HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Health is available to you!
All you need to do is improve your lifestyle decisions.
Practice good eating, good movement and good thinking.
Play and work in the right balance.
You and your family will be glad you did!

Habits of excellence make a big difference.
Obviously, no one gets it right all the time- no problem!
Less is more- eat less, worry less, and you'll feel better.
Inform and inspire yourself to learn and grow.
Demand excellence from yourself, be patients with others.
All of us have what it takes to be healthier.
You can make these holidays even more beautiful.
Simply use common sense, and love each other.

Exercise can reduce your stress!

Exercise can reduce your stress!

The holidays can be a particularly stressful time of year so take some time, not only for your physical health but your mental and emotion health too!

Modern life is stressful – fighting traffic, breathing dirty air and drinking dirty water, taking medications, dealing with challenges at work and in the home, and small injuries along the way can take their toll on our health and prevent us from feeling the way we want to feel.

So many people have found that visiting their chiropractor has reduced their stress, and those who decide to exercise regularly have discovered a way to enhance their quality of life and reduce their stresses so they feel better every day.

No matter where you start, you can find a way to exercise that is safe and productive. Maybe you just need to park your car at the far end of the lot so you walk a hundred yards twice a day. Maybe you need to sit and take ten deep breaths twice a day to get your blood moving and your muscles toned. Maybe you can stretch, or do some yoga, or walk around the block before or after dinner.

It’s a fallacy that the only good kind of exercise is intense exercise. There’s a place for that too, without a doubt, but if you are just getting started, you can begin just by moving your body in ways it has not moved in a while, and you will get tremendous benefits. You can work up to more vigorous exercise, and you’ll be glad you did – it’s one of the least expensive and most worthwhile things you can do to add more years to your life and more life to your years!

Many Ways to Eat Right!

You hear a lot about this diet and that diet – some people stick to three square meals a day, and others who look and seem just as healthy recommend five or six smaller meals. Some eating styles insist on mixing proteins, carbohydrates and fats, while others recommend eating these food groups separately. Some people eat a wide variety of foods, and some prefer fewer choices. Some eat meat, while others are vegetarian.

Who is right?

The good news is that there are many right ways to eat. All of these eating styles have their place, and some people can bounce between several eating styles and it works for them. Rather than falling into the trap of thinking there a “best” way to eat, instead take into account that, just as each of us has a different fingerprint, each of us has a slightly different body that processes food somewhat differently. While you may have unique preferences, let’s look at some of the common sense principles behind making good dietary decisions.

1. Eat clean, natural, whole foods, organic whenever possible.

2. Eat enough but not too much. Stop when you’re 80% full, and wait to see if you are really still hungry – if not, stop eating.

3. Limit or avoid processed foods, especially those with chemical additives and preservatives.

4. Drink lots of water, up to a half ounce for every pound of body weight – for example, if you weigh 128 pounds, drink 64 ounces, or 8 eight-ounce glasses per day. Coffee isn’t water, tea isn’t water, soft drinks aren’t water, juices aren’t water. Even if you drink other stuff, drink enough water.

5. Eat breakfast every day, and pick wholesome foods, but not sugary sweet foods.

6. Don’t eat late at night before bed. Let your body rest while you sleep.

7. Eat fresh, live, water-rich foods, like fruits and vegetables, every day. Eat local produce when you can get it.

8. Limit or avoid the “whites,” like salt, sugar, white flour, or artificial sweeteners.

9. Eat a variety of foods, not too much or too little of anything. Practice moderation.

However you decide to eat, be grateful for your “daily bread” and choose carefully – you are putting fuel into a high-performance machine, and you want to provide the best energy possible!

A "Crash Course" on Leadership!

Some people mistakenly think that leaders are uniformed figureheads who are elected or chosen to represent a certain group or organization, but everyday leadership is demonstrated by parents, teachers, older siblings, clergy, friends – in fact, just about everyone finds themselves in a position of leadership from time to time.

Here are the thoughts of leadership educator Steve Ventura on the subject:

The 10 most important words:
“What can I do to help you be more successful?”

The 9 most important words:
“I need you to do this, and here’s why …”

The 8 most important words:
“That’s my mistake and I will fix it.”

The 7 most important words:
“My door is always open to you.”

The 6 most important words:
“Let’s focus on solving the problem.”

The 5 most important words:
“You did a great job!”

The 4 most important words:
“What do YOU think?”

The 3 most important words:
“Follow my lead.”

The 2 most important words:
“Thank You.”

The MOST important word:
“YOU.”

Snow Shoveling Safety

A guide to saving your back during Colorado's winter.

It's already time to dust off that trusty snow shovel and dig in! Unfortunately, many back and neck injuries occur in the winter as a result of shoveling snow. Experts in Colorado, where snow shoveling is an art form, agree that with just a few simple suggestions you can protect your back and neck from potentially painful injuries.

Take It Easy
Since you may be less active during the winter months, it's wise to take it slow and easy. Warm up your muscles prior to shoveling, just like you would for any physical exercise. Do a little stretching first so that the work doesn't come as a shock to your body. Don't overexert yourself while shoveling your driveway and/or sidewalk. Be sure to take frequent breaks. Also, drink plenty of water before, during and after you shovel. The air is even drier in the winter in Colorado, so you can quickly become dehydrated.

Shovel In Good Form
Follow safe lifting and bending guidelines when you shovel snow to protect against back and neck injuries. Bend with your knees, NOT YOUR BACK! To pick up a shovel from the ground or lift a heavy slab of ice, bend at the knees, grasp the object with both hands and lift with your legs slowly and carefully. Always be sure of your footing on ice and snow before you shovel or lift.

Snow Sense
Clear snow as soon as it stops falling if possible. Freshly fallen snow is much lighter than snow that has melted slightly and become heavier and denser. Push snow out of the way whenever possible. It's less strenuous to push snow than to throw it with the shovel. When using your snow shovel, grasp the tool so that you work with your elbows slightly bent. Try not to bend over too much while you work. Work with your arms and legs, not your back. Throw the snow forward with your arms, not from side to side.

