Dr Beecher’s October 2014 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
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“The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession, what there is of it.” ~ Mark Twain
New Hope for People with
Spinal Cord Injuries and Dental Problems…
New Studies Show Stem
Cell Treatments May
Grow Back Damaged Nerves and Maybe Even Teeth!
Also this month:
- STUDY: Popular pain medication commonly recommended for back pain works no better than a placebo!
- Another Study Shows the Negative Effects of Marijuana Use on Teens’ Brains: Study shows teenagers and young adults using Marijuana just once a week have reduced cognitive skills compared with non-users.
- Natural Light in the Office May Benefit Health: Research shows the amount of light employees get at work affects sleep, mood, alertness, and metabolism.
- Who Would Kick a Paralyzed Man Out of His Wheelchair and Steal His Surf Boards? The amazing part is what happened next…
Houston – One thing is for sure, scientific discoveries and advancements have dramatically changed our lives. Not too long ago (about 20 years), only a few people owned a cell phone. Now, imagine leaving your house without one — you would probably have a panic attack!
Heck, they are not even “cell phones” any more. They are smart devices that are much more powerful than the computers we used to use at home just a few years back.
But, there are two sides to the coin. Some say this “progress” is not all good and many people are addicted to their devices and are becoming anti-social. One article states that a majority of people polled liked their fake Facebook life better than their real one. Is Facebook the problem, or the people using it?
Things that have the power for good can also be used for bad. This is not a judgment on the technology, just on how it is used.
For example, if there was technology available that could grow back the spinal cord of a paralyzed person, would that be a good thing?
Or, how about this: If the next time you have a bad tooth, instead of doing a root canal or pulling it out, what if your dentist could actually re-grow a replacement using your own tissue?
Would You Be Interested?
New research indicates that both may be a possibility in the not too distant future.
First, the spinal cord study: Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Veteran’s Affairs, San Diego Healthcare System report that: “Neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and grafted into rats after a spinal cord injury produced cells with tens of thousands of axons extending virtually the entire length of the animals’ central nervous system.”
According to the scientists, the human iPSC-derived axions traveled through the white matter of the injury sites and often into the gray matter to form synapses (connections) with the rat neurons. The rat axons did the same thing with human iPSC grafts.
Senior author Mark Tuszynski, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurosciences and Director of the UC San Diego Center for Neural Repair, writes, “These findings indicate that intrinsic neuronal mechanisms readily overcome the barriers created by a spinal cord injury to extend many axons over very long distances, and that these capabilities persist even in neurons reprogrammed from very aged human cells.”
In other studies, grafted stem cells have formed new functional circuits across an injury site. Animals treated this way have experienced some restored movement in the affected limbs.
While There is Potential for Good,
There is Also Potential for Harm…
Dr. Tuszynski warns about moving this research to human therapy too quickly: “The enormous outgrowth of axons to many regions of the spinal cord and even deeply into the brain raises questions of possible harmful side effects if axons are mis-targeted. We also need to learn if the new connections formed by axons are stable over time, and if implanted human neural stem cells are maturing on a human time frame – months to years – or more rapidly. If maturity is reached on a human time frame, it could take months to years to observe functional benefits or problems in human clinical trials.”
Tuszynski states that 95% of human clinical trials fail, so they are trying to do as much as possible to identify the best way to forge ahead with complete information to give themselves the best possible chance at success with human subjects. If they do not take their time and do it right, their work will probably just result in another failure.
Can Stem Cells Re-Grow Teeth?
Maybe. A new study published in Science Transitional Medicine claims that a lower-powered laser can trigger stem cells in teeth to form dentin.
Dentin is the yellowish tissue that makes up the bulk of teeth. It is harder than bone but softer than enamel.
Secondary dentin, a less well-organized form of tubular dentin, is produced throughout life as a patching material where cavities have begun to form, where the overlying enamel has been worn away, and within the pulp chamber as part of the aging process.
Scientists have figured out that a blast of laser light induces some chemically active molecules to activate a growth factor that stimulates dentin growth.
Previous studies have regenerated parts of a tooth in the laboratory, but the hopes are this laser procedure will do it right in a patient’s mouth.
In this study, researchers said the low-powered laser (LPL) treatment demonstrated significant increase in dentin regeneration in rat teeth.
Will it Work with Human Teeth?
It may seem like a short bridge to cross between rat teeth and human teeth, but this may not be the case.
Rat teeth have evolved to take more physical abuse and thus may have more natural regenerative abilities than human teeth.
In fact, rodents have two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws, which must be kept short by gnawing.
More studies need to be done before it will be known if this LPL treatment can replace some dental treatments, so don’t put off that visit to the dentist and stop taking care of your teeth just yet.
Advancements in science seem to be coming every day, but don’t gamble with your smile!
Study: Marijuana Use
Negatively Affects Teens Brains
According to psychologists discussing public health implications of marijuana legalization at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention, frequent marijuana use can have a significant negative effect on the brains of teenagers and young adults, including cognitive decline, poor attention and memory, and decreased IQ. “It needs to be emphasized that regular cannabis use, which we consider once a week, is not safe and may result in addiction and neurocognitive damage, especially in youth,” adds Krista Lisdahl, PhD, Director of the Brain Imaging and Neuropsychology Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
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.
