Wow, are we excited about the recent changes in our wellness center!

1. We have finished our expansion and improved our chiropractic and massage services! Our office now extends all the way from the front of our building to the back.   We are very happy with the addition of two spacious, private, quiet, and newly decorated rooms. You are going to love receiving a relaxing therapeutic massage in either our “green room” or our “yellow room”.  We also converted the old massage room to another chiropractic treatment room.  These changes will allow us to provide better care for all of our patients!
2. We acquired an additional therapeutic exercise device that is just going to amaze you! The machine is called the PowerVibe by a company called Zen Pro.  It is a “whole body vibration” therapeutic exercise device.  You are going to be shocked at how fast (just 10 minutes) you can get the physiological effects of 45-60 minutes of exercise. The PowerVibe helps minimize pain, promote healing, improve balance, promotes weight loss, enhance muscle and bone growth, and prevent osteoporosis.   Also, it’s just plain fun to use!

1. We just launched our new web site – NaturalTherapyDr.com – and updated this blog! You may have noticed the new look already.  I welcome you to visit our new site.  Poke around.  It’s loaded with exercise videos, educational videos, and lots of great information about our practice.  Remember to share it as well!
2. Help me welcome Audrey Krieger! Audrey is a certified massage therapist, and the newest member of the Spectrum Wellness team.  She is highly skilled and puts her heart into every massage!

I’m excited about this new year!  Give me a call if you have any questions or concerns about these changes… I’d love to hear from you.  We’re looking forward to helping you meet your health goals in 2011!

Do you rely heavily on the SNOOZE button?  If so, you are probably not getting enough sleep.  Giving your body the proper amount of sleep is critical for healthy living.  Here are some of the reasons sleep matters:

• Your body repairs and heals while sleeping
• Sleep strengthens your immune system
• You will have an easier time losing weight and maintaining a normal body weight
• You will be able to think clearer during the day when you get the proper amount of sleep
• Sleep reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress-related chemicals in your body
• Sleep helps balance your mood
• Memory is improved by sleep

The average amount of sleep you need can be summed up as follows:

• Adults: 7-8 hours
• Teenagers 11-17 years old: 8-9 hours
• Children 5-10 years old: 10-11 hours
• Preschoolers 2-4 years old: 11-13 hours
• Babies and Toddlers: 12-18 hours

9 Tips for A Better Night’s Sleep

1. Go to bed close to the same time every day.
2. Avoid eating a great deal of food or liquids just before bedtime.
3. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the evening time
4. Exercise regularly
5. Create a comfortable, quiet, and dark bed room
6. Avoid naps after 3:00 PM, and do most of your sleeping in the PM
7. Choose a comfortable and supportive pillow and mattress
8. Start a relaxing bedtime routine
9. Only go to bed when you’re tired and turn out the lights

Enjoy a peaceful and  restful night’s sleep!

The Patient

• 63 year old male with a history of diabetes
• Otherwise unremarkable history

The Patient’s Complaints

• Severe left sided heel pain that began 3 months ago, and is made worse by walking and prolonged standing
• The patient to forced to limp when trying to walk
• Occasional left sided knee pain and lower back pain

Snapshot of My Examination Findings

• Patient demonstrates a loss of balance while walking
• Guarding (protective movement and positioning) of the left lower extremity
• Multiple areas of spinal subluxations (jammed spinal bones that irritate the nervous system)
• Painful range of motion of the left hip joint
• X-ray evaluation of the left foot and heel showed only mild degenerative changes (bony arthritis); no heel spur seen
• Extreme tenderness of the plantar aspect (bottom) of the left foot and heel when touched by hand
• Digital and visual evaluation of the arches of the foot revealed a severe arch drop of both his left and right arches

My Diagnosis

• Plantar Fasciitis and Excessive pronation (“fallen arch”) of the left foot
• Lumbosacral area joint dysfunction and pain
• Multiple spinal and left hip subluxations

