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Chiropractic Care Can Offer Relief When Nothing Else Works

Unfortunately, often people will suffer for years after injuring their backs. Traditional doctors, though they can work wonders with some issues, really don’t do well dealing with back problems most of the time.

Traditional doctors’ typical first line of treatment, prescription drugs, either can’t fully eliminate the pain or they’re so strong they practically knock you out, and they can be addictive. Surgery, medicine’s other mainstay, is tricky when done on the back thanks to the fact that the spinal cord runs through the middle of the problem area. Fusing vertebrae together can stop pain that is related to back motion, but at the cost of loss of mobility in the back. Other types of back surgery are typically riskier and less likely to produce effective results. Unfortunately often surgery does not give lasting relief and really should be considered after conservative treatment has been unsuccessful.

These problems leave patients with suboptimal healing and plenty of frustration. Fortunately, there is an answer: Chiropractic care. As a chiropractor in Colorado Springs I take a different approach than the average back doctor. I don’t prescribe any drugs for patients and I don’t do surgery either. Instead, I work to adjust the vertebrae (bones of the spine) so that the patient can move without aggravating the injured area. This provides fast relief, and on top of that, it gives the injury a better chance of healing.

What if Pain is Coming from Somewhere Other than the Back?

In a large number of cases, the root problem of stubborn pain is the back – even if the pain is felt in a place that seems to have nothing to do with it. The neck involves the upper spine and is often treated by chiropractic care, but leg and foot problems can also arise when spinal nerves are irritated. Arm and hand problems, while rarer, may also occur. This happens because the body reports the pain as coming from the part that the nerves go to instead of the location where the irritation is actually happening.

Of course, not all limb problems are actually back problems. Proper diagnosis is essential for obtaining relief. Some things that point to underlying back problems are a lack of effectiveness of treatments aimed at the painful part, known back issues or co-existing back pain, altered posture, tingling in the problematic area, and a lack of known injury to distant painful parts. A good chiropractor will be sure to get the patient’s injury history as well as any existing medical reports to help be sure of where a problem actually lies.

Once it is determined that a back problem is at fault, treatment begins. For most people, relief will soon follow.

Debunking The Most Common Myths About Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic myths

A physician may refer a patient to a chiropractor for assistance with diagnosing and treating problems related to the spine. Common reasons for seeing a chiropractor include neck and back pain. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths floating around out there about chiropractors. By understanding the truths behind these common chiropractor myths in the Colorado Springs area, patients can make better informed decisions regarding their health.

Myth 1: Chiropractors Aren’t Real Doctors

Perhaps one of the biggest myths perpetuated about chiropractic care is that chiropractors aren’t “real” doctors. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Like all other doctors, chiropractors must go through many years of formal education and are required to obtain a doctorate degree and be licensed. In many ways, since they practice in a specialty area of health care, chiropractors sometimes even go through more formal education and training than a general physician or doctor. Unfortunately, many people shy away from going to see a chiropractor for their back and neck problems because they mistakenly believe they’re not going to see a “real” doctor.

Myth 2: Chiropractic Care Isn’t Covered By Insurance

Another very common myth about chiropractic care is that it’s typically not covered by health insurance. In reality, most health insurance companies consider chiropractic care to fall under the category of “specialist” care, and typically offer some chiropractic coverage. Yes, there may be a co-pay involved and treatments may be subject to a deductible, but most health insurance policies will provide at least some coverage for chiropractic care and treatments. Of course, it’s always a good idea to check with one’s insurance company to be sure of coverage.
However, even if you do not have insurance coverage for chiropractic care many studies1 have shown that chiropractic care is more cost-effective than standard medical care for many back and neck complaints.

Myth 3: Going to a Chiropractor is a Long-Term Commitment

Finally, some people are afraid to go to a chiropractor for help with their back and neck problems because they’re afraid that it will be a long-term commitment. They worry that they’ll have no choice but to continue seeing their chiropractor regularly, even after their initial diagnosis and treatment. In reality, seeing a chiropractor isn’t any different from seeing any other type of doctor in the sense that once treatment has ended, there is typically no pressing need for regular appointments (aside from occasional follow-ups and checkups).

