Better Sleep & Chiropractic

Genevieve first came to our office about three weeks ago. She was miserable. Because she had been in poor condition for so long, she couldn't drive and was brought in by her husband. With tears in her tired eyes she repeated "I just hurt so bad." 

Nearly fifteen years previously, Genevieve was involved in a fairly serious car crash. At that time, she chose the medical rout of pain pills and time. Over the years, her health slowly deteriorated. She had been given the diagnosis of "fibromyalgia" and told she would be on meds the rest of her life.

Genevieve has been under care for about a month. When she came in for follow-up care this week, she was different. She was chatty, enthusiastic and bright eyed. Genevieve told me she had been sleeping through the night for about a week. Not only was her original problem improving, she felt little need for the medication and for the first time in what she described as "years", she was sleeping!   

 

By appropriately correcting skeletal structure, we reduce tension on the nervous system. When the nervous system is free from irritation, the body simply works better and wonderful things begin to happen! Chiropractic... It does a body good!

Richard H.Crokin, DC

503.431.2388

Herniated Disc, Sciatica and Chiropractic

A 31 year old guy came into the office today barely able to walk.  The MRI report he brought with him discussed multiple areas of joint effusion and an obvious left sided disc protrusion. The protrusion was big enough to compress the nerve root causing throbbing leg pain and weakness in the ankle resulting in "foot drop." Not a good sign.

  

When I tested the associated muscles, he could not even raise his left big toe let alone provide resistance. This weakness was classic for this type of situation and was a clear indication of pressure on the nerve. I explained the situation, described what I was looking for indicating improvement and we got to work. 

When we finished treatment, I went back to the weak muscles and checked again. Although the big toe was still weaker than the right, he was able to move it and hold it up without resistance! This is a very good sign suggesting appropriate Chiropractic care just might keep him off the surgeons table. 

What if Chiropractic was the answer for you too?

Call me. If I think I can help you, I'll tell you. If I can't help you, I'll tell you.

Richard H. Crokin, DC

503.431.2388

Injuries of Having Fun

Last weekend was "blue-bird" on Mt. Hood. Patrolling offers a great opportunity to get outside, share some time in the snow with great people and help out when necessary. It's a win-win-win!

I was stationed at the bottom of the Palmer Glacier when two snowboarders came screaming down the slope at "mach speed." I watch as one misses a turn, buries his head in the hard snow, flips "scorpion style" and slides to a stop.

As I arrived on scene, he poped up with a big smile on his face saying "Woe! That was big!" Relieved to see he was not going to be an emergency case, I could not help to wonder how his neck / back was going to feel in a day or two.

Often the things we choose to do have inherent risks associated.  I say get out there! Rip it up and have fun! Simply be aware of your body and contact Fox Chiropractic for your "injuries of having fun" tune-up...

Richard H. Crokin, DC

(503) 431-2388

Chiropractic 101

When explaining how Chiropractic helps, I frequently give this example to patients. Although a bit outdated, this quick and simple analogy seems to be effective when describing the old "bone out of place, pressure on nerve, dysfunction of body" scinario. (Please understand things are MUCH more complicated...)

After showing a life sized model of the spine and relationship to the nerves, I'll reach for a regular rubber-band. I ask to pretend their fingers are the nerve that comes from the spine and goes to the stomach then wrap the rubber-band around the fingers.

Question 1- "Can your stomach possibly work as well as it should  with the pressure from the rubber band on the nerve?"

Answer 1- Invariably the answer is... "Well, no. I guess not." 

Question 2- "What's the best thing we can do right now for your fingers?"

Answer 2- The best answer is... "Well. Take the rubber-band off!"

Question 3- "If I take the rubber-band off, would your finger feel better and  your
stomach be better able to function correctly?"

Answer 3- Most everyone says... "Ya. I think so."

That's Chiropractic! 

Remove the pressure from the nerve and let the body heal.

Feel Better - Function Better

Richard H. Crokin, DC

(503) 431-2388

Chiropractic Knee Brace

It was in junior high school that I initially tore the cartilage in my knee. After the soccer and hockey season, it was decided that surgery was the best option. Now some 30 years later, that knee is very unstable. In order to play the way I like on Mt. Hood, it's obvious I need a solid knee brace.

