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Chiropractic and Diabetes – The Connection between Blood Sugar and the Spine

The possibility for chiropractic care to help people with diabetes is an up and coming area of research, and it is an important one. Roughly one out of every three men and two out of every five women born in the year 2000 will suffer from diabetes in their lifetime.

Research points to evidence that chiropractic care may make a valuable contribution to a wellness protocol that helps those diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States and a growing epidemic worldwide, so help is desperately needed!

The average person may not recognize how diabetes and chiropractic are connected. What does the back have to do with blood sugar? Often, an electrician understands this faster than most people. Interfere with the current flowing through the wires and the appliances or areas of the house lose normal function or might even catch fire.

If the nerve supply from the upper neck or middle back (the two areas that supply the pancreas) are disturbed, pancreatic function suffers; maybe in it’s ability to produce enzymes to digest proteins, fats and carbohydrates, or maybe insulin production, or both. Blood sugar and digestion become unbalanced, resulting in either in diabetes or hypoglycemia.

Studies suggest a chiropractic-spine-nerve-blood sugar connection.

A study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research illustrated the positive effects of chiropractic when used as part of an integrative treatment for adult onset diabetes diagnosed by a medical doctor. Along with chiropractic care, the patient also received nutritional and exercise guidance.

After one month of being on the program, the patient’s glucose blood and urine levels normalized and remained stable. His medical doctor, who monitored his progress, said the patient would not need insulin if the condition remained stable.

Canada is currently leading the research effort.

The National Post reported: “DIABETES BREAKTHROUGH: In a discovery that has stunned even those behind it, scientists at a Toronto hospital say they have proof the body’s nervous system helps trigger diabetes, opening the door to a potential near-cure of the disease that affects millions of Canadians. Diabetic mice became healthy virtually overnight after researchers injected a substance to counteract the effect of malfunctioning pain neurons in the pancreas.

‘I couldn’t believe it,’ said Dr. Michael Salter, a pain expert at the Hospital for Sick Children. ‘Mice with diabetes suddenly didn’t have diabetes any more.’ The excitement of the team from Sick Kids, whose work is being published today in the journal Cell, is almost palpable.

A recent case study published in the November 2011 edition of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health documents a case of a four-year-old child who had terrific results stabilizing her blood sugar through chiropractic care. The patient was diagnosed with spinal subluxation in the upper cervical region. She began chiropractic care and was seen a total of 24 times over a two-month period. During this two-month period, she experienced a decrease in hemoglobin A1C from 7.2 percent to 6.5 percent. She also decreased the amount of insulin used from 15 units to 11 units per day.

These results are quite remarkable because the literature states that intensive medical treatment of type I diabetes often does not succeed in lowering A1C levels under 7.0 percent. Chiropractic care works by optimizing the neural connections throughout the body. This enhanced brain-body connection works to better coordinate immunity and hormone function throughout the body.

Source: Natural News

For more information about Chiropractic and Diabetes, visit ChiroOne.net.

If you or someone you know suffers from Diabetes, call Chiro One Wellness Centers today at (877) 724-4761 to find out more about preventive measures and the Chiropractic approach to developing extraordinary wellness.

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Chiropractic Running Tips for Peak Performance

Most athletes have come to recognize chiropractic care as not only an excellent injury prevention and treatment option, but also as a method for keeping in top form and for boosting performance naturally. If you are seeking peak performance, want a winning natural edge, or need a little more balance or faster reaction times you should see a chiropractor. Chiropractic offers support to many athletes at all levels of sporting.

Whether you’re planning to run a marathon or trying out running for the first time, there’s a certain level of anxiety. Relax, though! Running is a great activity for anyone to try, regardless of age or fitness level. Here are some tips to prevent injury and also on achieving peak performance.

Start with proper running shoes. Try to avoid old, over worn shoes. Instead, wear a pair of fairly new, broken in running shoes.

