Doctor of Chiropractic Matt Rabin:
“I first started working with Matt at the end of 2008 following my success at the 2008 Beijing summer Olympics. After years of struggling with minor niggles that I had learned to live with, and having never really found the answer to my problems despite having sought numerous treatment options with no great success, I went to see Matt.

From my first session with him I had great results that were not short lived. That followed up with regular sessions I saw improvements that I had never seen before and that reflected in the way my body held up on a day to day basis which eventually saw me achieve 4th place in the 2009 Tour de France under his supervision.

Matt will undoubtedly remain an integral part of my medical support in the forthcoming seasons and lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.“

After just adding the Tour de France and 2012 London Olympic time trial gold to his list of medals and also for becoming the most decorated British athlete ever, I would like to say a huge Congratulations to Bradley Wiggins. It has been incredible year for him, absolutely dominating his sport, us Brits should all be very proud.

Danny Adams (Doctor of Chiropractic)

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World Hockey Masters Tournament, UK Hosted for the First Time, AND WE WERE THERE!!!

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Chiropractor Danny Adams and Massage Therapist Kate West had a great day yesterday treating  international hockey players at the first ever UK hosted World Hockey Masters Tournament.

Well done both, fantastic day, great job done.

*We love taking part in days and events like this.  Please get in touch with us if you are hosting or taking part in an event that we could help with, however big or small!!*

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How to Receive 50% Off Your Next Treatment

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Registered patients this is for you!  We can proudly state that most of our new patients are referred to us by existing patients, so this month we are offering you 50 % off your next treatment if you are already registered with us and you refer someone to us who registers during the month of August (by the way, that still counts if you yourself are a new patient to us in August!).

You can take us up on our half price offer on either massage therapy or chiropractic treatment, depending on which is more appropriate to you.  All that we ask is that you do this before the end of 2012.  And, you get 50% off your next treatment for each person that you refer during August, so if you refer two people then that’s two half price treatments in a row!

As is the norm, Terms and Conditions Apply.  If you would like to book in or if you have any queries then give us a call on 01452309372 or email contact@longlevenschiro.com

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Shin Splints: Danny Adams Explains

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The term ‘Shin Splints’ (also known as “runner’s leg”) is in fact a general umbrella term used to describe quite a few different lower leg injuries. Each of the injuries can be grouped in to one of four different categories depending on where the area of pain is felt. I will mention each individual injury but not cover each one in depth. I will, however, give an example of one of the injuries from each of the 4 shin splint group types so as you have an idea of how each of the 4 types presents. I will however not be covering how to treat these areas as that is a whole different kettle of fish and I would recommend seeing a specialist if you feel you have any of the following to receive a personal treatment plan.

A summary of the four types: 1. muscular (various lower limb muscle strains) – tibialis posterior and anterior syndromes, soleus syndrome 2. periosteal (most outer layer of a bone) – periostitis of tibia 3. fascial (Fascia) – exertional compartment syndrome 4. osseous (bone) – tibial and fibular stress fractures

1. Muscular

Example: Tibialis posterior Syndrome

This type of shin splints essentially is as a result of a strain or incomplete tear of Tibialis Posterior:

  • caused by biomechanical dysfunction (esp. overpronation) of the foot and ankle.
  • pain usually appears at the beginning of a workout and later disappears, only to reappear afterwards.
  • palpable tenderness along the medial side of the lower leg.
  • tenderness is also elicited by resisting plantar flexion and inversion of the foot radiography helps to rule out stress fracture of tibia/ tibial periostitis.
  • additional treatment – lower leg strap (like elbow strap) for redistribution of muscle tension.

2. Periosteal

Tibial periostitis/ Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS)

This type of shin splints involves painful inflammation of the outermost layer of bone called the periosteum specifically along the central border of the shin, usually the distal 1/3 .

