The Most Important Principles for Staying Young: Think Before You Ink and How Rosemary Can Improve Your Thinking…

10 Aug

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.

In recent months, I’ve shared secrets from of our new book AgeProof: Living Longer Without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip, released February 28th, 2017).  Some of you must have bought it as the book made it to #10 on the NY Times list and #3 on the Wall Street Journal List.  Thank you.  This month, I want to share two tips that may help you live younger and become more Age Proof…

TIP 1 — Think Before You Ink: In 2006, Lucky Diamond Rich was declared “the world’s most tattooed person.” Ink covers every inch of his body—private parts included. For him, it’s too late to think about the downsides, but for those just starting out —or still tattoo-free—this recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning is worth paying attention to.

If the tattoo parlor isn’t sanitary, you may be at risk for contracting an infection, which may require months of antibiotics or hospitalization to treat. Even the cleanest of places, says the FDA, may use unsterile water to dilute pigments or they may have pigments (marked sterile and sealed) that are nonetheless contaminated with mold or bacteria. (It happens more often than you’d think.)

And then there are the inks themselves… Some contain pigments used in printer toner and car paint. The FDA hasn’t approved any pigments for injection into the skin for cosmetic purposes—so it’s the Wild, Wild West when it comes to knowing exactly what’s being pumped into your body. You also risk an allergic reaction to the inks—and allergic rashes can persist for years. Experts also say allergic reactions can pop up—seemingly out of the blue—years after getting a tattoo.

Tattoos can also make you allergic—and sensitized—to other products, such as hair dyes, if they both contain phenylenediamene (PPD). PPD was designated the contact allergen of the year in 2006 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society!

So think before you ink—your skin has to last a lifetime!

TIP 2 — Enjoy the Fragrance of Rosemary and You May Get Smarter: Rosemary has long been thought to have memory-boosting properties, and now modern science is backing up this theory. In a study presented recently to the British Psychological Society, researchers found that children in a room scented with rosemary did significantly better on memory tasks than those who didn’t get a whiff of the herb. These findings line up with an earlier study the team did that found when adults were exposed to higher concentrations of rosemary aroma, they performed better on cognitive tests. Scientists think a compound called 1,8-cineole found in the plant might help boost an important neurotransmitter in the brain.

If you want to see if you benefit from this aromatic herb, you can make rosemary oil by adding a sprig of rosemary to a bottle of olive oil. Use on salads and chicken. Or grow a houseplant or outdoor bush and enjoy the fragrance. Or get an aromatherapy diffuser and use only an essential oil (no phthalates, please). However, pure rosemary essential oil should be used carefully. If applying topically, first dilute in a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation. Pregnant and breastfeeding? No essential rosemary oil for you. And never ingest it!  The essential oil can be toxic if taken internally, even at low doses.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to send questions—to AgeProoflife@gmail.com.

Dr. Mike Roizen

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.  

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.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises

7 Aug

There are nine tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel at the wrist that connect the forearm muscles to the palm-side of the fingers. These tendons are encased in sheaths, and friction and heat can build-up inside these sheaths, leading to swelling, pressure, and pain (especially during fast, repetitive tasks). As the swelling increases and pressure builds up inside the tight space of the tunnel, the median nerve is pushed into the transverse carpal ligament, which serves as the floor of the tunnel, resulting in the symptoms we commonly associate with CTS. Stretching helps reduce this tightness and friction.

The stretching exercises listed below can BOTH help CTS as well as prevent it from occurring or re-occurring. As a warm-up:

  • Rotate the wrist in multiple directions—up, down, side-to-side, and figure 8s.
  • Spread your fingers as wide as you can and pull the fingers back using your other hand (or a wall) keeping the elbow straight.
  • Repeat step two, but this time, stretch the thumb back.

Repeat these steps five to ten times—enough to feel the forearms and hands loosen up.

The Prayer: Place your palms completely together like you are praying (keep the heels of the hands together) next to your chest and slowly lower the hands toward the floor while keeping the hands close to your body. Hold for 15-20 seconds.

Forearm Flexors: Arm straight, palm against the wall, fingers point downward, reach across and gently pull the thumb back. Hold for 15-20 seconds.

Forearm Extensors: Arm straight, back of the hand against the wall, fingers pointing downward. Hold for 15-20 seconds.

Repeat the above exercises three to four times and focus on feeling the muscles “release.” Try to do this three to five times a day, ESPECIALLY during the busy work day to “break-up” the monotony of fast, repetitive work tasks that can increase heat and friction in the sheaths surrounding the tendons that pass through your wrist.

