Stressed out at work? Kink in the neck or between you shoulder blades? Check out these exercises to help improve mobility and strength in your Upper Back & Neck. Have a great day!
Bring in Your Unique Lure!
Here at HFC, we are dedicated to sharing the most current health news with you and our community. It is important that we give you the necessary tools and information to help you make the best health decisions for you and your family. In this blog spot we wanted to shed some light on a particularly important topic: spinal fusion (or back surgery) in comparison to non-surgical treatments.
Spinal fusion surgery for chronic back pain – an increasingly controversial treatment that has exploded in use over the last 20 years. Spinal fusion surgery, which fuses adjacent vertebrae together to treat degenerative back conditions, has increased 220% since 1990! Unfortunately, recent studies have unveiled evidence that shows spinal surgery leads to higher rates of permanent issues and disabilities compared to those treated non-surgically.
In one particular study we found, researchers randomly selected 725 people with low back pain treated with fusion surgery and 725 whose more conservative treatment included exercise and physical therapy. Participants were chosen from a pool of worker’s compensation patients in Ohio whose on-the-job injuries between 1999 and 2001 resulted in chronic low back pain. Most of the patients in this study had degenerative disc disease, herniated discs or nerve root disease.
When the study ended in 2006, nearly all outcome categories were worse on the surgical group. Here is a broken down illustration of those outcome findings:
~ Only about one quarter of the surgical group compared to two thirds of the non-surgical patients had been able to return to work after 2 years.
~ 11% were permanently disabled compared with 2% of those without surgery.
~ Nearly 85% of the spinal fusion patients continued using opioid painkillers vs. 49% of non-surgical patients, with those who had had the surgery upping their daily opioid use by 41%.
~ 36% of the spinal fusion group had complications from surgery. These complications included: meningitis, kidney failure and even death.
~ The re-operation rate was 27% in the surgery group and included 3 people who underwent 4 operations.
~ Average days off work was greater in the surgical group compared to the non-surgical group (1,140 days off vs. 316 days off).
“The chances are it will have a poor outcome.” says research author Dr. Trang H. Nguyen, who practices occupational medicine in Cincinnati. These findings, says Dr. Nguyen, are “very consistent with previous studies. The results we’ve provided are nothing new..” The best treatment, he noted, would focus on disc rehab therapies and chiropractic adjustments to increase strength, mobility and flexibility.
It is our goal to uphold this standard in our office, as well by providing alternative therapies for our patients. Moving away from mainstream practices to ‘fix it and be done with it’ – our philosophy is to enhance the body’s natural healing capabilities through spinal alignment and healthy lifestyle. We utilize therapies such as Posture Correction and Spinal Rejuvenation to work with patients who have posture and disc issues so as to eliminate the need for surgery altogether. Ultimately, we hope that non-surgical treatments for chronic pain will eventually become the popular practice for all people.
Be healthy, be happy!
Dr. Hansen’s Brother, Steve, is headed to Hollywood! Watch out American Idol, this Milwaukee accountant is on fire!
We Could All Take A Lesson From Neil – Make Everyday A Good Day!
-In Heath, Dr. Ryan
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Suprise! Santa stopped into Hansen Family Chiropractic this Christmas – he needed some serious help! Years of carrying around the toy sack and pot belly have put Santa’s lower back on the Naughty List. Thanks to Dr. Hansen, he got an adjustment and Christmas was saved! 
Hope your Christmas was JOYOUS! -Ryan, Booie, Tena, Nicole & Kris Kringle
Holidays are a hard time for everyone to stay healthy and on schedule with their routine. When it comes to exercise- it is as much mental as it is physical.
Keep these 7 Tips in mind and you’ll survive the Holiday!
7 Great Exercise Tips to Stay On Top!
1.Have Goals. Whether you want to lose weight, increase strength or be healthier you should focus on your goals. It helps to have short term ones in mind to keep motivated. So set some short term and long term goals ahead of time.
2.Have a Plan. Consistent exercise requires focus – focus requires a plan. Outline your workouts by day, week and month so you know just what to do.
3.Don’t Overdo It. In the real world, you aren’t competing on the “Biggest Loser.” Working out 5 hours a day will burn you out and/or injured. Start out with 45 minutes, 3-4 days a week and plan to rest to refresh and restore your body.
4.Fight Temptation. We’re talking about the inevitable to skip a workout. Even when you’re having a bad day, stay on it and get to the gym. You’ll undoubtedly feel better afterword!
5.Be Creative. Your body and mind get bored after doing the same things all the time and then you wont have the success you want. Try a new exercise class, work on a machine you don’t usually do, or change up the setting (outside, in a gym, at your house, etc).
6.Recruit Support. When it comes to exercise, some people can fly solo and others need a supporter to motivate them. Find a workout buddy, trainer or group if you can’t stay on track alone.
7.Stay Positive. This is the most difficult tip to stay true to, but the most important. Every day isn’t sunshine and roses, that is true in life and in your exercise routine. Some days or weeks you won’t feel like you’re making any progress. That’s normal! You need to stay positive and keep working towards your goals to remind you why you decided to start in the first place.
Merry Christmas & Here’s to a Happy & Healthy 2011!!! – Ryan, Booie, Tena, & Nicole
Happy Thanksgiving from Dr. Ryan, Booie, Tena and Nicole!
Here are some helpful tips for staying healthy this Turkey Day.
Hello Everyone! Take a look at Dr. Ryan’s NEW toy!
Or Click on the Link Below
HFC Video Blog – Disc Health