> In a recent study,“Manipulation or Microdiskectomy for Sciatica?” from the October 2010 Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, researchers concluded that spinal manipulation (as performed by a chiropractor) was just as effective as microdiskectomy for patients struggling with sciatica (pain, numbness, or weakness in one or both legs), secondary to lumber disk herniation.
Overall, 60 percent of patients who received chiropractic care benefited to the same degree as those who underwent surgery. Further the 40 percent who could not be helped by chiropractic care, did go on to benefit to the same degree from the subsequent surgery as those who underwent surgery initially. “There was no detrimental effect cause by delaying their surgical treatment.”
The medical researchers concluded “our research supports spinal manipulation performed by a doctor of chiropractic is a valuable and safe treatment option for those experiencing symptomatic lumber disk herniation, failing traditional medical management. These individuals should consider spinal manipulation as a primary treatment, followed by surgery if unsuccessful.”
Separate studies that I’ve reviewed have additionally proven that cold laser, traction, core rehabilitation, and acupuncture are also effective in treating disk herniations. The Advanced Wellness Center uniquely provides expertise in, and can combine for even greater efficacy, all of these treatments, thus providing our patients the best possible results in overcoming the agony of many debilitating conditions such as disk herniation and sciatica. I’ve personally experienced this very condition and am thankful to the doctors of the Advanced Wellness Center for helping me to overcome it.
Dr. Mark deDubovay, DC, CTN
Healthy Tip: Always consider alternative medicine options first, as many of our patients do. Tell your friends that each and every one of our practitioners offers complementary consultations. During these appointments, all questions can be thoughtfully answered and appropriate care
One question I get asked a great deal is, “Should I stretch before or after I exercise?” Many of us have been taught (since Little League) that you always need to stretch before you do heavy physical activity to avoid injuries. To most of us, this means the type of stretching where you reach down to touch your toes and hold for 15 to 30 seconds.
However, most exercise experts now agree that this type of stretching should be saved for after your workout. When performing stretches that involve long holding times and no movement, also known as static stretches, you are actually temporarily weakening the muscles that you’re stretching. This isn’t good if you’re preparing to play a sport or do exercise where strength and coordination of these muscles is crucial for performance and safety. Instead I recommend what’s called a dynamic warm-up. This involves explosive movements, such as jump squats or lunges, where muscles are being activated rather than turned off. It’s kind of like telling them “wake up, its time to work.”
The static stretching is crucial after your workout. This is where we’re trying to condition your muscles to be “long and strong;” a great recipe for performance and safety.
Healing Tip of the Week Try a dynamic warm-up instead of your static stretches before a workout. I personally like the one demonstrated at the link listed below.
Here is a cooking tip from a Spaniard. Growing up in Spain made me appreciate the simplicity of many of the tasty foods from Spain.
One of the secrets of such cuisine is the liberal use of garlic in combination with parsley. It’s simple and affordable. It gives food a zest it would otherwise lack, and it’s very healthy. Garlic contains hundreds of nutrients and minerals. And, it has powerful antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties.
And the best part is that when you handle garlic and find it difficult to get rid of its smell on your hands or your utensils, you just rub parsley on them and voila! The smell disappears.
I don’t think anybody enjoys having to take a daily dose of medication. My digestive system was at a point where I could barely eat plain rice without feeling the effect later. After being diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and liver disease a few months ago, my primary care physician recommended I go on a cycle of daily drugs, lose some weight, and then come back in six months.
To me, liver disease seemed much more important than a “lose some weight and see me in six months.” And at my young age (early 30s), there was no way I was going to begin a lifetime of popping daily pills. I was sure there had to be an alternative. So, I fought it the way any young person would. I Googled it.
I went home and did some research. I quickly found the Advanced Wellness Center (AWC) in the rankings for my local search. After checking out the website, I had no reason not to give them a shot. I called and made an appointment with Sese Novas, DC.
Dr. Novas asked me a lot about my lifestyle and developed an in-depth grasp of my health issues. She also went over my lab exams and gave me a better understanding of what the results showed.
