Wellness-Performance-Family Care

Wellness-Performance-Family Care 

If you're trying to figure out how to keep up, or just reaching out for a little help... and maybe you just want to look great, feel better and get moving again, then look no further.

We specialize in short-term chiropractic care for neck and back pain.  Because everyone knows, wellness improves health.  If you don't take care of your body... how will YOU take care of YOU?  

We're known for our excellence in hands-on care for musculoskeletal pain at any age... so come experience the difference.  We offer skillful chiropractic care offering effective treatment for more than just back pain.  We see people with neck pain, headaches, and sports injuries of all kinds.  Always natural and evidence based.  Offering you and your family alternative solutions to drugs or unnecessary surgery.  

Please know, optimal spinal hygiene and YOUR over all health is our focus, and our ultimate goal for you.  No matter what it is you want a THERAPEUTIC LIFESTYLE means discovering the good habits in order to improve your health.  Choosing and making conscious choices each day with new skills enhances your well being in every way. 

So here's what we do, by boosting your performance we increase your well being, and in turn improving your family's health all with expert chiropractic care.  This is why our services are so valued... 

1. You can start feeling good again
2. Look better and have more energy
3. Enjoy rapid chiropractic relief

And as for our results?  Well after 30 years they speak for themselves.



It's simple, renewed vigor can be yours by receiving regular chiropractic check-ups and making easy lifestyle changes. 

So if you're looking for individual attention, sound nutritional guidance, masterful manual adjustments, expert chiropractic advise, or you just want an unbiased second opinion for better strength, more muscular power, improved coordination, greater flexibility and enhanced balance you're in the right place.  So you can enjoy vitality for life and wake up feeling good again.

Let me ask, are you in a pickle with pain?   Slowed by stiffness?  Annoyed with joint achiness? Tormented by numbness? Bothered  by tingling?  Or maybe you have mood swings, muscle spasms, chronic headaches, shoulder pain, or a lack of energy.

And then you might ask, "How do I know when I need chiropractic care?"  And the next logical question if you've never seen a chiropractor, "Who can I trust?"  I can assure you, our nose doesn't grow just to create more visits at your expense.

Where respect is earned, honesty is appreciated, trust is gained... and loyalty is returned. 

We appreciate your referral of friends and family members, and also your confidence and trust.

Bless and be Blessed ALWAYS,

 

Lewis Meltz

How Do I Know Whether to Use Ice or Heat For Injury?

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How Do I Know Whether to Use Ice or Heat For Injury?

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Although altering the temperature of an injury or painful area can be quite beneficial to the healing process, knowing when to apply ice or heat can be confusing. It is necessary to understand the effect each has on the body,

The application of heat increases the circulation of blood and decreases tension in muscles and ligaments.  Heat applications are advantageous for the relief of chronic muscle or ligament tension.

Ice or cold packs applied to the body decrease the flow of blood, decrease swelling from acute or recent strain or injury, decrease pain nerve impulse transmission, and increase muscle and ligament tension. Application of ice is desirable during periods of acute injury in which strain and sprain have occurred.

It is generally best to apply heat to areas of chronic tension in the absence of recent swelling. It becomes confusing when muscle and ligament tension occurs in the same area as joint swelling. In these instances, it is best to apply heat to the area of muscle tension and ice to the area of swelling. Heat is generally more beneficial for muscle spasm than ice. When unusual or strenuous physical activity is followed with back, neck, shoulder, or other joint pain, ice is preferred.

Be sure to contact Chiropractic Orthopedic Group at 916-933-2707 if you are unsure about applying ice or heat, and for instruction on proper application. Dr. Meltz can advise you on what is best for you, and can also determine if you would benefit from chiropractic treatment.

Bless and Be Blessed ALWAYS,

Lewis Meltz

Questions about Chiropractic Care? Watch this short video.

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Neck Injuries Can Impact Your Health

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Regardless of the cause, spinal injuries almost always result in some kind of misalignment or restriction of spinal bones in the neck, mid or lower back.   

These fixations are associated with a vast assortment of health issues, such as headaches, migraines, backaches, neck pain, digestive problems, carpal tunnel syndrome… and now experts report many other more serious conditions may be related.

