Jan 08

CRC eNewsletter

Are you searching for greater health and wholeness for yourself and your family?

Would you like to do more than treat symptoms? Are you interested in making disease prevention and health enhancement part of your lifestyle? Looking for more than a drug approach?

Then welcome to a more natural world ~ welcome to the world of chiropractic.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

·Clinic News

·A visit to the chiropractor

·My stomach hurts…I need an adjustment

·Accidents, injuries and chiropractic

·Baby’s infections prevent allergies

·Chiropractic helps man regain his vision

·Trouble losing weight…Try Vit. C

·Chiropractic and spinal research

·Are you at risk for M.S.

·Breastfeeding creates emotionally healthier children

·Nourishing nutrition

·Humor

·References

Clinic News

First of all we would like to thank everyone for all the nice emails and gifts for the birth of Madilyn Grace, it has been amazing. So, thank you everyone!

Also, we have a couple of new things at our office. One is that you can sign up to receive an appointment reminder via email rather than a phone call for your upcoming appointment at our office. The sign up is on our front desk as you walk into the office. It’s a great way to be reminded of an appointment, especially since a lot of us check our email more than we do our voicemail. Don’t forget that you can also schedule your next appointment via JJMeyer.com and clicking on the “request appointment” tab at the bottom of each page.

Another awesome thing is that in about a four to eight weeks Angela Meyer will be joining our office as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT). She is currently a student at Carlson Massage School in Anamosa and is giving an hour long massage for only $30. You can contact our office for more details if you would like to schedule an appointment with Angela.

A visit to the chiropractor

People sometimes ask us to review some of the basics of what a visit to a chiropractor entails. Actually a visit has two broad components: analysis and adjustment.

During the analysis we determine where your nerve pressure, your vertebral subluxation complex (VSC), is located. Based on over a century of research, the chiropractic profession has developed many unique procedures for this purpose: muscle, bone and motion studies; X-ray and imaging studies; leg and posture measurements and many others.

Next we perform anadjustment to eliminate your VSC. An adjustment introduces force/energy/information into your body, which helps to release pressure from your nerves, muscles, joints and discs and to realign or balance your body structure. The force must be introduced at the proper angle or direction, at the right time, and with the right pressure. The chiropractic profession has developed a sophisticated array of adjustment techniques. Ask us about the ones we use.

My stomach hurts…I guess I need adjustment

We have been telling (almost preaching) people for a long time that Chiropractic is more than just fixing back and neck pain. It is a way of life and should be part of everyone’s normal healthcare regimen. A preliminary study was preformed a little while ago entitled “A preliminary Study The Neck-Stomach syndrome” in The world Journal of Gastroenterolgy (May 14, 2007; 13(18)). The authors of study set out to “offer an explanation of one possible cause for functional dyspepsia (acid reflux type disease) and irritable bowel syndrome caused by cervical spondylosis. What the authors found was absolutely awesome (especially if you’ve been seeing a chiropractor or have a problem with your stomach).

Some of the findings were:

1) There is a direct or indirect connection between the Neck and the Stomach

2) The clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis include gastrointestinal disorders mediated through the sympathetic nervous system

3) Cervical pathology (Neck problems), mediated through sympathetic nerves, has been associated with a number of disorders which include about 20 kinds of diseases or symptom-groups such as hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, dizziness, eyesight malfunction and gastro-intestinal disorders.

Now, we need to highlight a few things here. First of all this is a Medical journal, not a chiropractic journal. So, the medical profession is all but saying that chiropractic works for more than back pain. I know that they don’t tell you to use Chiropractic but how else are you going to truly address a neck dysfunction?

Also, point #3 above should be read again, and again, and again. They are saying not only do problems of the spine cause stomach issues but also dizziness, heart arrhythmias, eye problems etc…

A truly amazing study and scientific evidence that your spine is much more important than we realize.

Accidents, injuries and chiropractic

Too many people who have been in an accident or suffered trauma don't receive chiropractic care. That's a big reason why over half of all accident victims never completely recover from their injuries and may live on painkillers, muscle relaxants and physical therapy or even endure repeated surgeries over the years. Sometimes they're told that they'll have to live in pain for the rest of their lives. In fact, even a “minor” trip or fall from childhood may cause severe health problems later in life.

Why? Because nearly any physical force radiates to your skeletal system and can cause subluxations. For that reason a chiropractic spinal checkup is essential after an accident. Chiropractic care may make the difference between true recovery, healing and strength or lingering pain, sickness and disability.

Baby’s infections prevent allergies

Yet another study has verified that the fevers and infections of infancy have a protective effect against allergies and asthma later in life.

In this study, children who developed fevers during the first year of life tended to have a lower risk of allergies by age seven. Half of the children who experienced no fever during their first year had allergic sensitivities by age seven compared to only a 31% incidence of allergies among children who experienced two or more fevers during infancy. It appears that children exposed to more germs develop stronger immune systems. (1)

Comment: Children need to develop their immune systems by fighting infections. Aspirin, Tylenol™ and other anti-pyretics interfere with fever development and may keep a child sick longer. Childhood vaccinations prevent the immune system from developing properly. Working with nature, not against nature, helps create healthier children (and adults).

Chiropractic helps man regain his vision

Many people don’t know that Chiropractic started by a man regaining his hearing. The story is actually an interesting one much like this man in Dubuque IA who had suddenly lost his vision. I encourage you all to read the article (there is also a video). Long story short: About 45 minutes after his adjustment he regained vision in an eye that has been blind for more than 12 years.

Click here for news story and movie.

