What do I do?

What do you do?

When people ask me what I do, I'm never sure how to answer.
I'm a chiropractor, but that doesn't say much about what I do.

No, most people don't know much about chiropractic.

I help people with back and neck pain have less pain in a very short time. I also help them reduce reliance on drugs and surgery, keeping the large majority of them from needing either. The side effects of my treatments are reported by patients to be: sleeping better, fewer headaches, less intense PMS, more energy, and others. Once they are feeling better with less pain and better sleep, I offer them options to improve their wellness naturally with lifestyle changes. These can range from exercise advice to sleeping advice;  from diet advice to supplement advice. Some people have issues with fatigue and need lab work performed to determine what the underlying cause of their fatigue is. After taking a good history, and examining them physically, we order lab work. The results of all of these help determine what the best plan is to balance their body. Each patient is different. Some want to treat their issues with food and exercise. Some prefer to take supplements. Some need the boost from herbs to "nudge" their body toward a more balanced function. And this procedure works for fatigue, migraines, diabetes, weight gain, malaise, arthritis, heart disease, auto-immune disease, etc.

Not all chiropractors do all of these procedures. And some do other procedures such as acupuncture. In general, chiropractors provide care for the structure of the body, providing manipulations to keep the joints working better, which in turn, keeps the brain working better in conjunction with each body part.

The lifestyle changes fall under the "Functional Medicine" category and are separate from chiropractic. This search for the underlying cause enables us to treat the whole person.

The good bedside manner, treating people as whole people with careful listening and providing the care they desire, fall under the category of "Caring Doctor."

Top Ten Foods To Bust Belly Fat

Belly fat accumulates around the mid-section and is a big concern for many. Studies have shown that it increases your risk for heart problems. So, how does one get rid of this unsightly problem? The ideal way is to choose your foods carefully and get some regular exercise (like walking daily).

Certain foods will help get you on your way to losing those extra inches.

Photo courtesy of Apolonia by www.freedigitalphotos.net

1. Almonds are full of protein and nutrients, and unsaturated fat which is healthier for you. The unsaturated fat will make you feel fuller and you will eat less.

2. Watermelons are a great food because they are mostly water and that fills you up. But, don’t think they are just sugar, actually they are chock full of B1, B6, C and magnesium and potassium. And very low sugar, they just taste like they have a lot of sugar.

3. Celery is a natural cleanser for the inside of the body, adding it to salads or eating it with almond butter is a great option. Celery is high in vitamin C, fiber and calcium and digesting it takes more calories than the celery itself supplies.

4. Cucumbers are another food that is high in water content. They are also cleansing to the inside of the body and provide vitamins B and C.

5. Tomatoes are very low calorie and high in nutrients. They help reduce fat in the blood and provide lycopene which reduces wrinkles, fights cancer and reduces cholesterol. You may want to avoid these if you have rheumatoid arthritis, but if you don’t, you will want to eat some raw and some cooked, every day. They also provide iron, potassium and vitamins A and C.

6. Avocadoes are high in fat, but it is the monounsaturated form mostly which is good for you. Only 2 g of saturated fat. They are rich in fiber, Vitamins C and A, and potassium. They also have a little protein and Vitamin E, so overall a well rounded food. (Also on EWGs clean list)

7. Apples are great fruit, full of the best fiber, flavinoids, phytosterols, and beta-carotene. The old saying “an apple a day . . . ” really is true. Apples clean the inside of the body and provide antioxidants and fiber.

8. Tart cherries reduce cholesterol, lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Cherries, particularly tart cherries, remove fat from the blood, and are a great source of vitamins C and A and fiber.

9. Pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit that provides bromelain, vitamins B and C, protein, manganese, copper, and thiamine and fiber.  Bromelain helps process protein so it helps keep the fat off the belly, but it is very high in sugar, so use in moderation.

10. Last, but not least, dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is delicious, with the added bonus of being rich in antioxidants and vitamins. But this one, like pineapple, must be eaten in moderation due to the high fat and sugar content. And you want to find an organic, high cacao (or cocoa) content chocolate to get the best benefit in exchange for all those calories.  About 1 – 1.5 oz of dark chocolate is believed to stimulate hormones that increase metabolism, so you must be doing some exercise and eating chocolate in moderation to reap this benefit.

References:
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/89/3/794.full

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/bromelain

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/superfoods/top-10-superfoods-reduce-belly-fat.html

What’s Really In Your Herbal Remedy?

Herbal supplements (botanicals; plant-based medicine) have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Today they are recognized for having drug-like effects such as improving mood. Products that can have medicinal effects also carry risk, especially if taken with other medicines or supplements. However, most over-the-counter herbal supplements are not subjected to the same scientific scrutiny and aren’t as strictly regulated as medications.

