Dr Beecher’s January 2012 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor” ~ Robert Frost
Stress and anxiety can be extremely harmful to your health…
Got Lingering Holiday Stress?
Learn simple ways to let it go, feel better and maybe even look younger!!!
Also in this newsletter:
- Why George Clooney considered suicide (and why you should never give up hope).
- European Union bans claim that water can prevent dehydration…WHAT?
- Research: Meditation improves immune system and reduces blood pressure.
- Overweight people eat fewer meals than non-overweight people.
Fighting For His Dream: After 26 long years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Dewey Bozella makes his professional boxing debut at age 52. You don’t want to miss this incredible story.
Houston – The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year. Traveling, family visits, shopping, money concerns, etc. can all cause anxiety that is extremely unhealthy.
Increased anxiety and stress can weaken your immune system, allowing you to get sick with illnesses such as the common cold or flu. Who wants to be sick over the holidays, or any time, for that matter?
The accumulation of holiday stress and anxiety can last for months after the season is over.
High levels of stress can also cause a wide variety of aches and pains. Some experts believe that stress and anxiety is one of the major causes of back pain. There are even treatments for back pain based around stress and anxiety reduction.
Because high levels of stress and anxiety cause your body to produce very damaging chemicals, many harmful health conditions are possible (even if solid scientific evidence has not discovered the definitive link… YET).
Signs And Symptoms You Are Stressed Out
If you are having difficulty sleeping, feel tired (even when you first wake up and no matter how much you sleep) or are easily aggravated, then there is a good chance stress and anxiety are the culprits. You may even gain weight from stress and anxiety.
One of the best ways to relieve stress and anxiety is through breathing. Controlled breathing is the simplest and most practiced relaxation technique for anxiety. It involves deep and slow breathing that helps the diaphragm expand and contract steadily, which in turn helps you control your breathing process. Take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and breathe out hardily. Focus on expanding and contracting the stomach rather than the chest. Repeating this empowers one to control the oxygen intake in the body, divert the stress reaction, and regulate the parasympathetic nerves.
Meditation Becoming Mainstream
Meditation is another great way to relieve stress and anxiety. New research suggests that mindfulness meditation can have benefits for health and performance, including improved immune function, reduced blood pressure and enhanced cognitive function.
The study, published in the latest issue of the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, draws on existing scientific literature to attempt to explain the positive effects.
The author of the study, Britta Hazel of Justus Liebig University and Harvard Medical School, pointed out that mindful meditation is not a vague cure-all.
According to the November 22, 2011 issue of The Telegraph: Effective mindfulness meditation requires training and practice and it has distinct measurable effects on our subjective experiences, our behavior, and our brain function.
Dr. Hazel said: “We hope that further research on this topic will enable a much broader spectrum of individuals to utilize mindfulness meditation as a versatile tool to facilitate change both in psychotherapy and in everyday life.”
Here’s Something For You If You
Put On A Few Pounds Over The Holiday Season…
According to Reuters, new research shows that normal weight adults ate more often than overweight people. This includes people who lost weight and kept it off.
From Reuters: Researchers following about 250 people for a year found that overweight individuals ate fewer snacks in addition to meals than people in the normal body weight range, but the overweight still took in more calories and they were less active over the course of the day.
“Most of the research has shown that people who eat more frequently have a lower weight,” said lead researcher Jessica Bachman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. “But no one knows why.”
Bachman also said, “It appears that being extremely physically active and eating more often helps them keep the weight off… Most commonly, they were walking at least 60 minutes a day 7 days a week.”
It is theorized frequent snacking keeps people from going into an extreme hunger mode. In other words, when you eat frequently, it keeps you from getting too hungry. When you don’t snack – you tend to eat a lot more when you eventually eat.
No matter what the “why it works” is – eating multiple small meals throughout the day seems to work much better than a few big meals.
George Clooney Considered Suicide?
That’s right. According to news reports. George said he contemplated suicide when he was struggling to cope with back pain while filming the movie Syriana in 2005.
He was doing his own stunts and ended up in the hospital. He told Rolling Stone magazine, “I was at a point where I thought, I can’t exist like this. I can’t actually live.
“I was lying in a hospital bed with an IV (intravenous drip) in my arm, unable to move, having these headaches where it feels like you’re having a stroke, and, for a short three-week period, I started to think, I may have to do something drastic about this.
