Injured at Work? Study Says Injured Workers Who Go To A Chiropractor First Have Better Outcomes & Less Long Term Disability

The “Orthopedic Supersite” titled the article this way: Study finds patients who initially visited a chiropractor had reduced odds of chronic disability. So I’d like to think I’m not being too biased when I post this blog but rather relating the sentiment of several others that have reviewed this material.

For 100 years the public has been told that doctors of chiropractic are not real doctors, “quacks”, “posers” or the like. Yet study after study shows the effectiveness of chiropractic care. Studies published in Spine (The Orthopedic Surgeon’s research journal) in 2003, 2006 and now research presented at Spine Week 2008. May 26-31, 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland again shows that chiropractic has earned its rightful place in the healthcare roundtable with more validity of its effectiveness.

In Florida, Chiropractors have virtually been cut out of the workers’ compensation system based on political gaming, conjecture and half truths. Yet, studies like these keep coming out that show the effectiveness of chiropractic over their medical alternatives. Most recently, Judith Turner, PhD & colleagues at the University of Seattle, Washington found that injured workers who suffered a job related back injury had better outcomes when they saw a chiropractic physician first, as opposed to seeing an occupational medicine physician first.

The finding concerning chiropractors surprised the researchers who expected to see the best outcomes in the 7% of patients who initially saw an occupational medicine physician. “In fact” Dr. Turner says, “if anything, they had somewhat worse outcomes,” with the occupational medical physicians.

At the University of Washington, Seattle, Judith A. Turner, PhD, and colleagues interviewed 1,885 injured workers 3 weeks after they filed a claim for a job-related back injury. Turner presented the findings at Spine Week 2008, where the investigators received the prize for the best clinical paper by the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine.

When investigators analyzed which health care providers patients saw first after their injury vs. disability at 1 year, “Clearly, patients whose first visit for the injury was to a chiropractor had reduced odds of chronic disability,” Turner said. “That at least raises the possibility that chiropractic care was more effective in improving pain and disability or promoting RTW.” (RTW = Return To Work)

Turner urged physicians to consider radiculopathy (pain traveling into the leg) a red flag for chronic disability and not only look for early signs of physical disability in these patients, but see them regularly in the days after their injury. At each visit, the physician should ask about their level of activity.

“Give them a strong message that early activity is good, that bed rest and avoiding activity are not helpful,” and encourage them to return to work as soon as possible, Turner said.

The investigators developed a disability risk screening questionnaire based on their findings and expect to start a pilot program in Washington to determine if screening and early intervention for those at high risk can prevent chronic disability after on-the-job back injuries.

I applaud the unbiased reporting of the outcomes of this paper. This could have far and wide reaching implications for the chiropractic profession. Hopefully getting our foot back in the door with workers’ compensation. Hopefully this kind of research will stop Blue Cross & Blue Shield’s efforts to downgrade the chiropractic profession to second class citizens. But the record clearly shows that when it comes to back injuries, the injured workers should see a chiropractic physician first. Doctors of chiropractic are well trained in orthopedic and chiropractic physical examination as well as differential diagnosis. If the condition is something appropriate or inappropriate for the chiropractor’s scope of care, the chiropractic physician should make that call. Because we all know, for the past 100 years, it’s been the other way around and according to the research, it’s been the wrong approach.

They say you can bring a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I think it's time we just take a bucket of water and dump it over the horse's head. When are people going to make decisions because it's the right thing to do, rather than what is politically correct. As physicians of any discipline, we are supposed to do what's right by the patient.

‘nuff said

Dr. T

References

(1) Turner JA, Franklin G, Fulton-Kehoe D, et al. Early predictors of chronic work disability: A prospective, population-based study of workers with back injuries. Presented at Spine Week 2008. May 26-31, 2008. Geneva.

(2) Santilli V, Beghi E, Finucci S. Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. The Spine Journal 2006; in press, published online Feb. 3, 2006.

