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Archive for November, 2009

Medical Management in Personal Injury cases

Our experience with these cases comes from clinical practice, file reviews, and contributions to the scientific literature on the subject. With this said, we are in a unique position to see cases at the request of both the plaintiff and defense.

There is, despite the apparent contradiction in party philosophy, one area of commonality. Both sides utilize our opinion and both desires to know what, in our opinion, constitutes a well managed soft tissue case. Both sides, it seem, have a strong desire to be reasonable, but the different levels of expectations mentioned earlier make each party feel the other is often being unreasonable.

Legal Issues in a Personal Injury Suit

The plaintiff side of the issue is represented by the patient’s attorney and we have discovered they are often placed in a position of “pressure” when attempting to justify some of the patient care issues common to the handling of soft tissue cases by the doctor or therapist.

We believe anything which allows the claim to pass through the “legal” process easier, will be greatly appreciated by the attorney and will often result in a better long-term working relationship with the attorney. This better relationship often results in greater utilization of the doctor’s services by the attorney.

If, on the other hand, the clinical treatment of the doctor or therapist causes the case to lose value, the possibility of a long-term relationship decreases dramatically.

For example, the case we mentioned earlier in which the doctor treated the patient 454 times for an uncomplicated soft tissue injury, makes the case very difficult for the attorney to move the case through the “system” and do justice to their client’s interests. This type of behavior makes the claim lose value and results in protracted litigation before settlement.

Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs. www.JonesPainRelief.com

Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic

(619) 280 0554

Visit our Adjustable Economical Mouse Platform website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav
Visit my San Diego Chiropractic Website to make an appointment

Read More Articles on Chiropractic, Nutrition, Preventative Health, Back pain, Neck Pain and more

Better Sleep With Nutrition  

Several posts ago I did an article on my nutritional state.  I am doing this for several reasons.

First of all, I want to get healthier.  While I had a fantastic educational experience in nutrition 18 years ago in chiropractic college, my implementation of my nutritional education has been absent from my San Diego chiropractic office.  I take some responsibility for this as my focus has been on helping patients with specific complaints of neck pain, low back pain, headaches and the like.

Secondly, before I implement anything into my patients’ care I like to be on board with it so I can have first hand experience with its benefits.  Nutrition is no different.  I have been hit and miss with my diet and supplements for years – it is time for a change.

To recap my first post on this topic, I had a hair mineral analysis performed approximately on e month ago.  The results revealed deficiencies in many nutrient minerals.  Some of the minerals that I was deficient in have the ability to cause anxiety and may affect my ability to sleep soundly.  Both anxiety and insomnia are conditions that I have struggled with for years.

The lab that I used for my hair analysis not only provided a report regarding my deficiencies, but they also gave me a supplement recommendation list that I could use to restore proper mineral balance in my system.

As of the date of this post, I have been taking my supplements as advised by the lab for about ten days.  At this point I feel a bit more clear headed and I have slept soundly for over 7 hours per night over the last three nights.  I know that three nights good sleep is not a fix, but it is unusual.  In a typical month I usually only get two or three good nights sleep.

Three good nights sleep in a row is a record for me and enough evidence to justify continuing with my nutritional supplements.

I will post again on this topic in a few weeks to let you all know how I am progressing.

Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic

(619) 280 0554

www.jonespainrelief.com

Visit our Stop RSI Economical Mouse Platform, website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Visit my San Diego Chiropractic Website to make an appointment

Read More Articles on Chiropractic, Nutrition, Preventative Health, Back pain, Neck Pain and more

Injuries as a result of an auto accident have the potential to affect almost all of us, seeing as how the majority of Americans either are drivers or passengers in cars on a daily basis.

There are approximately 3 million whiplash injuries sustained in the U.S. every year. Many cases of whiplash are unreported or go untreated due to the seemingly minor low speed collision or minimal, or any, amount of damage to the involved vehicles. It is also estimated that 45% of people who suffer from chronic neck pain do so as a result of a previous whiplash injury.

Although whiplash is the most commonly thought of injury with auto accidents, it is very common for people to receive injuries to the hips, knees, shoulders, back, and ribs to name a few.

It is very common, especially with low speed collisions, for there to be no pain immediately after the accident. Often it takes several days or longer for any pain to appear. Most people believe that if they do not have pain immediately following the accident, or if it’s a week or two after the accident before they start having pain, then they can’t receive treatment for it, or have any treatment included in the insurance claim. This is completely false.

