Monday, October 6, 2014

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

Website

Monday, September 22, 2014

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


http://chiropractor-portlandor.com/

Thursday, August 21, 2014

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 directlyRichard H. Crokin, DC

http://chiropractor-portlandor.com/

503.431.2388

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

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!

http://chiropractor-portlandor.com/

503.431.2388

Monday, June 2, 2014

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

Thursday, April 3, 2014

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

Monday, March 24, 2014

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 
503.431.2388