 

My friend Toni with VQ OrthoCare let me call around and try a few braces I found on the internet. She wasn't worried as she know they would not be sufficient for my needs. Finally I had her bring in a few to try and WOW, what a difference.

I went with the VQ OrthoCare "Catalyst * Elite." This thing is solid! It has hyper-extension stops, stretchy rubber thigh support to allow for thigh contraction and massive medial / lateral support.

When it comes to protecting you body and your livelihood, trust a professional! 

Richard H. Crokin, DC

Sports Chiropractor

(503) 431.2388

 

Sitck to the Plan!

Chiropractic care is a bit like taking antibiotics for an infection. The doctor recommends a specific intervention at a specific frequency to correct the condition. Most people would take the entire prescription as directed for an infection. It's the same with Chiropractic care! To get the most benefit, stick to the plan, do what is suggested and keep your appointment schedule as recommended.

Want to get and stay well? Stick to the plan...

Richard H. Crokin, DC

(503) 431-2388

Your Brain on Chiropractic

Chiropractic in Portland, OR has grown light years since the late 1800's. We now understand the complicated connections between spine, nerves and brain function. There are times when the Chiropractic adjustment is the best and only thing to really help someone... There are other times when it may be the worst and last thing the need.

We all have one thing exactly in common... gravity. When your spine works well, the spinal nerves typically work well allowing your internal organs to work well. But there is a bigger picture to see. ALL the joints of the body, when working well, get compressed by gravity and actually send electrical information to the brain. If your muscles and joints don't work the way they need to, nerves get irritated, internal organs dysfunction and most importantly...your brain becomes imbalanced. 

Now here's something to consider... What if the spinal problem is not a spinal problem at all but actually a brain problem. Is it possible for someone to get a Chiropractic adjustment and actually get worse? This is exactly the situation we consider when you are in our office. 

The details of all of this are mind-blowingly complicated. However, with dedicated and ongoing education in this field, you are in good hands with us. If I can help you, I'll tell you. If not, I'll tell you and provide the very best referral for your situation. 

Chiropractic in Portland, OR is about trust. Call me with your questions.

Richard H. Crokin, DC

503-431-2388

Camping; A pain in the Back.

Oregon offers amazing opportunities to get out and enjoy the environment. For me, smores over an open fire in the mountains ranks right up there. Camping brings people together and often leaves you a bit sore. Chiropractic can help that.

A guy recently came in after a hunting trip. He described a secluded camp deep in the southern Oregon woods. He was prepared with all the proper gear but still developed screaming low back pain. The kind that really puts a cramp in the day. Hiking in the woods with a pack and rifle was a tremendous effort with what felt like an ice pick in his spine. 

As is often the case, he came in for a few visits, got the relief he needed so desperately and went on about his life with a smile.

Get out there! Take in what our great state has to offer and when you find yourself with a "hitch in your step,"  call me directly. If I can help you, I'll tell you. If I can't help you, I'll tell you. 

Richard H. Crokin, DC

(503) 431.2388

Chiropractic - What Do You Get

A few months ago a young man came in after a long kayaking trip. He had two complaints; low back and shoulder pain. He came with a clear objective... Pain relief.

After a problem specific evaluation, I felt we had identified the problems and suggested a plan to get him the relief he wanted. After only a handful of visits, he was happy and went on about his busy life.

About a month has passed and he presented again today. The first thing he told me was that he did indeed feel better overall and that his golf game had improved. He reported being able to drive the ball farther and straighter without having any instruction. 

The point. He was initially drawn to my office by the features I offered. That is, what I do and how I do it. Now, after having the experience of better golf, he better understands the benefits. 

Chiropractic is intended to improve nervous system function. When done appropriately, amazing things happen. When the nervous system functions well, mothers can carry their babies, athletes perform better, acid reflux improves, dizziness resolves and a whole host of other issues simply get better. These are the benefits!

How has your nervous system limited your life? Maybe we can help.

Call me directly: (503) 4431-2388

Richard H. Crokin, DC

Bed Wetting

 Nocturnal Enuresis is typically seen in children but can occur in adults as well. Although there are numerous reasons this can happen, the neurology is always the same.

