With the addition of Metagenics nutritional support, San Francisco Chiropractic now has an added weapon to heal and maintain the most common forms of musculoskeletal ailments, such as back pain, neck pain, and joint pain related to prior injuries or overuse/ microtrauma.

Two of the co-factors of soft tissue pain that make complete resolution a challenge are inflammation and scar tissue.   Inflammation is the immune system’s over-reactive response to injury, where a host of pain-producing biochemicals are constantly produced.   Scar tissue is basically the body’s form of “cement” to bind injured muscle and ligament tissue.  It is dense and tends to interfere with the mechanics of muscle contraction, causing stiffness and more pain.

This helps to explain why pain oftentimes comes and goes, but never quite goes away entirely; and why it appears in the exact same spot each time.  This is known to occur even if the patient has undergone months of chiropractic treatment that successfully reduced the majority of the pain and restored proper movement.

Whether an old sports injury, accident, or a case of repetitive use to a joint such as the shoulder or wrist, relapse frequently occurs.  Patients who exhibit this presentation are candidates for Metagenics nutraceuticals.  After chiropractic treatment and physiotherapy have reduced the acute pain, nutraceuticals are introduced into the treatment regimen to suppress excess inflammation and dissolve excess scar tissue.  Then, wellness supplements can be prescribed based on the patient’s needs, to maintain wellness and overall systemic health.

I’m very excited to integrate the Metagenics line of nutraceuticals into my practice.  I’ve spent time researching the company and its products and find them to be dedicated to science-based, premium quality products that represent the forefront of natural health science.

For questions about how Metagenics can help you get out of pain, call our office at (415) 627-9077.

Dr. Perez

It’s hard to believe 2010 is already here!  Seems not too long ago that I was celebrating Y2K festivities at the Embarcadero Center, fireworks and all.

2009 was a tough year for many people.  The financial and housing crises and job losses were the topics that dominated most discussions last year.  I came across many people who were under a lot of stress, for fear of losing their jobs and / or homes.  Let’s hope that things turn around now that the new year is upon us.

During stressful times, our bodies tend to become more vulnerable to injury and pain, and disease.  I am aware of several medical theories that try to explain this phenomenon.  One suggests a psychosomatic connection; i.e., the state of the mind somehow adversely affects physiological functions like stress hormones, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate, and even the immune system.  This is why, when I suspect a patient is under stress, I suggest he/she find an “outlet” to effectively reduce stress.  It can be something as simple as treating oneself to a relaxing movie at the end of the week, or a mandatory “quiet time” every day without distractions, preferably in nature and far away from people.  And this means no cell phones, internet, and so on.

But sometimes the pain and discomfort one experiences is due to an old injury making itself known; perhaps lower back pain, neck pain, or wrist pain.  If this is the case, it’s best to get it treated and rehabilitated.  Not doing so can result in the problem taking deeper root and becoming more permanent.

So, start your year off right by doing the things you know you need to do:  eating a balanced diet low in sugar and high in nutrient dense foods; getting regular exercise, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in healthy social interaction with your spouse, children, and friends.   Chiropractic can help tune up your body so that you are ready to hit the gym.  Make sure your spine is flexible, muscles balanced, and joints moving properly, and you’re all set!  That’s what we’re here for…

Dan Perez DC
San Francisco Chiropractic

If you notice that you feel tired a lot, it may not simply be that you’re working long hours. Many people who feel fatigued, or have “low energy” mistakenly attribute this to the stress of life. Well, there may be something else to it.

Did you know that your brain expends considerable energy just maintaining muscle tone? If it didn’t, you wouldn’t be able to stand. There is a constant flow of nerve signals to your muscles, especially those around your spine and legs. These muscle groups must have the precise amount of nerve tone in order for you to stand and move efficiently, and the brain sees to that. Now, imagine having bad posture; like a high hip, rotated torso, or high shoulder. These spine and muscle imbalances put a greater demand on your brain, requiring it to “work extra hard” to keep you standing and moving. When your brain is tired, your body will feel tired.

