Hill Chiropractic and Wellness

Medical versus Chiropractic

2011-03-09T09:09:00.001-08:00

Have you ever considered who is best suited to treat back pain?

Since there are so many treatment options available today, it is quite challenging to make this decision without some help.

A study looking at this very question compared the effectiveness between medical and chiropractic intervention.

Over a 4-year time frame, 2780 patients were followed (initial, 2-week, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 48 month intervals) with questionnaires. Both acute (symptoms less than 7 weeks) and chronic (symptoms longer than 7 weeks) low back pain (LBP) patients were treated using conventional approaches by both MDs (Medical Doctors) and DCs (Doctors of Chiropractic).

Chiropractic treatments included spinal manipulation, physical therapy, and exercise plan, and self-care education.

Medical therapies included prescription drugs, an exercise plan, self-care advice and about 25%of the patients received physical therapy.

The study focused on present pan severity and functional disability (activity interference) measured by questionnaires mailed to the patients.

It was reported that chiropractic was favored over medical treatment in the following areas:

- Pain relief in the first 12 months (more evident in the chronic patients)

- When LBP pain radiated below the knee (more evident in the chronic patients)

- Chronic LBP patients with no leg pain (during the first three months)

Similar trends favoring chiropractic were seen for disability but were of smaller magnitude.

All patient groups saw significant improvement in both pain and disability over the four year study period.

Acute patients saw the greatest degree of improvement with many achieving symptom relief after three months of care. Noteworthy, at the three year point, 1/2 to 3/4 off all the patients reported at least 30 days of pain during the prior year including those that responded well after early treatment.

Also, 19% to 27% of chronic LBP patients noted daily pain during the prior year. This suggests that LBP is more likely to return at times in future, which many have similarly reported to be true.

However, this study also found that early intervention reduced chronic pain and, at year three, those acute LBP patients who received early intervention reported fewer days of LBP than those who waited longer for treatment.

While both MDs and DCs treatment approaches helped, it's quite clear from the information reported that chiropractic should be utilized first.

These findings support the importance of early intervention by chiropractic physicians and make the most sense for those of you struggling with the question of who to see for your LBP.

(reprinted from "weeklyhealthupdate" Ben Altadonna)

~ Don't Forget ~

The Ultimate Health Workshop Starts tonight!!
When:    2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings starting March 9, 2011
Times:    From 6:15pm to 8:00pm
Meal:     A light dinner will be served
Cost:      All are welcome- dinner and admission are free!
RSVP:    Required   (760) 724-8888

Have a great month!

Dr. Hill and Staff
Hill Chiropractic & Wellness
www.VistaChiro.com

Call us today!
(760) 724-8888

Nutrition and Diet Tips

2011-02-11T13:49:00.001-08:00

Nutrition and Diet Tips

A healthy diet calls for a wide variety of nutrients and vitamins and provides many benefits, such as helping achieve and maintain a healthy weight level and providing one with enough energy and vitality for daily exercise. In addition to eating a variety of healthy foods for adequate nutrition, there are several other aspects of self care that help support and maintain a healthy diet over the long term.

Drink Plenty of Water
It is vitally important to drink plenty of water as part of a healthy diet to nourish the entire body, which is comprised of about 60% to 70% water. Drinking water to stay well hydrated allows nutrients to travel to the major organs in the body, helps remove waste and helps protect joints and organs.
Article continues below

Water is also important for the spine and back. For example, intervertebral discs consist largely of water (at birth, discs are about eighty percent water, although this usually declines with age). Therefore, keeping the body well hydrated by drinking water regularly is important to nourish the spinal discs and help keep them healthy.

It is generally recommended to drink at least 8 large glasses of water each day as part of a healthy diet. In addition, it is important to drink water continuously through the day rather than drinking only when thirsty. Drinking enough water to stay well hydrated also helps with maintaining optimal weight or achieving weight loss as necessary.

Exercise Regularly
Getting enough exercise is critical for many reasons. When it comes to the back, exercise provides the double-benefit of helping problems heal more quickly and helping prevent a recurrence of the pain. Movement through gentle, controlled exercise stimulates a flow of nutrients within the spinal structures that helps with the healing process. For example, physical activity causes the intervertebral discs to swell with water and then squeeze it out, a process necessary to allow the exchange nutrients between the discs and other spinal structures. If physical activity and gentle exercise is lacking, the spinal discs are deprived of the nutrients they need to stay healthy and functional.

A focused exercise program - usually guided by a spine health professional - is a critical part of almost any back pain treatment. Most exercise programs include a combination of stretching, strengthening and low-impact aerobic exercise. For people who do not have back problems, exercise is also important in order to reduce the risk of developing back problems in the future.

