pain management

Should I visit a chiropractor?

Posted on 02.7.20 |

Do you suffer from back or neck pain? Do frequent headaches interfere with your life?

If so, you may wonder what the best treatment option is.

Did you know your local chiropractor offers effective treatment solutions that are noninvasive and drug-free? That could be why approximately 22 million Americans visit a chiropractor each year. With those visits, 35 percent, or around 7.7 million, seek care for relief from back pain caused by sports injuries, accidents, and muscle sprains and strains.

If you are in the Roanoke, TX area, Dr. Cody Doyle offers safe, effective treatment options for your pain. With over two decades of experience, he has successfully brought relief to thousands of suffering patients.

But Dr. Doyle goes above and beyond chiropractic care. He also offers acupuncture and myofascial release therapy, as well as other alternative therapies, such as nutrition counseling, ultrasound therapy, muscle stimulation, and education regarding home exercise.

And he treats a lot more than just neck and back pain. Keep reading to learn the surprising conditions chiropractic care can help.

What is a chiropractor?

A chiropractor is someone licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic, with the initials DC after their name. When you see these initials, you know your provider has received extensive training in disorders of bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments.

Training and education to be a chiropractor include a four-year undergraduate degree (usually a “pre-med” type of degree) and four years of chiropractic school (approximately 4,200 instructional hours). In addition, they have taken and passed a National Board Exam.

A chiropractic program typically looks something like this:

First year: Courses in biochemistry, spinal anatomy, general anatomy, and chiropractic principles.
Second year: Courses in pathology, imaging interpretation, clinical orthopedics, chiropractic procedures, and research methods.
Third year: Courses in integrated chiropractic, dermatology, pediatrics, practice management, clinical internships, and ethics and jurisprudence.
Fourth year: Clinical internship, when the student completes rotations in a clinic or hospital and studies chiropractic care under a licensed chiropractor.

In addition, many chiropractors, such as Dr. Doyle, spend a tremendous amount of time learning about various other specialties, such as sports medicine, nutrition, rehabilitation, and acupuncture.

What is chiropractic care

The main treatments chiropractors perform involve hands-on spinal and joint manipulations to achieve proper alignment of the spine and the body’s musculoskeletal structure. When joints are out of proper alignment, it can cause pain in the neck, back, head, hands, arms, feet, and legs.

Proper alignment allows the body to heal itself naturally without drugs or invasive treatments, such as surgery.

These manipulations restore joint mobility caused by tissue injury from trauma, such as a car accident or fall, and repetitive stress, such as from performing the same stressful movements over and over.

What conditions can a chiropractor treat?

Typically, patients go to a chiropractor for pain relief from injury to joints, muscles, and connective tissue, such as ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. While some patients receive chiropractic care as an adjunct to other treatments, many patients find relief from their pain with chiropractic care alone.

Chiropractic care can relieve pain that is acute, chronic, or from repetitive stress in the back, neck, head, and upper and lower extremities.

Examples of chronic pain include diagnoses like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or degenerative disc disease.

Acute pain can be caused by things like moving heavy furniture, a fall or car accident, or being tackled too hard. Acute pain typically does not last longer than six weeks.

Repetitive stress can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff (shoulder) pain, and plantar fasciitis (foot pain).

However, many patients also seek chiropractic care for issues not involving pain.

Some surprising conditions chiropractors treat successfully include:

Migraine and tension headaches
Seasonal allergies
Neuropathies
Weight loss
Stress and anxiety
Gastrointestinal issues
Insomnia
Pregnancy-related pains
Preparation for labor and delivery to reduce the pain of childbirth
Infertility
Weak immune system

You may wonder how a chiropractor can help with these conditions. The fact is, nerve impulses travel between your entire body and your brain through the spine, which is the root of your nervous system. When your spine is out of alignment, it puts the body under tremendous stress and can cause a multitude of problems.