It is routine for auto accident patients to begin care weeks or months after the accident, despite what your insurance company may lead you to believe.
Another myth related to car accidents is that if there is no damage to the vehicle, then there can be no injury, and therefore insurance companies will not cover any type of treatment. This is also false.
There is overwhelming scientific evidence that injuries can occur without there being any damage to the vehicle. The insurance companies know this, but they bank on the fact that you do not. In fact, low speed collisions with little or no damage to the vehicles make up a significant portion of the cases handled and paid out by auto insurance companies.

Dr. Mairs Chiropractic office employs a variety of different modern chiropractic techniques for dealing with the many possible symptoms that accompany whiplash including neck pain, headaches, jaw pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, hand pain, numbness and tingling.

Dr. Mairs will work with you to find the most effective treatment for your auto accident related injuries; we pride ourselves in treating every patient as an individual. Mairs Chiropractic specializes in pain relief for auto accident and sports injuries.
We will customize your chiropractic treatment to provide a pain relief program designed to get fast, long lasting results.

Stop living with pain needlessly!

Start your pain relief treatment now!

Contact our San Diego Clinic today!

http://www.mairschiropractic.com/accident_injuries/Car_Accidents.html

Repetitive Stress Trauma: An Introduction

Repetitive Stress Trauma or RST is described entirely by the words that make up the phrase.  Repetition implies that the injury is the result of more than one exposure.  Typical RSTs result from weeks, months or years of performance of a repetitive task with a specific body part.  Stress is the result of inadequate recovery time in between exposures to the repetitious task.  Trauma, of course signifies bodily injury as a result of the repetitive stress.  

Health care workers primarily view Repetitive Stress Trauma as an occupational or work injury.  This thought is based on government statistics which indicate that those who work are more likely to develop an RST injury.  While these statistics can’t be denied, they also need to be taken into proper context.  In my San Diego based chiropractic clinic, we see many patients with RST injuries.  Most of the time, most of the trauma is related to work, more specifically to computer work.  Additionally, many of these injured people spend upwards of six hours per day on their computers while at work only to come home, eat dinner, and then sit at their own computers for hours on end as well.  It doesn’t matter where the stress comes from, the injury remains the same.  That being said, in my 15 years of experience in dealing with RSTs I have found the primary source of irritation to be the work environment. 

At this point I will go off on a tangent for just a moment … or more.  One of the services that my office offers is ergonomic evaluations.  Since most of my patients are in computer related occupations, most of my evaluations are on computer set-ups.  Typically, when I question my patients about their work stations I hear the following, “Well, it is pretty good except for FILL IN THE BLANK.”  At this point I usually suggest that I come to their place of work and evaluate their work station.  They are usually way out of the ideal ergonomic set-up.  I see keyboards, mice, monitors and phones positioned in ways that will certainly lead to a worsening of their condition.

RSTs, ergonomics and permanent disability are important topics.  As such, I will end this article at this point and be back tomorrow or Tuesday with a continuation of what I have started.  This topic will be covered over the next three or four posts.  Stay tuned.

More soon.
Doc

Writers Bio

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs. www.JonesPainRelief.com

Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic

(619) 280 0554

www.jonespainrelief.com

Visit our Adjustable Economical Mouse Platform website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Visit my San Diego Chiropractic Website to make an appointment

Read More Articles on Chiropractic, Nutrition, Preventative Health, Back pain, Neck Pain and more

How Does Your Posture Affect Back Pain and Neck Pain?

Chiropractor, neck pain ,posture ,chiropractic ,back pain ,ergonomic

Have you ever wondered how it can be that you can sit around all day doing nothing strenuous and develop back pain or neck pain?  When you start to examine the structure of our bodies and apply some simple rules of physics, the fact that we don’t suffer from more frequent or intense back pain and neck pain is a wonder.  In my chiropractic office in San Diego, California, I see office workers on a regular basis that have significant back and neck complaints related to simple ergonomic issues.

Back pain or neck pain can affect anyone at any time.  I see patients that have injured their backs and necks from lifting, operating machinery, sports injuries, auto accidents and falls on a daily basis.  I would classify these injuries as typical or expected types of injuries.  Many non-chiropractic patients or new chiropractic patients would be surprised to find that the most common type of injury that I see in my office is not from lifting heavy sacks of concrete but from the long term consequences of postural stress.

Postural stress is the “silent killer” when it comes to our spinal health.  Postural stress occurs during both seated and standing positions.  Postural stress occurs any time that your spine looses its’ natural curves and / or moves forward beyond its neutral balance point.

