Consumer Reports, a company most recognized for their reviews of consumer products, recently surveyed over 14,000 subscribers about low back pain. All of those surveyed had experienced lower back pain in the past year. None of the participants had surgery for their back pain. The survey found that the people were most satisfied with chiropractic treatment for low back pain. Chiropractors outranked other types of physicians as well as physical therapists for patient satisfaction with treatment. Once again, chiropractors are being recognized as the leaders in the field of back pain relief!
You can read more about this study by clicking the following link: http://www.healinghandsofskokie.com/consumer-reports-chiropractic.html.
If you have any questions regarding this survey or chiropractic care in general, please contact Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center at (847) 673-6600 or visit us on the web at www.healinghandsofskokie.com/!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Compression Fractures
Compression fractures are a common occurrence. By definition, a compression fracture is the collapse of a vertebra due to trauma or a weakened bone structure. This bone weakness often occurs in patients with osteoporosis. The result of the compression fracture may be increased pain in the region surrounding the fracture.
Surgeons often perform a procedure called vertebroplasty to fill the collapsed bone with an artificial cement material. The goal of this procedure is return the anatomy in the area to as near-normal as possible and, as a result, decrease the pain caused by the fracture. This procedure, however, has recently been shown to be only as effective as a placebo treatment. Two studies, one at the Mayo Clinic and the other in Australia, showed that both patients that have the procedure performed as well as those who have a placebo (in which no surgery is performed) procedure showed equal progress after one month post-procedure.
These studies show that procedures such as vertebroplasties may not be as effective as once believed. Vertebroplasties are also thought to increase the risk for future fractures in the surrounding vertebrae. We are not stating that this procedure should not be performed, but patients need to ask questions to their surgeons regarding the risks and benefits of every procedure. Also, try non-invasive alternatives such as chiropractic and physical therapy before consenting to surgery!
You can read more about this study by clicking the following link: www.healinghandsofskokie.com/compression-fracture-surgery.html.
If you have any questions regarding this article or chiropractic care in general, please contact Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center at (847) 673-6600 or visit us on the web at www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/!
Surgeons often perform a procedure called vertebroplasty to fill the collapsed bone with an artificial cement material. The goal of this procedure is return the anatomy in the area to as near-normal as possible and, as a result, decrease the pain caused by the fracture. This procedure, however, has recently been shown to be only as effective as a placebo treatment. Two studies, one at the Mayo Clinic and the other in Australia, showed that both patients that have the procedure performed as well as those who have a placebo (in which no surgery is performed) procedure showed equal progress after one month post-procedure.
These studies show that procedures such as vertebroplasties may not be as effective as once believed. Vertebroplasties are also thought to increase the risk for future fractures in the surrounding vertebrae. We are not stating that this procedure should not be performed, but patients need to ask questions to their surgeons regarding the risks and benefits of every procedure. Also, try non-invasive alternatives such as chiropractic and physical therapy before consenting to surgery!
You can read more about this study by clicking the following link: www.healinghandsofskokie.com/compression-fracture-surgery.html.
If you have any questions regarding this article or chiropractic care in general, please contact Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center at (847) 673-6600 or visit us on the web at www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Chicago Tribune Highlights Chiropractic
On July 23, 2009 the Chicago Tribune presented an article discussing chiropractic. The article focused on differing views of chiropractic. One view (a "straight" chiropractic view) suggests that chiropractic can help prevent and/or cure nearly every ailment in the body. The other view suggests that chiropractic focus mainly on musculoskeletal issues.
The truth about chiropractic probably lies somewhere in the middle of these 2 views. Chiropractic is a terrific option for those with joint and muscle pains such as low back pain, neck pain, hip pain and shoulder pain. However, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that supports chiropractics ability to boost the immune system and affect the internal organs of the body. Since every nerve in the body (including those that control the heart, lungs, etc.) passes through the spine, problems with spinal joints could effect how these other tissues/organs function.
At Healing Hands, we primarily focus on the musculoskeletal aspects of chiropractic (along with an emphasis on nutrition). However, we will encourage patients to visit our office at times of high stress and sickness to receive the positive input to the immune system mentioned earlier. It is a quite common occurrence for our patients to report back to us that their GI problems have greatly improved with treatment or their ability to stay asleep has improved leading to more energy.
To read the article from the Tribune, please follow the following link: http://www.healinghandsofskokie.com/tribune-chiropractic.html.
If you have any questions regarding this article or chiropractic care in general, please contact Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center at (847) 673-6600 or visit us on the web at www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/!