Inspirational Story Of The Month
(Names And Details May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
Who Would Kick a Paralyzed Man Out of
His Wheelchair and Steal His Surf Boards?
The Amazing Part is What Happened Next…
We like to think we live in a world filled with good, caring people. Yet, each day the cable news channels are filled with the worst of what society has to offer. Does this mean most people are mean, nasty murderers and criminals? No, it does not. It simply means that’s what gets ratings and makes the television networks money.
That’s why watching the news can make even the happiest person feel depressed in no time. But every now and then, the networks give us a gift and show an amazing story – an uplifting tale that makes up for all the negativity.
This is one of those stories, but it doesn’t start out that way…
In fact, it starts by showing the worst side of humanity.
In 2007, a man named Randy Abbott went in for a simple surgery, a micro lumbar discectomy, and his life changed forever.
During the procedure, there were complications and the surgeon partially cut his spinal cord, paralyzing Randy from the waist down. The damage also caused arachnodidise, dystonia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD), and a constant headache that will never go away.
Randy spent two and a half years in the hospital and underwent several additional surgeries. Over and over, his doctors told him all the things he would never be able to do. Randy told them this was not the life he had worked so hard for and this was not the life he wanted. He had big plans and dreams and living the rest of his life in a wheelchair was not one of them.
He thought about calling it quits. But, then he said he heard a voice in his head say, “If you want to throw in the towel, I understand. It’s OK. I understand that you think your life is over and nothing good can come out of it. But before you throw it away, think about something. At this moment, you are drowning in fear and uncertainty. If you get back to living in the moment, have faith, and stop looking at everything as being problems without answers, you are going to have a great life.”
Right then and there, Randy decided to lead a great life. The first thing he did was forgive the surgeon who injured his spinal cord, then he told his doctors that he was taking charge of his medical care. They were giving him limitations based on statistics. Well, he was not a statistic and was not going to be treated like one.
By 2012, Randy was doing a lot of things his doctors told him he could not. One of those things was surfing, which was made possible when his friends designed and made him a special wheelchair and surfboards. He surfs three to four days a week and also teaches disabled kids how to surf. Randy grew up surfing and being able to surf again was amazing.
Then the worst of humanity reared its ugly head…
In July this year, Randy returned to his vehicle and found two men cutting his surf boards off the roof of his car to steal them. Randy, in his wheelchair, yelled, “Hey, I’m paralyzed. Don’t steal my surfboards!” The two men attacked him, knocked him to the ground, and ran off with his three surf boards.
Professional surfer Rob Machado tweeted about it, and the story went viral. Randy said he got over 500 text messages of support from people all over the world whom he did not even know. They told him not to worry about his surf boards because they are going to get him new ones. Quickly, two out of the three stolen boards were recovered. But they were heavily damaged. Local surfer Christopher Tomlin heard what happened and gave Randy three of his own boards while two new ones were being made.
The real news story wasn’t that two thugs robbed a guy in a wheelchair. No, the real story here is Randy’s drive to never let his disability place limits on his dreams and the outpouring of support he received from complete strangers who were moved by his story. Maybe sometimes watching the news isn’t such a bad thing. J
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!
Did You Know?…
Some Facts About Water Fluoridation…
Most people living in developed nations do not fluoridate their water. For example, in Western Europe only 3% of the population consumes fluoridated water. While 25 countries have water fluoridation programs, in 11 of these countries, less than 20% of the population consumes fluoridated water: Argentina (19%), Guatemala (13%), Panama (15%), Papa New Guinea (6%), Peru (2%), Serbia (3%), Spain (11%), South Korea (6%), the United Kingdom (11%), and Vietnam (4%).
There are only 11 countries where more than half of the population drinks fluoridated water: Australia (80%), Brunei (95%); Chile (70%), Guyana (62%), Hong Kong (100%), the Irish Republic (73%), Israel (70%), Malaysia (75%), New Zealand (62%), Singapore (100%), and the United States (64%).
In total, 377,655,000 million people worldwide drink artificially fluoridated water, that’s about 5% of the world’s population. Interestingly enough, there is no difference in tooth decay between the Western nations that fluoridate their water and those that do not.
Tip Of The Month
Popular Pain Medication No Better Than a Placebo…
You may find this shocking, especially if you take Tylenol — also known as acetaminophen or paracetamol — in an effort to relieve your back pain. A new study in The Lancet (July 24, 2014) begins with, “Regular paracetamol is the recommended first-line analgesic for acute low-back pain; however, no high-quality evidence supports this recommendation. We aimed to assess the efficacy of paracetamol taken regularly or as-needed to improve time for recovery from pain, compared with placebo in patients with low-back pain.”
Wow. It’s 2014 and acetaminophen is often the first thing recommended for low-back pain, and there is no scientific evidence it helps.
What did the study discover? Using data from 235 primary care centers in Australia collected between 2009 and 2013, the researchers write, “Our findings suggest that regular or as-needed dosing with paracetamol does not affect recovery time compared with placebo in low-back pain, and question the universal endorsement of paracetamol in this patient group.”
Natural Light in the Office May Benefit Health…
Many people are practically scared to death of sun exposure because of the risk of skin cancer. Some “experts” even recommend wearing protective clothing or sunscreen whenever you may be exposed to sunlight. However, this may not be the best advice because sunlight is essential to our health. Sunlight is how we humans produce vitamin D, and studies suggest it has other beneficial effects as well.