Many illnesses and issues are worsened or caused by this stress, with activates the “fight or flight” reaction in the body. This increases your heart rate and blood pressure and redirects your blood away from your digestive system, organs, and extremities.

Over time, this wreaks havoc on your body and increases your risk of diabetes, muscle tissue damage, infertility, slowed healing, and damage to your immune system.

When put back into proper alignment, your body can process and manage stress in a much healthier way, allowing your body to heal itself.

Also, spinal adjustments improve blood circulation and reduce spinal nerve irritation. This helps your brain to turn off the fight or flight response, which also assists the body in healing.

In addition, Dr. Doyle can recommend helpful vitamins and supplements, teach you home exercises and relaxation techniques, and help you improve your posture.

What does chiropractic care involve?

At the first visit, Dr. Doyle will perform a comprehensive examination, which includes any necessary x-rays and gathering information about your medical history, current medications, and lifestyle factors. Next, he will discuss your symptoms, concerns, goals, and desires, and answer any questions you have. Once he has an accurate diagnosis, he will work with you to come up with a treatment plan.

The goal of chiropractic care includes restoring the function of joints, muscles, and connective tissue to align your spine and musculoskeletal system. This will also improve your range of motion, which helps prevent additional injuries.

Chiropractic treatment involves manual adjustments, where Dr. Doyle will manipulate your joints into proper alignment using sudden but controlled force. While some patients fear the adjustments will cause pain, you do not need to worry. Occasionally there is a very quick moment of “pain,” as if you were pinched, but it abates instantly. Then, what you will notice is the relief of pain as the adjustment reduces the irritation of your muscles, joints, and nerves.

At the beginning of your chiropractic treatment, you are in an “urgent care” phase, and more frequent visits may be needed. This is important because the benefits of chiropractic care have a cumulative effect, and repeat treatments are needed to train the body, just like repeat exercise is needed for strength training.

After a few weeks, however, most patients can move to the rehabilitation phase, which requires less frequent visits. Once your pain is well controlled, you go into maintenance. At this point, treatment is pretty much “as needed.”

Are you ready to see how good a chiropractor can help you feel?

If you are in the Roanoke, Trophy Club, Keller, or Southlake area, call (817) 767-5430 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Doyle. He would love to help you get on the road to health and wellbeing.

Is chiropractic good for your neck and back pain?

Posted on 12.30.19 |

More and more patients are realizing the incredible benefits and effectiveness of treating neck and back pain with conservative, non-addictive care.

Chiropractic treatments offer tremendous relief while helping you avoid other costly, invasive care options. It can remove the need for addictive prescription pain medications that come with a variety of side effects and help you avoid painful surgery and recovery.

While chiropractors can effectively treat most things that cause pain, the most common complaints patients seek relief for are neck pain, back pain, and headaches.

Dr. Cody Doyle has over two decades of successfully caring for patients with pain. During this time, he has helped over 100,000 patients find relief from a broad range of dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

How does chiropractic help neck and back pain?

The most common cause of neck and back pain is the misalignment of the bones—or vertebra—in the spine. Chiropractic care involves spinal manipulations—also known as adjustments—to realign the spine. Because all the movements of the human body originate in the spine, misalignment can cause pain in muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves.

Spinal adjustments restore mobility to ligaments, joints, and muscles that are restricted or injured from repetitive stress or trauma. When the spine is properly aligned, the body can heal itself.

What can I expect during chiropractic care for neck and back pain?

The first thing Dr. Doyle will do is perform a thorough examination. This includes a complete medical history, a physical exam, range of motion testing, and x-rays. Depending on your symptoms and his findings, he may want to order additional diagnostic imaging, such as a CT or MRI.

If Dr. Doyle feels you are an appropriate candidate for chiropractic treatment, he will discuss all your options. The goal is to provide pain relief while restoring function and preventing future injury.

The most common mode of treatment is spinal manipulation, which uses controlled but sudden force to joints to realign the spine.

