The Simple, Natural Enemy of Cancer

5 Apr

Are you afraid of cancer? If you are, then you are probably not alone. In surveys, people commonly report dying as their #2 fear. What’s the #1 fear? Public speaking. Interestingly, about 74% of people have a fear of public speaking. Perhaps that’s why good public speakers get paid so much!

Here are some very interesting statistics on fear and worry…

  • Percent of things feared that will never take place: 60%
  • Percent of things feared that happened in the past and can’t be changed: 30%
  • Percent of things feared that are considered to be insignificant issues: 90%
  • Percent of things feared in relation to health that will not happen: 88%

Wow! What’s worse is that all this utterly useless worrying and stress may even cause a health problem that most likely would never have occurred. Stress unleashes some very toxic chemicals inside the body and should be avoided whenever possible.

So, the first message here is stop the unnecessary, useless, and actually harmful worrying. I know. I know. Easier said than done. But just being aware of it helps.

Here Is Something Else That Can Help Reduce Worry and Stress…

The best way to reduce worry and stress about ANYTHING is to be properly prepared in the first place. For example, if you have to speak in front of a crowd, you will be much less worried about it if you are completely prepared. Sure, you may still get nervous, but if you have done your research and rehearsed your speech until you can say it in your sleep, then your stress level will be much lower than if you went on stage tried to wing it.

The same approach holds true with your health…

First, let’s look at the statistics. According to Cancer.org: “In 2016, there will be an estimated 1,685,210 new cancer cases diagnosed and 595,690 cancer deaths in the [United States].”

Sure, that’s a lot, but at the time of this writing, there were almost 323 million people living in the United States (US) and there is a NET gain of one person every 15 seconds. This NET gain comes from one person being born every 8 seconds, one dying every 11 seconds, and one person immigrating to the US every 27 seconds.

Not only that, the really good news is that there appears to be simple things you can do to lower your odds of getting cancer. For example, it has long been claimed that certain foods can fight cancer, especially “greens.”

There is finally research backing up some of these claims. According to an article published February 10, 2016 by Oregon State University: “One of the first clinical studies to look at the effect of sulforaphane on breast tissues of women diagnosed with breast cancer showed that this compound was well tolerated and slowed the growth of cancer cells, especially at early stages.

“Sulforaphane is a compound found in broccoli and many other cruciferous vegetables, and it has long shown evidence of value in cancer prevention, researchers say.

“This new research suggests it may ultimately play a role in slowing cancer growth as well—along with other proven approaches such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.”

The researchers also report that past studies have shown an association between a high intake of cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli) and a reduced risk of breast cancer. They add, “Research has also shown that sulforaphane, which is found at the highest levels in such foods, can modulate breast cancer risk at several stages of carcinogenesis and through different mechanisms.”

More on These “Cruciferous” Vegetables

What are cruciferous vegetables? Here is a list: arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, horseradish, kale, radishes, rutabaga, turnips, watercress, and wasabi.

Cruciferous vegetables are rich in nutrients, including several carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin), vitamins (C, E, and K), folate, and minerals. They are also a good source of fiber.

According to the National Cancer Institute, “During food preparation, chewing, and digestion, the glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables are broken down to form biologically active compounds such as indoles, nitriles, thiocyanates, and isothiocyanates. Indole-3-carbinol (an indole) and sulforaphane (an isothiocyanate) have been most frequently examined for their anti-cancer effects.

“Indoles and isothiocyanates have been found to inhibit the development of cancer in several organs in rats and mice, including the bladder, breast, colon, liver, lung, and stomach. Studies in animals and experiments with cells grown in the laboratory have identified several potential ways in which these compounds may help prevent cancer:

  1. They help protect cells from DNA damage.
  2. They help inactivate carcinogens.
  3. They have anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects.
  4. They have anti-inflammatory effects.
  5. They induce cell death (apoptosis).
  6. They inhibit tumor blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and tumor cell migration (needed for metastasis).”

The article also listed studies that show cruciferous vegetables might lower the risk of prostate cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer.

