Dr Beecher’s September 1 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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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 .
Dr Beecher’s August 18 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, August 18th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Dementia Risk Rises with Traumatic Brain Injury. A review of data on 188,774 veterans (ages 55 and up) found that 1,229 had been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). During the study’s nine-year follow-up period, 16% of veterans with a TBI developed dementia compared with only 10% of veterans without a TBI. Neurology, June 2014
Health Alert: Watching TV for Three or More Hours Daily May Increase Risk of Early Death. Most people enjoy taking time to watch a favorite television show in order to relax and unwind. New research suggests that watching three hours or more of television per day could double an individual’s risk of premature death. Investigators recommend adults reduce TV watching to no more than one to two hours per day. Lead researcher Dr. Miguel Martinez-Gonzalez writes, “As the population ages, sedentary behaviors will become more prevalent, especially watching television, and this poses an additional burden on the increased health problems related to aging. Our findings suggest adults may consider increasing their physical activity, avoid long sedentary periods and reduce television watching to no longer than 1-2 hours each day.” Journal of the American Heart Association, June 2014
Diet: Your Child May Be Consuming Too Many Vitamins & Minerals. The Environmental Working Group believes that fortifying foods with vitamins and minerals is placing children in danger. The report summarizes how millions of American children under eight years of age are getting too much vitamin A, zinc, and niacin from fortified food products and supplements. The problem is the result of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines on voluntary food supplementation (last updated 34 years ago) that do not take current scientific evidence into account. The report recommends that until the FDA makes the Daily Values on food labels reflect up-to-date science and show values for children, parents should limit their child’s intake of fortified food to no more than 20-25% of the adult Daily Value for vitamin A, zinc, and niacin. Environmental Working Group Report, June 2014
Exercise: Exercise May Benefit Pregnant Women with High Blood Pressure. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, are the most common and dangerous pregnancy complications, occurring in 5-8% of pregnancies. An animal study revealed that placental ischemia-induced hypertension in rats was alleviated by exercise. Researcher Jeff Gilbert explains, “The data from our study raise the possibility that exercise regimens, if started before pregnancy and maintained through most of gestation, may be an important way for women to mitigate the risk of preeclampsia.” Journal of the American Heart Association, December 2012
Chiropractic: Back Pain Patients Have Less Flexible Hamstrings. Evaluations of 72 patients with low back pain indicate a possible relationship between mechanical back pain and hamstring tightness. Researchers found that patients with more severe back pain had tighter hamstrings than patients with more mild or moderate pain. They recommend this data be considered when designing both prevention strategies and rehabilitation protocols for low back pain. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, June 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Breast Cancer Detection Rate Improves with New Screening Technique. Adding a 3D imaging technique called tomosynthesis to digital mammography appears to result in both a reduction in the number of patients being called back for additional testing and an increase in breast cancer detection rates. Digital tomosynthesis takes multiple X-ray pictures from different angles. The breast is positioned as it is for a conventional mammogram, but less pressure is applied. Instead of a single image with conventional mammograms, this technique offers a 3D image for a better evaluation of the breast. Dr. Sarah M. Friedewald writes, “The association with fewer unnecessary tests and biopsies, with a simultaneous increase in cancer detection rates, would support the potential benefits of tomosynthesis as a tool for screening. However, assessment for a benefit in clinical outcomes is needed.” JAMA, June 2014
Quote: “Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”~ Eleanor Roosevelt
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 June 30 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 30th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Bullied Teens Carry Weapons to School. Bullied teens are 31 times more likely to bring weapons, such as guns and knives, to school compared with teens who have not been bullied, according to a new study. Lead investigator Dr. Lana Schapiro warns, “With estimates of more than 200,000 victims of bullying carrying a weapon to high school, more effective prevention efforts and intervention strategies need to be identified.” American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2014
Health Alert: Many Parents Not Following Recommended Sleep Practices for Babies. Half of infants in some regions of the United States (US) aren’t being placed on their back during sleep despite the fact it would reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SIDS is responsible for more deaths among infants aged one month to one year old than any other cause, killing more than 2,000 babies in 2010 alone. Study author Dr. Sunah Hwang writes, “Although the precise cause of SIDS is still unknown, we do know that safe sleep practices, such as sleeping on the back, reduces the risk of infant death in the first year of life.” American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2014
Diet: Vitamin E May Prevent Brain Damage from Stroke. Tocotreinol, a little-known type of vitamin E, may prevent or reduce brain damage during stroke. Researchers claim that tocotreinol increases the diameter of existing arteries in response to oxygen demand. It is this process that may prevent brain damage by offering a “collateral” blood supply. Study leader Dr. Cameron Rink adds, “We know that people who have good collaterals have better recovery from strokes. We think that tocotrienol helps improve the function of collaterals, which would offer someone better protection from an initial or secondary stroke.” Dr. Rink further adds that one day vitamin E may be used as a common treatment for stroke prevention. Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science, May 2014
