A Lot More Than You May Think Depends On Your Health
By · CommentsENJOY A MORE SATISFYING SEX LIFE! Okay, now that I’ve gotten your attention, let’s talk about your health. As a chiropractor I advise my patients everyday about the need to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially as they age. An individual’s “invincible” 20s give way to a few health challenges in their 30s, and then almost exponentially an unhealthy lifestyle starts showing up frequently in the organ and musculoskeletal systems of the body. But, even given an armful of reasons to get and stay healthy, a lot of people still continue along the slippery slope of bad health choices. So, here’s a reason that will, no doubt, be put on the top of the heap, for getting and staying healthy: A new study making “breaking news” today shows that people who are in good health are nearly twice as likely to be interested in sex in middle and older age and also more likely to report having a busy and satisfying sex life.
Sexual activity has long been associated with health benefits and longevity, but these reseachers say that this is the first study to look at how general health affects the quality of sex as people age and to calculate what they call a person’s “sexually-active life expectancy.”
The researchers gathered information from more than 6,000 men and women in midlife and later life. The researchers estimated that at age 55, the average sexually active life expectancy is 15 years for men and 10.6 years for women. But, here’s the kicker. Researcher Stacy Tessler Lindau, an associate professor at the University of Chicago wrote in the journal BMJ, “Although the period is longer for men, they lose more years of sexually-active life as a result of poor health than women.”
The study found both men and women in very good health were 1.5 to 1.8 times more likely to report an interest in sex than those in poorer health. And, among those who were sexually active, good health was not only associated with more frequent sex (once or more weekly) in men, but with a good-quality sex life in men and women.
So, if you haven’t been interested in developing a healthy lifestyle, but you’re still interested in a healthy sex life, you may want to reevaluate your current diet, increase the amount of exercise you get on a regular basis, learn to deal effectively with your life stresses, and start drinking plenty of water every day. Because now you have one more good reason to get healthy and stay that way.
As a chiropractor, I know from experience that chiropractic treatment can help to reduce the pain experienced by many arthritis sufferers. Getting the musculoskeletal system in good alignment and helping to increase mobility in arthritic joints can do wonders to decrease an arthritis sufferer’s current pain and also to help to slow the degenerative changes that may add to future arthritic problems. In addition to chiropractic treatment, there are other alternative, drug free approaches that can help to reduce inflammation, neutralize free radicals, and sustain bone mass. Below is an article I just read on Current Arthritis News and Research that I found extremely useful. I think that you will too. Read on…
Many arthritis sufferers have tried unusual and rather nasty ‘cures’ for their disease like enduring bee-stings or covering themselves in cow-manure. The benefits must have been rather less spectacular than the cures or else everyone else would have done the same.
One arthritis cure suggests that half a glass of raw potato juice followed by chewing two or three juniper berries will do the trick! While this may be so, many doctors and scientists researching arthritis have studied the benefits of taking nutritional substances like vitamins. In fact, studies have shown that people with arthritis are mostly deficient in the B group of vitamins, though whether this is due to the disease or to the fact that taking aspirin depletes the body’s stores of this vitamin is not clear.
Vitamin C, E and beta-carotenes are powerful antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals. These oxygen-reactive free radical molecules are thought to contribute significantly to disease and tissue damage. It has been found that cells from damaged knee cartilage can release great amounts of free radicals. In fact, studies have shown that those who have a high Vitamin C intake have a two-thirds reduction in the risk of further damage to their knees. Well-known scientist Dr. Linus Pauling recommends 18 grams of V-C per day as an arthritis preventative measure.
Osteoarthritis can cause thinning of the bones, and so can prednisone, often given to treat it. It makes sense then to increase the amount of Vitamin D and calcium, both of which are bone-builders. As far back as 1974, British scientists found that lack of vitamin D contributed to bone fractures in the elderly with arthritis. Lack of sunlight and an unhealthy diet both contributed to the lack. The recommended daily dose of Vitamin D is 400 IU or 600 IU if for those over the age of 60. A daily dose of 1200 IU is the limit as this vitamin is toxic if too much is taken.
Vitamin E is also an antioxidant; working in a similar way to vitamin C. Studies in Germany have proven that it can help to reduce pain. Good sources of this vitamin can be found in wheat germ, sunflower seed, corn oil, legumes and whole grains.
While some people swear by the arthritis cure that their copper bracelet brought, there is no scientific link to copper as being an aid to arthritis. In fact the opposite is true. Those with RA often have higher levels of copper in their blood. Too much copper can make you sick.
Selenium deficiency can cause a particular type of arthritis called Kashin-Bek disease, but it is more common where the soil is deficient in selenium, though sufferers of RA have less in their blood than others. Fish, organ meats, whole grains, nuts and beans will provide selenium.