My Recommendations

• A course of 12 visits of integrative care to include the following:
• Chirporactic adjustments of the spine, feet, left knee, and left hip
• Myofascial release to the feet, hips, and lower back area performed by massage therapist
• Wear custom spinal pelvic stabilizers (orthotic inserts) to support the arches
• Progressive therapeutic exercises targeting the feet and lower extremity, with a focus on restoring normal balance
• Ice the left arch at home as needed for 15 minutes per hour

The Prognosis

• Fair to Good

Discussion

Plantar fasciitis is a fairly common condition that we see in our practice.  It affects the section of soft tissue on the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot.  When the sheath (plantar fascia) of elastic (connective) tissue becomes over-stressed, it can become inflamed and very painful.  The most common problem occurs when the three arches of your foot drop too far or collapse (through time and stress), the plantar fascia becomes abnormally pulled and  stretched out.  This pulling can lead to inflammation and pain in your heel, your arch, and even in your forefoot.  In severe pain cases, a burning sensation can be felt going across the bottom of the foot, and walking would be very painful and difficult.

Upon following our advice and treatment schedule, this patient has had an approximate 75% improvement in 2 weeks of care.  He is virtually pain free and is now able to walk without limping.  The knee, hip, and lower back problems have also shown considerable improvements.

Our Approach To Plantar Fasciitis

If you were a new patient visiting our office, we always start with a thorough case history, consultation, and examination.  I may recommend diagnostic studies (x-ray or MRI) if I need more information. At this point, if I determine that care is appropriate and you decide to begin care, I will design a treatment plan for you.  If at any time I discover something beyond the scope of my practice, I won’t hesitate to contact your primary care provider to discuss a possible referral to another healthcare provider.

We follow a very effective  treatment strategy based on the letters ASR.  They stand for:

• A – Adjust (whole-body adjustment techniques)
• S – Support (spinal pelvic stabilizers and other joint supports)
• R – Rehabilitate (targeted exercise therapy/physical rehab)

My approach that works so well with the spine can be applied to other joints of the body. Virtually every articulation of your skeletal system is susceptible to fixations that can impair function and range of motion.  We have a variety of other treatment options to help you recover quickly and completely.  Some of our other treatment options could include:

• Massage therapy
• Laser therapy
• Electrostimulation treatment
• Home TENS unit
• Therapeutic taping
• Targeted rehabilitative exercises for the feet, lower extremity, and lower back
• Exercise modification
• Home exercise program
• Nutritional supplementation and dietary modification

We don’t want you to have to resort to dangerous medicines, injections, or surgery.  Our approach is to use chiropractic care and other natural therapies (such as massage or rehab exercises) to correct your plantar fasciitis problem quickly and  naturally.

Baked Cauliflower Casserole

• 1 large head cauliflower
• 3 medium potatoes
• 1 C baby carrots
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/4 C nutritional yeast flakes
• 2 Tbs olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• salt, to taste
• Italian seasonings, to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Clean and prepare the cauliflower and potatoes.  Chop the cauliflower, potatoes, and carrots into bite-sized pieces and steam them until tender.   Mix them and place into a baking dish.

Add other ingredients to a bowl and mix well.  Coat the cauliflower, potatoes, and carrots with the “cheesy” breadcrumb  mixture and place in oven.

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.  Delicious and nutritious!  Enjoy.

Because we don’t want to disrupt any of our patient’s care schedule, we are going to keep our wellness center open this holiday season.  We are going to have massage therapists available and a very qualified doctor of chiropractic will be covering for Dr. Ken Goldman.

Our holiday hours between December 27th and New Year’s Eve are as follows:

• Monday December 27th: 3:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
• Tuesday December 28th: 9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
• Wednesday December 29th: closed
• Thursday December 30th: 3:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
• Friday December 31st: closed

Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season!  As always, it’s been a privilege and an honor being a part of your wellness care. Looking forward to seeing you in the new year!

