Walk to Cure Arthritis May 20th, 2016

Walk to Cure Arthritis May 20th, 2016

For the very first time The Arthritis Foundation has chosen a Chiropractic Honoree to acknowledge the important role that hands on healing can have for those living with arthritis. I am proud to serve in this capacity for 2016.

 

More than fifty million people, including 300,000 children, live with arthritis pain every day. That is one out of every five people who may have difficulty buttoning their shirt, tying their shoes or even picking up their child or grandchild. I want to make a difference in their lives, so I joined the Walk to Cure Arthritis. The walk will be held on May 20th at 6:15 pm on Logan University’s beautiful campus in Chesterfield, Missouri.

 

I’m asking for your support to help conquer this serious disease. Please use the link below to make a secure online donation to my fundraising efforts. Your donation helps people with arthritis to manage their disease, gain access to the critical medications they need to live full, healthy lives and benefit from cutting-edge research that provides better treatments today and promises a cure for tomorrow.

 

Walk to Cure Arthritis may only last one day, but the impact of your donation will help create millions of everyday victories for people with arthritis while we search for a cure. Every step counts and every dollar matters.

 

Please join me during this important campaign. Go to: walktocurearthritis.org/stlouis/handsonhealth and make a donation, join our team, or both!
Managing our bodies is an ongoing challenge. Helping you manage your body is a privilege that we take to heart at Hands on Health.

 

 

 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

All the best,
Linda Wheatland Smith, D.C.

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Hands On Health Summer 2015 Newsletter

Hands On Health Summer Newsletter
from Linda Wheatland Smith, D.C.

 

I hope this note finds each of you well. I will be out of the office July 29th-August 3rd and August 15th-25th. During these times there will be three massage therapists available to help you, and my assistant, Jeanne. Jeanne is a physical therapy assistant and can help you with deep tissue massage and physical therapies while I am out of the office.

 

July 29th through August 3rd, I will be a workshop leader for the Women’s Summer Seminar at Camp Miniwanca in northern Michigan. I will teach yoga and meditation, lead a wellness workshop, and be their song leader.

 

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From August 15th through the 25th, my family and I will hike the Inca Trail. It has been on our bucket list. We will camp and hike for five days to reach the Sun Gates of Macchu Picchu.

 

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FEATURE FOCUS
DRY NEEDLING for Pain and Injury
Safe*Effective*Efficient

dry-needling 2

Dry Needling is a procedure in which very thin needles are inserted into the painful areas of muscles or tissues of the body. The needle penetrates through the skin into the sensitive myofascial trigger points (irritable hard knots within the muscle) and stimulates the underlying injured muscles to relieve pain and promote healing. These fine needles deactivate the sensitive trigger points thereby decreasing pain and restoring the normal muscle functions. The needles do not inject any medication into the body. The treatment is very safe and the discomfort is minimal.

 

How Dry Needling Improves Function and Reduces Pain

 

Dry Needling of muscular trigger points causes relaxation and a release of the spasm.Tiny injuries created by the needle insertion cause a local healing response in the dysfunctional, painful tissue, which restores normal function through the natural healing process. Dry Needling stimulates neural pathways which blocks pain by disrupting pain messages being sent to the central nervous system.

 

The pain control process occurs by:

  • Opiod suppression at the spinal cord level.
  • The Gate Theory of pain Pain messages encounter “nerve gates” in the spinal cord that open or close depending upon a number of factors. When the gates are opening, pain messages “get through” and pain can be intense. When the gates close, pain messages are prevented from reaching the brain and may not even be experienced.
  • Activating neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, which contribute to a systemic pain inhibiting effect, and this neurotransmitter response extends the therapeutic benefit to other areas of the body.
  • Dry Needling causes a local chemically mediated response through the release of Bradykinin, Substance P, and other body proteins and neurotransmitters, which block the transmission of pain messages.

 

Dry Needling has been shown to help the following conditions:

  • Lower back pain
  • Neck and Upper Back Pain
  • Plantar Fascitis
  • Tension Headache
  • Sciatica
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Hip Pain
  • Acute and chronic tendinitis
  • Athletic and sports-related overuse injuries
  • Post-traumatic injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and work related injuries
  • Chronic pain conditions
  • Muscular Headaches and whiplash

 

Call us at 314-721-5390 to schedule a visit to see if dry needling will be helpful for your pain and injuries.

