Acupuncture Diagnosis Methods

Acupuncture diagnosis or analysis traditionally was performed through the five senses. A traditional acupuncturist would look at a patient's skin and eye color, and the color and texture of the tongue. They would feel the texture of the skin, and the intensity of pulses at the wrists. They would pay attention to smells and odors emitted by the patient. The doctors would listen to complaints and the breathing of their patients. They would have the patient describe prominent tastes and odors. Many acupuncture doctors today rely heavily upon what is known as a pulse diagnostic. Through artful palpation at the wrists, 6 distinct pulses are analyzed on each side, corresponding to the 12 paired meridians.

Computerized Acupuncture Testing

Japanese acupuncturists began integrating ancient philosophy with modern technology. They began to utilize sensitive electrical instruments to measure electrical potential of the meridians and acupuncture points. Within the modern computer age, electrical testing devices have been linked with computers and software enabling the acupuncturist to quickly and accurately evaluate a patient, graph the results of the evaluation, and then apply Chinese theory in choosing the appropriate points to treat. The combination of these technologies have enabled acupuncturists to more accurately evaluate and treat the patient, all with greater efficiency, and also provides the acupuncture doctor with a method of charting patient responses to treatment.

In my office, I use Acugraphing to analyze the state of my patient's chi system. This provides for a repeatable results and a baseline from which to measure progress for the patients.

If you would like to experience what acupuncture can do for you or a loved one first hand, click on this link to get to a page where you can establish contact with my office. I would be very happy to see you and explain acupuncture and acugraphing during a complementary consultation.

Keith Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com

Exercise Better than NSAIDs for Chronic Lower Back Pain

A recent study in Japan shows that for chronic lower back pain, home based exercise programs are more effective than taking NSAIDS, such as Advil and Motrin.

Although the medications might be helpful in reducing pain and inflammation temporarily, they do nothing to help the condition generally, and in fact, actually cause further damage and degenerative changes to cartilage over time with usage.

Exercises, when performed regularly at home, were shown to be more effective in reducing pain and improving core stability. The side effect of exercise, in contrast to the side effects of medicating for pain, is good health.

The key is stick with it. The study was conducted over a one year period of time.

If you suffer from chronic lower back pain, these tips could help:
1) Eat healthy! Avoid fatty foods and foods that are high in refined carbohydrates. Add a multi-vitamin and fish oils to your diet.
2) Visit your chiropractor, and get adjusted regularly. Proper movement and alignment of the spine is essential for good spinal health.
3) Learn some good home exercises, and DO THEM every day. Here is a link for some exercises to get you started: http://eastmesachiropractor.com/index.php?p=97781
4) Get out and into the sun for at least 15 minutes every day to improve your outlook and improve your health.

Lower back pain can be debilitating, but it doesn't have to be! Be proactive, and take the least amount of medications you absolutely have to. Try the steps listed above, and when you find what works, stick with it, making it a part of your life.

Keith Biggs, DC
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com

X-Ray of Lower Cervical Degeneration

In my last post, I talked about the affect that lower neck degeneration can have on the upper neck region. I just wanted to post a quick picture of cervical spine (neck) degeneration so that you can see how damaging this condition can be.

Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com

Lower Neck Joint Degeneration and Headaches

While I was looking for articles regarding headaches, I cam across this article in the Dynamic Chiropractic. I was intrigued by the connection of lower neck degeneration and headaches.

In 20 years of clinical practice, I have come to understand that significant mechanical stresses over time appear to primarily affect the mid to lower cervical spine. Lateral view x-rays readily show degeneration in these areas, though often the degenerative changes are passed over by medical radiologists as being "normal".

Many of the patients suffering from lower neck degeneration also experience neck related headaches. Typically they have tight shoulder and upper back muscles, tightness at the base of the skull, and pain at the base of the head. The pain can spread up and over the top of the head and even into the eyes.

The above article points out how when lower neck disc degeneration is present, it alters the mechanics of the upper neck region. This in turn can cause irritation of the sub-occipital nerve, resulting in headache pain. The author further points out that traction therapy to the damaged discs of the lower neck region causes a reactionary relaxation in the upper neck, reducing the tendency for headaches.

