Benefits of Cox Flexion Distraction: A Spinal Decompression Therapy

July 13th, 2010

By: Dr. Patterson

Spinal decompression tables have been around in various forms for many years. Currently, I am one of only three doctors certified in Cox Flexion Distraction in the State of Kansas. This form of spinal manipulation uses decompression of the spine, but it is quite unique compared to other decompression tables.

Let’s look at some differences between the different types of traction devices. With traditional traction tables, the patient lies on their back. A belt or harness is placed around the ribs and a second belt is placed around the pelvis or hips. A percentage of your body weight is calculated, which determines the amount of force with which the table is going to pull. These tables pull straight out (axial distraction). There is no control over which vertebrae move. New tables such as the IDD and DRX9000 tables work on a similar principle. One of the main differences I see in these newer tables is their ability to pull at an additional angle. The idea is that they are going to try to isolate a particular vertebra. The problem is, no one actually has their hand on your spine to know if the vertebra they are trying to isolate really moves, and if it does, how much it moves.

Cox Flexion Distraction manipulation has many advantages over these other tables. The first advantage is that it allows me to be much more specific in isolating each vertebra. While the patient lies on their stomach, I place my hand one at a time on the individual vertebra. While blocking this vertebra with my hand, I manually bend the bottom of the table down until I feel that specific joint separate. This allows me to apply just the right amount of decompression to that vertebra. I can then move to the next joint and decompress it. Different joints require different amounts of decompression due to the varying degrees of arthritis, muscle activity and inflammation at each joint. Another advantage to Cox manipulation is that I can move each joint through all of its normal motions while it is decompressed. Most decompression tables only allow one motion, while a Cox table allows me to introduce flexion, extension, side to side bending, circumduction, rotation, and axial distraction.

People usually want to know if decompression with a Cox table is covered by their insurance. If your insurance plan covers spinal manipulation adjustments, then the answer is yes. This is taught and recognized as a form of manipulation because it is a “hands on,” skilled procedure. Other tables only require a technician or assistant to set you up on the table. Medicare, does not cover the IDD and DRX9000, but will cover Cox Flexion Distraction.

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Exercise: Activity and Mental Health in Women

July 9th, 2010

For those of you with teenage daughters or granddaughters, I thought you might find this article interesting. We normally think of exercise as a benefit for our children’s physical health. This study indicates that it may have some real benefits for their long term mental health as well. I would encourage your kids to exercise whether they are boys or girls.

Exercise: Activity and Mental Health in Women

People who are physically active appear to be at lower risk for cognitive impairment late in life, and for women, a new study suggests, physical activity during the teenage years may provide the greatest benefit.

The study used data about 9,395 women 65 and older, most of them white, who participated in a multicenter study of osteoporotic fractures. They were asked whether they had been physically active on a regular basis during their teenage years and at ages 30, 50 and later. Their cognitive function was also assessed.

(Read more)

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Chiropractor Dr. Robert Patterson Reviews Social Media Marketing for Health Care Industry

July 2nd, 2010

Dr. Robert Patterson, Chiropractor & Internal Health Specialist of Overland Chiropractic recently reviewed social media marketing for the health care industry, which was published on bussinessweek.com.

Read it here.

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Couch to 5k Training Program-Overland Chiropractic Takes the Challenge

June 24th, 2010

By: Dr. Patterson

Have you ever thought about starting a running program but didn’t know where to start? If you have never run before, I recommend that you start out with more of a walking/jogging program. It takes time to build up your body. Don’t be so impatient that you hurt yourself. Patients frequently tell me “no pain, no gain.” For the most part, I do not subscribe to this theory. Your body has a pain mechanism for a reason. Learn to differentiate between the normal fatigue/discomfort of exercise and pain that leads to injury.

Recently, my wife decided that she wanted to set a goal of running in a 5K event, which is just over 3 miles. She has walked off and on over the years, but has never done any running. She began researching various programs for beginners and settled on the “Couch to 5k.” This is designed for people who have been couch potatoes and begins to turn them into runners over a 9 week period. I have been working with her for the past three weeks and have found it to be a very sensible program. The first week you don’t run for more than 1 minute at any given time before walking again. Each week the training becomes progressively harder. If you need to spread it out and repeat some of the training weeks, it is perfectly fine.

I want to give you a few tips before getting started:

1. Buy properly-fitting shoes that are designed for running. The first thing I did for my wife was take her down to a local running store to get new shoes. If you have read my previous blogs, you will find that good foot mechanics and proper shoes are a recurring theme in preventing all kinds of injuries. If you have had previous injuries, such as plantar fasciitis or shin splints, you may consider getting fitted for custom orthotics before buying shoes.

