The Key to Longevity: Keep Working?

Posted on December 19, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

The phrase “work yourself into an early grave” does not apply to one doctor in Ohio who at 100 years old, is still practicing medicine three days per week and get this… he even makes house calls! Dr. Fred Goldman of Cincinnati, Ohio turned 100 last week and jokes that he’s been practicing medicine since Freud was still seeing patients.

When asked what the key is to his lengthy lifespan, Dr. Goldman gives an honest shoulder shrug and says he hasn’t done anything particularly remarkable. He feels genetics plays a huge role as both his parents lived long lives and also mentioned that he’s never smoked cigarettes and hasn’t had a cigar since Castro took over Cuba. He has never participated in a regular exercise program, but says he “just kept moving,” which is kind of the same thing, right?

Personally, I think part of the reason Dr. Goldman has lived to be a centurion is because he pursued his passions and has truly enjoyed keeping or making people well for the past 76 years. Working can either be a detriment or benefit to your health depending on how much you enjoy what you do. Dreading work each day is certainly not good for the soul or for the body (body, mind, soul!).

Of course, there are people who love their jobs and due to work-related injuries such as repetitive strain injuries or poor health, they find themselves unable to continue working. Disabilities cost us all a fortune each year and during today’s scarce times, being out of work is a frightening prospect.

There are many things you can do to avoid chronic and debilitating conditions such as back pain, neck pain or carpal tunnel syndrome. As your downtown Corvallis chiropractor, I will evaluate you for current musculoskeletal problems and formulate a customized chiropractic plan to keep you working and doing what you love!

Chiropractic care goes well beyond improving musculoskeletal conditions as the philosophy behind chiropractic care is to treat the patient as a whole rather than treat a set of signs or symptoms. In doing so, all areas of good health are addressed. Please call us today to find out more about how chiropractic care can improve your overall health as well as your quality of life!  As always, Be Better.

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“Be Better” tip for Corvallis – Spinal Manipulative Therapy for the Athlete

Posted on December 1, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

 

Sports can be tough on the human body. Athletes, whether they are professional athletes or weekend warriors, place an enormous strain on their musculoskeletal system and of course, the spinal column. High impact sports such as hockey or football can actually cause as much trauma to the spinal column as an auto accident injury. Beyond major injuries, many athletes experience acute soft tissue injuries as well as chronic conditions such as tendonitis and other painful joint injuries.

 

Spinal manipulative therapy for the athlete has proven to be an effective tool in managing current injuries as well as preventing future injuries and even enhancing performance. The spinal column is an intricate structure of bone (vertebrae), cartilage (discs), soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia), nerves and blood vessels.

We don’t often consider how involved your spinal column is in virtually every bodily movement until we experience pain somewhere along the spine due to an acute injury or chronic back or neck problem such as degeneration. We rely on our spines to keep us upright as we walk. Upper back or neck pain can make motions such as reaching painful. Chronic low back pain can result in sciatica, which can send shooting pain down one or both legs as well as numbness and muscle weakness.

Beyond the musculoskeletal function of the spinal column, remember that it houses and protects the spinal cord, which is of course responsible for sending messages from the brain to the entire body. Nerves that extend from the spinal cord are also protected by the spinal column.

During a game or training, an athlete’s spinal column may become slightly misaligned. This can lead to further injury because the natural fluidity and movement of the spinal column is compromised. Muscles, tendons and ligaments are more susceptible to sprains and strains. Inflammation can hamper injury recovery because of restricted fluid flow. Toxins from the injury cannot leave the site and nourishing, healing fluids from the blood stream cannot reach the injured area. Nerves can become impinged or entrapped or simply irritated. All of these can lead to decreased and delayed messaging from the spinal cord to the rest of the body.

Gentle spinal manipulation realigns the spine, reduces inflammation and restores proper movement and range of motion. Chiropractic care for the athlete can also improve flexibility and strength, which will help prevent future injuries as well as improve performance on and off the field.

Whether you participate in high impact or low impact sports, your chiropractor in downtown Corvallis, OR can help you recover from acute and chronic sports injuries and provide regular maintenance for injury prevention and enhanced athletic performance.  So come on down, get adjusted, and ‘Be Better.’

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“Be Better” tip for Corvallis – Getting Back to Life After an Auto Accident

Posted on October 25, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

Are you in pain now?  Do you want to be in pain 5, 10, or 20 years from now?  So often people say “it was just a MINOR car accident” and then progress to have problems over the coming years to trace it all back – “It all started right after my car accident 10 years ago.”