Zinc may help reduce pain, stiffness and swelling. Some trials showed this was true, though others gave conflicting results. Oysters, cheese and tofu are all good sources of zinc.
As a chiropractor I am always interested in new ways to get my patients to move their bodies more. When we’re run, dance, play a sport, and exercise in our life, we will stay active for many years than those who choose to be sedentary observers. As they say, “Life is not a spectator sport.” So, it would seem that if anyone could inspire physical action and mental focus, it is an Olympic athlete. I just read some excellent tips provided on the Medical News Today website that I think you will find interesting as well, “Six Things We Can Learn From Olympians.” You can learn about those six things on the link provided, but here’s a “teaser” that, hopefully, will get you interested enough to make the “click.” It’s well worth the read.
Olympic athletes inspire us with their fierce discipline and natural talent as they smash records, going higher, further and faster. Their can-do spirit encourages us all to take on new challenges. Whether your goal is to complete your first marathon, improve your golf game or compete in a triathlon competition, there are lessons to be learned from the best of the best.
“The Olympics symbolize the chance for all of us to push the boundaries of human potential,” said Chris Sebelski, assistant professor of physical therapy at Saint Louis University. “As I tell my students, if you want to compete at a high level, mimic the strategies of those at the top.” Read on…
Your Sacramento Chiropractor, Dr. Yong Kim, wants you to know that there are several chiropractic treatment plans that are highly effectual when attending to your musculoskeletal system, from working with very specific crises to responding to your general health goals. After thoroughly examining you, as your Chiropractor in Sacramento, Dr. Kim will discuss with you which strategy would likely be the most beneficial for you personally. He will give you a variety of treatment options from which you can select in accordance with your most recent health problems as well as your long term health goals.
It may be practical for you to have some information, beforehand, about the assorted chiropractic treatment plans Dr. Kim may possibly recommend.
- Relief Care is a type of chiropractic approach suggested to people who are in the throes of almost any type of pain or discomfort, no matter the root of the problem. The purpose of this course of action is to supply quick pain relief. The length of the treatment time period is likely to fluctuate as the treatment depends exclusively on the magnitude of the injury or dysfunction sustained by the individual and how quickly it can be corrected.
- Corrective Care is often a “more advanced” form of chiropractic treatment. It is for those that have experienced spinal problems over an extended time period, i.e., for those who have a chronic problem that has developed into a more complex condition owing to delaying proper care. Remedial treatment invariably stretches over a longer time frame. How long treatment is needed is determined by the severity of the progressive condition and how fast the person responds to the therapy.
- Maintenance Care, as the name implies, is intended to maintain or support any type of care previously given to a patient. Many times, chiropractic treatment is extended solely after the initial treatments have been shown to be efficacious. The intention of this kind of chiropractic care is to eliminate the potential of the initial condition coming back and to prevent degenerative changes in the future.
- wellness Care is available to those that are not having acute discomfort, but want to increase their overall health. Routine chiropractic treatment boosts the circulation of blood and oxygen in the body, increases muscle flexibility, helps avert work and play injuries, and adds to an individual’s total sense of well-being.
Whether you are presently experiencing pain or you would like to increase your overall health, chiropractic care can help. Call Dr. Kim, your Sacramento Chiropractor, today!
Did you know that chiropractic treatment has been increasing in popularity for a long time and that it’s continuing to grow each year as the favored healthcare option for many folks? As your Sacramento chiropractor, I can tell you with confidence that individuals are choosing chiropractic treatment due to the many health benefits that such care offers. No alternative medical approach is less invasive to the body and, at the same time, is able to stimulate the body’s organic facility to heal itself as opposed to masking symptoms with medications.
Let’s face it, where there is a musculoskeletal system, like in the human body, there’s the chance of musculoskeletal dysfunction such as lumbar pain and neck pain, pain in the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee joints, and ankle and foot pain. No one is immune from misalignment of the spine and joint swelling, despite the fact that numerous troubles are often the result of sports injuries, accidents, and the aging process. Regardless of the source, just about any type of movement on a traumatized area of the body can not simply result in further pain or suffering, but incapacity. And, not surprisingly, a number of musculoskeletal difficulties, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible disability.
It has been declared of chiropractic care that its “positive factors exceed” eliminating just one particular condition. What does that mean? It means tha someone who comes in to see a chiropractor for lower back pain, for example, not only gains from pain reduction, but also improved circulation, a lowering or elimination of lactic acid, smoother travel of oxygen and nutrients within the body, much more flexibility, less general pain and tenderness, better recovery time, a more comfortable feeling, and the reduction of future injuries! Is it any wonder why chiropractic care has become the treatment of choice for more and more people?
