How to Prevent Whiplash! (Part 2)

20 May

Last month, we covered the importance of your car seat’s head restraint for preventing whiplash. This month, let’s discuss additional measures one can take…

AIRBAGS: In addition to a correctly positioned head restraint, having a vehicle that is equipped with airbags has been described as “essential in the prevention of injuries and/or death,” especially in frontal or head-on collisions. Airbags are inflatable devices that fill up in a fraction of a second during a serious motor vehicle collision (MVC). Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, airbags are located in the front of the steering column, by the glove compartment on the passenger side, and possibly in the doors and/or in the column between the doors. These offer additional protection that seatbelts alone cannot provide and can prevent the head and chest from striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or the door in the case of side-impact airbags. The front airbags typically do not deploy in rear or side impact collisions whereas the side airbags will deploy in side impacts and rollovers, thus providing protection between the occupants and doors, side windows, and roof. In order to maximize your protection from injury in a front-end collision, make sure you do the following each time you get into your vehicle: 1) always wear both your lap and shoulder seat belts as airbags are designed to work WITH the lap/shoulder belt system; 2) maintain a safe distance between you and the driver’s side airbag of at least 10 inches / 25 centimeters (if you’re too close, you risk making contact with the airbag as it inflates which can cause abrasions and bruising); 3) position the steering wheel towards your chest (not your head or neck); 4) move the passenger seat back as far as possible because of the greater distance/larger airbag that exists between the passenger and dashboard; 5) make sure passengers avoid putting their feet up on the dash or placing any objects between their body and the dashboard.

SEAT BELTS: It has been estimated that in Canada alone, if all drivers and passengers wore their seat belts, 300 road fatalities could be avoided each year! Seat belts have always been considered the BEST way to protect against injury or death in a car crash. These typically cross the lap and chest and prevent the occupant from being ejected or thrown about inside the vehicle in an accident. Here are some important points to remember: 1) wear a lap/shoulder belt system whenever possible; 2) sit up straight, positioning the lap belt low over the pelvic bones/hips, NOT over the stomach; 3) place the shoulder harness over the shoulder, across the chest, and NEVER place the belt under the arm or behind the back; 4) all occupants must wear a seat belt regardless if the vehicle is moving or not; and 5) a pregnant occupant should place the lap belt over the pelvic bones below the baby, not over or above the stomach/baby.

 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS (ABS): Here, electronic controls stop your wheels from locking up when the brake pedal is forcibly pressed to help the driver maintain control on rough, wet, and slippery surfaces. This helps prevent skidding and can result in a shorter stopping distance.  An ABS can also help drivers more safely steer around what they’re heading towards while allowing for maximum braking pressure. Tips include: 1) HOLD / DON’T PUMP the brake pedal firmly; 2) keep steering around objects while fully braking; 3) DO NOT expect the braking distance to be shorter; 4) have the ABS inspected at the recommended number of miles noted in your vehicle’s manual; and 5) MOST IMPORTANT, stay a safe distance behind the vehicle ahead of you – NO TAILGAITING!

We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs.  If you, a friend, or family member requires care for Whiplash, we would be honored to render our services.

New Research Shows Eating at Certain Times May Decrease Heart Disease Risk

19 May

Everyone knows what they eat has a huge impact on both their energy levels and their overall wellbeing.  Because countless studies have demonstrated the effect nutrition has on many aspects of health, some experts even say that the majority of health problems can be avoided through proper diet (in addition to regular exercise).

In Other Words, You Are What You Eat. But what if there was a way you could be healthier without changing what you eat, even if you are already eating perfectly?  If that sounds interesting, then you are really going to like this… A new study conducted by scientists at San Diego State University found you are not only WHAT you eat but WHEN you eat.  The research, published in the prestigious journal Science, found that, “by limiting the time span during which fruit flies could eat, they could prevent aging – and diet-related heart problems.  The researchers also discovered that genes responsible for the body’s circadian rhythm are integral to this process, but they’re not yet sure how. “Previous research has found that people who tend to eat later in the day and into the night have a higher chance of developing heart disease than people who cut off their food consumption earlier.”

But this study was done on fruit flies, what does that have to do with humans?  Well, fruit flies have been long been used as a starting point to help identify the genetic basis of many ailments, including heart disease.

Some interesting details about the experiment:  The fruit flies were split into two groups.  One group was allowed to eat unrestricted all day and the other was only allowed to eat during a twelve-hour period.  Researches kept track of the sleep patterns and amount of food eaten by each group.

Results:  “Flies on the 12-hour time-restricted feeding schedule slept better, didn’t gain as much weight, and had far healthier hearts than their ‘eat anytime’ counterparts, even though they ate similar amounts of food.”   The researchers observed the same results after five weeks. According to researcher Dr. Shubhroz Gill, “In very early experiments, when we compared 5-week-old flies that were fed for either 24 hours or 12 hours, the hearts of the latter were in such good shape that we thought perhaps we had mistaken some young 3-week-old fruit flies [from a different part of the experiment]… We had to repeat the experiments several times to become convinced that this improvement was truly due to the time-restricted feeding.”

