Tag: Meriden

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5 Tips To Improve Ergonomics While Working From Home

A lot more people are working at home lately thanks to the global pandemic Covid-19. This new situation can lead to challenges in setting up a work station which will be both comfortable and reduce the chances for strain and injury. So in this article I will outline several tips to improve ergonomics. Ergonomics means fitting the job to the person, which is important to consider while you work from home.

A drawing of a person working at a laptop on an article about ergonomics while working from home on the blog of Meriden chiropractor Dr. Erik Reich
Working from home can be stressful. Your work space shouldn’t be.

1. Practice Good Posture

Many tasks you will likely be performing at home while working will be done with your arms and hands outstretched to the front of your body. For example, typing, checking your phone, writing, using a laptop, and reading are all activities which place your shoulders and arms in a forward position. This posture is chest and shoulder dominant. This means your chest and shoulder muscles are contracted more frequently to position your arms forward and closer to center. This can lead to shoulder irritation and poor breathing patterns.

In order to counteract this predominance of the chest muscles and forward rounding of the shoulders, you should be mindful of sitting and working with your chest forward. Think of someone tying a string to your breast bone and pulling you up. In this way your chest leads in front of your shoulders and places you in a more “open” posture.

Furthermore, if you are sitting at a desk, be sure to adjust your chair so that you are at a comfortable height and your thighs are parallel or slightly higher than parallel to the floor. Your keyboard and computer should be directly in front of you, not off to the side. Also, the computer screen should be at least 18″ from your face and the top 1/3 of the screen should be at eye level.

2. Don’t Forget to Move

Even while you are sitting or standing to work at home, movement is important. If your work requires you to spend long hours at a desk, small movements such as tapping your feet, rolling your neck and shoulders, and fidgeting with your hands and fingers, can help stimulate blood flow and decrease stiffness. Short breaks to stand, pace, performs some air squats, calf raises, or desk push-ups can also be very helpful.

3. Set a Timer

If you are like me, sitting to write or type, or finish computer work, you may be prone to stay put for long stretches of time to complete the task at hand. What can be helpful is to use your phone’s clock timer or another inexpensive timer to set micro-breaks for every 20 minutes. This way when the timer goes of you have an auditory cue to get up and move for a few minutes, without becoming overly distracted.

4. Your Breathing is Important

When working from home you may be sitting a lot. Sitting places the hips in flexion and can impede full expansion of the lungs while breathing. Naturally while sitting you will tend to take shallower breaths.

Take some time to focus on deep breathing and you may notice your posture improves, your back feels less tight, and you don’t fatigue as easily. Keeping your shoulders behind your chest as previously discussed can help.

Furthermore, placing one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach and taking a deep breath, you should feel the hand over your belly move. Shallow chest breathing where your diaphragm doesn’t expand into your abdomen limits rib expansion and decreases circulation. So make sure both hands are moving well when you breath, get your diaphragm involved!

With improved rib expansion while breathing your blood will carry more oxygen, your joints will circulate their fluid to provide nutrition to the joint cartilage, and your stress levels will reduce. Good breathing has many health benefits.

5. Take Walking Meetings

Many meetings these days are being conducted remotely. There are many apps which make this possible, and when working from home it may seem convenient of comfy to sit on the couch at your chair for the duration. I would suggest if possible that you walk or pace comfortably around your house while on these calls. You may have already been sitting for some time before the meeting starts, and getting back to more work following the meeting. So if possible try and use this time to move around.

So there are 5 tips which I hope you will find helpful during these times when you are working from home, whether by choice or due to the recent coronavirus pandemic.

About the Author:

photo of Dr. Erik Reich with his son on his shoulders
Dr. Reich, Meriden chiropractor, and his son.

Dr. Erik Reich is a chiropractor in Meriden, CT. He practices at Omni Physical & Aquatic Therapy Center, Inc.  located at 303 South Broad Street. Where he treats all types of patients from high school athletes, seniors, victims of trauma such as auto accidents, laborers, and desk jockeys. Spending time with his wife and son, and their Boston terrier, is something Dr. Reich also enjoys.

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5 Signs You May Need A New Chiropractor In Meriden, CT

You may have had one of these experiences. A family member or friend may have told you about their awful experience at the chiropractor’s office. Maybe they were told they need to be seen three times a week for a year. Perhaps a treatment plan was offered but they would need to pay for the care all in advance. Or maybe the doctor advised them that they had a terrible condition that would need multiple x-rays and only that chiropractor’s secret/special/unique/proprietary technique was able to fix what was wrong.