Exercise: Yoga During Pregnancy Good for Health. Stress during pregnancy can have negative effects on both mother and child, but a new study suggests that yoga could reduce the risk of developing anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Researchers analyzed questionnaires and performed stress hormone assessments on yoga participants and found that a single session of yoga reduced self-reported anxiety by 33% and stress hormone levels by 14%. They suggest yoga could help mothers and their children become healthier while reducing healthcare costs. Depression and Anxiety, April 2014
Chiropractic: Back Pain and Neck Pain are a Major Cause of Missed Work. An evaluation of data concerning over 8,000 Spanish workers reveals a correlation between chronic neck and back pain, and missing one or more days of work for health- related issues. Individuals who reported having frequent neck and back pain were 44% more likely to be absent from work for more than 30 days out of the year. Spine, May 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Millions of Deaths Could be Prevented by Risk Factor Reduction. A new report suggests that reducing six modifiable risk factors to specific target levels could prevent 37 million premature deaths over the next 15 years. Target levels for reducing risk factors include a 30-50% reduction of tobacco use, 10% reduction of alcohol consumption, 30% reduction in salt intake, 25% reduction in high blood pressure, and halting the rise of the obesity and diabetes prevalence. If all the targets are met, there would be a reduction in risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disease, cancers, and diabetes by 22% in men and 19% in women. The Lancet, May 2014
Quote: “A man may fall many times but he won’t be a failure until he says someone pushed him.” ~ Elmer G. Letterman
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 May 26 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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Week of Monday, May 26th, 2014
Mental Attitude: The Gambler’s Fallacy. The gambler’s fallacy is described as a situation when one outcome may seem more likely based on previous results in a game of chance, such as thinking a coin-flip has a greater than 50/50 chance of landing “heads” if the previous four flips landed tail side up. An experiment involving patients with damage to the part of the brain called the insula found that they do not succumb to the gambler’s fallacy. This finding suggests that people who are addicted to gambling may have hyperactive activity in this area of the brain and if future studies confirm this, it may lead to a possible treatment for gambling addiction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, April 2014
Health Alert: Tamiflu & Relenza Not Effective for Flu. The latest Cochrane Review reveals there is no solid evidence to support the effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza, commonly used medications to fight or prevent influenza symptoms. Dr. David Tovey, editor in chief at Cochrane, writes, “Initially thought to reduce hospitalizations and serious complications from influenza, the review highlights that Tamiflu is not proven to do this, and it also seems to lead to harmful effects that were not fully reported in the original publications. This shows the importance of ensuring that trial data are transparent and accessible.” Similar results were found regarding Relenza. Cochrane Systemic Review, April 2014
Diet: Junk Food Diets Prompt Laziness. New animal-based research indicates that consistently eating processed foods may lead to obesity, inactivity, and feelings of lethargy. This appears contrary to some beliefs that laziness leads to obesity and suggests that a long-term pattern of eating junk food is to blame for obesity and its accompanying health problems. Lead researcher Dr. Aaron Blaisdell writes, “We are living in an environment with sedentary lifestyles, poor-quality diet, and highly processed foods that is very different from the one we are adapted to through human evolution. It is that difference that leads to many of the chronic diseases that we see today, such as obesity and diabetes.” Physiology and Behavior, April 2014
Exercise: Seeing Nature Helps Lower Blood Pressure! Investigators have found that seeing nature-related imagery while riding a stationary bike can result in lower blood pressure post-exercise than working out without such stimuli.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, April 2014
Chiropractic: Chiropractic Effective for Back Pain During Pregnancy. A new study confirms that chiropractic care to treat low back pain during pregnancy is both safe and effective. The study involved 115 pregnant patients with low back or pelvic pain who received chiropractic care. Fifty-two percent noticed improvements within one week of starting care. The percentage increased to 70% after one month and 85% after three months. Eighty-eight percent of patients reported improved back and pelvic pain post-delivery one year after the start of the study. These findings suggest that chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide women with lasting health benefits. Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, April 2014
Wellness/Prevention: More Prevention Needed Regarding Teen Pregnancy. Though births to teens ages 15 to 17 years of age have decreased in recent years, girls in the United States are still giving birth to an estimated 1,700 babies per week. Investigators for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 73% of teens in this age group (15-17 years old) have not yet had sex. However, they found that among the teens in this age group who are sexually active, 80% had not had any formal sex education before they had sex for the first time. CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden adds, “Efforts to prevent teen childbearing need to focus on evidence-based approaches to delaying sexual activity and increasing use of the most effective methods of contraception for those teens who are sexually active.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2014
Quote: “If you want to be proud of yourself, then do things in which you can take pride.” ~ Karen Horney
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 April 14 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, April 14th, 2014
Mental Attitude: Alzheimer’s Deaths Larger than Reported. A new report suggests that Alzheimer’s disease contributes to an estimated 500,000 deaths per year in the United States. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 83,494 Alzheimer’s deaths were reported in 2010, pointing to incorrect identification of the underlying cause of death. Study author Dr. Bryan D. James writes, “Death certificates often list the immediate cause of death, such as pneumonia, rather than listing dementia as an underlying cause… Determining the true effects of dementia in this country is important for raising public awareness and identifying research priorities regarding this epidemic.” Neurology, March 2014