Now, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (June 2014) shows that even getting natural sunlight through a window can be beneficial. The study conducted by a team of scientists from Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reports that office workers with more light exposure at the office had longer sleep duration, better sleep quality, more physical activity, and a better quality of life compared with office workers with less sun light exposure in their workplace.
According to the lead author of the study Dr. Phyllis Zee, “There is increasing evidence that exposure to light during the day, particularly in the morning, is beneficial to your health via its effects on mood, alertness, and metabolism.” Employees with windows in the workplace received 173 percent more white light exposure during work hours and slept an average of 46 minutes more per night than employees who did not have the natural light exposure at their workstations.
Workers in offices with windows also tended to be more physically active than those without window in their offices. Workers without windows reported poorer scores on quality of life measures related to physical problems and vitality, as well as poorer outcomes on measures of overall sleep quality and sleep disturbances. The researchers emphasize the importance of architects using this information in the planning of new buildings. They add that workstations should be within 20-25 feet (~6-8 meters) of windows, because daylight from side windows almost vanishes after that distance.
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
Dr Beecher’s October 6 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, October 6th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Differences in Brains of People with Dyslexia. Dyslexia causes problems with reading and writing and is the most commonly diagnosed learning disorder in the United States. Researchers have discovered that people with this condition have disrupted network connections in their brains. Using functional MRI, the research team found that individuals with dyslexia have less connectivity between a number of the brain regions used during the reading process when compared to MRI scans of people without dyslexia. Study author Dr. Emily Finn writes, “Compared to typical readers, dyslexics had weaker connections between areas that process visual information and areas that control attention, suggesting that individuals with dyslexia are less able to focus on printed words.” Biological Psychiatry, August 2014
Health Alert: Kidney Stones Increase Risk of Heart Disease. A new study suggests that kidney stones can increase an individual’s risk for coronary heart disease and stroke. The results of the study found that patients with kidney stones have a 19% increased risk for coronary heart disease and a 40% higher risk for stroke. Thomas Manley, director of scientific activities at the National Kidney Foundation, writes, “Kidney stones are common, and with their association to coronary heart disease and stroke found in this study, it suggests that a thorough cardiovascular assessment should be considered in patients who develop kidney stones.” American Journal of Kidney Diseases, August 2014
Diet: Avoid Eating When You’re Not Hungry. If you want to avoid eating when you’re not hungry, it is important to avoid common triggers that can lead to consuming extra calories and packing on pounds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that common triggers include seeing favorite snacks in the pantry, watching TV, close proximity to a vending machine, stressful situations, and being bored. The CDC recommends developing strategies for avoiding such triggers or finding healthier options if such situations are unavoidable. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 2011
Exercise: Daily Moderate Exercise Reduces Disability Risk in Seniors. Daily moderate exercise can mean the difference between becoming housebound or keeping up with everyday activities later in life. Researchers found that daily moderate exercise among participants ages 70 to 89 reduced loss of mobility by 28% and increased walking ability by 18%. The exercise involved walking 150 minutes a week as well as strength, flexibility, and balance training. Co-principal investigator Dr. Jack Guralnik adds, “The very purpose of the study is to provide definitive evidence that physical activity can truly improve the independence of older adults.” Journal of the American Medical Association, May 2014
Chiropractic: Chronic Disease Increases Musculoskeletal Pain Risk! An analysis of musculoskeletal injuries among police officers in South Korea found that officers who suffer from one or more chronic diseases (diabetes, for example) are 1.78 times more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder, neck, waist, hands/wrists/fingers, arms, and legs. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, June 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Best Time for Sun Exposure. Sun exposure is important for vitamin D synthesis, but too much sun can increase an individual’s risk for skin cancer. In a newly published study, a research team from Oslo University Hospital recommends the best times for optimal vitamin D production with minimal risk of skin cancer development are between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Lead author Dr. Johan Moan adds that the common recommendations to avoid the sun altogether between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM may be wrong. Advanced in Experimental Medicine and Biology, August 2014
Quote: “Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age.” ~ Anais Nin
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Whiplash “Basics”
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: Whiplash is a non-medical term typically describing what happens to the head and neck when a person is struck from behind in a motor vehicle collision. Let’s look at some basic facts about whiplash:
- Before cars, trains were the main source of whiplash and was called “railroad spine.”
- Better terms for whiplash injuries include “cervical acceleration-deceleration” (CAD) which describes the mechanism of the injury, and/or the term “whiplash associated disorders” (WAD), which describes the residual injury symptoms.
- Whiplash is one of the most common non-fatal injuries involved in car crashes.
- There are over one million whiplash injuries per year due to car crashes alone.
- An estimated 3.8 per 1,000 people per year have a whiplash injury.
- In the United States alone, 6.2% of the population has “late whiplash syndrome” (symptoms that do not resolve at one year).
- 1 in 5 cases (20%) remain symptomatic at one year post-injury of which only 11.5% returned to work and only 35.4% of that number returned to the same level of work after 20 years.
- The majority of whiplash cases occur in the fourth decade of life, females>males.
- Whiplash can occur from slips, falls, and brawls, as well as from horse-riding, cycling injuries, and contact sports.
- Injury from whiplash can occur at speeds of 15 mph or less.
