So What Is A Chiropractic Adjustment And Who Really Needs Them?

Chiropractors adjust the spine. That’s different than a manipulation.  An adjustment is a specific correction of misaligned vertebrae that are putting pressure on surrounding tissues and nerves causing nerve interference and dysfunction. The intention of a chiropractic adjustment  is to remove the interference and re-establish normal functioning like the body was designed to do.

How do you do this? As the famous old saying goes: “There’s more than one way to skin a cat”.  There are multiple ways to accomplish the removal of nerve pressure and therefore  the re-establishment of proper nerve flow, relaxation of surrounding tissues, less pain signals, decrease in inflammation, and restore range of motion.  This can be accomplished by manual adjusting, mechanical instrument adjusting, or electric instrument adjusting.  Chiropractic adjustments are specific to the bone that is misaligned and specific to the patient. For example, the adjustment I perform on a new born baby is nothing like the technique used on an adult. Not everyone is treated the same because no two people are alike. And the good things is, however you like to be adjusted, you can find a chiropractor who uses that technique because no two chiropractors are alike either.

So what’s scary about an adjustment? Well nothing really….Some people think that in order to adjust someone’s neck I sneak up in ninja like fashion and spin their head around.  I’m little and fast, but that’s not the way I work.  I use a gentle, specific, electrical instrument to adjust called the Arthrostim. It gently taps on the spine.  It’s not painful at all; in fact most people leave feeling better and relaxed like they just received a massage.  There are no popping noises and no pulling or snatching. It’s all the benefit of an adjustment with none of the perceived negatives from the way adjustments used to be performed.  Win, win!

Who needs an adjustment? Well the more likely question is who doesn’t? Who has never fallen or tripped or played sports or slept on their stomach or had a car accident or an emotional stressor or put harmful chemicals in your body either through environment or diet or medication? Who has never had a negative thought? Who isn’t human? In short, we all need regular adjustments so our bodies can function properly.  All of the above things cause misalignments. And who doesn’t want their body to work right? No one wants to have pain or diseases or not be able to do the things they enjoy. It seems like a no brainer right?

If you are interested in learning more or have questions, I would love to answer your questions and ease your concerns. Chiropractic is for everyone  and everyone should be for chiropractic!

Milk and Lactose Intolerance:

There are 300mg of calcium in one cup of milk.  While this seems significant, it’s important to note that milk is not the only way to get calcium into our diets.  For example, the same amount of calcium can be found in one cup of calcium-fortified orange juice, one cup of rice milk, or one cup of broccoli. Calcium is the most numerous mineral in the body. More than all the rest combined. Magnesium is essential for calcium absorption. For every 5 molecules of calcium, 1 molecule of magnesium is needed for proper absorption. In order to properly absorb calcium, a working GI tract is crucial.

One of the things we all have been taught that are essential for proper bone growth and function could possibly be having a negative impact on your body. There are multiple ways in which milk can have a negative effect on the body.

One of the ways milk can have an adverse effect on the body is with people who are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is due to a lack of an enzyme called lactase which is produced by the cells lining the small intestine. Without this enzyme, the sugars found in milk and other dairy products cannot be properly broken down. Symptoms often occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after having milk products. Large doses of milk products may cause worse symptoms. Symptoms include: bloating, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and flatulence. Lactose intolerance can be hard to diagnose based on symptoms alone. People may think they suffer from lactose intolerance because they have digestive symptoms; however, other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome can cause similar symptoms. After taking a medical history and performing a physical examination, the doctor may first recommend eliminating all milk and milk products from the person’s diet for a short time to see if the symptoms resolve. Tests may be necessary to provide more information. Common tests used to diagnose lactose intolerance are: lactose-hydrogen breath test and a stool pH.

Lactose intolerance is a common condition that is more likely to occur in adulthood, with a higher incidence in older adults. Some ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans. The condition is least common among Americans of northern European descent. Infants born prematurely are more likely to have lactase deficiency because an infant's lactase levels do not increase until the third trimester of pregnancy.

 Cutting down or removing milk products from your diet usually eases symptoms. Other milk products may be easier to digest like buttermilk and cheese, yogurt, goat milk, lactose-free milk, soy formulas, almond milk, and rice milk. You can add lactase enzymes to regular milk, or take these enzymes in capsule or chewable tablet form. Although the body's ability to produce lactase cannot be changed, the symptoms of lactose intolerance can be managed with dietary changes. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate some amount of lactose in their diet. Gradually introducing small amounts of milk or milk products may help some people adapt to them with fewer symptoms. Often, people can better tolerate milk or milk products by taking them with meals. Most people with low lactase levels can drink 2 - 4 ounces of milk at one time (up to one-half cup) without having symptoms. Larger (more than 8 oz.) servings may cause problems for people with lactase deficiency.
A second way that milk can have negative effects is through common milk allergies. Approximately 2.5% of children younger than 3 years of age are allergic to milk. Nearly all infants who develop an allergy to milk do so in their first year of life. Cow’s milk is more allergenic than goat’s milk and goat’s milk is easier to digest for those people who are lactose intolerant. This is a good substitute to cow’s milk and can easily be found at any grocery store in whole or lower fat options. We used this as a base for my son’s homemade formula. Some common, often overlooked, signs of milk allergy or intolerance are: excessive fussiness, irritability, gas, bloating, skin issues like eczema, and a constant runny nose or mucous congestion. Symptoms like congestion can be a sign of milk intolerance and not a full blown allergy. Either way the body is reacting negatively to the milk proteins by producing mucous for a flushing effect.

