Henderson Archives | Page 3 of 5 | Henderson NV Chiropractor

November 19, 2010November 8, 2016

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IS A SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM, SAYS FDA COMMISSIONER

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be increasing its push for more research into antibiotics, says FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, because of escalating antibiotic resistance among many, if not most, bacteria that cause infectious disease in humans.

Use of antibiotics is widespread for common colds and ear infections in children, and they are added to chicken and livestock feed which are then consumed by people. The results are whole new populations of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that do not respond to even the most modern antibiotics, turning formerly ordinary infections into life-threatening diseases.

Also, because antibiotics are destructive to the immune system, taking them year after year has weakened the defenses we have to fight these illness and diseases on our own.

Research and development of new drugs is low, and the range of new antibiotics is limited. “We no longer have effective ways to treat serious infectious disease. Clearly we must encourage more judicious use of these important drugs,” Dr. Hamburg said.

The commissioner said that the agency has increased its internal discussions about the antibiotic resistance problem, and is talking to consumer health groups and the food industry about regulations regarding the use of antibiotics in animal feed and new guidelines on the use of antibiotics for patients. The FDA will increase its collaboration with outside groups in academia and government-industry health organizations next year, she said.

Experts have been warning for years that we are heading into a “post-antibiotic world” when antibiotics will no longer work. The World Health Organization calls antibiotic resistance one of the three greatest threats to human health.

Because of the improper use of antibiotics, strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are now killing hospitals patients around the world. If efforts to combat the problem are not launched now, even more infections that are still curable will make a dangerous comeback. Just like 100 years ago, and thousands of years before that, doctors will be unable to treat a host of common infections.

Here are a couple of relevant ideas:

While the scientists are trying to come up with new antibiotics, we can help avoid illness by maximizing our immune system health and bodily defenses ourselves. A balanced diet of healthy organic foods and regular exercise, along with high-quality vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, can go a long way to healing and to prolonging health.

Regular Chiropractic treatment also helps fend off illness by maintaining positive spinal alignment, ensuring proper nerve communications with the entire body, restore proper blood flow and encourage the body to heal naturally and improve overall function.

Want more information? Check out our website at www.nevadachiro.com

November 17, 2010November 8, 2016

Solutions for Back and Leg Pain

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Back and Leg Pain (Lumbar Radiculopathy) as a Result of Disc Herniation and the Long Term Effect of Chiropractic Care

By Mark Studin DC, FASBE (C), DAAPM, DAAMLP

The term “herniated disc” has been called many things from a slipped disc to a bulging disc. For a doctor who specializes in disc problems, the term is critical because it tells him/her how to create a prognosis and subsequent treatment plan for a patient. To clarify the disc issue, a herniated disc is where a disc tears and the internal material of the disc, called the nucleus pulposis, extends through that tear. It is always results from trauma or an accident. A bulging disc is a degenerative “wear and tear” phenomenon where the internal material or nucleus pulposis does not extend through the disc because there has been no tear, but the walls of the disc have been thinned from degeneration and the internal disc material creates pressure with thinned external walls. The disc itself “spreads out” or bulges.

There are various forms and degrees of disc issues, but the biggest concern of the specialist is whether nerves are being affected that can cause significant pain or other problems. The problem exists when the disc, as a result of a herniation or bulge, is touching or compressing those neurological elements, which is comprised of either the spinal cord, the nerve root (a nerve the extends from the spinal cord) or the covering of the nerves, called the thecal sac.

With regard to the structure that we have just discussed, the doctor must wonder what the herniation of the neurological element has caused. In this scenario, there are 2 possible problems, the spinal cord and nerve root. If the disc has compromised the spinal cord, it is called a myelopathy (my-e-lo-pathy). You have a compression of the spinal cord and problems with your arms or legs. An immediate visit to the neurosurgeon is warranted for a surgical consultation. The second problem is when the disc is effecting the spinal nerve root, called a radiculopathy. It is a very common problem. A doctor of chiropractic experienced in treating radiculopathy has to determine if there is enough room between the disc and the nerve in order to determine if a surgical consultation is warranted or if he/she can safely treat you. This is done by a thorough clinical examination and in many cases, an MRI is required to make a final diagnosis. Most patients do not need a surgical consultation and can be safely treated by an experienced chiropractor.

While herniations can occur anywhere, it was reported in the US Chiropractic Directory in 2010 that 95% occur in the lower back, who stated “The highest prevalence of herniated lumbar discs is among people aged 30–50 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. In people aged 25–55 years, about 95% of herniated discs occur at the lower lumbar spine (L4/5 and L5/S1 level); disc herniation above this level is more common in people aged over 55 years.”

