OWNERS MANUAL?

Did you get one?

It’s truly amazing the different ways people value their health. In fact, it’s one of the things that make everyday practice so fascinating.

Each of us is given this amazing body.

It’s self-healing.

It’s Self-regulating.

And thankfully, takes care of millions of details all by itself without us having to give it any conscious thought.

This “autopilot” feature of our bodies gets many of our practice members into trouble. It prompts many to neglect some of the basic maintenance necessary for a long, trouble-free life.

If our bodies came with an Owners Manual, exercise, getting the proper rest, eating nutritious foods, drinking enough pure water would all be mentioned. Neglect any of these basics and your body warns you with hunger, thirst, lack of energy and other symptoms.

You might be surprised what else you’d find in your Owners Manual. Since your nervous system orchestrates everything, you’d also find mention of making sure your nervous system was vertebral subluxation complex-free. And that’s where we come in. That’s the primary purpose of chiropractic care.

Pain can be a compelling motivator to seek chiropractic care. However, it’s a lot like waiting until you’re starving to death to eat, or not drinking any water until your dehydrated and hallucinating!

That’s what creates the fascinating part: how to explain the ongoing benefits of regular chiropractic care, rather than waiting for obvious symptoms. If you have some ideas about how to effectively explain this idea, please let me know on your next visit, or email us using the link below.

The Controversy

D.D. Palmer chiropractic's controversial founder.

From the beginning, chiropractic has been the target of misrepresentation and illegal discrimination.

Colorful Personalities

The Palmers of Davenport, Iowa discovered and developed many of the principles of chiropractic. Both D.D. Palmer and son B.J. Palmer were flamboyant and charismatic. Their personalities and dogmatism produced vehement detractors.

Medical Monopoly

To hamstring the fledgling chiropractic profession, the American Medical Association prevented medical doctors from working with or referring to chiropractors. This illegal tactic ended in 1990 when the A.M.A. was found guilty in U.S. Federal Court. Nevertheless, the damage was done.

Increasing Acceptance

Today, the profession of chiropractic is recognized and licensed worldwide. Currently, there are 22 chiropractic colleges around the world graduating educated, compassionate and talented healers. Insurance companies and many government programs reimburse for chiropractic care. Chiropractic has come a long way since 1895.

The Difference That Makes the Difference

The very right to practice chiropractic, written into the laws that license chiropractors around the world, specify that chiropractic is a separate and distinct, nonduplicative healing art, different from medicine. Both medical doctors and chiropractors contribute to the health and welfare of our nation by offering two very different approaches to the restoration and maintenance of better health.

Medical Treatment – Medicine is the study and practice of the cause, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and relief of the symptoms of disease or illness. Primary interventions include the use of drugs, physical therapy and surgery.

Chiropractic Care – Chiropractic is the art, science and philosophy of restoring the inborn ability to self-heal by detecting and reducing compromises to the nervous system, usually along the spine. The primary intervention is the spinal adjustment.

Who's at Risk of Developing Chronic Whiplash?

Auto injuries are a common problem seen in clinical practice. Most of the time, a patient will have some temporary discomfort that will resolve within a few weeks. A significant percentage of patients – around 20 to 30% – will develop some kind of chronic pain or disability from their injury. Four recent studies have looked at the issue of chronic pain to see if there are any predictive factors that can help us determine who is at risk of developing long-term problems.

The following is a list of documented risk factors found in these studies:

Gender. One of the four studies4 found that women were more likely than men to be injured in general, which confirms previous studies. Researchers speculate that the lower muscle mass in female necks may increase the risk of injury.

Turned head. Two recent studies have been done on this issue, and they both have found that when the occupant’s head is turned at the moment of impact, the spine is exposed to motion that exceeds the normal physiological range. This can result in ligament tears or damage to the spinal nerve roots.2

Direction of impact. It has been known for years that a rear-end collision is more likely to result in injury than is a frontal collision. Pape et al.1 found in their study that rear-end collisions were a greater risk factor than frontal impacts.

Previous injuries. It’s not surprising that a pre-existing injury to the neck or shoulder could be worsened after an auto collision, and that’s what Papeet al.1 found. In fact, patients with a history of neck and/or shoulder pain were more than twice as likely to have chronic problems three years after the collision.

Muscular tension immediately after the crash. Pape et al.1 found that patients with increased muscular tension soon after the crash were 3.43 times as likely to develop long-term symptoms.

Reduced range of motion. Sterling et al.3 found, as have other studies, that reduced ROM predicts symptoms two to three years after the injury.

Immediate pain and/or numbness. Both Sterling3 and Berglund4 found that patients who reported symptoms immediately after the crash were more likely to develop chronic pain. Immediate numbness indicates that the patient suffered some kind of nerve injury in the collision, and unless these types of injuries are diagnosed and treated quickly, they could easily develop into chronic pain. Berglund4 found that these patients were 6.5 times as likely to develop long-term problems.

