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Dog Attacks by Breed 2024 – Dog Bite Statistics & State Fatality Data

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 13:13:36 GMT

Originally posted on January 30,2023, this article has been updated on August 24, 2024 to reflect the latest research and statistics. Our editorial team has ensured you’re viewing the most current data on this topic. Need help or have a question? Email us.

There’s no point in sugar-coating the topic; dog bites are a serious problem. It’s irresponsible to lay blame without having the facts. It’s just as foolish to ignore the problem and pretend that the poor dog had terrible owners. Sometimes, the beloved family pet inflicts bite injuries.

Certain breeds have risen consistently to the top for causing severe dog bite injury that seek medical attention. Breed-specific legislation has been proven that it doesn’t provide the right solution and might even create a false sense of security.

Key Stats at a Glance

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Photo Courtesy of WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The third deadliest creature on Earth is a dog. Part of that is the sheer number of dogs in the world . Statistics show that there are between 700 million to 1 billion dogs (pet and unowned). In underdeveloped nations, 30,000 people die yearly, and at least 59,000 people die from rabies, which is mostly transmitted by dogs.
Dog attack stats by the American Veterinary Medical Association in the US reveal that dogs bite more than 4.5 million people annually. The vast majority of bites are underreported, but over 800,000 people bitten by dogs require medical attention. According to 2019 population figures, 1 out of 73 are victims of dog bites.
Among 4.5 million bite victims, a large percentage of them are children. Hospital Emergency Departments treat 885,000 patients who seek medical care from bites; 370,000 of those need emergency attention, and 16 deaths occur. Children are more vulnerable and receive 70% of all bite-related deaths.
In 2023, there were 58 recorded fatalities resulting from dog bites. Of these recorded dog bite deaths, 64% had a photo that helped identify the dog’s breed. But in 7 cases (12%), there was no information about the breed.
According to Colorado Injury Law, between 2010 and October 2023, there were 478 deadly dog bites. Of these, 196 were from pit bulls , and another 49 involved pit bull mixes .
According to CDC Wonder UCD data from 2005 – 2021, canines caused 662 deaths .
In 2021, there were 81 deadly dog attacks, the highest number ever reported by CDC data. This represents a 69% rise from 2019 and a 131% increase from 2018.
From 2005-2019, dogs killed 521 Americans , and in 2019, there were 48 dog bite-related fatality incidents.
In 2023, dogs attacked nearly 5,800 Postal employees. Letter carriers receive training to prevent dog bite attacks but still become bite victims that require emergency care treatment. In 2020, nearly 6,000 postal worker and mail carriers were victimized compared to 5803 in 2019.
Police dogs were responsible for 243 bites in Indianapolis from 2017-2019. The IndyStar investigated IMPD dog bites and found that many of the bite recipients were unarmed or not in breach of any high crime activity. Out of 243 victims, more than half were black, and 28% of the population.

Dog Bite Statistics By Breed

Pitbulls are responsible for 66.9% (380) of these deaths. Breed specific legislation is a turbulent topic. Each side of the debate brings valuable content to try and help resolve the ongoing issue. What remains a fact is that the Pitty keeps making the list of dogs responsible for fatal dog bite incidents.
Pit bulls (346) and rottweilers (51) were involved in 76% (397) of total fatal dog bites. The other fatal dog attacks involved 35 different dog breeds. German shepherds (with 238 PSI bite force) were responsible for 4.2% (24) of the attacks.
As per Colorado Injury Law, although Pitbulls and Rottweilers make up only 6% of dogs in the US, they’re responsible for 77% of all dog bites. Pitbulls and Rottweilers may seem to be on trial, but the figures don’t lie.
77% of fatal bites come from Pittys and Rotties
Pittys will bite 2.5 times more likely in multiple anatomical locations (hands and feet)
Pitbull attacks on strangers are 31% more likely
Pittys can attack 48% more likely without cause
Pitty victims are more likely to die and have increased serious injuries and hospital costs than other breeds.
Further, dog bites are preventable, according to many sources like the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
Among 81 dog bite-related fatalities in 2021, 20 were caused by Pit Bulls, according to Dogbite. Many Pitty rescue missions believe in saving pittys. However, Pittys are perceived as one of the aggressive dog breeds and are on the list for being responsible for the most fatal dog attacks. Pit bulls only represent 7% of the dog population. Pit bull defenders blame the dog owners and argue that dog bite statistics only tell half the story.
Chained dogs bite 2.8 times more than unchained dogs. Since 2003, chained dogs have accounted for the killing of more than 450 Americans. Children are especially vulnerable to dog attacks. PETA outlines the events for many recorded chained dog attacks

Dog Bite Force Chart

PitBull Attack Statistics

Photo Courtesy of KUTV

Colorado Injury Law states that among the fatal human attacks and bites that happened in the time period 2010 – 2023, pit bulls are responsible for 196, and another 49 were pit bull mixes, which account for 60%.
The tendency of Pitbulls to attack a stranger is 31% higher than any other dog breed. Studies on cases of aggression prove again that bull terriers consistently act aggressively toward strangers and have a recurrence of 31%. However, pitty advocates want to prove the general public wrong and produce heartwarming versions of how lovable these dogs can be.
Pit bull attacks show higher morbidity, hospital charges, and mortality risk than others. Maiming and human death from dog bites are rare but preventable tragedies.
In 2018, Pit Bulls were responsible for 26 deaths . Americans need to decide how to handle the pit bull problem. Anyone with compassion for animals might easily fly to the defense of these dogs (the writer), but when pit bulls account for major dog bite victims, that number speaks loudly. Victims deserve a voice in this debate too.

Dog Attack Fatalities Statistics

These are the top five US States for fatal dog bite statistics.

California = 63
Texas 54
Florida = 47
Georgia = 30
North Carolina = 25

Animal bites constitute 1% of U.S. emergency department visits, varying in severity. Even small bites can get infected. Dog and cat bites are the most common, making up more than 95% of bite injuries treated in emergency room visits.
In 2023, 19,201 people underwent reconstructive surgery after serious dog bite injuries.
The most common areas affected by bites are the cheek, lips, ear, and nose. Other common injuries also include punctures and arm and hand injuries.
Dog bites make up 40% of all injuries in kids and 3% to 4% of visits to the children’s emergency department. Out of all dog bite cases in kids and adults, 81% don’t need medical care. Still, this means about 855,000 cases each year do need treatment.
99% of Rabies cases occur due to dogs. Rabies is a preventable but incurable disease that affects every continent except Antarctica. The rabies vaccine invented by Louis Pasteur has saved millions of lives. However, according to the CDC, rabies is still a problem in Asia and Africa, where 95% of rabies deaths occur. Most dog bite fatality victims are children. The post-bite vaccine prevents millions of deaths.
In the US, 1-3 cases of human Rabies are reported annually. Due to strict regulations and preventive measures, “the U.S. has been free of dog rabies since 2007.” It’s definitely a little sigh of relief after learning all the shocking details of dog bites.
In the US, stray dogs cause 15.55% of reported dog bites. Just 0.97% of stray dog bites lead to severe injury, while 1.91% of bites from non-stray dogs cause serious injury.
60-80% of US dog bites happen from unneutered (male) dogs. Unneutered dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite people and other dogs. That means 70% to 76% of biting dogs are male.
Approximately 78% of breed-specific dogs are kept for safety, status, brawling, and breeding. Breed-specific bans exist in America. Many states are working to remove these unfair restrictions on responsible dog owner and don’t protect the public from irresponsible owners with large dogs. As many as 78% of people with regulated dogs don’t bring them into the family. Instead, these dogs are mistreated as chattel, neglected, abused, and involved in fatal dog attacks. For many of these owners, it’s about supporting the outlaw image. They also have no qualms about chaining these dogs to develop aggression. Statistics from NCRC suggest that 70.4% of dog bite deaths were not family dogs .
The likelihood of succumbing to a dog bite is one in 43,882 .

Dog Bite Fatalities By Gender and Age

Photo Courtesy of GoodFon.com

Year 2021

Of the 81 human fatalities due to dog bites that happened in 2021, 24 were between the ages of 1-24.
Sixteen victims of dog bites were between the ages of 25-44 years.
Between the ages of 45-64 years, there were 17 people.
The demographic group aged 65 and above accounted for 24 fatalities.
From 2018 to 2021, deaths more than doubled for both males (from 15 to 37) and females (from 20 to 44).
Of 581 fatalities between 2005 – 2020, 148% (186) were of age 0 – 24 years.

Dog Bite Claims Statistics

Photo Courtesy of WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

In 2022, the number of dog bite claims across the country went down to 17,597 from 17,989 in 2021, showing a decrease of 2.2 percent. Insurance companies play an integral role when a dog bite occurs. The number of dog bite claims in the U.S. increased to 19,062 in 2023.
In 2022, the number of dog attack claims in the US decreased slightly, but the total cost of these claims increased significantly by 28%, reaching $1.13 billion. The average cost per claim also rose by 32% to $64,555. The total cost of dog attack claims in the U.S. decreased to $1.12 billion in 2023.
According to data by Triple-I, in 2022, home-owner insurance companies paid $1,136 million in dog-related injury claims, including severe dog bites. The average cost per dog bite claim in the U.S. in 2023 was $58,545.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2022, there were 1,954 claims in California alone. In 2023, California had 2,104 dog bite claims. California maintains its lead in dog bite claims across the US, recording 1,954 claims in 2022 (down from 2,026 in 2021), followed by Florida with 1,331 claims. Notably, California also tops the list for the highest average dog bite claim cost at $78,818, followed closely by Florida at $78,203. In 2023, Florida had 1,532 dog bite claims.The state of California also had the highest fatality rate in 2019, with 9 deaths.

Global Dog Bite Statistics

Photo Courtesy of Needpix.com

Globally, tens of millions of dog bites occur annually. Universal numbers to calculate global dog bite numbers are challenging to obtain. In impoverished countries, such injuries don’t receive any dog bite liability claims. Most don’t receive medical treatment. Dog bites are a socio-economic problem and account for 76-94% of animal bites.
There are approximately 1-2 deaths in Canada due to fatal attacks by dogs yearly. Data published by the Canadian Veterinary Journal, following dog bite stats from 1990 to 2007, revealed 28 deaths from dog bite injuries. The report didn’t list any particular breed responsible. A set of 2010 numbers concluded a decline of 28.2% over 2005, and the number of pit bulls fell by 92% since 2002 ( Toronto banned them in 2005).
South Australia reported 500 dog bite-related hospitalization admissions in 2021-22. Children under 10 years old have the highest hospital admission rate due to dog bites—4.3 admissions per 1,000 children. This rate is significantly higher compared to other age groups, showing that children are more at risk of serious dog-related injuries.
According to Australian dog stats, almost 13,000 people need medical care after dog bites annually. Stats found children under five have a high risk and suffer from injuries to their faces and necks. The NSW government banned these fighting breeds:
American Pit Bull Terrier
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
Japanese Tosa
In 2020, canine bite statistics suggested that 75% of attacks come from other breeds.
Australia records 100,000 annual dog bites, leading to 2061 hospitalizations for treatment each year on average.
The NHS reported 9,277 hospital admissions for dog bites in 2022-23 in the UK, a 47% increase from 2012-13’s 6,317. In 2022-2023, people between the ages of 0-4 years became the most common victims of dog bites in England.

FAQs

What Percent of Dog Attacks Are Pit Bulls?

Pit bull-type dogs are responsible for 67% of deaths, and their overall population is only 6.5%. Pit Bull is perceived to be the most dangerous dog breed when it comes to fatal dog attack statistics by breed. However, dog bite prevention comes down to responsible dog breed ownership.

How Many People Are Killed by Dogs Each Year?

In the US, 83 to 88 million dogs are owned as pets. In the United States, dog attacks lead to the deaths of about 30 to 50 people each year, and the number of fatalities from these attacks seems to be on the rise.

What Dog Breed Bites the Most?

Pit bulls cause more dog bite injuries and hurt more people than any other dog, with labrador retrievers coming in second place. Many other dogs are considered dangerous breed dogs, like Doberman pinscher dogs or rottweilers, which have an extremely brutal bite force at about 328 PSI, and boxers, which have 230 PSI. But the last death involving a boxer dog happened in 2013.

How To Handle an Aggressive Dog?

Aggressive behavior in dogs sometimes needs professional intervention and behavior modification. Working with any dog takes time and energy.

Final Thought

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Not all dog bites are predictable, though; with proper training and education, most fatal dog attacks are preventable. Dog bite injuries and dog bite victims are serious.

Owning any kind of pet takes a considerable commitment. Dogs are not disposable. They rely on us to teach them acceptable dog behavior. If you don’t have the time, try fostering or volunteering.

Ozempic not only affects muscle mass but also bone density

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 17:41:13 GMT

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( NewsNation ) — Losing muscle mass isn’t the only potential side effect of taking weight loss medications such as Ozempic : Brittle bones are another.

According to a study published in the journal JAMA Network , bones can become less dense with rapid weight loss, especially in people older than 65 and predisposed to osteoporosis .

The study followed 195 adults with obesity for one year after an initial eight-week low-calorie diet.

FAQ: How do Ozempic, weight-loss drugs work?

New ParagraphaOrthopedic surgeon Rick Lehman at the US Center for Sports Medicine told NewsNation local affiliate KTVI that while these medications are popular for weight loss, they often reduce muscle mass rather than just fat, potentially increasing the percentage of body fat despite a lower overall weight.

This could lead to a paradox where individuals are thinner but have a higher body fat percentage.

Bone loss is a common concern during weight loss, potentially increasing the risk of fractures. The study measured bone mineral density at the hip, spine and forearm — key areas for assessing fracture risk.

What do doctors recommend to combat muscle and bone loss?

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that participants who combined exercise with the drug liraglutide lost the most weight and maintained their bone density.

Exercise alone led to weight loss similar to the use of liraglutide alone but with increased lean mass and preserved bone density.

Can you overdose on Ozempic, other weight loss drugs?

People on these drugs should do resistance training and maintain physical activity, especially as they age, and intake more protein.

Apart from muscle and bone concerns, Lehman said other side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation and the necessity of diet management.

He stresses the importance of eating lean proteins, high-fiber foods and avoiding simple carbohydrates to prevent adverse effects on blood sugar levels.

NewsNation affiliate KTVI contributed to this report.

Dietary Cholesterol and the Lack of Evidence in Cardiovascular Disease

Fri, 24 May 2024 04:05:26 GMT

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. For years, dietary cholesterol was implicated in increasing blood cholesterol levels leading to the elevated risk of CVD. To date, extensive research did not show evidence to support a role of dietary cholesterol in the development of CVD. As a result, the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans removed the recommendations of restricting dietary cholesterol to 300 mg/day. This review summarizes the current literature regarding dietary cholesterol intake and CVD. It is worth noting that most foods that are rich in cholesterol are also high in saturated fatty acids and thus may increase the risk of CVD due to the saturated fatty acid content. The exceptions are eggs and shrimp. Considering that eggs are affordable and nutrient-dense food items, containing high-quality protein with minimal saturated fatty acids (1.56 gm/egg) and are rich in several micronutrients including vitamins and minerals, it would be worthwhile to include eggs in moderation as a part of a healthy eating pattern. This recommendation is particularly relevant when individual’s intakes of nutrients are suboptimal, or with limited income and food access, and to help ensure dietary intake of sufficient nutrients in growing children and older adults.

Continued .. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6024687/ .

A Carb That is Worse Than Sugar- The Metabolism Death Food

Thu, 23 May 2024 14:14:36 GMT

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ATTENTION DOCTORS AND ALL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS

Tell your friends and colleagues about Clinical Rounds . This is a great introduction to the field of functional medicine.

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Improve Your Home’s Air Quality With These 9 Indoor Plants

Thu, 23 May 2024 14:11:32 GMT

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ATTENTION DOCTORS AND ALL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS

Tell your friends and colleagues about Clinical Rounds . This is a great introduction to the field of functional medicine.

Here is the webpage to subscribe: http://www.clinicalrounds.com

Take care,

R on

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The Connection Between Elevated Insulin and Cancer and How to Effectively Lower It

Thu, 23 May 2024 14:07:34 GMT

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have it linked back to www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com

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=====================

View Rick Bramos Fitness YouTube Channel

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Here is Rick's New Video of the Week:

https://youtu.be/Pk9FeTKlufU

Rick is now offering phone consultations for those wanting to lose weight or simply

to improve their fitness. Rick can be reached at 2days2fitness@gmail.com for more

details.

=====================

ATTENTION DOCTORS AND ALL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS

Tell your friends and colleagues about Clinical

Rounds. This is a great introduction to

the field of functional medicine.

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http://www.clinicalrounds.com

Take care,

Ron

P.S. Please visit our facebook page and "Like It"

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Flaxseed Benefits and High Blood Pressure

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=====================

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Here is Rick's New Video of the Week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W__EwtXJkyY

Rick is now offering phone consultations for those wanting to lose weight or simply

to improve their fitness. Rick can be reached at 2days2fitness@gmail.com for more details.

=====================

ATTENTION DOCTORS AND ALL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS

Tell your friends and colleagues about Clinical Rounds. This is a great introduction to the field of functional medicine.

Here is the webpage to subscribe: http://www.clinicalrounds.com

Take care,

Ron

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The One Food You Should Never, Ever Eat if You Have Chronic Inflammation

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:58:05 GMT

At the very least, you'll want to keep this to a minimum.

Inflammation is often visible—think red skin or a swollen knee. However, inflammation can also occur on the inside, and it's not always so easy to detect.

"Inflammation is a physiological process involved in the defense of our body and the repair of tissues," says Jenna Stangland, RD , a Momentous advisor.

Stangland explains that inflammation can be triggered by infections, trauma, toxins or allergic reactions. Sometimes, it becomes chronic in the muscles and tissues. Unfortunately, Stangland says chronic inflammation carries risks.

"Chronic inflammation can end up stimulating the development of cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disease, neurological disease or cancer," Stangland says. "This type of inflammation can last several months as a result of inability to combat and reduce it."

Diet isn't a cure-all for chronic inflammation or the diseases it can trigger. However, it's an important tool.

"Diet plays a significant role in inflammation, as certain foods can either promote or reduce inflammation in the body," says Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN , a preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished.com .

One food in particular is worth avoiding. RDs shared the food to limit if you have chronic inflammation.

A Common Invisible Condition Found to Be Associated with Eight Diseases

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:52:47 GMT

What does the medical peer reviewed literature say may be at the root of the following diseases:

Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance/Diabetes
Cardiovascular Disease
Cancer
Obesity
Depression
Autoimmune Disease
Neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease)
Osteoporosis
Immunosenescence (the progressive decline in immune function with increasing age)

The Answer is:

INFLAMMATION

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 67 percent of the world's population—that's three out of every five people—will DIE from a disease related to chronic inflammation.

Most doctors don't test for it. That is sad considering inflammation is commonly the driving force behind almost EVERY chronic condition you can think of… including multiple sclerosis (MS), heart disease, and cancer.

I want everyone to know that a few simple tests can tell you a whole lot about your level of inflammation and your overall health.

Chronic inflammation is the “silent” condition associated with almost every serious medical condition on the planet.

Chronic Systemic Inflammation is not like the typical acute inflammation that one can easily identify with pain and sometimes swelling.

Chronic Inflammation is commonly a silent disease that slowly destroys your health

Again considering most doctors do not test for chronic inflammation, you may not even realize you suffer from it.

Some signs of inflammation can turn up in the blood years—or even DECADES—before suffering one of the above diseases

On the flip side, we know that reducing inflammation can in fact improve the clinical outcomes of the above diseases.

The dangers of inflammation are vast. And reining it in are of utmost importance for overall health.

So, let's look at how we can measure it (and keep track of it)—along with how we can fix it.

How to Test for Inflammation

There are three blood tests I recommend to gauge your overall inflammation levels.

The first is for C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory protein produced by your liver. Levels tend to rise in response to inflammation.

In general, CRP scores are categorized accordingly:

Less than 1.0 = Low risk
1.0-2.9 = Intermediate risk
Greater than 3.0 = High risk

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). This test measures how quickly red blood cells settle into the bottom of a test tube. I like to see the ESR below 15.

The third test you should ask for is a fibrinogen blood test.

Fibrinogen is a sticky protein that promotes blood clots and affects blood viscosity (or “thickness”). And it's an acute phase reactant that will elevate with inflammation. I like to see a number below 300 —anything higher points to inflammation.

The following are additional labs I commonly order to identify the inflammation load of a patient.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO)
Interleukin 6 (IL-6)
Tumor Necrosis Factor
Red Blood Cell Distribution width (RDW)- (optimal is 11.5- 14.4)
Uric Acid- (optimal is <5.5)

Potential Causes of Inflammation

Chronic Infections
Physical Inactivity
Obesity
Gut Dysbiosis
Low Nutrient Dense Diet
Chronic Stress
Disturbed Sleep
Environmental Toxins (Chemicals, Heavy Metals and Mycotoxins)

Dr. Grisanti's Comments:

The one question likely on everybody's mind is how do you reduce the onslaught of systemic inflammation destroying the body leading to the above diseases?

The answer unfortunately is not as easy as take this or that.

The answer lies in carefully assessing the possible root causes and treating them appropriately . There lies the solution to reversing and in many cases halting the disease process of most of the listing diseases above.

I personally have seen outstanding results when the underlining cause(s) have been identified and developing a treatment protocol to turn the tide of XYZ disease.

Terribly Out Of Shape / Try these 3 Exercises

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:45:12 GMT

18 or 80 most anyone can do these.

Remember create a habit first.

Perform these exercises just twice a week.

New Alzheimer's Blood Test Now Available

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:44:19 GMT

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. Its symptoms vary but may start with mild memory loss or difficulty remembering words or names. As it progresses, Alzheimer's causes worsening confusion and memory loss, changes in personality, the inability to perform everyday tasks and more.

Alzheimer's is caused by a slow build-up of protein plaques and tangles in the brain that eventually cause brain cells to stop working properly.

This build-up usually starts years before a person experiences symptoms. Alzheimer's-related memory loss is caused by brain cells working improperly and dying-a process known as neurodegeneration.

Alzheimer's is estimated to account for about 60% of dementia cases.

Diagnosing Alzheimer's

Until recently, it has been difficult to identify the biological changes that indicate Alzheimer's. The typical evaluation, which includes physical exam, blood and urine tests and cognitive testing may provide ambiguous or conflicting answers, which can result in delayed referrals until symptoms become clearer. That has changed with new technology and testing.

Labcorp has developed a new test called the Amyloid-Tau-Neurodegeneration (ATN) Profile (ATN Profile) to help doctors detect evidence of biological changes consistent with Alzheimer's.

These tests are the first objective tools that doctors have to help evaluate Alzheimer's, meaning that with a simple blood test , doctors and other health professionals allowed to order labs can get a clearer answers on Alzheimer's and its progression and get patients on a care plan earlier.

This will in fact give physicians a simple, objective test for Alzheimer's disease pathology that can help shorten the time to diagnosis.

Labcorp is the first company to make a fully blood-based ATN Profile commercially available.

What is ATN?

The ATN framework establishes a means for classifying biomarkers based on the biological evidence of Alzheimer's disease that each marker provides These markers are divided into three categories to reflect the three primary biological changes associated with Alzheimer's:

A for amyloid plaques: Accumulations of beta-amyloid 42 proteins begin to form plaques in the brain years before initial symptom onset

T for tau tangles: The beta-amyloid 42 accumulation causes misfolding of tau proteins, which tangle into knots and disrupt normal brain cell function

N for neurodegeneratio : Brain cell functional impairment causes the cells to die, which exacerbates the characteristic cognitive impairment symptoms observed in Alzheimer's patients

Compliments from Labcorp

Does the ATN Profile diagnose Alzheimer's disease?

Biological confirmation of disease is necessary for diagnosis. This test provides evidence of the biological changes that are consistent with Alzheimer's disease . However, Alzheimer's still requires a clinical diagnosis based on clinical observation and cognitive testing.

How accurate is the test?

The ATN Profile was clinically validated using 200 samples from a well-studied cohort in which all samples were characterized with patient age, sex, amyloid PET status, and clinical diagnosis. The beta-amyloid 42/40 ratio assay showed a ROC analysis area under the curve (AUC) of 0.944, with a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 86.7%.

Click Here is read White Paper on the ATN test

Labcorp Code: 484400

The current price for the test is $626.00 however, Labcorp is talking with health insurers, including the U.S. government's Medicare plan for people age 65 and over, about reimbursement terms for the test.

As a functional practitioner I highly recommend becoming familiar with Dr. Dale Bredesen's program called ReCode: https://www.apollohealthco.com/

It is the first proven program to Optimize Cognition and Reverse Dementia.

Click Here for more details on Dr. Bredesen ReCode progra

Comments from Dr. Grisanti

Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is feared by our aging population however don't accept this dreaded diagnosis as an end all be all.

Most neurologists are simply not aware of the outstanding work of Dr. Dale Bredesen.

Here is the educational background behind the man who is changing the lives in a positive way for those suffering with Alzheimer's disease.

Dale Bredesen, M.D. is an expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

He received his undergraduate degree from Caltech and his medical degree from Duke University. He served as resident and chief resident in neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and as postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Professor Stanley Prusiner.

I will simply say that--- There is Hope..

** Always consult with a physician or healthcare practitioner with significant integrative or functional medicine training.

You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com

The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Visit www.FunctionalMedicineUniversity.com for more information on our training in functional medicine. Look for practitioners who have successfully completed the Functional Medicine University's Certification Program (CFMP) www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com . This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Grisanti is required

Vertigo and This Common Vitamin Deficiency

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:31:33 GMT

A study in the journal Neurology explained that many who suffer with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may discover that a vitamin D deficiency may be at the root of the illness.

BPPV develops when crystals in your inner ear that make you sensitive to gravity become dislodged causing that so common dizziness and nausea.

Symptoms are usually triggered by changes in your head's position when you lie down or sit up. Around 1.6% of Americans experience BPPV annually.

The most common treatments are Epley and Semont maneuvers which provide an 80% cure rate . They work by moving the troubling crystal into a more stable location.

Although the above common treatments have a high success rate, the BPPV often recurs causing disability and much frustration.

Thanks to researchers at Seoul National University College of Medicine , it has been found that taking 500 IU of vitamin D and 500 mg of calcium twice daily can reduce annual recurrence by 45% if a patient has a vitamin D blood level below 10 nanograms per milliliter, and by 14% if his or her D level is 10-20 ng/mL.

The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 41.6%, with the highest rate seen in blacks (82.1%), followed by Hispanics (69.2%).

We think the sedentary, indoor lifestyle of most Americans makes it more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency.

I personally like to see Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy levels between 60 ng/ml to 80 ng/ml.

from Second Opinion Physician

If you experience ongoing or intermittent dizziness, ask your doctor about the Epley and Semont maneuvers. Then get a vitamin D blood test and start taking supplements if your level is low.

I also recommend taking vitamin D with K2.

Also do not overlook the benefits of short periods of sunlight on the skin and eye (retina) . I recommend at least 15 minutes a day.

** Always consult with a physician or healthcare practitioner with significant training in nutritional, integrative and/or functional medicine before taking a new supplement.

You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4913711/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-96445-x

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35878631/

https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/3811

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.915239/full

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2772275

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21310306/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613455/ ;

Bacteria Linked to Atherosclerosis In The Least Expected Place

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:25:12 GMT

New Paragraph

An Early Sign in Those With Alzheimer's

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:19:59 GMT

The medical journal Neurology has reported that people who carry a gene that's associated with Alzheimer's disease may lose their sense of smell long before memory and thinking problems occur.

The specific gene reported in this paper is called APOE e4.

You can order APOE Alzheimer's Risk from Labcorp . The code is: 504040

Testing a person's ability to detect odors may be a useful way to predict future problems with cognition.

The study from the Neurology journal surveyed more than 865 people about their ability to detect an odor and identify what they were smelling. Tests were given over five years. Those with memory or thinking problems were tested twice, five years apart. The investigators also took DNA samples.

People who carried the gene variant ( APOE e4 ) for Alzheimer's were 37% less likely to have good odor detection than people without the gene, the researchers found.

Those with the gene ( APOE e4 ) experienced reduced smell detection from age 65 to 69.

People with the gene variant ( APOE e4 ) did not show a difference in the ability to identify what they were smelling until ages 75 to 79. Once the ability to identify odors declined, it declined faster than in those who did not carry the gene.

At the start of the study, thinking and memory skills were similar among the two groups.

Unfortunately, the researchers concluded that thinking skills declined more rapidly among those carrying the gene variant than among those without the gene.

You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com

References :

https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/loss-smell-linked-alzheimers-cognitive-impairment-and-biomarkers

https://practicalneurology.com/news/loss-of-smell-may-predict-alzheimer-disease-and-dementia

https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/70/6/739

https://news.uchicago.edu/story/rapid-loss-smell-predicts-dementia-and-smaller-brain-areas-linked-alzheimers

The Overlooked Artery Adversary-- Knowing Your Levels Could Save Your Life

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:13:01 GMT

Most traditional physicians almost always order a standard lipid panel which includes total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

Unfortunately this standard lipid test will put most people at risk causing plaque to silently build up in there arterial walls if this one test is not ordered.

Most people I bet have not even heard of this life-saving test and even worse most people would believe if their total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol are within the optimal range they are free from a serious cardiac event.

WRONG!

The lab test I am referring to is called oxycholesterol, or oxidized LDL cholesterol (OxLDL).

Its role in cardiovascular disease has been well documented. (See references below)

The optimal value for OxLDL is less than 60 U/L.

Learning how to lower OxLDL levels (if elevated) is critical to preventing or reducing the plaque buildup in your arteries known as atherosclerosis.

When OxLDL increases in your bloodstream they cause massive inflammation and significantly decreases the elasticity of your arteries.

Even worse this ominous lipid (OxLDL) also increases blood clot formation in your arteries leading to atherosclerosis and sending your stroke risk skyrocketing.

Again mainstream medicine has unfortunately overlooked this test.

I see time and time again patients having a false sense of confidence taking statins to lower their total and LDL cholesterol only to see significantly elevated OxLDL.

This is a recipe for disaster.

This article is not to deter anyone from addressing elevated LDL cholesterol with statins but to be certain that they are not going down the road toward a cardiac event with high levels of OxLDL.

Unfortunately statins will not lower OxLDL.:(

Fortunately, the technology to measure OxLDL levels is available.

Simply ask your doctor to order OxLDL from Labcorp or Quest. The code from Labcorp is: 123023 . The code from Quest is: 92769

In the next 3-5 years, this type of testing will likely become much more mainstream. But why wait? Knowing your OxLDL levels and working on lowering them, and keeping them low, can mean the difference between no plaque buildup and severe plaque buildup in your arteries!.

The peer reviewed medical papers listed below clearly shows us that OxLDL levels are linked to heart disease.

In just one study published in Circulation the plasma OxLDL level in patients who had had heart attacks skyrocketed about 3.5-fold over control subjects.

Knowing if the amount of oxidative damage to your LDL cholesterol is elevated or not is critically important. That's why testing is essential.

But equally as important is to know why the oxidative damage is occurring in the first place so you can do something about it.

What do we know about the possible causes of elevated OxLDL?

While the experts aren't positive yet what triggers the oxidation of LDL molecules, it's likely that much of it is related to diet, stress, infections, thyroid issues and environmental toxin exposure.

What Steps Can One Take to Lower Elevated OxLDL?

1: Mediterranean-style diet, high in monounsaturated fats, reduces LDL oxidation. One study of 372 adults at high risk for heart disease found that diets rich in olive oil or nuts decreased OxLDL levels.

2: Eating a diet high in polyunsaturated fats—like the ones you'll find in fast foods, junk food, and baked goods increases OxLDL. In fact, corn oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil and soy oil all seem to raise OxLDL levels.

3: Besides the Mediterranean diet there are a couple more dieting “secrets” that can drive down LDL oxidation. To no ones surprise gluten-free diets have been shown to reduce levels of OxLDL.

4: Pomegranate juice have been shown to ward off LDL oxidation.

5: Green tea also fights LDL oxidation as well.

6: Vitamin E is a powerful nutrient that prevents oxidation damage in the body. (Make sure you are taking all eight of the vitamin E family)-Naturally occurring vitamin E exists in eight chemical forms (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol

7: A heart supplement superstar Coenzyme Q10 because it targets and reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol molecules. I recommend 200 mg daily as a supplement.

8 : Other natural solutions for fighting oxidation include garlic, resveratrol, and grape seed extract.

Other Factors to Consider in Lowering OxLDL Include the following

1: Research has shown that either a low functioning or an over-functioning thyroid gland can drive up your OxLDL levels.

2: Chronic infections can increase levels of OxLDL. Studies show that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) commonly associated with increased intestinal permeability aka: Leaky Gut will negatively impact LDL particles leading to elevated OxLDL. (Good reason to go gluten-free). Covid has been found to associated with elevated OxLDL. In addition the following infections have also been associated with elevated OxLDL and should be ruled out and addressed: Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and cytomegalovirus

3: Rule out environmental toxins

Be sure to get your OxLDL level tested and work with a functional practitioner to treat the root reasons if your level is elevated.

You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com

Reference

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5627698/

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.atv.21.5.844

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2631666/

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.613780/full

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.104.529297

//www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/OxLDL.pdf

https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/article/68/3/353/309912

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622147838?via%3Dihub

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28371298/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16115546/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955286305000586

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18689551/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26773777/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23456579/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21812107/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0098299797000319

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3063630/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622071711

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2012.2408

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17616006/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10845869/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7214326/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109706008515

https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/83/5/1752/2865698

Compliments from Functional Medicine University

The Dangers of Blue Light Exposure and How to Turn Your iPhone Screen Red

Thu, 23 May 2024 12:58:06 GMT

According to the Vision Council, 80% of American adults use digital devices more than two hours per day. Nearly 67% use two or more devices at the same time. Fifty-nine percent have symptoms of digital eye strain.

Since our eyes are not good at blocking blue light, nearly all visible blue light passes through the front of the eye (cornea and lens) and reaches the retina, the cells that convert light for the brain to process into images.

There is some "preliminary" growing research that constant exposure to blue light over time could damage retinal cells and cause vision problems such as age-related macular degeneration.

WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT, AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Blue light is exactly what it sounds like — light that falls in the blue range of visible spectrum (the light that we can see). It has higher energy levels than most other visible light, similar to non-visible ultraviolet (UV) rays.

SOME OF THE CONCERNS OF BLUE LIGHT EXPOSURE

SLEEP INTERFERENCE

Research has shown that blue light suppresses the production of melatonin (a hormone which regulates sleep) and messes with your circadian rhythm (your natural sleep cycle).

DIGITAL EYE STRAIN

Digital eye strain is pain and fatigue caused by trying to focus on screens too much.

LONG-TERM DAMAGE

Our eyes are actually fairly good at blocking high-energy UV light from penetrating too deeply into the eye. However, because our eyes try to perceive blue light, that blue light gets further into the eye. This has the potential to damage our eyes' inner structures over time, particularly the sensitive retina.

EYE DISEASE

Due to blue light reaching sensitive parts of the eye, there is concern that blue light can accumulate enough damage over time to cause retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Although the research appears to be somewhat inconclusive on the overall impact of blue light on eye health, I still suggest that one minimize their exposure to blue light and not wait for science to catch up with this pending issue

SOME IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN REDUCING BLUE LIGHT EXPOSURE

How To Make iPhone Screen Red

Follow these steps to know how to change color on your iPhone.

For iPhone 8 and Older

Step 1: Find the "Color Filters" section by going to Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations.

Step 2: Select "enable color filters" and then choose the filter "color tint" as your default setting. Scroll down and locate the sliders for intensity and hue. To get the most benefits out of a red phone screen, both should be set to the maximum setting.

Step 3: You may often need to toggle between your red filter and your normal screen. For instance, you could suddenly have to turn on your screen recorder for work. Save yourself the hassle of having to adjust your screen settings each time by creating a shortcut to your red iPhone setting.

Select Settings > General > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut > Colour Filters. Once you're done, all you need to do is press the home button three times to switch between your default settings and your custom red screen.

For iPhone X and Newer

The accessibility features for newer iPhones (such as the iPhone 11 and 13) are further enhanced, making it easier for you to adjust the tint on your screen.

Step 1: Select Settings > Accessibility > Display and Text Size > Color Filters.

Step 2: Like with older iPhone models, you need to enable "Color Filters" and choose "Color Tint" for your screen. Next, scroll down and adjust the Intensity and Hue to bring out more of the red shades on your phone. Set both fields to the maximum capacity for a more pronounced redness.

Step 3: Create a shortcut by going to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut > Color Filters. This allows you to switch between your regular daytime screen and your custom red tint by just pressing the right side button three times.

After applying these changes, you may want to do a hard reset in order to restart iPhone. Even though your phone may be working properly, restarting it will give it time to refresh itself and avoid any slow responses.

Conclusion

There you have it - a simple solution to a bothersome health hazard. We cannot completely avoid the harmful effects of blue light, especially in our modern society. But, hopefully through further research and innovations, we can offset any damage caused by older technology.

I highly recommend installing Iris ( https://iristech.co/ ) on your desktop to block blue light. I purchased the lifetime version.

You can find a qualified and certified functional medicine practitioner by going to: www.FunctionalMedicineDoctors.com

Reference

https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/dangers-blue-light

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6288536/

https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/blue-light-there-risk-harm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8227611/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side

Ozzy Osbourne: Diabolical Agony After Botched Neck Surgery

Thu, 23 May 2024 12:53:50 GMT

What to Eat to Reduce Inflammation and Lower Heart Disease and Stroke Risk

Thu, 23 May 2024 12:52:26 GMT

Chronic inflammation has been shown to play an important role in the development of heart disease and stroke.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology diets high in red and processed meat, refined grains and sugary beverages have been associated with increased inflammation subsequently increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The study consisted of 210,000 participants and started from 1986 and included up to 32 years of follow up.

The participants consuming proinflammatory diets had a 46% higher risk of heart disease and 28% higher risk of stroke, compared to those consuming anti-inflammatory diets.

Jun Li, MD, PhD, lead author of the study and research scientist in the department of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health stated that this study is among the first to link a food-based dietary inflammatory index with long-term risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Previous studies have found that diet can influence inflammation levels such as the Mediterranean diet (rich in olive oil, nuts, whole grain, fruits and vegetables, and seafood consumption, and light on dairy and red/processed meat), have shown lower concentrations of some inflammatory biomarkers and lower heart disease risk.

The researchers suggested consuming foods with higher levels of antioxidants and fiber to help combat inflammation: Green leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, cabbage, arugula), yellow vegetables (pumpkin, yellow peppers, beans, carrots), whole grains, coffee, tea and wine. The researchers also suggested limiting intake of refined sugars and grains, fried foods, sodas, and restricting processed, red and organ meat. These foods are among the major contributors to the proinflammatory dietary index.

The Inclusion of Walnuts into Diet Decreases Inflammation

Montserrant Cofán, PhD and a researcher at the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain conducted a study and showed that long-term consumption of walnuts demonstrated a lower heart disease risk and lower overall cholesterol.

The study consisted of 634 participants who were assigned either a diet without walnuts or a diet with regularly incorporated walnuts (about 30-60 grams per day). After a follow up period of two years, those who ate a diet with walnuts showed significantly reduced levels of inflammation in the body in 6 out of 10 of the inflammatory biomarkers tested.

Reference

https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.07.071

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** Read my past articles:

http://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/department88.cfm

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https://www.2daystofitness.com/public/Dont-Focus-On-Weight-Loss.cfm

Rick is now offering phone consults to those wanting to lose weight or simply get

fit. If interested in his help please contact him at 3cycletraining@gmail.com

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Tell your friends and colleagues about Clinical

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the field of functional medicine.

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Probiotics — even inactive ones — may relieve IBS symptoms

Thu, 23 May 2024 12:47:10 GMT

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gut-brain disorder that can cause a variety of uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain and diarrhea, constipation, or a mix of the two. IBS can reduce quality of life, often results in missed school or work, and can have a substantial economic impact.

Physicians diagnose IBS by identifying symptoms laid out in the Rome Criteria, a set of diagnostic measures developed by a group of more than 100 international experts. Limited diagnostic testing is also done, to help exclude other conditions that could present with similar symptoms.

Although the precise cause of IBS remains unknown, recent research suggests that an imbalance in intestinal microbiota (the microorganisms living in your digestive tract) and a dysfunctional intestinal barrier (which, when working properly, helps keep potentially harmful contents in the intestine while allowing nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream) may be involved in the development of IBS in some people. Because of this, methods to restore the microbiota have been explored as treatment for this condition.

Balance of bacteria is important for gut health

Many digestive processes rely on a balance of various bacteria, which are found naturally in the gastrointestinal tract. If these bacteria fall out of balance, gastrointestinal disorders may occur, possibly including IBS.

Probiotics, which are bacteria or yeast that are associated with health benefits, may help restore this balance. Most probiotics used in IBS treatment fall under two main groups: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These probiotics are thought to assist the digestive system. Among other functions, they may strengthen the intestinal barrier, assist the immune system in removing harmful bacteria, and break down nutrients.

New Title

The American College of Gastroenterology conducted a meta-analysis of more than 30 studies, which found that probiotics may improve overall symptoms, as well as bloating and flatulence, in people with IBS. However, the overall quality of evidence of studies included in the meta-analysis was low, and specific recommendations regarding use of probiotics for IBS remained unclear.

The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 has been reported to adhere particularly well to intestinal cells, and therefore may have an advantage in altering the intestinal microbiota and increasing the intestinal barrier.

In a clinical trial published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, once-daily Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 significantly improved overall IBS symptoms, as well as individual IBS symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, and fecal urgency.

Recent study finds inactive probiotics relieve IBS symptoms

More recently, Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 has been shown to improve symptoms of IBS, even in its inactivated form. For the eight-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in Lancet Gastroenterology, researchers studied whether the heat-inactivated form of Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 could alleviate IBS symptoms. (The heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium bifidum bacteria were nonviable, but retained their shape as well as their ability to adhere to intestinal cells.)

Overall, 443 patients (average age 41, 70% women) were randomized to receive heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 or placebo once daily. A total of 377 patients (190 probiotic and 187 placebo) completed the trial. The primary endpoint was defined as a 30% or greater improvement of abdominal pain and at least “somewhat relieved” overall IBS symptoms for four or more weeks of the eight-week study duration. Significantly more patients receiving the Bifidobacterium probiotic met the primary endpoint compared to patients receiving placebo (34% versus 19%). In addition, a significantly greater percentage of patients receiving the probiotic also reported adequate relief of symptoms compared to placebo. Finally, individual symptoms including bloating, bowel movement satisfaction, and quality of life were also significantly improved with Bifidobacterium bifidum MIMBb75 compared to placebo.

Advantages of inactive probiotics

Previously, general consensus held that only active, living bacteria may have beneficial effects. But these results suggest that heat-inactivated Bifidobacterium can play a significant role in relieving symptoms of IBS, a syndrome with typically limited options for relief.

This is important because inactive probiotics have several potential advantages over active probiotics. For example, they are more likely to be stable, particularly if exposed to excessive heat. Inactive probiotics are also easier to standardize than active probiotics. Active probiotics also raise concerns for patients who may be susceptible to infection; inactive probiotics should relieve these concerns. Whether other strains of heat-inactivated probiotics will also improve IBS symptoms remains unknown.

Anthony Lembo, MD, is Director of the GI Motility and Functional Bowel Disorders Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA.

This article is republished from Harvard Health Publishing under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Experts Explain Why We Need to Stop Treating Back Pain With Opioids

Thu, 23 May 2024 12:29:15 GMT

Opioids are the one of the most prescribed pain-relief for people with low back and neck pain. In Australia, around 40 percent of people with low back and neck pain who present to their GP and 70 percent of people with low back pain who visit a hospital emergency department are prescribed opioids such as oxycodone.

But our new study, published today in the Lancet medical journal, found opioids do not relieve "acute" low back or neck pain (lasting up to 12 weeks) and can result in worse pain.

Prescribing opioids for low back and neck pain can also cause harms ranging from common side effects – such as nausea, constipation and dizziness – to misuse, dependency, poisoning, and death.

Our findings show opioids should not be recommended for acute low back pain or neck pain. A change in prescribing for low back pain and neck pain is urgently needed in Australia and globally to reduce opioid-related harms.

Comparing opioids to a placebo

In our trial, we randomly allocated 347 people with acute low back pain and neck pain to take either an opioid (oxycodone plus naloxone) or placebo (a tablet that looked the same but had no active ingredients).

Oxycodone is an opioid pain medicine which can be given orally. Naloxone, an opioid-reversal drug, reduces the severity of constipation while not disrupting the pain relieving effects of oxycodone.

Participants took the opioid or placebo for a maximum of six weeks.

People in the both groups also received education and advice from their treating doctor. This could be, for example, advice on returning to their normal activities and avoiding bed rest.

We assessed their outcomes over a one-year period.

What did we find?

After six weeks of treatment, taking opioids did not result in better pain relief compared to the placebo.

Nor were there benefits to other outcomes such as physical function, quality of life, recovery time, or work absenteeism.

More people in the group treated with opioids experienced nausea, constipation, and dizziness than in the placebo group.

Results at one year highlight the potential long-term harm of opioids even with short-term use. Compared to the placebo group, people in the opioid group experienced slightly worse pain, and reported a higher risk of opioid misuse (problems with their thinking, mood or behavior, or using opioids differently from how the medicines were prescribed).

More people in the opioid group reported pain at one year: 66 people compared to 50 in the placebo group.

What will this mean for opioid prescribing?

In recent years, international low back pain guidelines have shifted the focus of treatment from drug to non-drug treatment due to evidence of limited treatment benefits and concern of medication-related harm.

For acute low back pain, guidelines recommend patient education and advice, and if required, anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as ibuprofen. Opioids are recommended only when other treatments haven't worked or aren't appropriate.

Guidelines for neck pain similarly discourage the use of opioids.

Our latest research clearly demonstrates the benefits of opioids do not outweigh possible harms in people with acute low back pain and neck pain.

Instead of advising opioid use for these conditions in selected circumstances, opioids should be discouraged without qualification.

Change is possible

Complex problems such as opioid use need smart solutions, and another study we recently conducted provides convincing data opioid prescribing can be successfully reduced.

The study involved four hospital emergency departments, 269 clinicians and 4,625 patients with low back pain. The intervention comprised of:

clinician education about evidence-based management of low back pain
patient education using posters and handouts to highlight the benefits and harms of opioids
providing heat packs and anti-inflammatory pain medicines as alternative pain-management treatments
fast-tracking referrals to outpatient clinics to avoid long waiting lists
audits and feedback to clinicians on information about opioid prescribing rates.

This intervention reduced opioid prescribing from 63 percent to 51 percent of low back pain presentations. The reduction was sustained for 30 months.

Key to this successful approach is that we worked with clinicians to develop suitable pain-management treatments without opioids that were feasible in their setting.

More work is needed to evaluate this and other interventions aimed at reducing opioid prescribing in other settings including GP clinics.

A nuanced approach is often necessary to avoid causing unintended consequences in reducing opioid use.

If people with low back pain or neck pain are using opioids, especially at higher doses over an extended period of time, it's important they seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist before stopping these medicines to avoid unwanted effects when the medicines are abruptly stopped.

Our research provides compelling evidence opioids have a limited role in the management of acute low back and neck pain. The challenge is getting this new information to clinicians and the general public, and to implement this evidence into practice.

Christine Lin , Professor, University of Sydney ; Andrew McLachlan , Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy, University of Sydney ; Caitlin Jones, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney , and Christopher Maher , Professor, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

The Amazing Benefits of Olive Oil (Be Aware of Fake Olive Oil)

Thu, 23 May 2024 11:59:13 GMT

Olive Oil is considered a superfood source.

It is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. The key fatty acid in olive oil is oleic acid. This fatty acid has been found to be responsible for lowering inflammation.

Research also suggests that oleic acid can reduce levels of important inflammatory markers like high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and Interleukin-6.

Reduced Stroke Events Associated with Consumption of Olive Oil

Thirty-two cohort studies (42 reports) including 841,211 subjects found that olive oil was the only source of monounsaturated fat associated with a reduced risk of stroke.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Olive oil intake has also been shown to lower blood pressure. In one study, olive oil reduced the need for blood pressure medication by 48%.

Study found that a single dose of high polyphenol olive oil increased endothelial function (cells lining the interior of blood vessels), decreased bad” LDL cholesterol from oxidation and moderated blood glucose.

Diabetes Benefits

Several studies have found that olive oil olive oil, combined with a Mediterranean diet, can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and improve insulin sensitivity.

Olive Oil and Helicobacter pylori

A study in humans suggested that 30 grams of extra virgin olive oil, taken daily, can eliminate Helicobacter pylori infection in 10–40% of people in as little as two weeks.

The results of lab studies showed olive oil's phenolic compounds were effective against eight strains of H. pylori , including three that are resistant to some antibiotics.

Choose Your Olive Oil Wisely

Turns out many companies that make extra virgin olive oil dilute their product with cheaper, lower grade oils like canola, safflower or sunflower oils.

Brands that passed the University of California test were: Bariani, California Olive Oil, Kirkland Organic, Lucero, Lucini, McEvoy Ranch Organic, Olea Estates Ottavio. Look for the approval California Olive Oil Council (COOC Certified Extra Virgin).

If in doubt you can test for fake olive oils yourself. Simply refrigerate the oil. It should become more solid as it gets colder. If you oil doesn't become thick and cloudy in the refrigerator you know it's probably fake or lower grade oil.

In addition you can look for the seal denoting approval by the California Olive Oil Council, labeled as "COOC Certified Extra Virgin"

Seals of approval from the Italian Olive Grower' Association, the Extra Virgin Alliance (EVA) and UNAPROL also signal a good pure product.

My advice: stick with high quality brands that passed the University of California test of that have earned a seal of approval from one of the organizations I just mentioned.

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23278117/

https://www.nature.com/articles/1602724

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586551/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25274026/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8517637/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13129466/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15447913/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15380903/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10737284/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19531025/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22759331/

Compliments from Functional Medicine University

Read my past articles:

http://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/public/department88.cfm

(Video) Mercury Toxicity: The Great Mimicker

Thu, 23 May 2024 11:39:45 GMT

Mercury toxicity is the great mimicker of a host of health challenges.

Here is a sample of what one should know about mercury toxicity.

1: Mercury is known to denervate nerve fibers, similar to the pathology of multiple sclerosis. In other words it makes it so the nerves do not work.

2: Mercury can leak into the blood-brain barrier and reduce nerve conduction velocity and visual evoked responses, diagnostic tests used for multiple sclerosis.

3: Mercury can inhibit the action (binding) of happy hormones, like serotonin, at the synapse (nerve to nerve connection) leading to depression.

4: Mercury can cause hearing loss.

5: Mercury can decrease norepinephrine and dopamine activity at synapses, damaging our molecules of emotion. This can make a person lack zip, enthusiasm, joy, and creativity and make him anxious, insomniac, and terribly tense.

