Dr. Timothy Durnin's Blog

Sports Injuries – Part 2

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:01:18 +0000

Although there is no such thing as a “safe” sport, highly competitive sports, such as football, weightlifting, gymnastics, and wrestling, pose particularly higher risks of injuries, especially among children.

According to experts, as much as 20 percent of all sports-related injuries involve the lower back or neck. Running and weightlifting, and other sports that involve repetitive impact, expose children to a high risk for lumbar (lower back) injuries. Contact sports, such as soccer and football, expose the cervical spine, or neck, to injury. More than one-third of all high school football players sustain some type of injury. Soccer participants are easy candidates for mild to severe head traumas, neck injuries, cervical spine damage, headache, neck pain, dizziness, irritability, and insomnia. Heading the ball, the act of using the head to re-direct the soccer ball, has been linked with cervical injuries in children and adults. The trampoline and gymnastics also present significant risks for spinal cord injuries from unexpected and brute falls or contact with hard surfaces.

Here’s a look at some of the other common injuries by sport:

Bicycling – Poor posture can greatly increase your risks of a back injury during cycling. When riding a bike, your lower back is constantly flexing sideways and up and down. Upper back injuries can involve the flexing of the neck. And the bumps and jars incurred on the road during cycling can wreak havoc and possible compression injuries to your spine.

Golf – Common injuries incurred during the sport of golf usually involve muscle sprains and strains to the lower back.

Running/jogging – Running and jogging puts a great deal of stress on your back, since the constant pounding against a hard surface can jar, and possibly compress, structures such as vertebrae, joints, and discs.

Skiing – Skiing involves a great deal of twisting and turning motions, as well as jarring landings, all of which can cause muscle sprains and strains and in some cases, minor spinal fractures.

Swimming – Swimmers are known to incur lower back injuries. Motions such as the crawl or breaststroke can cause the lumbar region to be hyperextended. If the swimmer is not properly conditioned or warmed up, the hyperextension sometimes doesn’t subside.

Tennis – “Tennis elbow” is a layman’s term for pain on the lateral, or outside part of the elbow, on or near the bony protrusion. Tennis elbow is caused when the tendon from the elbow bone tears or is ruptured. It is no surprise that professional tennis players can become inflicted with this with all of the stress and strain they place on the joint during play. In addition, tennis players are in constant motion, and the repeated twisting and trunk rotations can cause injuries. Shoulder injuries and turned ankles and knees also are common. The act of serving the ball also has been shown to hyperextend the lower back, and possibly compress discs.

Weight lifting/body building – Body builders are at a significant risk for a host of serious back, shoulder, neck, and knee injuries. Resistance training has been known to cause muscle sprains and strains, ligament and tendon injuries, and in some cases, stress fractures (also called spondylolysis). Older people seem to be at higher risk since their bones and discs are more brittle.

http://www.chirolansing.com/library/3971/SportsInjuries.html

Sports Injuries – Part 1

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:01:47 +0000

Participation in sports or exercise is an important step in maintaining your health. Exercise strengthens your heart, bones, and joints and reduces stress, among many other benefits.

Unfortunately, injuries during participation in sports are all too common. Often, these injuries occur in someone who is just taking up sports as a form of activity, doesn’t use proper safety equipment, or becomes overzealous about the exercise regimen.

The more commonly injured areas of the body are the ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows, and spine. Remember that you should discuss any exercise program with your doctor of chiropractic before undertaking such activities.

Strains and Sprains
Although bones can sometimes be fractured with acute sports injuries, the most commonly injured structures are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Tendons attach muscles to bones, and ligaments attach one bone to another.

An acute twisting or overextension of a joint can lead to tears of muscles and tendons, called “strains,” and tears of ligaments result in “sprains.” These tears range from mild to severe. In mild injuries, just a few fibers are torn or stretched. Severe injuries, where there is a tear through the full thickness of the structure, are most often considered unstable injuries and frequently require surgical intervention. The intervertebral disc, a ligament between the vertebrae of the spine that works as a shock absorber, can also be torn, resulting in a disc bulge and/or herniation.

Ankle sprains most often involve tears of one or more of the ligaments along the outside of the ankle. Knee ligaments, including the larger external supportive ligaments and the smaller internal stabilizing ligaments, can also be torn. The cartilage on the back of the patella (knee-cap) can also become eroded from overuse, leading to a condition termed chondromalacia patella.