So, if you feel like you have low energy, check your posture and flexibility. Do you have a hunched back and forward rolling shoulders? Can you bend your spine in all directions, equally? If not, make sure to get checked. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper spinal movement and alignment.

There are other factors that can contribute to fatigue, namely not getting enough exercise (cardio and strength), not getting proper nutrition, and not getting enough water.  And of course, medical conditions like hypothyroidism can be a factor. Make sure that you are addressing all possible causes of fatigue–you can overcome it if you make the effort.

Till next time,

Dan Perez, DC
www.sf-chiro.com

Most people who are experiencing unrelenting back pain can’t stand the thought of getting surgery.  They will exhaust all non-surgical options first, and if the problem persists, will wait it out hoping that the condition will eventually resolve.

While chiropractic, physical therapy, and a preventive program of back exercises can spare the need for surgery there are some conditions where surgery is the only viable option left.  These include:

• disc prolapse– where the inner nuclear material of a disc has ejected into the spinal canal and is pressing against the spinal cord and/or a nerve root causing symptoms (tingling, weakness) down the legs;
• severe degenerative disc disease, where one or more discs has lost most of its fluid content, has developed painful fissures, and is allowing the surfaces of adjacent vertebra (vertebral bodies) to come into contact with each other;
• spinal stenosis– a condition where the spinal canal narrows from bone spurring/ degeneration and obstructs the spinal cord.

In each of the above cases, a physical element deep within the spine is precipitating the pain to the point where manual therapies and exercises alone cannot reverse.  These patients are referred to an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal surgery.  The surgeon will usually order an MRI to assess the severity.  Then, a consultation will be scheduled where the patient will be informed of his options, and what to expect.

So the question becomes, is there anything one can do to avoid developing back problems that require surgery?  The answer is yes.  Here’s how:

1.  Lose the weight (if this applies to you).  Carrying those extra pounds over the years will place additional stress on your lower back, potentially weakening your discs over time.

2.  Stop smoking.  Smoking is known to interfere with proper tissue regeneration.  If you strain your back and you’re a pack a day smoker, it may not heal properly. increasing your risk for future injury.

3.  When at work, avoid prolonged sitting.  Get up and stretch a couple of times each hour to decompress your back and exercise your spinal joints.

4.  Lift properly:  kneel down, hold object close to your body, use your leg muscles, and try not to twist your back while carrying something heavy.

5.  Strengthen your core.  Your core consists of your abdominals (front and side) and lower back muscles.  The significance of these muscles is that they support your lower spine from the front and the back, much like a tent pole is supported by opposing wires.  If one set is weak, you will be more prone to developing back problems.

6.  Watch the activities that require repetitious jumping:  weekend basketball, badminton, volleyball, dancing, improper running.  Only do in moderation.

7.  Get a good mattress.    Don’t skimp on your mattress; you are spending a good amount of your life on a mattress.  Get one that provides excellent support.  TempurPedic is the one I recommend (I also sell them at my clinic as a Professional distributor).

And, consider getting regular chiropractic check ups.  Over time, the pelvis can get unbalanced and vertebrae can get locked together.  Spinal adjustments can restore movement, which will help keep your spine healthy.

I am subscribed to Dr. Mercola’s website. If you don’t know who Dr. Mercola is, he’s the most popular natural health doctor on the web. He is an investigative researcher, an alternative health researcher, and website publisher. He runs a natural health medical clinic in Chicago, established in 1985. You can count on Dr. Mercola to shine the light on questionable medical procedures and beliefs, especially those that are linked to unethical collaboration between Big Pharma (the drug companies) and the medical establishment (the doctor and hospital system). Many people continue to benefit from this fresh, and sometimes controversial information. With so much conflicting information out there, Dr. Mercola is a beacon of light you can turn to– he breaks down the facts on medical claims, scours the published research, and uses his own expertise on human physiology and nutrition to “tell it like it is.”