More Good News:  The benefits of time-restricted diets were not restricted to young flies.  When the researchers introduced the time restrictions to older flies, their hearts became healthier too.

What Is the “Take Home Message?”  Of course, more research must be done before the results can be extrapolated to real people, like you and me.  There are several factors to take into consideration with humans, like the fact that humans do not eat the same thing every day and lifestyle often affects when someone can or cannot eat.  Dr. Girish Melkani, a Biologist at San Diego State University writes, “Time-restricted feeding would not require people to drastically change their lifestyles, just the times of day they eat.  The take-home message then would be to cut down on the late-night snacks.”

Why Would Dietitians Recommend Mini-Cans of Soda as a Good Choice for a Snack?

18 May

First, what is a Registered Dietician?  The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ website says they are, “The world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.  The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education, and advocacy.” 

According to their website, “Registered dietitian nutritionists – RDNs – are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living.  RDNs use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes.  They work throughout the community in hospitals, schools, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, food management, food industry, universities, research and private practice.  RDNs are advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.” 

In other words, Registered Dietitians are serious nutrition experts.  So, why would some registered dietitians suggest a mini-can of cola as a snack?  In fact, according to an article in the Star Tribune, “In February, several… experts wrote online posts for American Heart Month, with each including a mini-can of Coke or soda as a snack idea.  The pieces – which appeared on nutrition blogs and other sites including those of major newspapers – offer a window into the many ways food companies work behind the scenes to cast their products in a positive light, often with the help of third parties who are seen as trusted authorities.” 

The answer to this puzzling question can be found in a statement given to the Star Tribune by a Coca-Cola spokesperson, “We have a network of dietitians we work with… Every big brand works with bloggers or has paid talent.” 

The article also states, “Other companies including Kellogg and General Mills have used strategies like providing continuing education classes for dietitians, funding studies that burnish the nutritional images of their products, and offering newsletters for health experts.  PepsiCo Inc. has also worked with dietitians who mention its Frito-Lay and Tostito chips in local TV segments on healthy eating.  Others use nutrition experts in sponsored content; the American Pistachio Growers has quoted a dietitian for the New England Patriots in a piece on healthy snacks and recipes, and Nestle has quoted its own executive in a post about infant nutrition.”

In other words, it seems like these dietitians are getting paid to endorse a product that may not necessarily benefit the health of the people in their audience.  Everyone knows celebrities and athletes get paid a tremendous amount of money to endorse all kinds of things, including junk food.  Many times top athletes are paid more in endorsement deals than they make playing their sport, but is it really appropriate for certified nutrition experts to get paid to write about nutritional advice that may benefit their sponsors more than their readers?

Here’s How to Get More Health Benefits Out of Your Work Day!

14 May

Prolonged sitting can significantly impact both your cardiovascular and metabolic function.  Ideally, limit your sitting to three hours a day or less, and make it a point to walk 7,000-10,000 steps each day.

Taking a walk during your lunch hour can improve your mood and help reduce the effect of work-related stress. You can get even more out of your walk by simply switching up your pace at regular intervals (3 minutes fast pace and then 3 minutes casual pace, for example).

Tracking your steps can also show you how simple and seemingly minor changes to the way you move around at work can add up.  For example, you can walk across the hall to talk to a co-worker instead of sending an email; take the stairs instead of the elevator; park your car further away from the entrance; or take a longer, roundabout way to your desk.

Chiropractic – How Does It Work?

13 May

Many people seek chiropractic care when their back goes out or their neck tightens up. But how does this form of care actually work? What are the benefits of receiving chiropractic care for nerve dysfunction compared with other healthcare options? Let’s take a look!

 

First, let’s discuss how the nervous system “works.” We have three divisions of the nervous system: the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, and it’s essentially the main processing portion of the nervous system. The spinal cord is like a multi-lane highway that brings information to the brain for processing (sensory division) and returns information back to the toes, feet, legs and upper extremities from which the information originated (motor division). For example, hiking on a mountain trail or simply walking requires constant input to and from the CNS so we can adjust our balance accordingly and not fall. These “sensory-motor pathways” are essential and allow us to complete our daily tasks in an efficient, safe manner as information is constantly bouncing back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes a similar sensory/motor “two-way street” system relaying information back and forth from our toes/feet/legs and fingers/hands/arms to the spinal cord (CNS). And if this isn’t complicated enough, we also have “reflexes” that, for example, allow us to QUICKLY pull our hand away from a hot stove to minimize burning our fingers. Reflexes allow the information to “skip” the brain’s processing part so quicker reactions can occur. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions that basically “run” our automatic (organ) functions like breathing, heart rate, digestion, hormonal output, and more. There is constant communication between the ANS, PNS, and CNS that allow us to function in a normal, balanced way…unless something disrupts them.

