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Although some people are still uncertain about chiropractic, even the American Medical Association (AMA) suggests that adjustments should be tried prior to surgical treatment--the one option that should be a last resort.

Dr. Helton has seen many back pain patients in our Portland office who have been suffering for years and who are worried that they might need an operation for their back pain. Dr. Helton has had great success in helping patients recover and avoid risky back surgery, and the science backs up our experience.

Research Shows Chiropractic Helps You Avoid Risky Surgery

Recently, in a study carried out on almost 2,000 Washington State workers who suffered from a back injury while on the job, more than 40% who saw a surgeon first following their injury found themselves having back surgery within three years. That compares to just 1.5% of the individuals who first sought treatment with chiropractic care, showing that this non-invasive approach is very effective at keeping you out of the operating room.

Dr. Helton Can Help People Find Relief From Back Pain Without Surgery

There are alternatives to risky medical procedures. Chiropractic is a proven effective and safe way to improve the function of your spine, which is the root cause of back pain. Dr. Helton has helped many patients in Portland recover. Give our office a call today at (503) 771-1974 for an appointment.

Reference

Goodman DM, Burke AE, Livingston. Low Back Pain. The Journal of the American Medical Association 2013;309(16);1738.

Keeney BJ, Fulton-Kehoe D, Turner JA, et al. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State. Spine 2013;38(11):953-964.

We know how difficult persistent headache pain can be. Dr. Helton and our staff have worked with many people in our Portland chiropractic practice, and we've had great success in helping people reduce their headache pain.

Research Proves Chiropractic Helps With Cervicogenic Headaches

A 2016 research study verifies what we see in our practice. In this study, the authors started with 110 patients who were suffering with headache pain that originated in the cervical spine. 58 of these patients were given a series of neck adjustments; 52 were given some stretches and exercises. The treatment period for both groups was four weeks.

The report found that the individuals who received cervical and thoracic spinal adjustments "experienced significantly greater reductions in headache intensity, disability, headache frequency, headache duration, and medication intake as compared to the group that received mobilization and exercise."

The study also found that these outcomes were maintained at the three-month follow-up exam.

Chiropractic is a safe and effective way to treat chronic headache pain, back pain, neck pain, and many other health conditions. If you're tired of suffering, give Dr. Helton a call today at our Portland office at (503) 771-1974. We're here to help get you out of pain.

Research

Dunning JR, Butts R, Mourad F, Young I, et al. Upper cervical and upper thoracic manipulation versus mobilization and exercise in patients with cervicogenic headache: a multi-center randomized clinical trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2016;17(1):64.

Chiropractic Better Than Drugs for Back Pain

Here in our Portland practice, Dr. Helton has helped many patients recover from back problems. If you are suffering from back pain, you've probably been tempted to take some medications to reduce the pain. You should recognize that research shows that chiropractic care is often a much healthier alternative than drugs when it comes to alleviating this particular type of pain.

In a 2013 study published in the medical journal Spine experts included 101 people who had suffered back pain for more than two days. Each person was then assigned to one of three groups. The first group, which was made up of 37 people, received chiropractic treatment and a placebo of the NSAID diclofenac. The second group of 38 participants received sham chiropractic treatments and the genuine drug. The third group of 25 people served as the control as those individuals engaged in sham chiropractic care and also received the placebo, thus having no real treatment whatsoever.

Both of the groups that received some type of treatment, whether through chiropractic or the NSAID, fared better than the control patients who had no actual therapy. However, when the two active groups were compared to each other, the patients who received chiropractic care had improvements that were "significantly better" than those who took the drug.

Chiropractic Promotes Natural Healing

Because chiropractic is non-invasive and doesn't use drugs, it helps promote healing without unwanted side effects. For example, NSAIDs can result in ulcers, high blood pressure, and other serious health complications. Plus, the benefits of chiropractic last longer as it's designed to resolve the source of the spinal interference, not just treat the signs and symptoms.

If you're ready to address your back pain naturally, then chiropractic is for you. Schedule an appointment in our Portland office with Dr. Helton today at (503) 771-1974. We'll help improve your back pain in a healthy way!

