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I’m sure you have all seen it – following Dr. Mike’s name, are two letters – D.C.
But what does that stand for?
Simply put, it stands for Doctor of Chiropractic. So let’s debunk that rumor right there. Chiropractors ARE doctors. They must attend a chiropractic college, which are accredited by The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). Once that is completed, they receive the title of Doctor of Chiropratic, which is recognized by the American Medical Association, as a doctor.
But how do they compare to other doctors, for example, the more commonly known M.D.s?
First off, the schooling is different. Check out the chart below, courtesy of The Grisanti Report, which outlines the typical minimum requirements of hours for those attending chiropractic college versus medical school.
The numbers don’t lie, huh?
But this is not a contest over which one is better. Simply a means to educate everyone on chiropractors, and expose the myths that they deal with on a daily basis.
Another common belief is that chiropractic is unscientific. Before Dr. Mike received his title of D.C., he was required to receive extensive medical training in traditional medical courses. Just like other areas of medicine, the research in the chiropractic field is ongoing, and with each study, new clinical and scientific research and practices are revealed. Still left scratching your head? Just ask Dr. Mike for one of the many articles or abstracts he has outlining the scientifically-proven benefits of spinal adjustments and chiropractic care.
If you talk with any chiropractor about your indivdual case, you can tell within minutes that they know what they are talking about – and that they earned the title of Doctor.
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When your boss shoots you an email with the details about your next office meeting, you might be surprised to see the location – a pair of treadmills? That’s right, “walking meetings”, as they have come to be called, are becoming popular in offices across the nation. These meetings take place on two treadmills that face each other – the true definition of multi-tasking, if you ask me – allowing co-workers to talk while they walk.
A recent blog post had peeked my curiosity – and with a little research, I found that this idea isn’t exactly new. New York Times had written about this a little over a year ago, mentioning a financing firm that had set up four treadmill desks for co-workers to utilize while they “take care of business.”
You might think to yourself, I workout out almost daily, doesn’t that negate elongated time spend sitting down? Not exactly. Research has shown that it isn’t the not exercising that is dangerous, it is simply the act of sitting itself. One study by the American Cancer Society showed that women and men who sat for six hours a day were 37 percent, and 18 percent, respectively, more likely to die by the end of the 13 year study period. Wow.
The Mayo Clinic also noted that increased hours of sitting, whether behind a desk or in front of a television, “increased the risk of events associated with cardiovascular disease, such as chest pain (angina) or heart attack” by 125 percent.
Those studies don’t even mention the more immediate side effects of long-term sitting. Hello Neck Pain! Welcome Back Pain! Ah, we meet again Headaches and Wrist Pain!
Don’t think your boss will spring for a couple of treadmills? Not to worry, the idea is still the same.When you have a chance, take the stairs, not the elevator. Instead of using intercom or instant messaging, get up and WALK to your co-worker to relay the message. Refill your water every hour – this will help encourage you to get up more frequently, as you will need to walk to both the water cooler and the bathroom.
Another great tip? GET UP. Even just a few 5 minute walking breaks, with a few stretches and deep breathing thrown in, can do wonders for your overall health.
What do you plan to do to make sure you keep moving throughout the work day?
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You’ve read about our decompression technology, as well as our chiropractic – now, we are happy to talk about the Power Vibe, which is used by our physical therapist.
Essentially, the Power Vibe is a machine that a patient uses while preforming a therapeutic exercise. The catch is that the machine vibrates. So, that squat that you normally hold for a 10 second count? You now have to steady yourself against a constant vibration, which increases the difficultly, but also increases the benefits.
There have been a lot of media coverage about the benefits of vibrations when combined with exercise, which creates muscle fatigue in a shorter amount of time. The Power Vibe Pro II, which is housed in Mecca Integrated Medical Center’s physical therapy treatment room, uses vertical vibrations to maximize muscle toning. Additionally, the vibrations, combined with traditional exercises, increase the range of flexibility and equilibrium, and aid in lymphatic drainage and circulation. The level of difficulty can range, which makes the Power Vibe ideal for patients of all ages.
In a New York Times article, Hugh Lamont, a sports biomechanist at East Tennessee State University, explained the instrument further. “If you pick up something heavy and then pick up something considerably lighter,” Dr. Lamont explained, “you might be able to throw the lighter weight farther.” This same principal can be applied if the Power Vibe is used prior to a particularly difficult therapy exercise. The vibrations help loosen and stretch muscles, so that the patient can excel in their physical therapy.