An auto accident can be a devastating experience. If you were able to walk away from the accident, you are probably counting your blessings; nevertheless, you need to realize that no matter how minor the accident, your body has been through a trauma and the sooner you seek evaluation, the less chance you have of experiencing chronic problems in the future.

The day after your accident, you will likely feel stiff and achy. You may have incurred minor soft tissue injuries as a result of the impact and the sudden jarring your body experienced. Your spinal column may have been thrown out of line.

The stiffness and pain you feel is due to your body’s natural response to injury. The injured tissue becomes inflamed in an effort to protect the area from further injury. Think of it as putting a fluid-filled bubble of insulation around something in an effort to protect it. The problem is that this inflammation, if left unaddressed, hampers the healing process. Healing, nourishing fluids are unable to reach the injured tissue and toxins from the I injury cannot be released.

Even the slightest spinal trauma from the auto accident can lead to future problems that can become progressively worse if left untreated. Without even noticing, you may move differently. Think about all the movements you make throughout the day that involve at least some use of the spinal column: reaching, bending, twisting, walking, lifting and more.

The problems with joint movement can lead to uneven wear and tear on the spongy discs that cushion the vertebrae. Eventually, this can lead to early disc degeneration and consequently, wear and tear of the vertebrae as they are no longer being cushioned properly.

The sooner you seek chiropractic care following an auto accident injury, the less chance you have of experiencing chronic musculoskeletal problems in the future. As your downtown Corvallis, OR chiropractor, we can evaluate your auto accident injury and develop a customized treatment plan. The goals of the treatment plan are to reduce painful inflammation and restore proper spinal movement through gentle spinal manipulation.

Your customized auto injury treatment plan will also include advise and recommendations on at-home exercises as well as proper nutritional supplementation to enhance the healing process. With his Diplomate, years of experience in trauma, and continuing education, the credentials should speak for themselves.  Call your Dr. O’Donnell, the downtown Corvallis, OR, auto accident and trauma specialist, today.

 

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Preventing Common Workplace Injuries in Corvallis

Posted on October 19, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

Work place injuries cost us millions per year in disability and lost productivity. Learning how to prevent workplace injuries is key to ensuring you will be able to work and provide for your family. It also behooves employers to make sure their workers are educated on preventing workplace injuries to maximize productivity and reduce disability costs.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive strain injury that occurs as a result of damage or compression of the median nerve in the wrist. This nerve is responsible for sensation of the thumb and all fingers but the pinky. It is susceptible to damage because it passes through a very small tunnel (called the carpal tunnel) and is therefore easily compressed or irritated. The symptoms may be mild in nature such as tingling or occasional numbness of the thumb or first three fingers. It can also lead to excruciating pain that results in disability.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in typists as well as those who use equipment that may cause a constant vibration in the wrist area such as jackhammers. Proper equipment, bracing and ergonomics is crucial to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. Typists, for instance, should make sure their work stations are set up so their forearms are parallel to the floor. They should also be typing without resting their wrists, but rather, their hands should “float” as they type.

Back or neck injuries that result in chronic back or neck pain are also common workplace injuries. Common back or neck injuries from the workplace include muscle, tendon and ligament strains and sprains as well as disc herniations or bulging discs. Back and neck injuries can be prevented through proper lifting techniques and regular stretching. Improving core strength is another important aspect of preventing back injuries. We often strain our backs when lifting or moving due to a lack of abdominal muscle strength that forces us to use the muscles in the back more than they should be used. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce the risk of injuring your back.

Other workplace injuries may affect the knees, shoulders or elbows. Knee problems are common amongst professionals such as painters who regularly climb ladders or crouch down. Inflammation of the bursa from overuse or misuse of the shoulder joint can lead to painful bursitis. Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow can occur as a result of inflammation from overuse or misuse of the tendons in the elbow. Many of these joint injuries can be prevented through proper stretching and strengthening exercises and using proper equipment.

Many workplace injuries can be prevented by optimizing the function of your entire musculoskeletal system. With Dr. O’Donnell’s office, Vertebrata Chiropractic being conveniently located in downtown Corvallis, OR, you can be evaluated and have a customized treatment or maintenance plan to help you rehabilitate a current workplace injury or prevent an injury from occurring in the future.

