Wellness Posts by Dr. Robert Wrieden

13-Year old boy was headache sufferer for four years

support@wellness.com — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:23:21 Z

Wellness.com - 13-Year old boy was headache sufferer for four years by Dr. Robert Wrieden

According to a case study published late last fall in the -Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health-, a course of chiropractic care was successful in completely eliminating headaches a 13-year old male patient had been experiencing at least five hours a day for four years.

"Headaches are a common disorder affecting two-thirds of the world's population," said Norwich -based Dr. Robert Wrieden, D.C., "but we are still in the dark about all the causal factors and, in many instances, the most effective treatment options, which often depend on the mechanics of the specific type of headache presented. Experts have recognized 14 distinct types of headache."

This particular case study concerns what is know as a cervicogenic headache, likely caused by poor joint function impacting the cervical spine and causing a malfunction of the nervous system. This type of headache presents symptoms such as "recurrent moderate to severe headaches arising from the neck . . . ." The cervical spine most often shows reduced range of motion, which causes pain spikes with certain movements of the head and neck.

The initial chiropractic examination of the patient involved in this case study noted problems with posture and range of motion, along with "subluxations" in the thoracic and cervical spine.

"A subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that disturbs normal nervous system function," said Dr. Wrieden. "Many chiropractors, including myself, have special, non-intrusive technology that allows them to conduct thermal and

Surface Electromyography (sEMG) tests to assist in locating where such conditions exist. Because we know that the nervous system is the master controller of almost all bodily functions," Dr. Wrieden continued, "we are not surprised when improvement of nervous system function contributes greatly to normal bodily function in a wide variety of areas."

After just six weeks of chiropractic care, the patient's posture and range of motion improved significantly. More important to the young man, he was headache free for the first time in four years.

"There are certainly no guarantees with any course of care," said Dr. Wrieden, who strives to keep current with the latest research and developments in health and wellness. "And every case depends on the specific factors associated with that case. More research is needed, but we see, from time to time, individual case studies that give rise to hope for many."

-Reference: -

-"Resolution of Headaches in a 13 Year-Old Following Restoration of Cervical Curvature Utilizing Chiropractic Biophysics: A Case Report," -by Curtis Fedorchuck, D.C., and Greg Wheeler, D.C., -Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health,- November 30, 2009.

-Editor's note:-

Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Wrieden, whose office is located at 60 Mitchell Street, Norwich, USA (telephone 607-336-7030).

Study Shows Chiropractic Care Helps Patient Suffering from Tourette Syndrome (TS)

support@wellness.com — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:21:20 Z

Wellness.com - Study Shows Chiropractic Care Helps Patient Suffering from Tourette Syndrome (TS) by Dr. Robert Wrieden

Chiropractic care is often thought of by the public only in terms of relief from back and neck pain, but doctors of chiropractic have long espoused the health benefits received by patients for a wide variety of ailments.
"There are certainly no guarantees with any course of care," said Dr. Robert Wrieden, a Norwich-based chiropractor who strives to keep current with the latest research and developments in health and wellness. "And every case depends on the specific factors associated with that case. But we see, from time to time, individual case studies that give rise to hope for many."
Dr. Wrieden cited a recent case study involving a 20-year old female suffering from Tourette syndrome symptoms since the age of three. The young woman exhibited uncontrollable throat-clearing and blowing of air through her nose. She also experienced muscle contractions in her face, rapid eye-blinking and whole body shaking. Frequent and severe headaches also were a problem.
"Tourette syndrome is characterized by unwanted, irresistible movements of body parts and vocalizations, called motor and vocal tics," said Dr. Wrieden.
This particular patient and her family wanted to avoid traditional treatment for Tourette-pharmaceutical intervention. She presented herself for chiropractic examination, which determined the presence of vertebral subluxations.
"A subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that disturbs normal nervous system function," said Dr. Wrieden. "Many chiropractors, including myself, have special, non-intrusive technology that allows them to conduct thermal and Surface Electromyography (sEMG) tests to assist in locating where such conditions exist."