Health Alert: For Younger Prostate Cancer Patients, is Surgery a Better Option than Waiting? Among younger men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, mortality rates are over 40% lower for those who are treated surgically compared with those who follow watchful waiting (relying on changes in symptoms to determine if/when further treatment is needed). The authors of this study add that patients must assess the risks with the operation, such as incontinence and impotence, with what they may gain from having the surgery based on age, other diseases, and desires. New England Journal of Medicine, March 2014
Diet: Is Saturated Fat Really that Bad? For years, healthcare providers have recommended following a diet low in saturated fat to reduce the risk of heart disease. New research claims that such a diet does not curb heart disease or prolong life. According to Dr. James DiNicolantonio, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that reducing saturated fat consumption can decrease the risk of heart disease. He explains, “The increase in the prevalence of diabetes and obesity in the [United States] occurred with an increase in the consumption of refined carbohydrates, not saturated fat. There is no conclusive proof that a low-fat diet has any positive effects on health.” Open Heart, March 2014
Exercise: Exercise Improves Brain Power. Recent research shows that aerobic exercise improves activity in certain areas of the brain as well as the connectivity of those structures. Researchers found that the more fit a person is, the stronger the connectivity in the brain and the better they are at multitasking, planning, prioritizing, and strategizing. American Association for the Advancement of Science, March 2013
Chiropractic: High Prevalence of Back Pain in High School Sports. Low back pain is a surprisingly common complaint among young athletes. A study from Finland analyzed 464 teenage athletes from a variety of sports and found that 54.9% experienced back pain during the previous year but only about a quarter sought treatment. Journal of Sports Medicine, April 2014
Wellness/Prevention: New Smartphone Case Measures Vital Signs. Azoi, an American technology company, has just announced a smartphone case that measures blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels. This new health tracker is called Wello and works by using several sensors located in the case that attaches to your smartphone. Wello can also connect to other health and fitness devices, including pedometers and sleep monitors. Hamish Patel, CEO and founder of Azoi, says that Wello can help individuals monitor their vital signs, possibly allowing earlier detection of heart disease and other health problems. American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine Technology Hub, March 2014
Quote: “Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
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 April 2013 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”
~ Samuel Johnson
Research Shows Torn Knee Ligaments Heal Without Surgery – Does Your Body Relieve Back Pain The Same Way?
More this month:
- Is your wallet or cell phone causing your back pain?
- Why doing less may be more when it comes to back pain.
- Inspirational Story: How a poor child raised in the inner-city of Detroit became the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital at age 33. His message for you…
Houston – If you suffer with low back pain, you are about to discover some very important information about potential causes and treatments. But first, researchers have discovered something very important you should know about “anterior cruciate ligament” (ACL) injuries…
The ACL is one of the major supporting ligaments of the knee. You may or may not know, but one of the most feared injuries an athlete (or anyone else) can suffer from is a torn ACL.
When it is torn, the knee is usually left unstable. In other words, the ACL ligament helps keep the bones of the knee joint together. When there is a tear, the bones can actually separate or dislocate. This can happen when an athlete or person lands from a jump, tries to stop or attempts to change directions suddenly. Sometimes, the knee will just “give out” without warning while simply walking.
When a knee is injured, an MRI is often used to help diagnose the problem. If the MRI shows a torn ACL, it has been common practice for most doctors to recommend surgery to replace the ACL with either a cadaver ACL or one made from the person’s own patellar tendon, or Hamstring tendon.
This is MAJOR surgery with extensive and lengthy rehabilitation. Even an athlete in his or her physical prime may not be able to resume their sport for a minimum of six months.
Surgery for a torn ACL has been the common treatment because it was believed that once an ACL was torn, it could not heal. Now researchers say this is not true.
In fact, in a study that appeared online before its publication in the journal Knee Surgery Sports Traumatology Arthroscopy, researchers at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York found that surgery shouldn’t be the first option for some cases. They found solid evidence that the ACL can, in fact, heal itself WITHOUT surgery.
According to Robert Marx, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), “Some patients who tear their ACL while skiing can get away without surgery. Their ligament heals by itself, they will have stable knees, and they will be able to do whatever they want, including skiing. It is a huge deal to avoid surgery.”
Dr. Marx also stated that patients who tear their ACL during recreational skiing should not rush into surgery. They should wait 6-12 weeks and be re-evaluated unless there is another obvious reason for surgery.
The study found two orthopedic tests that should be performed by a skilled physician to determine if the patient will need surgery or if the ACL can heal without it.
These two tests are “Lachman” and “pivot shift test.” These tests assess the integrity of the ACL, and if these two tests are negative, a good outcome and normal knee anterior laxity at more than 2 years after the injury is expected… without surgery.
A quick and important side note about this study: It was performed on recreational Alpine skiers. Researchers noted that ACL tears from skiing are often less traumatic than other sports. For example, the level of knee injury can be much greater in football or soccer.