2. Buy a heart rate monitor. There are many different monitors on the market. After doing some research, I opted to purchase a monitor with a chest strap that sends the information wirelessly to a wrist band. They seem to be more accurate than those that take your pulse from the wrist. There are additional features available such as monitoring your target heart rate and your maximum heart rate, and then giving you an average heart rate over your walk/run. It has been a great tool to keep my wife within safe parameters during the training sessions. She also records each session on the computer and has already begun to see her maximum heart rate dropping. Seeing measurable improvement gives her encouragement and motivation to continue.

3. Buy a stopwatch. I purchased a cheap stopwatch for around $10. Over the course of “couch to 5K”, you walk and run at variable intervals. Using a stopwatch makes this an easy task.

If you would like more information on the “Couch to 5K” program, you can go to coolrunning.com for more information. For questions regarding orthotics or injuries, call our office at 913-345-9247.

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Dr. Patterson on MSNBC.com

June 18th, 2010

Read it here.

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Overland Park Chiropractor, Dr. Robert Patterson, Featured on Fox4 TV

June 17th, 2010

Overland Park Chiropractor and Internal Health Specialist Dr. Robert Patterson was featured on Fox4 Television’s June 5 morning show regarding Summer Health Tips.

Watch the interview.

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Can Chiropractic Care Alleviate Arthritis Pain?

June 10th, 2010

By: Dr. Patterson

I am often asked if the chiropractic care that we provide can ever help arthritis pain. The short answer is yes. With flexion distraction manipulation, we gently move the decompressed joints through their various ranges of motion. This helps to “un-stick” the joints, improve motion, and reduce pain. It does not remove the arthritis, but it improves your function.

Consider this analogy. If you have ever looked closely at a rusty door hinge, you will see that the metal is pitted and rough. The hinge squeaks, and the door has limited motion. You get the WD-40 from the garage and spray it on the rusty hinge. After working the door back and forth, the squeak goes away. If you look closely at the hinge again, the metal is still pitted, but the door moves better. So it is with our spine and arthritis. The arthritis is pitted with rough cartilage lining our joints. Our chiropractic treatment is the WD-40 that helps those squeaky joints. The arthritic changes are still present, but the joint functions better and pain is usually reduced.

There are varying degrees of arthritis just as there are varying degrees of rust on hinges. Some can be helped more than others. We periodically adjust the joints to keep them moving better, and to slow the progression of the arthritis.

Have your spine checked regularly to lessen the effects of arthritis.

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Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Robert Patterson to be Featured on Fox4 TV Saturday, June 5 at 7:50 a.m.

June 3rd, 2010

Healthy Summer Living Tips

Injury Prevention Take a few minutes to stretch before performing yard work or walking which can go a long way in preventing injury. Here are a few things that you can do while outside.

Stretch the muscle but stop short of producing pain.

Hold the stretch for a count of 8-10 seconds.

Stretch the muscle 2-4 times depending upon how tight you feel.

Hamstrings – Find a stair step or short stool to stretch the back of your leg. Keep your back straight and rotate from your hips. Bending out of your back can produce undo strain.

Quadriceps – Hold on to a chair or put your hand against a wall for balance. Keep your back straight – arching backwards will jam the joints.
Avoid strain on your knee by pulling your heel backwards, instead of up to the buttocks.

Psoas/Front of the hip- Step out with one foot and glide forward while keeping your back straight. You should feel stretch in the front of the hip that is straight.

Shoulders – Stretch your arm across the front of your body as well as overhead. This stretches your shoulders and middle back.

Side bends- While keeping your back straight, put one arm over your head and bend to the opposite side.

Squat- Squatting while holding onto a chair or table is a good way to stretch
your low back.

Calf – Stretching your calves can be done one of two ways. The first way is to lean against the wall and extend one hip backward. Push your heel on that side down to the ground to stretch the calf. Keep your back straight. The second way to stretch the calf is to stand with your toes on the edge of a step. Slowly lower your heels so that they are lower than your toes.

Inner thigh/Groin Stretch- Point your toes forward. Keep your back straight and your pelvis level as you glide to one side and hold.

Start an Exercise Program – Too many people start programs in January as part of a New Year’s resolution. That’s great if you can stick with it, but I believe winter weather makes it difficult to form those new habits. The weather becomes an excuse to avoid walking outside or going to the gym.