Unfortunately, these chiropractic myths are perpetuated all the time, but hopefully understanding the truth behind them will lead people to make better decisions about their health.

Reference

1. http://www.healthinsightstoday.com/articles/v4i2/edlog_all.html accessed November 18, 2015.

Is It Bad To Pop My Own Back Or Neck?

This is a question that I sometimes get from patients or other people when they find out I am a chiropractor. Often it goes something like this, “I know I shouldn’t but it feels so good to pop my neck (or back) and I do it all the time. Is that bad for my neck(or back)?” People seem to think it is a bad thing to be popping their back or neck all the time. Today I wanted to answer that question and give you some of the reasoning behind it.

The short answer to the question “Is it bad to pop my own back or neck?” is it depends. The reason I say that is because there are many different ways that the back or neck can pop. But first let’s talk about what that pop is.

The prevailing thought is that the popping noise you hear when ‘cracking’ or ‘popping’ your knuckles, or any other joint for that matter, is the sound of gas bubbles being released from the fluid within the joint. Much like when you open a can of soda the gas that was dissolved in the liquid is released because the change in pressure. Likewise there is gas that is dissolved in the liquid that lubricates the joints of the body. When you change the pressure within the joint by stretching or moving the joint, some of that gas is released. The gas will eventually be reabsorbed into the fluid within the joint. This process in and of itself does not cause any damage to the joint.

When It Is Okay

So if the ‘pop’ or ‘crack’ is simply gas being released and does not cause problems, why would popping your own back or neck be bad? Well as I said before it depends on how you are popping your back or neck. Often when people are doing a gentle stretch of the back or neck they will get pops and that is okay. I really wouldn’t worry about this because this movement is within the normal motion of the joint. And to be honest it may actually help correct minor misalignments or restrictions because the body is always trying to correct itself.

Now just to help you understand, regularly popping your back and neck in this way does not mean you don’t need to go to the chiropractor. What I do is much more specific and precise to help restore proper motion and function to the spine than a good general stretch . Besides, the joints of the spine that are moving well enough to allow them to pop are probably not the ones that really need to be adjusted. While those that really need to be adjusted are unlikely to release with this type of motion.

When It Is Bad

So if a general stretch is okay, when is popping your back or neck a bad thing? Sometimes individuals will use a quick jerking motion to get the neck or back to pop. This can be a bad thing. One of the reasons being that it can become a habit and they end up doing it repeatedly, often several times a day or even several times an hour. This is a problem because the repeated motion with that quick jerk or pull can stretch the ligaments surrounding the joints and, over time, lead to injury or even laxity of those joints. This can lead to some instability or excessive motion at those joints and set the stage for likely further injury.

I know that some of you out there reading this might be in this second category and think, ‘well a general stretch won’t get it to pop and that pop feels good and relieves the tension or pain for a little bit’. It is true that the pop (which is called a cavitation) does feel good and for a very short time can lead to pain relief. But my advice to you is to leave the adjusting to the expert, the chiropractor. You will be better off and will likely experience long term relief from regular chiropractic care.

Let me know what you thought of the post and share your most interesting story of who you know who likes to pop their back or neck. If there is someone that you think needs to read this pass it along. And if you would like help with your back or neck pain and are in the Colorado Springs area stop on by, I would love to help.

Should I See A Chiropractor After A Car Accident?

car crash

You are sitting at the stop light waiting for the light to change. If you are like many people, you may even take that time to quick check your phone. You hear the screech of tires a split second before you feel the impact. Luckily, it wasn’t that bad of an accident. Your bumper is a little banged and dented but you feel okay.

A few days later you notice that your neck feels stiff and a little sore. You take some pain relievers and go on your way. You may even think that maybe you should have it checked out. But who would you go to? And how long would it take? So you wait and see and in a week or two you are feeling ‘better’ so you put it out of your mind.

I don’t know if this situation sounds familiar to you or not. But as a chiropractor in Colorado Springs I have heard similar stories recounted to me many times. Often I hear about this months or even years later when someone is in my office with back and/or neck pain.