This does not mean that an ACL tear from these sports cannot heal without surgery; it means THIS PARTICULAR STUDY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. Of course, not all ACL tears in football, soccer, and similar sports are super traumatic. The answer is to have your knee examined by a qualified and skilled physician who is up-to-date on the research and will assess your knee and give you the best recommendation for your individual case.
What Does All This Have To Do With Back Pain?
A lot, actually. There are two very big take home messages from the information above.
First, doctors are not always right. The best doctors use the best and most current research in an attempt to give the patient the best recommendations and treatments possible.
That is, of course, limited to the current research. No matter what some people think, science (and research) is not magic. It does not have all the answers, especially when it comes to the complexities of the human body.
The ability of the ACL to heal itself is a great example, but it is not the only one.
The body is truly amazing, and one of the most amazing things is its incomprehensible ability to heal itself.
Often, this means doing less, not more. This is one of the most difficult things for injured or sick people to understand.
When sick or injured, many people believe something must be done or the more treatment, the better. In reality, in many cases, the less the doctor does and the quicker he or she gets out of the way, the better.
This Is Often The Best Option
For Back And Neck Pain
Many Chiropractors are proud that their treatments help back and neck pain. This, however, is not true. If you understand how the body works and its amazing ability to heal itself, you will also understand that the reason why some Chiropractors have so much success with back and neck pain is because they simply do as little as possible and then get out of the way and let the body do its magic.
They understand that their “treatments” do not get rid of pain. Their “treatments” simply remove a roadblock or roadblocks the body had to healing itself.
That’s why they will recommend the LEAST treatments possible and re-evaluate. Their goal is to get you out of pain and out of their office as fast as possible… not commit you to huge and expensive treatment plans that last months or even years.
Of course, some patients have more serious causes of back or neck pain and need more care. Every case is individual and should be approached that way. But the results can be incredible if your Chiropractor simply removes the roadblock, steps aside, and lets the REAL healer take over.
Study Finds Headaches
Associated With Back Pain
A German study published in the Dec. 28, 2012 issue of Pain has found an association between both chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headaches with low back pain.
According to the study, the odds of having frequent low back pain were between 13.7 and 18.3 times higher in all chronic headache types when compared to those with no headaches. In other words, the odds of having low back pain are much higher if you have chronic migraine or chronic tension-type headaches.
Researchers mention nerve pathways as a possible explanation. But, one must not overlook the possibility of an unbalanced and malfunctioning spine as a possible cause of the headaches. If this is true, it would explain why so many chiropractors report success treating headaches.
Inspirational Story Of The Month
(Names And Details May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
World Famous Brain Surgeon:
“My Mother Assigned and Graded My Book Reports, and She Couldn’t Read”
The fascinating story of how a poor child raised in the inner-city
of Detroit became the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at
Johns Hopkins Hospital at age 33. His message for you…
His mother married at 13. She was one of 24 children. He was an ethnic minority, and grew up in devastating poverty. These are not usually the ingredients for a successful career. If ever there was an excuse to fail, and fail miserably, Dr. Benjamin Carson had it.
But rather than of failing miserably, Dr. Carson refused to use the situation he was born into as an excuse. Instead, he used it as motivation and became one of the most prominent physicians in the United States, not to mention the author of several books.
How did he do it? According to Dr. Carson: Obviously, I had all the strikes against me: single parent home, dire poverty, poor self-esteem, and horrible temper. These things tend to preclude success. And they would have in my case also, but my mother, who had only a third grade education, refused to be a victim. That was the key. She never felt sorry for herself. And that was a good thing. But there was a problem, she never felt sorry for us either! So there was never an excuse that we could give that was good enough. And if we gave an excuse, she would come out with a poem called, ‘Yourself To Blame.’ And after a while, we just stopped looking for excuses. She worked 2-3 jobs at a time because she didn’t want to be on welfare. Even though she only had a 3rd grade education, she was very observant, and she noticed that no one she saw go on welfare came off of it. So she didn’t want to be dependant, and she didn’t want us to be dependant either, so she would work as long and as hard as was necessary. And one of the things she observed in the homes where she worked was that people didn’t watch a lot of TV. They spent a lot of time reading and strategizing. So one day, she just came home and turned the TV off and said, ”You guys watch too much TV… if you improve yourself… if you improve your brain… one day people will be watching YOU on television.” And of course, she was right about that.
That was taken from a television interview. So yes, she was VERY right about that. Dr. Carson talked about how much he hated reading. So, his mother made him and his siblings each read two books from the public library and submit written book reports to her. Dr. Carson knew his mother could not read, but she would actually mark up the book reports like she had graded them.
Dr. Carson HATED reading and doing the reports while all the other kids were outside playing. But as he continued reading, things began to happen. Suddenly he could spell. He learned grammar and how to express himself. He learned how to use his imagination rather than just observing someone else’s imagination. Within 18 months, Dr. Carson went from the bottom of the class to the top of the class, and he began to have a much different view of himself. The biggest key to Dr. Carson’s overwhelming success is obviously his mother’s ability to see things differently than most people, her refusal to be a victim, her capacity to never make an excuse, and her willingness to work hard and do whatever it took to succeed.
