Dr. Larry's presentation on "Headaches" which took place on April 19th at the Parksville Pharmasave was very well attended. Almost all seats were taken. Many of the participants were surprised at some of the information they received... it was 'news' to them. If you were unable to attend this presentation and/or would like more information regarding headaches, please contact our office. Or, if you would like Dr. Larry to address your group on this or several other Power Point Presentation topics that he has prepared, you may talk to Nancy at 250-248-6333.
The Graston Technique
As we wrote in last month's newsletter, we are very excited about this new technique that Dr. Larry is utilizing in his practice. To update our readers, I am pleased to report that our clients who are receiving soft-tissue treatment with The Graston Technique are experiencing very positive results. Many of these patients have had their presenting conditions for months or even years without any improvement. For some, surgery was reported to be their 'next and only hope'.
Those who have experienced very positive results have included many 'shoulder problems' -- bursitis, tendonitis; 'elbow problems' -- tennis elbow and; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome -- wrist, forearm and elbow. We have seen great relief for our practice members who have had years of pain in the hips and knees. We had a member who had to quit running because of an Achilles tendon injury who is now able to run again.
So it is perhaps not too surprising to report that in 2004, Graston Technique reached a new audience -- athletes at the 28th Olympiad in Athens. The Technique was performed on-site at the Olympics by Dr. Gordon Lawson, a GT clinician from Toronto. At the invitation of Dr. Larry Bell from Orillia, Ontario, Lawson was allowed to enter the Olympic Village in Athens to assist in the management of three of Bell's patients who are track and field athletes.
He treated Osmar Dosantos, a 35 year old male from Surinam. Dosantos specializes in the 800 meter and complained of pain in the right calf, and knee and left hamstring pain. Objective findings using GT instruments revealed adhesions... he also had significant left hip extensor inhibition with right hip dominance. After GT treatments Dosantos indicated, ...' less restrictions, more flexibility and less pain".
The other two athletes Lawson treated had similar outcomes..."she indicated reduced pain" ..."a noted reduction in restrictions and adhesions was found."
The clinical response from athletes at the Olympian level was excellent and we can expect an increase in the number of Olympians treated with GT in 2008.
AND FURTHERMORE..
Here's a quote from The Super Bowl...
"Many of our players benefitted immensely from having GT performed, allowing them to play out the entire season much healthier than they had in years. Also, troubling areas such as chronic hamstring, quad, hip flexors, plantar fascitis, Achilles tendonitis, strains, shoulder, and knee problems resolved with minimal use of this phenomenal technique." Dr. Mike Miller, Team Chiropractor, New England Patriots, 2004-2005 Super Bowl Champions.
If you want more information about this technique, you can check out their website at www.grastontechnique.com or call me to book an appointment to consult with Dr. Larry. 250-248-6333. Also check our website to look at past issues of our newsletters.
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Nancy's Picks
I read a lot of material every month. Professionally, I read journals and reference materials on a variety of health and wellness topics. I read medical information and do topical research on the web frequently. But the most interesting and sometimes the most startling 'stories' come from talking with our patients/clients/practice members. Our people. There never seems to be an appropriate word or label to put on the hundreds of people that I connect with on a weekly basis. "Patients" -- to me, seems to imply the infirmed. That does NOT describe our people. Whereas, "Clients" -- sounds a little too business oriented. Again, we think much more of our people. "Practice Members" is the latest descriptor word, intended to imply a cooperative relationship. It is perhaps closer to an acceptable label, but a little too urban-yuppie for my liking. To me, you are more like family. I see many of you regularly, some of you sporadically. With some of you there is a definite closeness and friendly familiarity. With others -- a relationship that is based on a mutual delight in a good 'daily dozen' sparring contest. With some few others there exists a tolerant agree-to-disagree aspect. And with a small handful, I share some similar life-path experiences that bonds us together. Family.
You are all special to me and when you pass along to me your stories...many of which contain shocking health-related events (and the unavoidable link to politics -- government and/or medical), I feel compelled to pass along any information I find that may be helpful. Check our website for past newsletters that contain articles that fit this category. This past month I found an article about cholesterol-lowering drugs that I would like to excerpt a few paragraphs from because I think the statements made are important -- and well-worded.
"Generations of well-intentioned physicians told their patients what medications and therapy they needed. Patient values got little attention. What are patient values? They are the preferences, concerns and expectations each person brings to a medical encounter, and they must be integrated into treatment decisions to serve each person best. There is a world of difference between DISEASE, which is what physicians describe, and ILLNESS, which is what men and women experience when one or another of their systems is out of order. Anyone with a DISEASE diagnosis will inevitably succumb to the ILLNESS experience, which means a sense of loss of autonomy and control, with increasing helplessness and dependence. Many people today want to challenge this long-held model and take back control -- to do more for themselves by taking charge of how they live their lives and foregoing pills unless absolutely necessary.
"People whose preferences and concerns are respected are much more likely to take responsibility for making the necessary changes and work with their family doctors to make better decisions to achieve better outcomes and a better quality of life. Eating well and keeping fit makes most people glow with good health and personal satisfaction -- the antithesis of illness.
"It's all about personal choices. Staying healthy is about choosing the good life and having fun doing it. The alternative is pills and hospitals and scary invasive tests."
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TESTIMONIAL OF THE MONTH
"Before I began receiving treatments from Dr. Larry my overall health was deplorable. I was sickly and despondent. I was referred by a friend who sees Dr. Larry regularly and since I receiving chiropractic care I feel younger and healthier, my morale has raised and it has made life worth living.
"I especially like the interest the doctor shows in getting results."
Wynne Gledstone
FUNNY BONE ADJUSTMENT
Bumper Sticker Humour:
"I used to have a handle on life, but it broke."
" The gene pool could use a little chlorine."
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Contact the office:
Dr. Larry Smith D.C., B.P.E.
Chiropractor
P.O. Box 307
255 Island Highway
Parksville, British Columbia
Canada V9P 2G5
Phone: (250) 248-6333
Fax: (250) 248-6390
e-mail: info@drlarrysmith.com
