Dr. Douglas Chang

Dr. Heidi Fowler agrees1 doctor agrees

5 thanks

A 29-year-old female asked:

Had left side and right side treatment for bilateral possioning vertigo. dr said if this don't work then physical therapy. what do i expect?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Check this out!: http://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorder/treatment/treatment-detail-page.

5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 36-year-old male asked:

Please share an interesting fact about physical rehabilitation following surgery or injury.

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Ignore: An interesting fact: rehabilitation actually begins best before (and not after) surgery..."prehab".

3.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads agrees1 doctor agrees

A 28-year-old female asked:

I've been trying to train my 15mo old to fall asleep on his own but he gets so upset he throws up every time i leave the room. any suggestions?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

So sorry: This is such an emotionally painful process i feel for you! we had great success with this book (for our first baby)... Ok success with it for the sec... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Donald Jacobson agrees1 doctor agrees

A 44-year-old member asked:

Does lipitor (atorvastatin) cause restless legs & leg cramps?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

It can: You can have your doc measure the CPK enzyme levels in your blood before and after... And then try going off for a few weeks and seeing if it makes a... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Donald Jacobson and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 41-year-old female asked:

I have a fracture in my 2nd metatarsal and i have a cam walker but i was wondering if i should sleep with the cam walker or use an ace wrap?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Wrap: Ok to get out of the cam boot for sleeping, but should consider wearing it if you have to ambulate over to the bathroom at night.

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Jeffrey Bowman and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 26-year-old male asked:

I've been having severe lower back pain for two days. the pain radiates down my left leg. i've tried taking motrin 600. what can i do? new job no ins.

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

So sorry: You can take Motrin up to 2400 mg per 24 hours, as long as your stomach tolerates it. Also try this (but i wouldn't emphasize the bouncing activities ... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Qamar Khan agrees1 doctor agrees

A 41-year-old member asked:

Does exercise make your period late?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

It can: If you engage in extreme exercise activities, yes it can.

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

A 54-year-old female asked:

Does c4-c5, c5-c6 disc herniation n nerve impinchment cause headache / dizziness?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Not directly: C5 nerve causes referred pain to the arm, C6 nerve causes referred pain to the thumb. People with pinched nerves in the cervical spine will often a... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 35-year-old member asked:

What do i do about severe back pain after colostomy?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Hmm: If the pain is within days/weeks of the colostomy then you need to get urgent evaluation by the general surgeon and your primary care provider. If the... Read More

4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 27-year-old female asked:

Vaginal dryness, pain during sex and light bleeding? periods are ab 50 days apart and this is day 40. also cramping. what could this be?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Not sure: Could be microtrauma/abrasions to the dry vaginal wall - try some lube and see if it helps. Don't think it's related to the periods.

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 34-year-old female asked:

I have bad back pain was told i have muscle spasms but it hurts all the time especially in my hips my dr to x-rays and nothing what else can i do?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Things to consider: Sometimes sciatica involving the L5 and s1 nerves from the lumbar spine will refer pain to the gluteal muscles, tensor fascia lata/it band muscle. Thi... Read More

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Ihab Ibrahim and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 45-year-old female asked:

If you have lesion in thecal sac at l4 and weakness in muscles of neck w/ spasms of right neck muscle, and feeling of pressure in vessels of neck, plus weakness at neck base, could it all be related?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

No: I'm not sure if i understand correctly (whether there was a typo) but an L4 lumbar nerve issue should not have any bearing on neck symptoms. To clarif... Read More

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 24-year-old female asked:

I was in a bus accident and if i was wondering how long it would take an injury to show if there was one?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Depends: Immediately and then maybe up to a few days.

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Atif Malik agrees1 doctor agrees

A 45-year-old member asked:

What is uncovertebral joint disease?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Bone spurs: Like the mineral deposits that collect over the decades on our plumbing... http://www.grhealth.org/neuroscience-center/spine/spine-glossary/content... Read More

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 36-year-old member asked:

Unstable upper back, could i have fibromyalgia?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Not really: Here are some details http://chronicfatigue.About.Com/b/2010/05/22/new-diagnostic-criteria-for-fibromyalgia.Htm.

