QuestionI am writing to gt some advice on what to do in regards to my neck pain and headaches. I am 30 yr old, and I am expecting, with pain that starts in my lower neck and seems to radiate in to my entire head. My physician says it is all stress related. I had been finding some relief using A535 and ibuprofen. I am at the point though, where that is no longer working effectively. I was applying the cream to my neck approximately 4 weeks ago and found, at the base of my neck, an odd sensation. To the left of my spine, there is a popping feeling, as if something is moving around in there. I am at a loss as this is continually getting worse. What could it be and am I safe to see a chiropractor, and will that even help.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Answerneck pain and headaches, pregnancy and chiropractic, Staten Island Chiropractic and pregnancy, chiropractic during pregnancy, medication risks, medication safety, chiropractic safety,
Hello tara delisle,
Congratulations on your expecting a baby!!! I am sorry to hear of your neck pain and headaches.
I appreciate your concern with safety!
Of course we should ALWAYS be concerned with safety and efficacy of the treatments we choose, whether or not we are pregnant! But of course, being pregnant makes us even MORE concerned, even MORE cautious!
Let me start at the very beginning. You state; "...I had been finding some relief using A535 and ibuprofen....". I am not very familiar with A535, looking on the internet this seems to be some sort of cream. Even topical creams can cause side effects- here is some information about an athlete in Staten Island using a cream for muscle soreness:
" Staten Island Runner's Death Was Balm-Related - Successful Staten Island high school track star Arielle Newman died from poisoning that occurred from the over-application of topical pain-relieving balms. " - http://gothamist.com/2007/06/09/staten_island_r.php
"....Did you know that Bengay works by increasing blood flow at the site of application to help ease aches and pains?
Did you also know that Ben Gay has been scientifically proven to increase one's range of motion and flexibility, while decreasing arthritic and muscular pain?
Did you know an active ingredient found in Bengay has been determined to be the cause of death of a 17 year old track star on April 13th? ....." http://ezinearticles.com/?Active-Ingredient-in-BenGay-Reported-as-Cause-of-Death...
Even topical medications can have their side effects- please be cautious in their use. These medications may/ may not pass the placental barrier and affect your unborn baby.
Ibuprofen has a long list of side effects and complications. Again, if this medicine can affect you, it may/ may not cross the placental barrier and affect your baby.
".....PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of ibuprofen in pregnant women. Therefore, ibuprofen is not recommended during pregnancy. Ibuprofen should be avoided in late pregnancy due to the risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetal heart....." - http://www.medicinenet.com/ibuprofen/article.htm
".....Ibuprofen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body....." - http://www.drugs.com/ibuprofen.html
http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30 : "Each year, use of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) accounts for an estimated 7,600 deaths and 76,000 hospitalizations in the United States." (NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, and tiaprofenic acid.)
"" "Death by Medicine" (1) is an eye-opening paper published as a Web exclusive in the March 2004 issue of Life Extension, a monthly magazine dedicated to "up-to-date coverage of the latest scientific and medical breakthroughs from around the world." As the grim title suggests, the paper explores the hazards of conventional medicine in the United States, analyzing and combining the complete published literature to date regarding injuries and deaths attributable to medicine.
In their introduction, the authors note: "Never before have the complete statistics on the multiple causes of iatrogenesis been combined in one paper. Medical science amasses tens of thousands of papers annually - each one a tiny fragment of the whole picture. ... Each specialty, each division of medicine, keeps their own records and data on morbidity and mortality like pieces of a puzzle. But the numbers and statistics were always hiding in plain sight. We have now completed the painstaking work of reviewing thousands and thousands of studies. Finally putting the puzzle together, we came up with some disturbing answers."
The "disturbing answers" the five researchers uncover are an indictment of the entire American medical system:
* "The total number of deaths caused by
conventional medicine is an astounding
783,936 per year."
* "The number of people having inhospital, adverse drug reactions (ADR) to
prescribed medicine is 2.2 million."
* "Richard Besser, of the CDC, in 1995, said the number of unnecessary antibiotics
prescribed annually for viral infections was 20 million. Dr. Besser, in 2003, now
refers to tens of millions . of unnecessary antibiotics."
"The number of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed
Annually is 7.5 million."
* "The number of people exposed to unnecessary hospitalization annually is 8.9
million."
* "It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and
injury in the United States."
The authors are especially concerned that "(a)s few as 5% and only up to 20% of iatrogenic acts are ever reported." (It must be noted that these reports on MEDICAL failure are compiled by MEDICAL personnel, and therefore these statistics a probably BIASED in favor of medicine, with poor outcomes being omitted or dismissed from the research. The statistics are probably LOWER than the reality.)
They also project that the costs associated with deaths caused by medical interventions total approximately $282 billion per year, and estimate that the costs for unnecessary hospitalization and medical procedures total $16.4 billion per year.
As if this information isn't startling enough, the paper goes on to review the drug industry world. The authors discuss the dangers of many types of drugs and how their overuse is affecting our health and our environment, Next, they discuss the dangers of surgical procedures, the lack of error reporting and unnecessary hospitalization. The paper concludes with a discussion of how women are mistreated by medicine, and the dangers awaiting the unsuspecting elderly: "A total of 20% of all deaths from all causes occur in nursing homes."