  • Originally thought to be related to stress along the posterior tibialis muscles and tendons causing myositis, fasciitis and periostitis, it is now believed to be related to periostitis of the soleus insertion along the posterior medial tibial border. As a result of excessive pulling of the muscle.  Excessive pronation or prolonged pronation of the foot causes an eccentric contraction of the soleus, resulting in periostitis.
  • May be as a result of a change in running distances, speed, form, stretching, footwear, or running surfaces.
  • Tenderness along the anterior side of the tibia and sometimes slight swelling and thickening above the bone can be noticed.
  • Additional treatment – ice and NSAID, soft running surface, cushioning of the heel.

3. Fascial

Exertional Compartment Syndrome (ECS)

This type of shin splints involves thick sheaths of Fascia divide the muscles of the leg into four compartments each with their own muscles, blood and nerve supply. The four compartments are the ‘Anterior compartment’, ‘Lateral Compartment’, ‘Posterior Deep compartment’ and the ‘Posterior Superficial Compartment’. The mechanism involved is as a result of fascia that is too tight along with an increase in muscle volume within the compartment as a result of increased activity which can lead to a decrease in compartment space around the muscles. This therefore increases the pressure within the compartment and diminishes the compartment’s veins ability to return blood therefore increasing the pressure further. If really severe the arterial blood supply in this compartment can also be cut off.

  • ECS is usually exercise induced aching leg pain and a sense of fullness, both over the involved compartment. These symptoms are almost always relieved by rest, usually within 20 minutes, only to recur if exercise is resumed.
  • Both legs is common
  • Activity related pain begins at a predictable time after starting exercise or after reaching a certain level of intensity
  • Many individuals with anterior ECS describe mild foot drop or paraesthesia (or both) which are amplified by physical exertion.
  • The most common compartment involved is the Anterior 50-60% then the Deep Posterior 20-30% and the remaining 10-20% is between the Lateral and Superficial Posterior compartments.
  • Home advice involves Ice and reducing the level of strain, though for an active individual fasciotomy provides a quicker and long-term solution (surgery to release the tight fascia and therefore decrease the pressure in the involved compartment.
  • This particular condition is notoriously difficult to manage conservatively, if there are any practitioners out there with suggestions then I would love to hear their experiences.
  • Do not confuse with an acute compartment syndrome which is in fact a medical emergency.

4. Bone

This type of shin splints involves stress fractures of the Tibia (shin bone)

  • as a result of repeated sub-maximal loading.
  • dull pain, swelling and palpable tenderness is confined within 2-3 cm in diameter.
  • Insidious onset.
  • Increased pain with activity/ decrease with rest.
  • Pain usually limited to fracture site.
  • Pain on percussion and vibration.

If you are still unsure as to which of these problems you are experiencing or you wish to get more advice then feel free to message me for more advice. Otherwise I would recommend an experienced manual therapist such as a sports Chiropractor.

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What Makes a Good Chiropractor and a bad Chiropractor?

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Thanks Danny for an excellent blog! Please read on…

As a practicing Chiropractor I have made 2 brief lists of things to be aware of when visiting a Chiropractor for the first time. The lists are also good to see how your current Chiropractor compares.

All professions have good and bad practitioners, as you can imagine people’s abilities to treat differ just as a persons abilities at sport can differ. Some people are naturals, some take time to improve and others well… the less said the better. There can also be differences in how one practitioner views a patient as a human being similar to how people in general life have different views on individuals in the human race. One practitioner may run a clinic with a patients health in mind whilst a minority would put the business overwhelmingly first and see patients as number rather than a person.

Here are some bad things that from my experience I would recommend to watch out for when you go to see a Chiropractor:

