I have always considered myself a fairly healthy person and one of my goals has been to present myself to the patients of my San Diego Chiropractic Clinic as such. That being said, I do have some health concerns.
To begin with, since I am a chiropractor I will declare that I have my bouts with neck pain, back pain and the occasional headache but for the most part I am pain free. Since college I have suffered from a mild case of office hypertension - meaning that my blood pressure was borderline high but I attribute that to the anxiety I get from taking my blood pressure. Another thing worth mentioning is that some days I would get a little spacey from mild hypoglycemia, but this would only happen on days where my diet suffered from poor planning. Overall, for my age (44) my health compared favorably to most of those in my age group.
One day here about two months ago my assistant Linda told me that she had a representative from Standard Process coming to the office to discuss nutritional products. At the time of this appointment, I really had no expectations of where this would go. I figured that since I exercised and ate right (for the most part) that we would be discussing products for my patients.
By the time the appointment with the Standard Process representative ended both Linda and I had committed to doing a 21 day purification program. It was at this point where I really started looking at my diet. What I found was that vegetables and fruits were a good part of my diet but so were bean rice and cheese burritos, occasional cheeseburgers, potato chips, an occasional soda pop and lots of coffee. All of this stuff would have to go under the guidelines of the purification program.
Basically, the purification program involves taking whole food supplements to stimulate the kidneys, liver and intestines to eliminate toxins, supplementing whey protein for animal protein sources and eliminating all caffeine, dairy and processed foods.
Today is the thirteenth day of our purification program. I am embarrassed to say that even as a doctor with extensive schooling in nutrition that I have been taken back by the dramatic positive changes in my health as a result of this purification program. To begin with, what I thought was office hypertension is gone. Since the third day of this program my blood pressure reading has ranged from a low of 115/74 to a high of 121/80. This reading is accompanied by a calmness that I have rarely if ever felt as an adult. In addition to lower blood pressure, my digestion is significantly better - no more bloating, my blood sugar has been stable and my sleep is much improved.
I attribute these improvements in my health to three simple changes that seem so elementary. Stop putting junk in, eat a clean healthy diet and get the toxins stored in my body out.
I have been asked what I plan to do after the 21 day program is over. At this point, I can't imagine not continuing with a healthy diet and taking whole food supplements. The taste of that BRC burrito or that morning cup of coffee will not be missed in the least.
Showing posts with label Chiropractic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chiropractic. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Chiropractic Care is Much Safer Than You Think
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I often deal with new patients who carry an unreasonable fear concerning chiropractic treatment. New patients that I see in my San Diego Chiropractic practice often have some fears associated with chiropractic treatment, in my opinion, a lifetime of neck pain, back pain or headaches should inspire much more fear than chiropractic treatment.
I have been practicing chiropractic in San Diego full time since I moved here in 1993. During that time I have kept in close contact with 8 friends that I made while in Chiropractic College. There are another 10 or so that I speak with 2 or 3 times per year. All but one of these doctors has been in full time practice for at least 15 years. Out of all of these doctors, not one of them has had a patient sue them for treatment related injuries. One of these doctors knows a doctor who was sued by a patient that tripped over his welcome mat and suffered a broken arm.
At a risk prevention seminar that I attended several years ago, the instructor stated that in a group of 25 chiropractors that practice for 20 years seeing an average of 100 patients per week, that one of these doctors would have a patient suffer from a serious injury related to treatment. That is equal to 1 serious injury in every 2.6 million chiropractic adjustments. When these numbers are compared to the dangers of Tylenol use for example, one can see how comparatively safe chiropractic care actually is. Just in the United States and the United Kingdom, each year there are 300 deaths and 130,000 emergency room visits as a direct result of Tylenol use.
The rest of this post is a compilation of facts regarding the safety of chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic is Safe.
Records form insurance and court cases have constantly shown that chiropractic is the safest portal of entry health care available to the public today. Although no healthcare procedures are 100% safe, chiropractic stands on its record of safety and effectiveness unmatched in healthcare. To learn more about the safety record of chiropractic please visit the website
Chiropractic Is Safe at www.chiropracticissafe.org.
Chiropractic is the fastest-growing and second-largest primary health care profession.
There are approximately 60,000 doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in active practice in the United States spread from rural areas to inner cities. More than 10,000 students are currently enrolled in chiropractic educational programs accredited by a federally-recognized body (CCE).
