Raleigh Chiropractor Recommends Castor Oil Packs

Castor Oil Packs

One of the most useful home therapies I recommend to patients is the use of castor oil packs.  I've read that humankind has been using castor oil packs for about 3000 years.  During the Middle Ages, castor oil was known as the Oil of Christ. 

I recommend castor oil packs for their detoxification and anti-inflammatory properties.  The packs can be applied to the lower abdomen for assistance with digestive distress (constipation, IBS, chronic indigestion and bloating), menstrual cramps, uterine fibroids, UTI prevention, cystitis, as well as to the breasts and liver.  The heat provided by the castor oil pack helps to provide warmth to organs that are over-stimulated.  The pack also has strong detoxifcation qualities and has been known to assist with bile flow in the liver and inflammation in organs or joints.  I do not recommend using the packs on the head.

To make a castor oil pack, you’ll need a good quality castor oil, a wool flannel, hot water bottle/heating pad, plastic and rags/towels. Most natural food stores sell both the castor oil and wool flannel.

First, cut in half a plastic grocery bag and lay flat. Pour or soak the flannel in the castor oil until saturated but do not let it drip. Lay the soaked flannel across the abdomen and place the open plastic bag on top. Next, place a rag or old towel on top and then the hot water bottle/heating pad. Lie still for 45-60 minutes. When finished, remove the flannel and wash the area with a solution of baking soda and water. Beware that castor oil can stain so keep away from clothing. 


I generally recommend the castor oil pack every 2-3 days until symptoms improve. 

Jennifer Greenfield D.C.

Raleigh Chiropractor Recommends Castor Oil Packs

Raleigh Chiropractor Recommends Eating Beets

Beets are a wonderful food not only for general health but especially for liver health. Now that summer is winding down, I’m starting to think of the root vegetables which generally color my plate in the fall and winter. The most common beet available is the red beet, but golden beets are also available.

To get the most out of beets, I recommend eating the red beets. Beets pack a nutritional punch for the liver because they contains phytonutrients called betalains and betaine. The phytonutrients are supportive and protective of the liver and a healthy liver is vital to keep the body fit, trim, and young.

Not only are the beets themselves healthy and tasty but beet greens are fabulous as well. When I grow beets in my garden, I choose varieties that have abundant green leaves on the top.

Since many people are unfamiliar with beets and how to prepare them, I have some website suggestions for more information

• The World’s Healthiest Foods: http://www.whfoods.com
• Issue 10 (November/December 2009) has a great article called Just Beet It

• One of my favorite blogs has information on roasting beets, http://www.elanaspantry.com/how-to-roast-beets/, plus making beet hummus http://www.elanaspantry.com/beet-hummus/.

• http://sites.google.com/site/spiritualfoodcsa/food-a-pedia/beets

Roasted beets and butternut squash (or sweet potatoes) are a staple in my house during the cooler months of the year. Sauteed beet greens make a tasty side dish to any meal. I also make a beverage called Beet Kvass, which is for the more adventurous beet eaters.  Email me at drgreenfield@yahoo.com for more info on the Kvass. The only thing I don’t recommend is eating beets from a can. Canned food has little nutritional value. Fresh is always best.


I was not an adventurous eater as a child or even a young adult. I remember the “yuck factor” when tasting a pickled beet while in my early 20s. But once I taught myself to cook and experimented with vegetables, I learned to love beets and beet greens. I encourage you to give beets a try.

And a final note…if you eat beets, please be mindful that the color of your urine and stool will turn red. So, no, you are not bleeding, it’s a result of the beets!

Happy Eating!

Jennifer Greenfield D.C.

Beets from my garden, 2009

Raleigh Chiropractor Recommends Eating Beets

Feeling lazy, neurotic or depressed? You may have an adrenal deficiency.

I'm just SO TIRED

I am so depressed!

I never have energy

These three sentences are some of the most common in the healthcare field. In fact, fatigue and depression are a huge contributing factor to the success of the pharmaceutical industry. Not to mention the recent boom of energy drinks on the market.

While many factors can come into  play when discussing these symptoms a large part of the population is actually experiencing adrenal fatigue. In fact up to 90% of the population has some level of adrenal fatigue. So what is this condition and what can you do about it?

