Norwood Chiropractic and Pain Relief Center - Dr. Fred Rondinelli

10/04/2024

Well it finally happened to me. The doctor has become the patient. Unfortunately, in September 2023 I suffered an injury to my low back area while treating a patient. I should’ve been more careful. I should’ve taken my time, and I should’ve done everything that I told my patients to do with regards to lifting heavy objects. The injury occurred while I was adjusting a patient with a particular chiropractic technique that I was utilizing. This technique requires standing behind the patient and adjusting them. The pain was not immediate but within a couple of hours I knew something was wrong. Two days later I was flat on my back and remained that way for three days. I was prescribed different medication which provided minimal relief and caused all kinds of stomach issues. I scheduled an MRI and as you can see from the picture above I have a lumbar disc herniation which was affecting my right Sciatic nerve. Once I was able to move and walk treatment began. The treatment included hot/cold treatment, electrical muscle stimulation, chiropractic treatment and spinal decompression. I also modified the way that I did things with regards to patient care and various acts of daily living. It has been approximately four months since my injury and currently the only issue that I have is some tingling of my last two toes of my right foot. I have no back pain and most importantly I have no limitations at this present time. This treatment was provided at our facility and as I have indicated in the past the treatment is covered by the insurance company. There is absolutely no need to spend money on treatment that is covered. Our office treats a number of conditions from sprains/strains to overuse injuries to disc injuries. We have the following treatments available: heat/cold therapies, Laser therapy, radio pulse wave therapy, massage therapy, and spinal decompression to name a few. If you have any questions feel free to contact our office or you could speak to me personally. My cell number is 339–927–5605.

20/03/2024

My son is wanting to stay busy this spring and summer and wants to work outside. He cuts lawns and has worked for landscape companies. He wants to do his own thing. Give him a call if you need his services.

09/01/2024

16/07/2023

I guess I’m showing my age but one of my favorite cartoons when I was a kid was when Bugs Bunny raced Cecil the turtle. I thought for sure Bugs Bunny was going to win until Cecil flipped up that shell of his and showed us his jet propulsion pack. Those were the days. Footloose, fancy free, A world void of any type of electronics except for obviously the television. But believe it or not, every day I am reminded of Cecil the turtle. All you have to do is just look around and there are hundreds if not thousands of Cecil The Turtles. You’re probably wondering what I mean by that? Since the electronic revolution and the use of carrying devices ( back packs ), the posture of our youth has changed. Look at Cecil the turtle. His posture is not too bad with the exception that his head sticks straight out from his shoulders. Your head is supposed to stick straight up from your shoulders and not straight out from your shoulders/chest. Cecil also has a hump in his back ( obviously shell related ). That type of posture puts abnormal stress loads on the cervical spine and upper thoracic spine resulting in what will be a whole host of problems in about 15 to 20 years. This posturing not only results in abnormal stress loads but also causes anatomical changes to take place within the spine itself including: muscle weakening, muscle shortening, and alterations in the spinal curves that are important for proper spinal function. These changes can result in a whole host of problems including: decreased movement/range of motion, degenerative disc disease, arthritis of the spine, disc problems/herniations and spinal stenosis. Don’t move as slow as a turtle when it comes to addressing obvious issues such as poor posture and posture habits. Should you have any questions with regards to treatment please feel free to contact us at 339–927–5605. our office offers chiropractic care, physical therapy, regenerative medicine, orthopedic consultation evaluation, and a med spa. In addition to those specialties we offer a host of other treatment protocols including spinal decompression, pulse wavelength therapy, light/laser therapy and injection therapy if needed. All of which are covered by health insurance. 

11/07/2023

One of the greatest taglines/slogans that I’ve heard in years is “an educated consumer is our best customer”.  How true this is when it comes to your health and your treatment options. In the last several days, I’ve had a patient enter our office asking questions with regards to a disc injury. The patient had an MRI performed of the spinal region which was ordered by his medical physician. The MRI confirmed that the patient suffered with a disc herniation which was affecting the nerve and causing pain to radiate into the extremity region (arm or leg). The patient wanted to know what his treatment options were. There are several treatments that are typically considered when a person has a herniated disc. These treatments range from: medication, injection therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic care and some type of surgical intervention. After seeing some advertisements on the Internet, the patient asked about a treatment called spinal decompression. Spinal decompression it’s just a fancy word for spinal traction.  Spinal traction has been used for centuries and since the early 1990’s spinal decompression appeared on the scene. Spinal traction was re-labeled to spinal decompression and a new business was born. Many of the advertisements that I’ve seen on the Internet with regards to spinal decompression required that the patient pays out-of-pocket for this treatment. This could cost thousands of dollars. The patient is informed that the treatment is not covered by the insurance company however this is not true. Most insurance companies pay for spinal traction.  Does spinal traction/decompression work? The answer is yes it does work in about 70-80% of the patients that undergo this type of treatment. In conjunction with the other treatment methods utilized the percentages can be a higher. So if you’re suffering with a disc injury/herniation or if you have any questions with regards to an MRI that you’ve had and or possible treatment options that you would like to consider, please feel free to contact our office. The number is 339–927-5605.  Why pay for treatment that is covered by the insurance company when you don’t have to. My name is Dr. Fred Rondinelli. The name of the business is called Norwood chiropractic and pain relief center. We have chiropractic care, physical therapy, pulse wave therapy, light/laser therapy, spinal traction/decompression, orthopedic medicine, and a Med Spa. The purpose of these articles is to make “educated consumers “. Call today for a consultation to see if spinal decompression will work for you.

