Absolute Life Chiropractic

The newest chapter in the bizarre world of statin drug dangers

Don’t Overthink It

They REALLY don’t want you to think too much about this one.

Both Reuters Health and HealthDay News ran nearly identical lead paragraphs in their reporting about a new study of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.

The finding: Statin use increases risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

And along with that message, of course, they had to report that this risk is really a very small thing, hardly worth mentioning in light of the magnificence of the life-saving properties of the wonder drug…the Great Statin.

It’s as if they’re delivering bad news to a grouchy king who LOVES statins and is likely to have a lowly reporter beheaded if he even suggests that the adored heart drug is less than perfect.

Here’s the Reuters headline: “Cholesterol Drugs Raise Diabetes Risk, Just a Bit.”

Do they have any idea how hilarious that is? You can imagine a Reuters reporter holding his thumb and forefinger really close together, up near his eyeball, and squinting when he says in a high squeaky voice, “Just a bit.”

Just a teeny weenie bit, Your Highness.

HealthDay went one better, adding this quote from a news release about the study: “In view of the overwhelming benefit of statins for reduction of cardiovascular events…”

Yes, the benefits are OVERWHELMING! Why, a reporter might swoon under a spell of the vapors just thinking about the wonderfully overwhelming benefits of statins.

So? Ready to be overwhelmed?

Collateral damage, damage, and more damage

University of Glasgow researchers examined the results of 13 large statin trials that included more than 91,000 subjects.

Results showed that for every 255 patients treated with statins for four years, one would develop type 2 diabetes.

Well that doesn’t sound so bad. Just one little old diabetic for every 255 statin users? Since the benefits are grossly exaggerated (I’m sorry…I meant to say “overwhelming”) what difference do a few extra diabetics make?

A huge difference.

About 20 million people take statins in the U.S. So, one case of type 2 diabetes for every 255 patients comes to well over 78,000 people who will develop or already have developed diabetes as a statin side effect. (You can forget about the “four years” business because statin users are users-for-life.)

But if you’re convinced statins are life-saving wonder drugs, then I guess thousands upon thousands of cases of diabetes are acceptable. Not to mention the untold cases of muscle damage, kidney damage, liver damage, and cognition damage.

One of the Glasgow researchers told Reuters Health that the results of their study should put a stop to statin overuse, and the drug will be given “when appropriate for the right reasons.”

Aw, that’s adorable! He must have missed the news that the FDA recently OK’d the use of the statin Crestor for people who don’t have high cholesterol. And that approval came in spite of a Crestor study that showed a link to — yep — increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

The world of statins is a world gone mad (and not just a bit!).

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:
“Statins and Risk of Incident Diabetes: A Collaborative Meta-Analysis of Randomised Statin Trials” The Lancet, Published online ahead of print, 2/17/10, thelancet.com
“Cholesterol Drugs Raise Diabetes Risk, Just a Bit” Ben Hirschler, Reuters Health, 2/17/10, reutershealth.com
“Small Increase in Diabetes Risk Noted in Statin Patients” HealthDay News, 2/16/10, healthday.com

Dr. Troy M. Dreiling 

Absolute Life Chiropractic a “Maximized Living Health Center”

9418 NE Vancouver Mall Drive

Vancouver, WA 98662

Voice 360-260-6903 

Fax 360-260-4849

www.absolutelife.com

www.maximizedlivingDrDreiling.com

www.TheVancouverChiropractor.com

www.paradigmmedia.us

 

Top health news of 2010

Don't Overthink It
The serious health problems linked to statin use just keep on coming... Researchers analyzed 13 large statin trials to compare rates of type 2 diabetes among placebo subjects and statin users. Their conclusion: For every 255 patients treated with statins for four years, one additional case of diabetes would develop. Acceptable? Let's do the math: About 20 million people take statins in the U.S. So one case of type 2 diabetes for every 255 patients comes to well over 78,000 people who will develop or already have developed diabetes as a statin side effect. Two words: Completely unacceptable. But you don't have to be the next victim...

Stealing sound
Common painkillers may significantly damage your hearing. In a new analysis of the Health Professionals' Follow-Up Study, researchers found that men who took acetaminophen at least twice each week DOUBLED their risk of hearing loss. And compared to men who used painkillers infrequently, regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen increased hearing loss more than 60 percent.