Tendinosis
In those who are training too much, overuse of a particular joint or joints in the body can result in pain and dysfunction. These injuries are called “overuse syndromes.” A common overuse injury is tendinosis, also called tendinitis. In this condition, the tendon becomes inflamed from repetitive use. In the shoulder, the rotator cuff (a complex of muscles that stabilizes and moves the shoulder) becomes inflamed, resulting in rotator cuff tendinitis. Tennis elbow is another form of tendinitis that occurs along the outside of the elbow, most commonly in tennis players. In golfer’s elbow, the tendons on the inside of the elbow are affected.

Stress Fractures
Some athletes may experience a stress fracture, also called a fatigue fracture. This type of fracture occurs when an abnormal amount of stress is placed on a normal bone. This might occur in a runner who rapidly increases the amount of mileage while training for a race. Stress fractures also occur in people who begin running as a form of exercise but overdo it from the start, rather than gradually progress to longer distances.

One final common injury is worth mentioning, and that is shin splints. This overuse injury is caused by microfractures on the front surface of the tibia (shin bone). This is most often seen in runners, although other athletes can also be affected.

Diagnosis and Treatment
Sports injuries are most often diagnosed from the history of the activity that brought on the pain, along with a physical examination. In some cases, x-rays are necessary to rule out a fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diagnostic ultrasound are also used in finding soft-tissue injuries, like tendinitis and sprains.

Fractures require the application of some stabilizing device, such as a cast, after the bone is put back into position. Rarely, surgical intervention is required. There is a relatively standard treatment protocol for most of the other overuse types of injuries. This protocol involves the following:

Rest
Generally no more than 48 hours of rest and/or immobilization is needed, depending on the severity of the injury. In most cases, the sooner the person becomes active after an injury, the more rapid is the recovery. In fact, long-term immobilization can sometimes be harmful to recovery. Your doctor of chiropractic will guide this process, as too early a return to activity, choosing the wrong type of activity, or excessive activity can be detrimental.

Ice or heat
Ice or heat can be helpful with pain reduction and tissue healing.

Compression
Compression of the area may reduce the amount of swelling from the injury. Your doctor of chiropractic will determine if this will be beneficial in your case.

Elevation
Elevation of the injured arm or leg above the level of the heart is thought to be helpful in reducing swelling.

Pain relievers
Recent research has demonstrated that some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may actually slow the healing process by restricting the body’s natural healing mechanisms, so they should be used sparingly.

Joint manipulation
Recent research has shown us that, in some cases, joint manipulation can be helpful with pain reduction and more rapid recovery. Your doctor of chiropractic will determine if this procedure will be helpful in your case.

A Word about Prevention
In many cases, sports injuries can be prevented. Proper conditioning and warm-up and cool-down procedures, as well as appropriate safety equipment, can substantially reduce injuries. Understanding proper techniques can also go a long way toward preventing injuries.
Sufficient water intake is also an important preventive measure.

Source: http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=3135

Also see Lansing Chiropractic Clinic’s website for more information on sports injuries. http://www.chirolansing.com/library/3971/SportsInjuries.html

What is Niacin?

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:00:31 +0000

Niacin (vitamin B3, nicotinic acid), Niacinamide

Background

Vitamin B3 is made up of niacin (nicotinic acid) and its amide, niacinamide, and can be found in many foods, including yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereal grains. Dietary tryptophan is also converted to niacin in the body. Vitamin B3 is often found in combination with other B vitamins including thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, and folic acid.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/niacin/NS_patient-niacin