  • Start and end with a proper warm up and cool down. You need to stretch before and after running.
  • Stay properly hydrated. Runners should get in the habit of replacing
    any fluids lost while exercising. Start by making it a point to drink directly before and after you run. If your session is longer than 45 minutes, stash a water bottle along your route or sip periodically from a canteen. You can test your hydration by monitoring the color of your urine: if it is pale yellow, you are doing fine, but a dark yellow-orange color means you need to replenish fluids.
  • Pay attention to what you eat. Remember: What goes in your body has a significant impact on the performance you get out of it! Go for Lean and Green. Center your diet around whole grains, fish, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. These foods will meet your basic nutritional needs and will also help your body recover after exercise. Remember, timing is everything! Increase good carbs 2 to 3 days before run and have a small meal 2 hours before run. Soon after you finish your workout, eat a snack high in both protein and carbs, such as a cup of yogurt with fruit, or an energy bar.
  • Avoid side stitches and cramps. Take a big breath the moment you feel a cramp. Pretend you’re sucking air through a straw; then exhale forcefully, as if blowing up a balloon. Don’t try to go to fast too, too soon. Side stitches are common for novice runners and also when you drink too much water.
  • Visualize the race. See yourself running the race. Visualize the obstacles you may encounter. Most importantly, see yourself finishing the race!
  • Get a chiropractic adjustment! Spinal health is critical to optimal wellness and the proper functioning of every organ in the body!

If you or someone you know has experienced a sports injury, call 877.724.4761 to schedule an appointment with Chiro One Today!

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Retired Brigadier General Becky Halsted winning battle with Fibromyalgia with Chiropractic.

Winning the Battle with Fibromyalgia
Brigadier General Becky Halstead (Retired) shares why treatment of this disease should include chiropractic care

CARMICHAEL, Calif. – January 24, 2011 –After 27 years of service, decorated U.S. Army Brigadier General Becky Halstead (Retired), the first female West Point graduate in U.S. history to command at the strategic level in Iraq and Afghanistan, decided to retire after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia – a medically unexplained syndrome affecting the muscles and connective tissues. Currently, the disease affects as many as 12 million Americans and has been reported two times as prevalent in deployed veterans (Annals of Internal Medicine, June 7, 2005, Vol. 142 No.11).

“Agonizing pain, debilitating fatigue, joint stiffness and sleep deprivation—you name it and I felt it,” says Halstead. “There I was in Iraq, responsible for over 20,000 military men and women, and I privately struggled to physically keep myself going.”

Initially, Halstead was prescribed every drug imaginable, though the pills only masked the pain and resulted in a spiral of reactions affecting her psychological and physical health. It wasn’t until a close friend suggested chiropractic that she was able to find relief and return to a normal, nearly pain-free life. She discovered that the comprehensive treatment of chiropractic care improves joint motion, reducing and in some cases eliminating the pains and symptoms associated with fibromyalgia – such as fatigue, sleep deprivation and depression.

“Chiropractic treatment helped improve my whole outlook on dealing with this chronic ailment,” she says. “The spinal adjustments along with the postural and nutritional advice I received helped to treat the fibromyalgia and allowed me to have many days with minimal pain — and most days without any medications. The care of a doctor of chiropractic was life changing for me.”

Today, Halstead is a spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (www.f4cp.com), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of the benefits associated with chiropractic care. Brig. General Halstead has made it her personal mission to educate others suffering with fibromyalgia – and to consider consulting with doctor of chiropractic, as she did.

“Chiropractic care is a viable option that can positively impact overall wellness and health,” she concludes.

Source: Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP)

For more information about how Chiropractic care can help treat symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia, contact Chiro One Wellness Centers at (877) 724-4761.

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Chiropractic Tips for Getting Your Vitamin ZZZ’s

The essentials of life; food, water, air…and sleep? Yes, though most people wouldn’t include sleep as a life essential, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) all you have to do is ask the other 30%-40% of adults that suffer from insomnia – the inability to fall or stay asleep, or waking up and still feeling tired – how important it is. In addition to the other well known common essentials, sleep is the one thing we truly can’t live without.

Insomnia is an affliction with absolutely no prejudice. In younger people, stress and worry commonly cause it while older adults suffer from a natural decrease in melatonin – a sleep inducing hormone. Pressures from ones family, job, illness, aches and pains caused by uncomfortable beds or pillows, and side effects of some medications can also rob us of sleep. Overall, 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders each year, and an additional 20 million have occasional sleep problems.

Lost ZZZ’s can carry a hefty price. For children, sleep is necessary to assist their growth and learning ability. For all people regardless of age, the lack of it affects the immune and nervous systems, memory, judgment, attention, patience, thinking and reading abilities. In addition, the lack of sleep can be especially dangerous to those who drive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that sleep deprivation is responsible for an astounding 100,000 vehicle accidents a year, resulting in 1,500 deaths and 71,000 injuries.

