Dr Beecher’s June 2015 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download a copy of this newsletter, click here.
“Every man is the architect of his own fortune.” ~ Sallust
If some exercise is good, then more
must be better… right? Not so fast…
Want To Live Longer?
Doing This Amount
of Exercise Will Probably Prolong Your Life, But
More Doesn’t Seem to Help.
Also this month:
- New Study Claims Adolescent Drinking Alters Adult Behavior. Binge drinking during teen years disturbs brain development with long-lasting effects.
- Which Is Worse, Eating Junk Food During Early or Late Pregnancy? One has a greater chance to cause children to be addicted to high-fat, high-sugar diets.
- Watching TV Increases Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Study shows each hour you spend watching TV increases your chance of developing diabetes by 3.4%.
- The Secret to a Happy Life: How a fisherman from a small Mexican village taught a Harvard-educated investment banker the meaning of life…
In a study published April 6, 2015 in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed information from more than 660,000 people ages 21 to 98 in the United States and Sweden who answered questions about how much time they spent doing physical activity, including walking, running, swimming, and bicycling.Houston – The idea that exercise can help you live longer isn’t a new one. Experts have touted the benefits of exercise for decades. What is new is that researchers may have found the optimal amount of exercise needed to extend your longevity…
The most interesting findings were that doing just a little exercise showed quite a bit of benefit and doing a lot more exercise provided only marginal returns.
People who exercised a little, but not enough to meet current physical activity recommendations (150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week), were still 20 percent less likely to die during the 14-year study than those who did not perform any physical activity.
People who engaged in the recommended level of physical activity saw even more benefit. According to the data, they were 31 percent less likely to die during the study than those who did not engage in any amount of physical activity.
The maximum benefit was seen by people engaging in three-to-five times the recommended levels. They were 39% less likely to die over the study period than people who did not exercise.
Here is something interesting: Many believe if some exercise is good, then more is better. But there appears to be a ceiling on the amount of exercise that has a beneficial effect on your health.
According to the study, exercising more than three-to-five times the recommended levels did not show any significant additional health benefits. (In fact, previous research indicates that excessive exercise can even be harmful to the heart.)
The authors of the study write, “In regard to mortality, healthcare professionals should encourage inactive adults to perform leisure time physical activity and do not need to discourage adults who already participate in high-activity levels.”
Here’s the Biggest Take-Home
Message from This Study…
While many people shy away from exercise because they do not feel like they have enough time to exercise enough, this study shows that the people most likely to benefit from increasing the amount of exercise they do are those who do not currently exercise at all.
In other words, if you are not doing any exercise, you can see quite a big potential benefit from just doing a little.
You do not have to go crazy and start running marathons. You just have to get moving and do something.
And the best part is: if you do a little exercise, then you will start to feel better and be able to do more. Who knows, soon you may find yourself exercising the recommended levels and then one day you’ll look at your journal and realize you are actually exercising the maximum beneficial amount, as uncovered during this study.
But reaching the maximum level is not the important thing, and if you are not doing any exercise right now, then you should not even think about that much physical activity.
Probably the biggest reason for failure is setting goals too high. (I know goal-setting experts often say to set high goals and REACH FOR THE SKY!)
If that is working for you, awesome. But if you are like most people and do not reach a majority of the goals you set, let’s try something a little different.
Let’s set a very small goal, one that you can reach relatively easily and in a short time. When you do, you will not only feel great, you will gain a little momentum.
Once that first little goal is reached, set another small goal and so on…
For many people, this is the best way to actually reach their big goals.
So, if you are not exercising now, then make a small goal. Write down some small thing you are going to do TODAY just to get started.
Make it easy. Make it quick. Then, just do it. Tomorrow write down another one. One of the best techniques is to write down your exercise goal the night before so when you wake up you know exactly what you are going to do that day.
But let’s make this very clear: make your goal very easy so you can get the ball rolling. Remember, you are going to get quite a bit of benefit from just a small amount of exercise.