One of the best sources of sulforaphane is broccoli, specifically broccoli sprouts. The good news is that you can quickly and easily grow your own broccoli sprouts at home and reap all their health benefits without spending much money!

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.

What’s In It For Me?

4 Apr

Let’s talk about how to get the things you want in life…

First, let’s come to a little agreement as to what you want. It’s important to know exactly what you want before you can get it. The biggest mistake most people make is thinking they know what they want, and then when they get it, they realize they hate what they have achieved.

Not having a proper definition for success may even be the biggest reason for unhappiness in the world. Nothing is more frustrating than pushing hard for years to get to the wrong place in life. It makes you want to give up.

So, what do you REALLY want? This may seem like a very individual question, but in the vast majority of cases, it is not. Here is why…

Humans are basically hard-wired with the same psychology. In other words, we all have very similar hopes, desires, dreams, and fears. For the most part, we all want to be loved and give love. We want peace over conflict. We want to be happy. If we want to be happy and have peace, then why is there so much conflict in the world?

Here is why. Have you ever seen a really aggressive dog? One that is going ballistic—barking, growling, lunging at other dogs or even people? If you have, then you know how scary it can be. Well, did you know almost every dog that acts that way is acting out of FEAR?

What’s that? Impossible? Yes, it may seem impossible to you because that dog seems like the aggressor. He or she is going after the other dog or person. If they were scared, then wouldn’t the aggressive dog just run away instead?

Well, that’s how most dogs naturally react to fear. They want to get away. They give signs that humans do not pick up on or ignore, and humans put them in situations where they feel they cannot escape (like on a leash). They feel trapped and lash out. When they lash out, their owner usually pulls them away from the other dog or person they were afraid of. They quickly learn that acting aggressively gets them out of the fearful situation. So they do it more and more whenever they are afraid.

Dog behaviorists who understand this rehabilitate these fear-aggressive dogs by showing them they have a way out BEFORE they blow up and get aggressive. When they show these dogs they have another way out—and they are not trapped—they often become non-aggressive very quickly.

What does this have to do with you getting what you want in life? Simple. We humans react to fear too. Some people are paralyzed by fear, while others lash out with aggression. Whatever the reaction, it is a recipe for disaster.

The first thing you must understand is that there is a way out. There are ways to deal with fear that are productive. Most of the time, once you face your fear, it turns out to not be as bad as you thought it would be.

You will never reach true happiness if you are driven to act by fear. You must act from a place that is positive in nature. Nothing good can come from fear. So take a step back and identify your fears. That is the first step to real success and happiness.

Best,

Dr. Binder

Can Chiropractic Help Me?

29 Mar

Chiropractic is the most widely accepted and most frequently used type of “alternative” healthcare in the United States. This is largely due to the fact that it works, and because of that, there has been a steady increase in acceptance by the public, third-party payers, and the Federal government. Since the mid-1990s, a number of outside (non-chiropractic) observers have suggested that chiropractic has now entered mainstream healthcare.

One can position chiropractic as being BOTH alternative and mainstream. It is “alternative” since it approaches healthcare from an entirely different direction compared to the primary care medical profession. Chiropractic is non-surgical and promotes diet and nutritional approaches vs. drugs and surgery. Chiropractic is also arguably “mainstream” as it has evolved into a strongly utilized form of primary care through popular acceptance and utilization by the public.

So, what role does chiropractic play in today’s health delivery system? This question is still being debated, but there appears to be three camps: 1) Specialist—limited to musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints on an interdisciplinary primary healthcare team; 2) Primary healthcare “gatekeepers” that focus on ambulatory MSK complaints; 3) Generalist primary healthcare provider of “alternative or complementary” medicine that manage and/or co-manage both MSK AND non-MSK conditions.

Looking at this from the patient or “consumer” perspective, chiropractic already plays an important role in the healthcare delivery for many patients. In 1993, a report claimed 7% of American adults had received chiropractic care during the prior year. According to a 2015 Gallup poll (that included 5,442 adults, aged 18+, surveyed between 2/16/15 and 5/6/15) entitled, Majority in U.S. Say Chiropractic Works for Neck, Back Pain, “Chiropractic care has a positive reputation among many US adults for effective treatment of neck and back pain, with about six in 10 adults either strongly agreeing (23%) or agreeing somewhat (38%) that chiropractors are effective at treating these types of pain.”

