Patient Resources

Living with Osteoarthritis: Treatment Options

Posted on September 19, 2014 by admin

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. Often called wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time.

While osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, neck, lower back, knees and hips.

Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists. But osteoarthritis treatments can slow the progression of the disease, relieve pain and improve joint function.

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Pain. Your joint(s) may hurt during or after movement.
Tenderness. Your joint(s) may feel tender when you apply light pressure to it.
Stiffness. Joint stiffness may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
Loss of flexibility. You may not be able to move your joint(s) through its full range of motion.
Grating sensation. You may hear or feel a grating sensation when you use the joint(s).
Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, may form around the affected joint(s).
Research from The Mayo Clinic suggests that a combination approach, much like our Integrated Medicine Approach is a great course of action for patients living with OA. Some of the services we offer in that area include:

Physical therapy. A physical therapist can work with you to create an individualized exercise regimen that will strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase the range of motion in your joint and reduce your pain.
Durable Medical Equipment (Braces or Shoe Inserts). Consider trying splints, braces, shoe inserts or other medical devices that can help reduce your pain. These devices can immobilize or support your joint to help you keep pressure off it.
If conservative treatments don’t help, your physician may consider procedures such as:

Cortisone shots. Injections of corticosteroid medications may relieve pain in your joint. During this procedure your doctor numbs the area around your joint, then places a needle into the space within your joint and injects medication. The number of cortisone shots you can receive each year is limited, because the medication can worsen joint damage over time.
Lubrication injections. Injections of hyaluronic acid derivatives (Hyalgan, Synvisc) may offer pain relief by providing some cushioning in your knee. These agents are similar to a component normally found in your joint fluid.
Find out how San Diego Spine and Rehab can help YOU deal with OA today! Call for your Complimentary Consultation!

SDSR Mission Valley :( 858) 573-0550

SDSR Oceanside: (760) 630-8400

We look forward to helping you learn to live well, with or without OA!

Multi-Specialty Practices: What Makes Them Different?
Posted on August 21, 2014 by admin
We are so fortunate to be a part of a culture where so many options are available to us, especially when it comes to our health and wellbeing.

Often times, we hold off on taking care of ourselves, because of the actual time and effort that is required! As a result, we are impacting our overall health and vitality by neglecting the necessary care that we need to remain healthy, strong, and able to perform our everyday essential functions.

That’s where Multi-Speciality Practices (MSP), like San Diego Spine and Rehab, come in!

With an MSP, you are afforded all of the benefits of one, or several practitioners, therapies, and customizable care…all in one facility!

What are some ways that choosing an MSP for your care can benefit you?

Your providers have an open line of communication, and can easily work together to tailor, or eventually change your Treatment Plan, ensuring that you get what you need, when you need it. In fact, we even dedicate time in our staff schedules to confidentially get together and discuss special requests/concerns and other high priority patient care issues. Our practice combines the expertise of Medical Doctors, Physician’s Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Rehabilitation Specialists, to bring you integrated, comprehensive, quality care!

It saves time: Your time is valuable, and we know that. MSP’s save you time because you don’t have to commute from place to place, or schedule several different appointments at various offices in multiple areas; You are able to schedule your appointments, and we can easily incorporate your specialty appointments into your schedule, to make the most of your time, while giving you the most beneficial quality of life possible. Our front desk staff members have the ability to access the schedules for all of your providers, and tailor your appointments to make care feasible and attainable for your everyday life.

San Diego Spine and Rehab is committed to bringing you superior, beneficial, and long-lasting care that helps you integrate wellness into your life. We want to help you achieve a lifestyle that promotes your best life possible!

Call us today for your Complimentary Consultation, so that we can put together your very own Treatment Plan and begin your better life!

Mission Valley Office: (858) 573-0550

Oceanside Office: (760) 630-8400

Also, don’t forget the Backpack Full of School Supplies Giveaway in our offices this month! Enter for your chance to win, and let us help get your child back to school with all of the essentials!

Please Note: Our offices will be closed on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day . Please see the Front Desk to schedule accordingly. We will be open all day Tuesday, September 2nd, so that you can keep your treatment on track!
Back Pain: It Doesn’t Have to Rule Your Life!
Posted on August 13, 2014 by admin
We’ve all been there. You aren’t used to this level of pain, and you’re able to tolerate it, initially. You carry on with your daily life, uncomfortably adjusting in the office, in the car, and when you’re trying to sleep at night.

