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Author: Dr. Debra Muth

Fibromyalgia and Chiropractic Care

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Dr. Heather King DC and Sonja Hintz, RN, Serenity Health Care Center S.C.

Are you suffering with fibromyalgia? According to NIH, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, “Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, diffuse tenderness, and a number of other symptoms.”

In my practice, I find that many fibromyalgia patients suffer from persistent backaches, neck pain, headaches, leg cramps, leg and foot pain. But you can get relief! Chiropractic care can help reduce and even in some cases alleviate persistent symptoms.

In a 2006 study of 20 female patients with fibromyalgia that suffered from high pain levels, sleep disturbances and reduced actives of daily living were treated with ultrasound and chiropractic adjustments for up to 20 sessions. The conclusions showed that the symptoms felt by the patients were dramatically reduced. 1.

Chiropractic treatment can help assist with many of symptoms that patients with fibromyalgia are feeling. Improves function not only through adjustments but also by incorporating therapies such as ultrasound, exercise and massage to their treatment program. These patients are being helped to live their lives to the fullest potential. When treating fibromyalgia the goal is to improve quality of life and help reduce the overall effect on the body.

Chiropractic is a natural approach to treating the body through the use of spinal adjustments to remove fixations of joints. Chiropractors adjust the spinal column but misalignments can occur throughout the body, which can affect the nerves, muscle and organs. By adjusting the fixations and removing nerve interference the goal is to reduce the pain, inflammation and muscles spasm to allow the body to function as optimally as possible. Although there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments available that can help improve symptoms and quality of life.

Chiropractic can be used in conjunction of other forms of treatment, such as:

  • Nutritional supplementation can assist in the treatment of many of the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia. The nutrient MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a naturally occurring sulfur compound found in humans that inhibits pain impulses due to anti-inflammatory properties. This supplement can be added to assist in decreasing the impacts of pain by reducing inflammation. It’s widely used as a supplement for arthritic conditions and pain.
  • Sulfur is needed for proper cellular function. Patients may want to consider using supplemental sulfur sources such as MSM include those who have chronic inflammatory conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis.

If you would like to schedule a chiropractic consultation, call Serenity Health Care Center at 262-522-8640.

1Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia, J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2006 (Sep); 29 (7): 524-528

Choosing a Worker’s Compensation Lawyer

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Do your homework if you’ve been injured at work and need a worker’s compensation lawyer. You need someone who has experience in your specific situation. An attorney with expertise in worker’s compensation in your state. Referrals are a great place to start your research. Just keep in mind that the attorney you need is usually not the lawyer who did your will or documents for your friend’s business.

Research Before Choosing a Worker's Compensation Lawyer
Research Before Choosing a Worker’s Compensation Lawyer

One chapter of my book, The Dark Side of Injury, is dedicated to the pros and cons of working with an attorney. Engaging a worker’s compensation lawyer changes your relationship with your employer. However, some circumstances require the help of an attorney to resolve.  Some of these are:

  • The insurance carrier denies your worker’s compensation claim
  • Your employer fires you after you file a worker’s comp claim
  • Your employer takes disciplinary action against you after you file a worker’s comp claim
  • You don’t receive the correct payment amount from the worker’s comp insurance

I recommend starting your attorney research with your state’s Department of Licensing. Consultations with an attorney are usually free, so take the time to interview several experienced worker’s compensation lawyers. Ask about past cases, outcomes and fees. It’s also important to ask if his/her personal network includes experts who may be applicable to your situation.  There’s a checklist in my book to help you develop a list of questions when you interview an attorney.

You’ll want to keep a detailed log of your attorney visits. I repeat this in every blog because it is so important. Working through the worker’s compensation system takes time, and there’s no way to remember all the dates and specifics without a detailed log.

Check out my book, The Dark Side of Injury, for more checklists and tools to help you work with a worker’s compensation lawyer. I wish you the best possible outcome on your worker’s compensation journey.

Heel Pain Relief…Understanding Plantar Fasciitis

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By: Heather King, DC

Plantar fasciitis or “heel pain syndrome” affects nearly 2 million people!  Plantar fasciitis is inflammation and pain in the band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, and forms the arch of the foot.  It can come on slowly over time or be a sudden sharp pain.  It can affect one foot or possibly both, and it can develop in both runners and non-runners.

