More Information

Topics:

Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies. A followup report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year. Chiropractic Sports Medicine Sports Chiropractic focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, as well as on performance enhancement. Sports Chiropactic is a growing field that serves athletes of all abilities, from Olympic champions to weekend warriors. Sports Medicine is no longer the sole domain of "the team doctor." Sports chiropractic encompasses exercise physiology, nutrition, physical therapy, and more. Today practitioners of chiropractic sports medicine also use a wide range of non-surgical and drug free integrative therapies, which may chiropractic manipulation, massage, meridian therapy, and myotherapy, to name just a few. Integrative Healthcare with Modern Medicine Working as a Team We also work as a team with other holistic healthcare providers such as pain management specialists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, acupuncturists, physical therapists, and massage therapists. We make appropriate referrals when our patient is not responding to care, or needs to be co-managed. Chiropractic Philosophy The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts: 1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and 2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness. We also work as a team with other holistic healthcare providers such as pain management specialists, orthopedic surgeons, nuerosurgeons, acupuncturists, and physical therapists. We make appropriate referrals when our patient is not responding to care, or needs to be co-managed. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions are on your back or side. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum. Motor Vehicle Accidents What do I do? According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly 1/3 of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVA's) seek treatment from doctors of chiropractic. This is an impressive number given that the National Safety Council (NSC) has determined there to be more than 12 million MVA's annually involving more than 20 million vehicles. The reason individuals like yourself choose chiropractic care for treatment of injuries sustained in MVA's is simple - chiropractic care is superior in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, especially of the spine. Since the most common injuries associated with MVA's are sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and ligaments, it's only natural that chiropractic be the treatment of choice. Many studies have also found individuals injured in MVA's prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries. One such study evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%. (Balla JI, Iansek R. Headaches arising from disorders of the cervical spine. In: Hopkins A, ed. Headache: Problems in Diagnosis and Management. London: WB Saunders; 1988.) Workers Comp Hurt on the Job! Dr. Fonseca has over 12 years of experience treating injured workers. He is an appointed Qualified Medical Evaluators by the State of California Division of Workers' Compensation and has extensive knowledge in the occupational injury field. Our philosophy is to try help the injured worker return to a pre-accident status, whenever possible, so that they can return to normal work routine and to their normal activies of daily living. Notice: Making a false or fraudulent workers' compensation claim is a felony subject to up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $50,000 or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by both imprisonment and fine.