During treatment, Dr. Doyle may utilize:

Hands-on treatment. This involves the use of his hands and arms to massage and apply high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts.
A drop table. This is a special table with sections that Dr. Doyle can drop down during spinal manipulations.
A special device that delivers gentle impulses to the spine.

Depending on your unique desires, needs, and diagnoses, Dr. Doyle will create a customized treatment plan for you. This may include suggestions for additional alternative solutions to achieve optimum results. Some examples of complementary therapy services include:

Acupuncture
Myofascial release therapy
Ultrasound
Muscle stimulation
A nutritional and herbal plan
Home exercises
Hot and cold therapy

Who should seek chiropractic care for neck and back pain?

Certain patients may not be a good candidate for chiropractic care.

For example, patients with the following conditions may need to seek other treatment for neck and back pain:

Spinal cord damage
Vertebral fracture(s)
Severe osteoporosis
Severe arthritis
Bone infections
Patients on blood thinners
Patients with cancer, especially while on cancer treatment

Chiropractic care is, however, an excellent alternative option for those with acute or chronic neck or back pain.

Some of the most common causes of neck and back pain include:

Trauma, such as from a sports injury, fall, or car accident

Any sudden forceful movement of the head, neck, or back that results in “rebound,” such as with whiplash of the neck, results in injury to the supporting and surrounding tissues.

Trauma can tear muscles and ligaments, also known as a strain. It can also cause muscles to contract and tighten, which leads to stiffness and pain. If severe enough, it can also injure the joints between the vertebra, ligaments, discs, muscles, and nerve roots.

Aging

As we age, degenerative disorders become more common. This can include osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Degeneration puts the patient at a higher risk of bulging or herniated disks. Also, the degenerative changes can cause the body to form bone spurs, compounding the pain.

Spinal stenosis is also more common for older patients. When stenosis narrows the nerve passageways, nerve roots can become compressed and trapped. This usually causes radiating pain, such as down the arms or legs.

Habits of Life

Anything that disrupts spinal balance increases the risk of neck and back pain. This includes things like poor posture, obesity, improper ergonomics, and repetitive stress.

Emotional tension and stress lead to muscle tightening and contracting, which leads to pain and stiffness.

Could chiropractic care give you relief from your neck or back pain?

If you suffer from neck or back pain, whether it is acute or chronic, Dr. Doyle has the experience to bring you relief.

Call (817) 767-5430 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation so you can get started on the road to recovery.

Which is Better for Neck Pain–a Chiropractor or Masseuse

Posted on 12.2.19 |

It has been estimated that one in three people suffer from or have experienced neck pain significant enough to seek treatment at least once a year. Many of these patients seek alternative treatment options from a chiropractor or masseuse.

At Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, TX, neck pain is a common complaint for many of our patients. Dr. Cody Doyle has over two decades of experience in successfully treating patients suffering from neck pain. His treatment options are non-invasive, non-addictive, and drug-free.

What can a chiropractor do for neck pain?

As a chiropractor, Dr. Doyle offers several alternative treatment options. This includes acupuncture, myofascial release therapy, ultrasound therapy, and muscle stimulation. The most common treatment he performs, however, is spinal manipulation—also known as spinal adjustment.

With spinal manipulations, the chiropractor uses his hands or a special adjustment tool to loosen and adjust spinal joints. By applying sudden but controlled force to joints, he returns your vertebra to proper alignment. This helps treat joint, muscle, and nerve pain. This treatment relieves the pain caused by numerous factors, such as a pinched nerve or muscle spasms. It can also relieve pain associated with tissue inflammation or scarring caused by repetitive stress, such as consistent poor ergonomics or posture, or from trauma, such as with whiplash.

The spine acts as an extension of the nervous system, which communicates with all the muscles. Therefore, spinal health is extremely important for your overall well-being.

Many chiropractors will also teach you exercises to perform at home to help keep your joints loose.

Some chiropractors, like Dr. Doyle, also offer acupuncture. This is an effective way to reduce inflammation and pain. It also tricks your body into releasing endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers.