“You start to think in terms of, you don’t want to leave a mess, so go in the garage, go in the car, and start the engine. It seems like the nicest way to do it.”
There is no doubt – back pain can be crippling. But, like most things, there is almost always a light at the end of the tunnel. Seeking proper treatment for back pain and thinking positively is the answer.
And 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 Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
He Never Lost Sight Of His Dream…
Even After 26 Years In Prison For A Crime He Didn’t Commit
The year was 1977. 92 year old Emma Crapser came home from playing bingo and was brutally murdered in her apartment located in Poughkeepsie, New York.
That same year, Dewey Bozella was 18 years old, and a suspect with a troubled past.
When he was 9 years old, Dewey saw his father batter his pregnant mother. His mother died from the beating, and his father ran away and never came back. Dewey and his nine siblings grew up in a series of foster homes.
One of his older brothers had a knife stabbed through his heart and out his back. Another brother would be shot dead. A third would die of AIDS. As a teen, Dewey had a reputation for fighting, getting high and committing petty crimes. He’ll be the first to admit he was no saint.
There was no physical evidence linking Dewey to Emma Crapser’s murder but Dewey was arrested. The case against him was dropped for lack of evidence. Dewey used this as a wake-up call. He enrolled in community college and started working with the mentally challenged.
Six years later, in 1983, Dewey was arrested again in relation to Emma Crapser’s death. This time he was charged with the murder. Prosecutors took the word of two inmates who said Dewey did it so they could cut a deal. One of their brothers also lied to help out his family member. During the trial, Dewey was advised by his attorney not to take the stand. His attorney said the prosecution had no case and he didn’t want Dewey’s past brought up in an attempt to sway the jury.
But, on the word of convicted felons who had cut a deal with the prosecution, the jury came back with a guilty verdict. Dewey went to Sing Sing a bitter man. He started boxing while in prison and became the light heavyweight champion of the prison.
In 1990, the brother of the inmate came forward and admitted he lied. Dewey was retried. The District Attorney came to Dewey’s attorney and offered a deal. He said if Dewey would take the stand and admit he did it, he could walk out a free man. Out of pride and the truth, Dewey stood by his principles and would not lie and say he did it.
The jury sentenced him to 20 years to life.
While in prison, Dewey continued to box and also earned a bachelor’s degree from Mercy College. Then, he earned a master’s degree from New York Theological Seminary. He got married too.
Then, the legal firm of Wilmer Hale took his case pro bono. The lawyers tracked down the arresting officer, who had since retired. After 22 years on the job, the officer took home only one file: the case of Dewey Rader Bozella. Something just didn’t smell right about it.
The lawyers quickly found that evidence had been withheld during the trials. They put in nearly a million dollars worth of work and found evidence that proved Dewey had nothing to do with the murder and that another suspect had confessed to the crime.
In 2009, 26 years after first being sent to Sing Sing, the chains were taken off Dewey and he was set free. He was 50 years old. Two years later, at age 52, Dewey became the oldest man to compete in an officially sanctioned professional boxing match.
Dewey won that fight against his 30-year-old opponent. When his hand was raised, so was his soul. Dewey had accomplished a dream and did so against the worst possible odds.
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 feel great and look younger! Don’t be a stranger. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!
Did You Know?…Water Doesn’t Prevent Dehydration?
Common sense tells you water prevents dehydration… right?
Well, not according to the European Union (EU). As reported in the Telegraph, “EU officials concluded that, following a three-year investigation, there was no evidence to prove the previously undisputed fact. Producers of bottled water are now forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the verdict, which comes into force in the UK next month.”
WOW! Two years in jail for saying water can prevent dehydration!!! Critics are up in arms, saying the law defies both science and common sense.
Conservative MEP Roger Helmer said: “This is stupidity writ large… The euro is burning, the EU is falling apart and yet here they are: highly-paid, highly-pensioned officials worrying about the obvious qualities of water and trying to deny us the right to say what is patently true… If ever there were an episode which demonstrates the folly of the great European project, then this is it.”
The Telegraph reported, “NHS health guidelines state clearly that drinking water helps avoid dehydration, and that Britons should drink at least 1.2 liters per day. The Department for Health disputed the wisdom of the new law. A spokesman said: ‘Of course water hydrates. While we support the EU in preventing false claims about products, we need to exercise common sense as far as possible.’” This issue probably needs no further comment. J
Tip Of The Month – An Apple A Day?