Consider investing in a snow blower or hiring someone to shovel snow for you. Ergonomically-designed snow shovels are available at many hardware and home stores. Here are a couple of websites you may visit to check out some innovative and easy-on-your-back snow tools:

www.lifewithease.com/backsaver.html
www.thewreathdepot.com/ersnsh.html
www.suncast.com/snowtools

If You Hurt Your Back...
Even after you've read all of these suggestions and done your best to follow them, you may still suffer a back problem or injury. Your chiropractic doctor can help you get your back on track. In addition to a spinal adjustment, your chiropractor may recommend other types of treatment for strengthening your back or relieving tension and pain. These additional treatments may include personalized stretching and strengthening exercises, moist heat, ice packs, electrotherapy, ultrasound, or traction. Don't delay seeing your chiropractic doctor when problems arise. The sooner you go the sooner your back and spine will be healthy and normal again-- and you can get back to shoveling that snow in the driveway!

What You Should Know About Snow!

-Moses Maimonides, 10th century physician to the Egyptian Khalif, prescribed snow as a cure for the hot Cairo summers.

-The commonly used ten-to-one ratio for snowfall to water content is a myth for much of the United States. This ratio varies from as low as 100-to-one to as high as about three-to-one depending on the conditions associated with the snowfall. The majority of US snows fall with a water-to-snow ratio of between .04 and .10.

-Average inches of annual snowfall for a few Colorado cities: Alamosa: 33.7, Colorado Springs: 42.7, Denver: 60.3 & Grand Junction: 24.2

-Each year an average of 105 snow-producing storms affect the continental United States. A typical storm will have a snow-producing lifetime of two to five days and will bring snow to portions of several states.

-In the western US, mountain snow pack contributes to 75% of all year-round surface water supplies.

-Snow is actually made up of billions of tiny, clear ice crystals. The crystals act as prisms, breaking up the light of the sun into the entire spectrum of color. The human eye sees the snow as white; that's because the color white is really a combination of every other color.

-Roman emperors are alleged to have sent slaves to mountain tops to bring back fresh snow which was then flavored and served as part of their famous food orgies.

-42 billion square miles of the earth's surface is covered by a constant blanket of snow.

-A single cubic foot of snow may contain as many as 10 million snowflakes.

To learn more about snow visit the National Snow and Ice Data Center (located in Boulder, Colorado) on the web at:
www.nsidc.org/snow

10 Tips for Safer Exercise

It's crucial to our health to stay as physically active as we can, and it’s important to choose exercises and sports that build our bodies while minimizing the risk of injury. Here are ten tips for safer exercising.

1. Have a physical exam or fitness test. Visit your doctor or chiropractor before beginning a new exercise program, to uncover any problems that might alter your approach to getting fit. Find out from experts what your limits might be, and get them to suggest an appropriate exercise routine for you.

2. Gradually increase time and intensity. It’s common to be too enthusiastic and try to do too much too soon. Begin with moderate exercise, maybe about 20 minutes 3 times a week, and gradually build up your stamina and strength.

3. Visit a personal trainer. If you just don't know what to do or where to begin, a good trainer will get you started safely and help you learn enough to work out on your own if you choose. A few initial sessions may be all you need, or you can follow through if you respond to the structure and commitment.

4. Warm up before exercise. A proper, gradual warm up makes your muscles more flexible, your structure more mobile and gets you in the mood, too. Walk, jog, stretch or just do your regular activity slowly and easily until you feel ready to get in full gear.

5. Don't work out on empty.Exercising on a full stomach may be uncomfortable, but if you eat about 2 hours before exercise, it can help fuel your exercise and keep your energy up through your workout.

6. Drink water prior to exercising. Dehydration is dangerous and interferes with your best performance, so stay well hydrated. Try to drink 16-32 oz. of water in the two hours before your workout and then drink water during your workout to replace any lost fluids.

7. Listen to your body. If you experience any sharp pain, weakness or light-headedness during exercise, pay attention. This is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong and you should stop exercising, at least until you understand why you are feeling the way you do. Pushing through acute pain or illness sometimes leads to a severe or chronic injury or condition. If you don't feel well, usually you should take some time off until your body heals.

8. Take time for rest and recovery. In addition to getting enough sleep, it is important to take some rest days. Working out too much for too long can make you exhausted and deplete your vital energy, the opposite of why you are exercising in the first place.

9. Cross train. It prevents boredom, and allows you to get a full body workout without over-stressing certain muscle groups.

10. Dress properly for your sport. This includes using appropriate safety equipment, choosing proper footwear, replacing running shoes as needed and wearing clothing that wicks sweat and helps keep you cool and dry. For cold weather exercise, dress in layers so you can shed as needed.

It’s good for you to exercise – to get the most out of it, and to avoid unnecessary problems, follow these simple guidelines and have fun!

(adapted from about.com, E. Quinn)

What Is Pain?

No one likes to be in pain. It hurts! But what is pain, why is it there in the first place, and what is it trying to tell us?

Pain is a signal the body uses to alert us when something is going wrong that needs our attention. It’s really a good thing that the body can “talk” to us this way, even if it’s uncomfortable – it lets us know when we need to do something to change for the better.

When we’re in pain, we tend to believe that the pain is the problem, but actually, this is most often not the case. The pain is not the problem – the pain is your body’s way of letting you know that you HAVE a problem. It’s like a fire alarm – is the fire alarm the fire, or does it tell us that there IS a fire? If the fire alarm is ringing, and we shut it off, the fire will continue to burn – can you see how it’s the same with your pain? If we just shut it off without fixing the underlying problem, that wouldn’t work, would it?

This is one of the reasons doctors of chiropractic have been saying for over a hundred years that anyone with a spine and nerve system needs a check-up.

Why the spine and nerve system? It’s the control system of the body. Usually, the body runs itself and heals itself – that’s the way we were designed. But if the control system isn’t doing its job then the body can’t heal itself, so chiropractors specialize in finding and fixing disturbances and interference with the nerve system and restoring normal control, so the body can heal itself again.