In my office, I have found this to be true. I employ the Triton DTS spinal decompression therapy whenever I encounter a patient with mid to lower neck disc degeneration with accompanying upper thoracic and cervical spine myofascitis. The traction has also been beneficial in reducing cervical/brachial syndrome.

Keith Biggs, DC
Biggs Chiropractic & Acupuncture
3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com

Drink Water, Loose Weight

A recent study at Virginia Tech University shows that dieters who drink two cups of water before every meal loose 30% more weight than those that don't.

Drinking the water isn't thought to cause the subjects of the study to burn more fat, but simply to consume fewer calories at meal time. The best information is that for those people in the study that continued the habit, a large percentage were able to sustain the weight loss, and even over time loose a few more pounds.

If you are trying to loose weight, what do you have to loose?

Obesity is a national problem. It leads to many health problems, including some of the most deadly. Diabetes, Cancer, Heart disease, and strokes are just some of the diseases related to overeating and poor diets.

Water, on the other hand, is essential for proper cell hydration and for the elimination of waste through the urine and bowel. The best idea is to avoid chlorine laden water.

So, if you want to loose a few pounds, drink a couple of cups of water before meals. Like many natural remedies for health problems, the potential up-side is fantastic, while if it doesn't help you to loose weight, you still will benefit from the improved hydration.

So, take a good drink before you eat.

Health in a Bottle

I recently watched a movie called "Food Matters". I enjoyed it very much, and it caused me to think.  I would highly recommend it to everyone, and it is easily obtained through a Netflix account.

The movie talks about how we, as a society of people, are killing ourselves through our choices of foods. The old adage "you are what you eat" is brought painfully clear. To keep it simple, we have a tendency to eat trash. Yes, I said trash. What I am referring to is the typical western diet that consists primarily of high calorie/low nutrient content foods.

Trash foods are processed, consist of high levels of chemicals, contain refined carbohydrates (sugars and starches), and are high in saturated fats (fried foods, lard, butter, etc.)

Think logically for just a moment.

Man was not designed to subsist on such a diet. Period.  Think of early man (Adam and Eve for those that believe in God, or evolutionary predecessors for those that are atheists). What do you think they ate? Corn flakes, Big Macs, Fries, soft drinks?  How about chicken-fried stake?  I know, it was probably cookies, cakes, and doughnuts.

Yes, I am being sarcastic. But the point of the matter is that your body and mine were not designed for the foods/fuels that we now feed them. So, what did early man eat?  How about plants, nuts, seeds, fruits, fish, and other forms of meats that could be caught and killed.  We would typically call our ancestors hunters and gatherers, and I don't mean the kind that hunt down the nearest In-and-out Hamburger joint for a double-double, fries, and drink.

The processed, carbohydrate, and fat heavy diet that we now eat is far from healthy, and it is killing us.  This type of diet causes the most common killers of mankind. Let me name a few: Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes.  This bad diet also contributes to the pain and inflammation of arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle pain.  What about digestive diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux disease, and ulcers?

I like to call these diseases "diseases of choice". We choose to get them. We do this by eating garbage and avoiding exercise.  Once we have these diseases, we turn to medications (other man-made chemicals) with the promise of health.

Doesn't this sound absurd?  Foreign man-made chemicals (bad foods) cause our diseases, and then we look for man-made chemical (medicines) to cure the diseases.  It might hurt you to finally hear this, but health is not found in a bottle of pills. It never was, and it never will be.  Health is found through healthy living habits, and the one that is violated over and over again is the human diet.

