Tag Archive for: Glenn Hyman

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: 3 Great Exercises!

Because carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is technically a tendonitis that happens to be near a nerve (the median nerve), one treatment option for CTS is to manage the tendonitis and by doing so, the pressure on the median nerve will resolve. Also, because the movement of the hand and wrist are controlled by opposite functioning muscles (that is, when we flex the wrist and fingers, the palm side tendons are doing the job and when we extend the wrist/fingers, the back of the forearm and hand tendons are doing the work), these opposite functioning actions need to be balanced. Moreover, if the muscles on one side of the forearm are tight and inflamed, very often so are the muscles on the opposite side.

Therefore, an exercise program for the forearm and hand should include BOTH sides, not just the flexor or palm side of the forearm/hand where the carpal tunnel is located.  Perform these exercises multiple times a day for 3-10 second hold times. You can modify #2 and #3 by NOT using the opposite hand to pull but rather, simply make the movement without the opposite hand assisting in the stretch. That way, you can perform BOTH at the same time IF your time is short (such as when performing these during a busy work day, for example).

1 Thumb Stretch A. Grab your thumb in a fist

B. Bend wrist down to feel the stretch in the thumb & wrist.
2 Carpal Stretch A. Place the palm flat on wall, fingers point down (elbow straight).

B. Reach across and pull the thumb back. Feel pull on palm side forearm.
3 Extensor Stretch A. Make a fist (elbow straight).

B. Reach under and pull back on the fist. Feel the pull on the top forearm.

Feel for the stretch where the arrows are pointing – it should be a “good” hurt/stretch!

Active Release Techniques is one of the most effective conservative treatment options for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Dr. Hyman has been hired by large corporations to treat and prevent CTS, saving literally hundreds of people from potential surgeries. If you have the symptoms of CTS, call us 303.300.0424. We can help.

Neck Pain & Headaches & The “Power of Placebo”

We have all heard about the “placebo effect” and the “power of positive thinking.” A placebo, according to Wikipedia, is “…a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient.” When a placebo is used, it will sometimes have a perceived beneficial effect. When this occurs, it is referred to as “the placebo effect.” Placebos are commonly used in research where one group will be given the “real” treatment, another a “placebo” and a third group will be given nothing at all.  The evaluators are usually blinded as to who received which of the 3 approaches. The group receiving the placebo is carefully compared to the other 2 groups (the real treatment group and the no treatment group). Common placebos include inert tablets (sugar pills), sham treatment (which may include surgery, detuned electrical stimulation, sham acupuncture, sham manipulation, and many more). What is compelling and interesting is that the placebo often has a surprisingly positive effect on the patient’s symptoms and because of this, research is quite extensive trying to figure out why even placebos can benefit patients.

The phrase, “…the power of positive thinking” has also been around a long time. Again, studies have shown that when a patient’s treatment plan is presented in a detailed fashion with a “positive spin” compared to when the health care provider seems skeptical that it might help, the results favor the positive presentation. Call it what you will – the power of positive thinking, faith, hope – it does appear to be an important part of the formula to obtain a positive outcome from treatment, any treatment.

When considering the placebo effect of chiropractic, specifically cervical manipulation and its effect on neck pain and headache, a landmark study published by medical doctors revealed significantly greater benefits of cervical manipulation for acute, as well as subacute and even chronic (pain > 3 months) neck pain when compared to other forms of treatment (muscle relaxants or “usual medical care”). They reported that the highest quality study demonstrated that spinal manipulation benefits patients with tension-type headaches. They also reported that the complication rate for cervical spine manipulation is low, estimated to be between 5-10 per 10 million manipulations. Another very supportive study looked at the immediate effects from only one cervical spine manipulation (CSM) using objective instruments that measured pain (algometry) and strength (grip strength dynamometer) on patients with elbow tendonitis pain (lateral epicondylitis). The patients received either CSM or a “sham” method they refer to as “manual contact intervention” or MCI. The “real” treatment group (CSM) showed a significant increase in grip strength and reduced pain compared to the MCI/sham group.

