Under the new healthcare laws, everyone needs a primary care physician (PCP).  Increasingly, MDs are not pursuing the field of primary care in favor of specializing, which means that the increased demand for primary care physicians will only be amplified as the Affordable Care Act rolls out in the coming year.   Those of us that are ‘healthy’ typically don’t go and see a PCP regularly…or do we?  Did you know that chiropractors are considered PCPs in Oregon?

The job of a PCP is to manage the healthcare of their patients, and as such are required to: diagnose conditions based on history and physical exam, order and interpret basic medical tests such as blood work or medical imaging, determine the need for and refer to specialists, and counsel on healthy behaviors such as diet, exercise, weight loss, and health screenings.  In chiropractic school we are trained in all of these areas and more.

Dr. Mays does regular re-exams that include a physical exam typically every month for injured patients and every six months for patients that are doing well.  That exam will always include a taking your vital signs, including blood pressure.  If indicated, she will order blood work or medical imaging.  As chiropractors we treat the whole person, feel free to ask Dr. Mays about not only your musculoskeletal complaints, but also your heart health, smoking cessation, how to start an exercise program, if a diet you are considering is safe, and any other health questions you might have.  Chiropractors are not only the primary source to manage your pain and stiffness, but a doctor you already know who is there to manage your whole health!

Chiropractors are primary care physicians, as such we are highly skilled in diagnosis of all types of conditions and your chiropractor will be able to recommend the appropriate care for whatever ails you.  Chiropractors are conservative physicians that will always recommend the least invasive solutions.  Unlike an MD family care physician, who is best at managing internal conditions, chiropractors are neuromusculoskeletal experts.  Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common pain generators.

Chiropractic treats: Back pain & stiffness, neck pain & stiffness, headaches, extremity pain & dysfunction, TMJ syndrome, disc herniations, as well as carpal-tunnel and sciatic-like symptoms.

Chiropractors get your stuck stuff moving, stiff joints & tight muscles.  A chiropractic adjustment works on the similar concept that if you have a stuck door you need to give it a quick bump to get it moving again.  Adjustments can be performed on any synovial joint; it’s much more than just your spine!  We adjust everything else that moves, including your jaw, arms, and legs if indicated.  Chiropractic soft tissue therapies break up adhesions in your myofascial tissue to get the muscle moving smoothly.  How does that treat pain? The pain pathways in your neurologic system are located very close to the mechanoreceptors, and neighbors talk; if the mechanoreceptors are cranky they stir up the pain response.

Chiropractic treatments typically include chiropractic adjustments & soft tissue therapies.  Very often you will be sent home with exercises that will continue your healing progress while you’re not in office.  Your participation is the key to accelerated healing and needing fewer office visits to reach your goals.

Dr. Mays’s goal is to give patients the tools & support they need to live their best, most healthy life.  Make an appointment if your body is limiting you from achieving your best life possible.

mustard greens (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend, and that has everyone thinking about green…shirts, headbands with 4-leaf clovers, here in Portland there’s the Shamrock Run, and of course the ever popular green beer.

While showing your Irish spirit (whether it’s in your genes or not) is fun, take St. Patrick’s day as a way as a good sign that it’s a time to start incorporating more green into your life:  Spinach, microgreens, kale, collards, chard.  There’s more to the leafy world than lettuce and spinach, so branch out.  Try to eat greens daily.  They are rich in vitamin K and other vital nutrients and phytochemicals that you need.  Not to mention the big fiber bump you’ll get. 

Some great spring greens to explore this year are mustard greens, microgreens, and dandelion.  All three of these are great alternatives to the normal salad greens.  Cooked greens such as kale, collards, and chard are also excellent options.  If you aren’t so into eating greens try juicing them with apples, carrots, and beets, or add some to a smoothie.