(3) Lynton G. F. Giles, DC, PhD ; Reinhold Muller, PhD; Chronic Spinal Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Medication, Acupuncture, and Spinal Manipulation ; Spine 2003; 28(14):1490-1502

Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He testifies as an expert witness and does strategic personal injury and workers' compensation consults with law firms. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine, chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage, rehabilitation & nutrition

#chiropractormiamibeach #MiamiBeachChiropractor #SportsInjuriesFixedHere #DrNarson #ToddNarson #Narson #TriDoc #TriathlonDoc #ChiropracticSportsMedicine #ACASC #SportsMedicine #SportsChiropractor #MiamiBeachSportsMedicine #SportsMedicineMiami #MiamiSportsMedicine #MiamiChiropractor #Triathlon #Running #Ironman #IFixPeopleInPain #TrainWithoutPain #MiamiBeachChiropractor #GrastonTechnique #FAKTR #IASTM #Chiropractor #FootPain #Narson #NarsonBodyMechanic #NarsonTool #DACBSP #CCSP #ACBSP #BackPain #NeckPain #ShoulderPain #RotatorCuff #ITBandSyndrome #runnersKnee #PlantarFasciitis #Plantarfascitis #AchillesTendonitis #AchillesTendonosis #GettingAthletesBackInTheGame  #MiamiBeachChiropractor #MiamiSportsMedicine #MiamiBeachSportsMedicine #WeFixPeopleInPain #TrainWithoutPain #ChiropracticSportsMedicine #ACASC #ProSportChiropractic #FunctionalMedicineMiami #DrNarson #BackPainRelief #NeckPainRelief #SportsInjuriesFixedHere #LaserTherapy #RockTape #KinesioTape #KTTape #Nutrition #21DayPurificationProgram #DetoxProgram #PaleoDiet #PaleoDoc #FunctionalNutrition #Chirooractor #Chiropractic #ChiropracticPhysician #DoctorOfChiropractic #USATriathlon #USAT #TeamUSA #CorporateWellness #HappyEmployeedProfitableBusiness #HeadacheRelief #MigraineHeadacheRelief #Migraine #SportsSpecificExam #SportSpecificTreatment #WorkCompDoc #WorkersCompensation

Is Vitamin D Your Missing Link To Better Performance?

Vitamin D. Not the most popular of vitamins, but as it turns out, you may want to give this one a second look. It may be the missing link between good and bad athletic performance....or for that matter, the difference between good and bad physical performance in general.

The active form of vitamin D is a steroid (actually a secosteroid) in the same way that testosterone is a steroid. It is also a hormone (hormone: Greek, meaning "to set in motion") in the same way that growth hormone is a hormone.

From those evolutionary days gone by, our bodies actually can make "some" of our vitamin D simply by absorbing the suns rays. The best time to get good absorbtion of Vitamin-D is between 11am and 2pm.

So yes, Vitamin D is important. After all, after they strip all the good nutrition from your milk, Vitamin-D is one of the few they put back in......Click here and read more about this very important and often overlooked nutrient

C-ya on South Beach at 11am.

'nuff said

DocT




Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

#chiropractormiamibeach #MiamiBeachChiropractor #SportsInjuriesFixedHere #DrNarson #ToddNarson #Narson #TriDoc #TriathlonDoc #ChiropracticSportsMedicine #ACASC #SportsMedicine #SportsChiropractor #MiamiBeachSportsMedicine #SportsMedicineMiami #MiamiSportsMedicine #MiamiChiropractor #Triathlon #Running #Ironman #IFixPeopleInPain #TrainWithoutPain #MiamiBeachChiropractor #GrastonTechnique #FAKTR #IASTM #Chiropractor #FootPain #Narson #NarsonBodyMechanic #NarsonTool #DACBSP #CCSP #ACBSP #BackPain #NeckPain #ShoulderPain #RotatorCuff #ITBandSyndrome #runnersKnee #PlantarFasciitis #Plantarfascitis #AchillesTendonitis #AchillesTendonosis #GettingAthletesBackInTheGame  #MiamiBeachChiropractor #MiamiSportsMedicine #MiamiBeachSportsMedicine #WeFixPeopleInPain #TrainWithoutPain #ChiropracticSportsMedicine #ACASC #ProSportChiropractic #FunctionalMedicineMiami #DrNarson #BackPainRelief #NeckPainRelief #SportsInjuriesFixedHere #LaserTherapy #RockTape #KinesioTape #KTTape #Nutrition #21DayPurificationProgram #DetoxProgram #PaleoDiet #PaleoDoc #FunctionalNutrition #Chirooractor #Chiropractic #ChiropracticPhysician #DoctorOfChiropractic #USATriathlon #USAT #TeamUSA #CorporateWellness #HappyEmployeedProfitableBusiness #HeadacheRelief #MigraineHeadacheRelief #Migraine #SportsSpecificExam #SportSpecificTreatment #WorkCompDoc #WorkersCompensation

KFC's Grilled Chicken... Is It Good In A "Pinch"???