And here’s another great part of this incredible story: Dr. Carson’s mother now has her GED, college degree, and an honorary doctorate.
So what are you going to do tonight… watch TV? 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?…
Low-Tech Tests Help Doctors Diagnose Complex Diseases and Predict Risks…
Sometimes, doctors can use common objects to gather preliminary information about a variety of conditions. Here are a few:
- The tape measure: A waist size over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women indicates a higher risk for diabetes. It is also helpful as a test for sleep apnea, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
- The bathroom scale: A weight gain of just a few pounds is a signal that heart failure patients are retaining fluid and at risk for hospital admission. Doctors and nurses ask heart failure patients to weigh themselves every day.
- The paper clip: A bent paper clip can be used instead of calipers to assess nerve impairment in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. A patient should be able to feel both ends of the paper clip when they are pressed into a finger. It is less expensive than using calipers for the two-point discrimination test.
- A handshake: At no cost, a firm handshake can help assure that a patient is healthy enough to make it through heart surgery. A weak grip can warn of possible complications. Surgeons also judge frailty by how easy it is for a patient to get out of a chair or get up on a table for an exam.
- A stop watch: Testing how long it takes an elderly heart surgery candidate to walk 15 feet helps predict surgical risk. The gait speed test is a validated measure of frailty in elderly people and a predictor of physical and cognitive health. It should take no longer than six seconds to cross the finish line.
Tip Of The Month
If You Sit At Work (Or Sit At All), You Might Want To Read This!
Especially If You Keep Your Wallet Or Cell Phone In Your Back Pocket…
Everyone (at least everyone we know of) sits, but some people sit more than others. For example, if you have an office job, there is a very good chance you sit for the majority of your day. Even though sitting has been associated with low back pain (LBP) by many, research has shown that “sitting alone was not associated with the risk of developing LBP.”
But (and this is a very big BUT) sitting combined with either “whole body vibration” WBV or awkward postures did increase LBP. In fact, according to the study, “when the co-exposure factors of WBV and awkward postures were added to the analysis, the risk of LBP increased fourfold. The risk effect of prolonged sitting increased significantly when the factors of WBV and awkward postures were combined. Sitting by itself does not increase the risk of LBP. However, sitting for more than half a workday, in combination with WBV and/or awkward postures, does increase the likelihood of having LBP and/or sciatica, and it is the combination of those risk factors which leads to the greatest increase in LBP.”
Helicopter pilots showed the strongest association between WBV and LBP. Clearly, truck drivers, heavy machinery operators, etc. can be at risk as well.
Here is something important: Many people create their own “awkward posture,” even if they have an ergonomically designed work station and think their posture is perfect. They ruin everything simply by keeping a big, fat wallet in their back pocket. In fact, the wallet does not even have to be that fat to have a negative effect. Nowadays, we see a lot of people suffering because they keep their cell phone in their back pocket and sit on it. You see, when you sit on a wallet or cell phone, it un-levels your pelvis, which then un-levels your entire spine. This will cause abnormal stress and strain throughout your entire spine, muscular and nervous system. It can cause LBP, mid-back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and more.
This is a major reason some people do not get the desired results from Chiropractic care. No matter what the doctors do, if you sit on a wallet (or have other bad posture) all day, it will simply work against the treatments. Many people do not see the connection between neck pain or headaches and sitting on a wallet or something else that is causing awkward posture. Advice: Simply put your wallet (or anything else like a cell phone) in your front pockets. Plus, you won’t break your cell phone as much. J
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.
Dr Beecher’s February 2013 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.”
~ Rita Mae Brown
New Research Reveals…
Two Things You Should Do
If You Don’t Want Back Pain
More this month:
- Sick? Flu? Should You Stay In Bed And Rest Or Go Exercise? It Depends…
- Want To Feel Fuller While Eating Less? Here Is How With “One Of The Most Potent Hormones For Suppressing Appetite.”
- Researchers Discover Why This Type Of Meal Makes You Feel Fuller.
Inspirational Story: The Weight Loss King? How Did A 32-Year-Old Man Lose 111 Pounds In 101 Days?
Houston – It’s funny how the more we learn about ourselves and the world around us, the more established “facts” turn out to be completely wrong and the opposite of what is “true.”
For example, new research concludes that people with low back pain will achieve greater benefits by exercising more, not less.
In a study done by the University of Alberta on 240 men and women with chronic lower back pain showed, those who exercised 4 days a week had a better quality of life, 28 percent less pain, and 36 percent less disability. Those who hit the gym only 2 or 3 days a week did not show the same level of change.
“While it could be assumed that someone with back pain should not be exercising frequently, our findings show that working with weights 4 days a week provides the greatest amount of pain relief and quality of life,” said Robert Kell, lead author of the study and an Assistant Professor of Exercise and Physiology at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus.