What are the adrenal glands?

They are 2 small endocrine glands, the size of a walnut, that sit on top of each kidney.

What do the Adrenal Glands do?

They are the “stress handling” glands.  They produce a variety of hormones that help you handle all types of stress – physical, mental or emotional.  They seek to keep your body functioning in a dynamic balance (homeostasis) amidst whatever external changes or challenges you meet.  They help mobilize you for “fight of flight” in a dangerous situation.

They control:

1. fluid balance
2. blood sugar balance in between meals
3. inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses to injury or invasion
4. immune system response and strength

They produce the steroid hormones which:

1. are the vitality hormones that determine overall strength, energy and stamina
2. provide a sense of well-being and maintain healthy mood and emotion
3. are on the backup system for sex hormones, and so are vital for everything from healthy pregnancy to healthy menopause, potency and fertility
4. when functioning in healthy levels and proportions, provide protection against all forms of dis-ease.

 How well you live depends to a large degree upon how well your adrenal glands function!

Adrenal Fatigue

1.        Adrenal Fatigue is not recognized by conventional medicine.  Only the extremes of Addison’s disease or Cushing’s disease are recognized.

2.        Probably 90% of the population is in some degree of adrenal stress or fatigue.

3.        Weak adrenal function sets the stage for a host of other conditions to appear and progress, including digestive problems, allergies, chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, immune system weakness, diabetes, degenerative diseases and cancer.

4.        Traditional blood tests are almost always normal even though the patient is clearly not well and presents with a host of signs and symptoms.  These patients have often been told, “There’s nothing wrong, it’s all in your head,” or have been branded as a hypochondriac, lazy, neurotic or a difficult patient.

How do you "fix" adrenal fatigue?

The best thing to do is to contact your trusted acupuncturist, chiropractor or holistic nutritionist to discuss your options. Whole food and herbal supplements are usually used to treat this condition but first you should undergo a simple saliva test to see if you are truly experiencing this condition. If you are in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Wake Forest area call Dr. Jennifer Greenfield at Center for Chiropractic &Wellness (919-845-3280) to set up your appointment. She was recently voted best chiropractor in the triangle by the Independent, and she has extensive experience and focus with hormones and nutrition related to adrenal fatigue.

Some supplemental suggestions may include Rhodiola &Ginseng, Rehmannia and Ashwaganda, Cataplex B, or Drenamin. High Grade Licorice is also recommended in many cases. The herbs/whole food supplements prescribed to you should be done by a professional and on a specific case by case basis after that professional has reviewed your test and your chart. Monthly follow-ups should be done to re-assess your dosages for the most effective results.

Feeling lazy, neurotic or depressed? You may have an adrenal deficiency.

Yoga labeled as woman's domain: Men are missing out on the benefits!

A world turned upside down—that's yoga for most men because, unlike football, hockey, or baseball yoga is, seemingly, a woman's domain. According to a 2005 Yoga Journal market study, 77 percent of the yoga practitioners in America are female. Legendary teachers like Anusara Yoga founder John Friend and Power Yoga instructor Baron Baptiste believe the numbers might be even higher.

It's not that men don't know they are missing. Nowadays, there seems to be a yoga studio on every corner; Raleigh alone has more than a dozen of quality studios. Men see their wives, girlfriends, and girl-friends strutting yoga fit bods, standing proud and tall, and living a tranquil yet productive lifestyle due to the practice, but most men still refuse to try the discipline.

So why do so many men stay away? A recent   yoga journal article shows that  there are "social, physical, and emotional realities that discourage men from practicing."  It takes a "strong" man and a brave man to tackle the discipline because not only is it socially unacceptable fr a man to hit up a yoga studio for a session of zen and flow, it also forces men to delve deeper into their phsyical and emotional databases that they are used to doing with a game of pickup soccer, for example. Read HERE for a further explanation of these three obstacles and what you can do to overcome them.

As an aspiring Yogi and lover of the discipline, I recommend yoga to all demographics; male or female, indian or latino, young or old...

But why?

