Archives for October 2018

Looking for an alternative to NSAIDs and opioids for pain management?

Posted on 10.20.18 |

If you’ve gone to your general practitioner or pain management doctor seeking relief from chronic pain, you’ve probably been told to take NSAIDS, acetaminophen, or opioids. All of these drugs come with potentially serious negative side effects, particularly if they’re taken long-term or outside of how they are prescribed. If you struggle with pain and are concerned about how NSAIDS and opioids could negatively affect your health, you do have alternatives. Dr. Cody Doyle of Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, Tx offers holistic pain management options to relieve a wide range of pain, including chronic pain.

Learn how acupuncture can help with chronic pain relief.

Learn how chiropractic can help with chronic pain relief.

Why should you consider holistic pain management treatment? Because pharmaceutical treatments pose many risks. Let’s explore the side effects of NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and opiates.

NSAIDs

Called “n-seds,” NSAIDs stands for non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. They help control moderate pain and inflammation. NSAIDs include:

Aspirin
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
Naproxin (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Diclofenac
Etodolac
Indometacin
Ketoprofen
Ketrolac
Nabumetone
Oxaprozin
Piroxicam
Salsalate
Sulindac
Tolmetin

The most common side effects of NSAIDs are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues, as well as drowsiness and dizziness. They can also cause fluid retention, decrease in appetite, rash, and headache. However, chronic use of these medications can lead to kidney and liver failure, ulcers, and increased bleeding with injury or surgery. Some people are allergic to NSAIDS, and allergic reaction generally involves shortness of breath or other breathing problems. Asthmatics are at higher risk for an NSAID allergy.

Oddly, kids given aspirin for the flu or chicken pox may develop Reye’s syndrome, a liver disease that can be fatal.

Elderly patients face an increased risk for heart attack and stroke with all NSAIDs, except low-dose aspirin. People who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery should not take NSAIDs; they can cause complications.

Acetaminophen

While acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not an NSAID, it does have the potential to cause negative side effects, particularly in the liver. People who consume a higher-than-average amount of alcohol should steer clear of acetaminophen, as well. The FDA suggests 325 mg or less per pill/capsule, which is what regular-strength Tylenol contains. Extra-strength Tylenol has 500 mg. The normal daily dosage is up to eight extra-strength Tylenol, which is 4 grams of acetaminophen.

Note that a regimen alternating NSAIDs and acetaminophen is often suggested, for lower dosage with similar pain relief results.

Opiates and Opioids (Narcotics)

Opioids are strong pain killers that alter the brain’s understanding of pain by depressing the central nervous system, thus immediately relieving discomfort. Opioids may be prescribed to control a cough, treat diarrhea, or even to help a person overcome addiction to narcotics. When used for pain relief, opioids are sometimes referred to as analgesic narcotics.

One of Dr. Doyle’s patients reports: “I was prescribed a bottle of 150 hydrocodone pills to control gall bladder pain until I could undergo surgery. I had an insurance situation that forced me to put the surgery on hold. The opiates controlled the pain, but I was a zombie under the influence of hydrocodone. I could not work or function. After my surgery, I had some complications that caused chronic pain and was prescribed more hydrocodone, then later, tramadol and Tylenol 3, which has codeine. Each drug had side effects that exacerbated other symptoms. Dr. Doyle helped me address the underlying issues that caused my pain: leaky gut syndrome, chronic constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Most doctors don’t believe in the science behind leaky gut syndrome, and there was no pharmaceutical treatment for IBS that worked on me. It took me a year to find Dr. Doyle after my surgery – and all that time I was on opioids. With them, the pain was debilitating. Also with them, I was a zombie. As a small business owner, my entire life was negatively affected. With Dr. Doyle’s treatment and time, now I no longer needed pain medications. I believe that if I had not turned to acupuncture and Dr. Doyle’s holistic methods, I’d still be on opiates and NSAIDs. Instead, I’m productive and healthy!” – Shauna Duty, Roanoke, Tx

Opiates are drugs made from opium in poppy plants. Opioids are synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs that bind to opioid receptors in the brain. Today, the term “opioid” is used for both natural and synthetic opioids. These drugs include:

