title

2011-08-26T08:39:00.000-04:00

http://healthandhealingonline.com/memorable-patient-is-back-at-work/

Research and Juice PLUS+

2011-03-15T10:58:00.003-04:00

Benefits of Juice PLUS+

Juice Plus+® is not a vitamin. It is a whole food based nutritional product made of juice powder concentrates from 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains. The ingredients are specially selected to provide a broad range of nutritional benefits.

Juice Plus+ is not a substitute for eating fruits and vegetables. Rather, it is a complement to a healthy diet to help bridge the gap between what we should be eating and what we actually eat. Research shows we should be eating at least 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, but most people do not do this. And most of the fruits and vegetables we do eat are over processed and over cooked, so they have lost some of their nutritional value. Also, we do not usually eat the variety that is packed into one Juice Plus+ capsule.

Independent researchers from various universities around the globe have conducted clinical studies and published results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. These studies have demonstrated the following:

Juice Plus+ provides important phytonutrients (components from plants that promote health) that are readily absorbable by the body.
Juice Plus+ reduces oxidative stress in the body by providing antioxidants. When we breath, exercise, and even when our cells produce energy for normal bodily functions, a highly reactive by-product called a free radical is also formed. Free radicals interact with molecules within cells causing damage within the cell. The damaging effect of free radicals has been linked to chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc. Antioxidants provided by Juice Plus+ help to neutralize the free radicals and thus reduce the damaging effects.
Juice Plus+ has been shown to positively impact markers of systemic inflammation. Inflammation is the result of high levels of oxidative stress, discussed above. Juice Plus+ has been shown to significantly decrease the levels of three biomarkers that measure inflammation in the body.
Juice Plus+ helps support a healthy immune system.
Juice Plus+ helps protect DNA. DNA becomes fragile and damaged when subjected to oxidative stress. The antioxidants in Juice Plus+ help to reduce oxidative stress.
Juice Plus+ positively impacts key indicators for cardiovascular wellness. One of those indicators is the level of homocysteine, an aminoacid, in the blood. High levels of homocysteine has been associated with atherosclerosis(hardening and narrowing of arteries), blood clots, and strokes. Studies have shown that Juice Plus+ lowers the levels of homocysteine in the blood.

References:
https://www.juiceplus.com/nsa/content/Science.soa

Chiropractic Advocacy Network

2009-07-01T11:38:00.005-04:00

Protect Patient Access to Chiropractic

Join the ACA's Chiropractic Advocacy Network!
WWW.ChiroVoice.org

Patient access to chiropractic services could be in danger. As Congress prepares to propose national health care and Medicare reform, chiropractic's opponents will do everything in their power to influence the outcome of these legislative battles at the expense of the chiropractic profession, and most importantly, chiropractic patients.

Join the ACA (American Chiropractic Association) as it initiates an urgent, unprecedented campaign to empower and engage chiropractic patients. Using a secure, national database of chiropractic patient contact information, the profession will be able to launch a targeted congressional education campaign that underscores the efficacy, cost-effectiveness and safety of the essential health care services provided by a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Click on the link above to join. Patients who sign up will receive valuable benefits:

Regular legislative updates

A monthly e-newsletter

Tips and talking points for corresponding with elected officials

NC Chiropractic Legislation Alert!

2009-02-06T11:39:00.012-05:00

COPAYMENT EQUITY - PATIENTS GET INVOLVED!

The N.C. House of Representatives introduced a bill last week that will reenact the co-pay equity provision of 2005. House Bill 14 will again make chiropractic co-pays affordable by making them equal to the co-pays of primary care physicians. The NC Chiropractic Association(NCCA) has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to assure that chiropractic patients throughout North Carolina are offered affordable healthcare.

With that said, please understand that THIS BILL WILL NOT GET PASSED WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT!
We urge you to carefully follow the instructions below:

1. CLICK HERE to down load letter.

2. CLICK HERE to determine your nine-digit ZIP code.

3. CLICK HERE and enter your ZIP code in the bottom right under "Who Represents Me?"

4. Click on your State House Representative. (It is unnecessary at this time to contact your Senator or Congressmen.)

5. Click on your State House Representative's link to locate his/her Legislative Mailing Address.

Make sure your signed letter is addressed and mailed to the appropriate State House Representative's address.

While a signed letter in the mail is the most effective form of communication, you may also email your legislator. (Email addresses are located on the same page as the mailing addresses.)

Please click here to download the North Carolina Lobbying Laws.

THANK YOU!

Piriformis Syndrome or Sciatica? (Part I)

2008-04-22T15:20:00.008-04:00

Piriformis Syndrome and Sciatica are two conditions that often present with very similar symptoms consisting of pain in the buttocks and/or hip that radiates down the back of the thigh and possibly to the foot. Symptoms may include numbness and tingling in the leg or foot. Even though these conditions have very similar symptoms, they are distinguished by their underlying cause. As a result, the treatments may vary as well. This article will focus on piriformis syndrome and its treatment. Stay tuned for part II of this article that will concentrate on sciatica.