There are obvious conditions that interfere with this communication process that include (but are not limited to) diabetes (with neuropathy), frost bitten or burned fingers, peripheral nerve damage from conditions like carpal/cubital tunnel syndromes, thoracic outlet syndrome, and/or pinched nerves in the neck, mid-back, low-back spinal regions, as well as conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barre Syndrome, after a stroke (spinal cord or brain), and after trauma with resulting fractures where nerve, spinal cord, and/or brain damage can occur. These are “obvious” reasons for delayed or blocked neurotransmission. There are many other less obvious injuries or conditions that can result in faulty neuromotor patterns and nerve transmission of which chiropractic services can benefit. The “subluxation complex” is a term some chiropractors use to describe the compromised nerve transmission that may occur if a nerve is compressed or irritated due to faulty bone or joint position along the nerve’s course. Reducing such nerve compression typically allows for a restoration of function. A good illustration of this is when a patient who suffers from a herniated disk in the neck with numbness and tingling down the arm to the hand. The goal of treatment (for all healthcare professionals) is to remove the pinch of the nerve. To realize this goal, Doctors of Chiropractic utilize spinal manipulation and mobilization in addition to other non-surgical, non-drug approaches that may include exercises, nutritional advice, home-care such as a cervical traction unit, and other anti-inflammatory measures (ice, modalities like low level and class IV laser, electric stimulation, pulsed magnetic field, and more). Given the minimal side-effect risks and well-reported benefits, it only makes sense to try chiropractic FIRST and if you’re not satisfied, your doctor will help you find the next level of care!

We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs.  If you, a friend, or family member requires care, we would be honored to render our services.

 

 

One Moment Can Change Everything

12 May

“A single moment can change your life forever. I had one of those moments today while shooting a video of a 13-year old boy who is dying from an autoimmune disease.  His story is one of the most amazing and touching I have ever heard.  And it’s personal because he is the son of one of my best friends.”

Those are the words posted on Facebook by the person documenting this incredible story in an attempt to raise over $350,000 to pay for medical treatments that insurance companies won’t cover.  When contacted for this story, he asked to remain anonymous and added, “This story is about saving a 13-year-old boy’s life… not me.  Please focus on him.”  So, we will…

Imagine being a star athlete, a champion in multiple sports, and getting straight A’s in school… all by age 10!  Imagine doing that while battling a terrible genetic disorder and suffering from several autoimmune diseases that can make it impossible to walk or even hold a cup.  Now, imagine being told there is very little hope and there are no definite solutions to your genetic disorder, that your condition will lead to cancer and ultimately death before you reach adulthood.

At five months old, Louie was hit with his first autoimmune disease, which wasn’t diagnosed until after spending two months in the hospital.  His body thought he had an infection and produced fevers ranging from 101 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit (~38-42 degrees Celsius).  At one point, his heart stopped due to complications stemming from such high fevers.  The attending nurse quickly prepared an ice bath, wet several small blankets, and then wrapped and placed the quiet baby in the water and prayed the cold shock would bring his fever down so CPR could be administered to bring him back. After a couple minutes in the ice bath, everyone heard a loud roar!  It was Louis coming back and that incredible fighting spirit would come to characterize Louis’ entire life.

Because of his fevers, his doctor said that Louis should be brain dead or at the very least, have an undetermined amount of brain damage.  Oh really?  By age 10, Louis was evaluated and determined to be gifted, a “near genius.”  To this day (age 13), Louis excels in school effortlessly all while battling a deadly genetic disorder.

Louis currently suffers from eight autoimmune diseases.  He deals with massive amounts of hair loss, loss of skin pigmentation, skin rashes, painful eye bulging, thyroid disease, Grave’s disease, and very painful juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.  Nearly every day is a nightmare for Louis. He deals with pain, a dozen different medicines and their side effects, and sees doctors twice a week, all while trying to be a teenager and have fun.

His strength is uncanny and he doesn’t shed a tear and never complains. He fights with all his heart every day and treats every day as a new battle as a war he must win. He’s focused and determined, he’s unstoppable. Before his most recent diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Louis was a champion athlete. He could play nearly every position on the baseball field (including pitcher) and was both a multiple-time tournament Tae Kwon Do Champion and a Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Grappling Champion.  He also enjoyed other sports like basketball and soccer.  Unfortunately, his condition has now taken over his body.  Most days holding a cup or making it from his bed to the bathroom in the morning is a difficult task that requires assistance. Playing his favorite sports and competing in martial arts tournaments are no longer an option for him.

Down but not out, Louis perseveres.  When he is not seeing doctors, he demands to be in school.  For him, anything less than an A+ is unacceptable.  He’s focused on expanding his mind and learning as much as possible.  He plans to be a doctor and he has been known to openly talk about curing diseases to save children, saying, “One day I will cure cancers that take children, the answer is in the genes.  I just haven’t figured it out yet.  I just need more time and more studying.”

Let’s hope the campaign is able to raise the funds through donations to give Louis the time he needs to make history. (See: http://www.gofundme.com/oe37s8 for more information.)

 We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and getting them feeling better! We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger! Don’t be a stranger. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!

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