Another potential treatment option a chiropractor may suggest is myofascial release therapy. With this treatment, Dr. Doyle stretches or massages the myofascial connective tissue that surrounds muscles and bones. Different from massage, this is steady, prolonged (three to five minutes) pressure to targeted areas. This releases restrictions in connective tissues. The result is increased range of motion and decreased pain.

What can a masseuse do for neck pain?

A masseuse, or a licensed massage therapist, can help relieve pain by applying kneading and stroking motions to muscle groups and soft tissues. This is usually accompanied by lubricants or oils to allow the therapist to slide their hands over the skin. The result is muscle stimulation and relaxation, which can promote healing and temporarily reduce pain.

While massage can help alleviate muscular pain, it is not typically used to treat pain with the joints, spine, or tendons. The benefits come from mood enhancement, increased energy, and relaxation.

Massage therapy is most beneficial for those experiencing daily stressors, such as tired, tense, or achy muscles caused by odd sleeping positions or exercise.

Treatment usually lasts 30-60 minutes and can help reduce “knots” in the muscles. While it can promote a sense of relaxation and peacefulness, it does not address connective tissue pain.

Is a chiropractor or masseuse best for your neck pain?

The answer depends on your unique desires and needs.

If you have pain from “knots” in your muscles or experience soreness from exercise or prolonged activity, a masseuse may be all you need. Massage can relieve tension and promote relaxation, which can provide relief. However, repeated and routine massages may be required for continued relief.

If you suffer from chronic pain or pain associated with a misaligned spine, treatment from a chiropractor is your best option. This treatment restores joint mobility and aims to fix the source of your pain rather than just treating symptoms.

Not sure which treatment is best for you? Talk with your doctor to discuss which option could be most beneficial.

Contact Dr. Doyle Today

There’s no better time than today to find relief from your pain. If you live in the Colleyville, Trophy Club, Grapevine, or Southlake area, contact our office online or call (817) 767-5430 today to schedule your consultation.

Benefits of Visiting a Chiropractor and Acupuncturist

Posted on 11.27.19 |

There are multiple benefits of both chiropractic treatment and acupuncture. You may experience the best results, however, with a combined treatment of both. The two go hand in hand and complement each other. Bringing them together offers tremendous advantages.

At Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, TX, Dr. Cody Doyle is a chiropractor and acupuncturist who has over two decades of experience. He can offer you a treatment plan customized for you that gets you on the road to recovery faster.

What treatment does a chiropractor offer?

When the spine is not in alignment, patients experience pain and inflammation. Chiropractic care is a nonsurgical, drug-free, holistic approach to helping the body heal and be healthy through manipulation of the spine. The manipulations, sometimes called adjustments, put the spine back into alignment, reducing pain and inflammation. Added benefits include improved mobility, function, and overall wellness.

Rather than masking pain with medications, chiropractic care goes to the root of the problem and fixes it.

Also, the spine communicates with the nervous system, which is responsible for the coordination and function of all the organs and muscles in your body. Therefore, a misaligned spine can produce numerous symptoms and conditions people don’t usually associate with chiropractic care.

When performed properly, spinal adjustments can help with many issues, including:

Allergies
Fatigue
Respiratory issues
Anxiety
Stress
Weight gain
Boosts immunity
Improved digestion
Increased energy

How can an acupuncturist help my pain?

Acupuncture involves the use of flexible, hair-thin needles that the acupuncturist places at particular pressure points. This produces an effect on the nervous system that decreases both chronic and acute pain. In addition, acupuncture causes the body to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

Many patients experience more pain relief with acupuncture than they do with pain medication.

Acupuncture can reduce musculoskeletal pain, including the low back and neck. It can also reduce or eliminate headaches.

Other types of pain acupuncture can relieve include:

Labor pain
Dental pain
Menstrual cramps
Arthritis pain

Acupuncture can also help relieve respiratory disorders and reduce nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.