As noted in our article about dietary supplements, makers of herbal supplements are not required to submit their products for FDA approval before going to market. Their only requirement is to demonstrate their products meet quality manufacturing standards. Studies have shown this is not enough: Many over-the-counter herbals are contaminated or substituted with alternative plant species and fillers that are not listed on the label. According to the World Health Organization, this adulteration of herbal products is a threat to consumer safety.

Before buying herbal supplements, do your homework and investigate potential benefits and side effects. Follow our tips below to help identify quality herbal supplements. Before taking an herbal supplement, talk your health practitioner–especially if you take other medications, have chronic health problems, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Quality Factors: Look for products that indicate standardized extracts; no fillers, preservatives/additives; naturally harvested; fair-trade/sustainable manufacturing practices.

Quality Control: Quality control (QC) refers to processes for maintaining the purity of a product. Without QC, there is no assurance that the herb contained in the bottle is the same as what is stated on the outside. One of the key solutions to the QC problem that exists in the United States is for manufacturers and suppliers to adhere to standardized manufacturing practices.

Products should indicate they are third-party tested. Look for a USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia) seal of approval. Check products (and product recalls) on these websites: Council for Responsible Nutrition, ConsumerLabs, and the National Institutes of Health Dietary Supplement QA Program. Check the product website for more information.
Your best source of educational support is your health care practitioner.

• References:
• Cleveland Clinic. “Herbal Supplements: Helpful or Harmful?” Reviewed December 2013.
• Mayo Clinic. “Herbal Supplements: What to Know Before You Buy.”
• Newmaster, S., et al. “DNA Barcoding Detects Contamination and Substitution in North American Herbal Products.” BMC Medicine 11 (2013): 222.
• Pizzorno, J.E. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Fourth edition. St Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Publishing: 2014.
• U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention. “USP & Dietary Supplement Manufacturers.”

The Secret of Insulin Resistance

Glucose in the blood stream that is excess causes sugar to attach to proteins in the blood. These proteins are not supposed to have glucose attached to them and this is glycosylation. This glycosylation has been linked to aging and inflammation.

Anyone who has Diabetes knows that they are supposed to avoid sugar. But many don’t know the new information that pasta, bread, cereal and all foods made of wheat and rye break down into sugar. This means the body uses grains like sugar and this can make your blood sugar go through the roof. This leads to glycosylation of the proteins and these glycosylated proteins cause oxidation. Oxidation is a leading cause of aging, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and ALS.

Diabetics need to add sugar and wheat and rye to their DO NOT EAT list. Need help with what TO EAT or what natural remedies you can add to your pharmaceutical medication? We can help your body age more slowly and feel better too. Call the office today for individual consultation. 407-716-6553

Does Sleep Affect Your Efforts to Lose Weight?

The short answer is yes,although not directly. But researchers have found the connection between sleep deprivation and gaining weight.

Often the correlation is the foods that we choose when we are fatigued and not thinking clearly, namely junk food. That extra piece of chocolate cake looks mighty good when we are too tired to cook and the brain is running on low fuel.

But, it is deeper than that. When the brain is deprived of the minimum requirement of 7-9 hours of sleep over a few days (or months), the hunger hormones, ghrelin and leptin are affected. Leptin levels drop significantly and ghrelin levels increase drastically. These two hormones tell the brain when to eat and when to stop. When put together, it is a double whammy on the hunger pangs, no wonder we gain weight. Added to this hormonal imbalance is a rise in cortisol in response to the stress of fatigue. This cortisol spike encourages the body to conserve energy during awake hours. We conserve fat.

Finally, on the hormonal front, insulin drops drastically. In a study at the University of Chicago, researchers found that within just 4 days of insufficient sleep, your body’s ability to process insulin changed significantly, decreasing hormonal sensitivity by more than 30 %. This leads to poor processing and storage of fat.

Many times, very simple guidelines will help the body find its balance again. The basics are pretty simple:

• Shut down your computer, cell phone, and TV at least an hour before you hit the sack.
• Save your bedroom for sleep and sex. Think relaxation and release, rather than work or entertainment.
• Create a bedtime ritual. It’s not the time to tackle big issues. Instead, take a warm bath, meditate, or read.
• Stick to a schedule, waking up and retiring at the same times every day, even on weekends.
• Watch what and when you eat. Avoid eating heavy meals and alcohol close to bedtime, which may cause heartburn and make it hard to fall asleep. And steer clear of soda, tea, coffee, and chocolate after 2 p.m. Caffeine stays in your system for 5 to 6 hours.
• Turn out the lights. Darkness cues your body to release the natural sleep hormone melatonin, while light suppresses it.

