Health Tips Newsletter

July 21, 2004

Health Tips Newsletter Archives

Don't try this at home!

*not a recommended procedure

Even in dreams good works are not wasted. - Pedro Calderon de la Barca

After a serious infection, the old bozo-puter has been dumped. I lost a fair bit of stuff and the rest went home but I'm trying to get back on track. Maybe now I will actually get these things out on a regular basis. Please let me know what you think. Also, my new web site is now up (thanks, Justin) so check it out and let me know how to make it better.

www.PCchiropractic.com


What Chiropractors Do

They locate and correct your subluxations. Read on to discover what these are and how Chiropractors such as Dr. Waln can help.

For over a century chiropractic has helped millions of people of all ages suffering from a multitude of health conditions. How? Chiropractors specialize in locating and correcting a serious, life-damaging condition called the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC).

The VSC is a slight distortion of your spine and body structure that stresses your nervous system, internal organs, discs, tendons, ligaments and joints; lowers your resistance to disease; and can affect physical and mental function. When chiropractors adjust or release the VSC your "inner healing ability" is awakened and you are better able to return to your natural state of strength, ease, vitality and wholeness.

child receiving adjustment Spinal health is a little like nutrition: always important when you are well and vital if you are ill. Chiropractic's safe, drug-free approach attracts many millions of people each year. For many, chiropractic has made the difference between a life of health, ease, and vitality and a life of disease, pain, and disability.

Remember - you cannot be 100% healthy with a VSC in your spine. No matter what disease or condition you have, it is important to ensure that your spine is healthy. A chiropractic adjustment may make the difference for you! Only a chiropractor can tell if you (or those you care about) have a VSC. Get a chiropractic spinal checkup today (and an adjustment, if necessary) to maintain (and regain) your health.
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The Type of Mattress You Use Can Determine Your Health

the kind of mattress you sleep on is important People with chronic back pain who wonder what kind of mattress is best should find this study from the British journal Lancet interesting.

British researchers had 313 adults with chronic low back pain sleep on a firm or medium-firm mattress for 90 days. The researchers were surprised to find that the medium-firm users had less pain than the firm users. The researchers theorized that the medium-firm mattresses gave support but also conformed more to the body, resulting in less stress.1

There is significant disagreement over mattress style. The rule generally is that for low back problems, firmer is better, while for neck and shoulder problems, softer is better. More information on this will be coming.
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Study reveals link between MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella) Vaccine and Autism

In a recent article in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, all the children studied developed autism shortly after vaccination. Measles virus, most likely from the vaccine, was detected in spinal fluid of children with autism, but not controls (those who did not receive the vaccine). This study is the latest in a series that examines the relationship between internal measles virus infection and autism. This contradicts the US government's Institute of Medicine report that claims there was no relationship between vaccination and autism.2
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Antibiotics May Lead to Allergies and Asthma

Chiropractic helps keep your children away from antibiotics by developing natural immunity. Keeping your child antibiotic-free may also prevent allergies. Researchers have disclosed findings, as confirmed by earlier studies, that children who use antibiotics increase their risk for developing allergies. The mechanism appears to be that antibiotics alter the normal balance of intestinal bacteria and fungi resulting in increased hypersensitivity.3
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Chiropractic Questions and Answers

questions and answers
How safe is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is one of the safest healing professions known. As proof one just has to compare malpractice rates among healthcare professions. Chiropractors pay a fraction of what medical care providers pay. Chiropractic is safe, effective and has no side effects (except for improved health).
Can someone who has a disc problem see a chiropractor?
Absolutely! Studies are revealing that chiropractic care has been able to reduce disc herniation/protrusion. Chiropractic has saved people from spinal surgery.
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Words of wisdom

"One or more vertebrae of the spine may or may not go out of place very much. They might give way very little, and, if they do, they are likely to produce serious complications and even death, if not properly adjusted."
- Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine
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News from Chiropractic and Spinal Research

Transparent men
Infertility
A 32-year-old woman attempted to become pregnant for two years with no success. Artificial insemination, a fertility drug and in-vitro fertilization failed. She suffered from endometriosis, low back pain, and frequent headaches.