References

von Heymann WJ, Schloemer P, Timm J, Muehlbauer B. Spinal high-velocity low amplitude manipulation in acute nonspecific low back pain: a double-blind randomized controlled trial in comparison with diclofenac and placebo. Spine 2013;38(7):540-548.

Jaw or TMJ pain is a fairly typical condition reported by people after a car accident, and it can be hard for some physicians to diagnose the source of the problem. Complicating the matter, oftentimes you won't develop TMJ pain until many weeks or months after the incident.

Dr. Helton has helped many people with jaw pain after an injury, and the scientific literature explains what causes these types of symptoms. During a crash, the tissues in your spine are frequently stretched or torn, causing ligament, muscle, or nerve injury. This can obviously cause pain in the neck and back, but since your nervous system is one functioning unit, inflammation of the nerves can cause issues in other parts of your body.

For example, with radicular pain, irritation of a nerve can cause tingling or pins and needles in the arm or hand. Similarly, it can affect parts of your body above the injured tissues, like your head and jaw. Headaches after a wreck are very common because of neck injury, and the TMJ works the same way. Dr. Helton sees this very commonly in our Portland office.

Research Proves Chiropractic Lessens TMJ Pain After an Auto Injury

Research indicates that the source of many jaw or TMJ problems starts in the cervical spine and that treatment of the underlying neck problem can fix the secondary headaches or jaw symptoms. The key to dealing with these symptoms is simple: Dr. Helton will work to return your spinal column back to health, alleviating the inflammation, treating the injured areas, and removing the irritation to the nerves in your spine.

Dr. Helton has found that jaw and headache symptoms often resolve once we restore your spine to its healthy condition.

If you reside in Portland and you've been injured in a car crash, Dr. Helton can help. We've been working with auto injury patients since 2005, and we can probably help you, too. Give our office a call today at (503) 771-1974 for an appointment or consultation.

Ciancaglini R, Testa M, Radaelli G. Association of neck pain with symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction in the general adult population. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 1999;31:17-22.

Brantingham JW, Cassa TK, Bonnefin D, Pribicevic M, Robb A, et al. Manipulative and multimodal therapy for upper extremity and temporomandibular disorders: a system review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2013;36(3):143-201.

Many people experience headache pain, and tension headaches are a frequent problem in our busy lives. Postural problems and stress are common causes of tension headache, and ones that Dr. Helton and the staff here in our Portland chiropractic office have a lot of experience in treating.

Research Shows Chiropractic Eases Tension Headaches

The scientific literature shows our findings: A 2016 study from Spain managed a group of 76 men and women with chronic tension headaches. The participants were divided into four treatment groups: 19 patients were treated with suboccipital inhibition (the therapist presses on the tight tissues at the top of the spine); 19 with chiropractic adjustments; 19 with both adjustments and suboccipital inhibition; and 19 received no treatment.

The researchers reported that the spinal adjustments were helpful at relieving pain, and that the best results were found when spinal adjustments were combined with the suboccipital inhibition.

When we get stressed out, the nerves and tissues in the neck can be disrupted, resulting in pain. Chiropractic works by eliminating these stresses and restoring the normal nerve function to the tissues.

We're Here to Help Clients Find Help From Tension Headaches

If you live in Portland and suffer from any kind of headache, we're here to help you get relief. Call Dr. Helton today at (503) 771-1974 for an appointment or more information.

Citation

Espi-Lopez GV, Rodriguez-Blanco C, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A, et al. Do manual therapy techniques have a positive effect on quality of life in people with tension-type headache? A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine 2016; February 29.

Chiropractic is centered on the concept of aiding your body to heal naturally through spinal adjustments and lifestyle changes that stimulate wellness. For Dr. Helton, this involves working hard to reestablish your body's natural functioning to prevent the need for drugs or surgery. We notice that many of our Portland patients are pleased to find a natural solution for their health issues.

One advantage of chiropractic care is that it helps people minimize or even eliminate the use of drug treatments. Medications are frequently issued to patients who have back pain. This is such a significant problem that the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) issued a report stating that opioid (painkiller) dangers outweigh the advantages when prescribed for back pain.

