60% of Veterans Report Chronic Pain and How Chiropractic Can Help

Chronic pain can make our lives difficult by interfering with our activities of daily living.  When patients turn to medication to manage chronic pain, it may relieve symptoms by masking the pain, however it does not address the cause of the pain.  Side effects of pain mediation include drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, depression, increased suicidal ideations, weakened immune system, addiction, and can have negative effects on how other systems in the body function.  Unfortunately one group of people often deal with chronic pain: our nations veterans.  In fact, 29%-44% of military members deployed to conflict zones in Iraq or Afghanistan reported chronic pain.  According to the Veteran Health Administration, 48%-60% of their primary care patients suffer from chronic pain.
Veterans returning from duty are at an increased risk for depression and suicide and these issues are also linked highly to chronic pain.  Opioid addiction and overdose numbers have continued to rise in veterans since 2010 each year.  As a result of this increased need, non-pharmacological treatments for chronic pain is a necessity to help our veterans after they have sacrificed so much for our country.  Among these treatments are chiropractic adjustments!  Research of active duty members found that those soldiers who sought chiropractic care more often reported that when they did feel their pain, it was mild and less frequent in occurrence.   Chiropractic care offers safe, gentle, specific adjustments to the neck, spine, and extremities to align the body so that it may function at its best ability.  When it comes to those who sacrifice so much by serving in the military, it should be our service to them to ensure that they are well taken care of!  Our veterans deserve more than just masking their symptoms, they deserve full relief of the cause of their pain!


Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Emary, P. C., Brown, A. L., Cameron, D. F., & Pessoa, A. F. (2019). Chiropractic integration within a community health centre:a cost description and partial analysis of cost-utility from the perspective of the institution. J Can Chiropr Assoc 2019, 63(2), 64-79.

Everybody Poops! But not often enough...

Bowel movements shouldn't be complicated-they are a standard process for the human body!  Our bodies are designed beautifully and intricately; all processes interact with one another and have very specific functions.  However, sometimes our bodies "wires" get crossed in our nervous system, which leads to a lack of optimal functioning.  Current research is highlighting the importance of the "gut-brain relationship."  Meaning, the health of your gut is in direct correlation to your brain health.  Diseases are being traced back to our digestive tract and it appears that as we clean up our gut health, issues begin to fade or even become non-existent.
The number one most common thing in all patients that I see on a daily basis is constipation.  Even when patients state that they "go regularly," it is apparent on x-ray analysis that the intestines are backed up with feces, and they don't even know it!  Bowel movements should happen at least once per day, with the stool consistently being soft yet formed with easy elimination (no straining).  Approximately 8-9% of the over 2 billion people that suffer from constipation have functional constipation.  This  means that there are no specific factors found from a medical standpoint as to why they are constipated.  Other causes of constipation include medication side effects, not enough water intake, low activity level, chronic stress, low fiber in your diet, and neurological interference.  When subluxations are present in the neck and spine, the signals sent down the nervous system to the gut are interfered with, and dysfunction results.  Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and specific adjustments to the sacrum all remove interference to those nerves that send the signals that regulate bowel movements. 
Chiropractic care can help relieve constipation in people of all ages.  Often times in infants, it only takes one adjustment to the pelvis for them to have a bowel movement and often it is instantaneous! Chiropractic adjustments are safe and effective for everyone!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

More Chiropractic Care Means Less Opioid Use

Opioid medications act on our bodies opioid receptors to produce a pain-relieving effect. While there are times when opioid medications are necessary, a crisis has emerged in our country for opioid abuse.  Most physicians try to only prescribe opioid medications for moderate to severe pain, however it is estimated that over 191 million prescriptions are written per year, meaning that approximately 58.7 per 100 people are receiving opioid mediation!  When our bodies are in pain, it is common to seek the most effective and immediate relief to be able to keep functioning for our daily lives.  While opioid medications can provide immediate relief, drugs all come with side effects, as well as a highly addictive tendency associated with these types of medications.  With such enormous risks that are associated with these drugs, are there other alternative healthcare options?
A 2019 case study followed patients with chronic neck and back pain to determine if their prescription needs for opioid medications could decrease with chiropractic care.  The results? An astounding reduction of 85% reduction in pharmaceutical costs for these patients!  Those seeking chiropractic care first before medications had a 64% chance of not needing opioid prescription at all!  Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments gets to the root cause of the pain instead of masking its symptoms.  Chiropractic care is safe, effective, with no side effects or addictive outcomes.  Looking for answers for your chronic pain?  We can help!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

 Corcoran,K.L.,Bastian,L.A.,Gunderson,C.G.,Steffens,C.,Brackett,A.,&Lisi,A.J.(2019).AssociationBetweenChiropracticUseandOpioidReceiptAmongPatientswithSpinalPain:ASystematicReviewandMeta-analysis.PainMedicine.doi:10.1093/pm/pnz219

