Health
Tips Each week we will discuss a new health tip,
or chiropractic, acupuncture or massage topic. Watch for the topics in the Mount
Horeb Mail!
More children are getting ear infections these days, and with the rise in complications from antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to overuse of antibiotics, many parents are searching for safer alternatives for treatment and prevention. In the US, there are 10 million new cases of Otitis Media (OM) diagnosed each year, accounting for 35% of all pediatrician visits, or 25 million office visits. This costs around 3 billion dollars a year, but that number is closer to 6 billion when factoring in parents’ time off work to treat a sick child.
It is estimated that 62% of American children will have an ear infection before the age of one, and 80% will be diagnosed by three. OM is also the most common reason for antibiotics in children, although the majority are caused by viral infections, not bacterial. Inserting tubes into the ears is the second most common reason for surgery in children under the age of two, behind circumcision. But unlike circumcision, general anesthesia must be administered, which can have serious consequences itself. The surgery must be repeated in 20-30% of cases.
What causes OM and why does it affect more children today? There are many factors that cause ear infections in children. These include allergies, infection, mechanical obstruction, nutritional deficiency, birth trauma, pacifiers, and iatrogenic or medical causes.
In Childhood Ear Infections, Dr. Michael Schmidt discusses 16 studies that show chronic ear infections may be caused by food and airborne allergies. Allergies cause inflammation and increased mucous, leading to pressure changes in the middle ear and obstruction of the Eustachian tube (ET). The most common food allergies linked to OM include pasteurized cow’s milk and dairy, wheat, corn, soy, sugar and yeast, with dairy being the number one contributor.
Infection occurs when a child’s immune system has been lowered for any reason. OM often occurs after a child has been recently ill, such as with a cold or flu, as bacteria and viruses can make their way into the middle ear. Mechanical obstruction results when there is a blockage due to misalignments of structures around the ear and ET, such as bones of the jaw, skull and cervical spine. When small bones in the head and neck area can’t move properly, fluid can get built up in and around the eardrum and ET, giving microbes a place to grow and cause problems.
Nutritional deficiency is especially important, as healthy immune systems are determined by our nutritional status. Children who have a healthy diet low in sugars and processed foods, and high in essential fats, vitamin and minerals have a decreased risk of getting OM. A weaker immune system can set a child up for years of chronic ear infections, antibiotic use and possible surgery.
Birth trauma is an important cause of OM. Infants with traumatic births, interventions such as forceps and vacuum, or pulling on the neck are at a higher risk due to spinal cord and cranial injury. C-sections also increase the risk because the baby isn’t exposed to the beneficial bacteria in the vaginal canal that builds up an infant’s immune system. Drugs during delivery can also weaken the immune system or make infants groggy so they are unable to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is extremely important for building up an infant’s immune system.
According to a Dutch study, pacifiers have been shown to increase risk of OM by 50%, especially in children over 10 months. Some feel that the sucking mechanism for pacifiers is different than for breastfeeding, and that, along with continuous sucking, may allow the tubes to stay open longer, allowing more fluid from the nose and throat to enter the middle ear. Others feel that the pacifier itself may be covered in germs, and that exposure may get the child sick.
There is some new research showing that overuse of antibiotics and vaccines could contribute to OM as well. Antibiotics given early in life, or with the first infection may alter infants’ immune systems in such a way that they are unable to fight off infections on their own. Some vaccines are known to lower immunity for a period of time, which can make an infant more susceptible to viral or bacterial infections. And six childhood vaccines, including Hib, have “Otitis Media” listed as a common adverse reaction, meaning the vaccine is a known cause of ear infections. With vaccines given at birth, 2,4,6 and12 months, it may be a reason why 62% of children are diagnosed under the age of one. A large study in New Zealand showed that vaccinated children were 3 times as likely to get OM than unvaccinated children.
Let’s discuss anatomy and physiology of the Eustachian tube. It is a small tube that connects the middle ear to the throat and helps drain fluid from the middle ear out to the nasal passage in order to equalize pressure between the ear and the outside environment. If the tube is blocked, fluid builds up and puts pressure on the eardrum, which can rupture if the pressure is too strong. In a child, the ET is short, narrow and horizontal, making it easy for fluid and microbes to remain trapped in it, especially if structures around it are pressing on it. In an adult, is it wider and angled down to allow gravity to assist in drainage. Besides bones, there are muscles surrounding the ET. Levator palatini and tensor veli palatini both assist in active dilation. The nerves that supply these muscles originate from cranial and cervical nerves (brain and neck), so if there is injury to these areas, the nerves may affect how the muscles work. If the muscles cannot dilate the ET properly, this may cause an obstruction and lead to fluid buildup.
This is where chiropractic can help. Chiropractic adjustments remove interference within the nervous system by correcting misalignments in the spinal column, jaw and possibly cranial bones, without the use of drugs or surgery. Correcting misalignments also reduces muscle tension, decreases inflammation, increases mobility, and establishes proper blood flow & lymph drainage, all of which can affect the function of the middle ear and Eustachian tube. According to Dr. Joan Fallon, author of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics, “Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can drain without a buildup of fluid and subsequent infection, they build their own antibodies and recover faster.” Dr. Fallon focuses on the upper cervical area on children with OM, concentrating on the occiput (back of the skull), and upper two vertebrae in the neck, and she states that close to 80% of the 332 children in the study did not experience another ear infection within a 6-month period. Pediatrician Dr. Spears even states on his website, “I firmly believe that chiropractic adjustments to the skull and neck can improve middle ear drainage and decrease ear infections.”
There are some other things parents can do to prevent and treat childhood ear infections. Natural ear drops containing warm olive and garlic oil, warm compress with lavender oil, massaging head and neck to promote drainage, tea tree oil massaged into mastoid (bump behind ear), craniosacral therapy, fish oil, probiotics, vitamin D &C, and coconut oil can all be added to fight infections. Breastfeeding is especially important, and mom may need to eliminate some things from her diet, such as dairy, sugar, processed grains, and high fructose corn syrup if ear infections reoccur. A wait-and-see approach for 4 days may also be prudent, and adding some of the things listed above will provide some relief while the child’s body learns to heal itself.
August 1-7th is World Breastfeeding Week, an event celebrated all over the globe to encourage and promote breastfeeding awareness. Breastfeeding has been around as long as man, and yet, to many it seems about as foreign as Mars. Ever since their start in 1956, La Leche League has had one goal, “To help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.”
By now, everyone should realize the absolutely amazing health benefits of mother’s milk for infants. It supplies all the vital nutrients, minerals, proteins, vitamins, enzymes, antibodies and more to get babies through their first stages of life. Its life-saving properties can even help protect the young during times of pandemics, such as the swine flu. Breastfeeding encourages optimal neurological programming and development of the baby, and is the best way for a mom and baby to bond. Yet many mothers struggle with the very real reality that they cannot, for a variety of reasons, seem to breastfeed. This article discusses options for moms who want to breastfeed to “get over the hump” and get the help that they or their babies need.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that more women and babies than ever before are having difficulties nursing. Breastfeeding difficulties can affect the mom or the baby. Some of them are failure to latch, biting the nipple, choking, gagging, frequently pulling off breast, unable to fully open mouth, short feeding times, wanting one breast only, difficulty turning head to feed, excessive crying, fussiness at breast, low weight gain, gas, bloating, low milk production, painful nipples, and too weak or strong let down reflex.
On the surface, this may seem almost impossible, for if it wasn’t for breastfeeding, none of our ancestors would have survived, and hence we would not be here. There were no fancy books, educational classes or lactation consultants available, and certainly no infant formulas to feed babies. So what has changed?
Many feel that modern interventions in pregnancy, labor and delivery are affecting babies more than anyone realized, and that these children cannot nurse properly due to drugs, birth trauma and injuries. C-sections, premature deliveries, epidurals, pitocin, unusual presentation, delivery on mother’s back, forceps, and vacuum extractions can add a great deal of stress to the delicate skull, cervical spine, spinal cord and nerves of the infant. If a baby is groggy, or if there is damage to the nervous system, cranium, vertebrae, joints or muscles around the head and neck area, you can be sure that there will be some difficulty in nursing.
Even in the best of births, there can still be trauma to the TMJ (jaw joint), cranial distortions and spinal misalignments. 5 of the 12 cranial nerves affect breastfeeding by controlling the muscles of the face, mouth, tongue and swallowing. These delicate nerves exit near the base of the skull and can be injured if too much force is applied during delivery. The TMJ joint can be misaligned as well, affecting how wide or straight the mouth can open. Twisting the neck can misalign vertebrae and cause irritation to nerves that affect swallowing, breathing, and turning the head.
Perfect harmony is needed between the nervous system and the body for this intricate process to work properly. When there is structural damage to joints, muscles, nerves, or the spinal cord, communication is interfered with, and nursing may not happen at all. A chiropractor, lactation consultant or medical doctor should be able to recognize symptoms in the infant that may show a need for help.
These symptoms include inability to turn head fully in either direction, persistently tipped or rotated head, elevated skull on one side, cone shaped head, tight or pursed lips or mouth, uneven or high palate, strong gag reflex, tongue is rigid & pointy or pulls off to one side instead of being soft & rounded, jaw deviates to one side when opening mouth, not being able to fully open mouth, arching back, or one shoulder appears higher than the other.
It is important to find a professional trained in bodywork therapy to address structural complaints after more serious neurological problems have been ruled out. Chiropractors trained in pediatrics and craniosacral therapists may be able to help the mom and the baby. Chiropractic adjustments can help mom by balancing the nervous system, increasing milk flow, and reducing tension so she can relax. The baby can be helped by re-establishing proper communication, alleviating cranial distortions, and removing misalignments in the spine and TMJ, which will relieve the symptoms described above. In fact, almost all native cultures have birth attendants who use some combination of spinal manipulation, cranial work, and massage on the infant after birth, and do not leave until the baby can feed at the breast.
Other treatments may also be needed depending on the problem. For low milk production, herbs can be very beneficial. Fenugreek has been around for centuries in China, India and the Middle East, and is the most common herb to increase milk supply, often within 24-72 hours. Alfalfa leaf and blessed thistle have also been shown to increase milk production as well. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help with breastfeeding difficulties such as low milk supply, breast engorgement, mastitis or blocked ducts, irritated nipples.
Mastitis is an infection of the breast in which the mom may experience breast tenderness, swelling and redness, flu-like symptoms, pain and a fever. During this time, it is important to KEEP NURSING to help release the blockage, and make to sure start with the infected side. Mom should slow down, get rest, drink fluids, use a cold compress with a rosemary or dandelion poultice, eat raw garlic, increase vitamins D and C, take fish oil and probiotics, and try a warm shower. Chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture can also help, although care should be used to avoid irritating the tender breasts.
Breastfeeding is such an important part of our human existence, and if a woman is determined to make it happen, she should know that there are many resources that can help her and her child. By working in conjunction with lactation consultants, chiropractors and craniosacral therapists, each woman should get the support she needs to continue providing this gift to her baby.
Yes, Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have shown positive results for Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is a form of depression due to the lack of exposure to the sunlight and possibly complicated with stress. Mild and moderate SAD respond to Acupuncture treatment very quickly, while severe cases may need a combination of conventional therapy.
How Does It Work?
According to the Chinese medicine perspective, the underlying cause for SAD and depression is an imbalance of Yin and Yang, and also of certain internal organs such as liver, spleen, heart, and kidney. Qi, pronounced chi, is the natural vital energy of the body. Liver Qi stagnation and Qi blood stasis will cause anxiety and depression. Spleen Qi deficiency will cause a craving for carbohydrates, leading to overeating and possible weight gain and fatigue. Kidney deficiency can cause low libido (sex drive) and cold extremities, like hands and feet. Dysfunction of the heart Qi can cause sleep disorders, such as insomnia or too much sleep. Acupuncture treatments can regulate Qi and blood flow, harmonize
internal organs, and balance Yin and Yang in order to ease these symptoms.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Depending on the severity of symptoms and individual’s history, in general, it will take six to ten treatments. After four to six treatments, most patients will start to see positive results.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
As summer begins, people will be spending more time outdoors. While getting outside has health benefits, concerns are raised about hazards in the natural world, and whether modern treatments are safe. What is worse, DEET or West Nile? Sunburn or toxic chemicals in sunscreens? With so much confusing and often contradicting information, it’s hard to know what to believe. We will discuss natural mosquito and bug repellents, treatments for bites and stings, natural ways to protect yourself in the sun, and natural treatments for Lyme disease.
Many products work well to deter mosquitoes and other insects but are full of harsh chemicals, including DEET. Studies have shown that DEET has been linked to negative health effects such as rashes, numb or burning lips, headaches, dizziness and difficulty concentrating. Children absorb more DEET due to a larger skin-to-body ratio and by constantly putting their hands in their mouth. Mosquito coil smoke contains about 70 different volatile organic compounds including allethrin, phenol, benzene, toluene and xylene.
You can make your own safe and effective bug repellents at home, without harsh chemicals. Essential oils have powerful anti-bug properties. The most common ones are eucalyptus, cedarwood, citronella, lemongrass, pennyroyal, tea tree, geranium, catnip, clove, lavender, thyme, yarrow, garlic and peppermint. Neem oil is also an effective bug repellent on its own. Mix and match to see what combination works best for you. Try it in a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol, witch hazel or vodka. Use an oil such as olive, almond, or jojoba, and rub on skin. Mix 20-50 drops with 2 oz carrier oil.
Mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a spray bottle and spray on exposed body parts. Strips of cloth can be soaked and hung on a patio as a deterrent. Other deterrents include marigolds, rosemary or sage thrown into hot coals when grilling out, and tansy or basil plants. Thai lemongrass, which contains natural citronella, works great too. Break off a chunk of the plant, rub together between hands until pulpy and juicy, and rub over exposed areas. You can also eat less sugar and a lot more garlic, and avoid all kinds of perfumes-shower gel, deodorant, shampoo, etc.
If you do get bites, try these natural remedies to reduce redness and itching. Make a paste of baking soda and water and spread it over bites and let dry. Natural aloe vera will reduce swelling and itching. Soap with German chamomile, Echinacea or ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. Rosemary and capsicum are anti-inflammatory herbs. Make a cold compress with water and lavender essential oil, chill in the freezer and apply to skin.
Many essential oils work well for repelling bees as well. Try a combination of tea tree, lemongrass, peppermint and citronella, diluted in a carrier oil. Dab on hair, collars, wrists, and sock tops. To ease bee stings, chopped basil leaves applied to skin, a drop of lavender on the area, cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar rubbed over stings, or papaya slices work well.
Lyme Disease is a serious disease that affects more Americans than originally thought. It is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried on deer ticks. Lyme disease can cause a number of debilitating symptoms, including rash, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, paralysis, confusion, meningitis and death. Antibiotics may help if caught early enough, but many people don’t realize a tick bit them right away. Plus, the early stage mimics other conditions and many are misdiagnosed initially.
For this disease, the best medicine really is prevention. Eating and wearing garlic while out in the woods can help deter ticks. A mixture with 10-25 drops of rose geranium or pennyroyal (tickweed) in either almond oil or witch hazel can protect people and pets. All Terrain Herbal Armour Natural Insect and Tick Repellent can also be used. Make sure to wear light colored clothes so you can spot ticks and tuck pants into socks.
If you do have Lyme disease or the symptoms without a definitive diagnosis, there are some alternatives you can do. Take probiotics to help build up your immune system, fish oil and borage oil to decrease inflammation, Co Q 10, avoid sugars and eat a very healthy diet with organic produce. Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as acupuncture and herbs, can also help. Chiropractic care boosts your immune system and helps fight the infection, while also offering some relief from the discomforts associated with the disease. The herb cat’s claw has also been shown to help with Lyme disease symptoms.
Our skin is our largest organ, and everything we apply to it enters our body. Sunscreens often contain dangerous chemicals linked to cancer, abnormal sexual development, infertility, free radical damage and decreased ability to detoxify. Some chemicals that are bad for our health include benzophenones, PABA, cinnamates, salicylates, menthyl anthranilate, and avobenzone. According to the American Journal of Public Health, “Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens have been heavily promoted.”