6: Mercury can create peripheral neuropathy, auto-immunity and interferes with synapse transmission, decreasing infection control so the unsuspecting victim gets recurrent sinusitis, prostate or gum infections, as examples.

7: Hidden mercury toxicity can be at the root of a resistant Candida infection. Sometimes you just cannot clear Candida symptoms until you get rid of the mercury.

8: Mercury is also a major undiagnosed cause of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

9: Whenever we see someone resistant to all treatments, there is a high probability mercury toxicity is at the root of it.

10: Mercury toxicity can create any baffling neurologic disease as well as impair cure for any disease of other body systems.

One of the most common symptoms we see from mercury toxicity is that of terrible body burning and baffling pain that migrates.

But what neurologist looks for mercury toxicity?

And you certainly will never find it by doing an MRI.

Instead, folks get fictitious diagnoses like erythromelalgia, fibromyalgia, idiopathic neuropathy, neurosis, idiopathic pain syndrome, or hypochondriasis.

Watch the following 5 minute video on how mercury can cause nerve damage. This is a real eye opener.

Reference:

Rogers SA, Detoxify or Die, Prestige Publishing, Syracuse NY, 2002

This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Grisanti is required

New Research Finds That With Obesity, the Problem Isn’t an Excess of Fat but Its Loss of Function

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:46:10 GMT

Obesity is known to cause cardiometabolic diseases like hypertension and diabetes but attributing these diseases to merely an overabundance of fat is a simplification. On a basic level, fat acts as a receptacle to store energy, but upon a closer look it is an essential actor in vital bodily processes like the immune response, the regulation of insulin sensitivity, and maintenance of body temperature. In a review published in the journal Cell on February 3rd, 2022, researchers argue that the negative health effects of obesity stem not simply from an excess of fat but from the decline in its ability to respond to changes, or in other words, its plasticity.

The makeup and functioning of this tissue changes in response to weight fluctuations and aging. As fat declines in plasticity due to aging and obesity, it loses its ability to respond to bodily cues. In the current model of this phenomenon, the rapid growth of adipose tissue outpaces its blood supply, depriving the fat cells of oxygen and causing the accumulation of cells that no longer divide. This leads to insulin resistance, inflammation, and cell death accompanied by the uncontrolled spill of lipids from these cells.

The hallmarks of adipose tissue dysfunction. Credit: Sakers et al./Cel

“The central role of adipose tissue dysfunction in disease and the incredible plasticity of fat tissue supports the promise of modulating fat tissue phenotypes for therapeutic purposes,” write the authors, led by Claudio J. Villanueva from the College of Life Sciences/David Geffen School of Medicine and Patrick Seale from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. “Many questions and opportunities for future discovery remain, which will yield new insights into adipose tissue biology and hopefully lead to improved therapies for human disease.”

Reference: “Adipose tissue plasticity in health and disease” by Alexander Sakers, Mirian Krystel De Siqueira, Patrick Seale and Claudio J. Villanueva, 3 February 2022, Cell.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.016

Research reported in this publication was supported by NIDDK at the National Institutes of Health, the UCLA Life Sciences Fund, and UCLA Graduate Council Diversity Fellowship. The authors declare no competing interests.

Undetected Post Concussion Symptoms in Older Adults

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:43:53 GMT

by Holly Lookabaugh-Deur, PT, DSc, GCS

Undetected Post Concussion Symptoms In Older Adults

Over the years, I have treated many older patients following a fall or fracture, and a recent case is a prime inspiration for this article. The importance of treating the WHOLE person and advocating for yourself and those you love is so very important.

My story is about an 84-year-old woman who lives alone, fell changing a light bulb, and fractured her hip. Following surgery, she struggled with some post-anesthesia fogginess – very common, very normal, and doesn’t mean you have dementia – and was placed in a skilled nursing facility. She didn’t bounce back as she had hoped and continued to struggle with dizziness, balance, headache, and generally not-feeling-good, although the hip was healing great. She didn’t like the food, lost some weight, and because she was unsteady, she was in a wheelchair more than she was out. So, a vibrant woman who cared for herself, her home, her yard, her grandchildren, and drove everywhere, is now on a downward spiral.

The Untreated and Undetected Complications

She went home with 24-hour care about a month later. A friend of a friend who saw the dramatic change in her called me and asked me to see her. When she started to tell me how she fell and how different she felt, something didn’t add up. After conducting a head to toe assessment, I discovered that she had 2 significant undetected/untreated complications of her fall, likely due to a blow to the head and concussion.

First, her cervical (neck) area had alignment issues, severe muscle spasms, and movement restriction – to the level that she certainly showed signed and symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness. This is very treatable – often overlooked as a stiff, older neck – and in two treatments of manual physical therapy techniques, she was feeling “75% better.” The lift in her energy level was incredible.

The second significant issue was her intermittent dizziness. This is NOT a normal part of aging. Dizziness is one of the top 5 chronic complaints of older adults, and its sources are varied and complex – medication, low blood pressure, inner ear issues, and more. In this case, because of her fall and a slight bump to the side of her head without loss of consciousness, I suspected that she may be suffering from “benign paroxysmal positional vertigo” or “BPPV” as it is nicknamed.

Sure enough, testing that only took 5-10 minutes showed a positive response. BPPV is a condition where tiny little crystals in the semicircular canals of the inner ear – are bumped into the wrong canal. The semicircular canals keep our head and body in balance in space, sending signals to the brain about our position. When these crystals fall into the wrong canal, the visual system, a critical part of how we sense our balance, and the inner ear are sending two different signals to the brain, and sometimes the result is a dizzy or woozy feeling, even for a few seconds. In my patient’s case, she was suffering from this for 6 weeks, causing her stomach to be upset, impacting her diet, and her spontaneous will to move and be active. She was very fearful of falling, and this also contributed to her decline inactivity. BPPV can be treated in ONE treatment, moving the head in certain positions to get crystals (otoliths) back where they belong. It is a game-changer!

Since finding two specific sources of her ongoing symptoms, I am happy to report that within a week – just two treatments and some homework – this wonderful lady began to feel so much better, her decline quickly turned into an INCLINE, and she is almost completely done using her walker. She has a cane for long walks, but at 10 weeks post-fracture, the other problems are resolving and she sees a brighter future. She is committed to her ongoing work of strengthening, balance progression, breathing, and eye exercises, and I am fully confident I will once again see her swinging a golf club, holding her new great-grandchild, and living her life to its fullest potential.

My message? Don’t accept feeling badly as a “normal” part of aging. Keep asking questions. Seek help. And never give up!

Holly Lookabaugh-Deur, PT, DSc, GCS, CEEAA is a practicing physical therapist and a partner and Director of Clinical Services at Ivy Rehab Network. Deur is board certified as a geriatric clinical specialist and certified exercise expert for aging adults with more than 35 years of clinical experience. She is certified as an aquatic and oncology rehabilitation specialist and serves as adjunct faculty at Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University.

Holly Lookabaugh-Deur is the Regional Director for Ivy Rehab Network Partner clinic, Generation Care located in West Michigan. Holly is a Board-Certified Geriatric Physical Therapist and a Certified Exercise Expert for Aging Adults. Holly is an award-winning writer, having earned a Best Medical Feature writing award for this article through the National Mature Media Awards. This article was originally published in Senior Perspectives.

Acetaminophen might worsen high blood pressure

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:42:57 GMT

In the journals

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often the pain reliever of choice for people with high blood pressure (hypertension) because most other options are types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), which can raise blood pressure. But a study in the Feb. 8, 2022, issue of Circulation suggests acetaminophen might have the same effect.

Researchers randomized 110 hypertension patients with no chronic pain to take either 1,000 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen or a placebo four times daily for two weeks. After allowing time for the drugs to leave their system, they took the other type of pill for another two weeks. Blood pressure was measured before and after each treatment period. The results showed that in people who used high-dose acetaminophen, systolic blood pressure (the top number) increased about five points more than those who took a placebo.

This doesn’t mean people with hypertension should never take acetaminophen for aches and pains. Yet, it’s best to use the lowest effective dose, and no more than two regular-strength (325-mg) tablets every six hours, or two extra-strength (500-mg) tablets every eight hours. If those who take acetaminophen regularly notice higher blood pressure readings, they should reduce their dosage or discuss with their doctor.

Short-term use of ibuprofen may increase chance of chronic pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:35:21 GMT

Researchers say more research needed into possible link between anti-inflammatory drugs and longer-term problems such as back pain

Using drugs like ibuprofen and steroids to relieve short-term health problems could increase the chances of developing chronic pain, new research suggests.

The findings from the small study indicate that it could be time to reconsider how pain is treated. Normal recovery from a painful injury involves inflammation – the body’s natural reaction to injury and infection – and new research suggests blocking inflammation with drugs could lead to harder-to-treat issues.

It may be that inflammation has a protective effect, such as preventing acute pain from becoming chronic, and that overly reducing it may be harmful.

Jeffrey Mogil, a professor of pain studies at McGill University in Canada, said: “While ibuprofen was not studied explicitly in either the human or the mouse data (in the mouse we used diclofenac), as ibuprofen is so common in the UK, it is highly likely that a large percentage of those in the UK Biobank who reported taking ‘NSAIDs’ (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) were in fact taking ibuprofen.”

Researchers said lower-back pain was the most commonly reported form of chronic pain – pain that persists for longer than would be expected after the injury – and resulted in massive economic and medical costs each year.

Most patients receive standard treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and corticosteroids. But these drugs are only somewhat effective, and little is known about why acute pain, which begins suddenly in response to something specific, is resolved in some patients but persists as chronic pain in others.

To understand the transition from acute to chronic lower-back pain, researchers followed 98 patients with acute lower-back pain for three months.

They also examined the mechanisms of pain in both humans and mice, and found that neutrophils – a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection – play a key role in resolving pain.

Blocking these cells in mice prolonged the pain for up to 10 times the normal duration.

Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids such as dexamethasone and diclofenac also produced the same result, although they were effective against pain early on.

Researchers said the findings were supported by a separate analysis of 500,000 people in the UK Biobank study, which showed that those taking anti-inflammatory drugs were more likely to have pain two to 10 years later. This effect was not seen in people taking paracetamol or antidepressants.

Dr Franziska Denk, senior lecturer at King’s College London, said: “It would most definitely be premature to make any recommendations regarding people’s medication until we have results of a prospectively designed clinical trial.”

Prof Blair Smith, from the University of Dundee, said: “The theory is that inflammation may have a protective effect in the long-term, and that overly reducing inflammation may be harmful.

“However, it is important to note that this is just one study, and more research is needed to confirm and investigate this further.”

The findings are published in Science Translational Medicine.

By The Guardian

Realigning Hips After Pregnancy

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:33:28 GMT

During pregnancy, your entire body changes as your child grows. One of the most prominent effects of this is the shifting of the hip bones. The hips must shift to allow the newborn to make its way easily down the birth canal. However, after the child is born, the hips may remain out of alignment, causing pain and discomfort.

Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy

Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy keeps your body in alignment and makes sure the baby has room to grow. This can mean keeping the hips and spinal column aligned so that you can breathe easier and sit more comfortably as the baby begins to move more and then finally, transition to the head-down position shortly before birth.

Dealing with Post-Partum Discomfort

After the baby is born, your body will gradually start to return to its prior stature. For some, this may not happen on its own. Visiting our chiropractor during pregnancy, as well as after childbirth, will help keep your hips in proper alignment. After pregnancy, it may take two or three adjustments to keep your hips in place. A visit to our chiropractor is the first step in restoring the alignment of your hips.

Visit Advanced Back and Neck Care to Have Your Hips Realigned!

Giving birth can be a very traumatic experience. While the pain of childbirth wanes quickly, the discomfort that is associated with your hips being out of alignment can last for months if not treated. If you are dealing with post-partum pain and discomfort, a visit to our wellness chiropractor can help. If you are pregnant or have just given birth, visit Advanced Back and Neck Care in Burlington County to restore balance within your body, today.

LOCAL NUMBER (609) 261-7562 | 227 Madison Ave Lumberton New Jersey 08048

7 Common Chiropractic Adjustments & What They Do

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:27:14 GMT

1. The Diversified Technique

The diversified technique has 3 main purposes, and they are to restore spinal alignment, repair joint disfunction, and ensure proper movement and mobility. Using hands-on thrusts with extreme precision, practitioners can restore spinal alignment and increase a patient’s range of motion which may be affected by misaligned joints or bones. This technique is widely used, with 96% of all chiropractors using the Diversified Technique on approximately 70% of their patients.

2. Spinal Manipulation (aka Spinal Mobilization)

Spinal manipulation, also called manual therapy or spinal mobilization, is utilized by both chiropractors and physical therapists to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflamation, and improve nerve function. While spinal mobilization is a “manual therapy technique” similar to the diversified technique discussed above, it utilizes more gentle thrusting motions and involves more stretching.

3. Thompson Drop-Table Technique

The Thompson Drop-Table technique utilizes a specially designed table constructed of padded platforms fitted with drop mechanisms so the patient can be “dropped” a fraction of an inch as the practitioner applies a quick thrust to complete the adjustment. The gentle dropping motion is comfortable for patients, resembling a light vibration.

4. The Gonstead Adjustment

The Gonstead Adjustment is used to restore normal disc alignment and restore maximum mobility. It can be administered with the patient sitting up or lying on their side.

One unique aspect of the Gonstead adjustment is the specificity of the contact point on the chiropractor’s hand can be administered with the patient sitting up or lying on their side as the chiropractor manipulates the lower back or pelvis.

New Title

A small handheld device known as an ‘Activator’ is commonly used by chiropractors to administer a gentle impulse to the extremities or the vertebral segments of the spine. The spring-loaded device is used to adjust the tone of the nervous system and can be used to treat a variety of conditions from headaches to lower back pain issues.

6. Flexion Distraction

The Flexion Distraction technique utilizes a special table that distracts and flexes the spine in a gentle rythmic motion. This technique is commonly used to treat symptomatic disc injuries with back pain and leg pain. The adjustment is pain-free and even considered comfortable making it a great option for patients with recent injuries or extra sensitivity to other adjustments.

7. Spinal Decompression

7 Correctable Hip Pain Diagnosis & Treatments for Injured Runners

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:17:06 GMT

Hip Pain After Running

It sucks to have hip pain running. While all of your friends are out running, you are stuck at home! Well, sleeping in isn’t too bad, but it’s going to get old fast.

I once had a hip injury that kept me from training with my team.

My injury kept me out for three months. After I recovered, I learned that I could have easily cut that time down by four weeks.

How?

Rehabbing it easy and often-and I’m not talking about rest and ice.

Through my hip injury, I began to learn more about how to treat and rehab them.

This article is my opportunity to give back to the running community. Read through as I have included information on the more common hip injuries we can get as runners.

Hip Flexor Tendonitis
Hip Impingement or Labral Tear
Adductor Strain
High Hamstring Strain
Glute Medius Strain
Trochanteric Bursitis
Piriformis Syndrome

HIP PAIN RUNNING REASON #1:

HIP FLEXOR TENDONITIS

Pain in the front of your hip when lifting your knee?
Hurts when you step into the car?
Gets worse after doing core exercises with your legs?
Hip pain running?

Hip Flexor Tendonitis is a prevalent condition that can plague runners, mainly those of the distance variety.

If you run ½ marathons or further, you are at high risk of Hip Flexor Tendonitis. You don’t have to run in pain anymore.

Rehab for Hip Flexor Tendonitis is highly successful when done correctly. I, personally, have not had this injury, but I have managed many cases of it over the years.

What is Hip Flexor Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is irritation to a tendon. It can be chronic (long term) or acute (new injury). The primary hip flexor is the iliopsoas. The what, you say? The iliopsoas! You have probably heard of it called the psoas, but it is two muscles and one tendon. The tendon could be your problem.

What causes Hip Flexor Tendonitis?

Hip Flexor Tendonitis happens when the hip flexors become dominant in the running gait. You’re probably thinking, how can this happen, right? Do some floor core exercises, and you’ll probably find your hip flexor can get super tight super fast. Muscles have what is called a healthy “length/tension relationship.” They want to be a certain length so they can work well. If your core is not holding your pelvis in an optimal position, then your hip flexor length will change. Think about being at work. I’m sure you have optimal working conditions.

Not too cold, but not too hot.
Not too many emails.
Not too much background noise.

Muscles need an optimal environment to prevent breakdown. Having proper core strength and the ability to hold the pelvis in the correct position when running will decrease the probability of having downtime from this injury.

Hip Flexor Tendonitis Rehab/Therapy?

As you can guess, to rehab Hip Flexor Tendonitis correctly, we need to create the optimal environment. This environment is not hard to design, but it is a lot of work on your part. Rehab exercise progression usually includes one that goes from easy to challenging. Before making things more challenging on the muscles, we always teach proper pelvis and trunk position. It is often a mental game that is frustrating to runners, but it is one that’s very teachable.

Here is a theory of progression that we often use in cases of Hip Flexor Tendonitis:

Open chain exercise to closed chain exercise
Lightweight to heavyweight
Complete rest to incomplete rest

What does rest have to do with it?

Running form, lifting form, posture, you name it. It all breaks down as you become out of breath. So we need to teach you how to have control of it. The Lewit Exercise is a great starting point for a core program. We always teach breathing and bracing before we start any core program. This exercise is enormously challenging for most people.

Hip Flexor Tendonitis Treatment Options?

Here are some other treatments that can assist you in recovering from Hip Flexor Tendonitis:

Active Release Technique
Deep tissue massage
Anti-inflammatory injections
Prolotherapy
Chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations
Strength training/rehab/ core endurance
PRICE therapy
Running gait training

My favorite is strength and core training. Combined they seem to create the fastest and most lasting results. Soft tissue care, injections, massage and adjustments are useful but not lasting, since they don’t train the body how to take pressure off the hip flexor long-term.

HIP PAIN RUNNING REASON #2:

HIP IMPINGEMENT & LABRAL TEAR

Groin pain?
Pinching in the front of the hip?
Travels to the adductors area?
May travel to the inner knee, but not past it?
Deep ache in the side of the hip joint?

Hip impingement (AKA FAI) is something commonly found in runners, and sadly in past years, many of these cases fail conservative therapy. As of the last five years, experienced sports chiropractors and physical therapists have been able to help more athletes reduce groin pain with exercise focused therapy

In many cases of hip impingement, specific corrective exercises are the cornerstone of recovery, with a sprinkle of manual therapy. Rarely is surgery required if the right treatment plan is applied and completed.

Hip impingement can progress into a hip labral tear, if not addressed quickly.

As a side note, change of skin sensations indicate there’s a nerve compression or tension aspect to your groin pain. It is not 100% joint or muscle-based.

What is Hip Impingement?

Hip impingement is a pinch point in your hip. It seems like too simple an answer, and I know you want a little more information, but first, it is essential to understand what a pinch point is.

Hip impingement occurs in the same region of the hip flexor syndrome, so how can you tell if it is one or the other?

Hip Impingement Running

The easiest way is by describing how it feels.

If you bring your knee to your chest (via your arms) when lying on your back and there is a pinch, then I would suspect hip impingement. This simple test takes the hip flexor out of the mix because it does not use it.

Your arms pulled your leg up, right?

A pinch point is like slamming your hand in a car door over and over. No matter how many times you attempt to open and close the door, it does nothing to move your hand from the path of the door.

Damage to your hand will inevitably increase, correct?

The same thing happens in Hip Impingement. The structure caught in the “door” gets damaged every time you stretch it which could be a reason why you’re having hip pain running.

What causes Hip Impingement?

Hip Impingement occurs as pelvic, and hip mechanics change.

Let’s go back to that car door analogy:

Slowly, your hand inches closer and closer to the door, and finally, it’s close enough to be smashed.

Strength and motion coordination of the core and pelvic muscles usually are what will “move” your hand closer to the door or keep it from being smashed.

Note: The door didn’t move; it stayed where it always was.

Theoretically, the hip is supposed to operate in the same way.

Some issues can occur in the hip just as with the door. The hinges or the door jam could be falling off. For cases like these, we need to rehab the hip joint properly as well.

Your pelvic position is also an important factor in the reduction of hip impingement. A bony obstruction contacts the roof of the acetabulum and the femur in deep hip flexion.

One way to “raise the roof” of the acetabulum (pelvis) is to allow a posterior pelvic tilt; also known as “butt wink” in the fitness world. A posterior tilt occurs as we run out of hip flexion.

It is not advised to allow a posterior pelvic tilt when weightlifting, but in body weight motions it is fine, and advised for general health.

Hip Impingement Treatment Options

Here are some other treatments that can assist you in recovering from Hip Impingement:

Active Release Technique
Deep tissue massage
Anti-inflammatory injections
Prolotherapy
Chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations
Strength training/ rehab
PRICE therapy
Running gait training

I’d strongly suggest doing the strength training/ rehab route. It works very well.

HIP PAIN RUNNING REASON #3:

ADDUCTOR STRAIN

Groin pain?
Did you feel a pop when it happened?
Can’t raise your leg?
Hip pain running?

The adductor group of muscles is complex. Dare I say it- the adductor group is the most critical category of muscles of the hip for an athlete.

They do it all!

They flex the hip, they extend the hip, and they can even rotate it!

They are a sexy group of muscles; able to do all of these functions, and that is why when you injure one of them, it is an absolute must to rehab it.

What is an Adductor Strain?

An Adductor Strain is a strain to the adductor muscle or tendon. Too simple?

Ok. The adductor is only one muscle from a collection of muscles from the hip. Most commonly, as a runner, you will have a strain of the adductor longus or adductor magnus.

What is a strain? A strain is a low-grade muscle tear. A Grade I tear to be exact.

Treat it as a tear. If you do not know how to treat a tear, we have one of the best articles on the rehab timeline of muscle tears on the web. You can access it here after you have finished this section.

What causes an Adductor Strain?

An Adductor Strain can be caused by overuse or over demand. Overuse is making a muscle do more than it physically can if it is in normal health, and biomechanics are perfect.

An analogy for over demand is this:

Remember the old martial arts movies?

Usually, someone punches through a plank of wood, right? There was nothing wrong with this wood (if used as wood is usually), but in this case, it got punched. Notice they never punched the wood from the top down. That’s because the wood plank is stronger that way.

In over demand cases, the muscle is not being allowed to be in its most strong state, and it breaks as a result.

Adductor Strain Rehab

Rehab of an Adductor Strain is a little different than that of other hip injuries. Since it is a low-grade tear, it needs more TLC in the form of deep tissue work before exercise rehab.

Weeks 1-3 are a great time for deep tissue work to help keep the scar tissue at the proper length.

Week 2 and onward are a great time to incorporate some adductor specific rehab. Training the core and pelvic muscles is important from week 0 until you are feeling better. Here is a self-help muscle work treatment that has worked well for our clients.

It is a lacrosse ball rolling on the adductor. This treatment is for the high adductor on the backside; if you have a different region of pain than indicated on the video, you may need to get something more for your condition.

Adductor Strain Treatment Options

Here are some other treatments that can assist you in recovering from an Adductor Strain:

Active Release Technique
Deep tissue massage
Anti-inflammatory injections
Prolotherapy
Chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations
Strength training/rehab
PRICE therapy
Running gait training

Just like many of the other groin pain diagnosis, strength training, and endurance core work tend to have the fastest and longest-lasting effect for active people. For non-active people, many of the passive therapies are good enough, such as massage, Active Release and joint mobilizations.

HIP PAIN RUNNING REASON #4:

HIGH HAMSTRING STRAIN

Painful to sit down?
Does it hurt on the “sit bone?”
Painful to run, but often loosens up after 15 minutes?
Hip pain running?

These are signs of a possible high hamstring injury.

Hamstring injuries will limit the distance and speed you can run for months if you do not take the proper rehab approach.

The great news is rehab on this type of injury has been studied extensively and is very well understood. Now, the only thing standing between you and your running happiness is you. Read on to get the facts about high hamstring rehab.

What is a High Hamstring Strain?

If you read about the Adductor Strain, you will understand a High Hamstring Strain better. It is the same thing but in a different muscle and tendon.

Let’s recap.

The hamstrings are on the backside of the thigh and start at the gluteal crease. This insertion into the “sit bone” is a prevalent site of injury with runners. Also known as High Hamstring Tendonopathy, this type of hamstring injury can take months to heal and can be extremely frustrating for all kinds of athletes.

What causes a High Hamstring Strain?

High Hamstring Strains happen the same way any other strain of the hip and leg is-overuse, trauma, or over demand of the tissue.

If you want more on this, scroll back to the Adductor Strain section.

Hamstring injuries do have one thing unique about them, though. They are predictable in the fact that they become more probable the faster you run. Striders are a good example. I have had many runners come in saying their injuries begin after doing striders. I have nothing against striders, but the quick speed and broader range of motion are factors in hamstring injuries.

There are many other possible factors, but these are just a few you should know.

High Hamstring Strain Rehab

Hamstring Strain rehab programs are much better than they use to be, BUT it is essential to understand the type of injury that a “hammy” strain is.

Hamstring injuries are highly temperamental. They will flare up during rehab and reintroduction to running, so don’t get frustrated. Frustration and stopping a rehab program is the number one reason I have seen that causes runners to fail to recover.

We recommend the following exercise categories for our rehab programs.

Multidirectional trunk stabilization
Complex motions both unloaded and loaded
Local eccentric exercises
Hip mobility
Change of direction drills
Plyometrics
Sprinting form instruction

One exercise you could have read about is the Nordic Hamstring Exercise. I have used it in many rehab programs, but I caution everyone about how intense these can be.

If you do it too early, you will hurt yourself. If you do too many reps and sets, you will hurt yourself.

We also eventually need to challenge the hamstring in a lengthening hip hinge pattern. First unweighted and then weighted. Lastly, we would increase the speed. Romanian Deadlifts are a great way to learn hip hinge movements.

High Hamstring Strain Treatment Options

Here are some other treatments that can assist you in recovering from a Hamstring Strain:

Active Release Technique
Deep tissue massage
Anti-inflammatory injections
Prolotherapy
Chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations
Strength training/rehab
PRICE therapy
Running gait training

It’s critical to rule out the possibility of lumbar disc referred pain or referred pain from an S1 lumbar nerve root. This is simple to do with a skilled clinician, yet often overlooked before starting care. If you have not found help with a traditional hamstring strain rehab program, you could be suffering from one of the aforementioned conditions. They are simple to address but the starting point changes. Reach out to us for help.

HIP PAIN RUNNING REASON #5:

GLUTEUS MEDIUS STRAIN

Pain on the side of your hip while sleeping?
Better when you roll off of it?
Deep ache on the side of the hip?

I would estimate a Gluteus Medius Strain as being in the top five most common injuries that could create hip pain running.

It is a simple injury to rehab and frequently does not need medication or injections. Read through this section and learn how we treat and rehab a Gluteus Medius Strain.

What is a Gluteus Medius Strain?

If you have been blowing through this whole article, you have already read about Adductor and Hamstring Strains. Glute Medius Strains are the same but in a new area.

Interestingly, Glute Medius Strains are misdiagnosed commonly as Trochanteric Bursitis. Sometimes called “Hip Bursitis,” this condition is an injury to the glute medius tendon where it inserts on the femur.

Around the femur is a natural fluid-filled sac called a bursa. The bursa can become inflamed, but this is usually because the adjacent glute medius tendon has damage. The bursa is not the issue. It is the tendon.

What causes a Gluteus Medius Strain?

A Glute Medius Strain is often primarily caused by poor function of the core and pelvis. How can this be? The glute medius is a lateral stabilizer of the hip joint.

What is lateral motion?

Think about when you stand with most of your weight on one leg than you shift it to the other. Your hip juts out to the side, correct? This movement challenges the glute medius of the loaded hip. With running, excessive lateral motion can challenge the glute medius over and over again, leading to damage. To rehab it, we need to tighten those motions up.

Gluteus Medius Strain Rehab

Just as with the other hip injuries, the core and pelvis are huge components. If you want to know more, scroll up, and read the rehab sections prior. The only significant difference is we emphasize lateral motion in a closed chain progression of exercises. An example is Lateral Band Walks.

With injuries of the hip, we also need to improve the rigidity of the trunk/ abdominal area. There are many ways to do this. One of the first ten exercises I give is a Front Plank. Here’s a quick example if you don’t know what one is.

We often work on closed chain hip rotational motions within the program too. If you’re lost now, that is not my intention. We often have clients who get confused about their rehab in the beginning. Still, after they start to do it all, they understand completely.

Glute Medius Strain Treatment Options

Here are some other treatments that can assist you in recovering from a Glute Medius Strain:

Active Release Technique
Neurodynamics
Deep tissue massage
Anti-inflammatory injections
Prolotherapy
Chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations
Strength training/rehab
PRICE therapy
Running gait training

In my experience, many runners with outer hip pain (in the region of the glutes) have their pain due to minor nerve pressure. This means there is nothing wrong with their glute tendons or bursa. MRIs and X-rays will be negative. Rehabilitation will be slow.

When you treat it as a nerve problem from day 1, my observation is most people experience a radical improvement within less than 2 weeks. No soft tissue work, adjusting or injections are needed in these types of cases. The Neurodynamic approach tends to work well, or even general spinal mobility exercises.

HIP PAIN RUNNING REASON #6:

TROCHANTERIC BURSITIS

What is Trochanteric Bursitis?

The trochanteric bursa is a normally occurring structure in the lateral (outer) hip. It can become inflamed and painful. It is very commonly associated with a glute medius tendon injury. When this is the case, the tendon injury needs addressing.

The bursa can be irritated as a secondary issue. Because more often than not, Trochanteric Bursitis is from a glute medius tendon injury, I will not write any more about it.

Wonder why I am writing about it in the first place then? Because many runners believe they have it. I just wanted to get the word out on the current thought process surrounding the bursal irritation. I don’t want anyone to waste their time learning about this condition. Rehab is focused more on the glute medius tendon injury.

HIP PAIN RUNNING REASON #7:

PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME

Stabbing pain in the glute area?
Numbness on and off in the back of the thigh?
Sometimes radiates to the foot?
No lower back pain?

Together, these symptoms could indicate Piriformis Syndrome is your injury which could be a reason why you’re having hip pain running. But there is also the possibility that a back injury has created a radiculopathy or even sciatica. Only a proper exam can tell, so get to your sports doc for this one.

This injury is one of the few that will have you chasing pain. Nerve pain can travel a long distance. Treatment on the areas of referred pain will result in meager improvement rates. If you’d like to see what treatments work, I just created an updated case study article on one of our runners who overcame Piriformis Syndrome and ran again.

What is Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis Syndrome is a condition where a muscle (called the piriformis) tightens down on a nerve that passes under or through it (called the sciatic nerve). Because it is a nerve compression injury, the resulting distribution of the loss of sensation and pain can go all the way down to the foot.

Most of the time, people come in saying: “It hurts right here (points to the butt cheek), and it shoots down the back of my thigh, behind the knee, and to the bottom of the foot.” It can present in different variations if this pattern below the knee, but above it, the presentation is pretty standard.

What causes Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis Syndrome is a direct result of hyper-tonicity (tightness) of the piriformis muscle.

What causes tightness in the first place is a different story.

Muscles of the hip can become tight from having to do more work than intended. Since the piriformis crosses the sacroiliac joint, it does assist in stabilizing it. If the joint is too loose, then the muscle is required to work in excess.

Piriformis Syndrome Rehab

I am going to sound like a broken record when I say this, but it is the truth. The keys are having a working core, pelvis, and running gait.

To have it all (and a bag of chips), you need these components:

Multidirectional trunk stabilization
Complex motions both unloaded and loaded
Local stabilization exercises
Hip mobility
Change of direction drills
Plyometrics
Gait form instruction

Stop making your muscles work so hard, and they will stop getting pissed. Here is one exercise we use for local stabilization. This exercise had a very high EMG activity of the piriformis muscle in testing. It is called the Prone Heel Squeeze.

Piriformis Syndrome Treatment Options

Here are some treatments and therapies that can significantly assist in decreasing the symptoms of piriformis syndrome:

Active Release Technique
Neurodynamics
Lumbar Disc Treatments
Deep tissue massage
Anti-inflammatory Injections
Prolotherapy
Chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations
Strength training/rehab
PRICE therapy
Running gait training

Over the course of my 10 year in practice, I’ve only seen a few true cases of Piriformis Syndrome. On the other hand, I’ve seen 1000’s of cases of pain in the piriformis muscle. Over 90% of the time (in my observation), pain in the piriformis is simply referred pain from a lower back disc or a lower back pinched nerve.

Both respond very quickly to Neurodynamics and a Lumbar Disc protocol. Under the right guidance, you should expect a near 75% improvement within 2-3 weeks.

Advanced Back and Neck Care is in Lumberton, New Jersey (609) 261-7562

XCaliber Chiropractic is in Bronx, New York Call (718) 904-0908

One major COVID-19 symptom — inflammation in the body

Thu, 23 May 2024 09:05:38 GMT

A new study looked at how COVID-19 infection can cause major inflammation in the body.

By Herb Scribner

The novel coronavirus can infect immune cells that will trigger a massive inflammatory response and create severe COVID-19 symptoms, according to new research.

Details: Two new studies — one published in the journal Nature and another available on a preprint server — found that the immune cells infected by the coronavirus can cause severe inflammation.

Research since the beginning of the pandemic has suggested inflammation creates respiratory issues and organ damage.

Now, the researchers found that coronavirus can infect white blood cells — macrophages in the lungs, and monocytes in the blood — which then trigger the inflammation.

Behind the scenes: The cells normally absorb the virus and treat it so that the virus doesn’t infect other cells, per CNN.

The novel coronavirus, though, “escapes into the body of the cell, where it starts making copies of itself,” per CNN.

So when a virus infects defense cells, it sets off alarms in the body. From there, inflammasomes emerge and start to kill off those cells in a process called pyroptosis.

What they said: “The viruses not only get taken up, but once they get taken up, the virus starts replicating, so that was surprising,” research leader Dr. Judith Lieberman, a pediatric immunologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, told CNN.

“When cells die by pyroptosis, they release all kinds of inflammatory proteins that cause fever and summon more immune cells to the site,” Lieberman told CNN.

“We don’t have any way of treating that once it gets started. It’s just sort of like a little fire. It spreads and explodes and no fire extinguisher is capable of putting it out,” she said, per CNN.

Testimonial : I lost 43 pound

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:59:17 GMT

You can have results like Rich H, too…….

Hi, my name is Rich H. and I started the ChiroThin program almost a year ago. I lost 43 pounds and I have managed to keep it off.

Believe me it was not easy. Nothing worth having is easy. I lost the weight and I also changed my relationship with food. I figured out it was OK to have the “junk ” food once in a while instead of always. I learned to drink more water, tea, and coffee without all the extras. Fruits and vegetables became the “go to” rather than once in a while.

I still struggle with carbohydrates especially potato chips, pizza and bread. I love them all but I know it leads to added pounds. I try to limit my consumption of these foods because I know I will give in and have that 2nd helping.

Chirothin helped me to achieve my desired weight loss. I have been able to maintain my weight loss by continuing to follow the plan. I would definitely recommend this plan to anyone who is trying to lose weight.

Let’s begin your Chirothin journey

ChiroThin : 6-Weeks to a New You | Without Shakes, Exercise or Pre-Packaged Food

Call (609) 261-7562 to schedule your no charge, no obligation consultation.

ONLINE, TELEHEALTH CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE!

Call to schedule (609) 261-7562 yours.

Advanced Back and Neck Care . 27 Madison Ave, Lumberton, NJ 08048

In Burlington County, New Jersey . between Route 38 and Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mt Holly, NJ 08060

Chiropractor, Chiropractic Care, Pain Management, Worker’s Comp Injury Cases, Accident Injury, Doctor Supervised Weight Loss

10 Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:56:41 GMT

At least 70 million adultse in the United States deal with some type of chronic pain. In fact, low back pain is the second most common reason Americans see their doctor.

Many people are interested in finding alternatives to medication for pain relief. Chiropractic treatment is one potential pain management option, especially if you’re dealing with back pain or neck pain.

In this article, we’ll outline 10 of the top benefits of getting chiropractic care, and how to find a chiropractor who’s right for you.

What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care is a form of complementary medicine based on the idea that your body can heal itself with the help of specific hands-on manipulations from a trained professional. These manipulations help realign your joints and can potentially lead to pain relief.

Chiropractic treatment may help relieve pain from conditions affecting your:

ones
cartilage
connective tissue
joints
muscles

Chiropractic treatment often focuses on your spine but may focus on other parts of your body depending on the particular issue you’re dealing with.

Chiropractic treatment has some similarities with physical therapy, and certain conditions may benefit from being treated with both types of therapy.

In general, chiropractors are more likely to use hands-on manipulations to relieve your symptoms. Physical therapists tend to put a bigger emphasis on rehabilitating injuries with stretches and exercises.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

1. Improves neck pain

Neck pain is a common problem, especially if you sit for many hours a day, frequently bend your neck to use your phone, or have poor posture. A chiropractor may help ease your neck pain by realigning your spine and easing tension in your neck muscles.

An older 2012 study found that 12 weeks of spinal manipulation was more effective than medication at treating non-specific neck pain in a group of 272 adults at 8-, 12-, 26-, and 52-week follow-ups.

A 2019 study found that cervical spine manipulation may help decrease neck pain in the short-term by modifying levels of neuropeptides in your blood. Neuropeptides are proteins made in your nervous system that function as neurotransmitters or hormones.

2. Reduces reliance on opioid pain relievers

People with chronic pain are often given prescriptions for opioid pain relievers to help manage their discomfort. However, undergoing chiropractic treatment may lower your need to take these pain relievers.

A large 2020 study compared the number of prescriptions for opioid pain relievers filled for adults who visited just their doctor or who visited both a chiropractor and their doctor to treat spinal pain.

The study found that adults who visited a chiropractor were less likely to get an opioid prescription filled for their pain compared to those who only saw their doctor.

3. Eases back pain

Chiropractic treatment may be a good alternative to more invasive alternatives like surgery or injections for treating short-term or chronic back pain.

The American College of Physicians recommends that doctors encourage people with chronic low back pain to first seek non-medication treatments before taking medication to treat their pain. Some of the treatment options recommended include:

spinal manipulation (chiropractic care)
exercise
acupuncture
yoga
tai chi
progressive muscle relaxation
meditation

A 2017 review of studies found that spinal manipulation was associated with moderate improvements in short-term back pain and function compared to placebo treatment for up to 6 weeks.

4. Possible reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms

Osteoarthritis pain is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage in a joint that causes the ends of your bones to rub together. Some types of chiropractic adjustments may help align your joints and reduce how much your bones rub together.

There hasn’t been a lot of research on the benefits of chiropractic manipulation for osteoarthritis. However, a 2020 animal study found some evidence that chiropractic manipulation may help slow down the progression of arthritis by improving the status of cartilage, bone, and the joint capsule.

5. Eases headache symptoms

Spinal manipulation may be effective at treating tension headaches and headaches that originate in your neck.

A 2016 study found that 6 to 8 sessions of cervical and upper thoracic spine manipulation were more effective than movement and exercise for relieving pain in people with chronic headaches. This was still the case at a 3-month follow-up.

6. More affordable treatment for chronic back pain

Chiropractic treatment may be a cheaper alternative to conventional treatment for chronic low back pain.

In a 2016 study, researchers looked at the potential financial benefits of chiropractic treatment for Medicare recipients with chronic back pain.

The researchers found that people who received chiropractic treatment had a lower overall treatment cost. The study also determined that their treatment duration was shorter than that of those who had conventional medical treatment.

7. High satisfaction

Studies have generally reported relatively high levels of satisfaction with chiropractic treatment.

For example, in a 2015 study, researchers found that a group of 544 people in chiropractic care reported a high level of satisfaction.

Also, 92 percent of the people in this study had improvements in their pain, and 80 percent reported improvements in their ability to move around.

8. Reduces scoliosis symptoms

Chiropractic care may help improve the Cobb angle of people with scoliosis. The Cobb angle is a measurement of how much side-to-side deformity there is in the spine.

A 2016 study found that the Cobb angle in a group of five children with scoliosis improved after 8 weeks of chiropractic treatment. Noticeable improvements were seen after 4 weeks of treatment.

9. Helps improve posture

Undergoing chiropractic treatment may potentially help correct poor posture, especially if your poor posture is caused by too much sitting.

A 2017 case study examined the effect of chiropractic treatment on a 27-year-old woman suffering from back pain, neck pain, and headaches caused by hyperkyphosis posture. Hyperkyphosis is commonly known as a hunchback posture.

After 30 treatments over 6 months, she showed a significant improvement in her posture and pain relief in both her head and neck.

10. May help athletic performance

Spinal adjustments may potentially improve your athletic performance. This could be due to increased joint mobility, reduced pain, and less tissue restriction.

However, there are still some questions about whether spinal adjustments improve sports performance. A 2019 review of studies found that it didn’t improve performance in people without symptoms.

Chiropractic adjustments may be effective when used to deal with pain caused by an injury.

What type of certification and training do chiropractors have?

Chiropractors must earn a postgraduate degree called a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). It usually takes 4 years to complete. Admission to the program requires at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate coursework, and some programs require a bachelor’s degree.

All states also require chiropractors to be licensed. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, but all states require a chiropractor to pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exams.

Some chiropractors specialize in a particular area of chiropractic treatment and go on to do a residency for several more years.

The bottom line

Chiropractors use hands-on adjustments to reduce pain and help your body heal itself. They often focus on issues dealing with the spine.

Research has found that chiropractic adjustments may be an effective treatment for various forms of neck or back pain. Seeing a chiropractor may also lower your need to take pain relievers or undergo more invasive treatments like surgery.

# # #

Advanced Back and Neck Care

609-261-75622 . 27 Madison Ave, Lumberton, NJ 08048

In Burlington County, New Jersey . between Route 38 and Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mt Holly, NJ 08060

Chiropractor, Chiropractic Care, Pain Management, Worker’s Comp Injury Cases, Accident Injury, Doctor Supervised Weight Loss

Rich H ChiroTHIN Testimonial

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:49:55 GMT

Hi, my name is Rich H. and I started the ChiroTHIN program almost a year ago. I lost 43 pounds and I have managed to keep it off.

Believe me it was not easy. Nothing worth having is easy. I lost the weight and I also changed my relationship with food. I figured out it was OK to have the “junk ” food once in a while instead of always. I learned to drink more water, tea, and coffee without all the extras. Fruits and vegetables became the “go to” rather than once in a while.

I still struggle with carbohydrates especially potato chips, pizza and bread. I love them all but I know it leads to added pounds. I try to limit my consumption of these foods because I know I will give in and have that 2nd helping.

Chirothin helped me to achieve my desired weight loss. I have been able to maintain my weight loss by continuing to follow the plan. I would definitely recommend this plan to anyone who is trying to lose weight.

. . .

ChiroTHIN

ONLINE, TELEHEALTH CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE!

Call to schedule 609-261-7562 yours.

Autoimmune Disease Blamed on Diet

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:48:39 GMT

Global spread of autoimmune disease blamed on western diet

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the autoimmune conditions that are causing concern around the world.

More and more people around the world are suffering because their immune systems can no longer tell the difference between healthy cells and invading micro-organisms. Disease defences that once protected them are instead attacking their tissue and organs.

Major international research efforts are being made to fight this trend – including an initiative at London’s Francis Crick Institute, where two world experts, James Lee and Carola Vinuesa, have set up separate research groups to help pinpoint the precise causes of autoimmune disease, as these conditions are known.

“Numbers of autoimmune cases began to increase about 40 years ago in the west,” Lee told the Observer. “However, we are now seeing some emerge in countries that never had such diseases before.

For example, the biggest recent increase in inflammatory bowel disease cases has been in the Middle East and east Asia. Before that they had hardly seen the disease.”

Autoimmune diseases range from type 1 diabetes to rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. In each case, the immune system gets its wires crossed and turns on healthy tissue instead of infectious agents.

In the UK alone, at least 4 million people have developed such conditions, with some individuals suffering more than one. Internationally, it is now estimated that cases of autoimmune diseases are rising by between 3% and 9% a year. Most scientists believe environmental factors play a key role in this rise.

“Human genetics hasn’t altered over the past few decades,” said Lee, who was previously based at Cambridge University. “So something must be changing in the outside world in a way that is increasing our predisposition to autoimmune disease.”

This idea was backed by Vinuesa, who was previously based at the Australian National University. She pointed to changes in diet that were occurring as more and more countries adopted western-style diets and people bought more fast food.

“Fast-food diets lack certain important ingredients, such as fibre, and evidence suggests this alteration affects a person’s microbiome – the collection of micro-organisms that we have in our gut and which play a key role in controlling various bodily functions,” Vinuesa said.

“These changes in our microbiomes are then triggering autoimmune diseases, of which more than 100 types have now been discovered.”

Both scientists stressed that individual susceptibilities were involved in contracting such illnesses, ailments that also include celiac disease as well as lupus, which triggers inflammation and swelling and can cause damage to various organs, including the heart.

“If you don’t have a certain genetic susceptibility, you won’t necessarily get an autoimmune disease, no matter how many Big Macs you eat,” said Vinuesa. “There is not a lot we can do to halt the global spread of fast-food franchises. So instead, we are trying to understand the fundamental genetic mechanisms that underpin autoimmune diseases and make some people susceptible but others not. We want to tackle the issue at that level.”

This task is possible thanks to the development of techniques that now allow scientists to pinpoint tiny DNA differences among large numbers of individuals. In this way, it is possible to identify common genetic patterns among those suffering from an autoimmune disease.

“Until very recently, we just didn’t have the tools to do that, but now we have this incredible power to sequence DNA on a large scale and that has changed everything,” said Lee. “When I started doing research, we knew about half a dozen DNA variants that were involved in triggering inflammatory bowel disease. Now we know of more than 250.”

Such work lies at the core of Lee and Vinuesa’s efforts, which aim to find out how these different genetic pathways operate and unravel the many different types of disease doctors are now looking at. “If you look at some autoimmune diseases – for example, lupus – it has become clear recently there are many different versions of them, that may be caused by different genetic pathways,” said Vinuesa. “And that has a consequence when you are trying to find the right treatment.

“We have lots of potentially useful new therapies that are being developed all the time, but we don’t know which patients to give them to, because we now realise we don’t know exactly which version of the disease they have. And that is now a key goal for autoimmune research. We have to learn how to group and stratify patients so we can give them the right therapy.”

Lee also stressed that surging cases of autoimmune diseases across the world meant new treatments and drugs were now urgently needed more than ever before. “At present, there are no cures for autoimmune diseases, which usually develop in young people – while they are trying to complete their education, get their first job and have families,” he said.

“That means growing numbers of people face surgery or will have to have regular injections for the rest of their lives. It can be grim for patients and a massive strain on health services. Hence the urgent need to find new, effective treatments.”

Originally published on The Guardian.

Foods that Fight Inflammation

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:43:38 GMT

Doctors are learning that one of the best ways to reduce inflammation lies not in the medicine cabinet, but in the refrigerator. By following an anti-inflammatory diet you can fight off inflammation for good.

What does an anti-inflammatory diet do? Your immune system becomes activated when your body recognizes anything that is foreign—such as an invading microbe, plant pollen, or chemical. This often triggers a process called inflammation. Intermittent bouts of inflammation directed at truly threatening invaders protect your health.

However, sometimes inflammation persists, day in and day out, even when you are not threatened by a foreign invader. That’s when inflammation can become your enemy. Many major diseases that plague us—including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer’s—have been linked to chronic inflammation.

One of the most powerful tools to combat inflammation comes not from the pharmacy, but from the grocery store. “Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects,” says Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Choose the right anti-inflammatory foods, and you may be able to reduce your risk of illness. Consistently pick the wrong ones, and you could accelerate the inflammatory disease process.

Foods that cause inflammation

Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible:

refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries
French fries and other fried foods
soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages
red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)
margarine, shortening, and lard

The health risks of inflammatory foods

Not surprisingly, the same foods on an inflammation diet are generally considered bad for our health, including sodas and refined carbohydrates, as well as red meat and processed meats.

“Some of the foods that have been associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease are also associated with excess inflammation,” Dr. Hu says. “It’s not surprising, since inflammation is an important underlying mechanism for the development of these diseases.”

Unhealthy foods also contribute to weight gain, which is itself a risk factor for inflammation. Yet in several studies, even after researchers took obesity into account, the link between foods and inflammation remained, which suggests weight gain isn’t the sole driver. “Some of the food components or ingredients may have independent effects on inflammation over and above increased caloric intake,” Dr. Hu says.

Anti-inflammatory foods

An anti-inflammatory diet should include these foods:

tomatoes
olive oil
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards
nuts like almonds and walnuts
fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges

Benefits of anti-inflammatory foods

On the flip side are beverages and foods that reduce inflammation, and with it, chronic disease, says Dr. Hu. He notes in particular fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, apples, and leafy greens that are high in natural antioxidants and polyphenols—protective compounds found in plants.

Studies have also associated nuts with reduced markers of inflammation and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Coffee, which contains polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds, may protect against inflammation, as well.

To reduce levels of inflammation, aim for an overall healthy diet. If you’re looking for an eating plan that closely follows the tenets of anti-inflammatory eating, consider the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils.

In addition to lowering inflammation, a more natural, less processed diet can have noticeable effects on your physical and emotional health. “A healthy diet is beneficial not only for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but also for improving mood and overall quality of life,” Dr. Hu says.

Article originally published on health.harvard.edu.

Chiropractic Care and Concussions

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:37:47 GMT

HOW CHIROPRACTIC CARE CAN HELP WITH CONCUSSIONS

In 2014, approximately 2.87 million people were hospitalized or died from serious traumatic brain injury (TBI), many of whom experienced a concussion. Though around 48% of those injuries were related to falls, there are also some 300,000 concussions every year that are football related, and many more TBIs — perhaps as many as half — go either unreported or undetected.

It’s vital to seek treatment for a concussion as soon as possible. While initial diagnostic testing is often conducted by a physician or sports medicine specialist, typically in a hospital setting, those battling ongoing symptoms may benefit from chiropractic care.

WHAT IS A CONCUSSION?

When you suffer a sudden bump or blow to the head, you may receive a concussion, a type of TBI caused by rapid movement forcing the brain to move back and forth rapidly inside your skull. That unnaturally abrupt motion can damage the brain, leading to changes on a chemical and/or cellular level.

SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION

Concussions range from mild to severe, with symptoms following a similar arc.

Signs of a concussion include:

Headache

Head pressure

Blurry vision

Confusion or mental fogginess

Dizziness

Memory loss, particularly surrounding the event that caused the injury

Nausea and/or vomiting

Slurred speech

Trouble forming verbal responses

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Uncontrollable fatigue

Sleep issues

Problems with taste and smell

Lack of concentration

Irritability

Anxiety

Mood swings and personality changes

Depression

Sensitivity to light and noise<

While some of the physical manifestations of a concussion will show up right away, cognitive symptoms may not appear for hours, days or even weeks. Sometimes symptoms persist indefinitely, in which case a patient may be diagnosed with a disorder called post-concussion syndrome. With PCS, symptoms often fade and reappear in response to physical or mental stress. The syndrome can be quite debilitating and disrupt the patient’s life considerably. If you think you’re under immense stress and that it’s aggravating other symptoms in your body, then seek out stress management classes from a Legacy Healing near you, so that you can learn to control stress better.