The “take-home” message here is clear. Cervical spine manipulation was found to be superior to sham manual treatment (placebo), as well as muscle relaxers, or “usual medical care” for neck pain and headaches. Second, cervical manipulation clearly out performed the placebo effect in patients with elbow pain.

While this study did not specifically include Active Release Techniques, we’ve found that combining ART with manipulation is far more effective than only doing adjustments. If you have neck pain or headaches, call us at 303.300.0424 to schedule your first treatment. We can help you.

Denver kidney donor to be first to run Leadville 100 & This Week’s 1-Page Newsletter

On National Donor Day, Dr. Jeff Stripling announced his goal to run 100 miles on behalf of all living organ donors. What follows is a recent press release from the American Transplant Foundation, and then This Week’s 1 Page Newsletter…

(DENVER, CO) – Being a living kidney donor will not stop Denver chiropractor Jeff Stripling from running 100 miles. In fact, it is what drives him forward

Dr. Stripling donated a kidney to his father in 2009. Today – National Donor Day – he announced his goal to be the first known living organ donor to run the Leadville 100 Mile Ultramarathon in August “on behalf of all living organ donors.

“Running 100 miles through the high Rockies will be tough, but that’s no because I’m a kidney donor. I want to shatter the misconception that you are limiting yourself if you donate an organ,” said Dr. Stripling.

“Being a live donor has proved to be the proudest moment of my life, and has enabled me to see my father healthy and enjoying retirement. Many people thought I would be limiting my own quality of life, but since I donated, my quality of life has only improved.”

To help other people become living donors, Dr. Stripling plans to raise funds for American Transplant Foundation’s Patient Assistance Program, which awards financial grants to offset expenses for living donors, such as travel costs to the surgery or time away from work during their recovery.

“We want people to understand that living organ donation is a viable option, and that it’s critical to reduce the transplant waiting list, especially for those who need a kidney,” said Kyle Pietari of the American Transplant Foundation. “Over 90,000 Americans are waiting for a new kidney. Most people don’t realize that the medical complication rate for live kidney donors is less than 1%. We are proud to work with Dr. Stripling and other living donors to raise awareness about this. They are truly heroes.”

“As a doctor, I understand that my body only needs one kidney. I can still workout, play sports, and attempt to run 100 miles. My father needed the other kidney much more than I do,” said Stripling.

The American Transplant Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that works to increase the donation of organs and tissue to reduce the growing list of men, women and children who are awaiting a lifesaving transplant.

Here’s this Week’s 1-Page Newsletter…

Mental Attitude: Emotions Not On My Sleeve? Contrary to what many scientists think, all people do not have the same set of biologically “basic” emotions and those emotions are not automatically expressed on the face. People do not scowl only when they’re angry or pout only when they’re sad. For example, people do a lot of things when they’re angry, sometimes they yell and sometimes they smile. Current Directions in Psychological Science, Jan 2012

Health Alert: Ten Ways To Decrease Cancer Risk 1.) Max BMI of 25; 2.) 5 or more servings of fruits & veggies daily; 3.) 7 or more portions of complex carbs daily; 4.) decrease processed foods & refined sugars; 5.) limit alcoholic drinks to 1/day for women and 2/day for men; 6.) limit red meat to no more than 3 oz daily; 7.) decrease fatty foods, particularly animal fats; 8.) limit intake of salted foods & use of salt in cooking; 9.) eliminate tobacco use; 10.) practice sun safety/recognize skin changes. American Cancer Society.

Diet: Soy And Hot Flash. According to a placebo-controlled study, daily doses of a soy germ-based nutritional supplement containing S-equol decreased menopausal symptoms 59%, including significantly reducing hot flash frequency after 12 weeks. It is believed that S-equol, produced from the isoflavone daidzein during the fermentation of soy germ, interacts with specific estrogen receptors to promote the improvement in menopausal symptoms. Journal of Women’s Health, Jan 2012.