Get unzapped
Electropollution is the invisible pollution, and it's everywhere. Every day, we're all getting thoroughly zapped with hazardous electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by the numerous electrical and wireless devices in our homes, offices, schoolrooms, cars, restaurants, stores--just about everywhere. In a new book titled "Zapped," HSI Panelist Ann Louise Gittleman reveals the most dangerous EMF sources and the steps you must take to minimize exposure.

Hard to swallow
Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel and other bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs have been shown to increase bone fracture risk when used for several years. Irony aside, that's bad enough. But new research from the British Medical Journal reports that extended bisphosphonate use (about five years) nearly DOUBLED the risk of esophageal cancer. If bisphosphonate pills aren't swallowed properly, the esophagus becomes inflamed, setting the stage for cancer. Find out the one way to make these dangerous drugs a little safer.

Brace yourself!
If your kids or grandkids have braces, you MUST check with the orthodontist immediately to find out what scanning method is used. If the answer is "cone-beam CT scan," request an alternative screening method. A New York Times investigation reveals that cone-beam scanning emits a massive radiation dose--much more radiation than a conventional x-ray. And it's a huge risk for kids, because children--especially adolescents--are much more vulnerable to the effects of radiation than adults.

Borrowing some time
We'll finish up where we started--with another impressive vitamin D study. And this one, I admit, is close to the heart. For more than two decades my father suffered with chronic lymphocytic leukemia before his death last year. Like most CLL patients, he was told that this type of cancer grows slowly and chemotherapy is started only when symptoms begin. Just last month, a Mayo Clinic study showed that when a patient's vitamin D levels are high, the interval between CLL diagnosis and the start of chemo is longer than in patients with low D levels. There's no firm evidence yet that use of a D supplement can prolong that interval. But other research already suggests that cancer growth may be slowed by ample D intake from sunlight exposure, dietary sources, and supplements.

And that's just the tip of D iceberg. We're really learning that there is almost nothing this vitamin can't do!


--

Dr. Troy M. Dreiling

Absolute Life Chiropractic a “Maximized Living Health Center”

9418 NE Vancouver Mall Drive

Vancouver, WA 98662

Voice 360-260-6903 

Fax 360-260-4849

www.absolutelife.com

www.maximizedlivingDrDreiling.com

www.TheVancouverChiropractor.com

www.paradigmmedia.us

Shop with the Doc at Whole Foods - Vancouver, WA

Learn how to shop healthy and not spend a whole paycheck!  

 

• I will show you how to shop and save money!

• I will show you what to buy and tips to the best food!

• I will show you all the foods you CAN eat!

• Receive Maximized Living recipes!

• Come and learn about Whole Foods money back guarantee!

 

Join the Fun and Bring your Friends!

 

You could win a $25 gift certificate to Whole Foods!

 

Who: Dr. Troy M. Dreiling

When: Thursday, June 17, 2010

Where: Whole Foods (162^nd and Mill Plain)
Time: 6:30 pm

Call # 360-260-6903 to register today

Want Maximized Living to come to you?

if so you can email us at drtroy@absoutelife.com

to schedule an amazing health talk/workshops for your place of work or play!

Dr. Troy M. Dreiling

Absolute Life Chiropractic

A “Maximized Living Health Center”

9418 NE Vancouver Mall Drive

Vancouver, WA 98662

Voice 360-260-6903 

Fax 360-260-4849

www.absolutelife.com

www.thevancouverchiropractor.com

www.maximizedlivingDrDreiling.com

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Dr. Troy Dreiling

April showers bring May flowers!!!!

Spring is time for planting flowers and time for focusing on your HEALTH.

 

5 modes to be aware of this time of year:

 

1. Inhale and exhale

2. Relax and regenerate

3. Strength and health

4. Peace and pray

5. Rest and awake

 

As we pass the winter solstice and the resurrection more light is upon us. Our attention needs to be on preparing our GARDEN (body) to regenerate our glands. Starting with the thyroid and adrenal, over the next 30-90 days, we need to strengthen these glands or the “SEEDS” of life. Prepare your body to have an abundant health harvest.