Studies are constantly proving that what you eat can be as powerful and more potent than a prescribed drug. Recently, it was proven that the presence of fresh apples in your diet could improve your memory and sustain brain health. Apples are becoming increasingly associated with brain health after more recent studies have proven the effect of antioxidants and flavonoids present in apples on reducing brain-cell inflammation and oxidation that naturally occurs due to the presence of free radicals.
The consumption of as much as two apples a day heightens levels of acetylcholine, a specific neurotransmitter that greatly influences brain signals responsible for movement and sensory perception.
Not only that, but regular consumption as such was discovered to diminish accumulations of toxins in the brain, particularly one type of toxin called beta-amyloid, which is thought to be one of the main culprits that cause Alzheimer’s disease.
While apples are now being proven to aid, halt, and reverse Alzheimer’s disease, enhance cognitive functions, prevent memory loss and help in other brain-related matters, there are still a multitude of studies being vigorously conducted to prove that apples are the perfect food for diabetics, patients with heart disease, cholesterol, obesity, and constipation.
While the old proverb said one apple a day was enough, studies suggest increasing that dosage to two apples is a good idea for optimum health benefits.
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information is solely advisory, and 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 healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without a thorough exam or appropriate referral. If you have any further concerns or questions, please let us know at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com.
Dr Beecher’s January 9th Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, January 9th, 2012
Mental Attitude: I Can’t Remember. Older individuals’ complaints about memory lapses (such as trouble remembering recent events) may indicate they are experiencing cognitive problems that are greater than typical age-related changes. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is expected to rise in the United States as adults 65 and older are projected to double in number over the next two decades. Clinicians are now incorporating cognitive screening tests as part of annual wellness visits for older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Nov 2011
Health Alert: Low-Dose Aspirin. The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding needs to be considered when determining the potential preventive benefits associated with low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The risk is increased with the use of cardiovascular disease-preventing therapies. Low-dose aspirin is defined as 75 to 325 mg. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dec 2011
Diet: Soda Consumption. The average American drinks 44.7 gallons of soda a year. That much soda weighs about 375 pounds! AdAge, Dec 2011
Exercise: Benefits For Breast Cancer Survivors. For breast cancer survivors, the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks, including those who develop lymphedema, a chronic swelling that commonly occurs after breast cancer treatment. Balance the pros and cons of the activity one chooses, but keep in mind that even remaining sedentary has risks and being active is beneficial in many ways, including possibly reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.
Journal of Cancer Survivorship, December 2011
Chiropractic: Nerve Interference. The pressure caused by just the weight of just one United States quarter on a spinal nerve can decrease nerve transmission by as much as 60%.
Chang Ha Suh, PhD
Wellness/Prevention: Cancer Prevention In Your 30s. One begins to lose muscle mass after age 30. Strength training can prevent muscle loss, build bone density and help the body burn calories faster to keep you at a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can help decrease the risk of cancer.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Nov 2011
Quote: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” ~ Jackie Robinson
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 www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
Are Doctors of Chiropractic “Real” Doctors?
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: I’m sure you’ve heard something like this before: “Don’t go to a Chiropractor. They will crack your bones and hurt you.” Or, “You definitely shouldn’t go if you have a herniated disk.” Or, “Never let them ‘crack’ your neck!”
Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Take a look at the educational requirements of a Chiropractor according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA):
Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.
Doctors of chiropractic — who are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in many nations around the world — undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition and public health, they receive more intensive education than their MD counterparts.
Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency which is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This has been the case for more than 25 years.
This extensive education prepares doctors of chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the problems when they are within their scope of practice and refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate.
Chiropractors are very well educated and Chiropractic is a very safe and effective treatment for back pain, neck pain and many other conditions. 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!
New York Times Article about Neck Pain
In this blog I would like people to read an article from the New York Times about neck pain. A new study shows that chiropractic care and exercises were more effective than medication in relief of neck pain. The relief was still better with chiropractic when the people were questioned one year latter. If you suffer from neck pain in Houston contact my office today for a consultation
Dr Beecher’s January 2 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, January 2nd, 2012
Mental Attitude: Purchases That Make Your Mouth Water. In certain situations, people actually salivate when they desire material things, like money and sports cars. Merely being exposed to the concept of money has been shown to have dramatic effects on behavior, and it has even been argued that money can be conceptualized as a drug in that it imitates the action of biological incentives in driving behavior.