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 31-year-old member asked:

Does the symptom difficulty walking mean that i have becker muscular dystrophy?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Hmm.: Hard to say - if this refers to you... 31 is a bit "old" for the syndrome but milder forms are seen in older people... Not sure where/why your jumping... Read More

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 20-year-old female asked:

Do muscle relaxers thin your blood?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Generally not: "muscle relaxants" actually don't act directly on muscle. They are basically sedatives that act on your brain, and come in many different unrelated me... Read More

4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

14 thanks

A 37-year-old member asked:

Doctor prescribed that i go for rehabilitation using magnetotherapy, what is this for?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

???: Sounds like a non-traditional "fringe" treatment. I could be wrong, but I would be surprised if there is much credible evidence to support its use.

3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 17-year-old member asked:

I sprained my ankle 6 months ago why is it sore to press on the ligaments?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Chronic ankle sprain: http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/conditions/ailments-of-the-ankle/Pages/Ankle-Instability.aspx

3.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads agrees1 doctor agrees

A 26-year-old female asked:

Keep getting shooting pain in collar bone, even sometimes when i reach arm out to do something - what could this be? top of chest bone hurts too

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Clavicular pain: could be a separated shoulder http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/separated-shoulder/basics/definition/con-20029283 or sternoclavicular jo... Read More

3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Frank Kuitems and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A female asked:

Had arm pain over 1 year its pulling pain from top of shoulder to hand had mri but nothing showed up no one can work it out?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Hmm..: did you get an MRI of the cervical spine to rule out a cervical radiculopathy, or an MRI of the shoulder to evaluate for shoulder problems? An EMG/NCS... Read More

3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads agrees1 doctor agrees

DOMS: http://www.livestrong.com/article/449573-the-treatment-for-delayed-onset-muscle-soreness/.

A 20-year-old female asked:

My legs are in extreme pain the day after playing badminton intensely. when will this feeling ware off or how can i treat it to reduce the pain?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 33-year-old member asked:

Does emg always show injury?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

no: It has great specificity (when it shows a problem there's really a problem), but poor sensitivity (when the EMG does not show a problem there in fact ... Read More

4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Scott Keith agrees1 doctor agrees

A 16-year-old female asked:

I have major knee pains on the inner part of my knee. they said it was knee contusions but it's not going away only getting worse. what should i do?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

For starters,an xray: You should get it checked. Here's some good info... http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/medial-knee-pain

3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 21-year-old male asked:

Hit my tailbone about 3 weeks ago. naturally curved tailbone that points inward. no fracture. i get lower abdominal cramping and discomfort. normal?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

No: I can't see how those symptoms are related to a tailbone trauma.

3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 39-year-old male asked:

Just because a person is tall, does that make them physically stronger than someone who is short yet has a muscular body?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

No: Not at all - it has to do with training and fitness level, will power, and to some extent genetics.

4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 41-year-old female asked:

46 yr old needs reconstructive knee surgery. his dr says wait until he's 50. why?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Its complicated: There are pros/cons.... The main con: surgeries do not give you a perfect knee. They buy you some more time, but the knee still will have a limited... Read More

4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Kenny Chuu and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A member asked:

My 12 year old son eats right, uses portion control, exercises all the time with sports year round, but continues to gain weight. why? what can be done

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Bmi?: Is this normal growth or accelerated obesity? Check his body mass index, follow it over a few months and see a pediatrician if there is a problem. ... Read More

4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 31-year-old member asked:

Are there usually many symptoms when you have piriformis syndrome?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

No: It's pretty straightforward, but in my opinion it's an overdiagnosed condition, usually mistaken for actual sciatica.

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Qamar Khan agrees1 doctor agrees

A 42-year-old member asked:

Why not take showers after a massage?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

?: I shower off all the oily smelly lotions after massages all the time.

