Does this sound like you? “I wake up, and I can barely move my neck far enough to look at the clock. After 10 minutes, it loosens up, but I still have pain aching into my neck and shoulder. Everything I do to fix the pain makes me feel better but only temporarily. Pills will help as long as I keep taking them every 3 hours for the rest of my life. No thank you. Massage will help for a day. Chiropractic will help for a week, but then the pain comes back. I tried physical therapy and alternative medicine with the same results. I’ve had injections, which unfortunately didn’t last very long either. I’m looking for something new!”

St. George’s spine clinic is excited to announce new technology for neck pain sufferers. Most people don’t realize that they have lost strength in their neck due to previous neck injuries, car accidents, surgeries, and years of wear and tear. Losing strength in the neck leads to many problems such as intense pain, headaches, and shoulder or arm symptoms. A new machine called the Multi-Cervical Unit enables doctors, with the aid of a computer, to evaluate the neck and pinpoint precise areas of weakness for therapy. The therapy follows American Medical Association standards and is proven to restore long-lasting range of motion and relief.

Advanced Spine and Rehabilitation is the first and only clinic in Utah to have this innovative technology.Individuals suitable for this therapy include those with previous whiplash injuries and acute or chronic neck pain. “With a computer, we test the strength and motion of the neck muscles, and from that determine if the individual does or does not have cervical weakness. We use the data generated from the computer to design an individualized strengthening program for the patient.” No referral is necessary, and no extra out-of-pocket expense is required above Medicare and insurance coverage.

Amy, an active 65 year-old, started getting pain one day in her low back. She soon started noticing pain into her right buttock and thigh area. The pain was especially worse while walking around. If she lay down and rested, it seemed to feel better. Everyone she talked to told her she probably had sciatica. This concerned her because she knew sciatica was some sort of nerve problem. With the advice of a friend, she decided to visit her doctor. After a thorough history and exam, her doctor told her she did not have sciatica. In fact, the pain had nothing to do with her nerves. She was diagnosed with Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction.

This painful condition is similar to sciatica in its usual symptoms. There is often pain in the legs and buttocks, as well as general lower back pain. The difference is that the pain originates from the dysfunctional joint, which can then refer pain down the leg. This is sometimes called false sciatica. The joint is not actually irritating the sciatic nerve which does occur in true sciatica.

The sacroiliac joints support the entire weight of the upper body when we are erect, which places a large amount of stress across them. This can lead to wearing of the cartilage of these joints, resulting in inflammation. Sacroiliac Joint Pain may be the result of many injuries or disease processes. Arthritis, postural problems, trauma to the hip, improper lifting, or chronic dynamic bending and twisting (such as those involved in sports activities) are all possible causes of pain in this joint.

Amy received painless treatment consisting of mobilization and stretching exercises and hot/cold therapy, as well as another therapy called therapeutic ultrasound which uses sound waves to help increase healing and decrease pain. After a few visits, her pain had subsided, and she was able to return to her normal activities.

Here is our latest article published in the Senior Sampler.

A Local Man’s Experience

Ben Jones, 69 of St. George was an avid tennis player. Randomly, during one of his matches without any injury or provocation, his low back started feeling extra stiff. The first 15 minutes of the morning were the worst for him. Then stiffness started feeling like pain. Ben continued to play tennis but was bothered that his back was getting worse. He finally went to his doctor who told him that he had arthritis but it wasn’t severe enough for back surgery. Feeling secure that he had nothing serious, Ben continued to be as active as possible.

Unfortunately after 4 months, things had not gotten better. When he walked, the pain would randomly start giving him trouble. Odd enough, he could make the pain completely disappear when he sat down or leaned forward on something. When standing started causing pain into the back of his thighs, Ben started looking for other treatment options.

After searching on-line about a local spine clinic, Ben made an appointment to ask the opinion of their chiropractic doctor. After a thorough history and spinal exam, he was told that he had the beginnings of “Spinal Canal Stenosis.” Ben was surprised to learn that this condition is extremely common in those above 60 and is treated with success very frequently at the clinic. After a series of painless treatments, Ben was playing tennis and walking again with no pain.

Dr. Craig Peterson reports, “In many mild and moderate cases of stenosis, non-invasive conservative care can help lessen pain and discomfort and allow the patient to keep a reasonable lifestyle. Techniques involving distraction and mobilization may be helpful. Home exercises are a major part of the conservative treatment program. Ultimately, stenosis is a chronic condition that cannot be “cured,” but it often can be improved, and improvement can be maintained with home care over the long term. Patients can work with a health care provider, such as a doctor of chiropractic, to reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life.”

Advanced Spine & Rehab is an integrated chiropractic clinic specializing in treating senior patients with conservative therapy. These doctors practice in a professional, gentle, and pressure-free atmosphere. A large portion of their base includes satisfied Medicare patients. Call us if you have any questions at 435-656-3266 or visit our website for more info – www.StGeorgePainRelief.com.