Recent research shows that the old advice of sleeping in a comfortable bed in a cool bedroom, eating an early dinner, going to bed at the same time each night, controlling your stress levels, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before sleep is still good advice but may not work for everyone. If you’re counting more sheep than you are sleeping soundly, before you turn to prescription medication, experts agree that there are many lifestyle habits that can prevent your sleepless nights. Whether you’re sleep deprived because of a new job, a newborn or possibly a new romance in your life, the following suggestions can significantly assist you in getting the sleep needed to live life powerfully.

Create a routine. Drink some herbal tea, dim your lights 30 minutes before bed so you’re winding down and/or play quiet music. Any activity that doesn’t excite you will do the trick. The most important thing is that you do it every night before bed. Your body will learn to recognize these activities as things that happen before sleep. As a result it will be more ready for sleep. Also, creating a morning routine can help you be more awake in the morning. Your body will begin to recognize taking a shower, making your bed, and brighter lights as a sign that it’s time to be awake. These routines are especially helpful if you work a swing shift.
Stay on schedule. It’s best to get up and go to bed at the same time, even on the weekends! If you need extra sleep, take a short nap in the middle of the day. Also, emerging research has shown that the simple task of making your bed each day promotes better sleep.
Give yourself permission to nap. Sometimes all you need is 20 minutes in the middle of the day to sleep. If you are tired, take a short nap. You may be surprised that after 20 minutes you feel remarkably better and are far more able to be productive with the rest of your day!
Exercise regularly. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon is best. If you exercise in the evening, do so at least two or three hours before bedtime. If the only time you have to exercise is just before bed, do some stretching, rather than anything strenuous. Stretching will help your body reconnect and unwind.
Limit your intake of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, colas and tea. Avoiding caffeine is one of the hardest and most important parts of improving sleep. If you weren’t so tired you wouldn’t drink so much caffeine! And if you didn’t drink so much caffeine you also wouldn’t be so tired. The first few days without, or with significantly reduced, caffeine will be hard. But it will get easier! Pick a two or three day time period when you plan to cut back. Drink caffeine free substitutes, like herbal tea or soda water. Know that any headaches and irritability are only a sign of how much your body needs to kick the caffeine habit. Tell your family, friends and co-workers why you are cutting out caffeine.  If they understand why you are doing it and support you, it will be much easier! If you are planning on cutting back, rather than cutting out caffeine, drink it early in the day. Give your body as much time as possible to burn-off the caffeine. A cup of coffee at 9 am won’t harm your sleep nearly as much as one at 4 pm! Cutting out caffeine after 2 or 3 in the afternoon is a good place to start. Also pay attention to how much sugar you eat. Simply switching from soda to caffeinated tea may make a huge difference in your sleep.
Eat an early dinner. Eating after 6 pm may interfere with sleep as your body works to digest the food you’ve eaten.  If you do eat later, eat vegetables and lean protein such as chicken, fish or beans. Avoid sugar, flour and corn.
Get Adjusted. The best thing you can do to improve your sleep is to get adjusted. When you are subluxated, your body cannot communicate properly. Maybe you know it’s time to go to bed, but your mind can’t stop racing. Maybe you wake up at 2 am unable to fall back asleep. Whatever your sleeping challenges are, the problem likely stems from a disconnect between what you want—sleep—and what your body is doing. These disconnects are subluxations. Getting adjusted will help your nervous system function better. It will allow your nerves to tell your mind and body to slow down and to sleep. People don’t often think of chiropractic for help with insomnia and trouble sleeping. And yet, so many chiropractic patients are sleeping better, easier and feel more rested than they did before chiropractic care. Pay attention to the hours you have the most trouble sleeping. Do you wake up at the same time every night? According to Chinese medicine, the hours between 1 and 3 am are associated with your liver. The hours between 3 am and 5 am are associated with your lungs. Your chiropractor can adjust the nerves that impact these organs. This will often help you sleep through the night.

Indications of Insomnia
·        Taking more than 30 to 45 min. to fall asleep
·        Waking up many times during the night
·        Waking up early and not being able to fall asleep
·        Waking up feeling tired
Potentially Helpful Supplements Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) may be appropriate for long-term use as it does not appear to impair vigilance the morning after use.
German chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, passionflower, and wild lettuce have been said to have mild sedative properties.
Melatonin supplements may be useful for treating insomniacs. They appear to be safe when used for days or weeks.

Note: Pregnant or nursing women, children under 3 years of age, and people who use alcohol or sedative drugs, should check with their doctor before taking any of these supplements.