Chiropractic services are in high demand.
Tens of millions of Americans routinely opt for chiropractic services and this number is rapidly growing. In 1993, more than 30 million patients made chiropractic a regular part of their health care program.
Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education that is on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs).
To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.
Doctors of Chiropractic are primary health care providers.
According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."
Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed in all 50 states. DCs have been licensed and recognized for many decades in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Chiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs.
Chiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs.
Chiropractic students are qualified to receive federal student loan assistance and DCs are authorized to be commissioned as health care officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Chiropractic care is very effective and very safe. We have been treating patients with neck pain, back pain, headaches and many other symptoms for years without incident. I hope that this article hits home with some of you who have delayed chiropractic care due to unfounded fears.
I have been practicing chiropractic in San Diego full time since I moved here in 1993. During that time I have kept in close contact with 8 friends that I made while in Chiropractic College. There are another 10 or so that I speak with 2 or 3 times per year. All but one of these doctors has been in full time practice for at least 15 years. Out of all of these doctors, not one of them has had a patient sue them for treatment related injuries. One of these doctors knows a doctor who was sued by a patient that tripped over his welcome mat and suffered a broken arm.
At a risk prevention seminar that I attended several years ago, the instructor stated that in a group of 25 chiropractors that practice for 20 years seeing an average of 100 patients per week, that one of these doctors would have a patient suffer from a serious injury related to treatment. That is equal to 1 serious injury in every 2.6 million chiropractic adjustments. When these numbers are compared to the dangers of Tylenol use for example, one can see how comparatively safe chiropractic care actually is. Just in the United States and the United Kingdom, each year there are 300 deaths and 130,000 emergency room visits as a direct result of Tylenol use.
The rest of this post is a compilation of facts regarding the safety of chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic is Safe.
Records form insurance and court cases have constantly shown that chiropractic is the safest portal of entry health care available to the public today. Although no healthcare procedures are 100% safe, chiropractic stands on its record of safety and effectiveness unmatched in healthcare. To learn more about the safety record of chiropractic please visit the website
Chiropractic Is Safe at www.chiropracticissafe.org.
Chiropractic is the fastest-growing and second-largest primary health care profession.
There are approximately 60,000 doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in active practice in the United States spread from rural areas to inner cities. More than 10,000 students are currently enrolled in chiropractic educational programs accredited by a federally-recognized body (CCE).
Chiropractic services are in high demand.
Tens of millions of Americans routinely opt for chiropractic services and this number is rapidly growing. In 1993, more than 30 million patients made chiropractic a regular part of their health care program.
Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive, demanding professional education that is on par with medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs).
To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.
Doctors of Chiropractic are primary health care providers.
According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."
Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed in all 50 states. DCs have been licensed and recognized for many decades in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Chiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs.
Chiropractic is included in Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs.
Chiropractic students are qualified to receive federal student loan assistance and DCs are authorized to be commissioned as health care officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Chiropractic care is very effective and very safe. We have been treating patients with neck pain, back pain, headaches and many other symptoms for years without incident. I hope that this article hits home with some of you who have delayed chiropractic care due to unfounded fears.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Barbeque & Your Health
Chiropractic care is a very safe form of medical treatment. That being said it does carry some risks. Thankfully, through the use of thorough history taking, complete examinations and a focused approach I have not had any malpractice issues in my 15 years of practice.
Little did you know that a true risk to your health was located right in your backyard. Chances are that you have even invited your closest family members and your best friends to partake in your distribution of ill health.
You all probably figured out that I am talking about the barbeque. I first heard of potential cancer causing agents being generated by cooking food over charcoal way back in the 80s when I was in Chiropractic School. That was so long ago that at the time I had no idea that I would be running a chiropractic practice in beautiful San Diego. That being stated, just recently the evils of barbequing have resurfaced.
Many of us look forward to the weekend when we fire up the grill and throw on a burger or a steak. As millions of backyard chefs ponder whether or not the meat is done, perhaps they should be wondering if the meat is over-done. Research indicates that there is a link between eating grilled meats, especially those that are well done, and the risk for some cancers especially breast and colorectal.
The primary concern revolves around two types of carcinogens that can be found in high concentrations in grilled meats. One of these carcinogens is heterocyclic amines which are formed when beef, pork, poultry and fish, are cooked at high temperatures, as they are when grilled. Another type of carcinogens, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are formed on the surface of meats by smoke and flame flares which occur when fat and juices drip down onto the heat source below and erupt in a flash flame.
