Healthy Life Newsletter, July 2016
Chiropractic Effective for Tension Headache by Michael Melton
With headaches being one of the most common nervous system disorders worldwide, affecting almost 50 percent of the population at least once annually, finding a way to relieve them is important to when it comes to improving quality of life for a large number of people. Certainly there are several different types of headaches–migraines, cluster headaches, and medication-overuse headaches, for instance–and each one requires a unique approach for treatment.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, tension headaches, also commonly referred to as stress headaches, are headaches which affect anywhere from 30 to 80 percent of sufferers and are signified by their mild-to-moderate in pain that spreads across the entire head in a sort of band. This makes them very different than migraines which are usually felt on one side or the other.
Because tension headaches in particular are so prevalent, researchers have conducted various studies to determine which types of remedies work by offering some relief. One such piece of research was published in the European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in February of 2016 and it was designed to determine whether there were any head pain benefits offered by chiropractic adjustments.
Sixty-two women between the ages of 18 and 65 were recruited, all of which suffered with tension-type headaches. Upon acceptance, each was assigned to one of four groups, three of which involved a specific treatment (one was spinal manipulation) and one which served as a control.
Upon conclusion of the study, researchers discovered that, when compared to the control, the individuals who engaged in spinal manipulation “showed improvements in their physical role, bodily pain, and social functioning” at one month post-treatment. In other words, receiving chiropractic care helped improve their quality of life in many fashions beyond just the physical results one might expect. If you suffer from tension headaches, chiropractic can be a natural way to get relief.
Tension headaches. Cleveland Clinic. who.int
Espi-Lopez G et al. (February 29, 2016). Do manual therapy techniques have a positive effect on quality of life in people with tension-type headache? A randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
Chiropractic Helps Relieve COPD
by Michael Melton
The COPD Foundation reports that more than 24 million people in the U.S. currently suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a disease in which the airways are hindered by some type of issue with the air sacs in the lungs, the walls between the sacs, or the production of an excessive amount of mucus. Ultimately, this makes it harder to breathe, usually resulting in the person spending more time coughing, experiencing tightness in the chest, and having a chronic shortness of breath.
At a minimum, these symptoms can hinder your participation in everyday activities. However, COPD is also the third leading cause of death in the U.S., which makes finding effective treatment remedies critical to helping many people live a longer, healthier life. While there are several different options to consider–ranging from medication to physical activity training to surgery–one systematic review has found that chiropractic care may just provide some relief.
This review was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine and it covered six different studies which involved people with COPD who engaged in chiropractic care. The intention of each was to determine what effect, if any, this particular remedy had on the person’s ability to breathe. What researchers found was that five of the six studies reported positive results when it came to the participant’s lung function and exercise performance after engaging in spinal manipulation therapy.
Of course, it also helps to quit smoking as this is the number one cause of COPD. Additionally, air quality matters too so, if possible, try to spend a majority of your time in a clean air environment. And if you work around different pollutants, take proper precautions to protect your lungs while on the job and you may lower your risk of developing this potentially life-threatening condition.
References
COPD Foundation. COPD Statistics Across America. Retrieved from copdfoundation.org on January 6, 2016.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What Is COPD? Updated July 31, 2013. Retrieved from nhlbi.nih.gov on January 6, 2016.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Treatment Options. Retrieved from nhlbi.nih.gov on January 6, 2016.
Wearing J, Beaumont S, Forbes D, Brown B, Engel R. The Use of Spinal Manipulative Therapy in the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2015 (December 24)
Note from Dr. Mha Atma: Here is some good news about the increasing utilization of chiropractic care in VA facilities. This is especially good news because there are hundreds of thousands of veterans who suffer from chronic pain whom chiropractic can help…and currently many of them descent into constant heavy painkiller use. I have been participating in a new out-patient VA program where some veterans are referred for treatment to outside chiroractors like myself because the VA does not employ enough doctors of chiropractic to meet the growing demand.
Study: Use of Chiropractic in the VA Rising Steeply
Arlington, Va. –The use of chiropractic services in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system has seen a steep rise over more than a decade, according to research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), the official scientific journal of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).
The study’s authors, who analyzed VA national data collected between 2004 and 2015, discovered an increase of more than 800 percent in the number of patients receiving the services of doctors of chiropractic. While authors attribute the increase to a natural growth of the chiropractic service, which was only implemented on-site at the VA in 2004, they also suggest it may be attributed to the successful performance of VA chiropractors and the perceived value of their care, among other factors.
“The fact that these services have expanded consistently and substantially beyond the minimum mandated level may suggest that some VA decision-makers perceive value in providing chiropractic care,” the study notes.
Key findings from the study show that:
· the annual number of patients seen in VA chiropractic clinics increased by 821 percent;
· the annual number of chiropractic visits increased by 694 percent;
· the total number of chiropractic clinics grew from 27 to 65 (9 percent annually);
· the number of chiropractor employees rose from 13 to 86 (21 percent annually); and
· female and younger patients received chiropractic care at VA clinics at a greater rate than the national VA outpatient population.