- In the “classic” rear end collision, there are four phases of injury (time: 300msec)
- Initial (0msec) – before the collision (the neck is stable)
- Retraction (1-150msec) – “whiplash” starts where the head/neck stay in the original position but the trunk is moving forwards by the car seat. This is where the “S” shaped curve occurs (viewing the spine from the side).
- Extension (150-200msec) – the whole neck bends backwards (hopefully stopped by a properly placed head rest).
- Rebound (200-300msec) – the tight, stretched muscles in the front of the neck propels the head forward immediately after the extension phase.
- We simply cannot voluntarily contract our neck muscles fast enough to avoid injury, as injury to the neck occurs within 500msec. and voluntary contraction or bracing takes 800msec or longer.
- Injury is worse when the seat is reclined as our body can “ramp” up and over the seat and headrest. Also, a springy seat back increases the rebound affect.
- Prompt treatment is better than waiting for a long time. Manipulation is a highly effective (i.e., COME SEE US!) treatment option.
We realize you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family both presently and in the future. Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
Dr Beecher’s September 29 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, September 29th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Gardens Can Calm People with Dementia. A review of 17 previous studies has found that gardening tasks — such as watering plants or sitting or strolling in a garden — can help sooth anxiety in some dementia patients. Experts say the findings are encouraging, and ongoing research into the potential calming power of outdoor space continues… Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, July 2014
Health Alert: Heart Attack Survival Rates Affected by Arrival Time at Hospital. The American Heart Association has found that heart attack patients who present to a hospital at night, during the weekend, or on a holiday have a 13% increased risk of dying compared with heart attack patients who are admitted during regular hours. The authors found that, on average, it takes 56 minutes for patients arriving at the ER during regular work hours to receive the angioplasty procedure necessary to open their blocked blood vessel compared with an average of 72 minutes during evenings, weekends, or holidays. Circulation, July 2014
Diet: Are Five Portions of Fruit & Veggies a Day Enough? Consuming fruits and vegetables is important to reduce the risk of mortality from illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, but past studies have failed to come to a consensus on the ideal amount that should be consumed. A new study indicates that five portions of fruits and vegetables a day is optimum for reducing the risk of death from all causes. Investigators found a 5% average reduction in the risk of death from all causes and a 4% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease for each additional portion of fruit and vegetables consumed per day up to a threshold of five portions per day. British Medical Journal, July 2014
Exercise: Improves Motor Skill Development. Researchers have demonstrated that a single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise can improve an individual’s ability to learn new motor skills up to a week after performing the activity. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, August 2014
Chiropractic: Lower Premature Birth Risk Observed… Does consulting with a Doctor of Chiropractic have any effect on birth outcomes? An analysis of data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health indicates that the answer may be yes. Researchers found that pregnant women who sought chiropractic services were less likely to deliver prematurely than women who did not receive treatment. Of course, more research is needed to determine if the relationship is causative. Midwifery, March 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Smartphone App Could Help Doctors Diagnose Hereditary Diseases. Hereditary diseases can be difficult to detect, as they can present an array of symptoms similar to other illnesses. Researchers have created a smartphone app called “Phenomizer” that can help simplify diagnosis for these types of conditions. Doctors begin by entering the symptoms of their patient into the app. Then, the system scans a large database that stores over 10,000 disease characteristics and links them to 7,500 diseases. Researcher leader Dr. Marcel Schulz writes, “The doctors no longer have to research in databases or books for several hours. The list supports them in detecting the disease more quickly. Moreover, doctors can ask patients about their symptoms in greater detail. This makes it easier to assess which aspects they need to pay attention to.” American Academy of Neurology’s 66th Annual Meeting, April 2014
Quote: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” ~ Heraclitus
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s September 22 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, September 22nd, 2014
Mental Attitude: Stress During Pregnancy May Increase Asthma Risk in Children. Past studies have shown that exposure to stress during pregnancy can increase a child’s risk for premature birth, low birth weight, and development problems. Now, a new animal-based study suggests that maternal stress during pregnancy, even just one high-stress episode, can also increase an offspring’s risk for developing asthma. American Journal of Physiology, July 2014
Health Alert: Today’s Young Adults. Compared with previous generations, today’s young adults (ages 18-24) are more likely to be high school graduates, attend college, and less likely to smoke cigarettes. National Institutes of Health, July 2014
Diet: Kidney Disease Patients Should Avoid Southern-Style Diet. Newly published research suggests that a “Southern- style diet” is linked with higher death rates among kidney disease patients. Researchers found that individuals with kidney disease who regularly consumed a Southern diet had a 50% higher risk for death compared to those who did not regularly consume a Southern-style diet. Lead author Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez writes, “This is the first study to identify a regionally specific diet pattern that is highly associated with adverse outcomes among persons with kidney disease. It’s well known that the Southern region has poor health outcomes in a number of different areas including stroke, heart disease and
sepsis, and that the style of diet plays a role.” American Journal of Kidney Diseases, July 2014
Exercise: Small Amounts of Exercise Protect Against Memory Loss in Elderly. An animal study involving rats found that small amounts of exercise protected older rodents from memory loss and exaggerated inflammation in their brains following infection. This is the first study to show that voluntary exercise reduces aging-induced susceptibility to the cognitive impairments that follow a bacterial infection. The Journal of Neuroscience, August 2011