Avoid Smoking
In addition to consuming proper amounts of certain nutrients and vitamins, there are also substances that harm the body and are detrimental to one's overall health. In particular, smoking (nicotine) is harmful in many ways. When it comes to back problems, there is now evidence that smoking damages the vascular structures of the discs and joints in the back, causing weakness that leads to low back pain. One study concluded that development of low back pain and lumbar spondylitis was significantly associated with smoking history. Please see Does Smoking Cause Low Back Pain? for more information.

In addition, nicotine undermines the fusion process after spine fusion surgery by inhibiting bone growth. Spine fusion surgery is an extensive procedure, and patients who choose to have this surgery to address their severe, ongoing back pain should quit smoking to give the best chance possible of allowing the bone to heal. See Obtaining a solid spine fusion for more explanation.

Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol acts as a depressant, which can contribute to feelings of depression and chronic pain. In turn, ongoing pain and depression are interrelated and each can worsen the affects of the other. Alcohol lacks nutritional value and adds unneeded sugar to the diet, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

Kelly Andrews, DC
spine-health

Have a great month!

Dr. Hill and Staff
Hill Chiropractic & Wellness
www.VistaChiro.com

Call us today!
(760) 724-8888

How to Easily Enhance Weight Loss

2011-01-17T17:05:00.001-08:00

Exercise Before Breakfast -
Counteracts Poor Diet and Aids Weight Loss

A new study suggests that exercising in the morning, before eating, can significantly lessen the ill effects of a poor holiday diet.

Researchers recruited healthy, active young men and fed them a bad diet for six weeks. A group of them that exercised before breakfast gained almost no weight and showed no signs of insulin resistance. What's more, they burned the fat they were taking in more efficiently.

According to the New York Times:
"... Working out before breakfast directly combated the two most detrimental effects of eating a high-fat, high-calorie diet. It also helped the men avoid gaining weight."

Sources:
   New York Times December 15, 2010
   Journal of Physiology Nov 1, 2010;588(Pt 21):4289-302

The study in question lasted for six weeks. It included 28 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 25, divided into three groups; those who:
1.    Exercised before eating a carbohydrate-rich breakfast, and drank only water during exercise
2.    Ate a carbohydrate-rich breakfast before exercising, and drank sugary drinks such as sports drinks during their workout
3.    Ate an identical diet but did not exercise at all

The men who exercised, ran and cycled at a strenuous intensity four times a week.
Overall, the men had identical high-calorie, high-fat diets. The primary difference was whether—and most importantly, when—they exercised. The other difference was the type of beverages they drank during exercise.

At the end of the trial, the non-exercising control group had gained an average of more than six pounds, and had developed insulin resistance—the precursor to type 2 diabetes.

Those who ate breakfast prior to hitting the gym gained an average of about three pounds; half the weight gain of those who did not exercise. However, they too had developed insulin resistance...

The only group that gained almost no weight, and showed no signs of insulin resistance were those who exercised before eating breakfast, and drank only water during their workout.

I want to draw your attention to how the type of beverage consumed during exercise can also have a major impact on your weight loss and health goals.

You'll want to avoid all types of sugary drinks, including sports drinks, for up to two hours after your workout because fructose obliterates the growth hormone response.

Clearly, the fasting exercise group reaped the benefits of both fasting and not ruining their efforts with carbohydrate-rich beverages...

The authors concluded that:
"This study for the first time shows that fasted training is more potent than fed training to facilitate adaptations in muscle and to improve whole-body glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity during hyper-caloric fat-rich diet."

That's quite remarkable, considering all three groups consumed very high caloric diets. This is powerful evidence that occasional indulgences do not have to lead to excessive weight gain, which is great news for most of us, especially in light of the recent holidays.

But even beyond holiday excesses, it's quite clear that something as simple as modifying your schedule to exercise before eating your first meal of the day can have a very beneficial and protective impact on your health and weight.

It's 2011 !

We hope you all had a great holiday season. As we start into 2011, it is a great time to stop by the office and get a Chiropractic "check up". There is no better prevention to illness than making sure your body is in proper alignment. Additionally, with applied kinesiology (muscle testing) we can determine if there is a specific nutritional deficiency that if supported can make your new year even better.

Have a great month!

Dr. Hill and Staff
Hill Chiropractic & Wellness
www.VistaChiro.com

Call us today!
(760) 724-8888

The Spinal Link to Headaches

2010-12-06T11:30:00.001-08:00

The Spinal Link to Headaches

Headaches are so common that we rarely question the cause. Headaches can be caused by something as simple as jet lag to something serious such as a brain tumor.

If you suffer from headaches, it is important that you get the diagnosis correct. Remember that head pain is the symptom, not the actual problem. It is how your body indicates that there is a problem, so therefore requires some determining of the cause. Every case is different.

If you are not getting your headaches under control, then why not take a different and more natural approach to your health. There is no headache bone in your spine, nor a button the chiropractor can push to make the headache go away on its own. It can take one visit or several, but generally an improvement is seen in a very short period of time. It's impossible to determine if you have a spinal problem and whether this is the cause for your headaches, without an examination. Why not set up an appointment today?