Minimizing your exposure to carcinogens when grilling meats can be accomplished by follow these suggestions:
" Remove meat before it's well done. Another strategy is to start the cooking process in the microwave, then finish on the grill.
" To reduce grill flare ups, use lean cuts of meat and trim any visible fat before grilling.
" Marinate your meat. Studies indicate that marinating reduces the build up of some carcinogens.
" Carcinogens are concentrated in the charred portions of meats. Trimming and discarding those pieces before eating will reduce the risks.
I don't mean to cause any fears with this article. It is mostly FYI as the studies that I read did not even begin to examine the amount of over cooked meat that would have to be eaten in order to cause cancer. That being the case, if you plan to barbeque every weekend for years to come you might want to pay attention to this articles content.
Little did you know that a true risk to your health was located right in your backyard. Chances are that you have even invited your closest family members and your best friends to partake in your distribution of ill health.
You all probably figured out that I am talking about the barbeque. I first heard of potential cancer causing agents being generated by cooking food over charcoal way back in the 80s when I was in Chiropractic School. That was so long ago that at the time I had no idea that I would be running a chiropractic practice in beautiful San Diego. That being stated, just recently the evils of barbequing have resurfaced.
Many of us look forward to the weekend when we fire up the grill and throw on a burger or a steak. As millions of backyard chefs ponder whether or not the meat is done, perhaps they should be wondering if the meat is over-done. Research indicates that there is a link between eating grilled meats, especially those that are well done, and the risk for some cancers especially breast and colorectal.
The primary concern revolves around two types of carcinogens that can be found in high concentrations in grilled meats. One of these carcinogens is heterocyclic amines which are formed when beef, pork, poultry and fish, are cooked at high temperatures, as they are when grilled. Another type of carcinogens, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are formed on the surface of meats by smoke and flame flares which occur when fat and juices drip down onto the heat source below and erupt in a flash flame.
Minimizing your exposure to carcinogens when grilling meats can be accomplished by follow these suggestions:
" Remove meat before it's well done. Another strategy is to start the cooking process in the microwave, then finish on the grill.
" To reduce grill flare ups, use lean cuts of meat and trim any visible fat before grilling.
" Marinate your meat. Studies indicate that marinating reduces the build up of some carcinogens.
" Carcinogens are concentrated in the charred portions of meats. Trimming and discarding those pieces before eating will reduce the risks.
I don't mean to cause any fears with this article. It is mostly FYI as the studies that I read did not even begin to examine the amount of over cooked meat that would have to be eaten in order to cause cancer. That being the case, if you plan to barbeque every weekend for years to come you might want to pay attention to this articles content.
Chiropractic Care for Beginners
My Chiropractic clinic in San Diego primarily serves those who have had experience with chiropractic treatment over the course of their lives. Many of them come for treatment not because they have a particular ache or pain but because they simply like the way they feel after a treatment. I don’t want to imply that chiropractic care is addicting like smoking is, but after you have experienced the improved range of motion, increased athletic performance and decreased muscle tension that results from chiropractic care, many simply want that feeling to be the norm. Other patients come specifically for treatment of neck pain, back pain, headaches, etc.
One thing that most of these patients have in common is that they usually know someone who could benefit from chiropractic care but that person is hesitant. They are hesitant to come for treatment either because they don’t “believe” in chiropractors or because they are afraid.
Those who don’t believe in chiropractic care are easy to convince of the benefits of chiropractic treatment. Many of these people hold on to the untruths spread by the American Medical Association (AMA) regarding chiropractors. Between the 1960s and the mid 1980s, the AMA spent nearly $100,000,000 on an anti-chiropractic campaign. While most of the information that the AMA dispersed regarding my profession was false and based on the poor behavior of just a few doctors, some people continue to hold on to those false ideas.
That being said, chiropractic treatment has a direct and immediate beneficial effect on the joints of the spine. This benefit is a combination of increased joint motion, relaxed muscles and decreased tension and is hard to overlook even by the most pessimistic skeptic.
Those who are fearful of chiropractic care are more difficult to convince of the benefits of treatment. They are afraid that they might get paralyzed or have some other life changing occurrence as a result of care. In reality, chiropractic care is very safe. The only “side effect” that we have personally seen regarding chiropractic care is that the patients feel better.