The “highlights” from this Gallup poll include: 1) Two-thirds say chiropractic is effective for neck and back pain. 2) Many adults say chiropractors think of the patient’s best interest. 3) More than 33 million adults in the United States (US) saw a chiropractor in the twelve months before the survey was conducted. That means roughly 14% of U.S. adults saw a chiropractor in the 12 months prior to the survey (vs. 7% in 1993). An additional 12% who responded to the Gallup pollsters saw a chiropractor in the last five years but not in the last 12 months. Overall, 51% of those polled had previously seen a chiropractor.

Whether or not you have personally utilized chiropractic, the educational process, licensing requirements, public interest, third-party payer systems, and interprofessional cooperation ALL support firm ground for which you can comfortably and confidently seek chiropractic care for your complaints.

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.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE!

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

Can a Low-Speed Crash Cause a Brain Injury?

28 Mar

There is certainly a lot of interest in concussion these days between big screen movies, football, and other sports-related injuries. Concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are often used interchangeably. Though mTBI is NOT the first thing we think about in a low-speed motor vehicle collision (MVC), it does happen. So how often do MVC-related TBIs occur, how does one know they have it, and is it usually permanent or long lasting?

Here are some interesting statistics: 1) The incidence rate of fatal and hospitalized TBI in 1994 was estimated to be 91/100,000 (~1%); 2) Each year in the United States, for every person who dies from a brain injury, five are admitted to hospitals and an additional 26 seek treatment for TBI; 3) About 80% of TBIs are considered mild (mTBI); 4) Many mTBIs result from MVCs, but little is known or reported about the crash characteristics. 5) The majority (about 80%) of mTBI improve within three months, while 20% have symptoms for more than six months that can include memory issues, depression, and cognitive difficulty (formulating thought and staying on task). Long-term, unresolved TBI is often referred to as “post-concussive syndrome.”

In one study, researchers followed car crash victims who were admitted into the hospital and found 37.7% were diagnosed with TBI, of which the majority (79%) were defined as minor by a tool called Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) with a score of one or two (out of a possible six) for head injuries. In contrast to more severe TBIs, mild TBIs occur more often in women, younger drivers, and those who were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Mild TBI is also more prevalent in frontal vs. lateral (“T-bone”) crashes.

As stated previously, we don’t think about our brains being injured in a car crash as much as we do other areas of our body that may be injured—like the neck. In fact, MOST patients only talk about their pain, and their doctor of chiropractic has to specifically ask them about their brain-related symptoms.

How do you know if you have mTBI? An instrument called the Traumatic Brain Injury Questionnaire can be helpful as a screen and can be repeated to monitor improvement. Why does mTBI persist in the “unlucky” 20%? Advanced imaging has come a long way in helping show nerve damage associated with TBI such as DTI (diffuse tensor imaging), but it’s not quite yet readily available. Functional MRI (fMRI) and a type of PET scanning (FDG-PET) help as well, but brain profusion SPECT, which measures the blood flow within the brain and activity patterns at this time, seems the most sensitive.

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.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR WHIPLASH! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

Exercises for Improving Cervical Posture

22 Mar

Is there a “normal” or “best posture” out there? If so, what is it?

Posture is largely inherited; however, there are also environmental, social, and other forces that can affect posture. Some say “good posture” is the position that places the least amount of strain on the body, particularly the muscles and ligaments that hold the body together.

A common cause of poor posture is called forward head carriage (FHC), where the head sits forward of the shoulders, placing a greater strain on the back of the neck and upper back to hold the head upright. Looking at the spine from the side, the opening of the ear should line up with the shoulder, hip, and ankle.

There have been studies that suggest every inch (2.54 cm) of FHC increases muscle strain in neck and upper back by 10 pounds (4.5 kg). That means a 5 inch (~12.7 cm) FHC adds an extra 50 pounds (~22.7 kg) of strain on the neck and upper back to hold the head upright. So what can we do to improve our posture?