Exercise: Colds And Exercise. Different levels of exercise can significantly increase or decrease your chances of catching a cold. If you tend to be a couch potato, then you will catch 2-3 colds per year, on average. Regular moderate exercise can reduce the risk of catching cold-like infections by 33% (this effect has been shown to be the result of the cumulative effect of exercise leading to long-term improvement in immunity). Prolonged strenuous exercise, such as marathons, can make an individual more susceptible to catching colds. We are constantly exposed to viruses, but it is our immune system that determines whether we get sick or not. Association for Science Education Conference, Jan 2012

Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Rates Dropping. In the last 20 years, one million deaths from cancer have been avoided. From 1990-2008, death rates dropped 23% in males and 15% in females. A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Jan 2012

Quote: “There are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something.” ~Thomas A. Edison

The best way to shovel snow & the Weekly 1-Page Newsletter for the week of 2/6/2012

I hope you did ok through the snow. As you might expect, we’re seeing a rash of people who hurt themselves shoveling snow. Back in 2006, I (Glenn) bought a big ol’ Toro snow blower. For those of you with back and neck problems, you might consider getting one. It’s a purchase I’ve never regretted. And here’s this week’s 1-page newsletter…

Mental Attitude: Sleeping Problems? People who are poor sleepers exert a ton of energy trying to force sleep. Sleep is something that has to naturally unfold, so the more you engage in behaviors to try to sleep, the less likely you’re going to fall asleep. Behavior Therapy, Dec 2011

Health Alert: Acid Reflux Up! Reports of acid reflux experienced at least once a week have increased by 47% in the last decade. The prevalence of any acid reflux symptoms rose 30%, while the more severe symptoms rose by 24%. There is concern that these findings will lead to an increase in cancer of the esophagus, a once rare but now more common malignancy that is very difficult to treat. Acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux, is where the stomach contents (food and acidic digestive juices) escape upward into the esophagus. This can irritate the esophagus and cause heartburn and other symptoms. Being overweight is a risk factor for acid reflux. Gut, Dec 2011

Diet: Depression And Vitamin D. Because depression affects one in 10 adults in the US and low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to depression, researchers suggest that screening for vitamin D levels in depressed patients and perhaps screening for depression in people with low vitamin D levels might be useful. Vitamin D levels are now commonly tested during routine physical exams, and they are accepted as risk factors for a number of other medical problems such as autoimmune diseases; heart and vascular disease; infectious diseases; osteoporosis; obesity; diabetes; certain cancers; and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, multiple sclerosis, and general cognitive decline. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Jan 2012

Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps to alleviate depression and increases your ability to adapt to cold environments. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

Chiropractic: What Did He Say? “The quality of healing is directly proportional to the functional capability of the central nervous system to send and receive nerve messages.” ~ Janson Edwards, MD. PhD

Wellness/Prevention: Don’t Smoke, Be Happy! Smokers have concerns that their quality of life may deteriorate if they stop smoking. However, a study found, in the long term, smokers who successfully quit experience no such deterioration due to quitting. If anything, they see some noticeable improvements. Specifically, compared with those who continued to smoke, quitters scored higher on measures of overall quality of life, health-related quality of life and positive emotions, both one year and three years on. They also felt they had fewer stressors by the third year. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Jan 2012

Quote: “Without Chiropractic I never would have won.” ~ Lance Armstrong

Weekly 1-Page Newsletter for the week of 1/30/2012

Mental Attitude: Do Video Games Enhance Cognitive Abilities? In a recent study, it was demonstrated that there is little solid evidence that games enhance cognition at all. On the other hand, it may be the people who have these enhanced abilities are more likely to play video games. Frontiers in Psychology, Dec 2011

Health Alert: Diabetes Worldwide! There are 366 million diabetics worldwide and 4.6 million die each year from the disease. In the US, 8.3% or 25.8 million children and adults have diabetes, with 79 million having prediabetes. Diabetes Atlas, Nov 2011 & American Diabetes Association, 2011

