What The Lisfranc Is Going On In The NFL?

You may not spend your Sundays (or Mondays or even Thursdays) watching NFL games, but with the growing popularity of things like Fantasy Football and sports betting it is likely you have heard about players in the NFL and their injuries. Or maybe you have focused more attention to football due to the increased attention being paid to concussions. Either way, we all know injuries happen in football. But if you have been paying attention you have probably been hearing a term recently that makes little sense: Lisfranc (Lizz-Frank). Just in case you haven't heard:

• Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars
• Cedric Benson - Green Bay Packers
• Santonio Holmes - New York Jets
• Darren McFadden - Oakland Raiders (2011)
• Ryan Kalil - Carolina Panthers
• Matt Schaub - Houston Texans (2011)
• Dwight Freeney - Indianapolis Colts (2007)

Lisfranc?

The lisfranc injury describes an injury process of the foot that is named for Dr. Lisfranc. Dr. Lisfranc is credited with first describing the anatomy of the foot as he treated soldiers in Napolean's army. Yes, that Napolean. And by "treated" I mean amputated... ouch! See, Dr. Lisfranc learned a lot about the anatomy of the foot as he amputated the frost-bitten feet of Napolean's soldiers after they marched to disaster in Russian winter. But now-a-days we aren't amputating the feet of NFL players, so what does a lisfranc injury actually mean.
A lisfranc injury describes the region being injured; in this case, the midfoot (think arch). Specifically, the bones that provide the structure for the arch. Under extreme conditions, such as high forces of impact experienced in the NFL, the bones of the arch can become sprained and, in some cases, fractured. There is swelling. It is painful. And, more importantly, treating the injury is not well understood.

Misalignment? What Would YOU Do?

The great news (and mostly overlooked) is there is something that can be done to help- Chiropractic Adjustment. Now, there are cases when the injury is a fracture and therefore, an adjustment is not indicated. But, when there is simply a sprain (don't take it lightly, a sprain can be SEVERE) to the area- a misalignment, then re-aligning the bones to restore normal joint integrity should ALWAYS be the first step. Then the more commonly adopted techniques for joint injuries should begin (Protect. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.Soft-tissue Treatment.).

Knowing Is Half The Battle

It is unlikely you will personally suffer a lisfranc injury as severe as your favorite fantasy football running back, but foot injuries are common and can be improved with chiropractic care. If you didn't know that before, well, now you know- chiropractic care is WAY more than just "back pain." If nothing else, next time you are talking about football you'll impress your friends with your new profound knowledge; or you will simply be able to explain what a lisfranc injury is- "Um, I think he hurt his foot." Yes. Yes he did. "He should see his chiropractor." Yes. Yes he should!

Learn from the past don't simply forget- Lance Armstrong

In case you have been living under a rock or are simply numb to the constant noise from media, American cyclist Lance Armstrong cheated by using banned performance enhancing substances during his career and has recently been stripped of his titles, shunned by his corporate sponsors and forced to step down from the high profile position he has held with his cancer foundation, Livestrong.

Be Careful About Forgetting

Part of the statement released by cycling's international governing body, UCI, (it covers the basics by condemning Armstrong and his actions) moves beyond discrediting his career by suggesting he should be forgotten. Given the recent fall from grace, I wonder if Armstrong has learned anything? I wonder if he feels regret? I wonder if he regrets being part of the most sophisticated cheating scandal in modern sports- a scheme that was known within his own sport and largely ignored by the governing bodies. I wonder if he would like to forget his cycling career. Even if he wants to and others want the rest of us to, my suggestion is quite the opposite: don't EVER forget!

Remember Your Failures... and LEARN

Just as we should not forget about Lance Armstrong as a cyclist, we should not be so quick to forget our own failings when it comes to health. We all struggle with living a healthy lifestyle. It is easier to make poor choices and spend time doing other things than putting in the time and energy it takes to consistently eat right, exercise, and take care of our own overall health.

Some people have more success with living a healthy lifestyle than others, but there is always time to begin your own journey in the right direction.

Pick ONE Thing

What is ONE thing you can do NOW to help you live healthier? If you can find that one thing and stick to it for 3 weeks (that's right, just 21 days) you can create a new habit. And not just any habit, but a good habit! Sure, you may have tried diets before or joined the gym January 1st 3 of the last 5 years and are still trying to lose the same 10 pounds, but don't let those failures discourage you- learn from those bad experiences as you create better experiences. Get started today. And don't be ashamed, because as bad as think those failings might be, I'm sure it's not as bad as being publicly humiliated and ostracized like Lance Armstrong.

Side Effects- Death! Tragedy of Recent Meningitis Outbreak

Low Back Pain- It's a pain in the backside!

As chiropractors we treat people suffering from low back pain everyday. According to most accepted statistics, 80% of the US will suffer from low back pain. Unfortunately, we are not always able to help people fully recover from their low back pain, but what is great is that most of the time we can and even if we don't the negative side effects associated with chiropractic care are often mild and rare.