Researchers feel it is a combination of the chemicals used being absorbed directly in the skin, and the fact that sunscreens also block Vitamin D production. Vitamin D is produced by direct sun-to-skin contact and has many important functions in the body, including preventing cancer. Beznophenone and other chemicals actually generate free radicals that cause cancer because they break down in the presence of UV light. Why would anyone want to put something on that becomes more toxic in sunlight, and also blocks our bodies own cancer defense mechanism?
Natural ways to protect yourself include making your own sunscreen with plain zinc oxide mixed with your favorite all-natural lotion. Zinc oxide acts as a mechanical, not a chemical barrier, so it is much safer. Eat lots of red, deep green and yellow foods for sun-protective benefits. Avoid foods that cause inflammation, such as sugar, processed and refined grains, and non-organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy. Take a fish oil supplement to decrease inflammation. Drink lots of water. Wear sun protective clothing. Slowly develop a base tan that will allow you to stay in the sun longer. Tan skin is thicker and more protective.
If you do find yourself with a burn, real organic aloe vera, coconut oil, vitamin C serum, or sliced cucumbers can help soothe the area and decrease inflammation. A mixture of peppermint oil or lavender oil with vinegar or witch hazel can also be sprayed over the body. Just be sure to avoid butter, petroleum jelly, or anything drying.
As with anything, it’s important to look for natural and safer remedies if the ones available are full of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to you, your children, or your pets. Mother nature always gives us what we need to protect ourselves, we just need to know where to look for it.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
Unless you have been living under a rock the past few weeks, it has been virtually impossible to miss the non-stop coverage of the impending swine flu pandemic. Television news, newspapers, and the Internet have all been warning of the dangers of this particular strain. But is it really as scary as many are claiming?
With schools shutting down all over the country, including right here in Wisconsin, one has to ask how serious a problem this really is. Granted, no one really knows how bad a particular virus is going to be, so it’s not a bad thing to be proactive and take extra precautions. But if we don’t even close down schools and businesses during the regular flu season, and that disease supposedly kills 36,000 Americans a year, are we doing more harm than good by freaking out about this strain?
Every year during the regular flu season, experts get on TV and tell people the only way they will really be safe is to get a vaccine and possibly take some anti-viral medications if you do get sick. The same old song and dance is happening once again, as scientists go into vaccine-making mode, and drugs like Tamiflu are being stockpiled. This information really isn’t preventative, and doesn’t even begin to answer the real question of who gets sick and WHY?
Besides obvious precautions such as washing hands frequently, avoiding touching your eyes, nose & mouth, coughing into your elbow, and avoiding crowded places, there is no talk of real prevention of getting or spreading the swine flu. In every single news article or story I have read or listened to, I never once heard mention of the immune system, ways to boost the immune system & stay healthy, or alternative treatments that may prevent you from getting sick or that may actually help if you do get ill. I haven’t heard about anti-oxidants to take, or foods, supplements & herbs that have natural anti-viral properties. Nothing. Instead everything gets funneled toward vaccines and prescriptions that often do nothing at all. There is no guarantee that a vaccine will work if one is made, and antiviral meds usually only lessen the duration of the flu by one day.
There is a reason why some people who are exposed to a virus get sick, and why others don’t. It’s called your immune system. A healthy immune system can fight off invaders and prevent you from getting ill, or at the very least, you only suffer a mild case of the disease. There are simple things you can do to boost your immune system, and this works for everything, not just the swine flu!
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning out your nasal passages on a regular basis, but especially important during times of illness. Using a neti pot or some kind of all natural nasal wash will help clear out foreign invaders, keep tissues moist and healthy, and move any extra mucus out so that viruses and bacteria don’t have a place to breed. Neti pots are available at most drug stores, and usually come with a saline and baking soda mix to aid in the wash. Hydrogen peroxide drops in the ears can also kill microbes that try to enter the body through the ear canal. Even using eye drops to keep the eyes flushed will help keep germs from entering. A salt-water gargle can help keep the mouth and throat area clean.
Next, you want to make sure you keep your digestive system healthy. About 80% of our immune system lies in our gut, so if we are going to fight off anything, this area has to be healthy. Probiotics are key to keeping good bacteria in our body, and stopping the growth of bad bacteria, viruses and fungi. Probiotics are important for everyone, but especially important if you have been sick a lot, or have been on antibiotics in the recent past. Fermented foods are also loaded with probiotics, but they need to be unpasteurized, as the heat will destroy the good bacteria. High fiber foods are also important to keep things cleaned out so that toxins don’t remain in your body.
When it comes to diet, there are many things you can do to boost your immune system. Avoid sugar and processed foods, as these weaken your immune system almost immediately. Make sure you get enough Vitamin D. You want to take 2000-4000 IUS a day, but now that it is nicer out, you can get it for free by spending 30 minutes in the sun with as much skin as possible exposed. Get 7-8 hours a sleep at night, and make sure to get regular exercise. Both of these boost the immune system and decrease stress levels, as higher stress levels have been shown to weaken the immune system. If you are under a lot of stress, try adding mediation, yoga or EFT to your daily routine.
Make sure to eat fresh, raw garlic everyday. Garlic is a natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial, but microbes can’t develop a resistance to it. Coconut oil is also a great natural anti-microbial, and it can be eaten raw, used for frying or applied to skin. Take a high quality omega-3 supplement such as fish or krill oil. This will decrease inflammation and help boost the immune system. Many essential oils also have natural anti-viral properties as well. Thieves, which is a blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, rosemary, eucalyptus radiata and others has shown great results as anti-microbial. Therapeutic grade essential oils can be ingested, diffused, or applied topically. It is also important to drink plenty of filtered water, as staying hydrated is a simple way to stay healthy. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic and locally grown, as these tend to be higher in nutrients and have fewer chemicals.
Alternative treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture and massage with essential oils are also important to building a strong immune system and staying healthy. Keeping your nervous system balanced so that it can properly regulate your immune and digestive systems, and maintaining proper blood flow and lymph drainage will ensure that your body is working at its best to help fight off any foreign invaders.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
From the first diagnosis of autism by Leo Kanner in 1943, to the march on our nation’s capitol in 2008 for greener vaccines, it is clear that we have come far and yet barely moved on finding a clear cause or course of treatment for this devastating condition that is destroying hundreds of thousands of our children.
Autism, as defined by the Autism Society Of America, is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills.
This is true, as the developmental delays and atypical behavior patterns are usually what leads to a diagnosis. But there are thousands of parents and doctors who realize that much more than the brain is affected. Many children have painful GI problems, including constipation, diarrhea, parasites, yeast overgrowth, and infections by bacteria and viruses. Heavy metals (mercury and aluminum) and inflammation are present in many tissues of the body, including the brain. Immune systems are inadequate, leaving these kids susceptible to other infections. Many have metabolic and detoxification abnormalities, meaning that they cannot properly process, breakdown, and remove toxins from their internal environment.
Because of the myriad of symptoms other than neurological and behavioral, many feel a better working definition is needed to describe autism. Autism One, a non-profit group created to connect parents and help them find the latest in autism research, considers autism a disease, where a disease is "a pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms."
Either way one chooses to look at it, the fact is that autism diagnoses are increasing rapidly, with an estimated 560,000 children in the US alone. In the 1960’s it was so rare that if there was an autistic child at a medical school or hospital, doctors were brought in to observe because they might not ever see one again. According to Dr. Russell Baylock, neurosurgeon and editor of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, in 1983, the incidence was 1 in 10,000 births; in 2005, 1 in 250; today, 1 in 150, and 1 in 68 boys. In New Jersey, it is 1 in 94 births. NJ also has the highest number of mandatory vaccines and least amount of exemptions in the country. Interesting to note, in the 1983, US children were given 10 vaccines before starting school. Today that number is 36 before starting school, 23 by the age of two.
Use of common obstetrical procedures has also increased significantly over the last two decades, many of which lead to birth injury. Anytime there is an intervention during labor, it alters it from a normal physiological process to a medical procedure. The majority of interventions, in one way or another, can make labor more difficult, cause a misdiagnosis leading to other unnecessary interventions, cause a drop in maternal blood pressure, decrease blood flow to the fetus and the brain, directly damage the brain through trauma, damage the respiratory centers in the brainstem, or prolong labor.
Common procedures include ultrasound, induction, pitocin, epidurals, restricted maternal position, forceps/vacuum, c-sections and early umbilical cord clamping. It is also recommended that pregnant women receive the flu shot, which does still contain a large dose of mercury-based preservative thimerosal. All of these procedures have in common that they affect the brains of unborn or newborn babies, and either cause permanent damage or make the child more susceptible to damage from other environmental insults, including vaccines, antibiotics, stress, infections, toxins, food allergies, plastics and more.
There is a delicate balance between the nervous, immune and digestive systems, and this is especially true in newborns, as they are not yet fully developed. If we interfere with development in-utero, during birth or after birth, isn’t it possible that some children are then born weaker and cannot handle many of the stressors we put on them? The majority of our immune system lies in our gut, and babies need to gradually grow the bacteria that will line it and will protect them for life. Vaccines, antibiotics and formula feeding disrupt this balance. Antibiotics also inhibit the excretion of mercury and other heavy metals from the body.
Some vaccines also contain ingredients which help chemicals cross the blood brain barrier, which is the “wall” that is supposed to keep toxins and microorganisms out of the brain. Research has shown viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, parasites, other chemicals and signs of inflammation in the brains of autistic patients. Many are the same ingredients that are found in childhood vaccines.
The purpose of this article is not to criticize certain medical procedures or call for a ban on specific vaccines or drugs. It is merely a wake up call that something serious is happening to our children. That sometimes the damage is irreversible, and we may be chronically and permanently disabling future generations. It is a chance for us to see the canary in the coal mine and listen to its warning. More isn’t always better, sometimes it’s just more, but sometimes it is devastating.
We are changing everything that are bodies are supposed to know as normal. Things that our body is designed to do, such as give birth, fight off an infection naturally, and develop a functioning nervous system, are now being controlled, challenged and changed. These are just some of the unintended outcomes that often result as a byproduct of universal medical procedures put in place without fully understanding the underlying physiological processes in the first place.
Next month’s article will focus on the latest research and treatments being discovered to help in the fight of treating and preventing autism. This includes biomedical treatments, nutritional approaches, detoxification, and alternative healthcare. Together, these treatments have been helping thousands of children improve their quality of life.
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Dr. Joe Ryan, DC
With summer upon us there are some things to think about to get you healthier so you can enjoy your summer more. Obviously we should be concerned with our health year round, but summer proves to be an easy time to want to change some life habits. Many people want to shed some extra pounds and be healthy in the summer; here are some simple tips to keep in mind to do just that.
- Get out there and walk. With nice weather coming in the months ahead walking is one of the best ways to loose a little weight and gain some strength in your body. A brisk walk is also a very healthy way to get your heart rate up. Walking at a steady pace is one of the best exercises we can all do!
- Get out there and pick your fruits and vegetables. Watching your diet is very important all the time, but especially in the summer. It is too easy to get stuck at cook outs with lots of good food and alcoholic beverages; remember Moderation is the key. Summer in Wisconsin is the only real time of the year to get fresh fruits and veggies so eat them up while there here.
- Taking a daily Multi-Vitamin helps maintain your body's functions and its responses to illness. We should all take a Multi-Vitamin to cover some of the things are body needs that we may not get from our diet.
- Drinking plenty of water is often overlooked by busy men in the summer even though this is a time where increased H20 intake is needed to keep the body hydrated and happy. Water is the key to keeping your body functioning properly make sure you get at least 4-6 glasses a day to keep healthy.
- Using a sunscreen often is something many men do not take seriously enough in the summer. With the sun being hotter or more potent than ever before this can't be overstressed! It doesn't take long to put on a little sunscreen and it will be more than worth it.
- Don't drink too much alcohol. I understand this is Wisconsin and with the summer comes cook outs and parties, but try and remember to drink in moderation. When it is hot out it is too easy to drink too much and before you know it you have had too much. Try and keep it under control and watch your intake of alcohol. Your body will thank you!!
- Wash Your Hands. It is important to remember when you are outside this summer fishing, hiking, yard work, or whatever that you remember to wash your hands often. Many illnesses are carried and brought on by not washing your hands, so take the thirty seconds and wash your hands quickly. It is an easy step to prevent sickness.
- Take some time to be by yourself every day, if only for 5 minutes. It may not seen masculine but we all need a little me time, time to reflect, meditate and rest. Take time to think about the good things that happened that day or week and think how you can use the positive things to build on for the next week.
- Get Enough Sleep. As we are all taking advantage of the longer days in the summer it is very important to remember to get enough sleep. Sleep is as important as anything to keep you healthy.
- Check with your physician before you do any form of exercise that you are not use to and be sure to work up to the maximum gradually so that you will be safe and healthy throughout the summer and all year long.
We want you all to have a great summer these are just some suggestions to make you summer even better. Take care and have a great summer!
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Amy Mertz, MT
There's nothing like a good spring cleaning to refresh your home after a long winter and many months of your house being devoid of fresh air. But before heading out to buy supplies, check your cupboards for some of these everyday items that are mostly safe, natural, effective and, best of all, cheap.
Baking soda: Chances are you keep baking soda around the house. It's great for all-purpose cleaning because it disinfects, deodorizes and removes stains.
Distilled white vinegar: Vinegar is a grease-cutter, a stain remover, a natural disinfectant and works to soften water, too.
Lemon juice: Try juicing a lemon to remove grease, disinfect, remove stains and to replace bleach.
Salt: Salt can replace cleanser because it works as an abrasive. Try it on stubborn sink stains.
Borax: Found in the laundry detergent aisle, this mineral is a bleach alternative. It strengthens the effectiveness of soap, deodorizes, disinfects, and kills mold and bacteria. Note that although Borax is natural, it is still toxic to pets and children, and it is rough on skin. Wear gloves when handling the substance.
Essential oils: Lavender, lemon, rosemary and tea tree oils, available in Mount Horeb at Trillium Natural Foods or at Isaac's Soaps, are great for adding a bit of fragrance to your homemade cleaning solutions. They also have disinfectant properties.
Hydrogen peroxide: It's not just for scrapes and cuts. Use it to disinfect countertops or to clean bathrooms. You can add an equal part of water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasing scent. Keep this one out of children's reach.
Here are a few recipes for cleaning solutions.
All-purpose cleaner #1: Mix 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water to fill a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil, or a tablespoon of lemon juice. Use to clean countertops, bathrooms and sealed floors or other sealed surfaces.
All-purpose cleaner #2: Mix 1/8 cup of baking soda in a quart of warm water. Add a few drops of lemon or lavender oil if desired.
Glass cleaner: Vinegar -- either straight or mixed with an equal amount of water -- is a good substitute for standard glass cleaner. Rubbing alcohol works, too.
Wood cleaner: A teaspoon of lemon juice, a tablespoon of olive oil and about a cup of warm water will work well here.
Abrasive cleanser: Use a couple tablespoons of baking soda topped with an equal amount of dish soap. This mixture works well on the inside of an oven. Wipe clean with a wet rag dipped in some vinegar to prevent streaks on metal or stainless steel. Salt with a few drops of water also will treat stubborn oven stains.
To get rid of odors, try putting unscented kitty litter or charcoal in a bowl to absorb the odors, or simply light a match and blow it out.
In the laundry room, baking soda is a great boost to detergent because it deep-cleans clothes and removes stains. Cornstarch absorbs oil and grease, so it's a good thing to try before resorting to harsh stain removers. Borax will improve detergent's cleaning power and can be used in place of bleach.
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Dr.
Brenda Trudell
Doomsday is upon us if you follow
the news. We are in the midst of an economic collapse and stock prices are falling.
Gas prices are soaring and a war rages on. All of these things affect the economy
and your pocketbook. But do you know what else directly affects your pocketbook?
Healthcare. Whether it’s your own personal medical expenses or the indirect
costs of increased insurance premiums from others’ poor health decisions,
we are all paying dearly for the terrible health crisis in this country.
This
is two-part story on the financial burden we all face because of the poor health
choices we make as a nation. The first segment breaks down the costs each year
for the most common chronic diseases, and the second part will give real solutions
to the major conditions that plague us and rob us blind each year.
According
to Harvard research, in the US, someone files for bankruptcy every 30 seconds
as a result of treatment they received for a serious health problem. Most of these
people are middle class. Fifty percent are homeowners and have some college education.