According to the case study, which was reported in a recent issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, and Family Health,
Due to the unknown etiology of motor and vocal tics in TS, the mechanism of how the corrections of vertebral subluxations through chiropractic adjustments can decrease the occurrence of these tics is difficult to propose. Knowing that TS is a condition arising from supraspinal structures, and in the case of this patient, are brought on by stress, a general mechanism can be established with reasonable backing.

The patient was placed in chiropractic care for a total of 32 visits over a one-year period. She reported significant decreases in the length and severity of her motor and vocal tics, as well as a reduction in the headaches she had been experiencing.
"This is just one case study," Dr. Wrieden emphasized, "and more studies are needed before any absolute conclusions can be drawn. But as chiropractors, we believe that the nervous system is the master-controller of the systems and functions of the human body. It stands to reason, then, that improvement in nervous system function, which is what we do as chiropractors, can have a beneficial effect on overall health."
Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Wrieden, whose office is located at 60 Mitchell Street Norwich, NY 13815 (telephone 607-336-7030).

Chiropractic Care May Ease ADHD, Ear Problems

support@wellness.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:12:06 Z

Wellness.com - Chiropractic Care May Ease ADHD, Ear Problems by Dr. Robert Wrieden

An article in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research points to a case study involving a 4-year old boy diagnosed by his pediatrician with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He was dropped by his day care center because of the disruptive effects of his ADHD. The child had a history of ear infections, coughing, poor appetite, and abnormal sleep patterns, and had been also diagnosed with asthma at age 2 and put on a nebulizer.

The child's mother brought him to a chiropractor for evaluation. The examining chiropractor, using a non-intrusive instrument known as an Insight Subluxation Station, conducted thermal and sEMG scans of the child's spine and found the existence of a subluxation in the child's cervical area.

"A subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that disturbs normal nervous system function," said Dr. Wrieden, a local chiropractor whose patients include a great many children. "Many chiropractors, including myself, have this technology that allows them to conduct thermal and Surface Electromyography (sEMG) tests to assist in locating where such conditions exist."

The patient underwent chiropractic care, including spinal adjustments, with frequency of care initially set at three times per week for two and a half months.
The child was a difficult subject because of his hyperactivity, but when promised rewards by the parents for his cooperation, he became more amenable to the care program.

Twelve days into the treatment program, the mother reported the child's eating habits had improved. The child was reevaluated at the 13th visit, at which point the mother said her son's appetite was back to normal. She also said his sleep patterns had improved and he was much less hyperactive. He was able to stop all medication and his school work also showed a better ability to focus and perform assigned tasks.

After the initial 2 1/2 -month plan of chiropractic care, improved thermal and sEMG scans were noted, and visits were cut back to twice a week. The child's progress continued, but when chiropractic care was disrupted and later discontinued because of the parents moving out of state, the child's symptoms began to reappear.

"This is just one case study," said Dr. Wrieden, and more studies are needed before any absolute conclusions can be drawn. Nevertheless, regular chiropractic care does seem to have made a difference in this particular case."

Dr. Wrieden's chiropractic practice features the Insight Subluxation Station. This technology is certified by the Space Foundation and is used by 8,000 chiropractors worldwide to measure nervous system function and performance.

Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Wrieden, whose office is located at 60 Mitchell Street Norwich, NY 13815 (telephone 607-336-7030).

www.handsonhealthandyoga.com

Chiropractic Care Resolves 7-Year Old's Ataxia

support@wellness.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:56:59 Z

Wellness.com - Chiropractic Care Resolves 7-Year Old's Ataxia by Dr. Robert Wrieden

Tuesday, June 30, 2009. Norwich, NY. Chiropractic care is often thought of only in terms of relief from back and neck pain, but the plain truth is that case studies suggest many different health problems may respond to a regular program of chiropractic care. According to a recent case study, the condition known as Ataxia, a neurological disorder characterized by a lack of coordination in muscle movements, resolved following a regimen of chiropractic adjustments.

