Commonly Asked Questions about Fibromyalgia

16 Feb

WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA? FM is a relatively common chronic disorder where widespread pain, diffuse tenderness, and potentially a host of other symptoms may be present. The word “fibromyalgia” is derived from the Latin term “fibro” (fibrous tissue) and the Greek term “myo” for muscle and “algia” for pain. Even though FM is often described as an arthritis-type of condition, it does NOT cause inflammation of the joints, muscles, or other tissues as is observed with some types of arthritis. However, FM does “look” like arthritis in that FM can cause significant pain that can interfere with a person’s tolerance to daily activities, including work.

WHO GETS FM? It has been reported that FM affects five million Americans ages 18 and older. For unknown reasons, between 80-90% of those affected are women, but men and children can also develop FM. Most people are diagnosed during their middle years. Several studies have reported that women with a positive family history of FM are more likely to develop FM, but it remains unclear if this is from a shared environment vs. a true heredity issue, or both. Currently, researchers are looking at variations in certain genes that cause some people to be more sensitive to stimuli, which may lead to pain syndromes like FM. People with rheumatic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ankylosing spondylitis – a special type of spinal arthritis) may be more likely to have FM as well.

WHAT CAUSES FM? Even though no one REALLY knows why some people develop FM and others do not, we have learned that FM is linked to the central nervous system. There are two types of FM: Primary (no known cause) and Secondary (occurs with a known underlying condition). Secondary FM has been associated with a physical/emotional stress or traumatic event such as a motor vehicle accident, and some develop FM after sustaining a repetitive motion injury or after an illness. In primary FM, it seems to develop spontaneously with no known cause or associated condition.

HOW IS FM TREATED? Treatment is challenging as not all doctors are familiar with FM and may not even “believe” it’s real (they may think it’s depression or all in the patient’s head). It is therefore BEST to find a “TEAM” of healthcare providers knowledgeable about FM and willing to work with you. This team may include primary care doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, clinical psychologists, and perhaps rheumatologists, among others. Massage therapists, acupuncturists, and nutritional therapists can also be part of the multi-dimensional treatment approach. However, the MOST important team member is YOU because keeping track of sleep hours, exercise amounts, diet, and knowing when to rest are critical for a good treatment outcome. You can guide us in finding care that works, what doesn’t, and at what “dose” feels best for you. Focusing on “control” rather than “cure” is important so you do not get too discouraged during the treatment process.

If you, a friend or family member requires care for Fibromyalgia, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services!

The Most Important Principles for Staying Young: Stepping Into Good Health

12 Feb

Our basic premise is that your body is amazing. You get a do over. It doesn’t take that long, and it isn’t that hard if you know what to do. In these notes, we give you a short course in what to do so it becomes easy for you, and for you to teach others. We want you to know how much control you have over both the quality and length of your life.

This month, we want to discuss a key secret and principle from my upcoming book, This is YOUR Do-Over: The Seven Secrets to Losing Weight, Living Longer, And Getting A Second Chance at the Life You Want, due out February 24th, 2015 (shameless plug—you can preorder it now).

Devotion to Motion is one of the early chapters—giving you the rational and some of the science to support your taking 10,000 steps a day.

Why is 10K a day the magic number, you might ask? Well, it does several things. For starters, it creates a key pathway in your brain that makes you want to crave that 10K a day several weeks later. And second, it breaks down insulin resistance. I wish science knew the exact mechanism as to why 10,000 works to break down insulin resistance, but what we do know is this: 10,000 steps seem to be the minimum number that provides the most health benefit. In fact, 10K a day breaks down insulin resistance much better than 8K, and 12K doesn’t help more than 10K does. That is, 10K gets you more health benefits than 8,000 steps, and doing 12,000 steps doesn’t get you any more health benefits than taking 10,000 step (yes, you may get more fit, but your health doesn’t get much better over the long-term). So, 10K a day is really the sweet spot where people lose weight and gain control of diabetes (and even reverse it).Why is that important? Because insulin resistance is a big health concern.

But there is another secret: how you take those steps.