Journal of Consumer Research, Dec 2011
Health Alert: Uninsured! Approximately 50.2 million Americans live without health insurance.
U.S. Census Bureau, Sept 2011
Diet: Fish And Alzheimer’s Risk. 5.1 million people in the US have Alzheimer’s disease. Eating fish once a week is good for brain health, as well as lowering your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. This is the first study to establish a direct relationship between fish consumption, brain structure and Alzheimer’s risk. Consuming baked or broiled fish promotes stronger neurons in the brain’s gray matter by making them larger and healthier. This simple lifestyle choice increases the brain’s resistance to Alzheimer’s disease and lowers risk for the disorder. Eating dried or fried fish does not seem
to help preserve brain volume or lower Alzheimer’s risk.
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dec 2011
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps prevent intestinal ulcers. It also increases the density and breaking strength of ligaments, tendons and the disks of your spine.
Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Ringing In The Ears. Patients with somatosensory tinnitus may find relief from cervical adjustments. Clinics, Feb 2011
Wellness/Prevention: Probiotics. The average American experiences two to six colds each year, usually mild viral infections that resolve themselves after a few days. Probiotics seems to provide both children and adults with protection against many upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold. People who consume probiotics are also less likely to end up taking prescription antibiotics for an upper
respiratory infection. Probiotics are found in fermented foods like yogurt, soy yogurt, kefir and in supplement form. The Cochrane Library, Dec 2011
Quote: “The trouble about always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health of the mind.” ~ G. K. Chesterton
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 www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
Dr Beecher’s December 26 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, December 26th, 2011
Mental Attitude: Resist Temptation? How do you defeat the impulse to gratify desire and stick to your long- term goals of slimness or sobriety? Just say, “No thanks” and move on. Don’t stop and think about it. The presence of temptation twists your cognitive abilities in ways that promote impulsive behavior.
Psychological Science, Oct 2011
Health Alert: Prescription Painkiller Abuse Epidemic! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdoses involving prescription painkillers have tripled in the past 10 years and now kill more Americans than heroin and cocaine combined. A significant proportion of deaths are from people who obtain prescription painkillers without a prescription and use them for recreational use. CDC Vital Signs, Oct 2011
Diet: The Skinny On Coffee. The more coffee an adult drinks, the lower the risk seems to be for developing basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a common type of skin cancer. Women who had at least 3 cups of coffee daily had a 20% lower chance of developing BCC, compared to those who consumed less than one cup per month. Men who consumed at least three cups of coffee per day had a 9% lower risk of BCC.
Harvard Medical School, Oct 2011
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise gives you more energy to meet the demands of daily life, and provides you with a reserve to meet the demands of unexpected emergencies.
Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Posture and Health. Posture and normal physiology are interrelated. Posture affects and moderates every physiological function from breathing to hormonal production. Abnormal posture is evident in patients with chronic and stress related illnesses. Observe people over 50 and you will see that people with bad posture look unhealthy. American Journal of Pain Management, 1994
Wellness/Prevention: Preventable Strokes. One in six people will suffer a stroke and someone dies from a stroke every 6 seconds. 85% of these people have risk factors that can prevent a stroke, if identified. 6 steps to reduce stroke risk: 1) Learn the warning signs of a stroke: sudden numbness, in particular if it only affects one side of the body, loss of balance or sudden vertigo, sudden difficulty in speaking or seeing, and severe headaches with no apparent cause. 2) Check your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. 3) Exercise regularly and keep physically active. 4) Eat a healthy diet and avoid becoming obese. 5) Avoid cigarette smoke and seek help to stop if you are a smoker. 6) Restrict your alcohol consumption. World Stroke Organization, Oct 2011
Quote: “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ~ Gautama the Buddha, 563 BC
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 www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
Dr Beecher’s December 19 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, December 19th, 2011
Mental Attitude: A Long, Happy Life. Older people have a 35% lower chance of dying if they are content, excited or happy during their typical day. This was true even after taking into account such factors as a person’s financial situation, physical health, mental health, chronic disease, physical activity, alcohol intake, depression and age. Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, Oct 2011
Health Alert: For The Young. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the world’s largest non-governmental organization working in sexual and reproductive health, is calling to renew the focus on young people’s reproductive health. Currently, 16 million adolescent girls become mothers every year and almost 40% of the 6,800 new HIV infections each day are among young people.