While We Are on the Topic of Exercise,
Here’s Something You Should Think About…
Do you know how much television you watch every day? According to recent research, the average American watches five hours per day! And get this, the number increases with age. By 65, the average American watches an average of seven hours of television per day.
That kind of blows the whole, “I don’t have enough time to exercise” excuse right out of the water, doesn’t it?
But here is something else you should know: a study published in Diabetologia (the Journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) found that each hour spent watching TV daily increases an individual’s risk of developing diabetes by 3.4%.
It’s no wonder why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported in 2014 that 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3% of the population of the United States, have diabetes. What’s incredible is 8.9 million of that 29.1 million (27.8%) are undiagnosed. That means almost 9 million people are pretty much ticking time bombs for all kinds of serious health problems and do not even know it.
The good news is that many type 2 diabetics can benefit from diet and exercise. (There is that “exercise” thing again!)
Advice for this month: Take 20 minutes out of the five-to-seven hours you may spend watching television and instead do a little exercise and watch what happens!
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 Secret to a Happy Life:
How a Fisherman from a Small Mexican Village Taught a
Harvard-Educated Investment Banker the Meaning of Life…
Fables are short, fictitious stories that convey a moral intended to teach a lesson to help you live a better life. What you are about to read is an incredible modern fable, especially if you want to live a happy life…
An American investment banker was at the pier of a tiny coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the boat were several large yellowfin tuna.
The investment banker complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The man replied, “Only a little while.”
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish. The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The banker then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The fisherman laughed and replied, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”
The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA, and eventually New York City where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The Mexican fisherman asked, “But how long will this all take?”
“15 to 20 years.”
“But what then?”
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions!”
“Millions? Then what?”
“Then you would retire, move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine, and play your guitar with your amigos.”
That’s a pretty incredible life lesson, isn’t it? Surprisingly, too many people get trapped in a self-made prison because of what they think they want, and what they think they want is simply what they think everyone else wants them to do. Their lives become a blur as they constantly chase a “dream” that is unattainable and will never lead to happiness.
Clearly, small inexpensive (or even free) things can provide a beautiful life. You don’t need an impressive title, big car (or boat), or big business to live a beautiful life and be a beautiful person. In fact, in most cases, a smaller home and fewer obligations can make life easier and much more enjoyable.
If you have a nagging feeling that you could do better, make more, and deserve to upgrade, then remember that the secret to having it all is recognizing that you already do. You just have to start recognizing it. Life is what you let slip away while you are endlessly chasing things you wished you had but don’t need.
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?…
Which Is Worse, Eating Junk Food During Early or Late Pregnancy?
Does it matter if a mother eats junk food during pregnancy? A recent study claims that eating junk food has different effects on the developing fetus depending on which stage of pregnancy an expectant mother eats junk food.
According to Dr. Jessica Gugusheff, post-doctoral researcher in the School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine at the University of Adelaide, “Our research suggests that too much junk food consumed late in pregnancy for humans has the potential to be more harmful to the child than excess junk food early in the pregnancy… Importantly, it also indicates that if excess junk food was consumed by the mother in those early stages of pregnancy, there may be a chance to reduce those negative effects on the baby by eating a healthy diet in late pregnancy. The second critical window is adolescence and we’ve found differences between males and females. Our experiments showed that eating a healthy diet during adolescence could reverse the junk food preference in males but not females.”
Dr. Gugusheff also mentioned that the brain grows the fastest during these critical windows, which is probably why it is so susceptible to the effects of junk food at these times.
Tip Of The Month
New Study Claims Adolescent Drinking Alters Adult Behavior.
Here is the shocking first sentence of a recent study abstract: “Binge drinking is common during adolescence and can lead to the development of psychiatric disorders.”