  1. Treatment times less than 15 minutes long.
  2. Offering of a full spinal x-ray on consultation rather than an x-ray of a specific area, an x-ray is only required in 10% of patients and is often not necessary straight away.
  3. A “spinal scan” that miraculously highlights areas of the spine that need “correcting” or “re-aligning”. A spine with graph like projections coming out to the sides may be seen on the print out of one of these.
  4. Being told you have a “subluxation” or “subluxations”. This is an old Chiropractic term that is in the process of being phased out in the UK due to its misuse by a minority of the profession and the confusion it causes to the public. I do not have a problem with the term when it is used correctly (rarely), however it has been abused and used as a scare tactic by a minority of individuals.
  5. Treatment ‘pre-payment packages’ or ‘set number of treatments’, for example: “buy 10 treatments for the price of 9!” or “book all 20 treatments now and save 10%” or “you need 22 treatments for this problem” These are sales tactic, no practitioner can per-determine the number of treatments required for an injury as everyone heals at different rates. I tell my patients that it will take anywhere from 4-16 treatments. Post treatment the patients then usually books in the next 1 or 2 to ensure they get the times they want for the next session. I find on average 6 treatments is sufficient for most simple spinal problems with occasional management options to prevent injury in the future.
  6. Not doing any soft tissue work. Chiropractors that only manipulate and mobilise joints are considered lazy and their treatment outcomes will be less effective as a result. A good practitioner will do soft tissue work whether it be with or without manipulation or mobilisation or they provide some one else such as a masseuse to do it for them.
  7. Not providing home exercises or rehab. Again considered lazy as home exercises are great for the patient to maintain the benefits felt in clinic and to get involved with their treatment plan.

Here are some good things I would recommend to watch out for in a good clinic:

  1. Treatment times 15 minutes or longer.
  2. Recommendation by a trusted friend, family or colleague.
  3. A clean, open friendly practice environment centered around the patient.
  4. Soft tissue work before/after treatment with or without manipulation or mobilisations as manipulation and mobilisation are not always used whereas some form of soft tissue almost always has a use even in very acute patients.
  5. Prescribed exercises or stretches at the end of the consultation, checked regularly and progressed in following treatments.
  6. Accessible staff by phone and e-mail in case of complications.
  7. Chiropractors registered with the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), the BCA is considered the “original and best” association to be a member of, they are currently leading the profession and are striving to further Chiropractic in co-ordination with the best chiropractic international and encourages the profession to better itself based on high quality research and interaction with other professions.
  8. A PPQM (Patient Partnership Quality Mark) or a CMQM (Clinic Management Quality Mark) these are a sign that clinics have met high standards set by the “College of Chiropractors” in the UK. The clinic I am currently working in does not have these yet as the clinic is relatively new. Though we are in the process of applying for both of these for the first time, they are very long application forms!!. You can see if your clinic has these awards as they will be up on Bronze plaques in the clinic.
  9. Look for the membership certificates for the associations and awards I have mentioned. If you cannot see them out on display, then ask to see if they have them.

I have to say, as you might expect, that the clinic I work at here in Longlevens, Gloucester is a very good clinic but hey! What do you expect me to say?!?! We advocate good practice within the profession and try to lead by example. Some practices put the business before the patient, this is wrong, the patient experience and treatment outcome should always comes first.

The standard of Chiropractic practice is constantly improving as the governing body clamps down hard on practitioners not adhering to the strict guidelines that are updated and handed out regularly.

A great piece of news I saw recently was that the The College of Chiropractors (a group dedicated to educating and furthering the profession) recently released a document. This document suggests guidelines of good practice for Chiropractors to follow regarding what is considered best practice during the management of a patient that has presented with an episode of acute lower back pain (back pain with an onset within 6 weeks). Though they are not strict rules to follow I feel this is a big step toward the profession locking down an identity as to what the public should expect from the Chiropractic profession. Feel free to read the document as it will give you a good idea of what to expect and what you should expect when consulting a good Chiropractor if you or those you know suffer from Acute lower back pain. It is available here: Chiropractic Quality Standard for the management of Acute Low Back Pain

If you have any questions regarding this topic please comment or feel free to e-mail me on danny@longlevenschiro.com

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Are You in Pain from a Scar or Trauma to Your Body? Look at Myofascial Release. Written by Kate West

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Myofascial Release is an effective, hands on technique that involves applying gentle, sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain, discomfort and get the body back to full function.

It is best performed directly onto the skin, without the use of oils or creams. This enables the therapist to spend time focusing on what they feel and sink into the layers of skin and fascia.