Posted in Back Pain, Corvallis Carpal Tunnel, Corvallis Chiropractor, Corvallis Massage | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Corvallis Training Camp for cyclists and triathletes

Posted on August 31, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

Great news!  In just a few short days, Peter Cummings of Plan2Peak will be here in town for a three day Mini-camp.  Location will be at Vertebrata Chiropractic at 107 SW 2nd st. and the schedule will be as follows.

Friday

  • Optional Morning ride depending on interest and schedules.  Approximately 1 hour.
  • 5pm Class. Intro to camp and training basics.  Get your weekend’s supplements.  End 5:30-6:00
  • 6pm Ride.  Short ride to spin out the legs, talk, ask questions, and get “eyeballed” by the coach.  Tips may be given.  Don’t be afraid to ask!

Saturday

  • 10am Morning Ride.  1.5-2.5 hours.  More of an opportunity to be evaluated on the bike as well as get some tips and ideas for training strengths and weaknesses.  Massage post ride for any interested.
  • 12:45 ish pm Lunch with lecture.  Aerodynamics, bike fitting, training zones, and training plans.  Immediately after individual fittings, power tests etc will occur.  Can schedule time as individual needs arise.

Sunday

  • 10am run with slow motion run analysis.  Post run massage if necessary
  • 12pm.  Continue with any fittings testing.
  • 2pm.  review of changes, and athlete results.
  • 3pm Close

Testing will be done by appointment, and can be done either privately or in front of the group.  Call 541.363.3100 with questions or to reserve your spot.  Only a few spots left!

Click here for the flyer.

Posted in Corvallis Bike Racing, Corvallis Chiropractor, Corvallis Cycling, Corvallis Massage | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Corvallis Chiropractor to Host During Wine Walk

Posted on August 27, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

Dr. O’Donnell here just wanting to let everyone know that Vertebrata Chiropractic will be hosting a great vineyard at the upcoming “Rhapsody in the Vineyard” wine walk in downtown Corvallis.  We had such a great time earlier this year, and we look forward to seeing people here again this fall.  Make sure you get in and sign up for the Massage giveaway that will be happening!

Seriously.  Wine.  Food.  Massage.  Vertebrata.  Can it get any better?

Be Better

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“Be Better” Tip for Corvallis – Chiropractic Beneficial for Carpal Tunnel

Posted on August 20, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

Do you have $30,000 to lose? According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) will lose this amount on average over a lifetime, due to medical costs and lost time at work.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition characterized by tingling, weakness, and numbness in the wrist and hand, and it is increasingly a reason patients seek out the expertise of a chiropractor. Traditional medical treatments include the use of wrist braces and anti-inflammatory medication, and if symptoms continue for longer than six-months, patients are often advised to consider surgery—as much as $10,000 per hand. Unfortunately, almost a third of patients who opt for surgery report a return of CTS symptoms within two years.

Chiropractors offer a non-surgical option for treatment of CTS. In a recent study, researchers affiliated with the University of Quebec at Three Rivers conducted a randomized clinical trial investigating the results of ischemic compression therapy on 55 patients with chronic CTS and found that those who received the treatment experienced a significant improvement in their pain symptoms.1 Another study showed that sufferers who received nine weeks of chiropractic treatment reported significant improvements in function, comfort, and finger sensation.2 No scalpels. No downtime.

Patients who received treatment reported both a greater improvement in function and a greater reduction of pain symptoms than those in the control group with 67% improvement. These improvements lasted when the researchers followed up after one month. Control patients who opted for the crossover treatment subsequently reported a 75% improvement in symptoms.

If you live with CTS, you know that the tingling, burning, numbness, and loss of strength can have a profound effect on every aspect of your life. Chiropractic care can offer a drug-free, non-invasive way to treat your carpal tunnel syndrome. So get come in, get checked out, and “Be Better.”
References

1. Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, Meyer JJ. Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trail. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics. 1998 June;21(5):317-26.

2. Hains G, Descarreaux M, Lamy AM, Hains F. A randomized controlled (intervention) trial of ischemic compression therapy for chronic carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. 2010 September; 54(3): 155–163.