"There are certainly no guarantees with any course of care," said Dr. Robert Wrieden, a Norwich-based chiropractor who strives to keep current with the latest research and developments in health and wellness. "And every case depends on the specific factors associated with that case. But we see, from time to time, individual case studies that give rise to hope for many."

The 7-year old female in this particular case underwent a thorough chiropractic exam, and a trans-neuronal dysfunction to the right cerebellum was noted and a diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia made. Subluxations were also noted as a result of the examination.

"A subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that disturbs normal nervous system function," said Dr. Wrieden. "Many chiropractors, including myself, have special, non-intrusive technology that allows them to conduct thermal and Surface Electromyography (sEMG) tests to assist in locating where such conditions exist."

According to the case study, which was reported in the April 2009 issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, and Family Health,
. . . chiropractic adjustments were delivered to the area of subluxation in either the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and/or pelvic region as needed. Neuro-rehabilitative exercises were given either at home and/or during the office visit. Within four visits there was marked improvement of gait patterns and resolution of the ataxia.

"This is just one case study," Dr. Wrieden emphasized, "and more studies are needed before any absolute conclusions can be drawn. But as chiropractors, we believe that the nervous system is the master-controller of the systems and functions of the human body. It stands to reason, then, that improvement in nervous system function, which is what we do as chiropractors, can have a beneficial effect on overall health."

Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Wrieden, whose office is located at 60 Mitchell Street Norwich, NY 13815, USA (telephone 607-336-7030).

www.handsonhealthandyoga.com

Chiropractic Care Helps Child With Headaches

support@wellness.com — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:01:55 Z

Wellness.com - Chiropractic Care Helps Child With Headaches by Dr. Robert Wrieden

Saturday, April 18, 2009 Norwich An article published in Proceedings, a respected journal of the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics of the International Chiropractors Association, reports the case study of an eight-year old female patient suffering from recurring headaches and chronic ear and sinus infections. The child had been through repeated rounds of antibiotic treatments and sinus surgery. Even the extreme procedure of two typanectomy surgeries to one of the child's eardrums failed to alleviate her condition.

"Children are often plagued with sinus and ear conditions," said Norwich-based Dr. Robert Wrieden, D.C. "This case study illustrates that when medical treatment fails to bring about the desired results, chiropractic care may be an effective alternative. It is a non-invasive approach."

In the case of this 8-year old, the parents had taken their child to several medical practitioners, but symptoms persisted. The child's regular pediatrician was about to recommend another tympanectomy and a continued regimen of antibiotics. Before following that recommendation, the parents took their daughter to a chiropractor.

The examining chiropractor found the existence of a subluxation in the child's upper cervical area and, using sEMG scanning technology, evidence of muscle hypertonicity, or tightness, in both the cervical and thoracic areas.

"A subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that disturbs normal nervous system function," said Dr. Wrieden, D.C. "Many chiropractors, including myself, have technology that allows them to conduct Surface Electromyography (sEMG) tests to assist in locating where such conditions exist."

The patient underwent chiropractic care, including spinal adjustments. After one month of such care, child and parents noted an absence of headaches, and sinus and ear pain had also decreased markedly. As a result, the planned third ear surgery was cancelled. The patient's sEMG scans showed improvement, but chiropractic care was continued. After four months, the patient reported that headaches had ceased and that ear and sinus infections were absent. Her sEMG scans and x-rays were at, or near, normal.

"This is just one case study," explained Dr. Wrieden, D.C, and more studies are needed before any absolute conclusions can be drawn."

Dr. Wrieden's chiropractic practice features the Insight Subluxation Station. This technology is certified by the Space Foundation, which was co-founded by NASA, and is used by 8,000 chiropractors worldwide to measure nervous system health and performance.

Editor's note:
Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Robert Wrieden, D.C, whose office is located at 60 Mitchll Street Norwich, NY 13815 (telephone 607-336-7030).

Chiropractic Care Eases Severe Depression

support@wellness.com — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:06:39 Z

Wellness.com - Chiropractic Care Eases Severe Depression by Dr. Robert Wrieden

A case study authored by Alain M.J. Desaulniers credits regular chiropractic care with helping a 46-year old man overcome his major depression and increase his quality of life.

