Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center

We hope all of you had a great holiday week. We’ll be back in the office Monday morning and look forward to catching up with all of you.

If something’s been bugging you, give us a call 303.300.0424 (phones will open at 9am), or simply reply to this email to get straight to Natalie’s desk. She’ll get back to you Monday morning. This is going to be another shortened week in our office because of New Year’s festivities, so don’t procrastinate ;).

Be on the lookout for a letter from Baby New Year with a special gift in your mailbox in the next few days.

Chiropractic: Chronic Pain Reduces Independence Among Seniors.
Compared with older adults who are pain-free, seniors with chronic musculoskeletal pain are more likely to have reduced mobility and a greater risk of falling down. Unfortunately, half of the elderly recruited for this study suffered from chronic musculoskeletal pain. (Note- the whole idea of chiropractic care is to take care of your spine and muscles regularly to prevent chronic pain and loss of mobility when you’re older. You’ll be hearing much more about this in 2015 as our goal is to keep you, our patients, healthy and moving throughout your long, healthy, happy lives!)
Pain Practice, December 2014

Mental Attitude: Belonging to Social Groups is Good for Mental Health.
A new report finds that having a strong identification with a social group can help protect against a person from mental illness. Researchers assessed nearly 3,000 individuals’ identification with family, local community, and social groups. They found that subjectively identifying with at least one social group seems to shield individuals from depression.
Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology in Glasgow, December 2014

Health Alert: Common Cholesterol Drug Might Raise Risk for Cataracts.
Canadian researchers say their new study indicates that taking a statin medication to lower cholesterol may elevate an individual’s risk of developing cataracts. More specifically, they found that those who took statins for at least a year had about a 27% increased risk of developing cataracts that required surgery compared with people who did not take statins. Lead researcher Dr. G.B. Mancini explains that this study does not prove that statins cause cataracts and that clinical trials are needed to support or refute this association.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, December 2014

Diet: Red Wine Ingredient Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects.
Resvertrol, a natural substance found in red wine, appears to activate a protein in the body that helps mediate inflammation. Researcher Dr. Andrea Pautz adds, “We now know more precisely how resveratrol inhibits the formation of the inflammatory factors that trigger cardiovascular diseases. This is an important finding in view of the fact that more recent research has shown that cardiovascular diseases are significantly promoted by inflammatory processes in the body.”
Nucleic Acids Research, December 2014

Exercise: Running May Lower Alzheimer’s Death Risk.
New research suggests that running 15 miles (~ 24 km) a week may reduce an individual’s risk of dying from Alzheimer’s disease. The study followed more than 153,000 runners and walkers for an average of almost 12 years. The results indicate that those who ran more than 15.3 miles (~ 24.6 km) a week had a 40% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease-related mortality. The researchers note that walking can produce a similar protective effect if an individual walks an average of about 30 miles (~ 48 km) per week.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, November 2014

Chiropractic: Back Pain Affects Dentists Too!
Interviews with nearly 400 Brazilian Dentists reveal that back pain is a fairly common complaint among those in the profession, affecting 58.4% of those questioned. The researchers found the following characteristics are associated with musculoskeletal pain complaints among dentists: awkward posture at work, prolonged standing or sitting, strenuous position of the upper limbs, excessive tightening of the hands during clinical treatment, and the use of vibrating tools.
Applied Ergonomics, September 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Be a Smart Patient.
Playing an active role in your health is very important when scheduling a procedure at the doctor’s office or hospital. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions: ask questions or tell your doctor you need more information, share complete medical and family history, keep a record of all medications and vitamin supplements, and talk to your provider about learning more about your condition or surgery.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, December 2014

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center- kind words from a real patient

Starting last May, I was in ridiculous pain around my neck, shoulders and back. I had no idea why and, being a person who likes to give pain a nice long time to go away on its own, I didn’t seek help.  But I was growing more miserable. Finally, I went in for a massage… and had three more after that, with very little relief. I then went to my primary care doctor who took an x-ray, declared everything “fine,” and gave me Vicodin. I took one of those to help me sleep one night but vowed not to take any more. Still, I was becoming depressed over the pain and my inability to resolve it. I began losing hope.

Finally, I sought your care. And I SWEAR I will never, ever allow myself to suffer like that again because now I know the solution.  In the very first visit, you not only reduced the pain but you also restored my optimism!  I had hope that I could get better!  In just three more visits, the pain was utterly gone. I had my life and spunk back. I could exercise again. I could function comfortably and be the mom/wife/writer/person I wanted to be!

Pain can be so isolating and depressing. I just can’t thank you enough for helping me to emerge from it!

Janale

Back to school (pic), Kacee’s Pikes Peak Marathon Race report (pic) AND this week’s 1-Page Health News

Hi Glenn,

 

Well, Cherry Creek Schools started the 2014-2015 school today (Monday), and my kids were happy to get back to their friends. Where did the summer go so quickly???