I’m not a big fan of Bill Maher, but I think he was right on target in this video.

In general, most people want to try to reduce the stress in their lives.  But if you’re not like most people, you may want to shake things up a bit with a large dose of stress.  Trying do increase external stress factors may not be easy, because it can be difficult to control them.  You’ll most likely waste a lot of time and energy with no real net increase in stress. But on the other hand, if you purposely follow my 8-step Stress Enhancement Program, you’ll be on the fast track to a stress-packed life…

8-Step Stress Enhancement Program

1. Avoid Exercise - simply avoid burning extra calories at the gym, walking the dog, playing with the kids, or whatever.  Encourage your body to juice up with cortisol (a stress hormone) and hinder your body’s production of endorphins (pleasure hormones).  Even if you have a short time to exercise, avoid the temptation.  Stay focused on your stress.  Even a short amount of exercise can clear your mind, reduce your stress, and sabotage your goals.
2. Keep the Stress Bottled Up – as much as you’d love to vent and tell others about the stress in our life, simply don’t do it.  Keep your stress deep inside.  By doing this, you will avoid hearing other people’s perspectives which could sabotage your stress improvement goals.  Keep your mind on continual, negative, stressful thoughts.
3. Stay Immersed in Your Stressful Situation – avoid anything that may take you away from your stress.  Avoid visiting friends, trips to the park, walks on the beach, vacations, etc.  If you want to launch your stress to new heights, shun anything that could remove you from your stressful environment,
4. Eat Unhealthy Foods – avoid so-called healthy foods choices. Indulge in junk foods, fast foods, processed foods,  caffeine and sweets.  Nothing thwarts relaxation more that a quick burst of “artificial” energy.  Avoid foods that provide “healthy” energy, such as whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.  Filling your body with unhealthy foods is one of the keys to achieving a stress-filled life.
5. Stay in Work Mode as Long As Possible – stay in “work mode” right up to the last waking minute of each day.  Keep your mind intently focused on work as much as possible. Even if your body has left work, your mind doesn’t have to!  Ignore any temptations to refresh yourself and “enjoy life”.
6. Avoid a Good Night’s Sleep – get yourself “fired-up” at bed time.  Build off of your frustrations, anxieties, and worries.  Avoid any activities that may act to calm yourself, such as reading, prayer, deep breathing exercises, or any other relaxation techniques.  Eat just before lying down to sleep. Don’t give your body a chance to digest your food.  That bloated feeling will contribute to a terrible night’s sleep.
7. Don’t Forgive Others – hold in all your anger, resentment, and bitterness.
8. Ignore Your Pain – relish your pain, stiffness, and stress.  Avoid any temptation to call your chiropractor or massage therapist.  Chiropractic care and massage can relieve pain and relax your body and many patients report that they have less stress while under care.  No matter how tempted you are to call your chiropractor, just don’t do it!

On the other hand, if you are like most people, and you want to reduce your stress… give us a call any time.  Remember, we’re here to help!

All of us would like to wish you and yours a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

We would like to remind you that our office will be closed on November 25th and 26th.  We will reopen on Monday, November 29th.

I did a bit of research on Thanksgiving and learned that it was President Abraham Lincoln who proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.  The following inspiring quote is from President Lincoln:

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

If you tend to get sick more than you would like, consider adding zinc to supplement your diet.  Zinc is an essential mineral that helps support healthy immune system functions and is an important component of bodily antioxidant systems.  Zinc also plays an important role in your enzyme activity, cellular metabolism, and nerve function.  Zinc is found primarily in the kidney, liver, pancreas, and brain.

Your zinc levels may be low due to:

• Soil depletion
• Eating processed foods
• Stress factors
• Aging

I recommend Zinc, 50 mg. either taken alone or as part of a good bioavailable multivitamin, such as ADAM or EVE by Now Foods.