Need a New Pillow? Sleep position plays a big role in how you feel and function when you wake up in the morning. Think about the position your head and neck are in when you sleep. Is your head turned to one side? Imagine spending hours with your head turned to the side. That is exactly what is happening if you sleep that way! The most important thing to do is find a pillow that keeps your head in a neutral position. If you are lying on your back, you will need a little pillow under your neck and not much under your head. You don’t want a pillow that will push your head forward.  If you sleep on your side, you want a pillow that is as tall as the distance between your shoulder and your neck. That will allow your neck to stay straight even when you are lying on your side. Consider buying a pillow that is high on the sides, for side sleeping, and low in the middle, for back sleeping. Chiro One Wellness Centers sell a great version of this pillow. They can help you find the size that is best for your body type. And you may be able to take home today!  If they don’t have the one you need in stock, they can easily order you one. The pillows are specially designed to help your neck stay in the proper position while sleeping. It might take a few days to get used to them, but once you do, you will notice a major difference in how you sleep and how you feel in the morning!

To get more tips on improving your sleep, join Chiro One Wellness Centers this April for a FREE Educational Sleep Workshop. Click here for local dates and times. To find the Chiro One Wellness Center nearest you, visit www.ChiroOne.net/locations.

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Professional Basketball Athletes Rely Significantly on Chiropractic Care

As professional basketball continues to make headlines mid-season and March Madness is underway for college basketball, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic, points to the role of doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in helping basketball players perform at their best.

“Chiropractic care helps to give a team and athlete a competitive advantage in whatever sport they participate in. Specifically, it helps to enhance endurance levels, assist in the recovery from many structural injuries and achieve overall peak performance,” shares Dr. Craig Buhler, who for 26 years served as the team DC for the Utah Jazz, treating countless athletes including NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton. “By including chiropractic into an athlete’s regular health practices, one is able to maximize training and optimize functional balance and skill.”

Recently, all-star point guard for the Chicago Bulls and former National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose shared his success with chiropractic care in recovering from back spasms that forced him to the bench. In an interview with ESPN, Rose says, “The whole week I was seeing a great chiropractor, (Dr.) Stuart Yoss. He did a great job on getting me back.” After missing five games, the longest in Rose’s career, he has returned to play in optimal shape.

Chiropractic care is an important component of sports injury treatment. Professional athletes across the spectrum of sports, including those with the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Professional Golf and others, rely on the unique care of DCs to help manage and prevent injuries. Many college and high school teams are also recognizing the value of increased access for their athletes.

“A collaboration of several healthcare professionals is key to caring for elite sporting teams,” shares Dr. Buhler. “Chiropractic is an essential component to this healthcare team and, as it continues to become more apparent, athletes are recognizing the value it has for accomplishing their goals of staying in the game and playing at their best.”

Source: Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP)

To learn more about chiropractic and sports, call Chiro One Wellness Centers TODAY at (877) 724-4761.

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Strength training increases overall health, vitality.

Strength training is great for increasing overall general health and quality of life, as well as being great for maintaining a strong musculoskeletal system. Strength training increases the strength of your muscles, and if done properly, aids in building strong bones to prevent osteoporosis. It strengthens tendons and ligaments creating structural stability in your joints, including your spine. It has also been shown to increase life span by decreasing mortality rates in all major illnesses, including heart disease and cancer, the top two causes of death in the US. Strength training increases metabolism leading to decreased body fat as well as increases athletic performance.

“There are also many psychological benefits to strength training,” says Dr. Travis Russell, D.C., Chiropractic Director of Chiro One Wellness Center of New Lenox.  ”One such benefit is a sense of accomplishment that comes with performing something previously unachievable. In addition, the training response releases certain natural chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine works to increase pain tolerance, decreasing the sensations of pain and discomfort while serotonin is widely known as the “feel good” chemical of your body.”

Increased levels of serotonin have been linked to improvements in several mood disorders, including depression. The “why” of strength training is apparent; being stronger creates a healthier you; however, before you get started setting up your routine, keep a few key points in mind:

