Posts Tagged ‘weight loss’

It is important to confront chronic recurring Low Back Pain to ensure a healthy lifestyle

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

By: Dr. Robert Patterson

I have treated low back pain for many years now. I used to focus primarily on what structure was producing the pain. This is how I and most people in medicine are trained to think. No doubt there is value in this and I prided myself on coming up with the correct diagnosis. After all, you need to know if you are dealing with a disc herniation, facet syndrome or pelvic problem.

I have learned that if I dig deeper and can identify other stressors in that patient’s body, then the patient can achieve even better long-term results. We then are more effective in preventing future episodes and can manage a patient’s condition at a much higher level.

For example, if a patient has a disc herniation in their low back, I want to know what else is stressing that disc. Does the patient also have a short leg, a fallen arch, a knee or hip problem, postural problem at work, or even a nutritional issue? Failure to address these other problems may slow the healing of the disc or cause the disc to flare-up again.

If you have recurring back pain, ask your doctor to dig further if they have not already done so. If they continue to look only at your low back, you may want to seek a second opinion from another doctor. Patients with permanent damage need to make sure their condition is being managed at the highest possible level. Remember, you also have a responsibility in your care. If you have been prescribed exercises or asked to make other lifestyle changes, then follow your doctors instructions. Caring for your back is a team effort!

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Diet, Nutrition and Well Being, Enzyme Replacement Nutrition Therapy, Ergonomics, Extremity Adjusting, Mechanisms and Treatment of Low Back Pain, Rehabilitation Exercises and Protocols, Stress Reduction, back pain | No Comments »

How to treat herniations and degenerative discs: Recovering from chronic back pain without surgery

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

By: Dr. Robert Patterson

Disc problems such as herniations and degenerative discs are fairly common. People often ask if there is anything that can be done for disc herniations besides surgery. The answer is yes. Disc herniation recovery rate for conservative care alone is 90-95%. There are different methods of conservative care. No single method is a cure-all for disc herniations and often the combination of two or more methods gives a patient the best outcome.

When a disc is herniated, it can cause pain from pressure being applied to a nerve (pinched nerve) or from fluid leaking out of the disc and producing chemical irritation. Patients will commonly experience leg symptoms and not even have low back pain.

Because compression is one of the main causes, it only makes sense that we need to do something to decompress the spine. To accomplish this, I use a specialized adjusting technique called Cox Flexion Distraction manipulation. This uses a unique table to decompress the spine, pulls fluid back into the discs and it opens the holes where the nerves come out of the spine to go into the arms and legs. Unlike other decompression tables, the Flexion Distraction table allows me to very specifically decompress the individual joints, constantly comparing how one joint moves in relation to the others. The table also allows me to gently move the joints through all of their normal ranges of motion, instead of decompressing in only one direction. Patients with recurrent disc herniations, fusions or failed back surgery can usually be treated with this table.

In addition to Cox decompression manipulation, we instruct patients in home exercises to assist in flexibility and strengthening of their core. Therapy modalities to reduce pain, inflammation and to increase circulation may also be used to aid in progress.

Dr. Patterson is currently 1 of only 3 certified Cox practitioners in the state of Kansas. For more information on Cox Flexion Distraction you can go to coxtechnic.org. To find a certified doctor in your area go to www.coxtechnic.com/coxphysicians.html.

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Extremity Adjusting, Injury and Treatment following motor vehicle accidents, Mechanisms and Treatment of Low Back Pain, Rehabilitation Exercises and Protocols, Stress Reduction, back pain | No Comments »

How to make and Meet Your Exercise and Weight Loss Goals for Nutrition Month

Friday, March 12th, 2010

By: Dr. Robert Patterson

How’s that new diet or exercise program going? Maybe you’ve noticed the gym is a little less crowded by now. Are you still hard at it, or are you losing steam? If you’re going strong, congratulations!
At the beginning of the year I wrote about why new programs often fail and about having the proper motivation to succeed. If you’re struggling, don’t beat yourself up, and more importantly, don’t give up. It’s normal to experience ups and downs. If you are having trouble, maybe it’s time to refocus. If you’re doing well, it’s time to set some new goals.

I want to give you a few tips on setting goals.

1. The goal must be measureable. – Set a specific goal that you can track, like “I want to lose 25 pounds,” as opposed to a vague goal that makes monitoring progress difficult, like “I want to lose weight.”

2. Set a reasonable timeline for the goal- Assess your capabilities and set a goal that you know you will be able to meet. DO NOT set yourself up for failure by making your goal to lofty. By saying “I want to lose 25 pounds over 12-15 weeks,” you will give yourself ample room to meet your expectations and be successful.

3.Break a large goal into smaller pieces. – When faced with a large goal, conquering it can be overwhelming and seem out of reach. Remember you have to eat an elephant one bite at a time. Focus on losing one to two pounds per week instead of the whole 25-50 pounds that you would ultimately like to lose.

Goals are important in all phases of your life, not just your diet and exercise routine. Lack of goals can affect your emotions. If you have no goal, you’ll never hit the target. It’s like getting in the car and driving without having any idea where you are going. Instead of wandering around aimlessly, pick a destination or a goal, take the journey and enjoy your vacation when you get there!

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Posted in Diet, Nutrition and Well Being, Emotional Balance, Exercise, Stress Reduction | No Comments »