In this post I wanted to give you some of the reasons that I think after any kind of car accident you should get checked by a chiropractor, even if it was a low-speed accident.

First, let’s talk about low-speed collisions. It makes sense that in a low-speed collision you are less likely to get hurt than a high-speed collision. However injuries or even death can occur in a low-speed car accident.

In a report from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in the year 1999 alone there were over 500 fatalities and over 50,000 injuries from low-speed crashes. A low-speed crash being defined as no vehicle traveling over 10 mph and not involving bicycles or pedestrians.

I mention this information because you can be injured even in a low-speed accident. In fact, it is not uncommon to be injured in a low-speed crash. The question that remains is how extensive is the injury?

Going back to the story at the beginning, often people know there is some injury but think it isn’t that ‘bad’ because the pain wasn’t intense or didn’t last very long. I can tell you that even if the pain goes away quickly there can be injuries that change the way you move and, in turn, can have significant consequences months to years down the road!

Now the reason you should see a chiropractor after a car accident even if you were checked out in the emergency room or by another doctor is because chiropractors are looking for different injuries. In the emergency room or at the doctor’s office they are mostly looking for life-threatening and debilitating injuries. As a chiropractor, I am looking for much more subtle changes in the movement of the spine and muscle tone that can affect how you function in day to day life and that could lead to problems in the future.

I often see patients who were injured years ago and that injury has contributed to their current pain and stiffness. Because when you change how a joint moves it changes the stress on the joint as well. Also specifically with the spine, when the bones of the spine are not moving properly or are misaligned it can put extra stress on the nerves. This leads to the body not being able to function as well as it could and hinder healing, even if there isn’t pain.

So yes, I recommend that everyone that is in any kind of car accident should be checked by a chiropractor. If there isn’t any injury affecting the movement and alignment of the spine, that is great! But seeing a chiropractor would be the only way to know since chiropractors are one of the only doctors that are even looking for it.

If you would like to know more and are in the Colorado Springs area feel free to contact our office. If you are other areas talk to a chiropractor near you.

Long-Term Health Benefits Of Seeing A Chiropractor

Healthy lifestyle

Most people assume that as they age they will find themselves discovering new aches and pains. The pain they suffer from can be anywhere from mild to severe in just about any part of the body. There are many different ways to help treat and reduce levels of pain patients are suffering from. However, not everyone wants to take medications or have surgery. This is where the services of a chiropractor may be helpful.

Drug-free

Seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis helps eliminate the need to take a variety of pain and anti-inflammatory medications. This means those who do not like taking different medications can start living a drug-free life.

Nerve communication

With regular chiropractic care, the nerves in the body are stimulated, increasing their ability to communicate within the body. This can help reduce the sensation of pain in certain areas of the body.

Posture

Over time, visits to the chiropractor will help improve the patient’s posture. Standing and sitting with better posture will help release tension and pressure on the lower back, reducing pain in the back, shoulders and hips.

Physical performance

Muscles and joints will start to work better, increasing the patient’s overall physical performance. Being able to get up and moving can also help with weight loss and improve self-esteem. Some patients have also experienced an increase in energy after seeing the chiropractor.

Pain relief

Routine visits with the chiropractor can help reduce all kinds of aches and pains. After a few visits, patients may notice a reduction in pain in their back, neck, knees, legs, feet, arms, wrists and shoulders.

Stress reliever

The work the chiropractor does with the patient will help reduce tension and stress. This can also help reduce the chances of having a panic attack or experiencing frequent headaches. In the long run, this can help improve the patient’s moods.

Sleep habits

Patients have also experienced better sleep habits after several visits with their chiropractor.

Immune system

Many patients who regularly visit the chiropractor experience less illness, such as cold and flu.

Regular visits to the chiropractor may help eliminate or reduce pain levels, improving the patients overall health and quality of living. Those wishing to learn more about the benefits of receiving chiropractic treatment should speak to their Colorado Springs chiropractor.

Do I Need To See A Chiropractor?

Chirorpactic Adjustment by hand

Well I will be completely up front, as a chiropractor in Colorado Springs, I think everyone would benefit from seeing a chiropractor! But to simply tell you that is not the purpose of this blog. I wanted to share five specific things that you can look for that are good signs that you should give the chiropractor a visit to receive chiropractic treatment. These are things that show there may be an underlying problem with your spine that is limiting what you can do and the enjoyment you get out of life.