Research finds how some of these vertebral restrictions caused by even minor injuries affecting the upper neck, overtime can contribute to progressive disorders of the nervous system.  

Disease symptoms worsen as your condition progresses over time.  Problems like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. 

One thing we know, lower your own potential risk (since many of these are genetic, and thus beyond your control) would be to…

Take good care of the things that regulate your cardiovascular health, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke, and heart disease...

…all of which can lead to poor blood flow to your brain and possibly elevate your risk of developing these problems.

But how could an upper neck injury cause these conditions?

Want to know how?

Researchers theorize that vertebral fixations set up virtual roadblocks within the neck and spinal column.

By suppressing normal function, and dampening the normal feedback mechanisms, this starves other areas of vital information allowing them to function properly.

After years of influence these roadblocks may cause a multiplier effect resulting in what only can be described as…

 …a failure to thrive, and begin to affect every part of the body from the brain to the heart, and the lifestyle conditions associated with them.

The good news is that spinal restrictions are easily correctable with safe and gentle maneuvers called spinal manipulative therapy.

Some prefer a skilled and experienced chiropractor (DC) for their periodic spinal hygiene visits…

While others prefer an osteopath, (DO), or a physical therapist (DPT) who’s skilled and knowledgeable in manual orthopedic therapy.

Neck and back injuries affect more than just the spine.

Spinal injuries occur in just seconds, and an experienced chiropractor like Dr. Meltz, knows that uncorrected spinal bones may last for years, and during that time cause enduring pain and disability or the delayed onset of other problems.

Parkinson’s Disease & MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are two degenerative diseases for which there are no cures.

Research shows that spinal trauma may trigger and worsen MS and PD symptoms.  Eur J Neurol2003;10:109-10. 

Fortunately, initial research shows that chiropractic adjustments help reduce symptoms for both MS and PD patients who’ve sustained neck injuries.

Alzheimer’s Disease

What’s the association between AD and brain injury? One theory explaining the AD- injury risk lies in an enzyme in the blood called thrombin, which has been found in plaques of AD patients’ brains.

Brain injuries, and spinal trauma in which neurons are exposed to high levels of thrombin, significantly increase AD risks.

Depression

Researchers also link neck injuries to clinical depression.  Patients with acute neck whiplash injuries both male and female subjects often report depression as one of the three chief complaints shortly after their neck injury.

After depression the next 2- most common symptoms were concentration, and problems going to sleep or staying asleep —each are many times associated with depression.  J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1993;56:1328-9 

Migraines, Emotional Problems, Neck Pain, Backache and Osteoarthritis

Studies show that the trauma caused by spinal injuries can accelerate the degenerative process of osteoarthritis. In addition, research indicates that osteoarthritis increases the incidence of falls causing fractures regardless of steadiness and bone mineral density. (J Arthritis Rheum2003;49:648-57).

Prevention is the best pathway and solution for:

Improved Health

Better Posture

Greater Flexibility

More Energy

So You Can Enjoy Life Again !

If you’ve sustained any type of accident —from mild to traumatic —then contact Dr. Meltz for a complete spinal evaluation.

If you’re currently in pain, your symptoms could be related to undetected vertebral fixations, which can be easily corrected. 

Even if you feel you’ve escaped the trauma symptom-free, scheduling an appointment with the Dr. Meltz will ensure that your neck and spine are resilient and flexible enough to avoid future problems.

Bless and Be Blessed ALWAYS...

Lewis Meltz

Guess Which Question I’m Asked Most Often…

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Guess Which Question I’m Asked Most Often…

I get asked this question at least twice a day, sometimes more.  Chiropractors? Many people love and swear by them. But a large portion of the population just doesn't understand this branch of the healing arts.  Maybe someone had a bad experience with one particular doctor, or heard the stories of others, or they just aren’t sold on the concept yet.  So today's post… addresses the common myths and misconceptions of what chiropractors do.  I know it’s a contrarian idea… but it works, and I’ve got a lot of people who’ve followed this advise for over 20- years, and they keep coming back for more…. periodically.   