Trouble losing weight…Try Vit. C

Many people in our culture struggle with their weight. In fact some studies suggest that 2 out of 3 people in the United States are considered overweight. Well, if you are looking for something that’s a safe alternative to some of the junk weight loss supplements look no further than good old Vitamin C. A study out of Arizona State University found that depleted levels of the antioxidant led to decreased levels of fat oxidation. In the study 20 obese men and women were put on a low fat diet and either 500 mg of Vit. C or a placebo pill.

The results: Both groups lost weight (probably because of the low fat diet) but as the study progressed the people who were not taking Vit. C began to oxidize less fat than those who were supplementing with it. Also of note, at the beginning of the study, the people with the lowest concentrations of Vit. C in their blood also had the highest body mass index.

Chiropractic and spinal research

Chiropractic care frees you from a severe form of dis-ease known as the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC). This is a distortion in your structural system that can affect the health of your bones, nerves, muscles, glands, brain, organs – and lots more.

Chiropractic is needed no matter what condition a person may have – it may make the difference between a life of suffering and illness and a life of ease and health.

Disabling low back pain. This is a study of 171 patients who had been totally disabled by chronic low-back pain ("constant severe pain") for an average of 7.6 years. They were not helped by medical care and were considering back surgery. They were referred for chiropractic care. After 2-3 weeks of chiropractic, 87% returned to full function with no restrictions for work or other activities. One year later they were still doing fine.(2)

Learning disabilities and dyslexia. Eight studies were reviewed containing 25 case reports. All studies showed beneficial effects of chiropractic care in individuals suffering from learning disabilities and dyslexia.(3)

Neck pain. Seventy patients with neck pain (25 males and 45 females, ages 20-55 years) were randomly divided into either a chiropractic group or a control group. The chiropractic group showed a significant improvement in neck pain after only one adjustment.(4)

Are you at risk for Multiple Sclerosis?

I have become increasingly interested in people’s Vit D levels of late. More and more research is linking the lack of this important Vitamin to some pretty nasty diseases. One of the latest studies I have found is right out of JAMA (December 20, 2006). It looked at vitamin D levels in more than 7 million U.S. Military personnel! What they found is pretty profound: Low levels of Vit. D in the white population is linked to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Also of note from the article:

1)Because food provides little vit. D, the major source for most people is through skin exposure to sunlight

2)Adolescents appears to be a crucial exposure period for MS

3)Increasing the vitamin D levels of adolescents and young adults could result in an important reduction in MS incidence.

Such an increase could be achieved by using vitamin D supplements

4)Vitamin D supplementation is safe at levels several-fold higher than 2000IU/d for adults.

The blood test at most labs is quite expensive and I am currently looking for an easier/cheaper way to get patients Vit. D levels tested. If you go to your primary care physician and get your Vit. D levels checked be sure that they order the 25 OH Vit D and not the 1,25 OH test. Research is pretty clear that the 25 OH is the level that is most important (that is what they used in this study also).

Also, the take home message here is that especially during winter months, when we are not exposed to as much sunlight, we should probably supplement with 2000 IU a day.

Breastfeeding creates emotionally healthier children

Babies have an intense need to be held and one of the most comforting things for a newborn is the physical act of nursing. Leaving a baby alone with a bottle is not emotionally satisfying to the child and does not make them feel safe or secure.

Breastfeeding also promotes bonding between mother and baby in a way that bottle-feeding cannot. Most women naturally feel a strong desire to hold their baby and there are physical and emotional reasons for this. Breastfeeding ensures that mother and baby have some intimate time together and actually stimulates the mother’s release of the oxytocin hormone, which is known to promote maternal behavior.

Nourishing nutrition

“The key to a good salad is vegetables at the peak of freshness, cut up into small pieces, then dressed with a high enzyme dressing composed of raw ingredients – high-quality oils, vinegar, lemon juice, whey, avocado and raw or cultured cream. Chopping or grating vegetables is the first step in the process of thorough digestion, leaving less for the teeth and digestive juices to do, and allowing more surface area of the vegetables to be coated with healthful dressing.”(5)

Removing tonsils? Try chiropractic first.

Removing the tonsils of children with mild or moderate throat infections is more expensive and has fewer health benefits than simply watching and waiting, say researchers. In a study of 300 children aged 2 to 8 who had been advised to have their tonsils out, those who avoided surgery had fewer annual visits to doctors and lower resulting medical costs. The children who avoided surgery also had fewer fevers, throat infections and respiratory illnesses.(7)

Humor

Be naughty, save Santa the trip.

Is there another word for synonym?

Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice?"

Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"

What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?

If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?

Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?

How do they get the deer to cross at that yellow road sign?

Bye. See you next month. Don’t forget to stop by for a checkup and adjustment.

Want hard copies of this newsletter? Stop by the office and we’ll give you some for your friends and relatives. If they have e-mail, have them write to us and we’ll add them to our mailing list.

References

1. Williams LK et al. The relationship between early fever and allergic sensitization at age 6 to 7 years. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2004:113(2):291-296.

2. Kirkaldy-Willis WH and Cassidy JD.Managing low-back pain. Canadian Family Physician. 1985;31:535-540.

3. Pauli Y. The effects of chiropractic care on individuals suffering from learning disabilities and dyslexia: a review of the literature. JVSR.January 15, 2007:1-12. https://www.jvsr.com/abstracts/index.asp?id=280

4. Martínez-Segura R, Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Ruiz-Saez M et al. Immediate effects on neck pain and active range of motion after a single cervical high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation in subjects presenting with mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2006;29(7):511-517.

5. Fallon S. Nourishing Traditions.Washington, DC: New Trends Publishing. 2001:175.

6. Weintraub S, Fahey C, Johnson N et al. Vasectomy in men with primary progressive aphasia. Cognit & Behavior Neurol. 2006;19(4):190-193.

7. Reuters. November 21, 2007. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10477291