There are indirect techniques that are very gentle and slow which are applied in the direction the fascia wants to go, and direct techniques that require more pressure and encourage the fascia to go in the direction of discomfort to get a release of tension from the fascia.

The picture shows the fascia that lies between the skin and underlying tendons as described by Dr J. C. Guimberteau in the book Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists.

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What are Disc Bulges, Disc Herniations, Disc Prolapses and Slipped Discs?

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We love Danny’s latest blog! http://chirobeans.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/what-are-disc-bulges-disc-herniations-disc-prolapses-and-slipped-discs/ Take a look and find out the answers to the above questions.

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Happy Easter!

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Happy Easter from all the team here at the Longlevens Chiropractic & Sports Injury Clinic.  After a very busy build up to the Easter weekend we will be making available some extra appointment times next week.  In the meantime, we will be catching up with family and eating too much chocolate and we hope that you do plenty of the same!  Enjoy your break.

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So, How Can A Chiropractor Help Treat My Headache?

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There a variety of different headache types, evidence shows that chiropractic can help treat two of the most common types, these are migraines and cervicogenic headaches. During a consultation a chiropractor will assess you and form a working diagnosis as to which type of headache he thinks you are suffering from. They will then inform you as to whether they feel you would benefit from chiropractic treatment.

Treating ‘Migraines‘

Although migraine attacks affect a significant number of people, the triggering processes for the headaches are not fully understood. Many different triggering processes have been noted by sufferers in the past and finding the one that affects you may be the key into helping you prevent them reoccuring.

What is known about Migraines are that they have been found to be due to changes in the function of the blood or nervous systems in specific areas of the brain as well as due to changes in chemical balances within the body. With Chiropractic care, migraines may not be cured completely, though the frequency and the severity of the headaches has been found to be reduced (Ruegg, Shaw and Descarreaux et al, 2011), the mechanism of why this happens is currently unknown though there are theories.

One high quality research paper suggests that the relief of stress as a result of chiropractic care may be one of the reasons chiropractic treatment helps migraines they found that “83% of participants reported stress as a major factor for their migraines.” they then continue “It appears probable that chiropractic care has an effect on the physical conditions related to stress and that in these people the effects of the migraine are reduced.” (Tuchin, Pollard and Bonello, 2000)

Treating ‘Cervicogenic headaches‘

Cervicogenic headaches are headaches that are as a result of pain and restriction within the neck. Cervico- means cervical region of the spine (the top 7 vertebrae that make up your neck) and -genic means the beginning (as in genesis). The second most commonly treated problem by chiropractors after lower back pain is neck pain and dysfunction. By using a variety of techniques a chiropractor can help treat your neck’s joints and musculature which in turn can have a profound effect on relieving cervicogenic headaches by treating the true cause.

If you suffer from pesistant reoccurring headaches, try arranging an assesment with a chiropractor. You may be very surprised as to the difference chiropractic treatment can make to your quality of life.

References:
Ruegg R., Shaw L., Descarreaux M., Sorra K., Bryans R., Duranleau M., Marcoux H., Potter B., Watkin R., White E.. (2011). Evidence-based guideline for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. Clinical Chiropractic. 14 (4), 173-174.

Tuchin P.J., Pollard H., Bonello R. (2000). A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 23 (2), 91-95

I hope this has helped you understand a bit more about your body and Chiropractic, If you have any questions on this topic send me an e-mail at danny@longlevenschiro.com

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Mr G, Gloucester

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“Tracey really listened to what my concerns/needs were, and then used her knowledge to explain how she would proceed, given all the information. Tracey makes you feel relaxed the moment you walk into the room. As she talks to you and prepares for your massage, you can tell she really has an interest in not only what’s going on with your body, but in whom you are. You find yourself feeling comfortably assured that you will be receiving a wonderful therapeutic experience.”She encourages me to be an active part in my own treatment by putting me to work with passive resistance stretches or offering me suggestions for moves I can do at home. She is open to ideas and interested to know what works for you. My weekly treatment has become a part of my life, some time for me, and my well being, its working!!…….. Thank you Tracey”

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