To your health,

Dr. Hill and staff

(760) 724-8888

COUPON SPECIAL

- only a couple weeks left! -

SPECIAL 10% Discount on Cataplex A-C-P

Mention Coupon Code 12310 when purchasing, and save 10%!

Holiday Hours:

Christmas Eve: Closed at noon

New Year's Eve: Closed at noon

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

DAN Certified, Holiday Hours

2010-11-19T16:06:00.000-08:00

Did you know . . . Dr. Hill is DAN certified?

DAN is an acronym for "Defeat Autism Now". A DAN certified Chiropractor is one who is involved with the support of organ and nutritional deficiencies associated with Autism. These include digestive disorders, food allergies and reactivity, and metabolic functions especially involving liver detoxification and support for cognitive processes, to increase focus and function.

If you or someone you know struggles with Autism, call for an appointment to see how Dr. Hill Chiropractic can help.

Looking forward to helping you get healthy and stay healthy this year and well into the next,

Dr. David Hill and Staff
(760) 724-8888

www.VistaChiro.com

PLEASE NOTE

HILL CHIROPRACTIC will be CLOSED WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY for the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving.

COUPON SPECIAL

SPECIAL 10% Discount on Cataplex A-C-P
Mention Coupon Code 12310 when purchasing, and save 10%!

Cold and Flu Season has Arrived

2010-11-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

But Cataplex A-C-P has too! As we move once again into cold and flu season (not to mention back-to-school), it is important to keep your immune system in peak condition. Cataplex A-C-P is one way to not only combat any effects you may already have, but many patients use this whole-food supplement as a preventative immune booster to stay healthy during this vulnerable season. In addition to any supplements you may be taking to keep your immune system strong, remember that regular adjustments will help keep proper blood flow and restore normal nerve supply, thereby helping to keep you healthy.

Looking forward to helping you get healthy and stay healthy this year and well into the next,

Dr. David Hill and Staff
(760) 724-8888

www.VistaChiro.com

COUPON SPECIAL

SPECIAL 10% Discount on Cataplex A-C-P
Mention Coupon Code 12310 when purchasing, and save 10%!

Breaking your Resolutions

2010-07-14T21:24:00.001-07:00

Breaking your Resolutions

With over half the year gone, here are four ways to achieve your resolutions and improve your health once and for all:

1. Set attainable goals - Unreasonable goals set people up for failure.

If you have been 50 lbs overweight since college, it's unreasonable to

think you're going to drop that weight overnight. Instead, set

reasonable, short-term goals and objectives.

2. Have a support system - Surround yourself with people who will help

you achieve your goals.

3. Be positive - Healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising or quitting

smoking can have a big impact on your overall health. Rather than

focusing on what you are giving up, focus on the gain.

4. Persevere - Many times, resolutions are derailed by one slip up. This

doesn't have to be the case. If your resolution is to quit smoking and

you smoke a cigarette, start fresh the next day. Use your slip up as a

learning tool. Why did it happen and what can you do to prevent it

from happening again?

June Events, Bring your Pets??

2010-06-23T15:57:00.001-07:00

HILL CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLNESS - Your Chiro for life~

There will not be a "Hope 4 UR Health" class tonight, but we will resume again next week. Here is the June/July schedule for classes. Please note these on your calendar:

June 23: No Class tonight
June 30: Class at normal time, 6:30 pm at Dr. Hill's office on main street
July 7: Class at normal time, 6:30 pm at Dr. Hill's office on main street
July 14: Class at normal time, 6:30 pm at Dr. Hill's office on main street
July 21: Class at normal time, 6:30 pm at Dr. Hill's office on main street
July 28: Class at normal time, 6:30 pm at Dr. Hill's office on main street

BRING YOUR PETS to the Chiropractor!
We are staring a new program to introduce patients to our nutritional healing for pets. To launch this new program, we will have two days (and special times) set aside for pets only, and we will NOT be charging for these visits. Make sure you call the office to schedule an appointment as these times will fill up fast. Here are the dates and times:

Thursday July 1st from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm and
Thursday July 8th from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm

Outside of these days and times, there will be a charge. If you have questions on nutrition and structural adjustments available for you particular pet, please call the office. We have seen great results with many of our patient's pets, eliminating pains and problems.

Dr. Hill and Staff
(760) 724-8888

Nutritional Response Testing, Part 4

2010-06-22T09:22:00.001-07:00

Many people we see in our practice have eaten themselves into their current state of ill-health , to one degree or another. The deficiencies or imbalances lead to a breakdown in resistance, or immunity, and a loss of the ability to cope with environmental stresses (chemical, microscopic, or otherwise).

The good news is that it is possible to reverse the process! It is possible to restore your health.
What could be more natural? What could be more correct? Each cell, tissue, and organ in your body is in the process of replacing itself every day, month, and year. The health of each organ is dependent on making the correct nutrients available to upgrade or to maintain the health of the body at a cellular level.