1. Back or Neck Pain

Now this probably does not come as a surprise to most people. This is typically why people think they should go to a chiropractor. And it is true that chiropractic is great at helping to relieve back and neck pain but it can also help with so much more.

Back or neck pain can be caused by many different things, but most cases of back or neck pain are from what is termed ‘mechanical pain.’ This simply means that the pain is due to some physical stress on the spine or surrounding tissues. This can be from repeated motions, poor posture, increased stress on the spinal joints, etc. An often overlooked cause of back or neck pain is subtle misalignments of the bones of the spine because chiropractors are one of the only health professionals that are even looking for it!

2. Stiff or Limited Motion

This can be of any joint in the body, not just the spine. Chiropractors have the knowledge and skills to adjust every joint in the body. Often stiff or limited motion of the shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, hands or feet can be improved with a chiropractic adjustment in those areas. When joints become misaligned there are muscle spasms that can go along with it which can make you feel stiff and limit motion. When you correct the misalignment the muscles often will balance again, or if not completely resolved by an adjustment, there are many soft tissue techniques that a chiropractor can use to help.

3. Shoes Wear Out Unevenly

Now you may be surprised by this! What does my shoes wearing out have anything to do with chiropractic you may ask. Well if your shoes are wearing out unevenly there is probably some imbalances in the biomechanics of the body. This can again be from misaligned or restricted motion of the pelvis, hips, knees, feet, or even other areas of the body. A chiropractor can evaluate your posture and motion and find the areas that are causing uneven stress not only on your shoes but the joints in the legs and feet. When these imbalances are corrected they not only save your shoes but your joints as well making it less likely to develop arthritis in those joints.

4. Headaches

There are many different causes of headaches, but something interesting is that not all headaches originate in the head itself. Research has shown that there is an area of the brainstem that extends down into the spinal cord of the upper neck where pain receptors from the head and upper neck connect with other nerves. Sometimes a pain receptor from one area (say the neck) can be interpreted as coming from somewhere else (say the head). This referred pain can be a cause of headache and the source is not even within the head. I actually see this a lot in my chiropractic practice. Headaches, even migraines respond well to chiropractic adjustments as well as working on relaxing and balancing the muscles in the neck.

5. Poor Sleep

What causes poor sleep? There can be many causes – pain so you can’t get comfortable, stimulants are keeping you awake, or stress doesn’t allow you to adequately relax to name a few. But one thing to think about is if you have difficulty sleeping and you take a sleeping pill: does that do anything to address the underlying problem? Poor sleep actually can be helped through chiropractic treatment. I learned this more so from experience than anything else when patients would just mention it as extra benefit of their care. While for some of them it may be from the pain relief allowing them to be more comfortable to sleep, that is not the cause in every case. Besides just the pain relief, chiropractic also helps the body to relax. I have patients every day tell me that they feel more relaxed after the chiropractic adjustment and many make a comment like “I am ready for a nap.” This is because when the spine is misaligned or not moving properly it puts extra stress on the nerves and shifts the body towards the ‘fight or flight’ mode. After an adjustment the body is shifted away from the ‘fight or flight’ response more towards rest, relaxation, and repair.

I hope you found this post to be useful and informative. I love to hear your stories of how chiropractic has helped you. So if you have a chiropractic story that relates to one of these five things or even something else, please share below in the comments. Also if you know someone that could benefit from this information please pass it along!

How A Chiropractor Can Help TMJ

Jaw pain, TMJ

People who suffer from jaw pain from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or commonly referred to as TMJ (also known as TMD) may think to see a dentist or oral surgeon to relieve their pain. However, a chiropractor can truly provide lasting pain relief for this condition so sufferers do not suffer in chronic pain.

TMJ Causes

TMJ can have many different causes, including:

  • Dislocated jaw
  • Displaced disc in the jaw
  • Degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Jaw injury
  • Pain in the neck, shoulders, or jaw muscles
  • Underlying stress
  • Tooth or jaw grinding or clenching

One or more of these causes may contribute to jaw problems. Until the underlying cause is identified and addressed, people who suffer from TMJ will continue to experience chronic jaw pain.

How Chiropractors Can Help

Signs that someone has TMJ include limited range of motion in the jaw, altered motion of the jaw, pain in the jaw, clicking noises when the jaw opens or closes, headaches, or earaches and hearing problems. A chiropractor in Colorado Springs can perform diagnostic tests to confirm whether the individual suffers from TMJ. If the chiropractor finds that TMJ is present, then he or she can begin a series of treatments designed to alleviate the underlying cause.

Heat and ice can soothe tight muscles and decrease any local inflammation and relieve pain associated with TMJ. A chiropractor can also perform gentle jaw massage that will loosen up tight tissue and help the muscles in the jaw relax. This can also alleviate pain and help increase the range of motion.

Chiropractors will perform gentle adjustments using their hands or special tools to realign displaced joints and discs within the neck, spine, and jaw. As these come into proper alignment, the jaw will be able to return to its regular range of motion. Patients often report that they no longer feel pain and irritation in the jaw, can open their jaw more than in the past, and feel better.

Chiropractors can also recommend additional treatment, demonstrate stretching and strengthening exercises that will reduce the likelihood of TMJ recurring, and make other recommendations to improve patient health and wellness.

Treatment for TMJ can restore a patient’s daily quality of life and help alleviate chronic pain associated with inflammation, degenerative joint disease, and misalignment of the jaw. Full treatment for TMJ will usually take several sessions with a chiropractor; however many patient report feeling some relief from their symptoms even after just one treatment!

Patients Can Reach Their Physical Recovery Goals With Natural Chiropractic Approaches To Healing

Physical recovery

Patients who want to find the best path toward recovery from an injury or a debilitating physical condition might find satisfaction through chiropractic treatment in Colorado Springs. Through the combination of education and skills, along with a more holistic approach than traditional medical treatments, patients might find that chiropractic care is what they have needed all along. People who have sustained injuries or illnesses that have lingered and caused secondary problems can feel a sense of hope that they can avoid starting, or continuing, medications or resorting to invasive surgery.

Whether the patient suffers from back pain, neck pain or some type of nerve problem throughout the body, a chiropractic professional can help them work toward recovery, living a happy, healthy and active life. Since the body really works together as a system, it makes sense that you need to look at the entire body when something is wrong. This is a foundation of chiropractic practice. Everything in the human body, from the toes to the top of the head, takes its cues from the nervous system. The nerves transport messages from the brain to a specific spot in the body and then returns response signals back to the brain. While a beautifully complex system, yet it is not difficult to create a clear image of it for patients.

The problem comes when the messages get crossed or garbled. That’s where a professional and highly qualified chiropractic practitioner comes into the picture. A chiropractor can help clear the neural pathways to let the signals make it to their destination, which allows the appropriate messages to flow and the body begins to heal. While chiropractic treatments do not conclusively heal injuries, they help each patient open up the possibility of healing.

Chiropractors offer a wide range of services and treatments for patients. Some of the conditions and injuries that chiropractors treat include back, neck, shoulder, knee, arm, ankle and wrist pain associated with a specific injury or wear and tear from overuse or aging. Other things that a chiropractic practitioner can treat include sciatica, headaches, carpel tunnel, scoliosis, whiplash, sports or work injuries, stress, boosting the immune system, constipation, allergies, pregnancy, colicky babies, children’s growing pains, sleep problems, and much more.

Regardless of the condition or injury, chiropractic patients often feel good about their care, knowing it is a natural way to approach their physical ailment. Patients also feel good because they are a part of the healing process by doing their own exercises and trying to reduce stress and other contributing factors to their situation.

One Common Bad Habit That You Didn’t Even Know Affects Your Spine

Smoking back pain

These days everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health. It is linked with numerous health problems such as cancer-not just of the lungs, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even sexual dysfunction. In fact, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that smoking cigarettes is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the US. But what you probably didn’t know is that smoking can also affect your spine and be a contributing factor in spinal degeneration and back pain.