Yoga enables presence of mind and body. In today's society we are so bogged down by the future, the next step, the next turn that we forget to see the forest for the trees. Practicing presence, or staying in the moment as many people call it actually enhances productivity and balance. Yoga enables this process to begin for many through the awareness of and importance of breathing and posture, one breaht a

Yoga balances strength with flexibility: Many lifelong athletes have a repertoire of injuries. They may be strong or have a lot of cardio endurance but they neglect to stretch enough. Yoga combines strength and endurance techniques with flexibility all in one package. Preventing injuries is a total plus!

Yoga lubricates  the joints, ligaments and tendons: yoga positions exercise the different tendons and ligaments of the body. it has been found that the body which may have been quite rigid starts experiencing a remarkable flexibility in even those parts which have not been consciously work upon. Why? It is here that the remarkable research behind yoga positions proves its mettle. Seemingly unrelated “non strenuous” yoga positions act upon certain parts of the body in an interrelated manner. When done together, they work in harmony to create a situation where flexibility is attained relatively easily.

Yoga massages the organs: Yoga is perhaps the only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner, including those – such as the prostate - that hardly get externally stimulated during our entire lifetime. Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn benefits us by keeping away disease and providing a forewarning at the first possible instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder.

So get "bendy" men. The benefits far outweigh the social stigma, and your bodies will thank you. Your women friends will probably like it too :)

For a list of Raleigh Yoga Studios please visit this link

Yoga labeled as woman's domain: Men are missing out on the benefits!

Barbequing safety for 4th of July Holiday

Barbecuing is one of America’s favorite pastimes, especially during Fourth of July weekend. However, it’s hard to believe that this enjoyable and easy meal option can cause food poisoning and even cancer! ChicagoHealers.com Dr. Martha Howard M.D. provides the following tips for staying safe during summer grilling:

Safety Hazards:

• An April 2006 presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research showed that when PhIP, a barbecue/char chemical, was added to rats’ food, they developed cancerous changes in their intestines, spleens and prostates within four weeks.
• HCAs, hetero-cyclic amines, are also produced when meat is charred. This compound can increase the risk of breast, stomach, colon, and prostate cancer.
• PAHs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are produced by smoking fat from chicken, fish or meat and can damage lung, liver, skin and kidney tissue. 

Tips for Safe Barbecuing:

• Clean the grill: get rid of the old fats left over from previous meals.
• Avoid petroleum starters for charcoal: If you use charcoal, use a wood starter and stack your charcoal up in a 2 pound metal can with the ends cut off. Lift off the can with tongs and spread out the coals when they are well started.
• Proper timing: Avoid a time gap between opening the valve and starting the grill.
• Wash your hands: Keep your hands clean and use separate plates and cutting boards for raw and cooked meats.  Be sure to wash hands again before putting on long, heat-proof barbecue gloves.
• Trim meat: Trim most of the fat from meat; less fat means fewer PAHs. 
• Use marinades: This protects the meat from charring.  Put the marinade on, and refrigerate until use. Don’t let meat sit out.
• Pre-cooking: Use pre-cooking prior to grilling, especially for items like raw brats. Avoid taking burgers, chicken or other meats directly from the freezer to the grill.
• Cutting techniques: Cut meat and chicken into smaller pieces so they cook through.
• Flipping: Turn down the fire, and turn your burgers, steaks, chops, or chicken often, so they cook through, and come out golden brown.
• Meat thermometer: If you are cooking a thicker portion of meat or chicken, use a meat thermometer. 
• Chicken:  165 degrees 
• Hamburger: 160 degrees
• Pork: 150 degrees
• Hot dogs: 140 degrees 
• Steak: 145 degrees for medium rare and 160 degrees for medium.
• Cleaning up: At the end of the barbecue, be sure to put out your charcoal completely, and if you are using propane, be sure the valve is turned off.

Barbequing safety for 4th of July Holiday

WellnessTip: Understanding Osteoarthritis

For decades, osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, has been considered a part of aging. Recent research points out, however, that older people don’t have to suffer from osteoarthritic pain. And, surprisingly, people much younger than 65 can develop osteoarthritis.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

• Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage—slippery tissue on the ends of bones that meet in a joint. Normally, cartilage helps bones glide over one another. In a patient with osteoarthritis, however, the cartilage is broken down and eventually wears away. As a result, instead of gliding, bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion.