She really woke me up and made me realize what I was doing to myself. Her advice made me want to better my life. And this was all within the first couple of minutes of my consultation. Even before any treatment.
Dr. Novas made several chiropractic adjustments to help alleviate some pains I had been having. Her advice and treatment really helped me get to the root of the problem and showed me how to cure myself through my everyday life. Also, she referred me to Dhannel, an acupuncturist at the AWC, and she helped immensely!
Four months after I began treatment at the Advanced Wellness Center, I went back to my physician for a “progress report.” The results were amazing!
I had lost 35 lbs.
My blood pressure was normal.
My cholesterol was well balanced.
And best of all, my liver enzymes were back to normal and there was no sign of disease.
My physician was absolutely astonished and said she had never seen such an amazing turnaround.
Thanks to Dr. Novas and the Advanced Wellness Center, I am now living a much healthier, happier life. She inspired me to get back into running and now I am back to being fit and running 5-6 days a week.
The Advanced Wellness Center helped me help myself. They helped me save my life.
My relationship with the Advanced Wellness Center began about five years ago when my son went to see Dr. Barbara Shur. I don’t remember who recommended her to my family, but we are grateful nonetheless.
My son had suffered from a blinding headache for days. Nothing helped. But, after just one visit with Dr. Shur, he was pain free.
I remembered this experience when, last summer, I suffered from extreme sciatica. At first, I saw both Dr. Fuhrman and Dr. Mark, then Dr. Fuhrman took over my care full time. He used a variety of chiropractic techniques and within four weeks I was pain free.
Toward the end of the year I had another bout with that deep debilitating pain, so once again I went to see Dr. Fuhrman. He worked on me and suggested that I add some sessions of acupuncture to my treatment plan.
I made an appointment with Vince and the treatments went very well. By the end of the month, I was again without any pain at all.
For months, I continued to see Dr. Fuhrman for maintenance, since my x-rays show that I have virtually no discs left in my lumbar spine. I want to make sure I take care of myself.
And I hope to go back to him within a couple of months – just as soon as this cast comes off my foot. Dr. Fuhrman doesn’t know this yet, but I broke my foot and needed surgery.
Thank goodness for the Advanced Wellness Center. I know that once I can walk without a cast and see the professionals at the AWC, I’ll be able to get back to a pain-free status once again.
At the Advanced Wellness Center, we believe in a team approach to patient care. It is this philosophy that has allowed us to partner with a number of physicians and physical therapists to ensure the most comprehensive care for our shared patients. Take a look below to find out what our colleagues are saying about the AWC.
“The Advanced Wellness Center provides the high quality and professionalism that my patients expect and deserve. My patients have been particularly impressed with the nutritional assessments and consultation that the team, led by Dr. deDubovay and Rebecca Rebmann, provide. I plan on continuing to refer my patients who are interested in alternative and complementary services to them.”
Gretchen Hetzler, MD
“I have collaborated in patient care with Drs. deDubovay and Shur at the Advanced Wellness Center. I’ve been very satisfied, as have my patients, with their professionalism, quality of care and outcomes. I would not hesitate in recommending AWC to any of my colleagues for their alternative medicine needs.”
Peter R. Kurzweil, MD
“As a holistic practitioner and a foot and ankle specialist, I have been working with Advanced Wellness Center for well over 10 years. I have sent numerous patients to the Center with holistic health needs. Many of those patients had very challenging health concerns and Advanced Wellness Center has taken care of them extremely well over the years.
The Advanced Wellness Center has a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in nutrition, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and many other natural healing modalities. We are in a healthcare crisis right now and need more medical facilities like Advanced Wellness Center to handle our difficult and challenging patients. I highly recommend Advanced Wellness Center to any patient without reservation.”
S. Don Kim, DPM, QME, FACFAS
“Over the course of five years, I’ve collaborated with The Advanced Wellness Center in treatment of patients. The combination of physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care means that we can maximize our efforts to restore mobility as well as function so that patients can resume their activities of daily living.
The staff at AWC is extremely helpful in facilitating reports as needed, as well as assisting in the scheduling of patients. Without hesitation, we strongly and with the highest enthusiasm recommend the collaborative care offered by the Advanced Wellness Center.”