Start simple. Begin walking several times per week. Walk for 15-20 minutes to begin with. You can gradually increase your time. You should walk at a pace at which you could still carry on a conversation with another person. If you have enough air that you could sing while you walk, then you need to step up the pace a little. If you can find a walking partner, that’s even better. It will give you accountability.

Wear good shoes. Good support will reduce strain on your feet, as well as your knees, hips and spine. If one of your arches appears flatter than the other when you are standing, you may need custom orthotics to compensate and reduce your risk of injury.

Stretch before you walk. Again, this will reduce your chances for injury.

Stay Hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Take a water bottle with you while you walk.

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Headache Awareness Week: June 6-12

June 1st, 2010

By: Dr. Robert Patterson

Most of us experience a periodic headache. Hopefully they occur months apart or accompany the occasional cold or flu.  For some people, headaches are much more frequent and even debilitating. I am always surprised when patients say they don’t have any more headaches than “normal.” That’s usually my first clue that they have been dealing with headaches for quite some time. They may fail to recognize the toll it has taken on them in terms of quality of life. In addition to pain, headache sufferers commonly experience irritability, lack of sleep, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and relationship problems.

Let’s look at some of the different types of headaches.

Sinus/Allergy headaches are often generalized or they may be located over the sinus cavities above or below the eyes. Watery eyes or nasal congestion often accompany this type of headache. People often take medications to control the allergies symptoms. There are nutritional approaches to allergies as well. Be aware that silent reflux from the stomach can bring on sinus symptoms and also lead to headaches.

Hypertension headaches produce generalized or “hair band” type pain, most severe in the morning. Diminishes throughout day. Blood pressure must be controlled with one or a combination of diet, exercise, medication.

Rebound headaches occur from overuse of medication used to control headaches. The medication dulls the intensity of the headache but may lead to chronic headaches.

Migraine headaches occur on one side of the head and are usually severe and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound. Some people experience an aura or precursor to the development of the headache. This consists of visual disturbances or tingling and numbness in an arm or leg. There are many different triggers for migraine headaches. Foods, noise, light, changes in hormones, and alcohol are a few of the triggers. Identification of the triggers is a key part in prevention of migraine headaches.

Tension or muscle contraction headaches are by far the most common type of headache that I see in my office. As with migraine headaches, there a number of causes. Emotional stress, poor postures, weak muscles and spinal dysfunction are commonly involved. Often overlooked are the chemical causes such as, excess coffee intake, digestive dysfunction of the gallbladder, stomach or pancreas. Low blood sugar from missed meals and poor diet must also be considered.

The key to treating headaches is discovering the sources of stress to the body that are overwhelming it. Keep a diary of your headaches. Note the date and time of each headache as well as what it felt like. Write down what you ate and drank prior to the headache starting. Note any other triggers such an emotional stressor or physical activity. You may discover that you suffer from more than one type of headache.

Once the source of stress is identified, a number of treatment options will likely be available. Chiropractic care often provides significant relief for headache sufferers. Diet modification, enzyme therapy and exercise are all conservative options to be investigated for the treatment of your headaches.

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May is the Month of Health, Fitness and Wellness

May 21st, 2010

By: Dr. Robert Patterson

Each month, I try to pick a nationally recognized event related to your health. The month of May is so jam-packed with events that I could not pick just one. May 1-7 is “National Physical Education and Sport Week.” May 19th is “National Employee Health and Fitness Day.” May 26th is “National Senior Health and Fitness Day.” May is “National Physical Fitness and Sports Month” as well as “National Family Wellness Month.”

You can see the common thread of Health, Fitness, and Wellness that tie these events together. While these events help us to focus on a particular day, week or month, I want to encourage you to make these things part of your everyday life. Use these events as a catalyst to get started on those changes that you need to make. Don’t wait until New Year’s Day 2011 to make that resolution.

Remember that there are physical, chemical (nutritional) and emotional aspects to your health, fitness, and wellness. Think about the area that you struggle with the most, and start making some changes. Find someone who will help keep you accountable in making those changes. Maybe it is as simple as finding a walking or exercise partner. Find a friend that will look for healthy recipes with you and exchange them with each other. Decide with a co-worker that together you will be the ones to change the health culture in the office by walking together at lunch or bringing healthy snacks to the office instead of sweets. DO NOT neglect the emotional component. Make time to relax, read and spend time with your family. Don’t neglect your spiritual side. Attend church, pray or meditate, and fellowship with others.

Take advantage of a Free Wellness Assessment this month. Discover your Wellness Quotient. On May 26th (Senior Health and Fitness Day) we will provide assessments for seniors. We will include an assessment with all new patient exams for the month of May.

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