It’s a bit like a garden hose. The hose carries the water from your house to your garden, so the plants can thrive. Your nerves carry energy from your brain to your body parts so they can thrive. If the hose is crimped, the water can’t flow, and the plants suffer. If your nerve gets crimped, the energy can’t flow, and your body parts suffer. Keep your nerves free flowing, and your body works that much better.

Or, you could say it’s like the power company. There’s a big power plant in town, where all the power for the neighborhood comes from. There are power lines that connect the power company to our houses, so we can use the power in our daily lives, for our lights, our appliances, and so on.

In your body, the power comes from the brain, which also uses power lines, called nerves. The nerves connect to our body parts so we can use the power in our daily lives, for our muscles, our organs and so on.

If anything interrupts the power lines from the power company, the power is shut down, and the lights and appliances in your house can’t work right. If anything interrupts the power lines in your body, the power is also shut down, and your body parts can’t work right.

Chiropractors find and fix these areas in your body that need the power turned back on.

Why wait until the pain begins? Just like getting regular dental and physical exams, make sure you and your family get periodic spine and nerve system check-ups from your doctor of chiropractic. It gives you a better chance of living pain free, and improving the quality of your life, too.

Ten Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water

We all know that we're supposed to drink 8 glasses of water a day... but what are the real benefits? Here are ten quick health benefits of drinking enough water.

1. Drinking enough water gives you healthier skin with fewer blemishes or wrinkles

2. Drinking enough water gives you a healthier mind and body with better nutrient absorption and more efficient chemical reactions in the body for better overall health, including proper brain function and improvements in memory.

3. Drinking enough water gives you more energy, since water is the medium in which all energy reactions take place.

4. Drinking enough water gives you a healthier digestive system, with better processing of food, better bowel function, and fewer digestive complaints. Drinking sufficient water helps the body process and transport nutrients and get rid of any waste products.

5. Drinking enough water reduces fatigue by making your body’s chemistry work more efficiently. If you become dehydrated you will become lethargic, experience cramping and endurance and strength performance will suffer.

6. Drinking enough water helps you lose weight. Water is a natural appetite suppressor and increases the body's ability to metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.

7. Drinking enough water gives you healthier, stronger joints, since the fluid in your joints requires water to keep them lubricated and moving properly.

8. Drinking enough water reduces joint pain. Back pain can be improved with hydration, since water lubricates the joints. Cartilage found at the ends of long bones & between the vertebrae of the spine hold a lot of water, so increasing water intake replenishes the water in these tissues. When the cartilages are well hydrated, the joint glides freely, and friction damage is reduced. Not enough increases the rate of "abrasive" damage, leading to joint deterioration and increased pain.

9. Drinking enough water helps in weight loss, reduces fluid retention, helps build muscle, and increases muscle tone. Preventing dehydration will also help prevent sagging skin, since water will fill out the muscles, resulting in clear, healthy and resilient skin.

10. Drinking enough water reduces the risk of disease. Studies have shown that increasing daily water intake has shown to decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 50% potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer. It is also believed that water may prevent many kidney stone and urinary tract infections.

Why do Children Need a Spine and Nerve System Checkup?

It’s easy to understand why a child would need periodic checkups – listening to the heart, looking in the eyes and ears, taking blood pressure and looking at the skin are common occurrences in every family, usually performed by the family doctor. Committed parents will do whatever is necessary to safeguard the health and wellness of their children, and getting the appropriate examinations is part of the normal routine of most families.

Yet, most family doctors do not include an examination of the spine and nerve system, other than tapping reflexes with a hammer, which turns up only the most major nerve system problems. The education and training a pediatrician or family doctor receives does not emphasize the thorough examination of the posture, spinal alignment, and nerve system – they are simply interested in other aspects of body function, more consistent with their approach to caring for their patients.

That’s why, to be sure of your child’s spine and nerve system health and wellness, you need to have a spine and nerve system specialist examine your family, and your neighborhood spine and nerve system specialist is your doctor of chiropractic.

Chiropractors take extensive training in the examination and evaluation of spine and nerve system function, performing specific tests and interpreting them as only a chiropractor can. Analyzing the alignment and movement of the spinal bones, and the effect that that alignment and movement has on the delicate nerves the spine is intended to protect, is unique to the doctor of chiropractic, and the value and benefit of doing so can be significant, either to reassure parents that their kids are fine, or to detect spine and nerve system problems early enough so they can be addressed before serious symptoms, pain or discomfort begin. It helps you to spare your child any unnecessary suffering.

Every child is different, but there are patterns you can look for that may tip you off about any impending problems. Uneven or too-rapid shoe wear, hips or shoulders appearing slanted or rotated, head tilt, standing with the weight shifted to one side, or awkward stretching movements of the neck or torso can be signs that something is out of balance in the structure.

If a child complains of headaches, neck pain, or back pain, these are often signs of more advanced issues with the spine and nerve system, as children are usually so flexible and resilient, these problems don’t surface easily. If your child complains of such symptoms, get him or her to your family chiropractor as soon as possible.

But most of the time, there are no overt symptoms, just subtle changes
that only a trained professional will notice. That’s why periodic
examinations are so essential – an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure.

Ask your doctor of chiropractic about his or her recommendations for your kids – it could make a world of difference in your family’s future health and wellness, and probably spare your children from suffering needlessly.

Celebrating 116 Years of Chiropractic!

Today, the 18th of September (1895) is Chiropractic’s birthday! In many ways it was a re-discovery of the ancient art of spinal care found in nearly every culture and practiced since time immemorial, however today is the day we celebrate Chiropractic’s birthday in the “new world”. 1895 was also a time of scientific discovery and a recognised time of rediscovery.

On Sept. 18, 1895, Dr. D.D. Palmer of Davenport, Iowa, gave the first chiropractic adjustment. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a cleaner in Palmer’s building, who had been deaf since a traumatic accident several years earlier. Palmer, who had been studying the spine and nervous system, found a bump on Lillard’s upper spine that he presumed to be a spinal misalignment. After adjusting Harvey’s spine his hearing returned – thus the beginnings of Chiropractic was born. As Palmer had suspected there was a relationship between spinal misalignments and a body that wasn’t functioning as well as it was capable of.