As for the misconceptions concerning chiropractic care; there are a lot of them you may hear when talking to friends, or family, at work or at a party.  A lot of people think chiropractic is exclusively about neck and back pain, whiplash injuries or a slipped disc.  

Although chiropractic is very effective for headache, neck, and back pain complaints, it was discovered and developed years ago as, something that supports general health and well being in a very unique way —namely spinal mobility.  

But it doesn’t take a year’s worth of pre-paid care, or 40-60-80 visits either, neither does it take once a week for the rest-of-your-life to be healthy, and have a wellness lifestyle.  Current research and data simply doesn’t support it, and it hasn’t for a very long time. 

Frequently I’m told, “chiropractors aren’t real doctors," and the way I answer it is this, “of course not.”  But it also depends upon your definition of what a real doctor is.  What a lot of people mean by that question is the fact were not  medical doctors trained in the traditional sense of allopathic medicine.  In fact, chiropractors are a complete exception of the Medical Practice Act in most every state, and in other countries as well. Chiropractic isn't even a sub-specialty of medicine like dentistry, naturopathy osteopathy, or podiatry is considered.  There's no judgment call concerning the difference either good or bad… It's just that we have a completely different way in how we approach health, healing, patient care, and the human afflictions that affect people and their vitality for life.   

Like any other discipline, the distinction is in the unique art and science of what is known as chiropractic health care, which makes us another option to choose from.  I suppose there are some people who’ve never seen the inside of a fast food franchise, and others who’ve never purchased a thing from an organic food co-op.  The choices for food and consumption are vastly different just like the choices for doctors, and the type of health care you choose to receive.  

So often people think if they have a back problem, they’ll just see a chiropractor, and get it fixed… like a hair-cut.  But it's way more than that.  Many times people come in initially because of a back problem, and that's what originally drives them in to see me.  Others are dealing with challenges that are being addressed with conventional measures… Those are the ones who say they've "tried everything," and as a last resort may as well try a chiropractor… and the tell themselves, “what do I have to lose?”  

It's important to understand, chiropractic isn't competitive with medicine as some would think.  While some would go as far to say one doesn't like the other, whereas I can tell you, I work very closely and very well with many physicians as part of a team, one that's a group of like-minded cooperative, and integrated health and wellness providers where we share patients. 

You see, it's ultimately the patient's decision, and the patient's choice to work with any willing provider who has unique skills and experience adding a diverse dimension, and complements one another for a true diversified approach to a person’s health.  It’s not at all like chalk and cheese as some think. 

Thus the term Complementary and Alternative Health Care,  it’s unique, it's different, and well recognized.  Ideally, chiropractic care is more proactive in its approach assisting to maintain good health.  Let's not wait until you get sick, or surprised that you have a problem, and then try to do something about it.  Rather, let's keep you healthy in the first place so you don't have to become a repeat customer of the "sick care system."  More than anything else, allopathic medicine treating sickness, and illness, and severe catastrophic problems and injuries.  

People get sick, and physicians want to diagnose and treat diseases.  That’s what they do best, and they’re GREAT at it.  Even though chiropractic is very supportive of people who may have lost their health in any number of ways.  Failing health because of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or infection what it's really about is keeping you as healthy as possible in the first place —so drugs and surgery becomes a last resort, and not the first line of therapy. 

Chiropractic is proactive, and with the engaging wellness revolution before us, chiropractic is expanding and becoming more popular because of it.  About 12% of the population has ever seen a chiropractor, and only 4% see a chiropractor more than once in any one calendar year —so we've got a long way to go, and a lot of people to influence understanding there’s a better way. 

We don't use drugs and surgery.  Chiropractors don't get that training in school but we do learn about exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle choices.   

What it comes down to is this, everybody knows how lifestyle stress, fatigue, poor diet, over eating, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, smoking, and other high risk behaviors adversely affects your health.  But what lies in between is all the stress in your life.  In one hand is the stress, which at this point is overwhelming to many e.g., the economy, joblessness, war, terrorism, natural disasters —all the crap in your life, and that of others.  While in the other hand is your health, and the way you're able to respond to external factors… Whatever they may be.  In between the two, and the way you perceive your environment is your nervous system.  