Morphine
Heroin (semi-synthetic)
Codeine
Oxycodone
Oxycontin (semi-synthetic)
Hydrocodone
Hydromorphone
Tramadol
Oxycontin
Fentanyl
Methadone

Tramadol, oxycontin, and fentanyl are synthetic opioids. These can be stronger than natural opiates. For example, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than morphine. A derivation of fentanyl, carfentanil, is 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

Opioid Addiction

Often, people in chronic pain become addicted to opioids for relief. A mental addiction develops. Seeking comfort, they increase the dosage without a doctor’s approval can lead to serious physical and psychological issues. Prescription opioids are often sold on the street, illegally.

The problem is, as a central nervous system depressant, opioids can stop a person’s heart, causing death. They also alter the heart, lungs, brain, and many other vital organs. Even first-time illegal use can cause immediate death, coma, or an erratic heartbeat.

Death caused by overdose of opioids gas surpassed the height of deaths by gun violence (1993) and auto accidents (1972). In 2016, over 63 thousand people died from overdose; two-thirds from opioid overdose. Today, drug overdose is the primary cause of accidental death in our country.

Though Texas is on the low end of states where opioid overdoses occur, our numbers are on the rise – even in Tarrant and Dallas counties. Of the top 25 American cities with the highest opioid overdose fatality rate, four are in Texas.

People who are abusing opioids often show symptoms like sleeping too much or not being able to sleep. They may suffer with anxiety, depression, and mood swings. When battling opioid addiction, withdrawals will occur. If a person is fighting addition to more than opioids (additional drugs or alcohol), serious health risks can occur. A medical professional can help create a plan, with medications to help an addict successfully overcome withdrawal.

Resource: Addiction and Recovery Help

Chronic Pain Treatment without Drugs

Dr. Doyle has studied chiropractic and acupuncture treatments that help relieve pain, without the use of medications. He addresses the underlying causes of pain with skeletal manipulation, via chiropractic treatment, and stimulation of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, with acupuncture.

These drug-free pain management treatments can relieve many issues, including but not limited to:

Neck and back pain
Migraines and headaches
Muscle spasms
Joint pain
Arthritis symptoms
Menstrual cramps
Shoulder, arm, elbow, and hand pain
Hip, leg, knee, and foot pain
TMJ pain
Digestive symptoms
Stress and anxiety (often caused by pain)

To schedule an initial appointment with Dr. Doyle, call our Roanoke, Tx office at 817-767-5430. We are accepting new patients and will be happy to file your insurance or help you with the paperwork necessary for claims. Before turning to a potentially harmful and addictive drug for chronic pain relief, talk with Dr. Doyle.

Relief for Inflammation

Posted on 10.15.18 |

Remember the time in your life when you were the healthiest you had ever been? You could do it all! Walking? Easy. Running? No problem. Playing sports or swimming at the beach? Easy. You probably felt strong and invincible. When we are young, it is easy to jump right up out of bed, go for a jog, keep up with the little ones, or stand for long periods of time. As the years go by, our bodies can go through a lot, and our physical condition changes. At Doyle Chiropractic, patients from Keller, TX, and the surrounding area come to Dr. Cody Doyle seeking relief from pain as a result of injury, aging, or specific physical conditions. Sometimes these conditions have something in common: inflammation.

What Is Inflammation?

Often back, joint, and muscle pain can be attributed to inflammation, which affects our bodies in several ways. Those who suffer from this condition sometimes experience swelling, painful joints, redness, joints that are warm to the touch, and stiffness which limits movement. Inflammation can also present flu-like symptoms: fatigue, fever, chills, loss of appetite, or headache.

Inflammation occurs when our white blood cells work to fight off infection and inflammatory substances in the body. However, because of arthritis, the body automatically starts fighting by sending an inflammatory response – even though there is no infection to fight. This is a condition you may have heard of before: autoimmune disease. Unfortunately, when the body starts fighting itself, the joints begin to swell, become painful, and the cartilage begins to wear down. Autoimmune disease can result in damage to the body’s tissue and organs over time.