It was reported by Aspegren et al. (2009) that 80% of the chiropractic patients studied with both neck and low back (cervical and lumbar) disc herniations had a good clinical outcome with post-care visual analog scores under 2 [0 to 10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable] and resolution of abnormal clinical examination findings. Anatomically, after repeat MRI scans, 63% of the patients studied revealed a reduced size or completely resorbed disc herniation. A study by Murphy, Hurwitz, and McGovern (2009) focused only on low back (lumbar) disc herniations and concluded that, “Nearly 90% of patients reported their outcome to be either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’…clinically meaningful improvement in pain intensity was seen in 74% of patients (p. 729).” The researchers also concluded that the improvements from chiropractic care was maintained for 14 1/2 months, the length of the study, indicating this isn’t a temporary, but a long-term solution. It was reported by BenEliyahu (1996) that 78% percent of the low back-lumbar disc herniation patients were able to return to work in their pre-disability occupations, which is the result of the 90% of all low back-lumbar disc herniation patients getting better with chiropractic care as discussed above.

These are the reasons that chiropractic has been, and needs to be, considered for the primary care for low back-lumbar disc herniations with resultant pain in the back or legs. This study along with many others concludes that a drug-free approach of chiropractic care is one of the best solutions for herniated discs and low back or leg pain. To find a qualified doctor of chiropractic near you go to the US Chiropractic Directory at www.USChiroDirectory.com and search your state.

References:

1. http://www.uschirodirectory.com/index.php/patient-information/item/242-cervical-and-lumbar-disc-herniations-and-chiropractic-care
2. Aspegren, D., Enebo, B. A., Miller, M., White, L., Akuthota, V., Hyde, T. E., & Cox, J. M. (2009). Functional scores and subjective responses of injured workers with back or neck pain treated with chiropractic care in an integrative program: A retrospective analysis of 100 cases. Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapy 32(9), 765-771.
3. BenEliyahu, D. J. (1996). Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: Study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapy, 19(9), 597-606.
4. Murphy, D. R., Hurwitz, E. L., & McGovern, E. E. (2009). A nonsurgical approach to the management of patients with lumbar radiculopathy secondary to herniated disk: A prospective observational cohort study with follow-up. Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapy, (32)9, 723-733.

November 15, 2010November 8, 2016

Effects of Forward Head Posture

As a continuation to previous entries about Foward Head Posture (FHP), I wanted to show how it can affect YOU!

FHP is the most common and most troublesome postural problem that patients present with in my office. As I look around in society, I think it would be a safe bet to say it the most common abnormal posture presentation.

FHP is linked to headaches, TMJ, Neck pain, Low back pain, Fibromyalgia, CTS, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, disc compression, disc herniation, pinched nerves and much more!

In fact, use the following picture from www.certaintypracticeproducts.com to understand what FHP looks like.

FHP has been shown to flatten the normal neck curve, resulting in disc compression, damage and early arthritis. Roentgenographic findings of the cervical spine in asymptomatic people. (Spine, 1986;6:591-694)

Looking for more information? Check out www.nevadachiro.com.

November 12, 2010November 8, 2016

Forward Head Posture Facts

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As a continuation of forward head posture theme, I wanted to share a couple of other vital research tibits you need to be aware of:

1. “For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” (Kapandji, Physiology of the Joints, Volume 3)

2. “Loss of the cervical curve stretches the spinal cord 5-7 cm and causes disease.” (Dr. Alf Breig, neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize recipient)

I regularly see patients come in the door with 3-4 inches of forward head posture and they don’t even realize it. They are walking around carrying an average of 30-40lbs of additional head weight.

Equally disturbing is that 5-7cm equals 2-3 inches. Imagine stretching the spinal cord 2 inches. It is devastating situation. The impact of that stretch primarily occurs at C1, which has a control effect on the entire body.

That is how a seemingly simply thing such as forward head posture can have an effect on your entire health.

November 11, 2010November 8, 2016

Forward Head Posture…The Missing Link to Health!

Many people are unaware of the consequences from neglecting the spine. It requires attention. If you lack the proper spinal care, you will pay the price.

Look at just a few of the things that forward head posture creates:

According to Rene Cailliet MD, director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California, forward head posture can add up to 30 pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine. This can pull the entire spine out of alignment. FHP results in loss of vital capacity of the lungs by as much as 30 percent. This shortness of breath can lead to heart and blood vascular disease. The entire gastrointestinal system is affected; particularly the large intestine. Loss of good bowel peristaltic function and evacuation is a common effect of FHP.