25/04/2023

Like pieces of a puzzle

My wife just loves puzzles. Small ones or large ones, simple or complex, even 3-D puzzles, she is crazy about them all. Her love of puzzles gets me thinking that your visit to the doctor is like a box of puzzle pieces. The number one reason people go to the doctor is because of pain. There may be a few other reasons as well. So when you’re not feeling like your old self, the first step is to call the doctor and get an appointment. Upon presenting to the doctors office, you will fill out the necessary paperwork. Most people try to do the least amount of writing as possible which is a big mistake. When more information is provided, the doctor will have a better idea about what is happening with you at the time of your appointment. Information which is important would include: when the pain or problem started, how often does the problem occurs, on a scale of 1 to 10 how severe the pain is, A description of the type of pain that you’re feeling ( dull, aching, sharp, stabbing, throbbing, grabbing, numbness or tingling), and whether the pain is local or is radiating into another part of the body. The doctor will perform an examination which consists of many parts such as: blood pressure, range of motion testing, orthopedic testing, nerve testing, palpation, reflex testing and observation of movement. Once the exam is done, the doctor prescribes the treatment. All the information that is listed above is like a collection of puzzle pieces. The more information that the patient provides plus the observations/information collected by the doctor help to make the patient’s diagnostic puzzle more complete. At times diagnostic testing may also be necessary. This would include x-ray testing, CT scan, diagnostic ultrasound, lab testing, nerve testing, and/or MRI testing. Medication may also be prescribed depending on the patient’s condition. Many patients don’t realize that treatment success and or failure also provides additional information to both the doctor and the patient with regards to their diagnosis. This is another puzzle piece to help complete the diagnostic puzzle picture. So remember that the next time you go to the doctor, provide as much information as you possibly can so that you and your doctor can work together in helping you reach your health goals and finish your diagnostic puzzle.

We are accepting new patients. If you have any questions please contact our office. The number is 339-927-5605. Call or text.

17/04/2023

OH THE PAIN !!!!

The number one reason why people go to the doctor is because of pain. It could be because of a persistent headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, leg pain and/or foot pain. You get the idea. The presence of pain is not a bad thing.

Pain is a signal in your nervous system that something may be wrong. It is an unpleasant feeling, such as a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. Pain may be sharp or dull. It may come and go, or it may be constant.

There are two types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain usually comes suddenly, because of a disease, injury, or inflammation. It can often be diagnosed and treated. It usually goes away, though sometimes it can turn into chronic pain. Chronic pain lasts for a long time and can cause severe problems.

Pain can be helpful in diagnosing a problem. If you never felt pain, you might seriously hurt yourself without knowing it, or you might not realize you have a medical problem that needs treatment.

You’ve also heard of people saying no pain no gain with regards to exercise/sports activities. This may be true depending on that activity but if you tweak something or if something just doesn’t feel right you may need to have that pain evaluated.

The longer you let the pain persist the more serious the problem can be. I see this time after time and unfortunately for the patient, it appears they may have just waited too long. They go from having a treatable condition with a good prognosis to a condition which can only be managed and outcomes that may be a little disappointing.

I always find it funny when a patient makes an appointment, comes into the office, and indicates to me that they have back pain and would like the pain to be gone in one visit. They then tell me that they were hoping to get this problem resolved because they are going on vacation the next day. When I asked him how long they’ve had the back pain, more often than not, they tell me they have had it for a couple of years. I chuckle on the inside because of the unrealistic expectations that are placed on me, the doctor, with regards to treating their condition. Most conditions are treatable, and I always say the quicker you get into the office the quicker the resolution of your problem. The longer you wait the more time and money you’ll need to spend in order to obtain the same results. That’s hoping that you haven’t waited too long. So, the question that you have to ask yourself is “Why am I waiting to fix my problem”?

We are accepting new patients. If you have any questions please contact our office. The number is 339-927-5605. Call or text.

13/02/2023

Have you ever had one of those days, one of those weeks or one of those years? Have you ever lost your job, hated your job or wanted a new job? Do you feel like you used to feel? Do you have the same energy that used to have? Or does every day seem to be just tougher than the next day? When you go to the doctors, does it seem to be just another appointment of bad news? For those of you that feel like this or have run into similar situation such as these, it would be great to have a reset button.