Here is something really important from the study… The participants were split into four groups of 60. One group exercised with weights 2 days a week, another 3 days a week, and a third group 4 days a week. The fourth group did not exercise with weights.
All groups were tracked for 16 weeks. At the end of the 16 weeks, the level of pain reportedly decreased by 28% in the 4-day a week group, by 18% in the 3-day a week group, and by 14% in the 2-day a week group.
So What Does This Mean To You?
It depends. Every case of back pain is individual and you should not just run out today and start lifting weights. That could be a disaster.
If you have back pain, your first move should be to get a complete examination by a qualified doctor who treats back pain every day.
Chiropractors are specially trained to diagnose and treat low back pain and can tell you what the probable cause of your back pain is and the best treatment methods for your individual case.
But clearly, for many low back sufferers, exercise is a very good thing.
Now for something else that can possibly help your back pain…
As If Lung Cancer Wasn’t Bad Enough…
For quite some time, researchers have known that smoking is a risk factor for chronic pain disorders. More specifically, smoking has been linked to increased risk for low back pain, spinal disk problems, and poor outcome after surgery.
Now, a new study published in the December 2012 issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that smokers suffering from spinal disorders and related back pain reported greater discomfort than spinal disorder patients who stopped smoking during an eight-month treatment period.
The study analyzed the pain reported by more than 5,300 patients with back pain and related conditions.
The results as reported in Science Daily: “At the time of entry into care, patients who had never smoked and prior smokers reported significantly less back pain than current smokers and those who had quit smoking during the study period. Current smokers reported significantly greater pain in all visual analog scale (VAS) pain ratings — worst, current and average weekly pain — when compared with patients who had never smoked.”
It was also noted that patients who quit smoking reported greater improvement than those who continued to smoke and the group that continued to smoke had no reported improvement in pain.
The leading author of the study said that nicotine increases pain. According to the study, if you quit smoking, your condition should improve. If you continue to smoke, you may see no improvement, regardless of what treatment you receive. If you smoke, you are dramatically decreasing your chances of getting better from any treatment, including surgery.
Here is the conclusion of the study: “Given a strong association between improved patient-reported pain and smoking cessation, this study supports the need for smoking cessation programs for patients with a painful spinal disorder.”
Sick? Flu? Should You Exercise Or Stay In Bed?
Starve a cold, feed a fever. Just go “sweat it out.” Yes, there are many urban legends on how to defeat the common cold, and even the flu. But what do the experts have to say about all this?
It depends.
Depending on what is going on with your specific condition, exercise can be a good thing… or a bad thing.
Exercise is a good thing at the right time. But sometimes your body needs a break and you have to learn to listen to it.
According to Keith Veselik, M.D., Director of Primary Care at Loyola University Health System, whether or not you should exercise can depend on your specific disease. When you’re sick, your body is fighting an illness and that takes energy. The added stress to the body can be dangerous for people with heart conditions. If you have diabetes, you may need to monitor your blood glucose levels more often. If you have a medical condition and you’re not sure if it’s safe to exercise, consult with your doctor.
Still, Veselik says a general rule is that it’s okay to exercise if your symptoms are “above the neck, such as a sore throat or runny nose.”
It is also important to understand that you should not exercise at the same level when you are sick as when you are healthy. A little exercise at the right time can help you feel better and fight sickness. Too much can break your body down and make things much worse.
The difference between exercise helping and hurting can be a very fine line. When in doubt, err on the “exercise light” side.
It may be dangerous to exercise if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Shortness of breath or chest congestion
- Body aches
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed when you stand up.
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 May Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)
The Weight Loss King?
How Did A 32-Year-Old Man Lose 111 Pounds In 101 Days?
Just about everyone wants to lose weight. Some want to lose a lot. Some just want to lose a little. No matter how much weight you want to lose, you probably would like to know who “The Weight Loss King” is and how this 32-year-old lost 111 pounds in 101 days. Here’s the story…
“The Weight Loss King” was seriously overweight at 333 lbs. His health was spiraling out of control and he sat himself down and decided he had to make a change. That change was going to be a 10-day juice fast.
By the third day, things looked bleak. Hunger and the detoxification process was waging war on him. But he kept his promise to himself and made it to the fourth day. That’s when things started to get a little better…
Each day he just tried to make it to the next. By the 8th day, he shot a video about his progress. He had lost 16 lbs., but he said something much more important happened than the amount of weight he had lost. He said that his initial goal was to make it 10 days. But now on the 8th day, he changed his goal. His new goal was to stay on the juice fast for another 10 days, and possibly 10 after that, for a total of 30 days.
This meant he was going to miss Thanksgiving, but by this time, he knew he was creating a whole new life for himself. He admitted he didn’t even think he was going to make it the initial 10 days. It’s amazing how things can change…
He made another video update on day 15, and reported that he was down 23 lbs. This time, he said he was going for 30 days and it was clear by the conviction in his voice that he was going to make it. In this video, his entire face was beginning to change and he was becoming a completely different person.
By day 22, he had lost 30 lbs. He said he had one week to go and he wanted to drop another 10 lbs. in his final week.