 

Zach, Andrew, and Jason: ready to learn

 Kacee’s Pikes Peak Marathon Race Report:

 

Kacee on her way to the finish

 

“Race day came and went and I’m still walking…however very tired!

This was my 3rd year doing the Pikes Peak Marathon and I knew I wanted to finish with a PR.  Doubts crept in the week leading up, over the weekend and at the start.  I knew I could finish because I had done the marathon the 2 years prior, but I started thinking about what parts of my training I definitely didn’t pay as much attention to.

The first 10 miles of the race, I was surprised at how good I was feeling.  That feeling soon ended around mile 11.  The air was getting thinner and my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.  I rested on a few boulders as I (literally) inched my way to the top and took a few deep breaths to get myself somewhat back to a normal breathing pattern.  When I reached the top, the tears came, I took a deep breath, turned around and headed back down.

The turn around is my favorite part and I very much enjoy the downhill run.  Body wise I was feeling strong again which was a plus as the downhill brings about major falls for some racers.  I saw 3 people go down and one finished with a sprained ankle and dislocated shoulder.   

I finished under my goal time and am ready for next year!  If you’ve ever even entertained the idea of doing the ascent or the full at Pikes Peak, I highly recommend it.  It’s unlike any marathon and it will change you as a person and athlete.”

 

This week’s 1-Page Health News…

 

Diet: Your Child May Be Consuming Too Many Vitamins & Minerals.
The Environmental Working Group believes that fortifying foods with vitamins and minerals is placing children in danger. The report summarizes how millions of American children under eight years of age are getting too much vitamin A, zinc, and niacin from fortified food products and supplements. The problem is the result of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines on voluntary food supplementation (last updated 34 years ago) that do not take current scientific evidence into account. The report recommends that until the FDA makes the Daily Values on food labels reflect up-to-date science and show values for children, parents should limit their child’s intake of fortified food to no more than 20-25% of the adult Daily Value for vitamin A, zinc, and niacin.
Environmental Working Group Report, June 2014

Exercise: Exercise May Benefit Pregnant Women with High Blood Pressure.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, are the most common and dangerous pregnancy complications, occurring in 5-8% of pregnancies. An animal study revealed that placental ischemia-induced hypertension in rats was alleviated by exercise. Researcher Jeff Gilbert explains, “The data from our study raise the possibility that exercise regimens, if started before pregnancy and maintained through most of gestation, may be an important way for women to mitigate the risk of preeclampsia.”
Journal of the American Heart Association, December 2012

Chiropractic: Back Pain Patients Have Less Flexible Hamstrings.
Evaluations of 72 patients with low back pain indicate a possible relationship between mechanical back pain and hamstring tightness. Researchers found that patients with more severe back pain had tighter hamstrings than patients with more mild or moderate pain. They recommend this data be considered when designing both prevention strategies and rehabilitation protocols for low back pain.
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, June 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Breast Cancer Detection Rate Improves with New Screening Technique.
Adding a 3D imaging technique called tomosynthesis to digital mammography appears to result in both a reduction in the number of patients being called back for additional testing and an increase in breast cancer detection rates. Digital tomosynthesis takes multiple X-ray pictures from different angles. The breast is positioned as it is for a conventional mammogram, but less pressure is applied. Instead of a single image with conventional mammograms, this technique offers a 3D image for a better evaluation of the breast. Dr. Sarah M. Friedewald writes, “The association with fewer unnecessary tests and biopsies, with a simultaneous increase in cancer detection rates, would support the potential benefits of tomosynthesis as a tool for screening. However, assessment for a benefit in clinical outcomes is needed.”
JAMA, June 2014

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center: Kacee, Pikes Peak & the “Brettzle Stretch”

This week Kacee is getting ready to run the full Pikes Peak Marathon this coming Sunday. This sounds like a brutal marathon with 7000 ft over the first 13.1 miles followed by 7000 ft of descending over the next 13.1 miles. Go Kacee!

 

This week’s video shows you how to open up your chest and thoracic spine so you can breathe better. Seems like a good thing to get better at – breathing. Right? Just click on the video below, and you’ll be magically transported to our youtube channel where the video will play.

 

One more thing: we’re back in the office on Fridays starting this week, so if you need to see us, call us @ 303.300.0424

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center 30 seconds on Thursday video

Check out How to Fire up those glutes in Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center’s 30 Seconds on Thursday Video.

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center: Heavy Physical Work and Low Back Pain.

