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October 2008
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Volume 1, Issue 4
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Chiropractic First for Auto Accidents |
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 Have you or someone that you know had an auto accident, then went to a hospital or medical facility for an examination and x-rays only to be told that you should be “fine” in a couple of weeks just with rest and medications? Unless you have broken bones, a dislocation or a tumor that shows up on x-rays, then you will likely receive this advice. Sometimes taking medications can be OK for a couple days following an accident, but certainly aren’t the best choice long term because they are designed for symptom relief rather than fixing the problem.A whiplash, which can result even from a mild 10 MPH fender-bender, involves a snapping of the neck in a forward and backward motion. This can produce injuries of the ligaments (sprain) and muscles (strain), and sometimes the neck discs, spinal cord, brain, spinal nerves, throat and jaw joint. Common whiplash complaints include neck pain, shoulder and back pain, pain and tingling down the arms, weakness of the neck and shoulders as well as the arms, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, sore throat, trouble swallowing, short term memory loss, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and jaw problems. Chiropractors are the true experts in helping people overcome auto accident injuries, especially whiplash. Dr. Nedd has had outstanding success helping people recover from auto accident injuries with the primary goal of returning a person’s health to as close to pre-injury status as possible. This is accomplished first by making an accurate diagnosis from a thorough history and exam, x-rays and if necessary an MRI. A referral to a specialist such as a neurologist or orthopedic physician for additional diagnostics might also be necessary. Once the extent of the injury is clearly determined, an individualized course of treatment is prescribed which normally includes gentle chiropractic adjustments, cold laser therapy, therapeutic massage, ice and/or moist heat, home strengthening exercises and nutritional supplements for pain, inflammation and soft tissue healing. The most important reason to seek chiropractic care immediately after an auto accident is because it can significantly reduce the time it takes for you to heal and potentially prevent serious future health problems. “Sprain and strain” don’t sound real horrible, but they are actually tears of ligaments and muscles. This allows vertebrae to move out of their normal alignment causing numerous problems including pain, restricted movement, muscle spasm, restricted blood flow and nerve interference. Sometimes these symptoms can be delayed for days, weeks or months which can then give a false sense of security that everything is OK and nothing should be done. If left untreated, the effects of whiplash can become chronic lasting for months or even years potentially becoming permanent. Did you know that whiplash injuries increase your odds of developing degenerative spinal joint disease six times more frequently than non-injured people of the same age and gender? A spinal joint is like a gear or cogwheel and a whiplash injury can produce enough force to knock it “out of gear.” Chiropractic adjustments after this type of injury will help to realign the spine in its most optimal position so that it has a chance to heal straight instead of crooked or “out of gear.” Give us a call if you or someone that you know has been in an auto accident to set up an appointment to determine if we can help with the recovery as well as the prevention of future problems. Drug Manufacturer for Controversial Psychiatric Drug Penalized for Unethical Activity  On April 13, 2004, the FDA instructed Bristol-Myers Squibb to notify health care professionals of a revision to the warnings section of labeling for the currently heavily marketed drug Abilify (aripiprazole), describing the potential increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes in patients taking the drug. In a recent study, atypical antipsychotics similar to Abilify were found to cause diabetes 50 percent more often than older drugs. Abilify is used to treat schizophrenia as well as bipolar disorder in adults and is part of a class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics. Additional Abilify side effects include: being unusually tired, nausea, constipation, dizziness, restlessness, diarrhea, rash, cough, runny nose, abnormal muscle movements, tremors, and uncontrollable movements.From 2000 to mid-2003 Bristol Myers Squibb and its affiliate Apothecon, Inc. paid kickbacks (including consulting fees and trips to luxury resorts) to physicians for prescribing the company’s drugs and illegally promoted the off-label use of Abilify. Bristol Myers Squibb has deservedly agreed to pay the government $515 million to settle a civil suit that stemmed from those and other illegal practices including off-label marketing and price fixing schemes. Between 2002 and 2005, Bristol Myers Squibb maintained a sales force that specifically marketed the drug to nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and stooped even lower by having sales representatives visit pediatric psychiatrists urging them to prescribe Abilify to children. Bristol Myers Squibb was also penalized for engaging in illegal price fixing schemes by inflating prices for many cancer-fighting and generic drugs deceiving federal healthcare programs that established reimbursement rates based on those prices. Great Website for Those Diagnosed with Bogus ADD/ADHD Labels  Have you or a family member or friend been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? If so, we highly recommend that you check out the Results Project website (www.resultsproject.net). After reading some of the articles on this website, you will find that having either of these so-called “disorders” is a huge asset as opposed to a handicap, and a “deficit” is something that the government has – not people! Some of the most intelligent and successful people throughout history including Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Bill Cosby, Babe Ruth, Michael Jordon, and Steven Spielberg appeared to have ADD or ADHD behaviors. Fortunately these great men were able to excel by harnessing their creative energies instead of being subdued with dangerous drugs like Ritalin so that they could behave and focus better in boring and often unchallenging classroom situations. Good thing record-breaking Olympian Michael Phelps decided to quit taking Ritalin for ADHD at an early age and put his abundant energy drive to good use! Back to Newsletter Library
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