Survey Says Chiropractic Outperforms Other Back Pain Treatments - Even Medication

        SURVEY SAYS!!!!  If you have back pain... you are probably old enough to remember Richard Dawson first yelling that phrase on the popular 70s and 80s game show, The Family Feud. If not - it doesn't matter - you just learned something interesting about American pop culture and game show history.

So, What Does The Survey Really Say?

        According to an August 9, 2011 article on chiroeco.com, "In a new survey, chiropractic outperformed all other back pain treatments including prescription and over-the-counter medications, deep-tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), this news reinforces the use of conservative care options as a first line of defense against pain.

        The survey, released by a leading consumer product rating and survey publisher in late July, found that 65 percent of those surveyed using chiropractic care for back pain said it helped a lot. Only 53 percent of respondents using prescription medications found them as helpful.

        "Additionally, about half of those surveyed who are using deep-tissue massage, yoga or Pilates said those treatments helped a lot and only 28 percent of respondents using over-the-counter medications reported that they helped a lot.

        "Current evidence-based guidelines support the use of conservative care such as chiropractic for conditions such as chronic lower back pain."

        One serious eye-opener was that only 28% of respondents said over-the-counter medications helped a lot.

        It has been known for quite some time that common over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID) have serious side effects.  One of these side effects is that an estimated 16,500 people die every year.

        Natural, conservative options like Chiropractic, deep tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates are most likely better and safer choices when it comes to relieving back pain.

What About Neck Pain And Headaches?

       Neck pain is very common and it can make your life miserable. If you suffer from headaches... there is a very good chance you suffer from a common type of headache called "cervicogenic headache."  This type of headache is caused by a problem in your neck.

        One way to tell you might suffer from cervicogenic headaches is to identify if any neck motions cause the headaches or increase their severity.

        Also, take a good look at yourself in the mirror.  Does your head tilt to one side?  Is your head posture bad?  In other words, does your head stick out in front of you instead of sitting back over your torso?  You'll probably need a trained eye (like your Chiropractor's) to see that one.

Did Dr. Oz Really Say This Tiny Tibetan Fruit Is The "New Miracle Berry?"

DON'T BE FOOLED! Separate fact from miracle
claim fiction and discover why one fitness author says
Dr. Oz and Oprah have sued over 50 companies... 

        Miracle this!  Amazing that!  How many times have you heard about a "magical" plant that will instantly melt 50 pounds off your waistline - or cure you from any disease known to humankind?

        There is always "proof" that this magical plant works because some culture or tribe or group of people living in some far off mystical land has been using it for centuries and they are all skinny, healthy and live to be 165 years old!

        If this stuff is so good, why hasn't everyone already heard about it? Because... it's been hidden in that far off, mystical land!

        Ah... the magic of advertising.  You have to love how the magical cures are never found in someone's backyard in Ohio. It's always halfway across the world, usually in a rainforest.

        Well, now there is a tiny Tibetan fruit that is claimed to help people lose weight without any other kind of diet of exercise.

        The fruit is the sea buckthorn berry and advertisers are going crazy because it was mentioned on the Dr. Oz show.

        Here's what einnews.com had to say about the issue, "Sea buckthorn oil is a helpful antioxidant, but fitness author Rusty Moore warns us to be skeptical of some of the claims websites are making. Buzz was generated online after Dr Oz featured this 'super food' on his TV show. Dr Oz claims that sea buckthorn oil is a healthy supplement that aids in digestion and has antioxidant properties similar to Vitamin C.

        "Online marketers have been using the endorsement of Dr. Oz to distribute sea buckthorn oil. In the past 3 years, Dr. Oz and Oprah Winfrey have sued over 50 companies who were using their endorsement without permission. Unfortunately, several companies were making exaggerated weight loss claims when it came to supplements Dr. Oz simply mentioned on his program."

        The same thing happened several years ago when Dr. Oz mentioned the Acai Berry was a good antioxidant and a useful supplement.

        That mention was taken by advertisers and used as a personal endorsement for all kinds of wild claims.

        What's the bottom line with all this?

        Obviously, some foods are better than others.  Some are more nutrient dense with building blocks your body can use, while others are not. You want to eat as many positive nutrient dense foods as possible. Obviously, comparing Sea Buckthorn to a Chicken Nugget - the Sea Buckthorn is a relative miracle food. But, so is an apple given the same comparison.