Chiropractic: Back Pain and Anger. Do people with back pain have shorter fuses? Using data provided by chronic back pain patients and their spouses, researchers have found that individuals with back pain appear to be quicker to anger and get angry to greater levels the more their pain interferes with their ability to function normally. Healthy Psychology, August 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Your Eyes When Using a Swimming Pool. Swimming in chlorinated pools can wash away the outer film layer of the eye, increasing a swimmer’s risk for infections such as pink eye. Chlorine can also lead to red and irritated eyes, as well as blurry vision. The following tips can be helpful in preventing or easing eye problems associated with swimming in chlorinated pools: wear water-tight goggles, remove contact lenses, use lubricating eye drops, and flush eyes with clean drinking water after swimming. Swimmers should seek medical attention if they suffer from any of the following after leaving the pool: red eyes that are draining fluid, blurry or distorted vision, or severe pain. Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center, July 2014
Quote: “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love …”
~ Marcus Aurelius
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s September 15 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, September 15th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Low Vitamin D Levels May Increases Alzheimer’s Risk. Older adults with low levels of vitamin D in their blood may have double the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to seniors with sufficient vitamin D levels. In the study, the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s significantly increased when vitamin D levels fell below 20 ng/ml. Experts believe that vitamin D may clear plaques in the brain linked with the development of dementia. Neurology, August 2014
Health Alert: Big Rise in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts. In the last six years, drug- related suicide attempts in the United States have jumped 51% among people 12 and older. In 2011, 96% of ER visits for attempted suicide involved the nonmedical use of prescription medications and over-the-counter medications.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, August 2014
Diet: Dining Out Equals Eating More Food. If you regularly dine out, you may be eating more than you should. A new study has found that people who regularly eat at restaurants average about 200 more calories more per day compared with those who cook at home. Study co-author Dr. Lisa Powell writes, “We always underestimate large portions, so people don’t realize that restaurant portions are as excessive as they are… This is why we need menu labeling on all restaurant meals, not just the fast-food and larger chains.” Public Health Nutrition, August 2014
Exercise: Exercise Positively Impacts Anxiety. New research sheds light on how exercise and relaxation activities can positively impact people with social anxiety. Researcher Dr. Adam Heenan found that exercise and activities like yoga can change the way people perceive the world and change it in a way that they view the environment as less threatening and negative. For individuals with mood and anxiety disorders, this may be an important breakthrough.
PLOS ONE, July 2014
Chiropractic: Lower Extremity Joint Mobilization for Knee & Ankle Pain. Manual therapy in the form of thrust and non-thrust manipulation to the lower extremity was found to be successful in restoring normal movement patterns and pain-free function in a 40-year-old patient with chronic anterior knee pain and ankle sprain symptoms. The patient had suffered for one year from patellofemoral pain syndrome, which is characterized by pain or discomfort originating from the contact of the posterior surface of the kneecap with the thighbone.
Journal of Manual Manipulative Therapies, May 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Is the PSA Test Worth It? The debate continues over the value of the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test to screen men for prostate cancer. A new study points out that testing reduces prostate cancer deaths, but overdiagnosis occurs in roughly 40% of cases detected by screening. This results in a high risk of overtreatment that can lead to incontinence and impotence. Further research is needed on ways to reduce overdiagnosis so that unnecessary biopsy procedures and treatments can be avoided. The Lancet, August 2014
Quote: “Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent.” ~ Arthur Conan Doyle
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s September 8 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, September 8th, 2014
Mental Attitude: High Blood Pressure in Middle Age May Weaken Brain Later. If you let your blood pressure get too high in midlife, you may pay the price of mental decline when you are older. A study involving nearly 14,000 individuals found that hypertension in those aged 48 to 67 years was tied to a 6.5% drop in mental ability 20 years later.
JAMA Neurology, August 2014
Health Alert: Low Income People with Diabetes More Likely to Lose a Limb. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have found that the odds of having a limb amputated are up to ten times greater for diabetics who live in low- income neighborhoods. The authors of the study note that the majority of these amputations are preventable if these patients are diagnosed and receive proper medical care sooner. University of California, Los Angeles, August 2014
Diet: Chili Peppers May Reduce Risk of Colorectal Cancer. Capsaicin, the active ingredient found in chili peppers, may help reduce colorectal cancer risk. An animal study showed that capsaicin activated a pain receptor in mice that reduced tumor development in the gut and extended the lives of test subjects by more than 30%. Further research is needed to determine if capsaicin produces similar benefits among humans. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, August 2014
Exercise: Survival More Likely with Exercise-Related Cardiac Events. According to new research, individuals who have a cardiac arrest during or shortly after exercise are three times more likely to survive (45% survival rate) compared with those who have a cardiac arrest that is not related to exercise (15% survival rate). Lead author Dr. Arend Mosterd writes, “More research is needed to determine why, after taking into account favorable factors such as age, location of the event and initiation of CPR, persons who exercise during or shortly before having a cardiac arrest still have a better prognosis than people who have a cardiac arrest that is unrelated to exercise.” European Society of Cardiology, August 2012
Chiropractic: High Satisfaction. Using survey responses from nearly 500 patients from chiropractic clinics throughout Australia, researchers found that nearly all patients (97.5%) were satisfied with their care and would seek chiropractic services again in the future. About seven out of ten (68.7%) sought chiropractic care for a musculoskeletal injury and 21.2% did so for general health purposes. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, May 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Older Women May Benefit from Mammograms. The results of a new study indicate that women who are age 75 and older may still benefit from routine mammograms; however, not all experts agree with this finding. Guidelines from organizations such as the United States Preventive Services Task Force claim there isn’t enough evidence on routine mammograms for older women while the American Cancer Society recommends that women continue to have mammograms annually as long as they remain in good health. The study found that breast cancer survival was about 10% better in women over 75 years old whose cancer was detected early during a routine mammogram versus those whose cancer was detected later. Radiology, August 2014
Quote: “To succeed, you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you.”