Does glandular fatigue exist? Answer

Glandular fatigue is a term applied to a collection of nonspecific symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive problems. The term often shows up in popular health books and on alternative medicine Web sites, but it isn't an accepted MEDICAL diagnosis.

Your adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones that are essential to life. The medical term "adrenal insufficiency," or Addison's disease, refers to inadequate production of one or more of these hormones as a result of an underlying disease. Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include fatigue, body aches, unexplained weight loss, low blood pressure, lightheadedness and loss of body hair. Adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed by blood tests and special stimulation tests that show inadequate levels of adrenal hormones.

Proponents of the adrenal fatigue diagnosis claim this is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress. The theory behind adrenal fatigue is that your adrenal glands are unable to keep pace with the demands of perpetual fight-or-flight arousal. As a result, they can't produce quite enough of the hormones you need to feel good. Existing medical blood tests aren't sensitive enough to detect such a small decline in adrenal function — but your body is. That's why you feel tired, weak and depressed.

Starting with the central nerve system and a few other simple tests can open the door to a better functioning body.

Make sure you are at the “Sleep/Adrenal/Thyroid talk”.  Thursday, May 6^th at 6:15pm. Open to all.  Please reserve you seat today.            Call 360-260-6903

by Dr. Troy Dreiling www.thevancouverchiropractor.com

Comupterized Technology Helps Move Absolute Life of Vancouver, Washington to Next Level of Health Care.

What Does Surface EMG Stand For?

SEMG stands for Surface Electromyography. Surface EMG is a device which measures the amount of electrical activity your muscles release when they are contracting, more commonly known as muscle tension. It is similar in function to an EKG which measures heart muscle activity.

Is it Painful?

Not at all. It is totally non-invasive and does not cause pain or irritation. This makes it totally safe for infants, children, pregnant women or seniors. It simply requires the placement of small probes against the skin. The test takes less than a few minutes.

Why is Muscle Activity Important?

Muscles have a tendency to "brace" in response to spinal misalignments known as Vertebral Subluxations. These Subluxations create nerve interference which effect muscles, blood vessels and internal organs.

Why Am I Being Tested?

Studies in prestigious Chiropractic and Medical journals have shown the surface EMG (SEMG) to be very helpful in determining if your body is "tensing" in an abnormal manner. This can help verify the severity of your condition and help track your Chiropractic progress.

How Does This Relate To Chiropractic?

Vertebral Subluxations reduce your body's ability to maintain optimal health. When Vertebral Subluxations are present, the nervous system is negatively effected resulting in increases or decreases in muscle activity. The SEMG shows the muscular component of the Vertebral Subluxations. The Chiropractor's job is to detect and correct these Vertebral Subluxations by a simple and effective procedure called an "adjustment".

What Does The Torso Graph Mean?

Readings in white are considered normal,  and (green/blue) red is abnormal. Readings correlate with the presence of Vertebral Subluxations, which your Chiropractor will correct through adjustments to your spine.

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Affect My SEMG?

The Chiropractic Adjustment has many positive benefits to your nervous system. In most cases, the SEMG normalizes and balances. The information from your SEMG will help your Doctor of Chiropractic determine the type of care best suited to your case. Follow up testing is used to monitor and evaluate your Chiropractic progress.

Why Do Chiropractors Use Computerized Spinal Examination?

As a modern Chiropractic Office, Absolute Life Chiropractic and Dr. Troy M. Dreiling are committed to using the highest quality research and clinical grade medical instrumentation available for the purpose of detecting and correcting the Vertebral Subluxation.

Computerized Spinal Examination, specifically Surface Electromyography (SEMG) is used to evaluate the relative levels of electrical activity associated with Vertebral Subluxations.

By interfering with the communication between the brain and the rest of the body, a Vertebral Subluxation produces improper electrical impulses which can lead to poor health.

This altered of abnormal (pathophysiologic) state is then recorded and displayed by Computerized SEMG. SEMG Scanning provides qualitative and quantitative data to assist your Chiropractor in determining which areas / levels of the nervous system are being adversely affected by Vertebral Subluxations.

Today’s Chiropractic care help WHAT???

Often you hear complaints from “authorities” that chiropractic doesn’t have any valid documentation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here are many examples.