According to Webster’s dictionary, a RESET is to set again or anew. Bad days do get better and nowadays people change their jobs like they change their underwear. For those of us who just aren’t feeling like we used to, there is an answer. That answer is contained within the acronym called NEW START.

N is for nutrition. Putting good food in as well as good drink. The best food is living food. Fruits and vegetables as well as nuts and grains are important. Science is even showing that those on a plant-based diet have better health. You are what you eat so if eat foods that are bad for you, you’re going to feel bad.

E is for exercise. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

W is for water. As I have mentioned in a past article, water consumption appears to be nonexistent for most people. I typically recommend 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight per individual. Around 60 to 70% of our body is made up of water. Water place an important part in the body including colon flushing waste from the body, regulating body temperature, transportation of nutrients and is necessary for digestion.

S is for sunshine. It’s important that we get outside for a couple of hours a day and get sunshine. Exposure to sunlight is very important when it comes to vitamin D levels in the body.

T is for temperance. Remember that all things should be done in moderation. Somethings that are harmful to the body should not be done at all.

A is for air. Fresh air not only clears your lungs, it can also boost your mood, lower your heart rate, increase your energy levels, improve digestion and increase the amount of oxygen in your body which supports white blood cells to function more efficiently.

R is for rest. Many of us are burning the candle at both ends the result of which is just burning ourselves out. Vacations and holidays are great but believe it or not the idea of resting goes back to biblical times when God had his people rest one day and seven. That day was called the Sabbath and the people took a sabbath rest.

T is for trust. Science has now proven that people who trust in God and have faith come through illness and surgeries better than those who do not trust in God.

Don’t wait until it’s too late or until you’re fed up. You can hit the reset button at any time. In doing so, you could try a NEW START today.

09/12/2022

BODY SYSTEMS

The human body is literally amazing. To think that it started off as two individual cells coming together and developing over a nine month period, eventually becoming a human being of billions/trillions of cells. How this happens it’s still a mystery. The differentiation of cells takes place early in the process with certain cells becoming certain systems. As one studies and/or looks at photographs of a developing fetus, it is amazing to see the progress and cell differentiation at work. Our bodies are composed of several systems. These systems would include the following: the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the endocrine system, the musculoskeletal system, the digestive system, and the nervous system. Of the systems that are listed above, the one system that would be considered the master system is the nervous system. The nervous system controls all other systems. It is a system that gathers information, processes that information, and then responds to that information. The premise of chiropractic is that the body functions from above down and inside out.

As chiropractors we primarily deal with the musculoskeletal system. When this system is not working/functioning properly it can affect all other systems. For example, a patient with abnormal spinal curves can have problems with respiration, digestion and/or locomotion. These abnormal spinal curves can also put altered mechanical stress loads on the spinal joints resulting in changes such as arthritis. These bony changes/arthritis can cause resulting nerve impingement which affects all other related symptoms. This is one of the main reasons why spinal care should never be overlooked. The saying that ”You are what you eat” is just as important as the saying “Your house is only as strong as its foundation.” This is why spinal care is so important. It should never be overlooked. Our office takes a unique approach in addressing your spinal care options. We utilize chiropractic care and management as well as a physical therapy/rehabilitation program to help you reach your full potential with regards to your spinal needs. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at 339–927–5605. You could leave a message and/or text.

08/11/2022

Maybe I should’ve been a dentist

My story of how I became a chiropractor is a very interesting one. But as I interact with patients on a daily basis, I feel like Rodney Dangerfield. For those of you who don’t know him, he was a comedian a long time ago and in his monologue he would say that “I don’t get any respect”. Sometimes that’s how I feel particularly when I’m looking out for the best interests of my patients. Exercises, whether they be stretching or dynamic motion exercises along with strengthening exercises, need to be done by patients if they are wanting to reach their spinal health and/or overall health goals. Let’s be honest, if your doctor gave you exercises would you do them? Most of my patients, when I asked if they’re doing their exercises, typically tell me that: they don’t have enough time, they forgot to do their exercises, they didn’t remember they had exercises to do, they lost the papers, and the dog ate the papers. When you go to the dentist, you were told that you need to brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. Is it the fear of being at dentist office that makes you do your exercises or are your teeth that important to you? I’ve always find it funny when I ask my patients “Why brush your teeth when they don’t hurt?” They typically look at me as if they’ve never thought of that before. But seriously, if your teeth don’t hurt, why brush them. You get two sets of teeth and even if you lose your second set of teeth you can always get fake ones. This might be expensive but it’s an option. Unfortunately most people don’t apply this reasoning when it comes to their spine. You only have one spine and as far as I have seen, they haven’t figured out how to replace the one that you have. It only makes sense to me that you would take extra special care of your spine. Most people give their spine attention when they’re having pain but as soon as they feel better, they stop doing the things that made then feel better and one of those things is/was exercise. Once again, why brush your teeth when they don’t hurt? The answer is to prevent any future problems from taking place. The same holds true for your spine. That being said just do your exercises. Feel free to contact me with any questions or for a copy of spinal exercises.