Chiropractor and Acupuncturist in One Doctor

Since Dr. Doyle is both a chiropractor and acupuncturist, he can provide both modalities to improve your health and pain so you can heal and recover. This is good news for patients suffering from neck or back pain, as when these treatments are combined, patients improve faster.

Chiropractic care gets the structural system in alignment, and acupuncture helps control inflammation. Combined, they work together to help the body stay relaxed.

If you have ever heard the saying that one plus one equals three, the sum of spinal manipulation plus acupuncture is even better. Not only are they highly compatible, but they complement each other so patients can feel better and return to normal activities quicker.

This is because both treatments help improve the nervous system, producing the force of multiplication in pain relief, relaxation of muscles, and reduction of inflammation.

The combined treatments can also help other issues. For instance, they can help reduce pain and inflammation for joint issues both pre and post-surgery.

Additional issues combined treatment can help include:

Irritable bowel syndrome
Sinus pain
Allergies
Insomnia

A Doctor You Can Trust

If you live in the north Fort Worth area, including Colleyville, Trophy Club, Grapevine, and Southlake, contact Dr. Doyle online or call (817) 767-5430 today to schedule your consultation. He will perform a thorough examination and come up with the best treatment plan for your unique needs.

Isn’t it time to start on the road to recovery?

Exercise the pain away in and around Roanoke!

Posted on 07.15.19 |

couple exercising the pain away in local park

When struggling with back pain, most people tend to think that “resting my back” is the best option, but in reality sitting on the couch has the opposite effect. Too much rest allows muscles to weaken, tighten, and deteriorate. Muscles in the back need to be active unless they are torn or otherwise injured. Exercise is all about strengthening, stretching, and improving overall health.

As a chiropractor, Dr. Doyle often prescribes daily exercise to help reduce pain and discomfort, long term. If you want to explore drug-free treatments for pain relief, call Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture today at 817-767-5430.

A walk around the block or a few miles on the treadmill every day can get monotonous (but if you like it, don’t change it). If you find that working out by yourself seems uninspiring and unmotivating, you’re likely to stay on the couch watching Netflix. Exercise can be fun, believe it or not. In Roanoke and Trophy Club, you have access to many awesome parks with trees, amenities, and like-minded neighbors—and admission is cheaper than Netflix.

Walking, Jogging, or Running

Cardio will make your spine, and you, happy! Just a 30-minute walk or run triggers the release of endorphins—the happy hormone—to boost your mood. For those who love to run, don’t forget that running posture matters! Find out what that looks like here.

When cardio becomes a part of your daily routine, it helps the body stay comfortable doing everyday tasks, like tying shoes, walking upstairs, or playing with your kids and grandkids. So, grab a friend (even the four-legged variety) and start walking at any of these places near you:

Cannon Parkway Park

Along with playground equipment, splash pad, basketball courts, and many other amenities, this park has a paved walking trail that is a little more than half a mile long. If you only want a short walk, shoot some hoops and cool off at the splash pad before heading home. A skateboard and BMX park is next to the sand volleyball courts. Hangout and get to know your neighbors while you’re there. There are public restrooms, as well–always a bonus. Our office is just across the street!

Roanoke Community Park

Roanoke Community Park is full of activities for the whole family. The main entertainment is watching baseball and softball, but the park has much more to offer. Enjoy a scenic half-mile walk around the pond and bring your fishing gear. The pond features a pier that’s great for kids and adults alike. Picnic tables and restrooms are onsite, as well.

Trophy Club Park

Not a fan of walking or running? How about disc golf? Trophy Club park features an 18-hole course, in addition to the woods around Grapevine Lake, which provide excellent hiking and horseback riding opportunities. Geocaching and fishing are also fun activities that this park offers. https://www.trophyclub.org/475/Trophy-Club-Park

Water Aerobics

For gentle resistance training, water aerobics is one of the best choices. This low-impact workout gets the blood flowing in your spine, which helps restore and strengthen your back, shoulders, hips, and neck. Many techniques focus on arms and legs, as well. You can try water aerobics on your own at Roanoke Community Pool or Trophy Club Pool. For instruction, check out this YouTube video that shows three water aerobics exercises for abdominal workouts.