Posted in Corvallis Carpal Tunnel, Corvallis Chiropractor, Corvallis Massage, Corvallis Surgery | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Be Better” Tip for Corvallis – Pregnancy, low back health, and chiropractic

Posted on June 16, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

“Be Better” Tip for Corvallis – Pregnancy, low back health, and chiropractic

Back pain is common during pregnancy AND frequently following birth. According to Stuber and Smith, “Back pain during pregnancy can be significant in terms of intensity and resulting disability.” One study found that 35.5% of woman had at least moderately severe back pain during 1 or more of their pregnancies. The pain scales of the pregnant woman (on the Owestry rating scale of 0-10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable) ranged from 5.86 to 9.21.1

One of the problems with patients not seeking care during pregnancy is this can become a long- term chronic condition and inherently more difficult to resolve as muscles and connective tissue compensate to accommodate the increasing forward center of gravity. Over time, the tissue becomes “patterned” to the 9 month temporary state and abruptly changed, upon delivery. These multiple, sudden changes can cause a weakening of the supportive tissue, creating an abnormal chronic problem if not stabilized during pregnancy.  Many women simply think that back pain is part of the process and that there’s nothing they can do about it but suffer.  Unfortunately, it can also lead to spinal changes resulting (immediately or eventually) in compression of nerves and further degeneration of the spinal components. Recent studies support the idea of further evaluation for lower back pain not only during but also after pregnancy is important to prevent future disability.2

With regards to chiropractic, a study in a retrospective review of 179 pregnant women in 5 clinics regarding back pain during pregnancy and labor, found that 85% of women reported relief of their low back pain as a direct result of chiropractic care. In an unrelated study, 25% of women had complete remission of their back pain, 50% reported feeling very well and 15% were feeling better. Only 10% reported no changes. In a third study, the average pain scale prior to chiropractic care was 7.58 out of 10 reducing to 4.25 under chiropractic care. A fourth showed decrease from 5.9 to 1.5 out of 10.1

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help ease pregnancy symptoms and labor as well as provide evaluation for aftercare treatment should a misalignment during the birth process.  For you and your child whether currently pregnant, having recently given birth, or just having never been checked after giving birth, come in, make an appointment, and “be better.”
References:

1.  Stuber, K. J., & Smith, D. L. (2008). Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related low back pain: A systematic review of the evidence. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 31(6), 447-454.

2.  Sipko T, Grygier D, Barczyk K, Eliasz G. The Occurrence of Strain Symptoms in the Lumbosacral Region and Pelvis During Pregnancy and After Childbirth. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2010;33(5):370-377.

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Vertebrata Cyclist Wins Big in Washington, Bringing the Yellow Jersey to Corvallis

Posted on May 31, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

Corvallis Cyclist Denny Rowe III traveled north this past weekend to Enumclaw, Washington, where he won the opening time trial crushing his next closest competitor by over 20 seconds on a short, 6.5 mile course.  He then defended his Yellow Jersey in the two following races, coming back from a crash in the criterium to finish with the group and then lead the charge in the road race on Sunday.  Vertebrata is proud to sponsor such a gifted talent on the bike and a big congrats to Denny and his win!

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Corvallis Chiropractors for Kids!

Posted on May 16, 2011 by DrWJODonnell

Vertebrata Chiropractic would like to extend a big “Thank you” to Synergea Chiropractic and all of the work that they put in for the 4th Annual Family Wellness Fair.  We were honored to be invited to present spinal screenings to so many kids.  It was great to see Dr. Jenn, Dr. O’Donnell, and Dr. Joint (How cool is THAT name for a chiropractor?) working together to help out the kids of Philomath, Albany, and Corvallis.  A good time was had by all, and I really want to thank not only Dr. Jenn and Nicole for organizing the event, but thanks to all of the businesses who donated prizes to the cause.

We got to scan LOTS of kids and saw some whose spines were perfectly healthy, and some whose weren’t.  Good news is that they at least ALL know where they stand and, as families, they can decide what is the best approach to take in order to stop anything that is happening and prevent the current situation from worsening.  Scoliosis, seizures, earaches, and garden variety pain – we were able to give advice on all of this in order to provide families the information they need to make truly informed choices.  That required committments by the family to get them screened, and commitments by the chiropractors to do the work.  Thanks to ALL of you who are trying to make the future better for our kids.

If you know kids that have NOT been scanned, send them in IMMEDIATELY to have a free scan done, because the reality is, I would much rather send someone out of my office knowing that they are healthy, then having someone who is unhealthy never come in.  You owe it to your kids, and our future.

Make a difference in your life.  Make a difference in a child’s life.

Be Better.

Posted in Chiropractic kids, Corvallis children, Corvallis Chiropractor, Corvallis Massage, Corvallis pediatric | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment