Dr.
Frisch’s E-News
A Publication of Dr. Glenn Frisch:
4137 Woodland Road
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763-784-5304 • 763-784-5349 (fax) • dr.frisch@att.net • © 2004, Dr. Frisch. All Rights Reserved
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Dr. Frisch Welcome to March! It is hard to believe that spring is just around the corner, but it really is. This issue will delve into topics regarding injury and your ability to recover after the trauma. I think you may be surprised at how difficult it can be to become fully functional again. All is not lost, however, if you suffer with chronic pain. Chiropractic and the Activator Technique provides a unique method of structural and neurological care that effectively treats chronic pain. I will also be discussing some interesting investigations by the Harvard School of Medicine in relation to gambling. Eileen is bringing us a wonderful Corned Beef and Cabbage dish this month. I don't have to guess what I will be eating on St. Patrick's Day. Since we would be discussing the topic of injury and recovery, I thought that I would do something unique and show you what real whiplash looks like. Whiplash injures the supporting structures of the neck. I think you will be fascinated by what you see, and maybe realize that whiplash is not just a sore muscle, but a real physical trauma that is visible. I hope that you enjoy this issue of ENews and that it provides you with, at least, some information that you didn't previously know! As always, call if you have any questions or comments Dr. Frisch |
Chronic Pain
If that arrow of fire seems to have your name on it then you will want to make sure that you read this article a couple of times and pass it along to others who may suffer with daily pain! Chronic pain is not something that people make up to get attention from others or an imaginary problem that that is used to get an insurance company to pay for care that someone feels they need. Chronic pain is not acute pain that lasts for a long time. That description would impart that the condition is recent and still in the emergency state of healing. That is not the case with chronic pain. Chronic pain is a physical condition that results from an initial trauma or a sequence of inflammatory states that results in an altered chemical release by tissues of the body and an improper brain recognition of those chemicals or neuron stimulation. (That was a mouthful, so let me explain it more clearly) Your thoughts, emotions, and body functions are all controlled by your nervous system. Think of it as the electrical wiring of your body. When the electricity is flowing properly you work right, when the electricity doesn't flow right you have a problem. The signal of a problem is usually pain. The 'chemicals' that tell the wiring what type of signal to carry and send are dependent on things like tissue trauma, temperature, mechanical force and proprioception (position in space). Here is a scenario: "A young woman falls and injures her low back. There is muscle and ligament injury. This means there is joint instability, as well as muscle spasming and weakness. If left untreated, the ligaments and muscles heal in that protected state resulting in joint imbalance and uneven weight bearing. 6 months, 1 year and even 4 years later this young woman still suffers with daily pain." WHY? Answer: The body heals tissue, but doesn't return function of the tissue! This means that the quality of that healing is what is important. If weight bearing imbalance occurs, proprioceptors tell the brain the joint is out of position and the mechanoreceptors tell the brain there is uneven force on joint. The muscles and ligaments then heal badly and the "stretch/tone reflex' is imbalanced. The tissues are then easily irritated and inflamed, which activates the circulatory response and triggers thermoreceptors (temperature) to begin firing. This chain reaction of neurological signals IS what happens when someone heals wrong. It is also a primary complex of Chronic Pain (there are more). Chronic pain responds well to chiropractic care and the Activator Technique. The joint stability is regained and the pain reduces to tolerable limits or remisses completely. If you suffer with chronic pain, you need to know IT IS TREATABLE. Every case is different, but an evaluation should be scheduled to determine the level of success you can expect. Unlike simple acute pain, chronic pain rarely goes away on its own. |
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More Chronic Pain
A recent research article supports the chronic pain cycle I just described. Researchers decided to look at the sensory and sympathetic nervous system's reaction to whiplash trauma. 76 whiplash patients were evaluated within one month of an auto injury, and again at 2, 3, and 6 months post-injury. The researchers also assessed 20 individuals were were pain free and they were used as a control group. 4 distinct tests were used to evaluate general hypersensitivity:
Results: " The results of this study provide the first evidence that the presence of generalized sensory hypersensitivity can differentiate those with persistent moderate/severe symptoms at 6 months following whiplash injury from those who have largely recovered. These sensory disturbances occurred independent of psychological stress...........changes in sensory function reflect altered nociception within the central nervous system." Sterling M., Jull G., Vicenzino B, Kenardy J., Sensory hypersensitivity occurs soon after whiplash injury and is associated with poor recovery. Pain, 2003. 509-517.
GF: This study's findings are very close to what chiropractic has been preaching for years. This medical study, however, did not provide results based on care, only diagnostic testing. |
Lay Your Money Down Gambling has become not only legitimized, but also socially acceptable in our society. Most states have some form of lottery and let's not forget about the pull tabs and scratch-off tickets. Gambling has also become socially acceptable via the casinos. On-site gambling with hotel accommodations, food, drink and entertainment provide companionship and a sense of 'community' for many people. Gambling at its core is a 'risk' of some form with a possible reward. That isn't necessarily a negative thing. It just states that this activity has risk, but then, so does insurance and the stock market. (We will leave that for another issue.) Gambling really runs into a problem when it becomes compulsive. Compulsivity in any form is dysfunctional. Feeling a desire to do something that is proving to be personally or financially harmful is allowing a behavior to take over common sense and reality. This rarely is beneficial. The Harvard Medical School has compiled criteria to help determine if someone is having problems with gambling. I think they are worth reading.
