Ankle Sprains

As a sports doctor, I see many injuries. The most common is the ankle sprain.

It never fails, if I'm covering an event, such as a soccer tournament, a kid will twist an ankle and some well meaning parent with some medical training will jump right in with the "Standard" advice. Don't take off the shoe, ice right away, don't walk on it, take some ibuprofen.....

While these steps have been firmly implanted into our heads; this approach actually slows the healing process and sets up an inferior repair that will lead to repeat ankle injuries.

The old RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) treatment is good for immediate pain relief, but does nothing to enhance or speed the healing process. Let me explain...

When an ankle or other joint is sprained, the ligaments that hold the bones together get stretched or torn. This can only happen if the bones get pulled apart. When you twist an ankle, one side gets opened up and stretches/tears the ligament. It is imperative that the bones get re-aligned immediately to start the repair process.

The first thing I do is evaluate the injury and see if the ligaments are intact, then traction the joint to re-align the boney structures. This usually brings great relief to the injured athlete. This must also be done before the swelling begins.

Conventional wisdom tells us that swelling and inflammation is bad. If it is bad, why does the body do it? Swelling and inflammation is vital to the repair process. The swelling floods the damaged area and cleans out the damaged tissue. This gives a foundation for the repair. Inflammation occurs when tissues are damaged. Histamines are released from the cells. This histamine release sets in motiion the repair process, as the body begins to deliver repair materials to the area. The pain and swelling helps to protect the joint durring this phase.

Taking NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-ibuprofen) leads to fibrosis formation. This creates an inferior and weak repair, prone to reinjury. Natural anti-inflammatory remedies include tumeric, curcummin and the enzyme bromelain are effective.

Weight bearing, as soon as possible, will strengthen the repair and speed healing. Weight stresses the repair and the body will build a stronger repair along the stress zones.

Best advice... if you suffer a sprained ankle, have a trained sports chiropractor evaluate it and treat as needed. Within a week to 10 days, most ankle sprains are healed enough to resume normal activities. Any questions or comments would be welcome.

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Office Decore

My office has, of course, the standard "health care office" decorations. Magazine rack and educational posters in the reception room, diplomas on the wall, etc.... But in my Patient Education Room I have some very interesting "Props".

I have Silly Putty, several bent and rusty bolts and nuts, rubber bands, a bowling ball....But my favorite Prop is an actual tire from one of my cars!

Why on God's Green Earth would a doctor have an old worn out tire in his office (not to mention the rusty bolts, but that is a subject for a future post)? Remember, this is my patient education room. Any good teacher will tell you, if you can get your "Students" to ask questions, they learn better. I don't bring up the tire subject for everyone, and it is really fun to watch people look at the tire, wonder about it, then finally get up the nerve to ask about it.

"What's with the old tire?" Well, you will notice a distinct wear pattern, this is a symptom, much like a headache or back pain. If you treat the symptom by replacing the tire only, what would happen later? Of course, the new tire will quickly wear out like the old one. That is why we must address the underlying "Alignment" problem to fix this symptom. The lightbulb really pops on about now!

Understanding that just covering up a symptom with medication, does not actually fix anything and the symptom will return until the underlying alignment problem is fixed.

Got a symptom? Get your alignment checked!

Love to hear your comments or questions, leave a note!

Great Success Story From One of My Patients

I just received this from a recent new patient. Oko has come along way already, and I greatly appreciate her sharing this with you.

"I'm pain free now! I had no knowledge about chiropractic, when my co-worker recomended me Dr. Fischer. I was skeptical, and a little bit nervous, but felt really comfortable right after my first visit. My headache was terrible, I had been suffered (sic) for 2 months with pain and was desperate. I'm lucky to have Dr. Fischer as my chiropractor. He knows the best, does the best, he is the best. Now after 7 visits so far, I ask myself why I didn't come earlier instead of suffering... Anyways, thank you Dr. Fischer and your staff are great too."

Oko Janssen,
Neenah WI

Life Energy

One question I routinely get when I tell a new acquaintance I am a chiropractor is, "How does 'Cracking' someones back or neck treat their disease?"

First of all, I do not use the "C" word, it is an adjustment. Then I go on to explain how spinal misalignments can affect the flow of energy through the nerves. This is where I usually get the "Deer-in-the-Headlights" look.

Most people think of chiropractors as just someone who can fix bad backs, which we are the best at by the way. However, I think of myself as more of an electrician for the body than a "Bad Back Fixer."

You see, all healing arts, except western medicine, are based on proper flow of energy through the body for optimal health. Too much or too little energy flow is the cause of disease. For example, too much energy to the stomach--you get acid reflux and ulcers. Too little and you get indigestion, constipation or diarrhea.

The Chineese call this energy Chi, in religion it is the soul, and in chiropractic it is Innate Intellegence. The only difference between life and death is the flow of energy. A dead body is physically and chemically identical to a live one! The differece is energy.

In the human body, this energy is concentrated and travels through the nerves. The brain knows all and instructs each and every cell in your body what to do and when. If the communication between the brain and the cells is interferred with, the cells do not do what they are supposed to do--disease.

Since only 10% of nerve communicate pain, most of the time these conditions occur with out any notice whatsoever.

According to Quantum Physics, we are nothing but energy packets anyway, so correcting energy flow issues will promote optimal health.

So, as the "electrician", I look for improper flow of nerve energy and remove the cause (spinal misalignment). The body can then begin to work as it is intended-health.

In essence, the chiropractic adjustment improves energy flow, thus makes you more alive. And I can't imagine any better way to spend my life, then helping others be more alive!

I would really love to answer any questions or comments on this one. Please leave a comment, even if only to say Hi!

Renewal

Those of you who follow me know I was in Mexico-Riviera Maya last week for vacation. While on the beach, Robin (wife) and I, to commemorate our 25th Wedding Anniversary (May 26) renewed our vows to each other. We brought our four daughters with us to celebrate.

Needless to say, we had a fantastic time (great to get out of the snow). Robin and I reconnected last week and I have noticed a change in our attitudes and demeanors, for the better. And when home life is better, career life seems to follow along as well. This week has been phenomenal at the office! Even the staff seems more energized.

Spring really is coming, dispite the current weather conditions. And Spring is a time for renewal. The death of Winter fades, tulips come up and the grass greens. Take some time and see what you can do to renew something important in your life. A relationship with a spouse or family member, a new focus in your career or maybe even a new career. Maybe even look back at those "Resolutions" you made three months ago and renew those.

Did you set any goals? How are you doing? Now would be a great time to review and renew those goals.

Love to see your comments and questions! Please leave a comment to let me know you were here-Thanks!