The days, weeks, and months go by, and before you know it, your pain is increasingly affecting the everyday tasks that never seemed so taxing before! In the United States, the most common cause of disability in people under 40 years of age is back pain!

Back pain can not only be painful, but it also takes a toll on our emotions, immunity, and our ability to perform essential functions in our everyday lives. Back pain is typically caused by our everyday body mechanics, like poor posture or sleeping positions. Occasionally, back pain is also caused by rare and serious conditions or injuries. Throughout our lives, certain occupations and life events (like pregnancy) can also cause chronic back pain.

At San Diego Spine and Rehab (South Bay Physical Medicine), we are motivated each and every day by patients who tell us that they want to reduce their pain to do things as simple as being able to vacuum the carpets, and those really important things like holding/playing with their children. There is no task too small when a patient is dealing with pain on a daily basis. We call these Motivating Factors. Motivating factors are often even hobbies, such as getting back to the golf course, or running a 5K!

San Diego Spine and Rehab has combined the expertise of several highly qualified medical professionals to bring you a facility where you can access a strategic, and successful Treatment Plan, with those Motivating Factors of your own at the center of it all! We even provide complimentary Child Care in our offices!

Along with hindering your ability to perform everyday essential functions, back pain can also cause an emotional toll on you. For people with mild to moderate low back pain, a supervised exercise program may be enough to treat physical and psychological symptoms. Many times when a person exercises under supervision, studies show that their depression improves, their anxiety can improve, and their condition improves overall.

Don’t let back pain rule your life anymore!

Call San Diego Spine and Rehab today to schedule your COMPLIMENTARY Consultation, and see what we can do to help YOU take control of your pain, and get your life back today! We want to help you succeed with your motivating factors, and see you achieve a better quality of life overall
We can’t wait to see you at your next appointment!

The Benefits of Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy
Posted on July 11, 2014 by admin
What is Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy?

Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy relaxes tense muscles, eases sore spots, improves circulation and mobility, and just makes you feel good! Most importantly, it’s tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies, so our licensed therapists adjust their techniques accordingly.

Photo: Google Images

How do I lie down on the table?

Some women find it uncomfortable to lay face down right from the start of pregnancy because of their tender, swollen breasts. Also, you can’t lay face down on the traditional massage table because your belly button has started to grow or protrude. On the other hand, it’s not necessarily advisable to lie flat on your back either, particularly once your past mid-pregnancy, because the weight of your uterus puts too much pressure on the vein that returns blood from your legs to your heart.

For these reasons, SDSR has specially designed pads with hollowed out areas made to accommodate growing bellies and breasts for maximum comfort while you’re treating.

Photo:Google Images

How can Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy help me?

There is some evidence that Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy helps patients who suffer from love back pain and chronic headaches by decreasing stress and promoting relaxation.

Carrying a baby changes your center of gravity, and therefore puts a lot of stress on your low back, neck, shoulders, and abdominal muscles. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, which changes your posture and pulls your pelvis forward. In addition to the extra weight you carry during pregnancy, and you may find your self with an aching lower back!

Our licensed Massage Therapists know where a pregnant woman is most likely to suffer from soreness, and may be able to provide some much-needed relief to these areas. Additionally, they know what areas and techniques are best to be avoided during a pregnancy. As ever, it is imperative that you communicate with your therapist, letting them know where you need attention. Let them know right away if anything during your Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy session-including your positioning-causes you any discomfort!

Photo:Google Images

We pride ourselves on the ability to make your pregnancy as pain free and pleasant as possible with treatment plans that are tailored to YOUR needs.

Call us today for a Complimentary Consultation, so that we can assess your needs and get you on track to the best possible care before, during, and after pregnancy!

Mission Valley Office: (858) 573-0550

Oceanside Office: (760)630-8400

July has arrived, and we have all kinds of fun happening in both of our offices to enjoy it!
We look forward to it every year, and we know our patients do, too! The Cooler Full of Fun is an amazing variety of games, snacks, and toys to really take advantage of the Summer months! It’s easy to win, too! For every appointment you keep, you will receive ONE ticket into the raffle! For every friend you refer in as a New Patient, you’ll get an additional FIVE tickets into the raffle! We get really excited about this, so don’t be surprised if our staff awards you extra tickets during your appointment for a job well done! The new Playroom calendars are out too, with lots of fun for your little ones on Fun Fridays!