Nutrition News
Hormone of Darkness: Marvelous Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in response to darkness. Melatonin is involved in the regulation of sleep. In addition research is demonstrating its impressive biologic affects in preserving health and preventing disease. As we age Melatonin secretion drops off markedly, which is why sleep disturbances are so common after age 40.

 

Melatonin appears to:

  • block the progression of mild cognitive impairment
  • be a powerful brain anti-oxidant and immune modulator
  • have anti-cancer properties especially with regards to breast and prostate cancer
  • inhibit build up of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain (a key hallmark feature of Alzheimer’s disease)
  • block key steps in the development of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)

 

Melatonin may be taken as an over the counter supplement. It is important to check in with your physician for dosages and interaction with other medications.

Office Hours and Fee Schedule
Dr. Smith’s Office Hours
Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday by appointment.

We integrate chiropractic, massage therapy and acupuncture into our treatment programs. Please plan on each visit taking approximately 45 minutes.

 

New Patient Evaluation: $80-140
New Problem Evaluation: $40-80
Chiropractic Care with massage and physical therapy: $84
Acupuncture with Massage Therapy: $94-120

 

Massage Therapy Schedule and Fees
Massage therapy is available throughout the week and on weekends by appointment.

 

30 minute massage: $45
(good for an area that is troubling you such as your low back, shoulder or neck)
60 Minute Massage: $70
(excellent for a full body massage, deep relaxation, and deep tissue)
90 Minute Massage: $95
(excellent for a full body massage and an intense focus on an area of injury or pain with deep tissue work)

 

Please call us at 314-721-5390 to schedule your massage or you may call our therapists directly:
Danny Mueller, LMT 1-832-647-8783
Sallie Spence, LMT 1-314-974-4216
Kelly Andel, LMT 1-314-255-5056

 

Managing our bodies is an ongoing challenge.
Helping you manage your body is a privilege that we take to heart at Hands on Health.

 

We look forward to seeing you soon.
All the best,
Linda Wheatland Smith, D.C.

Posted in Massage Therapy, Nutrition | Comments closed

St. Louis Magazine’s Top Chiropractors 2015

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LWS Top Chiro 2015 

Professional Research Services (PRS), a third-party research company, contacted each licensed and active chiropractor within the State of Missouri. Each chiropractor was asked to recommend up to three colleagues, other than themselves, in a given chiropractic specialty. Once the ballots were complete, each nominee was carefully evaluated on the basis of the survey results, the legitimacy of their license, and their current standing with the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Chiropractors who received the highest number of votes are reflected in this list. A listing in Top Chiropractors cannot be purchased, and advertising in the issue has no impact on whether or not a chiropractor is listed.

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Update on Sallie Spence, Massage Therapist

Update on Sallie Spence, Massage Therapist

SSpenceGreetings!

 

I hope this note finds you in good health. As many of you are aware, I have not been able to perform massage since October due to an injury to my wrist. Here is an update on my condition and my plans to return.

 

I fractured my wrist last October while hiking in Hawaii. It has been a long journey since then for me, including surgery 6 weeks ago to repair my wrist. I am due to get my cast off in one week! I will then begin a rehab process and physical therapy to regain my strength and function.

 

searchI miss each of you and value you as my client. I look forward to working with you again soon. I will give you an update after my cast comes off and my rehab is under way. I plan to be back in practice by May 1.

 

All the best,
Sallie

 

 

 

Managing our bodies is an ongoing challenge. Helping you manage your body is a privilege that we take to heart at Hands on Health.

Linda

 

We look forward to seeing you soon.
All the best,
Linda Wheatland Smith, D.C.,P.C.

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Hands On Health Fall Newsletter

fall

Hands On Health Fall Newsletter

I hope the fall finds each of you well. It has been one year since my bike accident. I am back to my pre-accident workout schedule and my ankle is pain free. Once again I am reminded, gratefully, of the amazing recuperative powers of the human body.

 

After many years of struggling to work inside the insurance model for chiropractic care, I am gradually moving toward a model in which I will no longer participate with insurance plans. I am no longer a provider for BC/BS or Aetna. I continue to be a provider for Coventry and UHC. You will still be able to use your HSA plans to pay for your care here and in most cases your treatments will be applied to your deductibles. For many of you, the fees for my services and cash payments will be the same as when I was a provider.