Pilates Classes

Pilates is a great workout for strengthening core muscles which, in turn, help relieve back pain. When the core is strong, the body is more balanced and the back has more support. Starting a new exercise can be damaging if you jump in too quickly, so try these easy Pilates workouts and basic movements before pushing your body too far!

If you and Dr. Doyle decide that Pilates is a good match for you, consider joining any of these Pilates studios in the Roanoke area:

Foreverfit Pilates Studio in Trophy Club
Purely Pilates Center in Southlake
C3 Pilates in Keller

To learn more about how Pilates helps strengthen core and back muscles and which exercises are best for managing pain, click here. There are also many YouTube videos and television shows that can guide you through yoga and Pilates exercises at home, at no cost. A little online research will help you find a favorite for your unique needs.

Before You Begin

If you are injured or suffer with chronic pain, before beginning a new exercise regimen, check with your general practitioner or Dr. Doyle to make sure you’re ready. If you’d like to also explore holistic pain relief options, call Dr. Doyle’s Roanoke, Tx office today at 817-767-5430 to set up a one-hour, comprehensive consultation and evaluation. The chiropractic and acupuncture clinic is convenient to Trophy Club, Keller, and Justin.

Can Chiropractors Help to Treat Scoliosis?

Posted on 05.24.19 |

Spine alignment

If you or your loved one lives with mild to severe scoliosis, you have probably wondered about alternative or holistic treatments. Scoliosis is most commonly treated with bracing and surgery. For patients who suffer from pain, doctors may also prescribe strong pain killers known as opioids, such as hydrocodone. While the drugs usually bring relief, there is the risk of addiction. Also, the longer you take an opioid, the less it works – so the prescription will be increased over time, which only increases the risk of addiction. To reduce this risk, consider seeing a chiropractor to treat your pain. Before you type “Roanoke chiro near me” into your browser, read on to learn about how Dr. Cody Doyle, a chiropractor and acupuncturist, provides treatment for scoliosis pain.

What is scoliosis?

Put simply, scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that is greater than a Cobb angle of 10 degrees. Sometimes this is mild, in which case the patient may have very few complications. For others, the curvature is significant, and it causes severe pain. Even routine movements may be difficult. Most patients develop scoliosis during their teen to adult years. Some people may develop scoliosis due to physical trauma, such as being in the backseat of a vehicle during a rear-end collision. Some adults may not even be aware that their back pain is caused by scoliosis.

How can chiropractors treat scoliosis pain?

The first step of treating any disease is diagnosis. Because many adults are unaware of their scoliosis, a visit to the chiropractor may be how they receive that diagnosis. Dr. Cody Doyle may be able to determine not only if your spine has a curvature, but the degree of that curvature. An x-ray will confirm the diagnosis. At that point, Dr. Doyle will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

When a patient with scoliosis requests chiropractic care, Dr. Doyle provides a chiropractic adjustment. Depending on your case, Dr. Doyle may use to deliver an adjustment. Some common tools used in the office include the muscle stim, the drop table, the massager, and acupuncture needles. While acupuncture is not an aspect of chiropractic care per se, combining the two practices may improve results.

What are the reported benefits of chiropractic care?