I actually sat down to write a positive post on a fast food chain trying to please those of us who are sometimes “Jonesing” for something quick to eat. But, a little investigating reveals it’s really worth the extra effort to prepare ahead of time and not eat the fast food.

KFC recently came out with their Grilled Chicken. Finally I though, maybe on a whim, maybe on a day I forgot to prepare, there was a local place I could go and eat something that wasn’t too too bad. Well, as it turns out, the big food industry can’t do anything simple. Why I have no idea.

When I think Grilled Chicken, I think about going to the grocery store, buying a package of chicken, bringing it home and sticking it in a big bag or bowl and marinating it with some garlic, onion, cilantro, paprika, some oil (I use walnut oil because it handles high heat better than olive oil), some black pepper, cayenne pepper, Celtic Sea Salt and a squeeze of lemon, lime and/or Orange.

So I thought to myself…”cool, KFC is coming out with something that in a pinch when Ihve that "hungry pit" feeling in my gut, I could grab when I’m on the go. I checked out the basic nutritional info from their web site and although higher in sodium than I wanted, not ‘too’ bad.

Then I pulled up the ingredient list and found the following:

And I quote….

KFC ® Grilled Chicken

Fresh Chicken Marinated with: Salt, Sodium Phosphate, and Monosodium Glutamate Seasoned with: Maltodextrin, Salt, Bleached Wheat lour, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and Cottonseed Oil, Monosodium Glutamate, Spices, Palm Oil, Natural Flavor, Garlic Powder, Soy Sauce (Soybean, Wheat, Salt), Chicken Fat, Chicken Broth, Autolyzed Yeast, Beef Powder, Rendered Beef Fat, Extractives of Turmeric, Dehydrated Carrot, Onion Powder, and mot more than 2% Each of Calcium Silicate and Silicon Dioxide Added as Anticaking Agents.

Contains Wheat and Soy

So…..No…..it’s not your simple grilled chicken as is implied. Or do you add these to your marinade???

• Monosodium Glutamate
• Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and Cottonseed Oil
• Beef Powder (I thought they were selling us chicken?)
• Rendered Beef Fat (again, I thought they were selling us chicken?)
• Calcium Silicate and Silicon Dioxide Added as Anticaking Agents (because we all need to have grilled chicken that does not “Cake”)

So here’s 2 tips for you.

1. Don’t ever trust a fast food chain to ever make something good for you. In the words of Ronald Wilson Reagan “Trust But Verify”. Don’t believe the labeling and packaging. That’s where the “slight of hand” takes place. Always read the ingredient list and realize that still isn’t complete.

2. Prepare-prepare-prepare. If you’re leaving your house, prepare your fuel for the day. If you buy it and you make it, it will be better for you that anything you get on the outside.

Again....'nuff said

DocT

Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

21 Pounds in 21 Days: 21 Days to Better Health

Well, it was actually 19.75 pounds, but I just couldn’t resist the 21 pounds in 21 days. It sounded much better. Although 19.75 pounds in 21 days doesn't have the nice ear catching ring to it, 19.75 pounds "aint" nothing to sneeze at either!

There seems to be so many of these “cleanse” programs out there. I get email filling up my in-box (and spam folder)several times per day from companies wanting to sell you their products with their amazing new discovery from the Amazon or from the Mountain tops of Brazil.

Well, I’m here to tell you it isn’t something new that is going to help you lose weight, reduce your cholesterol, your triglycerides or your blood pressure. In fact, it’s something old. Very, very old…about 50,000 to 100,000 or more years old.

I just completed a 21 day purification program from Standard Process. My goal wasn’t to lose weight, but rather to lower my blood pressure. For me, it has been a pesky issue I've been battling. Even with my 2-4 exercise sessions per week for the past 3 years & my eating healthfully. Nothing seemed to give me the results with my blood pressure. Until now.

Standard Process; a nutrition company founded during the Great Depression, was a nutritional company I use to just brush off and never give a second thought. However the more I began study nutrition over the past several years, the more I realized what a fool I’ve been. The more I learned, the more I've come to appreciate what Standard Process has done and created over the last century. You can read about the history of Standard Process by clicking here.

(1) All their products are “Whole Foods” and not just vitamins or minerals in a bottle. (2) All the nutrients that go into their whole food supplements are grown on Standard Process’ own 1000 acre certified Organic Farm. Their animal based enzyme producs are from organically grown and natural pasture fed animals. They don’t go to a pharmaceutical company and purchase a lot of chemical substances from which to encapsulate into their vitamins pills. Their nutrition has been carefully and organically grown and cultivated by them. They use only the parts of the plants that have been shows by research to be the most clinically effective. To me, that carries A LOT of weight. You see, you can use an echannacia leaf or root or stem and called it echannacia. Not all parts are effective or have any nutritional value.