We can’t wait to see what you and your little ones come up with! Let’s have some fun this month!

We were very honored and excited last month to receive word from Yelp! that we are creating a buzz in the community! Have you gone online to share your experience yet?

That’s all for now, but we can’t wait to see you at your next appointment (and give you some tickets)!

We wish you and your family a Happy 4th of July, and hope that you enjoy your holiday!
Chiropractic Care: What Benefits Can You Expect?
Posted on June 6, 2014 by admin
Happy Friday!
Our very own Dr. Madden recently presented us with some outstanding information about what Chiropractic Care can do to help YOU, our patients. We couldn’t wait to share these facts with you, to further help you understand why we opt for an integrated approach that includes Chiropractic Care for your health and wellness! Chiropractic is so beneficial, that most health plans include Chiropractic benefits*!

How Can Chiropractic Help Me? 

1)      Neck and Back Pain:

-These are complaints that we are most known for helping with

-Whether it is chronic pain from years ago, or acute pain that just happenedàwe re-align your spine to keep you balanced and eliminate pain

2)      Headaches and Migraines:

-Although headaches are common among the population, they are not normal!

-Chiropractic adjustments and stretches can at times provide instant relief

3)      Immunity:

-When a chiropractor adjusts the spine, we are helping the nervous system perform at its optimum. Your nervous system helps control your immune system and keep you from getting sick.

-Getting adjusted regularly can help keep you healthy!

4)      Stress:

-It is safe to say that stress is a big part of people’s lives, especially during times like deployment.

-The shoulders and neck are common areas that hold this stress. Adjustments and muscle work can help to eliminate those knots.

5)      Pregnancy and Pediatrics:

-Chiropractic is a great, non-invasive form of treatment for pregnant moms! It is safe, and can provide relief from pain so they can enjoy their pregnancy.

-Kids can also benefit from chiropractic care. We modify our adjustments so they are gentle and safe- we can adjust children of any age, even newborns! We can help them with colic, constipation, feeding problems, reflux, and many more.

Chiropractic is great for everyone, but at San Diego Spine and Rehab, we approach patient care from all aspects. We not only are overseen by a Medical Department, but we have physical therapy, rehabilitation experts, massage therapists, and of course, chiropractic.

*At SDSR we know that chiropractic is not covered under Tri-Care. That is why we offer it at an extremely affordable price, so that patients are able to include it as part of their prescribed treatment plan.

Author: Ashley F. Madden, D.C. (One of the phenomenal chiropractors at our Mission Valley location)

Give us a call today to set up your FREE consultation and see if chiropractic care is right for YOU!

Mission Valley Office: (858) 573-0550

Oceanside Office: (760) 630-8400

Be sure to check out our sister practice, South Bay Phyiscal Medicine in Chula Vista, as well! They offer the same integrated approach, and complimentary consultations! Check out their website www.SouthBayPhysicalMedicine.com  or give them a call at (619) 869-8900! We are here to help you achieve the health and wellness goals that mean so much to you!

Check out this cool infographic from www.mixaroma.com that gives even more fun and interesting facts about not only Chirpractic Care, but also Massage Therapy (another service offered here at San Diego Spine and Rehab)!

 That’s all for now, but we will be back soon with more on how you can live your best life with Integrated Medicine!
 7 Benefits of Walking…and the SDSR Stroller Walk!
Posted on May 30, 2014 by admin
We hear it all the time: Walking is the easiest form of exercise.

But did you know that walking is also one of the most “healing” forms of exercise, as well?

Studies have shown that 30 minutes of walking per day, 5 days per week can increase health, and even certain health-related conditions and issues dramatically! We wanted to share some of these benefits with you, because combined with your Integrated Medicine Program and Home Exercise Program, you will be well on your way to increased health and longevity!

 7 Benefits of Regular Walking:

1. It deflects diabetes. New research links brisk walking to a significant risk reduction for developing Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is a predictor of this disease, even in people with normal glucose levels. But a recent British study found that people with a family history of the disease who walked briskly, or performed some other type of moderate to vigorous activity on a routine basis, showed improved insulin sensitivity.