Kim Marshall, PT
“I am writing to thank you for your excellent therapy and management of my numerous musculoskeletal issues involving my neck, shoulders and back. As you may remember, my brother suggested tat I visit you a few years ago since your therapy has helped him. Since then, each time I visit my brother in California, I visit you for an adjustment.
After years of high school and college varsity athletics and a continuing active lifestyle, my issues have been chronic and with acute exacerbation. Therefore, I’ve visited a number of chiropractors throughout the country during the past few years. I’ve come to realize that there is not only a broad spectrum of chiropractic training, but also chiropractic skill and practice.
The therapy I’ve received in your office, from massage therapists, to the ultrasound therapy, to the multi-modality minimally manipulative adjustments, has truly been the best I’ve experienced. Your management is comprehensive, not only balancing the entire body from a mechanical/kinesiologic perspective, but providing a full spectrum of supportive therapies for optimal health including dietary supplements.
I’ve walked out of many chiropractors’ offices still feeling residual issues; each time I walk out of your office I truly feel in balance without any significant residual pains or discomfort. Your therapy has allowed me not only to feel better, but has allowed me to perform better in my daily sport and exercise routine, which has been a great benefit to my quality of life.”
Vasum Peiris, MD, MPH
“I have known Dr. Arnette for 10 years and referred numerous patients to him during that time. Dr. Arnette is a highly qualified practitioner of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. He has helped many of my patients over the years often with a variety of problems.
His treatment goes beyond using acupuncture and herbs and when appropriate may use his skills as a chiropractor. He also uses nutrition counseling and other lifestyle recommendations to help patients. I often think of him as a life coach for my patients discussing exercise, relaxations techniques and even spirituality to help people achieve their goals towards optimal health.”
I initially went to Dr. Mark DeDubovay to get my foot checked out. After injuring myself on a ski trip, my sister recommended that I go to the Advanced Wellness Center. Although I was a bit skeptical about chiropractors, I decided to make an appointment.
Everyone in the building was extremely friendly, they truly made me feel like I was the only person there. So, I didn’t hesitate to make my first appointment with Dr. Mark. Three months later I was skiing again!
That was 10 years ago, and that first appointment has changed my life.
Dr. Mark took the opportunity to address other health issues and has been my health counselor ever since. He has helped me with everything from allergies to minor aches and pains. Among his most impactful recommendations, he prescribed a dog as a treatment for stress levels. Today I am stress free alongside my 8-year-old golden retriever, Sierra.
As if that was not enough, Dr. Mark did more for my Colitis than any pill or treatment ever could. Now that he has helped me identify which foods cause the inflammation, I no longer need to rely on a prescription for my illness.
Under Dr. Mark’s treatment and supervision, the quality of my health and of my life has improved more than I ever could have imagined.
It’s never too late to start. Research is showing that working out with weights may strengthen the heart muscle, reduce depression, lower the risk of diabetes, improve cognitive performance and more.
Studies are finding that strengthening muscles has a ripple effect throughout the body. For example, during resistance training, muscles generate more force than what’s generated during endurance exercises. The heart, being a muscle, is strengthened as well. During strength training, the heart’s muscle tissue contracts forcefully to push the blood out. Like all muscles, stress causes small tears in the muscle fibers. When the body repairs those tears, it’s building muscle. The result is a stronger heart that is also more efficient at pumping.
Here are a few other benefits of strength training:
Moderate to intense strength training builds skeletal muscle and increases bone density.
It improves glucose metabolism, which can reduce the risk of diabetes. Strength training boosts the number of proteins that take glucose out of the blood and transport it into the skeletal muscle, giving the muscles more energy and lowering blood-glucose levels.
Researchers found that kidney dialysis patients who had more lean muscle mass were 37% less likely to die than the patients who had the least.
Research in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that women ages 65 to 75 who did resistance training sessions once or twice per week over the course of a year improved their cognitive performance, while those who focused on balance and tone training declined slightly.
More studies are showing that you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from strength training. All you need are some light weights, a little instruction, and persistence. The professionals at the Advanced Wellness Center are here to help!