Now, about the purification program.....

To keep this relatively short and simple, the SP 21 Day purification program is extremely simple. You have a few supplements you will take in between meals, an SP Complete Shake you will take with and in between meals and you will eat real food. Days 1-10 consist of Raw Vegetables & Fruit. You can steam or lightly stir-fry your veggies for up to 3-4 minutes. You can use select oils such as Organic Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You should make the extra effort to eat as organic as you can. You can use a little Balsamic and red or white vinegars. You can eat as many veggies as you can stuff in(provided they're on the list). You can only have about 50% of that amount in fruit. In other words, it you have 1 pound of veggies per day, you can only eat ½-pound of fruit. You can also have some lentils to help provide you with a good source of protein during that 1st 10 day period. You’ll need the protein if you enjoy your brain functioning normally. I got a little foggy towards day 6 so I had to up the protein and it normalized everything. Wheew! This is pretty much a synopsis of what I did for the first 10 days.

On days 11-21 you can add some clean poultry and fish. We’re talking WILD CAUGHT FISH ONLY and your chicken or other poultry should be free range, organic and without antibiotics or hormones.

My results were astonishing (at least I thought so). Lost 19 pounds, 3 belt loops and a dramatic drop in my blood pressure. My blood pressure, basically went from high and needing medication to a textbook normal. Do I feel better, oh yeah!

And, the best thing…..this is such a simple plan. You’re eating the basics of what humans are meant to eat (I'm a firm believer in evolutionary eating....i.e. eating like a caveman but with better mannors)...Fruits & Veggies and (eventually some) lean-clean meats. Some supplemental nutrition is given to help support various body systems, help your system ‘detox’, some extra fiber to help “push things through (I know I know…T.M.I.) and ultimately for added protein which is essential for proper brain function.

Evolutionarily speaking, the reason we grew big brains is because an ape-man named “Lucy” 4 million years ago decided to eat a bug (probably termites) and thus started us down the road of a diet with increased protein, then the entire evolution thing happened over the next 4 million years, yada yada yada...and now we eat hamburgers and sushi. Bottom line, now we need protein and the SP Complete shake provides it.

The most difficult part of this is it takes some decent will power (and a little support from your family). But you can do it. If I did it, you can too. Your body deserves it, or better yet, you owe it to your body.

I have just made a new year’s resolution. From now on, beginning January 1st of every new year, I will do something for my body. I will spend the first 21 days of the year on the purification program. Most people gain weight throughout the year and after all of the chemical additives in our foods, pollutants in our air and water, medicines taken for other conditions and so on… building up in your body, I think spending 21 days at the beginning of the year detoxifying and purifying your system is a prescription for a better quality of life.

My ultimate goal is to remain active, vibrant, energetic and healthy. Keep up with my kids when they want to go out and play, run, bike, surf, play ball or whatever... As I age, I don’t want to be a old decrepit "seasoned citizen". I see a lot of people in my practice who just hate the process of getting older and complain about it every step of the way. But then, every so often, I get an elderly married couple who just came back from climbing some mountain in South America or trekking across Africa or biking through some quaint little towns in Europe. That’s how I want to be. Active, vibrant, healthy and feeling great.

It's been 1 month since I finished the SP Cleanse. The beauty of the program is the last 11 days really teaches you how to eat correctly. I spend 1 day per week eating some of my vice foods, basically whatever the heck I want (including desserts). Even though I eat whatever I want, I still stay away from Hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils and High Fructose Corn Syrup. But saturday was my "food party day" and Sunday I'm back on track. I've maintained my weight loss and even dropped to my 6th belt loop (that's a total of 4 belt loops). For me, learning the lessons of the last 11 days is going to help me continue to maintain the benefits and continue to reap the rewards of the program. And that's coming from someone who thought he knew a thing or two about nutrition. Hey, no matter how much you know, you can always learn more...

If you have any questions about the purification program, call me at my office. You can find my contact info here: http://www.naturalsportsmedicine.com/ You can only get it through a healthcare provider as Standard Process does not sell to consumers, only physicians.

If you would like to read more about the purification program, click here.

Again, call me if you have any questions. I also have some pretty good recipes that I developed for for salad dressings, chimmichurri and others to give things a little flavor. I'll be happy to share them with you.