Relief from Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
Relief from Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

My patients that suffer from plantar fasciitis often describe the pain as being more intense first thing in the morning after they have been off their feet for an extended period of time.  Pain may lessen somewhat after movement but doesn’t completely go away. It is important to have a proper diagnosis to determine the source of your heel pain. Treatment options can vary.  Most common choices are injections, anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics, chiropractic treatment, splinting and physical therapy for those suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Chiropractic treatment consists of restoring normal joint mechanics followed by stretching and sometimes the use of modalities such as ultrasound. An article published in Dynamic Chiropractic in March 2000, states that adjustments of the foot and ankle joints with emphasis on the subtalar joint (calcaneus or heel bone) proves to be most useful in combination with other therapies to treat plantar fasciitis.

Recovery from plantar fasciitis is slow and on average, it takes 6-9 months to fully recover and be pain free.  Unfortunately, for some individuals it can be a life long struggle to control and continued or regular therapy is needed.

We can help relieve your pain and put you on the road to recovery and/or managing this syndrome! Take action today so you can return to the lifestyle you enjoy.

Schedule an appointment with me to discuss your heal pain by calling Serenity Health Care Center at 262-522-8640.

Worker’s Compensation Surveillance

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Expect worker’s compensation surveillance when you file a claim! My family found out just how intrusive worker’s compensation surveillance is after my husband was injured at work. It prompted me to write a book, “The Dark Side of Injury”. My hope is that if you walk a few miles in my shoes as you read my story, you’ll learn some things that will make filing a worker’s comp claim easier for you.

Expect Worker's Compensation Surveillance When You File a Claim
Expect Worker’s Compensation Surveillance When You File a Claim

Employers and insurance companies commonly hire multiple private investigators for worker’s compensation surveillance to track activities of injury victims. Companies count on “a picture is worth a thousand words,” as they attempt to prove that you are not injured. While insurance companies claim worker’s compensation surveillance stops fraud, it’s more about denying benefits to save money.

Worker’s compensation surveillance is everywhere. While investigators aren’t allowed on your private property, they can park across the street from your house. They can follow you in a vehicle. Detectives climb trees, hide behind shrubbery and corners. Because they are in plain clothes and switch shifts, you never know when you’re being videoed or photographed. Private eyes are watching you—close your window blinds if you don’t want them to see you nude, bathing or having sex.

Worker’s compensation surveillance extends beyond just keeping an eye on your activities. Private investigators monitor your Internet activity, especially on social media sites where people share and post pictures about what they are doing. Be on guard about posting content or pictures that can be misinterpreted. It’s all too easy for innocent pictures to be misconstrued when taken out of context. Limiting online activities is a good idea.

Even when you aren’t doing anything wrong, it’s uncomfortable to be under a magnifying glass. While you are cautious about following all the restrictions set by your doctor, you never know when something will send the wrong impression. I found that keeping a detailed surveillance log was helpful. This log helps you remember the happenings on a specific day so that you can respond to erroneous charges.

Take charge of your life. Don’t allow an insurance company to unfairly deny your workers compensation benefits. Fight back. Get the tools and tips to navigate the worker’s compensation system in “The Dark Side of Injury”.  And, talk to your attorney about worker’s compensation surveillance and laws in your state.

Chiropractic Care for Athletes Offers Multiple Benefits

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Sports are a huge part of everyday life for many people. Even if you don’t play sports, you’re probably related to or know someone who does. We’re in awe of how they push their bodies to a higher level to excel in football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics and more. Athletes battle a lot of injuries in the rough and tumble world of sports. Left untreated, these injuries can haunt them throughout their life. Chiropractic care for athletes is a must.

Chiropractic Care for Athletes Speeds Recovery
Chiropractic Care for Athletes Speeds Recovery

How many times have you heard someone say, “Oh, it’s an old knee injury from high school football,” as they limp along beside you. Chiropractic care for athletes helps them recover faster and more completely from injuries. Plus, it also helps athletes improve their game. Here’s how.