When it comes to correcting curvatures of the spine, scientists and medical professionals have debated the effectiveness of chiropractic care for decades. While many people continue to question its legitimacy, a 2011 study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine confirms that chiropractic care delivers numerous benefits to patients over time. The study involved rehabilitation of 28 patients and the findings included:

Reduction in Cobb angle of curvature by approximately 10 degrees
Reduced levels of pain by 36% after 6 months and another 21% at 24-month follow-up
Disability scores reduced from 60% to 30% in 6 months, and then dropped to 18% after 24 months

Outside of this particular study, patients who suffer from scoliosis report additional positive results following routine chiropractic care, such as:

Better flexibility
Reduced discomfort
Improved range of motion
Reduction in inflammation

Because Dr. Doyle may combine your chiropractic care with acupuncture, the benefits may be even more potent. In fact, another study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine in 2009 confirms that acupuncture aids in pain control for patients diagnosed with mild to severe scoliosis. It also illustrated that acupuncture can help to improve curvature progression for patients, even when traditional medicine has failed.

Perhaps the best benefit of chiropractic care and acupuncture is that it is holistic and drug-free. Some insurances cover all or part of chiropractic visits. Would you like to find out if these treatments may be right for you? Instead of searching for “Roanoke chiro near me,” give Dr. Doyle’s office a call directly at 817-767-5430.

Research Shows Acupuncture Eases Body Pain, Headaches, and Osteoarthritis

Posted on 03.30.19 |

Your CHiropractor in Roanoke, TX offer Acupuncture Care for Pain Relief

For years, chiropractors have known the benefits of holistic medicine in helping patients find relief from pain. But today, more and more conventional medical experts are turning to complementary therapies to build a more comprehensive pain management plan for patients dealing with chronic pain. The timing couldn’t be better; chronic pain is becoming an epidemic that more needs innovative solutions. Back in 2012, a survey led by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) discovered that nearly 26 million U.S. adults — or 11.2 percent — had been in pain every day for the preceding three months, and nearly 40 million experienced severe pain — and those numbers are estimated to have grown substantially since then.Read More >

Is Pain Management Possible Without More Pills?

Posted on 01.3.19 |

Do you have chronic pain but dislike the idea of getting yet another monthly prescription? If you want to avoid adding more pills to your daily regimen of medications, why not consider the value of chiropractic for pain management? Many individuals have found that regular visits to a chiropractor help manage their pain without the need for more medications. Contact Dr. Cody Doyle in Roanoke, TX by calling (817) 767-5430 to schedule a visit and discuss pill-free pain management treatment options including chiropractic care and acupuncture treatments.

Why Choose Holistic Pain Management?

Patients who have recurring bouts of pain often seek alternative pain management options to increasing their reliance on medicines. There are many reasons for not wanting to add more medications to someone’s daily dosage of pills, including:

Worries about tolerance: Certain pain medications lose their effectiveness over time. To combat this fact, patients need to increase their dosages, which can lead to other issues. In some cases, prescriptions may completely lose their effectiveness, meaning a patient has to switch to another pharmaceutical.
Worries about dependence: Many individuals are very concerned about the possibility of becoming dependent on painkillers. This is especially true for those who have already shown signs of addictive tendencies, or who have overcome a substance addiction.
Worries about cost: Medications can be costly, especially for individuals on a fixed income or whose healthcare plans prefer to pay for other types of treatments, such as chiropractic care.
Worries about contraindications: Every time a new medicine is added to an individual’s daily intake, it may lead to sometimes unpleasant or even potentially fatal contraindications with other medications.
Worries about mobility and independence: Certain painkillers make it difficult for patients to safely operate machinery or even drive a vehicle. Patients may be concerned about losing their freedom or ability to keep jobs they love.
Worries about general health: Our society has moved toward more holistic approaches to medicine. Taking more pills may be counterintuitive to the holistic healthcare preferred by some patients.
Worries about unwanted side effects: Some painkillers have unpleasant side effects, such as increasing the risk of depression, changes in appetite, difficulty sleeping, or lowered libido. Patients may want to consider non-medication forms of pain management to avoid these side effects.

These are all strong reasons for patients to talk with a chiropractor about natural pain management.

How Chiropractic Pain Management Works

Pain management through specifically designed chiropractic and acupuncture treatments involves using diagnostic tools and evaluations to understand the root source of the pain. Dr. Doyle will complete a comprehensive patient examination and then present a pain management treatment plan. The treatment plan will be customized to help the body heal itself and promote lowered pain.