International Planned Parenthood Federation, Oct 2011
Diet: Alcohol, Good Or Bad? Red wine has been shown in many studies to benefit the immune system and cardiovascular system, but women who drink even moderately (as few as three drinks a week) increase their risk of breast cancer. Women who abstain from all alcohol may find that a potential benefit of lower breast cancer is more than offset by the increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Harvard Medical School, Oct 2011
Exercise: Obesity Gene’s Effect Reduced By Exercise. With exercise and a physically active lifestyle, the genetic predisposition to obesity caused by the ‘fat mass and obesity associated’ (FTO) gene can be significantly reduced. The effect of the FTO gene on obesity risk is 27% weaker among physically active adults, compared to those who are physically inactive. These findings challenge the common excuse that “obesity is in my genes.” PLoS Medicine, Oct 2011
Chiropractic: A Benefit For The Elderly. Elderly patients suffering from dizziness experienced significant clinical improvement after just one month of Chiropractic care.
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2009
Wellness/Prevention: Remember Your Fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids may provide men with protection against bladder cancer as the fluids may flush out potential carcinogens before they have the opportunity to cause tissue damage that could lead to the cancer. High total fluid intake (more than 2,531 milliliters per day) was associated with a 24% reduced risk for bladder cancer among men. Cancer Prevention Research, Oct 2011
Quote: “In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties.” ~ Henri-Frederic Amiel
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 www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
Dr Beechers December 12 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, December 12th, 2011
Mental Attitude: Brain Games. Researchers have found risk/reward scenarios (such as playing games) stimulate nearly all areas of the brain. Since the brain’s primary purpose is to maximize our chance of survival and reproduction, it makes sense reward should be important for all cognitive functions, and thus most brain regions. Neuron, Oct 2010
Health Alert: Antibiotics. After 70 years, antibiotics are still the primary treatment for bacterial infections. The prevalence of antibiotic resistance is now outpacing the rate of new drug discovery and approval. The economic costs and health threats of antibiotic resistance have become so serious that the World Health Organization dedicated World Health Day to call global attention to the issue. Antibiotics are routinely sprayed on crops and fed to livestock, which helps cause antibiotic resistant bacteria to develop. That antibiotic resistance is then transferred to humans when they eat the food containing the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is resistant to a broad range of antibiotics, causes infections in people with compromised immune systems, such as HIV and cancer patients. It’s also responsible for hospital-related infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and infections from burns. The fatality rate is about 50%. Hospital-acquired urinary tract infections by P. aeruginosa alone cost more than $3.5 billion a year in the US. WHO, Oct 2011
Diet: A Slice Of Watermelon! Watermelon reduces atherosclerosis in animals. The study involved mice with diet-induced high cholesterol. By week 8, animals given watermelon juice had lower body weight, due to decreased fat mass. They experienced no decrease in lean mass. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower, with modestly reduced intermediate and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. University of Kentucky, Oct 2011
Exercise: Reduces Productivity? Exercise may reduce work productivity in employees with high stress jobs. The study’s authors recommend employees with more stressful jobs utilize other techniques to manage stress. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct 2011
Chiropractic: Yoga & Low Back Pain. A 12-week yoga program for adults with chronic or recurrent low back pain improved back function better than back pain education booklets.
Annals Of Internal Medicine, Nov 2011
Wellness/Prevention: Stop Smoking! Smokers are twice as likely to have strokes, and on average, they have them 10 years earlier than non-smokers. Heart and Stroke Foundation, Oct 2011
Quote: “You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.” ~ Bill Cosby
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 www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
Dr Beecher’s December 2011 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“Truth has beauty, power and necessity.” ~ Sylvia Ashton-Warner
The answer to this question may surprise you…
Did Alternative Medicine Kill Steve Jobs – Or Did It Extend His Life?
Discover what some experts say about the computer giant’s decision to put off surgery and seek natural methods…
Plus all this:
- “Text Neck” is on the rise – what is it and how can you avoid it?
- Do you suffer with MIGRAINES? What research says about treatment and what you should know.
- 4 tips to lose weight… without dieting.