In 1970, when John Cleese premiered The Ministry of Silly Walks on Monty Python’s Flying Circus, he stepped into the Comedy Hall of Fame. And despite his deadpan expression, no one who remembers that high-stepping goofiness or tries to imitate it can keep a straight face. That’s because, as researchers from Canada’s Queen’s University recently discovered, HOW you walk affects your memory and your mood. In fact, your gait can transform your outlook from grumpy to gleeful or happy to horrible and even alter whether your recollections of recent experiences are negative or positive.

So before you head out the door, whether you’re going to work and/or taking a walk with your pedometer (your pedometer should be on you during all your waking hours) to get in your 10,000 steps a day, pause. That is correct, pause. Pause just long enough to examine your body’s position in a mirror and think about the message it’s sending your brain. Are your shoulders back and relaxed (“I’m proud of myself and glad to face the world”)? Or are they slumped forward (“I’m tired and not looking forward to what’s coming”)? Is your core strong (“I feel confident”) or is your belly protruding and your back straining to stay straight (“I’m discouraged”)?

Adjust your posture and make sure you’re wearing shoes that put a spring in your step. Now, it’s your turn to do a happy, high-spirited, even silly walk. You’ll be surprised how it makes you feel more positive about everything you encounter. And all the people (even animals you encounter) will be happier too (thanks to mirror neurons but that’s another column), so you are spreading health and happiness… well done!!

Didn’t know your walking style could do so much for so many, did ya?

Thanks for reading. And feel free to send more questions, you can always send us questions at youdocs@gmail.com, and some of them we may know enough to answer (we’ll try to get answers for you if we do not know).

Young Dr. Mike Roizen (aka, The Enforcer)

NOTE: You should NOT take this as medical advice.
This article is of the opinion of its author.
Before you do anything, please consult with your doctor
You can follow Dr Roizen on twitter @YoungDrMike (and get updates on the latest and most important medical stories of the week). The YOU docs have two newly revised books: The patron saint “book” of this column YOU Staying Young—revised and YOU: The Owner’s Manual…revised —yes a revision of the book that started Dr Oz to being Dr Oz. These makes great gifts—so do YOU: ON a Diet and YOU: The Owner’s Manual for teens.
And, you can pre-order and new book by Dr Mike Roizen that hits bookstores February 24th, 2015: This is YOUR Do-Over (look to your local PBS station and its schedule for a special about it).
Michael F. Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer and chair of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. His radio show streams live on http://www.radioMD.com Saturdays from 5-7 p.m. He is the co-author of 4 #1 NY Times Best Sellers including: YOU Staying Young

How Stealing Eggs Fed a Starving Family of Six

10 Feb

Ever had a bad day? One of those days where you wish you never got out of bed? We all have those days. Sometimes we get more of them than we want to deal with.

Clearly, life can be tough and it has brought many good people to their knees. It’s a safe bet that EVERYONE at one time or another has needed help. Getting help is what this amazing story is about…

Helen Johnson was just buying groceries, something we all do. But that’s where the similarity ends for most of us.

Helen was not buying much, just the necessities because the children in her charge had not eaten in two days. When the cashier told her the total, she was 50 cents short. This put Helen in a very tough spot. She is raising her two daughters, two grandchildren, and a niece. She gets assistance from disability and welfare, but her last check got lost in the mail.

Helen was faced with letting her family go hungry… or stealing. She chose the latter.

She put three eggs in her pocket and they broke. This mistake turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Here is why: The cashier saw the broken eggs and knew she was trying to shoplift them, so she called the police. When the police came, Helen was honest and told Officer William Stacy what had happened.

Officer Stacy said she started crying and said she needed help to put food in her babies’ stomachs. Instead of arresting her, Officer Stacy told her to wait for him in the parking lot. She did and he came back with a carton of eggs he purchased for her. When he handed Helen the eggs, she almost broke down with overwhelming emotion.

What’s more, someone in the parking lot caught the entire exchange on video. The video was uploaded to the internet and as you can imagine, went viral.

But it gets even better… Officer Stacy is employed by the Tarrant Police Department in Alabama. The Tarrant Police Department signed up Helen’s family for a local toy drive and also collected enough donations to deliver two truckloads of groceries to the family.

