Tizanidine (Zanaflex®) Baclofen Clonazepam (Klonopin®) Physical Therapy Physical therapy should include daily range of motion exercises. Patients should be advised to avoid activities that could accelerate osteoporosis or joint injury.

Nerve Block

Sympathetic nerve block interrupts transmission of pain signals from a group of nerve cell bodies (called a ganglion). When treating an upper extremity, it is called a stellate ganglion block. A small needle is used to inject an alpha adrenergic antagonist alongside windpipe. When treating a lower extremity nerve block is performed in lower (lumbar).

The procedure, usually performed by an anesthesiologist familiar with technique, involves insertion of a needle into appropriate location and injection of anesthesia into ganglion. The effect is monitored over time.

Sympathectomy Patients who have a good but temporary response to nerve block may be candidates for sympathectomy. The goal of surgery is suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity in affected area.

TENS Unit

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit may be used to treat affected area. In some cases, spinal cord stimulators are implanted permanently to supply a low intensity impulse to a location in spinal cord in an attempt to interrupt pain signals that are being transmitted to brain.

Psychosocial Support RSD/CRPS patients often become depressed and anxious because of chronic pain and loss of physical ability. Counseling, support groups, and chronic pain center programs help patients learn coping strategies and provide emotional and psychological support.

After he thoroughly explained all of my results, he told me that health education is important and that he was there to not only help me as a chiropractor but to also assist me in my knowledge base on how to better take care of myself and my health. He then expressed that if I had any questions, I should write them down for him. Furthermore, he told me that honesty is best policy and he was there to promote healthier thinking, healthier living and truth in overall health.

Following our detailed meeting, he took me outside of exam room and had me to lie down (on my stomach) upon what looked like a massage table. It was covered with thick, vinyl cushion and had segmented areas in parts. At head of table-bed, was a U-shaped opening. With my nose centered directly in between "U," he explained what he was going to be doing. He told me that these beds were equipped with segmented, movable parts that help stabilize my body while he worked on my spine. One of key points of segment areas was to alleviate pressure as he pushed down on certain parts of my back. For example, when he placed his hands on my lower back, he slightly lifted lower segment so that my body would go with flow of his work. By utilizing these movable parts, my body was better able to respond to force of his pressure.

Working his way up, he got midway to my back. He asked me to take in a really deep breath and let it all completely out. I did as he said. No sooner did he press down and I heard this loud, audible popping noise. At first I didn't know what to think, but it didn't hurt at all. The next depression was on my shoulder area. It too, made an audible pop. This time, it did pinch for about a second, but suddenly I could move my left arm above my head - something I was unable to do before I had come to him. After my back, my chiropractor extended his hand and helped me up. "Strange," I thought, I could stand up without pain in my hips. He then asked me to lie down on my back. Lying there, he explained how he was now going to adjust my neck. Initially I thought, "Oh God - here goes nothing." Placing one hand aside one-half my neck, and other hand on opposite side whilst supporting my jawbone, he made a really quick push-turn. If you've ever twisted your neck too fast, you've obviously felt a sudden burning or tingling pain in your neck. I experienced it for about 1/2 a second, but surprisingly, I could also feel pressure relief from my sinuses, my ears, and even my eyes. This was repeated one more time one click above last, and my session was over.

I thanked Dr. Heldreth and was set up for 4 weeks of daily chiropractic care appointments. Leaving home, I noticed something very bizarre. As I drove, I could suddenly see road signs that before were blurred without corrective lenses. Thinking that I was just imagining my newfound site, I walked into my home, poured myself a cup of coffee and sat at my dining room table. Not thinking twice about it, I peered up at kitchen wall clock. 12:15pm. I did a double take. "12:15pm?!" I realized that I could clearly decipher numbers on my wall clock. Something I could not see at all before my visit. Nothing short from a miracle, I could not believe these almost instantaneous results!

By late afternoon, I was feeling a bit sore from visit, but I was told this may or may not happen due to extent of my subluxations. Dipping into swimming pool, cool water relieved some of soreness, but amazing thing was that although I was sore, I was not having pain or numbness I had had prior to my chiropractic visit. The next day, I went back for a second alignment where I discovered I was a bit more pain free afterwards. Next came a seminar on chiropractic care and what it all entailed. My chiropractor's partner, Dr. Jason Yoder gave an elaborate course on how important choices are in health and what we can do to empower ourselves through education about Human body potential, detection & correction of vertebral subluxations through chiropractic adjustments and how true health comes from within. Not only was it very interactive and educational, it was positive and lively. At commencement of his seminar, Dr. Yoder invited Dana to hand out special savings' coupons for friends and family - an added bonus to a great seminar!

I still face many more chiropractic visits, but for now, I am excited that I have finally found resolve in my condition through true, compassionate assistance in my quest to good health. Would I recommend visiting a chiropractor? I already have - to my family, friends and everyone I meet. After suffering for numerous years with several health problems, I've decided that to improve my overall well being - not just my health, my whole outlook on my life is enhanced through chiropractic care.

To find a Chiropractor in your area, you may do so by searching our Holistic Junction business directory. To learn more about Doctors Jud Heldreth and Jason Yoder, you may visit their website at www.palmettochiropractic.com or contact them at palmettodcz@aol.com

© C. Bailey Lloyd © LadyCamelot © 2004 All Rights Reserved C. Bailey Lloyd/Lady Camelot is currently Public Relations' Director for www.holisticjunction.com To contact Ms. Bailey Lloyd, email her at ladycamelot@holisticjunction.com