Source: LA Times, “Pumping Iron Isn’t Just for Muscles,” Jeannine Stein
Healing Tip of the Week
Practice the 5-minute rule! If you’re not feeling like exercising, give yourself 5 minutes. Tell yourself you will exercise for 5 minutes. If at the end of 5 minutes, you’re not getting into it, you can stop. Most of the time getting started is the hardest part. Once you get going, chances are, you’ll keep going, because it just feels good! Smile at your strength!
By Sese Novas, DC
One of the things we specialize in at the Advanced Wellness Center is gait analysis — that is, checking your stride and then making custom shoe inserts to correct foot imbalances.
Our sophisticated system scans your feet as you walk, creating images in both the static and striding positions. These images illustrate where the lines of pressure are, and how your foot moves from the moment your heel strikes the ground until your big toe pushes off for the next step. The scans are then sent electronically to the lab, which manufactures the custom orthotic shoe inserts.
Custom orthotics help correct the most important components of our step: stability and mobility. Our feet work as stabilizers because they are the solid bases of support when we stand, walk and propel ourselves forward. But, that’s not all. They work double-time as mobilizers, helping us absorb changing ground forces, rotating the lower limbs and adapting to irregular surfaces.
When our feet don’t work properly, they force the next structures in line up the chain (the legs, knees, hips, pelvis, etc) to compensate and take the strain.
In some cases, the result can be development of deformities (bunions, flat feet, hammer toes…etc). In others, it leads to the development of pain and dysfunction in the knee, hip, lower back…
Orthotic insoles help reduce these unwanted effects by:
Increasing proprioception (the ability to sense body position located in receptors found in muscles and tendons), so the musculoskeletal system can respond appropriately to the shock from the initial contact
Directly filtering the shock from the initial contact
If you’d like to have your step evaluated, call the Advanced Wellness Center for a consultation.
As I follow trends for my business and talk to my patients, I realize how many people try to get their help from Google to solve their pain. I have treated hundreds of back pain patients, and it’s almost always the same. They were given a wrong diagnosis, or one that was limited to x-ray or MRI. There’s so much more to the body we just can’t see yet! So don’t be fooled.
The problem is the information out there generally is so poor, or so weighted with someone trying to make a sale, that people:
End up diagnosing themselves with something far worse than they have.
Make their pain worse by obsessing for hours on the computer.
So, where does back pain come from? Why do we have millions of dollars in healthcare spent every year on back surgeries and pain medications? Because we’ve failed to take a functional look at the pain. Here’s a quick list of common causes of back pain:
Decreased hallux dorsiflexion (aka, your big toe doesn’t bend), limiting hip extension on walking.
Tight calves
Weak Tibialis Anterior
Tight Quads/Psoas Major
Poor hip rotation (usually from one tight and one weak hip). This usually involves other muscles up and down the body’s muscular chains.
Poor pelvic rotation (aka, your hips always turn one way). This can be caused by seated posture, or any of the above.
Hip hiking (usually from one quadratus lumborum, or latissimus)
On a more holistic note, back pain can even be linked to faulty emotions, abnormal breathing patterns, adrenal dysfunction, digestive issues, or poor diet.
You get the picture!
All of these cause Spinal Subluxations or Joint Pathology to occur. Your spine is like a gigantic circuit breaker. Any of the imbalances listed above will cause the electricity of your “spinal circuit breaker” to become dysfunctional. That is why many folks that come to me for back pain realize after they’re out of pain that the adjustment to their spine caused them to also have more energy and sleep better. Many patients that commit to yearly checkups also report getting sick less throughout the year.
If you don’t take anything else away from this, it’s that most injuries are LARGELY DUE TO NERVOUS SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION. Mainly, once movement stops, it’s literally like a switch gets turned off to some very important nerves in your joints called: mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. Chiropractic adjustments turn the switches back on! This is why it’s so useful for painful conditions; we’re rebooting the “circuit breaker!”
Healing Tip of the Week
Don’t go it alone with your pain. You’ll thank yourself for going to see a holistic practitioner, because not only will you get to the root of you pain, you’ll probably come away with even greater health and balance in your life!