The Patient’s Complaints

• Right sided shoulder pain and weakness with mild neck pain of unknown cause that began 3 weeks ago and has gradually worsened
• Limited movement and increased pain with reaching overhead and behind back to fasten her bra

Snapshot of My Examination Findings

• Restricted ranges of motion of the right shoulder as compared to the left, especially bad on lifting the arm up, to the side, and reaching behind her back
• Tight and painful muscles surrounding the shoulder joint, especially the supraspinatus and teres minor muscles (both are muscles of the rotator cuff)
• Weakness of the shoulder muscles (especially the supraspinatus)
• Multiple areas of spinal subluxations (jammed spinal bones that irritate the nervous system)
• X-ray evaluation of the right shoulder and cervical spine (neck) showed no problems with the bones

My Diagnosis

• Rotator Cuff Sprain/Strain – moderate
• Spinal subluxations

My Recommendations

• A course of 12 visits of integrative care to include the following:
• Chirporactic adjustments of the spine and extremities
• Myofascial release performed by massage therapist
• Progressive therapeutic exercises targeting the rotator cuff and surrounding musculature
• Ice at home as needed for 15 minutes per hour.

The Prognosis

• Fair

Discussion

Shoulder pain is a common complaint that is often associated with neck pain and upper back pain.  The only complaint we see more frequently in our office is low back pain.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 13.7 million people in the United States sought medical care in 2003 for shoulder problems.

When you think of shoulder injuries, you probably think of sports-related injuries seen in baseball or tennis.  However, shoulder injuries can be easily caused by many normal everyday activities (even those of a 67-year old). The shoulder is so  susceptible to injury because it has the greatest range of motion of all the joints of the body.

The shoulder consists of three major bones and over twenty different muscles.  Two major tendons of the shoulder are the biceps tendon, which attaches the biceps muscle to the shoulder and helps stabilize the joint, and the supraspinatus tendon, which helps form the rotator cuff.  Four short muscles originate on the scapula and pass around the shoulder where their tendons fuse together to form the rotator cuff.

Rotator cuff strain/sprain is an injury to the muscle and tendon that covers, rotates, and raises the shoulder.  Symptoms usually include shoulder pain and difficulty raising the shoulder.

Our Approach To Shoulder Problems

If you were a new patient visiting our office, we always start with a thorough case history, consultation, and examination.  I may recommend diagnostic studies (x-ray or MRI) if I need more information. At this point, if I determine that care is appropriate and you decide to begin care, I will design a treatment plan for you.  If at any time I discover something beyond the scope of my practice, I won’t hesitate to contact your primary care provider to discuss a possible referral to another healthcare provider.

We follow a very effective  treatment strategy based on the letters ASR.  They stand for:

• A – Adjust (whole-body adjustment techniques)
• S – Support (spinal pelvic stabilizers and other joint supports)
• R – Rehabilitate (targeted exercise therapy/physical rehab)

My approach that works so well with the spine can be applied to other joints of the body. Virtually every articulation of your skeletal system is susceptible to fixations that can impair function and range of motion.  We have a variety of other treatment options to help you recover quickly and completely.  Some of our other treatment options could include:

• Massage therapy
• Laser therapy
• Electrostimulation treatment
• Home TENS unit
• Therapeutic taping
• Targeted rehabilitative exercises for the shoulder
• Exercise modification
• Home exercise program
• Nutritional supplementation and dietary modification

We don’t want you to have to resort to dangerous medicines, injections, or surgery.  Our approach is to use chiropractic care and other natural therapies (such as massage or rehab exercises) to correct your shoulder problem quickly and  naturally.

We now carry a variety of natural supplements from NOW Foods.  Some of the products we currently have in-office:

• ADAM – men’s multiple vitamin
• EVE – women’s multiple vitamin
• Vitamin A
• Co-Enzyme B-Complex
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Zinc
• Selenium
• Probiotic Defense
• CoQ10
• Omega 3-6-9

To learn more give us a call or go to www.nowfoods.com.