Immediate Improvements in Sleep with Chiropractic Care

Sleep is vital to our overall health.  During sleep, our bodies are at work recovering from the day and restoring function to all systems.  Poor quality sleep or interrupted sleep cycles can result in numerous dysfunction throughout the body.  In infants and children, poor quality sleep can lead to social, emotional, physical, and cognitive developmental issues.  In adults, poor sleep can lead to a weakened immune system, mood issues, high blood pressure, weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, low sex drive, memory issues, and over time increases your risk for diabetes.  In my office, the number one thing patients state improves after their first adjustment is sleep quality.  Especially in pediatric populations, by adjusting the spine sleep is immediately improved.
A 2019 case report following a 7-month old infant who was only sleeping for 2-3 hour increments at night.  Her parents sought out chiropractic care to see if it could improve her sleep schedule.  Gentle, specific adjustments improved the baby's sleep to 8-9 hour increments and mom reported improvement in the baby's mood and energy during the day after just the second visit! With short-term continued care, the sleep disorder was completely resolved and the child also became a better eater and bowel movements were more regular as well.
Adults also see quick improvements in their sleep cycles immediately after starting chiropractic care.  According to the CDC, over 50 million people suffer with sleep disturbances, and the drug Ambien alone was prescribed 38 million times over the last 4 years.  Chiropractic care offers a drug-free approach for sleep issues.  By removing interference to the nervous system, the body is allowed to heal properly and restore itself during the sleep cycle.  No side effects, no drowsiness, no invasive procedures needed to improve your quality of sleep when you try chiropractic care!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Porter, M., & Alcantara, J., (2019). Resolution of Sleep Disorder in an infant undergoing Chiropractic Care: Case Report & Review of the Literature. J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, 87-90.

Can Chiropractic Care Help High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems.  Some of these health problems include stroke, heart disease, heart failure, sexual dysfunction, vision loss, heart attack, and kidney disease.  It is estimated that 1 out of every 3 adults in America have high blood pressure!  With staggering numbers of upwards of 75 million people who suffer from high blood pressure, often times these patients are put on anti-hyptertensive medications such as lisinopril, HCTZ, diltiazem, lorsartan, and benazepril.  Monitoring blood pressure is vital for our health.   It can tell us how our circulatory system is functioning.  Once issues are identified, it is common for physicians to prescribe these medications to attempt to regulate these issues with our blood pressure.  However, research shows that 70% of patients need at least 2, if not more blood pressure medications to regulate their blood pressure.  More medications mean more side effects.  What if there is another way to help our body regulate itself without medications and their side effects?
An 8-week study of blood pressure patients followed 50 people to determine if there was a difference in blood pressure numbers after specific chiropractic care was utilized.  The patients were put into 2 groups.  One group was given "sham adjustments" meaning not distinguishable from real adjustments, and the other were given specific upper cervical adjustments to the atlas bone in the neck.  Results showed that the "real" adjustment group saw a drop in their blood pressure without the use of medication.  By restoring the alignment of the spine by removing subluxations in the neck, the body is allowed to function properly and regulatory functions are free from interference.  By visiting a chiropractor, and specifically an upper cervical chiropractor, lowering blood pressure is just one of the many benefits of chiropractic care!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Bakris, G., Dickholtz, M., Meyer, P., M., Kravitz, G., Avery, E., Miller, M., ...Bell, B. (2007). Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients:A pilot study. Journal of Human Hypertension, 21(5), 347-352. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1002133

Chiropractic Care for Disc Herniations...Less Risk and More Effective than Surgery!

  One significant cause for back and neck pain can be a herniated disc.  Between your vertebrae are flat, round cushioning pads called discs.  These discs act similarly to a shock absorption system found in your shoes.  Each disc has a gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus that is encapsulated by a tough, fibrous outer layer called the annulus.  A herniated disc (also known as a slipped or ruptured disc) can happen when pressure from the vertebrae above or below force a part or the entire nucleus through a weakened or torn part of the annulus. The herniated nucleus pulposus can press on the nerves near the disc.  Pain, numbness or tingling are often the effects felt from the pressure on the nerves coming out of the vertebrae and spine.  Herniated discs also cause surrounding inflammation in other areas of the neck and spine.  Current research is highlighting the role of this inflammation and the most effective way to remove that inflammation so that the disc is allowed to heal.  Invasive surgical procedures not only run a large risk they often have low success rates to remove pain from the area and lead to more surgeries for the same issue.
Chiropractic care can stretch the spine and isolate the herniated area with non-invasive adjustments of the neck and spine.  By moving vertebrae, the herniated disc is then moved away from the nerve, reducing pressure off of the nerve root which relieves pain.  Also, chiropractic adjustments allow the nervous system to release an anti-inflammatory substance, which removes inflammation and further relieves pain.
Even surgeons are recommending less invasive, gentle approaches for herniated disc treatment.  It is being discovered that chiropractic care is bringing better long-term results for discs with little to no complications or side-effects.  Improving structure of the spine reduces inflammation which allows the body to heal.  While options for drugs and surgery will always be there, they should be utilized only in emergency situations or as a last resort.  We see incredible results in patients with herniated discs every single day in our office!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Cunha, C., Silva, A., J., Pereira, P., Vaz, R., Goncalves, R. M., & Barosa, M.A. (2018). The inflammatory response in the regression of lumbar disc herniation.  Arthritis Research and Therapy, 1-9.
 

