It is estimated that 75 to 85 percent of Americans will have some type of low side back pain in their lifetimes. Back pain often times can be painful and quite debilitating. There is good news for those searching for natural, non-surgical methods to alleviate their pain. However, it is estimated that half of those that suffer from an episode of low back pain will experienced a flare-up within one year.

The cost for back related conditions is very high. It has been estimated that the diagnostic procedures associated with back pain cost $50 billion per year. Back pain is the second most common reason to see a doctor and one of the most common reasons for missing work. Only upper respiratory infections caused more people to go to the doctor’s office. The impacts on the individual are high. Ranging from chronic ongoing pain, to debilitating pain that interferes with quality of life and satisfaction a healthy, active lifestyle can bring.

Most cases of low side back pain are the result of a mechanical problem and not caused by serious, underlying conditions, such as cancer, infections, fractures etc… The spine is a very complex structure and the conditions that affect it are equally complex.

I have some exciting news to share with you.

For years I have been searching for the best program to deliver overall wellness…not just for my patients, but for myself, my staff and my family.

Personally, I was committed to continually improving my own health steadily each year. I knew I didn’t want to go through the rest of my life physically aging every year the way so many become resigned to do. I have known many people who despite the inevitable march of time, manage to stay young in spite of it… not just looking young, but living a youthful, active and vibrant life. I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less. I also knew that this should be doable for my friends and family as well.

Over the years, I have reviewed many, many programs, looking for one that incorporated all of the necessary components of true health, not just weight loss. Weight loss by itself is not health. We all know plenty of skinny, unhealthy people. Many people in losing weight unfortunately have also lost energy, strength and health. This is not only undesirable, it is unacceptable.

I am happy to tell you that my search has paid off. After investing a lot of hard work, energy and resources, the 8 Weeks to Wellness program will be available here, at Pinnacle Health Solutions. There are over 40 offices in the country currently helping patients through this approach. Our office is the only 8WW office in Washington State. This program is truly fantastic. Our entire team (Dr. Christensen, Betty, Kris and I) have achieved significant health benefits using this approach. It was important to me that we personally were successful with this program before we offered this to our patients.

This fruit juice has amazing health benefits…

Have you ever eaten a pomegranate? They are the fruit with the little red seeds in them.

Well, it turns out that pomegranate juice has some pretty powerful health benefits. Some research was done a few years a go and I want to share with you some of the findings because they are pretty interesting.

Check out the benefits discovered in the research study:

• After one year of pomegranate juice consumption (3 ounces per day), systolic blood pressure decreased by 21%.
• After one year of consumption, the antioxidant health status increased by 130%.
• Oxidative stress is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Consumption of pomegranate juice lowed the oxidative stress levels in the blood.
• A significant decrease in the LDL cholesterol levels after 6 months of consumption.
• Was shown to decrease atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries.

So let’s recap the benefits really quick. By consuming only 3 ounces of pomegranate juice daily, over time there is a good chance you would obtain the following health benefits:

• Lower blood pressure
• Increased antioxidant health status
• Decreases carotid artery atherosclerosis
• Lower oxidative stress levels
• Lower LDL levels

If you have young children or grandchildren, then you’ll want to read this article.

Many patients new to chiropractic care don’t realize that infants, toddlers, pre-teens, and teens get chiropractic care. They often ask, “Why would kids get chiropractic care? Thy don’t have back pain.”

The answer is simple. Chiropractic is so much more than back and neck pain relief. Chiropractic adjustments make the body work better. They boost the immune system. They reduce stress on the physical body. They do all sorts of amazing and beneficial things to keep you healthy.

There is no age limit to receiving the awesome health benefits of chiropractic care. In our office we see patients from birth to death. Chiropractic care can make a difference at any age.

Now, what about this question: “Are kids who receive chiropractic care healthier than kids who don’t receive chiropractic care?”

What do you think?

A research study was done several years ago to figure this out. Here’s what they found:

1. There is a “definite” correlation between chiropractic care and better health.
2. 69% of the chiropractic children (kids who receive chiropractic care) have never had an ear infection, while only 20% of the children who only receive medical care have never had an ear infection.
3. Medical treatment is disease treatment. Chiropractic healthcare is primarily preventative.
4. 95% of chiropractors considered that chiropractic had a positive effect on their children’s health.
5. The study has shown that children raised with getting chiropractic care are less prone to infectious processes such as ear infections and tonsillitis and their immune systems are better able to cope with allergens like pollen, weeds, grasses, etc. compared to children who do not receive chiropractic care.
6. Chiropractors responded that the “recovery time from any trauma or illness by their children was more rapid than that of their children’s peers.”
7. The study has shown that there is validity in the premise that chiropractic has a positive effect on the health status of individuals.”
8. The results of the study confirm the benefits of the chiropractic model of health care on the health status of children.