2. It saves you on gym costs. In this tumultuous economy, people are cutting excess spending, and that includes trips to the gym. In an American Heart Association survey, 25% of the 1,000 people questioned had canceled their gym memberships sometime in the previous six months. Wherever you live, there’s a place you can pound the pavement or trek a trail to experience the benefits of walking, and 150 minutes of moderate-intensity walking a week can help manage stress and prevent heart disease. Moderate walking equals an average of about 100 steps per minute. Try using a pedometer and aiming for 1,000 steps in 10 minutes, and working up to 3,000 steps in 30 minutes.

3. It can get you off meds. Data from the National Walkers’ Health Study, including more than 40,000 men and women, found that those who took the longest weekly walks, not necessarily accumulated the most mileage per week, were more likely to use less medication. This shouldn’t deter you from taking shorter walks more frequently throughout the week, but you should consider squeezing in a longer walk once a week, like on the weekend when you are more likely to have more spare time.

4. It can help manage fibromyalgia pain. This chronic condition affects more than 4% of the population, and often involves pain, fatigue, and brain fog. A small study found that in women 32 to 70 years old, those who walked 60 minutes, performed light exercises, and stretched three times a week for 18 weeks reported significant improvements in walking and mental capacity, and were less tired and depressed.

5. It helps you beat breast cancer. Women who walk regularly after being diagnosed with breast cancer have a 45% greater chance of survival than those who are inactive, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Yale researchers leading the study also found that those who exercised in the year before being diagnosed were 30 percent more likely to survive, compared to women who didn’t exercise leading up to their diagnosis.

6. Strolling reduces stroke risk. Walking briskly for just 30 minutes, five days a week can significantly lower your risk of suffering a stroke, according to University of South Carolina researchers. After studying 60,000 men and women over the course of 18 years, those with increased fitness levels associated with regular brisk walking had a 40% lower risk of suffering a stoke than those with the lowest fitness level.

7. It can save your mind. Italian researchers enlisted 749 people suffering from memory problems in a study and measured their walking and other moderate activities, 27% lower risk of developing dementia than the people who expended the least. This could be the result of physical activity’s role in increasing blood flow to the brain.

Those are just seven benefits of walking, and the suggested 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week is an easy way to incorporate a little more health and sanity into your life! The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research suggests that our bodies are “made to walk,” and provides some tips for how to get the most out of YOUR walk!

Speaking of walking….

We are so excited to be hosting the SDSR Stroller Walk at both of our locations next Tuesday, June 3rd, from 9-11 am! It is absolutely free to attend, and we will be providing light refreshments and some awesome door prizes! Please call, or sign up at the front desk to RSVP…and bring a friend!

Headaches:Where Do They Come From?
Posted on April 17, 2014 by admin
Here at San Diego Spine and Rehab, we use the Integrated approach to bring relief to our patients for a myriad of issues that cause pain and inhibit them from their daily activities.

Did you know, there are 7 Primary Contributing Factors to Headaches and Pain?

1. Musculoskeletal Imbalance: Musculoskeletal headaches are also commonly referred to as tension headaches.   Musculoskeletal, or tension headaches are caused by stress on the nerves where the skull meets the very base of the neck.

2.Postural Distortion: Postural distortions lead to underdevelopment of the supporting muscles, which causes their weakening. As a result, headaches frequently occur.

3 .Lack of blood to the area: Some migraines or headaches can be related to blood vessels. Studies have shown that people who suffer from migraines typically have blood vessels that overreact to various triggers.

4. Trigger Points: The common headache is a very good example of unrecognized trigger point “referred pain.” Check out our previous post all about Trigger Points.

5. Nerve Compression and entrapment: If you describe your headache as located in the back of the head and the neck, this suggests a ‘cervicogenic’ headache or a compression (also called ”pinching”) of the occipital nerve(s). Movement of the neck is restricted, especially in the upper part of the neck, causing headaches.

6.Nutrition: Your arteries are affected by insulin. If the food you eat is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, then the pancreas has to respond with a strong hit of insulin. The sudden drop in blood sugars seems to encourage the arteries in the head to constrict, causing headaches. There are some main foods/food products that have been linked to contributing headaches: Monosodium glutamate (MSG)-a common flavor enhancer, but also found naturally in such foods as tomatoes. Nitrites-these preservatives are found in processed meats and some cheeses. Also, Amines-common compounds found in a wide range of foods, including spinach, tomato, potato, small whole fish, tuna, liver, dark chocolate and alcoholic drinks.