Relief from Torticollis (Neck Pain) in All Ages

Anatomy of the Sternocleidomastoid and Trapezius involved in Torticollis

Have you ever woken up and not been able to turn your neck to one side?  Having significant pain in one side of the neck can be caused by a condition caused torticollis.  Torticollis results from a fixed posture or position of the head and neck.  Tilting, rotation and flexion of the head and neck is impaired.  Spasms of the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius and other neck muscles are typically involved and is more prominent on one side than the others.  This can cause someone to tip their head to side or to have great pain when turning the head to one side or the other.  We can also see torticollis in infants particularly right after birth.  Often times infants will have difficulty breastfeeding (especially on one side over the other), irritability, sleeping difficulties, and can lead to cranial distortion.  Having interventions such as forceps or vacuum during delivery increases an infants likelihood of developing torticollis and flat head as they grow and develop.
Chiropractic care utilizes cervical and spinal adjustments by addressing subluxations in the patients' spine, which are commonly associated with the condition. A subluxation is a partial dislocation of one of the vertebrae in the spine.  The dislocation of the vertebrae can interfere with nerve signaling throughout the body, which can interfere with healthy development — even outside the musculoskeletal system. 
By supporting more efficient, effective communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body, chiropractic care can prevent problems that might otherwise arise from irritation to the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Relief from torticollis is often found in just a few visits.  In infant and pediatric patients, torticollis can even be relieved in just one visit!  Next time you wake up with a stiff neck, look to a chiropractic professional to help relieve your pain quickly with gentle, specific chiropractic care!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

TEXT NECK-How it's Damaging our Nervous System

The average American spends a minimum of 4 hours each day looking at a smartphone, tablet, or computer screen.  The neck becomes unsupported when we look down and puts heavy strain and stress on our bodies.  For each degree of tilt, the neck feels added pounds of force as seen in the above diagram.  Added force on the neck is damaging and leads to musculoskeletal disorders of the head, neck and spine.  We have seen such a large increase in these disorders, especially in the pediatric population with the introduction of smartphones and tablets to our youth.  Before, we thought that these disorders were mostly related to whiplash injuries, however "text neck" is proving to show the same damaging results as those injuries.
Some symptoms of text neck can be headaches, shoulder pain, decreased lung capacity (shortness of breath), numbness and tingling down the arms to the hands, irritability, decreased reaction times, decreased attention spans, and neck pain.  When the natural curve of the neck is diminished or even reversed, a whole new group of problems can occur such as low back pain, difficulty with digestion and elimination, herniated or bulging discs in the spine among many others.  Even worse, when the lungs have a diminished capacity to fully expand and circulate oxygen to the body, this causes added stress to the heart and makes it work harder to pump the blood through the body.  Increased stress on the heart has life-long damaging effects to the entire body.
Things you can do to avoid text neck include raising your phone or tablet to your face, instead of face to the phone.  Take breaks often.  Raise up the computer screen on a desk or table by placing a stand underneath so that it is at eye level.  Take several deep breaths while taking a break from electronics use.  And most importantly is to limit use all together of these devices.  Use headphones when possible to avoid having to look down or even now most devices have voice recognition so you don't even have to look at your phone or tablet.  Go out and live your life instead of watching someone else live theirs!  Health cannot be sustained without movement.  Get regular chiropractic adjustments to maintain movement in the head, neck, and spine to remain free from nervous system interference.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Had Spinal Surgery?

 

Surgical procedures are often not a simple, in and out occurence when it comes to our health.  Not only are there pre-surgical preparations, but there can be post-surgical complications and recovery that we often don't think about.  Even when the surgery goes exactly according to the doctor's plan, there is no guarantee that the surgery will fix the underlying problem.  Any time that you alter the original state of the body, no matter the reason, there will be changes that can cascade in other areas of the body post-surgery.   Most spinal fusion surgical patients often believe that once they have had a fusion done, chiropractic care is no longer an option for them.  However, the goal of chiropractic is to restore function back to the body, no matter how small the change may be.  