Helen has been quoted as saying, “I was just getting eggs and now that’s saved my life. I’ve never been more grateful in my life. I’m so overwhelmed with the goodness of these people… My heart is wide open right now.”

This story is not as unique as one may think. In 2013, Jessica Robles was caught shoplifting groceries in a Publix Supermarket in Florida. When Miami-Dade Police Officer Viki Thomas looked at the situation, she decided to pay $100 for the woman’s groceries instead of arresting her.

Everyone knows there is plenty of bad in the world, but there is also plenty of good. Most of the time, you see what you are looking for.

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!

The “Many Faces” of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

9 Feb

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) can present with a very mild, occasional numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers and may never progress much beyond that point. But, for other patients, CTS is a painful, rapidly progressive problem that requires immediate attention. What makes it mild for some and bad for others? Let’s take a look!

The common denominator of CTS is median nerve compression at the wrist resulting in the tingling, burning, itching in the palm, thumb, and fingers (except the little finger). Symptoms can also include weakness in grip strength, as the median nerve innervates muscles that help you grip things with your hands. The compression may occur from the nerve becoming swollen, inflammation of the surrounding tendons, a cyst forming in the tunnel (ganglion cyst is most common), and/or a bony spur from arthritis poking into the tunnel. There are other causes or “contributors” of CTS that may make it more intense for some than others. Fluid retention or edema can increase the pressure in the carpal tunnel. This can be caused by pregnancy, taking birth control pills, or by hormone replacement therapy (estrogen for osteoporosis and/or hot flashes). Another type of edema (called myxedema) is associated with low thyroid function, and CTS can be caused or worsened in those with hypothyroidism. Obesity is another risk factor for developing CTS. The shape of the wrist may also predispose some to CTS and when combined with other contributing causes, CTS symptoms may become quite severe. Trauma or injuries to the upper limb, especially fractures at the wrist, can cause CTS almost immediately, and an improperly treated wrist fracture (such as a colles fracture) can result in long-term CTS. Arthritis is often accelerated when wrist fractures occur and this can result in a long-term problem that includes stiffness in the joint with loss of movement and pain in addition to CTS signs and symptoms.

Another cause of CTS is diabetes. For diabetics, their blood can be thicker and have a more difficult time traveling through the small blood vessels (called capillaries) resulting in numbness and tingling of the distal extremities: the hands and feet. Over time, neuropathy creates a hypersensitivity of the nerve, and this can result in carpal tunnel syndrome and/or can make it more difficult to manage. It has also been reported that the use of insulin, metformin, as well as sulphonylureas, and thyroxine are associated with increased CTS management challenges. Over-activity of the pituitary gland (the “master gland”) as it regulates the endocrine system is another contributor to CTS. Rheumatoid arthritis is a connective tissue disorder where antibodies inappropriately attack the lining of the joints creating swelling and pain. This can result in increased pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel from both the inflamed joint as well as inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue. Combinations of these may also occur, which can make it challenging to determine which one(s) is the primary issue. Side effects to certain medications such as aromatase inhibitor drugs for breast cancer are also been well-published causes of CTS symptoms

The following activities have also been associated with an increased risk for CTS: vibrating hand tools, carrying heavy trays of food, working in a highly repetitive assembly-line type of job, milking cows, gardening, knitting, playing musical instruments, computer use, painting, meat and poultry processing, and carpentry.

Chiropractic offers a non-drug, non-surgical approach that is highly effective and therefore should be your FIRST STEP in the management of CTS!

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 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, we would be honored to render our services.

Back Pain and Lyme Disease

5 Feb

Low back pain (LBP) affects most of us at some point in life, and usually its cause is mechanical. We typically do not think about low back pain resulting from a virus or bacteria, though we might be quick to recall times when LBP occurred suspiciously close to an infection such as a flu or a cold. Today’s topic looks at a less common but dangerous cause of low back pain: Lyme disease.

