Low Back Pain

About 85 percent of population will experience disabling low back pain at least once during their lives! That’s almost all of us. The problem is so bad that at any one time, according to one researcher, 6.8% of U.S. adult population is suffering from an episode of back pain lasting more than two weeks. That’s a lot of bad backs. The estimated cost of this problem in U.S. is over $50 billion a year.

The standard medical approach to back pain varies depending on severity of condition. Muscle relaxers, painkillers, rest and physical therapy such as traction, diathermy, ultrasound, hot packs and cold packs are sometimes used. This approach has not been found very helpful, however. If problem doesn’t improve or worsens, then surgery may be performed.

The medical approach is at times necessary - even back surgery has a place. But according to some studies, most spinal surgery for acute lower back problems should be rarely performed. Many people who have had back surgery report a recurrence of their symptoms within a year or two of operation and may return to operating table. In some cases surgery makes no difference whatsoever. As a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, I take a different approach to treatment and prevention of back pain. After a thorough neurological examination, I determine which part of nervous system is not functioning properly. In many back pain patients, I find a high mesencephalic output.

Memory Loss

Memory loss affects thousands of people every year. Memory loss is often attributed to “getting older." In reality, age-related memory loss is a fallacy. The latest scientific research indicates that memory loss is actually a direct result of decreased use of memory centers within brain. At first, memory changes often appear subtle. For example, you may walk into a room and forget why you are there, or recognize someone you have met before, but can’t recall their name. Early symptoms of memory loss may progress to more significant memory loss. The good news is that latest documented research indicates that specific areas of brain, primarily temporal lobes, can be activated to improve memory. Anatomically, brain is comprised of a right and a left cortex. Each cortex contains an area called temporal lobe. The temporal lobes are responsible for retaining specific types of short- and long-term memory. For example, left temporal lobe is most related to remembering word lists, processing verbal language, and recalling language spoken in a monotone voice. The right temporal lobe is affiliated with remembering familiar events as well as processing non-verbal information. The right temporal lobe will house memory such as voice-intonated (singing) memory. If one portion of brain isn’t working at its maximum, memory as well as other functions of temporal lobe may be affected. This would also include one’s ability to smell and hear.