The United States continues to spend more on health care than other nations. Low back pain is the number two most common reason that Americans see their doctor -- second only to colds and flu.
Snoqualmie, WA June 29, 2009 -- Even with the new sophisticated drugs, high-tech diagnostics, physical therapy, and surgical techniques, the millions of Americans who are battling back pain may not be any closer to finding relief than they were 20 years ago.
Chair Care
I expected standing height changes to increase after the 'chair-care' exercise and that's exactly what I found. This supported the hypotheses that the exercise lengthens the spine; the joint spaces likely get larger and the cartilage gets relief from compression. I believe that future studies should use upright MRI with stadiometry to help discern why height increases were seen with the 'chair-care' exercise.In my practice I look for indicators of osteoarthritis and provide patients with short and long-term therapeutic strategies for the management of this common condition. Height change variations can help provide the health care professional with important clinical clues and is an excellent screening tool for further diagnostic testing In 2005 Americans spent $85 billion seeking medical help for relief from back and neck pain through surgery, doctor's visits, X-rays, MRI scans and medications. Further, spinal patient costs are significantly higher (about 75%) than for non-spinal patients.
A preliminary study authored by Dr. Jerome Fryer investigated how a simple seated exercise coined the "chair-care" demonstrated varying degrees of clinical success in private practice.
"I measured the physical height changes of patients before and after completing the 'chair-care' exercise. The results of the measurements provided insight into spinal height changes as well as information regarding the joint changes below the spine (hip, knee and ankle). The findings appear to shed light on why many people often naturally 'shift', using their arms, when they sit for prolonged periods. The findings also provided clues to why people often get hip, knee and foot relief when they sit," said Dr. Jerome Fryer, Owner and founder of Dynamic Disc Designs in Nanaimo, BC.
Aside from time to heal, the best treatments for back pain may be the least dramatic: exercise more and lose weight. Some of the basics we tend to ignore or overlook can be the most important and cost effective.
Dr. Fryer went on to say, "I expected standing height changes to increase after the 'chair-care' exercise and that's exactly what I found. This supported the hypotheses that the "chair-care" exercise lengthens the spine; the joint spaces likely get larger and the cartilage gets relief from compression. I believe that future studies should use upright MRI with stadiometry to help discern why height increases were seen with the 'chair-care' exercise."
Taking such precise measurements required specialized height measuring equipment. Very sophisticated equipment like an MRI is not cost effective nor practical for daily use in measuring patient height, so Dr. Fryer selected the non-invasive Heightronic 235 Digital StadiometerHeight Rod by Quick Medical; it is nearly as accurate as the MRI for this application and at a fraction of the cost.
"In my practice I look for indicators of osteoarthritis and provide patients with short and long-term therapeutic strategies for the management of this common condition. Height change variations can help provide the health care professional with important clinical clues and is an excellent screening tool for further diagnostic testing," concluded Dr. Fryer.
About Dr. Jerome Fryer:
Dr. Fryer obtained his doctorate degree in chiropractic, graduating with honors from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland Oregon in 1999. Currently Dr. Fryer practices at the Integrated Health Centre in Nanaimo , BC where he specializes in osteoarthritis. He is also the founder and lead research scientist at Dynamic Disc Designs.
About Quick Medical:
Quick Medical is a Medical Supply Store offering a large selection of medical equipment and medical supplies. Established in 1993, they currently offer over fifteen thousand medical products. In addition, Quick Medical offers a large selection of medical equipment medical supplies, and a lease option program. They are an authorized distributor for Tanita scales, Detecto, Health O Meter, Brewer Medical equipment, Clinton Industries, Burton Medical Lighting, and many others. They also provide the widest variety of medical scales available on the Internet. Quick Medical has a large selection of health and fitness products, medical furniture, medical cabinets, medical casework, medical exam tables, medical lighting, x-ray equipment, and physical therapy products.