To help facilitate a fast, complete recovery, it’s crucial to seek medical treatment any time you have a head injury, but especially if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. Red flag symptoms, such as loss of consciousness, uneven pupils, difficulty walking, repeated vomiting, and excruciating headache or seizures, requires an immediate call to 911 or trip to the emergency room.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR CONCUSSIONS

Conventional medicine focuses on two issues surrounding concussions: prevention and medicated management of symptoms. Both concerns are valid, especially the idea of prevention; wearing a helmet and other protective gear while playing sports helps prevent a TBI in the first place. It also helps ward off repeated brain injuries, the consequences of which can be increasingly catastrophic.

With chiropractic care, however, we take treatment one step further by addressing all the peripheral concerns caused by your concussion. Rather than throwing anti-inflammatories at your muscle pain or prescribing painkillers to quell migraines, we try to get to the root cause, which is often a dysfunction in the musculoskeletal or nervous systems.

UNDERSTANDING BRAIN HEALTH AND ALIGNMENT

Your spine is amazing. There are 33 vertebrae working hard to keep you upright and moving, including the ones at the very top holding your head in place. The force behind a traumatic brain injury or whiplash can knock those vertebrae out of place — even a misalignment as small as one-fourth of a millimeter could interrupt cellular communication and lead to a surprisingly robust list of symptoms.

SEEING A CHIROPRACTOR FOR CONCUSSIONS

Though your first stop for a suspected concussion can and should be an MD or other emergency room personnel, a doctor of chiropractic can help with everything from evaluation to management, especially in the long-term. Chiropractors with advanced training in sports medicine are likely especially well-suited to concussion treatment, but all chiropractors have the basic knowledge and expertise to lend a helping hand.

Chiropractic care for concussions often includes many or all of the following steps:

THE INITIAL VISIT

This is when you’ll meet your chiropractor and learn more about the link between concussions and chiropractic care. You’ll fill out important paperwork detailing your medical history, any medications you’re currently taking, and any symptoms you’re experiencing. You’ll have a chance to run over financial information too; the front office staff can help you navigate your insurance policy and find out what chiropractic coverage exists.

THE PHYSICAL EXAM

As part of that initial visit, your chiropractor will conduct a thorough physical exam. This happens with all new chiropractic patients and may include everything from range-of-motion tests to lab work. With a suspected concussion in play, your chiropractor may also conduct neurological tests to determine the extent of your symptoms and pinpoint issues you may not have even noticed on your own.

FORMING A TREATMENT PLAN: CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND CONCUSSIONS

Based on their findings, your chiropractor will put together a detailed treatment plan tailored to your physical, mental, and emotional needs. This plan may involve a whole host of treatments and services, including spinal decompression, manual manipulation, or physical therapy. The goal is to address the root cause of symptoms such as headaches and gait abnormalities. Though these problems may be traced back to the concussion itself, it’s not uncommon to find that accident- or injury-related misalignments are playing a huge role in ongoing discomfort.

THE ADJUSTMENT

Once you’ve heard and agreed to your chiropractor’s concussion treatment plan, it’s time to get adjusted. Many first-time patients are wary about the adjustment process, but it’s actually quite quick and painless. You’ll lie on a special table — you should wear comfortable clothes to allow for easy movement — and relax as your DC addresses vertebral misalignments, called subluxations, all along your spine.

This is where all the fascinating work happens.

Did you know…

A subluxation of the C1 vertebrae (the very top of your cervical spine) can lead to everything from headaches to memory lapses?

A subluxation of the T6 vertebrae (right in the middle of your thoracic spine or torso) can cause stomach problems, such as nausea and indigestion?

Subluxations in the lumbar spine can cause sciatica, backaches, improper gait, and menstrual problems?

The main takeaway is that even when others may dismiss your concussion symptoms as unavoidable or even common, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to curtail the discomfort and help increase functionality. Rather than masking your concerns with medicine, chiropractors find out what’s happening underneath the inflammation and pain.

HELPING YOURSELF HEAL FROM A CONCUSSION

Whether you receive ongoing chiropractic care for your concussion or not, there are three things that can help facilitate progress:

Rest : Pushing yourself will only cause further stress and anxiety, neither of which is good for a brain trying its best to heal.

Time : Once the immediate medical needs have been addressed, many concussion symptoms only resolve with time. Chiropractic helps the body function at its best, but nothing can outright cure a concussion.

Patience : Rest and time can’t be rushed. Give your body a break and some extra love, and it’ll love you back.

In the meantime, protect your brain by adhering to concussion protocols (this means taking time off from sports, if applicable), creating a safe home environment, and wearing safety equipment, such as seat belts and headgear depending on the situation.

If you’re battling ongoing symptoms of a concussion and need help navigating your new normal, reach out to our team at Advanced Back and Neck Care in Lumberton, New Jersey. Call (609) 261-7562 today to make an appointment and get on the road to a happier, healthier you.

Schedule an appointment online.

WRITTEN BY NORTHEAST SPINE AND SPORTS MEDICINE ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2019. POSTED IN SPINE AND SPORTS MEDICINE BLOG

Conditions & Injuries

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:33:06 GMT

Chiropractors commonly treat a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Most chiropractic patients understand that chiropractors can relieve pain, and regular chiropractic care will prevent pain, further injuries, and may stop or reverse many conditions.

Millions of people suffer from back, neck, extremity (arms, legs) and other musculoskeletal pain, which are all effectively relieved by chiropractic care, without the need for medication.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

Headaches and migraines
Upper/Mid/Lower back pain & stiffness
Neck pain & stiffness
Pinched nerves and muscle spasms
Leg & arm pain, tingling, numbness, weakness
Leg & arm joint pain or dysfunction
Carpal or Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Conditions & Diseases

In addition to back and neck pain, chiropractic is also very effective for treating medical conditions for people of all ages including babies and the elderly.

Conditions such as allergies or chronic ear infections in children, are successfully treated by chiropractic.

Many conditions are caused by subluxations (misalignments of spinal bones), which irritate or aggravate the nerves resulting in diseases or conditions. Chiropractic care can provide partial or full relief to many of these conditions:

Asthma
Arthritis
Bursitis
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Colic
Ear infection
Fertility issues
Frequent colds, flus
Gastrointestinal syndromes
Intervertebral disc syndrome
Loss of equilibrium
Multiple Sclerosis
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Tendonitis
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Respiratory infection
Injuries

Many common injuries can also be effectively treated by chiropractic care. The most common injuries are automobile accidents, where the symptoms can be delayed by weeks or even months after the accident. Auto insurance often covers these injuries.

Work place injuries including falls, lifting injuries, and others are also treatable by chiropractic. Many work places offer insurance to cover these types of injuries.

Chiropractic works well with sport injuries, and chiropractors can often improve performance. Some common injuries treated by chiropractors include:

Auto accidents
Work-related injuries
Chronic injuries
Falling injuries
Lifting injuries
Sport injuries
Whiplash

Why Every Athlete Needs a Sports Chiropractor

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:29:26 GMT

Whether an athlete, or just someone who is physically active, we all want to perform our best. We want to train for that marathon or cycling rally, compete in our next tennis match, or show up for Crossfit in our best form and, hopefully, participate free of pain.

Sports chiropractic can help with this.

Sports chiropractors specialize in three additional areas from conventional chiropractors. While we can absolutely perform necessary chiropractic adjustments of the neck and back, we are additionally focused on:

preventing athletic injuries

diagnosing and treating existing sports-related pain and injuries, and improving body function to maximize training and performance.

Injury Prevention

Athletes put a lot of demands on their bodies, particularly the joints. Posture issues, muscle imbalances, skeletal misalignments and existing pain from sleep positions or sitting at a desk for long periods can affect the form we take when running, lifting weights or swinging a golf club, and that can lead to injuries in the neck, back, elbows, hips, and knees — really anywhere with a joint!

Sports chiropractors can analyze body type and posture against the muscles and movements used in an athlete’s sport of choice to correct issues that lead to compensation injuries or those that result from improper sports technique. We can also address mild pain — usually a signal there is a more severe pain to come — before it leads to damage that may take you out of your game for good.

Sports Injury Diagnosis and Rehab

Often when an athlete gets injured, they realize there were signs this was going to happen: mild pain that increased with activity or lingering soreness well after the game was over. As experts in sports rehabilitation, sports chiropractors diagnose sports injuries and create treatment plans that involve a variety of rehab therapies including cold therapy, massage, taping, manual manipulation and stretch and strengthening exercises, among others, to allow athletes to return to their sport faster.

Improved Training and Performance

By focusing on improving overall body function, and increasing range of motion and muscle strength and tone, a sports chiropractor can assist athletes in optimizing and enhancing performance. Whether your goal is to run faster, swing harder, jump higher or play longer, sports chiropractors can analyze your training-to-results ratio to determine which factors might be keeping yours from reaching your fitness goals. These can include improper warm-up, nutrition deficiencies, sleep issues or overtraining, among many others.

No matter what your age or experience level, a sports chiropractor can help keep you injury-free while improving overall athletic performance. If you already have an injury, we can get you back to your sport of choice safely, quickly and stronger than before.

By Dynamic Sports Medicine

Drinking This Once a Day Can Triple Your Stroke Risk

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:28:13 GMT

More than three quarters of first-time stroke patients have high blood pressure, the American Heart Association (AHA) reports. Their data shows that 77 percent of first-time stroke suffers’ have blood pressure higher than 140/90 mmHg, whereas normal is considered less than 120/80 mmHg, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s why doctors say the best way to avoid a stroke is to lower your blood pressure, and the best way lower your blood pressure is to change what you eat and drink. But even if you’re cutting back on salt and alcohol, there are other common foods and drinks that could be putting you at risk of this deadly health condition. One study found that another popular beverage can triple your stroke risk if you drink it just once a day, even though it’s often marketed as a healthier option. Read on to find out which drink you may want to cut back on.

Drinking at least one diet soda a day can triple your stroke risk, research shows.

Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine looked at the long-term health impact of drinking artificially sweetened beverages, publishing their results in 2017 in the journal Stroke. The researchers analyzed nearly 3,000 participants over the age of 45 for strokes over the course of 10 years, gauging their beverage intake through a food-frequency questionnaire. According to their findings, the participants who drank at least one diet soda a day were nearly twice as likely to have a stroke than those who didn’t drink diet soda, but they were three times as likely to develop an ischemic stroke, in particular.

“Our study provides further evidence to link consumption of artificially sweetened beverages with the risk of stroke, particularly ischemic stroke,” the researchers said.

The study also found that daily diet soda drinkers were three times more likely to develop dementia.

These Boston University School of Medicine researchers also observed nearly 1,500 participants over the age of 60 for the development of dementia in correlation with diet soda consumption. According to their findings, people who drank at least one artificially sweetened beverage a day were three times as likely to develop dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease than those who did not consume diet soda. “Our study is the first to report an association between daily intake of artificially sweetened soft drink and an increased risk of both all-cause dementia and dementia because of Alzheimer’s disease (AD),” the researchers said.

Researchers say diet sodas should not be promoted as a healthy alternative to regular soda.

The scientists behind the study said further research needs to be conducted to determine why there was an increased risk for both stroke and dementia in regular diet soda drinkers. But in an AHA editorial accompanying the 2017 study, Ralph Sacco, MD, a former president of the AHA and the chairman of the Department of Neurology at the Miller School of Medicine at University of Miami in Florida, said that the main problem is that artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) are “marketed as healthier alternatives” to sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

“The American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association have given a cautious nod to the use of artificial sweeteners in place of sugar to combat obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus, but there is still uncertainty about the benefits and even healthfulness of ASBs,” Sacco said. According to the AHA, several large studies, including the 2017 report, have linked diet sodas to concerning health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and vascular death, in addition to stroke and dementia.

“The growing number of epidemiological studies showing strong associations between frequent consumption of ASBs and vascular outcomes, however, suggests that it may not be reasonable to substitute or promote ASBs as healthier alternatives to SSBs,” Sacco explained. “Both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened soft drinks may be hard on the brain.”

People should also avoid sweetened beverages altogether.

The study did not find a similar increased risk for sugar-sweetened soda in terms of stroke or dementia, however, Matthew Pase, PhD, the lead author of the study, said in a statement that this may be because people do not drink sweetened sodas as often as diet sodas. He added that, “although we did not find an association between stroke or dementia and the consumption of sugary drinks, this certainly does not mean they are a healthy option.”

“We know that limiting added sugars is an important strategy to support good nutrition and healthy body weights, and until we know more, people should use artificially sweetened drinks cautiously. They may have a role for people with diabetes and in weight loss, but we encourage people to drink water, low-fat milk or other beverages without added sweeteners,” Rachel K. Johnson, MPH, a former chair of the AHA’s Nutrition Committee and professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont, said in a statement.

The Standard American Diet Kills Us Slowly

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:26:21 GMT

‘The Standard American Diet Kills Us Slowly in Normal Times and Quickly in Covid Times’

Michael Pollan , This Is Your Mind on Plants , discusses his psychedelic journey and what highly processed foods are doing to our bodies.

Audio Interview : nytimes.com/2021/08/09/opinion/sway-kara-swisher-michael-pollan.html

.. .. ..

TRANSCRIPT:

Kara Swisher

I’m Kara Swisher, and you’re listening to “Sway.” My guest today is Michael Pollan. He describes his work as an investigation of the places where the human and natural worlds intersect — on our plates, in our gardens, and in our minds. In his early books, he’s urged us to reconsider where our food comes from and rethink the way we eat. And his more recent books take on another big topic, the plants that alter our consciousness. In his latest, he writes about the morphine in opium poppies, the caffeine in coffee and tea, and the psychedelic mescaline in cacti. The book’s title, “This Is Your Mind on Plants,” is a play on that famous drug PSA that played in the 1980s when the US was well into its war on drugs. [SIZZLING] You, know, it’s got that egg.

This is your brain. This is drugs.

Kara Swisher

And then they fry it. [METAL SPATULA CLANKS ON FRYING PAN] [EGG SIZZLES IN GREASE]

This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?

Kara Swisher

Well, a lot has changed since the 1980s, when the ads were about as subtle as the shoulder pads I used to wear, including the cultural acceptability of marijuana and psychedelics. So I wanted to talk to Pollan about where our thinking on drugs goes from here. Michael Pollan, welcome to Sway.

Michael Pollan

Thank you, Kara. Great to be here.

Kara Swisher

So one of the things that you talk about a lot is the threat to societal norms by using plants like this. And they can either be used as a tool or a weapon. Talk a little bit about that and the threat to societal norms.

Michael Pollan

Well, I’ve always been interested in the fact that we demonize certain drugs and we celebrate others. In our society, alcohol is legal, and tobacco is legal. And these are two of the most lethal drugs out there. And yet cannabis still is a Schedule I substance, even though it’s been legalized in 18 states and partly legalized in another 18. So how does this happen? What’s the history behind it? And there’s some arbitrariness to it. But a lot of it has to do with whether a given drug is lubricating the gears of society and the economy, or is it mucking them up.

Kara Swisher

Right, or perceived to be mucking them up.

Michael Pollan

Right. Because these perceptions aren’t always accurate. I look at three plant medicines in this book — opium, caffeine, and a psychedelic, mescaline. And the reason I wanted to look at a legal drug that almost all of us are involved with, caffeine, is to look at why this powerful and addictive drug has been, for most of its history, celebrated. And the reason has to do, I think, with the fact that it was an incredible boon to civilization, to capitalism especially, in that it produced a new kind of worker who was more sober than workers were before caffeine was introduced.

Kara Swisher

So therefore, this is a good drug versus this is a bad drug.

Michael Pollan

So this is a good drug. This helps society. This helps your employer.

Kara Swisher

Right. I want to get into the space with each of them that you go through, which are each fascinating their own way. You pose a big question at the beginning of the book. Why do humans go to such lengths to change our minds? And then why do we fence the universal desire with laws and customs, taboos, and anxieties?

Michael Pollan

Yeah. And that’s the question that got me very interested in this whole area. It’s kind of weird that we want to change consciousness, that we’re not satisfied with everyday, normal consciousness. We either want to optimize it, or transcend it, or —

Kara Swisher

Turbocharge it.

Michael Pollan

Yeah, we’re just not satisfied with it. And that’s odd. And the other question is, wouldn’t changing consciousness be a dangerous thing? Because we in certain instances it is. You get addicted. You overdose. You’re sloppy. You make mistakes. There’s a lot that would seem to not be conducive to success in an evolutionary sense. So you would think that the drug takers would have been edited out of evolution because they made so many errors and left themselves vulnerable to predation or whatever it was. But they haven’t been. So you then have to ask the question, what might this be good for? Why might there be an advantage to being a drug taker? So I’ve been fascinated by this question. And some of the answers are kind of obvious, like relief from pain. You could see that as being a boon to any species. And then you get to drugs, though, that do more radical things, like psychedelics. Why would this be helpful? And I think that it actually contributes to cultural evolution in really important ways. The encounter of certain minds and certain molecules sometimes, very rarely, but sometimes produces visions, breakthroughs, insights that benefits us as a species.

Kara Swisher

Or could.

Michael Pollan

Could.

Kara Swisher

This is why tech people always say, I’ve gotten all these ideas. I’m like, how many of them were good? You know what I mean?

Michael Pollan

Well, and that’s why I emphasize some molecules and some minds. 99% of the insights people have on psychedelics are probably useless and possibly stupid and certainly banal. But every now and then, something interesting happens. I see it not so much as these chemicals are so intelligent, and they get in our brains, and they give us ideas. It’s more like they’re a disruptive force like radiation. Radiation gives us mutations in the genes, which are bad. But every now and then, there’s a mutation — and this goes for culture as well as in the genome — that benefits the species. And I see psychedelics and drugs in general as that mutating force. And yes, there’s a lot that goes wrong. But every now and then, it goes right.

Kara Swisher

Right. OK. So you picked a sedative, opium, a stimulant, caffeine, a hallucinogenic, mescaline, which you call the downer, the upper, and what I think of as the outer, which is mescaline. So let’s talk first about opium. You tell a story about growing poppies. It’s from a piece you did for Harper’s called “Opium Made Easy” in which you wanted to brew a narcotic tea made from poppies. And you were writing about it. And then you couldn’t. Let’s talk first a little bit about the opium flower. You were interested in it based on a book that you got from Jim Hogshire. His book was “Opium for the Masses.” Talk a little bit about opium itself and why it had this reputation. And then talk about what happened with your project.

Michael Pollan

Well, opium is, first of all, the most gorgeous flower you can grow. And opium has been important to our species, I mean, as far back as we can go. Before recorded history, people recognized its value as a painkiller and something that, as I wrote, lightens the existential load. So it had this really interesting history. I had no particular interest in using it. I mean, my experience with opiates had been when I had my wisdom teeth removed. And it made me very nauseous. What engaged me about growing opium was like, wow, I could do this? I could grow this narcotic in my garden without leaving home? This was in the ‘90s, and I read this book, “Opium for the Masses,” basically describing how you could take the seed heads, crush them, soak them in hot water, and make a tea that would make you feel opiate-like effect. And I was like, let me see if I can do it. And I was writing columns for The Times and Harper’s about gardening. So I was always looking for column ideas. [LAUGHS] But it turned out to be a much more frightening experience than I expected. I start corresponding with Jim Hogshire, the author of “Opium for the Masses,” and getting horticultural advice, and does he have any seeds he could share. And then I learn that he has been busted for possession of dried poppy heads he bought in a florist shop.

Kara Swisher

So he bought legally.

Michael Pollan

He bought legally. But there’s a funny little quirk when these drug laws were written, which is, if you’re growing a scheduled substance, you’re committing a federal crime. If you don’t know, and you think you’re just growing flowers, no problem. But his book proved he had that state of knowledge. And guess what. My email was on his hard drive. So suddenly, I’m in this very fearful, paranoid place, thinking, when are they going to bust me?

Kara Swisher

You had grown the flowers, and therefore, guilty before you were guilty essentially.

Michael Pollan

Yes. I had the state of knowledge that condemned me. It’s very much like the Garden of Eden, right? So I had this summer of paranoia. I started doing reporting to figure out well, what exactly was the DEA doing here. And indeed, back in ‘96, they had a campaign to stamp out domestic opium growing by gardeners like me. Anyway, I complete this piece. It’s this long piece. And I’m gradually learning how dangerous it is to commit a drug offense at this point in history. This is the Clinton administration, post crime bill —

Kara Swisher

Joe Biden involved. Yep.

Michael Pollan

— a mandatory minimum sentence. And what I had done could result in a prison term, a million-dollar fine, and the confiscation of my house under the drug laws. If a piece of land is involved in the production of a drug, whether the owner of that land is convicted or not, that piece of land can be seized. So there was a lot at stake. I finished the article. Realizing I had already broken the law by knowing what I knew, I went ahead and made the tea tried it, described it in the text. And I submitted it to Harper’s. And I said, look, we’ve got to get this lawyer. And initially, they sent a criminal defense lawyer to read it.

Kara Swisher

Yeah, who told you you were screwed.

Michael Pollan

Yeah, who said forget it. You can’t publish this. But when Rick MacArthur, the publisher of Harper’s, heard that his lawyer had said not to publish it, he was outraged. So we hired a First Amendment lawyer, who said, you must publish this article. This is exactly what the First Amendment exists to protect. And I wasn’t sure what to do at all. There was a lot at stake. And obviously, it was my wife’s decision too. We had a four-year-old. We couldn’t afford to lose this house or have me be in jail. So in the end, the lawyer had said, look, there are two passages that are particularly antagonistic to the government. One is the recipe for how you make the tea, and the other is, how does it make you feel, the trip report, as we say in drug journalism.

Kara Swisher

Oh, as we say in drug journalism.

Michael Pollan

Yes. [LAUGHTER] And so he said, if you really want to reduce your exposure, that’s what I would take out. So I had to self-censor back then. And I never felt good about it. And now the statute of limitations has passed, and the atmosphere has changed dramatically. So I wanted to republish it in its true state. But the other reason I wanted to republish it is it stands as a very interesting document about the drug war and how bad it was. And something else was going on at that same moment that I was unaware of at the time, everyone was unaware of.

Kara Swisher

Well, let me read a passage. “While we were caught at this remote and ridiculous skirmish in the drug war, the drug in question was quietly and legally making its way into the bodies of millions of Americans as Purdue Pharma pursued its marketing campaign, sating the culture with seductive disinformation about the safety of Oxycontin.” So near you, not far.

Michael Pollan

No, just down Route 7 from where I lived, this company, owned by the Sackler family, was planting the seeds of the real opiate crisis. While the government was messing around with a couple of gardeners, this company was legally addicting millions of people to their product. We now know they knew it was addictive and subject to abuse, even though they claimed it was a safer form of opiates. And this is a big issue in that I think the story of Purdue Pharma has undercut a lot of the rationale for the drug war. The drug war was sold to us as a public health campaign. These drugs were damaging our health. They were addicting our children.

Kara Swisher

Just say no.

Michael Pollan

Just say no, and this is your brain on drugs. But we were looking at the wrong problem.

Kara Swisher

Right. So do you think of the story differently now in light of the opioid epidemic, which is now they’re paying money, not enough by any stretch of the imagination? But do you look at it differently?

Michael Pollan

Yeah, it makes me question whether the real rationale of the drug war was ever public health. We have reason to believe now that Nixon saw it as a political war and that the drug war was a way to gain power over the two communities he regarded as a threat to his presidency — hippies, as he called it, and Blacks. And that gives you a very powerful cudgel to disrupt a community you want to. The collateral damage of the drug war to communities of color — and think of these countries in South America and Central America that have been wrecked by cartels, empowered by the fact these drugs are illegal. There’s just been so much damage done, and so many lives ruined, and so little accomplished.

Kara Swisher

So how do you look at your experiment in tea now?

Michael Pollan

Well, as a parable on just how misbegotten and crazy the drug war was. And I say “was” advisedly because it’s still going on, even though I think it’s running out of gas. I think we can begin to see the end of it. But they’re still arresting more than a million people a year on drug charges. And I see us moving to a harm reduction model. And in fact, in Biden’s Covid relief bill, there’s $30 million for harm reduction. This is needle exchange and things like that. That’s unprecedented for our government. So I do see us moving. And certainly, the voters are moving quickly to change things.

Kara Swisher

So the second section of the book is about caffeine. And even though a lot of us aren’t dependent on it, it’s a drug. You call it the most widely used psychotropic. So talk a little bit why you picked coffee here, because everyone is on as psychotropic drug.

Michael Pollan

Yeah. Well, 90% of us use a caffeine product every day.

Kara Swisher

Yes, I’m using one right now.

Michael Pollan

Yeah, I just finished mine. It could be coffee. It could be tea. And it could be soda. The top brands of soda in this country are all caffeinated. That’s added by the manufacturers. It’s been proven that the caffeine is there as a reinforcer. It makes people like it more.

Kara Swisher

Just like the bees you talked about.

Michael Pollan

Exactly.

Kara Swisher

Bees like caffeinated flowers.

Michael Pollan

This was a big surprise to me because caffeine in nature evolved as a pesticide. The plants produce this alkaloid in order to protect them against insects and from other plants growing too close to them. But plants are so clever that certain ones have repurposed caffeine as an attractant. And they discovered that if you put a little caffeine in your nectar, which, of course, is designed to attract not repel insects, the bees will prefer you, return to you more reliably, remember where you are, and basically, yes, become more faithful and effective pollinators.

Kara Swisher

Like a Starbucks or something.

Michael Pollan

Basically. It does for the bees what it does for us. It makes us better workers. And I mean, I’m constantly amazed at the cleverness of plants and their mastery of neurochemistry to get us to do what they need us to do.

Kara Swisher

Well, I’m going to get into you giving up coffee. But first, coffee was on trial in Mecca, Charles II tried — there was political elements with coffee.

Michael Pollan

Yeah, there was a drug war against coffee at various times, as there has been against almost any drug. They’re always threatening to somebody. Charles II thought that the coffee houses were going to be hotbeds of sedition, and so he tried to ban them for all of about two weeks. People were already so far gone in coffee culture that they just ignored him. And he wasn’t powerful enough to enforce it. So ever since then, no one has really come after coffee.

Kara Swisher

They decided to use it as a help, actually. And you said caffeine has allowed us to adapt our bodies and our minds to the requirements of modern life and industry. Can you talk about the link between the modern age and caffeine?

Michael Pollan

Well, what’s interesting about caffeine is, as a drug, it comes into the West very late in history. Not till the 1650s does coffee, tea, and chocolate arrive in the same decade in England. All the other big drugs — alcohol, cannabis, opium — go so far back that we don’t have a before and after. But coffee comes in late enough that we know what the world was like before it and the way the world was after. Basically, before it, everybody was drunk all the time or at least buzzed.

Kara Swisher

Because it was safer.

Michael Pollan

It was safer than water. This is not conducive to oh, a scientific revolution, the rise of capitalism.

Kara Swisher

Manufacturing.

Michael Pollan

Manufacturing. And so when you’re moving to a place where mental work becomes more important than physical work, you need a drug that helps you to focus. And along comes caffeine, which does this really well. The whole age of rationalism and then the Enlightenment was fueled by caffeine. In the Enlightenment, characters — you know, Voltaire would have 72 cups of coffee a day.

Kara Swisher

Do you think he did?

Michael Pollan

I don’t know how you would do that exactly. Maybe they were a little French cups.

Kara Swisher

Yeah, I guess.

Michael Pollan

I don’t know.

Kara Swisher

I don’t believe it.

Michael Pollan

[LAUGHS] I’m sure it’s exaggerated.

Kara Swisher

But I’ve seen people put out 12 Diet Cokes a day.

Michael Pollan

Oh yeah.

Kara Swisher

But you decided to give up caffeine because you were already caffeinated so you didn’t know what the uncaffeinated was. And you said it gave you — I love this word — mental tumescence. [LAUGHTER] But then you became an unsharpened pencil. I like all your penile references. But explain how you did this. And how did your thoughts on caffeine change after you did that?

Michael Pollan

So I was interviewing Roland Griffiths, the great American caffeine researcher. And he said, you cannot understand your relationship to a drug or anything you do habitually. Until you stop and look at it, you don’t really know what’s the caffeine and what’s you. And you don’t know how powerful it is. So it was a challenge I felt I had to accept. So I got off caffeine. I did it cold turkey. And I was struck at what a powerful effect it had, giving it up. I couldn’t write for a week or two.

Kara Swisher

So you couldn’t focus.

Michael Pollan

I couldn’t focus. And I couldn’t do anything linear. I mean, I was just bouncing around like a ping pong ball. And after a while, that faded, and I was able to work again but without great pleasure. And as I say in the book, no work of genius has ever been produced on chamomile tea. And that’s all I had.

Kara Swisher

Not yet.

Michael Pollan

Not yet. [LAUGHS] It’s a long shot. But even after a couple of months — and I was off for three months — I didn’t feel myself. And that’s a very weird statement because that was myself. That was my uncaffeinated, baseline self. But I had been using caffeine for so long, and it had been so intricately woven into my sense of things and my perceptions of the world that I wasn’t myself without it.

Kara Swisher

So one thing you wrote is, “has the discovery of caffeine by humans been a boon or bane to our civilization, and what about to our species, which might not be the same thing?” What do you mean by that, and the costs? How do you look at caffeine as a cost drug?

Michael Pollan

Well, if you’re looking at the civilization, I think you’d have to argue, on balance, it’s been a boon. It has helped give us a scientific revolution, a capitalist revolution, all the blessings of our advanced economy, such as they are. But as a species, it’s a little different. The way caffeine gave us this is it disconnected us from our circadian rhythms. We’re not paying attention to our body’s desire for periods of rest and periods of activity. But it’s important to stress, there are not a lot of good health reasons not to drink caffeine. Coffee and tea are protective against cardiovascular disease, against certain kinds of cancer, against Parkinson’s, against dementia. It’s kind of remarkable. We don’t know whether it’s the caffeine or something else in the coffee and tea. It probably is the latter. Believe it or not, coffee and tea are the leading source of antioxidants in the American diet.

Kara Swisher

Wow, compared to blueberries or something.

Michael Pollan

Yeah. So if you took away coffee and tea, we’d really be screwed.

Kara Swisher

All right, so the last one you write about is mescaline, which I found to be the most important section. You were trying to make the case for the modern moral use to bind community rather than seeing drugs as hedonism. And you wrote, “that such a model exists or exists in other traditional cultures requires us to reconsider the whole concept of drugs and the moral failings we associate with them in the West. Our understanding of drugs is organized around ideas of hedonism, the wished-for escape, the desire to dull the senses.” Mescaline, talk about it a little bit.

Michael Pollan

So mescaline is a chemical produced by a couple kinds of cactus, most famously, peyote. And it is really the first psychedelic that people were aware of in the West. It’s discovered around 1900 and synthesized then. Mescaline is a powerful psychedelic. And it is used in the form of peyote by Native Americans in their religious ceremonies and has been for a very long time. There’s evidence of mescaline use, or peyote use, going back 6,000 years in Texas and in Mexico. And I was interested in looking at it because it does suggest a radically different model of drug use. I was also interested because, when psychedelics came to the West, we didn’t know what to do with them.

Kara Swisher

Use them alone or use them for —

Michael Pollan

Yeah, we used them alone. We just took some, walked around the streets of Manhattan. We put them in the punch bowl. Basically, we were in this big, sloppy R&D program to understand what were these things good for, how to use them. But, in fact, an instruction manual existed. And that was the Native American use of mescaline. And it was fundamentally different. And I still think we have a lot to learn from it without appropriating it, but the underlying principles that you basically don’t use these substances alone, you never do it casually, you do it with a clear sense of intention — in their case, usually to heal somebody.

Kara Swisher

And this was why it was used in these Native American churches, right, because they were dealing with —

Michael Pollan

Trauma.

Kara Swisher

Trauma, constant trauma — extermination is really what was happening.

Michael Pollan

Yes. So the peyote church begins for Native Americans in the 1880s, at this moment where they are on the verge of cultural annihilation. We’re forcing them — and I say we. I mean white Americans are forcing them onto reservations and kidnapping their children and putting them in schools, boarding schools. And we’re cutting their hair first, which is the most offensive thing you can do. We have outlawed most of their ceremonies. So they are in the process of collapsing as a culture. They rediscover peyote and create this ceremony around it that proved to be very healing. And I was so struck by the testimony of the Native Americans I interviewed as to what a role peyote had played in preserving their culture and in healing their trauma. It was inspiring to learn about. But I also learned that the population of peyote cactus is crashing.

Kara Swisher

Yes, right. And they’re reserved only for Native American churches, correct?

Michael Pollan

Yeah, except other people are using it and shouldn’t, in my view. I mean, I concluded that the only way to express respect for this practice is to not do it ourselves as non-natives. We’ve taken so much from Native Americans. To now start poaching their peyote is just criminal. There are other ways to get mescaline though. I mean, you can get it in synthetic forms, which I did for the book. And also, it grows in something else called San Pedro, a cactus which is very easy to grow, at least in California.

Kara Swisher

Yeah, I didn’t realize. I think I have one, actually, in California. I think I do.

Michael Pollan

You may well. It’s all over the place. It’s legal to grow. And peyote is not legal to grow unless you’re a Native American.

Kara Swisher

You had a hard time interviewing a lot of Native — they didn’t want to talk to you about it.

Michael Pollan

They’re very protective of the ceremony. They’re aware of the psychedelic renaissance, and they think some of these companies coming into the psychedelic space are going to eventually train their attention on peyote or mescaline and that this will be taken away from them. I interviewed Steve Benally, who’s a Navajo roadman, who leads ceremonies. He said, you know, there’s a long tradition of discoverers coming here to discover what we do and how we do it. And that has not worked out well for us. Implicit in that, I was one of these discoverers. It took me aback because we always think our own intentions are so pure. But I could see it from their point of view.

Kara Swisher

Right. You decided not to take peyote but used both San Pedro and then also a synthesized mescaline. And you enjoyed it. You said there was “a sufficiency of reality,” which I love that idea is that basically you stared at everything.

Michael Pollan

[LAUGHS]

Kara Swisher

And you wrote, “there is enough here to see, to understand, to experience —”

Michael Pollan

You’re trivializing my staring, Kara. It was profound.

Kara Swisher

[LAUGHS] I once used to stare in the mirror and seek myself out. I’ve done that. But you talked about- – this is what you call “unending observance” versus mushrooms and LSD, which is magical thinking. Talk about the difference.

Michael Pollan

Yeah, no, I mean, in high doses, LSD and psilocybin take you to other worlds. You leave the known universe. That’s not true with mescaline. Mescaline immerses you in the here and now more deeply than you have ever been immersed before. In normal times, your consciousness is limiting the amount of information you’re getting. But there’s a lot more out there. And on mescaline, you feel like it’s all flooding in. And there was a period where it was overwhelming, that it was just too much reality. It was frightening. But for most of it, it was just kind of riveting. One of the qualities of psychedelics is whatever insights you have, they feel more like revealed truths than anything else. And that’s why people who have psychedelic experience can be so annoying to other people because they have this absolute certainty that they have found something profound, that love —

Kara Swisher

The wave.

Michael Pollan

— that love is the most important thing in the universe. But guess what. It is.

Kara Swisher

It is. It’s just if you’re not taking drugs, and you’re with someone who’s taking drugs —

Michael Pollan

Yeah, I know.

Kara Swisher

— you’re like, and remove yourself from my place. So is this a kind of roadmap reframing the way we think about other drugs, I mean the way the Native American church uses it? Again, you discuss cultural appropriation. But does it means something different for you to do these drugs and write about it than these groups?

Michael Pollan

So look, the native ceremonies are not our ceremonies. And we’re going to have to create our own ceremonies. And I think we’re in the process of doing that. We have this medical model, where two therapists sit with you during a psychedelic experience, and they help you interpret it. But there are other models yet to be invented. I think the challenge for all of us is to devise the proper cultural containers for drugs. And they’re going to be different for different people. And they’re going to be different for different drugs. And that’s as it should be. I mean, one of the mistakes of the drug war was to lump all illicit drugs together. They’re more different than alike. Psychedelics are completely different than the opiates. For one thing, they’re not addictive. They’re not toxic. But they have very specific psychological risks that you have to deal with. So I think one of the challenges of the next few years is negotiating the drug peace that follows the drug war.

Kara Swisher

So what is drug peace to you? Oregon decriminalized possession of small amounts of all drugs, and you see marijuana decriminalization all over the country, obviously.

Michael Pollan

It’s the first step. It’s only the first step. It’s going to be a lot more complicated than simply decriminalizing or legalizing drugs.

Kara Swisher

So you’re saying this is a drug peace we’re moving into, and you write the drug war is fading and the end appears in sight. But there are more than a million people being arrested each year for drug crimes. What has to happen to make that stop?

Michael Pollan

Well, I think we have to look at what’s happening in Oregon for starters. The voters of Oregon, not the leaders of Oregon, voted to decriminalize all drugs and specifically voted to legalize psilocybin therapy for anyone who wants it, not just people who are mentally ill. And it obliges the government of Oregon to set up a program to train and certify guides, psychedelic guides, and license growers of magic mushrooms. It’s an incredible idea. And this obviously usurps power normally reserved to the federal government and the FDA. But will they stop this? If they don’t, it’s going to happen within two years. And we will have this amazing experiment in legalizing a psychedelic. And then in terms of decriminalizing all drugs, what are they going to do with heroin addicts? Well, they’re going to move them into treatment. Is that going to work?

Kara Swisher

Rather than jailing everybody.

Michael Pollan

Yes, jailing is not working. I mean, everything we’ve done in the drug war has essentially failed. I mean, it’s failed to stem drug use. It’s failed to discourage it. And it’s had all this collateral damage. So it’s time to try other things. What will work? I don’t know. I think we’re going to have to try different things with different drugs. What we’re doing with cannabis, we’re kind of feeling our way. Now you can get cannabis in, what, 18 different states. And it’s promoted heavily. And I’m not sure that commercial model is right for psychedelics. I think it’s a much more powerful and consequential experience. So I think we’re going to have to figure out another way to do that. I’m really reluctant to see psychedelics commercialized.

Kara Swisher

Some people think you’re too conservative, by the way, on that.

Michael Pollan

Yes, I know. I know. And that’s fine. I can live with it. I mean — and in fact, I have moved in my — as time has gone on and I see that how we use these drugs. But I think that we need to give a lot of thought to especially when you talk about the opiates. If we’re going to decriminalize the opiates, how do we deal with that? How do we treat people who have addiction? How do we prevent addiction from happening? And our understanding of addiction is really primitive. So we have a lot of work to do.

Kara Swisher

So where does it start? Does it start in research? Medical, that’s how marijuana moved into the mainstream. It was a medical usage.

Michael Pollan

Yeah, although the interesting thing is that the science around the health benefits of cannabis was mostly anecdotal, whereas with psilocybin and MDMA, there’s a lot of very solid research suggesting that these have a place in treatment. So I think it’s partly going to be a question of research, and it’s partly going to be a messy process of trial and error.

Kara Swisher

So can you give us an update on that research? You have a lot of tech people funding some of this stuff. There’s a lot of research happening. Where do you think it goes?

Michael Pollan

Yeah, so there have now been phase II and increasingly, phase III studies. MDMA, or Ecstasy, a phase III study was recently released that was incredibly promising in terms of treating PTSD. That’s remarkable. We have nothing like that for PTSD. So it appears that MDMA will be the first of this class of drugs to be approved by the FDA. And that should happen within the next two years. Meanwhile, the research on psilocybin is also panning out. There’s been studies of depression and a great many more coming. There’s a bunch of companies who have gotten into this space. No one knows quite how they’ll make money because it’s a drug you’re going to take twice in your life probably.

Kara Swisher

Yeah, no, you need a drug that doesn’t cure you.

Michael Pollan

Exactly. You need to a drug that keeps you mildly improved for a long time.

Kara Swisher

Caffeine!

Michael Pollan

Yes, caffeine works. So it’s going to be a challenge to fold it into the system we have. But the research is very encouraging.

Kara Swisher

Do you think Americans could be able to go to church and have a ritualized psychedelic experience to — I mean, there’s never been a time we’ve been more apart, right? And these are supposed to bring people together.

Michael Pollan

In many ways, psychedelics is just what the doctor ordered for our screwed up civilization, I mean, in terms of fostering connection between people, making people feel more part of nature. But I have to be a little skeptical that this will happen on a massive scale. This is what individuals report. But the kinds of individuals who take psychedelics are already inclined in that direction. The research we need to do — and I’m hoping we can do it. We have a new psychedelic research center at Berkeley that I’m involved with. We want to research enduring changes in people’s attitudes after psychedelics. But you have to work with conservatives too. You have to take coal mining lobbyists and executives and see whether they feel more connected to nature after they have the experience, not just liberals and leftists. So the jury’s out on whether you can actually heal a culture with a drug. Yes, I do think you will be able to go to a church at some point and have a psychedelic experience. Already, there are three churches in America where that’s legal, two ayahuasca churches and the Native American church. But right now, in the Bay Area and elsewhere, new churches using psychedelics as sacraments are forming. And this Supreme Court has been so generous in granting religious exemptions to federal laws that I think this is going to be an exploding cigar in the face of Sam Alito when the Church of Lysergic Acid ends up at the Supreme Court. I can’t wait to see what he does.

Kara Swisher

He’ll be the first to sign up. [MUSIC PLAYING]

We’ll be back in a minute.

If you like this interview and want to hear others, follow us on your favorite podcast app. You’ll be able to catch up on Sway episodes you may have missed, like my conversation with Jane Goodall. And you’ll get new ones delivered directly to you. More with Michael Pollan after the break.

I just want to ask you about food sustainability. So in some of your early bestsellers like Omnivore’s Dilemma, you advocate a more plant-based way of eating, more locavore, more sustainable. So after this pandemic, what is your report card now on where we’re compared to then?

Michael Pollan

Yeah, so the pandemic had a very interesting effect on the food system. It fell apart for a while, as most of us know. And it has adjusted. And they’ve figured out a way to take that industrial supply chain that’s feeding institutions and restaurants, and repurposed it, and brought it into the supermarkets. The system did adapt. It took a couple of months. In general, though, local food, CSAs, farmers markets have thrived during the pandemic. People have been home more. They’ve been cooking more. Whether this will be a lasting change, I don’t. know. Some people learned to cook who had never cooked before and were forced to cook during the pandemic. Will they use these skills going forward or be happy to give them up? I don’t know the answer to that. So the food system, there is an alternative food system that has been growing by leaps and bounds if you combine —

Kara Swisher

Decentralized. Local.

Michael Pollan

Yes, decentralized, local, organic. That’s growing quickly, but it’s still not the mainstream food system. You do have changes coming, I think. There is a real strong effort to bring antitrust law to bear on the food industry.

Kara Swisher

Finally.

Michael Pollan

Yes.

Kara Swisher

Which was used to make them bigger. Correct?

Michael Pollan

Exactly, when efficiency was everything that mattered, we would allow companies to combine as long as consumer prices didn’t go up. But that was not the idea of antitrust. The idea of antitrust was to keep powerful entities from dominating our political culture. And that’s certainly happened in the food industry. And Biden’s hires, I know some of them are really good and intent on breaking up some of these big food monopolies.

Kara Swisher

The focus is on tech, but food is right in there.

Michael Pollan

Food is right in there, and it’s really important.

Kara Swisher

So the links also between food and Covid comorbidities is really clear. The underlying conditions happen to be the predictors of Covid-19. You wrote, “49% of the people hospitalized with Covid-19 had pre-existing hypertension. 48% were obese. 28% had diabetes.”

Michael Pollan

Diabetes, yeah. I don’t know why we don’t talk about that more. So yeah, the predictors of a Covid death, a death from Covid, are essentially bad diet and an inflamed body. It’s all about inflammation. And Covid appears to send your immune system into this hyperdrive. And if you are already inflamed by a Western diet — and that is what this diet does to us, a diet of lots of processed food, lots of meat, lots of sugar — it screws with your microbiome and leaves your body inflamed. But we don’t talk about diet in general and the role it plays in our health. It’s the main thing. If you want to predict someone’s likelihood of cancer, cardiovascular disease, look at their diet.

Kara Swisher

And COVID.

Michael Pollan

And COVID. The standard American diet kills us slowly in normal times and quickly in COVID times. And that’s basically what’s happening.

Kara Swisher

So where’s your report card now?

Michael Pollan

We’re still eating a crummy diet. I’m encouraged by the fact that there is a real renaissance in food science, food technology around meat replacements, which I think have enormous value from an environmental point of view, and in many cases, from a health point of view. And it’s been really interesting to watch the dairy industry take a hit from synthetic milks. It’s like 13% of the market now. And that happened really fast. This could happen to meat also. And so there are signs that the diet is changing. I don’t want to get too far ahead there. I mean, changing habits in adults is very difficult. It’s one of the things psychedelics are good for is changing habits in adults.

Kara Swisher

If we take a psychedelic, we’ll eat more vegetables. “Mostly plants, not too much.”

Michael Pollan

Right. So anyway, we have a long way to go with food. I mean, this industry is so powerful and does such a good job of putting very tempting, cheap things in front of us. And healthy food costs more. And we can’t get around that. And in order to make it possible for people to eat healthy food, we’re going to have to raise wages because we’re not going to make farmers bear the brunt of this. We’re not going to make the food any cheaper. And we have to make it more affordable. And we have to do that on the wage side, not the cost side.

Kara Swisher

Let me ask you one last question. What is the drug plant that you think are focusing on next that everyone’s using now? Mine is, of course, Twitter. The New York Times called you, “ever the lotus eater,” which I love that expression towards you. What is the new thing? What is the thing you are focused in on now?

Michael Pollan

Well, I do think that the scientists should look at mescaline, synthetic mescaline, in that I think it combines some of the qualities of the psychedelic with that of MDMA. And so it allows you to talk and be very present to other people as well. So it strikes me, from my one experience on it, that it might be useful in a group context, group therapy, in that people could be present, hold a conversation. It’s no accident that it’s used in a group setting by Native Americans. So it is 12 to 14 hours. And I think that’s going to be a challenge for researchers. So what if we could take mescaline and tweak it in such a way that it only lasted four hours or six hours? That might be a really valuable contribution. And somebody could get their beloved IP on it too.

Kara Swisher

That’s true. That’s fair. Do you think that is where we are going?

Michael Pollan

Well, psychedelics are moving faster than food, much faster. I mean, what has happened since 2018 when “How to Change Your Mind” came out, I never would have guessed. I thought we were 10 years away from anything happening. In that time since, though, I mean, you think of the universities — Yale, Berkeley, Hopkins — all starting psychedelic research centers. This was the kiss of death for graduate students and academics. And it’s not. It’s a totally respectable area of research. What that means is some very good minds and some capital are going to be brought together around psychedelic research. And that is going to produce change much more quickly than we’ve seen in food.

Kara Swisher

Excellent. Well, when the techies don’t want to die, they’ll move on to food. Just wait.

Michael Pollan

[LAUGHS]

Kara Swisher

Thank you, internet. You’ve done one thing good. Michael, this has been fantastic. Thank you so much.

Michael Pollan

Thank you. Always a pleasure to talk to you, Kara. [MUSIC PLAYING]

Kara Swisher

Sway is a production of New York Times Opinion. It’s produced by Nayeema Raza, Blakeney Schnick, Caitlin O’Keefe, Matt Kwong, and Daphne Chen. Edited by Nayeema Raza and Paula Szuchman, with original music by Isaac Jones, mixing by Isaac Jones, Sonia Herrero, and Carole Sabouraud. Fact-checking by Kate Sinclair. Special thanks to Shannon Busta, Kristin Lin, and Liriel Higa. If you’re in a podcast app already, you know how to get your podcasts, so follow this one. If you’re listening on The Times website and want to get each new episode of “Sway” delivered to you along with a membership in the Church of Starbucks, download any podcast app and search for “Sway” and follow the show. We release every Monday and Thursday. Thanks for listening.

Pregnancy and Low Back Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:04:33 GMT

Did you know that between 50% of all pregnant women suffer from back pain and 50-75% experience back pain during labor?

By chiro-trust.org

There are MANY reasons why back pain becomes an issue for women during their pregnancy. The first and most obvious reason is the displaced weight gain of 25-35 pounds (on average) resulting in pain in both the upper quarter (often from the increase in breast volume and weight) and lower quarter (from the growing baby). As the baby develops, an expectant mother’s center of gravity moves forward causing her to sway back, which can overload the lower region of the spine. The women most at risk for pregnancy-related back pain include those who are overweight prior to their pregnancy, those who perform physically strenuous work, and those with a history of back pain.

Another factor that can increase a woman’s risk for back pain during pregnancy is water retention. Not only does retaining water increase the load the body must carry, placing added stress on the musculoskeletal system, but water retention has also been associated with stiffer joints throughout the body, which can increase the risk for musculoskeletal pain—including back pain.

The body requires more fluid during pregnancy to maintain the health of a growing baby, and drinking water is one of the best ways to hydrate. The American Pregnancy Association (APA) reports that the body produces 50% more body fluids during pregnancy.

Fluid retention is a common complaint during pregnancy. By the third month of pregnancy, approximately 50% of women notice swelling in their hands and feet and most have significant swelling by the third trimester. Sudden and new swelling in the face, hands, and eyes accompanied by blurred vision, severe headache, painful urination, and/or the inability to urinate with abdominal pain and hypertension (>140/90) may represent a medical emergency called pre-eclampsia. This occurs later in the pregnancy, usually after the twentieth week. If this is suspected, don’t delay in obtaining emergent medical care!

To combat fluid retention, avoid constrictive clothing around the wrists and ankles, rest with the feet elevated (especially when temperatures exceed 75-85º F / 25-30º C), use ice packs, wear comfortable shoes, and try support tights or stockings. Dietary options for reducing fluid retention includes the use of certain herbs and vitamins, and foods such as celery, onions, eggplant, garlic, parsley, mint, bananas, coconut, dandelion, melons, salmon (omega-3 fatty acids), cucumber, and more.

‘Super Easy’ Stretch

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:01:03 GMT

A Harvard-trained sports medicine doctor shares the ‘super easy’ stretch she does every day to relieve lower back pain

By Cindy Lin, @CINDYLINMD

The pandemic has not been kind to our lower backs.

A Gallup poll conducted in January found that 56% of American employees were “always” or “sometimes” working from home, while another survey found that 18% of Americans said they added more than seven hours of daily sitting time to their days in 2020.

As a result, more people are hunched over computers, working in suboptimal and makeshift home offices. Sitting hours at a time in poor posture can increase pressure on the spine and joints.

And most laptop and phone use involve us hunching in a turtle-like posture with our neck and head rounding forward. This can contribute to lower back pain because the discs that cushion our spinal vertebrae are strained.

Good posture, exercise and workstation ergonomics (fitting a workstation to your body’s unique needs) are key to preventing back pain. But, as a sports medicine physician who specializes in spinal injuries, I always tell my patients that frequent stretching is just as important.