The only way to know if milk is having a negative effect on your health is to try removing it from your diet, along with other dairy products, for two weeks to see if you experience a change in your overall health and symptoms.  Often, when my patients do this, they experience clearer sinuses.
Rice milk and/or almond milk are easy replacements to milk. They come in different flavors and are usually preferred by many kids because of their sweeter tastes. The sweeter taste also can help the child eat a less sugary, sweet cereal in the mornings and make healthier choices easier to implement. Dark, green, leafy vegetables are another good source of calcium and of course whole food, natural vitamins and supplements can help insure that you or your children are getting the correct amount of calcium they need to be healthy and grow properly.

Top 5 Health Myths People Believe Are True:

 These are the top 5 I talk to my patients about regularly:

1.)    Antioxidant rich foods dramatically reduce free radicals and protect the body from damage.  Although it is true that they do help, their effects are not dramatic. Foods rich in antioxidants are: blueberries, black berries, turmeric, green tea, broccoli, pistachios, oregano, etc. These foods contain direct free radicals and fight free radicals at a ratio of 1:1 meaning one antioxidant takes out one free radical. Unfortunately we produce 130, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000 free radicals daily! Indirect free radicals that turn on your body’s own enzymes from the inside are much more effective!

2.)    Foods rich in fats are bad for your health and make you fat, damage your heart, and cause high cholesterol. Diets that have emphasis on low fat actually contain much higher contents of sugar. Americans are deficient in good fats like Omega 3’s which are found in cold water fish, nuts, dark leafy greens, and oils  have a surplus of Omega 6’s which are found in grains. Low fat diets do not make healthier people. Diets that are balanced and have emphasis on good fats that feed the brain and help provide nutrients to protect the heart and eyes make healthy people. Oils like olive oil and flax seed oil have a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have actually been shown to reduce cholesterol.

3.)    Milk does a body good. The latest research based on Harvard’s assessment that “…high intake can increase the risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer.”  The Harvard experts also referred to the high levels of saturated fat in most dairy products and suggested that collards, bok choy, fortified soy milk, and baked beans are safer choices than dairy for obtaining calcium rrather than milk. Harvard’s research suggests that our Food Guide Pyramid needs some tweaking but found some controversy from lobbyist as the dairy and farming industry is a big business in America. Take your health into your own hands and don’t rely on the business world to tell you how to eat.

4.)    Vegetarian diets are healthy and skinny people are on them. Many people who claim to be vegetarian and carbatarians- people who eat mostly or only carbs. This is not a well-balanced diet or a healthy diet. Vegetarians have to put a lot of thought into the foods they eat to get enough protein rich foods in their diet daily. It is not an easy diet if done correctly. A person who eats no meat but a diet rich in French fries, white rice, and breads will not be skinny or healthy and is not a true vegetarian just because they consume no meat. The word vegetarian has emphasis on the word vegetable. Meat is not an unhealthy food.

5.)    You can lose weight by drinking diet drinks. Diet drinks contain harmful chemicals that have been shown in research to cause cancer in lab rats. New research has shown that the sugary, calorie free chemicals added in to replace the sugar also make the consumers crave carbs and sugary foods even more therefore making them consume even more unhealthy foods in larger quantities and gaining more weight. It is also linked to the increase in fibromyalgia diagnoses in recent years. Sugar is best done in its natural form and in moderation and diet drinks are best avoided. Stevia is a great natural, calorie free substitute. If you are drinking a diet drink or an energy drink as a part of a healthy lifestyle plan, there is a ton of irony in that. If your diet and lifestyle are in line with healthy guidelines, you shouldn't need an energy drink to get through the day.

Why Are Allergies and Intolerances to Foods Becoming So Common?

Food allergies (and food intolerance) are fast becoming a growing public concern. 

It is estimated that as many as 15 million people suffer from food allergies.  According to a 2008 study released by the Center for Disease Control, the prevalence of reported food allergy increased 18% between 1997 and 2007 in children under the age of 18.  The prevalence of peanut allergy among children tripled between 1997 and 2007.  

Food allergy is a histamine reaction, and potentially serious immune response, to eating specific foods or food additives. Eight types of food account for over 90% of allergic reactions in affected individuals: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.   Reactions to these foods can vary – from a tingling sensation around the mouth to anaphylactic shock.