In addition to providing experienced musculoskeletal care, chiropractors also promote education and support as it pertains to enhancing your general health and wellness. Chiropractors understand that in order for individuals to get healthy and remain that way, it is important to select a simple health-oriented approach to life such as consuming plenty of water to keep the body hydrated, following a nutritious diet plan, and establishing a daily stretching and exercise routine.
Chiropractic care doesn’t quite work “miracles, ” however it comes very close in many areas that could possibly surprise you. For example, chiropractic care has helped women that are pregnant deliver more easily. It can increase developmental abilities of babies, like increased motor skills, and it can commonly avert scoliosis. Chiropractic adjustments for kids have helped relieve asthma discomforts, ear infections, and bed-wetting. In addition to the health benefits stated just now, regular chiropractic management can help adults to feel more vital and dynamic, which in turn heightens productivity and life enjoyment. And, certainly, for maturing baby boomers and the senior population, not only can chiropractic care aide in reducing age-related complications and keep a person more productive in later years, it can help reduce the balance problems that all too commonly lead to critical injury from falls.
If you are already visiting a chiropractor, that’s great! You have no doubt already experienced most health benefits stated earlier. If so, why not tell an associate, a friend, or a family member about chiropractic? Don’t let someone you care about fall victim to the type of misinformation relating to chiropractic care that can keep them from living their daily life more actively. Tell someone in pain about Dr. Yong Kim, your chiropractor in Sacramento. He can help!
"Wellness" Is a Deep Subject
By · CommentsI just read an excellent article that I want to pass along to you:
A life of wellness… or not?
By Gilles Lamarche, DC
The term wellness has been utilized within the chiropractic profession for decades.
Now, when you look around, you will notice it being utilized in so many other industries, as well.
What is the definition of wellness? You hear it in the news, you read it on billboards, you see it on commercial signs, people talk about it in social settings and at work, but interestingly enough, there is no universally accepted definition.
You would think that the definition would certainly relate to health. The definition of health as described by The World Health Organization (WHO) is as follows:
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”1 This definition has not been amended since 1948.
If this is the case, then why are we such a sick society? Why have most healthcare practitioners not embraced the definition and what can you as a chiropractor do to help humanity discover improved health and well-being?
The goal is to get you to embrace this concept and serve your patients so they will get the “big idea.”
The WHO definition embraces total health, which can also be referred to as wellness — which in most circles is a tough word to define.
Charles B. Corbin of Arizona State University gives this definition: “Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality-of-life and a sense of well-being.”
This is not much different than the definition written by WHO 60 years ago. Even though the words may be different, the concept is not. Wellness is an ongoing and active process of becoming aware and making consistent wise choices toward a more successful and fulfilling life.
If you break that down it means:
• Process shows that improvement is possible;.
• Awareness means we are seeking information on how to improve;
• Choice refers to having options, and our capacity to select options in our best interest; and
• Success is determined by each person. In the context of health, most would consider success to be related to the capacity of living a fulfilled life based on each individual’s expectations — living a life filled with joy, vitality, energy, and an overall sense of accomplishment.
The most commonly described subdimensions of wellness include: physical, mental, spiritual, social, occupational, financial, emotional, and family well-being.
Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being relate directly to the art, science, and philosophy of chiropractic. Since subluxations can be caused by physical, chemical, or emotional stresses, it makes sense to communicate a clear and consistent message relating to the appropriateness and effectiveness of chiropractic care in order to improve the health of the nation.(Read more at: chiroeco.com)
Amidst a great deal of emotion and rhetoric coming out of Connecticut this week regarding the stroke issue The Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation has just released a very clear position statement on the issue of chiropractic and strokes. Atlanta, GA, January 07, 2010 –(PR.com)– According to the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation there is no human experimental evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations are causally related to strokes. “While plaintiff’s attorneys and expert witness make claims and statements contending that such a causative link exists, the fact remains that these are based largely on anecdotes, case reports, and case controlled studies and cannot be used to prove causation” stated Foundation President Christopher Kent DC, JD a chiropractic researcher and attorney. According to researchers and the scientific method itself there are all sorts of biases and distortions that effect conclusions drawn from such studies and other criteria must be used to determine whether such a link exists. “What this boils down to is a simple lack of understanding of biostatistics and epidemiology” stated Foundation Vice President Matthew McCoy DC, MPH, a chiropractic researcher and public health expert. “Words like ‘association’ and ‘causation’ and ‘risk’ have very specific meanings when it comes to their use in epidemiology and it’s clear that laypersons involved in this debate are using these terms inappropriately.” While the experience of a stroke can be devastating and no one would suggest ignoring the concerns of those who have suffered one, the reality is that when it comes to the contention that chiropractic causes strokes – the evidence just isn’t there. And while the strokes these people have experienced are indeed real, McCoy suggests there are often other issues involved and offered an example. “Millions of