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Key to grades

Grading rationale

High cholesterol (niacin) Niacin is a well-accepted treatment for high cholesterol. Multiple studies show that niacin (not niacinamide) has significant benefits on levels of high-density cholesterol (HDL or “good cholesterol”), with better results than prescription drugs such as “statins” like atorvastatin (Lipitor®). There are also benefits on levels of low-density cholesterol (LDL or “bad cholesterol”), although these effects are less dramatic. Adding niacin to a second drug such as a statin may increase the effects on low-density lipoproteins. The use of niacin for the treatment of dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes has been controversial because of the possibility of worsening glycemic control. Patients should check with a physician and pharmacist before starting niacin.
Pellagra (niacin) Niacin (vitamin B3) and niacinamide are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment of niacin deficiency. Pellagra is a nutritional disease that develops due to insufficient dietary amounts of vitamin B3 or the chemical it is made from, tryptophan. Symptoms of pellagra include skin disease, diarrhea, dementia, and depression.
Atherosclerosis (niacin) Niacin decreases blood levels of cholesterol and lipoprotein (a), which may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (“hardening” of the arteries). However, niacin also can increase homocysteine levels, which may have the opposite effect. Overall, the scientific evidence supports the use of niacin in combination with other drugs (but not alone) to decrease cholesterol and slow the process of atherosclerosis. More research is needed in this area before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
Prevention of a second heart attack (niacin) Niacin decreases levels of cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), and fibrinogen, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. However, niacin also increases homocysteine levels, which can increase this risk. Numerous studies have looked at the effects of niacin, alone and in combination with other drugs, for the prevention of heart disease and fatal heart attacks. Overall, this research suggests benefits of niacin, especially when combined with other cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) Niacin may benefit the choroidal blood vessels, which underlie the region of the retina called the macula. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may result from disrupted blood flow in the choroidal vessels. Studies suggest that niacin may be used to treat AMD, but more well-designed studies are needed.
Alzheimer’s disease/ cognitive decline Dementia can be caused by severe niacin insufficiency, but it is unclear whether variation in intake of niacin in the usual diet is linked to neurodegenerative decline or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.
Diabetes (Type 1/Type 2) Niacinamide may prevent diabetes or delay the need for insulin. More research is needed to determine if niacinamide delays or prevents the onset of insulin dependence in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Niacin has been used to treat dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes. However, this treatment has been controversial because it may worsen glycemic control. Patients should seek medical advice before starting niacin.
Headaches There is not enough information about the treatment or prevention of headaches with niacin. More research is needed.
High blood phosphorous level (hyperphosphatemia) Niacinamide may reduce the high serum phosphate levels in hyperphosphatemia. However, more research is needed before niacinamide can be used to treat hyperphosphatemia.
Osteoarthritis (niacinamide) Preliminary human studies suggest that niacinamide may be useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.
Skin conditions Niacinamide has been used in skin care products, including moisturizers, anti-aging products, and rosacea treatments. The benefits of niacinamide in skin care needs to be further studied before recommendations are made.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus prevention (niacinamide) Niacinamide (not niacin) does not appear to delay the development of diabetes mellitus (type 1). Evidence is mixed and more study is needed in this area.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/niacin/NS_patient-niacin/DSECTION=evidence

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) – Studies show benefits for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:00:14 +0000

Studies of MSM have suggested some benefits, particularly for treatment of osteoarthritis.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH₃)₂SO₂. It is also known by several other names including DMSO2, methyl sulfone, and dimethyl sulfone.^[1] This colorless solid features the sulfonyl functional group and is considered relatively inert chemically. It occurs naturally in some primitive plants and is present in small amounts in many foods and beverages and it is marketed as a dietary supplement.

Methylsulfonylmethane

Evidence from clinical trials

Small-scale studies of possible treatments with MSM have been conducted on both animals and humans. These studies of MSM have suggested some benefits, particularly for treatment of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis

A review by S. Brien, P. Prescott, N. Bashir, H. Lewith and G. Lewith of the two small randomized controlled trials of methylsulfonylmethane in osteoarthritis knee pain relief^[11]^[12] ”reported significant improvement in pain outcomes in the treatment group compared to comparator treatments; however, methodological issues and concerns over optimal dosage and treatment period were highlighted.”^[13]

The two trials included only 168 people, of whom 52 actually received the drug, so the review authors are careful to state: “No definitive conclusion can currently be drawn” and there is no “definitive evidence that MSM is superior to placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.”^[13] While one of the two studies suggests that taking MSM for 12 weeks or less may be safe, “further research is needed to assess its safety for long-term use.”^[14] Side effects of MSM ingestion include stomach upset, diarrhoea and headache.^[14] In the absence of studies into dosage, longer-term safety and definitive efficacy trials, MSM must be considered experimental and should not be self-administered or prescribed outside clinical trials.^[14]

After several reports that MSM helped arthritis in animal models, one study by P.R. Usha et al. had suggested that 1.5 g per day MSM (alone or in combination with glucosamine sulfate) was helpful in relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.^[12] The Usha clinical trial, however, was outsourced to India and conducted by researchers with little prior experience in clinical trials; tests were described without associated data, while some results were unsupported by the data that was shown. K.S. Jayaraman has warned that such outsourcing of clinical trials can be “rash” and “risky,” citing deficient ethics committees as well as an unethical approach to patient recruitment.^[15]