The complete text of "Death by Medicine" can be found online at www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/" mar2004_awsi_death_01.html.
More than 150 references and an extensive appendix support the discussions and conclusions presented in this paper. While many will find it quite disturbing, every health care provider and every patient should read this paper.
Reference
1). Gary Null, PhD, Carolyn Dean, MD ND, Martin Feldman, MD, Debora Rasio, MD, Dorothy Smith, PhD. "Death by Medicine." Life Extension March 2004 (Web exclusive).
""
Given the above information, you can see why I agree with you - it is best to be caustious about our treatment choices!
In my Staten Island Chiropractic practice I hand out a lot of information sheets- this may be helpful to you also:
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation? )
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
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You state: "....I am at a loss as this is continually getting worse....."- until you STOP treating symptoms, and until you START treating the cause; things will not get better.
"....What could it be and am I safe to see a chiropractor, and will that even help....."
What could it be?- could very well be VSC (read below). Am I safe to see a Doctor of Chiropractic?- yes, please see below. Will that even help?- in all probability, yes.
揝tiff Neck?
( Also Known As- wryneck, torticollis, neck muscle spasm )
-can be caused by big bad things: cancers, tumors, fractures, even heart attacks- only history/ examination/ evaluation by an appropriate health professional can differentiate these problems/ conditions.
USUALLY these complaints are neuro-musculo-skeletal. For example: sometimes we can wake up with a 憇tiff neck? or a muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憇tiff neck? Sometimes we just slept wrong ! Often- the true c a u s e of the neck stiffness and pain; the underlying
c a u s e of the complaint - is a misalignment, a 慿ink? in the neck - more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Treat the c a u s e, not just the symptoms - for true improvement.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems. A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
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It is best to be very very conservative during pregnancy- that is why MOMs to be come to the chiropractic doctor in the first place- for health maintenance, safe pain relief, safe pain prevention.
My Mom,,(, still a smoker,,), still proudly tells my sister and I that she NEVER smoked, drank, took ANY medication - including aspirin when she was pregnant with us !
It is best to be very very conservative during pregnancy- that is why MOMs to be, and medical doctors usually utilize NO medications at all during pregnancy--- even if a drug/ or treatment has not been shown to cause any problems during pregnancy, it has also not been shown to be absolutely safe.
I would Recommend a visit to your local Doctor for Chiropractic evaluation.
I am surprised your Ob/Gyn did not give you the name of a Chiropractic Doctor that they work with! I recieve referrals all the time when the MD does NOT want to give medications for the pregnant patient!
You may find this information interesting:
".....What are the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy may provide benefits for women who are pregnant. Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
Controlling symptoms of nausea
Reducing the time of labor and delivery
Relieving back, neck or joint pain
Prevent a potential cesarean section
...... The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique as soon as the 8th month of pregnancy when a woman has a breech presentation........."
from: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/chiropracticcare.html
".....As I write this today, two of our beautiful practice members are awaiting the arrival of new additions to their families. Adjusting women through pregnancy is one of the most rewarding parts of our work, because a healthier pregnancy means an easier labor and delivery, and a better transition for the baby into this life.......
.......Adjustments result in easier pregnancy, significantly decreased mean labor time, and assists new mothers back to prepartum health. In one study, women receiving Chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had 24% shorter labor times than the group not receiving Chiropractic, and multiparous subjects reported 39% shorter labor times. Thirty-nine percent-that's a massive difference. In addition, 84% of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy with Chiropractic care. Because the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis function better, there is significant less likelihood of back labor when receiving Chiropractic care through pregnancy......"
from: http://www.planetc1.com/chiropractic-articles/pregnancy-chiropractic.html
".....Italian Study on Chiropractic & Pregnancy
Postpartum pain was relieved in 90 of 120 patients who received chiropractic adjustments....."
from: http://www.dcdoctor.com/pages/rightpages_wellnesscenter/pregnancy/chirocare.html
Excellent Sites:
http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/pregnancy/chiro.htm
http://www.pregnancy-info.net/chiropractic_pregnancy.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKc5LyijLDU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2FV916gylk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11VN2sGMdbI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s68Yr38-lAQ&feature=related
I hope all of this information helps your decision making in healthcare; before, during, after pregnancy!
My Staten Island Pregnancy patients get the safe efficient Chiropractic Adjustment appropriate for THEM. Usually my pregnant patients do not get any adjunctive modalities- because of that very common statement: ".... safe use has not been established during pregnancy..." (again- notice it does not state that utilization WILL CAUSE problems, but use has also not been shown to be absolutely safe).
I hope this all helps.
If you need further information, do not hesitate to RE-contact me here at
AllExperts.com
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
Thank you for your question,
I wish you luck in a successful pregnancy, labor, delivery!
your Staten Island Chiropractic expert,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
Email newsletter: . . . . . http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com
Information provided for discussion/ educational purposes only, information may/ may not apply to this specific case. No doctor/ patient relationship stated or implied exists with this communication.