  • When you have your doctor’s OK to begin a strength training program, start slowly.
  • Always warm up before you start lifting weights. This helps get your muscles warm and prevent injury. You can warm up with light cardio or by doing a light set of each exercise before going to heavier weights.
  • Lift and lower your weights with controlled movements. Don’t use momentum to lift the weight. If you have to break proper form and technique, you increase your risk of injury. Keep in mind; the faster you contract a muscle to move a weight over a certain distance, the more muscle fibers become involved to do the work. The more muscle fibers you stimulate, the greater adaptive response, creating increased strength and muscle tone. Therefore, lifting weights in an explosive manner will produce better and faster results. The key is for the movement to remain controlled. The weight still needs to be moved as quickly as possible in order to produce the greatest effect, while utilizing proper form and technique.  Also, always make sure you’re using the full range of motion throughout the movement.
  • Practice proper breathing techniques. While some experts recommend that you should not hold your breath while lifting, not holding your breath during certain phases of the lift actually allows for spinal instability, something you do not want while moving weights around. In order to achieve increased core muscle contraction (adominals, obliques, intrinsic muscles of the spine, etc.) taking a breath in, holding it, and contracting your core during the sticking point of the positive or “concentric” phase of the lift will increase spinal stability and allow for a more rigid structure upon which to move the weights. Exhaling once the weight has passed the sticking point and the lift is complete is the safer method. The reason why “don’t hold your breath” became popular advice is because of the elevation in blood pressure during the valsava maneuver (bearing down as if having a bowel movement). People with serious cardiovascular conditions who are at risk for heart attack or stroke with a sudden increase in blood pressure should see their medical provider before embarking on a strength training regimen.
  • Stand up straight. Pay attention to your posture and engage your abs in every movement you’re doing to keep your balance and protect your spine.

“Toning up” without “Bulking up”

weight-liftingIf you’re looking to lose weight and tone up without bulking up, you’re not alone. “Many women often get concerned about “bulking up” when weight training is involved in their exercise program, but there’s no need to be worried,” says Russell. “Building muscle and losing weight go hand in hand and here’s why: While you burn calories when you exercise and when you do daily activities like walking or climbing stairs, you still burn the bulk of your calories just by sitting down. This is called your resting metabolic rate. For each pound of lean muscle you have on your body, you burn calories just by doing nothing! What’s important for you to know is that the more muscle you build, the higher your resting metabolic rate, and the more calories you burn per day. That’s why building muscle is such an important part of weight loss, and why it’s so good for your health-all that muscle makes it even easier to keep the fat off.”
The other benefit of weight training is that muscle tissue will keep you looking lean and taut. You may lose fat by dieting and by doing cardio exercises, but to look trim you need to build muscle in place of the fat. Muscle is also higher in volume than fat, so every pound of muscle takes up less room on your body, making you smaller and giving you that great shape you’re looking for.   A stronger muscle is a more toned muscle.

“Sculpting” the body is largely due to proper diet and decreasing body fat, as well as the body’s natural hormones such as testosterone. This is why women can lift heavy weights and not worry about getting big and “bulky.” Gaining bulk requires a balance of heavy lifting, specific nutrition, and increased testosterone levels.

Keep in mind… the strength training response is greatest with a low to moderate number of repetitions. The human body gets stronger when you force adaptation by challenging it with heavy weights. Weights that are used for the general “3 sets of 10″ prescription are simply not heavy enough to drive adaptation. Also, the greatest training program in the world won’t produce the desired results if the nutritional intake is not adequate to facilitate recovery, so make sure you’re getting the proper nutrients and hydrating.

Chiropractic Care Can Help…

If you follow these simple tips, you can easily tone up without bulking up; however, if you experience pain and stress on your back during your workout, doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat problems of the spine and nervous system and can help you alleviate your pain naturally, so you can get back to hitting the weights.

If you or someone you know experiences back pain as a result of weight lifting or is looking to add strength training to their fitness routine, call (877) 724-4761 to schedule an appointment with Chiro One Today!

Dr. Travis Russell, D.C. is accepting new patients and can be reached at (815) 215-1130.

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Sleeping Pills Linked to Almost Fourfold Increase in Death Risk

Sleeping pills prescribed by your physician are supposed to ward off the myriad health problems that come with lack of sleep.

But adults who take sleeping pills in even small numbers over their lifetimes may be nearly four times more likely to die earlier compared to those who are not prescribed sleeping pills, according to new findings published Monday in the British Medical Journal. And those prescribed sleeping pills may also be more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, the study found.

Researchers looked at electronic medical records of nearly 35,000 patients, fewer than half of whom took such FDA-approved sleep medications as Ambien, Restoril, Lunesta, and Sonata. They found that even those who look fewer than 18 sleeping pills a year were at greater risk of death, compared to those who were not prescribed sleeping aids.

An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from insomnia and other sleep disorders, which can keep them from functioning normally during the day. Untreated sleep disorders can lead to conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Such consequences from sleep disorders leave many doctors asking whether the findings from this study really suggest that sleeping pills are to blame, or whether those who take sleeping pills are at higher risk because of health conditions that potentially brought on the sleeping problems.

