Low Back Pain

Did you know that one-half of all working individuals experience low back pain in a year?  Did you know that most low back pain is caused by muscle strain?  Low back pain is extremely common and in most cases is fairly easy to treat using Chiropractic Treatment and Soft Tissue Techniques (similar to massage).

Causes of Back Pain

Lumbar Muscle Strain
Muscle strains are the most common cause of low back pain. Lumbar or Low Back Muscle strain / muscle pull / muscle tear implies damage to a muscle or its attaching tendons.  Lumbar muscle pain heals more quickly than most low back conditions.  Typical healing time is 2-6 weeks.

Ruptured Disc
A ruptured intervertebral disc, also called a herniated disc, is another common cause of back pain. Herniated discs are caused by aging, degeneration of the disc (disc disease) or injury to the spine.  The disc is the cushion between the bones of our back.  A herniation can press on an exiting nerve or the spinal cord itself causing pain, numbness, radiation, and burning.  Typical healing time is 6-12 weeks or longer.  A ruptured disc may require surgery.

Discogenic Back Pain
Discogenic back pain is thought to be a common cause of low back pain. Discogenic back pain is caused by damage to the disc, but without a herniation. Typical healing time is 6-12 weeks.

Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis causes back pain in the aging population. Stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal and is typically caused by arthritis or other conditions.  Spinal stenosis is more difficult to treat using chiropractic care and commonly requires surgical intervention.

Lumbar Spine Arthritis
Arthritis most commonly affects joints other than the spine (IE. knees and fingers). There are several types of arthritis (degenerative, inflammatory, gout, etc.)  Chiropractors most commonly treat degenerative arthritis which can cause back pain with movement.  In some cases, chiropractic care can slow or even stop the degenerative process.

Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis causes back pain because one vertebra begins to “slip” forward.  The most common cause of spondylolisthesis is due to degenerative changes causing loss of the normal stabilizing structures of the spinal column. Chiropractors have to modify treatment with sponylo.  Treatment can be very helpful for these patients.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis or osteopenia is bone loss.  Osteoporosis causes weak bones and can lead to these fractures. Chiropractors avoid traditional manipulation and use more gentle techniques or soft tissue work only in this case.  It is important to work with your MD or dietitian to reverse osetopenia or osteoporosis before damage occurs.

Back Pain Facts & Statistics (Copied from the American Chiropractic Association)

http://www.amerchiro.org/level2_css.cfm?t1id=13&t2id=68

Although chiropractors care for more than just back pain, many patients visit chiropractors looking for relief from this pervasive condition.  In fact, 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time.¹

A few interesting facts about back pain:

• One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.²
• Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work.  In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
• Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.
• Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain—and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.³
• Experts estimate that as many as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in our lives.⁴

References:

1. Jensen M, Brant-Zawadzki M, Obuchowski N, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lumbar Spine in People Without Back Pain. N Engl J Med 1994; 331: 69-116.

2. Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.

3. This total represents only the more readily identifiable costs for medical care, workers compensation payments and time lost from work. It does not include costs associated with lost personal income due to acquired physical limitation resulting from a back problem and lost employer productivity due to employee medical absence. In Project Briefs: Back Pain Patient Outcomes Assessment Team (BOAT). In MEDTEP Update, Vol. 1 Issue 1, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD, Summer 1994.

4. In Vallfors B, previously cited.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Here’s to my amazing patients!  Happy Thanksgiving!

(I am only using first names…so don’t panic…you know who you are!)