 

This has been a very hard decision for me but the administrative requirements and the very poor reimbursement schedule have worn me down. The model I use and have confidence in, including massage therapy, acupuncture, and exercise prescription, does not fit into the insurance model. I am sorry for any hardship this causes you and your families.

I value you very much as my patient and hope that you will continue to seek care in our office.

Fee Schedule 2014-2015

 

New Patient Visit: $80-140
(depending on time and complexity of the health issues)

 

Chiropractic Care including massage and physical therapy: $84

 

Acupuncture and Deep Tissue Massage: $94

 

New Health Issue consult for established patient: $45-95
(depending on time and complexity of the health issues)
Please call us at 314-721-5390 with any questions or to schedule your next visit with us. We look forward to seeing you.

 

News and Updates from Hands on Health

 

MLukowsky

Michael Lukowsky, foot and shoe expert, joins Hands on Health

Michael Lukowsky, certified pedorathist, is at Hands on Health on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. We have worked together with patients for 25 years. Many of you have seen him at his Crestwood location. I am very happy that he is available to help you with:

 

1. Orthotics and shoe guidance for runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts
2. Foot pain and dysfunction

  • plantar fascitis
  • recurrent ankle sprain
  • Metatarsalgia: Pain in the ball of the foot.
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: the tarsal tunnel is a narrow space that lies on the inside of the ankle next to the ankle bones.
  • Osteoarthritis (wear and tear and old injuries) and Rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Achilles Tendonitis: Inflamed tendon on back of the foot and up toward the calf.
  • Stress Fractures: Overuse in bones of the foot.
  • Haglund’s Deformity: Pump bump. Calcification of the rear foot above the heel.
  • Sesamoiditis: Inflammation or fractures behind the big toe on the bottom of the foot.
  • Hallux Limitus/Rigidus: Painful joint behind the big toe.
  • Peroneal Tendonitis: Pain along the outside of the ankle.
  • Bunions: Deformed joint behind the big toe.

 

3. Foot mechanics and leg length discrepancies that impact your back, hip and neck pain.

 

Michael can evaluate your feet and shoes and help you understand what will best support your feet and related structures.Please call us at 314-721-5390to set up an appointment with Michael on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Massage Therapy at Hands on Health 

SSpenceSallie Spence, LMT, our wonderful massage therapist, is retiring from her position as my assistant. She continues as our strong and excellent massage therapist and will see clients by appointment throughout the week including Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Sallie mastered many areas of chronic pain and injury as she worked hand in hand with me on many musculoskeletal pain syndromes.

 

Please call 314-721-5390 to set up your time to have a massage with Sallie.

Dry needling at Hands on Health 

Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
How does it work? And who needs it?
Good questions! 

Dry needling involves the insertion of very thin needles into areas of painful muscular, ligamentous, and tendinous damage. Electric stimulation may then be attached to the needle to enhance its effect. The insertion of the needle creates a sensation of aching, which indicates that the area of damage has been located. Dry needling interrupts the cycle of pain and increases circulation to the area of injury. It is a modern technique that has an historical basis in acupuncture. It is remarkably effective and very safe for managing the following conditions:

  • Low back pain 
  • Sciatica 
  • Neck and upper back pain 
  • Headaches 
  • Rotator cuff injuries in the shoulder 
  • Tendinitis in the elbow, shoulder, and hip 
  • Knee pain 
  • Hip pain 
  • Shin splints 
  • Plantar fascitis 
  • Achilles tendinitis 

 

Dry needling can be utilized instead of injections of cortisone. Cortisone weakens tendons and leave them vulnerable to further tearing and damage. Research shows us that just the needling of the tissue is very effective in interrupting pain and promoting healing and good circulation. Only in circumstances when this is ineffective should shots of cortisone be considered.

 

Dr. Smith has been using Dry Needling in addition to Acupuncture for over 20 years. She received her certification in Acupuncture in 1993. Please call us at 314-721-5390 to schedule a visit to see if dry needling might be helpful to your pain or injury.

LWS
Managing our bodies is an ongoing challenge. Helping you manage your body is a privilege that we take to heart at Hands on Health. 

 

We look forward to seeing you soon.
All the best,
Linda Wheatland Smith, D.C.,P.C.

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