Among Brazil’s urban cleaning workers (drivers, trash collectors, maintenance workers, etc.), musculoskeletal pain — and low back pain in particular — is a major public health issue. Researchers interviewed 657 workers and found that 37% have experienced back pain lasting more than one week during the previous year, and of that group, 62.8% experienced back pain within the last seven days. Workers who described bending over and twisting as part of their job functions were much more likely to experience pain in one or more anatomical regions, as were workers who frequently worked overtime. Of note, workers who performed more dynamic and fewer repetitive movements on the job were less likely to experience back pain.
Brazilian Journal of Epidemiology, March 2014

Denver Chiropractor Dr. Glenn Hyman: Back Pain and Neck Pain are a Major Cause of Missed Work.

An evaluation of data concerning over 8,000 Spanish workers reveals a correlation between chronic neck and back pain, and missing one or more days of work for health-related issues. Individuals who reported having frequent neck and back pain were 44% more likely to be absent from work for more than 30 days out of the year.
Spine, May 2014

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center: The Mysteries of Low Back Pain!

Most people don’t realize how complicated the low back region is when it comes to investigating the cause of low back pain (LBP)? There can be findings on an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan such as degenerative disk disease, arthritis, even bulging and/or herniated disks that have NOTHING to do with why the back hurts. Similarly, there are often other abnormal findings present in many of us who have NO low back pain whatsoever! Because of this seemingly paradoxical situation, we as clinicians must be careful not to over-diagnose based on the presence of these “abnormal findings” AND on the same hand, be careful not to under-diagnose them as well. Many of you know it can be quite tricky.

Looking further into this interesting paradox, one study reported findings that support this point. Investigators examined 67 asymptomatic individuals who had NO prior history of low back pain and evaluated them using magnetic resonant imaging (MRI). They found 21 of the 67 (31%) had an identifiable disk and/or spinal canal abnormality (which is where the spinal cord and nerves run). Seven years later, this same group of non-suffering individuals was once again contacted to see if they had developed any back problems within that time frame. The goal of the study was to determine if one could “predict” who might develop low back pain based on certain abnormal imaging findings in non-suffering subjects. A questionnaire was sent to each of these individuals, of which 50 completed and returned the questionnaire. A repeat MRI scan was performed on 31 of these subjects, and two neurologists and one orthopedic spine surgeon interpreted the MRI studies using a blinded approach (without having knowledge about the subject’s symptoms or lack thereof). Each level was assessed for abnormalities including disk bulging/herniation and degeneration. Those who had initial abnormal findings were defined as “progressed” (worsened) if an increased severity of the original finding was evident or if additional or new spinal levels had become involved over the seven-year time span.

Of the 50 who returned the questionnaire, 29 (58%) had NO low back pain, while 21 had developed LBP. In the original group that had the MRI repeated seven years later, new MRI findings included the following: twelve remained “normal,” five had herniated disks, three had developed spinal stenosis, and one had “moderate” disk degeneration. Regarding radiating leg pain, four of the eight had abnormal findings originally, two of the eight had spinal stenosis, one had a disk protrusion, and one an “extruded” (“ruptured”) disk. In general, repeat MRI scans revealed a greater frequency of disk herniation, bulging, degeneration, and spinal stenosis compared to the original scans. Those with the longest duration of LBP did NOT have the greatest degree of abnormalities on the original scans. They concluded that the original MRI findings were NOT PREDICTIVE of future development of LBP.

They summarized, “…clinical correlation is essential to determine the importance of abnormalities on MR images.” These findings correlate well with other studies, such as 50% or more of all asymptomatic people HAVE bulging disks and approximately 30% of us have herniated disks – WITHOUT PAIN. To be of diagnostic (clinical) value, the person MUST have signs and symptoms that agree with the imaging test, which is used to CONFIRM the diagnosis. Bottom line, If you have LBP, come see us, as we will evaluate and treat YOU, NOT your x-rays (or MRI) findings!

If you, a friend, or family member requires care for back pain, we would be honored to help. Simply call us at 303.300.0424, or use the “Make An Appointment” link on our website at denverback.com

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic: Chronic Low Back Pain Associated with Depression and Fatigue.

A survey of over 500 chronic low back pain patients who have been on work disability for between two and ten months shows that 69.7% report experiencing substantial fatigue as well. Those reporting fatigue are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms and are also more likely to still be in pain 3, 6, and 12 months after completing their initial survey.
Pain Medicine, April 2014

Chiropractic care and Active Release Techniques from Denver Chiropractor Dr. Glenn Hyman can help.

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center: Thirty Seconds on Thursday Video

Kacee is back with this week’s (approximately) Thirty Seconds on Thursday video. Just click on the video below and it will take to our youtube channel where it will play. We’re talking about Foam Rolling to prevent back pain this week. Hope you enjoy it.

Dr. Glenn Hyman, Kacee Reinisch, Natalie Aceves, and Erin Young, Denver Chiropractic Center