If you are interested in trying out the Power Vibe, stop by for a consult with Dr. Marina!
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Special Friday edition -
We are happy to announce that we were listed one of the Top 50 Chiropractic Blogs !
Check out number 24 
Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-date information, pictures, events, savings, and more!
An infographic by the team at CouponAudit
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Sure, you’ve seen the video on our website – maybe even seen the picture on our social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter. But how well do you know our office technology?
This blog is the start of an exciting blog series – outlining our office technology, so you know what the machines in our office are, and what they do.
First up, the decompression machine. Officially known as the Accu-SPINA system for IDD Therapy, this machine is recognized as the “best non-surgical physio-therapeutic treatment system for back pain,” according to manufacturers North American Medical. Clinical studies, the U.S. Musculoskeletal Review notes, have shown up to a 92% success rate on surgical candidates. What does that mean, exactly? It means the Accu-SPINA relieved the pain, and repaired the problem, all without surgery.
Now, whenever people look at pictures of the machine, or even take an office tour, they are immediately intimated by the glowing blue light and the enormity of the size. Let me dispel any apprehension, and answer some common questions.
Is that thing even comfortable?
Yes. With the combination of soft lighting and spa-like music coming from our Bose player, a lot of snores can be heard from this room throughout the day. Patients have the option of activating a rolling massage on the lower back region as well, which can aid in comfort. For most of our patients, this is the first time they have been away from work, phone calls, kids, errands (in other words, STRESS) so they find the time alone soothing and relaxing.
How long do I have be on the table?
According the guidelines from North American Medical, the minimum amount of time the patient should be on the table is 20 minutes. Since we book the appointments in 30 minute increments, patients have a built-in 10 minute window for delays.
How do I know if the Accu-Spina is safe for me & my condition?
The Accu-SPINA system received FDA approval in 2000, for both decompression to the lower back (lumbar spine) and the other to the neck (cervical spine). The Accu-SPINA™ is approved to provide treatment for relief from pain and disability for those patients suffering with low back pain and neck pain associated with herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc or joint disease, nerve compression, sciatica, facet syndrome, lower back pain and neck pain.
What is the difference between decompression and traction?
Traction is a gross pull, which means that it disperses the pull of weight among a majority of the spinal segments for an allotted amount of time. Decompression, meanwhile, is site specific, targeting only the area of your spine that is injured, and uses IDD Therapy. IDD Therapy, or Intervertebral Differential Dynamics Therapy, distracts the vertebra surrounding the injured area by pulling at a unique angle and force, which diminishes chances of your body resisting and going into muscle spasms.
It sounds like this might be right for me, what is the next step?
We would be happy to help see if you are a candidate for decompression. Simply call our office at 973-943-4300 to schedule your complimentary consult with Dr. Sapienza, and you will be pain-free in no time!
Harvard Health recently wrote about how posture can help keep back pain at bay- noting that it isn’t just your standing posture you should worry about. How you sit in your chair at work, as well as performing tasks such as lifting or reaching, can have a negative effect on your back health.
Here is an excerpt of the 4 tips they provided to improve your posture:
- Imagery. Think of a straight line passing through your body from ceiling to floor (your ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles should be even and line up vertically). Now imagine that a strong cord attached to your breastbone is pulling your chest and rib cage upward, making you taller. Try to hold your pelvis level — don’t allow the lower back to sway. Think of stretching your head toward the ceiling, increasing the space between your rib cage and pelvis. Picture yourself as a ballerina or ice skater rather than a soldier at attention.
- Shoulder blade squeeze. Sit up straight in a chair with your hands resting on your thighs. Keep your shoulders down and your chin level. Slowly draw your shoulders back and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for a count of five; relax. Repeat three or four times.
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- Upper-body stretch. Stand facing a corner with your arms raised, hands flat against the walls, elbows at shoulder height. Place one foot ahead of the other. Bending your forward knee, exhale as you lean your body toward the corner. Keep your back straight and your chest and head up. You should feel a nice stretch across your chest. Hold this position for 20–30 seconds. Relax.
- Arm-across-chest stretch. Raise your right arm to shoulder level in front of you and bend the arm at the elbow, keeping the forearm parallel to the floor. Grasp the right elbow with your left hand and gently pull it across your chest so that you feel a stretch in the upper arm and shoulder on the right side. Hold for 20 seconds; relax both arms. Repeat to the other side. Repeat three times on each side.
Looking for additional tips? Stop by the office to talk with Dr. Sapienza about your posture and back pain.
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