Designed Clinical Nutrition provides the right basic materials.
Nutrition Response Testing tells you when and what to use to bring about the desired result.
With this understanding of what we do, can you see how we might be able to help you do something effective to get yourself well?
And once that is achieved, do you see how you might be able to use this approach to stay well?

Now you have the complete 1 - 2 - 3 package. You now know:
What we do
How and why we do it
What you need to do to have the potential of restoring your health and staying healthy.

But in the end you are the one responsible for your own condition. And with our guidance, we feel that - if you are a Nutrition Response Testing case - your chances of greatly improving your health can be as high as 90% or better. If our analysis indicates that you are not a Nutrition Response Testing / Nutritional case candidate then in all probability, while a nutritional program may give you some benefit, it may not give you the maximum results you desire. But if our analysis confirms that you are an Nutrition Response Testing / Nutritional case candidate, then, in our experience, nothing else will ever come close to what you can possibly achieve using Nutrition Response Testing and Designed Clinical Nutrition.

We wish the best of good luck in your quest to take back full responsibility for your health. Just remember to do it one step at time, and that we are here to guide you in that quest. Once we accept your case, you can count on us to do everything in our power to help you achieve a healthier, happier life.

May you never be the same!

Dr. Hill and Staff

Nutritional Response Testing, Part 3

2010-05-05T13:46:00.001-07:00

Through an analysis of your body's reflexes, we help you to determine the exact nutrients you need to supplement your diet, in order to bring about balance and better health. We make sure these highly concentrated therapeutic formulations available to you in tablets, capsules, or in powdered form to "supplement" your current diet. That's why they are called "food supplements." Depending on your individual situation, we might also require that you make some specific changes in your diet & eating habits, and in your routines, in order to bring about the best possible results.

How are these products produced?

One example of a designed clinical nutrition supplement that we use is called "Catalyn". This product is produced by starting with a wide variety of carefully chosen organically grown vegetables, taking the water and fiber out using a vacuum, low heat process without heating or cooking the vegetables, and then utilizing the concentrated food to make a bottle of Standard Process Catalyn Tablets. The key to this whole procedure is the way it is done, using the "Standard Process" method: Standard Process nutrients are derived from plants grown on their own farms, in soil free of pesticides—and no chemicals are ever used. Ph.D.'s check the soil before the seeds are sown, to make sure of the fertility of the soil - and even the weeding is done by hand. The machinery involved in the processing of these products is made of glass and stainless steel only. The temperature used in processing harvested plants is never raised above the point of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so that the active ingredients are not cooked; they remain active and alive, and have a very long shelf life. Your vitality and energy is derived from live food. Most foods today are all dead - or are not really foods at all—as in boxed cereals, canned vegetables, soda, pop, etc. You can readily understand the difference between dead, devitalized pseudo-foods, with the synthetic or isolated vitamins on the one hand, and "Designed Clinical Nutrition" and a diet of real foods, on the other.

There is a great deal of technology and know-how behind what we do. Having been designed through decades of clinical use of tens of thousands of patients, and on patients from many different types of health care practitioners, you can be assured that Nutrition Response Testing is capable of evaluating and solving your health concerns. A complete Nutrition Response Testing analysis can be done on each patient on each subsequent visit, thereby revealing the next layers of dysfunction so these can also be addressed and corrected. In this way, each patient gets a completely individualized handling in the correct sequence for his or her body. Very much like opening a combination lock, you must use the right numbers in the right sequence and in the right direction the right time - then the lock falls open.

By following the correct sequence as revealed through Nutrition Response Testing, you don't "shot-gun" your diet or supplements. With a correctly done Nutrition Response Testing analysis, we can determine the correct food supplements for you - designed to give your body the best possible chance of getting well and staying that way. Stay tuned next month for our final segment in this series.

Hope 4 UR Health Classes

2010-05-05T12:53:00.001-07:00

Here is a segment from one of the first Wednesday Night classes. Come join us - every Wednesday at 6:30 pm!
No cost - free muscle/nutrition testing - very informative - bring your friends and family

Mid April Updates

2010-04-19T15:27:00.001-07:00

HOT NEWS!! New class "Hope 4 UR Health" now available
If you missed this past Wednesday's class, you missed some great
information on whole foods and the relationship to how our body
processes vitamins and nutrients. A small segment was recorded,
so we will be posting that later on in the blog post for you.

This next Wednesday, April 21, we will be continuing with more great
information and discussion. The short, informal presentation time will
be follow again by questions and answers, and nutrient testing. We
hope to see you there! The session will last from 6:30 - 7:30 pm, all
are welcome to join us!