After 6 weeks chiropractic care her low back pain and headaches improved dramatically. The patient's fertility specialists noted that her estrogen levels, endometrial thickness, and cervical mucus levels were all at more favorable levels. A second in vitro fertilization was successful.4

Vision improvement
A 25-year-old woman who was nearly blind from terminal glaucomatous retinal damage sought chiropractic care for spinal pain, headache, and classic migraine. Immediately after the first chiropractic adjustment significant visual field improvement was recorded. After 4 adjustments visual field and acuity improved dramatically.

From the abstract: "Recovery of vision in this patient was an unexpected and remarkable outcome, raising the question of whether chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy may be of value in the management of glaucomatous visual field loss."5

Vertigo
Fifteen individuals suffering from cervical vertigo had spinal care with various other interventions. After five sessions over 41 days 60% of patients reported complete remission of vertigo.6
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Breastfeeding Can Make Your Baby Smarter

breastfeeding Breastfed infants tend to have higher intelligence than formula-fed infants because the nutritional properties of breast milk are not only good for the newborn's immune system, they are also good for the baby's brain.

Some chemicals in breast milk seem to be especially nourishing to the infant's brain such as omega-3 fatty acids. One study found that the verbal IQ of 7- and 8-year-old children who had been breastfed was about 10 points higher than those who were not. Another 18-year study of over 1,000 children found that those who were breastfed had higher intelligence and greater academic achievement than children who were formula-fed as babies.

Breastfed babies also spend more time in a "quiet alert" state, which is the state most conducive to the newborn's learning (parents appreciate it too).7

Omega 3 fatty acids are EPA and DHA and are found mainly in cold water fish such as salmon. The baby's brain quintuples it's DHA content in the last trimester and again in the first 5 weeks after birth. Formulas now have DHA added but it still can't compare to breast milk - especially if the mother is taking an EPA/DHA supplement.
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You Can Make Your Own Vitamin D - for Free!

Get vitamin D from being in the SunIt keeps bones strong and healthy, fights cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and general aches and pains. What is it? Vitamin D. Research shows that there is a surprising amount of vitamin D deficiency in the population.

Don't worry, you can make your own! All you need is about 15-20 minutes of sun exposure on your bare skin and you'll make 10,000 IU of it. You don't need to take drastic measures - a bathing suit exposure will do. ;) Remember, the older you are or the darker your skin color the more D you need. Bonus: Getting enough during the summer can carry you through the winter.8
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See you soon - make an appointment to get a checkup so you you can have a healthier and happier summer.

Dr. Matt Waln
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References

  1. Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Pena A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362:1599-1604.
  2. Bradstreet JM, Dahr JE, Anthony A et al. Detection of measles virus genomic RNA in cerebrospinal fluid of children with regressive autism: a report of three cases. Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. 2004;9:2
  3. Presentation from the 104th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, May 23-27, 2004 in New Orleans, LA.
  4. Shelley J, Healthy Pregnancy In A Previously Infertile Patient Following DNFT Chiropractic Care: A Case Report, JVSR, December 8, 2003, pp 1-7.
  5. Gorman RF, Wingfield BR. Treatment of severe glaucomatous visual field deficit by chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy: a prospective case study and discussion. Journal of Manipulative and Physical Therapy. 2000;23:428-34.
  6. Bracher ESB, Almieda CIR, Almieda RR, et al. A combined approach for the treatment of cervical vertigo. Journal of Manipulative and Physical Therapy.2000;23(2):96-100.
  7. Horwood LJ, Darlow BA & Mogridge N. Breast milk feeding and cognitive ability at 7-8 years,. Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2001;84:F23-F27.
  8. Calvo MS, Whiting SJ. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in Canada and the United States: importance to health status and efficacy of current food fortification and dietary supplement use. Nutrition Review. 2003;61(3):107-113.
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