Reversing the Effects of Inflammation and Arthritis

Dr. Doyle has treated patients who suffer with inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, and lupus. These chronic conditions can be managed to reduce pain and increase range of motion. If you suffer with swollen, painful joints or have difficulty walking or gripping everyday items, it may be time for an evaluation and discover the therapies Dr. Doyle offers that can bring relief.

Following your evaluation, the doctor will recommend specific treatments for you. Among them, ultrasound is an option – a heat therapy that works on muscles and tissues that surround your joints. Over time this treatment can reduce the pain of inflammation and increase your range of motion. Acupuncture is another approach using holistic medicine that uses strategically-placed needles to promote healing by improving blood flow to effected joints and muscle groups. Chiropractic and myofascial release treatments involve a hands-on approach that helps align your musculoskeletal system, promoting flexibility and pain reduction. Dr. Doyle can also recommend exercises you can do at home to increase your flexibility, strength, and overall wellness as well as nutritional guidance and herbal therapies that may help reduce the inflammation in your body.

Take the Next Step and Call Today

The good news is, there is relief for the chronic pain of inflammation. There are options that can reduce its symptoms and enable you to return to a higher level of function and comfort – and possibly to the activities you enjoy most. Dr. Cody Doyle and the team at Doyle Chiropractic offer options for treatment and care that can help you address arthritis pain and inflammation. Contact us today at 817-767-5430 to schedule an appointment at our office located at 295 W. Byron Nelson Blvd., #212, Roanoke, TX, 76262. During your visit, Dr. Doyle will evaluate your individual needs and recommend a course of treatment just for you. We look forward to seeing you in our office soon.

Does Insurance Cover Acupuncture and Other Complementary Therapies?

Posted on 10.15.18 |

If you have a medical condition that has persisted in causing you pain or limited your mobility, you’ve probably already sought treatment from a traditional medical doctor. However, there are millions of Americans out there who are still suffering from debilitating conditions that are not successfully healed by traditional medicine. Many end up relying heavily on strong medications just to function. In cases like this, you should never give up! You do not have to live with pain when there are multiple alternative treatments that you may respond positively to. Dr. Cody Doyle provides Keller TX acupuncture and other complementary treatments to help your body heal itself.

Would you like to learn about Keller TX acupuncture and other complementary therapies? Call Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture to learn about acupuncture treatments. Call our Roanoke, TX office at 817-767-5430 or request an appointment online.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture treatments have many theories behind their efficacy. In the ancient Chinese tradition, practitioners believe that acupuncture/acupressure points on the body stimulate and redirect the flow of energy (qi). While there is little scientific data to support this theory, there is evidence that acupuncture does something to stimulate circulation and nerve pathways and help improve musculoskeletal function.

While other practitioners may provide acupuncture to treat specific conditions or break bad habits (such as smoking)—Dr. Doyle only provides acupuncture and auriculotherapy to treat dysfunction in very specific points within your musculoskeletal tissues.

If you suffer from one of the following conditions, Dr. Doyle may suggest acupuncture as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Neck and back pain
Asthma, allergies, and sinusitis symptoms
Migraines and headaches
TMJ disorder
Muscle spasms and pain
Arthritis symptoms
Menstrual cramps
Lower or upper extremity pain
Stress and anxiety symptoms
Digestive symptoms (musculoskeletal component)

Do Insurers Cover Acupuncture and other Complementary Therapies?

Today, many insurers will cover chiropractic care, but what about acupuncture, myofascial release therapy, or ultrasound therapy? If you are living with pain and dysfunction it may seem unfair to have your reimbursement requests denied, when all you are trying to do is find a way to be well again!

The truth is that more and more insurers are covering what’s referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This can include a number of treatments offered by complementary medical practitioners, such as Dr. Cody Doyle.

However, this doesn’t mean you will automatically be reimbursed for treatments you seek out on your own. Insurers often need evidence that your treatments are medically necessary. If you are in a situation in which you have been seeing a doctor regularly for a condition, (but your pain and dysfunction are still a problem) you may need to get your primary care doctor to “prescribe” CAM therapies before they will be covered. When patients have been suggested to have CAM therapies, they tend to have their claims approved more frequently.