• Kristina- You make me laugh.  I love every minute of your visits.
• Brock- Thank you for forgiveness.  God knows I need plenty of it!
• Chrystal- You love to talk and so do I.  I couldn’t wait until your next visit (and now I miss you)!
• Rachel- I love your stories of Nora and Gus.  I now vicariously have dogs!
• Lau- I appreciate your loyalty.  Thanks for not giving up on your treatment plan!
• Chris- Thanks for your amazing design and great advice.  Tranquility has a face because of you.
• Stephen- Stephen you are amazing!  I have a web presence because of you.
• David- You are my greatest supporter.  I am always happy to hear about your week.
• Mike- You are the best researcher.  No one has ever looked up everything I ramble on about.  And thanks for saving from the embarrassment of not knowing who Mack Brown was!
• Nicole- I LOVE LOVE LOVE talking to you.
• Tomoko- You are my adventurer.  I admire your courage and passion.
• Josh- Thank you for telling everyone about me.  You have been my biggest referral source.  Don’t forget to put in the magazine one of these days!
• Robin- I am always excited to hear about what you are working on.  Congrats on the new house!
• Adam- You are my talented one.  I am always excited to hear your business is growing.  PS. Watch out!  Robin may just quit her job and become an electrician.
• Sean- Thank you for listening.  Thank you for caring.
• Larry- Thanks for sharing your story.  I am very proud of you.
• Morgan- Thanks for coming in on a Saturday to be my model!
• Pamela- I miss you so much.  Thanks for sharing all of your acupuncture knowledge.
• Giselda- You are my ideal patient.  I am so happy to be able to help you.
• Patricia- Thanks for the copay stickers and all the great advice!
• Brandon- Thanks for the amazing online review. Several people have become new patients because of you!
• Paul- It was great to learn more about Canada. I hope you are having fun freezing your tush off up there.
• Brad- My only patient who loves his exercises. If I had to choose a patient as my child, it would be you. Do you eat your broccoli, too?
• Nancy- I am so happy I was at the right place at the right time to meet you!
• Betty- I loved visiting your digs! It’s always great to see you at Starbucks with your son.
• DeDe- DeDe was famously early for every appointment. I may have you call a few of my no shows and teach them a lesson or two. Lol!
• Ray- I enjoy our conversations immensely. You fill my office full of politics, spirituality, and class.
• Camille- Thanks for your referral. I hope you are recovering quickly.
• Cindy- Limp in one day; Run out the next. You made me feel God-like in my healing abilities! =)
• Rand- Thank you for driving so far for treatment. You are super dedicated!
• Eileen- You were one of my first patients. Thanks for helping with my confidence!

I love you all!

PS.  If I have forgotten anyone, you will get a complementary 15-minute massage at your next visit!

Dr. Funk

STRESS

As a Doctor of Chiropractic who specializes in stress-related headaches, neck and shoulder pain, 80% of my patients present with muscle tension, pain, and structural problems of or related to their spine.  All 100% of my patients could benefit from a reduction of stress in their lives, even if they present with an injury that had been caused by a fall or car accident.

Stress in small amounts can actually be beneficial.  Think about the last time you felt pressed for a deadline.  Most people will become more focused, work more diligently, and get more accomplished because they know they have to be finished by a certain time and date.  In this case, a deadline can be a beneficial stresses that acts to draw you closer to a goal or accomplishment.

Long-term stress can be very harmful to our bodies.  One deadline will not do the trick.  Most often, it is a combination of stressors that push us over our limits.  It’s the series of deadlines in the same week combined with the fact your child gets sick the morning of your big presentation.  You hadn’t eaten well for the past few weeks because you had to spend hours after work trying to meet the upcoming deadlines.  Your spouse is upset that you have been spending enough quality time together, and your mom called to say that she had to take your dad to the emergency room last night.  Can you relate?

In today’s society we live in a constant state of low anxiety.  It’s as if at any point in time one more stressor could push us over the limit.  You can feel your neck and shoulders feel tight.  They’ve been that way for so long that you don’t even notice it any more…until you are half way through your presentation.  You just dropped your pointer and go to pick it up…and it happens….a sharp, sheering pain from your neck shoots down your arm and you yelp in pain.  You finish your presentation and think this pain will go away soon.  Two weeks later, you are in my office.

Can stress really cause neck pain?  Shoulder pain?  Back pain?  Headaches?  Stomach problems?  Skin problems? Yes, Yes, and Yes!

What does chronic and uncontrolled stress do to my body? When we live with chronic stress our nervous system starts to change.  People begin to see physical symptoms instead of just feeling anxious and jittery or run down and depressed, they start to develop the first symptoms of chronic stress: chronic headaches and increased susceptibility to fight off infections.  Muscle tension increases and muscular imbalance can lead to neck, shoulder, and back pain, as well as a host of other problems.  Some individuals develop depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid problems, obesity, sexual dysfunction, or ulcers.  Not fun!

What can do to avoid stress-related headaches, neck, shoulder, and back pain? Stay active, learn good stretches, drink lots of water, eat healthy, meditate or use a relaxation technique you life daily, talk about what is bothering you with a friend or loved one.