Below is one of my favorite, super easy daily stretches to do as a way to help prevent or relieve lower back pain. (Keep in mind that this might not be for everyone. If you have a physical condition or health concerns, consult with your doctor or physical therapist first.)

Standing lower back extension stretch

I love this stretch because it helps relieve the spinal discs that are under pressure due to prolonged sitting. You can do it three to four times a day, or whenever your back feels tight or sore.

Here’s how:

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your head and shoulders neutral and relaxed.

Place your hands on top of your pelvis, or on your hips.

Keep your knees straight as you slowly and gently extend your spine in a slight backward arc (think of it as a small standing backbend).

Hold the position for five to 10 seconds, then slowly return to the starting upright position.

Repeat five times, and aim to extend slightly farther each time.

Add a simple modification

You can get more out of this back stretch by adding a chest movement.

Instead of putting your hands on your hips, reach your arms and hands straight above your head. Or, you can put your hands behind your head (with elbows pointing out to the sides). Then complete steps 3 to 4 as noted above.

This modification can help open tight chest muscles, prevent shoulder hunching and extend the upper spine. You can also perform this stretch while seated by extending your upper back gently over the chair.

The importance of stretching and moving

It’s also smart to add physical activity to your day. The goal is to break up prolonged sitting time and get on your feet. Physical inactivity can cause stiffness in our joints and muscles (hence the saying “motion is lotion”).

Even standing and taking a break to stretch or walk around the room every 20 to 30 minutes can do wonders, like improving blood circulation, studies show.

Consider setting reminders on your phone to get up from your desk or try incorporating more standing or walking meetings into your workday.

Dr. Cindy Lin, MD, is the Associate Director of Clinical Innovation for The Sports Institute at the University of Washington Medical Center and an Associate Professor in Sports and Spine Medicine in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Dr. Lin earned her MD from Harvard Medical School. Her research includes biotech innovations, spine and musculoskeletal injuries and sports injury prevention. She has written for HealthDay and UW Medicine, among several other health and medical publications. Follow her on Twitter @CindyLinMD.

Dr Oshidar & Dr Brownstein

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:54:13 GMT

Text from original podcast:

The X Factor

Dr. Xerxes Oshidar is a licensed chiropractor in New York and New Jersey and has been in private practice since 1998. He currently owns two clinics, Advanced Back and Neck Care and Xcalibur Chiropractic. In addition to this, Dr. Oshidar has worked as a team chiropractor at Manhattanville College for the past 10 years. Dr. Oshidar is also a member of the American Academy of Spine Physicians, the American Academy of Pain Management, the American Academy of MUA Physicians, and more. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: • Why Dr. Xerxes Oshidar decided to become a chiropractor • The difference that a little extra time during the initial evaluation makes when assessing a patient • The importance of X-rays in quantifying ligament injuries • Dr. Oshidar shares his patients’ biggest mistakes and misconceptions • The benefits of chiropractic vs. primary care • Dr. Oshidar’s tips for avoiding sports injuries In this episode… What makes a chiropractor excel? How do you navigate patient care in order to offer the best long-term treatment? As the owner of two chiropractic clinics, Dr. Xerxes Oshidar has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to both patient care and managing a business. As he says, every little detail counts, from the initial evaluation, to the X-rays, to the actual treatment. So, what is Dr. Oshidar’s advice to medical experts and patients looking to improve their health care in the long run? In this episode of The Dynamic Radiologist Podcast, chiropractor Dr. Xerxes Oshidar joins Dr. Steven Brownstein to talk about his expert approach to patient care. Dr. Oshidar shares his patients’ biggest misconceptions, the importance of starting treatment when symptoms seem mild, and his tips for avoiding sports injuries. Stay tuned. Sponsor for this episode… https://www.dynamicmedicalimaging.com This episode is brought to you by Dynamic Medical Imaging, LLC, a medical imaging and diagnostic testing center in New Jersey. For almost a decade, Dynamic Medical Imaging has been providing the best medical diagnostic care available. The experienced team at Dynamic Medical Imaging includes the leading experts in personal injury imaging. When you choose Dynamic Medical Imaging, you are choosing to work with the best experts in the field. By employing highly-experienced professionals, including board-certified radiologists, Dynamic Medical Imaging ensures that the utmost precision and care are used with each and every one of your tests. Dynamic Medical Imaging uses the most advanced medical imaging technology available, so they are well-equipped to provide patients and physicians with accurate test results. Dynamic Medical Imaging also offers a full range of tests and services, including Upright MRIs, CAT scans, Ultrasounds, and X-Rays. The team at Dynamic Medical Imaging understands that medical tests can be stressful and scary. That’s why their team of professionals works to make your visit as relaxing as possible. Not only do they promote comfort and trust in the testing process, but Dynamic Medical Imaging also works with your doctor to provide fast results so you don’t have to wait longer than necessary. So, what are you waiting for? Contact Dynamic Medical Imaging today to receive the best service available! Go to dynamicmedicalimaging.com today to schedule an appointment, or call 908.687.2552 to learn more.

Study finds correlation between high-fat Western diet and pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:49:10 GMT

The Western diet is associated with many ills, and now chronic pain may be added to the list.

Fats provide important health benefits, but they can be too much of a good thing. Most people eat too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3. A new study looks at the potential for omega-6 fats’ influence on neuropathic pain in people with diabetes and other conditions.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio studied the effects of omega-6 fatty acids themselves by measuring the role of these dietary lipids in pain conditions and found that the substances themselves seem to cause pain and inflammation.

The abundance of omega-6 polyunsaturated fats prominent in the typical Western diet “served as a significant risk factor for both inflammatory and neuropathic pain,” UT said in a statement.

Diabetes, autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular diseases are known to be affected by nutritional choices, the researchers said. But excessive consumption of omega-6 fats, which are found largely in commonly consumed processed foods, had not been studied in terms of the acids themselves and their role specifically in pain.

A team from the biomedical sciences, the department of chemistry and the neurology department at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System headed by Dr. Jacob Boyd studied polyunsaturated fatty acids in both mice and humans.

While both omega-6 and omega-3 fats are essential for proper nutritional health, the new study suggests that the preponderance of the former could have detrimental effects. The five-year study was published in the June edition of the journal Nature Metabolism.

Omega-6 fats mainly occur in foods with vegetable oils and are beneficial – to a point.

“But Western diets associated with obesity are characterized by much-higher levels of those acids in foods from corn chips to onion rings, than healthy omega-3 fats, which are found in fish and sources like flaxseed and walnuts,” the researchers’ statement said. “Generally, unhealthy foods high in omega-6 fats include processed snacks, fast foods, cakes, and fatty and cured meats, among others.”

Reversing those dietary habits and increasing omega-3 fats “greatly reduced these pain conditions,” the researchers found. “Also, the authors demonstrated that skin levels of omega-6 lipids in patients with Type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain were strongly associated with reported pain levels and the need for taking analgesic drugs.”

While more research needs to be done, the work could lay a “foundation for new clinical trials and ultimately provide new avenues for the clinical treatment of neuropathies,” wrote Duke University researchers Aidan McGinnis and Ru-Rong Ji.

By THERESA BRAINE

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

…

Chirothin : 6-Weeks to a new you!

Telemed and in-person appointments available. Schedule yours, today.

Dr Oshidar on WWDB

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:48:24 GMT

WWDB Talk 860 Pro2Pro Marla Viturello speaks with Dr Xerxes Oshidar .. May 20th 2021

Meal Prep for Beginners

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:47:19 GMT

There is SO much information out there about meal prep that it can be daunting for beginners.

No matter your reasons for wanting to meal prep – whether it’s to save money, lose/maintain your weight, save time or just feel more organized going into the work week – you’ll feel better after reading this easy, no BS guide for beginners.

Keep reading below to find out my exact meal prep routine along with some easy meal prep strategies to help you save time when you’re first getting started. I’ve also included my most popular meal prep recipes as an added bonus!

How to meal prep for the week (basic outline)

This is a bare-bones basic outline of how to meal prep when you’re just starting out. Following this action plan will get you up and running when you’re looking to get your meals planned for the week.

Make a meal plan

The very first step to meal prep is the planning, of course!

I typically eat the same thing everyday for breakfast and then have dinner leftovers for lunches each day. Some people prefer to make a set of lunches for the week that are all the same, however, and eat out of their freezer or make meals fresh for dinner.

It all depends on what you have energy to do each week and how much time you’re willing to commit but having a meal plan is the first step to figuring that out.

Fill out your grocery list

If you know the layout of the grocery store you typically go to, you can also make up your list on a Word doc and then rearrange the ingredients you need so that you are working from the back of the store forward to the front. It makes your trip so much quicker, trust me!

Get cooking!

Now that you have your meal plan and you’ve done your groceries, it’s time to cook!

I like to choose easy recipes with 10 ingredients or less so that cooking day isn’t overwhelming, and I’ll choose different types of recipes that are easy to cook and are ready within less than an hour.

I’ve outlined these strategies in greater detail below.

Store it all for later

Get the right meal prep containers to store everything easily once you’re done cooking. I’ve got all my meal prep containers linked here.

Now that you have a basic idea of how meal prep works, it’s time to apply some strategies to get you meal prepping quick! These handy tips and tricks for meal prep for beginners will help even the most novice cook.

1. Plan around your social life

I find the biggest roadblock in meal prepping is factoring in your social life. I find most people take this all or nothing strategy with meal prep that hinders your ability to stick with it for the long term. If you’re realistic about when you’re going to be eating out you can dedicate yourself more fully to meal prepping.

For instance, if you know you go out to dinner on the weekends, don’t force yourself to meal prep for nights when you’re likely to be out with friends.

2. Use recipes that have an overlap in ingredients

This is much easier than you think! Try and find recipes that use the same protein, carbs and veggies but use different sauces so that you’re not running out and buying five different types of vegetables or a ton of different cuts of meat.

3. Cook/chop staple ingredients ahead of time for mix-and-match bowls

When you first get back from the store, you can cut up veggies and assemble greens in containers for easy access later.

You can also buy pre-chopped or pre-spiralized veggies from the store so it’s easy to throw these veggies in different meal prep bowls or stir fries later on.

You can also use your Instant Pot or Slow Cooker to cook up a bunch of chicken in bulk to use for other recipes later – rotisserie chicken also works in a pinch (find out some super easy ways to use Leftover Chicken)

4. Use your freezer to your full advantage

I will cook up a big batch of lasagna or a chicken pasta bake and then freeze in individual-sized portions in foil containers so all I have to do is take one out of the freezer and bake in the oven after work.

You can also assemble ingredients into plastic freezer bags, then defrost when you’re ready to cook and throw in the slow cooker (like with these Crockpot Freezer Meals)

5. Stock your fridge, freezer and pantry with healthy basics

6. Plan to use dinner as leftovers for lunch

This is the most common meal prep strategy I use because it’s easy! Even if I don’t feel like cooking ALL the time after work, it’s the time I have available most to do any cooking and there’s something so nice about a hot, fresh dinner.

If you make a huge batch of food, odds are you’ll have leftovers for lunches AND other dinners during the rest of the week so this is a great meal prep strategy I use over and over.

7. Make sheet pan/one pot meals

Sheet pan and one pot meals are the best way to cook in bulk so that you have a ton of food leftover for lunches and dinners, and since it all comes together on or in one dish, you don’t have much clean up either.

Chirothin : 6 Weeks to a New You!

Photo : William Kangas

Article : Taylor Stinson

“Fact” About Diet Soda, Debunked

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:43:40 GMT

If you drink diet soda—or any artificially sweetened beverage, for that matter—chances are you do so because you’re under the impression it’s a healthier option than its regular counterpart. After all, diet drinks typically don’t have any actual sugar, the substance known to cause obesity and a number of other health problems, including heart disease. But, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, artificially sweetened drinks like diet soda are just as likely to lead to heart disease as the sugar-filled regular versions.

For the study, researchers in France looked at data from over 100,000 participants in an ongoing online study that had individuals record their diet, activity level, and health status every six months. From this pool of participants, the research team divided the people into three groups based on their use of diet or sugary beverages: non-users, low-consumers, and high-consumers. Sugary beverages included soft drinks, fruit drinks, and syrups that contained at least five percent sugar, and 100 percent fruit juice. Diet drinks were those that contained artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, or natural sweeteners, such as stevia.

The team then compared each group with the others based on incidences of stroke, heart attack, and other cardiac conditions. Read on for the study’s fascinating and controversial findings regarding diet soda and heart disease. And for concerns about another one of your favorite drinks, know that If You Can Smell This, You’re Drinking Too Much Caffeine, Study Finds.

A New Prescription for Back Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:42:48 GMT

Excellus BCBS is using an evidence-based approach to treat back pain. Instead of sending patients to the ER for imaging and surgery, they are sending them to chiropractors and physical therapists. The result: better outcomes and dramatically lower costs.

As an experienced chiropractor, Dr. Lindsay Rae is trained to heal pain using manual therapy. But when a new patient came to her reporting chronic and debilitating low back pain several years ago, she spent their first session talking and listening, without laying her hands on him at all.

For years, this patient had avoided most movement and all exercise following a spinal surgery. “He was told he shouldn’t do any physical activity post-surgery,” says Rae. “More than likely, the surgeon meant ‘No activity while you recover,’ but that’s not what he heard.” What followed was weakened muscles and very little spinal movement. He was now bound to a wheelchair and lived in extreme pain.

Though manual therapy wouldn’t necessarily have been the wrong approach, notes Rae, she knew what this patient needed was help managing his condition long-term. So she engaged him in his own recovery. This meant listening compassionately, using the right words to explain his condition and making a personal connection—all of which would have a longer impact than manual therapies alone. She talked to her patient about the importance of exercise, addressed his fear of movement and taught him self-management strategies.

Rae credits her effectiveness in managing these types of cases to training she received from Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield (Excellus BCBS).

The supermarket approach to back pain

Experts estimate that up to 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives.* But where do you go for care when back pain hits?

You might choose your primary care provider (PCP), the chiropractor or physical therapist. If the pain was very bad, you might go to the ER. “It’s really the supermarket approach to back pain,” says Rae. “There are too many options, which can be very confusing to the patient looking for guidance on how to manage their condition.”

The problem with all these options? The care you receive might be more dependent on where you go than what you truly need. Your PCP might prescribe you pain medicine; the chiropractor might manipulate your spine to relieve the pain; the physical therapist might teach you how to stretch and strengthen your back muscles; the ER doctor might perform an MRI and recommend surgery.

“Although all of these options are appropriate for the right patient,” notes Excellus BCBS Medical Director and chiropractor, Dr. Brian Justice, “the challenge is in decreasing variation in care delivery among various providers and helping patients find the right care.”

Fewer surgeries, better outcomes

To solve for the “supermarket approach,” Excellus BCBS is training its network of chiropractors, physical therapists and PCPs to follow an evidence-based clinical pathway, or standard operating procedure, developed by Justice and Spine Care Partners, LLC, after years of research.

In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Justice and his coauthors laid out a spine care pathway that categorized and triaged spine-related pain supported by the current best evidence and focused on the patient. The pathway is a conservative approach to spine condition management, focused on the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. Ultimately, it reduces unnecessary MRIs, surgeries and opioids. The result is better outcomes, higher patient satisfaction and much lower costs.

A four-year study published this year in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, co-authored by Justice, corroborated these findings: “Conservative spine care…is associated with reduced healthcare expenditures…[and] reduced opioid utilization.”

In addition to teaching providers this conservative approach to care, Excellus BCBS guides trainees on how to speak to patients with back pain—especially if it’s their first time getting care. Making sure patients aren’t scared of or overly focused on their pain is one of the most impactful ways to improve their outcomes. X-ray and MRI reports that read “degenerative,” “spondylosis,” or “disease” can be scary to patients. Justice says results like this are often part of the normal aging process, though, “like grey hair of the spine.” Misunderstanding these terms can set patients up to think their pain is causing further damage and they may avoid the very movement needed to speed healing as a result.

To date, roughly one thousand PCPs, chiropractors and physical therapists have taken Excellus BCBS’ spine care training. Their patients are now receiving significantly fewer surgeries, imaging services and other, sometimes unnecessary, downstream services as other patients. Their average cost of care is about 40% less.

Rae, one of the first practitioners to pilot this training, attests: “This pathway taught me that just changing the way I said something could make more of an impact on a patient’s health than trying to heal the pain myself.”

Gamifying back pain

Excellus BCBS now has online training available for primary care physicians, chiropractors and physical therapists. Urgent care and emergency room physician training will be rolled out in the fourth quarter of this year. It will also be beta testing a gamified patient app in September that helps members make educated decisions at each step of their care journey.

“As members of the healthcare industry, we’re all under-spending on prevention and education,” says Justice. “The good news is that those things are very low cost, and we can do a lot to change the behavior of our patients and members.”

Treating Back Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:40:39 GMT

Rae credits her effectiveness in managing these types of cases to training she received from Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield (Excellus BCBS).

The supermarket approach to back pain

Experts estimate that up to 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives.* But where do you go for care when back pain hits?

Fewer surgeries, better outcomes

Gamifying back pain

Pain Management with Chiropractic Care

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:39:15 GMT

Chiropractic care is one of the best pain management methods available. It’s all-natural, non-addictive, and non-invasive.Whether you’re suffering from chronic pain or pain after an injury, most patients report pain relief after their very first session with chiropractic care.

What Kind of Pain Can Chiropractors Help Manage or Treat?

Our chiropractors can help manage or even treat most common types of pain. These include:

Whiplash
Back pain (both lower and upper back pain)
Sciatica
Pain and numbness in the extremities (arms, legs, hands, etc.)
Pain after an injury (auto accident, work injury, slip-and-fall, etc.)
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Pain from repetitive motion injuries
Headaches
Most other types of pain and conditions

How Chiropractic Care Helps with Pain Management

Chiropractic adjustments do a number of things to help relieve pain. The treatment depends on the extent of pain you’re experiencing. For many patients, their pain stems from a pinched or compressed nerve. Compressed nerves can also be the source of numbness in the extremities or elsewhere in the body. Many of these pain types are causes by inflamed or displaced spinal discs. A back adjustment can often relieve pressure on the disk, which then relieves pressure on the nerve.

Chiropractic adjustments can also relax tightened soft tissue that might be causing pain. Loosening this soft tissue can also help improve your range of motion. Finally, chiropractic care is a natural, whole-body approach that helps your body heal itself. This has many long-term advantages, but most patients count pain relief as number one.

Poor Diets Threaten National Security

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:37:05 GMT

Poor diets threaten US national security — and it’s serious.

America’s poor diet isn’t just bad for us. It’s now considered a threat to national security.

Diet-related illnesses are a growing burden on the United States economy, worsening health disparities and impacting national security, according to a white paper published Monday in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Poor nutrition is the leading cause of illnesses in the US, with unhealthy diets killing more than half a million people each year, a group of experts who have formed the Federal Nutrition Research Advisory Group wrote in the paper.

About 46% of adults in the country have an overall poor-quality diet, and this number goes up to 56% for children, according to the paper.

Meanwhile, US healthcare spending has nearly tripled from 1979 to 2018, from 6.9% to 17.7% of the gross domestic product. These increases in health spending, the advisory group said, affect government budgets, the competitiveness of the US private sector and workers’ wages.

Diet-related health disparities affect minority, rural and low-income communities.

“While social and economic factors such as lower education, poverty, bias, and reduced opportunities are major contributors to population disparities, they are likewise major barriers to healthy food access and proper nutrition,” the paper reads.

“Poor diets lead to a harsh cycle of lower academic achievement in school, lost productivity at work, increased chronic disease risk, increased out-of-pocket health costs, and poverty for the most vulnerable Americans.”

Lack of proper nutrition is also a threat to national security, the paper said, stating that diet-related illnesses are harming the readiness of the US military and the budgets of the US Department of Defense and the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Seventy-one percent of people between the ages of 17 and 24 do not qualify for military service, with obesity being the leading medical disqualifier, the paper said, citing numbers from a 2018 report.

Need for more investment in nutrition

The paper’s authors called for the expansion of federal investment in nutrition science by creating a new Office of the National Director of Food and Nutrition or a new US Task Force on Federal Nutrition Research, with the goal of improving coordination within the agencies that budget for research in this topic.

The paper also called for “accelerating and strengthening” nutrition research within the National Institutes of Health by creating a new National Institute of Nutrition.

“Every day, our country suffers massive health, social, and economic costs of poor diets,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, co-author of the paper and dean and Jean Mayer Professor of Nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

In a statement, Mozaffarian called for a “major national effort to address current nutrition challenges, generating the critical science to rapidly treat and prevent diet-related diseases, improve health equity, increase population resilience to Covid-19 and future pandemics, and drive fundamental and translational discoveries for better lives.”

Health Benefits of Coffee Never Seem to End

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:35:41 GMT

Coffee Can’t Repair Your DNA, but It Does Do Something Potentially Even Better

The health benefits of drinking coffee never seem to end.

Measured by how much people spend on it, coffee is the most popular beverage in the world. In America, the amount of coffee consumed each day is greater than the combined total amount of teas, juices, and soft drinks.

Coffee, however, isn’t a guilty pleasure; it’s a superfood that reduces your risk of serious diseases like diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s, as well as a host of minor afflictions, including constipation and premature ejaculation.

Most important of all, it’s now clear that coffee drinkers are less likely to get cancer than people who drink other beverages, including tea.

Just to be clear, coffee can’t repair your DNA directly, so it’s in no way a cure for cancer. But scientists now know that coffee does reduce cellular damage, including mutations to your DNA that otherwise might lead to cancer.

For example, a meta-analysis of 500 academic papers conducted at UCLA found that coffee had a “strong and consistent protective association” with liver cancer and cancer of the uterus, and a “borderline protective” association with colorectal cancer.

Similarly, a study of 43,000 Norwegians found “a positive association between coffee drinking and risk of lung cancer.” Meanwhile, the Gifu University School of Medicine found coffee had “inhibitory effects on chemical carcinogenesis.”

The effect of coffee on each individual varies according to that person’s specific DNA. Because of this, there exist some unfortunate people in this world whose systems, sadly, can’t process caffeine and must therefore avoid coffee.

On the brighter side, though, some individuals are on the other end of the scale and thus receive outsize benefits. I suspect, or at least hope, that people who write online columns for business magazines fall into this category.

Originally published on Inc .

Fear: Lifesaver or Manipulator

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:29:21 GMT

Fear is a powerful emotion that can be used for or against us.

I was shocked to see that I had to walk through a maze of stacked pallets in order to enter the store. Then I saw a man spraying the shopping carts with some chemical, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Once I got inside, I noticed that almost everyone was wearing surgical masks and rubber gloves. It was really creepy, and I felt like I was naked. Some of the people wore pins that read: Stay Back Six Feet, Thank you. I saw others that read: Keep Away from Me by 6 Feet. I noticed that people were avoiding eye contact and some even averted their faces when I looked toward them. I wondered if it was because I wasn’t wearing a mask and gloves. At one point, I cleared my throat and a woman near me jumped away.

Wearing no mask, my fear made me feel naked.Source: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain

The sight of all those masks and gloves was making me afraid. I found that I was only taking shallow breaths in the hopes that I wasn’t inhaling contaminants. I imagined toxic germs on every surface. I was scared to touch anything with my bare hands, and only selected goods that were further back on the shelves where hopefully no one had touched them. I hurried through the store, worked only from my list, looked at nothing extra, and left within minutes. In my car, I slathered my hands liberally with an alcohol-based sanitizer. On the drive home the radio blared warnings of virus deaths soaring, pandemic, body counts rising, hospitals overflowing, quarantine, essential business only, lockdown, worse than the plague, shelter-in-place, all parks and recreation areas closed. Stay Home.

When I got home I sprayed all my purchases with Lysol disinfectant and wiped them down thoroughly. Once that was done, I relaxed and felt the anxiety that had been building up inside me subside… a little. Then I turned the TV onto a news channel and watched: New York City seems like a war zone, Central Park turned into an emergency hospital, refrigerated trucks are storing heaps of dead bodies, mass graves being dug by bulldozers, and nurses quitting their jobs because of mask shortages. I started to feel a paralyzing panic set in.

As I recognized the fear taking over my mind, I paused and remembered that I am the one who ultimately controls my emotions. I thought, “Wow, if I’m feeling this much fear, then it could be that I’m being manipulated. It’s time to see what’s true and what’s not.” I started doing some research and thinking critically.

Fear is our most powerful emotion and the one that motivates us the most. It is a survival mechanism, that dates back to our caveman days, an instinctual reaction that helps us stay healthy and alive. If we survive a bad experience, we never forget how to avoid it in the future. Some of our oldest and most vivid memories are born in fear. It’s adrenaline that etches them into our brains. Nothing makes us more uncomfortable than fear. And, we have so many fears: pain, disease, injury, loss, failure, abandonment, crime, and so on.

According to Clifford Nass, a professor of communication at Stanford University, “We get scared because of what we imagine could happen. Some neuroscientists claim that humans are the most fearful creatures on the planet because of our ability to learn, think, and create fear in our minds.” Once you have become frightened, everything seems scarier, and your fear response becomes amplified. It’s called potentiation when your fear becomes intensified and you react more powerfully. For example, if you are already afraid of snakes, and you see one, you might jump back and scream – even if it’s a harmless garter snake.

Fear invokes the flight or fight syndrome, and our first reaction is to flee back to our comfort zone. And, if we don’t know the way back, we are likely to follow whoever shows us a path. The nature of fear makes us manipulable.

I have heard the media referred to as Fear Porn. Media must sell advertising in order to stay in business; to sell advertising it must attract an audience; to attract an audience it must offer interesting news. The type of news that attracts the most people is negative, and negative news that inspires fear attracts the largest audience. This is because human beings tend to have what’s known as a Negativity Bias.

We are more likely to remember negative experiences over positive ones. We dwell and ruminate more over insults, criticism, failure, loss, and abandonment than we do our successes. Again, this dates back to the evolution of our caveman ancestors because those that paid attention to threats, risks, and other lethal dangers were those who survived and passed on their genes. Bad news warns us that we may need to make a change.

John Cacioppo, a psychology professor at the University of Chicago, conducted studies where participants were shown pictures of either positive, negative, or neutral images, he then observed electrical activity in the brain. He noticed that negative images produced a much stronger cerebral cortex response than did positive or neutral images.

It is our Negativity Bias that cues us to notice bad news. Media companies know this and use it to their advantage. There is an old saying in television news: “If it bleeds; it leads.” The more a story scares you, the more likely you are to watch it and follow it.

“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed – and hence clamorous to be led to safety – by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” H. L. Mencken

Fear not only sells more advertising, but it also gets more votes. Politicians, successful ones at least, also understand our negativity bias and will exploit it to gain power. Fear is also how our governments get us to acquiesce to laws that take away our freedom, such as the intrusive search we endure at airports by the TSA. Michael Crichton, in his book State of Fear, said, “Social control is best managed through fear.”

“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.”

-Aristotle

The first step in dealing with fear is to recognize that you are afraid before you act upon it. Step back and identify the exact cause of your fear. Once you know that you can research whether or not it is based on fact. When you have isolated the facts, you will know if someone is trying to manipulate you or not, and you can act mindfully and rationally.

By Robert Evans Wilson Jr,

originally published on Psychology Today

I Lost 126 Pounds After Learning About Calories

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:28:08 GMT

I became sedentary from the age of 20 until the age of 40. I wrestled in high school and was athletic, but after graduation I was burned out and my eating habits didn’t change. I immediately went from 160 pounds to around 200 pounds. Over the next 20 years, I put on an additional 70 pounds.

My lifestyle then was simple: eating and sitting with very little in between. I was 100 percent sedentary and eating all of the wrong foods.

My wife died in 2012, and dating again was a nightmare. My health began to deteriorate, and I had no respect from my peers at work. I had a chip on my shoulder.

In June 2018, a chiropractor friend suggested that I start to lose weight using meal replacements, such as healthy smoothies. I joined a gym to use the sauna and jacuzzi. These things together got me to start living a healthier lifestyle.

The major catalyst was when I discovered calories and learned about the calorie deficit. There was real hope. I joined the Lose It! app, started logging my calories, and started intense learning and researching. I built my lifestyle around my diet to make sure I succeeded. My diet still evolves, and that is the best part. Just a few weeks ago I quit adding sugar to foods like coffee. I’m always refining and evolving.

I went from 286 pounds to 260 pounds in a few weeks. From there it snowballed, and now I weigh 160 pounds.

In the beginning, I went to the gym every day and did 20 minutes of cardio, 25 minutes of weights, some swimming, and used the sauna. Today I do 30 minutes of cardio, and one and a half hours of weights and sauna. I use the pool every day. I work and lift extremely hard, and I became a real athlete again—this time with a great diet.

I’m trying to this day to keep evolving and refining. It feels amazing to know I’m one of the few who can say they lost over 100 pounds—especially in under 6 months—and in the most legit way possible. I got married to a beautiful woman, have a child on the way, got my life back, and am working a job that I love. I got everything back and more.

By David Katz & Melissa Matthews .

Coronavirus on Fabric: What You Should Know

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:27:09 GMT

Many emergency room workers remove their clothes as soon as they get home — some before they even enter. Does that mean you should worry about COVID-19 transmission from your own clothing, towels, and other textiles?

While researchers found that the virus can remain on some surfaces for up to 72 hours, the study didn’t include fabric. “So far, evidence suggests that it’s harder to catch the virus from a soft surface (such as fabric) than it is from frequently touched hard surfaces like elevator buttons or door handles,” wrote Lisa Maragakis, MD , senior director of infection prevention at the Johns Hopkins Health System.

Myths and Facts About COVID-19

Are younger people equally at risk of coronavirus complications? How long does the virus survive on surfaces like delivery packages? Get answers to these questions, and more.

ABOUT

One thing experts do know: At this point, transmission happens mostly through close contact, not from touching hard surfaces or clothing. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to stay home. And if you do go out, practice social distancing.

“This is a very powerful weapon,” Robert Redfield, MD, director of the CDC, told National Public Radio. “This virus cannot go from person to person that easily. It needs us to be close. It needs us to be within 6 feet.”

And don’t forget to use hand sanitizer while you’re out, avoid touching your face, and wash your hands when you get home.

If nobody in your home has symptoms of COVID-19 and you’re all staying home, the CDC recommends routine cleaning, including laundry. Even if you go out and maintain good social distancing — at least 6 feet from anyone who’s not in your household — you should be fine.

But if you suspect you got too close for too long, or someone coughed on you, there’s no harm in changing your clothing and washing it right away, especially if there are hard surfaces like buttons and zippers where the virus might linger. Wash your hands again after you put everything into the machine. Dry everything on high, since the virus dies at temperatures above 133 F. File these steps under “abundance of caution”: They’re not necessary, but if it gives you peace of mind, it may be worth it.

Using the Laundromat

Got your own washer and dryer? You can just do your laundry. But for those who share a communal laundry room or visit the laundromat, some extra precautions make sense:

Consider social distancing. Is your building’s laundry room so small that you can’t stand 6 feet away from anyone else? Don’t enter if someone’s already in there. You may want to ask building management to set up a schedule for laundry, to keep everyone safe.
Sort your laundry before you go, and fold clean laundry at home, to lessen the amount of time you spend there and the number of surfaces you touch, suggests a report in The New York Times.
Bring sanitizing wipes or hand sanitizer with you to wipe down the machines’ handles and buttons before you use them. Or, since most laundry spaces have a sink, wash your hands with soap right after loading the machines.
If you have your own cart, use it. A communal cart shouldn’t infect your clothes, but touching it with your hands may transfer the virus to you.
Don’t touch your face while doing laundry. (You should be getting good at this by now.)
Don’t hang out in the laundry room or laundromat while your clothes are in the machines. The less time you spend close to others, the better. Step outside, go back to your apartment, or wait in your car.

If Someone Is Sick

The guidelines change when someone in your household has a confirmed case or symptoms. The CDC recommends:

Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry, and wash your hands right after you take them off.
Try not to shake the dirty laundry, to avoid sending the virus into the air.
Follow the manufacturers’ instructions for whatever you’re cleaning, using the warmest water possible. Dry everything completely.
It’s fine to mix your own laundry in with the sick person’s. And don’t forget to include the laundry bag, or use a disposable garbage bag instead.

Wipe down the hamper, following the appropriate instructions .

Foods that Fight Inflammation

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:19:32 GMT

Choose the right anti-inflammatory foods, and you may be able to reduce your risk of illness. Consistently pick the wrong ones, and you could accelerate the inflammatory disease process.

Foods that cause inflammation

Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible:

refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries
French fries and other fried foods
soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages
red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)
margarine, shortening, and lard

Get simple tips to fight inflammation and stay healthy — from Harvard Medical School experts.

Protect yourself from the damage of chronic inflammation

Not surprisingly, the same foods on an inflammation diet are generally considered bad for our health, including sodas and refined carbohydrates, as well as red meat and processed meats.

Anti-inflammatory foods

An anti-inflammatory diet should include these foods:

tomatoes
olive oil
green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards
nuts like almonds and walnuts
fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges

Benefits of anti-inflammatory foods

Anti-inflammatory diet

Originally published on Harvard.edu

Diet Soda May Be Hurting Your Diet

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:16:59 GMT

Artificial sweeteners are everywhere, but the jury is still out on whether these chemicals are harmless. Also called non-nutritive sweeteners, these can be synthetic — such as saccharin and aspartame — or naturally derived, such as steviol, which comes from the Stevia plant. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved six types of artificial and two types of natural non-nutritive sweeteners for use in food.

That’s been great news for those working hard to curb their sugar consumption. Aspartame, for example, is found in more than 6,000 foods worldwide, and about 5,000-5,500 tons are consumed every year in the United States alone.

The American Diabetes Association — the most well-respected professional group focusing on diabetes — officially recommends diet soda as an alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages. To date, seven U.S. municipalities have imposed a sugary beverage tax to discourage consumption.

However, recent medical studies suggest that policymakers eager to implement a soda tax may also want to include diet drinks because these sweeteners may be contributing to chronic diabetes and cardiovascular diseases as well.

Why are these sweeteners calorie-free?

The key to these virtually calorie-free sweeteners is that they are not broken down during digestion into natural sugars like glucose, fructose and galactose, which are then either used for energy or converted into fat.

Non-nutritive sweeteners have different byproducts that are not converted into calories. Aspartame, for example, undergoes a different metabolic process that doesn’t yield simple sugars. Others such as saccharin and sucralose are not broken down at all, but instead are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and excreted in the urine.

Theoretically, these sweeteners should be a “better” choice than sugar for diabetics. Glucose stimulates release of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body no longer responds as well to insulin as it should, leading to higher levels of glucose in the blood that damages the nerves, kidneys, blood vessels and heart. Since non-nutritive sweeteners aren’t actually sugar, they should sidestep this problem.

Artificial sweeteners, your brain and your microbiome

However, there is growing evidence over the last decade that these sweeteners can alter healthy metabolic processes in other ways, specifically in the gut.

Long-term use of these sweeteners has been associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. Sweeteners, such as saccharin, have been shown to change the type and function of the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms that live in the intestine. Aspartame decreases the activity of a gut enzyme that is normally protective against Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, this response may be exacerbated by the “mismatch” between the body perceiving something as tasting sweet and the expected associated calories. The greater the discrepancy between the sweetness and actual caloric content, the greater the metabolic dysregulation.

High-intensity sweeteners allowed for use in food in the United States .. chart on LiveScience.

Sweeteners have also been shown to change brain activity associated with eating sweet foods. A functional MRI exam, which studies brain activity by measuring blood flow, has shown that sucralose, compared to regular sugar, decreases activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain involved with taste perception and the experience of eating.

Another study revealed that longer-term and higher diet soda consumption are linked to lower activity in the brain’s “caudate head,” a region that mediates the reward pathway and is necessary for generating a feeling of satisfaction. Researchers have hypothesized that this decreased activity could lead a diet soda drinker to compensate for the lack of pleasure they now derive from the food by increasing their consumption of all foods, not just soda.

Together these cellular and brain studies may explain why people who consume sweeteners still have a higher risk of obesity than individuals who don’t consume these products.

As this debate on the pros and cons of these sugar substitutes rages on, we must view these behavioral studies with a grain of salt (or sugar) because many diet soda drinkers — or any health-conscious individual who consumes zero-calorie sweeteners — already has the risk factors for obesity, diabetes, hypertension or heart disease. Those who are already overweight or obese may turn toward low-calorie drinks, making it look as though the diet sodas are causing their weight gain.

This same group may also be less likely to moderate their consumption. For example, those people may think that having a diet soda multiple times a week is much healthier than drinking one case of soda with sugar.

Obesity in 2016

Obesity rates in the U.S. vary significantly by racial/ethnic group.

Non-Hispanic Black 38.3% .. American Indian/Alaska Native 38.1% .. Hispanic 33.1% .. 2 or more races 31% .. Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 30.6% .. Non-Hispanic White 28.6% .. Other 26.1% .. Asian 9.8% / Source: CDC Get the data

These findings signal that consumers and health practitioners all need to check our assumptions about the health benefits of these products. Sweeteners are everywhere, from beverages to salad dressing, from cookies to yogurt, and we must recognize that there is no guarantee that these chemicals won’t increase the burden of metabolic diseases in the future.

As a physician of internal medicine specializing in general prevention and public health, I would like to be able to tell my patients what the true risks and benefits are if they drink diet soda instead of water.

Legislators considering soda taxes to encourage better dietary habits perhaps should think about including foods with non-nutritive sweeteners. Of course, there is an argument to be made for being realistic and pursuing the lesser of two evils. But even if the negative consequences of sugar substitutes doesn’t sway our tax policy — for now — at least the medical community should be honest with the public about what they stand to lose or gain, consuming these foods.

By Eunice Zhang – Clinical Instructor, University of California, Los Angeles .. originally published at The Conversation.

How metabolism works and why you can’t speed it up to lose weight

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:15:45 GMT

Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that break down the food we eat into energy and muscle.

Though many people think that they will lose weight if they speed up their metabolism, this isn’t necessarily true. Here’s what you need to know about the complicated relationship between metabolism and weight-loss.

Popular myths about metabolism and weight loss

When people refer to metabolism being “fast” or “slow” what they are really referring to is a measure of Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). BMR determines the number of passive calories that you burn — these are the calories that your body uses up while at rest.

A popular misconception is that adding muscle will help you metabolize calories faster — and while this is partially true, muscles at rest actually burn very few calories. Most of the metabolizing energy you expend is through your brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs that are constantly at work keeping you alive and healthy.

There is evidence that cardiovascular exercise can help boost your metabolism for a short period after you work out, but this effect only lasts for an hour or so and is not usually enough to cause significant weight loss.

There’s also the myth that eating certain foods will speed up your metabolism. But the reality is that even if certain foods can affect your BMR it’s not nearly enough to make a noticeable difference in your weight. In order to lose weight, you must create a deficit between the calories you consume through food and the calories you burn through a combination of diet, physical activity, and passive metabolic processes that are largely out of your control.

Genetics play a key role in your BMR

The sad truth is that it’s hard to change your BMR in any significant way. The fact that some people naturally have a faster BMR than others is largely due to genetics.

A review, published in 2011 in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, that examined 9 twin studies and 19 family studies found that metabolic syndrome — and some of the symptoms associated with it including obesity, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance — are common among families, suggesting a significant heritability factor.

The exception to this rule comes up only for rare illnesses like Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism, which both slow metabolism.

Aging and your BMR

As you age, your metabolism becomes less efficient, or what we think of as “slowing down,” says Heather Seid, a registered dietician and Bionutrition Program Manager at Columbia University.

There are many reasons your metabolism slows down, including losing muscle mass and changes in your cells. But the main reason for metabolism change is that people become less active as they get older.

Unfortunately, you can’t completely stop your metabolism from slowing down as you age but exercise may give you a boost. Studies show that keeping active as you grow older can help curb a metabolism slowdown.

Weight Loss : Chirothin

Elevate Your Career, Health and Future with Chiropractic

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:13:21 GMT

Once an Olympic athlete competing in the Sydney 2000 Games, Dr. Erica Witter-Davis found herself with a leg injury questioning her future as a competitive athlete. Thankfully, her team doctor of chiropractic was able to quickly and effectively treat and manage Erica’s injury allowing her to compete in the Olympic Games.

After her experience with chiropractic care, Dr. Witter-David recognized her passion to pursue a healthcare career in chiropractic herself. Twenty years later, she is now a doctor of chiropractic, treating patients, optimizing health and saving athletic careers.

16 Foods That Boost Your Immune System

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:11:58 GMT

Originally published on WebMD .

What to Drink Instead of Diet Soda

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:07:29 GMT

All the ways that diet soda is unhealthy for you and what to drink instead

Just because diet soda doesn’t contain sugar or calories, it doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you.

Whether it’s Diet Coke, Coke Zero, or the countless number of “light” sodas offered on grocery store shelves, it’s important to realize that instead of sugar, beverage companies typically use artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose to mimic the taste of non-diet sodas.

The fact that diet sodas rely on sugar alternatives to satisfy your cravings of something sweet and bubbly should be the first warning sign: Diet soda is not necessarily a health-conscious choice, nor does it offer nutritional value.

So while choosing diet soda over regular soda may seem like a healthy decision, there’s more to the drink than meets the taste bud. Here’s what you need to know.

If you drink a reasonable amount of diet soda — or as the Mayo Clinic puts it, “a can or two a day” — it’s unlikely you’ll experience major negative health effects. But over time, the paradox of thinking that diet soda is healthier than regular soda can take a toll on your health in several ways.

Diet soda may increase sugar cravings: Since diet soda is artificially sweetened, it can change how you associate sweetness with caloric intake. Diet soda has been shown to increase cravings for sweets, according to various studies, including one published in 2019 in Pediatric Obesity. In turn, the increase in cravings may actually lead to consuming more calories.

Diet soda may not be effective for weight loss or diabetes: While it can seem like cutting back on sugar by replacing it with artificial sweeteners will be beneficial for weight loss or diabetes, evidence suggests otherwise. “Diet soda does not promote weight loss and it has no effect on glycemic response in adults with diabetes. Therefore, diet soda should not be used as a weight-loss strategy or means to control diabetes,” says Rebecca Oh, RD, clinical dietitian at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.

Diet soda may alter your digestive tract: “Diet soda can alter your gut microbiota, which can have negative impacts on digestion and hormone regulation,” says Oh. More research is needed to understand exactly which artificial sweeteners affect gut bacteria and how. So far, preliminary studies have found that saccharin, sucralose, and stevia may alter the bacteria in your gut, though it’s unclear what impact this may have on your health.

Diet soda may cause kidney damage: “Long-term consumption of diet soda can increase production of free radicals in renal tissues, potentially causing damage to the kidneys,” says Oh. Additionally, a 2017 study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology showed that diet soda consumption is linked to a higher risk of kidney disease.

Diet soda may lead to tooth decay: Think diet soda is better for your teeth because it doesn’t contain sugar? Think again. Even though it’s sugar-free, diet soda is acidic thanks to ingredients like citric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid. These ingredients can contribute to tooth enamel erosion, at almost the same rate as non-diet soda, according to Colgate.

What scientific research says

Over the years, numerous studies have reported links between diet soda with weight gain and serious, life-threatening diseases.

Scientific opinion is mixed and, at times, conflicting. While studies focus on the dangers of artificial sweeteners, what’s important to understand is they aim to find correlations, not necessarily cause-and-effect:

A 2017 study published in Stroke found that, among over 3,000 participants, an increase in artificially sweetened soda consumption was associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and ischemic stroke.

Another study in Stroke, published in 2019 found that, among 81,7214 women, women who drank more than two artificially sweetened drinks per day were at greater risk of ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, and premature death.

Recently, a 2019 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that those who drink two diet sodas a day are more likely to die from circulatory diseases, as well as increased mortality overall, compared to those who had one diet soda or less a month.

Some studies have shown a link between artificially sweetened beverages and weight loss, but in a 2017 review published in PLoS Medicine researchers concluded that there are too many studies of this nature with questionable funding and sponsorship from large industries. Therefore, more unbiased research is needed to untangle the truth.

A 2016 study published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that the artificial sweetener aspartame was associated with insulin intolerance — which increases risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes — among obese individuals, but not lean ones. The researchers suggest that this might be related to another 2014 study’s findings that aspartame was linked to changes in gut bacteria that may affect insulin control.

Diet soda alternatives

For most people, cutting diet soda out completely may not be the answer. But of course, moderation is key. “If you are going to drink a soda, drink a very small serving, 6 to 8 ounces max, and work on weaning your cravings,” says Oh. She says this goes for diet soda or regular soda.

She also says that drinking soda, diet or regular, will not hydrate you as well as drinking good old-fashioned water — add a spritz of lemon or lime juice for flavor.

“Rather than focus on the ‘limit’ of how much diet soda you can drink, I encourage you to focus on how best to promote your health. Water is the best way to hydrate your body, quench your thirst, and promote health,” says Oh.

If you’re missing something fizzy, Oh recommends unsweetened sparkling water or unsweetened tea over other beverage options.

The takeaway

While more research is needed, it is clear that drinking diet soda should be met with a mindful examination of your eating and diet habits.

Since diet soda offers zero nutritional value, and could lead to overeating if unchecked, it’s best to explore other alternatives that could have a better impact on your weight and overall health.

Injured at Work? See a Chiropractor.

Thu, 23 May 2024 07:05:17 GMT

Every year, there are thousands of workers’ comp injuries reported across every industry. If you are experiencing a workers’ comp injury, you may be wondering what type of medical help you should be seeking.

One healthcare professional that may be able to help you is a chiropractor. A chiropractor is a physician who focuses on the spine. They use physical manipulation straighten it which relieves pressure on nerves and allows the body to heal itself in many circumstances

But, how do you know when to go to a chiropractor? Most people think these doctors only treat back pain, but there are other reasons to go.

When to go to a Chiropractor?

“When to Go to a Chiropractor?” – is a question that many people ask after suffering a musculoskeletal injury.

While there are many reasons people seek chiropractic care, there are several important reasons you may need to go following a work-related injury.

1. Back Pain

Because chiropractors focus so much on the spine, when you’re experiencing pain in your back, it’s a good time to pay one a visit. If the back pain is caused by your back being subluxated, then a chiropractor is the best solution.

In many cases, a chiropractor can help you avoid surgery or using pain medication by treating the cause of the problem rather than the symptoms alone.

2. Other Body Pain

Pain can have many causes, but it’s always transmitted through your nerves. When these nerves become pinched, they can send wrong messages or prevent your body from getting the relief you need following an injury.

If you have pain in any part of your body, especially if it’s muscular or skeletal, visiting a chiropractor is likely the best way to resolve it since chiropractors can address pinched nerves.

3. Headaches

Often, headaches can be a sign of pinched nerves in the neck. If this is the case, you can often get relief from a headache after just one adjustment.

4. Sickness

Whether or not you believe your illness is related to an injury, it’s still a good time to see a chiropractor. When your spine is properly aligned, it helps the rest of the bodywork the way it was intended which can shorten illnesses.

5. Any Injury

Any time you experience an injury, there’s a good chance that your spine has become mal-aligned. Even if you’re not dealing with any pain or other symptoms, visiting a chiropractor can help.

Chiropractors help prevent problems before they occur and can help you stay healthier overall by setting your body up for success against fighting illnesses.

These other benefits are why many people regularly visit their chiropractors whether or not they have pain.

As you can see, there are many specific times to seek chiropractic care, although you can also go as a way to stay healthy .

If you’re ready to get chiropractic care for a work-related injury or any other reason, we’ve made it easy for you.

Don’t delay, get help now, and get on your way to recovery!

Originally published on Injured Call Today .

Intensive lifestyle change: It works, and it’s more than diet and exercise

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:57:56 GMT

Originally published in Harvard Health Publishing

What if I could prescribe a pill that could prevent or treat high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, even depression and dementia? And what if researchers had extensively researched this pill and the result was: ample proof that it’s effective. On top of that, it’s practically free and has no bad side effects. As a matter of fact, its only side effects are improved sleep, increased energy, and weight loss.

Actually, folks, this powerful medicine exists. It’s real and readily available for everyone. It’s called intensive lifestyle change. Its active ingredients are physical activity and drastic improvements in diet, and it works well. Amazingly well. If it were an actual pill, no doubt millions of people would be clamoring for it and some pharmaceutical company would reap massive profits. But here’s how you can get “it.” Intensive lifestyle changes involves knowledge and action — which many doctors think is just too difficult to teach, and many patients think is too difficult to do.

But they would be wrong

I’m here to report that intensive lifestyle change is doable, sensible, and essential for good health. Physician and researcher Dr. Dean Ornish is a pioneer of intensive lifestyle change. I had the opportunity to hear him speak at the Harvard Medical School Lifestyle Medicine Conference in July. (You can listen to his TED talks here.) Dr. Ornish and his team started researching this program decades ago, and they have consistently found positive results.

Research-based intensive lifestyle change

So, what exactly that does their program look like? It emphasizes nutrition and exercise, as one would expect, but it also addresses psychological factors like loneliness, isolation, depression, and anger. Why? Because research shows emotional and social health is associated with a reduced risk of disease and premature death. He spoke about the importance (research-proven) of connection, intimacy, and love. He points out that a lot of “bad” behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and overeating are actually people’s attempts to self-medicate emotional pain.

Here’s how it works: nine weeks of nutrition and meal prep instruction on a plant-based, low-refined-carb and low-trans-fat diet, as well as shared meals with the group; recommendation for and guidance in three to five hours of moderate physical activity, along with two or three strength-training sessions per week; stress management, communications skills, and relaxation instruction; and a support group. The goal is for patients to adopt these health-promoting strategies for the rest of their lives.

What doctors and patients need to know about intensive lifestyle change

The overall message for physicians is this: an intensive lifestyle change program won’t work if it’s just “ordered” by docs, or if patients are expected to engage with it based on threats and warnings. During the course I learned the importance of avoiding guilt, shame, and scare tactics, and getting away from labels such as “good” or “bad.” Any lifestyle change has to be meaningful and pleasurable. If it’s meaningful and pleasurable, people will do it. For these changes to be most effective, people have to want to continue them for the rest of their lives. The physician’s job is to act as a coach for the patient, encouraging and guiding their efforts, without judgment.

The Ornish program is just one approach to diet, exercise, and psychological lifestyle changes. Dr. Ornish is honest about this, and he himself points out that many programs emphasize the same things as his does:

a plant-based diet (meaning eating mostly fruits and veggies)
avoiding sugars and flours, especially those in processed food (prepared foods, foods in boxes)
limiting animal products

He also emphasizes that any increase in physical activity is desirable, and patients can follow the specific recommendations from their physical therapists, doctors, or trainers. And of course, people can use a variety of resources and methods to improve stress management, coping, and communication skills.

Artificial Sweeteners & Weight Gain

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:46:41 GMT

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS LINKED TO WEIGHT GAIN AND TYPE 2 DIABETES, STUDY SAYS

Artificial sweeteners may lead people to put on weight and put them at risk of type 2 diabetes, according to researchers.

The team arrived at their conclusion after reviewing existing evidence from the past decade on what are also known as non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs).