• Although the majority of patients with osteoarthritis are 65 and older, recent research shows that osteoarthritis is not a by-product of aging. Family history of osteoarthritis, being overweight, lack of exercise and prior joint injuries are suggested risk factors.
• Osteoarthritis is diagnosed through a combination of clinical history, patient examination and X-rays. Other tests, such as drawing fluid from the joint, are sometimes used.

What Are Signs of Osteoarthritis?

• Steady or intermittent joint pain
• Joint stiffness after sitting, sleeping or otherwise not moving for a long time
• Swelling or tenderness in the joints
• A crunching feeling or the sound of bones rubbing against each other

Should Osteoarthritis Patients Exercise?

• Exercise is one of the best forms of osteoarthritis treatment and prevention. It strengthens the muscular support around the joints and improves and maintains joint mobility and function.
• Exercise helps control weight and improve the patient’s mood and outlook.
• Low-impact or non-weight-bearing activities, such as walking, stationary training, and light weight training, work best for patients with osteoarthritis.
• Strengthening exercises help tone the key muscle groups that relate to the function of the joints that may be weakened by the degeneration.
• If you are overweight, start exercising carefully, so as not to put too much stress on the knee and ankle joints.
• Stair climbing, water aerobics, Theraband workouts and similar exercises will help to keep the joints mobile without straining them.
• When exercising, learn to read the body’s signals and know when to stop, slow down or rest.

How Can Your Doctor of Chiropractic Help?

• Doctors of chiropractic, by the nature of their work, can detect the earliest degenerative changes in the joints. They see the impact of degenerative changes in the spine, as well as in the hips, knees and other weight-bearing joints.
• Doctors of chiropractic are also trained to relieve the pain and improve joint function through natural therapies, such as chiropractic manipulation, trigger-point therapy or some massage techniques.
• Doctors of chiropractic can provide exercise counseling, helping you choose exercises that are best for you. If a sore or swollen joint prevents you from exercising, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about other drug-free pain-relief options, such as applying heat or cold to the affected area.
• Your doctor of chiropractic can help you choose proper supplements that play important roles in osteoarthritis prevention and treatment.

 
 From the ChiroVoice Newsletter

WellnessTip: Understanding Osteoarthritis

Sprouts and Their Health Effects

Due to their potent antioxidant activity, plant sprouts have been touted as a health food in many cultures—and, according to research, their use may be warranted. Studies show that sprouts contain a far superior amount of vitamins, proteins, minerals, enzymes and phytochemicals than mature vegetables. The high concentration of nutrients in sprouts may make them a handy tool in the fight to prevent chronic disease. Here are a few highlights from studies:

• Broccoli sprouts have been found to significantly inhibit bladder cancer development and show promise for bladder cancer prevention and treatment.
• In animal studies, buckwheat sprouts show potent antioxidative capabilities, as well as the ability to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Wheat sprouts have been shown to contain highly potent antioxidants, which may inhibit the development of colon cancer.

Sprouts can be added to tossed salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches and vegetable dips. While some types of sprouts are available at supermarkets, they can also be grown at home or in a garden. Remember that sprouts are hard to clean, so take extra care when using them to prevent the spread of bacteria.


article from the American Chiropractic Association's  Newsletter (ChiroVoice)

Sprouts and Their Health Effects

Center for Chiropractic & Wellness Voted Best in the Triangle 2010!

Center for Chiropractic &Wellness has been nominated and selected as the best in the triangle 2010 for Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Holistic Medicine. Thank you to all of our friends and patrons who thought us worthy to receive this honor. We accept it with love and appreciation to you all! 

Please share this good news with all your friends and family. The more people we help the more we are able to further our mission of health &wellness for the triangle!

 

Center for Chiropractic & Wellness Voted Best in the Triangle 2010!

Center for Chiropractic and Wellness is a Best of the Triangle Finalist, AGAIN!

Thanks to your dedication and the dedication of all of our loyal patients here at Center for Chiropractic and Wellness, we have, once again made the Best of the Triangle finalist list for 2010 in the following categories:

• Best Chiropractic Practice
• Best Chiropractor – Dr. Jennifer Greenfield
• Best place for Holistic Medicine
• Best place for Acupuncture

Thank you to everyone who voted!

