Blog Dr. Erik Reich - Latest Blog Posts, Patient Information, and Education

October 17, 2019October 17, 2019

Why Do I Have Foot Numbness?

A person's bare right foot in green grass, with the cuff of one leg on a pair of jeans covering the lower right leg. This image appears on a blog post about foot numbness on the site of Meriden Chiropractor Dr. Erik Reich — “Chiropractic care may help reduce feelings of foot numbness, depending on the cause .” – Meriden Chiropractor Dr. Erik Reich

Sitting in a position that puts pressure on the blood vessels or nerves of the legs or feet can result in temporary foot numbness. This numbness or tingling is temporary and relieved by a change in position. You may experience longer lasting numbness with certain conditions, chronic numbness following surgery or with a metabolic disorder, or new numbness in the legs or feet following an injury such as a car accident.

What Causes Foot Numbness?

Foot numbness most people are familiar with involves sitting in an awkward position such as on the floor. Or with their legs crossed. This can restrict your circulation and/or compress nerves. Which then leads to loss of feeling in the toes and feet.

Longer term numbness in the feet is more likely caused by a medical condition. You may experience lasting numbness with lower back injuries such as a disc herniation. Metabolic disorders such as diabetes can cause numbness. Also, peripheral artery disease, autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis, tumor, and other conditions can lead to numb feet.

A proper history and evaluation is important to rule out red flags and come up with a diagnosis. A working theory as to why you are feeling numbness in the feet or legs is the first step. Because some of the underlying causes can be serious and even life threatening, even though less probable, prolonged or repeated bouts of loss of feeling in the lower extremities and feet should not be disregarded or ignored.

Treatment Options

Treatment is dependent on the underlying cause of the numbness. Symptoms stemming from posture or poor work ergonomics, sciatica, spinal disc or joint problems, lifestyle factors, and certain metabolic conditions can be well addressed in the chiropractors office through the taking of a careful history, examination, and any special tests such as imaging or blood work if warranted. Then, depending on the cause, an individual treatment plan can be discussed which may include education about the condition or conditions leading to the numbness, exercises or advice on lifestyle or diet modification, adjustments or joint manipulation to the spinal or extremity joints which may be affecting numbness in conditions such as lumbar facet syndrome or tarsal tunnel syndrome. Stretching and home exercise programs can be utilized to instill self reliance, independence, and confidence to try and overcome any flare-ups or recurrences of the condition you may experience.

Check the website and book an appointment. Call (203)235-0171 if you think your foot numbness should be evaluated by Dr. Erik Reich.

October 11, 2019October 17, 2019

Concussion Advice for Adolescents

New Guidelines Following Recent Studies on Earlier Return to Activity Following Concussion

Girl having bike helmet put on for safety and to avoid concussion or head trauma in case of a fall. Dr. Erik Reich Meriden Chiropractor. — Healthy children depend on play and sport as vital parts of their day.

You may have heard the advice in the past that if a child suffers a concussion they should avoid all activity, sit in a dark quiet room, and not use any electronics. This view was popular because it was thought the brain needed total rest to recover following a traumatic injury. But these concussion guidelines for adolescents have recently been updated following the release of some important studies on the effect of return to activity after a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion.

Each concussion is unique, and the cookie-cutter approach of total rest goes against current understanding and recent studies. Following a concussion it remains true that the child should be taken out of play immediately. However, while rest may be appropriate for one or two days, many days of inactivity can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety.

Furthermore, while electronic device and TV use following concussion may worsen symptoms, there are no good studies showing their use is detrimental. Like other potential triggers for post-traumatic headache, electronics and TV use should be monitored and limited if symptoms worsen.

As a chiropractor in Meriden, CT I have seen many cases of concussion in my office, both adults and children. Head injuries and mild traumatic brain injury like concussion can be difficult to treat in young people because they may not be as communicative about what they are feeling. Children may also be more concerned about returning to play, getting back to a favorite activity or sport, or disappointing friends or teammates. It is important for parents to ask kids how they are feeling, and pay attention to behavior that seems abnormal for your child. Children are resilient and heal quickly, with proper guidance and avoidance of aggravating factors or advice known to prolong recovery following injury.

Does My Child Need Imaging?

The older guidelines as well as the newer guidelines do not recommend routine imaging in all cases of concussion, as most cases of concussion will not show up on CT scan or MR imaging. If red flags such as uncontrolled vomiting, or potential hemorrhage or skull fracture is suspected, then the appropriate imaging is necessary. But there are harms with unnecessary imaging such as exposure to radiation which is associated with heightened risks of developing cancer. Children are believed to be more at risk for cancer because they are still developing and growing. Advanced imaging is also expensive when it has been estimated that up to 2/3 of CT scans following head injury are not necessary.

Child walking with an adult. Walking at a comfortable pace without increase in symptoms is a good way to manage return to activity following concussion. Dr. Erik Reich Meriden Chiropractor. — Walking can be a great way to return to activity following a head injury

So What do the New Guidelines Recommend?

Treatment should be tailored to each individual. It is no longer recommended that a person be symptom free before resuming activity. In fact, patients who rested for five days of strict rest, had symptoms that persisted longer than those study participants who resumed light activity within 48 hours following their injuries.