Looking forward to helping you get healthy and stay healthy this year
and well into the next,

Dr. David Hill and Staff
(760) 724-8888

www.hillchiropracticandwellness.com

Nutrition Response Testing, Part 2

2010-04-07T10:53:00.001-07:00

The second part - the "Personalized Health Improvement Program"
Let's say the liver or kidney reflexes are active. Then what?

Our next step is to test specific, time - tested and proven, highest possible quality nutritional formulas against those weak areas to find which ones bring the reflexes back to strength.

Decades of clinical experience tell us that when we have found the correct nutritional supplements, as indicated by this procedure, and when we work out a highly personalized nutritional supplement schedule, we have accomplished the most important first step correcting the underlying deficiency or imbalance that caused the reflex to be active in the first place. By following the program as precisely as possible, you are well on your way to restoring normal function and improving your health. It's that simple!

In medicine, the medical doctor makes a diagnosis and then uses drugs or surgery to attack or suppress the symptom, or to surgically remove the "offending" organ or part. In Nutrition Response Testing we use " DESIGNED CLINICAL NUTRITION" to correct the cause of the problem, so that the body can regain the ability to correct itself.

What exactly is DESIGNED CLINICAL NUTRITION
First of all, Designed Clinical Nutrition is not 'over-the-counter' vitamins. Over-the-counter vitamins are pharmaceutically engineered chemical fractions of vitamin structures reproduced in a laboratory. They are not "whole food," and the body does not actually recognize these as anything even vaguely beneficial (to put it mildly). An example of a whole food could be carrots. Carrots are high in Vitamin A Complex. A "complex" is something made up of many different parts that work together. Synthetic vitamin A does not contain the whole "Vitamin A Complex" found in nature. So, if we were looking for a food high in Vitamin A, carrots might be one of our choices. If one actually were deficient in any of the components of Vitamin A Complex, one would be wise to seek out a supplement that was made from whole foods that were rich in this complex - not from chemicals engineered in a laboratory to look like one little part of the vitamin A Complex that was erroneously been labeled as "Vitamin A."

Vitamins that are being used all over today generally only need to have a small percentage of their actual content derived from natural sources to be labeled "natural". If they are not derived from whole foods, they often make you even more deficient and nutritionally out–of-balance. They can create other health problems because they do not contain all of the co-factors found in nature that make the vitamins work. So-called "scientific research," done with these substitutes, repeatedly "proves" that vitamins are good for anyone! Can you imagine who pays for these "researches"? "Designed Clinical Nutrition" is exactly that: designed (especially prepared based on a specific plan) clinical (pertaining to the results gotten in clinical use or actual practice on huge numbers of patients over many years) nutrition (real food, designed by nature to enable the body to repair itself and grow healthfully).

It is whole food in a tablet, capsule or powder, concentrated in a vacuum, cold-process system that preserves all of the active enzymes and vital components that make it work as the Creator intended. These real food supplements have been designed to match the needs of the body, as determined by the positive response shown when tested against the active Nutrition Response Testing reflexes that were found on your individual Nutrition Response Testing analysis. These are nutrients you are simply not getting, or not assimilating, in your current diet.

These deficiencies may be due to your past personal eating habits and routines, but it is also due, in some large extent, to the lack of quality in the foods commercially available in grocery stores and restaurants today. Stay tuned for part three!

Nutrition Response Testing Part 1

2010-03-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Nutrition Response Testing, part 1 of a 4-part article

Did you hear about us from someone who was very happy with their results? Most of our new patients have been referred to us by other satisfied patients. However you heard about us, you probably want to know what “Nutrition Response Testing” is - and what we do.

What is Nutrition Response Testing?
Nutrition Response Testing is very precise and scientific. However, if I were to analyze you using Nutrition Response Testing before it was explained to you, you might find it strange, or simply not believable - only because it is probably very different from anything you may have experienced before.

I can completely understand that because when I first saw this type of work being done, my first reaction was “Hmm, what is this strange stuff?” No one was more skeptical than I was. As a result, I studied Nutrition Response Testing extensively to see if it was for real. And I am sure happy I did because it has helped me improve my health, and because of Nutrition Response Testing, we are able to help you improve your health.

Quite frankly, if you want to get healthy and stay healthy, it is important that you understand what Nutrition Response Testing is, and on what our recommendations are based. Otherwise, you are less likely to follow through and actually do what you need to do to get well. To put it simply, if you don’t follow through, you won’t get well. And if you are not going to get well, why do it in the first place?

The results we have been having with Nutrition Response Testing are often in the 90% and better range. The only reason we are here is to help you get well. We have no other reason. That is why I want to make sure you get the correct understanding of what Nutrition Response Testing is right form the start.

Let’s get started!
In medical practice there are two key parts: the diagnosis (identifying and /or naming the “disease” or syndrome) and the treatment (drugs, surgery, etc.).

In Nutrition Response Testing we do not diagnose or treat disease - but we also have two parts: the analysis and the personal health improvement program (using designed clinical nutrition).
Simply put, first we do an analysis, and then we design a natural health improvement program to help you handle what we find in our analysis of your body and condition.