The safety of your doctor’s office can be determined by the cost of their malpractice insurance. Chiropractors insurance rates for the same level of coverage is less than 1/10 of most MDs. What that means to patients is that despite the fact that some people don’t like the thought of having their joints “cracked”, a chiropractor’s office is a very safe place to receive treatment.
One thing that most of these patients have in common is that they usually know someone who could benefit from chiropractic care but that person is hesitant. They are hesitant to come for treatment either because they don’t “believe” in chiropractors or because they are afraid.
Those who don’t believe in chiropractic care are easy to convince of the benefits of chiropractic treatment. Many of these people hold on to the untruths spread by the American Medical Association (AMA) regarding chiropractors. Between the 1960s and the mid 1980s, the AMA spent nearly $100,000,000 on an anti-chiropractic campaign. While most of the information that the AMA dispersed regarding my profession was false and based on the poor behavior of just a few doctors, some people continue to hold on to those false ideas.
That being said, chiropractic treatment has a direct and immediate beneficial effect on the joints of the spine. This benefit is a combination of increased joint motion, relaxed muscles and decreased tension and is hard to overlook even by the most pessimistic skeptic.
Those who are fearful of chiropractic care are more difficult to convince of the benefits of treatment. They are afraid that they might get paralyzed or have some other life changing occurrence as a result of care. In reality, chiropractic care is very safe. The only “side effect” that we have personally seen regarding chiropractic care is that the patients feel better.
The safety of your doctor’s office can be determined by the cost of their malpractice insurance. Chiropractors insurance rates for the same level of coverage is less than 1/10 of most MDs. What that means to patients is that despite the fact that some people don’t like the thought of having their joints “cracked”, a chiropractor’s office is a very safe place to receive treatment.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Why Is Your Computer Killing You?
Is Computer Work Killing You? CRPSS is probably the reason why.
I have a love / hate relationship with my computer. When I went to college in the early 80’s, computers were expensive, underpowered and not readily available. I remember doing research papers that would entail chasing down medical journal articles from my schools library and several local colleges. Hours or days would pass with me searching through the libraries of Stanford, San Jose State and Berkley just to find the content for one paragraph of a paper. What I would have done for the ease of our current internet. All of this research could have been performed in a matter of minutes from the comfort of my desk. It is this convenience that inspires the “love” in the love / hate relationship that I have with my computer.
Now for the downside, the “hate” of my love / hate relationship with this computer.
The more time that I spend sitting at my computer, the more I realize that it is the postural stress that my work station generates that is responsible for the “hate” part of my relationship with the computer.
Even though I am a doctor who has taken a special interest in the effects of postural stress secondary to computer use, I too succumb to the stresses of Computer Related Postural Stress Syndrome.
Computer Related Postural Stress Syndrome or CRPSS is a term that I coined to describe the effects of the postural stress that a poorly thought out work station places on the body.
CRPSS often causes neck and shoulder pain, back pain, arm pain and chronic tension headaches.
CRPSS is often confused with carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. While CRPSS is not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it CAN cause it.
You have probably heard and used the term “ergonomics”. Ergonomics is the study of how we can make a particular work station adapt to meet the physical demands of that stations operator. The idea is to reduce the physical stresses that the work station places on the operator to a minimum. We can use basic office ergonomic principals to reduce or eliminate many of the stresses that cause CRPSS.
CRPSS can result from any one or combination of:
1) Poor Seating Conditions
2) Incorrect Monitor Placement
3) Incorrect Keyboard Placement
4) Over-reaching for the Mouse
Poor seating can be remedied with the purchase of a chair with the following characteristics:
1) Ability to adjust the seating height
2) Adjustable armrests ( up and down)
3) Tilting back support
4) Tilting seating surface
These features combined with a chair that actually feels comfortable when being sat in can be very helpful in reducing Computer Related Postural Stress Syndrome.
Incorrect monitor placement is also a common source of postural stress and neck pain. Your monitor should be positioned directly in front of you. Your eyes should be parallel with the top one third of your monitor when you are looking straight ahead. A monitor that is positioned in a way that requires the operator to look up or down will stress the neck and eventually lead to neck pain.
Much like the monitor, your keyboard should be placed directly in front of you. Its height should allow your arms to rest comfortably next to your body while your elbows are bent no more than 90 degrees and your wrists are as straight as possible. A properly placed keyboard can help reduce neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain wrist pain and hand pain.
