Category Archives: pain management

06.08.23
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Cortisone Pain Shots – What You Need to Know Before Injecting

chiropractic is better for pain than cortisone injections

chiropractic is better for pain than cortisone injectionsCortisone injections are touted as the go-to best treatment for pain relief, but is that really true? 

If your doctor is recommending injection therapy, it’s important to get the facts.

While these injections do help many, they do not work for all and even worse, they make actually do more harm than good for some.

Cortisone was developed back in the 1940s. It has become one of the most commonly prescribed pain relievers on the market today. It is known for rapid relief for even the most painful of conditions.

Early studies questioned the long-term effects of cortisone. In 1954, a study revealed that over half of the patients who received shots for tendinitis experienced a relapse within six months. Despite this, this drug became a standard treatment for many tendon and joint problems, with over 9 million yearly injections being given.

What is Cortisone?

Cortisone is a steroid that helps combat inflammation (swelling in soft tissue).

New Research May Have You Thinking Twice

The majority of injuries corticosteroids are prescribed for occur over an extended period of time due to excess stress placed on an area of soft tissue where there is a micro tear formation. Because of the excess pressure, tendons and ligaments can fray and become replaced with scar tissue. Buildup of scar tissue contributes to chronic pain and is not the same as a short-term inflammatory process for an acute injury.

How Could Cortisone Make an Injury/Pain Worse?

Cortisone eliminates the inflammation phase which is necessary for the healing process. Without the inflammatory response, it can accelerate tendon and ligament degeneration. Swelling and inflammation from acute injury supply extra oxygen and nutrients to speed the repair process. Clotting proteins enter the damaged area and form a gel-like mesh that holds together tissue for repair.

Interesting Medical Fact

The medical community has moved from labeling tendon damage tendonitis (the “itis” ending referring to inflammation) to tendinopathy. This change emphasizes that degeneration is the issue, not inflammation itself.

What the Current Studies Say…

When looking at hip, shoulder, and elbow pain researchers found that the shots did bring fast pain relief. In fact, it lasted several weeks. When the patients were re-examined at 6 months and a year the results were not nearly so rosy. Overall, people who received cortisone shots had a much lower rate of recovery than those who rested, used chiropractic care, or went to physical therapy.

Some important stats

-Those who did the shots had a 63% higher risk of relapse

-Those who received multiple injections had a 57% risk of worse outcomes when compared to single injection

-Research has shown that for every cortisone injection your risk of bone fracture due to demineralization increases by 21%

A Better Approach to Pain Relief

At Kaster Chiropractic, we help patients improve their movement and reduce inflammation naturally.

Improving Movement and Range: Improving joint movement allows the musculoskeletal system to work correctly. This is at the heart of treating injuries at Kaster Chiropractic.

Strengthen the Supporting Structures: It is vital to strengthen the muscles that support the joint and help to control movement. Rehabilitation exercises combined with regular chiropractic adjustments are vital to keeping the low back moving properly.

Reduce Inflammation Naturally: The intensity of pain is often increased in those who have systemic inflammation. By eating a clean anti-inflammatory diet, you can reduce pain intensity and sensitivity.

Relax the Body – Massage, Yoga, Meditation, and Epsom Salts Baths can all help to allow the body to relax and reduce pain levels.

If you are living with pain, we invite you to call the office of Kaster Chiropractic and schedule your consultation. Let us help you improve your quality of life and boost your health naturally. 239-332-2555. Visit www.kasterchiropractic.com to learn more.

06.01.22
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Dr. Jason Kaster Can Help Make the Difference in Your Daily Back Pain with The DRX9000

Dr. Jason Kaster Can Help Make the Difference in Your Daily Back Pain with The DRX9000

Dr. Jason Kaster Can Help Make the Difference in Your Daily Back Pain with The DRX9000Living with back and neck pain can be debilitating. It can prevent you from properly performing your tasks, and it can also affect your quality of life.

At the office of Dr. Kaster, D.C., we offer a variety of treatment options for patients, including decompression. For years, we have been making the most of this therapy by finding amazing results. We are now excited to introduce the Dr. X 9000 in our Fort Myers office.

At The DRX9000, we believe that our patients deserve the best possible care. This is why we focus on developing treatments that are both medically and cost-effective. Some of the prominent institutions that have used the system include Duke University, The Mayo Clinic, and UC San Diego.

The Dr. X9000 is made in the U.S., and it’s based right here in Florida. This makes it even more exciting to see how this technology can help people.

The Dr. X9000 is the most advanced machine on the market for treating back pain and other conditions. It can also help people with neck pain and sciatica.

The Dr. X9000 utilizes a proprietary motor that can adjust its pull thousands of times per second. It also sets the pressure drop using a log rhythmic curve. In the only study that has been conducted with this technology, they were able to measure the pressure drop using the log rhythmic curve.

The Dr. X9000 features a vivid display that shows the desired pull graph, as well as the various steps that the machine is taking to achieve this goal. When the patient’s pull against the machine is adjusted, the shift will be shown on the screen. This is the only device on the market that can display this type of functionality.

One of the most important factors that patients should consider when it comes to achieving non-surgical decompression is being fully relaxed. This allows the machine to stretch and relax their muscles, which helps remove the pressure from their bodies.

Many patients find such relief they often fall asleep during the treatment.

This treatment is commonly referred to as spinal decompression therapy, which involves using a traction table to gently bend and lengthen the spine. It can help alleviate pressure and improve the overall condition of the spine. It can also help patients loosen their tight muscles and ligaments.

The goal of spinal decompression is to relieve the pressure that’s being exerted on the spinal discs. When this happens, the body’s nerves between the spinal pads can become damaged, which can cause them to bulge. Through the movement of water, oxygen, and other fluids, the disc itself can be filled with healing substances.

If you are looking for a local chiropractor in Fort Myers, Florida who can provide spinal decompression therapy, contact Kaster Chiropractic by calling 239-332-2555. Visit www.kasterchiropractic.com to learn more!