More than 15 million American adults are diagnosed with mood disorders every year, which include major depression, Dysthymia and Bipolar Disorder. The disease is usually treated with antidepressants, according to the study, but the quality of life of people who are clinically depressed is subdued by the medications' many unwanted side effects.

The prevalence of the disease has Dr. Wrieden pointing to the case report published this year in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. The report states the important role chiropractic care can play in the management of depressions.

In this particular study, a 46-year old man suffered from major depression and was taking an antidepressant with unwanted side effects, such as decrease in his sex drive, dizziness, muscle weakness and insomnia. A chiropractic evaluation revealed that he had suffered physical trauma in the past, which led to vertebral subluxations. A subluxation is a condition in which the body is unable to function properly because of interferences with the nervous system, and the condition may be corrected with chiropractic adjustments.

The patient had a total of 34 adjustments done on various parts of his spine over a period of 11 months. After the first visit, his dizziness subsided, and he experienced a decrease in lower back and neck pain. After three visits, he felt less anxious and fatigued and reported an increase in muscle strength. Over time, his depression significantly improved, and he was eating healthier.

Previous studies have shown a correlation between injury or trauma to the spine and the onset of social disorders, in addition to biochemical changes in the brain.

One of the areas that chiropractic care focuses on in the spinal cord is enriched with neuropeptides receptors, which are responsible for the so-called brain reward cascade that triggers a feeling of well-being.

"An impairment of these receptors due to subluxation in the corresponding area of the spine can be one of the underlying causes for depression and for mood or social alterations," said Dr.Wrieden. "However, more studies of this kind are needed. But one thing is clear: An adjusted spine is vital to our health, to our overall state of well being and thus to our quality of life."

Editor's note:

Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Wrieden, whose office is located at (telephone 607-336-7030). Please leave a comment below.

Reference:

"Effect of Subluxation-Based Chiropractic Care on Quality of Life in a Patient With Major Depression" by Alain M.J. Desaulniers, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, .

Link to abstract :http://www.jvsr.com/abstracts/index.asp?id=350

Chiropractic Care May Improve Infants' Sleep

support@wellness.com — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:03:34 Z

Wellness.com - Chiropractic Care May Improve Infants' Sleep by Dr. Robert Wrieden

A pilot study conducted by Joyce Miller and Matts Klemsdal evaluated whether routine chiropractic care in infants had also improved the patients' sleep pattern.

Sleep problems plague about 25 percent of all infants; they are measured by the time it takes the child to settle down, the amount of consecutive sleep hours the child accumulates and the quality of sleep. All this can add a great amount of stress to new parents. And according to Norwich-based , D.C, in many cases, a disturbed sleep pattern is usually also accompanied by an infant's excessive crying.

Dr. Wrieden points to a pilot study published this year in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics.

In the study, 116 infants, who were in chiropractic care for various health challenges, were rated on their sleep behavior during the course of their care. Of the infants, only 10 percent had initially come to the chiropractor because of dysomnia or sleep disturbances, while the majority of the children received chiropractic care for excessive crying.

The parents were asked to complete a questionnaire on their child's sleep pattern after the 1, 4 and 7 visit to the chiropractor on the amount of hours the child slept, the quality of sleep and the time it took for the child to fall asleep.
The data was analyzed and showed a significant improvement in the children's sleep pattern after the adjustments.

After the 1 visit, almost 40 percent of infants slept deeper. That percentage jumped to more than 60 percent after the 7 visit. The percentage of children who had difficulty falling asleep fell from more than 65 percent after the 1 visit to just over 22 percent after the 7 visit. Most children had received adjustments to the upper cervical spine.

"This is an important finding that warrants more scientific and clinical research," adds Dr. Wrieden. "Chiropractic care seems not only to help children get a better night's sleep, it also reduces the stress on parents. And stress, as we all know, has its own health challenges."

Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Wrieden, whose office is located at (telephone 607-336-7030).