The results will be revealed in the June 9 issue.

Results will be online as well, where you can always read Best of the Triangle stories and search for Best of the Triangle winners in the locations database.

Center for Chiropractic and Wellness is a Best of the Triangle Finalist, AGAIN!

Let's Get Raleigh Educated: What Common Food Ingredient is as Addictive as Cocaine?

Excerpt from Mercola.com:

Dr. Richard Johnson is professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, where he runs the kidney division and is in charge of transplantation and research in blood pressure. He has also written the best book on the market on the dangers of fructose called The Sugar Fix.

About 70 percent of his work involves research and, for a number of years, he has been studying the effects of fructose on the metabolic system in animals and cell culture, as well as in clinical studies.

Most of this research is focused on how fructose might cause obesity, high blood pressure, kidney disease, fatty liver, and other health-related problems.

Here, Dr. Johnson discusses how uric acid in your blood can wreak havoc on your blood pressure, insulin production and even kidney function....Click here for the rest of this article

Let's Get Raleigh Educated: What Common Food Ingredient is as Addictive as Cocaine?

Raleigh Chiropractors include Nutritional Support for treatment of Vertebral Subluxations

"Subluxations can go undetected for years, and can affect any system in the body. Seeing your chiropractor will help ensure that your body is in proper alignment."

"At our office, we believe that given the proper nutrition, your body has the amazing capability of healing itself. We also beleive that nutrition should be individualized to meet each patient's needs. For these reasons and many more, we proudly recommend Standard Process whole food supplements."

What are Subluxations?

In a healthy spine the vertebrae are "stacked" (or aligned) so that the nerves from the spinal cord are free to properly function. Even if one bone is misaligned, the spine is said to be subluxated. These subluxations may interfere with proper nerve function when nerves can't fire signals to and from the brain effectively. This may result in improper functioning of not only the spine but also organs, glands, muscles or other tissues that are controlled by nerve impulses.

The Stress Factor

Physical and Emotional Stress go hand in hand with subluxations. Poor posture, repetitive motion of any part of the body, or lifting improperly can lead to physical stress on the nerves and spine. Emotional Stress on the other hand can create tension which causes the ligaments and muscles affected by the same nerves to tighten significantly. Any of these situations from stress can easily cause the spine to become subluxated.

Where does Nutrition comes in to play?

While re-aligning the spine through chiropractic adjustments is important for the bodies ability to function normally many chiropractors don't identify an equally, if not more important factor contributing to these subluxations: NUTRITION. Identifying nutritional challenges is essential to spinal health and stability because these challenges can and often do affect nerve function. Proper nutrition through diet and whole food supplementation promotes overall health and provides the human body with the essential building blocks neccesary for tissue repair. The Standard Process and MediHerb Supplement lines work with your bodies synergies to support you and your spine throughout your chiropractic care. At CCW we realize this and we incorporate these products when needed into our treatment process.

Below are some examples of supplements used in treatment of specific areas commonly affected by subluxations:

Joints: difficulty turning and/or bending? This is often caused by improper motion or position of spinal bones

• Glucosamine Synergy: Supports the body's natural cartilage, ligament, and bone regeneration function
• Boswellia Complex: Supports Healthy Joints and circulation; provides antioxidant protection

Nerves: numbness, tingling? Often caused by improper spinal function which irritates delicate nerve tissue.

• Neuroplex Supports a healthy central nervous system (especially the brain)
• Cataplex B contains B vitamins; helps to maintain nerve health

Muscles: tension, weakness? Addresses the natural anti-inflammatory resonse

• Myo-Plus Supports the healthy functioning of the muscular system with naturally occuring coenzymes
• Calcium Lactate/Magnesium Lactate facilitates muscle contraction

Tissues: warmth or tenderness? often caused by Ca deposits, compromising spinal movement and function.

• Ligaplex II feeds the musculoskeletal system and facilitates freedom of movement
• Tuna Omega-3 Oil Supports a healthy inflammatory response
• Gotu Kola Complex Promotes healthy connective tissue and supports the bodies normal tissue repair process

Spine: Restricted Movement?