Such products earn their name from the fact they don’t contain any vitamins or minerals, meaning they have no nutritional benefit, and may contain zero or low levels of calories.

“When used to replace food and drinks with added sugars, it can help people with diabetes manage blood glucose levels. For example, swapping a full-calorie soda with diet soda is one way of not increasing blood glucose levels while satisfying a sweet tooth,” the health organization states.

Lead author Professor Peter Clifton, an expert in obesity, nutrition, and diabetes at the University of South Australia, told Newsweek the team found a link between the sweeteners and weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

However, Clifton and colleagues concluded that more long-term studies on sweeteners are needed to “draw a firm conclusion” about their role in blood sugar control.

One paper his team used in their review involved 5,158 adults who were studied over the course of seven to eight years. Those researchers found people who consumed artificial sweeteners at least twice a day were more likely to gain weight than those who never did.

Clifton said the problem might be partly behavioral. Sweeteners can be a useful tool for weight loss if they are used correctly with a controlled diet. But he said people who use sweeteners often still eat sugar, and may feel permission to overindulge. He said sweeteners don’t appear to make people crave sweet foods. “There are no simple solutions,” he said.

Scientists also found studies involving animals indicating such products may change the gut microbiome, or the make-up of the bacteria.

In a statement, Clifton said: “Artificial sweeteners also change the gut bacteria which may lead to weight gain and risk of type 2 diabetes.

“A better option than low-calorie sweeteners is to stick to a healthy diet, which includes plenty of whole grains, dairy, seafood, legumes, vegetables and fruits and plain water.”

Clifton told Newsweek the study was limited because it was based on observational studies, which can only show associations between factors, “so strong conclusions can’t be made, Intervention studies are not numerous and are not at all conclusive.”

“The associations with type 2 diabetes are really unexplained mechanistically,” he said.

Edward Johnston, research communications officer at the charity Diabetes U.K. who did not work on the study, told Newsweek: “This review highlights that currently, there is not enough research to be able to draw conclusions on whether there is a link between artificial sweeteners and development of type 2 diabetes.

“What we do know is that artificial sweeteners are not a silver bullet, but they may be useful for some people looking to reduce their intake of sugary foods and drinks, lose weight or manage their diabetes. If you think you need more support on managing your diet, talk to your health care team for individual advice.”

Erik Millstone, Professor Emeritus of the Science Policy Research Unit

at the University of Sussex who also did not work on the paper, told Newsweek the review was “exceptionally comprehensive.”

“Very few of the studies that kept track of peoples consumption of artificial sweeteners and monitored their effects were sufficiently long-term, so more research would be helpful. But the available evidence is strong enough to justify imposing tighter restrictions on the use of artificial sweeteners,” Millstone said.

“There is very little reliable evidence suggesting that artificial sweeteners help people to lose weight and to keep it off,” he added. “The evidence suggesting that artificial sweeteners can make people feel hungry is limited, but quite robust.”

Millstone advised: “Rather than encouraging people to shift from sugar sweetened products to artificially sweetened ones, people should be encouraged and indeed helped to get used to enjoying a less sweet diet.”

By Kashmira Gander for Newsweek

Inflammatory foods are linked with higher colon cancer risk

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:38:52 GMT

Certain foods may trigger inflammation in the body that can increase a person’s risk for colon cancer, suggests a study published online Jan. 18, 2018, by JAMA Oncology.

Researchers followed the diets of more than 121,000 people (46,800 of whom were men) for 26 years. Participants recorded what they ate, and their diets were scored based on the amount of foods consumed that are linked to inflammation, such as red and processed meats, sugary beverages, and refined grains.

People whose diets were the most “pro-inflammatory” had a 44% greater risk of developing colon cancer compared with those who had low-inflammation diets, which often included high amounts of dark green leafy vegetables and whole grains. Even after adjusting for other cancer-causing factors, like high body mass index and less physical activity, the risk for developing colon cancer was still significantly elevated among those who had a pro-inflammatory diet.

Originally published by Harvard.edu.

Be Cautious about Your First Treatment Choice for Arthritis

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:37:59 GMT

A common therapy for joint pain may not be as safe as experts believed, according to a new report published Tuesday.

Corticosteroid injections are often given to reduce pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis.

But these injections may do more harm than good: The report found corticosteroid shots in the hips and knees may accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis and potentially even hasten the need for joint replacement surgeries in the long run, said lead author Dr. Ali Guermazi, a professor of radiology at the Boston University School of Medicine.

“The intra-articular corticosteroid injections in the hips and knees are not as safe as we thought,” Guermazi, whose paper is published in the journal Radiology, said.

It’s estimated that more than 30 million Americans have osteoarthritis, a chronic condition that causes cartilage loss, joint inflammation, pain, swelling and, in severe cases, bone destruction, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Corticosteroid injections into the hips and knees are a common treatment for patients in significant pain; in one study of more than 16,500 patients who underwent knee or hip joint replacement, half had received corticosteroid injections in the prior two years. The injections often are covered by insurance.

In the new paper, Guermazi’s team reviewed existing literature on corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis, and also looked at data on 459 patients at Boston Medical Center who received one to three corticosteroid injections in the hip or knee in 2018. The researchers found that 8 percent of patients developed complications, including cartilage loss, stress fractures, bone deterioration and joint destruction, in the two to 15 months following the injections.

The rate of complications surprised Guermazi, who added that the figure may actually be an underestimate, because 218 of the patients did not have follow-up imaging tests to assess the health of their joints.

While patients may report temporary pain relief from the corticosteroid injections, he said, the injections may be detrimental in the long run. “They may actually harm your knee or your hip,” he said.

An exact explanation for the findings is unclear, Guermazi said, but there is some evidence that corticosteroid injections, which typically are combined with an anesthetic, can be toxic to cartilage, and more studies are needed to understand their effects and clarify their benefits and risks.

Dr. Antonia Chen, an associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at Harvard Medical School and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, said corticosteroid injections can help relieve pain in some, but not all, patients for as long as days or months. But patients should be informed that the injections carry risks, as the new paper and others have shown, which is why it’s recommended the injections be given no more frequently than every three months, she said.

“There are definitely benefits and there are definitely risks, and these risks must be mentioned to patients,” Chen said. “Some patients will say they don’t want to undergo temporary relief and they don’t want to have the chance of progressing their arthritis, and some say they need some sort of pain relief to just live day to day.”

But before turning to injections or other medications, Chen recommends that patients with osteoarthritis first talk with a physician about noninvasive approaches, such as exercise, physical therapy and weight loss.

Guy Eakin, senior vice president of scientific strategy for the Arthritis Foundation, agreed, telling NBC News that a healthy lifestyle remains the key to managing osteoarthritis.

“Exercise is really one of the best things that can be done,” he said.

Indeed, research indicates that exercise helps ease pain, improve mobility and strengthen muscles around the joints. Stretching activities such as yoga and tai chi may help increase flexibility and reduce joint stiffness. Exercise also can aid in weight loss to reduce pressure on the joints.

While arthritis patients in chronic pain may try to get relief from pain relievers or injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, there is no cure for the condition. Patients who ultimately end up with bone rubbing against bone may be in such severe pain and have such difficulty moving that they opt for a total joint replacement.

By Jacqueline Stenson : NBC News contributor Jacqueline Stenson is a health and fitness journalist who has written for the Los Angeles Times, Reuters, Health, Self and Shape, among others. She also teaches at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

Genetics isn’t the Dominant Factor in Shaping our Food Responses

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:37:05 GMT

Eat more avocado! What I learned from the study that will change how we eat

The Predict study measured thousands of people’s reactions to different foods in an effort to develop truly individualized, preventive medicine. Is this the start of a dietary revolution?

I am on a small ward at St Thomas’ hospital in London. There are six beds with a view of the Thames, which is lit by November sunshine. I’m in good health, but scanning my timetable – I’m here taking part in a two-week scientific study – is making me feel anaemic. “8.35am: 1st blood draw. 10.05am: 2nd blood draw. 10.20am: 3rd blood draw. 10.50am: 4th blood draw…” on it goes. There will be 10 blood draws in total today, each filling three vials, to be tested for levels of glucose, fat, insulin and other clues as to how efficiently my body metabolises different foods. But these are not just any foods; they are lab-baked muffins with precisely varying amounts of fat, protein, carbohydrate and fibre.

The aim of this study – Predict, a collaboration between King’s College London and Harvard and Stanford medical schools in the US – is to measure thousands of people’s responses to different foods and discover why, when it comes to health, different diets suit different people. The hope is that when enough data has been gathered researchers (using AI), and eventually an app called Zoe, will be able to predict individual healthy and unhealthy food choices for each of us.

Personalised nutrition is a public-health holy grail. Geneticists have striven for decades to develop diets based on genotype as a sophisticated form of preventive medicine. The idea is that eating what is optimal for your unique physiology could shield you from the particular diseases to which you may be susceptible, from certain cancers to diabetes. Such is the complexity of genetics, however, that our understanding is still too fragmented. Not to mention disproving any one-size-fits-all diet advice.

Tim Spector, a geneticist at King’s College London, who has in recent years become a leading researcher into the role of gut microbes in health, came up with Predict to help achieve the dream of healthcare becoming preventive, rather than, as it is now, focused on treating disease. “It’s a real paradigm shift of how people are going to give advice in the future,” he says. “We were stuck in this time warp of: ‘Fasting blood test for cholesterol, step on the scales and everyone’s the same.’ It’s clearly much more complicated than that. That’s why diets, if it’s a low-fat diet, a low-carb diet or calorie counting, don’t suit everybody. Despite all the advice, we’re all getting fatter.”

The researchers need my blood on tap all day, so I have a cannula inserted into a vein in my left arm. Next, I get a blood-glucose monitor fitted to the back of my right arm. This great gadget, called the FreeStyle Libre, is now widely used by people with type 1 diabetes. A discreet plastic disc about the size of a £2 coin is stuck on to my skin. Only when I remove it after two weeks do I see that a thin metal probe, a few millimetres long, has been in my arm the entire time. The data stored on the disc is read by a handheld device that shows what my blood sugar has been up to.

By late morning I have a splitting headache and feel tired and confused. I tell a nurse, fearing that I’ve started running out of blood. She merrily scans my arm to reveal that I’m hypoglycaemic, my glucose level having shot up after breakfast and then straight down into the red zone.

The breakfast muffins my fellow participants and I were given were an off-putting shade of indigo, unwholesomely oily and had to be washed down within 10 minutes with yucky-flavoured milk. I now know that they contained twice as much fat as my regular muesli with yoghurt and berries, three times the sugar and precisely no fibre. The lunch muffins are mercifully beige and more fibrous. Back home over the next 11 days, I’ll be eating many more muffins with different nutritional configurations unknown to me. My task will be to attempt to live normally, while eating muffins or other set meals (which include one breakfast of an unbearably large glass of water with glucose dissolved in it) at set times. I’m allowed to eat my own dinners, though, and my own food for the last two days.

I have to log all food and drink (even water) in the app, complete with photographs and the weights of individual ingredients. The Predict app tries to make things easy with a friendly dietician only an instant message away, and it prompts if I’ve messed up (cooking from scratch becomes quite the kerfuffle). The blood-letting continues at home. For the first four mornings, at three precise times, I must prick a finger and squeeze out five blobs of blood on to cards, to be refrigerated in foil pouches until ready to be collectively posted back to the lab.

Speaking with Spector seven months later, before the release of his first results, it seems to have been worth the effort. “The variability between people is even greater than I thought,” he says. “The range of responses to the same foods is huge. To my mind that knocks on the head any idea of an average response or average nutrition. That’s the really big message there.” Analysis of the Predict data has found that the macronutrient breakdown – such as you find on food labels – can account for only 40% of how an individual might respond to meals.

As a geneticist, Spector started the research registry Twins UK at Kings College in 1992, and has amassed data on 13,000 twins. Almost 250 pairs of identical twins have taken part in Predict and, surprisingly, there were big differences in their responses to foods, too. “Clearly our response to food isn’t like many other things like height or weight or anything like that,” says Spector.

This means that genetics isn’t the dominant factor in shaping our food responses, which is good news. We’re stuck with our genes, whereas, says Spector, “if you want to modify your responses by changing your behaviour, you can do a lot about it”. Improving how well you can process and clear blood sugar, for instance, is possible by “selecting foods that produce a smaller peak, altering meal times to suit your circadian rhythm, improving your diversity of gut microbes and exercising within the same time to reduce the peaks”. Other likely mechanisms under investigation include sleeping better and going to bed earlier.

Vital to Predict’s success will be finding a convenient way to determine which foods help or harm which people. The Zoe app will need biological clues – or biomarkers – in order to make predictions, ideally obtained from a quick blood test or stool sample. This is why the researchers are measuring hundreds of metabolites in participants’ blood after eating – such as ketones – as well as our gut microbe diversity.

We all have up to 2kg of bacteria, yeasts and other microbes living in our guts and emerging science is finding that our gut microbiomes could be even more revealing about the workings of our bodies than our genes. Humans share more than 99% of our genes, but only 25% of our microbes. Even the study’s identical twins share only 37% of their gut microbes. “The gut microbiome is so related to health,” says Spector. “It’s related to your weight, your propensity to diabetes, it controls how you metabolise fat …” There is evidence it can also govern gene expression, mood and appetite, make vitamins, and may well be the ultimate biomarker for our food responses. Like genetics, the microbiome is so complex that progress in unravelling its mechanics is slow; Spector suspects that simpler biomarkers found in the blood may become apparent first. Time, and the data, will tell.

Despite the full-on nature of taking part in the study, Spector says 98% of participants completed it. “Normally, about 20% of people drop out,” he says. This retention rate is largely, I suspect, due to self-interest. Taking part in Predict offers a sneak preview of the personalised nutrition of the future, and a chance to learn about your metabolic quirks.

Spector goes through some of my results with me, pointing out, for instance, that if I switch from avocado to peanut butter, considerably more glucose lingers in my bloodstream afterwards – even though the peanut butter meal is slightly lower in fat and calories. He says that another regular quick lunch – a low-calorie, bacon and lentil soup – “for you, wasn’t particularly healthy” – as it leaves me with unexpectedly high blood glucose. Spector, who ditched his go-to tuna sandwich after taking part in the study, suggests it may be worth keeping an eye on how lentils affect me in future. On the plus side, the data reveals that my usual breakfast seems to be fine.

Next we look at my overall metabolic profile, which scores how well I respond to (or process) fats and carbohydrates compared with all the participants (who are all healthy and disease free). “Your glucose response is pretty much average for your age. It’s not super good, but it’s definitely not bad. And your fat response is slightly better than the average for your age and sex,” he says.

I am chuffed to discover that my gut microbiome richness is relatively high. “You got a score of 70 which is really good,” says Spector. “Virtually nobody got over 80. I’m assuming you have a good, diverse plant-based diet?” Indeed I have been geekily making an effort to feed my microbes in recent years, even fermenting my own sauerkraut, so this is encouraging news. More positive data comes from my Dexa Scan result, which shows that I have low visceral fat around the liver and intestines.

For now, we just have a snapshot, he says, “but as we get more data from other people our models will improve, and in six months or a year we want to be able to give you some form of an app that will give you a prediction of what response you’re going to have to certain foods”. This will then evolve into Zoe – the great hope for the personalised-health revolution. “But we’re not there yet,” says Spector. “This is part of the journey.”

Is the Cholesterol in Your Food Really a Concern?

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:36:20 GMT

It has long been a common myth that cholesterol consumed in foods, called dietary cholesterol, impacts the level of cholesterol in your body. Well, consider that myth busted. Science is now speaking and it seems as though the blame may have been misplaced all along. There are other factors in our diet that are more likely to be contributing to health problems and, specifically, heart disease.

Untangling Dietary Cholesterol and Blood Cholesterol

Dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol levels still may be related, but their dependence on one another is not quite as strong as suggested by previous dietary recommendations. According to the longest research study on heart disease to date, The Framingham Study, there is no relation between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol or heart disease deaths. The human body, when functioning properly, produces all the cholesterol that it needs and most importantly, is able to rid itself of excess cholesterol.

Blood cholesterol is a waxy substance that travels throughout the body. There are two forms of cholesterol: low density lipoproteins (LDL), which can cause issues with heart health when it piles up and forms plaque inside of a person’s arteries, and high density lipoproteins (HDL), which acts to remove cholesterol from the body. With this information it is easy to see why the goal is to keep LDL cholesterol levels low and HDL levels high.

Blood Cholesterol Levels – What Gives?

If dietary cholesterol doesn’t affect blood cholesterol levels, what does? According to Penn Medicine’s Daniel Rader, MD, high blood cholesterol levels occur when the body’s mechanism for cleaning out excess cholesterol isn’t functioning. Genetics and dietary factors – outside of cholesterol consumed – are the two main reasons that this cleanup fails.

So what are the two biggest dietary culprits for high blood cholesterol? Turns out, it’s the type of fat you eat.

As you probably know, not all fats are created equal. Trans fats and saturated fats are implicated in causing heart disease, while unsaturated fats may have the reverse effect. Let’s take a look at each.

Trans Fats and Cholesterol

Fried foods, processed foods and stick margarine are the poster children for trans fats, as this fat is produced when processing liquid vegetable oils. These fats are known for raising LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowering HDL (good) cholesterol.

Saturated Fats and Cholesterol

High proportions of this form of fat can be found in animal products such as fatty meats, dairy products such as cream and butter and some vegetable oils such as coconut oil and palm oil. Saturated fats raise both LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol.

Unsaturated Fats and Cholesterol

These fats, found in plant products such as olive oil, many seeds and nuts and some seafood, have the ability to positively affect blood cholesterol. There are two main forms of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.

When it comes to your diet, make sure to take a holistic view. Dr. Rader notes that it is important to look at each person individually. Some foods, like eggs, may be higher in dietary cholesterol but are also a good source of lean protein, amino acids, and many other nutrients. Keep your diet low in trans fats and saturated fats by decreasing consumption of processed foods and concentrating on increasing the whole or fresh foods in your diet.

Now that science is being taken into account, dietary recommendations are being re-evaluated when it comes to dietary cholesterol as a “nutrient of concern. In the latest version of Federal Dietary Guidelines, the cholesterol daily limit has been removed. That said, when it comes to choosing foods that are high in cholesterol, tread lightly. These foods also tend to be high in saturated fat. Eggs, including the yolks, however, are not. So, enjoy that egg with your next breakfast knowing that it is doing your body good!

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Chiropractor

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:32:50 GMT

Say goodbye to chronic back pain

Chiropractic treatment is one of the most popular forms of integrative health care in the United States. Half of adults in the U.S. have had some experience as a patient of a chiropractor, and 33.5 million U.S. adults reported visiting a chiropractor within the last 12 months.

Chiropractic treatment focuses on the relationship between the structure of the body (mainly the spine) and how it functions. Chiropractic treatment is located on the conservative end of the health care spectrum, focusing on manual treatments for conditions affecting muscles, joints, and nerves.

Chiropractors do not prescribe medication or perform surgery. The most common approach they use is spinal manipulation—applying a controlled, specific force to the spine and/or extremity joints in order to enhance joint motion, alignment, and general flexibility. Chiropractors may employ treatments beyond spinal manipulation, including:

Thermal therapies (heat, ice, paraffin bath, diathermy)
Therapeutic ultrasound
Cold laser or low-level laser therapy
Soft tissue friction, stretching or strengthening techniques (active release technique)
Electrotherapies
Relaxation and rehabilitation procedures
Neural mobilization
Corrective and general exercise
Taping/bracing
Counseling about diet, weight loss, smoking cessation
and other lifestyle factors

Increasingly, chiropractors can be found in conventional health delivery systems, including hospitals, multidisciplinary clinics, military and veteran’s health care facilities, and corporate on-site employee clinics.

What to Expect

Your first appointment will typically include a discussion of your health history and symptoms, an exam and sometimes diagnostic studies such as X-ray. At the end of it, the provider typically explains your diagnosis and recommends an individualized treatment plan that includes how long he or she believes you will need care.

Before you make an appointment, ask if your provider has specific training and expertise in evaluating and treating the symptoms you are experiencing.

Be sure they hold a license in good standing in the state in which you live. This can often be confirmed online through a state licensing website.

Tell your provider of any medical conditions you have and all medications you take – including prescription, over the counter, and/or supplements (to avoid any negative interactions between medications/supplements).

It is best to give your provider as much information as you can about your personal health practices to help ensure that the care you receive is safe and appropriate.

Review the “Choosing Wisely” patient handout, or visit SpineIQ.Org to learn more about chiropractic.

How it Works

The evidence supporting chiropractic treatment has become stronger in recent years. A 2017 systematic review published in JAMA evaluated 15 randomized, controlled trials involving more than 1,700 patients. The authors found that spinal manipulation resulted in an objective, clinically significant improvement in pain by about 10 points on a 100-point scale – a treatment response similar to that seen with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Another review published that year in Annals of Internal Medicine found similar results. Neither found any evidence of serious adverse events.

In February 2017, the American College of Physicians released new guidelines for the treatment of acute, subacute and chronic back pain, recommending that patients use non-pharmacologic therapies (including massage, acupuncture and/or spinal manipulation) before trying medication or more invasive procedures.

If you or your health care provider would like to read more research about how chiropractic treatment can influence a particular health condition, see the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) report on the effectiveness of chiropractic.

Who Should You Trust

According to the American Chiropractic Association, there are more than 70,000 active chiropractic licenses in the United States. Chiropractors are officially recognized and licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

In the U.S., a doctor of chiropractic (DC) has completed four to five years of doctoral-level training in a nationally accredited program that requires at least 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. Most will also have completed a pre-med or similar program in undergraduate school – in all, at least seven academic years of higher education after high school.

Students must fulfill strict academic requirements for science-based coursework prior to entering a chiropractic doctorate program. Chiropractic training programs are dually accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) and a regional accrediting body such as the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

All states license chiropractors and most states designate DCs as physician-level providers. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) four-part test must be passed prior to licensing, and chiropractors must complete continuing education hours each year to maintain their licenses. Some chiropractors undergo additional formal training and receive advanced certifications in radiology, sports, nutrition, pediatrics, and other specialties.

Although chiropractors are licensed, in most states they cannot write prescriptions for drugs or perform surgery.

While the chiropractic profession is strongly associated with the spine and extremities, students also receive training in physical diagnosis, including abdominal, lung, heart and even reproductive exams, as some systemic conditions can mimic musculoskeletal complaints.

The following websites can help you locate a chiropractor in your area:

American Chiropractic Association
Spine-health
U.S. Chiropractic Directory
Chirofind.com

You may also want to check your insurance company’s website for a searchable database of chiropractors within their network that are covered by your insurance.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare and some Medicaid plans, as well as most military and federal employee plans, cover chiropractic treatment. If your physician does not know you are receiving treatment from a chiropractor you should inform him or her. Any health care provider is better equipped to help you if they are aware of other treatments you are receiving.

To learn more about chiropractic treatment, check out this patient guide .

NSAIDs increase heart attack and stroke risk

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:29:39 GMT

FDA strengthens warning that NSAIDs increase heart attack and stroke risk

Back in 2005, the FDA warned that taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen increased the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. In July 2015 the FDA took the unusual step of further strengthening this warning. This was done on the advice of an expert panel that reviewed additional information about NSAIDs and their risks. Because ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) are available over-the-counter and so widely used, it’s important to be aware of the ibuprofen warnings and naproxen warnings and to take steps to limit the risk.

Many people take NSAIDs to relieve mild to moderate pain. These medications may be particularly effective in conditions in which pain results primarily from inflammation, such as arthritis or athletic injury. While you can buy ibuprofen and naproxen on your own, doctors commonly write prescriptions for celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren) and other NSAIDs. Aspirin is also an NSAID, but it does not pose a risk of heart attack or stroke. In fact, aspirin is commonly used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. So, it is not covered by this warning.

NSAIDs may also elevate blood pressure and cause heart failure. The risk of heart attack and stroke achieved special notoriety with rofecoxib (Vioxx), a type of NSAID called a COX-2 inhibitor. It caused as many as 140,000 heart attacks in the U.S. during the five years it was on the market (Vioxx was removed from the market in 2004). The regrettable experience with Vioxx raised awareness about the cardiovascular risk of NSAIDs, and led to further studies showing that the risk is not limited to Vioxx but is associated with all NSAIDs.

The FDA has noted the following ibuprofen warnings and naproxen warnings along with similar risks of other NSAIDs:

Heart attack and stroke risk increase even with short-term use, and the risk may begin within a few weeks of starting to take an NSAID.
The risk increases with higher doses of NSAIDs taken for longer periods of time.
The risk is greatest for people who already have heart disease, though even people without heart disease may be at risk.

Using NSAIDs safely

Taking an NSAID for a headache, or for a few days to ease a sore shoulder isn’t likely to cause a heart attack or stroke. It’s more prolonged use that can get risky.

In view of the warnings, it is best for people with heart disease to avoid NSAIDs if at all possible, and for everyone who is considering taking an NSAID to proceed with caution. Here are some strategies:

It’s important to take the lowest effective dose, and limit the length of time you take the drug.
Never take more than one type of NSAID at a time. There appears to be risk associated with all types of NSAIDs.
Try alternatives to NSAIDs such as acetaminophen. It relieves pain but does not appear to increase heart attack or stroke risk. However, acetaminophen can cause liver damage if the daily limit of 4,000 milligrams is exceeded, or if you drink more than three alcoholic drinks every day.
If nothing else works and you need to take an NSAID for arthritis or other chronic pain, try taking week-long “holidays” from them and taking acetaminophen instead.
If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden weakness or difficulty speaking while taking an NSAID, seek medical help immediately.

By Gregory Curfman, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine | Former Editor-in-Chief, Harvard Health Publishing

Growing Horns from Cellphone Use

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:26:31 GMT

Young people are growing horns from cellphone use

Are smartphones turning us into monsters?

In a BBC report about the changing human skeleton published last week, biomechanics researcher Dr. David Shahur of the University of The Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, says he’s noticed an increasingly common horn-like growth at the base of the neck — sometimes so large they can be seen and felt through the skin.

“I have been a clinician for 20 years,” Shahur says, “and only in the last decade, increasingly I have been discovering that my patients have this growth on the skull.”

These horns or “spikes,” which clinicians call an “external occipital protuberance,” were first noted in 1885, but thought to be so rare that French scientist Paul Broca — credited for his research on the area of the frontal lobe dubbed Broca’s area — argued the anomaly was undeserving of a medical diagnosis.

“He didn’t like it because he had studied so many specimens, and he hadn’t really seen any which had it,” says Shahur, who decided to pick up where scientists left off at the turn of the century.

Shahur believes the spikes may be caused by the habitual bent-neck posture of frequent mobile device users, which many already complain leads to neck pain. Holding this position for long periods of time can put extra pressure at the point where the neck muscles meet the skull.

To provide added support for the head, which weighs some 10 pounds in adults, the body compensates by developing new bone, which may help redistribute the weight.

In 2016, Shahur and his colleagues produced a study in the Journal of Anatomy investigating this phenomenon. They analyzed over 200 radiographs of patients between 18 and 30 years old, and found the growth in 41 percent of them.

The spikes were more common in males, with the largest — 1.4 inches — belonging to a man.

Last year, Shahur broadened his research to include older generations, and found the issue was more prevalent among young people, many of whom were practically born with a smart device in their hands. Of the 1,200 total individuals in the Scientific Reports study, 33 percent of them had protrusions. Those in the 18 to 29 age group had the highest rate of prevalence — indicating that newer technology may be playing a role.

It should be noted that Shahur’s studies on the external occipital protuberance do not include participants’ rate of mobile device usage, which means his assertion that they might be caused by cell phones is his own conjecture — based on the fact that these malformations seem to appear more among younger people, many of whom were practically born with a smartphone in their hands.

Furthermore, Shahur, a practicing chiropractor in Australia, specializes in posture and sometimes sells corrective devices under the moniker Dr. Posture. His Thoracic Pillow, which was going for $195, was recently removed from the website.

Still, Shahur assures that these spikes are not cause for medical treatment, but once they’re there, there’s probably no getting rid of them.

He tells the BBC, “Imagine if you have stalactites and stalagmites, if no one is bothering them, they will just keep growing.”

To minimize the growth, try improving your posture.

Free eBook : Good Posture

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:25:37 GMT

Download your free copy of the Good Posture eBook:

“The way we sleep, the pillows we choose and how we use our phones are some of the lifestyle choices that all contribute to the

gradual breakdown of your posture…….”

Good posture is natural, but our modern world often stands in the way
Awareness and daily practice are the best ways to improve your posture
Causes | How did it get this bad?
Solutions | How can I fix it?
Five different types of posture and ow to address each
Sabotages | Things that cam make it worse
Chiropractic’s role in maintaining good posture

It’s important to include your doctor of chiropractic (DC) on your journey to better posture. Your DC can assess problem

areas that might be causing current pain or lead to discomfort. The doctor may also recommend exercises to strengthen core

postural muscles and stretches to enhance flexibility, helping reduce the risk of injury.

The Super Easy Diet Plan That Helped This Guy Lose 130 Pounds

Thu, 23 May 2024 06:24:15 GMT

Unlike most people, Giovanni Enea didn’t experience a distinct turning point when he realized it was time to lose weight and get back in shape. “I just woke up one morning and thought, ‘you know, let’s just try this one last time,'” he says. Enea, 21, a student who is studying computer science in Italy, says he’d struggled with obesity for so long up until that point that it practically felt normal. “I’ve been obese since can remember. There isn’t a single time in my life—except, of course, last year—that I happily saw myself in the mirror,” he says. “I thought I was built that way and nothing would ever change.”

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At his heaviest, around age 19 or 20, Enea says he tipped the scale at a little over 340 pounds. He’d always been active, playing lots of sports like football and handball and even kickboxing, so a sedentary lifestyle wasn’t necessarily the problem. “As you know, you can’t outrun a bad diet,” he says. “I think I averaged about 3,500 calories per day on a normal day, and I was always going out to eat.” Eating healthier and leaner, he knew, was where he’d have to start. While trying to decide which diet seemed right, he remembered what’s known as CICO—Calories In, Calories Out—less a traditional “diet” than a dietary principle. In short, it’s basically this: Burn more calories than you eat. Finish the day in a calorie deficit.

“I knew it would work if I just stick to this simple concept. I actually ate really bad in terms of macros, but I always made sure that I didn’t go over 2000 calories per day,” he says. His goal was—and still is—to aim for a 1,000 calorie daily deficit. “The process at the start was really painful. It was hard gaining new healthy habits. I’ve tried countless diets and seen doctors and dietitians. I always had that thought: This will never work, you know it, you can’t do it, but I fought hard.”

Despite that voice in his head, Enea did indeed put in work, eventually adding a regular gym routine to his regimen. In the first three months, he dropped more than 45 pounds, and says he’s steadily lost about 10 pounds per month since then. Since starting roughly a year ago, he’s lost a grand total of nearly 130 pounds, down from 340 to 210. “I truly feel amazing,” he says, “but I’m not done yet,” adding that he’s now setting new goals for 2020, which include losing about 30 more pounds and training for a half marathon.

In addition to simply feeling healthier, Enea says he’s more athletic, having rediscovered his passion for running and hiking. Asked for advice he gives to those who are just starting out, however, he defers. “Everyone is different,” he says. “I can only suggest that you imagine how your life will be different in a year if you start today.”

. . .

Call Advanced Back and Neck Care

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6 Exercises that Improve Posture and Reduce Back Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 05:14:40 GMT

Poor posture is an underlying cause of back pain.

Workout at your desk with these stretches that reduce tension, strengthen the back and help prevent slouching.

By Stephanie Mansour, originally posted on NBC News

If you’re sitting at your desk right now — like you do every day for eight-plus hours — there’s a strong chance you feel a twinge of discomfort somewhere.

Maybe it’s your lower back that starts to ache. Or your neck and shoulders get stiff by mid-afternoon.

Wherever the pain creeps up, it’s may be a sign that prolonged sitting is having an adverse effect on your body. Poor posture may also be to blame.

By now we’ve all heard about the importance of proper posture. It’s good for your muscles, bones, balance, internal organs, and effective in minimizing back pain.

Poor posture and a weak core are two of the underlying causes of back pain — and it’s often hard to avoid if you spend a lot of time behind a desk. You may not be able to ditch your desk, but there are simple movements you can do throughout the day to improve your posture to reduce back pain.

We’ve created three types of posture exercises: Seated exercises (that you can do right at your desk), standing exercises (you can perform anywhere in the office — even the elevator) and floor exercises (perform these when you wake up in the morning or get home at night). Each group of exercises focuses on two things: strengthening the upper back to keep the shoulders pulled back and prevent slouching, and stretching exercises to open up the front of the body, specifically the chest. Strengthening the upper back provides the support needed to keep the chest open, so the two work in tandem to help keep you upright (and reduce stress on the back).

Exercises that improve posture and ease back pain

Standing exercises

These moves can be done when you’re in an elevator, waiting in line or while you’re standing in the office kitchen waiting for your lunch to heat up in the microwave.

Reverse High Five

While standing tall, shrug your shoulders up towards your ears and then relax them down. Turn the palms to face the back of the room. Press the hands back as if you’re trying to give someone a double high five. Pulse 10 times and then rest.

Chest Opener

To stretch the front of the body, clasp your hands behind your back and push down towards the ground while reaching the arms away from the back of your body. Open your chest and lift your head up to feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for 5 breaths, and then release.

Seated exercises

These exercises are perfect for the office! You can sit at your desk in an upright chair and perform these stretch and strengthening exercises.

Goalpost Squeeze

While sitting upright, lift your arms up into a goalpost position with your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle even with your shoulders. Relax your shoulders down, and then pull the elbows towards the back of the room. Imagine that you’re squeezing a marble in between your shoulder blades as you work the upper back. Release. Repeat 10 times.

Armpit Opener

To open up the chest, reach the arms out to the sides and up and overhead, clasp the hands at the top. Stretch the arms up, and then bend the elbows towards the back of the room to stretch the chest and armpits. Hold for a breathe, and then straighten the arms back up. Repeat 10 times.

Floor exercises

These exercises can be performed in the comfort of your home on a yoga mat, rug or even in bed!

Mini Cobra

Lying down on your stomach, place your hands flat on the ground under your shoulders. Pull your naval in towards your spine, and squeeze your inner thighs together. Rest your forehead down on the ground. This is the starting position. Pretend that you’re pushing a marble forward with your nose, and bring your head forward and up as you press down through your palms to lift your shoulders and chest off the ground. Keep the elbows bent. Squeeze your shoulder blades together to work your upper back even more. Then, slowly lower back down to the ground resting your forehead down. Repeat this 10 times.

Arm Roll Stretch

Lying down on your stomach, reach your right arm out to the right directly in line with your shoulder. Place your left hand on the ground under your left shoulder and use it to gently push your body to the right, rolling towards the right arm (while it remains on the ground). You can bend your left knee and place your left foot flat on the ground behind your right knee for stabilization. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds or 5 deep breaths. Feel the stretch in the front of the chest and in the armpit of the right side. Then repeat to the left side.

Imaging is as Good as the Eyes that Read It

Thu, 23 May 2024 05:04:35 GMT

To Improve Health, Cut Costs, Walmart Pushes For Better Medical Imaging For Workers

Walmart Inc., the nation’s largest private employer, is worried that too many of its workers are having health conditions misdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary surgery and wasted health spending.

The issue crystallized for Walmart officials when they discovered about half of the company’s workers who went to the Mayo Clinic and other specialized hospitals for back surgery in the past few years turned out not to need those operations. They were either misdiagnosed by their doctor or needed only non-surgical treatment.

A key issue: Their diagnostic imaging, such as CT scans and MRIs, had high error rates, says Lisa Woods, senior director of benefits design for Walmart.

So the company, whose health plans cover 1.1 million U.S. employees and dependents, has recommended since March that workers use one of 800 imaging centers identified as providing high-quality care. That list was developed for Walmart by Covera Health, a New York City-based health analytics company that uses data to help spot facilities likely to provide accurate imaging for a wide variety of conditions, from cancer to torn knee ligaments.

Although Walmart and other large employers in recent years have been steering workers to medical centers with proven track records for specific procedures such as transplants, the retail giant is believed to be the first to prod workers to use specific imaging providers based on diagnostic accuracy — not price, say employer health experts.

“A quality MRI or CT scan can improve the accuracy of diagnoses early in the care journey, helping create the correct treatment plan with the best opportunity for recovery,” says Woods. “The goal is to give associates the best chance to get better, and that starts with the right diagnosis.”

Walmart employees are not required to use those 800 centers, but if they don’t use one that is available near them, they will have to pay additional cost sharing. Company officials advise workers that they could have more accurate results if they opt for the specified centers.

Studies show a 3% to 5% error rate each workday in a typical radiology practice, but some academic research has found mistakes on advanced images such as CT scans and MRIs can reach up to 30% of diagnoses. Although not every mistake affects patient care, with millions of CT scans and MRIs done each year in the United States, such mistakes can have a significant impact.

“There’s no question that there are a lot of errors that occur,” says Dr. Vijay Rao, chairwoman of radiology at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Errors at imaging centers can happen for many reasons, Rao says, including the radiologist not devoting enough time to reading each image, the technician not positioning the patient correctly in the imaging machine or a radiologist not having sufficient expertise.

Employers and insurers typically do little to help patients identify which radiology practices provide the most accurate results. Instead, employers have been focused on the cost of imaging tests. Some employers or insurers require plan members to use free-standing outpatient centers rather than those based in hospitals, which tend to be more expensive.

Woods says Walmart found that deficiencies and variation in imaging services affected employees nationwide. “Unfortunately, it is all over the country. It’s everywhere,” she says.

Walmart’s new imaging strategy is aligned with its efforts over the past decade to direct employees to select hospitals for high-cost health procedures. Since 2013, Walmart has been sending workers and their dependents to select hospitals across the country where it believes they can get better results for spine surgery, heart surgery, joint replacement, weight loss surgery, transplants and certain cancers.

As part of its “Centers of Excellence” program, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant picks up the tab for the surgeries and all related travel expenses for patients on the company’s health insurance plan, including a caregiver.

Tracking imaging centers’ quality

Most consumers give little thought to where to get an MRI or CT scan, and usually go where their doctors send them, the closest facility or, increasingly, the one that offers the lowest price, notes Covera CEO Ron Vianu. “Most people think of diagnostic imaging as a commodity, and that’s a mistake,” he says.

Vianu says studies have shown that radiologists frequently offer different diagnoses based on the same image taken during an MRI or CT scan. Among explanations are that some radiologists are better at analyzing certain types of images — like those of the brain or bones — and sometimes radiologists read images from exams they have less experience with, he says.

Covera has collected information on thousands of hospital-based and outpatient imaging facilities.

“Our primary interest is understanding which radiologist or radiology practices are achieving the highest level of diagnostic accuracy for their patients,” says Dan Elgort, Covera’s chief data science officer.

Covera has independent radiologists evaluate a sampling of patient care data on imaging centers to determine facilities’ error rates. It uses statistical modeling along with information on each center’s equipment, physicians and use of industry-accepted patient protocols to determine the facilities’ rates of accuracy.

Covera expects to have about 1,500 imaging centers in the program it runs for Walmart by year’s end, says CEO Ron Vianu.

There are about 4,000 outpatient imaging centers in the United States, not counting thousands of hospital-based facilities, he estimated.

As a condition for participating in the program, each of the imaging centers has agreed to routinely send a sampling of their patients’ images and reports to Covera.

Rao applauded the effort by Walmart and Covera to identify imaging facilities likely to provide the most accurate reports. “I am sure centers that are worried about their quality will not be happy, but most quality operations would welcome something like this,” she says.

Few guides for consumers

Consumers have little way to distinguish the quality of care from one imaging center to the next. The American College of Radiology has an accreditation program but does not evaluate diagnostic quality.

“We would love to have more robust … measurements” about the outcomes of patient care than what is currently available, says Dr. Geraldine McGinty, chair of the college’s board of chancellors.

Facilities typically conduct peer reviews of their radiologists’ patient reports, but there is no public reporting of such results, she says.

Covera officials says they have worked with Walmart for nearly two years to demonstrate they could improve the quality of diagnostic care its employees receive. Part of the process has included reviewing a sample of Walmart employees’ health records to see where changes in imaging services could have caught potential problems.

Covera says the centers in its network were chosen based on quality; price was not a factor.

In an effort to curtail unnecessary tests, Walmart, like many large employers and insurers, requires its insured members to get authorization before getting CT scans and MRIs.

“Walmart is on the leading edge of focusing on quality of diagnostic imaging,” says Suzanne Delbanco, executive director of the Catalyst for Payment Reform, an employer-led health care think tank and advocacy group.

But Mark Stolper, executive vice president of Los Angeles-based RadNet, which owns 335 imaging centers nationally, questions how Covera has enough data to compare facilities. “This would be the first time,” he says, “I have seen or heard of a company trying to narrow a network of imaging centers that is based on quality instead of price.”

Woods says that even though the new imaging strategy is not based on financial concerns, it could pay dividends down the road.

“It’s been demonstrated time and time again that high quality ends up being more economical in the long run because inappropriate care is avoided, and patients do better,” she says.

An Opioid Exit Strategy, how chiropractors may hold the key

Thu, 23 May 2024 05:03:15 GMT

The number of people who die from opioid overdoses leaving families torn apart and loved ones reeling has been increasing at an alarming rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has seen five times the number of deaths from prescription and illegal opioids since 1999. This public health emergency is being addressed by government at many levels, but the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress thinks it can change that, with its “conservative care first” approach.

“For the most part, pain is what brings people through our doors, there are two types both chronic and acute.” explained Dr. Scott Colman with the Hetrick Center.

People living with chronic pain will tell you: it changes your life on all levels, emotionally and physically.

Dr. Colman offers an alternative to living in pain and it doesn’t involve opioids.

“If someone has a pebble in their shoe you can take a lot meds to cover the pain but we’re more interested in what we can do to remove the pebble from the shoe.”

It sounds simple but doctors say treating pain is tricky. If you can remove the pebble from the shoe the pain stops, and in ideal cases so does the desire for pain meds.

Dr. Colman and the Hetrick Center offer a multi-dimensional drug-free approach to pain treatment, combining physical therapy, chiropractic care, aquatic therapy, and nutrition in a combined plan.

“It’s a multi-pronged approach that hopefully especially if they’re motivated and most are, if they want to get out of pain we have solutions.” explained Dr. Colman.

Dr. Colman says greater awareness of the opioid crisis and doctors handing out fewer prescriptions have more people coming in asking about alternatives to opioids, whether for long term pain or recovery from surgery.

“It’s a beautiful mix where we can mobilize, stabilize and we can decrease how tight the muscle is through massage,” said Dr. Mary Colman.

Dr. Allison Benedetto, the President of the PA Chiropractic Association.

“We are asking state and federal governments within their authority to mandate that patients with these common muscular-skeletal pains that they should seek treatment first from a conservative care provider such as a doctor of chiropractic.”

The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress wants to bring their alternative to opioids to the forefront of the addiction crisis.

Laws have already been changed in several states to provide equal insurance reimbursement for all providers offering “conservative care” treatment. Getting the pebble out of the shoe is a great metaphor for how chiropractic care starts with a deeper approach to treating pain.

“We’re not just treating the injury, we’re treating the whole patient. Like my husband said, we have these wonderful jobs where we can make people feel better but we can also teach them lifestyle changes that could impact their injury and their overall body.” said Dr. Mary Colman.

The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress is working on legislation nationwide to improve awareness and affordability of “conservative care treatment.”

by Robb Hanrahan

Chiropractic Care for MS

Thu, 23 May 2024 05:02:33 GMT

By Marie Suszynski for Every Day Health

Chiropractic is a form of complementary medicine that focuses primarily on the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic treatments — often called adjustments — usually involve hands-on manipulation of the spine and sometimes other joints.

Clinical research has found some evidence that chiropractic spinal manipulations can help with low back pain and may also be helpful for neck pain and headache. Indeed, the most common reasons for visits to chiropractors are low back pain, neck pain, and headache.

While there’s no research showing that chiropractic has any effect on symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), some people with MS report feeling positive effects when they see a chiropractor.

Sean Casey, for example, a partner in the Albany, New York office of the marketing company Eric Mower + Associates who was diagnosed with MS in 1988, made his first chiropractic appointment after jarring his back, and he’s returned for treatment periodically over the years.

Getting chiropractic therapy, he says, helped him feel better and ultimately had an effect on his MS. Fatigue wasn’t as much of an issue, and he had more endurance and better control over his movements. Because the chiropractor corrected his back problem, Casey says, he was able to become more active without pain.

Los Angeles-based Sherry Chandos, who’s had MS since 2001, also feels she’s benefited from seeing a chiropractor. She originally went to a chiropractor because of pain in her lower back and legs, and she says the biggest benefit was relief of the lower back pain.

But getting adjustments also helped her tackle the exercises she’d been given by a physical therapist to improve balance and strength, and to reduce spasticity from MS.

The Importance of Feeling Better

“Feeling better about yourself, and feeling better in your life while managing the disease and the symptoms of MS, are critical parts of living with a chronic illness such as MS,” says Aliza Ben-Zacharia, a nurse practitioner at the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for MS at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

While Dr. Ben-Zacharia doesn’t usually prescribe chiropractic care for her patients — particularly those who have spinal lesions or degenerative changes in the spine — she notes that gentle massage and chiropractic care are “permissible, especially if it’s making people feel better about themselves.”

“Open communication and discussion about the use of all complementary and alternative methods is highly important, and building partnerships with patients is critical in the care of people with MS,” Ben-Zacharia says.

What Chiropractic Therapy Can and Can’t Do

David Mallory, a chiropractor now retired from Georgia & Thurlow Chiropractic in Vancouver, British Columbia, has had MS for 20 years and has both received chiropractic care himself and delivered it to others with MS. He firmly believes it can help with management of the disease.

MS symptoms are caused by a neurologic loss, Dr. Mallory says, and there’s nothing a chiropractor can do to reverse that. What chiropractic therapy can do is help with the problems associated with MS. If MS causes foot drop, for example, the altered gait can cause back and hip pain. Getting a chiropractic adjustment may help relieve that pain while you work with other practitioners to find the best treatment for your foot drop.

Costs and Risks

Chiropractic care is often more affordable than other types of specialty care — although it’s always a good idea to ask about fees up front since they vary from place to place. Mallory’s Canadian office charges in the $50 range for a visit, and he says the cost is similar in the United States. Some health insurance plans cover chiropractic care, which can also help with affordability.

As for risks, Mallory says that going to a chiropractor is fairly safe, and that people with MS face no more risks than people who don’t have MS.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) does point out that the side effects of chiropractic care can include sore muscles, fatigue, and headaches. Very rare risks include bone fracture, injuries to the spinal disks and to the nerves of the lower spine, and stroke as a result of the therapy.

The NMSS also states that chiropractic should be avoided by pregnant women; people with a severe herniated disk, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, fractures, dislocation, or trauma of the spine; and people being treated with blood thinners. And, of course, never use chiropractic care in place of your traditional MS treatment.

Casey recommends coordinating your care by asking your chiropractor to share your records with your neurologist.

10 Core Exercises for Lower Back Pain Relief

Thu, 23 May 2024 05:01:20 GMT

By Amy Marturana, C.P.T. -originally published on Self

Lower back pain is a pesky problem that unfortunately, many of us have experienced at one point or another to some degree.

“Lower back pain is the most common musculoskeletal ailment in the U.S., and can often be mitigated by strengthening the core musculature,” Blake Dircksen, D.P.T., C.S.C.S., a physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments New York, tells SELF. “The ‘core’ is a cylinder of abdominal and back muscles that wraps around the body like a corset,” Dircksen explains. (The glutes are also considered a part of the core, since they connect to the pelvis and ultimately the back and abdominal muscles.) As with any muscles, by strengthening them, you will increase the amount of weight your lower back can comfortably move, which means it will be better equipped to handle the same stress from your workouts and everyday life without getting as achey.

“Without a strong core, your body will rely more on your passive structures, such as your ligaments and bones, which places more stress on discs and therefore increases your likelihood of injury,” adds Melanie Strassberg, P.T., D.P.T., clinical director of Professional Physical Therapy in New Rochelle, New York.

In addition to strengthening the core muscles, it’s also important to address any mobility problems, says Jacque Crockford, M.S., C.S.C.S., exercise physiology content manager at American Council on Exercise, which can sometimes be what’s causing pain. If specific movements like twisting or bending or extending your spine feel uncomfortable, there may be mobility (flexibility) issues at play. Doing some gentle stretching (like these yoga poses) might help. (If it gets worse with those stretches, stop and see a doctor.)

When you’re working to strengthen the core, you’ll want to focus on exercises that don’t exacerbate lower back issues. “It’s important to find out which movements (flexion, extension, rotation) cause pain or discomfort and to avoid those movements, while continuing to work into ranges that are not provoking,” Dircksen says. Crockford suggests focusing on exercises that keep the core stable and avoiding twisting movements to avoid exacerbating pain.

As with any sort of pain, it’s crucial to figure out the source so you can properly treat it. Sharp or stabbing pain that extends beyond your low back or is accompanied by symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, could be signs of various other conditions and definitely warrant a trip to the doctor. If you have a history of lower back injuries or disc problems, always see your doctor before trying any new exercise.

But if your lower back pain is more of a general achiness or discomfort, the experts here with suggest adding some core exercises into your routine to strengthen the entire area and better support your back.

Demoing the moves is Zach Job, a New-York based artist and producer and up-and-coming drag queen whose dream of joining a circus has prompted him to train in everything from gymnastics to boxing to acro-yoga. He also likes working out with kettlebells, rock climbing, biking, and playing dodgeball.

CONTINUE TO ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Would be Grateful if you could Sponsor Me

Thu, 23 May 2024 05:00:11 GMT

Join me – you can make a difference in the lives of children fighting pediatric cancer. I would be so grateful if you could sponsor me. Every dollar donated brings us closer to a cure.

DONATE

Please, be as generous as you can – with your heart as well as your wallet. More than 90% of every dollar raised for the Band goes to research at leading neuroblastoma centers, including: Memorial Sloan Kettering, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Children’s Hospital LA and more.

I am participating in the Play Like A Pro charity hockey game at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2019. The 6th annual Play Like a Pro game is organized by Band of Parents , a grassroots, nonprofit organization that funds innovative research and clinical trials for the pediatric cancer, neuroblastoma, and the Garden of Dreams Foundation , a nonprofit that works with The Madison Square Garden Company to positively impact the lives of children facing obstacles. All proceeds from this unique event go to these two incredibly worthy causes. [ CONTINUED ]

30 Best Exercises For Lower Back Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:58:37 GMT

The increasing amount of time people spend pursuing sedentary activities these days means that lower back pain is an issue which affects pretty much all of us at some point or another. Whether it’s too much time sat hunched over a laptop in the office, or slouched on the sofa watching TV or playing video games, huge numbers of people treat their lumbar spines with absolute contempt.

Fortunately for most, the discomfort that this modern day lifestyle inflicts upon us, can be relatively easily remedied with a good deal of stretching, to alleviate the pain, and strengthening, to help prevent problems persisting in the future.

