David Perna, D.C.

The benefits of chiropractic are well known when it comes to the management of lower back pain arising from various low back conditions. But, looking beyond the localized low back benefits of spinal manipulation, the positive effects on bowel and bladder function are less well known. The nerves that exit the spine in the low [..]

Pran Magna graduated from the University of Toronto with a PhD in economics in 1970. Since 1977 he has been a Full Professor at the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa, where he teaches ethics, health economics, and globalization. He is also the director of the Masters Program in Health Administration.••••In 1993, [..]

Whiplash refers to an injury to the neck resulting from a rapid movement, usually associated with a motor vehicle collision (MVC). However, it can occur with a slip and fall injury, a bar room brawl, or during a sports event (like being tackled in football), among other things. For the sake of this discussion, we [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a very strange condition. Can you think of any other condition that creates so many symptoms and yet all the blood and imaging tests come back negative? FM symptoms include chronic fatigue, muscle aches and pains, depression, sleep disturbance, memory affects, and more. The degree or severity of FM varies from mild [..]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition where the median nerve that arises in the neck and travels through the shoulder, arm, and into the hand becomes compressed. Compression of the median nerve results in tingling, numbness, pain, and/or weakness that affects the 2nd, 3rd, and thumb-side half of the 4th finger. It can wake [..]

Last month, we discussed the topic of neck pain arising from cervical disk herniations. The focus of this month’s article is common questions that arise from patients suffering from cervical disk derangement. 1. “What can I do to help myself for my herniated disk in my neck?” The mnemonic device “PRICE” stands for Protect, Rest, [..]

Low back pain (LBP) and the discussion of traveling tips will be concluded this month. Please refer to the last two months for other great traveling tips. Keep a copy of these in your travel bag! BE PROACTIVE WITH THE AIRLINES: 1. Get an aisle seat. Request an aisle seat out of “medical necessity.” By [..]

The chiropractic management of musculoskeletal complaints such as low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and the like is well established in peer reviewed literature and recommended care guidelines throughout the world. Put simply, chiropractic care WORKS consistently well for many problems involving the neuromusculoskeletal system. What about its effects on cardiovascular health and in particular, [..]

BACKGROUNDThe most powerful agents in human physiology are a group of short-lived hormones called eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are derived from 20-carbon long fatty acids. The two main 20-carbon long fatty acids for eicosanoid production are arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).Fatty acids are a group of connected carbons with a carboxyl group at one end (-COOH). Fatty acids [..]

“Whiplash” is a slang term for a neck injury that is most accurately described as a cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) injury. Now you know why we call it “whiplash”! It suggests that the head was forced through a range of motion that exceeds what the tissues in the neck are capable of doing, thus resulting in [..]

Fibromyalgia (FM) has quite a history! There is evidence that dates as far back as Hippocrates in ancient Greece, when he described a mysterious condition affecting the muscles which portrays FM pretty accurately! FM is a complex condition that includes fatigue and chronic muscle, tendon, and ligament pain that is wide-spread (NOT contained to one [..]

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common complaint presented to chiropractic offices. Usually, patients wait for weeks, months, or even years before seeking care, thus making management more challenging. The history of the “classic” CTS patient includes a mild, sporadic onset of symptoms that gradually becomes more frequent and intense. This usually leads to continued [..]