Palmer created the Palmer School & Infirmary of Chiropractic. In 1898, he accepted his first students. Although he never used drugs, under Palmer’s care, fevers broke, pain ended, infections healed, vision improved, stomach disorders disappeared, and of course, hearing returned. Often surprised at the effectiveness of his adjustments, D.D. Palmer returned to his studies of anatomy and physiology to learn more about the vital connection between the spine and one’s health. He realized spinal adjustments to correct vertebral misalignments, or subluxations, were eliminating the nerve interference causing the patients’ complaints.

“I am not the first person to replace subluxated vertebrae, but I do claim to be the first person to replace displaced vertebrae by using the spinous and transverse processes as levers…and to develop the philosophy and science of chiropractic adjustments.” D.D. Palmer, Discoverer of Chiropractic

Today’s Chiropractors continue the work of locating and reducing spinal misalignments. The spine houses the nervous system which is the master control system of the body. Thanks to D.D. Palmer and his son B.J. Palmer, millions of people world wide receive relief from needless pain and suffering every week through chiropractic adjustments and are therefore able to express true health and potential on every level unhindered.

Chiropractic is a science, art and philosophy which allows the body to reach it’s inborn potential and capacity to heal without the use of drugs or surgery. The Chiropractic profession is leading the Wellness Revolution aimed at getting people well and helping them maintain that wellness. With today’s health care problems at their peak, chiropractors are willing to think outside the realm of common thought so that better, safer, more natural solutions can be created.

Do you know someone who is not reaching their health and life potential? Maybe it is time to introduce them to Chiropractic!

Feeling Good About Yourself

Too often, we only care about mental health when dealing with a problem suffered by ourselves or a loved one, but actually, there’s a lot you can do to improve your mental health and feel good about yourself, as described in “The Six Pillars of Self Esteem,” written by the expert in the field, brilliant psychologist Nathaniel Branden.

“Of all the judgments we pass in life,” Branden says, “none is as important as the one we pass on ourselves. Nearly every psychological problem — from anxiety and depression to self-sabotage at work or at school, from fear of intimacy to chronic hostility — is traceable to low self-esteem. In the chaotic and competitive world we face today, both personal happiness and economic survival rest on how well we understand self-esteem and nurture it in ourselves and in others.”

Branden offers six simple rules that help to build self esteem, six practices to live by that enhance your self worth so you feel good about yourself, and will help you support others around you, your children, parents, siblings, friends, neighbors and co-workers, to feel good about themselves too.

• Live consciously. Make choices and decisions about who you are and what you intend to do, and live by those standards.

• Accept yourself for who you are. No one is perfect, and everyone has positive qualities. Make it okay to be you.

• Take responsibility for what you do. If you do something well, be gracious and receive the praise proudly, if humbly. If you make a mistake, apologize and do what you can to make it right.

• Assert yourself properly. You matter, and if you have a position on something, let it be known. Your willingness to voice your opinion could make a big difference in solving the problem or addressing the task at hand – don’t keep your light under a basket.

• Live purposefully. There is a reason you are here, and a meaning to your life – be optimistic and drive to accomplish what is most important to you, based on your personal beliefs and values.

• Demonstrate personal integrity. Keep your word. Do what you say you’re going to do. Be clear in your expectations of others, accommodate their frailties, and hold yourself to your highest ethical guidelines.

No one can feel good about you for you – only you can decide to feel good about yourself. It reduces stress, avoids mental health issues, and makes it more fun to be around you. And, building up your children in strong and noble thought is the foundation of good parenting.

Healthy Habits - An Important Key to a Better Life

In this time of instant information through television and the internet, we have so much input, sometimes it’s hard to know our best course of action. Here’s a list of healthy habits that can cut through the noise and focus you on the actions and behaviors that will serve you best.

• Get enough rest. This is a common mistake, and a costly one – depriving yourself of sleep can compromise every aspect of your lifestyle, from mental sharpness to physical strength. It’s ideal to get 7-8 hours each night, but if that’s not possible, at least make sure your bed is comfortable and supportive, your pillows are not too hard or too high, and that you avoid eating or watching upsetting television before bedtime. Ask your doctor of chiropractic about your mattress or any special pillows that may support you better

• Drink enough water. Dehydration is a sneak thief of good health – often missed by doctors, it is at the root of many health issues. It robs us of normal function, and prevents our bodies from experiencing proper breathing, digestion, circulation, and cleansing of waste products. You need anywhere from eight to twenty glasses of water each day, depending on your body weight and other dietary choices – some authorities say half your body weight in ounces, so if you weigh 128 pounds, you need 64 ounces, about 8 glasses, and if you weigh 192 pounds, you need about 12 glasses.

• Eat wholesome foods. Avoid processed, sugar-laden or heavily fried foods, and find the right eating rhythm for you – some people like three square meals, others prefer five or six smaller meals, so figure out what your body responds to best. A variety seems to appeal to most people, and the healthiest foods for you to choose are live foods – fruits and vegetables, with high water content. Moderate your intake of sugars, fats and alcohol – you can have some, but 70% or more of your diet should consist of live foods, for optimal health.
  

• Take things in stride. Stress is a killer, driving up blood pressure, preventing normal digestion, increasing toxicity and generating overall bad feelings. If you can learn to reduce or defuse your stresses, you will be healthier in every way, and that doesn’t mean take more anti-depressants – lifestyle choices like exercise, meditation, and meaningful conversation can all relieve stress and make your like happier – get on it and do it every day.

• Exercise regularly. That doesn’t mean lift your car or run twenty miles – it just means you need to use your body or else you will lose it. Something as simple as parking your car at the other end of the parking lot and walking the hundred yards to your workplace each day is a good start. Many researchers believe that as little as three thirty minute sessions of light exercise, like walking, stretching or swimming, can make a profound change in your metabolism, leading to more fitness, less overweight, and better health in general.