Many are the breadwinners of the family, and three-fourths have health insurance.
Many employers spend over 60% of their profits on healthcare costs. According
to the chairmen of Starbucks and General Motors, their companies spend more money
on health insurance than they do on coffee and cars.
The
reason the problem is so large is that the majority of the medical expenses go
toward treating preventable lifestyle related diseases, such as diabetes, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, cancer, obesity and smoking related
conditions. Insurance has become known as “sick” care, not health care.
It is no longer used for things beyond our control, such as accidents and rare
genetic disorders. And since having health insurance doesn’t even guarantee
protection if you get sick with, we are all, in essence, one serious illness away
from bankruptcy.
Seven main conditions are causing America’s
healthcare crisis: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, stress,
obesity and adverse drug reactions. Let’s go through a few of these conditions
and break down the costs to see how your pocketbook is directly affected. Averages
are figured by cost to society divided by the total population.
2.2
million Americans suffer adverse drug reactions each year, including properly
prescribed medications and drug interactions between multiple medications. This
costs us about $12 billion per year on medical expenses and lost production. Many
drugs themselves have serious side effects and lead to more healthcare problems.
According to the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, of the best
selling prescription drugs on the market, 148 were know to cause depression, 133
caused hallucinations, 148 lead to constipation, and 27 caused insomnia. When
Americans rely on drugs to “fix” problems, we end up with more problems
to fix. The average cost to a family of four is $164 a year.
In
2004 cancer cost the US $74.3 billion in direct medical costs, and $135 billion
in individual and lost production costs, for a whopping total of $210 billion.
We ultimately pay for this through increased taxes, rising insurance premiums
and co-pays, and higher prices on items we purchase. If you are one of the unfortunate
ones to be diagnosed with cancer, the costs are even greater. The quality of life
costs are truly staggering when you factor in expensive therapies and the physically
debilitating nature of the disease, which often leads to lost work. Many never
fully regain their health, and sometimes the treatments themselves lead to more
cancer and problems in the future. In this case, no treatment can ever be as effective
as prevention. Average cost to a family of four is $2876 a year.
Cardiovascular
disease (CVD) can show up as conditions such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis,
heart disease, heart attacks, stroke and congestive heart failure. As a whole,
it is the most expensive and most common lifestyle related disease in the US.
71 million Americans, or one-fourth of the population, have some form of CVD,
and 2500 die each day from it. More people die from CVD than from cancer, chronic
lower respiratory infections and accidents combined. Even if death doesn’t
result, the disease often leads to permanent disability and costs the US over
$400 billion each year in medical expenses and lost production. These numbers
will only increase as the population age increases with the baby boomers. Average
cost to a family of four is $5520 a year.
Chronic pain,
which includes arthritis, back pain and headaches, costs the US over $120 billion
a year in medical expenses and lost work. One in six Americans suffer from this
debilitating condition, 80% of which are between 24-64 years of age. Along with
the pain, many also experience depression, helplessness, stress, loss of family
and property, and decreased immune system function. Unfortunately, most of these
people are only offered painkillers, anti-inflammatories and steroids, which carry
their own inherent dangers such as addiction and stomach disorders. While some
may experience temporary relief, these pills rarely fix the actual problem causing
the chronic pain. Average cost to a family of four is $1643.
Obesity
and diabetes affect millions of Americans and take an enormous toll on our healthcare
system and our pocketbooks. Stress makes it increasingly difficult to cope and
our immune system often suffers. Average cost to a family of four for obesity,
diabetes and stress, respectively, are $1027, $1808 and $780 a year.
For
the seven most expensive conditions our healthcare system faces, the average cost
to a family of four is $13,818 per year. That is over one trillion dollars a year
in healthcare costs, lost productivity and increased expenses, and is more than
we spend on defense and education combined. In the next segment, we will discuss
how obesity and diabetes actually lead to many of the other conditions we are
faced with, and how to reverse the effects of our poor life style choices. Our
fast food nation has led to Super-Sized healthcare costs, and the likelihood of
a major healthcare crisis grows right along with our waistlines.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
Last time we discussed the hidden costs of our lifestyle choices that weaken the health of our nation every single day. The amount of money spent on treatment, medical expenses, and lost production due to the seven major illnesses in our country (cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, stress, obesity and adverse drug reactions) was broken down to show the average cost a family of four incurs in one year. The breakdown was $13,818 a year, or over one trillion dollars! This article will focus on making better health choices to reverse the damage of our super-sized lifestyle.
Besides smoking, the biggest contributor to poor health and other diseases in our country is increased weight gain. Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while individuals with a (BMI) of 30 or more are considered obese. Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue in relation to lean body mass. Most of these people are at least thirty pounds over their healthy weight. Individuals with a BMI or 35 are considered to be severely obese, and those with a (BMI) of 40 are considered morbidly obese. Generally, the morbidly obese are over 100 pounds over their recommended weight.
According to the CDC, about 66% of people in the USA are now overweight, with 32% being obese. About 3% of people, or 6.8 million adults, were morbidly obese in 2005. Obesity increases a person's risk of contracting numerous diseases, including diabetes, heart diseases and cancer.
Data from 2000 shows that an astonishing 15% of teens form 12-19 years of age are overweight, with that number increasing at an alarmingly high rate each year. Overweight and obese youth are more likely to become overweight and obese adults with significant health problems, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Since we know that a large percentage of our population is overweight or obese, it is important to show how obesity can lead to other serious illnesses. Recent research has shown that obesity can cause inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation to fight off infections and heal injuries is beneficial, but only lasts for a short period of time. The cells and chemicals released by the body are pretty harsh and are designed to destroy foreign invaders. When inflammation hangs around in the body for no specific reason, it damages healthy tissues, such as blood vessels. Prolonged inflammation can lead to hardening and narrowing of arteries, decreasing blood flow to various organs. Symptoms include stroke, heart attack, erectile dysfunction and degenerative disc disease. Chronic inflammation causes serious illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia. It can even play a role in osteoporosis, depression, endometriosis, headaches and aging. Since the most common form of medical treatment for these diseases are prescription drugs, people who are overweight or obese are more likely to be on multiple medications, and therefore increase their risk of adverse drug reactions.
The typical American diet is full of pro-inflammatory foods. Processed grains like corn and wheat found in white bread, wheat bread and corn chips, sugar, potato chips, grain-fed beef and chicken, and omega-6 oils like corn, safflower, sunflower, and peanut oils all contribute to increased inflammation. In fact, most processed foods are made primarily with grains and oils that promote inflammation. According to an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, sugar-sweetened soft drinks contribute over 7% of our calorie intake each day, and represent the largest single food source of calories in the US diet.
Since inflammation is a major contributor to the overall decreased health of Americans, is largely associated with being overweight and obese, and the majority of our diet is made up of pro-inflammatory foods, it makes sense that changing the way we eat would change the state of our health. A diet focused on omega-3 fatty acids and avoiding omega-6 fatty acids will help decrease the amount of inflammation in the body. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are olive oil, flaxseeds, chia seeds, fish, fish oil, grass-fed meats, and omega-3 eggs. Other foods that help decrease inflammation are red wine, dark chocolate, fruits, veggies, garlic, almonds, ginger, coconut, coconut oil, and turmeric/curry. Pay attention to fruits and veggies with deep, dark colors and try to eat a rainbow of colors everyday.
The quality of food you eat is as important as what you eat. Research has shown that organic and locally grown foods carry more nutrients than their conventional and genetically modified counterparts. Adding nutrient dense varieties will have a greater impact on your overall health. Grain-fed meats promote inflammation in the body, as opposed to organic and grass-fed meats. Making sure your food comes from high quality sources will have a huge impact on your health.
Supplementation may be necessary, especially if you are not able to eat organically and locally grown food. Almost everyone can benefit from a basic formula of a high-quality multi-vitamin, magnesium, calcium, EPA/DHA, and vitamin D. Research shows that the best source of vitamin D is the sun. If you are unable to spend time in the sun every day, a high-quality supplement is absolutely necessary. Other important supplements include CoQ10, ginger, turmeric, proteolytic enzymes, garlic, ginseng, probiotics, fiber, selenium, and a vitamin B complex. Specific supplements and dosages are determined by individual nutritional demands, so it is important to find a natural healthcare provider who can help you determine your needs.
Health is a multi-faceted way of life that includes diet, nutrition, exercise, genetics, spirituality, emotional well being, and more. This article touched on a very important aspect of overall health, and that is decreasing the amount of inflammation produced in the body, along with maintaining a healthy weight. These two things together will significantly reduce your risk of suffering from the seven major diseases in our country, and give you a higher quality of life. It’s not too late to reverse the damage of our super-sized lifestyle.
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February is known for Valentine's Day (the day of the heart), and is also National Heart Month. We are all reminded of Valentines Day by yummy chocolate. We'll probably see on the news numerous studies claiming that consuming dark chocolate may cut heart disease. You may notice that studies such as these tend to appear in the news right about the time chocolate sales are picking up. That's fine, pick up some chocolate for your chiropractor and remind them that studies show it’s good for the heart!
Chiropractic is also good for the heart, by way of the nervous system, and the removal of spinal stress. When we talk about the heart most people think about blood, and the job of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. But what about the connection between the brain and the heart? We don't hear as much about that.
Like every organ in the body, the heart is controlled by the nervous system. There is a nerve that runs from the lower part of your brain (the brainstem) down to your heart. This is the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). It is the only cranial nerve from your brain that extends down through your neck into your abdominal region. You certainly don't want to have spinal stress anywhere in your neck as it just doesn't feel good. That annoying and tender bump you can feel when you press your thumb into the side of your neck just below your ears is a fairly good sign you’re suffering from spinal stress. Who wants to choke off the flow of life energy that your vagus nerve is supplying to your heart and stomach? That's just not a good idea.
The vagus nerve is not just a simple wire that creates a connection between the brain and the heart; its functions are pretty complex. We won't get into all the details of the parasympathetic nervous system here, but that just know that the vagus nerve performs many valuable functions in the human body.
Some drugs affect the function of the vagus nerve. Depending on the drug, it can affect the nerve at the level of the heart, gastrointestinal tract, or other organs. Drugs such as Anticholinergics may even cause constipation. No one wants to be constipated on Valentine's Day, and still have that annoying bump on the side of your neck besides!
Would you believe that medical doctors used to cut the vagus nerve out of the body for treating things such as peptic ulcers? You probably think they were doing that a long, long time ago, in the dark ages of medicine, but the procedure was popular up until the mid-1990s as a treatment for peptic ulcers. The procedure was called a vagotomy, and it finally became obsolete after was discovered that Helicobacter pylori, a microorganism that can thrive in the highly acidic environment of the stomach, was responsible for most peptic ulcers. It makes you wonder how many other surgical procedures will become obsolete as we continue to discover new things about the human body.
I'm not into cutting nerves and taking drugs that make me constipated. I'd rather have my body function naturally, at its highest potential. That's where chiropractic comes in.
This Valentine's Day, don't lose your nerves. Even if you don't have that tender bump on your neck, it may be a good time to go pay a visit to your local chiropractor. They will certainly be glad to see you, especially if you're bringing chocolate!
Happy Heart Month and Valentine’s Day!
Dr. Joe W. Ryan
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Dr. Brenda Trudell, DC
Most homes in the US have a medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Usually filled with toothpaste, shaving cream, vitamins, and ointments, many also contain medications as well. Almost half of the US population takes at least one prescription drug, and many more than that use over-the-counter medications as well. Commonly found in medicine cabinets are antibiotics, cough syrups, aspirin or other pain relievers, anti-histamines, heartburn medicine, blood pressure pills, cholesterol meds, anti-depressants, laxatives, allergy meds, birth control pills, and probably some little blue pills too.
It almost makes you stop and ask, “How did we survive before all these meds were available?” TV drug ads make it seem as though we are all born with some major deficiency, and without their magic pill you won’t be happy, fall in love, be able to pick up your grandkids, eat your favorite foods, go to the bathroom, ballroom dance or run through a field of prairie flowers! If your medicine cabinet isn’t full of at least 15 different potions and pills in assorted shapes, colors and sizes, then you just aren’t living your life to its fullest potential.
Besides the fact that a number of these medicines can be quite costly, many have dangerous side effects and can actually lead to more problems in which another drug is needed. Polypharmacy (taking more than one medication at a time) is very common in the US today, especially among older adults. Studies have not accurately shown that it is safe to mix different drugs together, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter. Not to mention the fact that studies are not usually done with alcohol, nicotine, illegal drugs, supplements, or herbs, and don’t take into consideration environmental toxins or how well a person’s body is able to detox the drugs. It’s hard to declare them all safe when there are many interactions that have never been studied.
Why do Americans take so many drugs in the first place? Obviously we aren’t all born with a medication deficiency, or our ancestors would not have survived long enough to have offspring. Many of us are deficient in nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, however, because of our food system. Modern farming methods have depleted the soil of important nutrients, and cattle and poultry eat diets hardly recognizable to their ancestors. All of this does lead to some deficiencies, but those can usually be treated with supplements and eating local organic food
Diet is the number one reason why so many Americans are taking medications. We consume more drugs than many other countries put together, we eat the most food, we spend the most on healthcare, and yet we are the sickest nation in the world! When you start with a poor diet, many people get really sick with chronic diseases. When you exclude natural treatments and eating healthier food, the only options for many are drugs! Drugs do not replace healthy foods, and therefore do not replace health. If anything they deplete it!
So let’s go over some things that everyone should have on hand for their non-medicine cabinet. First, you need to start with a healthy diet to decrease the need to take anything extra. Eating fresh, organic and local fruits and vegetables is the best way to ensure that you get plenty of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. If you do eat meat and dairy, make sure it is the highest quality organic and grass fed with no hormones or antibiotics. A famous quote says, “The less doctored your food is, the less doctoring you will need.”
A good non-medicine cabinet should also contain a few supplements. Certain things are more difficult to attain through foods, and depending on where you live, some nutrients might not be available all year long from food alone. Standard recommendations include Co-Q 10, vitamin D (especially in the winter), probiotics, chlorella, high quality fish or krill oil, magnesium and a high quality multi-vitamin (not from a grocery store).
But even with a healthy diet, there may be times when you get sick, have pain, or get injured. In these instances, use products that are as natural as possible, even made at home if possible. Here are some recipes and ideas for safe and natural remedies.
For upper respiratory issues, it is important to clean out all the “holes” to prevent viruses from entering. A couple hydrogen peroxide drops in each ear, a neti pot with a saline solution to cleanse the nose, mild eye drops to rinse the eyes, and a gargle with salt water after brushing teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide will usually clean out the head area. This can be done to prevent getting ill, or once you already have a cold. For a full-blown chest cold, rub a mixture of eucalyptus and almond oil on the chest to help ease congestion and discomfort.
For heartburn or indigestion, take two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with baking soda, two times a day. It should be real apple cider vinegar though, organic and unfiltered. For cuts and scrapes mix together a small amount of coconut oil, tumeric and tea tree oil. Use it like you would an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a band-aid. For a skin antiseptic or toner, mix together witch hazel, tea tree oil and lavender and put in a spray bottle. Tea tree oil is also great for acne. Drinking a large glass of water and rubbing peppermint oil on the temples helps treat headaches. A mixture of clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus, rosemary oils and agave or raw honey is great for soothing a sore throat or for teething. Arnica is an all-natural pain relieving gel that is safe and effective.
The recipes for remedies are endless, and many simple, safe and inexpensive items can be used to make a variety of “non-medicines”. Once you see the relationship between being healthy and using natural products, you will want to avoid medications and products full of unhealthy chemicals.
Peppermint is the ubiquitous mint, the herb, aroma and flavor that is
universally known and loved. The oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and tops. Most peppermint oil is distilled a second time to isolate and
concentrate the menthol constituent. The finest oil for aromatherapy purposes has not gone through this second process, and therefore contains all of the therapeutically active properties of the plant intact.
Non-redistilled peppermint oil has a creamy, buttery, mint aroma.
Peppermint has always been used for its cooling, activating properties. A cool water compress with a few drops of peppermint refreshes on hot, hectic days. Simply enjoying the aroma right out of the bottle or in a diffusion will defeat cases of lethargy and lack of motivation. Peppermint works well for headaches, apply 1-2 drops around the hairline, on the back of the neck, or at the temples.