Kim et al. conducted a second clinical trial of MSM for treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Twenty-five patients took 6 g/day MSM and 25 patients took a placebo for 12 weeks. Ten patients did not complete the study, and intention to treat analysis was performed. Patients who took MSM reported reduced pain and improved physical function, but no evidence was found of a more general anti-inflammatory effect; there were no significant changes in two measures of systemic inflammation: C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.^[11] Not counting an unpublished, no-control group trial by Lawrence, these two articles are the only clinical-trial support for MSM for osteoarthritis.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylsulfonylmethane

Muscle and Body Aches?

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:30:07 +0000

Muscle and Body Aches? – Why not begin your chiropractic experience in the latest generation of relaxation technology with a state of the art zero-gravity deluxe massage chair.

Experience the ultimate relaxation of Swedish or Shiatsu-style massage with REAL Rollers. Now you can say goodbye to stress in this NASA-inspired near zero gravity position. Imagine countless hands and fingers slowly, continuously kneading and rolling your tired aching muscles. Powerful rolling wheels closely duplicate the hand movements of massage—kneading, stretching, tapping, rolling to de-stress stiff and achy muscles. You’re in heaven! Before you know it, all the day’s stress have melted away.

Zero gravity design
Designed with a set of S-track movable intelligent massage robot, special focus on the neck, shoulder and lumbar massage according to body curve
Automatically detect the whole body curve as well as make micro adjustments, which brings more humanistic and scientific massage enjoyment
Designed with six unique auto-programs: Healthcare, Relax, Therapy, Smart, Circulation and Demo
Automatic massage for the upper body (shoulder, neck, back and lumbar), the low body (buttock, thigh, calves and feet)
Manual massage for the upper body with three options, full body, partial and fixed
Six Massage styles - rolling, kneading, clapping, shiatsu, Swedish and combo
With five levels of speed & intensity
Three kinds of width adjustable settings, Wide, Medium and narrow
Air pressure massage for back (two airbags), with five intensity options
Air pressure for lower body (twenty-six airbags), with five intensity options
Powerful vibration massage for buttocks
Calf rest can be lifted and stretched, backrest can be lifted
LCD displayer
Auto timer 5-30 options
Wireless mini-controller
32 air bags, 10 in the feet, 10 in the calves, 3 in the seat and 2 in the back. 2 in the shoulders, 3 neck & 3 in the hips
Air & Vibration Arm Massage
Hip Air Massage
Vibration Seat Massage
Lower Back Heat Therapy
Air Squeeze Neck massage
Shoulder Air Massage

Our office is fully equipped with these extraordinary massage chairs. Located in Lansing, Illinois for over 60 years, Lansing Chiropractic Clinic is a leader in herniated disc treatment and pain management. Give us a call at 708-895-3228 to set up an appointment today.

Glucosamine Sulfate Research – Double Blind Study

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:00:59 +0000

Glucosamine Sulfate Use and Delay of Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis

A 3-Year, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-blind Study

Karel Pavelká, MD, PhD; Jindriska Gatterová, MD; Marta Olejarová, MD; Stanislav Machacek, MD; Giampaolo Giacovelli, PhD; Lucio C. Rovati, MD

Arch Intern Med. 2002;162:2113-2123.

Background Conventional symptomatic treatments for osteoarthritisdo not favorably affect disease progression. The aim of thisrandomized, placebo-controlled trial was to determine whetherlong-term (3-year) treatment with glucosamine sulfate can modifythe progression of joint structure and symptom changes in kneeosteoarthritis, as previously suggested.

Methods Two hundred two patients with knee osteoarthritis(using American College of Rheumatology criteria) were randomizedto receive oral glucosamine sulfate, 1500 mg once a day, orplacebo. Changes in radiographic minimum joint space width weremeasured in the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral joint,and symptoms were assessed using the algo-functional indexesof Lequesne and WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities).