Consider the bladder like a balloon with two rubber bands around the small end. The top rubber band has more of an "automatic release" while the lower one is under more conscious control. As the balloon stretches, stronger and stronger signals go to the brain until the bell rings saying "Hey! You gotta go." 

Here's how it works: The top "automatic release" band is controlled by the part of the nervous system we know as fight or flight keeping it closed tight. The bottom band can be tightened or released by conscious control; i.e. when we want to and  it's appropriate. When the bell rings saying "Hey! You gotta go," the automatic fight or flight part loosens the top band and when appropriate we consciously release the bottom band allowing the pressure to escape.

Sometimes, the fight or flight part of the nervous system is functioning way too high. When a little pressure escapes the bladder, the body clamps down the top band too soon resulting in incomplete pressure release. Within a few hours after falling asleep, the bell rings again, the band releases and pressure escapes into the bed. 

  

Appropriate Chiropractic care can tone down the fight or flight system allowing full pressure release and reduce the embarrassment of bed wetting. 

Questions? Call me directly:  Richard H. Crokin, DC

503.431.2388

The Band-Aid

When you cut your finger, most of us will wash the area and put a Band-Aid on it. In a few days, things seem to heal up and you get on with your life. Did the Band-Aid tell the white blood cells to move to the area and prevent infection, the blood vessels to shunt healing properties and the skin to close up? No. The nervous system did all of it.

How many times have you cut yourself and didn't realize it until you see a drop of blood? How many times have you developed a bruise and had no idea when you banged the area? It happens all the time. The point here is basing our health on how we feel is simply not the best way to go. It's the same with Chiropractic.

If the nervous system is "out of whack," the body simply cannot function as well as it should. Maybe it shows as neck or back pain. Maybe it's headache. Maybe it's numbness or tingles in the extremities or bowel / bladder problems or a thousand other symptoms. 

Because Chiropractic helps the nervous system and since the nervous system controls it all, AND because we do not always feel when things go wrong , does it make sense to see the Chiropractor, especially when things do go wrong? 

When you're ready... We'll be here!

503.431.2388

Commitment to YOU

When it comes right down to it, a person has to "want" to get well. In the game of healthcare, there is no such thing as... "I'll try it once and see how it goes."  That would not be the best choice with antibiotics, insulin shots or chemotherapy and it is certainly not the best choice with Chiropractic. 

A wonderful woman came in years after a significant head injury. She was disconnected, nervous and clearly out of sorts. Her family life had suffered and maintaining meaningful employment had been challenging. When asked to focus on a single, slow moving target, her eyes darted around like an intoxicated moth searching for light in the darkness. Her head injury had obviously not been resolved for a very long time. 

After doing my best to explain the seriousness of this one finding, she says... "Go ahead and crack my stiff neck today and I'll see how this goes." Really? She couldn't hold her eyes focused for a second and she thought my "cracking" her neck once may somehow help. No, no, no!

This was going to be an in depth, long term neurologic rehabilitation for which "cracking" her neck once would only make things worse! One Chiropractic adjustment was NOT coming from me. I provided her a simple eye exercise with profound ability to improve the muscular function of here eyes thus providing "stability" to here visual world.  

If she is committed to her recovery, she WILL perform the simple eye exercise and I WILL be able to tell. If not, well... so be it. Health takes commitment.  

If you are committed to your recovery, I'll be here for you.

Richard H. Crokin, DC

503.431.2388

Chiropractic Commitment

I saw a 40+ yer old guy the other day who thought he needed a "quick fix" for his neck pain. I agreed to check his condition and took x-rays of his neck and back. Woe! This was NOT going to be a quick fix...

The x-rays showed a neck that was WAY "out of whack." At only 40 years old, this guy had bone spurs and flattened discs! He indicated his first memorable injury was high school followed by numerous others associated with various sports.

I offered him 2 options:
1) Commit to the care plan and get control of the condition
2) No care at all

Here's why: We know Chiropractic works for conditions like his. We also know a broken-down, crusty and generally decrepit old spine is unstable and vulnerable. (Stable spines do not look like his.) Allowing an individual to wander into the office whenever they feel like it is a mistake. Momentum is never reached, I do not succeed, Chiropractic does not succeed and most importantly... the patient WILL NOT SUCCEED!