- What It Really Takes To Be The Best: Paralyzed Racecar Driver Looks To Be #1…
Houston – You probably know his name. But, even if you don’t, it’s pretty much a guarantee that he has affected your life… probably every single day.
His name is Steve Jobs. The company he started out of a garage is called Apple. They make iPhones, iPods, iTunes, iMacs, MacBooks, etc.
Whether you liked Steve Jobs or not, there are some things you just cannot deny…
First, Steve Jobs is the quintessential storybook American dream.
At birth, his parents gave him up for adoption to a middle-class California family, with the stipulation that he attend college.
After one year at Reed College, Jobs dropped out and traveled to India to seek enlightenment.
After his return to the United States, Jobs and his friend, Steve Wozniak, started Apple Computer.
In the first year, they assembled computer boards in a garage and brought them to local computer enthusiast groups to try to sell them.
A little later, they developed the Apple II. It was a roaring success and the company went public four years later. In December of 1980, Steve Jobs’ net worth passed the $200 million mark. He was only 25 years old.
After that, there were several up and downs. Jobs was actually fired from Apple and then brought back to save it a decade later. And, he did. Nowadays, depending on the stock market, Apple is either the most valuable company in the world, or a close #2.
So What Does All This Have To Do
With Alternative Medicine Killing Steve Jobs
Or Extending His Life?
Plenty. But, the first thing to understand is that Steve Jobs was no fool. He was not some guy with minimal intelligence who read some stuff about cancer treatments on the internet and decided to risk his life, doing them. And, he was not the type to get fooled by slick marketers peddling a cure.
On the contrary, Jobs was a genius and a visionary. From what seems to be the case, he looked at the research… the pros versus the cons… and allegedly decided to put off surgery for pancreatic cancer for 9 months in favor of other, more natural approaches.
According to MyHealthNewsDaily.com:
“After Steve Jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2003, he allegedly delayed surgery to remove the tumor — the recommended treatment — for nine months.
“During that interim period, he attempted to treat his cancer with alternative medicine, including a special diet, according to news reports.
“Could such a delay in treatment have worsened Jobs’ prognosis, and ultimately hastened his death?”
According to Dr. Maged Rizk, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, “I don’t think waiting nine months for surgery was a bad decision.”
“I believe that he must have really refocused his health practices [through changes in diet and exercise],” said Dr. Ashwin Mehta, an Assistant Professor and Medical Director of Integrative Medicine at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Cancer Center. “To do as well as he did, he must have done a lot of things right. Therapies such as mediation, acupuncture and exercise may be used in conjunction with standard cancer treatments in order to improve health and reduce the side effects, which can include fatigue, chronic pain and problems with sleep.”
“I would never say to one of my patients, ‘you don’t need to continue with your radiation treatment or your chemotherapy, all you need to do is meditate and adopt healthy sleep habits, and start an exercise routine, and then you can cure yourself,’” Mehta said. “The reality is that’s not the case.”
But, used the right way, integrative medicine may provide a meaningful impact on the health of a patient with cancer.
“The bottom line is that the mind is such a powerful thing that it’s unreasonable not to use it as an ally in the course of standardized medical treatment,” Mehta said.
Here’s something very important to note about this story: The average life expectancy for someone with a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor is about two years, according to PCAN. (It remains unclear whether Jobs’ cancer was metastatic when he was diagnosed.) Jobs lived for 8 years after his diagnosis.
“Text Neck”
What Is It And How To Avoid It
The older you get, the more you realize there are pros and cons to everything. Even all the amazing new technology we have these days is no exception.
For example, there is a new condition called “text neck” and it is said to be on the rise due to the amount of time people spend hunched over their cell phones, tablets and computer screens.
Experts say cases of this repetitive strain injury are on the rise as smart phones and tablet computers (such as the iPad) become increasingly popular.
In severe cases, the muscles can eventually adapt to fit the flexed position, making it painful to straighten the neck out properly.
This can be serious because long-term effects of such postural changes are believed to cause neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain and even arthritis, later in life.
“Imagine sitting on your ankle sideways for 10 minutes. It would feel stiff and sore when you returned it to its natural position. That is exactly what people are doing with their necks. If people continue to put their necks in these positions, the body will gradually adapt to the stresses,” added one Chiropractor who sees text neck patients regularly. One of the best ways to avoid “text neck” is to simply move. Don’t stay in any one position too long.
Tuck your chin and bend your neck to the back and to the front, then side-to-side and circles, as long as this does not cause any pain.