Some of the most well-known narcotics, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, include hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet), morphine, and codeine. Numbers provided by the AAN mention the fact that about 50% of the patients taking these drugs for a period of three months are still taking them five years down the road. This can further complicate the problem of back pain and healing, especially if an opiate addiction occurs.

Contrast that to chiropractic care which features natural healing and the advantages are obvious. While a pill might be useful at temporarily suppressing the symptoms of a health condition, it's not a solution to the problem. A drug won't mend your damaged spine; it will only cover up the pain.

Dr. Helton will first examine you to get to the origin of your back problems and then work with you to eliminate the problem -- without the need for risky drugs.

If you're ready for pain relief, naturally, give our Portland office a call at (503) 771-1974 to make an appointment with Dr. Helton.

References

• Risk of opioids outweigh benefits for headache, low back pain, other conditions. American Academy of Neurology;September 29, 2014.
• What are opioids? National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/what-are-opioids

Over 2 million people are injured each year in auto accidents in the U.S. While most people are able to recover from their injuries fairly quickly, others are left to deal with chronic pain and disability. We see many of these patients here in our Portland office. Thankfully, Dr. Helton is here to help you heal from your auto injury.

Research Shows Chiropractic Helps Prevent Chronic Pain After an Auto Accident

The science confirms what we see in our office: A British study was carried out on 28 men and women diagnosed with chronic whiplash syndrome. Each participant received chiropractic adjustments and 93 percent of them experienced pain relief following their adjustments, even though 43 percent of whiplash sufferers overall usually never find relief. This confirms that chiropractic is a great way to avoid long-term pain after a crash.

It's important to note that research has also found that putting off treatment after a car crash can negatively affect recovery time, so getting in to see Dr. Helton immediately is key to having a quicker recovery.

We Can Help Clients Find Comfort From Pain After a Car Collision

Dr. Helton has helped many auto injury patients, and we're here to help you, too. Call our Portland office today for more information or an appointment.

Sources

• Association for Safe International Road Travel. Retrieved from http://asirt.org/initiatives/informing-road-users/road-safety-facts/road-crash-statistics
• Dies S & Strapp J. (1992, September). Chiropractic treatment of patients in motor vehicle accidents: a statistical analysis. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 36(3), 139-145.
• Woodward M et al. (1996, November). Chiropractic treatment of chronic 'whiplash' injuries. Injury, 27(9), 643-645.

There are many different kinds of headache, but one of the most common types is known as "cervicogenic headache," or headaches that start in your neck.

Dr. Helton sees a lot of patients in our Portland office who are suffering with recurring headaches. Thankfully, chiropractic adjustments can often help, potentially reducing these types of headaches by 50%, and research confirms it.

Research Shows Chiropractic Helps With Cervicogenic Headaches

A study was conducted involving 80 participants who reported experiencing at least five cervicogenic headaches during the prior three months. The goal was to see how effective chiropractic was for this type of head pain, as well as to determine the number of treatment sessions necessary to achieve a positive effect.

The subjects were divided into four separate groups, so that each group was similar in age, gender, number of cervicogenic headaches, and their intensity. Of the four groups, two engaged in chiropractic treatments and two received light massage. Furthermore, one group assigned to each treatment received eight sessions and the other patients received double that amount.

Each patient was assessed based on head pain, neck pain, and disability prior to the study and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment was complete. The authors found that those who received chiropractic as opposed to massage reported fewer headaches at the conclusion of the study. Furthermore, improvements were maintained when checked six months after treatment ended.

Additionally, patients who were taking medications for their headaches were able to lower their intake after completing the study. Those who received chiropractic adjustments had lower drug usage 24 weeks post-study.

We Can Help Patients Find Comfort From Head Pain

Dr. Helton has helped many patients who were suffering from headaches in our Portland office. Call us today at (503) 771-1974 for more information or for an appointment.

Reference

Haas M, Spegman A, Peterson D, Aickin M, Vavrek D. Dose response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for chronic cervicogenic headache: a pilot randomized controlled trial. The Spine Journal 2010; 10: 117-128.

Dr. Helton sees many people weekly in our busy Portland chiropractic office who are searching for relief from the pain and suffering they feel due to herniated discs. Our experience isn't unique; the medical literature verifies that chiropractic care is an effective way to treat herniated disc pain.