Fall is a time of the year when allergies are active. Here are some reasons why:
- Heating systems coming on
- Less fresh air in households
- Mold produces by leaf decay
- Potent weed allergens
- Cooler weather makes us crave sweets and carbs (eating them can affect our sinuses too)
The practitioners at New Beginnings will assist you during this transition season.
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This family of essential oils is well known for its direct action on the respiratory system and its keen ability to inhibit infections. These essential oils awaken a new sense of strength and vitality. Family members include: Myrtle, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Clove, Niaouli, Nutmeg, Cajeput and Bay.
Eucalyptus is extracted from the fresh or partially dried leaves of one of the world's tallest trees, which is cultivated in Australia, Spain and Portugal.
The best treatment for a cold or flu is prevention. Because many essential oils have strong anti-microbial properties, they can be diffused to prevent the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses. If you now have a cold or flu it may be used for inhalation: add 2-3 drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water, handkerchief or dry sauna. Or dilute it 50-50, and massage 1-3 drops on each of the following areas: forehead, nose, cheeks, lower throat, chest and upper back, 1-3 times daily. A carrier oil such as almond or jojoba oil must be used with eucalyptus. Mix one part essential oil to one part carrier or massage oil. Do not use around the eyes. All oils require caution and keep them out of the reach of children.
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Frankincense has a warm, balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. Create holiday memories with the sweet scent of frankincense diffusing throughout your home.
Victor Marcial-Vega, M.D., a former radiation oncologist, now employs a new approach. He uses essential plant oils for bringing relief for a wide range of conditions including urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, trauma, dental infections, bleeding gums, hemorrhoids, and breast cancer. He says the quality of the oil is an important consideration because the plant oils function as potent antioxidants. Unfortunately, he cautions that many aromatherapy oils are not pure and carry contaminants that act as mild poisons. Frankincense is one of the most adulterated oils in the world, so QUALITY IS A MUST! Young Living Oils are of the highest quality.
Ever wonder why Frankincense was given to the Christ child?
Historical Data: Also known as "Oil of Lebanon", Frankincense is considered the "holy anointing oil" in the Middle East and has been used for thousands of years. It was well known during the time of Christ for its anointing and healing powers. Once "used to treat every conceivable ill known to man," frankincense was valued more than gold during ancient times, and only those with great wealth and abundance possessed it.
Science information: Frankincense contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system of the brain (the center of memory and emotions) and the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands. The hypothalamus is the master gland of the human body, producing many vital hormones.
Medical Properties: Anti-tumoral, immunostimulant, antidepressant, muscle relaxing.
Uses: Depression, cancer, respiratory infections, inflammation, immune-stimulating.
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Yes, Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have shown positive results for Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is a form of depression due to the lack of exposure to the sunlight and possibly complicated with stress. Mild and moderate SAD respond to Acupuncture treatment very quickly, while severe cases may need a combination of conventional therapy.
How Does It Work?
According to the Chinese medicine perspective, the underlying cause for SAD and depression is an imbalance of Yin and Yang, and also of certain internal organs such as liver, spleen, heart, and kidney. Qi, pronounced chi, is the natural vital energy of the body. Liver Qi stagnation and Qi blood stasis will cause anxiety and depression. Spleen Qi deficiency will cause a craving for carbohydrates, leading to overeating and possible weight gain and fatigue. Kidney deficiency can cause low libido (sex drive) and cold extremities, like hands and feet. Dysfunction of the heart Qi can cause sleep disorders, such as insomnia or too much sleep. Acupuncture treatments can regulate Qi and blood flow, harmonize
internal organs, and balance Yin and Yang in order to ease these symptoms.
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How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Depending on the severity of symptoms and individual’s history, in general, it will take six to ten treatments. After four to six treatments, most patients will start to see positive results.
By Rita Stanton
- Schedule some quiet time for yourself - take a walk, watch the sunset. Identify priorities for your time and energy.
- Decide on a budget for holiday spending - write it down and stick to it!! Preplanning will eliminate impulse spending.
- Use a large wall calendar for December to mark down activities, social events and to do items. Remember family TIME!
- If using a catalog, call early and keep a written record of your order. Use 1-800 numbers to decrease cost.
- Organize your gift-wrapping supplies early. Put everything together that you will need in the same place.
- If you send holiday cards, organize everything in one large box. Set a deadline for mailing and work backwards until done.
- Avoid lines at the post office. Mail Packages early.
- Examine your holiday activities and routines-eliminate those that are no longer rewarding for you. Ask for help or delegate responsibilities on some of the tasks.
- Adjust your expectations of yourself this season. Now is NOT the time for the "Martha Stewart" syndrome.
- Remember to have fun and enjoy the season! Slow down and be mindful of each gift you have.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
January is the perfect time of year for a full-body detox and cleanse. After overindulging on holiday treats and huge meals, skipping workouts for parties, and stressing over shopping and bills, it’s easy to see how our bodies can get overloaded with unhealthy fat and toxins. Since most of us are already looking for healthy New Year’s Resolutions, why not throw in a detox program too?
A detox or cleanse doesn’t have to be expensive, lengthy or miserable. Most of the items needed are readily available and inexpensive. Some simple planning will make the detox easy and enjoyable, and may help you shed a few unwanted pounds, restore your normal digestion, release nasty toxins, clear up your skin, and give you more energy.
A good cleanse should take about 5-7 days, and focus on internal health (digestion, lymphatic system, and flushing organs), external health (skin and mucous membranes), mental health, and physical health. During this time, it is important to avoid sugar, refined and processed foods, dairy, red meat, salt, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other drugs. Try to keep meals light. Throw out any holiday leftovers, cookies and candy. Make sure to get plenty of rest too, as this is a healing time for your body. Cooking food at home puts you in control of what you are eating, and gives you a chance to add healthy spices, such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper, which promote detoxification and healing.
The most important part of any detox regimen is to include plenty of fluids, as this will help flush toxins out and keep our cells hydrated enough to properly get rid of waste products. At least 8 glasses of good quality water is an important start. Juicing organic fruits and vegetables, such as, citrus, apples, grapes, seaweed, cucumbers, beets, cilantro, garlic, parsley, carrots, and ginger, will help stimulate digestive enzymes, detox the liver and kidneys, and balance blood sugar. Try the fruit juices in the am, and the veggies in the pm.
Fruits and veggies help keep our bodies alkaline instead of acidic, which promotes cleansing. To make an alkaline broth, chop up 2 cups each of spinach, broccoli, and red potato peels, 3 cups chopped celery, 1 small zucchini, and add 2 quarts distilled water. Bring everything to a boil and then simmer 20-30 minutes. Strain and drink the broth.
Teas and other drinks are also an important part of the flush. Decaffeinated green tea, ginger tea, detox teas, digestive teas, coconut water and hot water with lemon all help flush the liver and kidneys, improve circulation and promote healthy digestion.
Next, focus on cleansing the digestive track. Many Americans carry 5-20 pounds of fecal matter that never gets eliminated. If we eat three times a day, we should eliminate three times a day, but for most of us, that is not the case. Fecal matter remaining in our body releases toxins and impairs absorption of nutrients by preventing them from crossing the intestines. To make any positive changes with the detox, the intestines must be clear so the nutrients can reach the rest of the body.
Fiber is most important for cleaning out the digestive system. Green veggies such as broccoli, romaine, celery and kale are excellent sources of fiber. Oatmeal and other whole grains are good sources as well. Colonics are another option for removing fecal matter, but it doesn’t reach the whole length of the intestines, so be sure to include fiber too.
Supplements such as probiotics, vitamin D, vitamin C, fish oil, and other antioxidants will promote healthy digestion and reduce inflammation. Super-green foods like chlorella, spirullina and green drinks also help the body release heavy metals and toxins, which is important when detoxifying. Many companies have high quality detox meal replacement shakes which contain essential vitamins and minerals needed to support the body during a cleanse.
The next area to focus on is the skin and external body. Part of detoxing is removing germs and strengthening the immune system. Make sure to clean all the mucous membranes where germs can invade. Neti pots and naturopathic nasal sprays clean out the nose, hydrogen peroxide drops keep the ears clean, and eye drops can flush out the eyes. After brushing your teeth, gently massage the gums and tongue with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. A tongue scraper can be used to remove toxins and debris.
Exfoliate by rubbing a dry brush all over the body in circular motions, starting at the periphery and moving towards the trunk. Use an exfoliating scrub to remove toxins in the shower. To help open the pores and release toxins, bathe with Epsom salts and lavender oil. This is also a good time to switch to all natural skin care products and cosmetics that aren’t full of toxic ingredients.
It is also important to work the physical body. Aerobic exercise pumps the blood, moves lymphatic fluid, increases the amount of oxygen in the lungs, and promotes sweating, all of which remove toxins from our bodies. Yoga has many great poses designed to detoxify, massage organs and promote deeper breathing, such as cobra, cat tilt, twists and others. Tai chi and Qi Gong in Chinese medicine also stimulate organs and promote detoxification.
Bodywork such as chiropractic, acupuncture, lymphatic massage and reiki also promote the release of toxins, detoxification, healing, and normal body function. Bodywork can restore digestive health and improve immune system function.
Last but not least, we need to mentally detox. It’s a shame to have a clean body polluted with negative emotions and thoughts. Journal writing is a good way to release regrets, worries and fears. Mindful meditation trains you to focus your mind on the present and appreciate where you are and what you have. It can improve mood, decrease stress and boost immune function.
After the stress of the holiday season, take this time to relax and focus on yourself by doing this simple detox program. By cleansing internally, externally, physically and mentally, you can release the negative from 2008 and be open for the positive that 2009 will bring!
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Dr. Brenda Trudell, DC
New Year’s is fast approaching, along with the stress of creating resolutions that may never be kept. Nearly 50% of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions, but only 15% of those are kept. Scholars believe that resolutions for the New Year began around 4000 BC, when people would pay off debts and return borrowed items. Later, Romans would start the New Year by assessing the past year, and then vow to accomplish more in the upcoming year.
For many, the same resolutions appear year after year, never getting accomplished. The stress of wanting to make major life changes and not knowing where to start usually deters people from following through on their promises. The most common ones involve losing weight, smoking, money, and stress.
The key to making a resolution stick may not be the actual resolution itself, but the mind set of approaching the process. Resolution is defined as determination, a firmness of mind or purpose. It’s black and white; you either quit smoking or you don’t. But a new way to approach it is to set the intention. Intention is defined as “to have in mind a purpose or plan, to direct the mind, or an aim or objective”. More gray than black and white, and a blueprint to get there. When we lack intention, we stray without meaning or direction.
To set an intention, you need to define it, write it down, set it up to happen, eliminate obstacles or find ways around them, identify steps to take, and then release it. Write positive affirmations to yourself to keep focused and motivated.
An important part of setting your intention is realistic goal setting. Long-range goals can be overwhelming because you feel like you will never reach them. Large goals should be broken into 12 mini goals so milestones can be celebrated each month. Examine each day, and decide how much time you need to dedicate and when to fit it in. Create a detailed plan, including a calendar of when you want to accomplish things by. If you’re not sure how to accomplish it, ask someone with expertise in that area for help.
The first step is to begin where you are, as obvious as it sounds. Many people start dreaming about the future, or angry that they are not already farther along. Appreciate and accept where you are now, and the fact that you are taking steps toward progress. This alone will eliminate some stress from the process.
Use specific terms instead of vague ideas, so you know exactly when something has been accomplished. Saying “I want to lose weight” is vague, but “I will lose 10 lbs by Feb. 1st” is specific. Find substitutes or alternatives to behaviors you want to fix. If you eat unhealthy food because you think it tastes better, then take a cooking class focused on healthy but great tasting recipes so you have something to replace the bad food with. Start with one or two goals at the most so you don’t get overwhelmed. Many people find that once they change habits to meet their goal that many other habits also change anyway.
Once you have created your goal, the next step is to visualize it. Vision is the ability to see something so clearly in your mind that you can manifest it in physical reality. Thoughts become things, so constantly fill your mind with positive images. A lack of vision is the main reason people don’t follow through on resolutions.
To harness your vision, you need to follow a few steps. Imagine how the new change will fit into your life. How will you feel? What will your life look like? Give your vision power by writing it down, telling others, making a collage with magazine pictures and words. Visualize yourself with your accomplishment. Imagine life after the goal. You need to be able to see yourself achieving it in order to accomplish it. See it like a movie in your head, and replay the moment you achieve your goal over and over.
It’s impossible to predict everything, so it’s important to have a plan for roadblocks. Knowing how to deal with things ahead of time, like a table full of your favorite treats or an injury that prevents you from exercising, will keep you on track. Reminding yourself that you may not be in charge of all events but that you are in control with how you choose to react is crucial. Staying calm will keep you from making irrational decisions that could sabotage your accomplishments.
Remind yourself that life is ongoing and this is a journey, not just a destination. It’s the experience along the way that will change you more than reaching the finish line.
To help stay on track, surround yourself with people who are trying to make positive changes too. Nothing is worse than someone who doesn’t care about what you accomplish, or tries to prevent you from reaching your goals. This person could be on the internet, or working out with you everyday. Give each other positive feedback when you reach milestones, and support when you struggle.
One idea is to get together and each brings 12 self-addressed, stamped, blank postcards. On each postcard, write a reminder, positive affirmation or a recap of your goals. Swap the cards with your buddy, and each month mail a card to your friend. A pleasant reminder in your own handwriting is a nice way to give you a jolt each month. Maybe you forgot your goals, or how important they were to you in January. Add an encouraging note and tell yourself how proud you are.
Most importantly, remember to reward yourself along the way when you reach your goals. It doesn’t have to be big expensive things, and it is probably better if it’s not food. Making major life changes, especially health changes, may cause unpleasant sensations or withdrawal symptoms, particularly when detoxing. A new exercise program may cause sore muscles. Treat your body to bodywork like lymphatic massage, chiropractic, acupuncture or reiki. Yoga, meditation, and stretching are also beneficial. Foot baths, saunas and detox programs can also help release toxins and help reprogram your body. An entire day at a spa to pamper yourself is great motivation to get where you need to be, and a great reward once you get there.
Staying positive, creating goals, having a vision, and celebrating milestones will help make 2009 the year that resolutions become accomplishments instead just words on a paper.
Dr. Brenda Trudell is a chiropractor and owner of New Beginnings Chiropractic in Mount Horeb. The clinic focuses on natural health, especially for women, pregnancy and children through chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, reiki, nutrition and more. For more information, visit newbeginningschiropractic.net.
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By Dr. Brenda Trudell
Well folks, we are right around the corner from winter again. It’s hard to believe after the never-ending monster we survived last year. And if the almanacs are correct, we are in for an even bigger beast this year.
While our area offers many healthy recreational options for the powdery stuff such as sledding, skiing, and skating, it lacks in some other important aspects that also affect our health. Shortened hours of daylight, being confined indoors, limited sources of fresh local food, and the possibility of slips and falls can all affect our health. This winter, it is important to take all the necessary precautions to avoid the winter blues.
One major health problem we need to be aware of as we approach the winter solstice is Seasonal Affective Disorder. Better known as SAD, this is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people (two-thirds are women) every winter between September and April, in particular during December, January and February. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. In our region, wintertime daylight totals about 9 hours on the shortest day of the year, compared to nearly 16 hours on the longest day of the year. Add to that the fact that most of those 9 hours are probably spent indoors, either due to occupation or cold temperatures, and it’s obvious that most people probably get little to no exposure to natural sunlight.
Even for those fortunate enough to be outside on a regular basis, our coats, hats and scarves block most of our skin getting any direct exposure to sunlight. Direct skin exposure is important for the natural production of vitamin D. Once thought of as only important for bones and teeth, Vitamin D is actually one of the most important nutrients for our entire body. It has been shown to help prevent osteoporosis, cancer, depression, heart disease and much more, including SAD. People who live in the northern latitudes are at an increased risk for SAD because of the extreme lack of Vitamin D.