Last year, a case study was published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science following a 56-year old female patient who sought chiropractic care 6 years after spinal fusion surgery.  This patient had still suffered from chronic neck pain after her surgery, and was relying on pain medications daily for those 6 years!  The chiropractic examination revealed distortions or subluxations in the head and neck.  Often, postural changes like hers can lead to headaches, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, neck pain, shoulder pain, numbness or tingling down the arms and hands, and difficulty concentrating.  Her pain ranged from a 3 out of 10 on a "good" day, and got to as bad as a 9 out of 10 on a "bad" day.  Her average pain scale rating on a daily basis was a 6 out of 10!  Not only was she on pain medications, she also was taking an anti-migraine medication, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-nausea medicines and muscle relaxers.  She was seeking help also because of her concern for addictive tendencies with her narcotic pain medications.  After 11 days of chiropractic treatment, this woman experiences a 50% improvement in her posture, and her pain level went to a 2/10 on her "bad" days and a 0 out of 10 on her "good" days.  This case study followed up with her at 7.5years after initial chiropractic treatment, as well as 11.5 years, and 14 years post chiropractic care.  She reported virtually no pain and was able to be removed from ALL medications entirely related to her neck pain!  

Even post-spinal surgical pain can be reduced or possibly eliminated when the body is returned to proper alignment with gentle, specific, chiropractic adjustments.  While I don't hope for surgery as an early option or treatment for spinal discomfort or disorders, I do believe that chiropractic can help everyone, no matter their age or health history. 

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Oakley, P. A., & Harrison, D. E. (2018). Alleviation of pain and disability in a post-surgical C4-C7 total fusion patient after reducing a lateral head translation (side shift) posture: A CBP case report with a 14 year follow-up.  Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 30(7), 952-957. doi:10.1589/jpts.30.952

How Chiropractic Can Help With Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is a sudden onset of weakness or paralysis of one side of the face.  It can also include headaches, drooping of the eyelid or inability to close one eye completely.  Also, facial drooping including a corner of the mouth as well as changes in saliva and tears production can be symptoms.  It is estimated that over 40,000 people each year have a new onset of Bell's palsy.  Repeat attacks are common as well once you've been affected by this disorder.  Bell's palsy is extremely scary, especially because the symptoms can mimic a stroke.  It is important to note that a stroke should be ruled out first and foremost if these symptoms suddenly arise.  The good news is that with Bell's Palsy, although frightening actually has a simple, single reason behind it and there can be relief with chiropractic care.  The facial nerve, or 7th cranial nerve, becomes damaged or irritated during this disorder.  The facial nerve travels through a narrow canal called the Fallopian canal in the skull, underneath the ear to the muscles that control the side of the face.  These muscles affected are those in charge of controlling eye blinking, eye closing, smiling and frowning. Also, the 7th nerve is in charge of sending messages to the tear and saliva glands which becomes greatly affected with the nerve has experienced trauma such as inflammation or subluxation.  This means that the structure of the skull and spine have a direct effect on the treatment of Bell's Palsy.
A recent case study in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research followed a 68-year old man suffering from Bell's Palsy who had previously tried steroids, eye drops, and anti-inflammatory prescription medications without relief.  He sought chiropractic care and after a short time with regular chiropractic adjustments his facial paralysis was completely resolved!  No need for continued medications with costly side-effects.  While chiropractic adjustments do not treat specific symptoms, the brain and nervous system were allowed to function freely without interference or disruption and therefore his facial nerve was restored to send proper messages to the face.  
Significant relief is found when the spine is aligned and free from interference to function at optimal levels!

Yours in Health,


Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Preece, S., D.C., & Alcanta, J., D.C. (2019).  Resolution of Bell's Palsy in a 68-year old Man Following Correction of Upper Cervical Subluxation:A Case Report & Review. J. Upper Cervical Chiropractic Reasearch, 28-35.

Study Shows 87% of Nurses Experience Back and Neck Pain

 

The nursing profession is a job which requires a great deal of physical and emotional strength.  Nurses often stand on their feet for an extended period of time and work long shifts, ranging from 4-16 hours at a time.   Any profession that requires you to stand on your feet all day can suffer from tremendous discomfort and it takes a toll on the mind and body.  Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are among the most frequent occupational disorders among the nursing profession.  Working overnight shifts and forcing your body to be out of the "normal" sleep/wake cycles can often make these disorders more intense.  

A 2018 study followed 110 nurses working in a hospital setting to determine the type of physical and psychological toll that their profession was taking on them.  With increased sick days called for musculoskeletal pains, it was found that 86.24% of those studied had pain and discomfort in their spine.  Long periods of time on their feet, bending, pushing beds, lifting patients, among many other repetitive movements all made their pains worse during shift work.  42% of those studied reported residual fatigue each time at work.  All 86.24% of those reporting back pain also reported that their pain contributed to decreased satisfaction and productivity with their job.  