Light aerobic activity such as walking, as long as symptoms do not worsen, has been shown to benefit recovery times. Again, prolonged rest can lead to anxiety, social isolation, and feelings of depression, so earlier return to a child’s normal routine, even if activity duration is reduced at first, is going to benefit recovery better than complete rest. Maybe the child can return to school on a half day basis for several days or a week. It might be the case that these half days do not worsen headaches or other symptoms, and full resumption of school can be attained quickly.

Parents, teachers, coaches, health care teams, and children should be included to make a plan for faster return to activity, school, play, and sport, with careful monitoring and observation that activities do not worsen symptoms. But complete rest is to be avoided in the absence of red flags, triggering activities, or other exacerbating factors. Routine imaging following concussion should also be limited to cases where fracture, hemorrhage, or severe injury is suspected.

October 1, 2019October 1, 2019

Should you see a chiropractor for lower back pain?

If you have ever suffered from lower back pain you are not alone. Prevalence of lower back pain is estimated to affect up to 80% or more of the population. However, there is no one cause of back discomfort. As a back pain sufferer there is a virtual supermarket of treatment options out there. You may even experience symptoms severe enough to see a doctor. Because there is this supermarket of options, you may be offered medication, physical therapy, patches, ointments, rest, ice, heat, exercise, chiropractic care, or something else entirely.

Chiropractic care is safe and effective without relying on invasive procedures or medications.

Patients report high levels of satisfaction with chiropractic care.

Is chiropractic care effective for lower back pain?

Studies have suggested the important and effective role chiropractic care can play in managing lower back pain for decades. In 2018 a series of papers in The Lancet focusing on low back pain as a significant driver of pain and disability across the world, specifically recommended non-invasive and non-drug interventions as first line treatment to address lower back pain. Chiropractic care, which often includes patient education, exercise, and of course, manipulative therapy (chiropractic adjustment of the spine or extremities) has been shown to effectively manage most cases of back pain with high rates of patient satisfaction reported.

High patient satisfaction with chiropractic care.

Patients love their chiropractors. You will not wait at your appointment for hours. A detailed history and examination will be taken and performed. Your treatment will be based on current research guidelines, the doctor’s experience, and your personal goals and preferences.

“Chiropractic patients were found to be more satisfied with their back care providers after four weeks of treatment than were medical patients. Results from observational studies suggested that back pain patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than with medical care. Additionally, studies conclude that patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than they were with physical therapy after six weeks.”

Hertzman-Miller et al (2002), American Journal of Public Health

Cost effectiveness of chiropractic care.

Another thing to consider is how much your treatment will cost when you are suffering from back pain. You will be presented with a multitude of treatment options including medicine, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, and even surgery. Chiropractic care has been found to be one of the most cost effective means to address back injuries.

Findings from a study utilizing data from the North Carolina State Health Plan collected between 2000-2009 show that care by a doctor of chiropractic (DC) alone or DC care in conjunction with care by a medical doctor (MD) incurred “appreciably fewer charges” for uncomplicated lower back pain than MD care with or without care by a physical therapist.

Hurwitz et al. (2016), Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics

September 11, 2019February 3, 2020

September is Drug-Free Pain Management Month

Did you know that September is Drug-Free Pain Management Month?

Meriden chiropractor Dr. Erik Reich recognizes all year but especially September in Connecticut as drug free pain management month. — Huzzah! September is Drug-Free Pain Management Month

About Dr. Erik Reich

Dr. Erik Reich is a Chiropractic Physician in Meriden, CT. He practices at Omni Physical & Aquatic Therapy Center, Inc. . Where he treats all types of patients from high school athletes, seniors, and traumatic injuries such as work and car accidents. Spending time with his wife and son, and their Boston terrier, is something Dr. Reich also enjoys.

September 6, 2019February 3, 2020

Dealing with Low Back Pain

What a patient needs to know when dealing with lower back pain.

A picture of a man holding his lower back in pain. — Dr. Erik Reich in Meriden treats non-traumatic lower back pain and other muskuloskeletal conditions.

First and foremost, the human body is resilient and adaptable. Most cases of lower back pain resolve with little to no intervention. Taking a hot shower, a walk, and some light stretching is often enough to ease a hurting lower back after a day or two. If pain or symptoms persist, an evaluation and treatment may be a better course of action. However, many cases of lower back pain get better with a return to normal activity and time.

If your lower back pain does not resolve, or if trauma or overuse injury is involved (a fall, car accident, over zealous gardening or home improvement job, sports injury) then a visit to the office is a better idea.

At the office a thorough intake, history, and examination will be performed so that the cause of your lower back pain can be determined and a personalized plan of care will be recommended including education about your back pain, hot or cold compresses, physio-therapeutic modalities, stretching and exercises, and spinal manipulation (chiropractic adjustment of the spine).

You will be reassured to know that the vast majority of lower back pain episodes respond very well to this type of conservative care. Furthermore, despite a great deal of pain and worry, your lower back pain can be helped with gentle chiropractic care.