Chemistry governs threshold of pain.

Question: How can it be that my husband can withstand pain after injuries and during sicknesses while I suffer horrible pain at the same type of problems.

Answer: We all have different pain thresholds. There are many different theories on why this occurs. Some researchers propose that we are born with different natural abilities to neutralize pain. Other researchers feel we develop our abilities to neutralize pain. Yet other researchers feel we develop our abilities to combat pain through our life experiences and exposures. A 2001 study led by Dr. Jon-Kar Zubiata offers insight into the way the human body dampens pain by producing and wielding natural chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins.

The study demonstrated that the painful stimulus caused notable chemical activity in regions of the brain associated with sensation and emotion.

The experimental subjects demonstrated great individual variability in their responses to pain, though all had pain stimulus of similar intensity.

The differences in chemical activity among the subjects ..."may help explain why some people are more sensitive, or less sensitive, than others when it comes to painful sensations. We showed that people differ both in number of receptors that they have for these anti-pain chemicals, and their ability to release the anti-pain chemicals themselves."

In this study, both of these factors determine the emotional and sensory aspects of a painful experience.

These variations may explain why some people respond to pain medication and some don't. It may also explain why some people develop chronic pain conditions and others don't.

It is also important to add that the neurological signal for pain is in direct competition with the neurological signal for movement when they meet at the spinal cord. Most of us have been punched in the arm by a friend or sibling. The natural way to relieve this pain was by rubbing the area that was punched. All of us know that this somehow makes the pain go away. What most of us don't realize is that we are activating the motion sensors in the damaged tissue which in turn competes with the pain signals when they reach the spinal cord. This results in a net reduction of the pain signals that reach our brain.

Another interesting fact is that 70% of the motion sensors in our body are contained within the joints of the spine. Chiropractic adjustments activate motion sensors which cancel pain signals. It now becomes abundantly clear why chiropractic adjustments are so effective in reducing pain.

If you live in Clermont Florida and you are interested in chiropractic or chronic pain reduction, feel free to schedule a free consultation at my office by calling 352-241-4111.

In Health Care, Value Extends Beyond Money

I, Peter Brockman, focus on the value my patients place in my services. Not in the monetary sense, but ethically. Many comments I have heard over the years are, “I have never been to a doctor who would sit and talk to me about my condition for so long” or “no one else has expended so much energy trying to figure out my problem.” I began to realize that people were more interested in our values as a company and less about the monetary exchange. As a result, at South Lake Wellness & Injury Center, we have dedicated ourselves to increasing that value.

In the office, I have invested in many things:
• VAX-D: The only FDA approved decompression table on the market. It has approximately 70% success rates and improvements in functional outcomes for patients suffering from disc related chronic low back pain. This is a scientifically validated device in our office, which costs about 1/10 of the price of surgery with more than double the success rate.
• MyoVision, range of motion/surface EMG: Every doctor must have a scientific way of measuring progress. A cardiologist can look at the changes in an EKG to see if his treatment plan is successful. Much in the same manner, we use our range of motion and surface EMG testing to determine if our treatment plan is successful. Not only are our patients able to feel better, they can scientifically see that they are getting better!
• Digital x-ray: This removes the old-fashioned wasteful process of developing large pieces of film. Additionally, if you would like a copy of your films. It’s as easy as putting the pictures on a compact disc.
• Digital records: Are you going on a long vacation? Do you have to see a specialist? Our records are digital; they can be printed immediately.
• Our staff: I have received many comments on the great staff in my office. Linda, Nicki, Sarah, and Sandy: Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

Outside of the office, I have dedicated myself to helping the public and those in my profession.
• I served as a lobbyist for the Florida Chiropractic Association to the Florida legislature. The main emphasis of this trip was to increase access to chiropractic and emergency medical services for those people involved in motor vehicle accidents. I was in Tallahassee educating the legislatures on public health ramifications of the removal of PIP insurance from automobile insurance policies.
• I am secretary of the Central Florida Chiropractic Society.
• I am the only chiropractor in Clermont to have received the advanced certification of competency in whiplash and brain traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego.