First the Analysis
The analysis is done through testing the body’s own neurological reflexes and acupuncture points. The neurological reflexes are derived from the part of the nervous system whose job is to regulate the functions of each and every organ. The acupuncture points are selected from the ancient Chinese system of acupuncture, which is thousands of years old.

Nutrition Response Testing is a study of how the different points on the surface of the body regulate to the state of health and to the flow of energy in each and every organ and function of the body. Interestingly, since the human anatomy has now changed significantly in thousands of years, the utilization of these reflexes and specific points have become extremely useful in our practice because they are so accurate!

Think about it . . . Each Nutrition Response Testing reflex represents a specific organ, tissue, or function, and indicates the effect that energy, or the lack of energy, is having on the body. By testing the Nutrition Response Testing reflexes, we have a system of monitoring your body at each visit that has proven to be extremely accurate clinically, and that helps us identify exactly what the body needs and how well we are meeting that need.

Doesn’t this sound like something you would want for yourself in order to predict, with certainty, what is needed and wanted by the body to get you to the next stage of improved health?

How do we access the Nutrition Response Testing reflexes to get this information?

If I were to hook you up to an electrocardiograph machine and take a reading, that would make perfect sense to you, right? What is actually happening during this procedure? Electrical energy form the heart is running over the wires. This electrical energy makes the electrocardiograph record the energy pattern in the form of a graph or chart. I could then study this graph and tell you what it all means.

Here is what we do with Nutrition Response Testing. Instead of connecting electrodes to the specific points being tested, the Nutrition Response Testing doctor contacts these points with his/her own hand. With his other hand, he/she will test the muscle strength of your extended arm. If the reflex being contacted is active, the nervous system will respond by reducing energy to the extended arm, and the arm will weaken and drop. This drop signifies underlying dysfunction, which can be affecting your health.

Why is the person who referred you feeling better?

Because we did a Nutrition Response Testing analysis for him or her, we found the “active” reflexes, and then made specific nutritional recommendations to help the body return to a better state of health. We are prepared to do the exact same thing for you now. Isn’t that exciting? However, the best is yet to come. Part 2 next edition

Neck Pain Treatment: Non-Surgical Options

2010-03-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

There are many treatment options for those suffering from neck pain. There is conventional medical care where the family doctor will usually prescribe a muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, and/or pain killer to help patients through episodes of acute neck pain. However, many patients with neck pain have been through the process of treatments associated with medications and simply cannot tolerate the adverse side effects of stomach pain common with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Mediprin, etc.), Aleve (Naproxen), or aspirin. Others don’t like the groggy, drunk-like feelings associated with pain killers or the sleepiness associated with muscle relaxants. Therefore, these patients often turn to complementary / alternative care.

As noted in the May, 2009 issue of Consumer’s Report for low back pain, chiropractic was the most sought after form of treatment, but there has been no extensive review of neck pain regarding evidence-based treatment approaches - at least not until February, 2008. An international “team” representing 9 countries screened over 31,000 titles of articles published between 1980 and 2006, reviewed more than 1200 articles and eventually reported on 552 studies in their final report. Their findings included the following:

* In the US, 54% utilized complementary (alternative) treatment approaches compared to 37% that obtained conventional medical care.
* Neck pain was the 2nd most common reason Americans obtained chiropractic care.
* Chiropractic was found to be the most frequently reported form of treatment for upper back or neck pain (ahead of massage therapy, relaxation therapy, acupuncture).
* Those who obtained complementary AND conventional medical care were much more likely to perceive the complementary/alternative therapy as being helpful (61% vs. 6.4% for neck conditions and 39.1% vs. 19% for headaches).
* Women more commonly obtained care than men for neck/shoulder pain (29% vs. 18% men) over a 4-6 year time frame.
* Manual therapy (mobilization, manipulation, stretching) was associated with greater pain reduction in the short-term among patients with acute whiplash when compared with usual medical care, soft collars, passive modalities, or general advice.
* For non-whiplash neck pain (without arm radiating pain), manipulation or mobilization, exercise, low level laser therapy (LLLT), and “…perhaps acupuncture…” were reported as more effective than no treatment, sham, or other alternative interventions.
* For both whiplash and non-traumatic neck pain, supervised exercise with or without manual therapy was favored over usual medical care or no care.

What does all this mean? Simple! Everyone who is suffering from neck or upper back pain should seek chiropractic care which includes manipulation, mobilization, exercise training, and activity modifying advice, as these approaches have been found to be more effective than usual medical care! Why waste time with a “wait and watch” with or without drug intervention approach when the evidence favors chiropractic related interventions. If you, a friend, or a loved one is struggling with neck or upper back pain, we will properly assess your condition and administer the appropriate care that is required. We will coordinate care with other health care services when necessary. This recommendation may represent one of most significant acts of kindness you can offer those that you truly care about.