Unfortunately in chiropractic, as well as the other healthcare fields, there are some bad actors. Furthermore, these practitioners may not even be aware that their actions are harmful, or without evidence, and essentially scamming people. No one wants to be duped, or the recipient of unethical practices. Evidence based doctors also don’t want patients exposed to bad actors, who then come away with the impression that all of chiropractic is a scam. If you receive a bad haircut, you don’t swear off all barbers and stylists. But if you have a bad experience at the chiropractor’s office, you may say “I tried chiropractic, what a joke”. To be clear, most chiropractors are ethical and do take their responsibilities to their patients very seriously. But no profession is without some bad apples.

Below I will list five signs your chiropractor may not be acting in your best interest. This list is by no means exhaustive, and context is important as well. Because some practices listed below may be reasonable depending on individual circumstances.

Reg flags waving in the breeze featured in a blog post about 5 signs you may need a new chiropractor or the chiropractic care you are getting is a scam.
Red flags that you may need a new chiropractor.

5 Signs You Need A New Chiropractor

  1. No Diagnosis or Treatment Plan is Given
  2. Excessive Number of Visits are Recommended
  3. The Doctor Refuses to Work with Other Providers
  4. The Doctor has Secret Treatment Knowledge Only They Possess
  5. Payment Must be Made Before Care is Delivered

Treatment Plans and Diagnosis

First sign, no diagnosis is given and no treatment plan is prescribed. Be wary of any health care provider who does not explain what diagnosis or hypothesis they are thinking of with regards to your symptoms. Also, clinicians should be able to lay out a treatment plan to address your concerns. If no diagnosis is offered or no treatment plan is laid out, that could be a sign your chiropractor doesn’t actually know what is going on with your symptoms or concerns. Generic non-specific statements like “sciatica” or “neck pain” are not diagnoses, they are symptoms. Likewise, your chiropractor should have some idea of how long it will take to improve or relieve your presenting symptoms.

Second, and this goes along with the first sign, chiropractic care should be individualized to each patient. Blanket plans of care where everyone is told to come in three times a week for two months is not patient centered. You may indeed need two months of care at that frequency, but most people who respond to chiropractic treatment feel better much sooner than that, especially if your symptoms have not been caused by trauma. Treatment plans where the doctor prescribes six months of visits at a time, and may ask you to pay up front, are especially dubious.

Working as a Team

Beware of any health care provider in the 21st Century who refuses to collaborate with your other providers. There is a history of animosity between the medical and chiropractic professions dating back to the 20th Century. This mistrust is still prevalent to a lesser degree, with some chiropractors skeptical of medicine and surgery. Also, some medical doctors, physical therapists, and surgeons view chiropractors with distrust and skepticism. Neither of these outlooks serve you, the patient, very well. Inter-professional cooperation improves health outcomes. Doctors refusing to deal with one another leads to worse outcomes, confusion, and mistakes being made. Find a healthcare team willing to collaborate on your behalf and cut loose any member of that team who refuses to deal with other members of YOUR team.

Secret Knowledge

In the chiropractic profession there are many named techniques. Of course, this is also true with the other manual therapy practitioners, such as massage therapists and physical therapy. Diversified adjusting, ART, Cox, Gonstead, Graston, McKenzie, and the list goes on.

However, claims that one technique is superior to another or a cure-all are unfounded and not backed by science. Be cautious of any provider who tells you they have secret knowledge. All of these techniques can be learned, but an unscrupulous provider may twist or re-brand a common technique, slap a label or their name on it, and all of a sudden they are out practicing like a guru who possesses the secret wisdom to heal what ails you. They’re also probably marketing themselves to other providers with $999 courses to spread their new superior methods. Don’t be conned by these charlatans.

By and large, we know what works to get people out of pain. Patient education, therapeutic exercise, return to activity, lifestyle advice…mix in some first aid care such as heat, stretching, or adjustments to bring pain levels down, and reassurance. None of this is secret knowledge.

Payment is Expected in Advance of Care

As a patient with a health concern you should expect your chiropractor to provide excellent care. A thorough history and exam, diagnosis, plan of care, and any treatments delivered should be appropriate and well explained. This is pretty standard stuff. What is also unfortunately encountered are excessive cookie cutter treatment plans that go on for months, with an expectation that you pay up front.