The incidence of food intolerance is also on the rise.  Food intolerance is a reaction of a food that irritates the stomach or that your body can’t properly digest.  Symptoms of food intolerance are:  gradual onset, usually takes a lot of the food, may only happen if it is consumed on a regular basis, and is non-life threatening. Symptoms of  food intolerance are: gas, bloating, cramping, headaches, heartburn, nervousness or irritability. In many kids, a constant runny nose or congestion issues have roots that are closely tied to an intolerant food.

A food allergy is a food that gets a whole body response from the immune system. A food allergy initiates a sudden reaction, it only takes a small amount, it happens every time the food is consumed, and it can be life threatening. A food allergy has symptoms like: rash, hives, itching, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and sudden decrease in blood pressure.  These reactions are sever and need immediate medical attention. 

 

So with food allergies and intolerance growing in number, that begs the question, “What is causing the increase?”  No one knows for sure.  However, there are some facts to consider.

Environmental toxins in our food, water, and air have become more prevalent in recent years. These toxins have been shown to decrease our immune system’s response and increase the imbalances that lead to higher rates of allergies. Some of the most common environmental toxins are gasoline exhaust, diesel exhaust, and plastics. 

Additionally, many crops today are being genetically altered to resist pests, weeds and other threats.  Our country’s main crops -- corn, soy, wheat, and rice -- have been altered and make up the bulk of our food supply.  When a new gene is introduced into a plant, there is a possibility of creating a new allergen or causing an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.  In 1996, the New England Journal of Medicine wrote that a proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans was abandoned for fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions.

If you suspect a food allergy or intolerance, remove the suspected food for 14 days and see how you feel. A food diary is a helpful tool to be able to track what foods initiated what responses. Removal of symptoms is a good indication that the problems were caused by the removed food. Slowly add the foods back into the diet, one at a time, and see what symptoms show back up. 

For food allergies, the best approach is obviously avoidance of that food.  If you have a food intolerance, digestive enzymes to help break down the food in the stomach can be helpful in preventing a reaction.  These supplements can also help with constipation and gas issues.  Digestive enzymes are easy to find, inexpensive, and a great way to get the most out of the foods that you eat and help you enjoy the foods that you love.

Sugar and the Flu Season

Flu season is now upon us.  From mid-October through early spring, people typically suffer with runny noses, sore throats, fevers, aches and chills, resulting in missed days from school or work.  There are many theories as to why doctors begin to see an uptick in patient numbers this time of year.  One thought is that the body’s response to the fall temperature change plays a role in the increased illness.  

Another theory, however, has to do with our diets this time of year.  Beginning just before Halloween, through Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Super Bowl parties, Valentine’s Day, and Easter, there is a rapid increase in candy and sugar consumption in most American households.  Sugar has been shown to lower the body’s ability to fight infections. A normal, average healthy white blood cell can destroy an average of 13 germs. If you eat a piece of pie (approximately 6 teaspoons of sugar), the white blood cell can only destroy 10 germs. If you have pie with ice cream (approximately 12.5 teaspoons of sugar) your average white blood cell can only destroy 5.5 germs. This is a great example of how germs, bacteria, viruses can easily overwhelm our bodies during this stretch sugary months.  Extended periods of high blood sugar lower the fighting capabilities of our white blood cells, which is why diabetics have a harder time fighting infections. Sugar doesn’t do the body good!

So what can you do to specifically boost your immunity this time of year? Here are five simple actions you can take today:

1.      Avoid sweets and processed foods.  Focus on eating real food – food packed with vitamins and minerals, which help to boost your immune system.

2.      Go for colorful, antioxidant rich foods.  Dark leafy greens are packed with nutrition.  Combine that with Vitamin C in citrus fruits and the beta-carotene found in fall squashes and tubers, and you’ve just boosted immunity!  Try green smoothies as a way to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet.

3.      Limit dairy consumption.  Dairy creates mucous. Excess mucous production compromises the body’s ability to fight off airborne bacteria and viruses, while also providing an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.  Skip the dairy and opt for water-rich fruits and vegetables instead.

4.      Increase Vitamin D intake.  The body makes Vitamin D from sunlight exposure, which is limited during the winter months, making us more susceptible to infection.  Supplementing Vitamin D3 from September through April can help boost immunity.  (You should consult your doctor for dosage guidelines, as Vitamin D dosage is based on weight and it is possible to take too much.) 

5.      Reach for natural supplements.  There are several natural supplements available that can boost the body’s initial response when signs of a sickness first appear, including Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Calcium, and varieties of homeopathic sprays and supplements meant to boost immune system response. Have these on hand and use them at the first signs of sickness. Increasing your dosage of these beneficial vitamins during this time of the year will aid in prevention of sickness. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

It’s no coincidence we struggle with illness this time of year.  Don’t wait until you are sick to worry about prevention.  By making small dietary and lifestyle changes now, you can help ensure continued health through this flu season and beyond.