• Calcifood helps the body build healthy bones
• Ostrophin PMG maintains healthy bone function
• Cataplex D helps maintain a healthy level of Ca in the blood

Raleigh Chiropractors include Nutritional Support for treatment of Vertebral Subluxations

Does Chiropractic Reduce Health Care Costs?

"Findings from the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield 2008 Physical Medicine Pilot on Quality, a one-year pilot program designed to measure patient quality of care, suggest significant clinical outcomes and health care cost reductions attributable to the use of chiropractic and other physical medicine services...." Read more by clicking here

Does Chiropractic Reduce Health Care Costs?

ChiroVoice: Protect your Chiropractic Rights!

To help promote chiropractic's position in the debate on national healthcare reform, the NCCA is launching a contest to see which doctors can get the most patients to join ChiroVoice.org.

ChiroVoice.org is the brand-new grassroots advocacy network of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). ChiroVoice helps arm and direct patients' communication to elected officials. Since chiropractic patients form the largest advocacy network for the profession, their participation in ChiroVoice is crucial to helping advance legislative priorities.

ChiroVoice collects patients' contact information and adds it to a secure database. That database may then be utilized when the time arises for a major grassroots effort to help advance and promote chiropractic legislative agendas.

Signing up is free and easy. Visit www.ChiroVoice.org to fill out the short information form. Make sure to designate your CCW Chiropractor as your doctor of choice. (Dr. Darcy Ward, Dr. Jennifer Greenfield, Dr. Thomas Young)

Once enrolled as a member, you will receive special email alerts about advocacy issues and important legislation. Members also receive a monthly eNewsletter.

ChiroVoice: Protect your Chiropractic Rights!

WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THE CHIROPRACTIC BENEFIT FOR ALL N.C. TEACHERS & STATE EMPLOYEES.

I received this email from the NCCA leg. chair: Michael Estramonte, DC.

If you value your health rights please read and take action!

------------------

To: All North Carolina Chiropractors

From: NCCA Legislative Chairman, Michael Estramonte, DC

Re: State Health Plan

ACT NOW!

WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THE CHIROPRACTIC BENEFIT FOR ALL N.C. TEACHERS & STATE EMPLOYEES.

www.ncleg.net to find your local house representative.

Numerous e-mails have already gone out, phone calls have been made, and meetings have occurred. It’s now the Eleventh Hour and our patients are about to be dealt a severe blow to their ability to afford chiropractic care.

The N.C. Senate just last night passed Senate Bill 287, which will raise specialty co-pays within the State Health Plan to $60-$70. Considering the average chiropractic visit costs less than the actual co-pay, if this bill becomes law it will virtually ELIMINATE the chiropractic benefit for all state employees.

Please do not confuse the State Health Plan bill with House Bill 14, which will equalize co-pays to that of a primary care physician. These bills focus on two similar but separate issues and we will notify you when the time arrives to demonstrate your support for HB 14.

RJ Weber, at the NCCA Headquarters, just this morning has e-mailed instructions along with template letters for you and your patients to sign to support the future of chiropractic. Please… Now is the time to e-mail, fax, call – do whatever is necessary to save the chiropractic benefits for our state teachers and employees.

If you don’t think your efforts will make a difference, take note of this: In the original wording for Senate Bill 287, there was a section that was unfavorable to pharmacists. Because pharmacists from all across the state barraged their legislators with phone calls, faxes and emails, an amendment that protected the pharmacists was included before the bill passed through the Senate for vote!

We must do the same to protect our patients and their rights to access affordable chiropractic care. Remember, this bill has already passed through the Senate, so please direct your calls, faxes, and e-mails to your House Representatives.

We have had a decent response from our profession thus far but we need to do better.

www.ncleg.net to find you local house representative. Click here to access the recent NCCA e-mail that has letter templates and instructions.

Let's get to work and rally together now to do what is best for our patients!

Sincerely,

Michael Estramonte, DC

NCCA Legislative Chairman

michael@echiros.com

704-405-7000

WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THE CHIROPRACTIC BENEFIT FOR ALL N.C. TEACHERS & STATE EMPLOYEES.