people visit a dentist every year and a certain number of those same people get into car accidents on their way home. If we were to run the stats on it we might find that there is a statistical association between visiting a dentist and getting into a car accident on the way home. But no one would even consider suggesting that the dentists are causing the car accidents.” Self described chiropractic stroke victims say there is a risk and that people should be advised about it prior to undergoing chiropractic care. The majority of chiropractors would agree that patients should be informed of the risks, benefits and alternatives of any health care intervention, but according to Dr. Kent “Such informed consent must be based on appropriate information and since there is no scientific evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations actually cause strokes, it is inappropriate to require a doctor to suggest that such a risk exists.” Dr. McCoy added another often overlooked issue “Chiropractors utilize a number of techniques to address joint dysfunction and vertebral subluxation and in fact there are over 300 named chiropractic techniques and many do not employ the type of manipulation that has been alleged to be a factor in vertebrobasilar accidents. This adds to the inappropriate nature of such a disclosure.” In the end, chiropractic has an impressive safety record compared to traditional medical care with estimates are that anywhere from 100,000 (Institute of medicine) to 750,000 (Null et al) people die every year from medical care. In comparison, other than some minor soreness following chiropractic treatment, research has shown chiropractic to be very safe
Selling Food to Kids
By · Comments
() Have you watched Saturday morning cartoons with your kids recently? Do you notice how many advertisements are directed towards children? A July 2008 report by the Federal Trade Commission stated that the food industry spent over $1.6 billion dollars on marketing to kids. According to Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics, this number is probably underestimated. Last week the Federal Trade Commission held a public forum on marketing to children. The Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Foods Marketed to Children, brings together the FTC, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, the Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Drug Administration. It has has been charged with developing recommended nutritional standards for consumers under the age of 17 by July, 2010. While this may sound like a step in right direction, according to Nestle, these standards are voluntary, and it’s quite unlikely the industry will do what it promises.
Years of the industry’s “self-regulation” has not worked. We have seen an increase in childhood obesity and the rates of diabetes among young people are rising as well. The food industry can use front of package marketing suggesting that foods are a great source of fiber, calcium, folic acid, vitamins and minerals, etc. without mandatory regulation. As long as cartoon characters and prizes are included in the marketing of foods kids will continue to ask parents for them.
What do you think about the governments attempts to regulate the food industry?
For more information visit Marion Nestle’s website about Food Politics.
How to Avoid Winter Snow-Shoveling Injuries
By · CommentsIf you live where it snows or if you’re planning to following the “chill” until you find a snowy scene for the holidays, here’s a little advice from the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.
Every winter, millions of Americans grab their shovels and start digging their way out of the snow and into pain. Shoveling snow improperly can lead to potential spasms, strains, and aches. When shoveling snow, the Foundation for chiropractic Progress suggests the following tips to maintain overall health:
- Always stretch and warm-up before shoveling
- Wear extra layers to maintain muscle warmth and flexibility
- Avoid sudden twisting and turning motions
- Limit the amount of weight lifted per load
- Bend your knees, not your back
– Take frequent breaks to avoid body fatigue
If you happen to experience discomfort or pain as a result of shoveling snow, please contact your local chiropractor.
To find out more information please visit the Foundation at www.yes2chiropractic.org or call 866-901-3427
What is vertigo? Vertigo is a term for the dizzy disturbance that a person feels within a fixed environment. The perception is that the surroundings are tilting or spinning. Vertigo can be sudden and short-lived or chronic. In both cases, the exact cause of vertigo should be uncovered and the necessary treatment undertaken.
There are many causes for the symptoms of Vertigo. An inner ear condition, known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, can occasionally occur as the aftermath of a head injury or severe cold. In addition this kind of vertigo can be the result of the aging process. The cause, however, frequently is unknown. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo may seem like an exceptionally long term, but it describes perfectly this non-progressive condition that is produced by, as its name implies, a quick change in head position. The symptoms are normally unexpected and unpredictable.
To get an idea of what brings about the frequently disabling symptoms of this type of vertigo, it is beneficial to note the function of the inner ear. The brain senses movement and maintains balance through the medium of the fluid contained in the inner ear. The inner ear also contains small calcium carbonate crystals, known as otoconia. These crystals will float in the inner ear fluid if dislodged. As the crystals strike against the sensitive nerve endings in the inner ear, they cause the symptoms of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV.
The good news is that chiropractors using a technique known as the Epley maneuver, can get rid of the symptoms of BPPV quickly and effectively. Using this technique, your Sacramento chiropractor slowly turns the head of a BPPV sufferer into several different positions, allowing gravity to move the calcium carbonate crystals away from the nerve endings and into an area of the inner ear where they won’t generate further dizziness.
Your Sacramento chiropractor has assisted hundreds of patients for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo using the Epley Maneuver technique. Often, with just one treatment the majority of patients no longer suffer from dizziness. Call your chiropractor today!