It causes an increase in discomfort and pain because proprioceptive signals from the first four cervical vertebrae are a major source of the stimuli which create the body’s pain controlling chemicals (endorphins). With inadequate endorphin production, many otherwise non-painful sensations are experienced as pain. FHP dramatically reduces endorphin production.

November 10, 2010November 8, 2016

Do You Know the Importance of Spinal Alignment

Many people are completely unaware of the importance of spinal alignment. As a result, alignment problems affect what would normally be thought of as unrelated problems. But there is so much more to the story.

Did you know this vital point? 90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine,” says Dr. Roger Sperry, Nobel Prize recipient for brain research.

Dr. Sperry demonstrated that 90 percent of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body to gravity. Only 10 percent has to do with thinking, metabolism, and healing, so when you have forward head posture, your brain will rob energy from your thinking, metabolism, and immune function to deal with abnormal gravity/posture relationships and processing.

So what is normal spinal alignment? When you look at the front of a person there shoulders and hips should be level. There should be a lordotic (to the front) curve in the neck and low back. If these are present forward head posture will be present and problems will develop.

November 8, 2010November 8, 2016

Natural Solutions to Diabetes

About 30 million people in North America have diabetes, and this does not include the millions more who are in the prediabetes stage.

What is diabetes? It’s a hormonal disorder that increases blood sugar levels in your body. Pregnant women sometimes suffer from gestational diabetes; however, the most prevalent forms of diabetes are type 1 and type 2.
Although it is less common, type 1 diabetes occurs when your body’s immune system attacks insulin-production cells in your pancreas. Without insulin, your body cannot properly control blood sugar (glucose). Sufferers of type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to balance their blood sugar levels. There is currently no way to prevent or screen
for type 1.

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. With this kind, the body cannot adequately produce enough insulin, or it cannot identify the insulin – which prevents insulin from being absorbed by your body’s cells. Type 2 usually occurs in people over the age over 40, but an alarming trend is the growing rate of this diabetes among children, resulting from a rise in childhood obesity.

Health Consequences of Diabetes

Both types of diabetes can cause serious and even life-threatening health problems. Diabetics are more prone to heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, circulation problems and many other conditions compared to non-diabetics.

A blood test can determine the sugar levels in your body. Symptoms of diabetes include: increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision and unexplained weight loss.

You can help reduce your risk or manage diabetes by incorporating positive lifestyle changes.

Exercise

Engaging in adequate physical activity is a great idea for almost everyone, but it is especially important for diabetics. Exercise helps manage blood sugar levels, improve the circulatory system, and reduce blood pressure and cholesterol 1.

But diabetics need to take certain precautions when engaging in exercise. If blood glucose levels drop too much, diabetics can suffer from hypoglycemia – a condition that can cause blood sugar levels to decrease so quickly it results in loss of consciousness.

Conversely, if blood sugar levels are high before starting to exercise, the physical activity may increase glucose
to dangerous levels. That is why diabetics need to consult a qualified health professional to learn the right type and right amount of exercise they should be doing.

Diet

As it can have a dramatic impact on blood sugar balance, food plays an important role in diabetes. Diabetics should avoid foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat, such as fried foods, whole milk dairy products and fatty meats. They should also skip cookies, cakes and pies.

Whole grains have been proven to help reduce the risk of diabetes. According to a study published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Data showed a lower risk of diabetes and heart disease in people eating a diet
high in whole grains.”1

Nature’s Helping Hand for Diabetes

While it may be necessary for some diabetics to take medications to control their disease, recent research in natural
substances reveals promising developments for their use in the prevention and management of diabetes.

In September of this year, the University of California (San Diego School of Medicine) identified how omega-3 fatty
acids in fish oil switch on a specific macrophage (a type of white blood cell) resulting in enhanced insulin sensitivity
and reduced inflammation.2

The antioxidant properties of garlic oil may help prevent cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease that’s the leading
cause of death for diabetics. Research that appeared in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows the oil
may contain 20 or more substances that protect the heart against the development of cardiomyopathy. 3

Another natural ingredient that shows potential for diabetes (type 2) is the herb milk thistle (silymarin). One trial
study revealed that after four months of taking milk thistle, test participants saw their fasting blood glucose levels
decrease by 15 percent, while the placebo group saw their levels rise by 13 percent. Milk thistle seems to have
the ability to block chemical signals associated with raising blood sugar. 4

While the research into natural ingredients shows exciting promise, diabetics should not use supplements without consulting a qualified health specialist, such as a chiropractor.