On day 30, you could see everything had changed. He was down 38 lbs. and he looked and talked like a new person. He said, “I’m on day 30 of a 10 day juice fast which means I’ve done better than I thought I could.” The most important thing was the self-confidence he now possessed, and the incredible positive momentum he was building.
He announced that he changed his goal once again and he planned to do a full 60 days on the juice fast. By day 33, he was down 41 lbs. He said that he was feeling the best he had ever felt in his life. The days went by and the weight continued to come off. Each video update was better than the previous one, until he reached his ultimate goal by dropping a whopping 111 pounds in 101 days.
So what do a juice fast and all this weight loss have to do with you? The weight loss actually has nothing to do with you, but there is something much more important here that does…
On his last video update, he said he thought reaching his juice fast goal would be the end, but when he got there, he realized it was just the beginning. The important thing here is that he did not attempt a 101 day juice fast. He only attempted 10 days. He committed himself to something small and believable and then he took action. He just tried to make it through each day, one day at a time. When he did, the momentum grew. That’s how big changes take place, one small step at a time.
No one is telling you or anyone else to do a juice fast. For this newsletter, the juice fast is merely symbolic of the process of change and how you can achieve major accomplishments in your life by making a commitment to a small, attainable goal and taking one small step at a time. The key is taking that first step.
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?…
Taste Buds and Smell
You have several thousand taste buds on your tongue. Taste buds are actually tiny nerve endings that allow us to perceive different tastes, including Salty (i.e. french fries, peanuts), Sweet (i.e. cotton candy, strawberries), Sour (i.e. sour tarts, lemons), Bitter (i.e. black licorice, radishes), and Umami (a specific taste in meat).
Another major component to taste is smell. By smell alone, you can often tell the difference in foods or beverages; while without smell, it can be difficult to distinguish between different tastes. You may notice this when you have a cold or stuffy nose and food does seem to taste normal. As you get older, you tend to lose taste buds and your sense of taste weakens. Taste buds can be dulled or even damaged if they are irritated by extreme heat or cold, infections, a dry mouth, smoking, spicy foods, extremely sour foods, and some medications. Some people are sensitive to a particular food, such as walnuts, which may cause soreness in their mouth. Fortunately, damaged taste buds can heal, so your sense of taste is not lost.
Tip Of The Month
Want To Feel More Full While Eating Less?
Do you want to feel full while eating less? Everyone does because it allows you to lose weight without being hungry. Well, researchers have just discovered that eating a meal with a low GI (glycaemic index) increases gut hormone production which leads to suppression of appetite and the feeling of fullness. Many people already know that low GI meals make you feel fuller, but now researchers have discovered WHY. The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high GI are those that are rapidly digested and absorbed, and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, by virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and have proven benefits for health.
In a new study, author Dr. Reza Noroury concluded, “Our results show for the first time the direct effect of a single GI meal on gut hormone levels. We already know that the hormone GLP-1 and a low GI meal independently lead to suppression of appetite. This study builds on these findings by providing a physiological mechanism to explain how a low GI meal makes you feel fuller than a high GI meal. GLP-1 is one of the most potent hormones for suppressing appetite. Our results suggest that low GI meals lead to a feeling of fullness because of increased levels of GLP-1 in the bloodstream. This is an exciting result [that] provides further clues about how our appetite is regulated, and offers an insight into how a low GI diet produces satiety. This is a preliminary study that only involved a small number of people. We now need to expand these findings and look at the effects of low versus high GI meals in a larger cohort of people.”
Do You Feel Less Hungry Because You Think You Ate More Than You Actually Did?
New research done by the Nutrition and Behaviour Unit, School of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom, has come to a surprising and possible useful conclusion. In the study, subjects had the amount of soup they ate secretly altered through a special pump hooked up to their soup bowl during lunch. Basically, one group thought they ate more than they actually did.
According to the study, immediately after lunch, participants reported the degree to which they were still hungry. Their scores aligned with the actual amount of soup they ate, not the perceived amount. However, 2-3 hours later, the opposite was true and hunger scores correlated with how much soup they perceived they ate. Researchers believe this may prove memory is an important and independent part of satiety.
A very wise man once said, “Thoughts become things.” It sounds like he was somewhat correct, at least for hunger.
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
What Jobs Cause a Bad Back?
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Back problems are commonplace in society. It is important to ask if there might be certain risk factors for back injury that should be avoided if possible. While we cannot pick our genetic make-up or even our current occupation (for most of us), how we interact with our daily tasks can be the difference between disabling pain and minor aches.
Some of the most strenuous jobs are those tied to the construction industry. Concrete-reinforcement workers and carpenters have more back pain than what is typically seen in office workers. But office workers can be a greater risk for carpal tunnel symptoms. Each of these jobs has unique characteristics that make certain locations of the spine more affected than others.
