Archive for the 2007
We are so used to fixing everyday problems ourselves in today's world
that we sometimes take the same approach when it comes to healthcare.
We are bombarded by advertising messages that tell us if we have a pain
in the wrist or back, then just go to the drug store and get some pills.
The [..]
At least 2% of the United States population, or six million people, mostly women, have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
This is a chronic (long-term) disease, which is characterized by
widespread pain of at least three months duration at multiple body
sites, including the legs or arms and the spine. For many
years, some doctors thought [..]
Headaches
are so common that we rarely question their cause or origin. In the
case of headaches, it can be something as simple as jet lag to something
truly ominous, such as a brain tumor.If you suffer from
headaches, it is important that you get the diagnosis right. Remember
that head pain is the symptom, [..]
Your "back pain"
might be a misnomer. We commonly confuse pain for a problem. Doctors
don't often help matters by not doing thorough examinations, and just
offering a prescription of pain pills or anti-inflammatory drugs when
the patient comes in with a complaint of pain.So what is the difference? The pain is part of the [..]
When a person is involved in a car accident, the inevitable question
comes up: should I see a doctor? In most cases, the answer is yes. But
why is this important?A collision between two vehicles imparts a
considerable amount of force on the body and spine. Even in low-speed
collisions, the forces add up to [..]
With any health condition, most doctors agree an accurate diagnosis is important. But with low back pain,
it seems that many sufferers postpone a visit to the doctor in hopes
that it will go away on its own. It's no wonder many patients take this
approach, since advertisements continually tell us that relief comes in [..]
Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
are usually prescribed stretching exercises by medical and chiropractic
doctors, as well as physical therapists. In this syndrome, the median
nerve is often constricted by a swollen nerve sheath, or malalignment of
the wrist bones that form the hole that the nerve glides through. If
there is inflammation or scar [..]
Most patients with the severe pains of fibromyalgia
consult medical doctors for help. Although many patients use
chiropractors and other alternative approaches, most continue to use
analgesics (pain medications) to get through the day.These drugs
come in a wide variety and help with varying degrees of success, but all
will have unintended side effects, especially [..]
All good doctors know the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis
of a patient's problem. But why is this so important? It's important
because it's difficult to achieve a positive treatment outcome without
knowing more about what disease or injury is present.Unfortunately, when it comes to headaches,
many patients do not receive an accurate diagnosis. [..]
A 2007 scientific review (Chochrane Database Syst Rev, July 2007) casts doubt on many common whiplash
treatments. Despite billions spent on scientific research each year, it
is surprising that many common treatments lack valid scientific
evidence for safety and effectiveness. As studies accumulate in
libraries, some groups take an interest in figuring out the data [..]