If 5 or more of these apply then it is considered pathological gambling. Pathological gambling warrants that someone take a close look at their life. By the time someone reaches the point of pathology, they may not want to address their problem, and family or friends may have to help before they hit bottom. Here are some numbers that can help if you or someone you know is having a problem with gambling:
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Eileen's Corner Corned Beef and Cabbage
Have a Great St. Patrick's Day! Eileen
What Does it Look Like? Since we have been talking about trauma and whiplash, I thought it might be nice to actually show you what whiplash looks like. Remember, whiplash is structural damage and not just sore muscles!
Normal Neck Curve
Whiplash Reversal Curve
Impaired Function on neck flexion. Look at the 'stair stepping' on the back of the vertebral bodies. The ligaments that support the neck are damaged and the neck is moving around much like a 'slinky'. As I stated earlier, whiplash is a structural trauma to the spine that doesn't go away on its own. Chiropractic care is needed to stabilize and correct the injuries. Chiropractic care is based on structure and function. Asking your MD to treat this type of problem would be akin to asking your dentist to fix your heart condition. They wouldn't be very good at it! Be smart after an accident and call your chiropractor for an evaluation. The pain with this type of problem may not begin for weeks or months, but the healing process begins right away! Don't allow 'bad' healing to begin.
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Do I Love Me Too Much?
Have you ever wondered why some people seem so selfish or do things in their life that are 'self-serving' and hurt others around them? The term for that behavior is Narcissim and it come from a Greek myth in which Narcissus rejected all lovers and then fell in love with his own reflection in a forest pool. The American Psychiatric Association characterizes this personality disorder as one of 'feelings of superiority' and a 'sense of entitlement'. These individuals have an unrealistic view of their talents and worth and feel that their problems and needs, like their gifts, deserve the utmost priority. Narcissistic personalities pay very little attention to other people's feelings or wishes. They feel they should come first. These people will take advantage of others for their own benefit without even considering that they have done anything wrong. When confronted with the evidence, they are often defiant and will call you a liar. If this behavior sounds like someone you know, you are probably right. Narcissism is common and has many levels. It is often the murderer who feels no remorse or shame for the violent crime he or she committed. It may also be the inconsiderate driver who regularly cuts off others or fails to signal. They have a total disregard for anyone on the road other than themselves. Another example could be the executive at work who has been stealing from the company, and when confronted doesn't feel that he or she did anything wrong and that they were entitled to the money. They feel no guilt or remorse. Finally, let's not forget the family members who believe in a false pecking order of family importance and feel that they have a God-given right to judge the worth of children or siblings. Narcissism is a developmental problem and has many levels of severity. For that reason, there are many levels of treatment. Some milder forms of treatment are simple punishment for their behavior. When someone (even children) realizes that there will be a quick and significant punishment following bad behavior, the behavior will be corrected. Time and repetition remedies the personality flaw. More severe forms Narcissistic behavior require professional help. When their behavior is destroying other people's lives (or their own) a simple 'just say no attitude' won't work. These people were often considered difficult to raise children and their manipulative mechanisms were well honed by adulthood. Our prisons are full of Narcissistic people. They want you to believe that their problems are someone else's fault. They don't feel bad that they did the crime, they just feel bad that they were caught. To bring Narcissistic people to a place of stability so that they can be a contribution to society, instead of a problem, takes a stern attitude. These people are used to getting their own way because of some perceived sense of power or entitlement. A stern and steady pattern of what you will allow around you is a start. Do not expect a selfish, self-serving person to like it. They won't. It will, however, start the change. If you have been paying attention to society, you will have noticed that things have changed in the past several years. The lack of respect that people have for each other is disturbing. Even television and the popular 'reality shows' are disrespectful. I'm not sure if people no longer care about their behavior because there are no significant penalties, or if they just don't realize that Narcissistic behavior can be stimulated without their conscious knowledge? Either is detrimental to families and communities and without a correction it will only get worse. Narcissistic behavior is more common in a society that is concerned with 'feelings' instead of 'realities'. We are constantly being told to be concerned about and worry over other people's feelings, rather than what is right and wrong! The problem is that the people telling you to have concern for other's feelings have an agenda that actually uses you to get what they want! That type of behavior is Narcissistic, immature and does not solve problems or deal with serious issues. We have been told for too many years that feelings are equal to accomplishments. They are wrong! This type of thinking is self-serving and irresponsible. To maintain your own stability when dealing with Narcissistic people, remember that you are in charge of you. Others cannot control you unless you allow it! Be stern, if not stubborn, in your convictions of right and wrong, but be fair. You will be much happier with the outcome.
Take care until next month..... Dr. Frisch
P.S. Now that I have figured out how to get x-rays from the view box to the computer screen, I will be able to bring you injury information and health knowledge that you never dreamed possible! Stay tuned......it will be fun! |