Conditions that May Respond to Complementary Alternative Medicine

Dr. Cody Doyle has been practicing chiropractic and complementary medicine for approximately two decades. In that time, he has treated patients for many diverse conditions. These range from age-related degenerative arthritis and spinal problems to immune system disorders and neuropathy.

Some of the more common conditions Dr. Doyle treats include:

Arthritis
Sciatica
Spinal disc issues
Tendonitis
Musculoskeletal dysfunction
Plantar fasciitis
Peripheral neuropathy
Neck and shoulder pain
Immune disorders and allergies

If you have an ongoing struggle to manage the symptoms of your condition, contact Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture to learn about Keller TX acupuncture treatments. We have helped many patients improve their lives and reduce painful and debilitating conditions. Call our office at 817-767-5430 or request an appointment online.

Why Are My Joints So Stiff?

Posted on 10.10.18 |

Stiff joints are a problem nearly everyone will experience at some point as they age. Interestingly enough, they are not always caused by the same underlying problem. How can you tell whether your stiff joints are something that requires treatment? Should you try to exercise your stiff joints more or less to make them work better? Below are several possible causes of stiff joints.

If your stiff joints are starting to slow down your active lifestyle, visit Argyle TX chiropractor Dr. Cody Doyle. Call us at 817-767-5430 to make an appointment. We carefully assess your unique symptoms and employ many treatment options to help you recover flexibility and comfort.

The Natural Result of Aging

As we age, our cartilage becomes drier and less flexible. Our bodies also stop making as much synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant to keep your joints flexible. If your joint stiffness is caused by age, the best way to deal with it is to keep using the affected joints as much as possible, since movement helps keep the joint healthy.

Morning Joint Stiffness

When you are still for long periods of time, your synovial fluid can’t do its job properly. That’s why you might notice feeling a bit like the Tin Man when you first wake up in the morning. This is perfectly natural and not cause for alarm. Morning joint stiffness should go away slowly once you get moving again.

Changes in Barometric Pressure

It may seem like an old-wives tale that you can feel an imminent change in weather “in your bones.” However, many people can feel a drop in barometric pressure in their joints. This type of drop usually happens just before a low-pressure weather system, such as storm. If you feel bodily changes just before a storm, this does not necessarily mean you need treatment, but it may help you know which joints you should keep an eye on for future treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, often develops at a number of places on our bodies where two bones meet: the knees, the elbows, the wrist. These joints get used over and over, and eventually the flexible cartilage at the ends of the bones starts to wear away. When the cartilage is gone, the bones rub against each other, and this can cause pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. If osteoarthritis is the cause of your stiff joints, visit Argyle TX chiropractor Dr. Cody Doyle and ask which treatments might help you preserve your cartilage and keep yourself flexible and functional.

Joint Injury from Overuse

If you are a very active person who is experiencing stiffness in a joint that you use regularly, you may have injured the joint by overusing it. Bursitis and tendonitis are very common among athletes but there are treatments that can help you take better care of your joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Other Less-Common Types of Arthritis

Another form of arthritis can occur when your immune system attacks the synovial fluid of your joint. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the hands and wrists, but can attack any joint in your body and cause pain and stiffness. If your joints are stiff and inflamed, ask your doctor whether your symptoms sound more like RA or OA, as the treatments for these types of arthritis are not the same.

There are a few other forms of arthritis that can cause stiff joints, including: psoriatic arthritis, infectious arthritis, ankylosing arthritis, and gout. These conditions have very different treatments than RA or OA, so visit your doctor if you notice unusual pain and stiffness anywhere in your body.

Treatment for Joint Pain and Stiffness with an Argyle TX Chiropractor

If you experience stiff joints, visit Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture for an evaluation. Whether your problems are caused by degenerative arthritis, injury, or just the normal processes of aging—he can help you understand your condition and work on healing it. Some joints do better with exercise and physical therapy, while others require targeted treatments aimed to help your body function better and heal itself.

Visit Argyle TX chiropractor Dr. Cody Doyle and we’ll help you reduce your joint stiffness and pain. Call us at 817-767-5430 to schedule a consultation.