The way you hear the world around you, see it, feel it, touch it, the way it pushes you, and the way you push back physically, psychologically, emotionally, chemically and spiritually.  It only makes sense to take care of it, but how?  The manner in which good stress and bad stress is processed and managed is controlled completely by your nervous system. 

Essentially, you live your life through your nervous system, and depending upon how fragile or how robust it is, and your ability to positively respond, is directly proportional to your constitution, and your ability to maintain good health and resiliency.  That’s what most people call vitality. 

What chiropractors do is evaluate your nervous system. We determine how stress is affecting it, and if it's causing disturbance in the way your nervous system functions  because of irritation or restrictions in the spine.  We want to release those disturbances so your body can heal normally.  Sometimes it takes just a few visits, sometimes a dozen visits… it all depends on two things, if it’s “bad,” or “real bad.”  There's a lot going on here, and more than what meets the eye.   

By measuring and assessing neurologic, and related orthopedic, and functional performance we can determine if your nervous system is balanced and healthy or if you are under too much stress and being adversely affected by it.  Not only is your ability to walk, run, think clearly, or wake up refreshed affected by your nervous system, so is your autonomic nervous system which controls your heart, digestion, various glands and hormonal regulation.

Many people ask me the question, "once you start going to a chiropractor don't you always have to go?"  And the answer is, “it all depends, and it depends upon whom you go to.”   

Once you go to an optometrist is it true you always have to go to get your eyes checked?  Or, once you go to a dentist is it true you always have to go to get your teeth cleaned?  Of course, you don't have to do anything. 

But I recommend to our practice members a prophylactic check-up for the purpose of spinal hygiene should be twice as often as you would typically get your teeth cleaned.  In other words, every 90- days or so —especially for those who enjoy an active adult lifestyle.  For others, depending on where you live at the change of every season… winter, spring, summer and fall or at least as often as when you change your clock forward or back.  

Chiropractic isn’t as much about treating specific conditions, (although we treat many who have one or many) the choice we offer is a preventative wellness lifestyle, and that's the difference. 

Although chiropractors are known for headache, neck, and backpain, in actuality, we support all kinds of people who have many different kinds of problems.  I have many patients who come to me with problems of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, ADHD, cancer, asthma… But I don't treat any of those conditions.  Instead, I offer lifestyle support, which helps to strengthen the body mechanically and neurologically so you’re better able to respond to different afflictions allowing the texture of time, and the magic of nature’s healing process to occur without obstruction.  It really is a marvelous thing to witness and experience.  If you’re already on a cocktail of prescriptive medications I usually say, “I didn’t prescribe those to you, so let the person who put you on those drugs take you off them.”    

For parents who truly embrace a chiropractic lifestyle for themselves and their children, some will ask, “how often should I bring the kids?”  For the purpose of spinal hygiene, as a general rule of thumb, evidence based care says your child should be checked at the major milestones and markers of development. When your infant is first able to roll over onto their tummy, and then when they’re first able to sit on their own and begin to crawl.
 

Later, when they're able to stand without assistance or begin to “furniture walk.”  After that, every two years through adolescence unless there's a significant injury or event that would warrant more frequent follow-up.   

I have some critics, colleagues who aspire and advocate to others their desire to deliver 50- infants a year… that is, deliver them from a lifetime of despair requiring they be adjusted within hours of birth, then weekly thereafter until they stop growing.  As far as I'm concerned, that’s the complete opposite of my contrarian opinion, and vastly different from my 30- years of practice experience.    

It comes down to this, if you want to have a healthy lifestyle, then chiropractic is an integral component of it.  

More than going to the gym and exercising every day, or hiring a personal trainer.  It’s more than going for a weekly massage, or taking a yoga class or a Pilates class twice a week or going to the farmer’s market for organic produce once a week —and calling yourself healthy.  

 I know a lot of people simply don't get it, and that is okay.  There's nobody else that does what a chiropractor does.  What we do is completely unique, and it supports what other professionals do… it’s as simple as that.  

And if you haven't done so already, I believe its time for you to make that appointment.  Just call me at (916) 933-2707 —lets talk. 
 

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Bless and Be Blessed ALWAYS...

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Lewis Meltz

Lewis Meltz, D.C., F.A.C.O.