CareCredit is a special healthcare credit card that can be used only for health and beauty needs.   It is accepted by over 100,000 healthcare providers and is the nation’s leading patient financing program.  It  gives you a revolving line of credit that can be used for multiple charges up to your established credit limit.  The CareCredit card gives you the opportunity to take advantage of various promotional financing plans offered by our office and other healthcare practitioners.

You can drop by our office to apply or apply online at CareCredit.com and get instant approval.  Once approved, you can begin using your CareCredit card immediately.

Unlike other credit cards, CareCredit offers special financing every time you use it.  No teaser rates. No introductory rates. No application fees. No pre-payment penalties. Just Special Financing every time. Need more time or want a lower monthly payment? We offer Extended Payment Plans with low fixed monthly payments.

Use your cash and major credit cards for other expenses and finance your care plans with CareCredit, the credit card just for healthcare.

Use credit wisely.  CareCredit is a credit card and as with most credit cards, if you do not make your monthly payment on time or miss a payment, you will incur a much higher interest rate and fees. If you have not yet applied for CareCredit, you will see this high interest rate within the application.

In order to make CareCredit successful for you and to avoid these high interest rates, it is essential you make your minimum monthly payment and pay off your balance by the agreed upon due date.

To learn more, go to CareCredit.com.

Our wellness team specializes in balancing the spine and body.  That’s our job.  That’s what we love to do.  Drop by our office… you relax, and we’ll do the work.

But what about your life?  Is it balanced?  Are you putting forth the effort to have a balanced life?  What are you doing to help establish or maintain a healthy and balanced life?

A healthy life involves a balance of many different areas in life:

• Physical health (are you giving your body what it needs to be vibrant?)
• Mental health (what is the quality of the things you focus your mind on?)
• Spiritual health (Are you connected with God?  Do you have inner peace?)
• Social health (How are your relationships?  Your friendships?  Your family?)
• Career health (Is your career meaningful?  Are you productive?)
• Financial health (Are you living within your means?  Are you content?)

It’s a good exercise to go through these areas and rank yourself on a scale of 1 to 10.  If you realize that you are out of balance in any of these areas, you may need to make some changes.  You may need to set new goals.

You may need to sacrifice some TV time to spend more time nourishing a relationship with a family member or friend.  You may need to cut back on late night activities so you can give your body some extra rejuvenating sleep.  You may need to prioritize your spending, and channel more of your resources into health-related activities.

Evaluate your own life and see if your activities are congruent with your life goals.  Remember your primary goal to have a healthy and balanced life.

The bottom line is that your health affects everything you do and everyone you know.  Achieving a more balanced life will not only benefit you, but also your family, friends and even co-workers.

I received this email from the ACA (American Chiropractic Association) this week.  Please invest 5 minutes and let your voice be heard in regard to this important healthcare issue.

Dear Chiropractic Supporter:

The new health care reform law enacted by Congress (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) requires health insurance plans to adhere to a broad new set of consumer protections.  However, some health insurance plans will be allowed to “escape” having to provide these new consumer-friendly protections because they will be granted what is called “grandfathered” status under recently released regulations.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) supports the adoption of regulations that would restrict the use of this “loophole” and extend the important consumer protections to as many patients as possible.

As a citizen you are allowed to submit formal comments to the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on this important issue — AND WE URGE YOU TO DO SO IMMEDIATELY…

DOING SO IS SIMPLE AND EASY.  HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO…

1. ACA has prepared a template for your own comments.   Click here to use this template.  Read ACA’s comments here.
2. Save your document in either a Word of pdf format.
3. We urge you to submit comments to HHS electronically using the “Attach a file” option under the box in Step 2 of the HHS comments website.  You may also mail your comments to the address on the template.  All comments mailed and sent electronically must be received by HHS by Monday, August 16th.  Therefore, if your comments are mailed, please make sure they are sent no later than Wednesday, August 11th.

