Trigger Points

  A persistent, recurring painful spot in a muscle that does not respond to adjacent osseous (bone / joint) adjustments may be a trigger point.

Often the patient reports “the pain came back the next day,” or “it still hurts” after a Chiropractic treatment, and they may have trouble locating the exact site of their pain. Palpating muscles in the general area will often cause the patient to jump or flinch when the painful locus is pressed.

A distinguishing characteristic of trigger points is that they “refer,” or send out, pain in predictable patterns distant from their origin in a muscle. They often develop after muscle strain, repetitive motion, poor posture, or when a patient is chronically stressed or anxious. 

Also referred to as “myofascial pain,” trigger points were famously discovered and treated by Janet Travell, M.D., who authored two extensive textbooks on trigger points in the muscles of the body, mapping trigger point patterns of referred pain.

Dr. Travell also served as White House Physician for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Dr. Travell relieved trigger points with application of cryotherapy and injections. I treat them with the Activator instrument, and have the patient apply ice at home. 

Headache Solutions

  Headaches can have many causes, including problems in the upper cervical spine and / or the cranial rhythms. Adjacent misalignments at the C1 and C2 vertebrae are often involved, as are concomitant aberrances in the cranial rhythms.

As an Advanced Proficiency Rated ACTIVATOR Chiropractor, I address these problems gently and precisely. My patients receive whole-body balancing, including cranial balancing, at each appointment..

       Related tension in the suboccipital muscles often leads to, complicates, or perpetuates  headaches, and this should be addressed as a critical part of the solution. 

       To relieve the tension I “re-set” the muscle tone with the ACTIVATOR instrument, prescribe stretches, and give ergonomic counseling to keep this tension from becoming re-established.

Farmers Markets Are Open

  Our local Farmers’ Markets, offering the freshest possible, nutrient-rich produce, are open during COVID-19. 

Deemed “essential,” there are markets open on Sunday in Live Oak, Saturday in Westside Santa Cruz and at Cabrillo, Wednesday downtown Santa Cruz, and Tuesday in Felton.

Farmstands, such as Everett Family Farm on Old San Jose Road and Natural Bridges Farm at the Homeless Garden in westside Santa Cruz, are also open. All offer organic vegetables, and some fruits, in season.

Produce at these local Farmers’ Markets is fresh-out-of-the-ground, and as loaded with nutrient power as you can get. As well as a key way to support our general health and immune systems, buying our produce at Farmers’ Markets provides needed support to our local farmers.

       Check websites for current hours.

What Causes Scoliosis?

 Abnormal lateral spinal curves, called scoliosis, develop for reasons that are largely unknown. Although there are various theories, about 80% of scoliosis is considered idiopathic---of unknown cause. 

Statistically, about 4 adolescent girls in 1000 may develop it, and about 1 in 2500 boys. Roughly 2% of the adult population has some degree of it.

Schools offer scoliosis screening for good reason; the earlier it is detected and addressed, the better chance that conservative care can be effective. 

My treatment plan, the earlier began the better, includes precise Chiropractic balancing of the entire frame, accompanied by specific exercises. 

Special attention must be given to the pelvis, which is the biomechanical foundation for the spine. An unlevel pelvis must be corrected and monitored, because it results in an unstable foundation for the spine.

Medicare 2020

  Every year in October, Medicare allowances and deductibles are updated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS https://www.cms.gov).

Amounts that will be reimbursed for visits to your Chiropractor changed in October, 2019 for the ensuing year, effective until October, 2020. There was a slight increase in what Medicare pays for Chiropractic care.

The annual deductible increased from $185 to $193.

For now, Medicare only covers adjusting the spine. If you are having a problem with your shoulder, knee, arm, wrist, foot or ankle, for example, Medicare will not pay.

However, Chiropractic professionals are actively lobbying and educating Medicare about the benefits and efficacy of Chiropractic treatment of the whole body. We hope that in the near future Medicare will provide comprehensive coverage of Chiropractic care for our patients.