  1. Structural asymmetry. Many people have a structural problem in their body alignment. For example, a turned-in foot can stress many other areas of the body. An awkward movement pattern not only leads to extra wear and tear on the body, but it can lead to early arthritis. Hard hits and repetitive motions from sports add to the stress. Chiropractic care for athletes corrects asymmetry and help keep athletes on top of their game and health.
  2. Range of motion. Whether you participate in an endurance or high-impact sport, chiropractic adjustments can help your performance. Adjustments reduce irritation of the nerve roots, which allows minor injuries and strains to heal faster. In addition, adjustments improve blood flow, range of motion, and flexibility. The bottom line is that athletes enjoy a better game with less pain.
  3. Avoid injuries. While there’s no way to prevent athletes in high-contact sports from all injuries, chiropractic care for athletes can help reduce injuries and speed healing. Spinal injuries and/or misalignment can reduce strength, slow reflexes, and restrict motion—and puts you at high risk for injury. Chiropractic adjustments can correct alignment and reduce your risk. Treating injuries when they happen can also make a difference in complete healing. It all adds up to more playing time with improved performance.

Professional athletes know that it’s not only important to see a chiropractor after an injury, but it’s important to incorporate chiropractic care into their game plan. Read our article, “Your Athlete and Chiropractic Care” to learn about famous athletes who rely on chiropractic care. But, chiropractic care isn’t just for professional adult athletes. It’s a must for younger and weekend athletes to help prevent “old sports injuries” from haunting them throughout their life. Is it time to add chiropractic care for athletes to your game plan?

Schedule a consult with Serenity Health Care to learn more about chiropractic care for athletes.

 

Your Athlete and Chiropractic Care

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By: Dr. Heather King DC, Serenity Health Care Center

What do Aaron Rogers, Greg Mathews, Michael Jordon, Tiger Woods and Evander Holyfield all have in common? 

They all see a chiropractor regularly.  Chiropractic care has been endorsed by most major professional and amateur sports associations and is used by athletes competing in both professional and amateur levels.  Whether it is the Super Bowl, Olympics, high school or youth competition, chiropractic care can help all athletes improve their game.

Chiropractic care is a safe, conservative noninvasive treatment approach to musculoskeletal complaints. Expert chiropractic treatment is effective in treating pain and discomfort in:

  • All areas of the spine
  • Feet
  • Knees
  • Hips
  • Shoulder
  • Elbow
  • Wrist and hand complaints

My primary goal for patients is to reduce and eliminate pain while addressing associated nervous system dysfunction.  Regular chiropractic treatment can help everyone function at his or her highest levels.  Injuries are a part of every athlete’s career.  Depending upon the type of injury chiropractic care can be an important part in helping athletes return to play.  A sore hip or foot might not sideline an athlete but can cause pain when running or jumping.

Having an evaluation by a chiropractor can help determine the cause, especially when there is no evidence of fracture or tear. 

 

Understanding Body Mechanics

Watching a high school volleyball player perform a spike over the net, they throw up the right arm and shoulder back and bring it forward with enough force to spike the ball to the floor.  The mechanics of that motion involve not only the spine but also the shoulder and surrounding muscles.  With this complex motion, it is easy to see how if one minor piece is not functioning properly it can cause her not to hit the ball as fast but slow down the entire process of spiking the ball.

Looking at the shoulders, I want them to be fairly even accounting for a difference in muscle tone due to increased use on the right side.  Examining the shoulder blade and surrounding area, we evaluate to see what could cause a biomechanical difference in her motion.  Muscle spasm along the edge of the shoulder blade, misalignment at the head of the shoulder, tightness in the front of the shoulder all could be some of the reasons she is not performing at her highest level.  A chiropractor can address all these problems.

Whether you enjoy spending your time kneeling in the garden, throwing a baseball towards home plate or tackling a running back, everyone wants to enjoy those activities pain-free.  Regular chiropractic care can help not only keep you at your top performance but help with the aches and pains that come from performing at your top level.

If you would like to schedule a chiropractic consultation, call Serenity Health Care Center at 262-522-8640.

4 Worker’s Comp Roadblocks When Your Claim is Denied

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Worker’s comp roadblocks can multiply! If you are injured on the job, worker’s compensation is supposed to pay medical expenses that are necessary to diagnose and treat your injury. In addition, it should also provide disability payments while you can’t work. It may pay for retraining and other benefits if you can’t return to work due to the injury. But, the worker’s compensation system is far from straightforward. There are roadblocks on every corner at a time when you need it most.