The piriformis is one of the small muscles in the buttocks that attaches the front part of the sacrum (the triangular shaped bone at the base of the spine) to the outer bone of the hip (the greater trochanter of the femur). The action of this muscle is to rotate the hip outward. It also assists in stabilizing the hip.

The sciatic nerve is the largest peripheral nerve in the body that extends from the low back down through the buttocks and down the back of the thigh. In approximately 10 percent of the population this nerve pierces through the belly of the piriformis muscle. In the rest of the population the sciatic nerve passes underneath the piriformis muscle. In either case, when the piriformis muscle becomes tight, spasmed, or inflamed, it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. This irritation is called piriformis syndrome. It causes the very same symptoms associated with sciatica as mentioned above.

The piriformis muscle may become tight in athletes, particularly runners, who train too hard, too fast or too often without enough recovery built into the training regimen. The piriformis also may become tight in people who sit for long periods decreasing circulation of blood to this muscle. A third cause of piriformis syndrome can be from a misalignment or fixation of the joints in the hip or pelvis. Since the piriformis attaches to the sacrum and femur, a fixation or subluxation of the associated joints can lead to inflammation and spasm of surrounding muscles.

To diagnose piriformis syndrome we take a patient history and perform a thorough exam consisting of a chiropractic exam, orthopedic and neurological tests, and possibly x-rays of the lumbar spine. Our intention here is to rule out other pathologies that may have similar presentations.

Our treatment of piriformis syndrome may include the following procedures:

1. Adjustments of the spine, pelvis, hip to remove joint fixations so that the body is not compensating in ways that would fatigue stabilizing muscles.

2. Active Release Therapy (ART) - This is a soft tissue technique where we specifically treat the injured muscles and ligaments so as to remove adhesions, scarred muscle tissue, and nerve entrapments resulting from overuse and poor circulation.

3. Patient instruction for proper at home icing and heating protocols, as well as exercises. These will include stretching and strengthening exercises so that recovery is quicker and longer lasting.

Do you have pain, numbness, or tingling down the back of your thigh/leg? Do you find yourself squirming from discomfort while sitting? Or do you sit on top of opposite foot to relieve pressure in buttocks while sitting? These are some indications that you may be suffering from piriformis syndrome. Come visit us and let us help you out!

2008-03-13T10:58:00.006-04:00

Is Your Diet "Hurting" You?

Dr. Linda Foglia, DC

Probably yes!.... It is very possible that what we eat perpetuates our chronic pain symptoms. Pain is a response to inflammation. So first let me define inflammation and the foods that promote an inflammatory response. Then I will describe a diet that can reduce the pain cycle.

Inflammation is an immune system response to irritation or infection. It is associated with the following characteristics: PAIN, redness, heat, swelling, and dysfunction of the inflamed body part. When we get bruised it is easy to identify inflammation. However, if we are not in pain it is hard for us to imagine that a sub-clinical inflammatory process may still be occurring in our joints, bones, blood vessels and organs. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, etc., are all results of an underlying inflammatory condition. 1

Chronic inflammation varies among us due to our genetic makeup. However, just because we are genetically predisposed to certain inflammatory diseases, doesn't mean we will definitely get those diseases. Our lifestyle plays an integral role in determining whether or not those disease genes will get turned on. Diet and exercise are 2 very important factors determining gene expression. Evidence suggests that by eating an anti-inflammatory diet we can potentially avoid or minimize some chronic disease states, including chronic pain. 2

So what is an anti-inflammatory diet? This is a diet consisting of foods that minimize inflammation. Our diet should include more fruits, vegetables, raw nuts, and omega-3 animal products such as eggs, meat, fish, poultry. We should minimize consumption of refined sugar, grains, soy, beans, and dairy because these foods promote inflammation. We all should attempt to stick to this diet approximately 80-90% of the time. 1 Meaning you don't have to totally kiss those hot fudge sundaes good-bye forever.

Although studies indicate that diet will have the most dramatic effect, the following supplements can also be taken to reduce an inflammatory state. If you are currently taking medications, adding supplements to your diet needs to be coordinated with your medical doctor to ensure that there are no unsafe drug interactions. The following table lists supplements and their suggested amount. 1

Supplement	Suggested Amount
Multivitamin/mineral	Depends on product (Usually 2-3 pills/day)
Magnesium	400-1000 mg/day
Coenzyme Q10	100 mg/day
Alpha-lipoic acid	200 mg (2x/day)
Acetyl-L-carnitine	500 mg (2x/day)
EPA/DHA (fish oil)	1-3g/day
GLA (borage oil)	400mg/day
Vitamin D	1000-2000 IU/day
Ginger, Turmeric	1-2 gram/day of powdered herb extract
Garlic	5 mg/day

1. Seaman DR. Clinical Nutrition for Pain Inflammation and Tissue Healing. 1998. Privately published.

2. Nicklas BJ, You T, Pahor M. Behavioral Treatments for Chronic Systemic Inflammation: Effects of Dietary Weight Loss and Exercise training. Can Med Assoc J. 2005; 172:1199-1209.