Healthy Life Newsletter, February 2022
Chiropractic Better than Medication for Neck Pain
A study published in the research journal Annals of Internal Medicine and widely reported by mainstream media suggests chiropractic spinal manipulation is more effective than over-the-counter and prescription medication for relieving acute and subacute neck pain.
Spinal manipulative therapy was more effective than medication in both the short and long term.
The study involved 272 adults ages 18-65 with neck pain of two to 12 weeks’ duration. Participants were recruited from a university research center and a pain management clinic in Minnesota. Spinal manipulation was provided courtesy of a doctor of chiropractic. According to the study, six chiropractors, each with at least five years’ experience, provided treatment, with the specific spinal level to be treated and the number of treatments provided left to the discretion of the individual chiropractor.
Instead of chiropractic care, some patients in the study group received medication as monitored by a licensed medical physician. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen (aspirin), or both served as the first line of pharmacological therapy. With patients who did not respond to or could not tolerate these drugs, narcotic medications and muscle relaxants were prescribed. With each patient, the MD determined the type of medication administered and the number of patient visits.
Self-reported outcomes, including pain, were measured six times during the 12-week treatment period: at two initial (baseline) appointments; two, four, eight and 12 weeks after treatment began; and on two occasions post-treatment (weeks 26 and 52). Objective measures of cervical spine motion were measured at four and 12 weeks by seven trained examiners who were unaware of which treatment the patients were receiving.
After 12 weeks of treatment, a significantly higher proportion of the SMT group experienced reductions of pain of at least 50% [compared to the medication group]. Specifically, at week 12, more than 82 percent of the SMT group reported a 50 percent or greater reduction in pain; 57 percent reported at least a 75 percent reduction and 32 percent reported a 100 percent reduction. By comparison, the medication group reported reductions of only 69 percent, 33 percent and 13 percent, respectively.
In terms of long-term improvement, 75 percent of the SMT group reported at least a 50 percent reduction in pain after 26 weeks, while nearly 81 percent reported at least a 50 percent reduction at 52 weeks. The medication group’s improvement fluctuated from 59 percent reporting pain reduction of 50 percent or more at 26 weeks to 69 percent reporting the same reduction at 52 weeks.
“Participants who received medication seemed to fare worse, with a consistently higher use of pain medications for neck pain throughout the trial’s observational period,” said the study authors. In other words, chiropractic was a much better choice than medication for neck pain.
Interestingly enough, a third group of patients who received home exercise advice instead of chiropractic care or medication also fared better than the medication group during the study period. That means two forms of conservative, drug-free care - both of which are commonly provided by doctors of chiropractic - were more effective than over-the-counter and/or prescription drugs. The moral of the story? The next time you or someone you know is suffering from neck pain, don’t turn to the medicine cabinet or a medical doctor; turn to your doctor of chiropractic.
https://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=2977
What Exercise Does to Your Brain
We know exercise is good for the brain; abundant research links consistent physical activity to reduced rates of cognitive decline with aging. And just last issue, we presented study findings suggesting exercise benefits your brain by reducing chronic anxiety.
But why is exercise so good for the brain, particularly when we’re older? New research gives us an answer.
A team of investigators found that higher levels of late-life physical activity correlate with higher levels of synaptic proteins that promote information exchange among brain neurons. According to the researchers, writing on their findings in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, this is significant because while physical activity has been shown to benefit cognition in mice trials, the association has proven to be more challenging in human studies. (In fact, they claim this is the first such study to verify an association between physical activity and markers of synaptic integrity in human brain tissue).
If you’re thinking late-age physical activity is all you need to worry about, so you can sit on the couch year after year until then, the researchers offer this important observation as well: “We suggest PA may help build synaptic health, even at late ages … but this is a potentially plastic process that may need to be sustained over time.” In other words, lifetime physical activity is likely also a key factor in, well, lifelong brain health. More information on brain health and how to minimize your risk of cognitive decline.
An Avocado a Day
A medium-sized avocado contains more than 300 calories and nearly 30 grams of fat; so why could it possibly be a good food to eat if you’re a woman trying to lose weight and improve your health? Here’s why.
First, keep in mind that an avocado may be relatively high in calories and fat, but most of the calories come from the fat, and that fat is the “healthy” kind, if that makes sense. Avocados are also low in carbs (only about 17 per whole avocado), high in fiber (approximately 14 grams per avocado) and packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. From a weight-loss perspective, that’s not such a bad thing.