The best form of Vitamin D comes from sunlight. Yes you heard me right, Sunlight without the use of sunscreen! For at least 20 minutes a day (longer for dark skin), during the strongest time of the day, generally between 10 am-2 pm, just soak it in and expose as much skin as possible. (This summer, I will write another article to approach this topic at length.) Clearly, in the Wisconsin winters, this exposure just isn’t going to happen.
Vitamin D can also be acquired through certain foods, though many Americans do not get enough of the nutrient this way, as evidenced by the fact that up to 80% of us are deficient. These foods include Vitamin D fortified milk (but generally not other dairy products), cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, sardines, liver and eggs. Some of these foods are not very common or appealing, and if you are vegan or vegetarian, your options are even more limited.
How much Vitamin D do we need each day? According to the dietary recommended intake (DRI’s), we need 200-600 International Units (IU) depending on age. This estimate is way too low (especially for those who get little sun exposure), outdated and was first set in place as an absolute minimum to prevent diseases such as rickets. More recent and comprehensive studies show that adults should receive 4000-6000 IU, and can readily metabolize up to 10,000 IU a day without side effects.
But before you start taking a bunch of Vitamin D, it is important to get your blood levels tested to see where you are starting from, and also note that this may change seasonally. An optimal value is 50-70 ng/ml, although a conventional doctor may say that 20-50 ng/ml is ok. A simple blood spot test can be purchased and done at home if you do not want to make a trip to the doctor’s office. If you do decide to supplement, go with a high quality form that is more natural and bio-identical, such as D3 instead of D2. The D3 form is more readily available for your body.
Research has been conducted on exposure to UVB rays from tanning beds and increasing Vitamin D3 blood levels by Michael Holick of the University of Boston, and published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. The results were promising and showed that this may be beneficial for people living in northern latitudes. This doesn’t mean that everyone should go out and sign up for a huge package of 30 minute tanning sessions. But maybe that periodic exposure throughout the winter months, especially in those people who are affected by SAD or depression, would outweigh other possible negative effects.
Besides tanning, there are some other alternative ways to deal with the symptoms of SAD. Take a quick getaway to sunny place. Replace regular bulbs with full-spectrum bulbs for light therapy. Use an alarm clock or a special lamp with a built-in dawn and sunset simulator to mimic natural mornings and evenings. Eat a well-balanced diet full of whole foods. Avoid caffeine, cigarettes, sleeping pills or anything that can disrupt normal body rhythms. Cut back on alcohol as it may increase depression symptoms. Get outside and get fresh air, preferably during daylight hours. Move your workspace close to a window. Drink lots of water. Stay positive and find activities that make you happy. Supplement with Vitamin D3. Try alternative healthcare treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, reiki and herbs. These will help keep your body balanced, your hormones regulated, help eliminate toxins, and overall make you feel better and pampered. Try not to be coaxed into pharmaceuticals by ads shown on TV this time of year. Many of these drugs have serious side effects, can be addictive and do not treat the actual cause, which is a decrease in Vitamin D. The more natural path you choose, the less “SAD” you will be.
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What do you think of when you hear the word “Chiropractic”? Do terms such as low back pain, sciatica or whiplash come to mind? Have you heard that once you start going, you have to keep going? There have been many misconceptions about chiropractic care throughout its history, mostly made by people who have never gone for treatment! Many people believe that it is only useful for back pain, but it actually helps much more than that.
It is an entire form of healthcare all its own, complete with its own diagnostic and treatment systems based on the concept that the nervous system coordinates all of the body's functions, and that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function. Chiropractic uses adjustments of misaligned vertebrae in the spine to relieve pressure on nerves coming from the spinal cord. While many people feel pain relief as a result of their treatments, chiropractors treat much more than pain. Many patients find such relief for many different types of problems that they want to come back periodically to sustain their improved quality of life! Not because they have to. If something helped you improve your health and well being, wouldn’t you want to continue doing it?
One area where chiropractic care is especially beneficial is in treating pregnant women. Pregnancy is a time of many physiological and biochemical changes within a woman’s body. Weight gain and posture changes strain the spine, causing pain and imbalances. The health of the baby is directly related to the health of the mother, so it is important for her body to work as efficiently as possible. Nerves from her spine must communicate with the uterus, and proper blood flow must be available to nourish the developing baby.
Misalignments in the spine can interfere with this essential communication and cause problems in the pregnancy.
Imbalances in the pelvis can also lead to uneven tension in the pelvic floor muscles and the uterus itself. The uterus is connected to the bones in the pelvis by many ligaments. As the uterus grows, the ligaments get stretched. Any torsion in the pelvis will torque the uterine ligaments, creating uneven tension across the uterus. This can affect how the baby is positioned within the womb, possibly leading to a breech or posterior baby. It may also lead to a more complicated and prolonged labor and delivery. Chiropractic adjustments to the mom keep her spine and pelvis properly aligned, ensuring proper communication with her baby, and allowing the best possible position throughout pregnancy and birth.
Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy also helps with carpal tunnel syndrome, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, headaches, neck pain, low back pain, hemorrhoids, breech/malpositioned babies, constipation, sciatica, groin pain, pubic symphysis pain, premature contractions and more. Almost everything that is regulated by the nervous system can be positively affected by chiropractic adjustments. Many women turn to alternative treatments such as chiropractic during pregnancy since this is not an optimal time to take medications or have surgery.
Many chiropractors receive special training in treating pregnant women, babies and children. The Webster Technique is a technique specifically designed to treat pregnant women. Other chiropractic techniques are modified to use the least amount of force possible to make an adjustment, and special tables and pregnancy pillows allow room for a growing belly.
Babies and children also respond very well to chiropractic care. The birth process can be very traumatic even in the most natural of births. With many of the interventions and procedures used in today’s hospitals, birth trauma is becoming an epidemic. A healthy birth starts with a healthy pregnancy, and prenatal chiropractic care is one way to help prevent problems during delivery.
Getting your baby’s spine checked shortly after birth can catch small injuries before they become major problems. Signs that a baby may need to evaluated by a chiropractor include difficulty latching and nursing both sides while breast feeding, persistent head tilt or rotation, colic, arching back, frequently spitting up/GERD, constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas and bloating, and ear infections. Older babies may have problems cross crawling, holding their head up, food allergies, and colds or upper respiratory infections. Children respond to chiropractic care to help with bed-wetting, growing pains, asthma, allergies, headaches, constipation, and possibly ADHD or autism.
The idea behind chiropractic is not that it is a cure for anything, but that if the nervous system is balanced, then all of the organs and systems affected will balance out as well. If we can maintain balance within our body, many problems should be able to clear up on their own, or at least have a better chance to respond to other forms of treatment.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
While we often take many things in life for granted, one thing you should not be neglecting is the health of your spine. Stress, poor workplace ergonomics, improper lifting techniques, old sports injuries, poor nutritional choices and chronic bad health can all lead to a decline in the health of your spine.
Your spinal column, which is made up of the vertebral bones of the spine, houses and protects the very delicate yet important spinal cord. Along with the brain, the spinal cord and spinal nerves make up the nervous system, which controls every organ and function in the human body. October is National Chiropractic Month, and the purpose is to educate everyone on the importance of the spine, ways to protect it, and how chiropractic can help enhance quality of life by ensuring the nervous system communicates with the entire body properly.
Chiropractic is an entire form of healthcare all its own, complete with its own diagnostic and treatment systems based on the concept that the nervous system coordinates all of the body's functions, and that disease results from a lack of normal nerve function. Chiropractic uses adjustments of misaligned vertebrae (subluxations) in the spine to relieve pressure on nerves coming from the spinal cord. This pressure may be due to direct irritation on nerves that exit between vertebrae, from inflammation of tissues around a nerve as a result of trauma, or from decreased blood flow or lymph drainage in areas where there is stagnation of fluids.
While many patients feel pain relief as a result of their treatments, chiropractors treat much more than pain. Unless there is a recent direct injury, pain is usually one of the last symptoms to appear when there is a problem. How many times have you heard of someone having heart disease, but the chest pain was the first symptom of the problem during the heart attack? Pain is not always the best indicator to let us know if there is a problem or not, or if we are healthy or not.
Since chiropractic actually focuses on the health of the nervous system and how it relates to the rest of the body, it addresses much more than pain issues. Many patients experience such a relief for a variety of problems that they want to come back periodically to sustain their improved quality of life. Chiropractic has been known to help with infertility, menstrual pain & irregularities, pregnancy conditions, breech babies, breast feeding difficulties, colic, ear infections, fighting infections by boosting the immune system, bed wetting, headaches/migraines, low back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, foot, knee & hip pain, impotence, menopause discomforts, constipation/IBS, asthma, allergies, sinus infections, food allergies, reflux, TMJ dysfunction, ADHD and more.
The idea behind chiropractic is not that it is an individual cure for any one of these disorders, but rather that it helps balance and regulate the nervous system so that it can do its job of controlling the functions of the body. When we have stress hormones and toxins from our food & environment bombarding our body constantly, it makes our supporting tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons weaker. Bones are surrounded by and supported by these tissues, and when they fail, our bones cannot stay in their proper alignment. When we overuse certain areas of our body because of repetitive motions at work, we can wear out the joints. If these joints happen to be in our spine, then it can irritate or injure the spinal nerves. It is easy to see how small and repetitive things can become major problems if we do not take proper care of ourselves.
Chiropractic is a lifestyle approach focused around the health of the spine, but also incorporates other aspects to ensure that the whole body is taken care of properly. No system can operate alone within the human body, so all parts must be functioning properly to make the whole person the best it can be. Most chiropractors include postural evaluations and nutritional consultations in their exams as well. Diagnostic tools such as x-rays visualize exactly what your spine is trying to tell them at that particular moment. Muscle testing may show where imbalances within the body are hiding. Computerized scans of the spine can detect heat and muscle imbalances from side to side, which may indicate areas of inflammation. Scans of the feet show uneven weight distribution and potential problems. Healthcare classes offer up ways to improve quality of sleep, decrease stress, make better nutritional choices, and make healthier choices for raising children. Many will include demonstrations of proper techniques to lift, work in the garden, exercise, or sleep.
Chiropractic is also a great way to avoid unnecessary drugs and surgery. Patients may find they no longer need to take over the counter pain medication to treat headaches or backaches. They sleep better and no longer need to take sleeping pills at night. Many children can avoid or break the vicious antibiotic habit because chiropractic helped them avoid reoccurring ear infections. Patients have been able to get off or reduce medications for high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, and reflux because balance was restored to their nervous system.
Many patients find they can avoid surgeries for herniated discs, sciatica, knees, hips, carpal tunnel syndrome, and TMJ dysfunction because chiropractic realigns the joints and decreases wear and tear. When the joints of our extremities and spine are properly aligned and move smoothly, there is less pain and friction. This slows down the degeneration process and allows our body to move freely and easily.
During the month of October, ask yourself, your family and your friends how chiropractic care could improve your quality of life. You may be surprised to learn that many of your day-to-day complaints could be helped by incorporating the chiropractic lifestyle into your daily routine. A wise man named Thomas Edison once said, “The doctor of the future will interest patients in the care of the human frame.” This is definitely solid advice.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
Everywhere you turn, people are going green. Have you thought about going green for your health? There are many things you can do to improve your own health while protecting the planet.
One way to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals and decrease environmental pollution is by limiting the amount of medications you take. All over the country trace amounts of prescription drugs appear in our water supplies, either through urine or flushing meds down the toilet. The amounts are small, but researchers don’t know what the long-term effects of combining small amounts of antibiotics, anticonvulsants, mood stabilizers, sex hormones and OTC drugs will do to our health. A lot of pollution is created and energy used in the course of making the drugs as well.
Green cleaning products are another great way to improve your health. Many cleaners contain bleach and harsh chemicals that can damage to your health. The indoor air pollution created can cause asthma, allergies, headaches, migraines and skin reactions. They can also be poisonous if swallowed by young children. Long-term use of certain use of certain products can cause cancer and hormone disruption, leading to conditions like infertility.
Alternative healthcare such as chiropractic, acupuncture and massage can be used to help you reduce the amount of medications you take. They also have a minimal impact on the environment because they don’t produce a lot of waste, toxic byproducts, or use much energy. Do yourself and the environment a favor by going green with your health!
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Ronghua Jiang, LAc
After a long, cold winter, spring is finally here. Flowers will gradually bloom and trees start to become green. But spring is also the season in which people have the most allergies and sinus infections. Sinusitis is the infection or inflammation of the lining of the sinus cavities. These are the hollow spaces found in cheeks and around eyes. Sinus infections often follow a cold and can cause pain and pressure in the head.
Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic, meaning either sudden or long term and reoccurring. With chronic sinusitis, the infection does not ever go away completely and some symptoms always remain. There are many things that can cause sinusitis including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In most cases, the same viruses that cause the common cold are the ones that lead to sinusitis. When someone contracts a viral infection such as a cold, the lining of the sinus cavities swell. This swelling can block the normal drainage of fluid from the sinuses into the nose and throat. If the fluid is not able to drain, bacteria and fungi may begin to grow and the sinus infection may become worse and develop into a chronic condition. Allergies are another nasal problem that obstruct the nasal passage by causing inflammation, which allows fluid to build up in the sinuses and can lead to sinus infections.
Several symptoms that may occur are headache, bad breath, coughing that produces mucus, fever, toothache, and reduced sense of smell or taste. Viral sinus infections usually go away on their own within 10 to 16 days. Antibiotics are ineffective for viral infections but there are other methods that may help to relieve the symptoms. A few of the home treatment methods that can alleviate the symptoms are drinking plenty of fluids, trying over the counter medications pain relievers and decongestants, and breathing warm, moist air from a shower, bath, or sink. Saltwater nose drops are also effective for keeping nasal passages open and free from mucus and bacteria.
According to Chinese medicine, sinus infections are due to certain Qi (natural vital energy, pronounced chi) deficiency, which also indicates an insufficient immune system. Lung, spleen and kidney meridians are the main Qi deficiencies causing sinus infections. To prevent and treat sinus infections, Chinese medicine advocates that the internal organs be enhanced to therefore boost the immune system. This will promote Qi circulation. The suggested treatment for acute conditions is to receive acupuncture treatments about once a week for 6 to 8 weeks along with herbal medicine to control symptoms. For chronic conditions, the recommended treatment is to receive acupuncture treatments once a month with herbs, although treatment may vary with individuals.
In order to prevent sinus infections, it is vital to have balanced nutrition, regular intake of vitamins and minerals, enough sleep, a sufficient amount of exercise, and a controlled level of stress to strengthen the immune system and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Oriental medicine and acupuncture are an important addition to a healthy lifestyle and can help prevent many illnesses like sinus infections and allergies. If you have any questions about this or any other conditions, please feel free to contact us at New Beginnings Chiropractic.
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Shelley Ferguson, MT
MASSAGE is important to the overall health of your body and mind. It increases oxygen to the tissues, increases blood circulation, enhances immune system function, and promotes the natural healing ability of our bodies. The most important benefits of massage are the relaxation of muscles, the relief of chronic tension and decreased levels of stress.
Stress as you may know is very toxic to our bodies. It can be like liquid poison! It accumulates in the muscles in our neck and our upper back, and also takes a larger toll on our mood and performance. If left untreated, it can build and affect your health on all levels. Take time for yourself!
Massage is an important part of a wellness lifestyle, along with chiropractic care, and the two work very well together. Remember, muscles move your bones, so if the muscles are tight or full of tension, it may be pulling you out of alignment. I recommend getting a massage first, followed by a chiropractic adjustment. This will improve your results and your adjustments will hold longer, allowing you to experience more relief.
Take care of yourself first. Get a massage or do something that gives you the type of relaxation to keep you on top of the game.
Stayed tuned…next topic, nutrtition!
Shelley Ferguson, NCTMT, WCMT
Massage Therapist
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Joe W. Ryan, DC
How many of you reading this article know somebody or have heard of somebody having trouble getting pregnant? Did you know that chiropractic care has been proven to help females with infertility? I once read a quote that said, "Infertility. If you haven't struggled with it, chances are you know someone who wants to become pregnant, but can't.” Infertility affects more than 6 million women and their partners across the country. But don’t give up hope because there are other things you can do besides infertility drugs and IVF. Chiropractic is more successful than you think, and there is more research than ever that may “crack the case” and offer couples new hope.
