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.

Do You Want to Be Lucky? Here’s How…

2 Feb

Here is an old saying you have probably heard:  “It is better to be lucky than good.”

Many people agree with it because while being good may make you just a little better than average, being lucky can have a major impact on your life.

While some people do not believe in luck, most do.  Most believe that there is both good and bad luck, and most want all the good luck they can get.

How can you do that?

When you are dealing with something as unquantifiable and intangible as luck, it is impossible for anyone to say they have an exact formula, but here are some things you might want to consider…

There’s another saying, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”

Countless super-successful people believe that “idea.”  That may not make it true, but it does mean it should be looked into.

See, luck cannot be counted on or controlled but success through preparation can.

If you prepare correctly, you will drastically increase your odds of success.  Then, if luck strikes… good or bad… it is what it is.

If you prepare correctly and consistently throughout life, then you will achieve many more successes than failures, and more “good luck” than bad.

Robert Collier, the author of The Secret of the Ages, wrote, “Luck is a fickle jade that smiles most often on those who need her least.”

The Secret of the Ages was published back in 1926.  He may have been on to something.

Prepare for success without luck and luck will probably find you.

Sincerely,
Dr. Binder

Is There a Natural Supplement That Can Help You Stop Smoking?

27 Jan

The health dangers of smoking are no secret, but many people struggle with quitting. Most smokers get hooked while they’re still young and have a serious addiction by the time they try to stop as adults. Well, what if there was an easy way to quit, one that lets you walk away from the habit instantly and forever? Sadly, there is no such “magic” cure for nicotine addiction. But new research says there might be some help in the form of a natural supplement.

In a recent study, taking omega-3 supplements reduced both the number of cigarettes smoked per day and cravings for nicotine among study participants. According to Dr. Sharon Rabinovitz Shenklar, who conducted the study and is the head of the addictions program at the University of Haifa’s School of Criminology Department and of the Psychopharmacology Laboratory at Bar-lian, “The substances and medications used currently to help people reduce and quit smoking are not very effective and cause adverse effects that are not easy to cope with. The findings of this study indicated that omega-3, an inexpensive and easily available dietary supplement with almost no side effects, reduces smoking significantly.”

The participants were divided into two groups: One group received omega-3 capsules and the second group received a placebo. The participants were asked to take five capsules a day for thirty days. In total, they reported taking more than ninety-four percent of the capsules. At no stage in the study were the participants asked to stop smoking. Researchers noted that showing such significant change in people who were not interested in quitting supports the assumption that omega-3 can help those who really want to quit smoking.

There’s a Link Between Physical and Mental Fatigue!

22 Jan

A workout can be a great way to unwind after a stressful day, but stewing over an unpleasant work encounter may make your exercise session less effective.

If your brain is tired, the rest of your body may be tired as well, because the two go hand-in-hand since both physical and mental fatigue affect the same region of your brain. If that part of your brain is telling you “my brain is fried” at the end of the day, then it’s likely your muscles will be tired even before you head for the gym.

Exercising after an occasional horrible day is unavoidable, but if you are chronically stressed, then you could be seriously derailing your fitness goals. It has been found that mental burnout significantly affects physical performance. If you are overwhelmed, perhaps your next workout should consist of several rounds of high-intensity stress management rather than crunches or curls!

“Nick the Stitch”

20 Jan

The Incredible Nine-Year-Old Boy Facing a Deadly Medical Condition and the Celebrity Who Gave Him Hope…

When he was just days old, Nick Santillo had his first open heart surgery. Nick’s parents stood by helplessly as little Nick went through heart surgeries two more times before his first birthday. By eight years old, Nick had been through eight surgeries.

Nick is now nine and has been in and out of the hospital his entire life.

Nick suffers from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a complex and rare birth defect. In hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped.

If a baby is born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart can’t effectively pump blood to the body, so the right side of the heart must pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.

Nick’s father is quick to say that by far, Nick is the strongest member of the family. He is always positive and just wants to know when he is going home. His parents are the ones who do the crying.

Until one amazing day…

Like most little boys, Nick has a celebrity idol — someone larger than life who he looks up to and would do anything to meet. When Nick was eight years old, he was given the surprise of his life.

Live on the Today Show, Nick got to meet his celebrity idol: WWE Wrestling Superstar John Cena. John flew into town just to meet Nick and invite him to be his guest of honor at and upcoming event. John even gave Nick a WWE nickname: Nick the Stitch.

But the story gets even better…

After that night, John didn’t forget about Nick the Stitch. John stayed in contact with Nick, demonstrating that his amazing act of caring is actually part of his real character, not just his wrestling persona.

In an incredible plot twist a year later, Nick went to see a WWE show with John Cena and John did not know Nick was coming. It was Nick’s turn to do the surprising!

John was in the ring and he looked into the crowd. He saw a “Nick the Stitch” sign and instantly knew who it was. John immediately ran into the crowd to see his friend.

John sprinted up the steps and gave Nick a big hug and asked him how he was doing. Of course, Nick said he was doing well.

But shortly after that night, Nick suffered a lung infection and a blockage to his gallbladder. Nick’s parents said he was in excruciating pain. He spent four agonizing days in the hospital, but never let go of his John Cena rally towel imprinted with the message, “Never Give Up.”

Nick never gave up and recovered once again. Since that time, Nick has gone to Disney World and gotten his orange belt in Karate.

It is clear that John Cena’s visit and friendship gave Nick more inner strength than words can describe. That inner strength may have already been the difference between life and death for Nick, something that will stick with Nick for the rest of his life.

It’s amazing how such a small gesture from the right person at the right time can dramatically change a person’s life. But, you never know if you are that person and if now is the time.

That’s why you should take every opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. If you are that right person at the right time just once, it will be more than worth it.

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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