Don't Suffer! Dr. Helton and Chiropractic Care Helps With Disc Herniation

One particular research study involved 27 people, 8 male and 19 female, who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirming a disc herniation in either their neck or lower back. The subjects reported that they were experiencing pain, reduced range of motion, and sensory issues bad enough to keep them off work.

Over the course of the research study, the participants were managed using one of two common chiropractic techniques: traction for herniated discs in the cervical area or flexion distraction for the patients who had herniation issues in the low back.

Each person was treated four or five times per week for the first two weeks, then three times weekly, and then as needed for the rest of the study. Based on the severity of the disc herniation, therapy varied anywhere from six weeks to six months, with MRIs being carried out at various stages to identify what effect, if any, the chiropractic care was having in regard to the disc herniation.

Research Supports Chiropractic Helps With Back Pain and Herniated Disc

The researchers found that 80 percent of the participants enjoyed a "good clinical outcome," meaning reduced pain and a reduction in other symptoms, such as numbness. Furthermore, 77 percent of these individuals also showed MRI evidence that their disc herniation was either reduced or resolved completely. This resulted in 78 percent of the study subjects being able to return to their place of work and led the researchers to conclude that chiropractic adjustments is both "safe and helpful" for disc herniations.

If you have a herniated disc and suffer from chronic back pain and are near Dr. Helton in Portland, contact our office today to see what chiropractic can do for you!

Reference
BenEliyahu, DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1996;19(9):597-606.

In our Portland office, we see a lot of patients who are troubled with back pain, and some of these patients have been told they might need surgery to recover. Fortunately, Dr. Helton has helped many people get relief without the need for any type of surgery. The scientific research agrees with the success we see in our office. One research study published in the academic journal Spine found that consulting with a chiropractor as your first move in overcoming with your back pain may actually keep you out of the operating room.

In this study, medical professionals from Dartmouth reviewed statistics from 1,885 workers from Washington state who first saw either a surgeon or a chiropractic doctor for their low back issues. They then looked at three years' worth of follow-up medical information to find out whether the patients ended up having back surgery in an attempt to treat the problem.

What the researchers observed was that about 43% of the people who first saw a surgeon for their back pain ended up with surgery in that 3-year time span, whereas only 1.5% of those who first saw a chiropractor had the same fate. The authors wrote:

"Even after controlling for injury severity and other measures, workers with an initial visit for the injury to a surgeon had almost nine times the odds of receiving lumbar spine surgery compared to those seeing primary care providers, whereas workers whose first visit was to a chiropractor had significantly lower odds of surgery."

These are impressive outcomes. Visiting a chiropractor significantly reduces your odds of having back surgery, plus the chiropractic patients in this scientific study "had lower odds of chronic work disability" and they also had fewer expensive MRI tests.

Let's also keep in mind this important point: this study was performed by orthopedic surgeons from Dartmouth College, and printed in the world's most influential medical publication on spinal injury.

The Risks of Surgery

Any surgical procedure has risks, but a major problem associated with spinal surgery is that there is a very high rate of failure. In an important review in the European Spine Journal, researchers wrote:

"Failed back surgery is a problem that has become sufficiently widespread to even warrant its own special conferences, with recent reviews reporting failure rates ranging from 5 to 50%."

The authors of this same study concluded:

"It is extremely difficult to identify unequivocal predictor factors that can be used to accurately predict the outcome of surgery."

As a chiropractor, Dr. Helton is convinced that surgery should be the absolute last resort for treating back pain. Chiropractic care works to restore your spine to its normal function--without the need of risky surgery or drugs--and many scientific studies have established the efficacy of chiropractic for back pain.

If you live in Portland and you need care for your back pain, give our practice a call today at (503) 771-1974 for a consultation or an appointment. We'll help get you back on the road to a pain-free life!

Studies

• Keeney BJ, Fulton-Kehoe D, Turner JA, Wickizer TM, Chan KC, Franklin GM. Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State. Spine 2013;38(11):953-964.
• Mannion AF, Elfering A. Predictors of surgical outcome and their assessment. European Spine Journal 2006;15(Suppl 1):S93-S108.