Lifting heavy weights (e.g. concrete, lumber), especially in awkward positions makes the discs in the low back vulnerable to the load, which can exceed the strength of the ligaments. This is called a sprain and in severe cases the disc can bulge or herniate. If the worker can use good ergonomics (e.g. symmetrical lifting), then the disc can more safely resist the load. It is also known that the spine is stiffer in the morning, and develops higher pressures in the disc when a worker lifts at this time of day. Taking this into account, one can do more light lifting in the early morning. In almost every case one should never lift anything, even a light object, by doing a twisting motion. This action is where the spine can easily be damaged. Getting a buddy to help with a lift is a solution that many do not try.
Sitting for prolonged periods can also be damaging to the spine. First there is the inactivity, which causes muscles to become weak. The spine is designed for movement, especially walking. An apple a day is good but a walk a day is better. Sitting also causes increased pressure in the disks of the low back. If you add vibration (e.g. truck drivers), the sitting seems to be much worse. An anti-vibration seat, frequent walk breaks, along with a chair that provides proper support, are the main counter measures.
Each job has its own unique ergonomic characteristics and should be assessed accordingly. Proper spinal posture while working is a key to overall good health and is the best prevention for back injury.
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.
Is Your Back Healing Correctly?
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: It’s a good question. We want to do the things that promote and speed healing, and not do the kinds of things that cause more harm or are destructive. A lot of us know that a little rest when we injure the back is ok, but staying in bed for a week might not be a good idea. Studies have shown that bed rest for more than 2 days causes even more pain. Since our goal is to move, then lying down doesn’t seem like a worthwhile step towards that goal.
Some of us know that when the back flares up, ice is better than heat. Some of us still don’t, and instead throw gasoline on the inflammation fire by having a soak in the hot tub.
These things are obvious on the list of do’s and don’ts for the person with low back pain. But pain pills have a downside that a lot of us are not aware.
It seems like taking a pill for few days to help with pain is reasonable enough. Right? Maybe wrong.
For example, certain NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen) can make the scar formation in a muscle strain less effective. Instead of the scar being formed properly, it is in a more disorganized or scrambled fashion. If you have a poorer scar, the tissue will not be as strong and could lead to re-injury or a delay in your recovery. We don’t think about it but just not taking pain pills early on would help for a lifetime. Ice can be an effective pain killer and doesn’t come with medication-side effects.
Muscle relaxants are also prescribed for people with back pain. They are consumed by 49% of patients. The theory is that the muscle spasm should be relieved so that there can be less muscle pain. A study of patients who took muscle relaxants showed that these sufferers recovered more slowly. Unfortunately, the muscle spasm is there for good reason: to protect a delicate nerve.
Another thing that you have to consider besides poor scar formation and slowed healing is the actual purpose of these medications. You have to also ask yourself why your body wants you to feel this pain. The body wants you to protect the area from movement. If you block the pain with medications, you may move too much, or too soon in the healing process, delaying your recovery.
A study that compared chiropractic adjustments to muscle relaxants in patients with low back pain had interesting results. There was also a sham adjustment group and a placebo medicine group. The authors concluded that chiropractic care had superior results.
At Beecher Chiropractic Clinic, we can help guide you to when you can return to certain work or sports. By gradually integrating exercises into your daily routine as the function of the joints is improved, your injury can heal more naturally.
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!
A Natural Solution To Back Pain
Houston Back Doctor Comments: Getting your health back after a spine injury can be problematic if you do not approach it holistically. What is meant by holism? In general it is caring for the person as a whole vs. individual parts, and using techniques that assist different bodily systems. It can be treating the mind as well as the body. It is well known that depression is an important risk factor for back pain.
When dealing with a mechanical spinal problem, the doctor needs to consider the condition of the disks and ligaments, scar tissue, muscle strength, posture, movement, and alignment. A simple prescription, while effective at reducing pain, is not a good solution in the long run. For example, the scar in muscles that is formed after injury when NSAIDs (ibuprofen) are used is much weaker. The patient needs to also consider the side effects of stomach or gastrointestinal bleeding that can come with long-term use. Leaving joints problems to sit for years while masking the pain, will just make future rehabilitation more difficult and less effective.
Pain is a signal for your body to avoid certain movements and can be very protective. While muscle pain is expected during rehabilitation, if there is ligament or joint pain, then you’re pushing it too hard.
Exercise and stretching without attention to joint injuries, will also not work over time. It’s hard to maintain exercise when there is joint pain. Chiropractic care can keep the spine and other joints flexible while you also approach the other aspects of spine function with specific exercises and stretching.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is also part of any holistic approach. If you’re overweight, this adds tremendous stress to your spine. In some cases it may be important to first get your weight down, before commencing an exercise program, or weight training.
In addition to proper weight control you have to also consider sound nutrition in terms of vitamin and mineral consumption. Most patients need to do better at eating green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and other nutritious foods. One has to avoid harmful fats, and chemicals/preservatives that are often present in highly processed foods. Supplements such as manganese and glucosamine chondroitin may help joint health. Although there are few studies on how effective these supplements help, the downside or side effects are quite minimal.
As a doctor of chiropractic, I can advise you on integrating a holistic approach with spinal joint care, strength training, flexibility, and sound nutrition.
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!
