Yes...Chiropractors do get neck (or low back) pain too!

So I have yet another opportunity to experience what many of my other patients feel...neck pain with radiating arm symptoms. Specifically, a constant dull ache in my right deltoid which gets stronger whenever I extend my head backwards. When I flex it forward, I get more localized pain near the base of my neck on the right side. Even worse, the last 4 days I've been noticing pareaesthesia (pins & needles sensation) down my entire arm and to the hand. Interestingly enough, it consistently gets worse whenever I sit down at the computer, in my car, on the sofa but is much better when I'm up standing or moving around. I've had this problem for about 3 months now and it actually seems to be getting worse!

How did I get this? Hmm....I know I haven't done anything specifically to my neck recently. But stress, lack of sleep (we just had another child!) and postural issues have probably combined to cause the flare up. The first time I had something similar was about 8 years ago when I was in chiropractic college...I was playing basketball and went up for a rebound when someone shoved me from behind. My head went snapping backward and I had a moderate case of whiplash. Of course, I received some physical therapy and chiropractic care at the college and within 2 weeks I was good again. But I do believe that one bad incident has predisposed me to earlier cervical degeneration. And the symptoms I am feeling are resulting from nerve compression at C5/C6. Whether the compression is caused by a disc problem or bone/joint problem is hard to say unless I get a CT or MRI done.

Sadly, doctors can often be the worst patients! I have been inconsistent with my own treatment. I've only used the laser therapy about 4-5 times during the last two months (mainly b/c I have to pack up the machine and bring it home with me in the evening which can be a bit of an inconvenience). I've also only been adjusted once in the last 4 months...haven't been going out for my usual once a month lunch date with an old chiropractor school friend, where after lunch we typically exchange adjustments.

Guess it's time to get disciplined like I tell my own patients. Regular treatment = steady improvement. So stay tuned. I'm in the same boat with the rest of you!

Dr. Keith

Protecting Your Baby From Toxins

As a follow-up to yesterday's post, I just came across another great write-up from HealthyChild.com on protecting your precious little one from toxic exposure. Great read! Print it out for reference.

http://www.healthychild.com/images/stories/downloads/Protect-Your-Baby-from-Toxic-Exposures.pdf

Dr. Keith

Healthy Home Environments

Keep you and your family healthy!

Here's a great online interactive tool that teaches you about keeping your home healthier and toxin-free. It is done by Seventh Generation who makes wonderful environmentally friendly cleaning products. We use them at home ourselves and you can buy them at Loblaws, Home Depot and many other retail stores.

http://www.webmd.com/health-ehome-9/default.htm

Also on the WebMD site, is a pretty good article written by a pair of medical doctors about toxic substances in a lot of everyday products we find around the house.

http://www.webmd.com/health-ehome-9/healthier-hygiene

And remember, we have the IonCleanse detox system here at the clinic as well to help rid yourself of alot of those nasty toxins that you've accumulated over the years!

Pregnancy Update

Congratulations to Dr. Misa who gave birth on Saturday, February 21st to a healthy baby girl named Cara.

Misa had a wonderful home birth again in the outstanding care of her midwife team from the North Don River Valley Midwifery Centre.

http://www.midwiferycare-ndrv.com/

Cara was born 7lbs 10oz.

Congratulations to Dr. Misa (and Dr. Keith)!

Coming Soon!

Meridian Wellness is gearing up to release its new website in March 2009.
We'll also be connecting with the online community by blog, so come back often to read the latest in health news that is important to you!

Drs. Keith Tse & Misa Kawasaki