Stretching Exercises To Relieve Lower Back Pain

There are a number of useful and easy to master stretching exercises which if performed regularly can not only help to reduce discomfort and get you moving again after a prolonged period of lower back pain but can also help to prevent recurrences of similar issues.

……. Click to Continue to Videos

Low-Carb Diets & GERD – Counterintuitive or Cutting Edge?

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:57:06 GMT

If television commercials for prescription and over-the-counter antacids are any indication, acid reflux has reached epidemic proportions. Stomach acid has launched an all-out attack on people’s digestion and quality of life, inching its way up into the esophagus and causing the pain and irritation most people know simply as “heartburn.” For those who suffer from acid reflux, finding a natural remedy would be most welcome, because reflux can turn eating—something that should be one of life’s simple pleasures and joys—into a painful experience they dread. Evidence indicates that cutting carbs may be a simple strategy to provide quick relief from acid reflux and GERD.

Conventional Advice for GERD & Acid Reflux

Common recommendations provided for those with acid reflux include:

Remaining upright after eating : For individuals whose GERD is due to a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES), letting gravity do its job may help reduce the likelihood of food traveling up into the esophagus. This means standing or sitting upright after a meal rather than lying down or reclining.
Eating smaller meals : Smaller meals mean less food in the stomach, and therefore, potentially less likelihood for upward pressure on the LES leading to reflux.
Avoiding acidic, spicy, and fatty foods: By themselves, these foods may not cause reflux, but when the LES is weakened, acidic and spicy foods may be more irritating to the esophagus, which is not protected by a layer of mucus in the way the stomach is. Individuals with GERD are typically cautioned to stay away from coffee, carbonated beverages, tomatoes and tomato sauces, lemon and other citrus fruits, hot peppers, garlic, onions, vinegar, and other acidic foods. Chocolate and peppermint may also exacerbate GERD in some people.
Losing weight if overweight or obese: A larger concentration of body mass in the abdominal area may increase pressure on the LES, potentially resulting in acid reflux.
But what if someone has already tried all the above, to no avail? Are they destined to take antacid medications for the rest of their life—drugs that, owing to their deliberate impairment of healthy digestion—increase risk for chronic kidney disease, iron deficiency, low magnesium, bone fractures, B12 deficiency, and even dementia? People assume these drugs are safe to take for the long term, as they often assume all they’re doing is reducing their stomach acid. They may have no idea the consequences of extended use can be so dire.

Low Carb Diets for Acid Reflux & GERD

It may sound counterintuitive at first that a low carb diet might be beneficial for acid reflux. Since conventional medical advice recommends avoiding fatty foods, a high-fat diet would be contraindicated for individuals with acid reflux or GERD. Additionally, some of the foods people frequently enjoy on low carb diets are cautioned against in traditional advice for reflux, such as the aforementioned coffee, dark chocolate, tomato sauces, garlic and onions. According to this traditional advice, the popular trend of putting butter and coconut oil in a cup of coffee or tea would be the worst thing someone with reflux could do!

On low carb blogs and forums, anecdotes abound from people who report complete resolution of GERD after ditching carbs. Fortunately for the skeptics, there’s also a solid body of scientific research corroborating these “N of one” experiments. However mysterious or illogical it may seem, low-carb diets have proven very effective for relieving GERD and acid reflux.

One study reported on five patients who self-initiated low carb diets and had resolution of GERD. Three of them eliminated coffee, and all of them eliminated acidic foods, but the researchers did not attribute the effects to this. They noted that “carbohydrates may be a precipitating factor for GERD symptoms and that other classic exacerbating foods such as coffee and fat may be less pertinent when a low-carbohydrate diet is followed.” So maybe coffee and an omelet would be fine for someone with GERD, but that same coffee with a donut or scone could spell esophageal disaster.

Another study added weight to the possibility that carbohydrates are, at least for some people, a trigger for GERD. In a small cohort of adults with GERD, compared to a liquid meal containing 85 grams of carbohydrate, a liquid meal of the same volume but containing about 180 grams of carbohydrate resulted in greater total time experiencing reflux and a greater number of reflux episodes lasting more than 5 minutes. No knowledgeable nutritionist would recommend a liquid meal of 85 grams of carbs, but this study wasn’t intended to investigate low carb diets. It was designed to evaluate “the effect of different carbohydrate density on low esophageal acid and reflux symptoms,” and it certainly did just that: the high-carbohydrate meal aggravated GERD more than the lower-carbohydrate meal.

A more formal study that did evaluate the effects of a low carb diet confirmed the power of carbohydrate restriction: A small group of obese subjects with GERD began a very low carb diet after undergoing a 24-hour esophageal pH probe test to assess the acidity of their stomachs. Within just six days, subjects had dramatic improvements in GERD. In the Johnson-DeMeester score, used to measure esophageal acid exposure, a score > 14.72 indicates reflux. At baseline, subjects’ mean score was a whopping 34.7. This dropped to 14.0 after just six days on the low carb diet, and subjects reported significant improvements in symptoms such as heartburn, pressure or discomfort inside the chest, a sour taste in the mouth, frequent gurgling in the stomach, nausea, a feeling of pressure or a burning sensation in the throat, belching, flatulence, and more. This study on the effects of a low carb diet on acid reflux is especially telling, because not only did the subjects report subjective improvements in their own symptoms, but the reduced esophageal acidity was confirmed by direct measurement. They cut carbs, and acid refluxing into the esophagus was reduced by more than half in less than a week.

In the most impressive study performed so far, in a cohort of obese women, after just 10 weeks on a low-carb diet, in all subjects with a confirmed GERD diagnosis, “all GERD symptoms and medication usage had resolved in all women.” Within just 10 weeks, all subjects with GERD had complete resolution of symptoms, including women who’d experienced symptoms twice daily or as often as 5 times per week. All medication, both prescription and over-the-counter, was discontinued.

The authors noted, “Contrary to long-held belief that higher fat intake promotes GERD symptoms; nationally representative data do not show a strong association between dietary fat and GERD. Thus, the present study provides important insights that contribute to the accumulating evidence of a role for dietary simple carbohydrates in GERD pathophysiology. We found that simple carbohydrates, particularly sucrose, contribute to GERD in obese women and the likelihood of having GERD was predicted by simple carbohydrate (total sugars) intake.”

Ameliorating GERD and acid reflux may have less to do with what patients consume—antacids—and more to do with what they don’t consume: large amounts of sugar and starch. Those who have followed conventional advice for improving or preventing acid reflux but have failed to experience any relief might do well to trial a low carb diet. Sure, they might have to give up some of their favorite foods, but that’s a small price to pay for also giving up heartburn, pain, and dependence on potentially harmful antacid medications.

By Amy Berger, MS, CNS

Veteran Access to Nondrug Chiropractic Services

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:55:13 GMT

From the American Chiropractic Association :

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2018

Congress Passes Legislation Expanding Veteran Access to Nondrug Chiropractic Services

Arlington, Va. — The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) announced today that Congress, with the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, has approved a plan to expand access to chiropractic’s nondrug approach to pain relief to veterans, many of whom suffer from back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions resulting from their service.

The Senate voted 65-32 to approve the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending package early Friday, less than 24 hours ahead of what would have been a government shutdown. The vote follows House passage, and the bill now heads to the president’s desk for his signature.

Supported by several veterans groups and championed in Congress by Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), the approved language calls for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand the availability of chiropractic services at no fewer than two medical centers or clinics in each Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) by no later than Dec. 31, 2019, and at no fewer than 50 percent of all medical centers in each VISN by no later than Dec. 31, 2021.

The measure also, for the first time, codifies and broadens chiropractic services in the VA to include services provided by doctors of chiropractic under the Preventive Health Services and Medical categories–in addition to existing coverage under Rehabilitative Services–placing chiropractors in service categories previously closed to them.

Currently, veterans have access to chiropractic services at more than 70 major VA treatment facilities in the United States, but nearly 100 VA sites offer little to no availability. This disparity comes at a time when the need for drug-free options for musculoskeletal conditions is urgent. VA data cites “diseases of the musculoskeletal system/connective system” such as back pain as the No. 1 ailment experienced by veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who access VA treatment. Moreover, surveys show that, similar to the civilian population, many veterans struggle with prescription painkiller (opioid) addiction.

“For many years, veterans have had only limited access through the VA health care system to the essential services provided by chiropractors. The bill that Congress passed today will significantly contribute to giving veterans better access to new, nondrug options for their pain,” said ACA Interim President N. Ray Tuck, Jr., DC.

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About the American Chiropractic Association

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is the largest professional chiropractic organization in the United States. ACA attracts the most principled and accomplished chiropractors, who understand that it takes more to be called an ACA chiropractor. We are leading our profession in the most constructive and far-reaching ways — by working hand in hand with other health care professionals, by lobbying for pro-chiropractic legislation and policies, by supporting meaningful research and by using that research to inform our treatment practices. We also provide professional and educational opportunities for all our members and are committed to being a positive and unifying force for the practice of modern chiropractic. To learn more, visit www.acatoday.org, and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Moving Beyond Medications PDF

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:54:15 GMT

Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Pain Management and Well-Being

In response to the current public health crisis of opioid abuse, overdose, and death, many organizations have issued guidelines and recommendations for treating pain, including the former Surgeon General’s “Turn the Tide” campaign. Similar to other guidelines, this campaign recommends non-pharmacological approaches as first line pain treatment, with opioids to be considered only if these and non-opioid pharmacological treatments are ineffective. This document expands upon those recommendations to help primary care clinicians and their patients with this approach.

1) Assess Patient’s Pain and Well-Being

Perform a thorough assessment of the patient’s pain condition, treatments, lifestyle and overall health status
Ask the patient to describe the pain, including word descriptors, location, duration, aggravating and alleviating factors, intensity, and functional impact
Ask about the patient’s psychological status (e.g., depression, anxiety, ineffective coping styles), nutritional health, sleep pattern, and social and environmental contributors to the pain experience

2) Set Goals Jointly with the Patient

Ask the patient what he or she would like to do, if pain treatment is successful
Jointly decide on 2-3 SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time Bound) goals as measures of progress. Set goals for outcomes important to patient, not for pain intensity alone

3) Educate the Patient about Integrative Pain Management Options

Describe evidence-informed non-pharmacological and self-care approaches to managing pain and promoting wellness, including but not limited to:

Acupuncture
Chiropractic, Osteopathic and Myofascial Manipulation, Massage Therapy, and Physical Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Stress Management, and other psychological therapies
Mind-Body Approaches, Meditation, Biofeedback, Guided Imagery
Yoga, Tai Chi, and other movement therapies

4) Develop a Treatment Plan with the Patient; Assess Potential Challenges

Based on your clinical assessment and discussion with the patient, develop a treatment plan
Discuss potential challenges, and ways to overcome them, with the patient
Reinforce that 1) chronic pain is a complex problem with no simple solutions; 2) each patient’s path is a little different and you will be there to support your patient along their path; 3) just as the tide causes all boats to rise, getting healthier overall helps all medical conditions improve–even chronic pain
Obtain patient’s commitment to carry out the treatment plan

5) Follow Up, Troubleshoot and Modify Treatment Plan as Needed

See the patient regularly; assess progress toward identified goals at each
appointment
Encourage changes they have made and urge them to continue the good work
Problem-solve to help overcome barriers to treatment plan adherence
Modify treatment plan to maximize progress toward goals

Resources for Information on Nonpharmacological Approaches to Pain Management and Wellbeing

Reasons to see a Chiropractor after an Auto Accident

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:50:02 GMT

Fear, confusion, and anxiety are just a few of the emotions running high after a car accident. For some, injuries sustained may be severe and immediately apparent. However, during such a stressful time, it’s not unusual for some very common injuries to go unnoticed until much later. In some cases, it may take days or even weeks for the involved parties to feel the full extent of damage done by their collision. For this reason, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately following an accident, regardless of the level of pain or discomfort.

For many, a qualified chiropractor may be the ideal first choice for evaluation. Having been trained to identify and treat injuries of the back and neck, many of the most common auto accident related injuries can benefit greatly from a targeted treatment plan. Specifically, the following injuries and pains have been shown to be treatable with chiropractic care:

Whiplash – Whiplash is one of the most common ailments seen after an auto accident. As the head and neck are forcefully moved back and forth or from side to side, soft tissue injuries to the muscles, ligaments and tendons can result. When left untreated, whiplash has the ability to cause months or even years of pain. Through spinal manipulation and soft tissue rehabilitation, a chiropractor can often help alleviate this pain.

Headaches – Tension headaches are frequently triggered by neck injuries. It may not be immediately apparent that ongoing headaches are related to a previous auto accident, but it is estimated that up to 80% of individuals who experience injuries such as whiplash will also suffer from headaches. By addressing the source of these headaches through treatment of the injured soft tissue, a chiropractor can bring significant relief.

Lower Back Pain – Lower back injuries from a car accident can range from muscle and ligament damage to herniated lumbar discs. Injuries in this area can be difficult to effectively treat and can mean years of chronic pain. Chiropractors are often able to successfully bring relief that may not otherwise be obtainable through therapies such as spinal manipulation and mobilization.

Assuming that a lack of immediate pain also means a lack of injury is a common mistake following a car accident. For injuries of the neck and back in particular, it is important that they be identified and that treatment begins as soon as possible. Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear or to improve on their own, seek out a qualified auto accident chiropractor as soon as possible. They will be able to help you identify the true extent of your injuries, while developing the most appropriate course of treatment, including seeing other physicians if necessary.

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Thu, 23 May 2024 04:47:44 GMT

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Drugs and surgery may not be the answer for your bad back

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:46:18 GMT

The Better Way to Get Back Pain Relief

Growing research suggests that drugs and surgery may not be the answer for your bad back

By Teresa Carr

A typical week for Thomas Sells includes acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, and a couple of hours with a massage therapist and sometimes a chiropractor. You might think that the retired bank vice president and business manager in Southern California is simply enjoying a pampered spa lifestyle.

But Sells gets most of those services through the Department of Veterans Affairs—all for his aching back.

Those VA programs are more necessity than luxury, says Sells, who first injured his back carrying heavy packs as a combat soldier in the Vietnam War.

“None of these therapies were available to me back then,” he explains. “Had I known then what I know now, I could have avoided decades of debilitating pain.”

It used to be that those treatments were considered fringe, but no more. Growing research shows that a combination of hands-on therapies and other nondrug measures can be just as effective as more traditional forms of back care, including drugs and surgery. And they’re much safer.

In February the American College of Physicians—which represents primary care doctors, the providers people consult most often for a backache—issued new guidelines for back-pain treatment, saying that the first line of defense should be nondrug measures.

That advice is backed up by a new nationally representative Consumer Reports survey of 3,562 back-pain sufferers. It found that more than 80 percent of those who had tried yoga or tai chi or had seen a massage therapist or chiropractor said it had helped them.

Altogether, a higher percentage of people in our survey who saw a yoga or tai chi instructor, massage therapist, chiropractor, or physical therapist said the advice or treatment was helpful, compared with those who said they saw a doctor.

“Many physicians who are used to writing prescriptions right off the bat or sending patients for tests are going to have to rethink the way they manage back pain,” says Nitin S. Damle, M.D., a former ACP president.

But here’s the problem: People also told us that their insurers were far more likely to cover visits to doctors than those for nondrug treatments—and that they would have gone for more of that kind of treatment if it had been covered by their health insurance.

New Clues to ‘Cures’

Back pain strikes most of us at some point. It’s one of the main reasons people go to a doctor, accounting for more than 24 million visits each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than 1 of 4 in our survey said that an episode of back pain “severely” interfered with their daily life. One-third said that when the pain was at its worst, they had difficulty going to work. And 44 percent said they worried about the impact their aching back would have on their future.

But there’s good news. “Even though back pain can be severe at first, it almost always gets better,” says Benjamin Kligler, M.D., national director of the Integrative Health Coordinating Center for the Veterans Health Administration.

But “what has been considered ‘conventional’ care, including prescribing opioid pain medication, can actually short-circuit healing,” he says. These drugs include opioids such as hydrocodone and oxycodone.

As a young combat soldier, Sells says he turned to alcohol and illegal drugs to numb his back pain. “That took me down a dangerous road,” he recalls. “I became addicted.” With help from recovery programs, he says he has been clean and sober for 30 years.

But even with his attempts to self-medicate, his low-back pain continued to worsen over time. “It became so bad I could barely walk,” Sells says. “I consulted with surgeons, but I worried about the risks, and given my history, I didn’t want to take opioids.”

Instead, he looked for something safer, and came across a class at the VA in tai chi, which combines slow, gentle movements with deep breathing and meditation.

Soon he noticed improvements, gradually adding more exercise and hands-on therapies, which he says manage his pain while keeping his “mind, body, and spirit strong.” And he has become so good at tai chi that he now studies with a grand master. “It’s given me back my life,” Sells says.

Success stories like this, combined with new research, persuaded the agency to make nondrug therapies a foundation of its pain-treatment strategy. As a result, the VA has cut overall opioid use by 25 percent since 2012, according to a March 2017 analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Spinal manipulation did me a world of good. My chiropractor had me do a lot of exercises on my own, which I continue to do. I’m so happy to get my active life back.

-Rosemary Maziarz, St Charles, Ill.

Why Your Back Hurts

Medical experts surmise that back pain has bedeviled humans ever since we started walking on two feet, says Richard Deyo, M.D., a professor of evidence-based medicine at Oregon Health and Science University and an author of the main scientific review that led to the new ACP guidelines.

Standing upright requires the spine to support the weight of the upper body while still being flexible enough to bend in many directions. That puts a lot of stress on the back’s complex network of bones, muscles, and ligaments. For example, muscles and ligaments can be overstretched, the gel-like disks cushioning the spinal bones can bulge, and the disks can slip, pressing painfully on spinal nerves.

Sometimes, all it takes to trigger a malfunction is lifting something heavy, twisting awkwardly, or simply sitting too long with poor posture.

Aging can make the situation worse because disks wear and shrink. Add to that diminished strength and flexibility, and you have the perfect conditions for pain.

Too Many Tests and Treatments?

When a back attack strikes, often the first reaction is to run to a doctor for an X-ray or MRI to see what’s causing so much pain and possibly to ask for a prescription.

Doctors increasingly have an inclination to order more tests and write more prescriptions. A 2013 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that between 1999 and 2010, the prescribing of powerful narcotic pain meds increased by 51 percent, the use of CT and MRI scans jumped by 57 percent, and referrals to surgeons, neurologists, and other specialists more than doubled.

These kinds of escalating interventions are still the hallmark of how back pain is usually treated in the U.S., Deyo says. But those conventional approaches don’t always work and can cause other serious problems.

“Overall, we’ve seen no reduction in either pain or disability,” Deyo says. “And at the same time, rates of serious complications and even death are rising due to overuse of invasive treatments and opioids.”

Conventional treatment often fails because “it focuses on individual symptoms and broken parts,” says Donald Levy, M.D., medical director of the Osher Clinical Center for Integrative Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Instead, he says, doctors “should be thinking about treating the whole patient—helping people get stronger, which will not only speed recovery but also help prevent future episodes of pain.” (For advice on how to do that, see “New Thinking On How to Relieve Back Pain.”)

Here’s how overusing common back-pain tests and treatments can make the discomfort worse, not better:

The Trouble With Imaging

A vast majority—82 percent—of our survey respondents who saw at least one healthcare professional for back pain said they got an X-ray, a CT scan, or an MRI. But most people who develop back pain don’t need those tests.

Why not? Because, Levy says, “the broken parts seen on imaging studies do not always correlate with the source or the degree of pain.”

But when doctors see signs of arthritis or other damage, they often have an urge to fix it, Levy says, “and that can lead to unnecessary surgery.”

It’s not always wise for patients to see those abnormalities, either, because it can undermine their confidence that they can continue to lead healthy, active lives. “All of a sudden, people may think, ‘I’m not someone with a temporary bout of pain, I’m a back-pain patient,’” says Matthew Kowalski, D.C., a chiropractor at the Osher Clinical Center. “And that image can stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

The Risks of Opioids and Surgery

About one-third of our survey respondents said they took prescription drugs for their back pain, and of those, 57 percent were prescribed opioids.

The ACP strongly advises against that practice. For one thing, opioids don’t necessarily relieve pain much better or help you move more easily than over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil and generic) or naproxen (Aleve and generic).

And though those OTC drugs pose some risks when taken long term, they’re still much safer than opioids. Narcotic medications often cause side effects such as constipation, drowsiness, headaches, and nausea. The longer you take them, the greater the risk of addiction and overdose, especially when taking high doses.

A recent review in the Journal of the American Medical Association of 20 trials involving nearly 7,300 patients found that opioids didn’t provide significant relief for people with chronic back pain. Further, half the participants dropped out early because the medication didn’t work or the side effects were intolerable.

Surgery should always be the last option, and only if your pain has lasted longer than three months with treatment and your symptoms are severe and clearly linked to the problem seen in an imaging test. But even then, it’s reasonable to hold off on surgery if you’re seeing improvement, Levy says.

For one thing, it can’t cure arthritis, injured or weak muscles, poor posture, or many other common causes of back pain.

Even symptoms caused by a herniated (slipped) disk or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column) may resolve over time with those simpler, less aggressive therapies. And taking that approach is safer than surgery, which carries rare but serious risks such as infection, blood clots, and damage to the spine.

I had never thought of doing yoga, but I found that it relieved tension and eased my back pain. I also sleep better. Now the prescriptions in my medicine cabinet are just gathering dust.

–Matthew Castro, San Diego

Personalize Your Treatment Plan

Everyone responds to pain differently, and there’s no set strategy for treating a painful back that works for all.

So where to start? Staying active is key, experts agree. The less active you are—and the longer you’re inactive—the faster your muscles weaken, your ligaments and tendons stiffen, and the cushioning between your disks dries out, all of which can delay your recovery, research suggests.

Yet three-quarters of our survey respondents reported bed rest as one of the first three treatments they tried. That, it turns out, wasn’t a good idea. When asked what they would have done differently to treat their pain, 43 percent of the back-pain sufferers said they wished they had exercised more.

“Relief is often on the other side of activity,” Kowalski says. “A good practitioner should teach you some exercises that you can do on your own, and also talk to you about the ergonomics of your daily activities, such as how you sit at your desk.”

Next, you may want to add a hands-on therapy such as acupuncture, massage, or spinal manipulation from a chiropractor, physiotherapist, or other healthcare practitioner, which can help alleviate pain as you work to get stronger.

And last, consider trying things to strengthen your mental outlook, such as mindfulness meditation, because pain affects people mentally as well as physically.

Thomas Sells says that a combination of approaches has worked for him. “I feel better now than I did as a much younger man,” he notes. “Mentally, physically, and spiritually, I’m in the best place in my life.”

Go to the original article for related articles and a video , ‘How one veteran found relief’: https://www.consumerreports.org/back-pain/the-better-way-to-get-back-pain-relief/

The Missing Link Of The CrossFit Athlete: Treatment

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:39:34 GMT

By Lindsey Mathews of breakingmuscle.com

As a chiropractor in Los Angeles, California, specializing in biomechanics of the body, balancing the musculoskeletal system, and integrating functional neurology training, the number of patients I’ve seen from the CrossFit world has more than tripled.

At first, I thought “What the heck is this CrossFit thing? And why are all these Crossfitters hurt?” As my relationship with CrossFit developed, I began to understand what was happening.

Like many athletes, CrossFitters have developed outstanding training programs for themselves. They are willing to train weaknesses and devote time to skill work. They are exceptional workhorses, taking on large training volumes. In addition, the most incredible aspect of a typical CrossFitters’ routine is their relentless attention to nutrition. In a world that does not encourage eating clean, I must tip my cap to these diligent folks. In my opinion, however, these remarkable routines are missing an integral part. The part I’m talking about, of course, is treatment or care of a CrossFitter’s body.

In general, the CrossFit population seems to be willing to eat like a saint, train like an animal, and make lots of sacrifices in the name of performance. When it comes to treatment and maintenance, however, it seems to take the extremes of a catastrophic injury to get these folks to see a chiropractor, physical therapist, etc.

CrossFit is the sport of fitness. It is built and programmed around variance, functional movements, and intensity. CrossFit trains the body to function optimally as a unit and efficiency is king. This means the nervous system must be performing flawlessly so the muscles respond properly. Your body is a complex integrated system of beauty that instinctively repairs or adapts itself. When one area of your body becomes injured or shuts down, everything in your body compensates for that injury. Not to mention, these breakdowns make the body less efficient.

Our brain is the master control unit for our whole bodies. The brain sends out signals to the rest of our body via the central and peripheral nervous system. Our vertebrae protect our spinal cord and the nerves exiting the spinal cord. With everyday life, training, trauma, and other activities, our vertebrae can become subluxated and/or restricted. This in turn puts stress on the immediate surrounding nerves and indirectly affects the innervation of muscles and organs down a particular nerve pattern. This added pressure could cost your body efficiency and reaction time. Fractions of a second are huge in an athlete’s world and could mean the difference between a gold or silver medal, a sub three minute Fran, or a blocked shot in the NBA finals.

My point is this: great athletes take care of their bodies. If you want longevity in your sport and to perform at your optimal level, you have got to take care of your body. This means you need chiropractic care, soft tissue care, and sleep on top of training and nutrition. Jerry Rice, for example, credits chiropractic care for keeping him in the game with the 49ers from 1985-2000. Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls recently credited chiropractic to getting him back on the court due to a back injury. Tiger Woods, Aaron Rogers, Lance Armstrong, and Michael Jordan all utilize chiropractic care before and after a performance.

Athletes are the greatest compensators. For example, when an athlete’s pecs muscle becomes too tight, this will rotate the whole shoulder complex internally and shut down the activation of the scapula along the rib cage. In turn, the rotator cuff muscles, which are designed for specificity, will increase their work output along with the traps and other associated neck muscles. An athlete will keep performing until something breaks down or he/she feels pain.

Yes, exercise is taking care of your body, but you also need to address the muscles, nerves, and joints that are used during movements. You need to take care of the machine that keeps you moving. When your body is not balanced and/or muscles are not firing correctly, this predisposes you to not only a poor performance but injury as well.

Think about your car. You get the oil changed and tires rotated regularly. Why would you not take similar care of your body also? Chiropractic care ensures that your body is balanced, vertebrae are aligned, and muscles are firing correctly, so that you can function optimally on and off the field.

For my athletes that are injury free, I recommend chiropractic once a week, a massage every two weeks, staying on top of their hydration, and sleep often for recovery. Massage helps to normalize the intramuscular gradient by decreasing inflammation and swelling. Muscle work can also help to maintain range of motion. Hydration is key both before and after a workout. Sleep is the optimal environment for growth hormones to do their jobs.

Complete the circle: train hard, eat clean, and get treatment on your body. Keep yourself in the game as long as possible … get adequate amounts of sleep, and by all means, get yourself to a chiropractor.

For Bad Backs, It May Be Time to Rethink Biases About Chiropractors

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:38:36 GMT

About two of every three people will probably experience significant low back pain at some point. A physician like me might suggest any number of potential treatments and therapies. But one I never considered was a referral for spinal manipulation.

It appears I may have been mistaken. For initial treatment of lower back pain, it may be time for me (and other physicians) to rethink our biases.

Spinal manipulation — along with other less traditional therapies like heat, meditation and acupuncture — seems to be as effective as many other more medical therapies we prescribe, and as safe, if not safer.

Most back pain resolves over time, so interventions that focus on relief of symptoms and allow the body to heal are ideal. Many of these can be nonpharmacological in nature, like the work done by chiropractors or physical therapists.

Physicians are traditionally wary of spinal manipulation (applying pressure on bones and joints), in part because the practitioners are often not doctors and also because a few chiropractors have claimed they can address conditions that have little to do with the spine. Patients with back pain haven’t seemed as skeptical. A large survey of them from 2002 through 2008 found that more than 30 percent sought chiropractic care, significantly more than those who sought massage, acupuncture or homeopathy.

Researchers have been looking at the evidence supporting spinal manipulation for some time. Almost 35 years ago, a systematic review evaluated the available research, most of which was judged to be low in quality, and found that there might be some short-term benefits from the procedure. Two reviews from 2003 agreed for the most part, finding that spinal manipulation worked better than a “sham procedure”, or placebo, but no better or worse than other options.

Almost a decade later, a Cochrane review assessed the literature once more, and found 12 new trials had been conducted. This review was more damning. It found that spinal manipulation was no better than sham interventions.

But since then, data have accumulated, as more higher-quality studies have been performed. Recently, in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers looked for new studies since 2011, as well as those that had been performed before.

The evidence from 15 randomized controlled trials, which included more than 1,700 patients, showed that spinal manipulation caused an improvement in pain of about 10 points on a 100-point scale. The evidence from 12 randomized controlled trials — which overlapped, but not completely with the other trials — of almost 1,400 patients showed that spinal manipulation also resulted in improvements in function.

In February, in Annals of Internal Medicine, another systematic review of nonpharmacologic therapies generally agreed with the other recent trials. Based upon this review, and other evidence, the American College of Physicians released new clinical practice guidelines for the noninvasive treatment of subacute back pain. They recommended that patients should try heat, massage, acupuncture or spinal manipulation as first-line therapies.

The only things that might detract from the use of spinal manipulation in this situation would be its cost and potential harms.

Because they fear those potential harms, some physicians are hesitant to refer patients to chiropractors or physical therapists for care. But in all the studies summarized above, there were really no serious adverse events reported. It’s possible to find anecdotes of harm to the spinal cord from improper manipulations, but these are rare, and almost never involve the lower spine.

Some physicians are concerned about the cost of spinal manipulation, especially since most insurance carriers don’t cover it. Visiting a chiropractor costs more than taking many non-narcotic pain medications. But more invasive interventions can cost a lot of money. In addition, studies have shown that, in general, users of complementary and alternative medicine spend less over all for back pain than users of only traditional medicine.

Medication and surgery can also lead to harms. We shouldn’t forget that prescription pain medications, like opioids, can lead to huge costs, especially when they’re misused.

Some physicians are uncomfortable that we don’t have a clear picture of how spinal manipulation actually works to reduce pain. It’s also possible that some chiropractors do it “better” than others, and we can’t tell. This concern should be tempered by the fact that we don’t have a great understanding of why many other therapies work either. Some of the more traditional things we recommend don’t even work consistently.

Still, there is no merit to many other claims about spinal manipulation — that it has been proved to work for things like infantile colic, painful periods, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, and more. For most conditions, the therapy lacks a good evidence base.

But given the natural course of back pain — that most of it goes away no matter what you do — the ideal approach is to treat the symptoms and let the body heal. Noninvasive therapies seem to do that well enough.

Originally published on NYTimes.com . Written by Aaron E. Carroll .. a professor of pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine who blogs on health research and policy at The Incidental Economist and makes videos at Healthcare Triage. Follow him on Twitter at @aaronecarroll.

Spinal Manipulation Treatment for Low Back Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:37:29 GMT

Spinal manipulation treatment for low back pain associated with modest improvement in pain, function…

Among patients with acute low back pain, spinal manipulation therapy was associated with modest improvements in pain and function at up to 6 weeks, with temporary minor musculoskeletal harms, according to a study published by JAMA.

Back pain is among the most common symptoms prompting patients to seek care. Lifetime prevalence estimates of low back pain exceed 50 percent. Treatments for acute back pain include analgesics, muscle relaxants, exercises, physical therapy, heat, spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and others, with none established as superior to others. Paul G. Shekelle, M.D., Ph.D., of the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Los Angeles, and colleagues conducted a review and meta-analysis of previous studies to assess the effectiveness and harms associated with spinal manipulation compared with other nonmanipulative therapies for adults with acute (six weeks or less) low back pain.

Of 26 eligible randomized clinical trials (RCTs) identified, 15 RCTs (1,711 patients) provided moderate-quality evidence that SMT has a statistically significant association with improvements in pain. Twelve RCTs (1,381 patients) produced moderate-quality evidence that SMT has a statistically significant association with improvements in function. No RCT reported any serious adverse event. Minor transient adverse events such as increased pain, muscle stiffness, and headache were reported 50 percent to 67 percent of the time in large case series of patients treated with SMT. Heterogeneity (differences) in study results was large, and was not explained by type of clinician performing SMT, type of manipulation, study quality, or whether SMT was given alone or as part of a package of therapies.

The authors write that the size of the benefit of SMT for acute low back pain is about the same as the benefit from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to the Cochrane review on this topic.

Parkinson’s Disease is Helped by Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:36:28 GMT

Parkinson’s Disease is Helped by Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Dr. Justin Brown and Dr. Jonathan Chung, in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research (March 2011 edition), speak about a patient from their clinic that was showing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and the amazing results she had following a correction of the bones in her upper neck that were misaligned.

This is called the Atlas Subluxation Complex Syndrome utilizing the Upper Cervical Procedure.

This female patient was sixty-seven years old.

She was complaining of tremors, weakness, rigidity due to Parkinson’s disease (PD), and scoliosis. She stated that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease shortly after she began showing symptoms some five years earlier. She reported that she was falling on a daily basis due to balance issues.

She was unable to work due to the severity of her symptoms. She struggled with day to day activities. She was treated during a six-month period.

Here are her results :

30% improvement in rigidity

60% improvement in tremors

60% improvement in weakness

70% improvement in mobility.

She also reported a significant decrease in the number of times she fell and had much improvement in her ability to perform daily activities, which included her ability to work.

There have been numerous studies done on brain stem atrophy and misalignment in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease. One such study, by Jubault et al., states that this brain stem atrophy may be the first identifiable stage of neurodegeneration in patients with Parkinson’s. They say that this may be responsible for many of the various symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease. According to new research done by an upright MRI, upper neck misalignment can change the function of the brain by changing CFS and blood flow to the brain.

Atlas subluxation complex can only be corrected through specific upper neck adjustments by a specially trained upper cervical chiropractor, such as Dr. Armen Manoucherian of Glendale, California. These types of problems cannot be corrected by general chiropractic manipulation.

An upper neck evaluation should be performed to see if an undetected brain stem injury could be the root cause of Parkinson’s for you or someone you love.

Call Advanced Back and Neck Care for a Consultation today : 609-261-7562

By Dr. Armen Manoucherian of Health Edge Family Spinal Care in Glendale, California is a Glendale Chiropractor and Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) .. http://www.healthedgela.com

References: Reduction in Symptoms Related to Parkinson’s Disease Concomitant with Subluxation Reduction Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care by Jonathan Chung DC & Justin Brown DC as published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research.

Neck Pain Manipulation of Your Neck and Upper Back Leads to Quicker Recovery

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:34:56 GMT

Neck pain is very common and fortunately resolves quickly in most individuals. However, in certain cases neck pain can last longer and result in chronic pain, limited neck motion, and disability. In fact, chronic neck pain is the second leading cause of workers’ compensation claims in the United States.

Treatments that can quickly reduce pain, increase motion, and improve the ability of the muscles to protect the neck may help decrease long-term disability associated with neck pain. A variety of manual therapy treatments are currently used to manage neck pain. These treatments include mobilization, which slowly and repeatedly moves the neck joints and muscles, and manipulation, which delivers a single, small, quick movement to the joints and muscles. A research report published in the January 2012 issue of JOSPT examines the outcomes of these 2 treatment methods and draws conclusions about which one is best.

NEW INSIGHTS

In this study, researchers treated 107 patients. About half of these patients received a manipulation of the neck, on the part closest to the head, and of the upper back. The other patients received manual therapy that mobilized the spine without using manipulation. After 48 hours, the patients who received the manipulation treatment experienced a 58% decrease in pain and a 50% decrease in disability. By contrast, patients who received the mobilization treatment only had a 13% decrease in pain and actually showed a 13% increase in disability. In addition, the patients who received the manipulation had increased motion and improved control of their neck muscles compared to the patients in the mobilization group. The researchers concluded that the combination of upper neck and back manipulation was more effective in the first 48 hours of treatment than the mobilization treatment.

Patients with typical neck pain may benefit from a physical therapy program that includes upper neck and upper back manipulation. Potential benefits include less pain, better neck motion, and improved ability to perform daily activities. Although this treatment was very successful for this group of patients with neck pain, it may not be effective or even appropriate for all patients with neck pain.

Your physical therapist can perform a thorough evaluation to help determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment, as part of a program designed to help get rid of the aching in your neck. The benefits in this study were only measured for the first 48 hours after treatment; further research is needed to determine long-term benefits. For more information on the treatment of neck pain, contact a physical therapist who specializes in musculoskeletal disorders.

For this and more topics, visit JOSPT Perspectives for Patients online at www.jospt.org.

PRACTICAL ADVICE JOSPT PERSPECTIVES FOR PATIENTS is a public service of the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. The information and recommendations contained here are a summary of the referenced research article and are not a substitute for seeking proper healthcare to diagnose and treat this condition. For more information on the management of this condition, contact your physical therapist or healthcare provider specializing in musculoskeletal disorders. JOSPT Perspectives for Patients may be photocopied noncommercially by physical therapists and other healthcare providers to share with patients. Published by the Orthopaedic Section and the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and a recognized journal of professional organizations in several countries, JOSPT strives to offer high-quality research, immediately applicable clinical material, and useful supplemental information on musculoskeletal and sports-related rehabilitation, health, and wellness. Copyright © 2012

Guidelines for Low-Back Pain: Avoid Drugs

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:34:05 GMT

American College of Physicians issues guidelines for low-back pain: ‘Avoid drugs.’

-From Chiropractic Economics February 14, 2017

In an update to a report issued 10 years ago, the American College of Physicians (ACP) published a meta-analysis on the treatment of low-back pain. The study, released on February 14, 2017, is in the form of guidelines directed toward “all clinicians” and the patient population suffering from acute, subacute, and chronic low-back pain.

In this terminology, “acute” stands for pain lasting fewer than four weeks, “subacute” for pain lasting from four to 12 weeks, and “chronic” meaning pain lasting more than 12 weeks.

The researchers conclude their findings with three recommendations, based on their assessment of evidence-based outcomes for the patient population with respect to standard noninvasive approaches to treatment. Namely, they examined how patients responded to pharmacologic treatment and nonpharmacologic treatment; in other words, standard allopathic medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

The ACP recognizes that low-back pain is one of the most common health complaints in the U.S., and cite statistics with which every doctor of chiropractic (DC) is intimately familiar. They estimate the total cost (in 2006), between active care and lost productivity, to have been approximately $100 billion—a number likely to be considerably higher today.

In looking at pharmacologic approaches to low-back pain treatment, acetaminophen was found to be on a par with placebo, offering little benefit but presenting known risks of liver damage. Other drugs, ranging from cox-2 inhibitors to NSAIDs to opioids, offered slightly greater benefits but with concomitantly pronounced risk.

On the other hand, when looking at nonpharmacologic approaches, including exercise, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, heat therapy, low level laser therapy, and others (tai chi, yoga, ultrasound, etc.), measurable positive outcomes were found with virtually zero risks. The researchers concluded that, given the evidence at hand in the new study and in the older one, that treatment should always begin with nonpharmacologic approaches first, and only those patients who are nonresponsive to them should be considered for drug therapy or invasive medicine.

Specifically, the three recommendations of the study authors are:

1. Given that most patients with low-back pain of any type tend to improve over time regardless of treatment type, they should first turn to the most conservative forms of care (massage, spinal manipulation, etc.), and NSAIDs and muscle relaxants can be considered if necessary.

2. For patients with chronic low-back pain, the first option should be nonpharmacologic conservative care. Patients in this group respond more strongly to CAM approaches than those in the acute and subacute groups.

3. Patients with chronic low-back pain who fail to respond to nonpharmacologic approaches could consider pharmacologic treatment, starting with those products known to present the least risk, and after being educated by their provider about the known risks posed by such products.

These recommendations are in keeping with the Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm. It is noteworthy to see an MD association admit that CAM approaches to medical care—and here specifically chiropractic is included—offer superior outcomes to standard allopathic medicine. These results were striking enough that they were summarized in the February 14, 2017, edition of the Wall Street Journal (“No Drugs for Back Pain, New Guidelines Say: The American College of Physicians says to use natural and alternative therapies first”).

Snow Shoveling Sends 11,500 Adults to Emergency Rooms per Year

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:33:08 GMT

A research study was published by The American Journal Of Emergency Medicine showing that shoveling snow sends, on average, over 11,500 adults to emergency rooms every year.

According to WebMD, ‘muscle, ligament, tendon, and other soft tissue injuries topped the list of snow shoveling mishaps. Among these, lower back injuries were common.’ These injuries are very common, but also preventable.

Peter J. Schubbe, DC, published the following list of techniques to help you to avoid injury while shoveling:

Pick the Right Snow Shovel : An ergonomic snow shovel can help take some of the effort out of snow removal chores.

Warm Up Thoroughly : Cold, tight muscles are more prone to injury than warmed up, flexible muscles. Do your back a favor by warming up for five to ten minutes before shoveling or any strenuous activity.

Use Ergonomic Lifting Techniques : Whenever possible, push the snow to one side rather than lifting it. When lifting the snow shovel is necessary, make sure to use ergonomic lifting techniques.

Pace Yourself : Shoveling small amounts of snow frequently is less strenuous than shoveling a large pile at once.

Keep Your Feet on the Ground : Slippery conditions while shoveling can lead to slipping and/or falls and strains that can injure your back.

If Possible, Stop Shoveling – Use a Snow Blower Instead : When used correctly, a snow blower can put less stress on your low back than shoveling.’

And, Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Sports Cardiology Program offers these 7-Tips:

Here are seven precautions from Northwestern to stay safe and prevent heart attacks while shoveling:

Bundle up : Cold temperatures reduce circulation to the body’s extremities. Wear weather-appropriate, layered clothing and gloves to help maintain body temperature and circulation.

Start early : The longer snow sits on the ground, the more it compacts, making it denser. Removing compacted snow requires more exertion, placing stress on the heart. Snow is easier to shovel when it first falls.

Ease into it : As with any physical activity, your body needs to warm up to perform at its peak. Ease into shoveling and try not to do the entire job at once. Take breaks as needed.

Remain hydrated : The body needs hydration, even in cold weather. When shoveling snow, take frequent breaks and drink water regularly to prevent dehydration.

Avoid heavy eating : Eating a small meal before shoveling will provide a source of energy. However, digestion puts strain on the heart, so eating a large meal before any physical activity should be avoided. Additionally, don’t consume alcohol just before shoveling.

Don’t lift too much : Large loads of snow can be heavy and place strain on the heart, back and neck. Push instead of lifting, and use a small shovel, which encourages smaller loads of snow. If you must lift, avoid rounding your back, lift using your legs and buttocks, and clear four to six inches of depth at a time.

Listen to your body : The best indicator of whether or not snow shoveling is causing harm is to pay close attention to your body’s signals. If you begin to feel winded or overexerted while shoveling, take a break. These are signs that you’re doing more than your body can handle. If you experience shortness of breath, chest, throat or arm discomfort or tightness, or lightheadedness, you should rest and seek medical attention if the symptoms persist.

7 Tips, photo source: NBC Chicago

Even with taking these preventative measures, injuries to your low back are still a risk. Most likely, you will see many patients in your practices this season who have injured their back during snow removal or as a result of falling.

You’re Invited : Soft Tissue Spine Injuries

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:30:32 GMT

SOFT TISSUE SPINE INJURIES & Their Treatment

Xerxes Oshidar & William Ricigliano

Thursday, November 3rd, 2016

Food and Beverages will be served.

Villa Barone Ristorante

3289 Westchester Ave Bronx NY 10461 7pm

R.S.V.P. (516) 993-5871

How to Fix Cops’ Joint, Back, & Shoulder Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:29:33 GMT

Why joint, back and shoulder pain are common in cops (and how to fix it)

There will never be a day when officers leave their duty belts and ballistic vests in the squad, so start taking preventative measures now — and take them often

Injuries are inevitable in law enforcement. Back, shoulder, and neck pain are all too common to the profession, and can be credited to everything from your duty belt and armor to your long-term immobility in the squad.

There are two things officers can do to spend as little time as possible recovering and getting back to patrol feeling completely healed: address the problem quickly and accurately, and take preventative measures early and often.

Steve A. Mora, MD., is an Orthopedic Surgeon in Orange County (Calif.) and sees many police officers in his line of work. He offered some advice on prevention, treatment, and rehab for chronic or incident-caused injuries commonly found in law enforcement.

Prevention Officers are most commonly injured on duty one of two ways: In an instant, face-to- face physical altercation, or from repetitive movements and habits that cause a gradual injury by wearing down joints or muscles.

Constant training and challenging physical exercise have always been key to preventing injuries, but one common practice is often overlooked — especially by male officers. Core strengthening and stretching programs such as yoga and Pilates two or three times a week can help prevent chronic pains. In a poll conducted by PoliceOne, only 0.4 percent of the 9,000 members polled admitted that yoga and/or Pilates was their preferred method of exercise.

“The most important part is the stretching. By keeping soft tissues stretched around joints, those joints are able to move in healthy way,” explained Mora.

If you can directly link a body pain with a repetitive motion you make, modify that motion. For example, Dr. Mora noticed a lot of officers complaining of knee pain, stemming from exiting the patrol car over and over each day and pivoting on that knee. Modify the motion so that you’re not always relying on that knee, or seek a specific stretch that will target that joint.

Treatment

The first and most important step, according to Dr. Mora, is to make sure you’re diagnosed properly. You know better than anyone else the difference between a pulled muscle and a more serious injury.

“It’s okay to ask questions or to request a consultation with a specialist a little sooner than you normally would,” Mora said.

Tendon injuries and ruptures that happen as a result of a physical confrontation can often mimic simpler injuries, when in fact they need more attention than that.

“Most agencies have op-med clinics that take care of the initial evaluation or treatment and will do a referral — but that’s where the ball can be dropped, and it’s not intentional, but it can cause delays in treatment.”

You can ensure you’ve been diagnosed properly by seeking the right orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist, or other specialist. Dr. Mora advises that you look for a

doctor who has had a fellowship in sports medicine or specializes in shoulder or knee injuries.

Chasing suspects, wrestling aggressors, and scaling walls are both common in law enforcement and common causes of back and shoulder pain. Injuries such as rotator cuff tears are popular in law enforcement — and they become increasingly difficult to surgically repair if left untreated for months at a time.

“If you feel it’s [the muscle] weakening, or you can no longer reach behind your back or your head, it’s time to start the diagnostic process,” Mora advised.

Rehabilitation “The post-op rehab is just as important as the surgery,” Mora wrote on his medical blog. “These patients need to go to physical therapists who understand their job and physical requirements. [You need to] choose physical therapists who are in tune with [your] needs and who also understand Workers’ Compensation rules.

“Therapy needs to be efficient and effective. I also implement a specific home exercise program which augments the rehab. I look at all the angles including nutrition, endocrine, and soft tissue recovery.”

Police officers, Mora observed, prefer not to be out of work — or even on desk duty — unless it’s absolutely necessary. Getting back into the habit of pursuing suspects, hopping fences, and undergoing strenuous training means surgery needs to be effective and healing needs to be complete.

One product Mora recommends to his post-op police patients is form-fitting posture garments such as AlignMed. The tight garments help with posture as well as shoulder and lower back positioning, and deliver the body queues to keep the body properly aligned during the healing period.

Alternatives to Painkillers Officers have a better understanding than most of the toll painkillers can take on a person. They see narcotics dependence not only in the communities in which they police, but even among their colleagues who have suffered similar injuries. So it’s no surprise that so many are hesitant to take narcotics for their post-op pain.

Alternatives include the practice of physical therapy and chiropractors. If painkillers are still necessary in conjunction with other methods, work with your doctor to

outline a clear treatment plan. Find out what the long-term recovery plan looks like and how long you’ll be taking narcotics, and ensure that the use of narcotics are not the sole recovery method.

The Future of Officer Health “Research has shown that the weight distribution while using a heavy gun belt affects posture and leads to injuries,” Mora wrote. “There is work being done on trying to find ways to unload the gun belt including alternatives such as utility vests, gun outriggers, pressure offset mechanisms and unique posture apparel designed to offset the weight of the bullet proof vest.”

There will never be a day when officers leave their duty belts and ballistic vests in the squad, so start taking preventative measures now — and take them often.

About the author

As the Associate Editor for PoliceOne, Loraine Burger writes and edits news articles, product articles, columns, and case studies about public safety, community relations, and law enforcement. Loraine has developed relationships with law enforcement officers nationwide at agencies large and small to better understand the issues affecting police, whether on the street, at the office or at home.

Momentum of Whiplash at 5 mph

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:28:27 GMT

This is a great video that shows the momentum of whiplash at only 5 miles per hour.

“The Connecticut State Police teamed up with the University of Hartford Department of Public Safety to bring “The Convincer” to the UHart campus. Students were able to experience what a “5 MPH car accident” would feel like.”

Archie Manning Recommends AlignMed!

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:27:26 GMT

CLICK IMAGE to watch video . FREE shipping code: ABNC14

“AlignMed is a workout you wear.”

– Dr. C Thomas Vangsness MD, Orthepedic Surgeon, Chief of Sports Medicine at USC

“Take an active role in how you look and feel.”

– Carol Kinsey Goman, PhD, Berkeley, Forbes Contributing Editor, Business Coach and International Speaker

“NeuroBands are a breakthrough in the conservative treatment of musculoskeletal injury – Easier to use and more effective than Kinesio-Taping.”

– Joanne Halbrecht, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Boulder Institute for Sportshttp://www.mxboys.com/wp-admin/widgets.php Medicine

“Best kept secret in sports!” – USA Today

Concussion

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:26:11 GMT

A concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is most often caused by a sudden direct blow or bump to the head which causes a temporary loss of neural activity.

The following are common concussion symptoms:

Absence of consciousness or altered consciousness, headache, confusion, disorientation, vision disturbances, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, impaired balance, memory loss, tinnitus or ringing in the ears, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light, emotional changes, and loss of smell or taste.

Here are some interesting statistics:

An estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually.

TBI was a diagnosis in more than 280,000 hospitalizations and 2.2 million ED visits, and contributed to the deaths of more than 50,000 people. These consisted of TBI alone or TBI in combination with other injuries. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths in the United States.

About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Direct medical costs and indirect costs of TBI, such as lost productivity, totaled an estimated $60 billion in the United States in 2000.

What causes mild traumatic brain injuries?

As stated earlier, MTBI is most often caused by a sudden direct blow to or bump to the head. This can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, work related injuries, assaults, blunt trauma, falls, and sports related injuries.

Diagnosis and treatment of individuals seeking medical care for MTBI starts with a patient history and physical exam.

Your doctor may order additional tests including imaging such as a head CT or possibly MRI. These imaging techniques are valuable in assessing gross lesions however they do not identify microscopic lesions.

This is where diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) plays a very important role. Microscopic damage to the white matter occurs with MBTI. DTI can identify microscopic tissue damage and examine the white matter tracts. The microscopic damage or Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) is caused by acceleration and deceleration forces or rotation forces acting on the head which leads to the axonal shearing.

Your treating doctor may also refer you for neuropsychological evaluation as a result MTBI.