Worker's Comp Roadblock On Every Corner
Worker’s Comp Roadblock On Every Corner

Worker’s Comp Roadblock No. 1 occurs when an employer says your injury didn’t happen on the job. Or, they can report that you suffered the injury while you were violating company policy. When worker’s comp denies the claim, you’re facing an uphill battle. An attorney is your first line of defense.

Worker’s Comp Roadblock No. 2 can appear after you’ve hired the attorney. Suddenly, your employer can’t accommodate your work restrictions, so you’re laid off. While you may receive unemployment, it’s not enough to see you through. You lose all your work-related benefits, including medical insurance.

Worker’s Comp Roadblock No. 3 looms just around the corner when you find that you can’t even pay your living expenses while you’re fighting the claims. In addition, medical bills are escalating. A major illness is a setback even for people who feel they are set financially. Creditors may be closing in as bankruptcy nears.

Worker’s Comp Roadblock No. 4 begins when you start living under a microscope. In many states, worker’s compensation can hire investigators to watch your every move. The idea behind this is to disprove your injury. It’s no longer your word vs. your employer’s word. The worker’s compensation system is set up to challenge you on every corner.

Disability insurance helps keep you afloat if you had the foresight to purchase it before the injury. Unfortunately, many people don’t recognize the importance or feel they can’t afford it. After the injury, it’s too late.

Document every conversation. Document every medical appointment. Document everything. Documentation will help you navigate around the roadblocks. My book, The Dark Side of Injury, outlines the steps and resources you need to work with the worker’s comp roadblocks. If you’re facing a battle with worker’s compensation, don’t walk blindly into the meetings. Read my book so you’ll know what to do.

The Dark Side of Injury Offers Resources to Navigate Worker’s Compensation

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I just launched my new book, The Dark Side of Injury. Navigating the worker’s compensation system requires more than a map. You need a step-by-step guide with resources for worker’s comp to see you through. The Dark Side of Injury offers resources to help you navigate through the system.

"The Dark Side of Injury" Offers Resources for Worker's Comp
“The Dark Side of Injury” Offers Resources for Worker’s Comp

Too many times, news is about people who are trying to “beat the system”. Get rich schemes make news. What doesn’t make the news is the hardship that many people endure due to a work-related injury. For most, it’s a matter of finding effective treatment and staying financially afloat.

When personal injury strikes at work, it can change your life forever. Medical treatment alone can financially wipe you out! I personally experienced the worker’s compensation system, and that’s where my story begins.

I had to navigate this system when my husband injured his back at work. After his injury, our family learned many lessons about the American legal and worker’s compensation systems. As a medical provider myself, I thought I knew the nuances of these systems. Nothing could be further from the truth! You need resources for worker’s comp.

Initially, I started writing my book, The Dark Side of Injury, because I was angry and hurt. Many fraudulent acts deserved to be exposed. Reliving my experiences through writing the book has been healing. Now, my objective is to provide resources for worker’s  comp and tools to help others (business owners, families and individuals) who must deal with these systems.

The book includes my personal experiences, checklists, how-to guides and other resources for worker’s comp. Knowing what to do and where to go is a tremendous help as you navigate the systems of work-related injuries, malpractice and the associated legal world. 

If you or someone you know is fighting an uphill worker’s compensation or legal battle, The Dark Side of Injury book will answer many of your questions. Information on how to find a competent doctor and attorney is vital to your health and financial stability. Plus, tips on navigating the legal and worker’s compensation system offer new insight into those murky areas.

As someone who has walked miles in your shoes, I understand your frustration and despair. My wish is that you let my experience, told in The Dark Side of Injury, help you and your loved ones through this difficult time. ~Debra Muth, ND, WHNP, APNP, BAAHP

can food allergies cause weight gain

Can food sensitivities and food allergies cause weight gain?

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Hidden food allergies reach far beyond digestive disturbances, skin rashes and breathing problems. Do you feel bloated, have pain or feel moody after eating a specific food? Certain foods can trigger physical reactions when you have an allergy or sensitivity. Food allergies are often responsible for cravings, causing you to eat more and gain weight.

