Dr. Alexander Krischanowski

Acupuncture: What it is and What is it good for ?

admin — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:47:27 +0000

Traditional Chinese medicine, particulary acupuncture, is one of the oldest and most utilized medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture originated in China more than 2000 years ago and has been growing in popularity in the U.S. since the early 1970′s. These points are connected by 12 main channels and 8 secondary called meridians. Is it through these channels that the body’s vital energy flows. This energy has been named Qi (prnounced chee). While there is no one definitive answer or consenus as to how acupuncture “works” there are good hypotheses, which are supported by the western research. One of these is the body’s own electricity, specifically its electromagnetic field. Scientist have found that acupuncture point are the center of conduction for the electomagnetic signals. Stimulating these points “manipulates” these electromagnetic signals. These signals may facilitate and potentiate both local and systemic reactions. Studies have shown that edorphins are released from the central nervous system therefore decreasing pain. Immune system cells may be “activated’ to specific sites in the body that are injured or diseased. Studies have shown that brain chemistry, sensation and involuntary body functions that can be affected by acupuncture. This is accomplished by the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in the central nervous systems that control immune reactions, blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.

In the 1970′s, the World Health Organization recognized the ability of acupuncture to treat close to four dozens ailments. These include but are not limited to arthritis, neck/shoulder pain, dizziness, neuralgia, insomnia, hypertension, depression/anxiety, addictions, emhysema, sinusitis, allergies, ulcer, indigestion and gastritis. In 1997, the U.S. National Institute of Health released a consensus statement affirming that acupuncture alone, or in conjunction with other therapies, is useful for addictions, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, lowe back pain , carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma. Research is ongoing and many of the findings are highly favorable for the ultilization of acupuncture to help achieve optimum health. It is not a cure-all, but it does work alot of the time for many things for many people. I have personally used acupuncture to treat some of the conditions mentioned above with great success. If you suffer from one of the ailments mentioned in this article and have exhausted your options and attained no results, you may want to consider acupuncture as a serious alternative. Keep and open mind, have a healthy year, and if i can answer any questions, don’t hesitate to call (239) 592.5367

Study comparing chiropractic care of low back and leg pain to spinal surgery

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:54:40 +0000

The Mayo Clinic website states that ” Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve and its branches-from your back down your buttock and leg. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs fro your spinal cord to your buttock and hip area and down the back of each leg. Sciatica is a symptom, not a disorder. The radiating pain of sciatica signals another problem involving the nerve, such as a herniated disc.” The symptoms of sciatica can vary from person to person as well as their intensity. The most notable symptom is pain. Pain can appear anywhere along the path of the nerve starting in the low back down to the foot and toes. The pain can even “skip” areas. For example, there may be pain in the low back and the calf but nowhere else. Numbness and a feeling of pins-and-needles are also common sensations in the constellation of symptoms associated with sciatica. A more serious symptom is muscle weakness anywhere in the thigh, calf or foot. This is a definitive finding of nerve compression and is an indicator of a more significant pathology. Rarely, there is a loss of bowel or bladder control. This is known as cauda equina syndrome. This is very serious and requires emergency medical intervention. Chiropractic is well suited to treat most forms of low back pain from the more mild to the more complex such as the kind found with disc herniation and nerve compression. A 2010 study did a comparative randomized clinical study comparing spinal microdiscectomy (surgery) and conservative chiropractic care. The study was limited to those who had lumbar disc herniations with nerve root symptoms (sciatica) that were diagnosed via MRI. Initially all were considered surgical candidates. The study found that conservative chiropractic care prevented 60% of the participants from surgery and no new neurological problems were reported. As this study demonstrates, chiropractic is a viable first line treatment option.

