After-Hours: Medical Access in Portland, Maine.
What do you feel is missing? Should your doctor be available after-hours? Having been in healthcare education system and in active practice for almost 30 years, people say the most interesting things. Most patients we encounter have stories of disappointment related to their healthcare providers and the American healthcare system on the whole. One of the things that frustrates me the most about healthcare in the USA is private insurance premiums and lack of access to our doctors when we need them most. The biggest complaint of the system on the whole among our patients is the price, private insurance denials and unfairness, and the fact that it takes too long to see the doctor. Once you see the doctor, they disappear until the next visit. The United States is the only first world nation without universal healthcare, and we are ranked last among first world nations for quality of care. Their universal healthcare doesn’t make them a socialist country, but instead relieves the stress of worrying about healthcare and medical bill bankruptcy that is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the USA. Don’t be fooled, the doctors in other countries learn the same science and get the same training in...
read moreShoulder Impingement and Shoulder Pain In Guitar Players – Dr. Lou Jacobs – Portland, Maine
How guitar shape and playing style affect shoulder impingement in the strumming arm. Shoulder impingement in the arm of that strums, is a common issue among guitarists, and both the shape of the guitar and the player’s style can significantly influence the risk and severity of symptoms. Guitar Shape and Size Larger Body Guitars (e.g., Dreadnoughts, Jumbos): These require the strumming arm to reach further around the instrument, increasing shoulder abduction (lifting) and internal rotation. This position narrows the subacromial space in the shoulder, which can aggravate or cause impingement, especially during prolonged sessions 5 6 9. The internal rotation is a recipe for trouble, especially when coupled with abduction of the shoulder. If you also perform activities, like typing, chopping, or mousing, that also involve internal rotation and abduction, you are adding insult to injury. Those activities may be the “true cause(s) of the impingement, and not only the guitar. Smaller Body Guitars (e.g., OM, 000, Parlour): These allow the arm to rest in a more neutral, relaxed position, reducing the need for excessive shoulder movement and minimizing impingement risk 5 9. If you can practice on a slim body electric, then gig on acoustic, that is also...
read moreNeurodivergence and The Cerebellum. Portland, Maine.
What is the Cerebellum? The cerebellum, often referred to as the “little brain,” is a crucial structure located at the back of the brain, responsible for coordinating voluntary muscle movements, maintaining posture, balance, and equilibrium. It plays a significant role in motor learning and has been increasingly recognized for its involvement in cognitive functions such as language, attention, and social interactions. The cerebellum contains nearly half of the brain’s neurons despite accounting for only about 10% of its volume, highlighting its dense neural network and importance in processing information. The cerebellum has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. In ADHD, cerebellar dysfunction is associated with difficulties in coordinating thoughts and attention, suggesting that the cerebellum’s role extends beyond motor control to cognitive processing. For autism, research indicates that cerebellar abnormalities, including loss of Purkinje cells, may contribute to symptoms such as impaired social interaction and communication. The cerebellum’s involvement in language and social cognition supports its potential role in autism spectrum disorder. Both conditions highlight the cerebellum’s broader impact on cognitive and behavioral functions, underscoring the need for further research into its role in neurodevelopmental disorders. Have you missed a window of opportunity for healing?...
read moreThe Default Mode Network (DMN) and your Chiropractor in Portland, Maine
Depression, Anxiety and Your Chiropractor The Default Mode Network Understanding The default mode network may help you take the action you need to improve your mental health during stressful times. The first step is understanding. Step two is taking action. New developments in neuroscience and understanding the brain have led to the research being published in neuroscience publications world wide. This information may the gateway to you taking better care of stress, anxiety and depression in your life. While more research will certainly be done, that which has been done so far, shows serious promise! The default mode network (DMN) is a group of brain regions that work together when you’re not actively focused on the outside world. It’s like the brain’s “default” setting, which kicks in when you’re daydreaming, thinking about yourself, or recalling memories. When you start doing something that requires attention, like solving a puzzle or working, the DMN tends to deactivate, allowing other brain networks to take over. It helps regulate emotions and maintain mental health by allowing you to reflect on your experiences and emotions. Disruptions in the DMN have been linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and...
read moreThe Cost Of Chiropractic Care in Maine – 2025
The comparative cost of chiropractic care is important to understand. As the U.S. economy worsens and becomes less certain before it gets better, people are rightfully aware of how they are, or how they need to spend their money. Staying healthy and able to work in the shadow of statistics reporting clearly that back pain is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., may include outside help from a doctor. The information below is designed to help you understand what the research says. Our office is and always has been dedicated to making care affordable. The U.S. healthcare system is broken in the sense that the cost is inconceivably expensive. We are being forced to seek alternatives to traditional medical care for non-emergency help. We will continue to charge as little as possible so that everyone can afford our care and feel like they are being very well cared for without breaking the bank. Great affordable care that cuts no corners, with 24/7 access to me, and all because morally, it’s the right thing to do. Because we care about people before all else. ~Dr. Lou Cost can be a big factor when we make decisions about our healthcare. Sometimes people will...
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