The truth about chiropractic probably lies somewhere in the middle of these 2 views. Chiropractic is a terrific option for those with joint and muscle pains such as low back pain, neck pain, hip pain and shoulder pain. However, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that supports chiropractics ability to boost the immune system and affect the internal organs of the body. Since every nerve in the body (including those that control the heart, lungs, etc.) passes through the spine, problems with spinal joints could effect how these other tissues/organs function.
At Healing Hands, we primarily focus on the musculoskeletal aspects of chiropractic (along with an emphasis on nutrition). However, we will encourage patients to visit our office at times of high stress and sickness to receive the positive input to the immune system mentioned earlier. It is a quite common occurrence for our patients to report back to us that their GI problems have greatly improved with treatment or their ability to stay asleep has improved leading to more energy.
To read the article from the Tribune, please follow the following link: http://www.healinghandsofskokie.com/tribune-chiropractic.html.
If you have any questions regarding this article or chiropractic care in general, please contact Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center at (847) 673-6600 or visit us on the web at www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Chiropractic & Senior Citizens
Many patients ask me what I can do for their parents and grandparents as they age. The fact is that chiropractic is extremely beneficial to the aging population. As we grow older, staying active and moving becomes more vital! In order for our joints and muscles to stay healthy, we must use them. I tell all of my patients that being sedentary is not the answer to preventing injury.
Joints receive their nourishment by movement. When used, they become lubricated and this lubrication allows for pain-free motion. Joints that are stagnant and not used become rigid and, as a result, the surrounding musculature goes into spasm and becomes sore. One of the major benefits of chiropractic is restoring normal motion to the joints of the body. This does not only include the low back and neck, but any of the extremity joints. These joints include the hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows and wrists. When normal motion is restored to these joints, the muscle spasm will diminish and the joint pain will subside.
In addition to keeping the joints of the aging population moving properly, we at Healing Hands advise seniors about proper nutrition, diet and exercise to keep their bones strong and hearts active. Their is more knowledge today than ever before about the benefits of using resistance exercise to prevent osteoporosis. The problem that many seniors face is that they do not know where to start. We can help you derive a routine outside of our office that can lead to long-term benefits.
For more on the benefits of chiropractic for the aging population, please use the following link: www.healinghandsofskokie.com/senior-citizens.html.
For any additional information, please visit www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/ or call us at (847) 673-6600!
Joints receive their nourishment by movement. When used, they become lubricated and this lubrication allows for pain-free motion. Joints that are stagnant and not used become rigid and, as a result, the surrounding musculature goes into spasm and becomes sore. One of the major benefits of chiropractic is restoring normal motion to the joints of the body. This does not only include the low back and neck, but any of the extremity joints. These joints include the hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows and wrists. When normal motion is restored to these joints, the muscle spasm will diminish and the joint pain will subside.
In addition to keeping the joints of the aging population moving properly, we at Healing Hands advise seniors about proper nutrition, diet and exercise to keep their bones strong and hearts active. Their is more knowledge today than ever before about the benefits of using resistance exercise to prevent osteoporosis. The problem that many seniors face is that they do not know where to start. We can help you derive a routine outside of our office that can lead to long-term benefits.
For more on the benefits of chiropractic for the aging population, please use the following link: www.healinghandsofskokie.com/senior-citizens.html.
For any additional information, please visit www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/ or call us at (847) 673-6600!
Friday, July 3, 2009
FDA advises danger from Acetaminophen use!
This week, the FDA advisory board has came out with stricter regulations on acetaminophen, the active drug in Tylenol. As with most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), there are risks associated with use. Acetaminophen itself is the drug most often associated with liver failure in the United States. In addition, the board voted to ban the powerful pain-killers vicodin and percocet.
With an apparent reduction in the number of over-the-counter and prescription pain killers available to the public occurring, people should start looking for natural alternatives. Examples of alternative are bromelain, quercetin and fish oils, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Natural decreasing the inflammation in your body can drastically reduce chronic pain associated with such things as arthritis, gout and other autoimmune diseases.
For more information on natural anti-inflammatory supplements and pain-killers, please visit www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/ or call us at (847) 673-6600!
With an apparent reduction in the number of over-the-counter and prescription pain killers available to the public occurring, people should start looking for natural alternatives. Examples of alternative are bromelain, quercetin and fish oils, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Natural decreasing the inflammation in your body can drastically reduce chronic pain associated with such things as arthritis, gout and other autoimmune diseases.