The Scary Reality

Unfortunately, not everyone visits a chiropractor before or after they have low back pain. Too often people find limited medical treatment that includes muscle relaxants and pain relieving medication. The negative side effects associated with this approach have lead to a federal task force to overcome the abuse of prescription pain-relievers and the most recent news- Back pain treatments causing lethal meningitis. The recent outbreak of meningitis, which is reportedly responsible for 5 deaths already and has hundreds of others at risk, is linked to fungus-tainted injections given to people seeking treatment for back pain. (The AP story is HERE)

Death- ALWAYS a side-effect

This recent example is why medication will always have the side effect of death- it is a REAL risk. Medications are man-made and can become contaminated. Medications will also ALWAYS have negative side effects. Don't become complacent with the risk associated with things that have become "common" in our society. Common does not equate to a reduced risk. There is ALWAYS risk. It is sad that so many families have been affected by this recent medication side effect. Hopefully public health officials can help those whom are sick and prevent others from suffering the same tragic outcomes.

Does your doctor think you're worth it?

Headlines!

I read the following headline this morning as I skimmed some general resources I use to keep up-to-date on what people might be talking about today- "Vitamin D supplements no help for colds, flu"

Being interested in current best evidence when it concerns health, I read the media release to help me decide if I should read the actual study (I probably should- and will do so later, but this post has nothing to do with the study results). 

What The "Expert" Said

The jury is still out on vitamin D and just what it is best used for in supplemental form and for what groups of people- it is known that vitamin D is AWESOME and if you have a deficiency health problems can arise, but how far reaching its awesomeness is has not been well established. Like a lot of research with the potential of having a great impact, there was an editorial published in the same journal issue. The author of the editorial was also quoted in the media article, which is what I would like to discuss. This is what he had to say, 

"Colds are inevitable. We all get them, and they make us all miserable, and I don't think we're going to come up with a way around that. Besides eating a balanced diet with lots of vitamins and minerals, and exercising, and generally living a healthy life, it's unlikely that we're going to find one single pill or cure that's going to prevent them or lessen their severity."

The Best Medicine

After reading the "expert" statement I immediately felt sorry for his patients. His quote gives me the impression that his view is one of acceptance. He simply accepts that colds happen and when a patient visits his office they will be told that this just happens and there is NOTHING that can be done. Nothing... EXCEPT eat a balanced diet with lots of vitamins and minerals, and exercising, and generally living a healthy life. I wonder if he ever tells his patients that they have a choice. They can be healthier and PREVENT (which really means lower the risk) many illnesses and negative health conditions. Why? Why would he not recommend something that will CERTAINLY help!?! There are many possible reasons to pile on the growing pile of speculation, but I have heard doctors suggest before that patients don't follow through with lifestyle changes. So, rather than give you a chance to prove him wrong- he assumes you will prove him right and therefore doesn't even waste his time trying to REALLY help.

Attitude

Next time you visit your doctor, ask how diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle choices might help your condition. Don't let your doctor give up on you. And, if you find that your doctor has given up on you, then maybe it's time to give up on him and find another doctor! There are no magic pills, which is why if you seek health and real prevention find a doctor willing to help you get there.

Don't let your doctor treat you like this

Pay Now or Pay (MORE) Later

Death & Taxes... and other certainties

We all know that life brings with it some undeniable certainties. Death and taxes come to mind from the old adage, but other certainties exist too- they just aren't as certain. Yesterday I was reminded of one such certainty- by a patient that obviously understood (their) personal mistake and how (they) weren't going to let a loved one make the same mistake.

Problem Solving

The certainty, in general terms, is that if a problem exists it is generally less "expensive" to solve it sooner rather than later. The expense can be real in terms of dollars and cents or it can be indirect in terms of time and/or effort and frustrations. Point being, the best time to solve a problem is the moment you realize there is one.

Patient Experiences

As a chiropractor, my message is one of prevention; optimize your health to best reduce your risk for injury or illness. We see the examples daily of people whom have let their personal health slip to the bottom of the priority list. Then, they find us after reaching the tipping point where injury or illness prevents them from doing their job, enjoying time with their kids/friends/family, or they lose their independence entirely. Under such circumstances it takes more time and energy from the patient and the chiropractor to get the patient back to health. One such patient wasn't about to let the same thing happen the their significant other- which is one of the BEST parts of what we do; seeing someone understand and apply the principles of health.

Certainties- Principles of Health

Simply stated, it is MUCH easier to maintain health than to restore it once it is lost. Maintaining health takes less time, less energy, less money, less frustration, which means if we wait too long it will almost ALWAYS cost more- more time, more energy, more money and more frustration- to restore health. So, just like your car needs preventive maintenance- you need it too!