Nurses give so much of themselves while caring for others that they often are left feeling overwhelmed and stressed both physically and emotionally.  It is of upmost importance that nurses take care of themselves so that they can continue to perform at a high level for many years in their demanding profession.  Spinal health is crucial to these professionals so that they may continue doing what they love pain-free.  We love to care for nurses in our office. Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve back and neck pain, and well has help their bodies recover faster from long shifts and overnight hours.  Chiropractic care can also boost energy, reduce inflammation, restore sleep function, aid in cognitive clarity, and reduce stress and anxiety levels.  My wife is a RN and so I know first-hand how demanding their profession is, and the toll it can take on the body.  Have a nurse that you care about?  Remind them to take time for themselves by getting their spine checked!  

Yours in Health,


Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Dias da Silva, T.P., Navegantes de Araujo, W., Stival, M. M., Martins de Toledo., A., Burke, T. N., & Carregaro, R. L. (2018). Musculoskeletal discomfort, work ability, and fatigue in nursing professionals working in a hospital environment.  Rev Esc Enferm USP, 52(e03332). 1-8. doi:10.1590/S1980-220X2017022903332

Long-Term Effects after a Car Accident

There are an estimated 6 million car accidents in the US every year, with over 3 million resulting in serious injuries.  Its easy to think of only the "right now" effects of a car accident when it comes to our health.  Most people who have been in an accident do not feel pain immediately, and research shows it takes about 48 hours for pain and stiffness to set in after a collision.  However, over 68% of people involved in a motor vehicle accident still feel pain in their back and neck at one year post-accident when left untreated.  It only takes a collision at 8 miles per hour to have damaging effects or whiplash of the neck.  If whiplash is untreated, this leads to long-term pain in the neck and damage to the nervous system.  Even more so, chronic neck pain is the 4th leading cause of disability in the world for adults!
Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. Symptoms people may experience after whiplash of the neck due to a car accident include neck pain, stiffness in the neck and shoulder, loss of range of motion in the neck, headaches, upper arms and back soreness, numbness and tingling in the arms and hands, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, sleep disturbances, irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and depression.  Taking medication after a car accident such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or opioids will help with short-term pain control, but won't correct the injury sustained.  Inflammation that the body produces after an injury is what causes long-term effects because proper flow of blood and nutrients to the body is interrupted.  Chronic interruption of these impulses is what can lead to chronic health issues and pain.  Therefore, reducing inflammation by removing interference to the nervous and skeletal systems will allow the body to heal properly and avoid long-term effects from a car accident. Not only can a chiropractic adjustment reduce inflammation and correct subluxations of the neck and spine, it restores motion in the joints as well as reduces scar tissue formation and helps the body to release IL-6 and other pain-reducing hormones.
Our office located in Charlotte, NC is the areas leading expert in identifying and treating injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents and can help restore your body to proper functioning.

Yours in Health,


Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Nolet, P. S., Emary, P. C, Kristman, V. L., Murnaghan, K., Zeegers, M.P., & Freeman, M.D. (2019). Exposure to a motor vehicle collision and the risk of future neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pm&r. doi; 10.1002/pmrj.12173

Decreasing Frequency of Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches affect an estimated 38 million Americans, with 91% of those patients reporting that their daily lives are affected by them.  Migraines are debilitating.  Different than an "average headache," migraine headaches can not only cause pain but affect vision, sensitivity to light and noise, seeing spots or "halos," tingling on one side of the body, increased sense of smell, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, all with no relief from pain medications.  Migraine sufferers often are debilitated during an attack and miss work and other daily activities. With little to no relief from prescribed medications, patients have been turning to alternative therapies during migraine attacks as well as preventative measures to increase time between attacks. Every day your brain is making about 500 milliliters of spinal fluid that acts like the blood for the brain and spinal cord. Once this fluid is made in the brain, it is transferred out of the skull, down the spinal cord, all the way down your spine, where it finally gets pumped back up to the brain. This fluid is very important as it delivers essential nutrients to your central nervous system. When a subluxation or misalignment is present in the top bone of your neck (called the Atlas or C1) due to its attachments to the brain, it can pull the cerebellum partially through the skull. The result is that spinal fluid will not be able to escape the brain, causing a back flow of spinal fluid. This back flow will cause swelling and will eventually cause damage to the small blood vessels of the brain, resulting in a migraine headache. A recent research article published in the journal Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain reviewed chiropractic care specifically for effectively treating and preventing migraine headaches.  Researchers found that chiropractic adjustments significantly reduced migraine headache frequency as well as reduced symptoms during a migraine attack.  Specifically an upper cervical adjustment have been proven to reduce frequency of migraine headaches in one month by 8!  Read about this study here https://nucca.org/blog/chronic-migraine-sufferers-find-significant-improvement-nucca/.  Our office specializes in upper cervical chiropractic and the NUCCA technique and we are experts at helping to manage migraine headache attacks by taking a multi-disciplinarian approach to your care.   Don't suffer any longer with these awful headaches...we are here to help!