In addition to in-office treatments, Dr. Doyle may also recommend that a patient with chronic pain make behavioral changes such as losing weight, eating anti-inflammatory foods, and performing certain exercises at home. Regardless if the pain stems from an injury, arthritis, or another cause, Dr. Doyle will help minimize discomfort using his 20 years of knowledge and experience. The goal for all patients is a reduction in their daily pain, and an improvement in their peace of mind and quality of life.

Pain Management in Roanoke, TX

Pain is not a normal condition. It is a sign that something is wrong. If you reside in Roanoke, TX and have chronic pain, contact us at (817) 767-5430 to arrange a time to meet with Dr. Doyle.

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.

Dr. Doyle is Your Roanoke TX Neck and Shoulder Pain Specialist

Posted on 09.3.18 |

Do you suffer from chronic pain in the neck, back, or shoulder? Are you tired of relying on painkillers that don’t even work that well? Have all your doctor’s visits still not solved your problem? If so, you might find relief with complementary therapies with Dr. Cody Doyle. Many patients with chronic pain in the back, neck, or shoulder find themselves resigned to their conditions, but there are solutions you may not have been offered by your primary care provider. Chiropractic and complementary therapies may offer you the chance to heal your condition and prevent the pain from returning.

Chronic Pain Problem? Dr. Cody Doyle Has Pain Solutions

Conventional medical care is great for many problems, but chronic pain is often the result of years of biomechanical dysfunction. Poor posture, improper use, overuse, or past injuries can leave you with joints that may feel permanently broken and muscles that have forgotten how to function properly. If you feel like you’ve already tried everything and your pain hasn’t lessened, you may find relief with one of the following therapies:

Chiropractic Treatments

The joints of the spine are incredibly easy to pull out of proper alignment. This can lead to problems in other parts of the body as well as nerve pathway malfunction. With small adjustments to your spinal alignment, chiropractic treatments can help make your body function the way it’s supposed to.

Myofascial Release Therapy

Back, neck, and shoulder pain can often be caused by damaged tissues that have forgotten how to function correctly. This therapy uses stretching, massage, and stimulation of the connective tissues to encourage healing and proper blood flow to malfunctioning areas.

Premodulated Muscle Stimulation

Sometimes referred to as premodulated current physical therapy, this treatment uses mild electrical stimulation to reduce muscle spasms, discomfort, and swelling on soft tissue and muscle injuries.

Acupuncture Treatment

Using safe, painless application of very fine needles, Dr. Doyle uses this centuries-old mainstay of Eastern medicine to gently stimulate nerve pathways at strategic points on the body. Acupuncture is a great way to stimulate tissues and encourage the body to heal itself by natural means.

Physical Therapy

Shoulder and neck pain are often the result of improper lifting, repeated motions, and bad posture. Physical therapy exercises can help retrain the body to use the right muscles and movement patterns needed for proper function and reduced pain.

Ultrasound Therapy

Therapeutic ultrasound therapy can reduce muscle pain and increase range of motion by delivering deep heat to the underlying impaired muscles and connective tissues. As a complement to physical therapy, ultrasound therapy treats muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments.

What to Expect at Your Consultation

If you’ve been experiencing Roanoke TX neck and shoulder pain, visit our office for a consultation. Dr. Doyle will listen to your symptoms and use a number of diagnostic techniques to locate the source of your muscle or joint dysfunction. Depending on your case, he may recommend a number of combined therapies that may or may not include chiropractic treatments. Every patient may have unique circumstances that took years to lead them to their current painful condition. Finding a solution often takes more than one appointment.

Had Enough of Your Roanoke TX Neck and Shoulder Pain?

Call Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture. Dr. Doyle has been helping patients heal their injuries and medical conditions for over 21 years and may be able to help you, too. Call us today at 817-767-5430 for a consultation.