Success for infertility with chiropractic adjustments is more common than people realize. Research shows a possible link between spinal adjustments and increased fertility in some women. Dr. Madeline Behrendt stated, "It (chiropractic) gives couples who have been infertile or who are planning on having a family hope." Dr. Behrendt led a study with 15 women who struggled with infertility, some for more than a decade. For various reasons, each women visited a chiropractor. Of these women, 14 became pregnant. Dr. Behrendt says "the chiropractor identifies spinal distortions, which are called subluxations, and once they were detected and corrected, the fertility function improved." This shouldn’t be that surprising when you understand how the body works. When the spine is out of alignment, the nerves can misfire and may cause a hormone imbalance, which may prevent a woman from getting pregnant.
Another true story much closer to home was a woman in Oregon, WI. This individual was a very athletic female and had been trying to become pregnant for over 5 years. When she visited the chiropractor, he noticed vertebral subluxations (misalignments) at multiple levels, and chiropractic care was administered using the Gonstead Method. In the abstract it stated that the woman was pregnant one month after care began and had a successful pregnancy.
Stories like this are so amazing yet very true and are happening more often. I think the internet helps people find out that there are more options for them with infertility. I encourage you to forward or share this article with as many people as you can because if I can help even one person it is more than worth it. I also encourage sharing the information because I believe that infertility is more common than a lot of people let on. Infertility can be very scary and make people embarrassed or ashamed that something may be wrong with them, but it may be something as simple as visiting your chiropractor. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to call us at the office.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
Every April, communities across the country celebrate National Garden Month. With spring here, warmer weather begs us outdoors and our nurturing urges take over. From a health standpoint, gardening is one of the most well rounded activities you can do. But it is important to properly prepare your body to avoid injuries so you can pull weeds and not your back.
Gardening has many health benefits, including prevention of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It clears your mind after a long stressful day. It calls for creativity and gives your brain a workout. Gardening connects you with nature and the natural rhythm of life, allowing you to slow down and relax. Deep cleansing breaths of fresh air circulate oxygen to your muscles and organs. Being in sunshine gives you the best source of Vitamin D available. Gardening also provides the freshest and healthiest produce, which provides additional health benefits.
Gardening is an activity that provides regular physical exercise, both aerobic and strength training, and for this reason, it has tremendous health benefits. It uses all the major muscle groups-the one that burn the most calories-such as buttocks, legs, shoulders, stomach, arms, neck and back. Gardening strengthens muscles and joints through lifting, pushing, pulling and digging motions. It increases flexibility with stretching and reaching motions. It builds aerobic endurance and burns calories by walking and changing positions frequently.
Just how many calories are burned in an hour of gardening? Depending on weight, activity, and intensity level, it’s possible to burn anywhere from 250-500 calories an hour. For weight loss, gardening has enormous potential. To lose one pound of fat, you need to burn 3500 calories. If you gardened one hour a day and burned 500 calories, you could lose one pound a week. Plus, you will be eating the healthy produce that also promotes weight loss.
Number of calories burned varies by activity. Trimming shrubs and trees burns about 360 cal/hour. Raking grass and leaves, planting and weeding each burns 300 cal/hour. Clearing land and digging burns 400 cal/hour. It is easy to see how the fast the calories can add up, especially if you garden for five or six hours a day.
People often forget that gardening is strenuous physical work and fail to properly warm-up and condition their muscles. As with any type of exercise, it is important to consult a physician before beginning, especially if you have a history of back or heart problems. It is also important to start out slowly to build up endurance. Begin building endurance by walking, stair climbing or doing squats a month or two before you get out in the garden. Muscles respond better to the increased physical activity when they are properly conditioned, leading to fewer injuries.
Warming up with a brisk walk will loosen muscles and ligaments and get your blood flowing. After warming up, stretch the muscle groups you will be using the most. Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds and avoid jerking or bouncing. It is important to stretch the muscles in the motions you will be using them. For instance, if you will be doing mostly overhead work, stretch your shoulders by reaching up, not just across your chest. You need to stretch in the way that you will be working.
Make sure to switch positions and hands frequently by varying your activities. Remaining in one position for too long, especially one that is awkward or unusual, can restrict blood flow to tissues and promote sprains/strains. Switch sides with jobs that require repetitive motions. Doing all the raking, hoeing or shoveling on one side can lead to severe joint imbalances, spinal misalignments and muscle spasm. Try to switch it up every ten minutes to give your tired muscle groups a break. Using a variety of ergonomic tools, especially long handled ones that give you leverage, will put you in an optimal position and decrease stress on various parts of your body.
To protect your low back, avoid stooping and bending. Try kneeling with kneepads or sit on a small stool so you are closer to the ground. Whenever you are lifting, pushing or pulling, make sure to engage your core muscles to give more support to the low back area. To do this, draw your belly button in towards your spine and remain as straight and tight as you can.. Avoid activities where you are bending forward, twisting sideways and tossing something, such as shoveling and throwing a heavy load. This is a very common back injury. Also, try to save the heavier work for midway through your project so muscles and joints are properly warmed up. And always make sure to carry objects close to your body to reduce the risk of strain to your neck and back.
Even with preventative measures you may still find yourself with an injury. There is a difference between tired muscles from working hard, and muscle spasms or pain from an injury. If you notice pain or difficulty while you are working, STOP! You may cause serious damage by overdoing it. Ice and rest are best for an injury during the first 48-72 hours. Be sure to avoid heat as it increases the amount of inflammation in the area and can slow the healing process. A chiropractor can evaluate your injury and help you determine the best treatment. Chiropractic adjustments realign your body to promote balance and healing. Many people notice they heal faster and are less likely to re-injure the same areas when they are treated by a chiropractor.
Gardening is a very important activity to many people. The list of health benefits is long and the rewards are many. To ensure that you can continue to garden year after year, it is important to take care of your body. By taking precautions ahead of time, conditioning muscles, and properly treating injuries if they do occur, you will continue to reap the rewards of your bounty for a long time.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
Gardening is a healthy activity that provides regular physical exercise and is a great stress reliever. Many people find the tranquility of connecting with nature worth all the hard work it takes to create a beautiful space. But in order to enjoy the fruits of your labor, it is important to take care of your body. These garden safety tips are designed to keep you digging, raking and planting for a long time.
As with any physical activity, it is important to prepare your body. To build up endurance, begin with walking, stair climbing, squats or some other exercises to strengthen your lower body one to two months before you get out in the garden. Your legs will appreciate it!
Once you are ready to get in the garden, make sure you stretch and warm up your muscles properly. A brisk walk around the yard will help get the blood flowing and give you a better stretch. Gardening uses almost all of the major muscle groups, so it’s a good idea to stretch your whole body. Pay close attention to the areas you will using the most, and stretch in the motion that you will be working. Meaning, if you want to stretch your shoulder because you will be doing a lot of overhead work, then do stretches where you are reaching up. It doesn’t do much to bring your arm across your chest to stretch your shoulder if you won’t be doing much activity that way.
Avoid bending over repeatedly and stooping while doing yard work. Try some knee pads or a small stool so you can be closer to the ground. Protect your back by keeping your core muscles tight. Visualize bringing your belly button in towards your spine and tightening the muscles around the buttocks. Make sure to engage your core muscles when doing any lifting. Lift by keeping your back straight and using your leg muscles. NEVER bend over, twist and throw something heavy at the same time, as in shoveling and tossing dirt. This is the most common way people injure their back when doing outside work.
Using long-handled tools that are ergonomically designed will give you leverage while you are working and help protect your back as well. It is also important to switch hands or sides frequently. Repetitive motions, especially ones in awkward positions, can restrict blood flow and lead to sprains and strains. Doing too much on one side can also lead to serious spinal and muscle imbalances, and you may end up with spasms. Keep everything balanced and even, and switch it up every ten minutes or so, to rest tired muscle groups.
Always make sure to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water BEFORE you get outside, and have a bottle of water with you. When it’s very hot out, avoid gardening during the peak hours of sunlight. High temps can increase dehydration and cause muscle cramping.
Even with all the preparations and precautions, you may find yourself with an injury. If this is case, ice is usually the best thing for the first 72 hours. Place the ice on the injured area for twenty minutes at a time. Do not use heat during this time, as it can increase the amount of inflammation and slow healing. A chiropractor will be able to evaluate you and determine how serious your injury is. Chiropractic adjustments will realign your body and speed the healing process. Many people report that their injuries heal more quickly and that they are less likely to re-injure themselves when they receive chiropractic adjustments. If you have injured yourself working in the garden, or would like to discuss proper gardening techniques and injury prevention, call our office to schedule a visit.
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
For many couples, the dream of becoming parents is easy to achieve. They decide when they would like to start having children, try a couple of times, and then voila- a baby arrives nine months later! But for millions of Americans, this is not the case. According to the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 12% of women in the US (7.3 million) between the ages of 15-44 had difficulty conceiving or carrying a baby to full term in 2002. This number continues to grow each year, along with the frustration of the couples who cannot achieve their dream of becoming parents.
Most experts define infertility as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying. Women who are able to get pregnant but then have repeat miscarriages are also said to be infertile. Why do some women have problems conceiving and others don’t? This question is asked every day by couples struggling to have a child and the answers aren’t always clear. In some cases, the cause may be obvious, but in others, it is not.
Infertility affects women and men equally. Finding out the cause early can help couples fix the problem and hopefully conceive. But at least one third of the time, doctors cannot find a reason, and the couple is left with only questions. Male reasons for infertility may include deficient sperm production, varicocele, infections, ductal obstructions, and ejaculatory dysfunction. Female reasons can be a bit more complicated because her body needs to release an egg and be able to carry a baby to term after fertilization. Some of the reasons are polycystic ovarian disease, age, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovulatory dysfunction, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic adhesions and scar tissue from abdominal or pelvic surgery, irregular menstrual cycles, immunological infertility, and hormonal disruptions.
The most common medical treatments today include drug treatments or surgery. For men, these may include antibiotics, artificial insemination or surgery to open blocked areas. For women, many of the drugs are hormone-related and are given to override the women’s natural hormonal cycle. Most focus on ovulation, generally forcing it to begin or become regular. Assisted Reproductive Technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), involves removing eggs from a woman's body, mixing them with sperm in the laboratory and putting the embryos back into a woman's body. Many of the treatments can be harsh on the women’s body and lead to side effects such as mood swings, dry cervical mucus, stomach pain, breast tenderness, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, irritability, depression, weight gain, ovarian cysts, and use for more than a year may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Fertility treatments are also very costly, up to $15,000 for one round of IVF. There are no guarantees that it will work the first time, and many couples may try it 2 or 3 times. Many fertility drugs and treatments increase a woman's chance of having multiples. Women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born prematurely. Premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems. These are all unexpected costs that have to be factored in to the economic burden placed on couples who have already spent their life savings trying to conceive.
So what options do couples have who are looking for a more natural approach to treat infertility? Alternative treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, craniosacral therapy, Maya abdominal massage, nutrition and yoga are becoming common within the infertility community. Many alternative treatments are safer, have fewer side effects, are less stressful, cost less, and do not increase the risk of having multiples. Couples often feel closer using a more natural approach. Traditional infertility treatments can be very stressful on couples do to hormonal changes, financial burden, and the separation from the “experience” of creating a child together for the couple if IVF was used.
A number of studies have shown that chiropractic care can be very beneficial for treating infertility. Chiropractic adjustments may help to stabilize the autonomic nervous system and allow the reproductive organs, such as the uterus, ovaries, or prostate, to function properly. Cranial therapy and chiropractic adjustments may also have an affect on the pituitary gland or hormones. If there is a structural reason for the infertility, such as an imbalance of the pelvic floor muscles or uneven tension in the uterus, chiropractic adjustments can help relieve this to restore normal function to the area. It is a great treatment to start with because it is safe, effective, non-invasive and cost effective.
Acupuncture and herbal therapy have also been shown to increase fertility, especially when the cause is functional rather than structural. It can help improve ovarian function, increase blood flow to the endometrium to produce a thick lining, and regulate hormones that affect ovulation and reproduction. It also works great in conjunction with other treatments and helps to enhance their effectiveness by making your body more responsive to the treatment.
Other treatments like Maya Abdominal Massage focus on restoring the uterus to the proper position, increasing blood flow and lymph drainage in the pelvic area, and breaking up adhesions or scar tissue around the uterus and other abdominal organs. All of these things are essential to maintaining a healthy environment for the reproductive organs.
While medical treatments are a common way to deal with infertility issues, they are not without problems, such as high costs and negative health effects. With any health issues, it is important to find the cause of the problem and fix it, not just to cover up symptoms or override the body’s natural systems. Alternative and natural treatments are designed to work with your body, not against it. Finding a qualified alternative practitioner may be your first step in the journey to conception. For more information or resources on infertility and women’s health, please visit www.newbeginningschiropractic.net.
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In my last article about keeping yourself protected and safe in this cold weather that never seems to end I spoke about maintaining cover around your neck. This month I would like to take the time to talk about the food you eat. The spleen and the stomach are the two first recipients of your food. They work together to separate what your body can use (fuel for life) from what your body can’t use (waste material for urination/defecation). These two organs are phenomenal at what they do. The stomach also uses some of the liquid in food/drink to create body fluids. The spleen uses the food you ingest to create blood for the body. The spleen is in charge of separating the pure from the turbid that is contained in our food. Once that separation process occurs the spleen sends the pure Qi up and throughout the body, while the stomach takes the turbid and sends it down to the small intestine for further processing.
Now that you have a brief idea of what each of these organs does in your body. You may ask, “Well, what does that have to do with staying warm in the winter time, Miguel?” My answer is right here:
Food helps to fuel the body’s ability to stay warm by increasing healthy circulation, not just of blood (which the spleen uses food to create), but body fluids (created by the stomach) as well. In the dry dry wintertime it’s important to stay plenty hydrated, just as it is in the summer time due to heat, not dryness. For example, cracked and dry lips as well as knuckles (which can be prevented by wearing gloves) and dry hands in general are commonly due to a lack of fluids as well as cold weather, so I repeat, stay hydrated in the winter time as you would in the summertime.
How can you use liquids besides just having enough in your system (by the way a general rule of thumb is drink a daily minimum of half your body weight in oz of water, tea counts, coffee doesn’t) to keep warm in the winter? Drink them warm or at room temperature. The colder a liquid is, the longer it takes the stomach and the spleen to heat up so that it can actually use it for digestion, circulation, etc. Often, when a liquid is too cold, I have been told by more than a few patients that they get bloating after drinking colder liquids or colder/uncooked foods. If the spleen is unable to deal with the too cold liquid, the first step is bloating and/or a heavy lethargic feeling. This is your body working harder to digest, which pulls energy away from the rest of your body, thereby decreasing circulatory movement and resultantly causing your body to feel cold. If the liquid is cold enough, the spleen will be unable to hold on to the liquid and diarrhea occurs. On the other hand if the liquid is too cold and the stomach can’t handle it, there can be vomiting. None of this is pleasant.
So here are some tips you can use to keep the cold at bay.
1. Drink room temperature water. If you don’t like the taste, squeeze some fresh lemon or orange into your water. It gives it some zing without using artificial or sugary sweeteners.
2. Eat soups with your salads (salads, with all the uncooked vegetables are very cold and cause the body unnecessary stress).
3. Drink hot teas. If you like ginger tea for digestion, I suggest being judicious in its use, because it has a drying effect and winter is already dry enough. Mint teas are tasty as well as Rooibos.
4. Avoid lotions with alcohols and petroleum based ingredients –they are drying, which can cause cracks and thereby let the cold in under your skin. Instead use lotions that contain oils, like aloe, coconut, jojoba and palm.
5. Eat as many warm/hot meals daily as you can.
6. Minimize thicker foods, like milk, ice cream, cheese (yes I know which state I am living in) and greasier meats like venison and brats. They can make digestion sluggish, thereby decreasing body fluids and their distribution. A quick and easy remedy to eating heavier meats in the winter is to accompany them with dark green leafy vegetables, like kale, broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, etc. The effect of the dark green leafies is to cut the greasiness of the meat and make them more digestible.
As soon as winter is over I will write more about how to keep cool and keep the heat at bay, but until then keep your necks covered and keep the circulation moving and stay warm!