Your doctor of chiropractic may recommend ice cupping over the wrist/s (palm side) and using a night splint on the affected wrist/s, in addition to exercises (like those above) and job modifications aimed at reducing CTS risk. Treatment may also include the use of manual therapies applied to the forearm, wrist, and hand, as well as the elbow, shoulder, and neck as these areas are frequently involved and must also be addressed to optimize the patient’s outcome.

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

Dr. Brent Binder
4909 Louise Drive, Suite 103
Mechanicsburg Pa, 17055

Member of Chiro-Trust.org

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all healthcare concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Pregnancy and Low Back Pain – Part 2

3 Aug

Back pain can become both more frequent and more intense as a pregnancy enters into the second and (especially) the third trimester. This is because the biomechanical changes that accompany pregnancy occur too fast for the body to properly adapt.

Besides the usual suggestions of bed rest, taking frequent breaks, using cold packs, and the like, there are many benefits derived from manual therapies such as manipulation, mobilization, massage, and exercise.

Chiropractors frequently offer these services, and one or a combination of these therapies can result in significant relief of back pain during pregnancy. One study reported that 94% of pregnant women receiving chiropractic treatment demonstrated clinically important improvement with substantial relief for several days following their initial treatment, with no adverse effects.

In a survey of 950 pregnant women and 87 medical providers, 31% responded that effective alternative therapies used during pregnancy included chiropractic care, massage, and yoga exercises. In a review of 400 pregnant female medical charts after delivery, 84% reported relief of back pain during the pregnancy with chiropractic care.

Studies have also shown that women with back pain during pregnancy have an elevated risk for a longer labor and delivery. Additionally, first-time pregnant women (primigravida) who received chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy averaged a 25% shorter labor time, while women who were pregnant after already having a child (multiparous) reported a 31% average shorter labor time.

Co-management and referrals between medical providers and chiropractors are becoming more common due to the growing amount of evidence published regarding the benefits of spinal manipulation during pregnancy.

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

Dr. Brent Binder
4909 Louise Drive, Suite 102
Mechanicsburg Pa, 17055

Member of Chiro-Trust.org

Chiropractic Care and Its Many Benefits

31 Jul

Primarily, chiropractic focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders with an emphasis on treatment utilizing manual adjustments and other types of manipulation and/or mobilization of the spine. Chiropractic is classified as a form of primary care, as anyone can choose to see a doctor of chiropractic without a referral.

A 2010 meta analysis reviewed a number of published studies to determine the strength of scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of manual treatment for both musculoskeletal (MSK) and non-musculoskeletal (non-MSK) conditions.

Lead author Dr. Gert Bronfort reviewed 49 relevant systematic reviews and 16 evidence-based clinical guidelines and concluded that he and the other authors of the analysis found SMT/mobilization to be effective in adults for the following: acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain; migraine and cervicogenic headache; cervicogenic dizziness; and several extremity joint conditions. Interestingly, Dr. Bronfort and his team noted thoracic manipulation/mobilization as effective for acute and subacute neck pain, but the evidence available at the time was inconclusive for cervical manipulation/mobilization alone for neck pain of any duration.

The evidence was also inconclusive for SMT/mobilization for mid back pain, sciatica, tension-type headache, coccydynia, temporomandibular joint disorders, fibromyalgia, premenstrual syndrome, and pneumonia in older adults. Additionally, they found SMT/mobilization was not effective for asthma, dysmenorrhea (when compared to sham SMT), or stage 1 hypertension when added to an antihypertensive diet. In children, the evidence was inconclusive regarding the effectiveness of SMT/mobilization for otitis media and enuresis, and they also noted SMT/mobilization was not effective for infantile colic and asthma when compared with sham SMT.

In a 2014 follow-up study, lead author Dr. Christine Clar confirmed most of the previously “inconclusive” or “moderate” evidence ratings of the 2010 evidence report. However, the availability of new research motivated Dr. Clar to note moderate evidence for these conditions: manipulation/mobilization (with exercise) for rotator cuff disorders, spinal mobilization for cervicogenic headache, and mobilization for miscellaneous headache.

These two meta-analyses are significantly helpful for those considering chiropractic care for specific conditions. Reviews like this are planned for the future, and the list of conditions that respond well to chiropractic care should expand as areas that need further study are determined and more research is published.

