AboutJ.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C. Expertise I can answer questions related to the customary practice of chiropractic, different types of chiropractic, as well as the routine management of common musculoskeletal conditions. My background and approach to healthcare emphasizes evidence-based integration of complimentary and alternative therapies with traditional allopathic care.
Please note: Due to the limitations of email communication, I cannot answer questions seeking a potential diagnosis or a second opinion. Without exception, any answers given may be used for educational purposes only. If a question is asked, you, the questioner, inherently agree to not use the answer for any type of evidence against another individual or to outweigh the advice or opinion of another healthcare professional. You, the questioner, also inherently agree to remove Allexperts.com and its affiliates and the author of the answer, Dr. JR Strecker, DC, from any harm or liability.
Experience I have extensive experience with chiropractic in an integrated system. I have treated patients at Venice Family Clinic, the nation’s largest free clinic and a teaching clinic for the UCLA medical system, in a heavily researched pilot program incorporating chiropractic and acupuncture with allopathic medicine. I am currently focused on private practice.
Organizations American Chiropractic Association
California Chiropractic Association
Publications Dr. JR Strecker’s Practice -- featured story (Front Page of Business Section), The Palisadian Post. Oct. 25th, 2007. (Dr. Strecker not the original author).
Education/Credentials Bachelor’s of Science, Human Biology (Cleveland Chiropractic College)
Doctor of Chiropractic, Cum Laude Honors (Cleveland Chiropractic College)
Awards and Honors Youngest chiropractor in professional history to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree
Past/Present Clients Consulting Chiropractor for Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy – Pacific Palisades, CA
Question What area (muscles, vertebrae, etc.) do I need to give attention to in order to have a treatment stay in place more than 24 hours? Would I benefit from glucosamine chondroitin? I presently take vitamins and get a massage once a month. I try to get a chiropractic treatment once a month, and occasionally have to go several days in a row to be free of headaches or back aches. And, yet, within 1-to-3 days I have the problem again. What do you recommend? I've noticed this is getting worse just the last five years.
Answer Disclaimer: please do not take any of my advice without at least consulting with your doctor(s) first. If necessary, print this email in its entirety for your doctor(s) to read. In addition, please do not attempt to use this website or my advice as a substitute for your healthcare needs, as a substitute for the advice of your doctor, or as a substitute for any legal advice. There is no way a thorough health evaluation or assessment of any medical condition can be properly made via email. Please only use the contents discussed as a guide or tool to address your health matters with your doctor(s). If any of the information I provide conflicts in anyway with the information your doctor(s) provide, it is always best to default to the information provided by your consulting doctor(s) or to seek additional opinions from qualified, licensed healthcare providers as needed.
Hello,
What a great set of questions! Although I cannot guarantee this answer is specific to your situation, I’ll do my best to answer your questions.
What area (muscles, vertebrae, etc.) do I need to give attention to in order to have a treatment stay in place more than 24 hours?
This is very broad and it’s difficult to say that you should give special attention to a single area to help your adjustments hold without knowing you personally. However, chiropractors are taught the “3 T’s” cause patients to go out of alignment: Thoughts, Traumas, and Toxins. These are broad categories. Thoughts could be anything from negative thoughts, underlying mental pathologies, having an argument with someone, to just a stressful day at work. As you can see, the list is broader than just the scenarios mentioned, so going out of alignment is possible whenever your mind is not in the right place. Traumas are much more obvious. They include anything from a whiplash (chronic or acute) to working out too hard or exercising improperly at the gym. Toxins are most often related to diet, but could be related to other environmental factors as well. Anytime your body is subjected to environmental poisons, such as carcinogenic stimuli, or unhealthy foods, it is believed these could cause your alignment to falter. To know which is most likely causing your muscles to tighten or your vertebra to slip out of alignment or become fixated is something you should discuss with your chiropractor in person. If you can determine which stimuli are causing you to go out of alignment or cause fixation in your spine, then it is much more likely for your adjustments to hold in place by focusing your attention on avoiding those stimuli, rather than singling out the muscle, vertebrae, etc...
Would I benefit from glucosamine chondroitin?
Let me start by saying this is a very controversial topic. Some research say it does nothing and many doctors will tell you that you’re wasting your money, and some research indicates clear benefit with doctors and patients alike swearing by the product. I, personally, am a fan of the product. Glucosamine affects the cartilage, so it can take awhile before you begin to notice improvement (because of the poor blood supply of cartilage, which is mostly avascular). Additionally, you should buy a good product. Talk to the employees at the store you buy it from or talk to your chiropractor to see which product/brand is a good one. Typically with glucosamine chondroitin, you get what you pay for. It’s unlikely you are going to notice improvement in your condition unless your condition is related to wear and tear, degenerative changes, arthritis, cartilage thinning, etc…
I hope this clears things up a bit for you. Best of luck!