What is Carpal Tunnel?

2010-02-22T16:38:00.000-08:00

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve (median), which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed between the displaced bones of the wrist (called subluxation). Nerve signals originate in the brain and follow tracts down the spinal cord through openings between the neck bones (vertebrae). The nerves then travel down the arm and into the hand. At the wrist a semicircular tunnel allows the nerves to travel through the highly mobile wrist area. The tunnel is a narrow and rigid passageway of ligaments and bones at the wrist and contains the median nerve and tendons. The tunnel deforms when there is sprain or damage to the ligaments allowing the bones to move away from their normal positions.

There are also other causes from compression, such as inflammation. Sometimes the nerve is more susceptible to compression at the wrist if it is also pinched or irritated at the neck level. When the nerve is compressed or irritated at both the wrist and neck area it is called a double crush injury or syndrome.

Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be pinched. This is why sometimes anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen will decrease the pain in some patients. But they really are a no-end kind of treatment that never gets at the cause of why there is inflammation in the first place. They also have significant side effects, especially in older patients where they can cause stomach or intestinal bleeding (ulcers).

The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers except the little finger as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. Pain, tingling and numbness in the hand can be caused by neck problems such as a herniated disk, sprains or subluxations, and arthritis.

When carpal tunnel syndrome strikes, the result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist. Sometimes the pain runs from the wrist and back up the forearm. Many patients will also say that they have other bothersome symptoms such as back and neck pain or stiffness.

Many patients believe that surgery will help their condition or have had it recommended to them. It is important to make sure that a comprehensive diagnosis is obtained prior to contemplating surgery. Surgery is a very drastic and last resort type of option so one should try conservative treatments first. If the problem is an irritated or compressed nerve in the neck, no amount of wrist surgery will help this type of problem. A comprehensive and thorough examination is needed to determine the cause of your carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.

When It Comes To Chiropractic Care . . .You Are Not Alone

2010-02-22T16:15:00.000-08:00

Many people find significant improvement in their neuromusculoskeletal function through the utilization of chiropractic services including many “famous” people who seek chiropractic care in order to:

1) get rid of pain;
2) improve function;
3) enhance their acting, musical skills, or sporting edge.

The following is an inspiring list of various celebrities and a comment about what chiropractic provides for them personally:

Mel Gibson uses chiropractic on a regular basis. On the cover of the June 22, 2000 edition of TV Guide Insider, is a picture of Mel Gibson dressed for his then upcoming movie “The Patriot”. In the story, they talk about how Mr. Gibson uses chiropractic on a regular basis. In the article he states, “I got a chiropractor to come along to the [Patriot] shoot, because they can actually stick you back together within 15 minutes. He used to come every other week, from Los Angeles to South Carolina - spend a week and work on the entire crew. All the stunt guys were like, Oh, fix my disc. He is putting their discs back in. The guy is amazing.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger is another fan and devote recipient of chiropractic care. Each year in Columbus, OH Arnold addresses a chiropractic fitness symposium held in conjunction with his “Arnold Classic”. At the event in February 2000, he made the following remarks, “Chiropractic is about health and fitness. Chiropractic is about natural, preventive health care. What you are doing, and I have experienced this for the last 30 years myself on my own body, means that whenever I have a problem-or even if I don’t have a problem-and I go to a chiropractor, my problems are gone for a long time.”

Kevin Jonas, Sr.- Manager of Jonas Brothers states… “Chiropractic care promotes a healthy body, mind and lifestyle. I have found, with regular chiropractic care, our family stays healthier and sleeps better. We are more relaxed and stress is easily overcome.”

Barbara Bunkowsky - LPGA Tour Professional states… “I have found that chiropractic keeps me flexible and pain-free so that I can perform at my highest level. The benefits of chiropractic have improved my golf swing, putting less stress and strain on my body and allowing me to be a more productive golfer. I believe it also helps prevent other associated injuries that are very common on the LPGA tour.”

Dan O’Brien - 1996 Olympic Decathlon gold medalist said… “You obviously can’t compete at your fullest if you’re not in alignment. And your body can’t heal if your back is not in alignment. It was the holistic idea that I liked about chiropractic and tat is what track and field is about. Every track and field athlete that that I have ever met has seen a chiropractor at one time or another. In track and field, it is absolutely essential. Chiropractic care is one of the things I think that no one has denied or refuted.”

Madonna at 50 years old, even brought her personal Chiropractor along with her on her most recent tour to help her de-stress and prevent injuries. Prior to the tour she is quoted as saying, “It’s going to be very draining, and she needs him (her Chiropractor) around to aid in her recovery time after each show,” …an insider tells Life & Style says online gossip column In Case You Didn’t Know.