At South Lake Wellness & Injury Center, we are dedicated to helping you feel your very best. We strive to have our patients value us as much as we value them.

Meet Dr. Pete!

Mine is not only a story of why I became a chiropractor but how I realized my destiny at the age of 12 years old. I was experiencing breathing difficulties. After visiting several doctors and being diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, their only recommendations for treatment were antibiotics and inhaled medications. They granted me temporary relief but my problem was not solved.

My mother had been visiting a chiropractor in downtown Orlando for low back pain. She shared with him my problems. He suggested that she bring me in for a consultation. But, I was not suffering from back pain?! Since my medications were not solving my breathing difficulties, we decided we had nothing to lose. Little to mine or my mothers knowledge, the path of my life was about to be realized. My first visit was comprised of many tests: range of motion, reflexes, muscle strength, posture and coordination to name a few. Then, he took x-rays of my entire spine. On my second visit, I remember my x-rays hanging on a giant view box with several marks and angles locating my misalignments. He found that my rib cage was not functioning properly. He explained that my breathing problems were caused by my ribs and vertebrae not moving properly because of their misalignment.

The chiropractor reviewed my x-rays each visit to locate my misalignments and performed very precise adjustments. After each adjustment, he would carefully check the motion and position of these vertebrae to ensure the proper correction had been made. He explained that all chiropractors should take special care to be as precise as possible; otherwise, the adjustment would be of no benefit to the patient.

After just three short weeks of treatment, I threw my medications in the trash never to use them again. Ever since I could remember, I had always wanted to become a doctor. But at the age of 12, I knew my destiny was to become a chiropractor! I was amazed that he was able to fix my problems, while only using his hands. He had such a profound effect on my life without the use of drugs or performing surgery.

20+ years later, I'm pleased to announce that I am opened my own practice! South Lake Wellness and Injury Center will be opened its doors in September of 2004! I am a chiropractor that focuses on and listens to your needs. I will prescribe a course of treatment that will best serve you. I promise that I will carefully examine and treat you with the same precision and expertise as the man that changed my life.
Visit me at www.drpeterbrockman.com or call 352-241-4111 to schedule a consultation

Study provides evidence that Chiropractic reduces blood pressure

Study provides evidence that Chiropractic reduces blood pressure

Did you know that getting your neck adjusted could lower your blood pressure? Yes, it's true according to a recent study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension (volume 8 number 5 May 2006). Researchers found that anatomical abnormalities (subluxations or misalignments) of the cervical spine at the level of the Atlas vertebra are associated with relative ischemia of the brainstem circulation and increased blood pressure. Manual correction of this misalignment has been associated with reduced arterial pressure. This pilot study tested the hypothesis that correcting the misalignment of the Atlas vertebra reduces and maintains improved blood pressure. The study included 50 patients that were not taking medication and suffered from stage I hypertension. These patients were evaluated using a randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled study design at a single center. Patients received no medication during the eight week study session. After baseline measurements of their blood pressure were taken, they received either chiropractic adjustments or a placebo procedure. Considering that the technique performed was very gentle (no cracking), it was difficult or impossible for the patients to distinguish between the real chiropractic adjustment and false procedure. Statistical analysis was performed comparing the baseline with the results after the eight weeks of visits. The study demonstrated an 8/5 mm reduction in pressure at eight weeks versus the placebo group. In other words, a patient that entered the study with a blood pressure of 147/92, at the end of the study had a blood pressure of 130/82. The only treatment received was chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine.
In my opinion, this is a landmark study. Chiropractic adjustments not only treat neck and back pain. They can affect the human physiology at all levels. Thomas Edison stated over 100 years ago: " The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." This is what chiropractors do everyday all over the world!!
To speak with Dr. Peter Brockman regarding this or any other medical issues, please call his office, South Lake Wellness & Injury Center, to set up an appointment at 352-241-4111 or email him via his web site at www.drpeterbrockman.com or clermontchiropractor.blogspot.com.