Lyme disease (LD) was originally recognized in 1975 when an unusual number of children were diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in the city of Lyme, Connecticut and a neighboring town. The investigators at that time thought it was suspicious that these affected children lived near woods and that their symptoms would recur during the summertime, the height of the tick season. Unique findings included a peculiar rash on the skin that developed just prior to the onset of arthritic-like symptoms, and many recalled being bitten by a tick near the rash site. Further investigation led to the discovery that tiny DEER ticks infected with a spiral shaped bacterium or spirochete, later named Borrelia burgdorferi, were indeed the responsible culprit of the LD associated arthritis. Ordinarily, wood ticks or dog ticks do not carry the infection.

Investigators found that the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium usually feed and mate on deer during part of their life cycle. With the expansion of suburban developments in rural regions alongside a growing deer population, more and more people have been infected by this bacterium. Geographically specific regions include the coastal Northeast, mid-Atlantic states, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northern California. Lyme disease has also been found in large areas of Asia and Europe and more recently, in South America.

Lyme disease can affect the heart, brain, nervous system, and other parts of the body in varying degrees as it progresses. The bacteria enters the body where the tick bite occurs and days to weeks later, as the bacteria spread in the skin, an expanding reddish rash often with flu-like symptoms occurs. Later, it can produce abnormalities in the joints, heart, and nervous system. Three phases of LD include: 1) Early localized disease with skin inflammation; 2) Early spread of the disease with heart (arrhythmias and more) and nervous system involvement (e.g. Bell’s palsy and meningitis); 3) Late disease includes motor and sensory nerve damage and brain inflammation, as well as arthritis. More than 25% do not develop a rash and many cannot recall a tick bite. A rash can develop within days to weeks of the bite, may or may not itch, is often accompanied with fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, painful and swollen lymph nodes, headache, and less often, fever. The rash usually resolves without treatment in approximately one month, and from weeks to months later, the effects of the bacteria can spread through the body, potentially affecting the joints (especially the knees), heart, and nervous system.

The “ideal” treatment is antibiotics within the first four to six weeks because of the potential harm Lyme Disease can cause. Kids 5-14 and adults 40-50 are the populations that are most often affected. Lyme disease is NOT contagious. As chiropractors, we recognize the importance of an accurate diagnosis and will promptly refer you for conditions such as this!

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 back pain, we would be honored to render our services.

New Study Shows Refined Sugars May Raise Blood Pressure More Than Salt!

3 Feb

There is no question,  science has dramatically changed the way in which we see the world and has helped us better understand both ourselves and the universe we inhabit.

Here is something most people do not know about science and the scientific method: it raises more questions than answers. You see, the purpose of science is NOT to “prove” things.  In fact, all scientific theories are actually unprovable.

The late philosopher Karl Popper believed a hypothesis, proposition, or theory is “scientific” only if it is, among other things, falsifiable.

According to Princeton University’s website:

“Falsifiability or refutability is the logical possibility that an assertion could be shown false by a particular observation or physical experiment.  That something is ‘falsifiable’ does not mean it is false; rather, it means that if the statement were false, then its falsehood could be demonstrated. “The claim ‘No human lives forever’ is not falsifiable since it does not seem possible to prove wrong.  In theory, one would have to observe a human living forever to falsify that claim. 

On the other hand, ‘All humans live forever’ is falsifiable since the presentation of just one dead human could prove the statement wrong (excluding metaphysical assertions about souls, which are not falsifiable). Moreover, a claim may be true and still be falsifiable; if ‘All humans live forever’ were true, we would never actually find a dead human, and yet that claim would still be falsifiable because we can at least imagine the observation that would prove it wrong.”

Here Are Two Important Things About This…

First, a statement that is unfalsifiable is non-scientific, but that does not mean it is not relevant or that it is inaccurate.  One great example is the existence of atoms.  The ancient metaphysical and unfalsifiable idea of the existence of atoms led to modern theories about atoms that are falsifiable.

In other words, just because something does not fit into the scientific method does not mean it will not fit someday or that it is false.  It is very possible that things could be untestable by science but true.

Just as important, because something does fit into the scientific method and has withstood scientific testing, it does not mean it is true or even partially true.  It is not uncommon to discover that things we believe to be fact are either partially or completely incorrect.