‘nuff said

A thinner, healthier -- DocT

Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

#chiropractormiamibeach #MiamiBeachChiropractor #SportsInjuriesFixedHere #DrNarson #ToddNarson #Narson #TriDoc #TriathlonDoc #ChiropracticSportsMedicine #ACASC #SportsMedicine #SportsChiropractor #MiamiBeachSportsMedicine #SportsMedicineMiami #MiamiSportsMedicine #MiamiChiropractor #Triathlon #Running #Ironman #IFixPeopleInPain #TrainWithoutPain #MiamiBeachChiropractor #GrastonTechnique #FAKTR #IASTM #Chiropractor #FootPain #Narson #NarsonBodyMechanic #NarsonTool #DACBSP #CCSP #ACBSP #BackPain #NeckPain #ShoulderPain #RotatorCuff #ITBandSyndrome #runnersKnee #PlantarFasciitis #Plantarfascitis #AchillesTendonitis #AchillesTendonosis #GettingAthletesBackInTheGame  #MiamiBeachChiropractor #MiamiSportsMedicine #MiamiBeachSportsMedicine #WeFixPeopleInPain #TrainWithoutPain #ChiropracticSportsMedicine #ACASC #ProSportChiropractic #FunctionalMedicineMiami #DrNarson #BackPainRelief #NeckPainRelief #SportsInjuriesFixedHere #LaserTherapy #RockTape #KinesioTape #KTTape #Nutrition #21DayPurificationProgram #DetoxProgram #PaleoDiet #PaleoDoc #FunctionalNutrition #Chirooractor #Chiropractic #ChiropracticPhysician #DoctorOfChiropractic #USATriathlon #USAT #TeamUSA #CorporateWellness #HappyEmployeedProfitableBusiness #HeadacheRelief #MigraineHeadacheRelief #Migraine #SportsSpecificExam #SportSpecificTreatment #WorkCompDoc #WorkersCompensation

Heart Attack & Exercise: If You Stop, So Do The Benefits

Researchers in Switzerland found that doing exercise helped to improve the function of blood vessels in people who've suffered a heart attack. HOWEVER the benefits of exercise disappeared within 30 days of stopping the exercise!!!

Bottom line, the benefits of exercise only benefit you if you keep up the exercise.

Bottom Bottom Line... Exercise needs to be an integral part of your life. No time to exercise you say? Make time before time runs out. Remember, it's not only about living a longer healthier life, it's about the quality of the life you live...

Click here to read more about the study

Yesterday after I got out of the office I went for a bike ride with my wife and kids. Yes, it can be that simple.

Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

Head Injuries, Concussions and Your Kids ... Are They Really Ready To Get Back In The Game???

Most kids, most athletes in fact can take a good knocking around, brush themselves off and keep on going. But when it comes to a head injury, a concussion, well you'd better be careful.

Just yesterday, actress Natasha Richardson, wife of actor Liam Neeson had a serious head injury from a minor trauma while skiing. Now she's in the hospital, reportedly brain dead and fighting for her life. I wish her all the best in her fight for life.

But what about that blow to the head your son or daughter took at their city league or high school game? Are they still complaining of a headache? difficulty concentrating? ringing in their ears? visual disturbances? nausea??? Well there are many signs of a concussion and you'd better know if they still have one. I know you want them to shake it off and jump right back in the game, after all, next week is "The Big Game". But there are specific guidelines set up to know if they can or should get back in the game, or sit out another week or 2 or 4. Following up with a good sports physician or neurologist is critical and can be the difference between normal life or death, or a very abnormal life as you'll see in this You Tube video.

From a professional standpoint (and as a parent), 1-head trauma is enough and can be very serious by itself. But couple that with a second concussion and you're in a totally new ball game. Ever heard of "Second Impact Syndrome"??? If not, you should. It’s a medical emergency and is a life & death situation. Pay close attention to this video and think twice when sending you kid back into the game before the symptoms of their first blow to the head are gone....and no, this isn't an isolated case. It has been written about in sports medicine, internal medicine and neurology journals for years.

Click here, watch this video and be amazed...

'nuff said,

DocT

__________________
Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

Stop Tripping Over Your Laces - Learn To Tie Them The Right Way

Ever wonder why you keep having to stop and re-tie your shoe laces? Well, you, like me may have been making a simple and easily correctible error.

Improve your times and don't worry about triping over your laces again, just sit back and watch this video from runner's world. Enjoy...

DocT