And 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 Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
What It Really Takes To Be The Best…
Paralyzed Racecar Driver Looks To Be #1
Excuses. We all have them. Some of us have (or make up) a lot more than others. We use them when we fail – or when we don’t do as well as we wanted to. For many, there are always too many obstacles in the way to succeed at anything worthwhile. You were born too ugly, fat, short, bald or poor to achieve your dreams. There is nothing you can do and it is not your fault. It’s easy to think that way, especially when so many accept it as their reality. We become our dominant thoughts… so it doesn’t take long before our lives are locked into a pessimistic reality.
…Until you hear about people like Michael Johnson and see him gliding his wheelchair into to the pit lane and his coach helping him climb into his racecar. But, Michael was never “normal.” By the time Michael was 12 years old, he had already won several Motocross National Championships. Then, he suffered a terrible crash during a race. He broke his back, all of his ribs on the right side, one of his legs and numerous other bones.
The accident left Michael paralyzed from the chest down. Surely, if being born short…or poor…or not attractive is enough to make some people quit, then being paralyzed from the chest down is way too much for anyone to overcome… but, not Michael Johnson.
“The day I got hurt I told my dad ‘I don’t want to stop racing, don’t make me stop.’” Michael said. “When I was recovering in the hospital, we were researching things I could do to race and we finally found go-karts and I started from there.”
So, what does Michael’s mother Kathi (who was there to witness her son’s horrific crash) think about all of this? “Don’t ever tell him he can’t do something because he’ll prove you wrong” she said, “and he already has. Nobody said that he would be able to do this and he’s already proved everybody wrong… He never got depressed… Never ‘poor me poor me’… he’s always had a wonderful attitude about this whole thing and that’s what inspires everybody.”
Do you think there is a correlation between his mother’s great attitude and her son’s success and ability to continue and succeed, even when facing brutal odds?
Michael had experimental stem cell surgery in Portugal in 2007 and goes to intense physical therapy three hours a day, three days a week. He’s been upgraded to an L1-L2 paraplegic, which means he’s regained feeling in his chest and abdomen.
While he’s still paralyzed from the hips down, he believes he will one day walk again. “I consider myself lucky” Michael said. “It could have been a lot worse than what I am right now and it’s coming back.”
He doesn’t mind being considered a role model and he hopes to inspire others. He’s on his way to achieving his goal of driving and competing in the Indianapolis 500. He’s testing his new car on the famed track at the end of October and he will turn pro in 2012. While most drivers use their legs to operate the gas, clutch and break pedals and help stabilize them in the car, Michael’s special car has controls on his steering wheel. This takes tremendous upper body strength and coordination and Michael is more than up to the task. Michael’s coaches say he is the smartest and most consistent driver they have ever seen and that he WILL race in the 500. It’s amazing how much you can achieve when you really believe and put your mind to it – and make the decision that NOTHING is going to stop you.
So, what’s holding you back?
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 feel great and look younger! Don’t be a stranger. You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!
Did You Know?…
Citrus fruits contain a vast array of phytonutrients that are just now being respected for their extraordinary health value. Fruits and vegetables have been renowned for years for providing essential nutrients like Vitamin C. There is a group of bioactive flavonoids that enhance the effects of Vitamin C and provide a powerful defense against oxidative stress. Bioactive flavonoids, Vitamin P, are found in living fruits and vegetables. The various bioflavonoids found in citrus include hesperidin, quercetin, diosmin, naringin and rutin, among others. These phytonutrients are vital for the proper absorption of Vitamin C. Many Vitamin C supplements consist of synthetically derived ascorbic acid. This is virtually ineffective. Without the natural citrus bioflavonoids, ascorbic acid is easily oxidized. This is why whole food nutrition is so much better than synthetically derived supplements.
Studies show citrus bioflavonoids effect capillary permeability and blood flow due to the powerful anti-inflammatory effects of these phytonutrients. This is especially important for oxygenating tissues and maintaining normal blood pressure. They reduce swelling, venous backup, and edema… and also improve respiration in the lungs.
The best sources of citrus bioflavonoids are lemons, limes, grapefruits, oranges, and tangerines. They are in their most potent form when they are picked off the tree in their full ripeness. The longer they are off of the tree, the more nutrient value they lose. Once peeled, citrus fruit begin to oxidize and within days can lose a significant portion of their anti-oxidant value.