The issues of reduced ROM and increased muscular tension are related, and understanding this issue is critical in treating auto injury patients. Upon injury to the disk or ligaments of the spine, an immediate reflex reaction is instigated – causing surrounding muscles to contract. This muscular guarding can be palpated as tension or inflammation. The increased muscular activity has the result of restricting ROM. How do these symptoms predict chronic pain? If the underlying tissue damage – ligament or disk – does not heal properly, long-term pain and restricted motion can result.

These studies help us treat auto injury cases in two ways: first, they demonstrate the need to take a careful and thorough history of the collision. For instance, asking the patient if his or her head was turned at the moment of impact can help us diagnose the injury. Second, by being aware of risk factors, we can focus our attention on those patients more likely to suffer long-term consequences of their injury.

1. Pape E, Brox JI, Hagen KB, et al. Prognostic factors for chronic neck pain in persons with minor or moderate injuries in traffic accidents. Accident Analysis and Prevention 2007 Jan;39(1):135-46.
2. Panjabi MM, Ivancic PC, Maak TG, et al. Multiplanar cervical spine injury due to head-turned rear impact. Spine 2006;31(4):420-429.
3. Sterling M, Jull G, Kenardy J. Physical and psychological factors maintain long-term predictive capacity post-whiplash injury. Pain 2006;122:102-108.
4. Berglund A, Bodin L, Jensen I, et al. The influence of prognostic factors on neck pain intensity, disability, anxiety and depression over a 2-year period in subjects with acute whiplash injury. Pain 2006;125(3):244-56.

11 foods that can help save your life

· Almonds: These nutritious nuggets are a good source of protein, fiber, vitamin E, and a variety of antioxidants. They can help with weight control and heart health, and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

· Barley: This whole grain is a rich source of vitamin E, fiber, B vitamins, and a wealth of antioxidants. Barley contains beta-glucan, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

· Quinoa: This is an ancient grain high in protein, fiber, iron, zinc, vitamin E, and selenium. It can help control your weight and help lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes.

· Coffee: In moderate doses, coffee may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, improve mood and memory, and, for men, reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.

· Eggs: They are low in calories (75 per egg), an excellent source of high-quality protein, and rich in folate, choline, and iron. They can play a role in eye health and weight management -- an egg at breakfast helps to curb appetite.

· Grapes: They're rich in vitamin C, potassium and quercetin. Preliminary studies have shown that quercetin may boost the immune system.

· Kale: This super-healthy green veggie has vitamins A, C, potassium, lutein, and zeaxathan, which can help reduce the incidence of certain cancers and macular degeneration.

· Ginger: This spice with anti-inflammatory properties may help lesson arthritis pain. It also quells upset stomachs, nausea, and motion sickness.

· Pecans: These nuts are rich in gamma tocopherol, a type of vitamin E, as well as a rich source of antioxidants.
· Sweet potatoes: They're rich in vitamin A and C, high in fiber, and naturally sweet. Sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of lycopene which may fight heart disease, and breast and prostate cancer.

· Olive oil: This Mediterranean diet staple is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory action to fight heart disease and cancer.

What Do the World's Best Athletes and Celebrities Have In Common With You?

What Do The World’s Greatest Athlete, The World’s
Greatest Golfer, The World’s Greatest Basketball Player,
The World’s Greatest Cyclist, The World’s Greatest Mixed Martial Artist and The Author Of The Self-Help Bible
“Think and Grow Rich” All Have In Common With YOU?

As you can see, I’ve put a whole bunch of pictures of some of the world’s greatest athletes, actors and celebrities on the top of this letter. Why have I done this?

I have done this because they all have something very important in common with YOU.

What is it? Everyone pictured above… and too many others to fit on this page… and YOU… utilize Chiropractic care to ease pain, relieve stress and strain, perform better and attempt to live life to the fullest.

But the amazing thing is: Many people today are very limited as to what type of doctors they can see. This comes from restrictions imposed by HMOs or personal finances. Too often, insurance companies make personal and medical choices that should be made by you and your Doctor.

But everyone in the pictures above is pretty much exempt from the restriction of insurance and HMOs. They have enough money to choose any type of healthcare and Doctor their little heart desires. And many of their careers depend on optimal performance. So it really tells you something when they all choose Chiropractic care to be part of their lifestyle.

And not only that… some even credit Chiropractic as being responsible for their massive success. For example, Winner of the decathlon and named world’s greatest athlete in 1996, Dan O’Brien had this to say: “If it were not for Chiropractic, I would not have won the gold medal.”

Here’s a quote from Tiger Woods…

“...lifting weights and seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis has made me a better golfer. I've been going to Chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It's as important to my training as practicing my swing.”