Yours in Health,


Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


 Woodfield, H. Charles, III. “Effect of Atlas Vertebrae Realignment in Subjects with Migraine: An Observational Pilot Study.”
Rist, P. M., ScD, Hernandez, A., MS. Bernstein, C., MD, Kowalski, M., DC, Osypiuk, K., MS, Vining, R., DC...Wayne, P., M., PhD. (2019). The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Migraine Pain and Disability:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 59(4), 532-542. doi:10.1111/head.13501

Chiropractic Aids in Recovery of Any Kind

 

Healing takes time.  Often we don't listen to our bodies to fully understand its needs when recovering from an illness or injury.  Trauma to the body, no matter what form, doesn't heal overnight.  Have you ever said to yourself "usually I'm not bothered by this but for some reason I'm not getting over it this time as fast?"  If so, you haven't allowed your body to properly recover from an illness or injury in the past.  Therefore, each incident takes a larger toll on the body and mind for a longer period of time.  No matter what we are recovering from, providing our body with the best opportunity to function, recover, and heal is essential.  

Plenty of rest, good nourishment and hydration, and relaxation are all key components whether you've broken your leg, suffered with a simple cold, lost a loved one, drug addiction, or recently had surgery.   Another important piece to the recovery puzzle is allowing your nervous system which controls all functions of the body be free from interference.   Chiropractic care focuses on helping restore proper function to your nervous system which allows for better overall health and an improved recovery process.  It allows for faster healing times by removing any nervous system inference. 

A case study followed a 37-year old man who recently had surgery.  Post-surgical symptoms included nausea, fatigue, gastric reflux, dizziness, and migraines.  Multiple spinal subluxations (or blockages of the spinal cord) were found.  He received chiropractic adjustments to remove those interferences to his nervous system.  This allowed his body to maintain a more optimal healing environment after his surgical procedure.  Following 3 weeks of chiropractic care, the patient reported improvements in all of his symptoms and was also able to stop taking multiple medications.  Chiropractic care helps create a pathway to healing no matter what the initial injury or illness is.  The power that made the body heals the body when it is free from interference!

Yours in Health,


Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV



Harden, J., D.C., & Smedley, L., D.C. (2019). Improvement in Vestibular Dysfunction & Quality of Life Following Chiropractic Care in a Male Suffering from PostSurgical Complications for Vestibular Schwannoma:A Case Report & Review of the Literature. Vertebral Subluxation Res., A, 34-44.

Chiropractic Care Can Help With Menstrual Pain

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) affects women before and during their menstrual cycles.  Often times they can feel not only pain, but lethargy (feeling sluggish), irritability, pain with urination, cramping, nausea, headaches, and vomiting.  Pain typically begins in the lower abdomen and radiates thru to the back and even down the legs for some women.  Over 50% of reproductive-age women report a reduced quality of life during their cycles because of menstrual pain.  Dysmenorrhea and bladder pain syndrome have both been linked to the autonomic nervous system not functioning properly.  Our autonomic nervous system and the reproductive hormones which fluctuate during different phases of the menstrual cycle are directly related.
A 2019 study followed 123 participants with a chief complaint of dysmenorrhea or bladder pain with their cycles.  All patients had their heart rate variability (HRV) measured to test how well the autonomic nervous system was functioning.  The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls and regulates heart rate, breathing, urination, digestion, pupillary responses, and is the primary mechanism that controls our flight-or-flight response.  In 100% of these patients in the study, they were found to have a lower or dysfunctioning ANS because of a lower heart rate variability response.  When the HRV is high, this means that the autonomic nervous system is functioning properly.  So how does the ANS become dysfunctional?  There are many factors, but the simplest one can be a subluxation or interference on particular nerves that send signals to the bladder and pelvis.  Chiropractic care removes these subluxations with specific adjustments to the spine.  This assists the autonomic nervous system and specifically the pelvic splanchnictic nerve (S2, S3, S4) to function freely without interruption and therefore removes pain and discomfort associated with the menstrual cycle.  Although hormone regulation is an intricate process that the body takes on daily, we can help alleviate issues by removing interference to the autonomic nervous system with chiropractic care.  Our office has seen great success in relief of menstrual pain and bladder control issues with just a few visits for specific, gentle chiropractic care.


Yours in Health,


Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Oladosu, F. A., Hellman, K. M., Ham, P. J., Kochlefl, L. E., Datta, A., Garrison, E. F....Tu, F. F. (2019). Persistent autonomic dysfunction and bladder sensitivity in primary dysmenorrhea. Scientific Reports, 9(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-38545-3.