Diet: Remember Cholesterol. High cholesterol levels may be associated with a greater incidence of brain plaques, a marker for Alzheimer’s disease. Neurology, Sept 2011

Exercise: Wide Waists Trim Lifespan. Since the mid-1970s, when Harvard published “The Nurses Study,” we’ve been told women with waists over 40 inches raised their risk of early death by 40% vs. women who maintained waists in the 26-27 inch measure. Pounds add up. Studies show that obesity is starting earlier than ever. 18% of children ages 12-18 are reported as being obese and 66% of baby boomers (81 million born between 1946-1964) are either obese or overweight. New England Journal of Medicine, Sept 2011

Chiropractic: Chiropractic and the NFL. All 32 teams in the National Football League offer their players and personnel chiropractic physician services for both managing and preventing injuries. Most have Active Release Techniques providers. Professional Football Chiropractic Society

Wellness/Prevention: Too Much Booze, You Lose. Men are more likely to binge drink than women. Research shows that drinking even a small amount of alcohol increases cancer risks, though moderate amounts of alcohol can show cardiovascular benefits that outweigh such risks. Men can play it safe by having no more than two alcoholic drinks per day. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011

Quote: “A revolution is coming – a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough – but a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character, we cannot alter its inevitability.” ~ President John F. Kennedy

Guess who’s doing the Leadville 100 Trail Run and this week’s 1-Page Newsletter

No, it’s not me (Glenn). But Dr. Jeff Stripling, my esteemed colleague here at Denver Chiropractic Center will be there on August 18 / 19. Dr. Stripling donated a kidney to his dad a few years ago, and will be racing in Leadville to raise money and awareness for transplant research. Stay tuned for more info on this remarkable guy and this remarkable challenge.

Here’s this week’s 1-page newsletter:


Mental Attitude: A Good Laugh. When we laugh heartily among friends, we exhale repeatedly without drawing breath. This physical effort leaves usexhausted and triggers the release of protective endorphins, one of the complex neuropeptide chemicals of the brain that regulate pain and promote feelings of well-being. Watching 15 minutes of comedy in the company of others can increase your pain threshold by an average of 10%. Laughter is 30 times more likely to happen when we are with others than when we are alone.Proceedings of the Royal Society, Dec 2011


Health Alert: Antibiotic Resistance. Overexposure to antibiotics has longbeen a concern in the medical community, most specifically the development of antibiotic resistant infections as a result of repeated use. Ophthalmologic antibiotics have been found to promote antimicrobial resistance too, prompting a call from Vanderbilt Eye Institute physicians to be more judicial in the administration of certain classes of antibiotics. Archives of Ophthalmology, Dec 2011


Diet: Protect Your Bones. A calorie-restricted diet higher in protein (mostlyfrom dairy foods) and lower in carbohydrates, coupled with daily exercise, demonstrated a major positive impact on bone health. Bone health improvements were particularly evident due to the diet’s high density of bone-supporting nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D and dairy-based protein.Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dec 2011


Exercise: It’s Harder To Run As You Age. Runners who find it more difficult to run as they age can make the experience easier on themselves by adding strength training and flexibility exercises to their fitness routine. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Dec 2011


Chiropractic: Bad Posture. Asymmetries in posture and motion can causetethering, the adverse prolonged stretching of the central nervous system. This can result in spinal cord ischemia (lack of blood flow) and consequently motor, sensory, and autonomic neurological dysfunction. Tethering of the spinal cord has been linked to demylenating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Koch, 2002


Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention In Your 50s. Cancer is more likely to show up in men over 50 years old. That’s why the majority of cancer screening exams begin at age 50. Finding and treating cancer as early as possible is one of the best ways to beat this disease. In the case of prostate cancer (the most common cancer in men), treating the disease at an early stage means men may be less likely to experience long-term side effects, like impotence. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011


Quote: “Money cannot buy health.” ~ Dorothy Parker

Real Paleo diet / Primal Blueprint living –

As many of you know, I’m a fan of the primal/paleo style of eating. While I’m not rigorous or rigid about it, I do a pretty good job of being about 90% compliant.