Enhance Your Citrus BioFlavonoid Consumption: Do not throw away squeezed lemon… eat the pulp and membrane first. If the peel is organic, you can shred it into a lemon zest and apply it to meat, salads, etc. Avoid orange & grapefruit juices, due to the high sugar and instead eat the whole fruit which contains fibers and significantly more bioflavonoids.
Tip Of The Month – Do You Suffer With Migraines?
What Research Says About Chiropractic Versus Popular Drug Treatments…
Although most headaches are not life threatening, they can negatively affect your quality of life. In severe cases, a headache is debilitating. Headaches have a wide range of causes, including infection, hangovers from alcohol consumption, fasting, and even serious conditions, such as brain tumors and strokes.
The most common headaches include tension and migraine, which are associated with nervous system disorders. More than 90% of the U.S. population will experience some type of headache. 28 million Americans, including 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men, experience migraine headaches. In a migraine headache, the artery on the outside of the skull under the skin of the temple (temporal artery) enlarges. As this process occurs, nerves that surrounds the artery stretch and release chemicals that cause inflammation and pain. The larger the artery gets, the greater the pain.
Most people know Chiropractic care can be beneficial for tension/cervicogenic headaches. But, can Chiropractic care help migraines too? Here’s what research dating all the way back to 1998 says… The study, published in the Journal Of Manipulative And Physiological Therapeutics, compared amitriptyline (a medication), spinal manipulation, and the combination of both therapies. There was a 4 week baseline period, followed by 8 weeks of treatment and then 4 weeks of follow-up on a total of 218 patients diagnosed with migraine headaches.
RESULTS: “Clinically important improvement was observed in both primary and secondary outcomes in all three study groups over time. The reduction in headache index scores during treatment compared with baseline was 49% for amitriptyline, 40% for spinal manipulation, and 41% for the combined group. During the post-treatment follow-up period, the reduction from baseline was 24% for amitriptyline, 42% for spinal manipulation, and 25% for the combined group.”
CONCLUSION: “There was no advantage to combining amitriptyline and spinal manipulation for the treatment of migraine headaches. Spinal manipulation seemed to be as effective as a well-established and efficacious treatment (amitriptyline). And on the basis of a benign side effects profile, it should be considered a treatment option for patients with frequent migraine headaches.”
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information is solely advisory, and 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 healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without a thorough exam or appropriate referral. If you have any further concerns or questions, please let us know by calling 281-286-1300.
Dr Beecher’s December 5 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, December 5th, 2011
Mental Attitude: Commuting To Work Is Bad For Your Health! Spending hours each day behind the wheel or crammed in a public train or bus, commuting to and from work is bad for your health. Those who commuted reported more everyday stress, exhaustion, missed work days and generally poorer health. Those with longer commutes reported even worse health. Duke University, Oct 2011
Health Alert: Under Construction! Nearly all construction workers will experience one or more work- related injuries or illnesses over a lifetime, plus a greater risk of premature death. Over a 45-year career, a construction worker has a 75% chance of a disabling injury, and a one in 200 chance of being fatally injured on the job. An individual who begins construction work at the age of 20 has a 15% chance of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and an 11% chance of developing dust-related parenchymal chest X-ray changes. Center for Construction Research and Training, Oct 2011
Diet: Strawberries & Stomach Ulcers. Scientists discovered strawberry consumption might help reduce and or slow the formation of stomach ulcers caused by alcohol consumption, viral infections and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like aspirin and ibuprofen. Plos One, Oct 2011
Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps speed recovery from chemotherapy treatments, increases the ability to supply blood to the skin for cooling and increases the thickness of the cartilage in your joints. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996
Chiropractic: Wound Healing & Mechanical Stress. Exerting mechanical forces on an injury site immediately after healing begins significantly inhibits vascular growth into the bone defect region. However, after healing is underway, introducing mechanical forces on the injury site can lead to a more robust vascular network. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Oct 2011
Wellness/Prevention: Cranberry Juice vs. Cranberry Extracts. Cranberries have been recognized for their health benefits for years, especially in preventing urinary tract infections. However, it was found that drinking actual cranberry juice is much more effective in preventing a Urinary Tract Infection than simply consuming cranberry extracts. Food Science and Biotechnology, Oct 2011
Quote: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
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 www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.