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Dr. Brenda Trudell
It’s often said that the best cure is prevention, and in the cases of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, those words could not be truer. May is National Women’s Health Month, and this article will focus on REAL prevention of the most deadly and debilitating diseases affecting American women today. This article will not be focusing on expensive, and often dangerous, medical treatments that people turn to once they are in a full-blown course of a disease. What it will cover are healthy lifestyle changes that prevent diseases from beginning, and are useful treatments for reversing the damage of diseases in progress. Some of the topics also pertain to men as well, so everyone should read this. Do yourself or a loved one a favor this Mother’s Day, and pass on this information to help save a life.
The number one killer of American women today is heart disease, accounting for 28% of deaths each year. The second and third leading causes of death are cancer and stroke, with 22% and 7.5%, respectively. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 39% of all female deaths occur from cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes coronary heart disease, stroke and others. That is approximately 500,000 American women a year. As discussed in an earlier article, chronic inflammation is an underlying process that leads to CVD and cancer. Unless a treatment program involves eliminating the inflammation, most conventional treatments will not cure the problem.
The typical American diet is full of pro-inflammatory foods that are not heart healthy and can lead to chronic health problems. Women’s diets are no exception to this, even though moms try to get the rest of the family to eat well. Pro-inflammatory foods include grain-fed meats and poultry, grains, breads, rice, trans fats, polyunsaturated omega-6 oils (corn, sunflower, safflower, canola, etc), corn and corn byproducts, sugar, alcohol, dairy and processed foods (donuts, cookies, candy, crackers, chips, baked goods, soda and sweetened beverages, cereals). Just because something is on this list doesn’t mean you can never eat it again. But if the majority of your food choices each and every day are these foods, you may be headed for disaster and not even realize it.
The scariest thing about diseases like CVD and cancer is that it takes years for the damage to be done, happening so slowly that most people don’t even realize it. Many women report that they feel great throughout their 20’s, start to slow down a little in their 30’s, notice a few problems in their 40’s, and then they hit 50 and major problems appear out of nowhere. It’s not like heart disease can happen in one day. It takes years of poor health decisions to have catastrophic, and sometimes irreversible, effects. That is why it is so important to make good decisions early in life.
This is even more important for women. A lot of our healthcare practices are centered on a male model of physiology and biochemistry. Women have unique health circumstances like pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation. Our hormones are different, and we often metabolize vitamins, supplements, herbs and medications differently. Variables such as age, level of physical activity, and being pregnant also affect our daily needs. Because of these factors, it is important that we don’t follow a one-size fits all policy on health.
In order to decrease inflammation and help prevent the deadliest diseases affecting American women, look to the diet first. In the last few years, there has been much discussion about the paleo diet. The book The Paleo Diet, by Dr. Loren Cordain, takes a look at what our early ancestors ate, and the types of food our bodies were designed to digest. The foods that were available then provided all of the necessary requirements for carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. These people were fit and thrived in their environment. They were not obese or dying of breast cancer and heart disease. They also weren’t suffering from infertility, migraines, painful periods, high cholesterol, constipation, osteoporosis, arthritis, PMS, acne, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome and other common female disorders.
The staples in the diet were full of fiber, contained heart healthy fatty acids, didn’t raise cholesterol, regulated blood sugar, and were full of lean protein. The animals that our ancestors consumed ate grass, plants, or green algae, so there were naturally high in omega 3 fats. This is very different from the grain eating and obese animals we get our meat from today, full of omega 6 fats.
If you would like follow what our ancestors did, and live a long life free of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, and many other women’s health problems, then start today by changing your diet to decrease inflammation. Choose foods like organic lean beef, pork, poultry and omega 3 eggs, making sure they are grass fed and free of hormones and anti-biotics. Eat plenty of wild fish, not farmed. Most of your food each day should be fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, the wider variety of colors the better. Dark chocolate, preferably at least 70% cocoa, and red wine, both in moderation, provide phytonutrients and heart protecting qualities. Almonds, walnuts and pecans provide essential fats. Use extra virgin olive oil, pure extra virgin coconut oil (not hydrogenated), and organic grass-fed butter to provide your daily fats.
Additional supplements may be necessary to provide vitamins and minerals not acquired form diet alone. High quality multi-vitamins, magnesium, fish oil with EPA/DHA, vitamin D, CoQ10, ginger, turmeric, garlic, probiotics, and acetyl-L-carnitine are beneficial for preventing disease. Many of these contain anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants that keep our organs and blood vessels functioning properly. Exercise and an active lifestyle will also provide many health benefits, but the results will be even more dramatic and long lasting when combined with the dietary changes.
The greatest part of all is that this diet is perfect for the whole family, and the earlier it is started, the longer lasting the effects will be.
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What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the intestines. It causes belly pain, cramping or bloating, and diarrhea or constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome is a long-term problem, but there are things you can do to reduce your symptoms.
What causes IBS?
Doctors do not know exactly what causes irritable bowel syndrome. In IBS, the movement of the digestive tract does not work as it should, but there is no sign of changes in the intestines, such as inflammation or tumors. Doctors think that IBS symptoms are related to problems with the signals sent between the brain and the intestines. This causes problems with the way the muscles of the intestines move. For some people with IBS, certain foods, stress, hormonal changes, and some antibiotics may trigger pain and other symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are belly pain with constipation or diarrhea. Other common symptoms are bloating, mucus in the stools, or a feeling that you have not completely emptied your bowels. Many people with IBS go back and forth between having constipation and having diarrhea. For most people, one of these happens more often than the other. IBS is quite common. Most people's symptoms are so mild that they never see a doctor for treatment. But some people may have troublesome symptoms, especially stomach cramps, bloating, and diarrhea.
How is IBS diagnosed?
Most of the time, doctors can diagnose irritable bowel syndrome from the symptoms. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and past health and will do a physical exam. In some cases, you may need other tests, such as stool analysis or a sigmoidoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy lets a doctor look at the inside of the lower part of the intestine (colon). These tests can help your doctor rule out other problems that might be causing your symptoms.
How is it treated?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a long-term condition, but there are things you can do to manage your symptoms. Treatment usually includes making changes in your diet and lifestyle, such as avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms, getting regular exercise, and managing your stress.
There are also medicines that may help with your symptoms. If diet and lifestyle changes do not help enough on their own, your doctor may prescribe medicines for pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
For some people who have IBS, certain foods may trigger symptoms. The following suggestions may help prevent or relieve some IBS symptoms:
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Avoid caffeine.
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Limit your intake of fatty foods. Fats increase gut sensations, which can make abdominal pain seem worse.
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If diarrhea is your main symptom, limit dairy products, fruit, or artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol or xylitol.
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Increasing fiber in your diet may help relieve constipation.
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Avoiding foods such as beans, cabbage, or uncooked cauliflower or broccoli can help relieve bloating or gas.
Getting regular, vigorous exercise (such as swimming, jogging, or brisk walking) may help reduce tension and make your bowels more regular.
If stress triggers your symptoms, stress management may help you deal more positively with stress and help prevent or reduce stress-related IBS episodes.
Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in IBS treatment. According to Chinese Medicine, IBS is due to the unbalance of some internal organs, mainly the spleen and liver. Acupuncture can balance and harmonize internal organs.
In IBS treatment, acupuncture is mainly used to strength the spleen system and to soothe the liver Qi. The treatment usually involves a series of weekly or biweekly treatments with a total of 8-10 visits.
In general, after 4-6 visits, patients should notice some improvement, such as gradually returning to the normal bowl movement, decrease of stomach cramping and bloating sensation of abdomen. In addition, patients will gradually become notice of less anxiety, more relax, and increased energy level.
During my long time of practice, I have seen many IBS patients who had tried different types of therapy and did not gain much improvement. After using acupuncture treatments in my clinic, most of them have had very good results.
By Ronghua Jiang
Prosperity Acupuncture Clinic in Mt. Horeb and Madison
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Chiropractic is great for low back
pain and headaches, but it may play a big part in the health of your heart as
well. February is American Heart Month, and chiropractic care may be an important
part of your heart health. Chiropractic is based on the science and philosophy
that the nervous system, which includes your brain, spinal cord and nerves, controls
everything in your body. It controls muscles, bones and all of your organs, including
your heart. Because the spinal cord travels through the bones in the spine via
the spinal canal, and the spinal nerves exit between these bones to reach various
places in the body, chiropractors have direct access to them through the back
and neck. By adjusting certain areas of the spine, chiropractors can influence
the nerves that exit at the various levels, and therefore, influence the organs
and other body parts served by those nerves. There are
many different nerves that influence your heart. Some speed up your heartbeat,
increase blood flow, and make it pump harder, like when you need to runaway from
a large bear. Others slow your heartbeat and direct the bloodflow to other parts
of your body, like when you are at home reading a book. Still others control the
rhythm of your heartbeat, coordinate the four chambers to beat together, make
sure the electrical charges function properly, and so on. It is easy to see how
subluxations, or misalignments in certain areas of the spine, can affect cervical,
thoracic and cranial nerves, which can lead to disruptions within your heart. It
is important to understand that during a heart attack, you should not rush to
your chiropractor’s office. If you are experiencing any symptoms of a heart
attack, it is important to seek emergency care immediately. Chiropractic may be
effective at preventing a heart attack if subluxations in the spine are causing
nerve interference to the heart. By correcting these problems beforehand, you
may be doing yourself a big favor.
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It’s
that time of year again, and soon you will be bombarded with news stories hyping
flu shots and warning you of the dangers of the flu. Reporters are likely to scare
you with reports of 36,000 Americans dying each year. Those statistics are usually
seriously flawed and take into consideration deaths from other causes than the
flu, such as pneumonia. The real number may be closer to 700 a year, with the
majority of those people having severely compromised immune systems from things
such as HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, immunosuppression for organ transplants, and other
diseases such as cystic fibrosis. While these individuals are susceptible to getting
a serious case of the flu, most people, including infants, children and pregnant
women, are ale to overcome it with no problems. People with strong, healthy immune
systems probably won’t even get the flu and could avoid the shot altogether.
The theory behind the flu shot is that if you administer
inactivated, or killed, viruses into the body, the immune system will build up
antibodies against the virus and you won’t get the full-blown disease. But
often, that is just a theory. The vaccines are made of three different viruses,
all of which are predicted the year before. But there are actually hundreds of
viruses that can cause the cold and flu, and so predicting the correct ones can
be quite a gamble. Viruses are smaller than bacteria, and are not actual living
cells. They are made of genetic material, either DNA or RNA. Because of their
tiny structure, viruses can mutate or change their genetic makeup very rapidly,
and they do so year-to-year. They are very efficient at mutating so that previously
effective drugs and vaccines no longer work against them. This is often the case
with the flu shot, and a big reason why it is not always effective. Before
we further discuss the vaccine, we need to see what really happens when you get
sick with the flu. Your body has a unique defense system called an immune system.
Many different things make up this intricate system, including your skin, mucous
membranes like the inside of your nose, saliva, gastro-intestinal system, and
immune system cells such as B cells, T cells, and macrophages. Even things like
stomach acid, sneezing, and fever are part of this defense system. Another huge
part or your immune system, which most people don’t even realize, is the
population of healthy bacteria that live on and in your body. Most of these beneficial
bacteria, called normal flora, reside in your gut and produce vitamins to build
up your immune system and defend against the invading viruses and bacteria that
can harm you. Everytime you take a course of antibiotics, eat a diet high in sugar
and processed food, and abuse your health, you are killing off members of this
very important defense system. When you get exposed to
a virus or bacteria, your body follows certain pathways to deal with it so that
the organism systematically gets weaker and weaker. This happens so that if you
do become sick, the organism will be in a weakened state and easier for your body
to defend. After the virus runs its course, your body is able to expel all the
remaining parts of the virus that made you sick and you are left with antibodies
to that virus that will give you full, life long immunity. When you get vaccinated,
you are introduced to the organism in an artificial way, and it bypasses all of
the lines of defense your body has set up. It is administered directly into the
bloodstream, and not weakened by your body’s immune system. Even though it
is inactivated, your body still has to try to defend it. Often times, the body
has a harder time fighting the invading organism in this manner. The immune system
has a harder time “processing” it or breaking it down, and may seal
up the viral parts in little “envelopes” since it can’t expel it
properly. When this happens, your body is constantly fighting something because
the foreign invader never really leaves, which can take a huge toll on your immune
system. This in and of itself may lead to chronic problems in the future. There
are many benefits to getting the flu, as it is a chance to strengthen your immune
system. You develop permanent immunity when you get the flu naturally, as opposed
to temporary and artificial immunity from a shot. The shot only protects against
three strains of the virus that are predicted the year before so it is not always
accurate. This means you could get the shot and still get sick anyway. Many doctors
feel that getting sick from things like cold and flu viruses builds up the immune
system so much that it actually protects us from things like cancer, Alzheimer’s,
diabetes and other diseases. If we constantly try to stifle our immune system,
we may end up with more chronic diseases like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative
colitis, IBS, diabetes, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Even
though it appears that getting sick once in awhile may be a good boost for our
health, you don’t want to be so unhealthy that you are catching every bug
that goes around. Most Americans suffer from very poor health, terrible nutrition,
sleep deprivation, lack of exercise and chronic stress. These things all take
a toll on your immune system too. It’s important to build up your immune
system to avoid getting the flu in the first place, or at least lessen your chance
of getting a serious case. Incorporate exercise, a healthy diet with lots of organic
fruits and vegetables, plenty of sleep, herbs such as Astragalus and Echinacea,
and drinking lots of water into your daily regimen. Adding probiotics, or healthy
bacteria, to your diet will also help you stay healthier. This can be done through
probiotic supplements, yogurt and other fermented foods such as kefir. You should
also take a high quality fish oil supplement with DHA and EPA to stop chronic
inflammation and strengthen your immune system.
If
you still get the flu, follow these tips. Try to avoid reducing a fever, as this
is one of the most important defense mechanisms your body has to kill the invading
virus. Your body has a set temperature that it needs to reach to make the immune
system run optimally. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, load up on antioxidants,
try herbs like sage and peppermint to soothe a sore throat and open airways. Chiropractic
adjustments also enhance your immune system, help regulate the nervous system,
increase blood flow and improve lymph drainage, which all help your body fight
the flu and get rid of the foreign invaders.
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- Makes quitting easier
- Reduces
cravings and anxiety
- Lowers nervousness and insomnia
- Lessens depression
- Reduces
costs
- Reduces cancer and stroke risk
- Reduces emphysema risk
- Lowers
heart attack risk
- Helps pregnant women quit
- Calming and relaxing
- Compatible
with other treatments and therapies
- Gets smokers compliant in smoke-free
environments
- No smoker’s smell on clothes
- No smoker’s
breath
- Avoid yellow teeth and gum disease
- Avoid prematurely wrinkled
skin
- Officially recognized by the World Health Organization as effective
way to quit smoking
Please read more about quitting
smoking with acupuncture.
Back
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Does this sound
like your typical daily routine? When your alarm goes off the first time, you
barely hear it. But your hand automatically reaches up and hits the snooze for
the first of 15 times. Once you do finally crawl out of bed, you walk like a zombie
to the shower, feeling as though a brick is dragging behind you. Even your shower
doesn’t wake you up, so you grab a double latte on your way to work. Once
there, you perk up for an hour or so from the caffeine jolt, but by mid-morning
your eyes are heavy again. So you grab candy bar to get your next sugar rush.
And about mid-afternoon you are feeling the exact same way. All you want to do
is crawl up under your desk and take a nap….. If
this sounds vaguely familiar, you are probably one of the 70 million Americans
suffering from some sort of sleeping problem that can lead to sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation is defined as a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep,
no matter the cause. Even if it is just by an hour or so each day, cutting down
on your sleep is not good for you, your body, or the country. Sleep
deprivation can have serious effects on your health in the form of physical and
mental impairments. Inadequate rest impairs our ability to think, to handle stress,
to maintain a healthy immune system and to moderate our emotions. In fact, sleep
is so important to our overall health that total sleep deprivation has been proven
to be fatal: lab rats denied the chance to rest die within two to three weeks.