Furthermore, binge drinking during adolescence may alter brain development during this important time, leaving lasting effects on genes and behavior that will continue into adulthood. In a recently published study in the journal Neurobiology of Disease, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine provided alcohol to rat subjects on-and-off in two day increments during their adolescence. Then, they observed them during adulthood. The rats given alcohol displayed much higher levels of anxiety than the control rats who were not given alcohol during development. Also, when given the choice between alcohol and water during adulthood, the rats given alcohol during adolescence drank more alcohol than the rats in the control group.
When researchers looked at the brains of the rats in the study, they found the rats in the alcohol group had higher levels of a protein called HDAC2 in the part of the brain called the amygdala. Previous studies have linked elevated levels of HDAC2 in the amygdala to higher levels of anxiety and alcohol-drinking behavior. This suggests that alcohol exposure during adolescence activates the gene/s responsible for increased HDAC2 expression.
Lead study author Dr. Subhash Pandey, a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Neuroscience Alcoholism Research at UIC writes, “This may be the mechanism through which adolescent binge drinking increases the risk for psychiatric disorders, including alcoholism in adulthood… On-and-off exposure to alcohol during adolescence altered the activity of genes needed for normal brain maturation… [The gene alterations] increased anxiety-like behaviors and preference for alcohol in adulthood.”
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the pain free body you deserve.
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
Dr Beecher’s January 26 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter , please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, January 26th, 2015
Mental Attitude: Are You Pre-Wired to Be Bilingual? Some brains appear to be pre-wired to acquire a second language, according investigators who analyzed MRI scans of native English speakers who were asked to study Chinese vocabulary for six weeks. The pre-study MRI scans of those who were most successful at learning Chinese revealed a greater number of neural connections in the areas of the brain associated with some thinking and language skills. Study co-author Dr. Ping Li adds that, “[The brain] becomes more connected and integrated after learning [but] the brain networks of the more successful learners are better connected even before learning takes place.” It’s not yet clear what percentage of people are pre-wired to excel at learning a second language, and it’s not known if training can improve this type of brain wiring. Journal of Neurolinguistics, May 2014
Health Alert: Over 16 Million Children Live in States Where They Can Buy e-Cigarettes Legally! While 28 states have enacted laws forbidding the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS, which include e-cigarettes) to minors during the previous two years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 10 states in the United States still lack laws prohibiting the sale of ENDS to children. According to Dr. Tim McAfee, director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, “While ENDS may have the potential to benefit established adult smokers if used as a complete substitute for all smoked tobacco products, ENDS should not be used by youth and adult non-tobacco users because of the harmful effects of nicotine and other risk exposures, as well as the risk for progression to other forms of tobacco use.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 2014
Diet: Folic Acid Vital Before and During Pregnancy to Reduce Risk of Small Gestational Age. Women who take folic acid prior to conception appear to be less likely to have babies that are small for their gestational age, which can cause an array of health complications. Folic acid is a B vitamin that is already highly recommended for women of a childbearing age, as it reduces the risk of a child developing neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. The study found that the highest rates of small gestational age occurred among babies whose mothers had not taken folic acid before conception or during pregnancy. BJOG, November 2014
Exercise: Older Individuals Who Diet Without Exercising Lose Muscle Mass. A past study revealed that when older individuals diet without exercising, they tend to lose lean muscle while older dieters who are physically active don’t experience any muscle loss. This is important as older people tend to lose muscle mass as they age which may interfere with their ability to perform daily activities. Journal of Applied Physiology, September 2008