Adults who take sleeping pills in even small…
Adults who take sleeping pills in even small numbers over their lifetimes may be nearly four times more likely to die earlier.
The study did not say why the patients were prescribed the sleeping medications, whether the patients were evaluated by a sleep specialist, or whether they were also undergoing other types of treatment for any underlying health conditions — all important factors when weighing an increased risk of death, said Dr. Steven Scharf, professor of medicine at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

“Most chronic conditions, including cancer, are associated with insomnia and mortality,” said Scharf. “Who knows what the cause here was?”

Six to 10 percent of Americans were prescribed sleeping pills in 2010, according to the study.

Sleep disorders can also be considered symptoms of underlying mental and physical conditions.

In fact, those in the study who were prescribed sleeping medications had higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and other conditions which may contribute to sleeplessness.

“I think the underlying conditions which may require sedative-hypnotics are the culprits, not the medicines themselves,” said Dr. Scott Nelson, a family practice physician at Cleveland Family Medicine.

Many experts said these findings should not prompt patients to stop taking their medications.

“I think sleeping pills are helpful when there are short term stressors,” said Dr. Richard Colgan, associate professor in the department of family and community medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Sleeping pills can be helpful for those who work unusual shifts, and for those who travel across time zones, said Colgan.

But the medications are not without side effects — including drowsiness, impaired judgment, depression and heart problems. Misuse can be fatal.  And, according to Dr. Lee Green, a professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Michigan, the risks outweigh the benefits.

Medication to treat sleeplessness is not as important as treating the underlying condition, he said.

“Sedation worsens sleep apnea, for example, and we know sleep apnea is associated with risk of death,” said Green. “We tend to think that a sleeping pill once in a while is harmless, but there’s no such thing as a medication free of risk.”

Source: World News Diane Sawyer February 27th, 2012

View ABC Video

Get tips on natural ways to get more sleep when you attend Chiro One Wellness Centers’ Sleep Workshop this April. Check local listings for dates and times at ChiroOne.net.

To book an appointment at a Chiro One Wellness Center near you, call (877) 724-4761 or book your appointment online.

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Soothe Spring Allergies Naturally

Spring is in the air. Literally. From weeds to spores to grass and tree pollens, the warm weather is here, driving airborne allergen levels through the roof. That means your allergy symptoms — the sniffling, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes — are in overdrive and apt to stay that way for months.
Thanks to a mild winter, spring allergy season got started nearly a month early in many parts of the U.S., and experts say that could mean prolonged misery for people who are sensitive to tree pollen. And for about 36 million Americans afflicted with seasonal allergies, torture time has arrived. As spring blossoms and pollen continues to flow, so does watery eyes, nasal congestion and overall awfulness.
 