Results Osteoarthritis was of mild to moderate severityat enrollment, with average joint space widths of slightly lessthan 4 mm and a Lequesne index score of less than 9 points.Progressive joint space narrowing with placebo use was -0.19mm (95% confidence interval, -0.29 to -0.09 mm) after 3 years.Conversely, there was no average change with glucosamine sulfateuse (0.04 mm; 95% confidence interval, -0.06 to 0.14 mm), with asignificant difference between groups (P = .001). Fewer patientstreated with glucosamine sulfate experienced predefined severe narrowings(>0.5 mm): 5% vs 14% (P = .05). Symptoms improved modestlywith placebo use but as much as 20% to 25% with glucosamine sulfateuse, with significant final differences on the Lequesne indexand the WOMAC total index and pain, function, and stiffnesssubscales. Safety was good and without differences between groups.

Conclusion Long-term treatment with glucosamine sulfateretarded the progression of knee osteoarthritis, possibly determiningdisease modification.

From the Department of Medicine and Rheumatology, Charles University (Dr Pavelká), and the Institute of Rheumatology (Drs Pavelká, Gatterová, Olejarová, and Machacek), Prague, Czech Republic; and the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Rotta Research Laboratorium, Monza, Italy (Drs Giacovelli and Rovati).

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What is Glucosamine?

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:00:07 +0000

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a normal constituent of glycoaminoglycans in cartilage matrix and synovial fluid.

Available evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee. It is believed that the sulfate moiety provides clinical benefit in the synovial fluid by strengthening cartilage and aiding glycosaminoglycan synthesis. If this hypothesis is confirmed, it would mean that only the glucosamine sulfate form is effective and non-sulfated glucosamine forms are not effective.

Glucosamine is commonly taken in combination with chondroitin, a glycosaminoglycan derived from articular cartilage. Use of complementary therapies, including glucosamine, is common in patients with osteoarthritis, and may allow for reduced doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glucosamine/NS_patient-glucosamine

Evidence

Key to grades

Grading rationale

Knee osteoarthritis (mild-to-moderate) Based on human research, there is good evidence to support the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis. Most studies have used glucosamine sulfate supplied by one European manufacturer (Rotta Research Laboratorium), and it is not known if glucosamine preparations made by other manufacturers are equally effective. Although some studies of glucosamine have not found benefits, these have either included patients with severe osteoarthritis or used products other than glucosamine sulfate . The evidence for the effect of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate is conflicting and merits further investigation. More well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness, and to test different formulations of glucosamine.
Osteoarthritis (general) Several human studies and animal experiments report benefits of glucosamine in treating osteoarthritis of various joints of the body, although the evidence is less plentiful than that for knee osteoarthritis. Some of these benefits include pain relief, possibly due to an anti-inflammatory effect of glucosamine, and improved joint function. Overall, these studies have not been well designed. Although there is some promising research, more study is needed in this area before a firm conclusion can be made.
Chronic venous insufficiency “Chronic venous insufficiency” is a syndrome that includes leg swelling, varicose veins, pain, itching, skin changes, and skin ulcers. The term is more commonly used in Europe than in the United States. Currently, there is not enough reliable scientific evidence to recommend glucosamine in the treatment of this condition.
Diabetes (and related conditions) Early research suggests that glucosamine does not improve blood sugar control, lipid levels, or apolipoprotein levels in diabetics. Additional research is needed in this area.
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) Preliminary research reports improvements with N-acetyl glucosamine as an added therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Further scientific evidence is necessary before a strong recommendation can be made.
Pain (leg pain) Preliminary human research reports benefits of injected glucosamine plus chondroitin in the treatment of leg pain arising from advanced lumbar degenerative disc disease. Further scientific evidence is necessary before a firm recommendation can be made.
Rehabilitation (after knee injury) Glucosamine has been given to athletes with acute knee injuries. Although glucosamine did not improve pain, it did help improve flexibility. Additional research is needed to confirm these early findings.
Rheumatoid arthritis Early human research reports benefits of glucosamine in the treatment of joint pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis. In other research, glucosamine did not exert anti-rheumatic effects, but it did improve symptoms of the disease. However, this is early information, and additional research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can be complicated, and a qualified healthcare provider should follow patients with this disease.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders There is a lack of sufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of glucosamine (or the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin) in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.
High cholesterol Glucosamine does not appear to alter LDL or HDL levels in patients with chronic joint pain or diabetes.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glucosamine/NS_patient-glucosamine/DSECTION=evidence

Press Release: Effective Treatment for Osteoarthritis – Glucosamine Sulfate

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:19:23 +0000

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common complaints that presents to our office on a daily basis which fortunately can be treated effectively with a supplement known as Glucosamine sulfate.