Second, new research suggests overweight / obese women who eat an avocado a day for 12 weeks can reduce their visceral abdominal fat – the most dangerous type because it’s hard to target and situated near / around the organs – and also reduce the visceral:subcutaneous fat ratio. (Subcutaneous fat is located under the skin and considered less dangerous / easier to shed than visceral fat. People with a higher ratio are also at greater risk for type 2 diabetes.)
In the study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers divided women into two groups for comparison. Both groups received one meal per day as part of the 12-week study, with one group’s meal including an avocado, while the other group’s meal did not. Meals were essentially equivalent in terms of calories and ingredients except for the inclusion or omission of avocado, suggesting this simple, powerful fruit (yes, avocado is technically a fruit since it fits all the criteria for being a berry) can help overweight / obese women get back on track toward better health and wellness. And of course, for women already at a healthy weight, avocado is an essential element of a balanced diet for all the nutritional reasons discussed above.
Say No to Migraine Medication and Yes to Natural Care
If you’ve ever experienced a migraine headache, you know how debilitating it can be. According to the Mayo Clinic, “a migraine headache can cause intense throbbing or pulsing in one area of the head and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down.
Nearly 30 million American suffer migraine headaches, with women more than three times as likely as men to be victims. Too often, medication is the first-line treatment strategy to control symptoms – particularly the pain – despite the fact that natural options are being shown to be just as, if not more, effective.
Case in point: a recent study that divided 91 adult migraine sufferers into three groups for comparison. One group received topiramate (brand name: Topamax), an anti-convulsant also approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment and prevention of migraines; a second group exercised 40 minutes a day, three times a week; and the third group performed relaxation exercises over the course of the study period. After three months, results showed no significant differences between the three groups: all three interventions reduced the frequency of migraine occurrence.
If you suffer from migraines, your doctor of chiropractic may recommend exercise or relaxation techniques to help treat your problem without having to resort to drugs, all of which come with a substantial list of side effects that can make you feel even worse. For example, among the potential side effects of topiramate are nausea, diarrhea and fatigue – just what you don’t need when you’re dealing with a debilitating migraine.
Of course, your chiropractor may also perform chiropractic adjustments, which have been shown to be effective for headache symptoms. One study showed spinal manipulation to be as effective as amitriptyline for migraine symptoms; another study showed a significant reduction in frequency, duration and severity of migraines, as well as need for medication, following chiropractic manipulation. And nutritional support, such as magnesium supplementation, has also proven to be effective.
If you suffer from migraines, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about the drug-free options. Say no to medication and yes to natural care.
https://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=2969
Vitamin D Is Good for Your Heart
Imagine being diagnosed with heart disease and/or high blood pressure (a risk factor for heart disease). What could you have done differently in terms of your lifestyle – exercise more, eat healthier, reduce stress, etc.? Those all could have made a difference; but here’s one you probably wouldn’t consider: your vitamin D intake.
Vitamin D has been known first and foremost for promoting bone health, but its powerful role in promoting a strong immune system has been brought to the public’s attention over the past two years with the COVID pandemic taking center stage. But vitamin D is beneficial for much more than just bone and immune health; in fact, vitamin D even appears to be good for your heart.
A study published in the European Heart Journal suggests people with normal vitamin D levels are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure and heart disease than people with vitamin D deficiency. Study participants with the lowest levels of vitamin D (blood levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D) had double the risk for heart disease compared to participants with normal levels.
What’s your vitamin D status? If you don’t worry about it – or just meet the RDA requirement – you’re doing yourself and your health a tremendous disservice. Talk to your doctor about the profound health benefits of vitamin D and find out whether supplementation is necessary. Your heart will thank you for it.
https://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/print\_friendly.php
Studies Show Possible Benefit of “Osteopathic Manipulation” on Tonsillitis and on Pneumonia
A randomized clinical trial was published just a few months ago.1 It looks at how a single “high-speed, low-amplitude technique applied to the T9-T10 vertebrae” impacts the duration and future episodes of tonsillitis in patients between the age of 3 and 65.
Versus the 40 patients in the control group (CG), the 79 patients in the “osteopathic manipulative group (OMG)” experienced significantly fewer days to resolve their current episode of tonsillitis (2.03 days vs. 2.39 days). In addition, subsequent episodes of tonsillitis in the following year were lower for the OMG (0.8/year) as compared to the CG (2.0/year). In that follow-up year, 60.8 percent in the OMG had no recurrences as compared to 22.5 percent of the CG. What makes this study of interest are the following:
The study looks at how a single spinal manipulation can impact tonsillitis, a relatively common childhood disease normally treated with NSAIDs, antibiotics or tonsillectomy. The results have the potential to reduce the use of OTC drugs, antibiotics and surgery in children.