Chiropractic: Technology Use Can Increase Risk of Neck Pain. Experts are concerned that the increasing prevalence of technology may result in more pain among frequent users. Dr. Kenneth Hansray recently studied the issue of poor posture and how it affects the body, especially when using a cell phone or smart device. When the neck is in a neutral position, the head weighs about 12 pounds (~5.4 kg). Dr. Hansray found that when the head is tilted 15 degrees forward, stress on the neck increases to 27 pounds (~12.2 kg), at 45 degrees it increases to 49 pounds (~22.2 kg), and at 60 degrees it increases to 60 pounds (~27.2 kg). He adds, “When you have such aggressive stressors on the neck, you get wear and tear on the spine… You can develop tears within the disk, or even get a slipped or herniated disk.” The take-home message is to watch your posture and make changes regarding how you use your technology to avoid pain. If you do suffer from problems, your chiropractor can help by addressing posture, giving you specific exercises, and providing therapy to reduce your pain. Surgical Technology International, November 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Keep Your Feet Happy & Healthy. Because they are your body’s foundation, it is very important to take care of your feet to avoid pain and maintain their function. The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends the following for keeping your feet happy: moisturize daily, stretch and/or massage daily, get a pedicure, and wear comfortable shoes. American Podiatric Medical Association, December 2014
Quote: “It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into.” ~ Jonathan Swift
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s September 22 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, September 22nd, 2014
Mental Attitude: Stress During Pregnancy May Increase Asthma Risk in Children. Past studies have shown that exposure to stress during pregnancy can increase a child’s risk for premature birth, low birth weight, and development problems. Now, a new animal-based study suggests that maternal stress during pregnancy, even just one high-stress episode, can also increase an offspring’s risk for developing asthma. American Journal of Physiology, July 2014
Health Alert: Today’s Young Adults. Compared with previous generations, today’s young adults (ages 18-24) are more likely to be high school graduates, attend college, and less likely to smoke cigarettes. National Institutes of Health, July 2014
Diet: Kidney Disease Patients Should Avoid Southern-Style Diet. Newly published research suggests that a “Southern- style diet” is linked with higher death rates among kidney disease patients. Researchers found that individuals with kidney disease who regularly consumed a Southern diet had a 50% higher risk for death compared to those who did not regularly consume a Southern-style diet. Lead author Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez writes, “This is the first study to identify a regionally specific diet pattern that is highly associated with adverse outcomes among persons with kidney disease. It’s well known that the Southern region has poor health outcomes in a number of different areas including stroke, heart disease and
sepsis, and that the style of diet plays a role.” American Journal of Kidney Diseases, July 2014
Exercise: Small Amounts of Exercise Protect Against Memory Loss in Elderly. An animal study involving rats found that small amounts of exercise protected older rodents from memory loss and exaggerated inflammation in their brains following infection. This is the first study to show that voluntary exercise reduces aging-induced susceptibility to the cognitive impairments that follow a bacterial infection. The Journal of Neuroscience, August 2011
Chiropractic: Back Pain and Anger. Do people with back pain have shorter fuses? Using data provided by chronic back pain patients and their spouses, researchers have found that individuals with back pain appear to be quicker to anger and get angry to greater levels the more their pain interferes with their ability to function normally. Healthy Psychology, August 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Your Eyes When Using a Swimming Pool. Swimming in chlorinated pools can wash away the outer film layer of the eye, increasing a swimmer’s risk for infections such as pink eye. Chlorine can also lead to red and irritated eyes, as well as blurry vision. The following tips can be helpful in preventing or easing eye problems associated with swimming in chlorinated pools: wear water-tight goggles, remove contact lenses, use lubricating eye drops, and flush eyes with clean drinking water after swimming. Swimmers should seek medical attention if they suffer from any of the following after leaving the pool: red eyes that are draining fluid, blurry or distorted vision, or severe pain. Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center, July 2014
Quote: “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love …”
~ Marcus Aurelius
This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or BeecherChiropractic.com .