Here are some healthy ideas about foods:
1) Make at least 50% of all your foods raw. Please note that I said raw and not lightly steamed. This includes whole fruits, vegetables, plants, salads, etc.
2) Simplify your proteins. Eat broiled fish, skinless broiled chicken, turkey. Avoid processed meats like sausage, lunch meats, hot dogs, etc.  Other red meats can be used, but do so sparingly.
3) When in the supermarket, stay in the outside isles. Most of the processed foods are in the inner part of the stores.
4) Get rid of the creamy salad dressings!  Use olive oil based dressings. They contain essential fatty acids that are actually healthy for your heart!
5) Stop using rice, potatoes, breads, and pastas as the main dishes. In our western diet we use many of these as fillers. They are cheap, easily produced, and they fill us up. They are also simple sugars. They make our cholesterol go up, along with our weight.

Take a look at the food pyramid diagram above. It is for the Mediterranean Diet, and I believe that this is a healthy place to start, although I would recommend ONLY whole grains, and to avoid too many breads in general. For some, these suggestions will cause monumental changes to how you shop for and eat foods. For others, the changes will be less dramatic. Whatever the case may be, take steps in the right direction. Don't be discouraged if you fall off the healthy food bandwagon from time to time. Any changes you can make in the right direction can have positive benefits on your health.  When combined with chiropractic adjustments, holistic acupuncture, massage, and regular exercise, the results can be very dynamic.  You are responsible for your health, so make some healthy choices regarding food, and stop looking for health in a pill bottle.

--
Keith E. Biggs, DC

3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office:  480-985-3334
Cell:     480-375-0068

Vitamin D, More Than Just for Bones

Vitamin D is quite the popular vitamin these days. Historically, we have known that it is essential for healthy bones. After all, Vitamin D is in mild and dairy products. The American Dairy Association has spent a lot of money to teach us we must consume mild to have healthy bones... but that is another blog post...

Vitamin D, it appears, is quite the supper star. It shouldn't come as a shock, really.

Daily consumption should be much higher than the current RDA, or recommended daily allowance, which is 200iu. The RDA is the minimum level. Anything below it would cause disease.

A single t-spoon of Cod Liver Oil, however, provides 1300 iu of Vitamin D. Fish is a great source of Vitamin D, as well as dairy products, eggs, and grains.

Some report toxicity if more than  2000 iu are taken daily.

Vitamin D is produced within the body when exposed to sunlight.

As stated before, Vitamin D is well known for its benefits in helping to absorb and use calcium in the body, but did you know that it does so much more? Here is a short list of some of the KNOWN benefits of Vitamin D:
1) Reduces Inflammation
2) Promotes growth and reproduction of all cells of the body.
3) Has been shown helpful in the treatment of asthma
4) Has recently been shown at LSU as helping patients with Cystic Fibrosis.
5) It promotes a healthy immune system
6) It can shorten the duration and reduce the severity of colds and other infections
7) It is essential in healthy nerve function.
8) It is necessary for healthy muscle function.

Low blood levels of vitamin D is a significant risk factor for the formation of cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease. It has been found to cause chronic lower back pain. It can cause persistent arm or leg pain and other forms of musculoskeletal pain.

Which brings up the question: When was the last time that your doctor ordered a blood test to see if you are Vitamin D deficient?  Routine measurements of serum vitamin D levels needs to become a routine component of patient care.

Dr. Alex Vasquez, DC, ND, DO, recommends doses of Vitamin D at the levels of 2000-10000 iu  for patients that suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain, and in particular, lower back pain.

If you are having chronic back pain, perhaps it is due to a low level of Vitamin D in your blood. Let me know and we can order a simple test to find out.

Keith Biggs, DC
eastmesachiropractor.com

Goodbye Mark

I have been saddened recently by the news of the passing of an old friend. We grew up together in Phoenix. We attended the same school and played at each others' houses. I moved away from the old neighborhood when I was about 10 years old, and we lost contact.  Never the less, he was a significant part of my early childhood, and I will never forget him.

He died last Saturday. It was sudden... from what I have heard. Since we have not been in contact with each other for many years, all of the data that I am receiving is through my parents, who are good friends with his parents. It seems that he was not feeling very well, so his wife encouraged him to make a doctor's appointment, which he did, but he passed away before the appointment.  Based on this information, I would venture to guess that he died as a result of a massive heart attack or stroke. Either way, my friend is gone, and I am left with memories of hunting horned toads, football games, and endless cowboy and Indian adventures.  It feels somewhat strange to me because he and I are the same age. It saddens me to think that his life is over. 48 years is such a short time.