This is wrong for a couple of reasons. First, every patient should be treated as an individual. When an unscrupulous chiropractor hands you a piece of paper outlining the next six months of visits with a 20% discount if you pre-pay in one lump sum, they are more focused on their office’s cash flow than your health. Don’t believe for a second that you’re the only person in that office being given such a great “deal” on their care.

Second, pre-payment contracts can be illegal in some jurisdictions. They also often contain clauses which violate your rights to receive a refund if you don’t utilize all the visits. Furthermore, many of these arrangements are entered into under the rationale that such a long plan with so many visits is required to avoid catastrophic health conditions. Terms such as disc degeneration, arthritis, or spinal decay are used, and of course you had better pay all at once. This is called “scare care” and it’s a bunch of malarkey.

Don’t Get Scammed

There are many great chiropractors in the world. There are some shady ones out there too. Hopefully this article makes clear some of the actions a few chiropractors, and even some other healthcare providers, might take to inflate their bank account, or their egos. These doctors and practices rarely have the patient’s best interests in mind, as the patient is secondary to increasing revenue. The American healthcare system is a disaster which puts profits far ahead of people, and hopefully this post gives you some insight on practices to avoid when seeing a chiropractor or other health care provider.

About the Author:

photo of Dr. Erik Reich with his son on his shoulders
Dr. Reich, Meriden chiropractor, and his son.

Dr. Erik Reich is a chiropractor in Meriden, CT. He practices at Omni Physical & Aquatic Therapy Center, Inc.  located at 303 South Broad Street. Where he treats all types of patients from high school athletes, seniors, victims of trauma such as auto accidents, laborers, and desk jockeys. Spending time with his wife and son, and their Boston terrier, is something Dr. Reich also enjoys.

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Stenosis Treatment in Meriden

Have you heard the term “lumbar stenosis” regarding back pain or leg pain you are experiencing? If you or a loved one suffer from lower back and leg pain, and have been told you have stenosis, you may have some questions. So, where can you find stenosis treatment in Meriden, CT? My name is Dr. Erik Reich and I am a chiropractor in Meriden, CT. As a chiropractic physician I have treated many people suffering from lumbar stenosis over the past 8 years of clinical practice. Many cases of stenosis respond incredibly well to conservative chiropractic treatment, which is both non-invasive and drug free.

Picture of a badly inflamed lumbar spine illustration, demonstrating lumbar stenosis. Dr. Erik Reich treats lumbar stenosis patients in Meriden.
Dr. Erik Reich is a chiropractor in Meriden who treats neuromusculoskeletal conditions including pain and disability arising from spinal stenosis.

What is Lumbar Stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal narrows. Then, the narrowing can cause pressure on the nerves resulting in pain or other symptoms travelling into the legs. Lumbar stenosis can have several causes. For example, it can be caused by bony changes such as osteoarthritis, or congenital narrowing of the spinal canal, and spinal ligament thickening. Also, disc derangement such as herniation can also lead to narrowing and stenosis symptoms.

Do I Need Surgery?

Recent studies comparing surgery for lumbar stenosis versus conservative treatment such as physical therapy show similar outcomes. However, surgery carries added risks. Granted, for certain people surgery is an absolute necessity. To rule out surgery, a thorough history and examination should always be performed.

The risks associated with surgery typically do not arise in non-invasive treatment options such as chiropractic care. Therefore, while outcomes may be similar, many patients opt for a conservative non-invasive approach before considering surgery.

How Can Chiropractic Treatment Help?

There are several key components to an effective chiropractic treatment plan for addressing lumbar stenosis symptoms.

First, patient education is a key component of any successful treatment plan. High quality, evidence informed education about the condition, expected outcomes, goals of treatment, and possible side effects should be relayed. With better information, the patient often experiences better results.

Second, pain needs to be addressed. However, pain is only one symptom of stenosis which must be dealt with. It is hard to accomplish the goals of treatment if you are in pain. So passive care such as heat, massage, joint manipulation or adjustments, flexion-distraction, and other interventions are warranted to reduce painful symptoms to the point where active treatment, like an exercise program, can commence.

Third, active treatment moves to the forefront. Once pain has been reduced or eliminated, active treatment should begin in earnest. You should expect guided exercises, home stretching, and nutrition counseling. Symptoms from lumbar stenosis typically respond well to active care. Positive changes can usually be felt within the first week or two of treatment. Although every patient is unique and “it depends.”