Dr Beecher’s June 30 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
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 June 23 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, June 23rd, 2014
Mental Attitude: ADHD Kids Often Suffer from Family Issues. A new report reveals that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to come from a family background of poverty, divorce, community violence, and substance abuse. Study author Dr. Nicole Brown adds, “Knowledge about the prevalence and types of adverse experiences among children diagnosed with ADHD may guide efforts to address trauma in this population and improve ADHD screening, diagnostic accuracy and management.” American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2013
Health Alert: Global Nutrition Threatened by Rising CO2 Levels. If rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations reach expected levels by 2050, researchers warn that global crops may have reduced nutritional levels of iron and zinc. If these nutrients are reduced, it may represent a significant health threat to the entire world population. Lead author Samuel Myers explains, “Humanity is conducting a global experiment by rapidly altering the environmental conditions on the only habitable planet we know. As this experiment unfolds, there will undoubtedly be many surprises. Finding out that rising CO2 threatens human nutrition is one such surprise.” Nature, May 2014
Diet: A Gluten-Free Diet During Pregnancy May Protect Offspring Against Type 1 Diabetes. An animal study in Denmark has found that expectant rodents experienced a change in intestinal bacteria when fed a gluten-free diet. This change in intestinal bacteria appears to offer a protective effect against development of type 1 diabetes for both mother and offspring. Researchers are optimistic that these finding can be applied to humans. Diabetes, April 2014
Exercise: Not Enough Disabled People Exercise. Approximately one-half of the 21 million Americans with a disability do not exercise, which unfortunately jeopardizes their health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ileana Arias, principal deputy director at the CDC, adds, “We are very concerned about this, because working-age adults with disabilities who get no aerobic physical activity are 50 percent more likely to have cancer, diabetes, stroke, or heart disease than those who get the recommended amount of physical activity.” Physical disabilities can be a significant barrier to exercise, but experts explain that depending on the disability, exercise options can include aquatic exercise, chair yoga, Tai Chi, wall push- ups, balance exercises, and gym ball exercises. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2014
Chiropractic: Heavy School Bags Contribute to Musculoskeletal Pain in Children. A study of 532 Ugandan youths reveals that 35.4% of their musculoskeletal pain is associated with the weight of their schoolbags. Researchers recommend having lockers available to avoid long-term back pain issues among students. BMC Research Notes, April 2014
Wellness/Prevention: Breast Feeding Encourages Gut Bacteria in Children. A study that tracked over 300 children during their first three years of life found that breastfeeding for longer periods encouraged beneficial bacteria to flourish in their digestive tracts. Senior author Tine Rask Licht concludes, “We have become increasingly aware of how crucially important a healthy gut microbial population is for a well-functioning immune system. Babies are born without bacteria in the gut, and so it is interesting to identify the influence dietary factors have on gut microbiota development in children’s first three years of life.” Applied Environmental Microbiology, May 2014
Quote: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” ~ Stephen King
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 March 3 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!
WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE
Week of Monday, March 3rd, 2014
Mental Attitude: Online Courses for Stress Reduction? While mindfulness training in a 1-on-1 setting has been shown to be beneficial for reducing perceived stress, anxiety, and depression, researchers at the University of Oxford wondered if such training delivered via the internet would be as effective. A group of 273 participants completed an online mindfulness course that consisted of 10 sessions over an average time span of four weeks. Following the course, outcome assessments showed reductions in perceived stress, anxiety, and depression similar to those reported by participants who experienced in-person trainings. BMJ Open, February 2014
Health Alert: Amazing! Scientists from the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland and the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Italy have announced the first known instance of an amputee “feeling” the world via a state-of-the-art sensory- enhanced artificial hand. Sensations felt by the “hand” are converted into electrical impulses that communicate with the patient via wires that were surgically connected to nerves in his arm. Science Translational Medicine, February 2014
Diet: The Mediterranean Diet and Firefighters. The Mediterranean diet is rich in fish, nuts, vegetables, and fruits and previous studies have linked it to a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. However, these studies tend to focus on an older population, patients with existing health problems, and people who live in Mediterranean countries. In this study, the participants were firefighters living in the Mid-Western United States. The firefighters who most adhered to the diet had a 35% decreased risk for metabolic syndrome and were 43% less likely to gain weight compared with those who least followed the diet. PLOS ONE, February 2014