Reference:

"Can Chiropractic Care Improve Infants' Sleep?" by Joyce Miller and Matts Klemsdal, Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, Volume 9, No. 1, 2008.

Blind Man Finds Trip to Chiropractor

support@wellness.com — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:01:14 Z

Wellness.com - Blind Man Finds Trip to Chiropractor by Dr. Robert Wrieden

Tuesday, December 02, 2008, Norwich.

Doug Harkey - a Dubuque, Iowa man whose left eye suddenly stopped working 12 years ago - thought he was making a routine visit to his chiropractor. But, the results of his "normal" adjustment left Doug with new-found vision while leaving friends, family and some in the medical community speechless. However, a local chiropractor, Dr. Robert Wrieden of Norwich, is quick to credit his colleague from the Hawkeye State and the power of the human body.

Harkey's miracle - as first reported by Katie Wiedemann of KCRG-TV Channel 9 News in Dubuque - began to unfold following his visit to the chiropractic offices of Dr. Tim Stackis. "My blind eye started watering after I left there and it watered for 45 minutes straight. It started making my good eye water. I went to wipe my right eye - and I could see out of my left eye again," said Harkey. Dr. Stackis told his patient that the "adjustments" (chiropractic care) that he (Harkey) had been receiving alleviated the nerve interference that had prevented his spinal column from properly communicating messages from his brain. Once full communication was restored, so was Harkey's sight.

"It is important to note that Dr. Stackis never once claimed that chiropractic care cured this man's blindness," added Dr. Robert Wrieden. "He just provided quality care. The adjustments eliminated nerve interference that had prohibited the human body from operating at peak efficiency. And, when operating at peak efficiency, the human body can do great things - just ask Doug Harkey," smiled Robert Wrieden.

As for Harkey, the timing could not be better. He credits Dr. Stackis' "miracle hands" for the depth perception he had been missing - which helped him navigate his walk down the aisle with new wife Gina last month. The return of his vision, now nearly perfect with the help of corrective lenses, has left the couple with some welcome adjustments. "I'm not quite used to him not running into things or stepping on my feet," Gina quipped.

Dr. Robert Wrieden sees Harkey's tale - which thanks in part to the Internet is becoming well-traveled - as one that will help educate the public about chiropractic care and the importance of taking good care of your body. "No man-made technology or medicine will ever surpass the capabilities and genius of the human body. Think about this...when you cut yourself - you heal. When the climate changes - your body adjusts. Who wouldn't want their body operating at maximum capacity? In short, chiropractic care is a great vehicle to improve your general health and function," concluded Robert Wrieden.

For Doug Harkey of Dubuque, Iowa, the benefit of such care was more than he could possibly have envisioned.

Study of 43 infants shows less crying and more sleep

support@wellness.com — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:59:11 Z

Wellness.com - Study of 43 infants shows less crying and more sleep by Dr. Robert Wrieden

Colicky Babies Benefit From Chiropractic Care

(Tuesday, February 24, 2009, Norwich). A study was conducted late last year by doctors at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in the United Kingdom to determine if chiropractic care had any benefit for colicky infants. Colic is generally defined as persistent crying, not likely to be soothed by a caring parent, mainly occurring in late afternoon and evening in infants who are well fed and healthy.

"Colic is a condition with no known treatment protocols that have proven to be entirely effective," said Norwich -based Dr. Robert Wrieden, D.C. "This study represents an interesting approach that parents with colicky babies may want to try."

Researchers established criteria for inclusion in the study: infants less than eight weeks old who cried more than three hours for at least four of the previous seven days. The study group was eventually set at 43 children.

"Two methods of chiropractic care were used, both very gentle, non-invasive procedures," said Dr. Wrieden. "Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) was used on 22 of the infants, and occipito-sacral decompression (OSD) on the other 21, all selected at random for each particular care methodology."

By the 7 day of the short-term trial study, crying was significantly reduced by about 2 hours per day in both groups. By the 14 day of the trial, that reduction in crying was even more pronounced. Four weeks after the completion of the

study, colic had disappeared in 82% of the infants undergoing the SMT care and in 67% of the infants undergoing the OSD care.