The theory is simple- try to eat like our caveman ancestors. This means avoiding grains and processed foods. Doing this brings the total carb load on your body into a more realistic range, about 100-150 grams a day (the average American get over 300 grams of carbs each day). The benefit? You start losing weight naturally by eating primally.

Eating this way is really not as hard to as you might think, it just takes a little planning ahead and a little getting used to…

One of the first objections that I hear from people goes like this, “But I like my pasta!” I get it. I like pasta, too. But I also like weighing 15 pounds less than I did when I was eating pasta.

Enter the spaghetti squash. I don’t know who discovered this, but if you cut these big, yellow, football shaped things in half, put them face down on a baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes at 400, you can scoop out several cups of squash that looks and behaves just like spaghetti. Now, of course it doesn’t taste exactly the same, but the general consensus amongst all who’ve tried it is, “Close enough!”

What about the meatballs? I like to use grass fed beef, about 3 pounds so we get 2 nights out of it. I add a couple of eggs, parmesan, salt, pepper and ground up gluten-free bread crumbs (from 2 slices of gluten free bread. I mix it all up and roll into meatballs which I cook in the sauce for about an hour.

Optional addition- ratatouille veggies. Sometimes Meredith roasts up these veggies and we add them on top of the spaghetti squash (meatballs on top). It’s surprisingly good.

1 medium eggplant cut into one-inch cubes

1 large sweet onion, chopped into small pieces

1 yellow bell pepper, cut into one-inch pieces

2 medium zucchini, cut into one-inch pieces

peeled garlic cloves, halved (use as many as you like, or just add chopped garlic to taste)

1 pint cherry tomatoes

¼ cup olive oil

2 t dried thyme

salt and pepper

Combine all veggies and garlic.  Add olive oil, thyme, salt & pepper.  Put mixture into a large roasting pan.  Place in 400 degree oven on lowest rack.  Mix veggies after 20 minutes.  Mix in cherry tomatoes.  Bake another 15 minutes.

Here are some facts about back pain that you’ll find interesting…

  • An estimated 80% of the US population will experience back pain at one time in their lives.
  • Most back pain is mechanical in nature – related to the muscles and ligaments – as opposed to a bulging disc.
  • Some researchers state that up to 30% of Americans have bulging discs in their low backs –with no symptoms.
  • A recent study by Blue Cross of Tennessee found that costs for episodes of Low Back Pain care initiated with a chiropractor were almost 40% less than episodes initiated with an MD.
  • Our combination of Active Release Techniques, chiropractic adjustments, and stretching/strengthening exercises can get back pain sufferers feeling better quickly, usually in 6-8 treatments over 3-4 weeks.

At Denver Chiropractic Center, we have over 13 years of experience treating patients with back pain. If you or someone you care about is suffering from back pain, call us. We can help you get better quickly. We accept most major health insurance plans and do all the paperwork for you. We also offer affordable care for patients without insurance. Don’t wait- call us today. 303.300.0424. More info at denverback.com.

The Neck & Shoulder Pain Relationship

In our hectic lifestyles of driving, hunching over computers, talking on the phone, not to mention stress arising from multiple sources, the muscles in the neck, upper back and shoulders seem to tighten up and hurt at the same time. The question is, between the neck and the shoulder, which one is the “chicken” and which is the “egg?”

The neck gives rise to the nerves that innervate the head (C1-3 nerve roots), the shoulders (C4-5), and the arms (C5-T2). Hence, there are 8 sets of nerves in the neck, 12 sets in the thoracic (middle back region), and 6 sets in the lumbar or low back region and 5 sets in the sacrum, all of which travel to a specific destination allowing us to move our muscles and to feel hot, cold, sharp, dull, vibration and position sense.