~ Tony Dorsett
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s September 2014 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.” ~ David Russell
Has Science Fiction Become Science Fact?
Small Study Shows
You Can Influence Your Immune System with Just Your Mind!
Also this month:
- Does weather cause low back pain? For decades, many believed that some types of weather could bring on back pain, now science has finally put this theory to the test.
- Which is better, natural birth or C-Section? Study shows natural birth may be better for a baby’s immune system.
- Do you get enough sleep? Even if you get eight hours, you may not even be coming close…
- Want to get better grades in college? Here’s what students with higher GPAs had in common…
- The best story from the World Cup you probably missed! How a player for team Ghana used his talent to change lives…
Houston – Have you ever wished you could control your immune system or other parts of your body with just your thoughts? If so, then you will love this story…
Wim Hoff is a 55-year-old man from the Netherlands who — at the time of this writing — holds 21 Guinness World Records for some pretty amazing physical feats, including:
- Running a full marathon above the Arctic circle wearing only a pair of shorts.
- Running a full marathon in the Namibian desert without drinking water.
- Taking the longest ice bath (1 hour 52 minutes and 42 seconds) submerged up to his neck in ice.
In 2007, he even tried to climb Mt. Everest in just a pair of shorts. He reached 24,000 feet (~7,300 meters) but was forced to stop due to a foot injury, just 5,000 feet (~1,500 meters) short of reaching the summit.
Wim, also known as “The Iceman,” says he can literally control the temperature of his body, similar to the way you can control the temperature of your house by adjusting the thermostat.
Not only that, Wim says he can teach people how to control their autonomic nervous system to:
- Influence the immune system.
- Influence the mind.
- Improve blood circulation.
- Improve concentration and targeting.
- Increase self-confidence.
These claims are nothing new. Similar claims have been made by “experts” selling all types of self-help programs for decades.
But is it true?
Can all this really be done simply by altering the way you think? New research shows that the answer might be, “YES.”
A team of scientists led by Dr. Matthijs Kox of the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, the Netherlands studied his method.
Twelve people were trained in Wim Hof’s method and 12 were not. Then, all 24 were injected with a strain of bacteria that causes flu-like symptoms.
Results: Dr. Cox writes, “Volunteers who underwent training with the Hof method reported fewer and less intense flu-like symptoms than those who did not. At the same time, [they] produced smaller amounts of proteins related to inflammation, and higher levels of interleukin-10, an inflammation-fighting protein.”
According to the journal PNAS, where the study was published, “Hitherto, both the autonomic nervous system and innate immune system were regarded as systems that cannot be voluntarily influenced. The present study demonstrates that, through practicing techniques learned in a short-term training program, the sympathetic nervous system and immune system can indeed be voluntarily influenced.”
This study shows that, to some degree, the immune system can be affected by your thoughts.
The extent that the mind can control your immune system is still unknown. Considering that not too long ago, this “mind-immune system body-health” connection was viewed as witchcraft by most doctors and scientists, who knows what impact this could eventually have on medicine and the health of the public at large.
Like everything else in medicine and science, more research needs to be done. But, it probably would not hurt to look into meditation or relaxation techniques that are quick and easy to learn and only take a few minutes a day to accomplish.
Do Certain Weather Conditions
Cause Low Back Pain?
For many years, there has been a commonly held belief that changes in weather – or certain weather – can cause back pain.
In the case of cold weather, it certainly seems plausible since the cold may cause tighter muscles that could create low back pain, or at least exacerbate pre-existing low back pain.
“Many patients believe that weather impacts their pain symptoms,” explains Dr. Daniel Steffens with the George Institute for Global Health at the University of Sydney, Australia. “However, there are few robust studies investigating weather and pain, specifically research that does not rely on patient recall of the weather.”
Moreso, Dr. Steffens’ team found that “sudden, acute episodes of low back pain are not linked to weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind direction, and precipitation.” Their findings, published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research, indicate that the risk of low back pain slightly increases with higher wind speed or wind gusts, but the change was not clinically significant.
Want Better Grades? Join a Gym…
A study from Michigan State University indicates that students with gym memberships during their freshman and sophomore years had higher GPAs and stayed in school longer than those who did not. The question is: Do gyms create higher GPAs or are students who are disciplined enough to stick to a workout routine more likely to do better in school because of their existing habits?
Do You Get Enough Sleep?