“This demographic tendency is consistent with the cohort of veterans from the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is known to have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions,” the study authors note.
“ACA commends the VA for its important work to expand access to chiropractic services to the nation’s veterans,” said ACA President David Herd, DC. “It’s vitally important that all of our veterans have access to non-drug approaches to pain management such as those offered by chiropractic physicians, particularly in light of the opioid epidemic that is gripping our country. Many veterans returning from overseas suffer from musculoskeletal ailments, which respond well to chiropractic’s patient-centered and drug-free approach.”
Doctors of chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a hands-on, drug-free approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment primarily of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.
Read the full study in JMPT.
Dietary nitrate reduces blood pressure–Dietary nitrate, found in beetroot and vegetables, may turn out to be the best natural treatment for high blood pressure. The body converts nitrate to nitrite, which then gets converted to nitric oxide–a molecule that regulates blood vessel tone and elasticity.
Researchers at the Maastricht University Medical Center, The Netherlands, tested four nitrate-rich beverages on 11 men and seven women in their late twenties. Each of the four beverages contained 800 mg of nitrate. They included concentrated beetroot juice, and beverages made from arugula and from spinach. Each drink reduced diastoic and systolic blood pressure by 5 to 7 mm several hours after ingestion.
Journal of Nutrition, 2016;146:986-993
Probiotics help rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as stress on gut and feelings of anxiety–Researchers in Iran gave a multi-strain probiotic supplement or placebo to 51 women and nine men aged 25 to 70 and diagnosed with RA. The probiotics resulted in improvements in symptoms as well as decreases in blood insulin and C-reactive protein levels, markers of inflammation. At the Yakult Central Institute in Tokyo researchers gave a probiotic drink or placebo daily for eight weeks to medical students before a major exam. The probiotics reduced gastrointestinal pain and dysfunction, reduced feelings of stress and resulted in a more diverse and healthier population of gut bacteria.
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 2016: doi: 10.1111/1756-186X.12888
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2016: epub ahead of print doi 10.1128/AEM.04134-15
Eating fruit reduces cardiovascular risk–Studies in Western nations have found that eating fruit reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In new research, a team of Chinese and British researchers studied 512,891 Chinese adults ages 30 to 79. People who consumed fresh fruit daily had a 40 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 25 to 36 percent lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
New England Journal of Medicine, 2016;374:1332-1343
Add This to Your Diet to Drastically Lower Risk of Stroke
by James Bogash, DC
As I’ve written about in the past, the 90’s completely screwed up our concept of what constitutes healthy foods. An entire population was brainwashed with the idea that fat = fattening. Researchers at the time the USDA’s food guide pyramid was released (allocating fats and oils – use sparingly – at the top) were concerned about increased rates of most chronic diseases. Unfortunately, they were correct.
This study, among many others, continues to prove just how errant this thinking was. This particular study finds that those consuming high amounts of olive oil had a 41% lower risk of stroke. Considering that some of the most popular diets, such as Weight Watchers, promote the replacement of olive oil based dressings with “low fat” dressings. These low fat dressings replace olive oil with high fructose corn syrup. Clearly a health devastating tradeoff, and yet one that remains a popular choice among those trying to lose weight or maintain an otherwise healthy lifestyle.
Well—in case there is any question in your mind that avoiding olive oil because it is high in fat—dispel it now. Olive oil, especially as a component of a Mediterranean type diet, has numerous health benefits. It aids in the absorption of certain fat soluble nutrients like the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K as well as other phytonutrients like the fat soluble carotenoids. Lycopene, in particular, is high in Mediterranean diets because of the tomato intake.
Olive oil itself, particularly the cold pressed extra virgin forms, are very high in their own polyphenols that confer very high levels of protection.
A little tip when it comes to olive oil. There is no doubt that the less processed, the more virgin, the oil, the better it protects. So, these means the more expensive olive oils really are better for us. BUT…most of these polyphenols are destroyed by heat. This means that cooking with olive oil is likely to reduce the protective benefit of the expensive oils. It does still retain the benefits of the oil itself, however.
Bottom line is to keep two olive oils at the house. A more expensive one for the dips and dressings, and a less expensive oil for cooking. It’ll be a better use of your money.
Why Go to a Chiropractor?
If You Are in Pain and Want Relief
Chiropractic can provide relief – often quick relief – from back pain, neck pain or stiffness, headaches, leg pain, numbness or pain in the hand or arm, and other painful conditions.
If You Would Just Like to Feel Better
Fatigue, allergies, digestive disorders, sinus problems, cramps, and other common maladies often improve or disappear with chiropractic care which includes guidance in lifestyle changes involving exercise, diet and supplements.
If You Are Healthy and Want to Work on Staying That Way
Chiropractic including its support for a healthy lifestyle “tunes up” the body and nerves, helps to prevent sickness and injuries, and helps keep you in optimal health.