I feel it's important to offer options. In this case, the patient was offered 2. 

Commit or not.

It's your choice

Fox Chiropractic
503.431.2388503.431.2388

Call

Send SMS

Add to Skype

You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

Why Chiropractic?

Why Chiropractic?  Three words should do...

1) Restore: Physical symptoms are an indication the system is out-of-sorts. Maybe it's a tumor or some parasitic, flesh eating virus, but NOT LIKELY! It's far more reasonable to consider a small irritation of nerves that come from the spine. Remember, the nerves go to EVERY part and organ of your body. I recommend seeing your Chiropractor first to help restore nerve function and thereby eliminate symptoms. 

2) Prevent: Do you ever change the oil in you car before blue smoke comes out the exhaust? Do you ever brush your teeth without having a cavity? Do you ever take vitamin supplements when you feel fine? Seeing a Chiropractor just once a month keeps the spine / nervous system working in top order thus preventing future physical complaints.

3) Thrive: Play with your kids, join a softball league, volunteer at a local organization that needs help and be a valuable part of your community. Forge new relationships, learn new things and see new places. When you and your body are in synch working as a well oiled machine, you are far more apt to get out and thrive! 

I love my job! 

Dr. Richard H. Crokin 

Fox Chiropractic

503.431.2388

Chiropractic in Portland, OR

The difference is one cannot replace their spine / nervous system. That's why it is important to preserve the only one you'll ever have! Without your body, where would you live!

Call Fox Chiropractic with your questions: Dr. Crokin (503) 431-2388

Can you help me with...

Wow. Too often I'm amazed at how little the general public really knows about what a Chiropractor does and the conditions we help with. Today, at a community event I participate in every week, I was asked if Chiropractors help sciatica. Did I hear that correctly? Had that person been listening over the past year?  Last week a current patient asked if I thought I could help her office mate with headaches. Had I not been educating her for weeks about Chiropractic? My own mother asked if she should see a Chiropractor to help with tingles into her fingers! WHAT? I was shocked. The answer to all of these questions is an absolute, wholehearted and unequivocal YES!

Chiropractors work on the nervous system. If the organ in question is controlled or affected by the nervous system, the answer is always yes. Understand we probably will not be effective for a toothache, hang nail or frizzy hair BUT... nearly everything else... heartburn, constipation, menstrual pain, tremors, concussion and yes, sciatica, headaches and numbness / tingles are EXACTLY  the type of issues we help with because these things are under control of the nervous system. Get it? 

Take a look at the "Chiropractic Chart of Effects"

 ( A nice link I found on the net )

The body is extremely complicated while Chiropractic is extremely simply; Remove the stress from the nervous system and let the body do what it needs to do!

Have a specific question, call me directly: (503) 431-2388. If I can help you I'll tell you. If I can't help you I'll tell you.

Richard H. Crokin - Proud to be a Chiropractor

Kids and Video Games

Kids are going back to school and schedules are changing. It is critically important to keep them active while paying attention to how much "screen time" they get.

TOTAL "Screen Time": ( TV, PS-3, DS, computer, cell phone, video, other )
is limited to 90 min a day... That's only 90 minutes! Morning cartoons, after school TV special, Facebook communication and games, cell phone apps, evening DVD / TV movies, Xbox. 
I encourage an parental experiment particularly for those parents who are NOT "gamers." Sit with your child and play their favorite shoot-em-up game for 10 minutes. Notice your sweaty hands, pounding heart, and general sense of fatigue.  

Research by psychologists at Iowa state show violent video games and television (by interpolation, violent movies as well), contribute to attention problems in children and young adults. The research indicates that screen time in general contributes to attention problems in both children and college age students, and that children who engage in more than two hours of screen time per day (the American Academy of Pediatrics - AAP - recommends no more than two hours of screen time daily for children), were 50 to 100 percent more likely to be above average in attention problems. 

Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Roger Sperry identified the spine as the motor that drives the brain. He found "90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine." That means get the kids moving at every opportunity!

Questions / Comments: Dr. Crokin (503) 431.2388