Chiropractic Care - Condition Treatment Information

Headache

What is it:

Chiropractor treating headache

One out of every eight Americans suffer from severe, recurring headaches or migraines, and are seeking effective headache relief. Headaches and migraines can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Spine problems in the neck; this is a very common cause of headaches and migraines.
• Foods high in caffeine, salt, sugar and protein. Red meat, dairy products and alcohol can also be a cause
• Environmental stimuli, like noises, lights and stress
• Behavior like insomnia, excessive exercise and blood sugar changes

Where it occurs:

Headaches can cause pain in the head and neck.

Types of Headaches and Migraines:

• There are more than 300 types of headaches and migraines, with many different symptoms. The most common types of headaches are:
• Cervicogenic headaches – from joints and tissues in the neck
• Tension headaches – related to muscles in the neck
• Migraine headaches
• Cluster headaches

Common headache symptoms include:

• Neck stiffness and soreness
• Dull throbbing in the head or neck
• Sharp pain in the head
• Vision change
• Nausea

Headaches and migraines are often a common symptom after a head injury, concussion or whiplash injury. They can also be a symptom of a more serious physical condition, which is why it is important to be evaluated by a healthcare professional if you have headaches that are severe in nature, or headaches that last more than 2 days.

What are my treatment options?

There are several treatment options that can offer headache relief, including chiropractic care, physical rehabilitation, and MCU therapy.
To view our available Condition Presentations, please visit http://www.betterhealthalaska.com/conditions/condition-presentations.aspx

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This Message Brought To You By:

Better Health Pain & Wellness Centers

Dr. Brent Wells, an Anchorage Chiropractor, opened Better Health Pain and Wellness Centers in 1998 with the intent of providing patients a full range of effective, conservative treatments from an experienced, friendly staff in a comfortable, compassionate environment. Combining several different disciplines to address health issues, Better Health Pain and Wellness Centers is the first multidisciplinary clinic of its kind in Anchorage, Alaska offering comprehensive, non-surgical chiropractic care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and massage therapy all in one place. Multidisciplinary Advantage- As patients may be seeing two or even three different treatment providers in one visit, and chiropractor, a physical therapist and sometimes even a massage therapist, results are multiplied versus seeing only one type of provider.

725 Northway Dr
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
United States of America
Office Phone: (907) 346-5255
Office Email: pain-free@bhpw.com

8840 Old Seward Hwy Suite E
Anchorage, Alaska 99515
United States of America
Office Phone: (907) 346-5255
Office Email: pain-free@bhpw.com

2201 Dunn St Suite 2
Juneau, Alaska 99801
United States of America
Office Phone: (907) 796-3333
Office Email: pain-free@bhpw.com

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Better Health Pain & Wellness Centers Testimonial

"When I first came here it was soon after a car accident. I was suffering from whiplash. If it wasn’t for Better Health, I would never have been able to continue working. Everyone has been wonderful and the treatment is exceptional."

- Rosalyn Hert

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This message brought to you by:

Better Health Pain & Wellness Centers

Dr. Brent Wells, an Anchorage Chiropractor, opened Better Health Pain and Wellness Centers in 1998 with the intent of providing patients a full range of effective, conservative treatments from an experienced, friendly staff in a comfortable, compassionate environment. Combining several different disciplines to address health issues, Better Health Pain and Wellness Centers is the first multidisciplinary clinic of its kind in Anchorage, Alaska offering comprehensive, non-surgical chiropractic care, physical therapy, occupational therapy and massage therapy all in one place. Multidisciplinary Advantage- As patients may be seeing two or even three different treatment providers in one visit, and chiropractor, a physical therapist and sometimes even a massage therapist, results are multiplied versus seeing only one type of provider.

725 Northway Dr
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
United States of America
Office Phone: (907) 346-5255
Office Email: pain-free@bhpw.com

8840 Old Seward Hwy Suite E
Anchorage, Alaska 99515
United States of America
Office Phone: (907) 346-5255
Office Email: pain-free@bhpw.com

2201 Dunn St Suite 2
Juneau, Alaska 99801
United States of America
Office Phone: (907) 796-3333
Office Email: pain-free@bhpw.com

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Better Health Pain and Wellness Centers: New Patient Center

We can help you get ready for your visit to Better Health Pain & Wellness Centers!

We understand that arriving at a doctor’s office for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. Filling out paperwork, getting to know your way around the office and learning new faces and names can be an overwhelming experience.

In this area of the website, you will be able to take care of items necessary for your visit prior to arriving, in the comfort of your own home. Our on-line New Patient Center allows you to conveniently download the required health intake forms to bring with you to your first appointment. This way your doctor can see you as soon as possible on your first day.

If you would like for us to Check Your Insurance Coverage before you set up your appointment, click here. We will call your insurance provider and verify your benefits before your first visit.

