For a long time it has been thought that women were more at risk for low back pain when wearing high heels because it would cause an increase in the curve of their low back because of their foot position. A literature review released by Russell et al.in 2009 in the Journal of Chiropractic actually showed that his has been proven over and over again as incorrect. Women were observed in high heels measuring 3 and 4 inches, and while their low back curve was increased, it was not significantly increased in one of the discussed studies. This literature reviews contradicts what has been purveyed as common knowledge in recent years. So, why do high heels tend to lead to low back pain…or do they at all?

Another recent study by A. Mika et al. published in the Journal of Manual Therapy shed light on this question. It looked at the amount of tension and firing patterns in the muscles of the low back, pelvis, and thighs in women who were wearing heels that measured 1.5 inches and 4 inches. This study found that going from flat foot wear to 1.5 inch heels did very little to affect the firing pattern of the muscles of the low back, hips, and thighs when bending forward. However, when 4 inch shoes were worn, it greatly affected the firing patterns for these muscles and created abnormal patterns. When bending forward, the muscle of the low back activated faster, and the muscles of the buttocks activated later than normal.

The study concluded that the change to the normal firing patterns of these muscles leaves the person more susceptible to low back and hip injuries. This study helps to clarify why high heels can lead to back pain in women. When we perform simple movements like walking and bending forward, our body performs a complex cascade of simultaneous muscle activities to support our joints as we move. High heels disturb the normal firing patterns of muscles that protect the joints of the low back and hips. These abnormal patterns lead to uneven loading of the spine and result in irritation or injury to the joints of the low back and hips.

References:
Mika A, Clark BC, Oleksy L. “The influence of high and low heeled shoes on EMG timing characteristics of the lumbar and hip extensor complex during trunk forward flexion and return task” Journal of Manual Therapy. 2013, Apr 27.

Russell, Brent S. “The effect of high-heeled shoes on lumbar lordosis: a narrative review and discussion of the disconnect between Internet content and peer-reviewed literature” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2010, December 9(4): 166–173.

Dr. Joshua McDowell
Fayetteville Accident & Injury Center

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) seems to become more common over the course of the last 5 to 10 years. We’ll look to answer the questions that follow. What is Restless Leg Syndrome? Why are so many people getting “Restless Leg Syndrome”? How do you fix RLS?

Restless Leg Syndrome is the feeling of a necessity to move the legs to relieve an unpleasant sensation, typically in the legs, but also possible in the arms or other areas of the body. Typically, when the person moves around, the symptoms subside. However, upon after returning to their original position, the sensations return. The symptoms are usually position dependent, meaning that they have them whenever they are in a specific position for a period of time. Laying down or sitting are the most common positions that cause these symptoms.

In all honesty, this is probably not a condition or set of symptoms that has become more common over recent years. It is more likely that the diagnosis has simply become more well-known to the public. As the diagnosis has become more public, more patients have mentioned their symptoms to their physician upon their next visit. It may also be true that this has been used in the same manner as “Fibromyalgia” as a blanket diagnosis for sleep related movement disorders that otherwise might go unclassified. The symptoms are wide ranging and vary from person to person.

So, what is the treatment? Medically, there is no widely accepted regimen for treatment of this diagnosis. There are a number of different medicines that have been prescribed for the condition with varied benefit. Typically the patient is instructed to reduce stress and increase exercise as a mean to decrease symptoms.

My question is, why not Chiropractic? Why does Chiropractic make sense? Let me explain. Typically, when you see people with these type of sensations in the leg, it is in connection with direct pressure upon the nerves that feed that area of the leg. This pressure can be due to muscle spasm, misalignment of the bones of the low back and pelvis, or both. It is quite plausible that these people are simply living with some bones improperly aligned in their low back and/or pelvis. Maybe the misalignment is mild when standing and moving, but laying down to go to sleep is increasing the amount of direct pressure on a nerve or nerves that feed the leg due to how they lay when sleeping. I have treated multiple patients who have come to my office claiming to suffer from restless leg syndrome with great results. These treatments involved nothing more than spinal adjustments, physiotherapy and a light home exercise program. Give one of our offices a call today and see if Chiropractic is right for you.

GOT RLS? TRY PREMIER CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Joshua McDowell
Fayetteville Accident & Injury Center

So you’ve been hurt in an accident…now what?  Here’s a typical story of what happens after a car accident.  You’re having pain, so you go to the emergency room.  The doctor says you have a pulled muscle, he gives you some medicine or prescriptions, and sends you home.  They may then tell you that you should get a massage, put some heat on the area, and rest.  First of all, this is generally terrible advice for the type of injuries that may occur during a car accident.  He or she then tells you to follow up with your primary care provider in 3-5 days if you’re not feeling better.  Then when you go to a primary care provider and are told that the doctor does not accept automobile insurance for care.  You are typically told you can either pay cash or file health insurance…if you have health insurance.  Does this sound familiar?

Many people who have been injured in a car accident have no idea where to start.  You may be in pain and not know where to turn for help.  At Premier Chiropractic we treat people in this situation everyday.  We are able to help you better understand your situation and what you can do to get better.  In most cases, we can help you recover from these injuries.  In the event that we cannot treat you, we can refer you to the type of health care provider you require.

In Raleigh, and the rest of North Carolina, we have fault insurance, meaning that when you are in an accident caused by another driver, the insurance company of the at-fault driver is normally responsible for the injuries and damages resulting from that car accident.  At Premier Chiropractic, we give you the opportunity to treat without paying out of pocket in these instances.  We will bill the insurance company directly for your care or send your bills to your attorney if you are represented by one for your accident.  Either way, you are not going to have to worry about filing the bills with the insurance and chasing the payment for these bills.  We do this all for you.

Even if you were at-fault and caused your accident, you may have Medpay available as a part of your automobile policy.  If this is the case, your medpay will pay for treatment in our offices for you and any other occupants of your car, for injuries suffered in your accident.  Many people worry about using their Medpay coverage because they fear their policy premiums will increase, this is rarely the case.  If you are not sure what your options are or what coverage you have, our staff is happy to assist you in these respects.

If you have been in a car accident in Raleigh, Durham, Henderson, or the surrounding areas, we invite you to call our offices.  After an accident it is imperative that you receive treatment for these injuries quickly.  Waiting for these injuries to “go away” can allow an injury to get worse and make the injury much more difficult to resolve.  Our doctors and staff are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about this process and what you need to do to get better.  If you are more comfortable talking with someone face-to-face, you are welcome to call us and set an appointment for a free consultation about your injuries and your situation.  We are here to help you, please give us a call and see what Premier Chiropractic can do to help you get your life back.

Dr. Joshua McDowell
Fayetteville Accident & Injury Center