A typical neuropsychological assessment will include a clinical consultation and testing to determine if there are deficits in attention and information processing, memory encoding and retrieval, and executive function.

For headaches, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended. Other pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and aspirin, are not recommended because these medications may increase the risk of bleeding.

As always, early diagnosis is important for the best outcome.

If you suspect mild traumatic brain injury please call and consult with your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room for treatment.

Visit AANS.org and NIH.gov so you can learn more.

Dog Bites

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:25:32 GMT

A little education goes a long way in preventing dog bites.

Dogs can be man’s best friend; however, this best bud comes with a sharp set of teeth. There are nearly 5 million people bitten in the United States each year, and about 400,000 of these dog bite victims will require medical treatment.

Since all dogs can bite if provoked, there is a growing movement to prevent breed discrimination. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises that most dog bites are largely preventable with a little education, and that instead of concentrating on the breed of dog, you should learn how to successfully interact (or not) with a dog (see below).

Dog bites can range from mild, non-fatal type of injuries to severe fatal injuries.

Due to the inherent nature of the injury dog bites ‎in humans can cause neurological injuries. Some of the common neurological injuries and their symptoms which are seen include:

1) A bite to the wrist can lead to Radial nerve trauma at the wrist which results in ‎pain, numbness, tingling on the back of the hand and depending severity of the bite this can be permanent and disabling.

2) A bite to the wrist can also lead to Median nerve trauma at the wrist which results in ‎pain, numbness, tingling on the front of the of the hand with weakness of grip strength and depending severity of the bite this can be permanent and disabling.

3) A bite to the wrist can also lead to Ulnar nerve trauma at the wrist which results in ‎pain, numbness, tingling on the Front of the hand weakness of the little finger movement and depending severity of the bite this can be permanent and disabling.

4) A bite to the ankle can lead to Deep Peroneal Nerve Palsy which can exhibit symptoms of pain and numbness on the back of the foot with weakness of the foot. This can be permanently disabling.

5) A bite to the calf can result in sural nerve palsy where patients can exhibit pain, tingling, and numbness around the back of leg. This can be permanently disabling.

Many dog bites occur around the legs and wrists as these are the area’s most readily accessible and used to defend against dog bites. These sites, if attacked, can lead to severe life-long complaints and disabilities.

Early treatment can reduce some of the long term complications.

It’s suggested you teach your children doggie etiquette, because according to pediatrics.com about 400,000 dog bite victims each year will be children.

Two interesting facts came from a study entitled “Which Dogs Bite? A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors”; it determined that biting dogs were more likely to be to be un-neutered males and chained-up, instead of running free, while in a yard.

10 Rules from the AVMA to Avoid Dog Bites

1) Avoid dogs you don’t know.

2) Ask before petting! Always ask the owner for permission to pet their pup. Then, speak to the dog before petting and avoid sudden movements that may startle the dog.

3) When confronted, don’t panic. If a dog confronts you, walk confidently and quietly away. If a dog goes after you, stay calm and stand still, keeping hands low and clasped in front of you. It’s important to take a defensive position, so the dog won’t think you are trying to harm him.

4) Don’t make it worse. Avoid escalating the situation by yelling, running, hitting or making sudden movements towards the dog. All of these actions will make the dog feel threatened and can make the dog more aggressive.

5) Let sleeping dogs lie. When a dog is sleeping, or eating, leave the dog alone.

6) Never tease dogs. Don’t take their toys, food or treats, and never pretend to hit or kick them. This could create distrust in the dog, and make him or her more aggressive.

7) Never pull a dog’s ears or tail. Pain makes a dog feel like he is in danger and he could respond by biting.

8) Dogs aren’t toys. Never climb on or try to ride dogs. Not only could this scare or anger the dog, but it could also injure the dog if he cannot support the weight or tries to get away.

9) Playtime has a beginning and end. A dog has to want to play, but when the dog leaves playtime –that’s your cue that playtime is over. Dogs will come back for more play if they feels like it.

10) Dogs need alone time too! Dogs need a comfortable, safe space, to relax. Don’t bother a dog when he is in his crate or bed.

DOG BITE CLAIMS

Dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2013, costing more than $483 million, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) and State Farm®. An analysis of homeowners’ insurance data by the I.I.I. found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide increased 5.5 percent in 2013, while the average cost per claim for the year dropped 6.4 percent. The average cost paid out for dog bite claims nationwide was $27,862 in 2013 compared with $29,752 in 2012. The average cost per claim nationally has risen more than 45 percent in the last decade (2003-2013), which can be attributed to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards given to plaintiffs, which are still on the upswing. California had the largest number of claims, at 1,919, with an average cost per claim of $33,709. New York had the highest average cost per claim, at $43,122.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:24:31 GMT

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition in which the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the wrist at the carpal tunnel and causes pain, numbness and tingling in the hand which is supplied by the median nerve. This nerve innervates the first three digits as well as the radial side or half of the ring finger or 4th digit. Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. This may be due to an anatomical size difference of the tunnel between men and women. It is usually found in the dominant hand first and it produces severe pain. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs only in adults.

The symptoms of CTS usually start gradually. Patients report swelling, burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. The symptoms can appear in one or both hands; usually during the night. A person with CTS may wake up feeling they need to “wake up” their hands by shaking or wriggling them to restore sensation. As symptoms progress, people might feel numbness and tingling during the day. In addition, patients may experience decreased grip strength. This may make it difficult to make a fist, hold a coffee mug, or brush their hair. It is also important to note the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away (thenar atrophy).

How does an individual get CTS? Carpal tunnel syndrome is not solely found in one industry or occupation. The mechanism of injury is compression of the carpal tunnel. One only has to look at a diagram to see how narrow the carpal tunnel is. There are certain health conditions which can affect the carpal tunnel. These conditions include: rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, and a narrowing of the carpal tunnel. This can be due to injury that causes scar tissue formation, fracture or subluxation/dislocation of the carpal bones. There are also occupational causes such as heavy manual work, working with a jackhammer or other vibrating tools, and highly repetitive tasks such as sewing.

How do you treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome should be treated as early as possible after you begin to experience symptoms. It is necessary to go see your primary care doctor. He/She may send you to see a neurologist. Your doctor will perform a history and a physical examination. The doctor may also send you for x-rays or an MRI to find out what may be causing your pain. In addition, the doctor may order an electromyogram (EMG) and a nerve conduction velocity (NCV). The test evaluates the electrical activity of your muscles when they contract and when they’re at rest. This test can also determine if muscle damage has occurred. The NCV is another test where a small current is passed through the median nerve to determine if electrical impulses are being normally conducted or slowed in the carpal tunnel. This test may be used to diagnose your condition and rule out other conditions.

Some people with mild-moderate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can reduce their discomfort by changing their routines. Patients are advised to take more frequent breaks to rest their hands. In addition, they are advised to avoid those activities that worsen their symptoms. They are also advised to use ice packs to reduce swelling. Additional treatment options include wrist splinting, medications and surgery. Wrist splinting is usually done at night since people tend to sleep with their wrists flexed.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or (NSAIDs). NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may help relieve pain from carpal tunnel syndrome temporarily. Corticosteroids. The doctor may inject your carpal tunnel with a corticosteroid such as cortisone to relieve your pain. This class of drugs decrease inflammation and swelling, which can relieve pressure on the median nerve. The use of Vitamin B6 has also been suggested.

Surgery is the last option for people suffering with severe symptoms of CTS. If your symptoms persist then surgery may be the last best option. The goal of carpal tunnel surgery is to relieve pressure on your median nerve by cutting the transverse carpal ligament. The surgery may be performed with two different techniques. The first is endoscopic surgery. In endoscopic surgery, your hand surgeon uses a scope with a tiny camera attached to it (endoscope) to see inside your carpal tunnel and cut the transverse carpal ligament through small incisions in your hand or wrist. The second option is open surgery. In open surgery, the surgeon makes a larger incision in the palm of your hand over the carpal tunnel and cuts through the transverse carpal ligament to free the nerve.

Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have decreased. Chiropractic and acupuncture may also be helpful. Yoga has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

For more information please contact the following organizations:

BRAIN

P.O. Box 5801 Bethesda, MD 20824

(800) 352-9424

http://www.ninds.nih.gov

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)

P.O. Box 850 Rocklin, CA 95677-0850

ACPA @ theacpa.org (remove spaces)

http://www.theacpa.org

Tel: 916-632-0922 / 800-533-3231

Fax: 916-652-8190

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

National Institutes of Health, DHHS

31 Center Dr., Rm. 4C02 MSC 2350

Bethesda, MD 20892-2350

NIAMSinfo @ mail.nih.gov (remove spaces)

http://www.niams.nih.gov

Tel: 301-496-8190 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267)

Occupational Safety & Health Administration

U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20210

http://www.osha.gov

Tel: 800-321-OSHA (-6742)

Motor Vehicle Collision Facts

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:23:36 GMT

CRASH FACTS:

MOST INJURIES OCCUR AT CRASH SPEEDS BELOW 12 MPH.

MOST CARS WITHSTAND 8-12 MPH IMPACTS WITHOUT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.

MORE THAN HALF OF ALL LOSRIC INJURIES OCCUR WITHOUT VEHICLE DAMAGE.

THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN VEHICLE DAMAGE AND OUTCOME.

THE PEAK ACCELERATION OF THE HEAD IS MUCH GREATER THAN THE PEAK ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE.

AT 5 MPH MVA CRASHES TYPICALLY PRODUCE ABOUT 10-12 G OF ACCELERATION OF THE OCCUPANT’S HEAD.

18% OF INJURIES OCCUR UNDER 6 MPH

22% OF INJURIES OCCUR OVER 12 MPH

60% OF INJURIES OCCUR BETWEEN 6-12 MPH

RISK FACTORS FOR INJURY AND/OR POOR OUTCOME:

REAR DIRECTION IMPACT

LIMITED RANGE OF MOTION; NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS AFTER THE CRASH

LIGAMENTOUS INSTABILITY AFTER CRASH

DEGENERATIVE DISEASE, HEADACHES, OR NECK INJURY OR PAIN PRIOR TO CRASH.

HEAD TURNED AT IMPACT, OR OCCUPANT IN POOR POSITION AT IMPACT

NON- AWARENESS OF IMPACT

NON- FAILURE OF SEAT BACK

THE USE OF SEAT BELT/SHOULDER HARNESS

NO HEAD RESTRAINT OR POOR HEAD RESTRAINT POSITION

FEMALE GENDER OR ADVANCED AGE

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF WHIPLASH

NECK PAIN-92%

HEADACHE-57%

FATIGUE-56%

SHOULDER PAIN-49%

ANXIETY-44%

INTER SCAPULAR PAIN-42%

LOW BACK PAIN-39%

SLEEP DISTURBANCE-39%

UPPER LIMB PARESTHESIA-30%

SENSITIVITY TO NOISE-29%

IMPAIRED CONCENTRATION-26%

BLURRED VISION-21%

IRRITABILITY-21%

DYSPHAGIA (DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING)-16%

DIZZINESS-15%

FORGETFULNESS-15%

UPPER LIMB PAIN-12%

UPPER LIMB WEAKNESS-6%

TINNITUS (RINGING IN EARS)-4%

JAW/FACIAL PAIN (TMJ)-4% +

Burlington County Animal Shelter 2015 Holiday Donation Drive

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:22:39 GMT

ORIGINAL FRONT PAGE POST :

Burlington County Animal Shelter Holiday Donation Drive

Our goal is to make the holiday season a little bit more comfy for the dogs and cats that don’t have a forever home for the holidays. If you have something to donate, please drop it off at our office. The shelter is in desperate need of the following items.

Announcing ABNC’s Holiday Donation Drive

The shelter is in desperate need of the following items:

Dog & Cat Food
Kitten Food/Formula & bottles
Old newspaper
Kuranda Medium Dog Beds
Toys (please no stuffed toys)
Dog & Cat treats
Ceramic pet food dishes
White rice
Socks (old & new)
Cat litter (non clumping only)
Heartguard
Frontline, Advantage, & Biospot
Blankets, sheets & towels (old or new)
Hot dogs
Plastic sandwich bags
Liquid hand soap
Hand sanitizer
Bleach and other sanitizers
Cleaning supplies (sponges, brooms, mops etc)
Liquid laundry detergent
Dryer sheets
Fragrant or odor eliminating products (air fresheners, febreeze)
Paper towels
Batteries (9 volts & AA’s)
Kitchen utensils
Peanut Butter
Dog Shampoo
Plastic bags
Greenies pill pockets
Clorox wipes or disinfectant wipes
Dish cloth and dish towels ( old or new)
Grooming supplies (Dog & cat brushes and combs)
Napkins

Burlington County Animal Shelter

35 Academy Dr, Westampton, NJ 08060

(609) 265-5073 // Facebook // Adopt, Don’t Shop

Two Videos & A Great Review

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:20:45 GMT

Review: Alignmed Posture Shirt 2.0

“I’m breaking my rule of not purchasing any clothing so pretentious as to put 2.0 in its title. But my posture is so poor – my second-grade teacher was the first to point this out – that the uni-sex shirt might be a big help. It’s geared toward travelers who are known to slump along hefting bags and slouch in airline seats. It’s elastic material, with “tension panels” near the spine, is purported to “increase stamina and vascularity.” Be warned: This is a tight-fitting shirt, so those who like to wear baggy clothes on long flights will be disappointed. But your posture will look fabulous.”

Buy at: Align Med . Free shipping code: ABNC14

Read the full article: Provisions: Stuff for travel and recreation

‘Posture Guru’ Shares Her Tips

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:18:09 GMT

Back pain is an epidemic. It could be caused by our more sedentary lifestyle, a few extra pounds around the middle or looking at the phone for hours each day. But Silicon Valley posture guru Esther Gokhale says in non-industrial cultures, back pain is practically non-existent. Why?

She thinks is because our spines have recently changed shape, so she has created an entire method to change that shape and reduce pain. Gohkale says it’s a method for sustainable posture that could lead to a reduction in back pain. Her fans are legion and the medical community has taken note as it searches for alternatives to pain pills, surgery and braces.

She says children natively have this posture and before the industrial age, so did our great-great-grandparents. But then something changed: Activity lessened, our gaze moved to small tasks with our hands and our idea of sitting and standing properly morphed to something more erect. Gokhale channels my grandmother: “’Sit up straight.’ That’s what moms have been telling their kids for decades; usually in a frustrated way, because it clearly doesn’t work. Maybe for 10 seconds and then the kid goes back to slumping.”

So Gokhale says “Sit up smart.” She has seminars, videos and books that espouse her techniques and the traditional medical community is taking note. Dr. Praveen Mummaneni, neurosurgeon and co-director of the UCSF Spinal Center says that while no studies of non-industrial populations have been done to directly support Esther Gokhale’s research, the techniques resonate. “It’s a very good visual. The J-shape is a very good visual that I think a lot of people will recognize, looking at that from the side and in thinking about their own posture, and it’s straight forward to remember,” Mummaneni says.

In our posture session, Gokhale taught me some basic ideas that have helped me focus on my posture. As she says, “My methods are simple, but not easy.” I agree: in the days following our session, I try to put her ideas into practice; posture is a discipline!

How to sit in a chair: the behind goes behind

Gokhale says we were taught to tuck our pelvis when we sit, “imagine you have a tail. The way we’ve been instructed to sit is to tuck that tail under our behinds. But I want you to push the tail out and let it go out the back of the chair.” I find this pelvic tilt is freeing, and Gokhale says you can reinforce it if you sit for long periods by using a pillow to wedge your pelvis forward and force your behind, behind.

Power your posture from the rear

Gokhale coaches her students to access the muscles of the gluteus maximus to hold the ”J” shape in their backs and stack their spine in vertically. “Make every step a rep.”

Gokhale says strengthening the posterior chain of muscles in the gym is good, but if you can recruit those muscles with every step, clenching the upper outside quadrant of your backside as you walk, you will do much more for your overall posture and pain reduction.

Lengthen the spine and hook your mid-back on a support

Whether it’s typing at a keyboard or holding the steering wheel of a car, when our arms go forward, our shoulders follow and we end up in a “C” shape. Gokhale says to use a towel, a jacket or she sells tethered pillows that fasten on. She says lean forward, use your arms to push down and lengthen the spine as you then lean back and hook your mid-back onto that cushion.

This move was enlightening for me. I felt like it created a stacked spine that rested comfortably. More than traditional good posture, I found this easier to maintain over time.

Roll the shoulders back

As I spoke with Gokhale the first thing I noticed was that every five minutes or so she would roll her shoulders back, one at a time. In the past I thought of good posture as lifting the entire rib cage and pushing it forward.

In truth, my posture came slouching down seconds later when my attention turned elsewhere. But if I just focus on my shoulders, I find that I have a little more hold time before they drop forward again.

Gokhale has free videos on her website demonstrating some of these techniques and she also sells her book, pillows and chairs there.

9 ways in which prolonged sitting can harm us

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:15:51 GMT

People with desk jobs need to be on their feet for a minimum of two hours daily during working hours and this should eventually be increased to up to 4 hours , says the first-ever UK guidance designed to curb the health risks of too much cumulative sitting time.

The guidelines call for use of adjustable sit-stand desks, avoidance of prolonged static standing (which may be as harmful as prolonged sitting) and altering posture, light walking to alleviate possible musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

Head

Sitting for long periods of time can cause blood clots which can travel to the brain causing a stroke

Lungs

You are twice as likely to develop a pulmonary embolism or blood clot if you sit most of the day

Arms

The reduction of physical activity leads to hypertension or high blood pressure

Stomach

Excessive sitting contributes to obesity and colon cancer. Enzymes in the blood vessels of muscles responsible for burning fat shut down, leading to the disruption of the body’s method of metabolizing fuels

Feet

Numbness in the feet can be caused by poor circulation. It can also cause nerve damage or pressure on nerves when you sit for long periods

Neck

Fluid retained in the legs during the day moves to the neck and contributes tp sleep apnea. Neck muscles are stressed leading to pain

Heart

People who live a sedentary lifestyle are up to twice as likely to die or develop diabetes and heart disease than those who move frequently

Back

Sitting for long periods of time places a high amount of pressure on the spine. Over time, sitting can result in compression of the spinal disks. Because muscles are tight from pressure, sudden movements can lead to injury

Legs

Fluid collects in the legs while we are sitting. Standing up and walking helps pump it through our body

Mucormycosis / ABC Dophilus

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:14:36 GMT

USA – Mucormycosis, fatal, premature infant, probiotic, recall, alert

November 17, 2014 | ISID [edited]

CDC, FDA, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health are investigating a fatal case of GI [gastrointestinal] mucormycosis in a premature infant of 29 weeks gestation following the use of a probiotic supplement called ABC Dophilus distributed by Solgar, Inc., Leonia, NJ.

Shortly after birth, the infant received a probiotic supplement called ABC Dophilus, distributed by Solgar Inc., as prophylaxis against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Subsequently, the infant developed signs and symptoms consistent with NEC. Surgical exploration revealed necrotic bowel, which was resected. Histopathology results from the resected bowel revealed a heavy fungal burden with angioinvasion, consistent with a Mucormycete infection.

Sequencing of fungal DNA recovered from the infant’s tissue block identified the fungus as _Rhizopus oryzae_, a pathogenic Mucormycete. _R. oryzae_ was also recovered from unopened bottles of Solgar ABC Dophilus, lot no. 074 024 01R1, the same lot administered to the infant. Solgar ABC Dophilus is a probiotic product intended to contain _Bifidobacterium lactis_ and _Lactobacillus rhamnosus_ and has been used to prevent NEC in premature infants. This product is available for purchase in retail stores and online retailers and is used in healthcare settings.

The investigation into this fatal case of GI mucormycosis and its association with the contaminated Solgar ABC Dophilus is ongoing. As such, Solgar ABC Dophilus should not be used, especially in infants and children who may be more susceptible to infection, until further information regarding the safety of this product is available.

Clinicians who learn of:

1. Confirmed or suspected cases of infants with gastrointestinal mucormycosis (diagnosed via culture or histopathology), OR

2. Unexplained infant deaths within 30 days of receipt of Solgar ABC Dophilus since 1 Nov 2013 are asked to notify CDC Mycotic Diseases Branch, Dr. Tiffany Walker at < ydj7@cdc.gov > or 404-639-2641.

Effectiveness of Flu Vaccines

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:13:28 GMT

Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Summary from The Lancet Infectious Diseases 10/17/2014 PDF

Background

No published meta-analyses have assessed efficacy and effectiveness of licensed influenza vaccines in the USA with sensitive and

highly specific diagnostic tests to confirm influenza.

Methods

We searched Medline for randomized controlled trials assessing a relative reduction in influenza risk of all circulating influenza

viruses during individual seasons after vaccination (efficacy) and observational studies meeting inclusion criteria (effectiveness).

Eligible articles were published between Jan 1, 1967, and Feb 15, 2011, and used RT-PCR or culture for confirmation of

influenza. We excluded some studies on the basis of study design and vaccine characteristics. We estimated random-effects

pooled efficacy for trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) when data were available for

statistical analysis (eg, at least three studies that assessed comparable age groups).

Findings

We screened 5707 articles and identified 31 eligible studies (17 randomized controlled trials and 14 observational studies).

Efficacy of TIV was shown in eight (67%) of the 12 seasons analyzed in ten randomized controlled trials (pooled efficacy 59% [95%

CI 51—67] in adults aged 18—65 years). No such trials met inclusion criteria for children aged 2—17 years or adults aged 65 years

or older. Efficacy of LAIV was shown in nine (75%) of the 12 seasons analyzed in ten randomized controlled trials (pooled efficacy

83% [69—91]) in children aged 6 months to 7 years. No such trials met inclusion criteria for children aged 8—17 years. Vaccine

effectiveness was variable for seasonal influenza: six (35%) of 17 analyses in nine studies showed significant protection against

medically attended influenza in the outpatient or inpatient setting. Median monovalent pandemic H1N1 vaccine effectiveness in

five observational studies was 69% (range 60—93).

Interpretation

Influenza vaccines can provide moderate protection against virologically confirmed influenza, but such protection is greatly

reduced or absent in some seasons. Evidence for protection in adults aged 65 years or older is lacking. LAIVs consistently show

highest efficacy in young children (aged 6 months to 7 years). New vaccines with improved clinical efficacy and effectiveness

are needed to further reduce influenza-related morbidity and mortality.

Credits : Alfred P Sloan Foundation, Prof Michael T Osterholm PhD, Nicholas S Kelley PhD, Prof Alfred Sommer MD, Edward A Belongia MD

Mediterranean Diet Can Help Reverse Metabolic Syndrome

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:12:28 GMT

OTTAWA, Ontario — October 14, 2014 — For people with metabolic syndrome, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts may help reverse the condition, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Researchers analyzed data from the PREDIMED randomized controlled trial, which included men and women aged 55 to 80 years who were at high risk of heart disease. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 diets: a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts, or a low-fat diet as the control.

In the current analysis, the researchers team looked at the long-term effects of the Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome in 5,801 people. Almost 64% (3707) of the participants had metabolic syndrome at the start of the study.

After a median follow-up period of 4.8 years, the researchers found that people in the 2 Mediterranean diet groups decreased their central obesity and blood glucose levels and 958 participants (28.2%) no longer met the criteria of metabolic syndrome.

“In this large, multicentre, randomized clinical trial involving people with high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil was associated with a smaller increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared with advice on following a low-fat diet,” wrote Jordi Salas-Salvadó, MD, Universitat Rovira i Virgili and Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain, and colleagues.

“Because there were no between-group differences in weight loss or energy expenditure, the change is likely attributable to the difference in dietary patterns.”

However, the Mediterranean diets did not appear to have an effect on the number of new cases of metabolic syndrome, a finding inconsistent with some previous studies.

“Mediterranean diets supplemented with olive oil or nuts were not associated with a reduced incidence of metabolic syndrome compared with a low-fat diet; however, both diets were associated with a significant rate of reversion of metabolic syndrome,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association Journal

Vitamin D and Dementia Link Confirmed

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:11:59 GMT

Link Between Vitamin D and Dementia Risk Confirmed

In the largest study of its kind, researchers suggests that in older people, not getting enough vitamin D may double the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The study, published in the online edition of the journal Neurology, looked at blood levels of vitamin D, which includes vitamin D from food, supplements, and sun exposure. Dietary vitamin D is found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna or mackerel, and milk, eggs, and cheese.

“We expected to find an association between low vitamin D levels and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but the results were surprising — we actually found that the association was twice as strong as we anticipated,” said David J. Llewellyn, PhD, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom.

For the study, 1,658 people aged older than 65 years who were dementia-free had their vitamin D blood levels tested. After an average of 6 years, 171 participants developed dementia and 102 had Alzheimer’s disease.

The study found that people with low levels of vitamin D had a 53% increased risk of developing dementia and those who were severely deficient had a 125% increased risk compared with participants with normal levels of vitamin D.

People with lower levels of vitamin D were nearly 70% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and those who had severe deficiency were over 120% more likely to develop the disease.

The results remained the same after researchers adjusted for other factors that could affect risk of dementia, such as education, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

“Clinical trials are now needed to establish whether eating foods such as oily fish or taking vitamin D supplements can delay or even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” said Dr. Llewellyn. “We need to be cautious at this early stage and our latest results do not demonstrate that low vitamin D levels cause dementia. That said, our findings are very encouraging, and even if a small number of people could benefit, this would have enormous public health implications given the devastating and costly nature of dementia.”

by DG News

Source: American Academy of Neurology

Obesity, Large Waist Size Risk Factors for COPD

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:11:02 GMT

Obesity, especially excessive belly fat, is a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Excessive belly fat and low physical activity are linked to progression of the disease in people with COPD, but it is not known whether these modifiable factors are linked to new cases.

Gundula Behrens, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany, and colleagues looked at the relationship of waist and hip circumference, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity levels to new cases of COPD in a large group of men and women in the US. They looked at data on 113,279 people aged 50 to 70 years who did not have COPD, cancer or heart disease at the beginning of the study (1995).

During the 10-year follow-up period, COPD developed in 3648 people. People with large waist circumference (≥110 cm in women and ≥118 cm in men) had a 72% increased risk of COPD.

“We observed a stronger positive relation with abdominal body fat than with total body fat and COPD,” the authors wrote. “In particular, overweight as measured by BMI emerged as a significant predictor of increased risk of COPD only among those with a large waist circumference.”

A large waist was a robust predictor of COPD in smokers as well as in people who had never smoked.

Pollution, smoking and toxic particles in workplace dust are thought to cause COPD through chronic inflammation and impaired ability to heal injury to the lungs.

“Increased local, abdominal, and overall fat depots increase local and systemic inflammation, thus potentially stimulating COPD-related processes in the lung,” the authors wrote.

People with a large hip circumference and who were physically active at least 5 times a week were 29% less likely to experience COPD. Exercise can reduce inflammation, oxidative stress and enhance healing.

Underweight people had a 56% increased risk of COPD. Possible reasons include malnutrition and reduced muscle mass leading to increased COPD susceptibility and progression through inflammatory processes and impaired lung repair capacity.

“Our findings suggest that next to smoking cessation and the prevention of smoking initiation, meeting guidelines for body weight, body shape and physical activity level may represent important individual and public health opportunities to decrease the risk of COPD,” the authors concluded. “Physicians should encourage their patients to adhere to these guidelines as a means of preventing chronic diseases in general and possibly COPD in particular.”

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association Journal

Take Shape For Life

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Extreme Obesity May Shorten Life Expectancy Up to 14 Years

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:09:56 GMT

BETHESDA, Md — Adults with extreme obesity have increased risks of dying at a young age from cancer and many other causes including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney and liver diseases, according to an analysis published inPLOS Medicine.

The study, which pooled data from 20 large studies of people from 3 countries, found that people with class 3 obesity had a dramatic reduction in life expectancy compared with people of normal weight.

“While once a relatively uncommon condition, the prevalence of class 3, or extreme, obesity is on the rise,” said lead author Cari Kitahara, PhD, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland.

“In the United States, for example, 6% of adults are now classified as extremely obese, which, for a person of average height, is more than 100 pounds over the recommended range for normal weight,” she said. “Prior to our study, little had been known about the risk of premature death associated with extreme obesity.”

The 20 studies that were analyzed included adults from the US, Sweden, and Australia. After excluding individuals who had ever smoked or had a history of certain diseases, the researchers evaluated the risk of premature death overall and the risk of premature death from specific causes in more than 9,500 individuals who were class 3 obese and 304,000 others who were classified as normal weight.

The researchers found that the risk of dying overall and from most major health causes rose continuously with increasing body mass index (BMI) within the class 3 obesity group. Statistical analyses of the pooled data indicated that the excess numbers of deaths in the class 3 obesity group were mostly due to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Years of life lost ranged from 6.5 years for participants with a BMI of 40-44.9 to 13.7 years for a BMI of 55 to 59.9. To provide context, the researchers found that the number of years of life lost for class 3 obesity was equal or higher than that of current (versus never) cigarette smokers among normal-weight participants in the same study.

The accuracy of the study findings is limited by the use of mostly self-reported height and weight measurements and by the use of BMI as the sole measure of obesity. Nevertheless, the researchers noted, the results highlight the need to develop more effective interventions to combat the growing public health problem of extreme obesity.

“Given our findings, it appears that class 3 obesity is increasing and may soon emerge as a major cause of early death in this and other countries worldwide,” said senior author Patricia Hartge, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NCI.

FROM : DG News

SOURCE: National Institutes of Health

Take Shape For Life

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Overuse of mobile technology has a growing list of health consequences

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:08:26 GMT

June 15, 2014

Paying the Price for Going Mobile

By Paul Hooper, DC, MPH, MS

I just got back from a trip to the East Coast. On my trip, I spent a fair amount of time in airports, on planes and on trains (sounds like a good movie title). As is not uncommon for me (I’m still a bit old-school), I was amazed at how many people are working while “on the road.” From the individual who uses a cellphone to check email messages and Facebook, to the passenger on an aircraft who uses seat time to work on a presentation or proposal on a laptop or tablet, more and more people are working on the go. The problem is, any attempt at using good ergonomics and/or good posture is total fantasy.

Telecommuting or telework is defined as an arrangement in which workers enjoy some flexibility in their working location and hours. It is generally used by workers who rely on the Internet, computers and cellphones. They don’t spend extended times working from a corporate office. Instead, they work from home offices, from their cars and while “on the road.”

I became interested in this topic because for the most part, I am a telecommuter. I work much of the time from my home office. I also became interested because an increasing number of health problems seem to be associated with this rapidly expanding practice.

Of course, you don’t have to be working to use these devices. Everyone is using mobile technology these days, which means everyone is at risk of suffering the health consequences.

Not too long ago, I wrote a white paper for one of my employers titled “Telecommuters and Worker’s Compensation.” The white paper included some information on the number of people who telecommute. It has been suggested that there are 20-30 million people who work from their home at least one day each week. Another 15-20 million work while they are on the road, 10-20 million run some form of home business, and 15-20 million work at home part of the time.

1 With constant advances in technology, these numbers are likely to grow – as are the opportunities to educate and care for patients who utilize this technology.

Not Enough Ergonomic Attention

Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing amount of attention paid to ergonomic principles in an effort to make the workplace safer and more efficient. This consideration has been particularly productive when it comes to workplace injuries. Partly due to the widespread adoption of ergonomic principles, many workplace injuries have been reduced. However, to date, the science of ergonomics hasn’t made much of a dent in the use of mobile technology, whether on or off the job.

Take, for example, the laptop computer. There are ample examples of ergonomically designed keyboards for desktop computers, but the keyboards on laptops are flat and force the wrists into awkward and compromising positions. It almost begs for problems. Combine this with the task of typing while using a laptop computer on an airplane seat-back tray, and you compound the ergonomic problems.

In addition, the keyboards on tablet devices are built into the screen. As such, they are anything but ergonomically designed. And everybody has a smartphone, most of which are able to send text messages.

There are even contests to see who can send the fastest text message. But text messaging and ergonomics don’t go hand in hand, so to speak.

Paying the Price

What does all of this have to do with the chiropractor in practice? One study by Harris International looked at more than 2,000 Americans ages 18 and over. The study indicated that 60 percent of Americans experience some form of health problem due to the use of technology during the day:

36 percent had eye strain

30 percent had back pain

27 percent had neck pain

24 percent had headaches

21 percent had wrist pain

11 percent had carpal tunnel syndrome

9 percent had insomnia

Most of these conditions affect the musculoskeletal system and many are seen by chiropractors. Effective treatment must include some attention paid to the origin of these problems. If the etiology is not addressed, the problems will return.

Texter’s Neck / Texter’s Thumb

There are even some “new” problems associated with the poor ergonomics reflective of today’s technology.

The problems aren’t really new, but there is no doubt they are becoming more frequent. For example, “texter’s thumb” (aka “Blackberry thumb”) develops as a result of using the thumbs for sending text messages. It is a form of deQuervain’s tendinitis. “Texter’s neck” is the term used to describe neck pain that results from prolonged poor posture while using a smartphone.

(By the way, “ear bud disease” is also becoming common. It is the result of ear infections due to the use of ear buds that are constantly placed in the ears when listening to music, watching video, etc., via mobile technology.)

According to a recent article published in the Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 53 percent of smartphone users suffered from neck pain. 2 A similar study stated that 84 percent of users had experienced pain in at least one body part.

3 It would appear that the culprit for “texter’s neck” is the prolonged forward head carriage that accompanies smartphone use. In addition to the forward head carriage, we’ve all seen individuals holding their cellphones against their ear by bending their neck. While this may allow the individual to use their hands, this posture undoubtedly creates problems.

Other Potential Health Issues

Poor posture and repetitive-stress issues are not the only problems encountered when using today’s mobile devices. Modern laptops generate a fair amount of heat. One study at State University of New York in Stony Brook showed that, when using a laptop actually on the lap, median temperature in the scrotum increased, leading to a reduction of normal sperm cells. 4 Additionally, the heat from using a laptop on the lap may cause skin burns.

It is also worth noting that mobile devices use radio frequency (RF) waves. While no specific evidence exists linking exposure to RF waves to health problems, it is probably wise to minimize such exposure.

After all, no one would dream of walking around with a microwave oven taped to their head.

Some authorities also feel use of mobile technology may be habit forming, even addictive. I happen to agree. Given that so many of our patients present with a primary complaint of neck pain, recognizing the fact that mobile technology plays a role may make our treatments more effective.

Key Points for You / Your Patients

Our world has been made much more accessible by modern technology. It is now possible to stay in constant contact with others and work in places that were unimaginable just a few short years ago. However, the use of this technology comes at a cost. Many of the health problems we now suffer from are the result of inappropriate use of technology.

As usual, common sense prevails. Constant and repetitive use undoubtedly leads to problems. Therefore, the most fundamental advice you can give patients is to take frequent breaks, whether using a smartphone, laptop computer, iPod, etc. Even small breaks of a few seconds may be long enough to reduce the muscle 4 fatigue that comes from using these devices, particularly if use involves a less-than-optimal body position.

There is evidence from the ergonomic literature that the use of microbreaks (10 seconds every 10 minutes) may reduce muscle fatigue by as much as 20-50 percent over an eight-hour day.

Suggest that patients build breaks into their routines. Don’t take several phone calls back to back. Take a few minutes between calls to relax the muscles. Don’t use laptop computers for long periods. Set an alarm clock for 15 minutes and get up and walk around.

The bottom line to emphasize: Movement is good for you.

References

1. Lister K. Undress For Success -The Naked Truth About Making Money at Home. John Wiley & Sons, 2009.

2. Korpinen L, Pääkkönen R. Physical symptoms in young adults and their use of different computers and mobile phones. Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2011;17(4):361-71.

3. Berolo S, Wells RP, Amick BC III. Musculoskeletal symptoms among mobile hand-held device users and their relationship to device use: a preliminary study in a Canadian university population. Appl Ergon, 2011 Jan;42(2):371-8.

4. Sheynkin Y, Jung M, Yoo P, Schulsinger D, Komaroff E. Increase in scrotal temperature in laptop computer users. Hum Reprod, 2005 Feb;20(2):452-5.

Click here for more information about Paul Hooper, DC, MPH, MS.

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Adding Insulin to Metformin for Diabetes Associated With Increased Risk of Death

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:06:10 GMT

June 10, 2014

CHICAGO — June 10, 2014 — Among patients with diabetes who were receiving metformin, the addition of insulin compared with a sulfonylurea was associated with an increased risk of non-fatal cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause death, according to a study published in the June 11 issue of JAMA.

The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes recommend that, for patients with preserved kidney function, diabetes treatment begin with metformin and lifestyle changes to achieve a haemoglobin A1C (Hb A1C) level of ≤7%. Often patients will require a second agent to reach this goal, but there is no consensus regarding which medication to choose, according to Christianne L. Roumie, MD, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, and colleagues.

The researchers conducted a study with data from national Veterans Health Administration, Medicare, and National Death Index databases, which included veterans with diabetes initially treated with metformin from 2001 through 2008 who subsequently added either insulin or sulfonylurea. The researchers compared the risk between therapies of a composite outcome of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or all-cause death.

Among 178,341 metformin monotherapy patients, 2,948 added insulin and 39,990 added a sulfonylurea. The authors performed additional propensity matched analysis on a subset of 2,436 patients from the insulin group and 12,180 patients from the sulfonylurea group. Patients had received metformin for a median of 14 months before adding another therapy; median follow-up after this addition was 14 months.

An analysis of the subsequent events indicated that MI and stroke rates were statistically similar, whereas there was a higher rate of all-cause death among patients who received insulin.

“Our finding of a modestly increased risk of a composite of cardiovascular events and death in metformin users who add insulin compared with sulfonylurea is consistent with the available clinical trial and observational data,” the authors wrote. “None of these studies found an advantage of insulin compared with oral agents for cardiovascular risk, and several reported increased cardiovascular risk or weight gain and hypoglycaemic episodes, which could result in poorer outcomes.”

“Our study suggests that intensification of metformin with insulin among patients who could add a sulfonylurea offers no advantage in regard to risk of cardiovascular events and is associated with some risk,” the authors concluded. “These findings require further investigation to understand risks associated with insulin use in these patients and call into question recommendations that insulin is equivalent to sulfonylureas for patients who may be able to receive an oral agent.”

In an accompanying editorial, Monika M. Safford, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, wrote: “Comparative effectiveness research is creating new challenges as it generates much needed new evidence. The very methods that make studies like that of Roumie et al novel also create barriers to interpretation that may make it more difficult to apply their results. Some of the creativity being brought to bear on advancing methods of analysis may also be needed to advance methods of communicating both methods and results to practicing clinicians, and perhaps more importantly, to the patients who are facing decisions that may (or may not) have profound implications for their health and well-being.”

SOURCE: JAMA

Reality Check-up : 9 Myths of Back Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:05:29 GMT

A July 2012 survey of NASS members revealed the top nine myths their patients believe about back pain and its treatments.

Read PDF: 9-myths_back-pain

PDF Topics ..

Myth 1: Exercise causes back pain.

Myth 2: Surgery will cure back pain completely.

Myth 3: If I have spine surgery, I’ll have to keep having spine surgery the rest of my life.

Myth 4: Spine surgery has too many risks, including paralysis.

Myth 5: Bed rest is the best cure for back pain.

Myth 6: If I see a spine specialist, I’ll end up getting surgery.

Myth 7: If I have back pain, I probably need surgery.

Myth 8: Back pain is a normal part of aging.

Myth 9: If I take pain medicine, I will become addicted.

As experts on the front lines of back pain, members of the North American Spine Society (NASS) have heard just about everything from their patients. A survey of NASS members revealed the top nine myths their patients believe about back pain and its treatments. For more information on keeping your back healthy, visit www.KnowYourBack.org.

The First Two Steps Towards Fitness for Men and Women

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:04:13 GMT

Guest contributor : Mark M Fera

This article isn’t going to be a step by step plan of what to eat and how to exercise to look and feel better. Rather, it’ll simply place you on the path where you can achieve such things.

But a better looking you is not why I wrote this anyway. The emotional reasons for writing this article are beyond what I care to own publicly and I’ll just settle on my desire for all of us to be less of a burden on the society that we contribute to.

I do think I need to justify why a 48 year old guy who is part owner of an office supply store is giving fitness advice in the first place.

Besides the fact that I look the part, I’ve spent over thirty years and many dollars on videos, books and trainers to achieve goals that include gaining weight and strength for college football to losing fat for natural body building competitions. I haven’t spent the money on the certifications that prove my knowledge and allow me to add letters after my name, but that doesn’t seem to stop people from asking me for help and advice.

This first step to fitness is for you to update your definition of exercise to include weight training with barbells.

The four lifts that will best allow you to gain the general strength that you will use in your daily life and for your fitness goals are back squats, bench presses, overhead presses and deadlifts. Barbell training is the same answer for all of us regardless of age or gender. Because our genders’ differences are mostly hormonal and not at the genetic level; it makes sense that the exercises that cause the fastest and greatest strength gains in men will cause the same in women too.

The only requirement is having sufficient strength to begin performing the lifts with an empty barbell.

A better explanation as to why we all need to train with barbells, as well as the best descriptions of safely performing the four exercises can be found in Mark Rippetoe’s book and video, “ Starting Strength “. If you already do exercise, please keep doing all those things that you like, but allow about 45 minutes three times a week to do Rippetoe’s suggested workout. If you aren’t in sufficient shape to lift weights, you’ll need to do other things that will get you to that point.

Besides that physical limitation to training with weights, there are other psychological barriers as well, especially for women. Women, in general, don’t want to be bulky, or even muscular for that matter, and are afraid weights will cause that to happen. But it won’t happen unless you really want it to, and try very hard. Besides the misguided expectations of our society in regards to what physically defines an ideal man and woman, other psychological barriers will be provided by the admonishments of your doctor, your family and your friends. You’ll need to find a way to overcome them, even after the time when you realize that each set of squats is increasing your resistance to those things that want to kill you or simply make you old.

I, too, have had to deal with some of those barriers. I’ve learned to simplify my analysis of the warnings and unsolicited counseling by carefully weighing what that person is advising; against what they look like and their general heath. And, you should too.

The second step to fitness is to consciously add protein to your diet.

You’ll need to break your eating into breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, and a final snack. You may, somewhat, eat like this now, but you probably skip breakfast, and your last snack is probably more of a meal because you’re so hungry from the other missed or protein-deficient snacks and meals. So, don’t skip breakfast and start each meal with a deck of card sized piece of baked or boiled meat from something that used to have a face along with a glass of water. And, then, eat your normal foods.That’s it; my first bit of diet advice for you.

When you can’t conveniently, or just don’t want to, eat meat, start the meal with a scoop of vanilla protein powder that you’ll mix with 16 ounces of a flavored zero calorie beverage, like PowerAde. Choose Whey Protein Isolate as your protein powder and you won’t be the cause of any more offensive odors than you already are now.

So, that’s it. The first two steps to fitness are to lift weights, and add protein to each meal.

Written by Mark M Fera : You can reach Mark by emailing him at mark@bulldogop.com. Mark is part owner of Bulldog Office Products. You can learn more about Bulldog at http://www.bulldogop.com .

*As stated, Mark is not a doctor. You must consult with your physician before following anyone’s advice.

Interventional Pain Management Can Provide Relief For Pain Sufferers

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:02:26 GMT

By Robert Fogarty

Most chronic pain sufferers have utilized medications, surgery, psychological and physical therapies, as well as chiropractic care, the conventional treatments. Although many will find relief in these treatments, there are those that these solutions don’t provide long enough relief or any relief at all. And those individuals are turning to interventional pain specialist to find the relief they need.

There are more than a 100 million individuals in the United States that suffer from chronic and debilitating pain. Chronic pain accounts for more than 75% of all doctors’ visits and causes billions of dollars in lost productivity from employees calling off work. This would have you think that health care providers would seek better ways to treat chronic pain sufferers but they haven’t and pain still remains under treated and misunderstood.

An interventional pain specialist is able to treat different non-spinal and spinal conditions due to his or her extensive training. A combination of neurological and musculoskeletal anatomy knowledge enables them to use tools such as musculoskeletal and neurological imaging, exams, and electro-diagnosis to pinpoint the cause of the patient’s pain and apply pain management procedures to alleviate and reduce one’s pain.

Most of these specialists will determine what level of pain a patient is experiencing and the right treatment for their condition. There are typically three levels of pain which determines the type of treatment a chronic pain sufferer may expect to receive. These levels and their treatment options can include the following:

Level One

1. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs – these medications are a low risk treatment that are available OTC, like Tylenol, to provide pain relief.

2. Physical Therapy – this treatment can include strengthening, stretching, and core exercises, as well as, chiropractic treatments.

3. Behavioral Treatment – continuous pain can affect one’s emotional state and in order to help deal with the pain treatment with a mental health specialist is beneficial.

4. Nutrition – keeping one’s body healthy by proper dieting is essential for one’s care.

Level Two

1. Nerve Block Injections – an interventional pain management specialist will directly inject into the affected area a numbing agent. This treatment varies in the time pain relief is maintained which can be anywhere from hours to years.

2. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation – electrical impulses are sent through the skin into the nerves and muscles to change painful signals.

3. Prescription Narcotics – opiate medications which work on altering pain perception if the brain’s receptors.

4. Thermal Treatment – utilizing ice on the painful area to numb it.

Level Three

1. Implants – these can include drug pumps and spinal cord stimulators which are devices implanted into the body to either use narcotic drugs or electrical signals to mask pain perception.

2. Surgery – usually used as a last resort and will either provide a pain-free lifestyle or a partially pain-free lifestyle which would include stage one treatment.

Talking with an Interventional pain management specialist will determine which stage of treatment is best for you to have an improved and active life.

Written by By Robert Fogarty of US Pain Network

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Overdoses of Prescription Opioid Pain Relievers and Other Drugs Among Women

Thu, 23 May 2024 04:01:04 GMT

On July 2, this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website ( http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr ).

Background:

Overdose deaths have increased steadily over the past decade. This report describes drug-related deaths and emergency department (ED) visits among women.

Methods:

CDC analyzed rates of fatal drug overdoses and drug misuse- or abuse-related ED visits among women using data from the National Vital Statistics System (1999–2010) and the Drug Abuse Warning Network (2004–2010).

Results:

In 2010, a total of 15,323 deaths among women were attributed to drug overdose, a rate of 9.8 per 100,000 population. Deaths from opioid pain relievers (OPRs) increased fivefold between 1999 and 2010 for women; OPR deaths among men increased 3.6 times. In 2010, there were 943,365 ED visits by women for drug misuse or abuse. The highest ED visit rates were for cocaine or heroin (147.2 per 100,000 population), benzodiazepines (134.6), and OPR (129.6). ED visits related to misuse or abuse of OPR among women more than doubled between 2004 and 2010.

Conclusions:

Although more men die from drug overdoses than women, the percentage increase in deaths since 1999 is greater among women. More women have died each year from drug overdoses than from motor vehicle–related injuries since 2007. Deaths and ED visits related to OPR continue to increase among women. The prominent involvement of psychotherapeutic drugs, such as benzodiazepines, among overdoses provides insight for prevention opportunities.

Implications for Public Health Practice: Health-care providers should follow guidelines for responsible prescribing, including screening and monitoring for substance abuse and mental health problems, when prescribing OPR. Health-care providers who treat women for pain should use their state’s prescription drug monitoring program and regularly screen patients for psychological disorders and use of psychotherapeutic drugs, with or without a prescription.

Introduction

In 2010, enough opioid pain relievers (OPR) were sold to medicate every adult in the United States with the equivalent of a typical dose of 5 mg of hydrocodone every 4 hours for 1 month (1), a 300% increase in the sales rate over 11 years. This rise in distribution of OPR is concomitant with increasing rates of drug overdose death and chronic, nonmedical use of OPR (2,3).

Differences between men and women related to prescription drug use outcomes are complicated. The death rate for OPR overdose is higher among men than women, but since 1993, hospitalizations for OPR overdoses have been more frequent among women than men (4). During 2004–2008, women and men had similar emergency department (ED) visit rates related to nonmedical use of OPR and benzodiazepines (5). OPR prescribing and use patterns also differ by gender. Women are more likely than men to be prescribed OPR, to use them chronically, and to receive prescriptions for higher doses of OPR (6,7). This might be because the most common forms of pain are more prevalent among women, and pain is more intense and of longer duration in women than men (8,9). Women also might be more likely than men to engage in “doctor shopping” (receiving a prescription for a controlled substance from multiple providers), and more likely to be prescribed OPR combined with sedatives (10,11). Sex-specific health risks associated with long-term OPR use among women include amenorrhea and infertility (12,13). Finally, the progression to dependence on OPR might be accelerated in women, and women with substance use disorders are more likely than men to face barriers in access to substance abuse treatment (14,15). Taken together, these health concerns indicate a need to examine drug overdose deaths and ED visits among women to guide development of targeted prevention strategies.

Methods

For this report, death rates are based on the National Vital Statistics System multiple cause of death files (1999–2010). Drug poisoning deaths, referred to as drug overdose deaths in this report, were defined as those with an underlying cause of death classified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) external cause of injury codes as X40-X44, X60-X64, X85, or Y10-Y14. Rates include injury deaths of any intent (unintentional, suicide, homicide, or undetermined) for U.S. residents. Among deaths with drug overdose as the underlying cause, CDC identified the type of drug involved based on ICD-10 codes for prescription drugs (T36-T39, T40.2-T40.4, T41-T43.5, and T43.8-T50.8), prescription OPR (T40.2-T40.4), benzodiazepines (T42.4), antidepressants (T43.0-T43.2), heroin (T40.1), and cocaine (T40.5). The codes used to categorize prescription drugs might capture some over-the-counter medications. Deaths involving more than one type of drug were counted in multiple categories. Rates were age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Census population using bridged-race population estimates (Figure 1).*

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a public health information system that tracks the impact of drug use, misuse, and abuse in the United States by monitoring drug-related hospital ED visits. This report used 2004–2010 DAWN public use files for analyses.† DAWN collects data from a stratified, simple random sample of approximately 220 nonfederal, short-stay general hospitals that operate 24-hour EDs. Rates presented in this report are based on the numbers of ED visits weighted to be representative of the U.S. population. Denominators for this report were based on U.S. Census postcensal estimates. DAWN defines misuse or abuse of a drug, based on information in the medical record, as taking a higher-than-recommended dose, taking a drug prescribed for another person, drug-facilitated assault (patient was administered a drug by another person for a malicious purpose), or documented misuse or abuse. ED visits related to the misuse or abuse of alcohol only by persons aged

Results

In 2010, a total of 15,323 deaths among women were attributed to drug overdose, a rate of 9.8 per 100,000 population. Among these, a drug was specified in 10,922 (71.3%) deaths. One or more prescription drugs were involved in 9,292 (85%) of the drug-specified deaths among women, and OPRs were involved in 6,631 (71.3%) of the prescription drug overdose deaths. These numbers represent substantial increases from 1999 (5,591 drug overdose deaths among women and 1,287 OPR overdose deaths). The percentage increase in number of OPR overdose deaths was 415% for women and 265% for men. The rate for OPR deaths (4.2 per 100,000 population) was four times the rate for cocaine and heroin deaths combined (1.0) (Table 1). The drug overdose death rate among men (23,006 drug overdoses and 10,020 OPR overdose deaths in 2010) was 1.55 times the rate among women for all drugs (down from 2.1 times the rate in 1999).