Dr. Erik Reich is a Chiropractor Providing Lumbar Stenosis Treatment in Meriden

photo of Dr. Erik Reich with his son on his shoulders
Dr. Reich, Meriden chiropractor, and his son.

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.

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Whiplash Treatment – Meriden, CT

Where should I get whiplash treatment near me?

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you are no doubt under a lot of stress. Dealing with repairs, police reports, attorneys, and insurance companies can make you want to crawl in a hole. Because so many factors are involved after a crash, it is important not to neglect taking care of yourself. So, even if you don’t feel immediate pain or discomfort, seeking a professional evaluation and whiplash treatment following a car accident should be a priority.

Many people feel pain or other symptoms right at the time of the accident, still others don’t feel pain until a day or more after being injured. If you are in a state of shock or feeling no pain due to an adrenaline rush after a collision, symptoms may not develop for several hours or even days later. Especially if neck pain does develop or becomes worse in the 24-48 hours after a crash.

Photo of a woman holding her painful neck due to a whiplash injury on the website of Dr. Erik Reich Meriden Chiropractor.
Dr. Erik Reich Meriden Chiropractor specializes in gentle treatment of whiplash injuries.

Seek Treatment for Whiplash Promptly

Whiplash injuries are very common following car accidents and other accidents. Whiplash occurs where the neck is moved extremely rapidly. The speed and force involved with this rapid movement is often enough to stretch muscles, tendons, and ligaments beyond their limits. This can cause these tissues to tear or become overstretched. Which in turn results in pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, swelling, or cramping.

Pain from whiplash injuries can be intense or dull. Dull neck pain following an injury or accident may heal on its own, or it may not. If you are experiencing neck pain following a car crash, seeking a medical opinion is important because pain may not resolve on its own. The natural course of many aches and pains is to go away on their own some time after onset. However, whiplash injuries can linger, and left untreated can become chronic pain.

Neck pain and instability of the tissues in the neck due to whiplash can lead your body to respond by creating stability where it is lacking. This process involves laying down connective tissue, excess scar tissue, and in the case of bone, more bone, which is termed osteoarthritis. Chronic whiplash therefore has been associated with long term pain. Studies also indicate a tendency for increased opioid medication use, arthritic changes, and poorer health outcomes.

What Type of Whiplash Treatment is Best?

At Omni Physical & Aquatic Therapy Center, Dr. Erik Reich employs a number of evidence based treatment strategies. These treatments address the components of whiplash injuries. Treatment begins with an in-depth history taking process and review of relevant medical history. Followed by a physical examination to identify the involved structures and injured tissues. Then, an individual treatment plan will be discussed based on your body’s needs. Your personal preferences, and the doctor’s best clinical judgement are also important.

Care plans typically include some combination of both passive and active care. Passive care can be thought of as first-aid care. Hot packs, electrical stimulation to damaged soft tissues, and ultrasound are types of passive care which might be employed to reduce pain. As pain reduces, more active treatments such as stretches and exercises are introduced. Therefore, your neck and spine have the best chance of returning to pain free motion. Then you can enjoy the movements and activities you did before the accident which resulted in your whiplash injury.

Car crash typical of an accident that can result in whiplash injuries for the people involved.
Whiplash can be caused by auto collisions, sports injuries, work accidents, or other trauma to the neck and spine. Dr. Erik Reich in Meriden, CT specializes in treating head and neck injuries, and other spinal and muscular pain and loss of function.

Seek Treatment if You’ve Been Injured

Whiplash injuries can be extremely painful immediately following trauma. Or they may show up as dull worsening pain one or more days after an accident. But what is important is that if you’ve been involved in a traumatic event such as a car accident, get a professional to evaluate you. Even if you are uncertain if you sustained a serious injury.

About the Author

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, to seniors, and traumatic injuries such as work and car accidents. He also enjoys spending time with his wife and son, and their Boston terrier Jarvis.

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New Year’s Resolutions for the Back Pain Sufferer

Happy New Year!

2019 is coming to an end. As we embrace the new year, and you are making your New Year’s Resolutions to finally kick back pain to the curb, keep these points in mind. Because as a society approximately 80% of us have or will experience back pain, this is the perfect season to resolve to beat the odds. At an annual health care burden in the billions of dollars, lower back pain is a scourge felt worldwide. But these New Year’s Resolutions can help you overcome one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.