Many times, individuals will get into a car accident that results in neck pain, low back pain, and/or headaches. It is common for them to be sent to the emergency room who will then take x-rays, find no fractures, and send them home with medications to ease the pain. What many patients don’t understand is that they can receive more care at no cost to them. Even more importantly is that they should receive more care.

After a car accident, a common injury that results is whiplash.  This is were muscles in the neck become torn and injured resulting in inflammation, spasm, and pain. If not treated, this will lead to scar tissue, decreased range of motion, instability, and then more pain. So in order to prevent this pain cycle, patients need more care other than pain medications to ease the pain.  At Advanced Spine & Rehab, that is exactly what we specialize in doing. We start with passive care including massage, ultrasound, cold therapy, and stretches to help ease the spasm, decrease chance of scar tissue, and increase range of motion. Once the pain has decreased, we initiate muscle exercises, more stretches, and chiropractic care to continue to maintain neck range of motion and stability.

So back to the free care part. In the state of Utah, there is a law that makes it so every car insurance policy requires personal injury coverage. Utah also has a law that states no matter who is at fault, you get the benefits of this personal injury coverage for injuries resulting from your accident. Even if the person who hit you doesn’t have car insurance, your own car insurance will then cover your personal injuries. Thus, no health insurance is needed and there are no costs to you.  Also, even if it has been several months to a year, if you have never received care and continue to suffer from injuries from that accident, you most likely are eligible to get care.

It really is good information to know. I always imagine there are many people out there suffering needlessly with chronic low back pain or neck pain because they could not afford care. So pass the word around.  In our office we take care of all the reports and paper work required. We understand the stress that comes with being in an accident and do all we can to help out.  Call us at 435-656-3266 if you have any questions.  We’d be happy to take a moment and tell you what your options are.

The golf swing and putting stance puts great stress on the golfer’s back, so it’s no surprise back pain is the most common problem for golfers. Back pain in golfers might be mechanical or disc-related, arthritis-related, or caused by a stress fracture, among other possible causes.

Do:
- Use proper back mechanics when lifting your bag.
- Bend through the knees (squat) when retrieving the ball.
- Consider switching to a putter with a longer shaft.
- Slow down the back swing to minimize rotational stress on the lower back at the top of the back swing.
- Adopt a big shoulder and hip turn on the back swing (classic swing technique).
- Make sure body weight is properly shifted to the right foot during the back swing, and that the arms and shoulders are kept within the plane of the swing at the top of the backswing.
- Keep your entire body involved. Every third hole, take a few practice swings with the opposite hand to keep your muscles balanced and even out stress on the back.

Don’t:

- Don’t try to adapt your swing to the wrong clubs: A six-footer playing with irons designed for someone five inches shorter is begging for back trouble.
- Place the feet too far apart at the address phase (this limits the hip turn later in the swing and increases stress on the lower back).
- Hyperextend the spine on the follow-through, but rather utilize the relaxed upright “I” position (classic swing technique).

Remember that back pain is a warning sign that there is an underlying problem responsible for a symptom that will likely get worse. Doctors of chiropractic look for the cause of the symptom and help reduce the likelihood of future injury.

Doctors of chiropractic can address other health concerns, such as shoulder, knee, arm and wrist pain that could affect your game. If you golf consistently, you will no doubt feel the stress of the game, but by following a few simple prevention tips, it is possible to play without pain for a lifetime.

So we finally got a hold of some photos from the last two half marathons.  Those being the Snow Canyon and Painter’s Half marathon.  They turned out quite nicely.  The St. George area is so beautiful.

Snow Canyon

The Virgin River Trail

Dr. Peterson working on a runner before the race

Our injury screening/stretching tent

Dr. Peterson and I had a fun time helping out at the Painter’s half marathon this last weekend. It was located near the beautiful Virgin River Parkway Trail just down from St. George’s Dixie Center.  Other than the rather chilly conditions in the early morning, it was a good time. There were over 2,000 participants, and as always we enjoyed helping stretch them out, give a little soft tissue work, or answer any injury questions or concerns.  Many of the runners questioned whether or not I enjoyed working with “sweaty bodies,” and I admitted to them that I liked it cause it kept my hands warm. I wish I had some pictures to post; I will for sure remember to bring the camera next time.  Now that we have a blog going, the camera must tag along.  We have another race coming up in a couple weeks. I can’t remember off the top of my head where it will be.  As always, we will be under the big blue tent. Feel free to stop by and say hi or ask any questions.

Welcome to our blog! The website is all but up and running and Dr. Peterson and I think it looks pretty good. Be sure to check back often because we are going to try and post news, latest research, and interesting articles as often as we can. If you have any comments or suggestions feel free to let us know.  We are always trying to improve our site, practice, and service to you and we greatly appreciate feedback.  Have a marvelous holiday season. Take care.