What causes allergies?
Spring allergies kick in when the immune system, mistaking pollens for harmful substances, responds by triggering the release of chemicals including histamines (the source of watery eyes, sneezing fits, and runny noses). It’s not just cosmetic either — for an estimated 23 million Americans with asthma, allergies can pose a serious health threat. Nor is it cheap — allergies and allergy-driven asthma cost the U.S. an estimated $32 billion a year.
What’s the best way to treat seasonal allergies?
Dr. Jake Brown, D.C., Chiropractic Director of Chiro One Wellness Center of Naperville North recommends taking a natural approach to fighting seasonal allergies. “Traditional allergy treatments including antihistamines only deal with the symptoms without addressing the cause,” says Brown. “This is because western medicine has no cure for allergies and worse yet, antihistamines used over time or combined with other medication can have harmful side effects.” In addition to the raft of prescription and OTC allergy medications, there are a number of natural ways to battle seasonal allergies.
Dr. Jake Brown, D.C. and Chiro One Wellness Centers recommend these simple ways to fight seasonal allergies naturally:
Keep allergens out. Pollen can collect on your clothes, skin, and hair, and be tracked into your home, where is mixes with household dust. A shower and change of clothes will cut down on the irritants you inhale.
Perk up puffy eyes. The histamines released during an allergy attack cause blood vessels to dilate, making eyes swollen and watery. For quick relief, try cold compresses or eye creams whose ingredients include caffeine; cold and caffeine both reduce swelling and help you look and feel better.
Go Natural. Eat bee pollen and/or pure, raw honey which is Mother Nature’s all-natural, seasonal allergy “vaccination”. Consuming local bee pollen and/or pure, raw honey will allow your immune system to build natural antibodies to the pollens you are most frequently exposed to.
There are a number of natural supplements that may be effective in quelling symptoms—potentially with fewer side effects than prescription and OTC allergy meds. (As with most supplements, talk to your doctor before taking them.) The herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has been found in some studies to work as well as antihistamines do, minus the drowsiness. Another herb that may help is stinging nettle, which research indicates can work like an antihistamine. Ideally you should begin taking these supplements (both available as capsules) before symptoms develop; try to start several weeks prior to allergy season.
Nasal Irrigation. Nasal Irrigation can wash away allergens (like pollen) and excess mucus. When you experience a flare-up, fill a neti pot (a small, spouted dish) with saline water, then tilt your head to one side and pour it into the upper nostril. The water will flush out of the lower nostril. Bromelain may reduce inflammation inside the nasal passages and may also be taken as a supplement.
Track Pollen Levels in your town/city. Check out the National Allergy Bureau with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at www.aaaai.org/nab to learn the level of pollens in your town/city. Plan ahead if you are going to be outdoors for a prolonged period or perhaps consider indoor activities on very high pollen days.
See your Chiropractor. The next time you sneeze, it may be a good time to visit a chiropractor. Most people never think about it, but chiropractic care can help provide allergy relief. That’s because chiropractic care, often thought necessary for only back and neck problems, can help with boosting the immune system and keeping the body operating at peak performance. The body’s immune system helps with preventing disease and infection, dealing with stress and overall well being. The immune system also tackles the invasion in the body of foreign substances such as pollution, dust, dead cells, etc.
Dr. Jake Brown, D.C. serves as Chiropractic Director of Chiro One Wellness Center of Naperville North located at 1811 Freedom Drive Naperville, IL . Brown is accepting new patients and can be reached at (630) 470-6803.
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NYC chiropractor appears on The Dr. Oz Show for a 2nd time

It was and yet another great day for chiropractic when Steven Shoshany, DC, one of NYC’s top chiropractors, was a guest on the Emmy-award winning NBC program, The Dr. Oz Show March 14, 2012.

A clip of Shoshany’s segment is available via The Dr. Oz Show’s website:  doctoroz.com/videos/best-back-pain-solutions-pt-2. The purpose of Shoshany’s appearance on The Dr. Oz Show was to show how safe, effective, and easy chiropractic treatments are to eliminate back pain by addressing and correcting the root cause of the problem.

Dr. Mehmet Oz discussed how recent studies show that chiropractic and physical therapy should be a patient’s first choice and are the best bets in the fight against back pain. Dr. Oz presented chiropractic adjustments as a superior choice over painkillers and surgery for the treatment of back pain, which the acclaimed surgeon believes are over-prescribed and not necessary in most cases.

Back surgery is only recommended for critical cases where the damage is irreversible and would not respond to other types of treatment. In his practice, Shoshany educates patients on the dangers of prescription painkillers, which should be reserved for extreme cases of severe pain.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person dies from prescription drug overuse every 19 minutes in the U.S. As hazardous and unsafe as painkillers can be, they are prescribed with alarming frequency. Long-term use of prescription painkillers can cause permanent liver, kidney, gastrointestinal, and brain damage, as well as cardiac and respiratory failure, which can lead to death.

During his segment on The Dr. Oz Show, Shoshany talked to Dr. Oz about the long-term health benefits of regular chiropractic adjustments as a treatment for pain as well as a valuable preventive measure.

Shoshany wrapped up his segment by performing an adjustment on an audience member who was suffering from back pain. This allowed the public to see that chiropractic is not a complicated science, but is rather a simple, straightforward, natural remedy for pain and other ailments.

Dr. Oz’s audience and viewers had a first-hand look at the ease with which an adjustment can restore comfort and well-being without the harmful risks and side effects that are associated with more mainstream treatment options.

Source: Steven Shoshany, drshoshany.com

Provided by Chiro One Wellness Centers

For more information on how chiropractic is changing lives, check out patient testimonials at Chiro One Wellness Centers.

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Got a Headache? Chiropractic can Help!

Got a Headache? Chiropractic can Help!
Top 10 Remedies to Heal your Headache Fast

If you have a headache, you’re not alone. Nine out of ten Americans suffer from headaches. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing, and some cause debilitating pain and nausea.