• Consult the appropriate professionals to get the advice and care you need. Visit your dentist for your teeth, your optometrist for your eyes, your podiatrist for your feet, and make sure to include your chiropractor for your spine and nerve system. Your body needs some maintenance to work at peak efficiency – let the experts help you and advise you for optimum health and wellness.

Don't fall into the trap of only taking action when you are sick- be proactive, develop healthy habits and you will be delighted with the results!

Benefit Ride - Help Us Help Them

Benefit Ride!
Saturday, September 17, 2011

Help Us Help Them!

Join other riders to help benefit Harvest Food Outreach, sponsored by Castlewood Canyon Church, an agency with Food Bank of the Rockies.

Ride Info:

Registration: 8:30am at the Franktown Fire Station (Intersection of Hwy 83 & Hwy 86 - one block south on the right)

Cost: $25 per motorcycle - All donations provide food assistance to those in need.

Ride starts at 9:00am

Door Prizes & Food at Harvest Food Outreach at 10:30am - 599 Topeka Way, Castle Rock

For more information visit us online at: www.ccanyonc.org
or call Jack at 303.688.8730

Fluoride Decreases Bone Strength

Community water fluoridation has long been touted as a safe and effective means to reduce dental caries in a population, yet data on the long-term safety of low levels of systemic fluoride exposure on the myriad of body systems are either inconclusive or completely lacking. Ingested fluoride is incorporated into the bones, suggesting that exposure over a lifetime, even to the relatively low levels experienced via fluoridated water, may affect the structural or mechanical properties of bone. Chachra et al. (2010) compared bone specimens from residents of fluoridated Toronto to those of non-fluoridated Montreal, with the hypothesis that these populations would reveal patterns consistent with differences in long-term fluoride exposure. The fluoride content of bones from the fluoridated area was significantly higher than those from the non-fluoridated area. Bone from Toronto residents showed greater mean strain at ultimate compressive stress (UCS, an indicator of fracture risk) and greater energy absorbed to failure than bone from Montreal residents. However, the authors failed to control for age, which was greater for those residents in non-fluoridated Montreal. Bones typically weaken with age, and thus the effects of a more elderly population in Montreal may have obscured the full effect of fluoride on the Toronto population. A more relevant finding is that UCS and yield stress declined with increasing fluoride content of bone, indicating that bone strength decreases with increasing bone fluoride level. While similar animal studies have been performed, this is the first human epidemiological study to utilize such an analysis to study fluoride levels and risk of bone fracture, and thus should be seriously considered by public health officials when performing evidence-based risk assessments for fluoride exposures for the whole of the population.

Source:
Chachra D, Limeback H, Willett TL, Grynpas MD. 2010. The long-term effects of
water fluoridation on the human skeleton. Journal of Dental Research 89(11):
1219-1223.

Prevent Illness Before it Hits Home

With kids going back to school, most parents know that this means more colds and flu- likely for everyone in the household. So just how do we arm our children with the best means to protect themselves from these pesky germs?

The key to keeping kids healthy as they head back into the classroom is to bolster their immune systems. By re-balancing their immune systems to a normal and natural state, they will be more likely to fight off any pesky invaders they come in contact with.

Germs spread quickly and easily in classrooms because kids tend to touch each other and communal objects—toys, balls and desks—often, and then bring their hands back to facial openings such as their mouth, nose and eyes. If germs are present, this is how they enter the body.

The first line of defense is teaching children to avoid hand-to-face contact. This may work with older children who tend to be somewhat less spontaneous, but with younger ones this is not always practical.

According to naturopathic physician Dr. Dick Thom of the Bambú Clinic in Portland, Oregon, there are a number of key steps that should be implemented to keep kids at their peak health.

One of the primary considerations is to eliminate any food allergies or sensitivities that the child may have, since they continuously put stress on the immune system without parents or the child even being aware this is happening. The most commonly undetected sensitivities are to foods such as dairy, wheat, corn, soy and even fruits such as oranges.

To help support a strong immune system, children should regularly consume a fish oil supplement. Dr. Thom recommends the use of quality cod liver oil, as it contains both the essential fatty acids (Omega-3 fatty acids) and vitamin D, which research is showing most North American children are deficient in. Vitamin D is a key player in immunity.

Probiotics, or good bacteria, are also vital to the body's ability to protect itself. These beneficial bacteria help to fight infection by stimulating the body's ability to create antibodies—our defense against harmful bacteria and viruses. Probiotics can be found in specific cultured and fermented foods, including some yogurts, as well as in supplement form.

In terms of lifestyle, sleep is often an undervalued need. A large number of today's children are not sleeping properly and thus are not able to give their bodies the time and rest they need to fully recuperate. Adding insult to injury, they often wake up late and then skip breakfast, later turning to sugary foods to give them an artificial energy boost. Dr. Thom believes this extra sugar encourages hypoglycemic reactions in the body, which further weakens immunity.

Regular exercise also helps. Exercise stimulates the movement of lymph fluid in the body. Lymph fluid contains lymphocytes—vital white blood cells that fight illness-causing pathogens—making it an active part of the immune system. Cardio exercise of any kind keeps lymph circulating, enabling the immune system to perform better.

When your child does fall ill, Dr. Thom believes the best remedy is to support your child's body in its quest to heal itself. That means lots of rest, liquids such as water and homemade soup, and if desired, Epsom salt baths.

"The best is to not to give children anything, especially something to lower a fever," says Dr. Thom. "A fever is the best defense the body has to fight infections. Everyone worries about febrile seizures but research shows they are not a problem."

By following some of these sensible and effective strategies for keeping your child healthy, you can take some of the stress out of the back to school season. And as we all know, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

Article courtesy of www.naturallysavvy.com

Dr. Boyd adds that the article overlooked the importance of a healthy spine and nervous system free of interference. Your body knows what to do... the brain controls all the systems of the body and sends its instructions to the other systems of the body and those systems in turn send information back to the brain, telling the brain what they are doing. It is when there is nervous system interference caused by subluxation or misalignment or vertebra that cause the body dis-case and not to function at 100% that lowers our immune system and that is when we get run down, tired and sick.