A new study by researchers at Israel’s Tel Aviv University paints a pretty grim picture for most people when it comes to sleep. The study found that interrupted sleep can be as physically detrimental as no sleep at all. The researchers found a link between interrupted sleep and compromised cognitive abilities, shortened attention spans, and negative moods. They also note that interrupted sleep is equivalent to no more than four consecutive hours of sleep. One researcher adds, “These night wakings could be relatively short – only five to ten minutes – but they disrupt the natural sleep rhythm. The impact of such night wakings on an individual’s daytime alertness, mood, and cognitive abilities had never been studied. Our study is the first to demonstrate seriously deleterious cognitive and emotional effects.”
The study only shows the effect interrupted sleep has after only one night. The cumulative effect of days, months, and years can obviously be great. Care should be taken to get a good, uninterrupted night’s sleep whenever possible. Sleeping in a dark, quiet, and cool room without distractions — like television — often help sleep patterns.
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.
Inspirational Story Of The Month
(Names And Details May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
The Best Story From the
World Cup You Probably Missed!
How a player for team Ghana used his talent to change lives…
The FIFA World Cup started in 1930 and is now one of the biggest single-event sporting competitions in the world. It is also is one of the world’s most widely viewed sporting events. An estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match of the 2006 World Cup held in Germany, and the 2010 event in South Africa was broadcast to 204 countries on 245 different channels. In 2010, a total of 3,170,856 spectators attended the 64 matches, with an average attendance of 49,670 per match.
In 2014, the tournament’s popularity exploded. Perhaps due to the viral nature of social media, even countries that weren’t previously smitten by football caught World Cup fever.
The matches not only lived up to expectations, they exceeded them. Excitement was everywhere, and teams scored goals in large numbers.
But football and goals were not the biggest and most important story from the 2014 World Cup. Here’s a much more important story that you probably missed…
Sulley Muntari is a 29-year-old Ghanaian who plays professional soccer in Italy for Milan, and internationally for his home country of Ghana. During the recent World Cup, Muntari did something incredible that no other players thought of or dared to do.
Muntari got special permission and went into the streets of a poor neighborhood in Brazil and just started handing out money. He continued to hand out money until the police made him stop because a large crowd had gathered and the officers had safety concerns.
One of the recipients of money named Edivaldo said, “I’ve lived in this poor community behind the Rei Pele Stadium for 40 years but have never seen anything like this before. Not once has a soccer player come here. Brazil never gave me anything, but Ghana did. I will support them up to the end.”
“My 80-year-old mother and I received R$350 [Brazilian reals],” said local resident Inês Corrêa, who went to check out the commotion when police surrounded Muntari. “I believe that he had R$5,000, but unfortunately the police put an end to his good work. In this area, we only see politicians at election time.”
Who knows how much money Muntari actually gave away, but that is not important. What’s important is the lives he changed by showing the people that he cares. That someone cares. He showed them that someone who made it big in sports did not forget about the many who did not.
It does not matter that the people he gave his gifts to were not from his homeland. People in Brazil are made of the same flesh and blood as those in Ghana. They have the same joys and sorrows, feel the same pains, and are lifted by the same message of hope.
What’s really special about Muntari’s actions is he did not hold a press conference to brag. He did not want anyone to know. He did it to help people, not for his glory.
One thing is for sure, Muntari certainly gained fans while teaching anyone paying attention a great lesson about altruism.
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!
Did You Know?…
The Importance of Strength Training!
Strength training is an integral part of a well-rounded exercise program, and it is recommended for both sexes of all ages, including children and seniors. The intensity of your workout can achieve a number of beneficial changes on the molecular, enzymatic, hormonal, and chemical level in your body, which will also help slow down (and in many cases stop) many of the diseases caused by a sedentary lifestyle.
The term “biomarkers of aging” refers to measurements related to aging that you are capable of controlling. They’re things that tell you how old you would be if you didn’t know how old you were. These include the following measurements that strength training has a beneficial impact on: strength and muscle mass, body composition, blood lipids, bone density, cardiorespiratory fitness, and gene expression. Research has shown that strength training by elderly participants reversed oxidative stress and returned gene expression in 179 genes to a more youthful level, making participants 10 years “younger”.
Ideally, you’ll want to include a variety of exercises for a well-rounded fitness regimen, but strength training is an important component, as it’s the number one way for you to remain strong, young, and independent well into old-age.
Tip Of The Month
Which is Better, Natural Birth or C-Section?
Many debate this topic: Which is better, natural birth or cesarian section (c-section)? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2012, there were 2,650,744 vaginal births and 1,296,070 cesarean deliveries in the United States. The percentage of ALL deliveries by cesarean was 32.8%. According to Childbirth Connection, “More recent studies reaffirm earlier World Health Organization recommendations about optimal rates of cesarean section. The best outcome for women and babies appear to occur with cesarean section rates of 5% to 10%. Rates above 15% seem to do more harm than good.”
Moreover, the national cesarean section rate was 4.5% as recently as 1965. Why there has been such a huge increase in the number of c-sections is just as hotly debated as which method of child delivery is better. A new study done on mice conducted by scientists from the University of Copenhagen appears to point out a new benefit in favor of natural childbirth. As reported on Science Daily, “Newborns delivered by natural birth are exposed to more bacteria from the mother. The newborn baby’s immune system in this way learns to distinguish between its own harmless molecules and foreign molecules. In the experiment, pups delivered by cesarean section showed a lower number of cells of a type that plays an important role in preventing reactive immune cells from responding to molecules from the body itself, from the diet, and from harmless intestinal bacteria.”