The final major factor in reducing the effects of CRPSS involves over-reaching. A mouse operated on the desk top lends itself to producing an over-reaching situation. This is bad news if you do a substantial amount of mousing. A mouse that is beyond your comfortable reach zone is likely to become a primary source of postural stress and aggravation. The solution to this problem is to position your mouse as close to your body as possible. This can be accomplished with a mouse platform that mounts to the armrest of your chair. There are several of these on the market that will do the trick. Make sure that the mouse platform that you choose is adjustable.
Anecdotal evidence from my clinic suggests that over-reaching for the mouse is a primary factor in the development of neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain and hand pain.
Reducing the postural stresses associated with computer work stations can prevent you from developing aggravating conditions that can lead to a lifetime of disability and a loss of employment (I see this in my office all the time). In many cases, simple rearrangements of the primary components of your work station can go a long way in reducing your chances of developing CRPSS.
I have a love / hate relationship with my computer. When I went to college in the early 80’s, computers were expensive, underpowered and not readily available. I remember doing research papers that would entail chasing down medical journal articles from my schools library and several local colleges. Hours or days would pass with me searching through the libraries of Stanford, San Jose State and Berkley just to find the content for one paragraph of a paper. What I would have done for the ease of our current internet. All of this research could have been performed in a matter of minutes from the comfort of my desk. It is this convenience that inspires the “love” in the love / hate relationship that I have with my computer.
Now for the downside, the “hate” of my love / hate relationship with this computer.
The more time that I spend sitting at my computer, the more I realize that it is the postural stress that my work station generates that is responsible for the “hate” part of my relationship with the computer.
Even though I am a doctor who has taken a special interest in the effects of postural stress secondary to computer use, I too succumb to the stresses of Computer Related Postural Stress Syndrome.
Computer Related Postural Stress Syndrome or CRPSS is a term that I coined to describe the effects of the postural stress that a poorly thought out work station places on the body.
CRPSS often causes neck and shoulder pain, back pain, arm pain and chronic tension headaches.
CRPSS is often confused with carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. While CRPSS is not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it CAN cause it.
You have probably heard and used the term “ergonomics”. Ergonomics is the study of how we can make a particular work station adapt to meet the physical demands of that stations operator. The idea is to reduce the physical stresses that the work station places on the operator to a minimum. We can use basic office ergonomic principals to reduce or eliminate many of the stresses that cause CRPSS.
CRPSS can result from any one or combination of:
1) Poor Seating Conditions
2) Incorrect Monitor Placement
3) Incorrect Keyboard Placement
4) Over-reaching for the Mouse
Poor seating can be remedied with the purchase of a chair with the following characteristics:
1) Ability to adjust the seating height
2) Adjustable armrests ( up and down)
3) Tilting back support
4) Tilting seating surface
These features combined with a chair that actually feels comfortable when being sat in can be very helpful in reducing Computer Related Postural Stress Syndrome.
Incorrect monitor placement is also a common source of postural stress and neck pain. Your monitor should be positioned directly in front of you. Your eyes should be parallel with the top one third of your monitor when you are looking straight ahead. A monitor that is positioned in a way that requires the operator to look up or down will stress the neck and eventually lead to neck pain.
Much like the monitor, your keyboard should be placed directly in front of you. Its height should allow your arms to rest comfortably next to your body while your elbows are bent no more than 90 degrees and your wrists are as straight as possible. A properly placed keyboard can help reduce neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain wrist pain and hand pain.
The final major factor in reducing the effects of CRPSS involves over-reaching. A mouse operated on the desk top lends itself to producing an over-reaching situation. This is bad news if you do a substantial amount of mousing. A mouse that is beyond your comfortable reach zone is likely to become a primary source of postural stress and aggravation. The solution to this problem is to position your mouse as close to your body as possible. This can be accomplished with a mouse platform that mounts to the armrest of your chair. There are several of these on the market that will do the trick. Make sure that the mouse platform that you choose is adjustable.
Anecdotal evidence from my clinic suggests that over-reaching for the mouse is a primary factor in the development of neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, wrist pain and hand pain.
Reducing the postural stresses associated with computer work stations can prevent you from developing aggravating conditions that can lead to a lifetime of disability and a loss of employment (I see this in my office all the time). In many cases, simple rearrangements of the primary components of your work station can go a long way in reducing your chances of developing CRPSS.
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