When these nerves get pinched or irritated, they lose their function and the ability to feel, making it challenging to button a shirt, thread a needle, or pick up small objects.  It can also make it difficult to unscrew jars, squeeze a spray bottle, or lift a milk container from the refrigerator. Hence, the nerves arising from the neck, when pinched, can have a dramatic effect on our ability to carry out our desired activities in which the shoulder, arm and hand use is required.

On the other hand, when the shoulder is injured (such as a rotator cuff tear or strain), this can also result in neck problems. There are several ways pain from the neck affects the shoulder and vice versa. When the shoulder is injured, pain “information” is relayed to the brain starting at the nerve endings located in the area of the shoulder injury, transmitting impulses between the shoulder and the neck, and finally from the neck to the sensory cortex of the brain. That information is processed and communication to the motor cortex prompts nerve signals to be sent back to the shoulder through the neck and to the injured area (in this case, the shoulder).

A reflex muscle spasm often occurs as a result, serving as kind of an “internal cast” as the muscle spasm tries to protect the injured shoulder. This can become a “vicious cycle” or never-ending “loop” until the reflex is interrupted (perhaps by a chiropractic adjustment). Another means by which both areas become injured has to do with modifications in function. We tend to change the way we go about our daily chores when an injury occurs to the shoulder, such as putting on a coat differently by leaning over to the opposite side.

These functional changes can also give rise to neck pain. Because of this reflex cycle, as well as the close anatomic relationship between the neck and shoulder, not to mention the “domino effect” of soft-tissue injuries which seem to change the function at the next joint level, it’s not surprising that both the neck AND the shoulder require simultaneous treatment for optimal treatment benefit. However, the good news is, regardless which one is the “chicken or the egg,” your treatment at Denver Chiropractic Center for shoulder injuries will almost always include the neck and vice versa.

We use a unique combination of Active Release Techniques Soft Tissue Treatment, adjustments, and physical therapy exercises. Research shows that this combination is best. We realize that you have a choice in where you get your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for neck pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos get Active Release Techniques, and you can too…

Many of you know that Active Release Techniques was created and developed by my friend and mentor, Dr. Mike Leahy. Dr. Leahy has been on the Broncos staff since 2001, providing Active Release Techniques to all of the players. I had the good fortune to assist him at Dove Valley during the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

Anyway, when you watch the Broncos on any given Sunday (or this upcoming Saturday night), you just might see some players getting Active Release work done on the sidelines.

Here’s this week’s 1-page health newsletter:

Mental Attitude: I Can’t Remember. Older individuals’ complaints about memory lapses (such as trouble remembering recent events) may indicate they are experiencing cognitive problems that are greater than typical age- related changes. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is expected to rise in the United States as adults 65 and older are projected to double in number over the next two decades.  Clinicians are now incorporating cognitive screening tests as part of annual wellness visits for older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Nov 2011

Health Alert: Low-Dose Aspirin. The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding needs to be considered when determining the potential preventive benefits associated with low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The risk is increased with the use of cardiovascular disease-preventing therapies. Low-dose aspirin is defined as 75 to 325 mg. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dec 2011

Diet: Soda Consumption. The average American drinks 44.7 gallons of soda a year. That much soda weighs about 375 pounds! AdAge, Dec 2011

Exercise: Benefits For Breast Cancer Survivors. For breast cancer survivors, the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks, including those who develop lymphedema, a chronic swelling that commonly occurs after breast cancer treatment. Balance the pros and cons of the activity one chooses, but keep in mind that even remaining sedentary has risks and being active is beneficial in many ways, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, December 2011

Active Release Technique (ART): The Functional Movement Screen. Sometimes the pain can be in one area, but the cause is in another. The Functional Movement Screen is a 7-move test that we use to help figure out what’s causing your problem. Then we use ART and corrective exercises to fix both the symptoms and the cause.

Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention In Your 30s. One begins to lose muscle mass after age 30. Strength training can prevent muscle loss, build bone density and help the body burn calories faster to keep you at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can help decrease the risk of cancer. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011

Quote: “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives” Dan Zadra