One of the greatest football players in NFL history has decided to publicly endorse his support for chiropractic care and the chiropractic profession.

Jerry Rice, one of the best wide receivers to ever play in the NFL, and also a star on the popular television show “Dancing with the Stars” has teamed up with the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress to let the public know about the positive benefits of chiropractic care.

Check out some of Jerry Rice’s comments:

“My first experience with chiropractic care was right before the 49ers were to play the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII in 1987. A couple of our key players were injured and a chiropractor turned things around. I quickly became a believer and ever since I have had the benefit of chiropractic care.”

“Football is a very rough and vicious sport. I took some vicious hits from players nearly twice my size. Thankfully, I had the durability to withstand these tackles or I would have never succeeded or lasted as long as I did. Chiropractic was the key to keeping me in the game.”

“Dancing with the stars was every bit as exhausting and challenging – though not nearly as brutal as football. It required many hours of practice. I had aches and pains that I never had before. Again, chiropractic made the difference – and kept me dancing and in competition.”

Do you use Tylenol when you have pain?

If so, the next time you reach for your bottle of Tylenol, consider this: There is evidence that many people who take maximum doses of this over the counter pain reliever had abnormal livers.

In other words, taking Tylenol as recommended on the bottle can create problems with your liver.

In the study, 40% of participants showed signs of liver damage after just two weeks.

Also, the leading ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen, and researchers warned that it’s easy to take more than the maximum daily amount of acetaminophen because its found in other medications that people take routinely.

The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, pointed out that acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure.

The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 8 to 10% of the annual kidney failures in the United States are caused by acetaminophen. This is 4,000 to 5,000 people every year who develop serious disorders from taking what is regularly purchased and consumed over the counter to cover up pain. (NEJM, 1994; 331: 1675-1678)

So to minimize the risk of damaging your liver, which can happen very quickly, you may want to natural forms of pain relief. Several options are now available in our office or the natural grocery store.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy (SDT) is a revolutionary new technology used primarily to treat disc injuries in the neck and in the low back. These injuries might be disc herniations, where the spinal disc is ruptured and jelly of the disc is pressing against a spinal nerve, or the injuries might be more chronic in nature, such as severe disc degeneration, sciatica or facet disease.

People often seek spinal decompression therapy after conservative therapies (chiropractic, physical therapy, exercise therapy, etc.) has failed to effectively heal the damage.

SDT utilizes FDA cleared equipment to apply distraction to the spine in a very specific and controlled way. Dr. Sheally, M.D., a Neurologist, developed the first table to help reverse the pressure on spinal discs. During decompression therapy, a patient undergoing treatment for low back pain, lies comfortably on his/her back or stomach on the decompression table. Padded straps help support the patient’s upper torso and their waist as the decompression gentle applies distraction to a specific area of the patient’s spine. For the neck, the patient lies comfortably on his/her back with a pair of soft rubber pads behind the neck. There are different versions of this table such as the DRX 9000, or the Chattanooga Versions which have important features and differences (covered in another post).

Help Stop Bullying — Produce Happier and Healthier Kids … and Adults.

Anyone who loves kids should read this.

Recently, there was an amazing program on the Diane Rehm. I stopped what I was doing, sat down and listened to how Jodee Blanco was helping kids who are bullied and those who bully. Teaching compassion is no easy task, but Jodee Blanco has done this effectively for thousands, transferring her bitter experience into something that powerfully helps kids, schools and communities through her work.

I highly encourage you to listen to this program: go to drshow.org, click on archive, select March 5th, 2008 (2nd show, Jodee Blanco).

Even listening to the first 15 minutes would be impactful. If you are so inspired, you can get both of her books on Amazon.com – Please Stop Laughing at Me & Please Stop Laughing at Us.

How many lives would change if more of our children knew this information?

Imagine children learning to be more compassionate and empathetic with each other. Imagine kids possessing more tools to resist the adolescent peer pressure that is often quite cruel. Jodee’s work can help.

Jodee’s work is, by the way, not just for kids … it’s for all of us.