Roger Clifford, D.C., D.A.C.N.B.

We know that many people, about 80% of the population, will hurt their back at some point in life. In a survey conducted by Consumer Reports (CR) (see the May 2009 issue), over 14,000 subscribers had low back pain (LBP) but no surgery to treat it in 2008. More than half reported severe daily activity [..]

Many people suffer from CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) and unfortunately, often ignore the initial symptoms of numbness or tingling in the hand(s). These early symptoms are typically not too alarming and hence, they often do not raise the level of concern until more intense symptoms occur, such as waking up from sleep due to numbness; [..]

Neck pain and headaches can be very disabling and can significantly alter a person’s normal pattern of living. Simple things like reading the newspaper, cooking, driving a car, and/or looking down when feeding a baby can become almost intolerable. Canceling plans for the day or saying "no" to vacations can be very disheartening and often [..]

Patients who present with neck pain along with arm numbness, pain, and/or weakness often ask, "…what’s causing this pain down my arm?" The condition can result from a bulging or herniated disk pinching a nerve in the neck. The cause of this complaint can be either a traumatic or non-traumatic event. In fact, sometimes, the [..]

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common types of pain involving the musculoskeletal system. Its sufferers may sometimes miss work or be unable participate in desired activities or social outings. It can even become so disabling that out of desperation, LBP patients visit the emergency room (ER) in search of relief. There [..]

You are driving down the road and you notice numbness and tingling in your fingers. You find temporary help by shaking and flicking the fingers, trying to "wake them up." You’ve also noticed your sleep is becoming interrupted and the need to shake and flick the fingers in the middle of the night is becoming [..]

In February 2008, Brook Martin, MPH, and colleagues published an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association titledExpenditures and Health Status Among Adults With Back and Neck ProblemsThis article evaluated the inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, and pharmacy expenditures related to back and neck problems in the United States from 1997 through 2005 and to examine [..]

Patients with headaches also commonly complain of neck pain. This relationship is the rule, not the exception; therefore, in order to achieve optimum results, treatment for headaches must include treatment of the neck. There are many anatomical reasons why neck problems result in headaches. Some of these include: The first three nerves exiting the spine [..]

"Do you think a back brace will help my condition?" This is a question that is frequently asked of many healthcare providers who treat low back pain. The answers typically vary, as there is support for and against the use of a brace when low back pain is present. In a February 2009 study, researchers [..]

Approximately two-thirds of employees from industrialized nations use a computer on a daily basis and one in five spend at least 75% of their total work time behind a computer. It’s no wonder so many people suffer from  carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in addition to neck, shoulder, and arm pain. There are many reasons for the presence [..]