Ear Infections in Children

Before the age of 3, it is estimated that 80% of children will experience at least one ear infection (otitis media), while over 40% of children will have multiple ear infections by the age of 5.  Children often experience pain, irritability, fever, disturbed sleep patterns, loss of appetite, and general feelings of malaise during these times.  Most often, viruses are the cause of ear infections, and therefore giving a child an antibiotic will not help relieve the infection.  During an ear infection, fluid gets trapped in the middle ear because of swelling in the inner ear or eustachian tube.  Fluid then builds up in the middle ear and causes the eardrum to bulge outward, causing immense pain.  When we are fighting off a virus, our lymphatic system is trying its best to remove the infection however if the eustachian tube is blocked then you have a backup of the lymph system.  Often times you will see an associated bulging of the lymph nodes of the neck and face as a result of a backed up system.  When an antibiotic is given for a non-bacterial infection, it simply removes all good flora from the gut and therefore delays the healing time, as well as changes our immune system to become immune to those antibiotics with repeated use over a short period of time.
Chiropractic care offers relief but most importantly prevention of ear infections.  How does this work?  A chiropractor looks to find subluxations or "blockages" in the childs nervous system, or misalignments of the neck and spine that house the nerves that deliver the messages to the eustachian tubes.  By removing the interference to the ear, fluid is allowed to drain properly down the eustachian tube and out of the lymphatic system.  A recent research study suggests that upwards of 93% of all children under the age of five receiving chiropractic care showed improvement with ear infections with 75% of those children getting better within the first 10 days.  43% of these children only needed one or two adjustments to relieve the ear problems completely.  Want to know more about how chiropractic helps with ear infections?  Call our office today!

Yours in Health,
Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV














Ear infection: a retrospective study examining improvement from chiropractic care and analyzing for influencing factors (Abstract), Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

Pain After Back Surgery? Study Shows Chiropractic Can Help

Back pain is the number one cause of disability in the United States.  Living with chronic pain causes us to lose joy and miss out on important activities in our daily lives.  Patients are often told how to "deal or manage the pain" by taking prescription medications or eventually turned to surgery to try and fix their pain.  According to the University of Oregon 2017 study, there was an estimated 1,150,000 back surgeries performed in 2015. And of those surgeries, between 8%-20% had a second surgery within ONE year!  The reason why back surgery often fails and the patient is still experiencing pain? It's simple, the cause of the pain was never discovered.  They simply went to the spot of the pain and tried to mask the symptoms.
A 2019 case study followed a 62-year old woman who suffered from chronic low back pain after two different back surgeries.  She originally had surgery at 42 years old and again at 49 years old due to persistent pain post-surgery.  She had been placed on 13 different medications to try to ease the pain over the course of those 20 years.   After a chiropractic examination, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, dysautonomia (her autonomic nervous system was not functioning properly), and multiple vertebral subluxations (interferences of the nervous system in the spine).  She underwent an initial 3 months of chiropractic corrective care, in which her low back pain decreased significantly and her scoliosis improved with a change in her scoliotic curve shown on post thermal scans and xrays.  She was able to come off of her pain medications and reported a significant increase in her overall quality of life!  She reported that for two decades she was unable to go through a single day without unmanageable pain at some point during her day, and after chiropractic care no longer went one day where the pain was not tolerable!
Chiropractic adjustments offer specific, gentle relief for patients looking to avoid medications and surgery and to keep their bodies operating at full potential!  Have more questions on how chiropractic specifically treat back pain?  We are here to help!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Lapham-Yaun, R., D.C., & Castro, K., D.C. (2019). Improved Spinal Alignment, Chronic Low Back Pain and Improved Quality of Life in a 62-year-old Patient Undergoing chiropractic Care Following Failed Surgical Syndrome: A Case Study & Review of the Literature. A. Vertebral Subluxation Res., 10-21.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