  1. Exercise at least 20 minutes a day, 7 days a week.
  2. Stop smoking.
  3. Eat at least 6 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
  4. Get more and better sleep.
  5. Seek help if your symptoms are not resolving.
Picture of a man holding his lower back in pain arched into extension with a caption stating that Dr. Erik Reich in Meriden, CT treats back pain in the blog for New year's Resolutions for back pain sufferers.
Dr. Erik Reich is a chiropractor in Meriden, CT who treats all types of musculoskeletal back pain.

Exercise for Your Back Pain

It may seem counter intuitive to exercise a part of your body that may be injured or in pain but science regularly backs this up. Therefore, one of the best interventions for both acute (new) and chronic (old) pain is graded exposure to exercise. If you are unsure of where or how to begin an exercise program while in pain, see resolution #5 – Seek Help!

Stop Smoking

Needless to say this is old news for a variety of health reasons, but in terms of back pain, smoking is very bad for both pain intensity experienced, healing time, and outcomes overall. I recently wrote a blog on this very subject here.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and veggies pictured on the blog of Dr. Erik Reich Meriden Chiropractor for New Year's Resolutions for back pain sufferers.
Increased fruit and vegetable intake is associated with better healing and pain reduction.

When you consume more fruits and vegetables your body heals better, this is well documented in the scientific literature. Vitamin A is required for cell and bone formation, cellular differentiation, and immune function. Vitamin C is necessary for collagen and connective tissue formation and as a tissue antioxidant. Fruits and vegetables also contain fiber which is filling and satiety will reduce cravings for more inflammatory foods (processed foods, sweets, chips, etc.) which should be avoided when healing.

Better Sleep, Better health

Two recent studies in just the past month or two have shed more light on the important role sleep plays in your health outcomes. In one study which was discussed in this article, lack of and poor quality sleep was shown to increase pain felt by up to 30%. Furthermore, in another recent example, a study showed how sleep helps to clean the brain and allow your body to remove toxins.

Ask for Help

The human body is resilient. You are highly adaptable and given the right inputs the body will take care of the output. But garbage in = garbage out. So if you are experiencing back pain, make some simple (but not easy) lifestyle changes to give yourself the greatest chance to recover. Or if you are unsure of how to make these changes, don’t hesitate to reach out and get some help.

Dr. Erik Reich is available for appointments Monday – Friday and can be reached by phone at (203)235-0171.

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Why is Smoking Bad for Healing After Disc Injury?

If you want to get better faster and with less pain after a disc injury, don’t smoke.

Picture of an anatomical model of a lumbar disc herniation on the website of Meriden CT chiropractor Dr. Erik Reich
Scientific studies routinely demonstrate that smokers have more pain, decreased healing ability, and longer recuperation times”, states Dr. Erik Reich, a chiropractor in Meriden, CT.

It’s no surprise that smoking is bad for you. If you are a smoker, you’ve most likely been told by friends, family members, and your doctor to quit the habit already a million times. However, as a chiropractor, let me be perhaps the first to state it this way: smoking is terrible for your health after a disc injury.

In this study by Tsarouhas A et al. the authors state, ” Smoking habits were found to have a negative dose-dependent effect on the transcript levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13 and a positive correlation with pain intensity, suggesting an unfavorable role for smoking in the regression process of herniated disc fragments. “

In other words, smokers take longer to heal after a disc injury. Smokers also experience more pain with disc injury than non-smokers. Anyone who has had a cervical or lumbar disc herniation can tell you, they can be extremely painful and debilitating. Therefore, you should give yourself every advantage when you are trying to heal after such an injury to your spine. If you are a smoker, be aware that continuing to smoke during the healing process has been demonstrated to slow recovery, increase pain intensity, and result in poor outcomes. So stop smoking for disc health!

In sharing this study and the information in it, it is my hope that if you are a smoker experiencing back pain, but especially back pain due to trauma or disc injury, you seriously consider quitting immediately. I know you’ve heard it before about the negative health consequences of smoking cigarettes, but this study makes the connection between smoking and back pain in a way most people are still unaware.

Graphs of MMP levels from a study on disc herniations and the effects of smoking on the website of Meriden, CT chiropractor Dr. Erik Reich
Significantly lower MMP-3 (c) and MMP-13 (d) mRNA levels were observed in discs removed from patients smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day compared to non-smoking patients 

I have no doubt that studies coming out in the future will build on the negative relationship between smoking and back pain, but in the meantime if you want my clinical advice: stop smoking for disc health now to improve your outcomes from suffering a spine related injury. Of course this is in addition to eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, and if you need help doing that call (203)2350171 today.

