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Overland Chiropractic
11791 W 112th St. Suite 101
Overland Park, KS 66210

(913) 345-9247






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Posts Tagged ‘headache’

Overland Park Chiropractor Discusses Muscle Imbalance

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

By: Dr. Patterson

stretching Overland Park Chiropractor Discusses Muscle Imbalance Have you ever noticed that one leg stretches easier than the other or that one arm goes farther behind your back? If so, you may be experiencing muscle imbalance. Muscle imbalances can occur almost anywhere in our bodies. We can be imbalanced from side to side or from front to back.

You might ask, what is the big deal about one leg stretching more than the other? In this example, the problem lies in the increased stress that this puts on your pelvis, hips and spine. A tight hamstring creates torque in the pelvis and may lead to pain and early arthritis in your joints. Muscle imbalance impedes your performance and can eventually interfere with your daily and recreational activities. Similar problems occur in the neck and shoulders.

Muscle imbalances develop for a number of reasons. Right or left handiness cause us to use one side more than the other. Work postures or sporting activities may force us to perform one-sided activities over and over. One set of muscles will naturally become tighter than the others. Stuck or dysfunctional joints themselves also lead to imbalances and increased stress. Poor digestion and stress to our organs create muscle contraction. Left untreated, this will cause muscle imbalances such as leg length discrepancies and shoulder contractions.

Stretching some muscles and strengthening others can treat many muscle imbalances. Other times it requires manipulation of the joints or nutritional approaches to relieve muscle contraction. The keys to correction are proper evaluation as to the cause of the imbalance as well as the identification of the muscles to retrain.

Overland Park Chiropractor Reviews Tips to Prevent Lower Back Pain

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

By: Dr. Patterson

We are nearing the month of August, and for many of us, that means back-to-school shopping with our kids. Usually, these shopping trips include the purchase of a new backpack.

backpack Overland Park Chiropractor Reviews Tips to Prevent Lower Back Pain

Children and adolescents often carry backpacks that are too heavy or are worn improperly. To help prevent injury, please consider the following suggestions from the ACA (American Chiropractic Association) when shopping for a backpack:

1. Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.

2. The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.

3. A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.

4. Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry, and the heavier the backpack will be.

5. Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.

6. Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child’s shoulders.

7. The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.

8. If the backpack is still too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher. Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks.

9. Although the use of rollerpacks – or backpacks on wheels – has become popular in recent years, the ACA is now recommending that they be used cautiously and on a limited basis by only those students who are not physically able to carry a backpack. Some school districts have begun banning the use of rollerpacks because they clutter hallways, resulting in dangerous trips and falls.

If your child experiences pain from his or her backpack use, please do not hesitate to call our office for an evaluation.

Antacids May Increase Your Risk of Osteoporosis

Friday, July 30th, 2010

By: Dr. Patterson

The importance of proper digestion cannot be overemphasized. Antacid medications are one of the leading over-the-counter drugs sold. In fact, in 2009, Nexium was the number two pharmaceutical drug sold in the United States.

antacidshigh 300x183 Antacids May Increase Your Risk of Osteoporosis

Every day I see patients in my office who are taking these medications. Some patients have taken these medications for so long that they have become immune to the fact that they have a digestive disorder, or they feel because it may be an over-the-counter medication that there is no harm in it. I guarantee that it if you have symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, or reflux, it is not because you are suffering from a Nexium or other antacid deficiency. These medications are treating your symptoms, not the cause of your problems.

There are many potential problems with the long-term use of antacids. Today I want to focus on osteoporosis. Studies in recent years have indicated that use of these antacids, either for more than one year or in high doses, increases the risk of osteoporosis in people over 50. University of Pennsylvania researchers found a 44% increased risk of hip fracture in people taking proton pump inhibitor types of antacids. These are commonly known by names such as Nexium, Aciphex, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix and Zegerid.

In May 2010 , the FDA finally came out with a warning about the possible increased risk of spine, wrist and hip fractures with the use of antacid medications. They reviewed seven published studies. Six of the seven studies showed an increase risk of fracture.

As a Doctor of Chiropractic and Internal Health Specialist, these findings come as no surprise. Calcium can only be absorbed in an acidic environment. When you reduce the acidic environment of the stomach, calcium will have a more difficult time being absorbed into your system. The good news is that we can improve digestion with the use of enzyme replacement nutrition and diet modification. Specific testing can be performed to determine what your body is having trouble digesting, and we can treat the cause vs. treating the symptom.

If you would like information on how to be tested, please contact our office.