More research needs to be done with humans before any definitive conclusions can be made. Until then, the debate will rage on… but Mother Nature seems to be building a stronger case.
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. Please call us at 281-286-1300 or e-mail at [email protected].
Dr Beecher’s September 1 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, September 1st, 2014
Mental Attitude: What is the Key to Being a Good Comedian? A new study suggests that a stand-up comedian’s success at making an audience laugh is determined by how adept he or she is at linking humor and emotion. The lead author of the study, Dr. Tim Miles of the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, claims that comedians and their audiences are connected by “admiration, empathy and the paradox of identification.” This occurs when the audience can identify with the humor or observations made by the comedian, rather than being able to identify with them as a performer. Comedy Studies, July 2014
Health Alert: Children & Hot Cars are a Deadly Combination. So far in 2014, 18 American children have lost their lives as a result of being left in a hot car. Over the last 20 years, nearly 700 children have lost their lives for the same reason. There are many things parents can do to prevent this type of tragedy: teach your child the car is not a toy and lock your car when not in use; keep reminders in the car that children are in the back seat, as children can fall asleep and parents can become distracted and ultimately forget their child; and never leave your child in the car, even if you think you will only be a minute, as even five minutes can mean a substantial increase in temperature. Hershey Medical Center, July 2014
Diet: Vitamin C May Help with Sea Sickness. Volunteers who consumed a vitamin C supplement before spending time on a raft in one meter high waves experienced sea sickness symptoms to a lesser degree than those who took a placebo. In the study, volunteers who did not take the vitamin C supplement were nearly three times more likely to ask to leave the experiment early due to illness. Journal of Vestibular Research: Equilibrium & Orientation, January 2014
Exercise: Physical Fitness Can Prevent Youth Depression. Among sixth graders, those who are physically fit are less likely to report depression symptoms a year later. Researchers from Northern Texas surveyed 437 students as part of a county-wide program to assess physical fitness and found that physical fitness was associated with a decreased likelihood of depression when the children entered seventh grade, even among those who experienced depression symptoms at the start of the study. American Psychological Association, August 2014
Chiropractic: Disturbed Sleep Increases Back Pain Risk. Among firefighters, those who reported disturbed sleep at the start of a 13-year study were 2.4 times more likely to experience radiating back pain during the following decade. The authors of the study warn that sleep disturbances should be addressed early-on as a risk factor for back pain.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, August 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Protecting Children’s Teeth. The American Dental Association recommends the following to promote healthy teeth in children: don’t share feeding spoons with baby or place baby’s pacifier in your mouth; wipe gums after feedings; begin brushing as soon at teeth come in; provide supervision when brushing until age 6; never put juice or soda in bottles; avoid dipping a child’s pacifier in anything sweet; have your child drink from a cup by one year of age; and promote eating healthy foods. American Dental Association, January 2014
Quote: “There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Neck Pain – Chiropractic and the Older Patient
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: People of all ages suffer from neck pain, and many frequently turn to chiropractors for care because it’s been found to be one of the most effective and efficient forms of treatment available, and it carries minimal side effects! It has been projected that by 2030, nearly one in five US residents will be 65 or older. Currently, approximately 14% of the patients treated by chiropractors are 65 or older, making it one of the most frequently utilized forms of complementary and alternative care used by older adults. What kind of care can a senior citizen expect when seeking treatment from a chiropractor? Let’s take a look!
Musculoskeletal pain, or pain in the neck, back, arms, and/or legs, drives the majority of elderly patients to chiropractors. While low back and neck pain are the most common complaints, it’s not unusual for patients to also have one or two other conditions (or more) that they did NOT know chiropractic care could help. In fact, common “goals” for managing every patient (not just the elderly) include services related to patient assessment, maintenance of health, and prevention of illness, in addition to treatment of illness or injury. Common chiropractic treatment approaches include spinal manipulation and/or mobilization, nutritional counseling, physical activity/exercise, and (especially important for the elderly population) fall prevention.
We will now focus on neck pain as it relates to the elderly population and the various chiropractic management strategies that might be encountered by an elderly patient. Common reasons patients present regarding the neck include limited movement, stiffness, and pain. Neck pain can also interfere with sleep, as finding a comfortable position in bed can be quite challenging! Lifting, carrying, and playing with grandchildren is a very common issue for either causing a new complaint or irritating an existing one. Neck pain may also interfere with reaching and lifting. Thus, activities like yard or garden work may become more difficult and less enjoyable. Neck pain is often associated with headaches, which can make daily tasks even more challenging.
When an elderly patient visits a chiropractor for the first time or for a new complaint, he/she can expect to fill out some initial paperwork, as well as provide a history of the main complaint and any lesser complaints. This may also include providing a family and medical history. The examination usually includes general observations, palpating or feeling for muscle tightness, tenderness, warm/ cool, range of spinal motion (neck, back, extremities), orthopedic tests, neurological tests, and possibly x-rays. Treatment of the neck may include massage or mobilization to loosen up the neck, manipulation to free up restricted joint motion, and even exercise training. The goal of treatment is to improve neck motion, activity tolerance, and quality of life (less pain, improved sleep, etc.). So, whether you are 10, 20, 50, 70, or 90 years old, give chiropractic a chance to help you manage your neck pain!
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
