Weekly Health Update for December 7, 2009

Weekly Health Update for November 30, 2009

Weekly Health Update for the Week of November 16, 2009

Weekly Health Update for November 9, 2009

Weekly Health Update for November 2, 2009

Weekly Health Update for the Week of October 26, 2009

CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanja Gupta, will "take a pass" on the H1N1 vaccine

By Herb Newborg

Dr. Sanja Gupta Says He Will "Take a Pass" on the H1N1 Vaccine
The CNN Chief Medical Correspondent says he developed natural immunity.

Dr. Sanja Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, won’t be getting the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine. Dr. Gupta was in Afghanistan covering the war in mid September. He developed flu like symptoms: cough, fever, chills and dizziness.

Dr. Gupta reported that he took some Tylenol and a sinus decongestant and got IV fluids (he was in the desert with temperatures over 100 degrees). “Within a couple days, I felt a lot better, and a few days after that – I was back to normal”, says Gupta.

The article in which Dr. Gupta discussed his experience with the flu in Afghanistan states that his illness was “ultimately confirmed as H1N1”, but he also states in the same article that “It really didn’t matter if I got tested, as my doctor told me. It was the only flu strain circulating and I had it”.

Although we will probably never know for sure whether Dr. Gupta’s flu was confirmed by a blood test, we can be certain that he won’t be getting the H1N1 vaccine. In response to a reader question on the CNN website, Dr. Gupta stated the following:

“I contracted the H1N1 virus recently while reporting on the war in Afghanistan, and I was miserable for days. I got my immunity to H1N1 the hard way, so I can take a pass on the vaccine this year.”

Apparently, Dr. Gupta feels that the innate intelligence of the body’s ability to perform its natural function, develop mild symptoms as a result of the infection, produce natural antibodies and quickly return to health with protection against any future recurrence of the infection is good enough for him.

And I would suggest that for most of our readers, it will work just as well for you too.

The following tips will improve the function of your immune system and further reduce your chances of getting the flu:

Get adequate natural sunlight or Vitamin D supplementation.
Avoid sugar.
Avoid processed foods.
Eat natural, non-GMO, whole foods.
Exercise regularly.
Get plenty of sleep.
Support yourself during stressful times.
Have your spine checked and get adjusted as needed.

Source:www.yourspsine.com

Weekly Health Update for the Week of October 19, 2009

Weekly Health Update for the Week of October 12, 2009

Weekly Health Update for the week of October 5, 2009

After My Car Accident, Why Do I Hurt So Much?

There are many different reasons why injuries sustained in car crashes result in chronic or long term pain. First, there are several types of tissues in the neck that can give rise to pain. The most intense pain comes from the tissues with the greatest density of nerve fibers, such as the joint capsules and the ligaments holding the bones of the neck together. There are many ligaments in the neck that are vulnerable to being over-stretched and injured in a motor vehicle collision. The mechanism of a “whiplash” injury in a rear-end collision is unique. Upon impact, the vehicle rapidly accelerates forward while the head momentarily remains in its original position, resulting in an initial straightening of the neck followed by extension. At the extreme end-range of backward extension motion, the ligaments in the front of the neck are over stretched and can tear. Within milliseconds, the head is then propelled forwards into flexion which can then injure the ligaments in the back of the neck placing a significant amount of force on the joint capsules and ligaments holding the bones in close proximity. Another reason the neck is injured is the speed at which the head and neck “whip” in the backwards and forwards directions after the impact. This occurs faster than what we can voluntarily contract our neck muscles to resist–within 600 milliseconds! Therefore, even if we brace ourselves in preparation for an impact, we can’t avoid injury to the ligaments and joint capsules. Damage to the ligaments is difficult to “prove” by conventional x-ray, which is why bending views or, flexion/extension x-ray methods are needed. When there is damage to the ligaments, the vertebra will shift forwards or backwards excessively compared to neighboring vertebra. This can be measured to determine the extent of ligament laxity or damage and can help explain why neck pain can be so intense and/or chronic. Not all car accidents occur from behind. In fact, only about 1/3 occur from this direction. One study investigating which direction created greater degrees of injury reported 57% of chronic pain patient group occurred from rear-end collisions. It also found that woman sustained more ligamentous injury compared to men and that frontal and rear end collisions resulting in significantly higher levels of ligament injury compared to side impacts

Another well published reason why neck pain can “hurt so much” after a car crash is that the sensory input from the injured area to the brain can be so extreme that it leaves an “imprint” in the sensory portion of the nervous system and it becomes hypersensitive or sensitized, resulting in a lower pain threshold or being more sensitive to pain. This is similar to the “phantom limb” phenomenon that often occurs after a leg is amputated where the brain still “feels” leg pain after the limb has been removed. This has also been reported to be a reason for the significant constellation of symptoms often accompanying “whiplash” injuries. A partial list of associated symptoms with whiplash injuries includes neck pain, headache, TMJ / jaw pain, dizziness, coordination loss, memory loss, cognitive difficulty in formulating thought, communicating, losing your place during conversation, and more.

Understanding whiplash and all of its nuances regarding signs and symptoms, x-ray requirements and measurement techniques, and treatment / management strategies are well understood at this office. Chiropractors have a unique advantage over other health care providers as manual therapies, including spinal manipulation, have been shown to yield higher levels of satisfaction and faster recovery rates compared to other forms of health care. We pride ourselves in performing thorough history and physical examinations, offering high quality evidence-based therapeutic approaches and teaching necessary home-based, self-management procedures. If you, a loved one, or a friend are struggling with whiplash residuals from a motor vehicle collision, you can depend on receiving a multi-dimensional assessment and therapeutic approach at this office.

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Weekly Health Update for September 28, 2009

Weekly Health Update for September 21, 2009

Doctor Admits Vaccine Is More Deadly Than Swine Flu Itself & Will Not Give It To His Kids

Chiropractic Care of a Pediatric Patient with Asthma, Allergies, Chronic Colds
A case study involving a 7-year-old boy suffering chronic colds, allergies, and asthma since the age of 5 months, who was subsequently helped with chiropractic, was documented in the August 17, 2009 issue of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health.

In this study the young boy's parents explained that their son had been suffering from his problems since age 5, and was now taking the medications Alavert daily for allergies and Albuterol for asthma as needed. The child also required nebulizer treatments for his asthmatic episodes. Additionally steroid injections were also used "regularly". Because of his illnesses he missed 1-2 days of school per month. He also had monthly visits to the medical doctor for all his health issues.

Finally his parents brought him to a chiropractor to see if he could be helped. The chiropractic examination revealed multiple postural abnormalities and changes in the boy's ranges of spinal movement. Additionally areas of the spine felt abnormal to the doctor's touch. These findings are all indicative of spinal subluxations. Subluxations are when bones of the spine are positioned incorrectly and create pressure or irritation on nerves. This causes changes in the function of the nervous system and can result in a variety of health issues depending on the severity of the nerve system interference and the areas of the nervous system involved.

Specific chiropractic care was initiated on the boy at the initial frequency of 3 visits per week for the first month of care. Within two weeks of the child's first chiropractic adjustment, the patient's mother indicated that her son no longer was dependent on his prescription medication for allergies, so they decided to discontinue them on their own. His parents also reported that his frequency and severity of the asthma attacks had greatly improved, and he no longer required his nebulizer treatments since beginning chiropractic care.

According to the study records within 3 months of the initiation of chiropractic care, the boy's mother reported that all the young boy's initial complaints were addressed successfully. The child continued chiropractic wellness care, and after a 16 month follow up, it was noted that the boy experienced only 1-2 minor colds or sinus infections and required the use of his nebulizer on only two occasions. Neither the patient nor his mother reported any adverse reactions to the chiropractic care.

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Chiropractic is Part of Swine Flu Prevention Program in Children
The above headline comes from a September 8, 2009 research update release from the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health. The author of the release Matthew McCoy D.C., is an Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences at Life University, a public health specialist, health researcher and editor of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health.

The release notes that on September 4, 2009, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) issued a report on the H1N1 virus known as the swine flu. The CDC report showed that there had been 36 deaths in children under 18 associated with the swine flu. The CDC report noted that a higher than usual amount of these deaths (67%) involved children with serious "high-risk medical conditions". Normally the average death toll in children from the yearly flu shows that only 35% to 55% had previous serious medical conditions. This suggests that children not suffering from serious medical conditions are less likely to die from H1N1 than from previous years flu outbreaks.

Additionally, the CDC report noted that most of the previously seriously ill children, (92%), who succumb to the flu were suffering from "neurodevelopmental conditions". Because of the nervous system involvement reported by the CDC, Dr. McCoy noted, "The number of children with neurological, neurodevelopmental and pulmonary disorders who ended up with complications from the H1N1 flu and who ultimately died from these complications point to the need to make sure that children with such disorders, and in fact all children, have as little interference to their nervous systems as possible". Dr. McCoy added “It (CDC report) also shows that the majority of children who ended up with complications from H1N1 infection were not normal, healthy children. So, if you have normal, healthy children - rather than panic from these media reports its better to consider the things you can do to make sure that your child’s immune system remains functioning at its best.”

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health notes that in addition to a healthy diet, exercise and proper sleep, one crucial way to make sure a child’s immune system is functioning at its best is to make sure their nervous system is free from interference. The Journal release also noted that the nervous system has a direct effect on the immune system and the spine houses and protects the spinal cord and nerves, a vital portion of the nerve system. They therefore state that it is important to have children’s spines checked for any interference to the nervous system.

Dr. Christopher Kent, chiropractic researcher and President of the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation, advised, "Nerve interference can result from spinal misalignments or abnormal motion in the spine called vertebral subluxations and because the nervous system affects immune function it is important to reduce or correct any vertebral subluxations if found.” Dr. Kent added, “The lesson in all of this is to go back to the basics. The best defense against viral and bacterial diseases, in addition to the recommendations for hand washing and covering your mouth, is a highly functioning immune system. Chiropractic should be part of an effective flu prevention strategy.”

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Many British Nurses and Doctors Not Willing to Have Swine Flu Vaccine
Several news stories mainly in British publications show that doctors and nurses in the United Kingdom are openly questioning the efficacy and safety of the Swine Flu vaccine. One such story in the August 17, 2009 issue of the Telegraph, reports on a survey done of British nurses showing that only one-third were willing to have the vaccination.

This article noted that of the nurses who said they would not get vaccinated, 60 per cent said concern about the safety of the vaccine was the main reason. The results were taken from a poll of 1500 nurses of whom 91% said that they were "frontline" healthcare workers who are the people most told they need the vaccine by pro-vaccine efforts. One nurse, echoing what is probably a predominant view, responded to the poll by commenting, "I would not be willing to put myself at risk of, as yet, unknown long-term effects to facilitate a short-term solution." Another respondent added, "I have yet to be convinced there is a genuine health risk (from swine flu) and it’s not just government propaganda."

In another article on August 26, 2009 also in the Telegraph, it was reported that up to 50% of all general practitioners do not plan to take the vaccine. Similarly they report that another study published online by the British Medical Journal showed that half of 8,500 healthcare workers in Hong Kong said that they would refuse a swine flu vaccine, because of safety concerns and worries that it would not work very well.

In response some government officials in the UK are exerting pressure on healthcare workers to fall into line on the issue of vaccinations. On the August 17, 2009 Nursing Times.com, website an article appeared that starts by reporting, "The (British) Department of Health’s director of immunization Professor David Salisbury has said nurses have a responsibility to be vaccinated against swine flu."

Some of the genuine concern may have come from the safety revelation reported on in several news outlets including the August 16, 2009 American Chronicle which ran a story with the title, "Letter Leaked Showing New Swine Flu Jab Linked to Guillain Barre Syndrome." The US story reports that a UK newspaper has received letters showing a link between the new Swine Flu vaccine and Guillain Barre Syndrome, a serious neurological disease that can cause paralysis and in extreme cases can lead to death. The article reports that on July 29, 2009, "A member of the JCVI Professor Elizabeth Miller and head of the HPA's Immunisation Department has sent a confidential letter to senior neurologists warning to be on the alert for new cases of GBS (Guillain Barre Syndrome) which she says could be linked to the vaccine."

With all the confusion, the minimal time for testing and the concern over safety issues many people are planning on passing on the vaccine. Several groups including the National Vaccine information Center, www.nvic.org, in the US have urged caution and are against any attempt to mandate this vaccination to any group of US citizens. Statements and a video can be seen on their website.

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Developmental Delay Syndromes and Chiropractic: A Case Report
A case study research article published on August 31, 2009 in the scientific periodical, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health, documented a case of a 2 year old girl with developmental and emotional growth issues, also known as Developmental Delay Syndrome or DDS. In this case study these issues were subsequently resolved with chiropractic care.

In this case a 2 year old girl was brought to the chiropractor with an interesting history. It seems that she was the younger of fraternal twins, with her brother being born vaginally, while she required a c-section to be born. From the trauma of her birth it was noted that her head and facial features were asymmetrical.

At the age of 28 months the young girl was suffering with Developmental Delay Syndrome or (DDS), and exhibiting frequent rages, furious temper tantrums, and nightmares that caused her to wake up screaming. She was described as a child that was not able to function in pre-school or at home with the family. She was notably slower than her twin brother in both intellectual and emotional development.

After a chiropractic evaluation was performed a specific regimen of care was initiated. After only 2 visits the child had noticeably improved posture. The case study also reported that after the 5th visit, the child was very stable within her family and pre-school environments, and she had stopped walking on her toes as she had prior to beginning chiropractic. Long term follow up years later at age 7, showed that she was equal in development to her twin brother and she was doing well in school.

In the conclusion to this case study the authors wrote, "Since there is some question as to the causation of the various developmental delay syndromes, this ultimately leads to some lack of clarity on treatment options, particularly for children sensitive to medication or who do not choose medication as an option. Patients are seeking alternative care, and particularly care that offers low risk and some benefit should be brought to their attention. While the studies are inconclusive, there is an emerging evidence base that does show chiropractic care can be involved in the treatment and care of patients with developmental delay syndromes."

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Dead by Mistake
A collaborative effort by a group of journalists from the Hearst newspapers and television stations, spearheaded by Phil Bronstein, Editor-at-Large, Hearst Newspapers and the San Francisco Chronicle, has resulted in a series of articles and a website to expose what they call a, "critical and neglected health care issue that dramatically affects hundreds of thousands of Americans every year."

The website and articles are called "Dead by Mistake" and can be seen at the following address: http://www.chron.com/deadbymistake/ as well as on many Hearst publications. The Dead by Mistake website itself contains several articles with many interesting facts. They report that 200,000 people die each year from medical errors and infections in hospitals. Even with this high toll less than half of all states require adverse medical event reporting. When states do mandate such reporting, consumer access to hospital-specific information is either extremely limited or not available at all.

The series of articles started on August 9, 2009 in the San Francisco Chronicle with 2 articles titled, "Secrecy shields medical mishaps from public view", and "DEAD BY MISTAKE - Avoidable errors kept out of view". These articles and the subsequent ones by the team of investigational reporters not only reported on a series of tragic deaths caused by medical error, but also noted some glaring deficiencies in the system.

The authors of the reports note that experts acknowledge that there are some 98,000 deaths per year from known medical errors and an additional 99,000 from infections in hospitals. For some perspective, this means that more Americans die each month of preventable medical injuries than died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The authors admit that these numbers are not absolute, but that part of the problem is that there is no definitive study or system of reporting to track the carnage.

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Americans Spending More for Non-medical Healthcare
Several news stories recently reported on the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine study released on July 30, 2009 titled, "Costs of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and Frequency of Visits to CAM Practitioners: United States, 2007". Although it was included in this study, many no longer consider chiropractic as an "Alternative Medicine" since the profession has become more accepted as a main stream form of healthcare.

The study focuses on the amount of out-of-pocket money spent by consumers on the non-medical forms of care they refer to as "CAM" for the year 2007. The study reports that in 2007 Americans spent $33.9 billion of their own money out of pocket on visits to CAM practitioners and purchases of CAM products. The largest portion of that amount, $22 billion, was spent on CAM products classes and materials. Another $11.9 billion was spent on practitioner visits which include all chiropractic care.

The study points out that in 2007, 38.1 million adults made an estimated 354.2 million visits to CAM practitioners. Of this number almost half were chiropractors accounting for about $3.9 billion out of pocket expenses. As a comparison the study noted that Americans spent $49.6 billion out of pocket for medical doctor visits.

The study results also noted that chiropractic was one of the most affordable types of CAM care as they stated, "Some of the highest per-person, out-of pocket costs are associated with visits to practitioners of naturopathy and chelation therapy, while one of the lowest per-person, out-of-pocket costs is associated with visits to practitioners of chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation therapy."

In the total scheme of healthcare CAM is not a large portion of the expenses but is a large part of the number of people receiving care. The study notes that all of the CAM expenditures combined only amounts to 1.5% of the total health-care expenditures in the United States. However, as many people are willing to pay for these services CAM does total 11.2% of all out-of-pocket health-care expenditures in the US.

Weekly Health Update for the week of September 14, 2009

Weekly Health Update for August 31, 2009

Weekly Health Update for August 24, 2009

Weekly Health Update for August 17, 2009

Weekly Health Update for August 10, 2009

Where Can I Find Information About Fibromyalgia?


Fibromyalgia (FM) is a very common condition that affects approximately 5% of the female population. A partial list of symptoms associated with FM include widespread pain and includes fatigue, non-restorative sleep, generalized stiffness, memory problems, poor balance, headache, numbness/tingling, painful muscle cramps/spasms, depression, anxiety, back pain, jaw pain, and hypersensitivity to: noise, lights, odors (perfumes), and weather changes. It is important to note that FM is NOT a psychiatric disorder, and can be diagnosed and treated, though promising a cure is not realistic.



There are many websites and articles that one can access through the internet. This is not an endorsement for any one site but rather, a review of one site that is available. The “Fibromyalgia Information Foundation” (www.myalgia.com) offers a lot of information that is very informative and usable. This includes information on the condition, the diagnosis, treatment, exercise advice and more. For example, under “Treatment of FM,” it is stated that there is no “cure” for FM. Rather, the goal of treatment is to teach the patient to gain “control” over the condition rather than to have the condition control the patient. There are four major areas of treatment to concentrate on which include pain management, exercise, sleep, and psyche. For pain management, there are lists of different medications, manual therapies and physical agents that can be of benefit. Exercise is emphasized to be gentle stretching after warming up and not to exercise too aggressively, so as to avoid irritation. In addition to stretching, light non-impacting aerobic exercise such as walking, water exercises, and/or stationary bike are recommended with a gradual increase in dose. Starting out at short 3-5 minute sessions, 2-3 times per day and gradually increase the session duration to three, 10 minute sessions/day, then to 2 -15 minute sessions and eventually one 20-30 minute session/day may be wise.


Regarding sleep, all FM patients complain of interrupted, non-refreshed sleep and improving this pattern is important. If an underlying condition such as whiplash, back, neck, or shoulder pain is the cause of interrupted sleep, that condition should be managed. A sleep study to determine if sleep apnea is an issue and the use of a C-pap unit can be quite helpful in gaining restorative sleep. Multiple medications are listed with dose recommendations that can be shared with your primary care provider. Regarding the “psyche”… Because chronic pain can result in depression, anger, fear, withdrawal and anxiety, management of these issues is important. Early detection and treatment is ideal. Interventions can include activity management such as ergonomic modifications both at work and home such as weight lift/carry limits, computer station re-design, the use of headsets vs. phones, and modifying other irritating postures should be considered. A de-emphasis of medications and long-term health care provision without clear goals is important. Unless an underlying psychological condition is present, counseling may be non-productive. However, biofeedback and some behavior modification may benefit some patients that are having trouble coping with the pain and it’s effect on their life.



Chiropractic is an important player in the management process of FM and benefits the patient by helping them set realistic goals and offering management strategies to help achieve those goals. Patients with FM need a “quarterback” to guide them in this process for which chiropractic is a logical choice. If you or a loved one is suffering with FM, sharing this information may be one of most significant acts of kindness you can give to that person.

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This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Weekly Health Update for August 3, 2009

Carpal Tunnel Syndrom

CTS - Prompt Treatment Is Best!


Many people suffer from CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) and unfortunately, often ignore the initial symptoms of numbness or tingling in the hand(s). These early symptoms are typically not too alarming and hence, they often do not raise the level of concern until more intense symptoms occur; such as waking up from sleep due to numbness, dropping items, difficulty buttoning clothing, needing to switch hands when driving, difficulty writing, typing, knitting, as well as work related pain. There may also be fear of job loss associated with CTS, especially in these hard economic times with frequent lay offs, prompting CTS sufferers to postpone initial care. Unfortunately, delaying treatment is associated with a longer recovery time when compared to prompt management which usually results in a quicker, less complicated and more satisfying recovery.

There are many causes and contributing factors of CTS. The most prevalent cause is mechanical irritation from simply moving the hands too fast for too long, without enough rest. Another risk factor is age (over 50 years old). In this era of an aging workforce, this may be a significant issue. Fast, repetitive movements of the arms and hands are often a direct cause and can be appreciated by watching someone knit rapidly and/or performing line work using fast, repetitive movements. If the hands/wrists have to bend in awkward positions to accomplish a work task, or if a tool that is frequently used places pressure in the palm of the hand, these can also contribute to the onset or perpetuation of CTS. Other conditions can also contribute to CTS including inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid, diabetes, pregnancy, the use of birth control pills, obesity and hypothyroidism.

The management of CTS is case specific, and is dependant on which of the above mentioned causes or contributors are present. Management of any metabolic disorder such as diabetes or hypothyroid is important, especially compliance with taking appropriate medication, when indicated. The management of weight, hormone replacement therapy, and fluid retention all play a roll in CTS management. Ergonomic or job-related management strategies are very important and can include work station modifications so that unnecessary awkward arm/wrist/hand positions can be avoided. This may require moving the item being worked on to a less stressful position, using a different type of tool handle (screw driver, etc.), changing the height or reach distance at which the material is worked on, and taking “mini-breaks” every ½ to 1 hour when the lack of rest is a contributor. Frequently, the combination of pinching a phone between the head and shoulder, typing data into a computer where the monitor is positioned too high or off to one side, and excessive arm motions using a computer mouse can contribute to pinching the nerve in the neck and/or arm, resulting in CTS. Remedies for this situation include the use of a head set, repositioning the computer monitor so that it is in front of the worker, and using a trackball type of mouse to eliminate arm motion can be extremely helpful. Treatment strategies offered by chiropractors include the use of night splinting to avoid awkward wrist/hand positions during sleep. In addition, manual therapy to the wrist and the tight muscles in the front of the forearm, as well as other nerve constriction areas such as the elbow, shoulder, and neck, manipulation of the joints in hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and/or neck, depending on what is unique and needed for that patient, and the use of physiological therapeutics such as low level laser light therapy, electrical stimulation, and/or ultrasound have all been shown to offer beneficial effects. Nutritional recommendations include Vitamin B6 (150mg/day), magnesium, calcium, Co-Q10, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D3. Reducing glutens (wheat, oats, barley, and rye) is also very important due to the inflammatory response of these foods. Surgery is typically, the last treatment resort and is appropriate, “when all else fails.” We welcome you to our clinic and are proud to offer you a non-drug, non-surgical solution for CTS and its disabling symptoms.

Chiropractic and Ear Infections- A CBS News Story

Weekly Health Update for July 20, 2009

A Chiropractic Miracle Story

Jonas Brothers Make Sure to Get Spines Adjusted Regularly

The above headline comes from the June 30, 2009 edition of MyCentralJersey.com. The article, written by staff writer Jeff Webber, reports that the pop stars are regular chiropractic patients. The author writes, "One of the most popular music groups right now, at least among the younger generation, is the Jonas Brothers. Since forming in 2005, the three brothers from Wyckoff have become a pop-music phenomenon, releasing four albums, touring all over the world and taking over The Disney Channel."

The article notes that their success is attributed to natural talent as well as good health practices. Part of the good health practices has meant regularly obtaining the services of their hometown chiropractor. Dr. Albert Wolyniec of New Jersey has been the family chiropractor for some time.

Dr. Wolyniec wrote in the Spring 2009 edition of The New Jersey Chiropractor, "They make sure they get their spines adjusted regularly, even if they have to fly me somewhere in the country just for the day. I have even done a coast-to-coast house call solely to maintain their spines free of nerve interference." The article notes that when playing at a local event in New Jersey, the Jonas Brothers and as many as 20 of their traveling party will receive chiropractic adjustments.

Dr. Wolyniec added, "They use chiropractic care not for pain, but to stay healthy. By keeping the nerve pathways open between the brain and the body, it keeps the pressure off the big heavy spinal nerves. When the vertebrae are kept in alignment, it translates into better health and better performance. They recognize this."

Weekly Health Update for July 13, 2009

Chiropractic and Headaches

Weekly Health Update for July 6, 2009

Chiropractic Care for High Blood Pressure

Weekly Health Update for June 29, 2009

FDA Panel Urges Ban on Vicodin, Percocet

FDA Panel Urges Ban on Vicodin, Percocet
Also recommends dosing limits for OTC painkillers that contain acetaminophen, like Tylenol or Excedrin, because of link to liver damage.
By Steve Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter


TUESDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- The popular prescription painkillers Vicodin and Percocet, which combine acetaminophen with an opiate narcotic, should be banned, and the maximum dose of over-the-counter painkillers with acetaminophen, like Tylenol or Excedrin, should be lowered, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel urged Tuesday.

The panel's recommendations followed the release of an FDA report last month that found severe liver damage, and even death, can result from a lack of consumer awareness that acetaminophen -- which is easier on the stomach than such painkillers as aspirin and ibuprofen -- can cause such injury.

The dangers from use or abuse of Vicodin and Percocet may be even more concerning, one key panelist said.

"It seems to me that problems with opiate combinations are clearly more prevalent," Dr. Lewis S. Nelson, chairman of the FDA's Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee, said during a Tuesday press conference held after the two-day meeting.

Explaining the panel's 20-17 vote to ban prescription acetaminophen/opiate drugs, Nelson said, "There are many deaths that relate to problems with prescription opiate combination acetaminophen products, whereas the number of deaths clearly related to the over-the-counter products are much more limited."

But the FDA advisers also took aim at over-the-counter (OTC) acetaminophen products. The agency's report found that many people may consume more than the recommended dose of these pain relievers in the mistaken belief that taking more will prove more effective against pain without posing health risks. Consumers may also not know that acetaminophen is present in many over-the-counter products, including remedies for colds, headaches and fevers, making it possible to exceed the recommended acetaminophen dose, the report said.

Based on that, the FDA advisory panel voted 21-16 to lower the maximum daily dose of nonprescription acetaminophen, which is currently 4 grams -- equal to eight pills of a drug such as Extra Strength Tylenol. The panel was not asked to recommend another maximum daily dose.

The panel also voted 24-13 to limit the maximum single dose of acetaminophen to 650 milligrams. The current single dose of Extra Strength Tylenol, for instance, is 1,000 milligrams.

The panel also voted 26-11 to make the 1,000-milligram dose of acetaminophen available only by prescription.

The advisers voted against other safety restrictions for other over-the-counter drugs such as NyQuil or Theraflu, which contain acetaminophen and other ingredients that treat cough and runny nose. Patients often mix the cold medications with pure acetaminophen drugs, like Tylenol, leaving them vulnerable to dangerously high levels of acetaminophen.

The FDA is not obligated to follow the recommendations of its advisory panels, but it typically does so.

Dr. Sandra L. Kweder, deputy director of the FDA's Office of New Drugs at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, gave a strong hint of what the agency might do with the advisory panel's recommendations.

"I think the top recommendation of this committee was that the agency needs to do something to address and decrease the usual dose of acetaminophen, both for over-the-counter products and also prescription combination products," Kweder said during the press conference.

She added, "There was a clear message that there is a high likelihood of overdose from prescription narcotic/acetaminophen combination products. If we don't eliminate these combination products, we should certainly at least lower the usual acetaminophen dose patients receive in those prescription combination products."

At the very least the agency should require new warning labels on these prescription combinations that alert patients to the potential of liver damage if they take too much acetaminophen, she said.

Speaking for the OTC drug industry, Lynda A. Suydam, of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), said her group was "pleased the committee did not recommend eliminating these important nonprescription products."

However, in a statement, she added that CHPA was "disappointed in [the panel's] divided vote to lower the maximum daily dose and the single dose of 1000 mg acetaminophen. There was a notable lack of data referenced by the committee to support these recommendations and overwhelmingly strong data affirming the efficacy and safety of acetaminophen in its current dosage forms."

Another expert took a different view. Dr. John H. Klippel, chief executive officer of the Arthritis Foundation, said Tuesday's votes were very important to "people with arthritis because acetaminophen is a very commonly used medication to control pain."

"Lowering the maximum dose, providing that kind of guidance to patients, if it increases safety, would be something the arthritis community would support," he said. "Every person who takes this drug sees it as valuable, but they want clear guidance so they won't be harmed by the drug."

Dr. Lewis W. Teperman, director of transplant surgery and vice chairman of surgery at New York University School of Medicine, said he also supported the panel's decision to recommend lowering doses of acetaminophen.

"It's not that the doses can get you in trouble, but the very young and the very old can get into trouble easily," he said. Also if you are sick, there is the danger of taking cold remedies that contain acetaminophen plus taking pure acetaminophen drugs as well, he noted.

But Klippel added that the vote to make the 1,000-milligram dose of acetaminophen available by prescription only would overburden the health-care system. "Given the massive number of people who rely on this drug for pain control, making the maximum dose requiring a prescription, I think, is going to place undo burden on the health-care system," he said.

Teperman disagreed.

"The 1,000 milligram pill should never be at the patient's discretion. It should only be prescribed by a physician," Teperman said. "If you took an entire bottle of Tylenol Extra Strength, three days later you would be in a coma and needing a liver transplant."

Headaches From The Neck?

Cervicogenic headache is the term used to describe a headache that has its cause in the neck region. It used to be thought headaches were caused by something in the head itself, but researchers have now learned that neck injuries can produce head pain.

A study from Norway (Acta Neurol Scand 2007;Nov.20; Sjaastad O, Bakketeig LS) showed that about 4% of the population will have this type of headache. Taking medications to cover the pain will not ultimately correct a mechanical neck problem.

The symptoms of a cervicogenic headache are as follows: one-sided head pain and same side shoulder and arm pain. Patients also have limited mobility of the neck region. Rarely a patient may also have a migraine trait such as nausea, vomiting, or throbbing sensations. Because of these different signs from a typical migraine headache a physician may have overlooked the neck as a potential source for the cause of your head pain. Self-diagnosing your headache can be even worse since potentially serious causes of your head pain, such as high blood pressure may go undiscovered and left untreated. In any case it’s unlikely that your headache has been caused by a deficiency of pain pills in your diet. There are also unintended side effects that have to be considered when weighing any health care option.

Another study from Norway (Funct Neurol 2007;22:145; Drottning M, Staff PH, Sjaastad O) looked at causes of cervicogenic headaches, specifically whiplash injuries of the neck. In this study, 587 whiplash patients were followed over a six-year period. About 8% of the whiplash sufferers developed a cervicogenic headache six weeks after the initial trauma. Thirty-five percent of these patients were still suffering six years later.

Our clinic specializes in the treatment spine-caused head pain especially cervicogenic headache. To determine this we have to perform a comprehensive examination of your spine to see if sprains of your cervical or thoracic joints are present and review whether you’ve suffered a trauma in years past that could have affected the posture and mobility of these delicate spinal structures.

For patients who do not go down the road of medications for treating their head pain chiropractic care can be a more healthful option.

Weekly Health Update for June 15, 2009

Consumer Reports Survey Rates DC's Higher Than MD's

A recent Consumer Reports survey of its readers found that "hands-on" therapies, led by chiropractic care, were the top-rated treatments for people suffering from back pain. The massive survey also found that chiropractors were given the highest "satisfaction with care" ratings, well above those given to medical doctors who administered various forms of care to back pain sufferers.

The survey, which included 14,000 Consumer Reports subscribers and was reported in the publication's May 2009 issue, found that more than half of the respondents had "pain (that) severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer, and 88 percent said it recurred throughout the year." The report stated that while many go to a primary care physician first for diagnosis and treatment, the majority were disappointed with the results.

On the other hand, 59 percent reported that they were "highly satisfied" with the care they received from chiropractors. The next highest rated practitioners were physical therapists (55 percent) and acupuncturists (53 percent), followed by "specialized" physicians (44 percent) and primary care physicians (34 percent).

Respondents were also asked to rate the types of treatments they received. Again, chiropractic/spinal manipulation got top honors, with 58 percent rating it as "helping a lot." Spinal injections were next highest, rated at 51 percent, followed by massage (48 percent) and physical therapy (46 percent). Other highly rated treatments included prescription medications (45 percent), yoga (44 percent), movement therapy and acupuncture (both 41 percent).

In a sidebar article to the main story, Dr. Orly Avitzur, a board-certified neurologist and medical advisor to Consumers' Union, said that half of the survey respondents who reported they had been given a prescription drug for pain-relief were treated with opioids, including Vicodin. This, she said, was "despite the fact that there is very little research to support the use of opioids for acute low back pain." She further said that the use of these drugs results in adverse effects for about half of the people who take them. However, their use is increasing thanks to "pharmaceutical-industry marketing and promotion of drugs."

Dr. Avitzur also stated that the survey showed "hands-on" therapies, which include chiropractic care, are "very successful and I almost always prescribe them."....

Source: Consumer Reports
To read the full report, a complete version of the report can be found on the Consumer Reports Web site.

Weekly Health Update for June 8, 2009

Weekly Health Update for June 1, 2009

The Truth About Diet Soda

The Truth About Diet Soda
The authors of Eat This Not That reveal some hard truths about low-calorie sodas.
By Dave Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, Men's Health

Find more:

Test Your Nutritional IQ
The 8 Worst Breakfasts in America
Buy Eat This, Not That! Books

We talk a lot about “watching what we eat,” but if you never gave a thought to what you ate and instead watched only what you drank, you could probably cut 450 calories a day out of your life—that’s nearly a pound of fat trimmed away each week! That's what a study from the University of North Carolina found. Americans today drink about 192 gallons of liquid a year—or about 2 liters a day. To put it into perspective, this is nearly twice as many calories as we did 30 years ago.

When confronted with the growing tide of calories from sweetened beverages, the first response is, “Why not just drink diet soda?” Well, for a few reasons. Eat This, Not That! did some research and found out some hard truths behind the low-calorie (and nutrition-free) beverage. The story isn't as clear-cut as you suspect, and it might make you think twice the next time you're looking for a thirst-quencher.

Hard truth No. 1

Just because diet soda is low in calories doesn't mean it can't lead to weight gain.

More Healthy Eating Advice
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It may have only 5 or fewer calories per serving, but emerging research suggests that consuming sugary-tasting beverages—even if they're artificially sweetened—may lead to a high preference for sweetness overall. That means sweeter (and more caloric) cereal, bread, dessert—everything. Considering there are 15 calories in every teaspoon of sugar, that's not good news if you're watching your weight.

Hard truth No. 2

Guzzling these drinks all day long forces out the healthy beverages you need.

Diet soda is 100 percent nutrition-free—and it's important to remember that all that useless liquid is taking up space that could have gone to more healthy alternatives. On the positive side, it means you won’t be taking in equally non-nutritious, calorie- and sugar-packed options. But it's just as important to actively drink the good stuff as it is to avoid that bad stuff. So one diet soda a day is fine, but if you're downing five or six cans, that means you're limiting your intake of healthful beverages, particularly water and tea, which is high in antioxidants.

Plus, a recent study from Johns Hopkins found that restricting liquid caloric intake is a more effective way to lose weight than restricting calories from food. There’s no better place than by eliminating anything on our list of the 20 unhealthiest drinks in America.

Hard truth No. 3

There remain some concerns over aspartame, the low-calorie chemical used to give diet sodas their flavor.

Aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar, and some animal research has linked consumption of high amounts of the sweetener to brain tumors and lymphoma in rodents. The FDA maintains that the sweetener is safe, but reported side effects include dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, memory loss, and mood changes. Check out our guide to the 11 most controversial food additives to see how aspartame stacks up.

The bottom line is this: Diet soda does you no good, and it might just be doing you harm. The best way to hydrate is by drinking low-calorie, high-nutrient fluids—and choosing healthy alternatives, like the ones you'll find in our list of the 16 best drink swaps.

Now that you have a hold on your liquid assets, upgrade the rest of your grocery list by avoiding the 13 Worst "Healthy" Foods in the Supermarket.

Posted by Dr. Alan Tang at 5/27/2009 12:26:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Aspartame/Nutrasweet/Equal, breast cancer, dizziness, headaches, mood disorder, soda-pop
Monday, May 25, 2009
Acupuncture and Massage for Chronic Pain


According to the American Pain Association, an estimated 86 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain can be characterized by persistent pain signals that are repeatedly fired from the nervous system, and they can last from weeks to years. As with most prevalent and life-affecting afflictions, there is a wide variety of solutions available; from over-the-counter medication to prescription drugs, chronic pain is dealt with daily in a variety of ways. However, traditional Chinese medicine may have two more effective means of relief to offer.
Both Chinese acupuncture and massage therapy are regularly used to alleviate chronic pain. There is some contention in the field of Oriental medicine as to which practice is more beneficial. According to the British Medical Journal, a recent study showed acupuncture to provide greater short-term pain relief and better range of motion than traditional massage. The conclusion of the British Medical Journal declared acupuncture to be a safe form of treatment for people with chronic neck pain and one that offers clear clinical advantages over conventional massage in the reduction of pain and improvement of mobility.
While acupuncture is believed by many to provide long-term relief for chronic pain, massage therapy also has a good deal of staunch believers. The Archives of Internal Medicine conducted a randomized trial comparing traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and self-care education for chronic low back pain. The results this study stated that therapeutic massage was effective for persistent low back pain and provided long-lasting benefits, and that traditional Chinese acupuncture was "relatively ineffective." The Touch Research Institute has conducted over 90 clinical studies on the beneficial effects of massage therapy. These studies have proven massage therapy's effectiveness in the relief of not only chronic pain, but also juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, labor pain, fibromyalgia, and back pain

TOP ATHLETES USE REGULAR CHIROPRACTIC CARE

What do Barry Bonds, Tiger Woods, Andy Roddick, and Lance Armstrong have in common? They are incredibly accomplished athletes that have used chiropractic care as a key ingredient to their success.

The fact is that more professional athletes use chiropractic than ever before. Even more revealing is the increased use of regular chiropractic care for entire professional teams. In fact, Chiropractic Economics reported that over 95% of teams in the NFL use chiropractors as a regular part of player care.

Some professional athletes pay personal chiropractors to give treatment before, during, or after a game. Barry Bonds, one of the best all-time baseball players, has a personal chiropractor who travels to games. Bonds has incorporated chiropractic into his lifestyle. He reportedly said, “I think it should be mandatory to see a chiropractor and massage therapist.”

A study in 1991 in the Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation revealed that chiropractic care can increase athletic performance by as much as 16.7%! Another study in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research in 1997 revealed that chiropractic care increases an athlete’s capillary count. This means increased blood flow and more oxygen to the body.

Weekly Health Update for May 18, 2009

Whiplash and Muscle Weakness


Whiplash involves the stretching of nerves, muscles, and ligaments. The forces are so great during even low speed collisions, that the muscles cannot resist the forces. The injury of whiplash produces inflammation to repair the damaged tissues. During this time, fast movements of your head and neck will result in pain, so most patients become overly cautious and move their neck very little. Unfortunately over time, because of the lack of muscle use, you become weak. This sets up the difficult combination of both damaged ligaments and weak muscles. Now there is little strength and support for the neck. This may make you very vulnerable to a future injury. Even slight movements can produces flare-ups when the muscles are too weak. The patient may feel their head to be heavy. Sometimes patients’ injuries can be so severe that dizziness develops due to the asymmetrical muscle and nerve activity. This is called cervicogenic vertigo. If you get dizzy when you move your head, then you may have this condition.

While it may seem intuitively obvious that addressing weak neck muscles are important to a full recovery, few patients will do them unless prompted and explained by their doctor. Specific muscles need to be strengthened in a way that does not cause further damage to the ligaments. If the muscles are tight in certain areas, then stretching or deep tissue massage, or trigger point therapy, can help to loosen areas and decrease pain.

But the most important thing you can do on a daily basis is to keep exercising. Studies have shown this to be effective in whiplash treatment when there is a mechanical neck disorder. A specific exercise program can be prescribed by a doctor of chiropractic Special attention should be made to your posture and x-rays, and how specifically you were injured. Only in this way, will the treatment be effective and not risk further trauma.

Exercises such as rolling the head around the shoulders should be avoided since the neck is not a ball and socket joint like the shoulder. In some directions, the joints will have excessive laxity and the muscle exercises should be done in the neutral position versus at the end range or limit.

Because the ligaments are so badly damaged in whiplash, it’s important to maintain the supporting muscles (both strong and flexible), to keep the spine stable and pain free.

WELLNESS AND OVERALL PHYSICAL HEALTH

The misconception lingers that the purpose of chiropractic treatment is to address a particular ache or larger condition. The truth is that regular visits to a chiropractor should be as much a part of a healthy person’s medical routine as visits to the dentist or physician. While chiropractors are trained in treating the specific ailments, which often are caused or aggravated by misalignments, or subluxations, in the spine, their role in keeping the spine healthy can contribute to overall health.

A chiropractor will develop a relationship with a patient that will focus on how chiropractic treatment can help, but a chiropractor also knows when to collaborate with another health professional or refer a patient to another health care provider. Chiropractors subscribe to the definition of health as set forth by the World Health Organization, health being “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Talk with your chiropractor about how they can contribute to your overall health and sense of well being.

Weekly Health Update April 20, 2009

"Save some Good People From Bankruptcy..."

One thing that really irks me are those guys that wear black socks and Bermuda shorts on the beach. But, that’s not really important.

What is important are the billions of dollars wasted every year for expensive medical care that doesn’t work. What bugs me even more is that the medics know (or should know) that the right choice for many patients is chiropractic. They are often bound, however, by the secret rules of the medical cartels in every town.

More people go through bankruptcy because of medical bills than any other reason. So, shouldn’t we be spreading the word about how to save money with chiropractic?

Yes, we should.

Within the realm of conditions we usually see people for, medical care is almost always more expensive, and often ineffective. People are often put through the medical mill, being referred from one doctor to another, leading to the specialist that says, “there’s nothing wrong with you”.

Consumers and insurance companies pay millions every day for expensive medical diagnostic testing designed to figure out what the hell is wrong with a patient with typical musculoskeletal complains. Usually, they come up empty, when a good chiropractor could easily figure it out (with his bare hands) that the patient has a vertebral subluxation.

How many people wind up in the ER every day for just migraines headaches? How much do consumers and government entitlement programs pay daily for the MRI and CAT scans just for migraines?

There are tons of studies showing the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care. One study tells us that ”a new retrospective analysis of 70,274 member-months in a 7-year period within an IPA, comparing medical management to chiropractic management, demonstrated decreases of 60.2% in-hospital admissions, 59.0% hospital days, 62.0% outpatient surgeries and procedures, and 83% pharmaceutical costs when compared with conventional medicine IPA performance. This clearly demonstrates that chiropractic non-surgical non-pharmaceutical approaches generates reductions in both clinical and cost utilization when compared with PCPs using conventional medicine alone.”

NEED HELP WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER?

A pilot study, published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (www.jvsr.com), suggests that chiropractic care may help adults suffering from concentration problems and attention deficit (ADD/ADHD).

The study was performed by Yannick Pauli, DC, director of the Centre Wellness NeuroFit in Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Pauli is a chiropractor specializing in wellness neurology.

The connection between attention, a process occurring in the brain, and chiropractic, which is generally associated with spinal health, is not readily obvious to most people. Yet, the research emphasizes the direct link between the spine and brain activity.

The articulations and the muscles of the spine are rich in mechanoreceptors, which are sensors that send information to the nerve system. “Each time we work with the spine, we activate neurological circuits in the direction of the brain and bring the nerve system into balance,” the researcher says.

According to Matthew McCoy, DC, editor of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, “this preliminary study is exciting. It is part of an increasing amount of research suggesting that chiropractic care may be an effective natural choice for people suffering from ADD/ADHD. It offers the possibility of a new option for millions of children and adults that are seeking to manage their conditions naturally.”

Dehydration

Dehydration
________________________________________
by: Dr. Brandon Di Novi

What are the signs of dehydration?
Most people are unaware how essential water is for every function in the body. Did you know not being properly hydrated could increase your allergies and then lead to being sick? Joe Ferrara, PhD has found that sub-optimal hydration levels cause your body to release more histamine. This release of histamine can make you more susceptible to allergens (dust, pollen, etc). With an increase level of histamine in the system it then elicits the release of the hormone cortisol. One side effect of cortisol is the suppression of the immune system. Histamine also causes the breakdown of the amino acid tryptophan in the liver. Tryptophan is needed by the brain to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin. Water is needed to transport tryptophan to the brain. So even depressive states are being linked back to chronic dehydration.
The most frequent side effect of dehydration is lack of energy. Dr. Ferrara has found that for every 1% drop of water in your cells you will have a 10% drop in energy! One of the easiest ways to tell if you are dehydrated is your urine. The more tea color (dark brown) your urine looks then the more dehydrated you are. Your urine should be clear or very light yellow except just after ingesting your multi-vitamins. Another major side effect of dehydration is constipation. You should have a bowel movement at least once per day. Patients who are dehydrated usually suffer from constipation.
Why are we dehydrated?
Coffee, tea, juices and soda pop (diet and regular) and alcohol all contribute to leaching water out of your cells. The function of water is to help transport, dilute and detoxify your system. Smog, pesticides and processed foods all leave an abundant of pollution in your system. This pollution needs to have a transport mechanism for removal. If you are drinking something other than water throughout the day and consume processed foods then your hydration levels may be in jeopardy.
How much water should I drink a day?
I have most of my wellness patients drink about 3 liters per day. Now remember if you are also consuming any of the products that cause you to be dehydrated then your levels will have to be increased.
What is the Chiropractic connection?
Did you know that all of the synovial fluid in your joints is made up of mostly water? When your fluid levels are sub-optimal your joints will experience more wear and tear. This will be experienced as stiffness or pain.

Weekly Health Update April 6, 2009

Weekly Health Update March 30, 2009

HOW A PAIN IN THE NECK COULD BE BAD FOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Chiropractors have long known that tackling pain and stiffness by “adjusting” the neck through manipulation can also lower blood pressure—but the reasons were never clear. Now a team led by Professor Jim Deuchars has examined pathways between the neck and the brain to show how the neck muscles could play a crucial role in controlling blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.

Their study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, provides the first evidence for a role for these connections in influencing brain regions which control body functions that we don't need to think about, such as breathing and blood pressure.

They propose that nervous signals from the neck could play a key role in ensuring that adequate blood supply is maintained to the brain as we change posture, such as from lying down to standing up. Where such signaling fails, we can suffer problems with balance and blood pressure.

The findings offer a clear rationale for manipulative treatments: “Reports from chiropractic journals say that manipulating the neck region helps to reduce blood pressure in some people,” Prof Deuchars explained. “By identifying the pathways we can see why these treatments might work and it could also explain why some people suffering whiplash injuries may experience a change in their blood pressure.”

“The work also contributes to understanding postural hypotension—fainting which can be caused by standing up too fast. The neck muscles could be a part of the system which normally prevents this from happening by sending signals to the brain upon neck movement that posture has changed.”

Second Hand Smoke and Dementia

Exposure may increase risk by 44%, researchers say
By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay News) -- People exposed to secondhand smoke may face
as much as a 44 percent increased risk of developing dementia, a
new study suggests.

While previous research has established a connection between
smoking and increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease,
this new study is the largest review to date showing a link
between secondhand smoke and the threat of dementia, the authors
said.

"There is an association between cognitive function, which is
often but not necessarily a precursor of dementia, and exposure
to passive smoking," said lead researcher Iain Lang, a research
fellow in the Public Health and Epidemiology Group at Peninsula
Medical School in Exeter, England.

What's more, Lang said, the risk of impaired cognitive function
increases with the amount of exposure to secondhand smoke, the
findings suggest. "For people at the highest levels of exposure,
the risk is probably higher," he said.

The study was published online Feb. 13 in the journalBMJ.com.

For the study, Lang's team collected data on more than 4,800
nonsmokers who were over 50 years old. The researchers tested
saliva samples from these people for levels of cotinine, a
product of nicotine that can be found in saliva for about 25
hours after exposure to smoke.

The study participants also took neuropsychological tests to
assess brain function and cognitive impairment. These tests
evaluated memory, math and verbal skills. People whose scores
were in the lowest 10 percent were classified as having some
level of cognitive impairment.

The researchers found that people with the highest cotinine
levels had a 44 percent increased risk of cognitive impairment,
compared with people with the lowest cotinine levels. And, while
the risk of impairment was lower in people with lower cotinine
levels, the risk was still significant.

"We know that active smoking is bad -- being a smoker is bad
for your health and increases your risk of Alzheimer's. This
study suggests that this is the same for passive smoking," Lang
said. "We know that passive smoking is associated with an
increased risk of stroke and heart disease. This is just another
reason to avoid exposing other people to your smoke, and if you
are not a smoker to stay away from smoking places."

Maria Carrillo, director of medical and scientific relations
for the Alzheimer's Association, said this study offers more
evidence of the dangers of secondhand smoke and the risk for
dementia. Smoking is already recognized as a risk factor for
Alzheimer's, and the risk can be extended to exposure to
secondhand smoke, she said.

"There are findings that secondhand smoke can be just as
detrimental as smoking itself," Carrillo said. "We recommend
that people do not smoke and try to reduce their exposure to
secondhand smoke as well."

Dr. Mark Eisner, an associate professor of medicine at the
University of California, San Francisco, and author of an
accompanying editorial in the journal, said, "This study should
provide further motivation for public policy aimed at making all
public spaces smoke-free."

Weekly Health Update for March 23, 2009

REDUCE BACK PAIN DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy greatly increases a woman’s vulnerability to back problems during and after birth. Did you know that at least half of pregnant women experience back pain during pregnancy?

Studies have proven that chiropractic care greatly reduces the amount of pain and discomfort throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 1991 revealed that 84% of patients who received spinal manipulative therapy (chiropractic care) reported a decrease in back pain while pregnant.

Another study reported in the book “Chiropractic Pediatrician” showed that regular chiropractic adjustments reduced labor times by an average of 33%.

Weekly Health Update for 3-16-2009

Migraine Headaches

MIGRAINE HEADACHES

Chiropractic treatment has been proven successful in easing any number of painful ailments, including the debilitating migraine headache. Numerous case histories have emerged from chiropractic care of people with restricted or misaligned vertebrae in the neck who have suffered from these terrible headaches. Problems with the vertebrae can be congenital, meaning you’re born with them, or can be caused by trauma, an injury, or by gradual deterioration. Vertebrae, the bones that make up the spine and encase the spinal cord and nerves that emanate from it, when not in proper alignment, can pinch nerves and cause headaches, including the painful migraine.

Correcting misalignments of the vertebrae, can cut down if not eliminate migraine headaches. People who have not visited a chiropractor sometimes have a preconceived notion that the manipulation will hurt. That notion is false. Chiropractors use their hands and fingers to apply controlled pressure to trouble spots on the spine. Correcting spinal alignment can help with a host of ailments, including migraine headaches. Talk with a chiropractor about the numerous ways you could benefit from treatment.

Brought to you as a community service by
.
Dr James Stapleton D.C

Weekly Health Update for March 9, 2009

Back Pain Statistics

Back Pain Facts & Statistics
Although doctors of chiropractic treat more than just back pain, a large percentage of chiropractic patients visit their doctor looking for relief from this pervasive condition. In fact, 70 to 85 percent of all people have back pain at some time in their life.

A few interesting facts regarding back pain:
_ Low back pain is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits in the United States (1,2)
_ Back pain is the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people younger than 45 years old.(3)
_ Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.
_ Approximately one quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months2, and 7.6 percent reported at least one episode of severe acute low back pain within a one-year period.(4)
_ Low back pain is also very costly: approximately 5 percent of people with back pain disability account for 75 percent of the costs associated with low back pain.(5)
_ One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. (6)
Approximately 2 percent of the U.S. work force is compensated for back injuries each year.(7)
_ Americans spend at least $50 Billion per year on back pain—and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.(8)

If a person has back pain, what should they do?
If your back pain is not resolving quickly, visit your doctor of chiropractic. Your pain will often result from mechanical problems that your doctor of chiropractic can address. Many chiropractic patients with relatively long-lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting chiropractic treatment. The relief is often greater after a month of chiropractic treatment than after seeing a family physician.
The chiropractic approach is to find the cause of the pain and treat it directly. This may involve realigning the spine or extremities by chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy for the muscles and ligaments, rehabilitative exercises, or a combination of these. Sometimes the doctor of chiropractic will suggest exercises or activities to prevent a reoccurrence of the problem. This may provide a long term solution to the condition through prevention.

Tips to Prevent Back Pain
Some back pain is caused by non-preventable factors (traumatic accidents, congenital defects,tumors), but the majority of low back pain is preventable.
Suggestions on how you can prevent back pain include:
• Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
• Remain active.
• Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
• Warm up or stretch before exercising or other physical activities.
• Maintain proper posture.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
• Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
• Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
• Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
• Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your workstation is ergonomically correct.

References:
1. Hart LG, Deyo RA, Cherkin DC. Physician office visits for low back pain. Frequency, clinical evaluation, and treatment patterns from a U.S. national survey. Spine. 1995;20:11-9.
2. Deyo RA, Mirza SK, Martin BI. Back pain prevalence and visit rates: estimates from U.S. national surveys, 2002. Spine. 2006;31:2724-7.
3. National Institutes of Health
4. Carey TS, Evans AT, Hadler NM, Lieberman G, Kalsbeek WD, Jackman AM, et al. Acute severe low back pain. A population-based study of prevalence and care-seeking. Spine. 1996;21:339-44.
5. Frymoyer JW, Cats-Baril WL. An overview of the incidences and costs of low back pain. Orthop Clin North Am. 1991;22:263-71.
6. Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98.
7. Andersson GB. Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain. Lancet. 1999;354:581-5.
8. This total represents only the more readily identifiable costs for medical care, workers compensation payments and time lost from work. It does not include costs associated with lost personal income due to acquired physical limitation resulting from a back problem and lost employer productivity due to employee medical absence. In Project Briefs: Back Pain Patient Outcomes Assessment Team (BOAT). In MEDTEP Update, Vol. 1 Issue 1, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD, Summer 1994.

Weekly Health Update for the week of March 2, 2009

The Miracle Cure

THE MIRACLE CURE
From "The Chiropractic" Newsletter dated 1899By D. D. PalmerDr Palmer has given all his time for 13 years to healing theafflicted. He cures many persons in so short a time that it seemsmiraculous.We are living in an age of wonders. Every day we are surprised atsome new invention, and yet many of these new ideas are so simple andeasily understood that we wonder why our grandparents did not know ofthem.Often cures are made by chance which seem miraculous.Today we have a comprehensible explanation of the fundamentalprinciples upon which all these cures are made. Today the cause ofdiseases are being located and those causes corrected just as surely as anymechanic would find the cause of inharmony or wrong working in a piano,wagon, watch, engine, or other machine.A human being is a human machine and, like a machine, would runsmoothly, without any friction, if every part was in its proper place. Ifevery bone, every nerve, and all the blood vessels, muscles, etc. were justright, there would be nothing wrong.I look the human machine over and find what parts are out of place,why the blood does not circulate freely to all parts, why the nerves cryout with pain.Disease is the effect or result of some part of the body beingdisarranged. To put them in their proper place, would give the diseasedperson ease and allow nature to rebuild without being obstructed.We do not go to the drug store nor ransack all creation to find aremedy. The remedy is in righting the wrong. The cause of disease is inthe sufferer, and the cause must be corrected.If every part of the human body was in its natural place there wouldbe no friction, no inflammation, no fever, no weakness...Why not remove thepressure, adjust the framework, and take the strain off those sensitivenerves?

ANATOMY OF THE BACK

The human back and spine comprise a complex system that impacts your entire body. Keeping your spine in proper alignment, which is the specialty of the Doctor of Chiropractic, is essential to the smooth functioning of your other parts. The spinal column is the main pillar of the back. It is made up of more than 30 individual bones, collectively called the vertebrae, separated by spongy pads of cartilage called discs. The spinal cord runs from the bottom of the brain through holes in the vertebrae. The spinal cord sends signals to the body through nerves that emerge between the vertebrae.

The spine is divided into four regions: The upper part, the neck, is called the cervical. The upper back is called the thoracic. The lower part of the back is the lumbar. It leads into the sacrum, the lower part of the spine, and the coccyx, the tailbone. It is the lumbar region where most back pain develops. The spinal cord actually ends just below the rib cage. From there, nerves to the lower back and legs grow through the spinal column before exiting. The bundle of nerves looks like a horse’s tail, hence its Latin name: cauda equina.

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