In the past few decades, extremely favorable and extensive research has shown that Glucosamine sulfate at the pharmaceutical grade level may have tremendous therapeutic effects that will mitigate both the pain and progression of the disease, Osteoarthritis. The study also concluded that many of the participants had reversal of the cartilaginous destruction proven by x-ray analysis. This research was born out of successful outcomes from animal studies and application in veterinarian practice showing remarkable improvements in pets of all breeds. This led to the FDA funding a 22 million dollar double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial which in turn was followed up by many other large studies showing efficacy rates superior to all other oral therapeutic pharmacological medications.

Our facility prides itself in supplying only the absolute purest and most effective pharmaceutical grade Glucosamine on the market. Please don’t hesitate to ask the Doctor about your joint pain. I cannot make this point more clear that buying cheap supplements will result in expensive urine.

Call my office at 708-895-3228 or visit our website to learn more about the services at Lansing Chiropractic Clinic!

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Timothy Durnin

LINKS TO GLUCOSAMINE STUDIES -

Glucosamine definition from Mayo Clinic Site - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glucosamine/NS_patient-glucosamine

Glucosamine Health Grades from Mayo Clinic Site - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glucosamine/NS_patient-glucosamine/DSECTION=evidence

Glucosamine Sulfate Use and Delay of Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis - A 3-Year, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-blind Study - http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/162/18/2113

Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis - http://www.donausa.com/images/randd/(Pavelka)%20Arch%20Int%20Med%202002.pdf

Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Treament of Osteoarthritis A Systematic Quality Assessment and Meta-analysis - http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/283/11/1469.short

Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/adis/cdi/2004/00000024/00000006/art00005

Glucosamine sulfate reduces osteoarthritis progression in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: evidence from two 3-year studies - http://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2004/11020/Glucosamine_sulfate_reduces_osteoarthritis.4.aspx

Research Supporting Chiropractic

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:27:37 +0000

Numerous studies have shown that chiropractic treatment is both safe and effective. The following are excerpts from a few of the more recent studies. By examining the research supporting chiropractic care, you will find that chiropractic offers tremendous potential in meeting today’s health care challenges.

For Acute and Chronic Pain

“Patients with chronic low-back pain treated by chiropractors showed greater improvement and satisfaction at one month than patients treated by family physicians. Satisfaction scores were higher for chiropractic patients. A higher proportion of chiropractic patients (56 percent vs. 13 percent) reported that their low-back pain was better or much better, whereas nearly one-third of medical patients reported their low-back pain was worse or much worse.”

– Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Nyiendo et al. (2000),

In a Randomized controlled trial, 183 patients with neck pain were randomly allocated to manual therapy (spinal mobilization), physiotherapy (mainly exercise) or general practitioner care (counseling, education and drugs) in a 52-week study. The clinical outcomes measures showed that manual therapy resulted in faster recovery than physiotherapy and general practitioner care. Moreover, total costs of the manual therapy-treated patients were about one-third of the costs of physiotherapy or general practitioner care.

– British Medical Journal, Korthals-de Bos et al. (2003)

In Comparison to Other Treatment Alternatives

“Acute and chronic chiropractic patients experienced better outcomes in pain, functional disability, and patient satisfaction; clinically important differences in pain and disability improvement were found for chronic patients.”

– Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Haas et al. (2005)

“In our randomized, controlled trial, we compared the effectiveness of manual therapy, physical therapy, and continued care by a general practitioner in patients with nonspecific neck pain. The success rate at seven weeks was twice as high for the manual therapy group (68.3 percent) as for the continued care group (general practitioner). Manual therapy scored better than physical therapy on all outcome measures. Patients receiving manual therapy had fewer absences from work than patients receiving physical therapy or continued care, and manual therapy and physical therapy each resulted in statistically significant less analgesic use than continued care.”

– Annals of Internal Medicine, Hoving et al. (2002)

For Headaches

“Cervical spine manipulation was associated with significant improvement in headache outcomes in trials involving patients with neck pain and/or neck dysfunction and headache.”

– Duke Evidence Report, McCrory, Penzlen, Hasselblad, Gray (2001)

“The results of this study show that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches. . . Four weeks after cessation of treatment . . . the patients who received spinal manipulative therapy experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in all major outcomes in contrast to the patients that received amitriptyline therapy, who reverted to baseline values.” ‘

– Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Boline et al. (1995)

Cost Effectiveness

“Chiropractic care appeared relatively cost-effective for the treatment of chronic low-back pain. Chiropractic and medical care performed comparably for acute patients. Practice-based clinical outcomes were consistent with systematic reviews of spinal manipulative efficacy: manipulation-based therapy is at least as good as and, in some cases, better than other therapeusis.”

– Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Haas et al. (2005)

Patient Satisfaction

“Chiropractic patients were found to be more satisfied with their back care providers after four weeks of treatment than were medical patients. Results from observational studies suggested that back pain patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than with medical care. Additionally, studies conclude that patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than they were with physical therapy after six weeks.”

– American Journal of Public Health, Hertzman-Miller et al. (2002)

Popularity of Chiropractic

“Chiropractic is the largest, most regulated, and best recognized of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) professions. CAM patient surveys show that chiropractors are used more often than any other alternative provider group and patient satisfaction with chiropractic care is very high. There is steadily increasing patient use of chiropractic in the United States, which has tripled in the past two decades.”

– Annals of Internal Medicine, Meeker and Haldeman (2002)

Call my office at 708-895-3228 or visit our website to learn more about the services at Lansing Chiropractic Clinic!

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Timothy Durnin

Today’s Fashion Can Be Tomorrow’s Pain

Dr. Timothy Durnin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:00:11 +0000

Looking your best might not always be the best thing for you. Today’s society is extremely fashion and style conscious. Unfortunately, clothing designers and stylists aim to please by creating unique looks that might not always be practical or even comfortable.

The look of the season shows runway models in high platform heels and tight skirts or pants. Models have perfected the runway “walk,” but the popular looks and accessories are frequently impractical and could create leg, back, and spine or neck problems. “Sometimes I see a woman walking down the street with high heels and a two-ton bag, and I want to stop her and make her aware of what she is doing to her body,” said ACA president Dr. Richard Brassard.

Women generally wear high heels to complement an outfit, not for comfort, but some might not realize that these shoes can cause serious discomfort in the feet and can also exacerbate back pain. High heels alter the balanced position of a person’s body. When a woman wears high heels, a new dynamic equilibrium occurs. Dr. Brassard compared the musculoskeletal system to a mobile, hanging in dynamic equilibrium, each part balancing the other. If one part becomes ‘fixed,’ the whole system will compensate with a movement or restriction. Essentially, wearing high heels for any length of time increases the normal forward curve of the back and causes the pelvis to tip forward. This alters the normal configuration of the pelvis and spine necessary for the body to maintain a center of gravity.”The legs are the foundation of the musculoskeletal system, and a person standing flat-footed or bare-footed would be completely balanced,” said Dr. Brassard. “While standing, the hamstrings are taut and both parts of the pelvis are stabilized so that the support is normal. By bringing the heel up, you encourage the shortness of the hamstring muscles.”Women and men alike fall into the fashion trap.

However, women, more than men, tend to wear clothes that are too tight. Stylish tight tube skirts and tight pants can be attractive, but are often too restrictive. Clothes that are too tight throw a person off-balance, and simple everyday tasks such as bending, sitting and walking become difficult. “Tight clothes restrict a person from moving comfortably, resulting in poor posture and misalignment of the spine,” said Dr. Brassard.

Another unhealthy fashion statement is the use of heavy purses, backpacks and handbags. Women and men tend to carry too many items in one bag, or briefcase, and are often not aware of the potential health risks associated with toting an excessive amount of “stuff.” Carrying a bag with detectable weight-more than 10 percent of your body weight-can cause improper balance. When hiked over one shoulder, it interferes with the natural movement of the upper and lower body. “The person carrying the bag will hike one shoulder to subconsciously guard against the weight, holding the other shoulder immobile,” said Dr. Brassard. “This results in the unnatural counterbalance movement of one shoulder and little control over the movements of the arms and legs. Even worse, the spine curves toward the shoulder.”More and more people carry their credit cards, ATM cards and personal identification in the back pocket of their pants. This might be a convenient way of carrying the necessary items with you each day, but carrying your wallet in the back pocket of your pants can cause discomfort.

Dr. Brassard suggested men and women remove their wallets or other items before sitting for long periods of time. “Sitting on your wallet or card holder for the entire day will create a pocket in the muscle lying underneath the wallet, and whether your pants are tight or loose-fitting, this can result in discomfort or pain.”