I do suggest that if you have suffered with headaches, neck, shoulder, or back pain for more than three days, go to your chiropractor!

Once I come in to see you, Dr. Funk, what will you do to help me with my headaches, neck, shoulder or back pain?  I use a combination of soft-tissue techniques (similar to massage), spinal manipulation, stretching, and simple strengthening exercises. Each patient has a 30-minute treatment that is relaxing and therapeutic.  Patients who present with the conditions above can expect to see that their pain will subside in four to six visits.  The visits following will help to eliminate the cause that created the pain in the first place.

www.TranquilityCS.com

Massage Can Reduce Migraine Headaches

A new study published last year shows the massage can reduce migraine headaches. The article is titled “Massaging Over the Greater Occipital Nerve Reduces the Intensity of Migraine Headaches.” (1) Good news for you….massage feels great and can help you relieve pain!

To better understand how massage can help your migraines, let’s have a simple anatomy lesson. I am assuming you don’t know where the greater occipital nerve is. And since random rubbing hasn’t proven to be effective for migraines, you probably will want to know where to massage or be massaged.

The Greater Occipital Nerve (GON) runs through the middle of the Suboccipital Triangle- four small muscles on either side of the upper neck. The GON innervates the scalp and areas over the ears. When our neck muscles get tight, epecially our occipital muscles (think base of the skull), irritation of the GON occurs. And you know what that means…a headache!

Tight muscles and nerve irritation can make even the happiest person miserable. The benefits of massage are unmistakable- muscle relaxation, increased blood flow, and stress-reduction. Now you can add headache relief to one of its many benefits.

Self-Massage or Partner Massage
1. Start massaging the neck and shoulders
2. Work your way up to the base of your neck (where the GON starts). Focus on any areas that are painful and tight. Many headache suffers have knots in their muscles, called trigger points. If someone pushes and holds a trigger point, you will feel the pain shoot up the head and recreate the headache. That’s the spot that should be relaxed with massage.
3. Finish up by massaging the scalp where the GON nerve endings are located.

To learn more about headache help or to book an appointment for a professional therapeutic massage and treatment, visit www.TranquilityCS.com.

(1) Piovesan, et al. Massaging Over the Greater Occipital Nerve Reduces the Intensity of Migraine Headaches. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2007;65(3-A):599-604.* Full free article- http://www.scielo.br/pdf/anp/v65n3a/10.pdf

Stress Headaches

Stress headaches, or tension-type headaches, are the most common type of headache.  Surprisingly, as up to 78% of the general population will experience at tension-type headaches at some time during their lifetime.

Am I having a stress headache? Stress headaches are often the result of temporary stress, anxiety, fatigue or anger. Symptoms include a tight, band-like sensation around your head and spasms of the neck muscles and shoulders. Many stress headaches suffers experience pain and tightness just above the ears and at your temples.  Many times people experience temporary relief or exacerbation of their headaches when they press on certain points in their neck.

I heard stress headaches can occur every day. Some stress headache suffers have chronic tension-type headaches that can occur every day. A chronic tension-type headache is a condition where you have a stress headache on 15 days or greater every month. This type of headache is also called a chronic daily headache because many people have a headache every day.

When would I see my chiropractor for a stress headache instead of taking over-the-counter medications? I suggest if you are experiencing more than two stress headaches a week, you should visit your chiropractor.  Taking anti-inflammatories on a regular basis to eliminate headaches is masking the root of your problem: tight neck muscles, stress, and joint restrictions or misalignment can cause and aggravate your headaches.

Why do you treat stress headaches? Tension-type headaches are one of my specialties (and secretly, one of my favorite conditions to treat) because I personally suffer from them.  As a student in Chiropractic College I began experimenting with different techniques we were learning to treat my headaches.  After trying different treatments and practicing on patients and friends for months, a friend of mine showed me some soft tissue techniques he learned at his myofascial release seminar.  My headache was gone after his treatment when combined with spinal manipulation.  So, I kept trying it on everyone I could, and the treatment was helping more and more people.

How do you treat stress headaches in your practice, Dr. Funk? I use a combination of soft-tissue techniques (similar to massage), spinal manipulation, stretching, and simple strengthening exercises. Each patient has a 30-minute treatment that is relaxing and therapeutic.