And here’s some praise from Mel Gibson,

“I got a chiropractor to come along to the [Patriot] shoot, because they can actually stick you back together within 15 minutes. He used to come every other week, from Los Angeles to South Carolina — spend a week and work on the entire crew. All the stunt guys were like, 'Oh, fix my disc.' He's putting their discs back in. The guy's amazing.”

And check out world famous author and self-help guru Napoleon Hills personal health success formula from when he was 85:

“I eat sparingly, work enthusiastically in a labor of love, love generously, and take Chiropractic adjustments once a week whether I need them or not.”

Hill is also quoted as saying:

“I take Chiropractic adjustments regularly… not to get well, but to keep from getting sick.”

Well said Mr. Hill!!!

You know, it’s amazing how far we’ve come since the days when Chiropractors were viewed as quacks and put in jail for attempting to help people. And it’s nice to see more people than ever benefiting from all that Chiropractic has to offer.

That’s why, if you haven’t been in to see me in a while, you might want to take this opportunity to give us a call and schedule your next appointment. Nothing is more important than your health.

And if you have any friends or loved ones that could use our treatments, just give them this letter and tell them to give us a call. Make sure you tell them to mention your name. And as you already know – we will take the very best care of them.

Have a great month… and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Kevin Yates, D.C.

P.S. Don’t think if you come in for a treatment you are going hit a golf ball like Tiger Woods… or… be as good looking as Mel Gibson or Madonna. I’m a Chiropractor – not a magician!!!

It all started with a routine trip to the store..

It started with a routine trip to the store.
Suddenly you hear a screeching of tires and the harsh sound of metal hitting metal. In the split second before you can brace yourself, you feel your car moving from some unseen force!
Hidden Damage
It’s tempting to minimize your own injuries because your car has sustained little or no damage. Research shows that occupants can be injured considerably more than what you’d expect from a dented fender or a broken taillight.
The Medical Solution
If you visit the emergency room, you may be given a clean bill of health because you don’t have any broken bones. You might get a prescription to reduce the muscle spasms caused by structural changes in your neck or lower back.
You don’t have a drug shortage! After what you've been through, you'll need a health professional that truly understands soft tissue injuries, spinal biomechanics and rehabilitation strategies. Call our office.
We Can Help
Whether it was a little incident in the parking lot, or two cars attempting to occupy the same space in an intersection, you need people who know how to work with lawyers and insurance companies.
If you’ve been in a car accident, give us a call. We’ve been through this many times. Not only can we usually offer drug-free relief, we can help put this behind you once and for all.
Common Questions
Q: Why do I have pain in my arms and hands?
A: Because the nerves to the arms and hands exit the spine through the injured area of the neck, numbness and tingling are common. Even lower back pain can result directly from the trauma, or as a reaction to the loss of proper spinal curves.
Q: Why did my headaches start more than a week after my accident?
A: Whether you’ve been in an accident, stressed at work, or over-exerted yourself in the garden, your body is constantly adapting to the environment. When your capacity to adapt is exhausted, symptoms can appear. This can take days, weeks, months or years to occur.
Q: Will I ever be normal again?
A: Many chiropractic practice members report restored spinal curves and an end to their symptoms. Those who delay seeking appropriate care often discover that scar tissue and spinal instability requires periodic chiropractic checkups.

Pillow Talk!

Considering your head spends about 8 hours every night laying on it, your pillow is pretty important!
Do you know how to pick the proper pillow? Do you think it’s just a matter of what feels the most comfortable? Or is it about your ability to “scrunch it all up” with your hands to make it what Goldilocks would call, “just right”!
From a chiropractic standpoint, here’s what’s important about selecting a pillow:
• When sleeping on your side, your pillow should support your head so that your head, neck and shoulders are in line with your middle and lower spine. Side sleepers may also want to use a spacer pillow between your knees for maximum spine alignment.
• When sleeping on your back, your head and neck should be aligned with your spine.
• Pillows that are too thick or too thin generally do not support the head to maintain proper spinal alignment. Foam materials that mold to your head and “spring back” often provide good support.
• Your pillow should also support different sleep positions because you don’t remain in the same position all night! You should, however, avoid sleeping on your stomach – this is the worst sleep position for your neck and spine.
• Make sure the pillow is made of hypoallergenic (non-allergic) materials.
Chiropractors often recommend the use of cervical pillows, usually made from foam or memory foam, which have a concave middle and are raised in the area where your neck lies. These pillows support the head and neck properly and help to alleviate neck pain.
Regardless of the type of pillow you use, keep one thing in mind – just as mattresses don’t last forever, neither do pillows! Over time, pillows become breeding grounds for dust mites and they get lumpy or flat and are less supportive as a result. Is it time to go pillow shopping? If so, please ask us what we recommend for your condition to get the optimal support and pain relief you need!