How To Use Hot Or Cold Therapy To Beat The Pain

One of the most common and effective treatments against pain and inflammation is the use of hot or cold topical methods. This treatment has the added bonus of being easy for patients to do at home between office visits. In fact, most patients are probably already familiar with the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) treatment plan for pain, particularly following a fall resulting in bruising and swelling. Other situations, however, may call for topical application of heat.

It is important for patients to understand which type of treatment is best for which type of pain. As a general guideline, cold therapy is better for acute injuries or pain, while heat therapy works better for chronic muscle pain and stiffness.Read further to find out more about each type of therapy and which conditions they best treat.

Heat therapy

Heat applied topically improves circulation and blood flow to stiff and sore muscles and joints, increasing flexibility. Topical heat can also heal damaged tissue, making it an excellent option for your patients with chronic pain, including arthritis and tendonitis. Minor stiffness and tension usually requires about 15 to 20 minutes of heat therapy, while moderate to severe pain can benefit from extended periods, depending on the type of heat application. Heating pads, for example, should only be used for 10 minutes at a time, while a warm bath (92°F to 100°F) could extend up to two hours.

There are two types of heat therapy that can be used at home. Dry heat includes modalities such as heating pads, capsaicin-based topical analgesics, or hot rice packs. Moist heat involves warm towels or baths. A 2013 article in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research compared dry versus moist chemical hot packs following exercise.⁴ A group of 100 subjects were assigned to use either the dry or moist heat pack both immediately after 15 minutes of squat exercises and again, 24 hours later. Strength, muscle soreness, tissue resistance, and force required to move the knee were measured before the exercise and for three days following exercise. The moist heat pack had the same amount of pain reduction as the dry pack, but over a shorter period of time (two hours versus eight hours).

Cold therapy

Cold therapy, sometimes called cryotherapy, reduces blood flow to an affected area, significantly reducing inflammation, swelling and pain. As mentioned previously, this makes it ideal for acute injuries, such as sprains or soft tissue damage resulting from slipping and falling. There are a number of topical cold therapies that can be used, including ice packs or frozen gel packs, or coolant sprays, gels or creams.

Any ice or gel packs should be wrapped in a thin washcloth before being applied to the affected area to prevent damage to the skin. Leave the pack on for only 10 to 15 minutes at a time, and reapply several times a day for up to 48 hours after the initial injury. If the initial pain, swelling and bruising from the injury does not subside by that time, your patient should call you or their regular doctor.

Read more HERE.

Increased Chiropractic Care Bill For Medicare Recipients Enters U.S. House

Earlier this month, an important bill was pushed forth by U.S. legislators which could affect the strategy Americans use when deciding to implement a heavier dose of chiropractic care into their lives.

Chiroeco reports:

Medicare recipients will receive increased coverage of chiropractic care if a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today goes on to become law.

The bipartisan legislation would enable Medicare beneficiaries to more easily access the chiropractic profession’s broad-based, non-drug approach to pain management such as manual manipulation of the spine and extremities, evaluation and management services, diagnostic imaging and utilization of other non-drug approaches.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2019 would align Medicare’s coverage of chiropractic services with that of other federal health care providers as well as many private health plans.

Chiropractic care has become an important strategy in national efforts to stem the epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and abuse. The legislation was introduced by Reps. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.).

“The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is encouraged that this bill would finally give Medicare beneficiaries access to the same safe and effective chiropractic services that members of our military, veterans, and federal employees now enjoy,” said ACA President Robert C. Jones, DC.

Since 1972, Medicare beneficiaries have been covered for only one chiropractic service — manual manipulation of the spine — forcing them to access additional medically-necessary care from other types of providers, or to pay out of pocket for the services from their chiropractor. Chiropractors are the only physician-level providers in the Medicare program whose services are restricted in this manner.

Read more HERE.

The Science Of Chiropractic: The Natural Remedy To Feel Better

One of the biggest fears people have is the idea of letting a Chiropractor touch their back. The advancement of this alternative approach to healing depends on the public becoming less afraid.

Did you know that if you struggle with migraine headaches, there are studies which have found spinal manipulation is helpful in improving symptoms associated with this sometimes-debilitating type of head pain?

One of the areas where chiropractic has traditionally struggled is public perception.

In the past, it’s not been uncommon to hear people say that this type of methodology and treatment is “quackery,” or that it’s just not as effective as it professes to be.

However, there are many scientific studies which support the benefits patients can receive by engaging in this type of care.

Science equals fact

One of the reasons people love science is because it is based on fact. Fact that is realized only after researchers and scientists go through a painstaking process which Oxford Dictionaries refers to as “the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.”