Exercise: Play Team Sports! Because of declining estrogen levels, menopausal women are at greater risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Researchers found that menopausal women who participated in team-based sports for just twelve weeks had significant reductions in their blood pressure and improvements in blood vessel function, putting them at a 40% lower risk for stroke and a 20% lower risk for heart disease. As an added benefit, the majority of the women enjoyed the activity and were likely to continue participating after the study concluded. AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, January 2014
Chiropractic: Just Two Treatments. Nearly 200 adults with spinal pain were separated into two groups. One group received two chiropractic adjustments and the other received two sham adjustments so researchers could differentiate if results were the result of the adjustment itself or the expectation of treatment. Two weeks later, researchers assessed each group and found the adjustment group reported greater improvements in pain, better overall improvement, and higher satisfaction. Spine, November 2013
Wellness/Prevention: Folic Acid and Pregnancy. Despite decades of research recommending pregnant women take folic acid supplements in order to prevent spina bifida and other neural tube defects, only 31% of pregnant women in the United Kingdom (UK) do. Additionally, among women who had previously given birth to a baby with a neural tube defect, only 51% took a folic acid supplement during subsequent pregnancies. In the United States, Australia, and 74 other countries, some grain-based foods are fortified with folic acid in hopes of reducing the risk of these types of birth defects. PLOS ONE, February 2014
Quote: “I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”
~ Abraham Lincoln
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 October 2011 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter
To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!
“When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.”
~ Francois de la Rochefoucauld
Looking for a safe and effective back pain treatment?
Breaking Back Pain News:
Survey Says Chiropractic Outperforms Other
Back Pain Treatments – Even Medication
Other topics covered in this newsletter:
- Neck pain and headaches: What you should know to start ending your pain and achieve lasting relief
- Why hand sanitizers put you at risk for viruses
- What 66% of mothers can do to strengthen their babies’ immune systems
- Tips to make going back to school healthier
The story we ALL need to learn right now: How 17 days buried alive can change your life and maybe even change the world…
Houston – SURVEY SAYS!!!! If you have back pain… you are probably old enough to remember Richard Dawson first yelling that phrase on the popular 70s and 80s game show, The Family Feud.
If not – it doesn’t matter – you just learned something interesting about American pop culture and game show history. J
So, What Does The
Survey Really Say?
According to an August 9, 2011 article on chiroeco.com, “In a new survey, chiropractic outperformed all other back pain treatments including prescription and over-the-counter medications, deep-tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), this news reinforces the use of conservative care options as a first line of defense against pain.
The survey, released by a leading consumer product rating and survey publisher in late July, found that 65 percent of those surveyed using chiropractic care for back pain said it helped a lot. Only 53 percent of respondents using prescription medications found them as helpful.
“Additionally, about half of those surveyed who are using deep-tissue massage, yoga or Pilates said those treatments helped a lot and only 28 percent of respondents using over-the-counter medications reported that they helped a lot.
“Current evidence-based guidelines support the use of conservative care such as chiropractic for conditions such as chronic lower back pain.”
One serious eye-opener was that only 28% of respondents said over-the-counter medications helped a lot.
It has been known for quite some time that common over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID) have serious side effects. One of these side effects is that an estimated 16,500 people die every year.
Natural, conservative options like Chiropractic, deep tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates are most likely better and safer choices when it comes to relieving back pain.
What About Neck Pain
And Headaches?
Neck pain is very common and it can make your life miserable. If you suffer from headaches… there is a very good chance you suffer from a common type of headache called “cervicogenic headache.” This type of headache is caused by a problem in your neck.
One way to tell you might suffer from cervicogenic headaches is to identify if any neck motions cause the headaches or increase their severity.
Also, take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Does your head tilt to one side? Is your head posture bad? In other words, does your head stick out in front of you instead of sitting back over your torso? You’ll probably need a trained eye (like your Chiropractor’s) to see that one.
What Helps This
Type Of Headache?