He is right on the mark about not giving anything to lower a mild fever. Diseases invade our body when we get run down and they like to live at 98.6 degrees. So our immune system naturally raises our body temperature to fight off and kill these invaders. Parents don't like to see their kids sick and want to do something to help them feel better so they might give a fever reducer but as we have seen, that inhibits the bodies own natural defense mechanism and can actually lengthen the child's illness. One colleague of mine said, "under 103 bring them to me 104 out the door"; so 103 hold tight and keep your kids cool and comfortable and hydrated, at 104 it's time to consult your pediatrician.

Sciatica Treatment

Spinal Manipulation Proves Equally Beneficial as Surgery in Sciatica Treatment

Chiropractic care could save America 2.75 BILLION a year for patient suffering from sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation


In a recent study, “Manipulation or Microdisketomy for Sciatica? A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study,” (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, October 2010, Vol. 33 Iss. 8, p: 576-584), researchers concluded that spinal manipulation was just as effective as microdiskectomy for patients struggling with sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The patient population studied included people experiencing chronic sciatica (symptoms greater than six months) that had failed traditional, medical management. Overall, 60 percent of patients who received spinal manipulation benefited to the same degree as those who underwent surgery.

“To our knowledge, this is the first, randomized trial that directly compared spinal manipulation, which in this study was delivered by a doctor of chiropractic, and back surgery, two popular treatment choices for this prevalent health condition,” says Dr. Gordon McMorland, who co-authored the paper with neurosurgeons Steve Casha, MD, PhD, FRCSC, Stephan J. du Plessis, MD, and R. John Hubert, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS. “Sciatica is a serious spinal condition that causes pain, numbness, or weakness in one or both legs. Many times when symptoms become debilitating and without further help, surgery is prescribed to alleviate discomfort. But surgery is not without financial and physical drawbacks.”

According to the study, “Outpatient Lumbar Microdiscectomy: A Prospective Study in 122 Patients”, more than 200,000 microdiskectomies are performed annually in the United States, at a direct cost of $5 billion, or $25,000 per procedure. In this year-long study, consenting participants were chosen randomly to receive either an average of 21 chiropractic sessions over a year or a single microdiskectomy, both with the additional integration of six supervised active rehabilitation sessions and a patient education program. If cost is assumed at $100 per chiropractic visit, there is a direct, total savings of $22,900 per manipulation patient. System-wide, this could save $2.75 billion dollars annually.

“After a year, no significant complications were seen in either treatment group, and the 60 percent patients who benefitted from spinal manipulation improved to the same degree as their surgical counterparts,” says Dr. McMorland, who also points out that, “The 40 percent of patients who were not helped by manipulation did receive subsequent surgical intervention. These patients benefited to the same degree as those that underwent surgery initially, suggesting there was no detrimental effect caused by delaying their surgical treatment.”

“Our research supports spinal manipulation performed by a doctor of chiropractic is a valuable and safe treatment option for those experiencing symptomatic LDH, failing traditional medical management. These individuals should consider spinal manipulation as a primary treatment, followed by surgery if unsuccessful.”

Headache Pills Can Cause Headaches

When patients come to us with help for headaches it is important for them to know about the latest information from a Consumer Reports (CR) health research report: their headaches may be caused by the drugs they’re taking to treat them!

"It’s not uncommon for people to experience medication-overuse headaches," said Orly Avitzur, MD, medical adviser, Consumer Reports Health, and a practicing neurologist. "It often comes as a surprise to my patients when I tell them that overuse of an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin may be causing their headaches. We all keep these OTCs in our medicine cabinets and I think many of us are so accustomed to them that we may underestimate the risk of overmedicating," Dr. Avitzur added.

The popular WebMD website concurs: "Many commonly used pain relievers, when taken in large enough amounts, can cause rebound headaches. Drugs once thought of as ‘safe’ are turning up as the likeliest culprits," warns one WebMD medical reference article. The "culprits" listed include:

• Aspirin
• Sinus relief medications
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as Aleve)
• Sedatives for sleep
• Codeine and prescription narcotics
• Over-the-counter combination headache remedies containing caffeine (such as Anacin, Excedrin, Bayer Select)
• Ergotamine preparations (such as Cafergot, Migergot, Ergomar, Bellergal-S, Bel-Phen-Ergot S, Phenerbel-S, Ercaf, Wigraine, and Cafatine PB)
• Butalbital combination pain relievers (Goody’s Headache Powder, Supac, fiorinal, fioricet)
  

The CR report took a particularly close look at a group of drugs called the triptans, which have become the most commonly prescribed drug for migraine patients, despite the fact that MDs are unclear as to how they work (it’s believed they affect how the nervous system handles serotonin, which is involved in pain processing).
It’s no wonder triptans are so extensively prescribed. They’re expensive and extremely profitable for drug makers. A single dose ranges in cost from $21 to $157, depending on the dosage and the form the medication comes in (tablets, nasal spray, or injection).

Article from Consumer Reports, March 23, 2011


Note from Dr. Boyd:
Chiropractic – 1st
Drugs – 2nd
Surgery -- Last Option
Look at treating the cause 1st and not just covering the symptoms with drugs.
Only your chiropractor can tell if yours is a chiropractic case.

Best Alternative Therapy for Back Pain

Which natural therapies really work to beat back pain? - Here's what more than 45,000 respondents in a new 'Consumer Reports' survey found most helpful:

Back pain may go away on its own, but for people dealing with chronic aches, chiropractic care may be a good option. Survey respondents found that it was the most helpful treatment for back pain (65 percent said it helped) surpassing both prescription and over-the-counter meds (53 and 28 percent said they helped, respectively). Deep-tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates were also deemed somewhat helpful by nearly half of those who’d tried them.

Original article by Leah McLaughlin of AOL News, July 21, 2011 - "Best Alternative Therapies for 12 Major Aches and Pains"

Reduce High Blood Pressure Without Pills

Are you dealing with high blood pressure? Medications will only mask the problem. According to a study conducted in late 2007 it’s time for you to stop relying on prescription medication and turn to a natural, healthy way to eliminate hypertension: chiropractic adjustments.