The authors explain that “the vertebral segments T9 and T10 innervate the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol, and patients with tonsillitis have been found to have altered cortisol levels. This hormone may influence the immune response, and its levels are modified after thoracic manipulation.” (Luceño-Mardones A, et al. Effects of osteopathic T9-T10 vertebral manipulation in tonsillitis: a randomized clinical trial. Healthcare, 2021;9:394.)
“Osteopathic manipulative treatment” has also been studied as an adjunct for care of patients with pneumonia.The study authors note that “Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a cost-effective adjunctive treatment of pneumonia that has been shown to reduce patients’ length of hospital stay, duration of intravenous antibiotics, and incidence of respiratory failure or death when compared to subjects who received conventional care alone.” (Yao S, et al. Osteopathic manipulative treatment as a useful adjunctive tool for pneumonia. J Vis Exp, 2014;(87):50687.)
Note from Dr. Mha Atma: Osteopathic manipulation is very similar to chiropractic adjustments. Numerous research studies on neck and back pain and headaches have shown that chiropractic adjustments are very effective treatments, but osteopaths have published more studies regarding non-musculoskeletal conditions. While I do not make any promises to patients regarding non-musculoskeletal conditions, I often hear from our patients reports of “positive side effects” of treatment including improved digestion or elimination, better sleep, improvement in sinus congestion and more.
Read the below article on line with a blood pressure chart and numerous links.
FDA Approves Health Claim for Magnesium and High Blood Pressure
Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new qualified health claim for magnesium in reducing the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). In other words, the FDA is acknowledging a relationship between magnesium intake (from both foods and dietary supplements) and a reduced risk of high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure Is Labeled a “Silent Killer”
According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of the adult population in the United States has high blood pressure, and many of them are unaware that they have it. With no outward symptoms in most cases, it has been labeled a “silent killer” and left untreated, can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other health consequences, leading to premature death.
Magnesium Has Many Benefits for Cardiovascular Health
Magnesium has been shown to have a strong relationship to cardiovascular health. One previously reviewed study showed how magnesium uses the same pathway as statins to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol to reduce inflammation, clotting, and plaque formation in the arteries. Another study illustrated how magnesium helps regulate the heartbeat by controlling the sodium potassium pump and extending the relaxation period after contraction, which may help lower the risk of atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effects of magnesium supplementation on arterial stiffness found that arterial stiffness was significantly improved in the magnesium group compared to the placebo group after 24 weeks of daily magnesium supplementation.
Adequate intake of magnesium from the diet or supplemental sources is necessary for maintaining cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of cardiac events, even the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, up to 60% of the US population is estimated to be deficient in magnesium. Deficient magnesium levels can be due to insufficient magnesium in the diet, as well as problems with kidney function, alcoholism, and the use of diuretics and proton pump inhibitors, and deficiency can contribute to many other health problems beyond cardiovascular health.
Vitamin D, Omega-3s, and Sunshine Can Also Help Reduce High Blood Pressure Risk
Studies have shown that low vitamin D levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Using the data participants have provided for the GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute study, we assessed the association between vitamin D level and risk of being diagnosed with high blood pressure among participants aged 50 years and older. The incidence rate among those with vitamin D levels of 50 ng/ml (125 nmol/L) or higher was 51% lower than the rate among those with vitamin D levels less than 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L).
Several studies have shown a positive correlation between omega-3s and blood pressure. One such study by Filipovic et al. compared the Omega-3 Index to blood pressure among 2036 healthy, young adults with normal blood pressures and found a significant inverse relationship, where those with the highest Omega-3 Index had the lowest blood pressure. The effect was seen with both systolic and diastolic measurements.
Research also suggests that avoidance or lack of sunshine may be a risk factor for increased blood pressure and death from heart attacks, with one study concluding that avoidance of sunshine resulted in a shorter life expectancy comparable to the shortened life expectancy of smokers! Benefits from increased nitric oxide production include dilated coronary arteries, lowered blood pressure, and reduced risk of angina – a condition characterized by severe chest pain and inadequate blood supply to the heart.
A paper published by Lindqvist et al. summarized findings from an observational, questionnaire-based cohort study of 23,593 women. The authors found that, compared to those with the greatest amount of sun exposure, women with low sun exposure habits had a 41% higher risk of hypertension, and women with moderate sun exposure habits had a 15% higher risk.