 

Blood Pressure

Yates RG, Lamping, DL, Abram NL, Wright C: Effects of chiropractic treatment on blood pressure and anxiety: a randomized, controlled trial. JMPT 1988; 11(6):484, 21 hypertensive patients. T1-T5 adjustments. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the adjusted group, but not in the placebo and control groups.

 

Vision Problems

Terrett AGJ, Gorman RF: the eye, the cervical spine, and spinal manipulative therapy: a review of the literature. Chiropractic Technique 1995; 7(2):43. Gilman G, Bergstrand J: Visual recovery following chiropractic intervention. Journal of Behavioral Optometry 1990: 1(3):3. Gorman RF: The treatment of presumptive optic nerve ischemia by spinal manipulation. JMPT 1995; 18(3): 172. Gorman RF: Monocular vision loss after closed head trauma: immediate resolution associated with spinal manipulation. JMPT 1995; 18(5):308.

 

Ulcers

Pikalov AA, Kharin VV: Use of spinal manipulative therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcer: a pilot study. JMPT 1994: 17(5):310. 11 ulcer patients received chiropractic care. They were compared to 24 cases treated medically. The chiropractic group experienced remission demonstrated endoscopically, and pain relief an average of 10days earlier than traditional care.

Infantile Colic

Klougart N, Nilsson N, Jacobsen J: Infantile colic treated by

chiropractors: a prospective study of 316 cases. JMPT 1989;

12(4):281. A satisfactory result occurred within two weeks in 94%if cases receiving chiropractic care.

 

HIV

Selano JL, Hightower BC, Pfleger B et al: The effects of specific upper cervical adjustments on the CD4 counts of HIV positive patients. Chiropractic Research Journal 1994; 3(1):32. Over the six month period of the study, the control group experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 counts, while the adjusted group experienced a 48% increase in CD4 cell counts over the same period.

 

Nerve Root Compression

Sharpless, SK: Susceptibility of Spinal Roots to Compression Block. NINCDS Monograph 15, DHEW publication (NIH) 76-998, 1975, pages 155-161. A pressure of only 10 mm Hg produced a significant compression block, the potential falling to 60% of its initial value in 15 minutes, and to half its initial value in 30 minutes. After such a small compressive force is removed, nearly complete recovery occurs in 15 to 30 minutes. With higher levels of pressure, we have observed incomplete recovery after many hours of recording. Konno S, Olmarker K, Byrod G et al: Intermittent cauda equine compression. Spine 1995; 20(1):1223.

Compression of the nerve roots of the cauda equina with as little as 10 mm Hg resulted in decreased action potentials.

Rydevik BL: The Effects of Compression on the Physiology of Nerve Roots. JMPT January 1992; 15(1), pages 62-66.

Venous blood flow to spinal roots was blocked with 5-10 mm Hg of pressure. The resultant retrograde venous stasis due to venous congestion is suggested as a significant cause of nerve root compression. Impairment of nutrient flow to spinal nerves is present with similar low pressure.

 

Dysmenorrhea

Kokjohn K, Schmid DM, Triano JJ, Brennan PC: The effect of spinal manipulation on pain and prostoglandin levels in women with primary dysmenorrhea. JMPT 1992; 15(5):279. 45 Subjects. Experimental and “sham” control group.

Conclusion: SMT may be an effective and safe

nonpharmacological alternative for relieving the pain and distress of primary dysmenorrhea.

 

Pain

Hause M: Pain and the nerve root. Spine 1993: 18(14): 2053. Nerve root compression can exist without pain. Mechanical changes lead to circulatory changes. Inflammatogenic agents may cause chemical radiculitis. There may be disturbed CSF flow. The influence of the sympathetic system may result in synaptic sensitization of the CNS and peripheral nerves, creating a “vicious cycle.”

Wall EJ, Massie JB, Kwan MK, Rydevik BL, Myers RR, Garfin SR: Experimental stretch neuropathy. Changes in nerve conduction tension. J Bone Joint Surg Br January 1992; 74(1), pages 126-129. At 6% strain, the amplitude of the action potential had decreased by 70% at one hour and returned to normal during the recovery period. At 12% strain, conduction was completely blocked by one hour, and showed minimal recovery.