"A properly functioning nervous system is just as important in infants as it is in adults," said Dr. Wrieden, who makes a point of encouraging all her adult patients to bring in their children to get checked out. "Stress and other imbalances have an overall effect on our bodies that we in the profession refer to as subluxations," explains Dr. Wrieden, whose chiropractic practice features the Insight Subluxation Station, a technology used by NASA in the space program, to measure nervous system health and performance. "Listen to your body and you can dramatically alter your well-being," Dr. Wrieden continued.

Dr. Wrieden added that studies like these give insight into potentially new ways to approach age-old problems of health, but was quick to remark that such studies are just a first step toward further understanding health issues like colic.

Editor's note:

Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Wrieden, whose office is located at 60 Mitchell Street Norwich, NY (USA) (telephone 607-336-7030).

Reference:

"Comparison of the short-term effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation and occipito-sacral decompression in the treatment of infant colic: A single-blinded, randomized, comparison Trial," by Maria Browning and Joyce Miller, Clinical Chiropractic (2008) 11, 122-129.

Chiropractic Care Can Aid Conception

support@wellness.com — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:09:00 Z

Wellness.com - Chiropractic Care Can Aid Conception by Dr. Robert Wrieden

Friday, October 03, 2008 Norwich, NY. A study authored by Dr. Madeline Behrendt - Chairwoman of the World Chiropractic Alliance Council on Woman's Health - links chiropractic care and the ability of previously infertile woman to conceive a baby and carry the fetus full term.

Behrendt's work, entitled: Insult, Interference and Infertility: An Overview of Chiropractic Research, was published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. The study tracked 15 women, ages 22-65, who had a history of fertility problems - some for as long as nine years. Eight of the women had previously undergone unsuccessful fertility treatments.

These 15 woman entered chiropractic care. "Each was determined to close the gap between how her body was designed to function and the reality of how her body was functioning," stated Dr. Behrendt.

The results were incredible. 14 of the 15 women became pregnant following the start of chiropractic adjustments. The 65-year old woman had ceased having a menstrual cycle at age 18 following a traumatic fall. Then, nearly five decades later - and little more than a month after starting chiropractic care - her cycles resumed. Although she did not get pregnant, she was advised to use birth control.

"Some of the case studies are remarkable," noted Dr. Wrieden, a Norwich-based chiropractor.

Dr. Robert Wrieden pointed to a 32 year-old woman described in the study. "She had no menstrual cycle for 12 years. She had attempted multiple fertility treatments with no success. After two months of chiropractic care - with attention to the lumbar regions - menstruation started. And, after four cycles, unassisted pregnancy occurred," said Dr. Robert Wrieden. "I'm not saying that chiropractic is a specific cure for infertility, but I will point to the concept that interference within your nervous system can disrupt normal body functions," he continued.

Also detailed was the plight of a 26 year-old woman who suffered from severe scoliosis with a Cobb's angle of 58 degrees. She too was infertile despite numerous medical treatments to assist conception. "After six months of chiropractic care - with adjustments applied to the sacrum, lumbar and cervical regions - the Cobb's angle decreased to 47 degrees. One month later, unassisted pregnancy occurred," commented Dr. Wrieden.

The study offers hope to infertile women and an alternative to fertility drugs. There are 40,000 births in the U.S. each year that are achieved using assisted reproductive technologies. But, there are yet to be studies as to the long-term effects of these drugs nor has there been a uniform tracking of birth defects among children conceived using these methods.

"The study also defines the chiropractic profession. Chiropractic in itself is not a cure for what ails you, but a means of allowing the human body to operate as it was designed. And, when operating at peak efficiency, the human body can do great things. When you cut yourself - you heal. When the climate changes - your body adjusts. In short, chiropractic care is a great vehicle to improve your general health and function," added Dr. Robert Wrieden.

"Again, Dr. Behrendt's research is wonderful news for couples trying to start a family. It also serves as further evidence that regular spinal adjustments can have benefits far beyond those that the public normally associates with chiropractic care," concluded Dr. Dr. Wrieden.