David Perna, D.C.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) causes pain and/or numbness into the hand and because it’s so common, CTS is often the first and the last diagnosis a doctor makes when a patient presents with these symptoms. The purpose of this article is to consider other conditions that present in a similar way and if not treated [..]

Have you ever stopped and wondered, "…which type of doctor should I go to for treatment of my headaches?" In order to make an informed decision, it is appropriate to look at the side effects each treatment option carries and then consider the pros and cons of each treatment. It has been reported that 45 [..]

Scoliosis is a term used to describe a curvature of the spine that is not "normal." The normal curves of the spine include an inward curve in the low back and neck and an outward curve in the mid-back when looking at the person from the side ("sagittal plane"). However, there should NOT be any [..]

When we say the word "arthritis," many images come to mind. Some people think of crippled hands or perhaps Mr. Smith who talks about his bad hip being, "…bone on bone!" Or, how about the neighbor who has a bad knee and walks with a limp and a cane? Rarely do we think about the [..]

One unusual cause of low back pain (LBP) involves vitamin D deficiency. Yes, that's right, a VITAMIN DEFICIENCY! One study reported on a 360 patient (90% women, 10% men) group under treatment at spinal and internal medicine clinics over a six-year time frame for LBP of 6 months or greater with no obvious cause. Doctors [..]

Whiplash, also called cervical acceleration-deceleration disorder (CAD), is primarily an injury to the soft tissues of the neck – that is, the muscles, their tendon insertions, and the ligaments that hold the joints firmly together. Neck pain is a very common health problem that affects between 10–15% of the population and drives people to all [..]

Last month, we started the conversation about the importance of exercise, and how it improves the quality of life for everyone, especially those with fibromyalgia (FM). We listed specific recommendations about how to go about implementing an exercise program safely and successfully but never finished the subject. Hence, here are some additional tips for getting [..]

Last month, we started the conversation about the importance of exercise, and how it improves the quality of life for everyone, especially those with fibromyalgia (FM). We listed specific recommendations about how to go about implementing an exercise program safely and successfully but never finished the subject. Hence, here are some additional tips for getting [..]

When patients present for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), one of the most common treatments rendered is the use of a wrist brace, often referred to as a cock-up splint. The focus of this article is to explain the reasons why these braces are so commonly included in the management of CTS and why [..]

Whiplash or Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) involves a cluster of symptoms and findings that include biomechanical or tissue injury findings, as well as psychological factors that accompany pain and disability. To answer the presenting question, who will recover from whiplash, a task force reviewed research regarding WAD that was published over a ten-year time frame. [..]

This question has plagued all of us, including researchers, for a long time! Could it be because we’re all inherently lazy and don’t exercise enough? Or maybe it’s because we have a job that’s too demanding on our back? To properly address this question, here are some interesting facts: The prevalence of low back pain [..]

It is common knowledge that we can all benefit from exercise; however, it is especially important for people with fibromyalgia (FM) to exercise as it reduces fatigue, increases energy, improves joint flexibility, and improves sleep quality and mood. In essence, exercise allows FM sufferers to live a more enjoyable and fulfilling life!With that said, it [..]