David Perna, D.C.

In Part 1, we discussed dietary approaches for the cancer patient and started the discussion of the use of dietary supplementation to optimize healing for the cancer patient with the understanding that these approaches DO NOT replace appropriate conventional cancer treatments but rather, enhance the health of the cancer patient during the treatment process. This [..]

The birth of chiropractic as a profession occurred in the year 1895 when Daniel David Palmer (1845-1913) adjusted the spine of a deaf man, William Harvey Lillard. Daniel David Palmer established the Palmer School in Davenport, Iowa, in 1896.Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen was a German physicist (1845-1923). In 1895, at age 50, he produced and detected x-rays (Rontgen rays). [..]

Whiplash—or WAD (whiplash associated disorders)—is an injury caused by the rapid movement of the neck and head. This is the net result of the “classic” motor vehicle collision, though other injury models (like slips and falls) can result in similar injuries. Previously, we listed basic facts, of which one was that patients had better results [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) is truly a challenging condition to manage, as anyone with this condition will attest to! In the past, we’ve discussed many management strategies, including dietary suggestions. Although much of the nutritional information available about FM management is not supported by a lot of “scientific study,” the National Institute of Health through the NCCAM [..]

WHAT is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)? CTS occurs when pressure is applied to the median nerve which travels from the neck, through the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, and through the carpal tunnel where the “pinch” is located. The median nerve innervates most of the palm of the hand, the thumb, the index finger, middle [..]

There are MANY different types of headaches, of which migraines are a common type. This discussion will concentrate on some unique characteristics that are associated with migraine headaches. This information may help you understand what type of headache you’re having. A unique feature of migraine headaches is that prior to the start of the headache, [..]

Low back pain (LBP) is the second most common cause of disability among adults in the United States (US) and a very common reason for lost days at work. The total cost of back pain in the US, including treatment and lost productivity, ranges between $100 billion to $200 billion a year! Is low back [..]

Do 90% of Patients with an Acute Episode of Low Back Pain Resolve within 2 Months, with or without Treatment?This month we are going to discuss the commonly held clinical thought and apparently well documented fact that 90% of all acute low back pain episodes ultimately self-resolve within a 60 day period.It would appear that [..]

In Part 1, we discussed dietary approaches for the cancer patient such as the Paleo or “caveman” diet, the Mediterranean Diet, and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). We also began the discussion of how to supplement the diet to optimize health for the cancer patient with a firm warning that these approaches DO [..]

The utilization of chiropractic spinal adjusting for the management of low back pain is increasingly less and less controversial. As an example, in December of 2011, the journal Alternative Therapies Health Medicine, published a study titled (1):Cerebral metabolic changes in men after chiropractic spinal manipulation for neck painThis study has 9 authors who are from the Division [..]

Whiplash is a non-medical term typically describing what happens to the head and neck when a person is struck from behind in a motor vehicle collision. Let’s look at some basic facts about whiplash:Before cars, trains were the main source of whiplash and was called “railroad spine.”Better terms for whiplash injuries include “cervical acceleration-deceleration” (CAD) [..]

Confirming the diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM) is challenging, as there are no blood tests to verify accuracy of the diagnosis like so many other disorders. However, blood tests are needed when FM is suspected to “rule in/out” something else that may be mimicking FM symptoms. Also, FM is often associated with other disorders that are [..]