The study found that the correction of a spinal misalignment of the Atlas vertebra was often associated with reductions in blood pressure in hypertensive people.

In a two-month study 50 high blood pressure patients, who were found to have a misalignment at the Atlas vertebrae, were divided into two groups. The first group was the control group which received faux chiropractic adjustments. The second group received chiropractic care to specifically align the Atlas vertebrae. No one in either of the groups took any medication during the study.

When the study began, the average blood pressure of the control group was 145/91. The average blood pressure of the chiropractic adjustment group was 147/92. At the end of the study the chiropractic adjustment group experienced a significant decrease in blood pressure, averaging to 130/82. The control group maintained their original high blood pressure readings.

Medical experts said that chiropractic adjustments naturally delivered the same results that would occur when a hypertension patient simultaneously took two different blood pressure reducing medications.

Isn’t it good to know that chiropractic adjustments can create better health without the use of potentially harmful medication?

[Source: Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, 10-29-07]

Milkshakes, French Fries, Chips & Cocaine...

In the 04/04/11 issue of the online edition of The Archives of General Psychiatry, a group of Yale University researchers reported on why it can be so hard to maintain a healthy weight, and why it has been so difficult to find obesity treatments that work.

Obesity is one of the biggest challenges facing this nation as well as the individuals of the US. Could the brain's response to the tempting appeal of fast food (sugary, fatty, salty, and/or greasy foods be the same response an addict's brain exhibits when it is anticipating the next "dose" of whatever it is addicted to?

The research hypothesis was that if certain foods are addictive, many people may be fighting a losing battle in their efforts to achieve sustainable weight loss.

The researchers found that compulsive eating may be driven, in part, by an enhanced expectation of the reward of eating a particular food. This is the same mechanism at work in addictions. (i.e. Cocaine)

What causes the brain to seek "reward" may lie in the chemicals that have been added to many "junk" foods. These foods are highly processed and tend to be loaded with flavor enhancing chemicals like MSG, Aspartame and High Fructose Corn Syrup. All of these are KNOWN to be highly addictive.

MSG, which we have reported on in the past, over-excites the brain to the point that it actually causes neurological brain damage -- but because it "tastes" so good, people quickly become addicted to it.

Article by: Dr. Mike Risoldi :: May 11, 2011

COMPUTER GENERATED NECK & BACK PROBLEMS

Back, neck and shoulder pain is the natural result of prolonged sitting at work behind a computer, as is bad posture. This can cause headaches and excessive tension in neck, shoulders, arms, forearms, wrists, back, hips, thighs and legs. The result is increased fatigue to the muscles and ligaments supporting the lower back and this can eventually lead to tissue injury and spinal joint dysfunction. Avoid these problems by posture correction, exercise and correct use of equipment.

Symptoms of back problems due to excessive computer use include:

* Back and neck muscle spasm and pain
* Back and neck soft tissue inflammation
* Back, neck and shoulder pain on movement and involvement of other muscles as a reaction
* Referred pain to buttocks and thighs or up the spine

Preventing back and neck pain while sitting is not an exact science as there are many differing opinions on the subject. However, there are some common denominators on which most chiropractors and other medical professionals agree:

Tips to Prevent Computer Related Neck and Shoulder Pain

Do not slouch in front of the computer or lie in bed and work on a laptop.

Do not work for hours in front of a computer without breaks.

Do not ignore back twinges and back pain, hoping that the problem will resolve itself.

Avoid taking pain or anti-inflammatory medication when in pain from using a computer. This will serve to mask the symptoms but can lead to serious injury or permanent nerve damage in the long term.

Do not sit on one leg or sit with legs crossed as this causes additional strain to the back.

Do not perch a laptop on the lap and stare down at the screen - this places extra strain on the neck, spine and arms.

Buy a chair that encourages you to use your back muscles, such as a stool chair with no back or arm rests. Lower back pain can be reduced or eliminated by strengthening the lower back muscles through active sitting exercises.

Buy an ergonomic keyboard and mouse and ensure that the height is adjusted appropriately.

Have a break every hour and do stretching exercises like neck rolls, chin tucks, cupping head in hands behind the head and extension exercises.

Visiting a Chiropractic Clinic

A chiropractor is a medical professional who treats spinal column dysfunction. Back and neck pain may be the result of the back being badly aligned and the chiropractor sets out to relieve the problem by manual manipulation, exercise, massage and the application of heat, cold and light.

Article courtesy of: NaturalNews.com

70,000 Kids Hospitalized for Accidental Drug 'Poisoning'

As Published in the Chiropractic Journal

Article Date: Mar 15, 2011

A new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study found that two-thirds (68.9%) of the 100,340 emergency department visits made in 2008 for accidental ingestion of drugs were made by children aged 5 or younger.

Two-fifths (42.3%) of the visits involved patients aged 2 years-old, and almost one third (29.5%) involved one-year-old patients. The report showed that males accounted for slightly more than half (55.7%) of the emergency department visits for accidental drug ingestion among children aged 5 or younger.

Additionally, the survey indicated that these incidents included drugs that act on the central nervous system (CNS) (40.8%), with the two main CNS drugs being pain relievers (21.1%), and drugs for insomnia and anxiety (11.6%). The study also found that 15.7% of the emergency department visits involved drugs for treating heart disease, followed by respiratory system drugs (10.3%).

"Poisoning is one of the most common childhood injuries. Most of the time it happens right at home," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, JD. "Locking up drugs and properly disposing leftover or expired drugs can save lives. Studies like this one that measure the impact on the health care system of accidental ingestion of drugs also provides us an opportunity to get the message out to parents and caregivers that there are simple steps they can take to prevent accidental drug ingestion."

The study also looked at whether these young patients needed additional care and treatment following their initial treatment at the hospital emergency department. Most of the children who were taken to an emergency department because of accidental drug ingestion were treated and released following the visit (85.3%). However, about 1 in 10 (8.7%) of the patients were admitted for inpatient care and 5% were transferred to other health care facilities.