 

Current research showing the Positive, Safe, Proven Method to helping get sick people well. The more specific, the better, at relieving a suffering and sick planet. We at Absolute Life Chiropractic are committed to delivering the BEST and Highest Quality care and service possible.

 

Dr. Troy Dreiling – Vancouver Mall Chiropractic

www.TheVancouverChiropractor.com Voted best in County and Voted Best of Clark County by the Colombian Newspaper readers. Dr. Dreiling is also a member of the Maximized Living Wellness Advisory Council, which offers services and advice to the Governing bodies of USA Judo, USA Weightlifting and USA Wrestling.

 

This is an excerpt from Dave Jackson work.

 

 

DOC, I didn’t come to the office to get adjusted because I was “SICK”

The staff and I hear this from time to time and it still continues to amaze me. We then look to ourselves and say, “did we not communicate to this person that whether you are feeling super or suffering from a healing challenge? One thing is true; you need to make sure your nerve system is free of physical pressure and stress.” Any time I feel my body is not working correctly, I always get an adjustment. Some times I needed 2 function-boosting adjustments to help my body deal with the health issues I faced. It always works out for the better. After my adjustment, my body begins to function and heal at a higher level. When patients follow this approach they report immediate results. Many patients are surprised when they say they can’t make it because they are sick and we respond with, “This IS The Best time to get ADJUSTED. Get here ASAP!!!”

I have heard countless reports that they are glad they came and got their “Power Turned On.” Many patients report only hours of discomfort instead of their “old” days or weeks of malaise. We are here to get you well and keep you well. Below are some of the Basic concepts to healing. No matter if the President declares a state of emergency on a virus for the first time in history; you need to understand the basics to healing. First of all it comes from inside you. Health and healing don’t come outside your body. After practicing for 15 years, I realize the one thing that will either hold you back or move you forward is YOU!!! You hold you back. When you begin to understand how powerful you are and that you have the awesome ability to overcome any challenges in your way the sky is the limit. The basic concepts must be understood and practice so that you can achieve your highest level of health possible.


HEALING BASICS
The brain and spinal cord run, coordinate, control, harmonize and govern every aspect of your health and your existence. God put the most amazing healing power in the brain and spinal cord. This power is what runs your body and heals your body. Without a proper functioning nerve system you CANNOT be well. In order for you to be well, the brain must be able to communicate with the body and its organs through the spinal cord, which is housed by your spine. If you want to be well, you need to keep your nerve system well. If you are “SICK”, or as we say at Absolute Life; “Expressing health”, then you absolutely want to get adjusted.  In clinical trial studies, getting adjusted has been shown to possibly boost immunity up to 400%. Patients report less “sick” time after being adjusted.

The top 10 actions you can take if your body is expressing health or “sickness”

1.    For goodness sakes, GET ADJUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ASAP!!! Don’t think about it!!!
2.    This year the American Journal of Pediatrics released a statement that children and adults SHOULD NOT be taking “cold” medications. They have been shown to destroy the body and actually create dis-ease. Phenylpropylalanine, an active ingredient, causes strokes & seizures.
3.    “I have the flu and don’t want to expose your other patients to it!” Don’t worry, I and the other patients adhere to these top 10 actions. Remember, it is not the bug, it’s the terrain. I have people coughing and sneezing on me all the time, and never “catch” a thing. Spreading and catching illness & dis-ease is a myth and the most ridiculous concept ever fabricated!
4.    Get plenty of rest. SLOW DOWN and stop killing yourself. The reason your body is expressing health is because you have run it down and now it must try to mend itself in spite of you. Sleep a little, it won’t kill ya’J   LISTEN TO your Body.
5.    Drink plenty of clean water. ½ your body wt. in ounces is a good place to start. Add a green powder (Supergreens) and lemon. This will help with cleansing and detoxification. Stop eating dairy and sugar or anything that turns to sugar (request an e-mail version of the healing diet from the front desk). Sugar is fertilizer for bacteria, viruses, yeast, mold, cancer, and dis-eases of all kinds.
6.    Let your symptoms express themselves. Coughing, sneezing, headaches, shivering, diarrhea, etc. are all lifesaving mechanisms and are aiding in cleansing & detoxifying poisonous waste from your body. Symptoms are the way your body heals itself!
7.    Once you have your strength back, get moving! Movement will help in lymphatic drainage which aids in cleansing. Getting on a trampoline and gently bouncing is a great way to boost your immune system and push out toxins.
8.    THINK POSITIVELY! God gave you everything you need to heal. Fear and worry only make things worse. Have faith, you will heal! Your natural state is to express health.
9.    Pharmaceuticals poison the body. By nature, a drug makes the body acidic and toxic, which is the exact opposite of what your body is trying to achieve.
10.    Get outside. The body requires a daily supply of fresh oxygen as well as sunlight. The sunlight will help in immune system and vitamin D boosting efforts.


