| ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCES -Neck | ||||
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CERVICAL SUPPORT PILLOW: The cervical pillow is designed to
1. Support the neck in a normal forward posture while at rest.
2. Relieve pain and discomfort in the neck while sleeping.
3. Help re-introduce the normal forward neck curve while at rest.
4. Prevent the patient from sleeping in the prone (face down) position at night.
5. Provide a mild traction effect to relieve muscle tension, and nerve root compression.
Most people have no problem using the pillow immediately. Just find the edge of the pillow, which feels most comfortable, and sleep either on your back or on your side, whichever you prefer. If you have difficulty using the pillow initially, use it for 1/2 hour, and if you wish return to your normal pillow and go to sleep. It may take 2-3 days before you can use it throughout the entire night. You do not have to have a neck problem to use this type of pillow, and therefore anyone can benefit from the cervical pillow.
CERVICAL COLLAR: A cervical collar is a temporary orthopedic appliance designed to
1. Immobilize or restrict motion, and prevent jarring of the joints in the neck, thereby preventing further injury.
2. Supports weakened muscles in the neck region, thereby allowing you to maintain your head upright.
3. Allows the painful neck muscles to relax, by taking pressure off those muscles.
4. Provides a mild traction effect of the neck allowing, reducing pain from irritated nerves.
Initially, the cervical collar should be worn throughout the entire day. I am recommending that you do not use it at night to sleep, instead use a cervical pillow. As you see improvement, reduce the time you use the cervical collar in intervals of 2-3 hours/day for 2-3 days. Example: If you initially wear the collar 14 hours per day, and you are beginning to feel better, you may then wear the collar for 12 hours per day for 2-3 days, then 10 hours, etc. It is always a good idea to wear the collar in the car, since a lot of jarring of the neck occurs when you hit bumps in the road. Please note however, that the collar limits neck motion, and therefore I do not recommend driving while wearing a collar.
CERVICAL OVERDOOR TRACTION: Set up the traction unit as shown on the box. Place the
hanger over the door, close the door securely, and find a comfortable seat. Attach the chin harness as pictured, and has someone hang a maximum of 8 lbs. of water (or sand) from the weighed end of the unit.
Adjust the metal rings on the chin harness so they are balanced and fit comfortably around your chin with minimal if any stress of the jaw. Adjust your chair forward or backward until you find a position for your neck, which gives you the most relief. You may sit facing the door or way from the door, whichever is most comfortable. After 3 days you may Increase the weight by 1-2 lbs. every 3-4 days until a Maximum of 14 pounds of traction is applied. It is best to perform this therapy twice per day once in the morning, once in the evening for 20 minutes each. Continue the traction for 3 weeks after all the pain is totally alleviated.
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| TMJ- A Pain In The Jaw | ||||
Giving TMJ Pain an Adjustment
 You use the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hundreds of times every day, making it one of the most utilized structures in the human body. In fact, most people use the TMJ approximately every three minutes - every time they talk or swallow. But what is it?
The TMJ is the joint where the lower jaw joins the skull, immediately in front of the ear on each side of the head. In addition to its involvement in talking and swallowing, the TMJ also moves whenever you bite down hard on something. With this type of constant participation in common functions, it's no wonder TMJ pain can be so frustrating.
But there are potential solutions to the anguish of TMJ pain, and evidence suggests chiropractic may provide the best option. A recent study revealed that chiropractic treatment using a specific adjusting instrument eased patients' discomfort after only three visits a week for two weeks. Before treatment, patients reported TMJ-related symptoms lasting an average of eight years, but following chiropractic care, they experienced reduced pain and improvements in other symptoms, with no noted side-effects.
If you're suffering from TMJ pain, isn't it good to know there's something you can do about it? Make an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic today.
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| LOW BACK PAIN INSTRUCTIONS | ||||
 
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LOW BACK PAIN INSTRUCTIONS
When resting in bed, you may find it more comfortable to lay face up with 1-2 pillows under your knee, and if you lay on your side, a pillow between your knees.
When arising from bed, turn onto the side that is most comfortable. Bring your knees toward your chest, and using you upper body strength and your arms if necessary, come to a sitting position. If you plan on getting up on the right side of the bed, lay on your right side, and vice-versa for the left.
Avoid sitting in as much as this can increase the pressure within the lower back disc more than any other position.
ICE COMPRESSES: If your dominant complaint is PAIN, the home therapy of choice is to put ice on the affected region. Use either a commercially available ice pack or put some ice cubes or crushed ice in a zip-lock bag. Put a thin towel or paper towel between the ice pack and the skin. If the pain is very severe you may apply the ice for 10 minutes on/10 minutes off. As the severity of the pain lessens, increase the intervals between icing. You may maintain pain relief by applying ice for 20 minutes, every 2 hours or so. This regime is most effective for the first 2 days during the acute phase, however, some patients find they do very well with ice for longer periods of time. You may find that using a belt to secure the ice pack to your back allows for mobility while the ice therapy is being applied.
MOIST HEAT COMPRESSES: If your dominant complaint is STIFFNESS, the home therapy of choice is moist heat. Purchase a standard sized "Hydrocollator" pack from a surgical supply store. Dale Surgical Supply always has "Hydrocollators" in stock, and Dale is located on Jamaica Avenue between 108th and 109th street in Richmond Hill. Follow the instructions on the package, and place the "Hydrocollator" over the effected area for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to wrap the "Hydrocollator” in a terry cloth towel to prevent burning of the skin. Repeat every 2-3 hours or as needed. Continue this regime until maximum benefit is reached.
LOWER BACK AND TROCHANTERIC SUPPORT BELT: The lower back support is a temporary orthopedic appliance designed to
1. Restrict motion, thereby preventing further injury.
2. Support weakened muscles in the lower back allowing you to maintain an upright posture.
3. Compress the lower back muscles thereby reducing pain.
Initially, the support belt should be worn throughout the entire day. You also may wear the belt in bed, but loosen the straps before you go to sleep. As your condition improves, you may reduce the time you use the belt in intervals of 2-3 hours/day for 2-3 days.
Example: If you initially wear the belt for 14 hours per day, and you are beginning to feel better, you may wear the belt for 12 hours per day for 2-3 days, then 10 hours, etc.
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Richmond Hill Chiropractic PC |
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Chiropractic, Weight Loss, Electrolysis |
718-847-5252 |