Sara Harding- Miss Fitness USA 2006 states, “Basically, I’ve always believed in chiropractic care. My parents introduced my brothers and myself to chiropractic care when we were very young and it’s been an instrumental part of my life. I believe that it allowed me to do gymnastics when I was very little and allowed me to stay in sports and lead a very active lifestyle. I think it’s natural to have aches and pains when you bend your body in directions it wasn’t necessarily meant to [be bent in], so it makes sense to go to a chiropractor to get my body back in alignment. Ever since I can remember, I’ve gone to a chiropractor. ”

Lance Armstrong - Seven Time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has received chiropractic care since January of 1999, helping him to keep his body together for the harsh demands of the Tour de France. After one Tour de France, Lance said that he could not have won without his chiropractor’s help.

Jerry Rice-3 Time Super Bowl Champion: “Chiropractic care has been instrumental in my life, both on and off the field, and I am excited to share this with the American public,” says Rice. “I have been blessed with a long and healthy career as a professional athlete, and as I move forward into the next stage of my life, chiropractic care will continue to be an important part of my game plan.”

Tiger Woods - “I’ve been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It’s as important to my training as practicing my swing.”

Marla Maples Trump …has made her Chiropractic care a family priority. Her daughter gets adjusted and she has referred her husband, mother, chauffeur, nanny and personal assistant for care.

There has been a growing trend among athletes using chiropractic care. Approximately 31% of NFL teams have a chiropractor on staff and 39% of all Division I athletes said they use chiropractic either to get into top shape or to stay there. Many say chiropractic helps them to get into top physical shape without the use of drugs. Sean Atkins, PhD, Exercise Physiologist stated “I would estimate that in excess of 90% of all world-class athletes use chiropractic care to prevent injuries and to increase their performance potential.”

In a study conducted by the New Zealand School of Chiropractic, University of Auckland, New Zealand, reaction times were improved and shortened in volunteer subjects who received chiropractic care over those that did not. The group who received chiropractic adjustments showed a decrease in reaction time of 97 milliseconds representing a 14.8 percent quicker reaction time.

A recent internet article gave some interesting information on one of the world’s most famous faces. For years we’ve seen and heard in the news about the health challenges faced by Elizabeth Taylor. We’ve all seen photos of her in a wheel chair and heard about her battle with prescription drugs she had been taking for back pain. It was wonderful to read she had sought out the care of a chiropractor, with great results. She credits her chiropractor for her successful rehabilitation and recovery from back problems. Ms. Taylor is hardly the only celebrity to utilize chiropractic care to regain and maintain her health. Other chiropractic regulars include Warren Beatty, James Earl Jones, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson, Julie Andrews, Jane Seymour, and Mel Gibson.

Many Olympic athletes utilize chiropractic to maximize health and performance. Track and field stars Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, and Edwin Moses, as well as, diver Greg Louganis, decathalon athlete Dan O’Brien, and swimmer Sheila Taormina are a few medalists who seek chiropractic care, sometimes immediately before their competitions to enhance performance–without drugs. Boxer Evander Holyfield was introduced to chiropractic during the 1983 Pan Am Games. He was quoted in 1988 as saying, “I have to have my adjustment before going into the ring”.

Olympic athletes are not the only athletes under chiropractic care. Professional basketball great, Wilt Chamberlain, baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, and football heroes Joe Montana, Drew Pearson, and Fran Tarkenton use chiropractic. Fran Tarkenton joined Wade Boggs in claiming chiropractic has been useful in keeping him productive and prolonging his career. Boggs stated in 1998 that, “By getting an adjustment once a week…I feel I can sustain my career a lot longer.”

No one would claim celebrities have all the answers. However, it would seem that with all the options celebrity affords them, the fact they seek chiropractic care to meet their healthcare needs says something about the value of chiropractic for optimum health!

My Story

2009-08-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Everybody has a story - I have a long story and a short story. I’ll give you the short story . . .

For nine days I was exhausted, sick, and unable to work or function above the level of a rock. I finally got in to see a M.D. who prescribed an aspirin to break the fever and I felt better within a day. From that time on, which was over the next 17 years, I was rarely to never sick.

However, at four to nine month intervals I had sporadic, painful back issues that would present themselves unrelentingly for two to three weeks at a time. They were often relieved for 20 minutes to two hours by chiropractic treatment, but rarely for any significant length of time.

Major stressful times in my life were accompanied by these very painful spasmodic low back issues. I felt doomed; this was not a normal health lifestyle. During one such episode, a NRT practitioner tested my back to find the root cause. He discovered I had “walking pneumonic reflex”, which meant that my lungs were producing inflammatory mucus and releasing it into the lymphatic. The mucus was then settling in the weak link of my body, which was my low back. The result was that I had consistent low back pain through the stress, usually a period of three weeks.

He recommended lung healing nutrition that I eagerly consumed in my effort to feel better permanently. That was over 15 years ago, and since that time I have not had another episode. It has truly been a miracle in my life!

You can have the same miracle in your life if we can find the underlying cause of your pain or problem.