Does Your Standing Posture Cause You Pain?

The body is amazing!  It was designed with a specific shape that evenly distributes weight among your joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.  Disrupting the natural balance because of poor posture can cause neck and back pain.

I remember talking to a man at Starbucks one day.  When I mentioned that I was a chiropractor, he said he used to visit a chiropractor.  “I spent a lot of money getting treatment at chiropractor’s office a few years ago.  I felt better for awhile, but the pain returned a few weeks after my treatment had ended.  I continued to suffer with back pain until I saw a photo of myself taken at my family reunion, ” he mused.  “I was shocked to see how horrible my posture was.  I was slouching and putting more weight on one leg than the other.  No wonder I had back pain”, he confessed.

“I remember how unattractive I was, and then it hit me, my chiropractor had commented that my posture needed improvement on my first visit in his office.”  He paused for a minute.  “My doctor had also mentioned that poor posture was  a culprit for neck and back pain, but no only had I not listened, I had no idea how bad my posture was!”

After that experience, he constantly reminded himself to sit and stand using better posture.  “Much to my surprise,” he smiled, “my back pain disappeared in a matter of weeks.  Now it only comes on occasionally.  I could have lived without chronic pain years ago,” he stated matter of factly.  “You need to tell all of your patients how important good posture is,” he grinned, “but then you might be out of a job!”  We chuckled.

Truth be told, poor posture is one of the many causes of neck and back pain.  Think of the perfect design of bridges or buildings.  The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an example of what a poor foundation can do to a building.  Build a building on the wrong surface, and the building will weaken.  If you think of your posture like the foundation of your body, you will realized that poor posture weaken our physical structure, and a weak structure leads to pain.

Utilize the description below to help correct your standing posture to alleviate pain and discomfort.

Good standing posture

When standing, imagine that a string is attached to your chest.  Feel someone pull the string upward and feel your chest rise.  Pull your shoulders down and back. Tuck your chin down toward your chest while you pull your head back and up as if were flattening your neck against a wall.

Put your feet shoulder distance apart and even distribute your body weight on both legs.  Relax your knees, pull in your abdomen, and tuck your tailbone.  Feel weird?  That’s mostly likely because you have had poor posture.

Tranquility’s MASSAGE CLUB

CLIENTS ARE WANTING MASSAGES TO REDUCE STRESS, RELIEVE MUSCLE TENSION, AND REDUCE BACK PAIN! I want you to know, I have been listening!

Tranquility Chiropractic Studio is now offering a MASSAGE CLUB!!! I am excited to announce, starting this month, we are offering our first massage club membership for $99.00.  Members will receive TWO one-hour massages per month or FOUR half-hour massages per month!

The Benefits Of Massage
The benefits of massage as a complement to chiropractic care are plentiful!  Massage can:

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating the flow of lymph—your body’s natural defense system.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of your body’s largest organ—your skin.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.

Call Tranquility Chiropractic Studio today to learn more about our massage club!  512-788-3366

“Working everyday to take a little stress out of your world!” — Dr. Funk

Co-Treating Patients: Massage Therapists and Doctors of Chiropractic

Dr. Misty Funk, owner of Tranquility Chiropractic Studio, is interested in developing relationships with massage therapists in order to provide better treatment for her patients. Her goal is to co-treat clients who could benefit from the combination of massage and chiropractic. “It is my goal to work in conjunction with therapist to provide overall healing for patients,” states Dr. Funk.

“As a chiropractor, massage provides great benefits to the patient. Patients who receive regular massages respond more quickly to chiropractic treatment. Patient’s also tend to be less anxious and more ready to receive chiropractic adjustment after a relaxing massage, and adjustments can have a longer lasting effect when muscle tension is released,” she states.When we combine our services and work to address a patient’s multi-faceted problem, the patient will experience a decrease in the time it takes to heal, an increase in the results, and an increase in their quality of life.

(Massage Therapists) Have you have ever treated a client you suspect had an underlying problem? You can feel muscle tightness and pain, but you detect there may be something more to their pain? As a massage therapist, if you detect any of the following, you may have a client who could benefit from combined treatment of massage therapy and chiropractic care.