An example of a posturally stressful position for your neck would be when you are sitting at the computer leaning your neck and head forward while keyboarding, mousing or viewing the screen.  Assuming a posture in which your head and neck are extended out in front of your body reverses the normal curve of your neck and shifts your head forward of its balance point.

When we assume postures that cause stress on our spines, the stability that is inherent in our structure when postural boundaries are respected is lost.  Postural stress exposes our ligaments and muscles to prolonged periods of stretching which results in fatigue, irritation, inflammation, back pain and neck pain and eventually arthritis.

Treating neck pain and back pain that has resulted from postural stress requires a multifaceted approach.  Chiropractic care combined with stretching and nutritional support will relieve the pain and stiffness and restore normal, full joint motion.  This part of your recovery may take several treatments or a lengthy treatment program based on the length of time that you have been in pain and the severity of your symptoms.

In addition to chiropractic care, you must eliminate or modify the causes of the postural stress.  A workstation analysis can reveal ergonomic issues that are instigators of postural stress.  Ice pack applications to the specific areas of neck pain and back pain in twenty minute sessions are also helpful.

The best way to begin your care is discuss your issues with your chiropractor.  Chiropractors are well trained in dealing with postural stress issues and the neck pain and back pain that result from it.  At my San Diego based chiropractic clinic we use a complete approach that utilizes chiropractic care supported by specific stretches and exercises.  We also encourage the proper nutritional support to facilitate the healing process.  Whatever approach that you take to relieve the pain of postural stress, please be aware of the importance of eliminating the source of the postural stress in addition to seeking treatment.

Bio for Article city

Dr. Steve Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in San Diego.  Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.   Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.  Click the following links to find out how we can help you start feeling better today! www.JonesPainRelief.com, www.ErgoNav.com

Why You Need a Cleansing Diet.

In my San Diego Chiropractic Center we treat people as a whole.  In general, chiropractors are concerned about the typical neck pain and low back pain complaints that our patients have, however, dietary concerns are addressed as well.  The value of a properly spine can’t be ignored but if you have a poor diet consisting of high calorie, difficult to digest junk food you are not being as respectful to your body as you could be. 

Cleansing diets can help you turn your health around.  A cleansing diet should be used any time your digestion is sluggish or if you feel heavy, congested or lethargic.  There are a variety of other symptoms for which a cleansing diet may be appropriate include headaches, fatigue, bad breath or if you experience other digestive discomforts like gas, bloating and constipation.

The first step with any type of cleansing diet is to cut out the junk food.  Junk food includes:  food additives, snacks, desserts, canned foods, processed foods and salty foods.  The basic idea is to eat fresh foods that are freshly prepared and to keep meals very simple.  Also, try to decrease the size and frequency of meals, and be sure to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. 

The next step is to distinguish between the heavy and light food groups.

 Carbohydrates, proteins and fats are considered heavy food groups while fruits, vegetables and herbs are considered light food groups.  The light food groups are the foods that we use for cleansing.  In a balanced diet, heavy food group meals are evenly counterbalanced with portions from the light food groups.  For the purposes of a cleansing diet, the heavy foods portions are reduced while we increase the portions from the light food groups.

Next, simple carbohydrates like sugars and refined flours should be eliminated completely. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains can also be eliminated or sharply reduced for up to a week.

The next step is to eliminate animal-based proteins. Animal-based proteins include pork, red meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy. These proteins are dense and highly nourishing foods and are unsuitable for a cleanse. These foods come from animals that are high on the food chain and are likely to carry environmental toxins.

During this cleanse, we can eat plant-sourced protein in small quantities.  The best choice for plant based proteins is simple well-cooked whole grain and bean combinations.  In general the smaller the bean, the easier it is to digest.  The mung bean is well-known for its cleansing and protective qualities.  Brown rice and lentils are another good complete protein combination. Nuts and seeds also provide protein but are higher in fat and best eaten fresh in very small quantities or avoided altogether.

Organic fruits are perhaps the best cleansers and are best if eaten alone.
Your cleansing diet can be supported by gentle stretching, aerobic exercise, deep breathing, chiropractic care and massage. Remember to leave ample time between meals and limit your eating times so that no food is eaten between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. A short cleanse can be accomplished in three days.

Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic

(619) 280 0554

www.jonespainrelief.com

Visit our Stop RSI Economical Mouse Platform, website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Visit my San Diego Chiropractor Website to make an appointment

Read More Articles on Chiropractic, Nutrition, Preventative Health, Back pain, Neck Pain and more

Yoga and Chiropractic

My sister is a long time chiropractic patient.  Not my patient, she lives 700 miles away from my chiropractic practice in San Diego, so she does not get free care from her little brother, she has to pay for it.

About ten years ago, my sister took up Yoga – about nine years ago she called me one day and said “Hey Steve, this Yoga thing is great, I bet that if all of your patients took up Yoga that they wouldn’t need you anymore!”  I actually took this as a compliment because I had originally encouraged her to do Yoga – and now she was feeling better because of it.

While I know that the practice of Yoga is a wonderful method for keeping your muscles stretched and your spine flexible, it is a compliment for chiropractic, not a substitute.

Many of my peers consider my philosophy regarding the management of my chiropractic patients a bit odd.  Instead of placing my patients on long term care programs, I prefer to get my patients out of pain as quickly as possible and then give them a combination of stretches and exercises that they can do at home that will help stabilize their area of pain.

Those of you who have not tried Yoga should do so.  Yoga is a discipline that constantly challenges your physical being.  The positions used in Yoga routines test your body and mind with combinations of stretching, strength training and balance that very few other disciplines can offer.

From a purely physical standpoint, Yoga helps even your muscle tone, improve your balance and coordination, build strength, prevent injury, focus your breathing, improve your posture and elongate muscles.  Mentally, Yoga allows to focus on the “now” which helps reduce stress and consequently, reduce muscle spasms among other things.

It is because of all of the benefits of Yoga that I recommend it to most of my friends and patients.   Combining the benefits of Chiropractic care’s ability to break down scar tissue and adhesions that limit or alter normal joint motion and Yoga’s benefits as discussed above makes for an exceptional approach to treating neck pain, back pain and many other musculoskeletal conditions that I see in my office.

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic

Reduces Wrist, Arm and Neck Pain For Computer Users Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Chiropractic San Diego Website to make an appointment
Better Health Steve Jones

Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic
(619) 280 0554

http://jonespainrelief.com

Visit our Ergonomical Device Website to learn more or Buy Ergo Nav

Visit my San Diego Chiropractic Website to make an appointment

Chiropractic Approach to Tension Headaches and Neck Pain

In my San Diego chiropractic clinic we treat hundreds of people each year with headaches.  Some of the more common types of headaches that we see are the: migraine headache, cluster headache, caffeine headache, vascular headache, spinal headache and tension headaches.  Like its’ label implies, muscle tension headaches occur secondary to hypertonic or overly tight muscles.  In many cases, the muscle tension that causes the headache is a direct result of neck pain or dysfunction.  This article will focus on the tension headache because it is the most common type of headache and the type most often linked to neck pain.

This article will describe in both how and why some people get tension headaches and what can be done for them both at home and with chiropractic care.

To begin with, most people think of their skull as being covered only with skin.  What many don’t know is that underneath the skin lies a thin layer of muscle.  Another well known fact regarding muscle tension headaches is that the pain that the patient feels is from these muscles, not from the brain. 

Most of the time this layer of muscle that covers the skull maintains normal resting muscle tone.  During these times, the patients are free from the effects of muscle tension and the resulting headaches. 

Stress, whether from work, home or social situations can cause these muscles to tighten.  Think of an irritated persons’ furrowed brow.  This reaction to stress can cause the muscles covering the skull to spasm resulting in muscle tension and a tension headache.  Typically, the headache will fade as the muscle spasm resolves.

Another common source of muscle tension headaches is the neck and upper back.  There is a thin layer of muscle that connects the top vertebra in your neck to the base of your skull.  This muscle group is known as the suboccipital muscles.   When we are stressed or injured (as in a whiplash accident), the neck muscles can tighten and spasm resulting in neck pain, back pain and muscle tension headaches as well.

There are many muscle groups and layers of muscle that overlap in the neck and upper back.  Chronic tightness of these muscles can also trigger the onset of a chronic headache.  If indeed your headache is caused by muscle tension, it will certainly improve as the muscle tension decreases.

Headache relief can come from several different treatments.  A common home remedy for headache involves the use of ice packs.  Ice packs can be applied to the head or neck in 20 minute sessions.  Ice packs will remove inflammation built up in the muscles and calm the nerves.  Teaching yourself relaxation techniques can also be very effective if you carry the proper mindset. 