If you have tried these techniques and still suffer from sleep deprivation, there is help without drugs or hormones. The class at the office on October 27th will cover 3 alternatives to try to get more ZZZ’s. The class is free, and open to the public, but seating is limited, so please RSVP today!

11 DEC 2014

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is an ancient healing art derived from the Greek term for “hand practice.”  Chiropractors differ from other healthcare professionals in that they are trained to find and treat small misalignments in the spine called “subluxations.” By finding and correcting these slight misalignments, the body can heal itself and function better. If left uncorrected, subluxuations can hinder a variety of bodily functions, and cause further pain to an individual.

Although chiropractors are often characterized as “back doctors,” they in fact treat the entire body, and are concerned about the totality of an individual’s health and well-being. While chiropractors sometimes order X-rays, as a practice, they do not prescribe drugs or pain killers, or perform surgery. Licensed chiropractors must earn eight years of education, and focus on such areas as spine adjustments, rehabilitation, physiotherapy. If necessary, they will make referrals to medical doctors. There is a fundamental and philosophical difference between mainstream doctors and chiropractors: mainstream doctors focus on treating disease, pathology, and using pharmaceuticals to treat symptoms. Chiropractors, on the other hand, are concerned with prevention. They employ natural techniques to not merely quell pain, but to eliminate it.

One of the main focus of chiropractic is the reduction of stress. Many people experience back pain, neck pain, headaches, stress, insomnia, and depression. Chiropractic aims to reduce these human issues in a natural and long-lasting manner. An individual’s nervous system is evaluated by a chiropractor, therapies are discussed, and a plan involving nutrition, exercise, health, and stress-reduction techniques is developed. If the nervous system is causing disturbances in the body, they require spinal correction — and this is the expertise of the Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractic is a catharsis of spinal disturbances that allows you to function at your optimum level.

Contact us today to start living at your optimum level of function. Let’s get and keep you healthy.

Quick Tips for Lower Back Pain

Quick Tips for Lower Back Pain

Eight out of ten people will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. In most cases, the cause is mechanical, not a disease process like arthritis or fractures. Treatments for low back pain cost over 80 million dollars per year in America. But, before you use drugs to dull the pain, I cannot stress enough how important it is to get to the root cause of the pain. Many times, the cause can be treated with chiropractic care, lifestyle changes, and the way to use your lower back.

A sedentary lifestyle and too much sitting is bad for your back. Staying in this position for hours every day causes some muscles to be very strong and others to be very weak, creating an imbalance that alone is a risk for back problems. The best advice that I give my patients who sit at a desk all day is simply not to sit all day. Standing, stretching, walking all reduce the stress on the body. Also, while sitting, pull the shoulders back, center the ears over the shoulders and suck in the gut, then hold this position for several minutes. If these suggestions do not help, you will want to consult an expert.

One of the best tactics to help treat back pain is to see a qualified chiropractor. I am an avid supporter of the chiropractic philosophy, which puts great emphasis on your body’s innate healing wisdom and does not rely on “Band-Aids” like drugs and surgery.

The problem is that a lot of people ignore chiropractic care, thinking that it’s just “pushing bones into place.” However, there’s a whole lot more to chiropractic care. In fact, one of the basic foundations of this health system is “vitalism” – recognizing that the human body has an innate healing intelligence or ‘life force’ that guides and directs your body’s healing process.

Qualified chiropractic, osteopathic, and naturopathic physicians are reliable, as they have received extensive training in the care of musculoskeletal disorders during their course of graduate healthcare training, which lasts between four to eight years. These health experts have comprehensive training in musculoskeletal management.

Many studies have confirmed that chiropractic management is much safer and less expensive than allopathic medical treatments, especially when used for low-back pain treatment.

What’s more, researchers have also found that chiropractic adjustments may affect the chemistry of biological processes on a cellular level. Chiropractic care can affect the basic physiological processes that profoundly influence oxidative stress, immune function and DNA repair. This means that aside from addressing any immediate spinal misalignment that might cause back pain, chiropractic care can also help address, prevent and treat deeper dysfunctions in your body.

Chiropractors also focus on exercise and therapies to strengthen and balance muscles that have been compromised.

If your chiropractor is well versed in weight loss and herbs, they may also guide you toward more natural methods of controlling pain and inflammation that support the body’s innate pain-blocking systems.

I strongly urge you to try these simple, but effective methods before settling on invasive and sometimes harmful pharmaceutical or surgical “Band-Aids.”