Dr. Krieger's Health Tip of the Month

Do you suffer from headaches? Headaches can cause each patient to suffer differently. Some headaches are dull pain, others sharp, some are throbbing, and some feel like pressure squeezing your head while others feel like your head will explode. The location of your headache and the nature of the pain tell us what kind of headache someone is suffering from. One of my aunts presented with a headache surrounding her entire skull. It took a while for her to decide to come in and she did not want her neck "cracked". Upon case history I found out the location of the headache to be her entire head and the nature of the pain was dull. Further history revealed her to drink 3-5 pots of coffee per day. She did not drink water. She had tried different pain medications to no avail. She had no history of trauma. Upon physical exam the patient demonstrated tightness of the cervical musculature and pinched nerves in the neck. Treatment consisted of a low force adjustment using a mechanical device called an activator (remember she told me no cracking) along with trigger point therapy to the tight neck muscles. After the first treatment her pain diminished and after 8 weeks of treatment the headaches have not returned. That was 10 years ago. The patient and I had to make two diet modifications, increase the water she drank and limit her pots of coffee to one per day. Caffeine is a diuretic and makes you urinate. Essentially she was dehydrated and did not have enough of the fluid part of her blood (plasma) in her body so the red blood cells could not circulate optimally. This would be like you trying to swim in mud.

Other causes of headaches include trauma to the neck or spine such as a car accident, food allergies such as chocolate or wine which can set off migraines, repetitive motion injuries to the neck, jaw problems, exposure to toxins including alcohol, poor posture and emotional stress. The International Headache Society has classified 129 different types of headaches!

If you notice a headache starting, try lying down on your back with a rolled up towel supporting your neck for 20 minutes, drinking some water (2 big glasses, stretching your neck side to side, get a chiropractic adjustment or a massage. I have not recommended medication because cox inhibitors like ibuprofen (they inhibit inflammation) can cause gastric bleeding or heart problems and the analgesics like Tylenol can cause liver damage and it is outside of a Chiropractor's scope of practice to recommend any medication.

Hip Fracture Heartburn

A study performed by the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine concluded that individuals using common heartburn medications over a long period of time increase their risk of hip fractures. 8 The problem appears to be the result of decreased calcium absorption, but more research is needed to confirm this. The study involved almost 150,000 persons over the age of 50, and involved over 13,000 hip fractures. The researchers found that the higher the antacid dose and the longer the drugs were taken, the more likely a fracture would occur, but the average risk increased by about 44 percent for patients taking heartburn medication. JAMA, Dec. 27, 2007.

IN PAIN? contact Dr. Krieger at 633-6044 or docbillchiro@juno.com
website: Kriegerchiropracticofwny.topchiro

Do you know how large should a serving of meat, fish or poultry be?

A. 16oz B. 12oz C. 8oz D. 6oz E. 3oz
(answer at bottom of page)

Our office has grown by word of mouth and your kind referrals. We want to thank each and every one of you for your referrals.

William L. Krieger DC

5225 Sheridan Drive

Williamsville, NY 14221

IN PAIN? CALL NOW 633-6044

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

The answer is E, 3oz, about the size of your palm or a deck of playing cards