The study, "Emergency Department Visits Involving Accidental Ingestion of Drugs by Children Aged 5 or Younger," was developed as part of the agency's strategic initiative on data, outcomes, and quality -- an effort to inform policy makers and service providers on the nature and scope of behavioral health issues. It is based on SAMHSA's 2008 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report. DAWN is a public health surveillance system that monitors drug-related hospital emergency department visits reported throughout the nation.

SOURCE: A copy of the study is available at: http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k10/DAWN014/AccidentalIngestion.htm

6 Mistakes That Keep You Fat

By: Lisa Jones from mens health magazine

We're not suggesting "The Situation" as a role model. But there is one hard-body lesson you can take from MTV's Jersey Shore loudmouth: The less body fat you carry, the better your abs will show.

Start by performing triage on the six eating habits listed here. But don’t try to banish them all at once. "Target just one or two behaviors at first—ones that you can make the most difference by changing," says Jennifer McDaniel, R.D., of St. Louis University.

The reason: Recent studies show that we have only so much willpower. That's why trying to break several bad habits at once can be overwhelming. But if you follow the slow and steady approach, you’ll increase your odds of sculpting a thinner, fitter physique—and keeping it for life.

Skipping Meals or Snacks

Not eating can mess with your body's ability to control your appetite. But it also destroys willpower, which is just as damaging. "Regulating yourself is a brain activity, and your brain runs on glucose," says Martin Ginis. If you skip breakfast or a healthy snack, your brain doesn't have the energy to say no to the inevitable chowfest.

So skipping a feed helps turn us into gluttons at night. Your starving brain "just doesn't have the fuel it needs to keep you on track, monitoring your diet."

Break it: This one's easy. Spread your calories out into three meals of about 500 calories each, and two snacks of 100 to 200 calories each, says Liz Applegate, Ph.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of California at Davis. Most men who are trying to lose weight still need at least 1,800 to 2,200 calories a day, says Applegate. More important, change your mindset, she says. Think I'm going to start a new routine, not I'm going to restrict myself. Restriction leads to overeating.

Speed-Eating

Use the nondiet approach: You're not denying yourself food, you're just eating it more slowly. Savoring it. Allowing your body some time so you don't keep eating when you're full.

In an experiment published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 17 healthy men ate 11/4 cups of ice cream. They either scarfed it in 5 minutes or took half an hour to savor it. According to study author Alexander Kokkinos, M.D., Ph.D., levels of fullness-causing hormones (called PYY and GLP-1), which signal the brain to stop eating, were higher among the 30-minute men. In real life, the scarfers wouldn't feel as full and could be moving on to another course.

Break it: Your body is trying to tell you something, so give it a chance. Slow down and enjoy your food, says Dr. Kokkinos. Put away the newspaper and turn off the TV. Try this breathing trick from The Yoga Body Diet: Inhale while counting slowly to five; exhale and count slowly to five; repeat three to five times before eating. A study in a 2009 issue of Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that yoga increases mindful eating and results in less weight gain over time.

Pigging Out on Weekends

Weekend feasts can cause trouble beyond Sunday. In a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers used rats to examine the effects of palmitic acid on leptin, a hormone that helps regulate appetite. Palmitic acid is found in saturated fat, an ingredient often featured in your favorite weekend grub.

"We found that within 3 days, the saturated fat blunts or blocks the ability of leptin to regulate food intake and body weight," says study author Deborah Clegg, Ph.D., of the University of Texas Southwestern medical center. So a Friday to Sunday of burgers, fries, and wings may prime your brain to overeat on Monday.

Break it: You don't have to go cold turkey (though turkey on whole wheat is always smart). McDaniel suggests that your reward for a healthy week should be one cheat meal, not an entire weekend of them. After all, having an all-you-can-eat weekend is like eating poorly for nearly 30 percent of your week. That means you'd be eating well just 70 percent of the time. We call that a C minus. Do you really want below-average results?

Gorging on Salty Snacks

Sodium is insidious—it causes us to eat unconsciously. It adds up fast: popcorn at the movies, chips during the game, peanuts at the bar.

Break it: Salt cravings go away after a couple of weeks on a reduced-salt diet, says Thomas Moore, M.D., an associate provost at Boston University medical center. Not many men can replace their favorite snacks with carrots or celery, but give them a try: The crunch may be what you crave. Otherwise, try small amounts of low-sodium chips and pretzels. As you're cooking a dish, skip the salt and, if you want, add just a dash at the table. "Salt added to the surface of a food item is far more noticeable than the same amount of salt cooked into a recipe," says Dr. Moore. A slow reduction of your salt habit pays off in fewer cravings, he says.

Drinking

Alcohol, that is. Here's an exercise to start tonight: Write down how much beer, wine, and other drinks you consume in a week. (Use that cocktail napkin.) You may surprise yourself. Calculate the calories and expect another surprise. A reasonable-sounding two beers a night can mean more than 2,000 calories a week—almost an extra day's worth. It can take more than 2 hours of running to burn that off . You call that a weight-loss plan? Besides the empty calories, booze undermines your willpower, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D., spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Which leads to impulse orders of, say, Buffalo wings.

Break it: Try quitting—for just a week. Check your weight and how your pants fit. See if you can live on less. When you do drink, switch to lower-carb dry red wine (about 4 grams of carbohydrates compared with almost 13 in a regular beer) or low-carb beer.

Eating in Front of the TV, Then Dozing Off

It's a double whammy with a twist. You ingest calories while burning none, and sabotage your secret weight-loss weapon: sleep. Research confirms that people who eat in front of the tube consume more calories (nearly 300, in one study) than those who don't, and that the more TV they watch, the less active they are. And University of Chicago researchers found that people who lost 3 hours of sleep ate about 200 more calories the next day in snacks than those who slept 81/2 hours.

Break it: Donald Hensrud, M.D., medical editor-in-chief of The Mayo Clinic Diet, says, "If you want to watch TV, be active at the same time or go work out and come back—then you can treat yourself with some TV." And make your DVR earn its keep so you can go to bed on a regular schedule. Sleep is a fine habit when done correctly