Recently, some people have been questioning why he sells products on his site, suggesting there is a conflict of interest. Dr. Mercola replied to this charge, and explained himself well. Turns out, it costs a lot of money and time to do the research and run the website. He also mentioned that he has to fight occasional battles with Big Pharma for making claims that are against the mainstream. Well, I believe him.   There is a conflict of interest, as Big Pharma contributes millions to medical research.  Its lobbyists court prominent figures in the medical industry all the time.  So when a new drug comes out, legions of doctors are ready to push it to their patients.  Sometimes they don’t have to, as massive advertising campaigns get the job done.

Here’s Dr. Mercola’s explanation of “paying the price to tell the truth:”

Another hidden expense that no one ever sees or hears about, and probably never thinks about, are legal fees.

Legal fees are the inevitable result of having a virtual target on my back. After all, my health recommendations go against the conventional grain, and frequently contradict the long-term benefit and interest of many multi-national, multi-billion-dollar corporations that don’t want the truth to be told.

So they frequently generate frivolous lawsuits to harass and intimidate me from sharing what I know. But I refuse to capitulate and surrender to these kinds of scare tactics, and I will continue to tell the truth as I know it. However, there’s oftentimes a price to be paid.

I have paid well over six figures in legal fees to defend my ability to tell the truth to you, and I have never asked for donations for this legal defense. I felt very strongly it was my responsibility to serve you in ways that would generate a profit so I could pay for my own legal defense.

However, by no means am I the only one these corporate influences are targeting. They are running so scared now that they have even attacked famous celebrities. A prime example of this disturbing trend of blatant intimidation is the recent media bashing of Oprah.

Newsweek magazine published a not-too-flattering image of Oprah on the cover of their magazine and basically called her CRAZY for endorsing alternative medicine. That’s how you know WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, and the Big Pharma cartel that has conventional medicine in a choke-hold, and most of the traditional media in their pocket, is getting nervous.

I’m absolutely committed to catalyzing change in this fatally flawed health care system, which causes hundreds of thousands of premature deaths in the U.S. and needless suffering to millions across the world.

I’m also committed to preserving your health freedom, and so every time you purchase something on Mercola.com, the profits go to further this mission.

As a chiropractor, I share Dr. Mercola’s passion for shedding light on harmful, if not effective, medical procedures and beliefs. After Michael Jackson’s recent death, it was discovered that he was taking dangerous pain killer medication and sedatives. This happens to hundreds of people every day and never makes the news. Perhaps more people will start to pay attention.

Anyways, check out Dr. Mercola’s site. A big benefit of being a member is that you participate in his alternative health discussion forum.

Dan Perez, DC

During the course of receiving chiropractic treatment for symptomatic relief, such as neck or back pain, sometimes we lose sight of the core principle of chiropractic:  to enhance the recuperative powers of the human body.

Realize that your body has a powerful immune system and a wondrous ability to heal/regenerate damaged tissue.  No drugs can match what the body makes on its own.  The challenge is to enable the body’s natural healing capacity to manifest to full potential.  This differs from person to person, due to a host of factors, particularly:

1.  lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, toxin ingestion; i.e. smoking and drinking, and work and recreational activities)
2.  history of injuries/ trauma resulting in spinal problems
3.  genetic diseases

As a chiropractor, I can address #1 and #2; allopathic medicine is best suited for #3.

Chiropractic was originally conceived around the principle that the nervous system is a major player in one’s health status, as it connects the brain to the organs and musculoskeletal system.  Since the spinal cord resides inside the spine, deviations in the spinal column could impede the nervous system’s ability to function properly, creating an opening for pain and sickness.

So when you receive adjustments to the spine, it’s true that the purpose is to reduce pain and improve flexibility and posture– but the primary reason is so that your spine doesn’t interfere in any way with your nervous system.  It’s just one of the pillars for achieving optimum health.

So if you haven’t been in awhile, consider coming in and getting checked– misaligned vertebrae don’t necessarily have to cause pain; they can manifest as poor posture, loss of some flexibility, and a general achey feeling.

Dan Perez, DC