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

Dr. Brent Binder
4909 Louise Drive, Suite 102
Mechanicsburg Pa, 17055

Member of Chiro-Trust.org

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all healthcare concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Chronic Pain and Whiplash

24 Jul

Most sprains and strains typically take six weeks to recover, provided the patient receives proper care, which may include self-management strategies. However, something is different about a whiplash associated disorders (WAD) injury in that many patients do not recover.

At the Whiplash 2017 Symposium held in Australia, Dr. Michele Sterling stated, “Whiplash associated disorders are a costly burden to Australian society. Up to 50% of people who experience a whiplash injury will never fully recover. Whiplash is resistant to treatment and no early management approach has yet been shown to prevent chronic pain. We are hoping this study will provide a promising treatment for chronic pain.”

Experts in the field presented important information about the development and prevention of disorders associated with a WAD injury such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression after trauma. The University of North Carolina’s Dr. Samuel McLean reported that approximately 30% of people present to the emergency room (ER) in developed countries after trauma exposure (such as car accidents) and approximately nine out of ten are discharged without proper evaluation of these common neuropsychiatric problems. One problem in making a neuropsychological diagnosis is that these conditions often develop sometime after the initial presentation to the ER.

Dr. McLean and his team are currently researching the biological basis of brain injury in a new unprecedented study.  Participants will be enrolled at the immediate post-trauma level and will receive a comprehensive evaluation including genomic, neuroimaging, neurocognitive, behavioral, and symptom assessments. Dr. McLean states that WHEN the biology of PTSD, depression, and chronic pain is understood, then proper tools can be developed to identify the disorders and interventions to treat them can be achieved.

The problems associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are not new, but TBI is rarely dealt with until long after the WAD injury. Part of this is due to a lack of understanding of TBI on the doctor’s part and the other is a reluctance to discuss the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction on the patient’s part. This is because the symptoms are often vague, hard to describe, or somewhat embarrassing.

Questions specifically related to TBI include: Do you have problems staying on task? Do you easily lose your place during a discussion or thought process? Do you have to review your work more times than usual? Does it take longer to process information that you hear or read? Do you have mental fog?

Often, only when these questions are asked will the patient and doctor realize that there may be the need for a thorough neuropsychological evaluation. This study hopes to be able to develop new tools for evaluating TBI and to develop new interventions to help these patients.

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

Dr. Brent Binder
4909 Louise Drive, Suite 102
Mechanicsburg Pa, 17055

Member of Chiro-Trust.org

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all healthcare concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Chiropractic Care and Headaches

17 Jul

The cervical spine is often implicated in the onset and/or presence of headaches. This is due in part to the first three cervical nerve roots exiting out of the spine and enter the back of the head through a particularly thick group of muscles attached to the base of the skull along the nuchal ridge.

Anything that tightens up the upper cervical musculature can give rise to headache, and certainly stress has the unique characteristic of increasing neck muscle tension. Cervicogenic headache and tension-type headache are the two most commonly used terms associated with neck dysfunction.  Migraine headaches are a vascular type of headache, and these too can be greatly helped by spinal manipulation of the upper cervical region, though the mechanism of how this helps is less understood.

When patients see a chiropractor to treat their headaches, the paperwork they complete may include questionnaires regarding how their headaches impact both their wellbeing and their day-to-day activities. This data can be used to monitor a patient’s progress over time. Similarly, patients may be asked for data at each visit regarding the frequency, intensity, and duration of their headaches since their last visit in order to determine if a new approach to treatment should be considered.

Chiropractic offers multiple types of treatments with the goal of reducing neck and headache pain, restoring function to the vertebrae in the cervical spine—especially in the upper cervical region—and teaching the patient preventative methods of self-management such as exercises, ice and/or heat, and dietary modifications.

Because chiropractic includes an evaluation of the entire musculoskeletal system, a doctor of chiropractic may spot biomechanical faults lower in the body that may play a role in the headache process. A good example of this is a flat foot with ankle pronation, which creates a knocked-kneed effect and a drop in the pelvis on the same side. This can affect the curvature of the spine, causing stability issues up into the neck. In this case, prescriptive foot orthotics to correct the ankle pronation problem and/or a heel lift to correct a short leg can have dramatic benefits for headache sufferers, not to mention other spinal complaints such as low back pain.

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

Dr. Brent Binder
4909 Louise Drive, Suite 102
Mechanicsburg Pa, 17055

Member of Chiro-Trust.org

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all healthcare concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

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