For more information on natural anti-inflammatory supplements and pain-killers, please visit www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/ or call us at (847) 673-6600!
Monday, June 22, 2009
New Study for Lowering Cholesterol
Keeping total cholesterol levels as well as LDL levels low has been a big focus in the medical community for the past decade. It seems that a new cholesterol drug is introduced weekly to compete for the top spot. The most common type of cholesterol lowering medications are a class of drugs referred to as statins. This class represents such prescription drugs as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor, among many others. These drug do a fantastic job at lowering overall cholesterol levels. However, as with most prescription medications, there are many side effects to statin drugs. The most common of these side effects is mild to severe muscle pain and soreness.
As with most health conditions, I urge my patients to take an active role in becoming well. For patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), I will always advise diet modifications, exercise and nutritional supplementation before conforming to the norm and taking a prescribed medication. There are many supplements available that have shown promise in lowering cholesterol. Most of these supplements are never going to work as well as a prescription drug because they are not as potent. However, these supplements will not have the harmful side effects as their powerful prescription counterparts.
A new study has emerged in the Annals of Internal Medicine about a natural supplement that has been around for a long time. This supplement is called red yeast rice. The study showed very promising results in lowering total cholesterol levels when combined with a better diet and exercise. This was a small study, so more investigation into this supplement is necessary. You can read more about this study by clicking the following link: www.healinghandsofskokie.com/red-yeast-rice-study.html.
In addition to red yeast rice, supplements such as guggulipid (guggul extract), fish oils and pantethine have shown promise for lowering cholesterol. For more information, please visit www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/ or call us as (847) 673-6600!
As with most health conditions, I urge my patients to take an active role in becoming well. For patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), I will always advise diet modifications, exercise and nutritional supplementation before conforming to the norm and taking a prescribed medication. There are many supplements available that have shown promise in lowering cholesterol. Most of these supplements are never going to work as well as a prescription drug because they are not as potent. However, these supplements will not have the harmful side effects as their powerful prescription counterparts.
A new study has emerged in the Annals of Internal Medicine about a natural supplement that has been around for a long time. This supplement is called red yeast rice. The study showed very promising results in lowering total cholesterol levels when combined with a better diet and exercise. This was a small study, so more investigation into this supplement is necessary. You can read more about this study by clicking the following link: www.healinghandsofskokie.com/red-yeast-rice-study.html.
In addition to red yeast rice, supplements such as guggulipid (guggul extract), fish oils and pantethine have shown promise for lowering cholesterol. For more information, please visit www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/ or call us as (847) 673-6600!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Welcome to the Healing Hands Blog!
I would like to welcome readers to the blog for Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center. This is the first entry into this blog. The reason I began this blog was to give my patients and other members of the community a place to check in for the latest news in healthcare. Frequently, interesting healthcare studies and other health-related reports are released to the public. When I come across these studies, I will post them on this blog and link any relavent information to them. I encourage everyone to comment on their thoughts about what is reported!
To give a little background on myself, I was born and raised in Quincy, IL. I attended the University of Illinois and then continued into chiropractic at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL. After practicing in other clinics around the Chicagoland area, I established Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center in Skokie, IL with my partner Dr. Lisa Milosavljevic ("Dr. Milo"). Our clinic offers chiropractic, acupuncture, physical rehabilitation, custom foot orthotics and much more. Both Dr. Milo and myself come from medically-driven families. Between us, our immediate families include a family practice doctor, an OB-GYN, an ER physician, a surgeon and 3 nurses. We feel our expertise and the knowledge of those who surround us allow us to treat patients with a wide array of ailments.
For more information on us or Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center, please visit our website www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/ or call (847) 673-6600.
-Dr. Daniel Wiewel
To give a little background on myself, I was born and raised in Quincy, IL. I attended the University of Illinois and then continued into chiropractic at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL. After practicing in other clinics around the Chicagoland area, I established Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center in Skokie, IL with my partner Dr. Lisa Milosavljevic ("Dr. Milo"). Our clinic offers chiropractic, acupuncture, physical rehabilitation, custom foot orthotics and much more. Both Dr. Milo and myself come from medically-driven families. Between us, our immediate families include a family practice doctor, an OB-GYN, an ER physician, a surgeon and 3 nurses. We feel our expertise and the knowledge of those who surround us allow us to treat patients with a wide array of ailments.
For more information on us or Healing Hands Wellness & Chiropractic Center, please visit our website www.HealingHandsOfSkokie.com/ or call (847) 673-6600.
-Dr. Daniel Wiewel
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