• Trauma (Falls, Car Accidents, Direct Blows, etc.)
• Pinpoint bony tenderness over the spine
• Painful range of motion of the spine
• Significant scoliosis observed during treatment
• Potential spinal instability

Dr. Misty Funk specializes in the treatment of headaches, neck and back pain. Dr. Funk uses techniques specific to the area of pain including: manual therapy (myofascial release, ART, trigger point therapy), stretching, manipulation, and rehabilitation. She is committed to send each referral given to her back to their massage therapist. To learn more about her, please visit her website at www.TranquilityCS.com.

Reception at Tranquility Chiropractic Studio!

This month is National Chiropractic Month, and I want to CELEBRATE!  Please join me on Saturday, October 25^th from 2-4PM, at Tranquility Chiropractic Studio located at 11673 Jollyville Road, Suite 202.  I will be hosting a reception with snacks and drinks for everyone. All existing patients will receive a complementary adjustment, as an added bonus.

I want you all to know that I am so happy to be a Doctor of Chiropractic! Treating all of my patients has been an incredible experience, both professionally and personally. In the last seven months, I have given hundreds of complementary massages, ten brown bag lunches, countless calls to businesses, complementary care to pastors….I’ve even passed out fliers door-to-door. Yikes….If only I could convince myself that soliciting was fun! LOL!

It my goal to make Tranquility Chiropractic Studio a REFERRAL PRACTICE- one where my patients share what chiropractic care has done to improve their quality of life! No one knows better than the patients at Tranquility about the benefits of chiropractic and the high quality of care given to everyone who walks in the door!

Did you know?

• Chiropractic is the fastest-growing and second-largest primary health care profession.
• Doctors of Chiropractic provide effective, low-cost health care for a wide range of conditions.
• Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work.
• Experts estimate as many as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in our lives.
• Americans spend at least $50 Billion each year on back pain-and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.

My wish is that all chiropractic patients would share their chiropractic success stories with everyone! It only takes a few minutes to tell your co-worker, hair dresser, family physician, mail carrier, and anyone else what chiropractic care has done and can do! Everyone deserves to live pain-free, tension-free, and stress-free!  The whole world deserves to know about CHIROPRACTIC!!!

Thanks for making a difference,

Dr. Misty Funk

October is National Chiropractic Month!

Small Changes Can Have Big Impact on Overall Health

Says American Chiropractic Association

This October, during National Chiropractic Month, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is encouraging families to make simple changes in an effort to improve their overall health and well-being.

“Making small consistent changes are the keys to achieving better health,” says Dr. Misty Funk of Tranquility Chiropractic Studio. “Chiropractic, because of its focus on prevention, can play an integral role in helping Americans improve their health.”

Doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to serve as primary care doctors, Dr. Funk notes. “They stress preventive protocols such as, dietary and nutritional counseling, exercise, rehabilitation and ergonomics.”

Dr. Funk and ACA recommend the following health tips.

• Exercise daily
• Control your weight
• Commit to proper nutrition
• Avoid smoking or other tobacco products
• Use alcohol in moderation
• Control any chronic diseases or disorders (including high blood pressure, diabetes, or high levels of cholesterol).

Doctors of chiropractic provide drug-free, non-invasive treatment options for many types of pain and inflammation. For example, chronic back pain, neck pain, joint pain and headaches can often be reduced with the appropriate combination of chiropractic manipulation, rehabilitative exercises and lifestyle counseling – all of which are offered by doctors of chiropractic in a patient’s personalized treatment plan.

“Consumers also should know that chiropractic treatment is a covered benefit in virtually all traditional insurance policies,” adds Dr. Funk. “As many as 87 percent of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their existing health care plans.”

A significant amount of evidence has shown that the use of chiropractic care for certain conditions can be more effective than traditional medical care, with many patients feeling improvement shortly after their first chiropractic visit.

This October, during National Chiropractic Month, talk with a doctor of chiropractic about ways you can achieve better health. “Doctors of chiropractic believe that prevention is the key to health and wellness. Discover how treatment by your local doctor of chiropractic can not only improve your spinal health, but also start you on the road to wellness.”

Dr. Funk is working in collaboration with the American Chiropractic Association to observe National Chiropractic Month. For more information on chiropractic or any of the tips mentioned above please contact Dr. Funk at (512) 788-3366 or visit the ACA Web site: www.ACAtoday.org.