In other words, we know a lot less than we sometimes think we do and we should always keep an open mind.

Is Sodium Really the Devil?

For example, sodium has been demonized for quite some time because it has been linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.  For many years, it has been an accepted “fact” that sodium intake must be reduced in people with high blood pressure and by most people in general.

Not too long ago, a study was published that suggested the important measure wasn’t sodium intake but the sodium/potassium ratio in an individual’s diet. This could mean that even a low-sodium diet could be bad if an individual’s diet is also low in potassium, or that a high-sodium diet may not be an issue if a person’s diet is also a high-potassium diet. ‘

But it gets better…  Now, a new study published in the journal Open Heart has added to the debate.  In this study, high-sugar diets were found to raise blood pressure. According to the study:

“Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature mortality in the developed world, and hypertension is its most important risk factor.  Controlling hypertension is a major focus of public health initiatives, and dietary approaches have historically focused on sodium.

“While the potential benefits of sodium-reduction strategies are debatable, one fact which there is little debate is that the predominant sources of sodium in the diet are industrially processed foods.  Processed foods also happen to be generally high in added sugars, the consumption of which might be more strongly and directly associated with hypertension and cardio metabolic risk.”   

The authors of the study went on to add, 

“Thus, while there is no argument that recommendations to reduce consumption of processed foods are highly appropriate and advisable, the arguments in this review are that the benefits of such recommendations might have less to do with sodium – minimally related to blood pressure and perhaps even inversely related to cardiovascular risk – and more to do with highly-refined carbohydrates.”

Here’s What Is VERY Important To YOU:

This may seem like a lot of “scientific” information.  It may also seem confusing.  Researchers are good at making things confusing!

Here is the scoop:  Foods loaded with processed, refined carbohydrates are not good for you.  Choosing to eat fewer refined, processed foods is one of the best ways to lose weight and stay healthy.  Period.  End of story.

Notice, I did not say to stop eating carbohydrates?  Many people are confused by this and think all carbohydrates are the same but nothing could be further from the truth.

There is a HUGE difference between highly refined carbohydrates and unrefined carbohydrates.

Sure, there is a raging debate over low-carb and high-carb diets but that is another conversation.  The first thing you must understand is highly refined carbohydrates are not good for you in any amounts.  How many unrefined and GOOD carbohydrates you should consume is a very different topic.

Does science always have the right answer?  No, it is not supposed to.  Science is a method, a process.  It is one part of how we know what we know.  It is not all of it.

We should use science as part of the process to make the best decisions about life and health.

With that being said, I will go out on a limb and say this:  If you want to be healthier – possibly much healthier – stop eating processed, highly refined foods

Are You SAD? Vitamin D Deficiency Might Be The Cause…

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is believed to affect up to 10 percent of the population.  SAD is a type of depression related to the changes in the season and can affect some geographic locations more than others.  The symptoms of SAD usually start in the fall and continue throughout the winter months.  Now, new research suggests that Vitamin D plays a HUGE role in whether or not a person develops SAD. According to Dr. Alan Stewart of the University of Georgia College of Education,

“Rather than being one of many factors, Vitamin D could have a regulative role in the development of SAD… We believe there are several reasons for this, including Vitamin D levels fluctuate in the body seasonally, in direct relation to seasonally available sunlight.  For example, studies show there is a lag of about eight weeks between the peak in intensity of ultraviolet radiation and the onset of SAD, and this correlates with the time it takes for UV radiation to be processed by the body into Vitamin D.” 

It is important to note that Vitamin D is involved in the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin and lower levels of both are linked to depression. This is especially important since many people now avoid the sun as much as possible out of fear or developing skin cancer. Clearly, exposure to sunlight is important for optimizing your health. But there is a big difference between getting too much sunlight (and getting sunburns) and taking an extreme position to get no sunlight at all. The tricky thing is determining what level of sun exposure is most beneficial for you. Factors like skin tone and geographic location drastically affect how much sun any given person should be exposed to. However, a vitamin D supplement may safely help increase your vitamin D levels, especially during winter months when sunlight exposure is extremely limited.

Don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health, talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in providing you natural pain relief.
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