Muscle tension headaches also result from minor misalignments of the vertebra in the neck called subluxations that can trigger muscle spasms and pain that create the headache.  Subluxations irritate the joints of the spine and the associated nerves resulting in the muscle tightening (spasm) around the joint as a protective mechanism. 

Chiropractic adjustments help restore the normal healthy balance of the muscles that move and support the spine.  A healthy spine is not bound by muscle tension and much less likely to trigger a muscle tension headache.  A treatment program with an experienced chiropractor can result in dramatic improvements in patients suffering from chronic muscle tension headaches.

———————————————-

Dr. Steve Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in San Diego.  Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.  He is certified as a Specialist in Health Ergonomics.  Dr. Jones Can be found on the web at www.JonesPainRelief.com & at www.ErgoNav.com

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic


Reduces Wrist, Arm and Neck Pain For Computer Users Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Chiropractic San Diego Website to make an appointment
Better Health Steve Jones

Injuries as a result of an auto accident San Diego

Injuries as a result of an auto accident have the potential to affect almost all of us, seeing as how the majority of Americans either are drivers or passengers in cars on a daily basis.

There are approximately 3 million whiplash injuries sustained in the U.S. every year. Many cases of whiplash are unreported or go untreated due to the seemingly minor low speed collision or minimal, or any, amount of damage to the involved vehicles. It is also estimated that 45% of people who suffer from chronic neck pain do so as a result of a previous whiplash injury.

Although whiplash is the most commonly thought of injury with auto accidents, it is very common for people to receive injuries to the hips, knees, shoulders, back, and ribs to name a few.

It is very common, especially with low speed collisions, for there to be no pain immediately after the accident. Often it takes several days or longer for any pain to appear. Most people believe that if they do not have pain immediately following the accident, or if it’s a week or two after the accident before they start having pain, then they can’t receive treatment for it, or have any treatment included in the insurance claim. This is completely false.
It is routine for auto accident patients to begin care weeks or months after the accident, despite what your insurance company may lead you to believe.

Writer Andrew Mairs
San Diego Car Accident Whiplash Dr

Mairs Chiropractic

(619) 261-6590

Injuries as a result of an auto accident San Diego

In my chiropractic office in San Diego, I treat people that are more oriented toward taking proactive steps in maintaining their health.  In addition to helping my patients with the typical neck pain, back pain and headaches that are common complaints for chiropractors, I also give advice regarding other lifestyle changes that help them become healthier people. 

Food cravings are the downfall for many of us regarding our health.  I can’t recall what the disorders or deficiencies were, but I remember studying conditions that made some people crave dirt – that is right, people crave to eat dirt, and other deficiencies that made people crave aspirin.  Obviously, none of us would think that a nice plate of dirt for dinner would sound good without some underlying nutritional deficiency that would drive us to such a craving.

It is interesting how mineral deficiencies can result in cravings of more typical types of foods.  Naturopath Colleen Huber says that all food cravings are a signal that our bodies are telling us that we need more of certain types of foods.  For example; when we crave sweets our bodies really need chromium, carbon, phosphorus, sulfur or tryptophan.  A craving for chocolate can be an indicator that you are deficient in magnesium while a craving for salty foods is an indication that we are chloride deficient.  If you crave soda or other carbonated drinks what you really need is calcium.

This is incredibly valuable information.  Once again, as a chiropractor I am not only concerned with relieving my patients back pain or neck pain but I am concerned about their health as a whole.  Poor diets are fueled by cravings that we often don’t understand and poor diet planning.  A poor diet can cause low energy, weight gain, low self image and a feeling of being out of control among a host of other much more serious disorders.   

Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic

(619) 280 0554

www.jonespainrelief.com

Visit our Stop RSI Economical Mouse Platform, website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Visit my San Diego Chiropractor Website to make an appointment

Read More Articles on Chiropractic, Nutrition, Preventative Health, Back pain, Neck Pain and more

Is Chiropractic Care Addictive?  I am asked this question on a regular basis. 

There are many people who are under the impression that once you begin chiropractic treatment you have to keep going – almost like something bad is going to happen to you if you stop your care.

I understand how some people would come to think that chiropractic care could be addictive, after all, almost all medications that people get from their medical doctors for pain is addictive.  I suppose that if you are in pain, are concerned about the addictive nature of the medications that you have taken in the past, and are going to the chiropractic for the first time that you may think that chiropractic care for pain may be addictive as well.