Hidden food allergies frequently go undiagnosed due to delayed reactions. Symptoms can occur hours to days after a food is consumed.

Hidden Food Allergies Can Cause Weight Gain
Hidden Food Allergies Can Cause Weight Gain



This is why so many people don’t make the connection between the food and symptoms. If you’re following a low-calorie, low-fat diet and still not losing weight, it may be hidden food allergies at work!

The good news is that identifying your food allergies and tweaking your diet can put you on the right track to achieving your ideal weight. Common offending foods include corn, eggs, soy, fructose, lactose and gluten.

These products are in many processed foods, making it difficult to diagnose when you don’t know where to look.

Even if you don’t have a weight problem, you need to know if you have hidden food allergies. Pinpointing reactions to specific foods is the first step in tweaking your diet. While medical tests are often needed to diagnose hidden food allergies, here’s a test that you can do at home.

  • Keep a food diary to record foods you eat and physical symptoms for the following week.
  • Identify potential offending foods
  • Eliminate foods from your diet
  • Add one food at a time back to isolate offending foods

Multiple physical and environmental factors can negatively affect your weight. Read Dr. Muth’s article, “A Burden that’s Yours to Lose” to understand more about the different weight influences.

Serenity Health Care has extensive experience in isolating hidden allergies.

Schedule a consultation here to learn more about what’s preventing you from feeling and looking your best.

A burden that is yours to Lose…Uncommon Factors That Hinder Weight Loss

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The goal for the New Year is to create a new you. We all have goals and areas of our lives that need to be improved. Often the New Year is the time of the year a majority of Americans uses to examine their lives and set goals. Whether it is work related, home life or other areas many resolutions and goals are often set.

With this evaluation, time comes a frequently asked question, “am I happy with my current health?” In this discussion, we often come back to the subject of weight. Why is it we take this evaluation, make a complex issue, and “scale” it back to a number that stares up at us when we get on a scale? It is not that simple, just put “weight loss” into any search engine in the Internet! When I did this, I had 350,000,000 results in 0.49 seconds! If losing weight were as simple as eating less and exercising more, I would have some people in my practice ecstatic, because they are faithfully doing this but can’t see a return. Why would that be? Let’s first explore the current beliefs about weight.

Common factors that most people know which contribute to weight gain include:

  • Eating too many calories
  • Getting too little exercise
  • Genetics and family history
  • Some medication
  • Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as skipping breakfast and not getting enough sleep.

Our beliefs around weight needs be expanded further and in doing that we begin to understand there are other factors, which contribute to weight gain. A successful weight loss program is formulated when the uncommonly thought off factors s to weight gain are addressed.

What is Body Composition?

At Serenity Healthcare Center’s clinical experience, we have seen the following uncommonly thought of factors that have contributed to our patient’s weight gain and lack of success when following all rules of diet and exercise:

  • Toxic exposure
  • Delayed food allergies
  • Consuming foods high in Glycemic value
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Poor adrenal function
  • Chronic infection
  • Thyroid imbalance and gastrointestinal dysbiosis

Our clinical experience demonstrates that these factors can contribute to weight. By looking at some of these underlying issues and addressing them, weight loss is easier to obtain.

Furthermore, the environment we live in exposes us too many chemicals that our body has to deal with. If our process of detoxification is not efficient in eliminating toxins, these harmful toxins can be stored in our fat tissue. If the fat tissue starts to break up with weight loss, the body does not want to deal with this load; weight loss can stall until this is addressed. We also see success with the supporting the genetics of detox. A gene called MTHFR plays a role in not only detox but also how we metabolize medications.

Delayed food allergies play a big role in the ability to lose weight. If a food that causes inflammation, irritation is consumed on a “special diet” to lose weight and your body can’t properly break this down this will also imped your progress.

Hormone imbalance is also a role.

Poor adrenal function impacts our base metabolic rate and by using adaptogens and adrenal support products energy and focus improve along with adjusting your metabolic weight. When the adrenals are not functioning this can contribute to poor sleep at night as well. The thyroid gland also plays a big role in the metabolic set point of our body. If the thyroid is not properly supported or sluggish, this contributes to inability to lose weight.

Want to learn more? Schedule a consultation as we can you help you achieve your health and weight loss goals.