7. Emotional State: There are three primary types of stress that contribute to headaches. There is a) Emotional Stress, which is significantly impacted by your day-to-day life by way of relationships, job stress, financial stress, etc. When these types of stresses occur, your body tenses up, often contributing to headaches. There is also b) Physical Stress, which can be attributed to the way you sit at your desk/computer, how you drive your vehicle, etc. In that constant position, your head is flexed forward in a “forward head posture” position, and when the head goes in front of the shoulders, this pulls and causes the muscles and ligaments at the base of the skull to tighten up. Physical Stress can also be related to trauma, such as a motor vehicle collision, a slip and fall, or sports injuries. Lastly, there is c) Chemical Stress. Chemical stress can be a result of things like smoking cigarettes, intake of too much caffeine, imbalanced diet, certain medications, or taking drugs into your system. Typically, anything you put into your body that isn’t designed to be there will put stress on the nerves at the base of the neck. All of these Chemical Stresses can cause muscles and ligaments to tighten up.

San Diego Spine and Rehab can HELP! Our Integrated Medical Office has effective and affordable treatment options to relieve your pain. We accept most insurance plans!

Call today to schedule your Complimentary Consultation, so that we can help you with a Treatment Plan designed to help you not only manage the pain from headaches, but learn how to maintain great pain relief results! You can reach our Mission Valley office at (858) 573-0550 and Oceanside office at (760) 630-8400.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Complimentary Child Care!
Posted on April 4, 2014 by admin
We know how crazy life can be. It’s hard to commit to a treatment plan that integrates so many beneficial therapies, and we try to alleviate your stress a bit further by offering complimentary child care to our patients and their families.

How Does It Work?

Our play room is available for you whenever you have a scheduled appointment. Here, you can rely on a safe, fun, and adjacent way to ensure that you get the care you need without worrying about the added hassle of finding child care to keep your appointments!

We ask that you fill out an emergency card on your child’s’ first visit, and from that point forward our Playroom staff will have you sign your child In/Out at each visit.

Oceanside Playroom

Meet Miss Jessica(and her daughter, Summer):

 Jessica joined the SDSR family in April of 2011 as a child care provider in the Oceanside playroom. Since then, she has had the pleasure of working with many wonderful families from North County and Camp Pendleton. A certified lactation educator, she has a passion for babies, pregnancy, and childbirth. You can usually find her joyfully baby wearing with her Moby Wrap and Sasha ABC Wrap.
When she is not in the Playroom, Jessica enjoys going to the beach and kayaking with her husband and daughter. She also loves to do crafts in her spare time. Her favorite foods are tacos, sushi, avocados, and ice cream. Stop by the Playroom and say hi!

Check out the Oceanside Child Care Policy:

Mission Valley Playroom:

Meet Miss Jenny:

Miss Jenny’s love of working with children began at 3 when her brother was born, and she refused to leave his side.  At 12 she began babysitting and assisting with dance classes at her local studio in the mid~west where she grew up.  By the time she was 15 she was teaching her own dance classes and choreographing for her studio’s yearly recitals, and later on doing competition pieces.  Miss Jenny attended the University of Iowa, majoring in psychology and minoring in dance, and taught a year of preschool in addition to a few more years of dance.  While in San Diego, she has pursued her love of taking dance lessons, and became a student and teacher of numerous circus arts.  Two years ago she began working with SDSR in the playroom, and became department head this January.  Through her renewed love of working with children she has decided to begin a Masters of Science in Psychology degree this summer, with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis and working with Autistic children.    

Check out the Mission Valley Child Care Policy:

Our child care staff will give you a copy of this policy on your initial visit to the Playroom. You can also find a copy in your blue New Patient Folder you typically receive when you begin care. Please feel free to ask for a copy, if you’re ever in need!

In addition to providing a safe and fun environment for your children, our Playroom hosts Themed “Fun” days each week! We encourage your kids to participate in themes like “Crazy Hat Day” or “Disney Pajama Parties!”
Questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate to stop in the Playroom and ask, or give us a call! We are here to help!

Mission Valley Office: (858) 573-0550

Oceanside Office: (760) 630-8400

We can’t wait to see you (and your little ones) at your next appointment!Patient Resources