In the United States alone, 50 million people have frequent headaches that result in 157 million lost work days, $50 billion in healthcare expenses, and $10 million visits to doctors’ offices. Most headache sufferers turn to over-the-counter drugs as their only form of relief. It is estimated that Americans spend $4 billion annually on over-the-counter medications for treatment of headache pain, often providing only temporary relief and causing a variety of unpleasant side effects.

What do you do when you suffer from a pounding headache? Do you grit your teeth and carry on? Lie down? Pop a pill and hope the pain goes away? There is a better alternative.

Research shows that spinal manipulation – the primary form of care provided by doctors of chiropractic – may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck.

A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication.

Headache Triggers
Headaches have many causes, or “triggers.” These may include foods, environmental stimuli (noises, lights, stress, etc.) and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). About 5 percent of all headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, (ACA), ninety-five percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused by disease. The headache itself is the primary concern.

“The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck,” says Dr. Jason Fowler, D.C., Chiropractic Director of Chiro One Wellness Center of Woodridge. “Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than they used to, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture. This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache.”

Headache Prevention is Key.

Chiro One Wellness Centers suggests the following tips to avoid headaches:

  • Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help avoid dehydration, which can lead to headaches.
  • Get plenty of sleep and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
  • Try a low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate diet.
  • Reduce stress at home and work by planning ahead and engaging in relaxation and breathing exercises.
  • Avoid teeth clenching.
  • If you spend a large amount of time in one fixed position, such as in front of a computer, on a sewing machine, typing or reading, take a break and stretch every 30 minutes to one hour.

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

Dr. Jason Fowler, D.C. says your doctor of chiropractic may do one or more of the following if you suffer from a primary headache:

  • Perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system.
  • Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins.
  • Offer advice on posture, ergonomics (work postures), exercises and relaxation techniques. This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.

“Doctors of chiropractic undergo extensive training to help their patients in many ways – not just back pain,” says Fowler. “They know how tension in the spine relates to problems in other parts of the body, and they can take steps to relieve those problems.”

Chiro One Wellness Centers recommend 10 Easy Remedies That Can Heal Your Headache Fast…

 1.      Get adjusted! Research shows that spinal manipulation is an effective treatment option for headaches. Not only does drug-free, conservative chiropractic care provide almost immediate relief from pain, but it has significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief than many commonly prescribed medications.

2.      Large Glass of Water. Dehydration is one of the MOST COMMON causes of headaches, so a glass of cool, clear water might be all you need to start relieving pain.

3.      Deep Massage. You probably already know about massages and how they help to relieve stress & tension. However, what you didn’t likely know is that a firm massage on the head, face, AND neck can quickly get rid of headache pain.

4.      Aromatherapy. This is quickly becoming one of the most well-known headache remedies around. Why? Because it actually WORKS. Sandlewood, peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and a wide assortment of other natural oils can be used to reduce, if not completely eliminate pain. These scents can be found in oils, candles, and even soaps.

5.      Take a Hot Shower. Stand in the shower and allow the hot water to cascade down your neck and back. This should loosen your muscles and allow for better blood flow.

6.      Ice Pack. You can use an ice pack, a cold towel, a bag of frozen peas, or anything else that’s really cold. Apply this cold item to the back of your neck (or wherever the pain is located) and allow it to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. This technique should help reduce any inflammation, not to mention help numb the pain a bit.

7.      Using Pressure Points. One of the most underrated of all headache cures & remedies is using pressure points. Try It Out: Find where the bones of your “index” finger & thumb meet (the fleshy area) and apply pressure to this spot for 2 minutes.

8.      Relaxing & Resting. Sometimes a headache is just your body telling you that you’re overworked and way too stressed. Lie down in a dark room, shut your eyes, and just relax for a while.

9.      Exercise. Depending on the severity of the pain, low impact exercise may help relieve the pain associated with primary headaches.

10.  Calcium Supplement. This can help to relax your muscles, which should help to alleviate pain a bit. A large glass of orange juice should do fine if you are in a pinch. Many experts recommend taking a supplement that has both magnesium and calcium for maximum headache relief.

Dr. Jason Fowler, D.C. serves as Chiropractic Director of Chiro One Wellness Center of Woodridge located at 7440 Woodward Ave. Woodridge, IL 60517. Fowler is accepting new patients and can be reached at (630) 324-4960.

Are you interested in finding out more about how Chiropractic can help with headache pain? Call (877) 724-4761 TODAY to schedule an appointment at a Chiro One Wellness Center near you. For more information, visit http://www.ChiroOne.net.