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 46-year-old member asked:

Why does chronic sinusitis cause a stiff neck?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Not sure: No direct correlation i can think of. Maybe the sinus condition is forcing you to sleep in an awkward position?

4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Mohammed Parvez agrees1 doctor agrees

A 37-year-old member asked:

Can you have lumbosacral neuritis without herniated disk?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

yes: The neuritis just refers to irritation of the spinal nerves, which can be from herniated disk, bone spur, post operative scar tissue, doctor caused tr... Read More

4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 28-year-old male asked:

Does a disc annular repair itself in a l5-s1 bulging disc case?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Yes!: We never see them in older adults. Even for full blown herniations, the discs repair... http://casereports.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bcr-2013-201... Read More

4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 34-year-old member asked:

What exercises strengthen the acl, mcl and pcl in knee?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Check out this paper: This is a great paper - but it might be hard for you to download it "A training program to improve neuromuscular and performance indices in female hi... Read More

3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

2 comments

A 41-year-old member asked:

Why is my surgeon telling me i don't need physical therapy?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Depends: 1) Some conditions do not seem to respond well to PT. 2) There may not be decent PT resources available. 3) The goal of PT is to teach you how to do... Read More

3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susan Rhoads and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 43-year-old member asked:

Is it ever that a person have a toned body and not exercise but only eat healthy?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Maybe: If you're blessed with good genes, yes you can manage a bit with diet alone. But it would be a lot easier to do it with both diet and exercise.

4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Thomas Namey agrees1 doctor agrees

A 42-year-old member asked:

Does acid reflux sometimes cause joint aches in addition to neck pains?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

I don't think so: I can't really see a link.

5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 41-year-old member asked:

What are good vitamins to help joints & energy levels?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Some: For joints - glucosamine 1500 mg per day. No other supplements all that helpful compared to our regular diet, potentially hurtful on the pocketbook an... Read More

4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 48-year-old member asked:

Sweating at night and back pain a month after delivery with epidural. what could it be?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Beware: Worst case scenario: epidural abscess. Get evaluated by md!

5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. John Cheng agrees1 doctor agrees

A 64-year-old member asked:

Barely any cartridge in either shoulder. moderate to severe neck & lower-back arthritis. any yoga positions to eschew?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

YES: Use your body as a guide, avoid positions that aggravate pain.

5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Luis Villaplana and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

A 25-year-old member asked:

If depression is psychological, how is it treated with a physical medicine program?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Hope this helps: Exercise: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/exercise.aspx http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise... Read More

3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Lois A Freisleben-Cook and 2 doctors agree3 doctors agree

A 38-year-old member asked:

What are risks of physical therapy?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Beware: 1) getting pushed and progressed too aggressively 2) getting passive modalities (hooked up to machines) and abandoned while the therapist pays attent... Read More

6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree2 doctors agree

9 thanks

A 45-year-old member asked:

What types of physical therapy should patients do after hip osteoarthritis?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Options: Pool, bicycling, some elliptical-treadmill work.

6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 34-year-old member asked:

How long does it usually take to get back biopsy results?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Several days: Depending on the test, 1-14 days usually.

6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 30-year-old member asked:

What are common causes of a sharp pain that shoots down the back of your leg?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Two main ones: Sciatica (pinched nerve in the spine) hamstring muscle strain/tear.

6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 31-year-old member asked:

Does sciatic nerve pain generally run up your back?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

No: The condition refers to pain running down the leg.

6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

A 35-year-old female asked:

Prognosis of sciatica pain from lumbar disc bulge or herniation without surgery or injection?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Good: Sciatica: a review of history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the role of epidural steroid injection in management Br. J. Anaesth. (2007) 99 (4): 46... Read More

3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Frank Kuitems and 3 doctors agree4 doctors agree

A 40-year-old member asked:

What exercise is good to trim waistline after lower back surgery?

Dr. Douglas Changanswered

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 22 years experience

Cardio: For weight loss you'll need to do something that burns calories. Water aerobics classes are run by the arthritis foundation. Stationary bike, elliptic... Read More

4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Donald Jacobson agrees1 doctor agrees