Chiropractic & Diabetes

As it can seriously impact numerous parts of the body, it should be no surprise that diabetes also affects musculoskeletal health. The disease is associated with joint restriction and osteoarthritis. Diabetic macrovascular
disease affects large blood vessels in the body and can also interfere with the nervous system. Your chiropractor
helps maintain your nervous system health by keeping it clear of subluxations, which in turn leads to not just a
healthier body but an overall better quality of life!

1. Whole grains, bran, and germ in relation to homocysteine and markers of glycemic control, lipids, and inflammation – American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 83, No. 2, 275-283, February 2006
2. GPR120 Is an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Receptor Mediating Potent Anti-inflammatory and Insulin-Sensitizing Effects
– Cell, Volume 142, Issue 5, 687-698, 3 September 2010.
3. Cardiac Contractile Dysfunction and Apoptosis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Are Ameliorated by Garlic Oil Supplementation – J. Agric. Food Chem., 2010, 58 (19), pp 10347–10355.
4. The efficacy of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) in the treatment of type II diabetes: a randomized,
double-blind, placebocontrolled, clinical trial – Phytother Res. 2006 Dec; 20(12):1036-9.

October 28, 2010November 8, 2016

Why I Don’t Suffer with Headaches Anymore!

Check out this testimonial that we just received today.

My daughter has been raving about Dr. Swolensky since see started seeing him. I have suffered with headaches as long as I could remember. They were so bad it would make me feel extremely ill.

I can’t believe it, but I feel great.

I noticed relief after the first adjustment, but by the second treatment, the headaches were gone!

The office is friendly, welcoming and extremely knowledgeable. Dr. Swolensky you are very helpful and in the office we are people and not numbers. Thank you!

You could be the next person to experience the very same results she did. What are you waiting for. Check out www.nevadachiro.com and let this be the first day of a new life.

October 26, 2010November 8, 2016

Can Poor Sleep Make Fibromyalgia Worse?

Nearly one-third of Americans are sleep deprived, according to a recent study. Results show that getting less than 6.9 hours of sleep each night takes a more extreme toll on the body than most people realize.

Inadequate amounts of sleep affects memory, according to a recent study conducted at Harvard University. Without enough sleep, newly-acquired skills and information are not properly coded in the brain, making it difficult to remember.

Sleep deprivation also decreases the ability of the immune system to fight off illness and disease. Reports show that just losing three hours of sleep causes a 30% decrease in immune system response. This lack of response suppresses melatonin, which contributes to breast cancer; a growth hormone produced during sleep is impaired, which contributes to osteoporosis; insulin resistance and impaired glucose processing, can lead to diabetes, and excess insulin and stored fat, leads to obesity.

While some people choose to give up some of the necessary hours of sleep, others are simply unable to sleep.

Factors that contribute to insomnia are lack of exercise, poor diet, excessive alcohol or caffeine; medical conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, hypothyroidism, and over-active bladders; medications, such as antidepressants, pain killers, allergy drugs and various hormones; natural conditions, such as PMS and menopause; and various health disorders.
Many of these factors can be treated with Chiropractic. If you suffer from any of the above conditions or are having difficulty sleeping, see your Chiropractor.

For more information, check out www.nevadachiro.com.

SOURCE: “Most Americans aren’t getting enough shut-eye,” MpHealth News, March 2001, Vol. 4

October 25, 2010November 8, 2016

Do You This ABout Your Health?

Many people answer this question, “good health is feeling good”. This is nice, but it has very little to do with having good health.

What is Health? There is so much more to being healthy than how you feel! The World Health Organization defines health as: Health is a state of optimal physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Webster’s defines health as: Health is a state of wholeness in which all organs are functioning 100%, 100% of the time. Health is not just how you feel, it’s how you are functioning. Thousands of Americans die of heart attacks each and every year and the heart attack is the first sign of disease. You can’t wait until symptoms show up before you decide to act.

Symptoms are a poor barometer of health and usually show up late in the disease process. Would you rather choose a lifestyle of wellness so your body functions at an optimal level or live the typical American lifestyle and unknowingly allow various diseases progress to a level of crisis before you seek action?

Where does health come from? Health comes from within. Your body has the inborn ability to heal itself naturally. You were born to be healthy. The catch is, in order for your body to be able to heal itself it must be free from interference in the nervous system. The nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ, and system in your body. The number one cause of interference to the nerve system in science today is the vertebral subluxation.

Creating Wellness! Wellness is the process of attaining health, happiness, and vitality, allowing you to live your life to its fullest potential. My wish to you is to live your life to its fullest and improve the quality of your life by creating wellness naturally.

What more information about? Check out www.nevadachiro.com!