Without
adequate rest, the brain's ability to function quickly deteriorates. The brain
works harder to counteract sleep deprivation effects, but operates less effectively:
concentration levels drop, and memory becomes impaired. Similarly, the brain's
ability to problem solve is greatly impaired. Decision-making abilities are compromised,
and the brain falls into rigid thought patterns that make it difficult to generate
new problem-solving ideas. Sleep deprivation is estimated to cost Americans over
$100 billion a year in lost productivity, medical expenses, sick leave, and property
and other damages.
Dramatic
weight changes, especially weight gain, are also common effects of sleep deprivation.
Because the amount and quality of the sleep we get affects our hormone levels,
namely our levels of leptin and ghrelin, many physiological processes that depend
on these hormone levels to function properly, including appetite, are affected
by our sleep. While leptin is a hormone that affects our feelings of fullness
and satisfaction after a meal, ghrelin is the hormone that stimulates our appetites.
When you suffer from sleep deprivation, your body’s levels of leptin fall
while ghrelin levels increase. This means that you end up feeling hungrier without
really feeling satisfied by what you eat, causing you to eat more and, consequently,
gain weight.
Other symptoms
of sleep deprivation include irritability, impatience, confusion, and headaches.
Prolonged periods of decreased sleep may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease,
stroke, cancer and diabetes. Sleep deprivation can also lead to:
- Decreased
Performance and Alertness: Sleep deprivation induces significant reductions in
performance and alertness. Reducing your nighttime sleep by as little as one and
a half hours for just one night could result in a reduction of daytime alertness
by as much as 32%.
- Memory and Cognitive Impairment:
Decreased alertness and excessive daytime sleepiness impair your memory and your
cognitive ability -- your ability to think and process information.
- Poor
Quality of Life: You might, for example, be unable to participate in certain activities
that require sustained attention, like going to the movies, seeing your child
in a school play, or watching a favorite TV show.
- Occupational
Injury: Excessive sleepiness also contributes to a greater than twofold higher
risk of sustaining an occupational injury.
- Automobile
Injury: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates
that 100,000 police-reported crashes are caused by drowsy drivers each year. (That
is about 1.5 % of all crashes.) These crashes result in more than 1,500 fatalities
and 71,000 injuries.
For more information on what you can do to combat
sleep deprivation, please read our articles on Sleeping
Postions and 10 Sleep Tips. Please contact our
office with any questions, or to see if chiropractic care can help you sleep better
at night.
Back
to top
Here
are some easy tips to help you experience a relaxing sleep and awake feeling
more rested.
1) Don't try too hard. If you can't fall
asleep right away, get up and move to a quiet area, try reading or relaxing by
meditating.
2) Avoid naps during the day. Most people
take naps because they don't get enough sleep at night, and then when they take
a nap, it affects their sleep schedule at night. If you can skip your nap,
you will be more tired at bedtime and be able to fall asleep easier.
3)
Watch what you eat. Avoid heavy meals or snacks close to bedtime,
avoid caffeine after noon, and avoid sugary and spicy foods later in the evening.
If you find yourself getting up frequently to use the restroom, try not to drink
anything after 8 PM.
4) Visualize a relaxing, peaceful place,
such as a favorite childhood memory or vacation spot. Feel the warmth, smell the
ocean, hear the waves crashing.....
5) Avoid sleeping medications
if you can. If you must take something, use the pills as directed as
they may cause insomnia. Avoid long term use if possible.
6)
Expose yourself to bright lights when you wake up. It helps to establish
your circadian rhythm and rejuvenates you each morning. Check out this
amazing product from Dr. Mercola's website!
7) Take
the technology out of the bedroom. Getting rid of your laptop, TV, cell phone
and other electronic devices will allow you to wind down easier. Too much stimulation
before bed can make it hard for your mind to relax. 8)
Establish a relaxing routine before bedtime. The routine will help your
mind and body recognize the signals that bedtime is near. Make your routine relaxing
with things like meditating, stretching, drinking a cup of relaxing herbal tea,
or visualization exercises. Try not to worry about the day ahead. 9)
Make sure you have a good mattress and pillow. Mattresses should be changed
every 5-8 years. Pillows should properly support the head and neck and shouldn’t
be too thick or thin. A good pillow is the ChiroFlow Water Pillow, which allows
you to fill it to the level that best suit you. 10) Chiropractic
adjustments may also be able to help you get a more restful sleep. If pain
is keeping you awake or bothers you in the morning, there may be a misalignment
in the neck area. A chiropractor can also help you determine if your pillow and
mattress are providing adequate support. If you
have any other sleep related questions, feel free to call or stop by our office.
Back
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How many of you
wake up on a daily basis and feel that you did not get a good nights’ sleep?
Many people in today’s world are sleep deprived and may not understand why.
There are many factors that can affect why a person does not get a good, restful
sleep; obesity, stress, caffeine, diet and sleep positions, just to name a few.
We would like to discuss one of the easiest things that you can do to help you
get a better night sleep. Many people don’t realize
that the way you sleep can have a profound affect on the kind of sleep you are
getting. You are probably thinking: I sleep whichever way I want and any way I
fall asleep. However, there is a correct or better way to sleep that will give
you a better nights’ sleep and will be better for your body. Scott
D. Boden, M.D., director of the Emory Spine Center in Atlanta states: “Laying
flat on your back forces your spine into an unnatural position, which can strain
your muscles, joints, and nerves. Your spine isn't meant to be straight. It has
three natural curves: one in your lower back, one in the middle of your back,
and one near your neck." His advice:
-Lie on your side in the fetal position
with your knees bent and a pillow tucked between your legs. This will take the
most stress off your back.
-If you must sleep on your back, prop a big, fluffy
pillow under your knees to reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve in your lower
back.
-Use a small pillow or a rolled-up towel under your neck as long as
it doesn't push your chin too far forward.
-Don't sleep on your stomach.
Sleeping face down can exaggerate the arch at the base of your spine and cause
strain. Our advice? Sew or tape a tennis ball to the front of your nightgown or
nightshirt. We guarantee your stomach-sleeping days will be over.
Dr. Boden
describes the best sleeping positions for your body. We would like to point out
some of the reasons why your sleep positions may not be good for you. Lying
on your stomach is the worst position to sleep in. As Dr. Boden talked about the
curves in your body in a natural state, these are completely changed when you
sleep on your stomach. Also, sleeping on your stomach puts a great deal of unnecessary
stress on your neck. We have yet to see a person that sleeps on their stomach
with their face directly straight down into the pillow. In order to sleep on your
stomach, you must turn your head to one side or the other, and therein lies the
problem. Sleeping in this position cranks your head to one side, causing stress
on your neck bones and where the nerves exit. The stress in your neck can lead
to a variety of problems such as sore/stiff neck, carpal tunnel, and sleepy arms.
Stomach sleepers reading this can probably relate to waking up with arms asleep
and feeling like they have pins and needles in them. This sensation is not good
and it’s a warning to your body that you are cutting off blood supply to
these areas. You do not want this! The decreased blood supply can lead to further
problems which can cause permanent damage to your neck and arms. Here
are some helpful tips to avoid stomach sleeping. First, if you want to sleep on
your back, put a pillow under your knees and one on each side of your body to
prevent your self from turning over during the night. If you want to sleep on
your side, put a pillow between your legs and one behind your back to prevent
yourself from rolling onto your stomach. These tricks may not work for everybody,
but they worked for many people to help them sleep better We
know that changing your sleep position can be very hard and frustrating, but if
do, you will not believe how much better you will sleep and feel! All
this month we will have different tips and information on sleeping, so stay tuned.
If you have any more questions, feel free to call the office and we will be happy
to talk to you.
Back
to top
Doctors
of Chiropractic regularly treat sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by pain that
originates in the low back or buttock that travels into one or both legs. Sciatic
nerve pain varies in intensity and frequency; minimal, moderate, severe and occasional,
intermittent, frequent or constant. Pain is described
as dull, achy, sharp, toothache-like, pins and needles or similar to electric
shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and
tingling sensations. Sciatica is also called radiating or referred pain, neuropathy,
or neuralgia. A misconception is that sciatica is a disorder - however, sciatica
is really a symptom of a disorder. Caused by Nerve Compression
Sciatica is generally caused by sciatic nerve compression.
Disorders known to cause sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations
(misaligned vertebrae), herniated or bulging discs (slipped discs), pregnancy
and childbirth, tumors, and non-spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation,
or sitting on one's back pocket wallet. One common cause
of sciatica is Piriformis Syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis
muscle. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower part of the spine, connects
the sacrum to the thighbone, and assists in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs
beneath the piriformis muscle. This muscle is susceptible to injury from a slip
and fall, hip arthritis, sitting at a desk all day, or a difference in leg length.
Such situations can cause cramping and spasm to develop in the piriformis muscle,
thereby putting pressure on the sciatic nerve and causing inflammation and pain. Sciatic
nerve compression may result in sensory loss, paralysis of one of the legs or
group of muscles, and insomnia. Proper Diagnosis
Since
there are many disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor's first step is
to determine what is causing the patient's pain. Forming a diagnosis involves
a thoughtful review the patient's medical history, and a physical and neurological
examination. Diagnostic testing includes an x-ray, MRI, CT scan and/or electrodiagnostic
tests (nerve conduction velocity, electromyography). These examinations and tests
help to detect possible reasons to avoid spinal adjustments and other chiropractic
therapies. Treatment Approach The
purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body's potential to heal itself.
It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads
to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive
and drug-free. The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause
of the patient's sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different
treatments such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, TENS, and spinal adjustments.
- Ice/Cold therapy reduces inflammation and helps
to control sciatic pain.
d -
Ultrasound is gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrates deep into tissues.
Ultrasound increases circulation and helps to reduce muscle spasms, cramping,
swelling, stiffness, and pain.
d -
TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a small box-like, battery-powered,
portable muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electrical current
control acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Larger versions of the home-use TENS
units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists and other rehab professionals.
d - Adjustments At the
core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Manipulation frees restricted
movement of the spine and helps to restore misaligned vertebral bodies to their
proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment helps to reduce nerve
irritability responsible for causing inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other
symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal manipulation
is proven to be safe and effective.
In college and
during their training, students of chiropractic learn many different adjustment
techniques enabling them to treat several types of subluxations and disorders.
Techniques vary from a swift high velocity thrust to those that combine minimal
force and gentle pressure. Mastery of each technique is an art that requires great
skill and precision. Spinal manipulation is the treatment that differentiates
chiropractic care from other medical disciplines. Chiropractic's
Limitations Sciatica can be caused by other disorders
beyond the scope of chiropractic practice, such as tumors. If the Doctor of Chiropractic
determines the patient's disorder requires treatment by another type of doctor,
then the patient is referred to another specialty. In some cases, the referring
chiropractor may continue to treat the patient and co-manage the patient's care
with the specialist.
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Many people suffer from aches and pains in their
arms that can cause a feeling of tingling hands, the sensation of pins and needles,
or a feeling that their arms are “asleep”. What can cause this and why
does it hurt? This can be caused by a number of reasons. One of the most common
reasons is a person’s occupation. Jobs that require repetitive motion with
arms and hands can aggravate the nerves in their arms, which can lead to these
sensations. Another factor is the way people sleep. Many people sleep on their
stomach with their neck turned to one side or the other. In this position, it
can pull on and stress on the nerves in the neck. To make this worse, some people
put their arms above their head while sleeping, which can put an even greater
strain on the nerves in this area. These nerves run down into the arms and as
a result of poor sleeping patterns or repetitive motion from work, many people
wake up in the middle of the night with the feeling that their arms are “asleep”.
They are “asleep” because they have cut off or compromised the nerve
and blood flow to their arms. This is very similar to carpal tunnel, and many
of you know somebody who has been diagnosed with this. If you are one of the many
people that suffer from this, you know it can be very painful and very annoying.
It is good to know that there is help for this. Visit
your chiropractor and have your spine checked, so he or she can help steer you
in a healthy direction. They will thoroughly check the area to make sure nothing
more serious is wrong. Let a chiropractor help you get a good night’s sleep
again by making sure your spine is properly aligned, which will allow the nerves
and blood to flow correctly. This should help relieve the “sleeping”
sensation so you can get some rest. Your chiropractor will also send you home
with some simple but important exercises to help speed up recovery. If you have
any other questions feel free to call our office today. Take care and take control
of your health because if you don’t, who will? Back
to top It
seems as though more children are getting ear infections these days, and with
the rise of complications from antibiotic resistant bacteria due to the overuse
of antibiotics, many parents are searching for safer alternatives. Normal position
and function of the eustachian tube allows drainage of fluids produced by the
middle ear and equalizes pressure between the ear and outside environment. When
function is impaired, the ear canal does not drain properly, and children are
more susceptible to infection. Common symptoms are pulling at ears, redness, fever
and irritability. These symptoms are also common with allergies, colds, upper
respiratory infections and teething due to increased inflammation and mucus production.
Here are some things that you can do:
1. Natural
ear drops, containing garlic, mullein and olive oil.
2. Massage head and neck,
stroking from behind the ear to the collarbone.
3. Tea tree oil massaged into
the mastoid process (bump on head behind the ear)
4. A breastfeeding mother
can take a multivitamin, fish oil and other antioxidants to help support the baby’s
immune system
5. Nursing mothers should eliminate dairy, sugar, grains and
high fructose corn syrup, as these foods can lead to increased congestion and
inflammation in the baby
6. Breastfeeding is best, otherwise use a non-soy
formula with EPA/DHA
7. Chiropractic and cranial adjustments help restore proper
function of the ear canal and boost your child’s immune system.
For more
information on chiropractic and ear infections, please visit the International
Chiropractic Pediatric Association website at icpa4kids.org. Dr.
Brenda Trudell Back to top Young children are
suffering from back pain much sooner, and the use of heavy backpacks is a contributing
factor. Heavy packs can cause a child to overarch their back, or bend the neck
and trunk forward to compensate for the extra weight. These postures stress the
muscles in the neck and back, increasing the risk of injury. The natural curves
in the middle and lower back can become distorted, which can cause irritation
to the spine joints. Wearing a backpack on one shoulder
may cause a child to lean to one side in order to compensate for the extra weight.
This can lead to irritations in the shoulder, neck, upper back and ribcage.
To
prevent posture distortions, the backpack should be no more than 15% of the body
weight. It is important to start with a lightweight backpack that will not add
much weight to the load. The width should not be greater than the child's torso.
Two wide, padded shoulder straps allow the child to carry the pack without pain.
A waist strap can help distribute the weight of a heavy backpack. Encourage
your child to tell you about any pain caused by a heavy backpack. If your child
struggles to get his backpack on or off, has back pain, has to lean forward to
carry his bag, or has numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, it is important
to speak with your child's chiropractor as soon as possible. Back
to top Pretty much everyone has experienced
a headache at some point in his or her life. Whether it is a tension headache
across the forehead from stress at work, a pounding headache from celebrating
a little too much the night before, or a full blown migraine that keeps you in
bed for days, you can pretty much say you’ve been there. The important thing
to realize is that each type of headache pain and/or location describes a different
cause, and therefore a different solution. While reaching for the bottle of Tylenol
may temporarily fix some headaches, it really isn’t fixing the problem. In
some instances, it may be covering up serious warning signs which could make the
problem worse. When is the last time you heard someone say they had a headache
from a LACK of Tylenol?? Many headaches stem from problems
in the neck area, and are easily and successfully treated by a chiropractor. Some
headaches are caused by dehydration and a glass of water will do the trick. Others,
including some migraines, may be triggered by food allergies or other irritating
substances. And still others may be caused by sinus problems or seasonal changes.
The list goes on and on, but next time you get a headache, take note of the following: - Have
you ever experienced anything like this before?
- Can you
pinpoint a cause?
- Do you have any blurry vision, or changes
in vision?
- Note what the pain feels like: pounding, sharp,
dull, achy, radiating or shooting into another area.
- Has
it been getting better or worse since it began?
- Does
it make you feel dizzy or light-headed?
The answers
to these questions will help your chiropractor determine if it is problem that
they can help with, or if it is a more serious matter that needs urgent attention. Back
to top New
Beginnings Chiropractic
1861 Business Hwy 18/151 East
Mt Horeb, WI 53572
info@newbeginningschiropractic.net
Located in the North Cape Commons next to Subway and Strand's Salon
phone
437-9990 fax 437-9992 |
