Dr. VANDAMScott A.Dec. 2013

27019thAve. SWSuite 800• Fargo, ND58103• 701.280.2599• ocpdrs@ideaone.net

which, to the untrained eye, can appear completely unconnected to the original trauma.

If you are not very careful, a whiplash injury may end up causing permanent damage when it is not noticed or its effect is underestimated. Around 50% of whiplash victims who have settled insurance claims are still suffering the effects of their whiplash years later. If you even suspect that you have suffered such an injury, a visit to your chiropractor is strongly advised so an assessment can be made and appropriate treatment and advice offered. (1)

Car accidents are renowned for causing whiplash injuries, and these should always be taken seriously no matter how

innocuous they may at first appear, because of the areas which are affected. It should also be remembered that the effects of whiplash may take weeks or months to fully manifest, thus it cannot be assumed no problems exists just because none is felt immediately following the accident.

Whiplash refers to a group of injuries that occur as a result of the sudden, violent whipping motion of the head in an accident. The whip can happen in any direction: back-forward, forward-back, side-side, or anything in between. Various injuries can result, including damage to the supporting muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues in the neck and upper back. A host of related symptoms can then kick off from these, many of

Car aCCidents

Car Accidents......................................................1Q & A about Chiropractic....................................2Carpal Tunnel Syndrome....................................2

Did You Know.....................................................2Research and Chiropractic...............................3References.....................................................3

Van DamChiropraCtiC

www.vandamchiropractic.com

Dec. 2013

Q&a about ChiropraCtiCQuestion: How can I tell if my children or spouse need chiropractic care?

Answer: Chiropractic corrects nerve system stress caused by an unbalanced body structure. Some forms of stress are very subtle and others are easier to locate. Here are some easy ways of telling if there is a structural imbalance:

•As they face you are their shoulders level? Are their hips level? •Do you see more space between their body and their arm on one side or is it equal?•When you look at them from the side is one arm in front of the other?•When they walk are both feet facing forward or is one foot turned in or out? •Can they turn their head more to one side than the other?•Nursing infants: Do they only prefer to nurse on one side?•Toddlers: Are they using both legs equally to crawl?•Overall health: Are they sickly? Getting lots of colds?•When they lie down, does one leg appear longer than the other?

There are other ways of telling. One is that if they have a spine, a nervous system and are alive they need to have their body checked for subluxations. That means everybody!!

Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by pressure on the median nerve, located just above the wrist. It is one of the most common occupational health problems, affecting millions of people every year, largely thanks to our ever-increasing use of computers. Anyone can develop CTS, however, even if they are computer-phobic, as it is essentially a repetitive stress injury. This means anyone involved in repeated actions for extended periods may suffer from it, or it may be brought on by a trauma to that area.

Common symptoms of CTS include wrist pain, weak grip, numbness, tingling, and burning.

The pain may also cause problems sleeping. Treatments vary, and can include drugs and invasive surgery, but one that is both conservative and very effective is chiropractic. Adjustments made to the affected area can help resolve the issue, as can work on certain areas of the back or neck, where the nerves are being impinged upon and referring pain to the wrist. Chiropractic treatments may also include physical therapy, and stretching and strengthening exercises. Many people with CTS have found that they experience great relief from their symptoms after visiting a doctor of chiropractic. (2)

did you Know?Salt can keep your windshield frost-free. Simply dip a sponge into salt water and rub it on your car windows, especially the windshield. They won’t frost up even when the mercury drops below zero.

humor...using puns• I tried to catch some fog. I mist. • When chemists die, they barium.• Jokes about German sausage are the wurst. • I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time. • How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it. • I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me. • This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.

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researCh and ChiropraCtiCthere seems to be no end to the Conditions that respond to ChiropraCtiC Care – physiCal as well as psyChologiCal Conditions.

that is beCause ChiropraCtiC does not “treat” a partiCular Condition. ChiropraCtiC Care “treats” or more aCCurately “CorreCts” a serious interferenCe to brain, nervous system and energy funCtion Known as the subluxation.

no matter what Condition you or a loved one may have, you will always funCtion better when free from subluxations. ChiropraCtors are uniQuely trained to loCate and CorreCt subluxations. enjoy this month’s Cases and see more next month.

Infertility and menstrual problems. A 31-year-old female presented to the office with a chief complaint of upper back and neck tension and migraine headaches. Her history revealed that she had a 3-year history of infertility, menstrual pain, heavy bleeding and cycles frequently lasting two weeks in duration.

A full chiropractic evaluation including radiography, thermography, surface electromyography and heart rate variability was utilized to locate her vertebral subluxations.

Chiropractic adjustments were given to the subluxations. After her first adjustment the patient reported normal menstruation and following eight adjustments the patient reported she had conceived. (3)

Dec. 2013page 3

referenCes1.http://vandamchiropractic.com/we-can-help/car-accidents/2.http://vandamchiropractic.com/we-can-help/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/3.Borkhuis S & Crowell M. Resolution of infertility in a 31-year-old female undergoing chiropractic care for the reduction of vertebral subluxation: a case report. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2013;4:78-83.4. ZElster E. Chiropractic management of musculoskeletal pain in the multiple sclerosis patient.Clinical Chiropractic. 2005;8(2):57-65.

Dr. Van Dam will be out of the officeDec. 23rd - 27th. The office will be open Dec. 30th and until noon on Dec. 31st.

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Multiple sclerosis. This study evaluated the relationship between Atlas vertebra (C1) misalignments/subluxations identified by X-ray and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).

Three women and one man with multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCVSI) were compared to a control group and each patient was evaluated using various tests.

X-ray examination revealed severe misalignment of C1 (Atlas vertebra) in the MS patients with CCSVI (4). This reaffirms that MS and CCSVI patients need chiropractic care.

An Atlas (C1) subluxation can put indirect pressure on the base of the brain that could lead to neurological problems. A study of 81 cases indicated that chiropractic could help reverse multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. (4)