By speaking up now, you will be helping to counter the efforts of those powerful and well –financed insurance plans that wish to avoid adopting the full range of consumer protections included as part of the new law.

You can copy and paste the following section into the comment box (Section 2) and simply add the date and your name at the end:

[INSERT DATE]

Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight

Department of Health and Human Services

Attention: OCIIO–9991–IFC

P.O. Box 8016

Baltimore, MD 21244–1850

Re:  Interim Final Rule for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Coverage Relating to Status as a Grandfathered Health Plan Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

As a consumer and chiropractic patient I wish to take this opportunity to formally comment on the interim final rule regarding health plans and “grandfather” status (Document ID IRS-2010-0010-0001).

I believe the consumer protections included as part of the new health care law are vitally important and should be extended to as many people as possible.  Accordingly, every effort should be made to increase the number of individuals covered by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) via the above regulations.  The triggers or conditions that would extend these protections to consumers under currently existing “grandfathered” plans should not be weakened or reduced in any way.  I specifically support the position and detailed comments offered by the American Chiropractic Association with respect to the implementation of these regulations.

[INSERT NAME]

Thanks so much for your support!

The Spectrum Wellness healthcare team needs to recharge our “batteries”!  So… our office will be closed for vacation from Saturday, August 14th through Sunday August 22nd.  We will resume normal office hours at 9:00 am on Monday, August 23rd.  Please plan your care schedule accordingly.

We are looking forward to a relaxing and fun-filled vacation… but are also looking forward to returning with more energy and mental clarity to serve you better.

I recently attended a continuing education seminar, where I learned some very important information on the toxic effect of mercury on the human body.  Mercury toxicity is more common than you may think.  You may be surprised to find that mercury is used in:

• Thimerosal – a preservative used in the flu vaccine (and possibly other vaccines)
• CFLs – compact fluorescent light bulbs (mercury is released if broken)
• HFCS – high fructose corn syrup (mercury is used in the manufacturing process of HFCS)

Check out the following links and come to your own conclusions…

Mercury’s Effect on the Nervous System

Here is a link to an incredible video from the University of Calgary showing how a very small amount of mercury causes neurologic damage.  NOTE: the amount of mercury shown in this study to cause nerve damage was diluted to:

• 10 -7 moles of mercury = .0000001 mole of mercury
• The amount of mercury allowed in flu vaccines = .1246 moles (25 mcg) of mercury.  Thimerosal is a preservative used in the flu vaccine which is around 50% mercury by weight.

http://commons.ucalgary.ca/mercury/

Thimerosal

http://www.fda.gov/biologicsbloodvaccines/safetyavailability/…

http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/components-Allergens.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/index.html

CFLs

http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_mercury

HFCS

http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/1/2

http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=105026

What you can do:

• Avoid using the flu vaccine and other vaccines using mercury as a preservative.  The potential benefits don’t outweigh the proven risks.  Consider that drug companies can state that their vaccines contain no mercury if the mercury content is below an “acceptable” level.  Do your research before blindly using their vaccine!
• Avoid eating foods containing HFCS (high fructose corn syrup).  Mercury toxicity is only one  of the health damaging effects of HFCS.  It has also been linked with diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular problems.
• Use CFLs with caution.  These energy saving light bulbs can be a real headache if they break in an inconvenient place.  Print up (and learn) the clean-up procedure from the EPA and be ready for an emergency cleanup if an accidental bulb break occurs.
• Consider natural detoxification.  We recommend specific nutritional products, ionizing foot baths, body massage, and fasting.  Contact our office for more details.

On July 17th and 18th I had the privilege of attending an amazing seminar in Philadelphia, PA.  It was called “The Y-Files”… because the instructor wanted us to be able to ask “Why?” and then figure out the answers to many common ailments that plague humanity.  The course was led by Dr. John Donofrio, a chiropractor with extensive study in neurology.  The seminar was more of a workshop that allowed a good amount of interaction with the instructor.

