Integrative Health Blog

Recently Dr. Mercola published an article, Chiropractors and Exercise are Better than Drugs Says New Study, which talks about neck pain.

I have been a chiropractor for over 12 years and have seen every type of chronic pain that a person can have, including neck pain.

What is amazing about the original article Dr. Mercola is referencing is that it was researched and funded by NIH (National Institutes of Health) and the medical journal, Annals of Internal Medicine.  Mainstream medical establishments are showing you that drugs work little to not at all with chronic neck pain! Unfortunately, the United States has become dependent on medications as our standard answer to most any pain problem.  It is not surprising to see an elderly person on 10-12 medications, but are they getting better?  Not only are they taking a lot of medications but they are sedentary and not living full lives because of chronic pain.  Yet in China you see the elderly doing Tai Chi in the park and taking little medication.  Why? Different cultures, different mindsets, different medicine. 

Also, go to the 60 minutes website and look up “Treating Depression: Is there a Placebo Effect?.”  This is Harvard’s leading researcher on the placebo effect.  He has been conducting studies of the placebo effect on many health conditions and explains how many medications, including anti-depressants  have little or no effect on the human body.  It is the mindset that changed how the person felt.  To me this speaks volumes - that when a person takes control of their health and are empowered to get better, they will.

So what works for chronic pain?  Basic health principles and necessities like proper movement and function of the body and a good mindset.  Chiropractic techniques, exercise, yoga or simply stretching with positive attitudes can achieve amazing results that last.  They all can help you live a healthy life that is spent feeling good and not limited by pain.

Coy Roskosky, D.C.,  "Dr. Coy," is a Chiropractor in the Washington D.C. area specializing in chronic and acute pain, sports injuries and sports performance and TMJ. He uses a whole-body approach to wellness, and employs many techniques including Applied Kinesiology (AK), Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT), Active Release Technigue (ART), and Activator in his practice at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center.