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Choosing a Chiropractor

What should you be looking for when choosing a chiropractor?

The chiropractic profession is varied, and there are many different styles of chiropractic treatment and practices out there. So how do you pick a chiropractor? I will list and discuss some key considerations when you are in search of a new chiropractor.

First, ask your family and friends for a recommendation, or even your primary doctor which chiropractors in the area they would see if they needed care. Friends, family, and your health care team will likely not recommend to you someone they don’t like and trust themselves.

Second, check online. You can do a quick internet search for the chiropractor’s name and the town or city they practice in and get an idea of their practice by looking at their website, checking reviews online, and even looking up their license to practice and check for irregularities. When you are choosing a chiropractor in your area, don’t neglect performing an online search.

Next, give their office a call. Did someone pick up right away or did you have to leave a message? If a receptionist, or even the doctor, answered, were they pleasant, easily understood, and helpful? Did you get a good first impression? These are important windows into the “feel” of the office.

Exterior photo of Omni Physical & Aquatic Therapy Center, Inc. in Meriden, CT where Dr. Erik Reich Chiropractor sees patients
Dr. Erik Reich practices in Meriden, CT at Omni Physical and Aquatic Therapy Center, Inc.

Things to consider when starting treatment.

Chiropractic treatment is varied, but there are certain considerations that you should be aware of when starting a treatment program. Many chiropractors utilize spinal adjustment or “manipulation” of the spine to alleviate neck or back pain. Adjustment of the extremities such as ankle or wrist may also be performed based on the presenting health issue.

As a patient, be extremely wary of any chiropractor who says they have a unique technique or treatment that only they can use or a new treatment which they discovered. Joint manipulation is practiced more frequently by chiropractors than other manual healthcare providers, but it is not exclusive or proprietary to chiropractors as a profession, and there are many different named adjusting techniques and styles but no one has a monopoly on getting someone better with an adjustment.

Furthermore, other treatment modalities practiced by any good chiropractic physician are not unique to the chiropractic profession. Education about your condition, an exercise program, stretching and other treatments of the muscles and tendons, and nutrition advise may be helpful and offered at a chiropractic visit, but none of these interventions are exclusive to the chiropractor. Be skeptical of any chiropractor who wants to sell you their own vitamins or supplements because they are the “best” or the only ones that work.

You should beware of excessive imaging. Years ago it was common for chiropractors to over-utilize x-rays for a variety of reasons. Be aware that current understanding and imaging guidelines do demonstrate their usefulness in ruling out fractures, dislocations, and other red flags. X-rays should not be taken in the absence of recent trauma or suspected disease, and x-rays are not indicated to monitor your progress as treatment progresses. If you are not in pain and the chiropractor wants to take x-rays, you should get a second opinion.

Avoid long term contracts, payment plans, and care which does not have a reasonable start and end point. When you see a chiropractor, you should start feeling better. Depending on the severity of the original injury or health issue, this may take 1 visit, 6 visits, or a month of visits, or even longer…but avoid any doctor who claims to know that you will need 3, 6, or 12 months of visits when they’ve only met you once or twice and want you to pre-pay for 6 months of care. Everyone responds and heals differently, but this can not be known that far in advance and especially not to the degree where you should pay up front.

What Makes a Good Chiropractor?

Choosing a chiropractor shouldn’t be difficult. However, because the market is so fractured with many different types of practices, and in America the healthcare system is so focused on profit and efficiency, patients need to be keenly aware of outdated and potentially harmful practices that are more focused on serving the doctor or benefiting the practice than providing benefit to you, the patient.

You need to look for a chiropractor who takes a patient centered approach, which uses best practices and current evidence to come up with an active treatment plan focusing on return to regular activity and eliminate or reduce pain.

A good chiropractor is therefore one who avoids gimmicky marketing tricks, reduces or eliminates unnecessary or wasteful imaging or other expensive tests, and works well with other members of your healthcare team including primary doctors, APRNs, orthopedists, neurologists, and specialists.

A good chiropractor takes a thorough health history and performs a detailed physical examination before working with you on a treatment plan that is individualized to your goals and preferences. Also, a good chiropractor will offer education, support, exercises, and lifestyle modification advice, to encourage active participation in the process of getting you well, and not rely solely on passive interventions such as heat, adjustments, ultrasound, etc.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.