AlternaHealth Solutions,
270 Carpenter Dr., Suite 530,
Atlanta GA 30328
404.459.6603
NUCCA Chiropractic and Chronic PainHow the NUCCA Chiropractic Method Can Help You"We certainly cannot succeed as a culture by continuing to deny and ignore pain, as if we could silence it beneath a mountain of pills." David Morris Chronic pain is a silent epidemic in the United States. An estimated 50 million Americans live with chronic pain caused by disease, disorder or accident. An additional 25 million people suffer acute pain resulting from surgery or accident. Approximately two thirds of these individuals in chronic pain have been living with this pain for more than five years. The most common types of chronic pain includes arthritis, lower back, bone/joint pain, muscle pain and fibromyalgia. The loss of productivity and daily activity due to acute and chronic pain is substantial. In a study done in 2000 it was reported that 36 million Americans missed work in the previous year due to chronic pain and that 83 million indicated that pain affected their participation in various activities. Medical Approach to Chronic PainMost acute and chronic pain relief & treatment strategies incorporate some form of medication - ranging from tried–and–true drugs like aspirin and morphine to newer medicines like celecoxib (Celebrex). Researchers have developed techniques for using old drugs more effectively and identified newer classes of medications that intercept pain in novel ways. For example, today's targeted drug formulations disrupt the transmission of acute and chronic pain signals while interfering less with other systems. Also, refined delivery methods allow more of the drug to reach the source of the pain, making it possible to reap the same painkilling benefit using smaller doses. The result of these kinds of advancements is more effective pain control with fewer side effects. The NUCCA Approach to Chronic PainAnyone that has a medical issue, either continual for an extended period of time or one that comes and goes but is progressively getting worse, is in some sort of chronic degenerative cycle. Any resolution requires an approach that number 1 incorporates a complete health empowerment approach and number 2 requires time to heal. This is the only successful solution to reversing the degenerative cycle and providing chronic pain relief. The NUCCA Method sets the foundation of health by reducing stress on the body and empowering the nervous system, which is the life force of the body. Our success plan is a realistic approach toward reversing long-term illness that the medical model only medicates. Our approach starts with correction, stability, symmetry, and strength, all the while adding new healthy habits that reverse the weakened body to the state of strength it once possessed. This approach is a long term but effective approach to the chronic pain patient. It requires time and diligence. NUCCA spinal care and our success approach is an excellent complement to reduce or eliminate medications, alleviate chronic pain and enhance a person's quality of life. Chronic Pain Relief & Chiropractic : StudyOBJECTIVESTo provide preliminary information on whether a regimen of 30 chiropractic pain relief treatments that combines ischemic compression and spinal manipulation effectively reduces the intensity of pain, sleep disturbance, and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia pain and discomfort. In addition, to study the dose-response relation and identify the baseline characteristics that may serve as predictors of outcome. DESIGNSubjects were assessed with self-administered questionnaires taken at baseline, after 15 and 30 treatments, and 1 month after the end of the chiropractic treatment trial. METHODSParticipating subjects were adult members of a regional Fibromyalgia Association. Participating subjects had fibromyalgia for more than 3 months. They received 30 treatments including ischemic compression and spinal manipulation. The 3 outcomes being evaluated were pain intensity, fatigue level, and sleep quality. A minimum 50 improvement in pain intensity from baseline to the end of the chiropractic treatment trial was needed to include the patient in the respondent category. RESULTSFifteen women (mean age 51.1 years) completed the trial. A total of 9 (60) patients were classified as respondents. A statistically significant lessening of pain intensity and corresponding improvement in quality of sleep and fatigue level were observed after 15 and 30 treatments. After 30 treatments, the respondents showed an average lessening of 77.2 (standard deviation = 12.3) in pain intensity and an improvement of 63.5 (standard deviation = 31.6) in sleep quality and 74.8 (standard deviation = 23.1) in fatigue level. The improvement in the 3 outcome measures was maintained after 1 month without treatment. Subjects with less than 35 improvement after 15 treatments did not show a satisfactory response after 30 treatments. A trend, determined as not statistically significant, suggests that older subjects with severe and more chronic pain and a greater number of tender points respond more poorly to treatment. CONCLUSIONThis study suggests a potential role for chiropractic care in the management of fibromyalgia pain and discomfort. A randomized clinical trial should be conducted to test this hypothesis. Final ThoughtsThe spinal cord is the energy system for the body. It holds the wisdom that heals us. When the spinal cord is overloaded, the body is weak, and the patient is stressed, dis-ease is inevitable. The process to reverse dis-ease is available. It lives in you. Don't give up hope. Chronic pain relief is possible. Research: Call 404.459.6603 for your appointment with our Atlanta Chiropractors today! |