According to an “evidence report” published by Duke University researchers, “Cervical spinal manipulation was associated with improvement in headaches in two trials involving patients with neck pain and/or neck dysfunction and headache. Manipulation appeared to result in immediate improvement in headache severity when used to treat episodes of cervicogenic headaches when compared with an attention-placebo control. Furthermore, when compared to soft-tissue therapies (massage), a course of manipulation treatments resulted in sustained improvement in headache frequency and severity. However, among patients without a neck pain/dysfunction component to their headache syndrome – that is, patients with episodic or chronic tension-type headaches – the effectiveness of cervical spinal manipulation was less clear.”
What 66% Of Mothers Can Do
To Strengthen Their Baby’s Immune System
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 38 percent of Rhode Island mothers nurse their babies six months after birth. The national average is 44 percent.
State Health Director, Michael Fine, says the state hopes to raise the percentage of Rhode Island mothers nursing at six months to 60 percent by 2020.
Studies show breast-feeding improves child’s health and is a low-cost alternative to formula.
Many experts believe breast feeding is one of the most important things a mother can do to help her baby develop a strong, natural immune system.
Hand Sanitizers May
Put You At Risk For Viruses
According to Medical News Today, “New research has found that hand sanitizers are not as effective as soap and water in health care settings at preventing viral outbreaks. In fact, they may even be responsible for outbreaks of seriously contagious viruses. As a common alternative to using soap and water, hand sanitizers are often regarded as being the most efficient way to cleanse hands.”
In February, a survey was presented at an American College of Preventative Medicine meeting. “The survey focused on 161 long-term care facilities and found that the preferential use of hand sanitizers over hand soap was linked to a higher risk of outbreaks of the highly infectious norovirus, a virus responsible for the majority of acute gastroenteritis cases.
“The study found that norovirus outbreaks were far more rampant in facilities where staff favored hand sanitizer use. In facilities where norovirus outbreaks occurred, members of staff were six times more likely to use hand sanitizers than soap and water for cleansing their hands.”
The misuse and improper use of antibiotics is known to create super bugs that are immune to antibiotics.
It is unclear if hand sanitizers are doing the same damage.
Best bet: Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
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)
How 17 Days Buried Alive Can Change Your Life –
And Maybe Even Change The World…
This record-setting story has 33 heroes and a supporting cast of millions…
It’s been just over a year since the Chilean Mine tragedy.
Most have forgotten all about it and have gone on with their lives.
For the 33 people who were trapped in that mine for 33 brutal days… their lives will never be the same.
One of the most amazing things about this story is how the miners handled themselves throughout the ordeal.
Evidence points to the fact that instead of breaking down and fighting, the miners stuck together.
They formed a “community” and helped one another.
One account states the only thing the miners argued about was who was going to be taken out LAST when they were rescued.
Each volunteered to let everyone else go first.
One writer in the Digital Journey recently commented on this and contrasted the Chilean miners to the riots in Great Britain…
“Inspirational though their story is, it is a sad indictment of British society that at this time, people, especially the young, have been rioting on the streets and even killing people because they have – we are told – given up hope. These men never gave up hope; would any denizen of Tottenham, Hackney or Birmingham’s inner city willingly have changed places with one of them?”
Clearly “hope” is something no one should ever lose. No matter how bleak the situation or how dark the circumstances – things can always get better.
The darkest hours are just before the dawn; and, when things change, they often change quickly. Terrible times give way to joy… just about overnight.
Everyone has hard times. They are all different, but they are also relative. Your hard times can be as painful as someone trapped in a mine… if you allow it.
For example, let’s look at the miners and how their lives turned out a year later.
Some of the miners used their brief fame to launch businesses and speaking careers… and they are doing well.
Others are broke and are having serious mental problems.
An article in the Guardian.co.uk states, “They are taking uppers, downers, stabilizers, I think they are over prescribed … They don’t understand why they are taking them but they are fed up with pills… It is not pills they need, but the tools to deal with fame and the tools to renovate themselves.”
This is an extreme example. Things are not always as easy as, “making the decision to succeed.”