In other words, if there is enough science to say the sky is blue, people will believe that it is blue. Conversely, if science finds that the color is different, the same people are now put in a position where they must consider this new alternative. And if several more studies back up the different color theory, society as a whole would be forced to sit up and listen.

"Chiropractic is a science of healing without the drugs." - DD Palmer

The Benefits Of A Chiropractor: Why It Is Better Than Going Under The Knife

Earlier this year, an article posted via Chironexus site on the true value of people opting for alternative medical help that really does a good job at breaking down the benefits of using a Chiropractor:

Low back pain is an expensive and frustrating problem for many adults. Nearly 80% of adults suffer from some kind of back problem and the total cost of this common health condition is about $240 billion a year in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

Many patients get frustrated by medical care for their pain. Most medical doctors simply don’t have the time to work with a patient with musculoskeletal complaints, and the most common treatments are medications and maybe some home exercises.

Millions of people use chiropractic care to help themselves stay pain-free. Chiropractic uses spinal adjustments to restore your back’s natural function and flexibility, and is a fantastic choice for relieving and preventing back pain.

Here are eight reasons why chiropractic is a great solution for back pain:

1. Chiropractic patients are less likely to use medications. The opiate epidemic in the US takes 150,000 lives every year, and many people are first exposed to these dangerous drugs after being prescribed them for back pain. Research shows that patients who see chiropractors are less likely to use drugs for their pain. That means fewer side-effects from medications and a dramatically reduced chance of getting addicted to pain medications.¹
2. Chiropractic is effective for acute pain. It is well-established in the scientific literature that chiropractic adjustments are an effective way to relieve new episodes of back pain. In fact, a review study² by the AMA has found that chiropractic was an effective option for new episodes of back pain.
3. Chiropractic is effective for chronic back pain. Research shows³ that chiropractic is also useful for patients who have been suffering from back pain for months or even years.
4. Chiropractic is safe. Every intervention is going to have some risk, and this is true of chiropractic, as well. But the research⁴ shows that the vast majority of negative effects from chiropractic involve muscle soreness or pain that lasts a few hours after the adjustment. Compared to the ill effects of drugs or surgery, chiropractic is a much safer and effective approach to musculoskeletal pain. Research also shows that chiropractic care is safe for children.
5. Chiropractic helps prevent future episodes of back pain. The philosophy of chiropractic is not to treat the symptoms, but to restore the body’s balance and function so that you can avoid future pain. The research⁵ backs this up, showing that regular chiropractic maintenance adjustments are effective at preventing future back problems.
6. Chiropractic is less expensive than medical care. We’re all aware of the outrageous costs of medical care, and we all want to have health care that’s effective and affordable. Chiropractic fits the bill in both regards. A number of studies⁶ have found that chiropractic for back pain costs less than medical care.
7. Chiropractic can help prevent back surgery. Conservative, non-surgical care is always the preferred first step when dealing with low back pain, and even the American Medical Association⁷ has admitted that chiropractic adjustments are a good first line of treatment.
8. Chiropractic is a whole-body approach. Most chiropractors don’t just adjust your spine and send you on your way. Chiropractic is about maintaining your body’s wellness, and that includes exercises and stretches that will help you be stronger, more flexible, and help prevent later episodes of back pain.

You don’t have to suffer from low back pain. Chiropractic is a natural, non-drug treatment that’s proven to be safe and effective.

Metagenics Announces New Hemp Oil Formula

Chiroeco.com reports:

Metagenics, Inc., a health sciences company, announced the release of its new formula, Hemp Oil, an organic, broad-spectrum hemp extract. Metagenics Hemp Oil consists of naturally occurring phytocannabinoids and terpenes, which have been shown to support body function and general health.*

Unlike some other hemp oil formulas, Metagenics hemp extract is responsibly sourced from hemp stalks, stems, seeds and flowers in order to reap the benefits found throughout the plant.

“The human body contains a complex system of naturally occurring endocannabinoids, which play a vital role in human health,” said Dr. Taz Bhatia, MD. “In hemp oil extracts, the synergies among various phytocannabinoids and terpenes can provide therapeutic support for endocannabinoid system function.”

“We care about doing it right,” said Brent Eck, Metagenics CEO. “With so many hemp products on the market, consumers are offered a confusing array of options, not all of which are trustworthy. That’s why we’ve worked hard to create a high-quality, broad-spectrum hemp extract that practitioners and patients can trust.”

In addition to its sourcing process, Metagenics Hemp Oil goes through a rigorous in-house testing process for purity and potency, along with third-party analytical testing for phytocannabinoid content, glyphosate, pesticides, contaminants, heavy metals and other toxins. All testing is documented and shared with consumers through the Metagenics TruQuality® program. This transparency program provides full access to the data from tests performed on each lot.

For more information on Metagenics TruQuality testing, visit metagenics.com/truquality.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease