Tip Of The Month

Why Human Nature Is KILLING You!
Lose Fat, Get In Shape, And Become Healthier...
The Real Way!

Do me a favor. Just for a moment - forget EVERYTHING you know (or think you know) about weight loss, getting in shape and living a healthy life. If you do, there is a very good chance you will get results you never dreamt possible.

Let's see if we can do that for you... Shall we? First, we have to talk a little about...HUMAN NATURE. Why? Human nature is one of the biggest forces behind why we do what we do. Human nature silently influences (and even controls) most of our actions... whether we know it or not. And, if we don't know about it, we tend to make very bad and unrealistic choices.

For example, what if you had two offers. One for $1 million dollars, but you had to work hard for the next 5 years to get it. The second offer is also for $1 million dollars, but without doing anything whatsoever to earn it. No work... Just Cash The Check!

Which one would you choose?

If you are like most people... you'd take the no-work deal. Sure, a cool million over 5 years is darn good, $200,000 a year. But... sitting on the beach, sipping a tasty beverage with that same cash is much better! That, my friends, is human nature. It is not right, wrong or indifferent - it just is - we follow, what seems to be, the path of least resistance.

Now let's take weight loss and staying in shape. You have three choices:(1) Purchase a diet pill... take it... and wake up thin. No exercising or eating right. (2) Purchase a "secret" exercise program or piece of exercise equipment, put in a few minutes a day for a very short period of time and look like a swimsuit model. Big results for very minimal effort. (3) Follow a strict diet, which includes not eating many of the foods and treats you love, exercise vigorously several times a week, see results slowly over time - and do this for the rest of your life.

Which One Are You Going To Choose? Odds are it's either #1 or #2 because millions and millions make that choice every year. The population keeps getting more and more overweight and it's all because HUMAN NATURE leans on you to make the easy choice or what SEEMS to be the easy choice at the time. We all know, in the end, it is much more difficult to take the easy way out than to do it correctly from the beginning. If you are not in the shape you would like to be or as healthy as you could be - deep down inside you know this to be true.

And let's be honest: we all know #3 (or a version of it, depending on your goals, age etc.) is the REAL way to get in shape, lose weight and stay healthy. Come on! Fight it! Fight that human nature telling you to tell me to shove it! Telling you there is an easier way! Telling you that you can swallow the next wonder fat burner discovered in some remote part of the rain forest... eat a half gallon of Hagen Daz... and wake up thin!

Instead, make the commitment to do it right. Do it the REAL WAY... Talk to your Chiropractic Physician and he or she will help you create a road map to the success you are looking for. They can help you lay everything out, so you do the right things at the right times to maximize your efforts. And yes, it does take effort. Consistent effort. And it all starts with the decision you make... right now.

So what's it gonna be: 1, 2 or 3?

Did You Know ?

Physical Activity Prevents Heart Disease... There's no doubt about it!

Physical in-activity is a cause of premature coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease refers to blockages (plaques) in the arteries that provide oxygen and nutrients to your heart muscle.

Your heart beats 100,000 times a day, every day, year after year - what an amazing organ! It must have a reliable blood supply. In fact, 12% of all deaths in the U.S. are attributable to lack of regular physical activity, including at least a doubling of the risk for heart attacks or sudden cardiac death.

How does exercise contribute to improved heart health? Exercise improves the lipid profile: reduces trigylcerides and raises HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol"); prevents and treats type 2 diabetes; reduces the systemic inflammation that plays a role in development of atherosclerosis; lowers blood pressure; and helps with weight control.

Who Else Wants To Add 12 Years To Your Life?

I don't know about you, but I bet if you asked most people on their death beds if they would like to have another 12 years, they would say...

"Heck Yeah!"

Well, if you would like to add 12 years to your life... it may be possible. And it may be simpler than you think. Here is why...

Bad Habits. Everyone's got them, and we all make excuses why they are okay... Life is short... You gotta have some fun some times... My career is stressful so it's okay to have a vice...

Blah, Blah...BLAH!

Just like bad habits - everyone's got excuses, too. However, just because a behavior is common with a plethora of excuses, it doesn't make it any less deadly.

For example, a new study published in the April 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, shows people who smoke, drink, rarely exercise and skimp on fruits and vegetables die younger - with a death risk of someone 12 years older!

In the study, 4,886 people age 18 or older were interviewed in 1984-1985. Participants were followed up, on average, 20 years later. In the two passing decades, 1,080 participants died. 431 died due to heart/cardiovascular disease, 318 due to cancer, and 331 due to other causes.

Now, here's the striking part: When comparing participants with all 4 bad habits to those with none - the group with all 4 habits were about 3 times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease or cancer, were 4 times more likely to die from all other causes, and had an overall death risk equivalent to someone 12 years older.

Clearly, Mother Nature doesn't listen to excuses for smoking, drinking, not exercising and not eating right. It may be time to stop making them.

Now for some great news...

Science Daily reported on April 20, "Australian scientists have shown for the first time that even modest weight loss reverses many of the damaging changes often seen in the immune cells of obese people, particularly those with Type 2 Diabetes."

Your Immune System

The immune system has many types of cells that act like a little army to attack invaders such as germs and viruses. But, these cells operate in a delicate balance within our body.

For example, too much body fat causes the production of pro-inflammatory immune cells. Too many of these cells circulating in the body can be harmful. According to Dr. Alex Viardot, "These inflammatory cells are involved in promoting coronary artery disease and other illnesses associated with obesity."

In the study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism, the authors concluded that even modest weight reduction of just 13 lbs. could produce an 80% reduction of pro-inflammatory T-helper cells and also a reduction of other circulating immune cells.

Dr. Viardot added, "This is the first time it has been shown that modest weight reduction reverses some of the very adverse inflammatory changes we see in obese people with diabetes... The situation has reached crisis point, and people must be made aware that excess fat will affect their immune systems and therefore their survival."

One-Two Punch For Arthritis!

Osteoarthritis is basically a combination of the wearing of the cartilage and synovial fluid in between bones that make up a joint... and... inflammation. Glucosamine is one of the building blocks of cartilage and synovial fluid and can help maintain and boost cartilage repair.

Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation. Fish oil has been shown to reduce inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Now, for the first time, a study has shown combining the two can reduce the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis.

German researchers combined 1,500 mg of glucosamine sulfate with 200 mg of omega-3 fats.

Head researcher Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D. said, "Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the inflammation process in OA, whereas glucosamine sulfate further supports the rebuilding of lost cartilage substance."

This Kind Of Nap Boosts Memory...

Good news for all you "nappers" out there. A recent study reported onhealth.com found not only did college students who took a 90-minute nap perform better than those who did not - the nappers who dreamt performed 10 times better!

In the study, 99 college students were asked to memorize a complex maze on a computer. The students who performed 10 times better dreamt about the maze.

I think it's time for a nice 90-minute siesta!!!

Herpes And E. Coli At The Make-Up Counter!

If you try on make-up at the make-up counter... you may be exposing yourself to Herpes, pink eye, E. Coli and more.

According to a recent L.A. Times article, a two-year study from Rowan University on public make-up testers found on an average Saturday, 100 percent of the makeup at cosmetic counters was tainted with staph, strep, and/or E. Coli bacteria.

Dr. Zein Obagi, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist, was quoted in the article, "If a woman has a cut on her lip and borrows lipstick from someone who has a cold sore, she'll get a cold sore. You can pass herpes (the cold sore virus), conjunctivitis (pink eye) and all sorts of things through sharing makeup."

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
Self-Destructing Texts Are Here!

Quick Prediction: Tiger Woods and just about every celebrity will be using this new technology. Here is why...

Ogilvy Advertising has created something called "Safe Text." This service will warn text message recipient's they will only have one chance to read a text message... after that it will be automatically erased.

The service currently offers up to 10 free anonymous text messages per day.

And don't forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We're here to help and don't enjoy anything more than participating in your lifelong good health.

Why Does My Back Always Hurt?

Low back pain is a very common problem affecting 80-90% of all of us at some point in our lifetime. Why is that you ask? There are many reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that we are 2-legged animals carrying 2/3rds of our weight above our waist. Studies have shown deterioration or arthritis occurs much sooner in us vs. our 4-legged animal counterparts. A 180 lbs man carries roughly 120 lbs above the waist. This means, every time he bends over, in order to stand upright, he needs to lift 120 lbs PLUS whatever he is lifting. Hence, the argument of, "...but I only bent over to lift a pencil and my back went out," seems on the surface as impossible but in reality, the man in our example is lifting the pencil plus 120 lbs. Now, let's add to that the point that a 5 pound weight equals 50 pounds when held out in front with the arms stretched out straight. Now, if that's not bad enough, now, let's assume all of this is happening from a bent forward position, with a twist at the waist, with out stretched arms, while lifting a 20 pound object. Get the idea? It's amazing our back doesn't get injured every day as we lift 2 bags of groceries into the far end of a car trunk, or, when lifting our 30 pound child in and out of a car seat, height chair, or when they are screaming and pushing away from us as we try to lift them!
In order to further appreciate why the low back is so vulnerable to injury, some basic understanding of anatomy is needed. When we're born, the back is made up of 33 segments of which 5 fuse by the time we're about 18 years old to make up the sacrum (bottom of the spine) and 4 fuse to make up the coccyx (tail bone), leaving 5 lumbar (low back), 12 thoracic (mid-back) and 7 cervical (neck) vertebra. These are stacked up on top of each other like building blocks and are connected to each other by a shock absorbing disk in the front and two smaller facet joints in the back, acting like a tripod. In the low back, we're supposed to bear about 80% of our weight in the front and 20% in the back but, if our abdominal muscles are a bit out of shape and the pelvis rotates forwards, the curve in the low back increases and overloads the back of the vertebra (facets) making them vulnerable to injury. The disk becomes injured when we bend/lift/twist. This can tear the outer tough fibers of the disk, allowing the central more liquid-like material to leak out. If this happens, the leaking or "herniated" disk can put pressure on the nerve that exits the spine and travels down our leg. If the pain pattern includes the back of the leg, it's commonly referred to as "sciatica."
OK, enough about anatomy. What can we do to reduce the chances of having periodic low back pain? Obviously, staying in shape is very important. Certain muscles of the body must be tight to keep us upright or standing. These muscles need to be stretched on a regular basis. For example: the hamstring muscle. We've all had to perform hurdler types of exercises and remember how tight they feel!
We realize that you have a choice in where you choose for your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for low back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) - Can It Be Prevented?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS is a very common problem affecting many workers and is one of the most costly conditions afflicting today's workforce. It is most often caused by repetitive activity using rapid movements of the arms and hands and can lead to work loss and disability when not properly managed. CTS occurs when the median nerve that travels through the carpal tunnel (CT) located on the palm side of the wrist becomes pinched by the swelling of the 9 tendons that also travel through the CT and essentially, pinch the nerve up against the transverse carpal ligament. This results in numbness, tingling and/or pain of the index, middle and forth fingers.

Other symptoms include sleep interruptions where shaking and flicking of the fingers is required to allow for a return to sleep. This is frequently caused by sleeping with the wrist in a cocked position, increasing the pressure inside the already swollen carpal tunnel. This is why a cock-up wrist splint usually helps as it disallows the wrist from bending to the extremes and the nerve is not pressured or pinched as much. Other symptoms include weakness of the grip, making it a challenge to unscrew a jar, open a door, and even sometimes turn the key when starting a car. Driving can also be affected as the hands often fall asleep while holding onto a steering wheel.

Pain can also affect the rest of the arm and sometimes the neck area. The median nerve can also be pinched in more than one place and may include the neck, shoulder, elbow as well as the wrist making it necessary to have all the areas treated for a satisfying result.

People at greatest risk are women > men, workers who handle small tools, computer workers, fast repetitive line workers, and people older than 40 years of age. People with other health conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, Lymes disease, rubella, pregnancy, birth control pill use, diabetes mellitus and menopause are at an increased risk of developing CTS. Certain foods such as caffeine, tobacco, and/or alcohol may also contribute to CTS.

Though treatment is very important -the sooner the better- prevention is most important. In fact, some simple approaches can make a big difference! Some of these include modifying the position of a computer chair, keyboard, monitor, or mouse (work station modifications), alternate between different tasks to reduce the repetition of work, stretch your forearms and fingers before, during and after work, and treat any underlying conditions. When symptoms first occur, these recommendations, as well as wearing a night wrist cock-up splint and seeing your chiropractor, will often reverse the condition without difficulty. If you wait too long and nerve damage occurs, it becomes a more challenging process to manage CTS and at times, even surgery will not be very helpful.

Some of the non-surgical treatment approaches you might expect from your chiropractor include joint manipulation and/or mobilization applied to the neck, wrist, elbow and/or shoulder, the application of physical therapy modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stim, and/or low level laser therapy ("light" therapy), as well as the use of wrist splints.

The University of Maryland Medical Center cites two research articles on chiropractic treatment for CTS. They report good results are usually obtained and that these good results continued for at least 6 months after treatment ended. The same reference also recommends nutrition and supplements in the management of CTS. Some of these include: eliminate food allergens (often milk, cheese, eggs, ice cream, glutens/wheat-grains, soy, corn, and preservatives) and eating foods high in B-vitamins (dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and sea vegetables), anti-oxidants (fruits - blueberries, cherries, tomatoes; vegetables - squash, bell peppers), avoiding refined foods, using olive oil and adding omega 3 fatty acids to the diet (fish oil). Other vitamins including a multivitamin, B complex, Vit. C, alpha-lipoic acid, MSM, resveratrol, Vit. D, Co-Q10, magnesium can also really help.

We realize that you have a choice in where you choose for your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for CTS, chiropractic care is a logical first choice and we would be honored to offer our services to you.

Back School 101... 3 Ways To Prevent Making Your Back Pain Worse

Chiropractic care for patients with low back pain (LBP) not only includes spinal manipulation or adjustments but also patient education in regards to heat/ice, performing daily activities and exercise.

Heat vs. Ice: This topic is controversial, as often, patients will be told by their friends and family to use the opposite of what we may recommend to our patients. In general, when pain is present, there is inflammation... so use ice to reduce swelling and pain. When heat is inappropriately utilized during this inflammatory phase of healing, vasodilation or, an increase in blood supply to the already swollen injured area often results in an increase in pain. The use of heat may be safely applied later in the healing process during the reparative phase of healing, but as long as pain is present, using ice is usually safer and more effective.

Daily Activities: Improper methods of performing sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and lifting can perpetuate the inflammatory phase, slow down the healing process, and interfere/prevent people from returning to their desired activities of daily living, especially work. Improperly performing these routine activities is similar to picking at scab since you're delaying the healing process and you can even make things worse for yourself.

Exercise: There are many exercises available for patients with low back pain. When deciding on the type of exercise, the position the patient feels best or, the least irritating is usually the direction to emphasize.

More specifically, for those who feel a reduction in pain when bending forward (referred to as "flexion-biased"), flexion exercises are usually indicated. Examples of these include raising a single knee to chest, double knee to chest, posterior pelvic tilts, sitting forward flexion, and hamstring stretches.

When bending backwards results in pain reduction (referred to as "extension-biased"), standing and bending backwards, performing a sagging type of pushup ("prone press-up"), laying backwards on large pillows or on a gym-ball are good exercises. The dosage or duration exercises must be determined individually and it is typically safer to start with 1 or 2 exercises and gradually increase the number as well as repetition and/or hold-times. If sharp/"bad" pain is noted, the patient is warned to discontinue that exercise and report this for further discussion with their chiropractor. It is normal and often a good sign when stretching/"good" pain is obtained at the end range of the exercise.

We recognized the importance of patient education in our approach to managing low back pain cases, and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), What are my options??

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS, has been reported to be the most expensive of all work-related injuries, costing the average CTS patient about $30,000 in medical bills and lost work time over his or her lifetime. CTS is primarily found in adults, is 3x more frequently found in woman, and usually affects the dominant hand first. The pain can be quite severe and disabling. Certain occupations tend to cause CTS more than others, such as manual labor jobs (assembly-line / manufacturing, sewing, finishing, cleaning, meatpacking, food processing and packing occupations). Other jobs like computer work, playing a musical instrument and waitressing can also cause CTS. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, the use of birth control pills, inflammatory arthritis and hypothyroidism can predispose patients to CTS. CTS is caused by a pinch to the median nerve that runs down the arm from the neck, through shoulder, elbow and wrist. The pinch can occur in one or more of these locations making it important to obtain a complete evaluation including the neck and upper arm - not just the wrist. There are a total of 9 tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels jammed into the tight confines of the carpal tunnel formed by 8 small carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament that serves as the "roof" of the tunnel. Symptoms include burning, tingling, aching, and/or numbness primarily into the 2nd to 4th fingers and at times, the thumb. Some sufferers develop weakness in their grip making it hard to open jars, stubborn door knobs, holding onto a newspaper or steering wheel. Waking up multiple times at night is also a common complaint caused by sleeping with the wrist bent, which increases the pressure inside the tunnel, thus pinching the nerve more firmly.

A CTS diagnosis is made by reproducing the symptoms by further compressing the median nerve inside the tunnel. This is accomplished by applying pressure over the tunnel, by bending the patient's wrists 90 degrees backwards (dorsiflexion) and forwards (palmar flexion), compression over the proximal forearm, at the thoracic outlet (under the collar bone) and / or at the neck. Special tests like an EMG/NCV (electromyogram and nerve conduction velocity) can determine the degree of nerve damage and verify the diagnosis. At times, x-ray or MRI are helpful if arthritis or a bone spur is suspect, or to measure the size of the carpal tunnel. Laboratory blood tests to determine secondary causes, described earlier, can also be of benefit.
Treatment consists of 1. Rest; 2. Modifying the activity or workstation suspected of causing CTS; 3. Using a splint- especially at night and when driving; and 4. Managing any underlying disease condition. Managing inflammation is also important, which can be accomplished by the use of ice of. (Ice massage is very effective. This consists of freezing water in paper cups, tearing off the top half of the cup, and rubbing the ice against the skin for approximately 5 minutes. The sequence of sensations includes cold, burning, aching, and numbness ("C-BAN"). Make sure you quit when numbness is reached, as frost bite is a risk if performed for too long.) Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, naproxen, or herbal remedies such as ginger, turmeric, boswellia, and/or vitamins like bromelain & papain, vitamin B6, fish oil (omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin D (2000-5000IU); calcium/magnesium are all potentially helpful. Manual manipulations to the joints of the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand and soft tissue manipulation to the muscles and tendons of the forearm and hand can also be used. Other non-surgical treatments include exercises and physical therapy modalities such as low level laser therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and others.
We realize you have a choice in where you choose for your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for CTS, chiropractic care is a logical first choice and we would be honored to offer our services to you