A question I get asked often in my practice is "how much water should I drink?"  The answer to this varies person to person.  Often times you hear the phrase to drink 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water per day.  Although this is an excellent measurement to base water consumption on, there are other factors to consider when trying to reach an adequate hydration goal.
Most people are not great about water consumption, and quite honestly water can be an excellent "fix" to help with a lot of ailments.  Every cell, organ, and tissue in our body needs water to function properly.  Water not only hydrates our cells, but it eliminates waste through our urine and stool, regulates our body temperature, lubricates tissues and joints, and helps in protection of our vital organs.  Factors that take away water from our body include exercise, perspiration, hot weather, drinking soda and other sugary drinks, bowel movements, and pregnancy or breast-feeding.
I tell patients all of the time that the best measurement on how well-hydrated you are is the color of your urine and the frequency in which you urinate.  "Healthy" looking urine should be a pale or light yellow.  Dark urine especially with a strong odor means you are behind the hydration gauge.  Often times if you are feeling thirsty, your cells are already in the dehydration state.  Also, if hunger feelings start it is best to drink water first, as thirst signs can easily be mistaken for hunger pains.
Every morning you should start the day by  drinking a glass of water at least 16 ounces in size.  It not only awakens the organs and digestive system after sleep, but it jump starts your metabolism, flushes out toxins, awakens the brain and nervous system, and even can aid in weight loss by curbing your appetite for a short time.  Your body has been hard at work while you sleep, and you should replenish that hard work with water first thing.  I also suggest if possible to drink an alkaline water with a pH of 8 or higher, especially first thing in the morning.  Also, if available room temperature water is best for optimal absorption and digestion throughout the day. 
Tracking water consumption can just seem like one more thing to have to do during our day.  My advice is to simply try to substitute water in a few places where you normally wouldn't.  Start your day with 1-2 glasses or water, have water with lunch or keep a bottle at your desk with you during the work day.  When the afternoon hunger hits start with a glass of water before you have a snack.  Try to drink a bottle to and from your commute to work.  Drink a glass as you're getting ready for bed.  A trick with my kids is they take  water bottles that can have fruit infused to school so that they drink more throughout the day.  Small changes to your water consumption daily will have large effects on your overall health!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease

With February in full swing, we bring attention to the epidemic of heart disease this month.  About 1 out of every 3 deaths is related to heart disease, and every day it kills more than 2300 people.  That equates to approximately one death every 38 seconds!  The best thing to combat heart disease is to prevent it.  Although scary, cardiovascular disease research has given us plenty of data to recognize risk factors associated with it.
Things like eating a poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, smoking, chronic stress, diabetes, poor weight management, and high blood pressure all are considered risk factors for heart disease.  Another important preventative tool to fight heart disease is chiropractic adjustments.  Most people think of chiropractic care as a last resort for pain management, we believe it should be included in preventative care for all types of diseases.  Cardiovascular disease and the associated risk factors are greatly influenced by other systems of the body, especially the nervous system.  By correcting interference or subluxations to the nervous system, the body is allowed to heal and function properly.   A positive effect chiropractic care has been found to help with is inflammatory markers like immune system responses such as C-reactive protein among others.
A 54-year old male suffering from high cholesterol was studied who also had a history of heart attack and reported experiencing stress and depression both at work and at home. He also had a history of anxiety, constipation, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, neck pain, and stiff neck.  He received regular chiropractic adjustments over a five-month period.  At the end of those 5 months, his cardiologist was able to decrease the amount of cholesterol medication he prescribed to the patient!  By removing the interference that caused his body to operate at a dysfunctional level, symptoms were reduced and risk factors lowered!  Optimal function yields optimal performance!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Zielinksi, E., BA, & Blume, N. A., DC. (2013). An Epidemiological Approach to Subluxation-Based Chiropractic Care and CVD Risk Factors:A Case Study and REview of the Literature. A. Vertebral Subluxation Res., 2013, 77-99.

Reflux in Infants

Have you been told by your pediatrician that your baby has reflux or GERD?  This occurs when the contents of the stomach start to ascend up the esophagus causing heartburn and irritation.  Infants will often persistently "spit up" after feedings and continue throughout the day.  There has been a dramatic spike of reflux drugs prescribed to infants over the last 5 years.  These medications such as ranitidine and omeprazole have not thoroughly been tested and safety measures have not been set in the pediatric population.  Parents are turning to alternative therapies to treat reflux instead of traditional medications.
Chiropractic care can correct reflux in infants by removing interference to the spine and nervous system.  Birth is traumatic on an infants head, neck, and spine.  By correcting the interference (or subluxation), the body is allowed to function properly.  Babies have fast response times to adjustments. Often parents report complete resolve of reflux after chiropractic treatment, as well as better sleeping, better eating, regularity of bowel movements, and an overall improvement in temperament in these infants.  A 2016 case report described a 1-month old girl who's parents sought chiropractic treatment for her GERD that worsened at night, or when the child lay flat.  The child saw immediate improvements that lasted about one day with initial adjustments.  Over 3 months of care, the patient continued to improve and by the end of the 90 days of treatment she no longer had reflux issues with regular chiropractic adjustments!  The goal of chiropractic care is to improve function and allow the body to heal naturally.  Healing takes time and repetition, even in pediatric populations!  We offer gentle, specific adjustments to treat reflux or GERD patients of all ages.  Turn to chiropractic care for an alternative to a possible lifetime of medications for reflux.


Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV



Ferranti, M., Alcantara J., Reilly A. Resolution of GERD in an Infant Following Chiropractic Care:A Case Report & Selective Review of the Literature. J Pediatric Maternal & Family Health. 2016 (2):46-49.