        The reality check is this:  You must eat good food, exercise and reduce stress CONSISTENTLY TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN REAL HEALTH.

        This includes losing weight and keeping it off.  There are right ways to do things that work better than others, but there are no shortcuts.There is no magical plant from a mythical far away land that will turn you into Superman or Superwoman.

        Both Acai and Sea Buckthorn are most likely good for you and can help your body get the nutrients it needs to function properly, but don't expect a miracle.  Miracles happen from doing the right thing long enough.

Tip of the Month

        It's extremely painful.  We're not talking about a root canal gone bad.  Not even close.  It's another visit to the gas pump... When it costs over $60 to fill up a Honda Accord - you know things are bad.  The price of gasoline is draining bank accounts and many experts say there is no relief in sight. Some say the answer is to get a new, fuel efficient car.  That sounds all fine and dandy, but you have to do a little math to see if it works. For example, one of the new high mileage economy cars will cost you $20,000 -  $25,000. How long is it going to take you to make your money back with your Miles Per Gallon (MPG) savings?  Probably years.

        So, here are some money saving tips from Popular Mechanics: (1) Coast to a stop - Popular mechanics tested and found the less you use your brakes, the better your fuel economy.  They said anticipating a red light and coasting vs. hitting the accelerator and then using your brakes at the last second made a huge difference. (2) Do not accelerate too slowly!  This goes against what most of us believe.  Cars get poor gas mileage in low gears and tests showed taking 15 seconds to get to 50 mph got better gas MPG than taking 30 seconds to reach the same speed. (3) Use your air conditioning!!!  Another urban myth gets destroyed.  When you drive on the highway,  roll up your windows and use the AC. The wind resistance caused by the open windows causes MPG to decrease and the faster you go, the worse it gets.
 

        There are 3 more tips waiting for you at: http://autos.yahoo.com/news/6-driving-tactics-to-save-gas-this-summer.html?page=all 

What To Do If Your Cell Phone Gets Wet...

        Do not turn it on.  Pull out the battery and SIM card.  If you dropped it in salt water, rinse it in fresh water.  Dry your phone using compressed air - the kind used to clean computer keyboards.  Cover your phone with uncooked rice for at least 24 hours (this draws out the moisture).  Turn your phone back on.  You might want to say a little prayer first :)

Remember, we're always here to help your body heal
and maintain the health you deserve.

 

Did You Know?

        One of the pitfalls of pursuing a healthy diet is that we can eat well and easily miss an important nutrient. In the world of healthy eating, one of the most common nutrient deficiencies is Vitamin B-12, a crucial nutrient for nerve health and the construction of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body.  Vitamin B-12 deficiency is especially common among vegetarians and vegans, but it's also common in meat eaters, too. Why? Because Vitamin B-12 can only be absorbed in the small intestine, and due to common intestinal ailments, even many meat eaters who consume high levels of B-12 are unable to absorb it in their gut.

        This leads to a series of "mystery" health symptoms that actually have a simple common cause: Vitamin B-12 deficiency!

        Here are some of the most common symptoms of deficiency: *Chest pain or shortness of breath * Fatigue or unexplained weakness * Dizziness, trouble with balance, and fainting * Confusion, memory loss or dementia * Coldness, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet * Slow reflexes or diminished nervous system function * Pale skin or yellowing of the skin * Sore mouth and tongue.

        The proper form of Vitamin B-12 to supplement your diet is methylcobalamin. This is a form that exists in nature, and it is pre-methylated, meaning it's ready for your biochemistry to put to immediate use.

Popular Obesity Surgery Worse Than They Thought

Study believed to be the first to track long-term effects
of laparoscopic gastric band surgery finds problems.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated from a person's weight and height, and provides a reasonable indicator of body "fatness" and weight categories that may lead to health problems.

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), "During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. In 2009, only Colorado and the District of Columbia had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%.

 

Thirty-three states had prevalence equal to or greater than 25%; nine of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of obesity equal to or greater than 30%."

Obviously, obesity is a big problem, but what if a...

 

Treatment Is Worse Than
The "Disease"?

 

This may be the case, according to a study on the long term effects of laparoscopic gastric band surgery.

Researchers of the study, published in the Archives of Surgery, said, "The bands eroded in almost one in three patients. Sixty percent had undergone additional surgery, including 17 percent who went on to have gastric bypass."