First, stay active to reduce the normal rate of degeneration that affects us all as we “mature” through life! This recommendation requires us to keep fit and strive to maintain a normal BMI (“body mass index” or weight/height ratio) by balancing calorie intake and exercise.

Now, besides being evaluated for specific spinal care, there are a couple exercises you can do to help improve your cervical posture:

EXERCISE #1 is called a chin tuck. Here, you simply pull your chin inwards, producing a “double chin.” If you do this as far as you can and talk your voice will sound funny (“nasal-like”). Release the tuck until your voice clears. The moment it clears, STOP – that’s your “new” head position. Try to maintain that all day. You will have to remind yourself to “…keep it tucked” frequently at first but as time goes on, it will feel more natural. This can take about three months on average, so BE PATIENT!

EXERCISE #2 will strengthen the deep neck flexor muscles by doing the exact same thing as exercise #1 BUT adds a hand, a towel, or a TheraBand (anything works) for resistance behind the neck so that as you chin tuck, you PRESS the back of your mid-neck into your finger tips (or Band, towel, etc.) and hold for five seconds (then, release slowly). Do this five, ten, or multiple times a day.

There are other exercises but this is a GREAT start! See your doctor of chiropractic for more specific individual needs!

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 neck pain or headaches, we would be honored to render our services.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR NECK PAIN! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

Fibromyalgia Sleep “Tips”

21 Mar

Last month, we discussed the connection between sleep disturbance and the presence of widespread pain found with fibromyalgia (FM). This month’s topic will center on how we can improve our sleep quality with the goal of feeling restored upon waking in the morning!

  • NOISE & LIGHT: Block out noise with earplugs or a sound machine and light with window blinds, heavy curtains, and/or an eye mask. The light emanating from the LED or LCD from TVs, DVRs, or stereos has been found to suppress the pineal gland’s melatonin production (the “sleep hormone”) and thus can interfere with sleep, so try to keep them away from the bedroom. However, a small night light can assist for nighttime bathroom callings!
  • FOOD: Avoid large meals at least two hours before bedtime. Try a glass of milk, yogurt, or a small protein snack if hunger overcomes you. Milk is unique as it contains the amino acid
  1. L-tryptophan, which studies show, helps people sleep!
  • EXERCISE: Aerobic exercise during the day is HIGHLY therapeutic. It reduces stress, reduces pain, reduces depression, and wakes us up! Avoid heavy exercise within three hours before bedtime. Exercise on a REGULAR basis to promote high-quality deep sleep.
  • SLEEP HABITS: Develop good sleeping habits by going to bed at a regular time. Avoid napping in the late afternoon. A “POWER NAP” of no more than 10-15 minutes, ideally about eight hours after waking, is a GOOD THING as it can help you feel refreshed.
  • MENTAL TASKS: Avoid mentally stimulating activity one hour before bedtime to calm the brain.
  • MENTAL CLARITY: Avoid bedtime worries. Try NOT to think about things that are upsetting. Substitute positive thoughts, experiences, and/or visualize favorite hobbies that free up the mind. Try to avoid discussing emotional issues before bedtime.
  • PETS: They are GREAT companions but NOT in the bed at night! Not only can pets kicking and moving disturb rest, their dander can stir up allergies and interfere with sleep.
  • TEMPERATURE: A well-ventilated and temperature controlled (54-74° F or 12.2-23.3° Celsius) bedroom is “key.”
  • BEDROOM “RULES”: The bedroom is for two things: physical intamacy and sleeping. If you wake up in the middle of the night, go to another room and read a book or watch TV until you feel sleepy.
  • AVOID STIMULANTS: AVOID nicotine, caffeine, coffee, chocolate, tea, soft drinks, and various over-the-counter or prescription medications in the late evening, unless under instruction from your physician.
  • RELAXATION TECHNIQUES: Try one (there are many) and practice it at bedtime.
  • REFRAIN FROM DRINKING ALCOHOL: Alcohol is a nervous system depressant and can HELP you fall asleep, BUT a rebound withdrawal can cause nightmares and night sweats. Avoid this close to bedtime (switch to water!).

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

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR FIBROMYALGIA! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

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