Did you know that smoking is a risk factor for low back pain? The main culprit in the cigarettes, when it comes to negative effects on the spine, is the nicotine. A study was done on rabbits that had two groups receiving a nicotine solution or saline solution for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8 weeks all the rabbits that received the nicotine had degenerative changes of the spinal discs. The center part of the disc is supposed to be gel-like, but in the treatment group there was death of the tissue and it began to harden. Also the fibrous part around the outside of the disc had a change in its pattern with layers not overlapping properly. There were also fewer blood vessels going near the spinal discs and they were narrower and had thicker walls – all contributing to the problem.

So what does this all have to do with you? Well if you have back pain and are a smoker there is a real likelihood that smoking is contributing to that pain. And if you are a smoker but don’t currently have back pain, if you continue to smoke it is very likely going to lead to back pain and disability from spinal degeneration. While stopping smoking can be very difficult it is possible and the benefits for your health and well-being are enormous.

If you do have back pain for whatever reason, chiropractic can help to offer you relief! If you found this article interesting or helpful please leave a comment below. And if you know someone that could benefit from this information pass it on.

References

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/ Accessed June 23rd, 2015

Iwahashi M, Matsuzaki H, Tokuhashi Y, Wakabayashi K, Uematsu Y. Mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration caused by nicotine in rabbits to explicate intervertebral disc disorders caused by smoking. Spine 2002 Jul 1;27(13):1396-401.

Considering Back Surgery? Read This First!

Back Surgery

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the world! It affects millions of people and the majority of us will experience back pain at some point in our life. When that back pain is severe, we want to do anything that we can to get rid of it and sometimes that includes surgery. However, while surgery can give relief to some, there unfortunately are many that continue to have pain even after surgery. There is even a specific name for it: “failed back surgery syndrome.” So how do you know when you should consider back surgery? As a chiropractor is Colorado Springs, I will give you my opinion on the answer to that question.

When Should I Consider Back Surgery?

My short answer to that question is when you have exhausted every other option. You see, back surgery isn’t something that you can just undo if you have second thoughts. Once you have surgery there are consequences – sometimes good, sometimes bad – and either way you are stuck with them. Now to be perfectly honest, I do think there are times when surgery is the best option but I believe that scenario is much less frequent than it is actually performed. And I am not the only one that thinks that.

In a Mayo Clinic article entitled “Back surgery: When is it a good idea?” it states “Back surgery can help relieve some causes of back pain, but it’s rarely necessary.” In a USA Today article in looking at a specific surgery in Medicare patients they found:

About 10% of all spinal fusions paid for by Medicare in 2011 were not necessary, either because there was no medical basis for them or because doctors did not follow standards of care by exploring non-surgical treatments

The truth is that many studies looking at long term benefits of surgery vs. conservative care show no significant difference in long term outcomes. While there are sometimes short-term benefits in certain patients often one to two years down the road there is no significant difference. So ultimately you need to decide if surgery is worth it?

What Conservative Treatments Should Be Considered First?

Now the good news with most cases of back pain is that they will resolve themselves within a few months even without any treatment. But there are several conservative treatments that should be tried before considering surgery. The most common conservative treatments in the medical approach include pain medication, exercise, physical therapy and injections. These can be beneficial. Another option is chiropractic care. As a chiropractor I have seen excellent results with chiropractic care. By realigning the bones of the spine and working with trigger points to relieve muscle tension, I have been able to relieve back pain in many of my patients. Another option that I sometimes use is spinal decompression. Spinal decompression is non-surgical and is available especially for bulging discs or other disc injuries. This is typically done on a spinal decompression table that puts traction on the spine, helping to take pressure off the spinal disc and allowing nutrients back into the disc so it can heal.

Whatever you choose, please give conservative treatments a try before considering surgery. If you know someone that is considering back surgery please pass this information along. And if you would like to know more about how chiropractic can help your back pain please give our office a call.

References

http://www.mayoclinic.org/back-surgery/art-20048274?pg=1 accessed June 18th, 2015

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1840393 accessed June 18th, 2015

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/18/unnecessary-surgery-usa-today-investigation/2435009/ accessed June 18th, 2015

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