But, if those miners could ban together and help each other survive in the toughest of times, then so can everyone else. If some of those miners could come through that tragedy and use the experience as a positive way to give them a great new life – I’m sure most of the people reading this can take steps to have a better and healthier life too.
Most of the time, it is not the problems we face – or the solutions we come up with – it is the decisions we make about how we react to the outcomes.
Take immediate steps to improve your life and make the decision to enjoy the positive instead of searching for the negative.
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?…
Nuts and seeds just might boost your brainpower and balance your moods. Everything from the most common nuts — such as walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews and almonds — to the more exotic seeds and nuts can clear up that “brain fog” and enable you to think clearer and be happier than you ever imagined.
Walnuts are “brain food.” Walnuts are made up of 15 to 20 percent protein and contain linoleic (omega-6 fatty acids) and alpha-linoleic acids (omega-3 fatty acids), vitamin E and vitamin B6, making them an excellent source of nourishment for your nervous system. A healthy nervous system means both clearer and happier thinking. Under-consumption of omega-3-rich foods may actually lead to depression. The same walnuts that you can find in the baking aisle of just about any grocery store may also boost your mood.
Walnuts aren’t the only nut with mood-boosting omega-3s, either. Flax seeds are an excellent source for omega-3s, making them a viable source for those who don’t like to eat fish, the most common source of omega-3s.
Cashews are high in magnesium, which can “open up” the blood vessels in your body, including those in your brain. When more oxygen-rich blood nourishes your brain, like any organ, it operates better. By providing your body with phenylalanine, adding almonds to your diet can do wonders for your mental and neurological health. Additionally, almonds are high in riboflavin, which may boost your memory. Peanuts and pecans provide another important nutrient for optimal brain function, choline. Choline aids in both memory and brain development. Seeds and nuts are essential to a healthy, well-functioning brain.
Tip Of The Month – Tips To Make Going Back To School Healthier…
By the time you read this, if you have children, they are already back in school. If they are, then you know what it’s like to try to pack a healthy and safe lunch every day. Not too long ago officials from the Oklahoma State Department of Health offered some great tips to help parents out:
- Keep everything clean when packing the lunch. Use hot, soapy water to clean hands, clean preparation surfaces, and clean utensils. Wash your hands before you prepare or eat food. Wash insulated lunch bags with warm soapy water after each use.
- Use an insulated lunch box to help keep foods cold. Insulated, soft-sided lunch totes are best for keeping perishable foods chilled. You can also use a thermos to keep milk or juice cold until lunchtime. Perishable foods should not be out of refrigeration for more than two hours.
- Use freezer gel packs that are widely available in stores. If you cannot get freezer gel packs, freeze a juice box or plastic water bottle overnight and put that into the lunch box next to the sandwich.
- Keep your lunch in the coolest place possible! If there is a refrigerator at school, put your lunch in there. If not, keep it out of the sun and away from the heat.
- Pack shelf-stable foods, especially if you have a brown paper bag lunch. These food items include fresh fruits and vegetables, crackers, peanut butter sandwiches, canned meats, shelf-stable cheeses, packaged pudding, and canned fruits and juices.
- Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten. Blot dry with a paper towel before packing them in your child’s lunch.
- Use a thermos to keep soup, chili and stew hot. Use an insulated bottle stored in an insulated lunch box. Fill the bottle with boiling water, let stand for a few minutes, empty, and then put in the piping hot food. Keep the insulated bottle closed until lunch to keep the food hot.
- Make sure kids wash their hands before eating lunch. Encourage at least 20 seconds – about the time it takes to sing two choruses of the “Happy Birthday” song – of hand washing in warm soapy water.
- Discard perishable leftovers after lunch. Discard all used food packaging since bacteria can grow on plastic bags, aluminum foil, and paper. If you’re packing your child’s lunch with reusable bags, be sure to wash them daily with soap and hot water.
Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal
and maintain the health 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.