Tennis elbow and Golf elbow

admin — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 05:03:21 +0000

Pain in the elbow (if not trauma induced) is generally found on the inside or the outside of the joint on the bony prominence. The medical term for these conditions are medial epicondylitis and lateral epicondylitis respectively. The pain is usually described as sharp with movement and as an deep dull ache at rest. Essentially this an example of tendonitis. These conditions also fall into the category of overuse or repetitive stress injuries. Despite their names you don’t have to play golf or tennis to develop these painful conditions. For example, in work or hobby related injuries some of the risk factors are handling tools heavier than 1kg, handling loads heavier than 20 kg at least 10 times a day and repetitive movements for more than 2 hours a day. The standard medical treatment consists of rest, oral anti-inflammatory medication and /or a cortisone injection. These treatments do work for some but for others they don’t help at all or only for a very short period. The greatest risk comes from the steroid injection. Tendon rupture and some accelerated degeneration of the surrounding soft tissues (including the cartiledge of the elbow joint) are the greatest concern. Chiropractically speaking I use a multifaceted approach for my treatment. Therapeutic ultrasound ( to reduce inflammation), deep tissue massage of the muscles above and below the elbow (to break up scar tissue), manipulation of the elbow, wrist and neck ( to restore proper motion) and acupuncture ( to speed up healing and reduce pain) have worked very well for approximately 80% of my patients. A study in 2008 demonstrated that manipulation of the neck alone was able to decrease elbow pain and increase pain free grip strength of the affected side. It is interesting to note that the United States Tennis Association and the Professional Golf Association and most professional sports teams employ chiropractors on their medical staffs. Sports are big business. Pro-sport team owners recognize the competitive edge that chiropractic gives their players in avoiding and treating injuries. They want to protect their investments. As always, if you think I can help you or someone you know, feel free to contact me via email or phone. If I am unable to help you I will do my best to find a doctor who can.
Yours in health,
Dr. K

Pediatric ear infections

admin — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:52:46 +0000

There is nothing worse than seeing your child suffer. As a parent I know this all too well. Acute otitis media, also known as an ear infection, is a common complaint. The vast majority of these are caused by a virus and are self-limiting in nature. Even though this is a well known fact, many pediatricians will still prescribe an antibiotic. The American Academy of Pediatricians has time and again advised against the use of antibiotics for the treatment of acute otitis media but their counsel falls on deaf ears. This practice helps to fuel the growing list of antibiotic resistant bacteria as well as destroying the natural bacteria in the intestines of the patient. These probiotics are a necessary part of our immune system and some suggest that without them we are more susceptible to a variety of food allergies. So how do we treat this condition safely and effectively, especially when it becomes a chronic condition? Chiropractically of course. Chiropractors and Osteopaths have long since known that gentle manipulation of the cervical spine can accelerate the healing of this painful condition. The theory is that an irritation in the upper part of the neck can cause the nerves which connect to the little muscles surrounding the eustachian tube to contract. This will lead to the build up of fluid in the middle ear setting up the perfect environment for infection. Just as the nerves in the neck can create spasm of the neck musculature they do so here. Restoring proper function to the surrounding vertebrae and relieving the nerve irritation will allow the muscles to relax and the fluid to drain. Finding the areas in the neck of an infant , toddler or child takes a fine touch and years of experience. The manipulative technique utilized also takes a fine touch. The thought of this may scare many parents but the fact is it is very safe , gentle and effective . There is no “snap ,crackle or pop” involved. The results can be seen within the first one to three visits. If these episodes of infection do become chronic in nature, there are several tests and dietary changes which can be instituted. I have had wonderful success treating this condition and it is always one of the most gratifying . Alleviating the suffering of a child and bringing peace of mind to their parents is by far one of the highlights of my career.

Headaches

admin — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:35:33 +0000

Do you suffer from headaches? If so your not alone. There are many types of headaches. The two most common are tension-type and migraine. Just as there are many types of headaches there are also many treatments. A study done in the medical journal Headache describes how the muscles in the neck can cause or at the very least contribute to head pain. Myofascial trigger points can reduce muscle function creating a disuse weakness thereby perpetuating the pain cycle. Also some tension headaches can become so severe and chronic they mimic migraines in many ways except for there response to many of the medications used to treat migraines. This is when chiropractic is exceptionally successful at treating headaches. Restoring motion to restricted vertebrae in the neck and back will break the cycle of muscle spasm, increase range of motion and stop the pain.