A related article in The New York Times added: The results "are worse than we expected," said Dr. Jacques Himpens of the European School of Laparoscopic Surgery and St. Pierre University Hospital in Brussels, lead author of the new study. Dr. Himpens advised those considering gastric band surgery not to "nourish exaggerated expectations," adding that "anyone who has had the procedure should see a care provider on a regular basis and be vigilant about signs of infection or band erosion."

A Better Solution?

Once again, research has shown there are almost always unwanted side effects to every drug or surgery.

So, the question becomes - is the potential benefit worth that negative side effect?

But, an even smarter question is - is there an all-natural alternative that does not come with the same inherent risks of drugs and surgery?

In this case, the answer for many people is... YES!

For many people, obesity and weight problems can be accomplished by PERMANENT lifestyle changes.

In other words, finding what foods work for your body chemistry, eating those foods... and... exercising correctly... FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

This may seem like a daunting task, but the alternative is chilling. As research shows, quick fixes tend to lead to more problems.

Nothing in life worth having comes without a price. To achieve real health, the price is putting in the effort to eat right, exercise, reduce stress and keep your muscles working properly.

Tip of the Month

What's Better For Pain, Morphine or Medication?
And Why It's So Important For You To Know The Answer.

Mind over matter. Some believe in it. Some don't. Is it really possible for you to control the inner workings of your body through thought? Well, now there is a growing body of scientific research helping to answer this question. For example, a recent study in the Journal of Neuroscience pitted morphine against medication to see which one is better for pain relief.

The Results Were Shocking.

In the study, 15 volunteers were taught the focused attention meditation technique. This technique teaches students to let go of distracting thoughts by focusing on their breathing. In this case, the volunteers attended four 20-minute classes. Then, the volunteers were subjected to pain (a patch heated to 120 degrees Fahrenheit) for 5 minutes and 55 seconds. This "pain" was administered before and after meditation, and the volunteers recorded their level of discomfort. After the training sessions, the volunteers reported a 40% reduction in pain intensity and a 57% drop in pain unpleasantness. According to the researchers, Morphine typically reduces pain ratings by 25%. MRI scans also showed changes in brain activity before and after meditation in the areas that control pain. Here's a somewhat complex quote from the researchers, "Together, these data indicate that medication engages multiple brain mechanisms that alter the construction of the subjectively available pain experience from afferent information." In other words...

Medication Seemed To Actually Affect The Brain In
A Way That Could Reduce A Person's Sensitivity To Pain!

Even though this is very impressive, this study has a small number of volunteers, only 15, so no definitive conclusion can be drawn. But, there is mounting evidence that what you believe can control the inner workings of your body. For example, in last month's issue of this newsletter, research was presented that showed anti-depressant medication was not much better than placebos. In fact, placebos were shown to improve symptoms 82 percent as much as the real pill. According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International: "However, if experts and antidepressant manufacturers are aware of this, the general public certainly isn't... Millions of people every year feel better, simply because they believe they'll feel better." It is no longer a question "if" your thoughts change your body chemistry... but to what extent... and... what is the best way to maximize it? The implications of this are far reaching for both health and for living the successful, happy and fulfilled life you've always wanted. It seems self-help pioneers who said things like, "thought become things" and "we become our dominant thoughts" were WAY ahead of their time.

Clearly, we must be very careful what thoughts we allow to take root in our subconscious mind. This starts with what we read, watch on television, hear on the radio, and the people who surround us. All these years, we were afraid of the germs carried by someone but maybe the words you hear from that mouth are worse than the germs it coughs up.

Remember, we're always here to help your body heal

and maintain the health you deserve.

Did You Know?

Plants have been used for centuries as medicines - now genetically modified plants can produce plastic. Biotechnologists managed this by inserting 4 genes from plastic-producing bacteria into varieties of oilseed rape and cress. Conventional plastics are made from oil and do not degrade easily, but the plant plastic is biodegradable. However, it is expensive, costing five times more than pertoleum-derived plastic.

By the way, the word plastic comes from the Greek plastikos, meaning"to form" or "to shape".

Money doesn't grow ontrees but one day, perhaps credit cards will!

About the genetic engineering... Actually, man has been "genetically modifying" everything from food to dogs for many centuries, but in the past his only tool has been selective breeding. There are a variety of ways scientists can now modify plants and animals with genetic engineering techniques.

In the meantime, take good care of your real plants. Clean them often, speak to them, and play them some nice music- there is a lot of research showing melodic or classical stimulates plants to grow healthier.