Guest Post: Chiropractic for Migraine Releif

This week our office has the pleasure of receiving a guest blog post from the content director at rvita.com a site that provides trusted information on natural healing. Below you will find her article on Chiropractic care for Migraine Releif.

Pain in the Head? Consider Chiropractic

By Danielle Grilli, Content Director rvita.com

Nearly everyone experiences a headache or migraine at some point in his or her life. In fact, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE), nearly 95 percent of women and 90 percent of men will have at least one headache within their lifetime. Additionally, over 25 million people in the United States suffer from chronic migraines; the manifestation of which results in more than 112 million bedridden days per year and a loss of over $13 billion to employers. Statistics and financials aside, migraines and headaches aren’t fun; it’s almost, if not strictly, impossible to go about one’s normal life when suffering from one.

Of course, there are options. When considering a treatment, many people choose the pharmaceutical approach although almost all of these individuals find themselves unhappy with their decision; dissatisfied with the both immediate and long-term benefits as well as the accompanying side effects. As with most chronic conditions, there are, however, several natural, alternative treatment options. Chiropractic care, for one, has proven to be most successful both in the reduction and the elimination of headaches and migraines.

There have been several clinical trials to support this claim. One such prospective study, performed by researchers at the Chiropractic Research Center of Macquarie University, found that 72 percent of the participants reported a significant reduction in migraines after only 2 months. 72 percent!! In addition, participants continued to show statistically significant improvement after a six month follow up. Subsequently, these same researchers performed a randomized, controlled trial which found the initial results to be accurate. In another poignant study, researchers at the Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Center for Clinical Studies, found that, when compared with Amitriptyline, a drug commonly used for migraines, chiropractic care showed greater sustained benefits and fewer side effects than the pharmaceutical alternative. These are only 3 of the many trials which have been performed to date.

Given the stellar results, I’d say that chiropractic is a good treatment option; so if you’re one of the unfortunates who suffers from a chronic nagging, aching pain in the head, you may want to consider a visit to your local DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) - It’s proven to work.

References

1. rVita: Alternative Medicine
2. A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 23, Issue 2, Pages 91 – 95. P. Tuchin, H. Pollard, R. Bonello.
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17987194
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7790794
5. Hu XH, Markson LE, Lipton RB, Stewart WF, Berger ML. Burden of migraine in
the United States: disability and economic costs. Arch Intern Med. 1999;159(8):813-818.

Guest Post: Chiropractic for Migraine Releif

Animal Chiropractic Added to Our Services!

Congratulations to Dr. Darcy Ward for her recent certification with the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Now not only will she be able to keep you "well adjusted" and happy she can also keep your entire family "in line" including horses, dogs, cats, and more!

For more information on her services and the benefits of Animal Chiropractic please call us at 845-3280. As always, if we don't have the answer, we will find it for you!

Animal Chiropractic Added to Our Services!

The Spine...Online!

Hello All! I hope 2008 is treating you quite well! I have been ill today and unfortunately this has set me back on my work at CCW a bit (I guess that will teach me to "fudge" my diet restrictions). However, I was able to do a little bit of internet research while curled up on the couch and I found an interesting interactive tool called the "ChiroMatrix."

Basically this tool is a free online guide to the spine for chiropractic patients. It shows, by simply clicking on different vertebrae what organ systems etc. are affected by a spinal subluxation in that area. In short the ChiroMatrix shows how the nervous system and the spine are intricately intertwined to affect your individual health and wellness.

I found this to be an interesting and useful tool for two reasons.

1. First of all, it is interactive. Not every person learns through lecture, or literature. Many require or at least benefit from the use of hands on material. I definitely benefit from this style of learning.
2. Second, this tool is easily accessible online and can be used as a quick tool to understand chiropractic diagnosis etc.

It is important, however, to remember that this tool can't give a person a full diagnosis, or treatment plan. It is limited to simple information and can not show EVERY possible effect of a spinal subluxation. However, it can be a useful tool to access for increased understanding of chiropractic theory.

Thanks for stopping by and again, I hope 08' is treating you all well! My next post will include the January recipes so stay tuned!

The Spine...Online!