In today’s society, it might be important to you to look fashionable, but it is more important to choose clothes, shoes and bags that are comfortable and that suit your style. By following and remembering these simple steps, it is possible to look and feel your best.

Choose comfortable shoes. If you must wear high heels, bring a pair of flat shoes along with you to change into should you become uncomfortable. If you walk to work, wear flat shoes and change into your more fashionable shoes when you arrive to alleviate any pain or discomfort.
If the shoe is uncomfortable while standing, chances are it will not be any more comfortable while walking. The wrong shoe can affect the body’s center of gravity.
Choose supportive shoes. Designer spikes or non-supportive loafers may look nice but do not allow for easy, symmetrical walking.
While sitting, whether or not you are wearing heels, it is important to take frequent stretch breaks to alleviate atrophy of the hamstring muscles.
Avoid excessive wear of tight pants or clothing. If you prefer tighter clothes, choose styles that allow you to perform daily tasks with ease.
Select a briefcase or purse with a wide adjustable strap. Ideally, the strap should be long enough to place over the head. This evenly distributes the bulk of the weight across the body.
When carrying a bag, or briefcase, switch sides frequently to avoid placing the burden of the weight on one side of your body.
Take the time to empty unnecessary items from your bag.
Place all necessary items-such as wallets and cellular phones-in the front pockets of the bag. Stretching around to reach for your wallet can result in a pulled neck or back.
If you are driving or sitting for long periods of time, remove your wallet or card holder from the back pocket of your pants.
Think about your daily tasks. If your clothes affect your movements, consider outfits that fit your lifestyle.

Designers and stylists tend to be more concerned about the way something looks rather than the way it feels. Listen to your body. One of the most important aspects of being in style and looking your best is to maintain healthy judgement. By following simple suggestions, being fashionable can be comfortable.

Source: ACA

Call us at 708-895-3228 or visit our website to learn more about our services!

Thanks for reading,

Dr. Timothy Durnin

Dr. Timothy Durnin's Blog

Sports Injuries – Part 2

Although there is no such thing as a “safe” sport, highly competitive sports, such as football, weightlifting, gymnastics, and wrestling, pose particularly higher risks of injuries, especially among children.

Here’s a look at some of the other common injuries by sport:

Sports Injuries – Part 1

Participation in sports or exercise is an important step in maintaining your health. Exercise strengthens your heart, bones, and joints and reduces stress, among many other benefits.

What is Niacin?

Niacin (vitamin B3, nicotinic acid), Niacinamide

Evidence

High cholesterol (niacin)

Pellagra (niacin)

Atherosclerosis (niacin)

Prevention of a second heart attack (niacin)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Alzheimer’s disease/ cognitive decline

Diabetes (Type 1/Type 2)

Headaches

High blood phosphorous level (hyperphosphatemia)

Osteoarthritis (niacinamide)

Skin conditions

Type 1 diabetes mellitus prevention (niacinamide)

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) – Studies show benefits for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Studies of MSM have suggested some benefits, particularly for treatment of osteoarthritis.

Evidence from clinical trials

Osteoarthritis

Muscle and Body Aches?

Muscle and Body Aches? – Why not begin your chiropractic experience in the latest generation of relaxation technology with a state of the art zero-gravity deluxe massage chair.

Glucosamine Sulfate Research – Double Blind Study

What is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine

Evidence

Knee osteoarthritis (mild-to-moderate)

Osteoarthritis (general)

Chronic venous insufficiency

Diabetes (and related conditions)

Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

Pain (leg pain)

Rehabilitation (after knee injury)

Rheumatoid arthritis

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

High cholesterol

Press Release: Effective Treatment for Osteoarthritis – Glucosamine Sulfate

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common complaints that presents to our office on a daily basis which fortunately can be treated effectively with a supplement known as Glucosamine sulfate.

Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis - http://www.donausa.com/images/randd/(Pavelka)%20Arch%20Int%20Med%202002.pdf

Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/adis/cdi/2004/00000024/00000006/art00005

Glucosamine sulfate reduces osteoarthritis progression in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: evidence from two 3-year studies - http://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2004/11020/Glucosamine_sulfate_reduces_osteoarthritis.4.aspx

Research Supporting Chiropractic

Today’s Fashion Can Be Tomorrow’s Pain

Looking your best might not always be the best thing for you. Today’s society is extremely fashion and style conscious. Unfortunately, clothing designers and stylists aim to please by creating unique looks that might not always be practical or even comfortable.