I can assure you that chiropractic care is not addictive but feeling good can be as powerful as an addiction.  There are certain people that are more “in tune” with their bodies than others.  Restrictions in joint motion and flexibility typically occur slowly over time and are not normally perceptible.  Once these people start care they experience full, free range of motion of their joints – and they like it.  After formal care ends, a percentage of these people notice when their joints begin to lose their range of motion.  Since they felt better under chiropractic treatment, they like to continue their care simply to feel better.  This is about as addictive as chiropractic care can be.  It is really no different from those who exercise and / or diet and feel better and therefore continue with their plan.

In closing, you can receive chiropractic care with no fear of developing a physical or physiological dependency on the treatment.  Most chiropractors, myself included, know that chiropractic care is of great benefit to the health of your spine.  Keeping your spine well adjusted is akin to keeping your teeth brushed and flossed – but it is not addictive.

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic

Reduces Wrist, Arm and Neck Pain For Computer Users Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Chiropractic San Diego Website to make an appointment
Better Health Steve Jones

The Connections Between the Neck and Shoulder

Many problems with the neck and upper back affect the shoulder and visa versa.  There is a good reason for why this happens and I will use this post to explain it. 

There is that old saying regarding the human body that goes something like “everything is connected”, of course in this instance we are talking about anatomy – specifically a kinematic chain. 

In a kinematic chain, the function / health of adjacent joints are dependant on each other.  A simple example of a breakdown among joints in a kinematic chain and the resulting consequences would be a person who sprains their ankle, limps on that ankle for several days and then develops knee pain secondary to the limp caused by the injured ankle.  If the limping or gait impairment continues for any period of time, the irritation can involve the hip and eventually the low back.  The ankle, knee, hip, sacroiliac joints and the joints of low back all form a kinematic chain.

In a similar yet more complicated arrangement, the vertebra of the cervical and thoracic spine are intertwined with the shoulder joints.  The shoulder is made up of a series joints that allows for a tremendous amount of movement in a number of planes.  Compared to the knee, for example, that only allows for about 120 degrees of flexion and very little rotation and translation, the shoulder is incredibly mobile.  While, like  the shoulder joint has ligaments and a joint capsule that tie the humorous to the scapula and the clavicle, the primary source of stability of the shoulder joint is the muscles, many of which attach into the cervical and thoracic vertebra. 

Regarding the spine – in particular the cervical and thoracic spine – the joints found in the spinal column have considerably less motion than do most other joints in the body.  That being said, the cervical spine displays the greatest amount of motion found in the spine while the thoracic spine is the most limited in its flexibility.   The fact that many of the big muscles of the neck and upper back insert onto the scapula and the clavicle links these two joint complexes together.

In many cases, shoulder pain or dysfunction can result in spasms of the larger muscles that help stabilize the shoulder – most of these muscles originate from the vertebra of the neck and upper back.  The stress of this spasm can cause pain or dysfunction in the neck and upper back.  Because of the shared muscles between the neck, upper back and shoulder girdle, the exact opposite scenario can occur with a primary spinal problem causing muscle spasms that have a negative effect on the shoulder.

Both the shoulder and the neck joints display complex, compound movements.  Adjacent joint complexes like these that share major muscle groups make for an increased likelihood of pain / dysfunction spreading to include the second joint or in this case, joints. 

Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.

Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic

Reduces Wrist, Arm and Neck Pain For Computer Users Website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Chiropractic San Diego Website to make an appointment
Better Health Steve Jones

Another myth related to car accidents is that if there is no damage to the vehicle, then there can be no injury, and therefore insurance companies will not cover any type of treatment. This is also false.
There is overwhelming scientific evidence that injuries can occur without there being any damage to the vehicle. The insurance companies know this, but they bank on the fact that you do not. In fact, low speed collisions with little or no damage to the vehicles make up a significant portion of the cases handled and paid out by auto insurance companies.

Dr. Mairs Chiropractic office employs a variety of different modern chiropractic techniques for dealing with the many possible symptoms that accompany whiplash including neck pain, headaches, jaw pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, hand pain, numbness and tingling.

Dr. Mairs will work with you to find the most effective treatment for your auto accident related injuries; we pride ourselves in treating every patient as an individual. Mairs Chiropractic specializes in pain relief for auto accident and sports injuries.
We will customize your chiropractic treatment to provide a pain relief program designed to get fast, long lasting results.

Stop living with pain needlessly!
Start your pain relief treatment now!
Contact us today!

Writer Andrew Mairs
San Diego Car Accident Whiplash Dr

Mairs Chiropractic

(619) 261-6590