Death rates varied by age and race. The rate for all drug overdose deaths among women was highest among those aged 45–54 years (21.8 per 100,000 population). American Indian/Alaska Native (14.5) and non-Hispanic white (12.7) women had the highest drug overdose death rates. The rate of suicide drug overdose deaths was similar for women (1.8) and men (1.7), although drug overdose–related suicide deaths accounted for 34% of all suicide deaths among women compared with 8% among men. OPRs were involved in one in 10 suicides among women.

In 2010, women made 943,365 ED visits for drug misuse or abuse; a rate of 601 per 100,000 population (Table 2) (for every OPR overdose death there were 30 ED visits for OPR misuse or abuse). Cocaine or heroin (147.2), benzodiazepines (134.6), and OPR (129.6) were associated with the highest ED visit rates. ED visit rates among women for all drugs tended to be highest among those aged 25–34 years. The rates for all drug or OPR misuse- or abuse-related ED visits were not significantly different between men and women. The all drug rate for men was 1.35 times the rate for women in 2010, and the OPR rate for men was 1.2 times the rate for women.

During 2009–2010, rates for drug overdose deaths among women varied widely by state (Figure 1). Age-adjusted drug overdose death rates ranged from 3.9 per 100,000 women in North Dakota to 18.5 in Nevada.

During 2004–10, OPR death rates and ED visit rates increased substantially among women (Figure 2). During this period, the rate of OPR deaths among women increased 70% and the rate of OPR misuse- or abuse-related ED visits more than doubled. Cocaine deaths and ED visits declined during the same period. Starting in 2008, more women visited EDs because of misuse or abuse of benzodiazepines or OPR than for cocaine.

Conclusions and Comment

Since 2007, more women have died from drug overdoses than from motor vehicle traffic injuries, and in 2010, four times as many died as a result of drug overdose as were victims of homicide. Men are more likely than women to die from drug overdose; however, between 1999 and 2010, the percentage increase in the rate of overdose deaths was greater for women (151%) than for men (85%). The prescribing of controlled substances, drug overdose deaths, and drug misuse- and abuse-related ED visits among women have risen despite numerous recommendations over the past decade for more cautious use of OPR and efforts to curb abuse and prevent deaths.

Between 1999 and 2010, OPR overdose deaths increased more than fivefold among women (a total of 47,935 OPR overdose deaths during that period). Abuse of OPR is a particular problem for women of childbearing age. Given the risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome as a result of OPR abuse during pregnancy (16), and the potential effects of OPR on an embryo during the first trimester (17), health-care providers should include discussions of pregnancy plans within the context of treatment and monitoring of patients taking OPR for medical or nonmedical reasons. Women treated for OPR abuse should be counseled regarding risks to the fetus of OPR abuse during pregnancy. The risks and benefits of treatment of chronic conditions with OPR during pregnancy should be weighed carefully (18). Use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants during pregnancy, or at any time in combination with OPR, also should be considered carefully by women and their health-care providers. Psychological conditions, which might co-occurr with pain or substance abuse (19), need to be assessed and addressed within a treatment regime.

The findings in this report are subject to at least four limitations. First, vital statistics underestimate the rates of drug involvement in deaths because the type of drug is not specified on many death certificates. Second, injury mortality data might underestimate by up to 35% the actual numbers of deaths for American Indian/Alaskan Natives and certain other racial/ethnic populations (e.g., Hispanics) because of the misclassification of race/ethnicity of decedents on death certificates (20). Third, all the drugs involved in ED visits might not be identified. Fourth, information on the motivation for use might be incomplete; some ED visits might have resulted from suicide attempts. Finally, distinguishing between drugs taken for nonmedical and medical reasons is not always possible, especially when multiple drugs are involved.

Public health interventions to reduce prescription drug overdose must strike a balance between reducing misuse and abuse and safeguarding legitimate access to treatment. Health-care providers who treat women for pain should follow prescribing guidelines. Providers should screen all their patients for psychological disorders and for use of psychotherapeutic drugs, either with or without a prescription. Checking state prescription drug monitoring programs before long-term prescribing of controlled substances should be a standard of care. Communities should try to increase access for women, especially pregnant women, to substance abuse treatment services. Medicaid programs, which enroll disproportionate numbers of young women, should ensure that the prescribing of controlled substances to their clients meets established guidelines. Overdose deaths and ED visits related to prescription drugs, especially OPR, continue to be unacceptably high, and targeted efforts are needed to reduce the number of deaths in this epidemic.

For credit & references visit: CDC.gov

Quit Smoking…Hurt Less.

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:59:29 GMT

This one isn’t exactly hot off the presses, but it’s worth noting.

Of course, we’ve known for a while that smoking is a definite risk factor for back pain and disc disease. A new study presented this March at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), looked at low back/radicular leg pain in patients who actually quit smoking compared to those who didn’t. The study covered 6779 subjects. Here’s what they found.

Overall, 8.9 percent of patients over age of 55 smoked compared with 23.9 percent of those age 55 and younger.

Twenty-five percent of patients over age 55 had quit smoking prior to the study, as had 26.1 percent of those younger than age 55.

Mean improvement in reported pain over the course of treatment was significantly different in non-smokers and current smokers in both age groups.

Current smokers in both age groups reported greater pain than those who had never smoked.

Those who quit smoking during the course of care reported greater pain improvement than those who continued to smoke.

As a group, those who continued smoking during treatment had no clinically significant improvement in reported pain, regardless of age.

Worth remembering if you are faced with a non responding case.

Sometimes everything we do for the patient isn’t sufficient to overcome what they are doing to themselves.

Article by scienceinbrief.com

Zen Life Flexibility Program

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:54:35 GMT

Increase your body’s flexibility, reducing soreness and stiffness

You really can experience healing on multi-dimensional levels (body, soul, and spirit.) With our special Program, you’ll discover the simplest, gentlest ways to increase your joint flexibility, remove the cause of most major diseases and deepen your spiritual connection.

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Resources : If you want to be healthy and live to one hundered, do qigong. -Mehmet Oz

Three Ways a Chiropractor Can Help You

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:53:34 GMT

By guest contributor A Aaronson

Many people think that a chiropractor can only help to relieve pain in the back and neck. While this is certainly something that one of these health professionals can do, there are many other ways that they can help.

Neck and back pain can affect every part of one’s day-to-day life, but alignment problems can cause other issues as well. Most notably, they can affect the way one sleeps and they can weaken one’s muscles. Visiting a professional can help you to overcome all of these problems.

The first, and most common, reason that one might visit a chiropractor is for pain management.

Millions of people suffer from neck and back pain, and this sort of pain, when severe, can be crippling. Chiropractic treatment can help to alleviate pain in the neck and back and, over time, may be able to eliminate it entirely. Ultimately, these professionals will strive to help their patients live pain free lives.

Aside from pain management, a chiropractor can also help to improve the way that you sleep.

For many individuals, sleep does not come easy. If you are having difficulty sleeping, it may be due to misalignment in your spine. In order for your body to rest comfortably, it must be in a position that allows for good blood circulation. If your spine is out of alignment, it may result in decreased blood flow throughout your body, which could affect the way that you sleep. Visiting a professional will help to reduce this problem and lead to longer, more restful sleep.

Another problem that may be related to alignment issues in your spine is weakness.

If you are experiencing muscle weakness, then visiting a chiropractor may be a way to overcome this. When the spine is out of alignment, it can reduce overall muscle strength. Your muscles rely on a strong and well-aligned core in order to operate fully. Therefore, if your spine is not aligned properly, you could experience muscle weakness in your legs and arms as a result. If you are experiencing these issues, then you should visit one of these health professionals right away.

All in all, there are a number of ways that a chiropractor might be able to help you.

If you are experiencing pain in your neck or back, having difficulty sleeping, or are noticing unexplained weakness in your legs and arms, then you may be experiencing alignment problems. Visiting a chiropractic professional may be just what you need.

by A Aaronson

For assistance from a chiropractor, Birmingham residents have many options to choose from. Visit the following, and find out how a professional from http://www.alabamaspinerehab.com can help put you on the path to a pain free life.

For Neck Pain, Chiropractic and Exercise Are Better Than Drugs

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:52:10 GMT

The headline above is from a January 7, 2012 article in the health section of the New York Times. This article, as well as a similar one from Medical Press on January 4, 2012, is based on research published on January 3, 2012 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The research studied 272 adults who were suffering with neck pain for 2- to 12-weeks duration. The subjects were divided into three groups, and received either chiropractic adjustments (called SMT or spinal manipulative therapy in the study), home exercise with advice (HEA), or prescription medication. The adjustments were delivered by one of five chiropractors while the medications were prescribed by medical physicians. The medications consisted mainly of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, or both.

The care in each of the three groups lasted only 12 weeks in this study. The people in the study were asked to rate their pain initially and at various points thereafter up to 12 months later. The level of pain was recorded for each of the participants at the intervals of at 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. The results reported that chiropractic adjustments did better in helping neck pain patients and showed “a statistically significant advantage over medication after 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks.”

Even though the care rendered for each of these groups was only for 12 weeks, the long term follow-up showed that 53 percent of the people who had received chiropractic continued to report at least a 75 percent reduction in pain. The exercise group also had similar numbers. However, the group taking medication showed only a 38 percent reduction in pain overall.

Dr. Gert Bronfort, an author of the study and research professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minnesota, noted his reasons for the study included a lack of information on choices for people with neck pain. “There was a void in the scientific literature in terms of what the most helpful treatments are,” Bronfort said. He noted that the results showed chiropractic superior to medications. “Even a year later, there were differences between the spinal manipulation and medication groups,” Bronfort said.

Not only did the group taking medications not fair as well in pain reduction, there was also a problem with usage as people kept taking them in an attempt to get help. “The people in the medication group kept on using a higher amount of medication more frequently throughout the follow-up period, up to a year later,” said Dr. Bronfort. “If you’re taking medication over a long time, then we’re running into more systemic side effects like gastrointestinal problems.”

Study Shows Chiropractic Improved Athletic Performance

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:46:04 GMT

A scientific study shows chiropractic improved athletic performance. Adding to the growing database of science documenting that chiropractic care improves athletes’ abilities is an article from the January 2012 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showing how chiropractic helped improve the grip strength of judo athletes.

The study looked at eighteen Brazilian athletes from a top 10 national-ranked judo team who volunteered for the study. In this study, the athletes, both men and women, were separated into two groups. The requirements of the study not only included that the athletes had never had any chiropractic care, but they also had to have no knowledge of what chiropractic was.

Having no knowledge of what chiropractic was allowed researchers to have one group receive real chiropractic adjustments, while the other group received a “sham” adjustment where a chiropractic adjusting table was used and the drop mechanism was engaged without an actual adjustment being given. In this way, neither group would know if they actually received chiropractic care. Both groups received their procedure for three weeks at the same rates.

Strength measurements were done in both groups before and at least 20 seconds after each of the procedures. The results of the study showed that in the group that received real adjustments, hand strength increased between 6.75 and 12.61 percent after only the first adjustment. The final increased in hand strength of the real adjustment group was between 10.53 and 16.82%. By comparison, the group that received the sham adjustments showed no statistical increase in hand strength either after each procedure, or at the end of the study.

In their conclusion, the researchers, who referred to chiropractic adjustments as SMT or spinal manipulative therapy, noted, “The present study tested the effect of chiropractic SMT on elite judo athletes’ grip strength and found a significant increase in grip strength for those submitted to the SMT compared with those getting sham interventions. In addition, subjects in the SMT group had achieved significant and progressive enhancement of the grip strength with the first, second, and third interventions.”

Smartphone Addicts Have Now Started Feeling the Pain

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:45:34 GMT

The headline above comes from a December 5, 2011 article in The Economic Times, an online news publication covering the UK and India. The article starts off by noting that more Britains are using their smart phones for accessing the Internet and other tasks. A recent British poll from YouGov noted that, 44% of Britons use their mobile phone for activities other than making calls, for between 30 minutes and two hours per day.

Dr. Tim Hutchful from the British Chiropractic Association reports that leaning the head forward for extended periods of time to read the smaller screens has an adverse effect on the neck. “The weight of an average human head is between 10 to 12 pounds (4.5 to 5.5 kilogrammes).” He notes that if you look at a person with an ideal posture, you should be able to draw a line from their ear through their shoulder, hip, knee and ankle.

The article notes that when a person uses a smart phone, typically the head is leaned forward causing the effective weight of the head on the neck to be up to four times as much than if the head where held in straight-up neutral position.

Both Dr. Hutchful, and Dr. Emmanuelle Rivoal, a Paris-based physiotherapist and osteopath, report seeing more problems from the use of these devices. One of the more common terms being tossed around today is “Text Neck” which Dr. Hutchful described as a manifestation of repetitive strain injury or RSI. The article defines RSI by stating, “RSI is the name given to a group of injuries affecting the muscles, tendons and nerves primarily of the neck and upper limbs.”

Dr. Rivoal added that these types of problems were common with people who work on computers, “because they spend more than five hours a day in front of a screen.” He noted that a hand held device can be even worse because the screen is smaller.

Dr. Hutchful offered some advice to avoid injury for those who use smartphones regularly. This includes things as simple as keeping smartphone use at under 40 minutes. He offers, “Keep use to a minimum, take regular breaks and look at different ways of interacting.”

Baseball World Series Players Benefit from Chiropractic

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:44:50 GMT

In a November 3, 2011 release from the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress is a story highlighting chiropractic helping the players of this years World Series.

The article starts out by noting that the past two Major League Baseball World Series Champions had team chiropractors assisting their players. The 2010 San Francisco Giants and 2011 St. Louis Cardinals each relied on chiropractic to promote faster recoveries, reduce risk of injury and enhance on-field performance.

The release noted that both Ralph Filson, D.C., the chiropractor for the Cardinals, and Michael Gazdar, D.C. the chiropractor for the San Francisco Giants, explained “that regular chiropractic care provides baseball players with proper spinal function and balance to reduce the risk of spine-related injuries, enhance recovery time and improve overall performance.”

Dr. Filson, who cared for this year’s champion St Louis Cardinals began giving chiropractic care to the team in 1990 through his connection with then manager and legend, Joe Torre. Dr. Filson commented, “Chiropractic care is always available for players of the Cardinals and the visiting team, it is utilized by many. With chiropractic care, players report that they feel better and have better endurance. Body mechanics are significantly improved, enabling better pitching, hitting and throwing.”

Jason Motte, one of the relief pitchers for the St. Louis Cardinals chimed in saying, “I had issues with my shoulder and arm for a long time. I started seeing Dr. Filson this year. Since then, I have not had any arm problems. The whole team appreciates him and the work he did throughout the season. I know while being under Dr. Filson’s care, I was able to feel 100% while on the mound.”

In 2006 the Cardinals won the World series and Dr. Filson was given a World Series ring for his participation in helping the team. He stated, “I am proud to have provided chiropractic care to the Cardinals for so many years, and gratified that chiropractic has contributed to the players’ optimal performance during every game. We are all excited about bringing home the 2011 World Series title.”

The 2010 World Champion Giants also relied on their chiropractor, Dr. Gazdar for their ability to win. Dr. Gazdar explained, “Chiropractic care was a significant factor in the San Francisco Giants 2010 victory. One of the Giants’ pitchers relied upon chiropractic adjustments for all of his pitching starts, and virtually every player benefited from chiropractic services.”

Chiropractors Warn About “Text Neck”

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:42:58 GMT

Several stories appeared in a number of publications warning people about the dangers of texting excessively. Chiropractors are leading the call of caution that texting for hours puts the neck in a position that creates health issues.

A CBS News story on October 10, 2011 advises the readers to “Add ‘text neck’ to your new world, digital dictionary”. The problem is that continuously texting causes a person to lean their head forward for long periods of time thus causing a loss of the normal forward curve in the neck. Chiropractors have warned for years that a loss of forward curve in the neck leads to a variety of health issues. Texting is the latest and most popular new technology that leads to this neck problem.

This problem has become international as was pointed out in an October 6, 2011 story in a British publication, the Telegraph. The story quotes Dr. Rachael Lancaster, a chiropractor from Leeds England, “Text neck is caused by the neck being flexed for a prolonged period of time. Sufferers are increasing as the use of smart phones and tablet computers become more popular.”

Dr. Lancaster likens it to putting other parts of your body into an awkward position for long periods of time. “Imagine sitting on your ankle sideways for 10 minutes. It would feel stiff and sore when you returned it to its natural position. That is exactly what people are doing with their necks. If people continue to put their necks in these positions, the body will gradually adapt to the stresses.”

Dr. Tim Hutchful, of the British Chiropractic Association noted that doctors are seeing a rising number of patients with similar neck problems. He explained the problem by saying, “When the head is over the shoulders it is a bit like a balanced see-saw, and when you move it forward you need to put a force in place to keep it in that position. The longer you are in that position for, the more the muscles have to accommodate it.”

An October 7, 2011 story from MSNBC on this same subject quoted Texas chiropractor and spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association Dr. Cynthia Vaughn who stated, “It’s a known phenomenon and that’s increasing and doctors need to educate their patients on the proper ergonomics of this.” Dr. Vaughn continued by offering a practical solution to prolonged texting, “I tell my patients the easiest thing to do is pick up the phone and call people.”

Videos Worth Watching!

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:37:54 GMT

Schedule an Appointment with XCALIBUR Chiropractic,

call: 718-904-0908

Spinal Ligament Injuries—Not Everyone is Injured the Same

When a people are involved in accidents, not everyone is injured the same. That is why it is so important to find a doctor that knows how to determine the severity and the location of your spinal ligament injuries.

Schedule an Appointment with XCALIBUR Chiropractic,

call: 718-904-0908

Spinal Instability—Mechanism of Injury

This is a basic video of the damage that is left behind in the spine when the mechanism such as a auto accident damages the human spine. To few doctors today know how to properly work up these lesions, which puts patients at risk for long term residual complaints and cost insurers dearly in long term care. It is our hope that this video helps to simplify the process and allows patients to make sure their doctor understands how to work these conditions up.

Schedule an Appointment with XCALIBUR Chiropractic,

call: 718-904-0908

Spinal Ligament Injuries—Just Because You Don’t See Them—Doesn’t Mean They’re Not There

Spinal Ligament Injuries all too often go undetected. This is why it is so important to located doctors who specialize in this condition. The last thing anyone would want is a delay in properly identifying all the injuries that a patient may have sustained in an accident. A missed of delayed diagnosis can in some cases, seriously retard recovery and some patients may never fully recover. Do not let these condition go un-diagnosed.

Schedule an Appointment with XCALIBUR Chiropractic,

call: 718-904-0908

Don’t Make the Second Accident Your Worst Accident—Choosing the Wrong Doctor

Perhaps the worst accident any patient can have is choosing the wrong doctor to help them. Spinal ligament injuries can be serious injuries that result in a lifetime of pain and suffering. You should choose your doctor wisely!

Schedule an Appointment with XCALIBUR Chiropractic,

call: 718-904-0908

Manipulation Under Anesthesia

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:29:25 GMT

Manipulation under anesthesia for pain

This procedure, manipulation under anesthesia (MUA), is a non-invasive procedure increasingly offered for acute and chronic conditions, including: neck pain, back pain, joint pain, muscle spasm, shortened muscles, fibrous adhesions and long term pain syndromes. It is generally considered safe and is utilized to treat pain arising from the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as the sacroiliac and pelvic regions.

Manipulation under anesthesia uses a combination of specific short lever manipulations, passive stretches and specific articular and postural kinesthetic maneuvers in order to break up fibrous adhesions and scar tissue around the spine and surrounding tissue.

The manipulation procedures can be offered in any of the following ways:

• Under general anesthesia

• During mild sedation

• Following the injection of anesthetic solutions into specific tissues of the spine

The treatment is performed in a hospital or surgery center by licensed physicians with specialized training and certification specifically for the procedure. A team approach is required to have a safe and successful outcome.

The team includes the anesthesiologist, the prime physician/surgeon/chiropractor who performs the manipulation, and the first assistant, also a physician/chiropractor certified in manipulation under anesthesia. The procedure is commonly performed in a hospital or surgical center.

The combination of manipulation and anesthesia is not new, as this treatment has been part of the manual medical arena for more than 60 years.Manipulation Under Anesthesia is an established medical procedure with a CPT Code designate of 22505. This is noted in the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology Publication.

Which patients should be considered for manipulation under anesthesia? Certain neck, mid back, low back or other spinal conditions respond poorly to conventional care. One proposed theory for this is that, as a result of past or present injury, adhesions and scar tissue have built up around spinal joints and within the surrounding muscles and causes chronic pain.

Patients often undergo various treatments, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, epidural injections, back surgery, or other treatments that do not address fibrous adhesions. Some patients feel temporarily better with these treatments, but their pain often returns.

In general, patients selected for manipulation under anesthesia are those who have received conservative care for six to eight weeks. If limited or no improvements in symptoms or objective findings have occurred, then manipulation under anesthesia may be an appropriate alternative.

Prior to treatment, protocols of diagnostic testing should document the nature of the diagnosis, support the need for treatment and eliminate questions of psychosocial factors that can influence pain responses. In addition to X-ray, MRI scan or CT scan, a musculoskeletal sonogram or nerve conduction velocity test may be ordered.

Proposed effects

The proposed effects of manipulation under anesthesia therapy include the following:

• Breaking up scar tissue (adhesions) both in and around the spinal joints, commonly caused by multiple injuries or failed back surgery

• Decreasing chronic muscle spasm

• Overcoming super sensitivity of injured areas, making the patient unable to cooperate for effective treatment

• Stretching persistent shortened muscles, ligaments and tendons

• Relieving pain and radiating symptoms from damaged intervertebral discs. Some disc injuries are serious enough to require surgery, but these types of injuries are relatively infrequent.

1. Chrisman et al: “A study of the results following manipulation in lumbar disc syndrome.” Journal of bone and Joint Surgery 46A, 1964.

2. Saal et al: “The natural history of lumbar disc extrusions treated non-operatively.: Spine, Vol 15, 1990.

3. Kohlbeck FJ, Haldeman S, “Medication-assisted spinal manipulation.” The Spine Journal, Volume 2 (4), 2002.

Anesthesia and Manipulation

Of course, when movement of the spine is extremely and intolerably painful to the patient, the benefit of being under anesthesia and unconscious is obvious.

In addition, the anesthesia performs other equally important functions, such as:

• Shutting off the muscle spasm cycle to allow spinal movement

• Sedating the pain-perceiving nerves that have been irritated due to the dysfunctional spine

• Allowing complete muscle relaxation to allow the doctor to stretch shortened muscle groups and to break up adhesions caused by scar tissue.

Indications and contraindications

In general, patients selected for manipulation under anesthesia have received a minimum of six to eight weeks of conservative care. Additionally, there are a number of specific indications and contraindications that need to considered prior to undertaking manipulation under anesthesia, including:

Indications

• Neck, mid back and low back pain

• Chronic muscle pain and inflammation

• Acute and chronic muscle spasm

• Decreased spinal range of motion

• Chronic fibrositis

• Nerve entrapment

• Pseudo-sciatica

• Sciatica where disc bulges are contained less than 5 mm

• Failed back surgery

• Chronic occipital or tension headaches

• Conditions where narcotic pain relievers are of little benefit

• Traumatic torticollis

• RSD

Contraindications

Contraindication to anesthesia as determined by current medical literature and is the responsibility of the licensed medical co-manager (anesthesiologist).

Contraindications to manual manipulation of high velocity, low velocity or soft tissue techniques as established by current literature relative to technique specific for articular derangements, bone weakening and destruction disorders, circulatory and cardiovascular disorders, or neurological disorders.

Specific contraindications to manipulation of the spine under anesthesia include:

• Malignancy with metastasis to bone

• Tuberculosis of the bone

• Fractures

• Acute arthritis

• Acute gout

• Uncontrolled diabetic neuropathy

• Syphilitic articular or periarticular lesions

• Gonorrheal spinal arthritis

• Excessive spinal osteoporosis

• Evidence of cord or caudal compression by tumor, ankylosis and malacia bone disease.

Manipulative Techniques

Techniques under anesthesia may vary from patient to patient as medical necessity indicates by the involved tissues and existing relative contraindications and/or possible complications that may exist. Some of the techniques include:

Soft tissue procedures – lateral stretching, linear stretching, deep pressure, traction and/or separation of muscle origin and insertion.

Tissue: periarticular

Goals: decrease muscle spasm and increase tissue mobility

Articulatory procedures (mobilization without impulse, low velocity techniques) – placing articulation through full anatomic range of motion. A passive serial repetitive oscillatory rhythmic springing force in the direction of restriction. Tissue: periarticular and articular

Goals: increase quantity of motion – gradual movement of restrictive barrier to restore range of motion increase quality of motion – smooth range of movement with normal elastic and feel

Specific joint mobilization procedure – mobilization with impulse, high velocity technique. Extrinsic operator applied thrust overcoming restrictive articular movement. Engagement of the restrictive barrier and thrust through the barrier to achieve normal joint movement.

Tissue: articular and intra articular

Goals: increase joint range of motion reduce joint restrictions reduction of hyper tonicity stretch shortened fibrosed connective tissues of the articulation

Post Operative Care

The patient should experience an immediate increase in range of motion, even though there is usually some temporarily added muscle soreness similar to feeling of having completed an aggressive exercise session. In cases involving symptoms caused by disturbance from adhesions and shortened tissues, there should be a significant change, either immediately or within a short period following the procedures.

In effort to minimize the re-formation of adhesions, passive manipulation and active exercises are prescribed. Some use of additional therapies may also be prescribed, such as:

• Electrical muscle stimulation

• Ultrasound

• Hot moist packs

• Massage

The most important post operative care is an active rehabilitation program, starting within one to two weeks after the manipulation under anesthesia procedure and lasting for a minimum of four to six weeks.

Supporting Studies

There are several research studies about the effectiveness of manipulation under anesthesia, including:

1. 83% of 600 patients with EMG verified radiculopathies reported significant improvement – Robert Mensor, MD

2. Patients that had back pain for a minimum of 10 years reported an 87% recovery rate after MUA – 1987 with Ongly et al

3. 51% of patients with unrelieved symptoms after conservative care had been exhausted reported good to excellent results three years post MUA – Donald Chrisman, MD

4. 71% of 723 MUA patients had good results (return to normal activity relatively symptom free) and 25.3% had fair results (return to normal activity with slight residuals) and that flexibility, elasticity and range of motion can be restored following MUA – Bradford and Siehl

5. 83% of 517 patients treated with MUA responded well – Paul Kuo, MD professor of Orthopedic Surgery

6. Krumhansi and Nowacek reported on an MUA study done on 171 patients who experienced constant intractable pain for several months to 18 years. All of the patients of the study failed other conservative intervention. The results of the study showed that 25% of the patients had no pain, 50% were much improved with pain markedly decreased, 20% were better and could tolerate their pain but it interfered with work and recreation. Failures comprised 5% where there was minimal or no pain relief periods.

The medical literature demonstrates that for over forty years chronic neuromuscular skeletal conditions that have failed the conservative protocol may respond well to manipulation under anesthesia.

The overall effectiveness of spinal manipulation under anesthesia has been reported by researchers with success rates varying according to case selection criteria. Diagnosis of herniated disc reported excellent to good results in:

60% – PC Colonna and ZB Friendenberg: 1949

64% – Merrill C Mensor, MD: 1949

60% – Donald Sielh, DC: 1963

Diagnosis of myofibrositis reported excellent to good results in:

96.3% – Donald Siehl, OD: 1963

75% – BR Krumhansi and CJ Nowacek: 1988

About Dr Oshidar

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:28:25 GMT

About Dr. Xerxes Oshidar D.C., D.A.A.P.M

As an avid sports fan and weekend warrior, Dr. Oshidar has made it his business to verse himself in the nature of sports injuries with particular focus on the spine. He has completed courses towards a certification as a certified sports chiropractor. Additional certifications include a Diplomate from the American Academy of Pain Management (DAAPM) and certification to perform Manipulation under Anesthesia (MUA) with staff privileges at Surgicare Amsurg Ctr Bronx, NY and Synergy Amsurg Ctr Brooklyn, NY.

In private practice since August 1998 after Magna Cum Laude graduation from Life Chiropractic University, Dr. Oshidar has treated hundreds of people with neck and back pain following major trauma like auto and work accidents as well as repetitive stress injuries and has found that those who choose to implement exercise and balance therapy with standard Chiropractic Manipulation and/or DTS Decompression and/or MUA will achieve their desired results faster.

Currently, Dr. Oshidar maintains practice at AB & NC in Lumberton, NJ where the setting is very personal so that patients receive undivided attention during their treatments. His NYC practice at 3262 Westchester Avenue, Bronx 10461 is affiliated with Medical Clinics of NYC in which there is a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care with Chiropractors, Neurologists, Physical Therapists, and Anesthesiologists working synergistically for an optimal mix of medical and physical management. Here you will find a more “community” healing atmosphere where patients are encouraged to voice their opinions and really enjoy their time in the clinic.

Finally, as a graduate from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1994, Dr. Oshidar was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu national fraternity and got credit towards his major in biology by partaking in marine biology research under Dr. Jeffrey Levinton, some of which was utilized in a a college text.

Contact Dr Oshidar

Frequently Asked Questions About Decompression-Traction

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:25:48 GMT

Are the sessions painful, how many will be needed and what is the cost?

The specific treatment plan will be determined by the doctor after your examination. Based on current research, the best results have been achieved utilizing 15-20 sessions over a 6-8week period. Based on that most common protocol, the total cost of the DTS treatments would be $1,600.00. This of course includes any modalities (Including cold laser) as well as supervised therapeutic exercise. Most insurances ARE ACCEPTED and are subject to verification.

Does Decompression Therapy work for everyone?

Eighty-to-ninety percent of patients who have been properly selected and comply with the Spinal Disc Decompression protocol will have good-to-excellent outcomes. Patient’s conditions that do not respond quickly to the therapy are often unable to be helped by anything quickly. Patients vary in age, sex and body morphology and may require counseling in weight loss, nutrition and other lifestyle changes.

Are there conditions where Spinal Decompression Therapy is not indicated?

Decompression therapy has no value if the disc in question has completely prolapsed (similar to a flat tire). At this point there IS NO INTRADISCAL PRESSURE TO REDUCE. Also, disc fragmentation will not respond to decompression traction. Patients with the following problems or symptoms are usually excluded from using the Spinal Decompression therapy: Pregnancy, Prior lumbar surgical fusion, Metastatic cancer, Severe osteoporosis, Compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1, Pars defect, Aortic aneurysm, Pelvic or abdominal cancer, Disc space infections, Severe peripheral neuropathy, Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction, Cauda Equina syndrome, Tumors, osteoid osteoma, multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma, Infection, osteomyelitis and meningitis.

Do most patients receive therapy and rehabilitative exercises in addition to Spinal Decompression Therapy?

To reduce inflammation and assist the healing process, supporting structures are treated with passive therapies (ice/heat/muscle stimulation), chiropractic adjustments (as indicated) and/or active rehabilitation in order to strengthen the spinal musculature. As stated above, these are part of your treatment plan.

Are there medical studies that document the effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Most certainly! One study documented by MRI up to 90% reduction of disc herniations in 10 of 14 cases! Another study reported that 86% of ruptured disc patients achieved “good” (50-89% improvement) to “excellent (90-100% improvement) results after spinal decompression therapy!

How is Spinal Decompression Therapy different from regular traction?

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:24:53 GMT

The Triton® DTS™computer is the key. It controls the variations in the traction pull allowing for spinal decompression and eliminating muscle guarding that is typical in conventional traction devices. The preprogrammed patterns for ramping up and down the amount of axial distraction allows for higher levels of spinal decompression and disc rehydration.

Many clinicians specializing in lumbar spine pathology have criticized traditional traction. Traction fails in many cases because it causes muscular stretch receptors to fire, which then cause para-spinal muscles to contract. This muscular response actually causes an increase in intradiscal pressure. On the other hand, genuine decompression is achieved by gradual and calculated increases of distraction forces to spinal structures, utilizing various degrees of distraction forces.

A highly specialized computer must modulate the application of distraction forces in order to achieve the ideal effect. The system uses applies a gentle, curved angle pull which yields far greater treatment results that a less comfortable, sharp angle pull. Distraction must be offset by cycles of partial relaxation.

The system continuously monitors spinal resistance and adjusts distraction forces accordingly. A specific lumbar segment can be targeted for treatment by changing the angle of distraction. This technique of decompression may prevent muscle spasm and patient guarding. Constant activity monitoring takes place at a rate of 10,000 times per second, making adjustments not perceived by the eye as many as 20 times per second via its fractional metering and monitoring system.

Genuine decompression also involves the use of a special pelvic harness that supports the lumbar spine during therapy. Negative pressure within the disc is maintained throughout the treatment session. With genuine decompression, the pressure within the disc space can actually be lowered to about -150 mmHg. As a result, the damaged disc will be rehydrated with nutrients and oxygen.

Spinal Decompression

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:23:47 GMT

By Thomas A. Gionis, MD, JD, MBA, MHA, FICS, FRCS

Eric Groteke, DC, CCIC

The outcome of a clinical study evaluating the effect of nonsurgical intervention on symptoms of spine patients with herniated and degenerative disc disease is presented.

This clinical outcomes study was performed to evaluate the effect of spinal decompression on symptoms and physical findings of patients with herniated and degenerative disc disease. Results showed that 86% of the 219 patients who completed the therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms, while 84% remained pain-free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings showed improvement in 92% of the 219 patients, and remained intact in 89% of these patients 90 days after treatment.

This study shows that disc disease, the most common cause of back pain, which costs the American health care system more than $50 billion annually can be cost-effectively treated using spinal decompression. The cost for successful non-surgical therapy is less than a tenth of that for surgery. These results show that biotechnological advances of spinal decompression reveal promising results for the future of effective management of patients with disc herniation and degenerative disc diseases. Long-term outcome studies are needed to determine if non-surgical treatment prevents later surgery, or merely delays it.

INTRODUCTION: ADVANCES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

With the recent advances in biotechnology, spinal decompression has evolved into a cost-effective non-surgical treatment for herniated and degenerative spinal disc disease. Spinal decompression is one of the major causes of back pain.

This non-surgical treatment for herniated and degenerative spinal disc disease works on the affected spinal segment by significantly reducing intradiscal pressures.

Chronic low back pain disability is the most expensive benign condition that is medically treated in industrial countries. It is also the number one cause of disability in persons under age 45. After 45, it is the third leading cause of disability.

Disc disease costs the health care system more than $50 billion a year.

The intervertebral disc is made up of sheets of fibers that form a fibrocartilaginous structure, which encapsulates the inner mucopolysaccharide gel nucleus. The outer wall and gel act hydro-dynamically. The intrinsic pressure of the fluid within the semi-rigid enclosed outer wall allows hydrodynamic activity, making the intervertebral disc a mechanical structure.

As a person utilizes various normal ranges of motion, spinal discs deform as a result of pressure changes within the disc.4 The disc deforms, causing nuclear migration and elongation of annular fibers. Osteophytes develop along the junction of vertebral bodies and discs, causing a disease known as spondylosis. This disc narrows from the alteration of the nucleus pulpous, which changes from a gelatinous consistency to a more fibrous nature as the aging process continues. The disc space thins with sclerosis of the cartilaginous end plates and new bone formation around the periphery of the contiguous vertebral surfaces. The altered mechanics place stress on the posterior diarthrodial joints, causing them to lose their normal nuclear fulcrum for movement. With the loss of disc space, the plane of articulation of the facet surface is no longer congruous. This stress results in degenerative arthritis of the articular surfaces.

This is especially important in occupational repetitive injuries, which make up a majority of work-related injuries. When disc degeneration occurs, the layers of the annulus can separate in places and form circumferential tears. Several of these circumferential tears may unite and result in a radial tear where the material may herniate to produce disc herniation or prolapse. Even though a disc herniation may not occur, the annulus produces weakening, circumferential bulging, and loss of intervertebral disc height. As a result, discograms at this stage usually reveal reduced interdiscal pressure.

The early changes that have been identified in the nucleus pulpous and annulus fibrosis are probably biomechanical and relate to aging. Any additional trauma on these changes can speed up the process of degeneration. When there is a discogenic injury, physical displacement occurs, as well as tissue edema and muscle spasm, which increase the intradiscal pressures and restrict fluid migration.6 Additionally, compression injuries causing an endplate fracture can predispose the disc to degeneration in the future.

The alteration of normal kinetics is the most prevalent cause of lower back pain and disc disruption and thus it is vital to maintain homeostasis in and around the spinal disc; Yong-Hing and Kirkaldy-Willis7 have correlated this degeneration to clinical symptoms. The three clinical stages of spinal degeneration include:

Stage of Dysfunction. There is little pathology and symptoms are subtle or absent. The diagnosis of Lumbalgia and rotatory strain are commonly used.

Stage of Instability. Abnormal movement of the motion segment of instability exists and the patient complains of moderate symptoms with objective findings. Conservative care is used and sometimes surgery is indicated.

Stage of Stabilization. The third phase where there are severe degenerative changes of the disc and facets reduce motion with likely stenosis.

Spinal decompression has been shown to decompress the disc space, and in the clinical picture of low back pain is distinguishable from conventional spinal traction.

According to the literature, traditional traction has proven to be less effective and biomechanically inadequate to produce optimal therapeutic results.

In fact, one study by Mangion et al concluded that any benefit derived from continuous traction devices was due to enforced immobilization rather than actual traction.

In another study, Weber compared patients treated with traction to a control group that had simulated traction and demonstrated no significant differences.

Research confirms that traditional traction does not produce spinal decompression. Instead, decompression, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning of the intervertebral discs and facet joints of the lumbar spine, has been proven an effective treatment for herniated and degenerative disc disease, by producing and sustaining negative intradiscal pressure in the disc space. In agreement with Nachemon´s findings and Yong-Hing and Kirkaldy-Willis, 1 spinal decompression treatment for low back pain intervenes in the natural history of spinal degeneration.

Matthews used epidurography to study patients thought to have lumbar disc protrusion. With applied forces of 120 pounds x 20 minutes, he was able to demonstrate that the contrast material was drawn into the disc spaces by osmotic changes.

Goldfish speculates that the degenerated disc may benefit by lowering intradiscal pressure, affecting the nutritional state of the nucleus pulpous. Ramos and Martin8 showed by precisely directed distraction forces, intradiscal pressure could dramatically drop into a negative range.

A study by Onel et al reported the positive effects of distraction on the disc with contour changes by computed tomography imaging. High intradiscal pressures associated with both herniated and degenerated discs interfere with the restoration of homeostasis and repair of injured tissue.

Biotechnological advances have fostered the design of Food and Drug Administration-approved ergonomic devices that decompress the intervertebral discs. The biomechanics of these decompression/reduction machines work by decompression at the specific disc level that is diagnosed from finding on a comprehensive physical examination and the appropriate diagnostic imaging studies. The angle of decompression to the affected level causes a negative pressure intradiscally that creates an osmotic pressure gradient for nutrients, water, and blood to flow into the degenerated and/or herniated disc thereby allowing the phases of healing to take place.

This clinical outcomes study, which was performed to evaluate the effect of spinal decompression on symptoms of patients with herniated and degenerative disc disease, showed that 86% of the 219 patients who completed therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms, and 84% of those remained pain-free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings revealed improvement in 92% of the 219 patients who completed the therapy.

METHODS

The study group included 229 people, randomly chosen from 500 patients who had symptoms associated with herniated and degenerative disc disease that had been ongoing for at least 4 weeks.

Inclusion criteria included pain due to herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is more than 4 weeks old or persistent pain from degenerated discs not responding to 4 weeks of conservative therapy. All patients had to be available for 4 weeks of treatment protocol, be at least 18 years of age, and have an MRI within 6 months. Those patients who had previous back surgery were excluded.

Of note, 73 of the patients had experienced one to three epidural injections prior to this episode of back pain and 22 of those patients had epidurals for their current condition. Measurements were taken before the treatments began and again at week two, four, six, and 90 days post treatment. At each testing point a questionnaire and physical examination were performed without prior documentation present in order to avoid bias. Testing included the Oswetry questionnaire, which was utilized to quantify information related to measurement of symptoms and functional status.

Ten categories of questions about everyday activities were asked prior to the first session and again after treatment and 30 days following the last treatment.

Testing also consisted of a modified physical examination, including evaluation of reflexes (normal, sluggish, or absent), gait evaluation, the presence of kyphosis, and a straight leg raising test (radiating pain into the lower back and leg was categorized when raising the leg over 30 degrees or less is considered positive, but if pain remained isolated in the lower back, it was considered negative). Lumbar range of motion was measured with an ergonometer. Limitations ranging from normal to over 15 degrees in flexion and over 10 degrees in rotation and extension were positive findings. The investigator used pinprick and soft touch to determine the presence of gross sensory deficit in the lower extremities.

Of the 229 patients selected, only 10 patients did not complete the treatment protocol. Reasons for non-completion included transportation issues, family emergencies, scheduling conflicts, lack of motivation, and transient discomfort. The patient protocol provided for 20 treatments of spinal decompression over a 6-week course of therapy. Each session consisted of a 45-minute treatment on the equipment followed by 15 minutes of ice and interferential frequency therapy to consolidate the lumbar paravertebral muscles. The patient regimen included 2 weeks of daily spinal decompression treatment (5 days per week), followed by three sessions per week for 2 weeks, concluding with two sessions per week for the remaining 2 weeks of therapy.

On the first day of treatment …

The applied pressure was measured as one half of the person´s body weight minus 10 pounds, followed on the second day with one half of the persons body weight. The pressure placed for the remainder of the 18 sessions was equivalent to one half of the patient’s body weight plus an additional 10 pounds. The angle of treatment was set according to manufacturer’s protocol after identifying a specific lumbar disc correlated with MRI findings. A session would begin with the patient being fitted with a customized lower and upper harness to fit their specific body frame. The patient would step onto a platform located at the base of the equipment, which simultaneously calculated body weight and determined proper treatment pressure. The patient was then lowered into the supine position, where the investigator would align the split of table with the top of the patient’s iliac crest. A pneumatic air pump was used to automatically increase lordosis of the lumbar spine for patient comfort. The patient’s chest harness was attached and tightened to the table. An automatic shoulder support system tightened and affixed the patient’s upper body. A knee pillow was placed to maintain slight flexion of the knees. With use of the previously calculated treatment pressures, spinal decompression was then applied. After treatment, the patient received 15 minutes of interferential frequency (80 to 120 Hz) therapy and cold packs to consolidate paravertebral muscles.

During the initial 2 weeks of treatment, the patients were instructed to wear lumbar support belts and limit activities, and were placed on light duty at work. In addition, they were prescribed a non-steroidal, to be taken 1 hour before therapy and at bedtime during the first 2 weeks of treatment. After the second week of treatment, medication was decreased and moderate activity was permitted.

Data was collected from 219 patients treated during this clinical study. Study demographics consisted of 79 female and 140 male patients. The patients treated ranged from 24 to 74 years of age. The average weight of the females was 146 pounds and the average weight of the men was 195 pounds. According to the Oswestry Pain Scale, patients reported their symptoms ranging from no pain (0) to severe pain (5).

PATIENT GROUPS

The patients were further subdivided into six groups:

• single lateral herniation 67 cases

• single central herniation 22 cases

• single lateral herniation with disc degeneration 32 cases

• single central herniation with disc degeneration. 24 cases

• more than 1 herniation with disc degeneration 17 cases

• more than 1 herniation without disc degeneration 57 cases

RESULTS

According to the self-rated Oswestry Pain Scale, treatment was successful in 86% of the 219 patients included in this study.

Treatment success was defined by a reduction in pain to 0 or 1 on the pain scale. The perception of pain was none 0 to occasional 1 without any further need for medication or treatment in 188 patients. These patients reported complete resolution of pain, lumbar range of motion was normalized, and there was recovery of any sensory or motor loss. The remaining 31 patients reported significant pain and disability, despite some improvement in their overall pain and disability score.

In this study …

… only patients diagnosed with herniated and degenerative discs with at least a 4-week onset were eligible. Each patient’s diagnosis was confirmed by MRI findings. All selected patients reported 3 to 5 on the pain scale with radiating neuritis into the lower extremities. By the second week of treatment, 77% of patients had a greater than 50% resolution of low back pain. Subsequent orthopedic examinations demonstrated that an increase in spinal range of motion directly correlated with an improvement in straight leg raises and reflex response.

Ninety-two percent of patients with abnormal physical findings improved post-treatment. Ninety days later only 3% of these patients had abnormal findings.

The above table summarizes the percentage of patients that showed improvement in physician examination findings testing both motor and sensory system function after treatment. Gait improved in 96% of the individuals who started with an abnormal gait, while 96% of those with sluggish reflexes normalized. Sensory perception improved in 93% of the patients, motor limitation diminished in 86%, 89% had a normal straight leg raise test that initially tested abnormal, and 90% showed improvement in their spinal range of motion.

Isn’t decompression just a fancy name for a traction machine?

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:19:05 GMT

No. There is a big different between traction, distraction and decompression.

Traction has been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The problem with traction as it is known today is that it is not always beneficial. In 1998, the Scientific American rated traction to be of little or no value in the examination of efficacious therapies for lower back pain. This finding is consistent with many studies that report traction can often times signal a nociceptive splinting response and put a patient’s back muscles in spasm, resisting any attempts to effect a change on the disc proper.

Distraction, a term used to describe a flexion distraction technique, attempts to reposition the spine from the offending lesion. This technique has been shown to be very effective, even though potentially damaging to the person performing the technique and largely dependent on the skill of the technician. Like traction, distraction procedures are limited in the ability to reduce the intradiscal pressure, or produce a negative pressure within the disc imbibing fluid, nutrients and creating an environment for repair.

Decompression therefore is an event – a combination of restraint, angle position and equipment engineering. One can experience traction without decompression, but not decompression without traction.

Traction is a machine – Decompression is an event.

Low Level Laser Therapy

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:17:58 GMT

Dr. Oshidar is one of just a few progressive physicians who utilizes Low Level Laser Therapy, which is used to treat various conditions. We use the Chattanooga Intellect Laser which is FDA approved. Cold laser therapy is part of the treatments for Lance Armstrong, a six time Tour de France winner, as well as other elite professional athletes. The US Olympic Committee enthusiastically endorsed Low Level Laser Therapy in January of 2004. Our Cold Laser uses a non-heat producing light laser, which is locked at a specific wavelength that is optimal for treatment and can penetrate deeply into tissue. Our Cold Laser or Low Level Laser Therapy is emerging as the therapeutic modality in the healing arts community.

The Cold Laser, or Low Level Laser Therapy, can be used for …

Inflammatory conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Epicondylitis, Plantar Fascitis, and Bursitis with excellent results

Pain management for Fibromyalgia Myofscial pain, neck pain, mid-back pain, and low back pain.

Connective tissue disorders such as sprains, strains, tendonitis, and tendon ruptures.

Joint injuries or disorders such as TMJ disorders, osteoarthritis, dislocations, and ligament injuries.

Muscle injury or disorders such as muscle bruises, contusions, muscle ruptures, and muscle shortening contractures like frozen shoulders.

Neurological injury or disorders such as prolapsed disc, ruptured or herniated discs, crush injuries, neuritis, and headaches.

The biological effects of how Low Level Laser Therapy has been shown to significantly accelerate and enhance the body’s natural defense and repair abilities when injured. By reducing the duration of inflammation as well as enhancing specific repair and healing process, Low Level Laser.

Therapy has been proven to provide pain relief, reduce damage due to the injury and loss of function. Low Level Laser Therapy enables the body to have a more rapid repair and stronger tissues once healed.

Are you a Candidate for Treatment?

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:14:41 GMT

Since non-specific low back pain and cervical pain generally encompass a myriad of mechanical failures, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue that encroach or produce pressure on the nerves, the term intervertebral disc syndrome can be used. This diagnosis does not necessarily require (although recommended) an MRI to confirm the presence of a disc involvement.

The following would be inclusion criteria for the Decompression Therapy …

(1) Pain due to herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is more than four weeks old;

(2) Recurrent pain from a failed back surgery that is more than six months old;

(3) Persistent pain from degenerated discs not responding to four weeks of therapy;

(4) Patients available for four TO eight weeks of treatment protocol; and

(5) Patient at least 18 years of age.

These indications are ideal candidates for enrollment into our program and have the potential of achieving quality outcomes in the treatment of their back pain …

(1) Nerve Compression;

(2) Lumbar Disorders;

(3) Lumbar Strains;

(4) Sciatic Neuralgia;

(5) Herniated Discs;

(6) Injury of the Lumbar Nerve Root;

(7) Degenerative Discs;

(8) Spinal Arthritis;

(9) Low Back Pain w/ or w/o Sciatica;

(10) Degenerative Joint Disease;

(11) Myofasctois Syndrome;

(12) Disuse Atrophy;

(13) Lumbar Instability;

(14) Acute Low Back Pain; and

(15) Post-Surgical Low Back Pain.

Lastly, the system should be utilized with patients with low back pain, with or without radiculopathy who have failed conventional therapy (physiotherapy and chiropractic) and who are considering surgery. Surgery should only be considered following a reasonable trial of Decompression therapy protocols.

Misalignment

Thu, 23 May 2024 03:07:57 GMT

Many painful conditions are caused by a misalignment of the musculo-skeletal system, especially of the spine and joints throughout the body. This can have effects on your general health, including the nervous system.

The best chiropractic care is focused on alleviating many types of pain through gentle manipulation of the spine, joints and muscles. Doctor Oshidar at Advanced Back and Neck Care knows that a healthy body is achieved through a healthy spine, nervous system, muscles and joints.

Advanced Back and Neck Care offers a multi-disciplinary team approach to patient care including our medical pain management specialist, chiropractic physician, massage therapist, and (coming soon) a physical therapy department. Whatever pain or discomfort you may have, we can evaluate, diagnose and treat it, all within the comfort of our Madison Avenue Office.

Our board-certified team ensures a complete healthcare experience.

At ABNC, we don’t just treat the symptoms, we solve the problem. Our friendly staff will handle all of your insurance issues. You can call to make an appointment with our board-certified staff to begin immediate treatment for your pain disorder. With personalized attention and expert care, ABNC will alleviate your pain and discomfort so you can return to a healthy and active life.

Call us today to make an appointment .

LIST OF CONDITIONS: Bulging/herniated discs . Pinched nerves . Muscle/joint stiffness and pain . Sports injuries . Automobile and work accidents . Headaches . Sciatica . Pregnancy related back pain . Carpal Tunnel syndrome

SERVICES PROVIDED: Chiropractic manipulation/traction . Extensive Spinal Rehab Exercises and Stretching . SPORT KAT 4000 Computerized Balance trainer . DTS decompression traction . Mettler Cold Laser Therapy . PENS (Electric Acupuncture performed by Pain Management Specialist) . Personal Injury . Medical Massage (by appointment)

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