David Perna, D.C.

Simply put, long-standing hip and groin pain (LHGP) is discomfort in the hip and groin region lasting six weeks or longer that often limits physical function and reduces quality of life.  For some patients, simple activities like walking, climbing stairs, and sitting for prolonged periods of time can feel impossible. Unfortunately, LHGP tends to come [..]

The intervertebral disk is made up of a tough outer annulus fibrosis while the central portion (called the nucleus pulposus) is soft, more liquid-like, giving it a shock-absorbing function. If the integrity of the annulus is compromised, the nucleus pulposus can leak through the torn fibers, which is known as disk herniation. If the direction [..]

Neck pain is one of the most frequent reasons patients seek chiropractic care, second to low back pain. One study noted that neck pain was the primary cause for work absence among 25.5 million American adults in 2012. When considering lost productivity, disability, and healthcare spending, neck pain takes a heavy financial toll on society. [..]

The medical profession primarily views pain as a consequence of an inflammatory problem (1, 2, 3, 4). With the realization that inflammation, for the most part, is a chemical event, focus on the inflammatory chemistry of pain has become a priority of drug companies and for the physicians that prescribe their products. Often these efforts target inflammatory [..]

Athletes from the amateur to professional levels have long sought methods to improve their performance, with some even resorting to risky and unsafe strategies that can lead to poor long-term outcomes. However, there are many natural methods to enhance exercise performance that are nutrition-based and safe.  One such compound that has gained attention is dietary [..]

Whiplash describes a mechanism of injury that occurs following the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck that stretches its various soft tissues beyond their physiological limits leading to sprains, strains, tears, etc. The resulting cluster of symptoms is collectively known as whiplash associated disorders (WAD). Past research suggests that up to half [..]

When a patient seeks care for shoulder pain, they usually point to the ball and socket glenohumeral joint as the source of their problem. However, a contributing cause of the patient’s shoulder pain and disability may actually be the scapula or shoulder blade and if scapular dyskinesis is present and untreated, the patient may not [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when the median nerve is compressed or restricted as it passes through the wrist, resulting in sensory and motor symptoms, which include numbness, pain, paresthesia and sometimes weakness that can radiate from the wrist into the thumb and index, middle, and half of the ring finger. [..]

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient associated with numerous bodily functions, but perhaps vitamin D’s most widely known benefits are those it provides to the musculoskeletal system, namely its roles in bone mineralization and muscle function, both of which are important for reducing the risk for serious fall-related fractures in the elderly. However, there’s another [..]

Migraine headaches are classified as a primary headache disorder. Migraines are three times more common among women, especially in their premenopausal years. While migraines are still not fully understood (meaning they are likely underdiagnosed and undertreated), the available data show they are the most debilitating type of headache and rank seventh among health conditions with [..]

People become healthcare providers because they are interested, often passionately, about helping others with their health. Most healthcare providers are horrified at the thought that anything they did or failed to do could end up harming a patient. Yet, every type of health care is associated with some risks of potential problems. These problems can [..]

Because of the close anatomical relationship between the wrist and elbow, it’s not uncommon for patients to present for care with symptoms that affect both regions. In some cases, they may have two distinct musculoskeletal conditions that need simultaneous treatment. But in other cases, the pain in one area may be referred by a musculoskeletal [..]