Chiropractic Wellness Center, Inc.
Q: Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
A: Chiropractors are primary care physicians so you may contact a chiropractor directly to set up your appointment as a new patient. Several medical physicians around the Columbia/Lexington area may make the referral directly for you. During your initial visit, your chiropractor will review your full health history and status to determine your needs. They will also decide if x-rays or other diagnostics are necessary. Once they determine your needs, review your history, and integrate any diagnostic information, they will determine the best Plan of Care, so they can personalize your protocol to help you heal, strengthen, and maintain wellness. Chiropractic care provides many benefits that help patients restore function and optimal health, as well as helping stiff necks and bad backs improve.
Shelly Jones, DC
(803) 771-9990
DrShellyJones.com
Doctors Care Urgent Care
Q: What is a Pre-participation Physical Exam, and why is it important?
A: Many young athletes must go through a yearly exam referred to as a pre-participation physical exam or sports physical to start or continue participating in athletics. Most schools and athletic organizations require clearance exams, which provide beneficial medical information for athletic trainers and other health care professionals who may interact with the athlete. Physicals also identify serious health problems that preclude certain types of activities. Physicals include taking vital signs, height and weight, a vision exam, listening to heart and lungs, maneuvers to elicit possible heart murmurs, palpation of the abdominal organs, and an orthopedic evaluation. Most athletes are cleared to participate in sports, and some are cleared with listed restrictions. Others are referred to specialists for further evaluation when potential risks for injury or illness are identified.
Shelley Janssen, MD
(844) 377-2273
DoctorsCare.com
Midlands Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery
Q: What are the treatment options for bunions?
A: Treatments for bunions may be nonsurgical or surgical. Nonsurgical treatments include wider shoes, bunion pads or spacers, shoe inserts (orthotics), and bunion straps. Surgical treatments for bunions include removing the prominent portion of the bone (bunionectomy), releasing tight muscles and ligaments between the big toe and second toe, cutting the great toe bones and shifting them to get rid of the deformity (osteotomy), and fusing the unstable joint behind the big toe. Over the past decade, significant improvements have been made in surgical bunion treatment to include the use of smaller, minimally invasive incisions, which result in less postoperative pain and swelling. Orthopedic surgeons with fellowship training in foot and ankle are well-equipped to help patients customize the best treatment plan for their needs.
Jeremy Saller, MD
(803) 256-4107
MidOrthoNeuro.com
Three Rivers Behavorial Center
Q: How can we improve mental health of families during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: In dealing with increased stress levels, it is vital to give voice to anxiety and fears. As you navigate the pandemic, use these strategies to manage stress and build new routines to better support you and your family’s mental health. In a time when zoom calls and virtual learning is the norm, it is important to set limits on screen time. Set healthy habits! A great family activity is meal preparation: plan ahead and prepare healthy meals. Go for walks, make time to be active. Ensure you are getting the right amount of sleep. Check in with one another. As vaccinations rise, we can reconnect with friends and family. The more we normalize talking about mental health, the more we lift the stigma and the more people can see that “self-care” is a holistic term and beneficial to all.
Shannon Marcus, LISW-CP
(803) 796-9911
ThreeRiversBehavioral.org
