What to Expect from the Chiropractic Physician

On your first visit

Assessment to determine your problem. Diagnosis is reached after a thorough examination which involves some or all of the following:

History of Chief Complaint, Physical Exam, Spinal Exam, Orthopaedic Testing, Neurological Tesing, Computerized Postural Exam, X-rays, Nerve Condution Velocity Testing, MRI, CAT Scan, EMG, Labs or any other diagnositic test necessary.

Treatment: will commence right away, if Chiropractic, Massage and Exercise is what you need.

Referral: if Chiropractic, Massage and Exercise is not appropriate treatment then you will be referred back to your family doctor or to a good Neurosurgeon/Orthopaedist.

On your follow-up visits

Regular 15- 30 minute appointments will be agreed between you and the doctor at suitable intervals. This will depend on your condition and the severity of the problem.

You will also receive counseling and advice about your lifestyle, work, activities of daily living and exercise.

Our Specialty

Dr. Bedell specializes in diagnosing and treating spinal disorders and correcting forward head posture.

Most problems in the neck and back originate from dysfunctional spinal vertebrae which are "stuck" out of alignment. These vertebrae are often stiff and tender due to the build up of scar tissue deposition caused by previous injury, chronic stress, and sedentary lifestyles. The stiff vertebrae in the spine can contribute to and be the cause of neck stiffness, back pain, and spinal arthritis.

The dyfunction in the spine is typically precipitated by weakness in the paraspinal musculature. Specifically in two muscles called the multifidus muscle and the transverse abdominus muscle.

When these muscles are weak and not working properly this creates abnormal stress on ligaments and joint capsules. This stress stimulates scar tissue formation. Scar tissue is not like normal tissue. It's really stiff and doesn't diffuse nutrients from the blood supply efficiently. As the spine starts losing motion the spinal joints affected the most can start degenerating leading to osteoarthritis.

The loss of spinal motion also decreases proprioceptive feedback to the multifidus and transverse abdominus muscles causing inhibition, atrophy, and fatty infiltration. This creates a vicious cycle that actually perpetuates itself.

Weakness is typically precipitated by some type of stress. For example, Acute Stress, like a car accident, can cause extensive soft tissue damage and serious weakness.

Other acute stress examples would be a slip & fall injury, sports injury, or even lifting wrong. Chronic (long time) stress like prolonged sitting, hunched-over bad posture, and daily repetitive movements can slowly cause weakness over time.

Emotional stress is also a another significant cause of weakness because when one is stressed their body goes into a sympathetic mode of termed the "flight or fight sydrome". This in turn causes an increase in heart rate, bronchial dialation, and tight muscles. Since your body never actually has to fight or run your body becomes tired and weak. During this process a hormone is released called Cortisol, which is the stress hormone. This hormone is released at really high levels when a person is under a lot of emotional stress. Unfortunately Cortisol is catabolic...which means it will break down your muscle for energy; therefore leaving a person with less muscle making them weak as well.

The Chiropractic Physicians Role in Interdisciplinary Care

The chiropractic physician can provide complementary care to the surgeon and the general medical practitioner who specializes in a pharmaceutical approach to healthcare conditions. The chiropractic physician is well trained in disease prevention, clinical nutrition and the science of tissue recovery and repair. The chiropractic physician understands the steps required to promote maximum neuromusculoskeletal function.