If you would like to see Insurances Accepted at Better Health, click here.

To learn more about What To Expect on your first visit, click here.

To obtain your new patient paperwork, please select the area below that is appropriate for you. Please print and fill out these forms prior to your first appointment to save time in our office.

• General Patient Case History
• Worker's Compensation Case History
• Auto Injury Case History

Degenerative Disc / Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease - What It Is:

To understand degenerative disc disease, it is first important to understand the make-up of your spine. In between each vertebra in your spine is a disc, which acts as a spacer and shock absorber. When healthy, these discs are flexible, like a wet sponge.

But injuries or just aging can cause the discs to lose their fluid content and wear thin – beginning the degenerative disc disease process. This allows the vertebrae to rub together, becoming rough, worn down – or even fused together. The result is a degenerative disc.

Degenerative discs are at the root of many other spinal problems, such as instability, stenosis and spondylosis.

Where Degenerative Disc Disease Occurs:

Degenerative discs, which are the result of degenerative disc disease, can appear in the:

• Neck (cervical spine)
• Low back (lumbar spine)
• Middle and upper back (thoracic spine)

The Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease:

Patients with degenerative discs/degenerative disc disease may experience symptoms including:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Stiffness

What are my treatment options?

Treatment options for degenerative discs/degenerative disc disease include chiropractic care, physical rehabilitation, DRS treatment and MCU therapy. To view our available Condition Presentations, please visit http://www.betterhealthalaska.com/conditions/condition-presentations.aspx

Free Community Services from Better Health Pain and Wellness Centers

Better Health Pain & Wellness Centers offers FREE community health & wellness services to raise awareness and educate the public about proactive health care!

The services provided at no charge are educational and interactive for local businesses, groups, and organizations.

Free Services Include:

• Health & Wellness Seminars
• Spinal Evaluations
• Range of Motion Testing
• Strength Testing
• Body Fat Testing
• Ergonomics & proper Lifting Training
• Employee Chair Massage
• Health Fairs & More

Please email us at marketing@bhpw.com or call 907-346-5255 for more information on hosting a FREE Wellness Event for your business, group, or organization.
More information regarding services for businesses can be found on our website in the areas below:

• Professional Center
• Corporate and Employee Wellness

Back Pain

What are the symptoms of back pain?

Symptoms of low back problems include:

• Pain in the low back
• Pain in the legs or feet
• Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
• Restricted range of motion
• Stiffness

While pain is primarily present in the back, you may also experience symptoms in the legs and feet.

How prevalent is back pain?

If you’re experiencing low back pain – you’re not alone:

• 85 percent of Americans will experience back pain during their lives.
• 15 percent of Alaskans are suffering from back pain right now.
• Back pain is the second most common reason for missing work, the second most common reason for doctor visits, and the third most common reason for surgery.
• A total of $75 billion is spent annually on low back pain treatment.

What causes back pain?

Low back pain can be caused by a number of common conditions, including:

• Subluxations – “stuck” or “out of place” vertebrae (the bones in your spine)
• Disc degeneration – discs between vertebrae worn thin due to loss of fluid content
• Bulging or herniated discs – discs between vertebrate push to one side or rupture
• Arthritis – deteriorating cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the joints
• These conditions are caused by a number of factors, including poor posture, a sedentary lifestyle, injuries, obesity, dehydration or just plain age.

What can be done about back pain?

The good news is low back pain is treatable. Some of the most effective treatments include:

• Chiropractic Care
• Physical/Occupational Therapy
• Massage Therapy
• Surgery in rare cases
• Advanced treatments, such as the Decompression Reduction Stabilization (DRS) System, a safe, effective process that removes pressure from the discs and joints.

Condition: Osteoarthritis/Arthritis

Osteoarthritis/Arthritis

What it is:

As we age, the cartilage covering the ends of our bones in our joints deteriorates. This causes the bones to rub together, creating a painful condition called osteoarthritis.
There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis, and osteoarthritis is overwhelmingly the most prevalent. It is a degenerative disease, which typically affects people over the age of 50, unless there is a history of an injury to the area involved.
Osteoarthritis generally begins to occur in the spine when subluxations, disc bulges/herniation, annular tears, disc degeneration, instability, scoliosis, spondylosis, sprains and strains, and whiplash, are left untreated.

Where it occurs:

Subluxations can appear in the:

• Neck (cervical spine)
• Low back (lumbar spine)
• Middel and upper back (thoracic spine)
• Joints throughout the body

The Symptoms:

Patients with arthritis may experience:

• Limited range of motion
• "Crunching" and "popping" in the joints
• Tenderness
• Pain
• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Instability
• Loss of Strength

What are my treatment options?

Chiropractic Medicine - Physical Rehabilitation - DRS Treatment - MCU Therapy