To Have or not have Surgery...

Having spinal, knee or hip replacement surgery is a major decision to be sure. Over the years, many patients have come to me and asked me for advice concerning whether they should or should not have spinal, knee or hip replacement/surgeries. I always give them the same advice: I always ask how long have you been having the problem and pain? What have you done in the past to help the issue? Have anything you tried been successful? And biggest question- how has the quality of your life been effected.

Unfortunately I have met people that have had surgeries before they have tried conservative treatments whether that be chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, message or certain pain medications. 

In my humble estimation, since surgery is done by human beings that can make mistakes, surgery should not be done until a patient has exhausted conservative care and the qualify of life doesn't exist. 

Surely surgical technique and tools that are used in surgery are a million times better than ever these days. This does not mean that you should run out to do surgery before you try other methods of healing. I shutter to think of how many unnecessary surgeries have gone on "out there." It is sad...

If you don't need chiropractic care and if you just want to call for advice do not ever hesitate to do so. If I can't answer your question, I will look into it and find the answer. That is always the sign of a good doctor, to know his or her limitations. 

Have great holidays coming up- Easter or Passover or anything else. Enjoy time with families. We are here for you!

Yours in good health,

Dr. Ray and Staff

Watch out for our Web...

I am the least technically savvy person ever (not an exaggeration) but my son is up on all of the social media stuff. He says to me recently, "It is time for a new website pop" and I said to him "Whatever you say son..."
So we are now in new website mode which will help communicate chiropractic to the outside world. Believe me, the outside world needs to know about chiropractic more since so many of you continue to suffer needlessly. Not that chiropractic is the answer to all the ills, but it is CLOSE!

So keep your eyes and ears open to view our new website which should be up and running in the not too distant future. Continue to check out our blog and Facebook for more information on this new site.



Whatever we can do to help the communication of what we do is obviously super important.

Glad it didn't snow too much around these parts, hopefully the winter is behind us.
Have a safe day, give us a call anytime- we are here for you.

Yours in good health,
Dr. Ray and Staff

H2O- A great way to start the day...

A good Doctor will educate patients on multiple things, not just their specialty. Through the years I have talked about many different things to my patients and here is one that I may have been a bit remiss with...

The benefits of drinking water have been pretty well documented these past years so I just want to reiterate the benefits especially the ones that are terrific for morning time:

1- It can improve metabolism- one study says by 30% increase

2- It can help decrease heartburn and indigestion

3- It may prevent kidney stones

4- It can often stop a headache while it is occurring- it certainly helps flush toxins out of the body

5- It keeps things moving (going to the bathroom and other bodily functions)

6- It can help your immune system

Like many things, the good stuff we do for our body (including chiropractic) has multiple benefits for multiple systems in our body that we are not aware of. That is why I am here- to deliver super duper chiropractic in a loving way and to the education process.

Happy March, hope the snow stays away.

Yours in good health,

Dr. Ray and Staff

Groundhog Day has Come and Gone

I know Groundhog Day is on February 2nd, but I never really knew exactly what it meant if the groundhog saw his shadow or not. If he sees his shadow there is more winter, or if he doesn't see his shadow there is less winter or if he doesn't wake up on groundhog day spring is coming soon, I never really was quite sure what it all  meant. But unfortunately it seems that we have 6 more weeks of winter...

Now, we certainly can't complain so far. It has been a pretty mellow winter for us around here (which is great in my opinion, I hate snow). As long as it is pseudo-official that we have 6 more weeks I figured just in case, lets go over tips for shoveling snow.

1- Pick the right shovel- Large blade shovels use for light snow, small blade best for heavy snow. 
2- Start by clearing a strip down the middle of your driveway, Always remember and never forget to use proper posture. Use leg and shoulder muscles to lift, keep back straight and shovel close to your body for leverage, try to avoid twisting
3- Work from your cleared center strip and push snow to outer edge and repeat on the other side. Try to shovel no more than 15 scoops per minute, try to "push and pile" not "scoop and throw"
4- Once everything is cleared, Salt. This reduces chances of injury from slipping and falling.
5- Go inside and have a hot chocolate or a hot toddy or whatever your libation of choice is

The Super Bowl is upon us so have a "super" weekend. Enjoy the game. Give us a call if you have any questions and stay safe.

Yours in good health,

Dr. Ray and Staff

To do it- or not to do it...That is the Question

Last week I had a 66 year old male patient come in who had been suffering with neck pain, arm pain and headaches for 3-4 months. He went to his family doctor and was prescribed anti-inflammatory and steroids to take which helped only minimally. He was then told to go to a neurosurgeon for a consultation. At that consultation he was told, after the results of an MRI came back, that he needed surgery for arthritic and disk issues. 

At that point, although he had a decent amount of symptoms- he was sleeping fine, working normally, and his life really wasn't effected to a large degree even though he had these symptoms. The neurosurgeon said you need surgery. At this point, this patient had no treatment done, nothing conservative done, and no hands on therapy of any sort yet he was told he needed surgery. Someone had been to my office and told him to give us a call. He came in and I was so annoyed at the surgeon. How can a competent Doctor tell a patient you need the most invasive treatment before suggesting some conservative possibilities- it is a crime and makes me very angry!

Great photo courtesy of Dr. Randolph, Chiropractor, in Pearland, TX.

I started to work on this patient and although he still has a certain amount of his symptoms, he is much improved and absolutely doesn't need surgery. 

This scenario unfortunately is repeated out there 1000's and 1000's of times a year. I am not saying that sometimes surgery isn't necessary, I just implore all of you to seek out conservative possibilities before you do the most invasive treatment because most often these conservative methods can be very effective. I wanted to call up the surgeon and yell at him, but my patient didn't let me- good thing too. Anytime anyone out there has any questions concerning this scenario, please do not hesitate to give the office a call. We are here to help, but if I don't think I can, I will tell you that also.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Yours in good health,

Dr. Ray and Staff

LET'S ALL RESOLVE...

Certainly this time of year the word resolution comes in to play. I decided to definitively look up the definition in my dictionary (yes, I admit I am technologically challenged and therefore use a dictionary- SORRY!).

So, the definition of resolution- a formal expression of opinion of intention made- Act of determining upon an action, course of action, method or procedure. 

So as New Years approaches and the new year begins, let's all resolve:
- Call your mom more
- Be patient with your kids
- Love your wife/husband more
- Exercise more
- Make better food choices
- Get more sleep
- Laugh more
- Look out for the "other guy or gal" more
- GET ADJUSTED MORE!
- Appreciate things more
- A personal resolution- To lose weight more- I resolved to lose weight in 2016- I think I lost 4 and a half ounces! More to come in 2017, just wait!
- Etc., etc. etc. 

As always, we will be here for your health needs in 2017 to give you all incredible chiropractic care. It is a privilege and an honor.

Please be safe. Lots of happiness to you and yours in the New Year. 

Yours in good health,

Dr. Ray and Health

Joyous Holidays to all

As the holiday season is upon us, just want to remind everyone to be careful driving- the roads are filled with distracted people on their phones and pondering what gifts to buy. Watch yourself out there...

Enjoy the holiday food but don't forget to get a little exercise in also when you can...

Dr. Ray and staff just want to wish you all a peaceful and safe holiday for you and yours. Lots of love and as always...

Yours in good health,

Dr. Ray and staff