Some of the topics we covered were:

• Brain Hemisphericity
• Vitamins/Supplementation/Natural Remedies
• The Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome and Antibiotics
• Risk Factors For Disease
• The Cardiovascular System, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure
• Children’s Health, ADHD, Autism
• Vaccines
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer’s
• Pharmaceutical Deception
• Nanotechnology Chemicals
• Parkinson’s
• Infections
• Diet and Exercise
• Laser Techniques

The information covered by Dr. Donofrio really stretched me as a chiropractor.  He explained the “big picture” concept of the subluxation – expanding the concept to include imbalances in the brain.  I was able to learn quite a bit and continue to study more on the topics he covered.

Don’t be surprised if when I see you on your next visit, I may perform a new 1-minute test to check for brain imbalance, which will help me focus my care and help with your improvement.  I may also recommend a new nutritional protocol to support the care we are providing.  If you are interested in more, feel free to ask the next time you’re in for a visit!

Mid back pain is a fairly common complaint.  Causes of mid back pain can range from joint fixations to fractures or even from indigestion to internal organ disease.  However, the most common cause of mid back pain involves an alteration of the normal biomechanics of the spine and surrounding joints.  Sources of biomechanical problems include:

• Vertebral subluxation
• Rib subluxation
• Disc bulge or herniation
• Myofascial pain and trigger points
• Postural distortions
• Abnormal muscular tension

The spinal area of the mid back is called the thoracic spine.  It comprises 24 interlocked and movable bones called vertebrae.  The attachment of the 12 ribs is a unique feature of the thoracic spine.

In my experience, rib pain is frequently caused by a subluxation(s) of the costovertebral joint (the place at your back where the rib connects to the vertebrae).  To get an accurate diagnosis, I would first take a detailed history of your condition.  Sometimes patients with rib subluxations complain of painful breathing.  Others only have pain when they move their torso or neck to extremes.  Some have an obvious physical cause,while others have a mysterious onset.

Then I would need to fully evaluate your mid back and rib areas by performing various tests including but not limited to:

• Examining your posture.
• Checking your range of motion.
• Using my hands to feel for asymmetries in position, movement, and muscle tone (this is called Palpation).
• Orthopedic and neurologic testing.

Rib subluxations are easily treated by using a special adjusting technique.  All rib adjustments just take a few seconds to complete, and are generally painless.  In many cases, patient describe the adjustment as a “relief”, like when a large stone is moved off of your foot.

Muscle work typically ranges from around 10-60 minute sessions.  In many cases, our patients experience an  immediate reduction of pain and symptoms after their treatment.

If you are suffering from mid back pain and you’re looking for a natural way of treating the problem, give us a call.  We would be happy to provide you a thorough examination to allow for a clear diagnosis as to the cause of your pain.

This past weekend, I completed a thought-provoking 12-hour continuing education seminar.  The seminar was on Modern Diagnosis, Treatment & Documentation.  The course was taught by KSJ Murkowski, a prominent chiropractic doctor who is known for his expertise in his field.

Dr. Murkowski instructed our small class on the latest technology and protocols to be used during patient evaluation.  He also covered different modern documentation procedures.  I have already been able to apply several new chiropractic techniques and procedures that I gained from the seminar.

The seminar featured a lecture and hands-on demonstration of functional protocols, documentation information, and new research.  The practical nature of the seminar enabled me to immediately apply these new protocols to our wellness center.

We just returned from a 4-day vacation in upstate Pennsylvania.  Our family has made it a tradition to head out to a beautiful state park called Rickett’s Glen, which is about 3 1/2 hours from the Philadelphia area.  This year we met three other families there, and everyone had a great time.