Overland Park Chiropractor Reviews Causes of Low & Chronic Back Pain From Pregnancy

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

By: Dr. Patterson

images Overland Park Chiropractor Reviews Causes of Low & Chronic Back Pain From PregnancyPregnant women commonly develop low back or pelvic pain, especially toward the end of their pregnancy. New mothers may also experience discomfort resulting from newborn care-giving that may strain their backs. Chiropractic care is often effective in helping to treat pregnant and recently-pregnant women.

During pregnancy and after delivery, a woman undergoes changes that stress her back. The most obvious change during pregnancy is the increased size and weight of her abdomen. As her baby grows, her center of gravity shifts, and her changed posture may stress her spine and pelvis. A less obvious change is her body’s release of a hormone called “relaxin.” This hormone relaxes ligaments in order for the pelvis to spread more easily during delivery. This can change the way the joints move and can lead to pain in the back, pelvis, pubic bone and hips.

PE 129 0618 200x300 Overland Park Chiropractor Reviews Causes of Low & Chronic Back Pain From PregnancyFollowing delivery, a new mom will be doing all kinds of activities that put mechanical stress on her body. Leaning over the crib and changing table loads the spine. Lifting a baby-carrier or placing the baby in a car seat, lifting and unfolding a stroller, carrying a heavy diaper bag on one shoulder, and even nursing or bottle-feeding can cause strain and injury.

At the same time, she is adjusting to hormone changes, lack of sleep, and increased family responsibilities. These things further stress her body and make it more difficult for her to recover from her pain.

At our office, we can treat pregnant women all the way up through delivery and into the months after delivery. During pregnancy, spinal adjustments improve joint motion and help to relieve or manage pain.

Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Patterson Featured on LowerBackChronicPain.com for Relieving Missouri Woman of Severe Back Pain

Friday, July 16th, 2010

A big thank you to lowerbackchronicpain.com for featuring Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Patterson for his treatments on Barbara Lockwood to help relieve her back pain.

Picture 28 1024x303 Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Patterson Featured on LowerBackChronicPain.com for Relieving Missouri Woman of Severe Back Pain

Barbara Lockwood, of Marceline Mo., was bed-ridden from severe back pain for four and a half years.

She felt like she had run out of options to cure her pain. “I’ve had physical therapy, I’ve had epidurals and nothing has worked,” Lockwood said.

Watch Barbara Lockwood discuss how Dr. Patterson’s treatments helped to relieve years of discomfort.

Picture 27 300x180 Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Patterson Featured on LowerBackChronicPain.com for Relieving Missouri Woman of Severe Back Pain

Through an article in the Kansas City Star, Lockwood learned about Dr. Robert Patterson of Overland Chiropractic. She went in for a free consultation and he performed a cat scan. Dr. Patterson firmly believed he could help Barbara with her pain. She began going to Overland Chiropractic five days a week for treatment and he delivered just what he had promised.

Lockwood remembers beginning to feel the relief of her back pain within the first week of treatment, until it was eventually nonexistent. “It was a miracle. I feel good, I’ve got my life back and I don’t have the pain,” she said.

Woman Experiences Relief From Wrist Pain With Treatments By Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Robert Patterson

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Picture 23 e1279054188646 Woman Experiences Relief From Wrist Pain With Treatments By Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Robert Patterson

Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Robert Patterson was recently featured on carpaltunnelsyndromezone.com for his treatment of wrist pain.

Watch Sherri Rinne discuss how she was able to avoid carpal tunnel surgery by receiving chiropractic treatments from Dr. Robert Patterson of Overland Chiropractic.

Picture 24 Woman Experiences Relief From Wrist Pain With Treatments By Overland Park Chiropractor Dr. Robert Patterson

“I was having some wrist problems about ten years ago and it was to the point where I couldn’t type and couldn’t even have enough strength to hold a manila file folder,” explained Sherri.

After Sherri received her initial adjustment from Dr. Patterson to treat her carpal tunnel syndrome, she was amazed that she had immediate relief. She had a grip and strength in her hand, which she had not had for a few weeks prior to the adjustment.

Sherri had no down time and was able to return to work the next day and was actually able to do her job. She continues to see Dr. Patterson for minor adjustments and he also treats her back. Dr. Patterson has also taught Sherri exercises to help strengthen her back and wrists.

“I just love Dr. Patterson! He is fabulous; he talks to me; he listens to me; his staff is amazing and I would recommend him to anyone,” said Sherri.

Benefits of Cox Flexion Distraction: A Spinal Decompression Therapy

Tuesday, 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 table Benefits of Cox Flexion Distraction: A Spinal Decompression Therapy

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.

Exercise: Activity and Mental Health in Women

Friday, 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 with Your Kids

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)

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

Friday, 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.

Picture 8 389x252 Chiropractor Dr. Robert Patterson Reviews Social Media Marketing for Health Care Industry

Dr. Patterson on MSNBC.com

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Read it here.

Picture 3 300x219  Dr. Patterson on MSNBC.com