Are you a mom or know any mom’s? Plug into the Absolute Life Moms site.  Blogs, stories, networking, mom’s events and more…. www.absolutelifemoms.com

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Know anyone in an accident? Www.vanoucverautoaccident.com  We can help.

Next event to be here for. This is your office

“Shop With Doc Night” at Whole Foods Market
Thursday, November 5th at 6:30pm
Learn how to shop to get the most out of your food.


Building a Titanium Immune System Talk
Monday, November 16th at 6:30
How to stay well during the seasons

The Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Great article I came across wanted to share it. Enjoy. Posted by Dr. Troy Dreiling

By Charles Masarsky, DC

Many patients come in for their initial visit with a clear short-term goal: pain relief. Unfortunately, if that remains their only goal, they miss out on some of the benefits of chiropractic care beyond pain relief. The following patient education article is designed to assist you in discussing long-term goals of chiropractic care. Please feel free to use it on your bulletin board, as a front-desk handout or for lay lectures.

No one thinks it's odd when their dentist recommends regular visits to maintain good oral health for as long as possible, nor do they find it peculiar when their optometrist suggests regular visits to maintain good visual health for as long as possible. And yet many people are puzzled when their doctor of chiropractic recommends regular visits to maintain good spinal health for as long as possible.

Of course, when you are suffering with low back pain, neck pain or tension headache, it is completely understandable that you have one overriding goal - stop the pain. However, once this short-term goal has been accomplished, it is time to consider your long-term spinal health goals. In formulating your long-term goals, it is essential to understand that spinal health is about more than getting rid of pain. Spinal health has a long-term impact on every function affected by the spinal nerves, which influence every organ system in your body.

Breathing is a good example of a function most people do not associate with spinal health. A case published in the 1980s involved a 53-year-old man with a 20-year history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.¹ More than 14 months after starting chiropractic care, the amount of air he was able to forcibly exhale in one complete breath (a measure called "forced vital capacity") and the amount of air he could move in the first second of that complete breath (called "forced expiratory volume in one second") had both improved substantially (1 liter and 0.3 liters, respectively). This case is part of a growing body of literature indicating that improved spinal health through chiropractic care is often accompanied by improved lung volumes.²

The long-term implications of the link between chiropractic care and lung volumes cannot be overemphasized. In most adults, even those without pulmonary disease, lung volumes do not improve over time. In fact, lung volumes generally decline with age. Lower than normal lung volumes are associated with shorter lifespans.³ More specifically, depressed lung volumes have recently been linked to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other potentially life-shortening cardiovascular problems.^4-6 Conversely, the better your lung volumes, the longer your lifespan is expected to be. Additional biological functions that seem to benefit from improved spinal health include reaction time,⁷ balance and vision.⁸

In the short run, it would be great to get out of pain. Chiropractic care can help most people achieve this short-term goal of spinal health. In the long run, it would be great to retain as much lung capacity, visual acuity, reaction time, balance, and cardiovascular health as possible. Emerging research strongly suggests spinal health has a role to play in these long-term goals as well. Consider this when your doctor of chiropractic recommends regular follow-up visits.

References

1. Masarsky CS, Weber M. Chiropractic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. JMPT, December 1988;11(6):505-10.
2. Masarsky CS, Weber M. Somatic dyspnea and the orthopedics of respiration. Chiropractic Technique, 1991;3:26.
3. Beatty TH, et al. Effects of pulmonary function on morbidity. J Chron Dis, 1985;38:703.
4. Van Der Palen J, Rea TD, et al. Respiratory muscle strength and the risk of incident cardiovascular events. Thorax, 2004;59:1063-7.
5. Hozawa A, Billings JL, et al. Lung function and ischemic stroke incidence: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Chest, December 2006;130(6):1642-9.
6. Guo X, Pantoni L, et al. Midlife respiratory function related to white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts in late life: the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden. Stroke, July 2006;37(7):1658-162.
7. Lauro A, Mouch B. Chiropractic effects on athletic ability. Chiropractic: The Journal of Research and Chiropractic Clinical Investigation, 1991;6:84.
8. Kessinger R, Boneva D. Changes in visual acuity in patients receiving upper cervical chiropractic care. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, 1998;2(1):43.

The Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Great article I came across wanted to share it. Enjoy. Posted by Dr. Troy Dreiling

By Charles Masarsky, DC

Many patients come in for their initial visit with a clear short-term goal: pain relief. Unfortunately, if that remains their only goal, they miss out on some of the benefits of chiropractic care beyond pain relief. The following patient education article is designed to assist you in discussing long-term goals of chiropractic care. Please feel free to use it on your bulletin board, as a front-desk handout or for lay lectures.

No one thinks it's odd when their dentist recommends regular visits to maintain good oral health for as long as possible, nor do they find it peculiar when their optometrist suggests regular visits to maintain good visual health for as long as possible. And yet many people are puzzled when their doctor of chiropractic recommends regular visits to maintain good spinal health for as long as possible.

Of course, when you are suffering with low back pain, neck pain or tension headache, it is completely understandable that you have one overriding goal - stop the pain. However, once this short-term goal has been accomplished, it is time to consider your long-term spinal health goals. In formulating your long-term goals, it is essential to understand that spinal health is about more than getting rid of pain. Spinal health has a long-term impact on every function affected by the spinal nerves, which influence every organ system in your body.

Breathing is a good example of a function most people do not associate with spinal health. A case published in the 1980s involved a 53-year-old man with a 20-year history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.¹ More than 14 months after starting chiropractic care, the amount of air he was able to forcibly exhale in one complete breath (a measure called "forced vital capacity") and the amount of air he could move in the first second of that complete breath (called "forced expiratory volume in one second") had both improved substantially (1 liter and 0.3 liters, respectively). This case is part of a growing body of literature indicating that improved spinal health through chiropractic care is often accompanied by improved lung volumes.²

The long-term implications of the link between chiropractic care and lung volumes cannot be overemphasized. In most adults, even those without pulmonary disease, lung volumes do not improve over time. In fact, lung volumes generally decline with age. Lower than normal lung volumes are associated with shorter lifespans.³ More specifically, depressed lung volumes have recently been linked to increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and other potentially life-shortening cardiovascular problems.^4-6 Conversely, the better your lung volumes, the longer your lifespan is expected to be. Additional biological functions that seem to benefit from improved spinal health include reaction time,⁷ balance and vision.⁸

In the short run, it would be great to get out of pain. Chiropractic care can help most people achieve this short-term goal of spinal health. In the long run, it would be great to retain as much lung capacity, visual acuity, reaction time, balance, and cardiovascular health as possible. Emerging research strongly suggests spinal health has a role to play in these long-term goals as well. Consider this when your doctor of chiropractic recommends regular follow-up visits.

References

1. Masarsky CS, Weber M. Chiropractic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. JMPT, December 1988;11(6):505-10.
2. Masarsky CS, Weber M. Somatic dyspnea and the orthopedics of respiration. Chiropractic Technique, 1991;3:26.
3. Beatty TH, et al. Effects of pulmonary function on morbidity. J Chron Dis, 1985;38:703.
4. Van Der Palen J, Rea TD, et al. Respiratory muscle strength and the risk of incident cardiovascular events. Thorax, 2004;59:1063-7.
5. Hozawa A, Billings JL, et al. Lung function and ischemic stroke incidence: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Chest, December 2006;130(6):1642-9.
6. Guo X, Pantoni L, et al. Midlife respiratory function related to white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts in late life: the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden. Stroke, July 2006;37(7):1658-162.
7. Lauro A, Mouch B. Chiropractic effects on athletic ability. Chiropractic: The Journal of Research and Chiropractic Clinical Investigation, 1991;6:84.
8. Kessinger R, Boneva D. Changes in visual acuity in patients receiving upper cervical chiropractic care. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, 1998;2(1):43.