The camp is located in an area called the Endless Mountain Region and is set on the top of Red Rock Mountain.  We keep coming back because Rickett’s Glen has so much to offer.  There are very nice and affordable modern cabins for rent.  For those who want to “rough it”, you can set up a tent in a traditional camp site along the mountain top lake.  Lake Jean is surrounded by tall trees and offers swimming, fishing, and boating.

The “Fall’s Trail” is the most popular trail and most difficult hike at the park.  This is what makes Rickett’s Glen so special.  It takes you through the Glen natural area and incorporates 22 different waterfalls.  It’s just beautiful!   The old forest, the clean air, the moss-covered boulders, the sounds of nature… it’s hard to take it all in.   The largest waterfall is called Ganoga (pictured above).  It’s 94 feet high and is absolutely breathtaking.

I hiked the Falls Trail with another family who had a couple young children.  We took a leisurely pace and completed the hike in three and one half hours.  I was very impressed that both of the little ones finished on their own.  When I finished, I was somewhat tired but felt mentally recharged.

It may not be the most relaxing way to spend your vacation, but is is very enriching and refreshing.  Not to mention that hiking is great exercise and burns somewhere between 300 to 500 calories per hour.

After a long hike, there’s nothing better than enjoying a good meal, relaxing around a campfire, toasting a few marshmallows, sharing stories with good friends, and waiting for the stars to come out.

If you’re looking for a great weekend trip, check out this hidden treasure in the heart of Pennsylvania.

For more information about Rickett’s Glen State Park click here.

The next time you’re visiting, please welcome the newest member of our team, Brittany Borie, a certified massage therapist.  Brittany will help manage the front desk and reception area, as well as provide relaxing massage sessions and trigger point therapy.  She says that she enjoys performing a deeper tissue massage as she feels she attains better results.

Brittany is a positive and energetic individual, and we are really excited about her joining our team.  She will be working on Monday mornings and afternoons, Tuesday afternoons, and Thursday afternoons.

Also providing top notch massage and trigger point therapy are Christine, Misha, and Ariel.  If you would like to get know our therapists better, please click here.

We have come across a new line of superfood supplements that are very exciting.  They are manufactured by a company called Life Force.  The product that caught my attention is called Body Balance.  This product was highlighted at a chiropractic seminar I attended last Autumn in Orlando, FL.

A couple of top doctors said that if they had one product to start every patient on, it would be Body Balance by Life Force.  The combination of pure organic Aloe Vera and nine sea vegetables makes for a powerful superfood.  Reducing body inflammation, regulating the thyroid gland, balancing the metabolism, and promoting healing is what makes Body Balance so special.

We are also very excited about two other Life Force products that work in harmony with each other.  OsteoProCare and FlexeoPlus.  Together they make up what is called the “Bone & Joint Pack”.  These supplements contain a holistic blend of Calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM.  They provide superior bone and joint care from the inside out.

So far the Life Force products that we will be carrying in the office are:

• Body Balance
• OsteoProCare
• FlexeoPlus

Please call if you have any questions or would like more information.  You can read more details about Body Balance, OsteoProCare, and FlexeoPlus on our Superfood page.  You can also learn all about the complete line of Life Force products at their web site: www.lifeforce.net.

I want to thank our staff and patients for helping come up with this list of fun Spring activities.  I hope it helps encourage you to stay active and enjoy this beautiful world.

1. Walk dog at the park.
2. Getting a massage at Spectrum Wellness.
3. Having a picnic at Kelly Drive park.
4. Playing hopscotch with the kids.
5. Playground!
6. Riding bikes.
7. Play my acoustic guitar.
8. Riding a Ripstik.
9. Play capture the flag in the woods.
10. Playing with the grandkids.
11. Plant a garden.
12. Driving with the windows down.
13. Ride a Harley!
14. Gardening.
15. In the morning, running in the cool grass.
16. Walking on the beach.
17. Biking to Spectrum Wellness.
18. Sitting on the porch drinking a banana, pineapple smoothie.
19. Cutting the grass in the sun.
20. Go to the park with friends.