My friend might have been saved if he had made it to his appointment or to the hospital in time... maybe. About 1/3 of all "first time" heart attacks are fatal. They often are the result of non-symptomatic heart disease that occurs over years. On the one hand, a sudden heart attack is a simple and quick and painless end. We are all mortal, and death is just another door through which we must all pass. I choose to believe that he was taken home to his loving and kind Father in Heaven. On the other hand, Mark's death takes from us a friend, brother, father, and husband. His early passing in life is a true tragedy. We that are left behind are the ones that will mourn.

As I said earlier, I am 48 years old. I am at the age when heart attacks are a significant risk. My friend's death could have been mine. Instead, his passing gives me a renewed sense of opportunity and urgency in my life. You see, as a physician, I am aware of many of the risk factors that can lead to heart disease. I know that a diet full of fried foods, butter, bread, sugar, pastries, candy, ice cream, sodas, red meats, and salt, among other things, will lead to cardiovascular disease. I know that a lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle puts me and everyone else at greater risk. I know that smoking and alcohol consumption greatly increase our risks for heart disease. I know that a Mediterranean style diet, vitamin supplements, and regular exercise can help to prevent cardiovascular disease. I have been blessed with a wonderful education and many years of clinical experience. Please don't misunderstand. I do not imply that Mark lived an unhealthy lifestyle. I don't know if my friend practiced a healthy habits or not. This is one thing that I will never know.

But two very important things that I know is that: 1) My heart aches for Mark and his family, and 2) that in spite of my education and all the information that I have regarding health, diet, and disease, I am just like you. I don't apply my knowledge. At least, I haven't in the past.  Sure, I don't smoke and I don't drink, but I also don't eat right. I justify myself by saying that I might as well enjoy my meals. I rationalize that "it will never happen to me." My friend has, in a very real way, just reminded me of the truth. It can happen to me, and if I don't wake up and change my life style, I am placing myself at significant risk. These are the cold and hard facts.

In memory of my friend, I vow to make changes in my own life. I promise to renew my efforts in educating my patients about the real risks that they are taking. I will miss my friend, but to him, I am thankful. Thanks for the fun games, for the play time, and for being part of the "wonder years". Thank you for the very real lesson of life and mortality. I will do better. I owe it to my wife, my kids, my grand-daughter, and my patients. Goodbye Mark. Thanks for the memories.

Keith Biggs, DC

Office Hours Change

Hello,

Please note that our office will be closed on Monday, Aug 16th.  Dr Biggs has been called for jury duty.  We expect to re-open for normal business hours on Tuesday, August 17th at 8:30 AM.

Thank you for your understanding.

Biggs Chiropractic and Staff

--
Keith E. Biggs, DC

3617 E. Southern, Suite 8
Mesa, AZ  85206
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Office:  480-985-3334
Cell:     480-375-0068

ADHD Diagnosis Associated with Western Type Diet

A new Australian study shows that adolescents that eat a typical western-style diet instead of a "healthy" diet are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.

According to Doctor Wendy Oddy, "We found a diet high in the Western pattern of foods was associated with more than double the risk of having an ADHD diagnosis compared with a diet low in the Western pattern, after adjusting for numerous other social and family influences."

Dr. Oddy is the Leader of Nutrition studies at the Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. The study examined the eating habits of more than 1800 adolescent subjects.

A western-style diet is defined as a diet that trends towards takeaway foods, confectionary, processed, fried and refined foods. These diets tend to be higher in total fat, saturated fat, refined sugar and sodium.

A "healthy" pattern is a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and fish.

Our lifestyle here in the United States is killing us, and it is disrupting the development of our children. The diseases that plague us are diseases of choice. We choose to eat poorly... and to develop heart disease, cancer, alzhiemer's, arthritis, asthma, obesity, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.  When are we going to wake up and realize that health is never going to be found in a pharmaceutical bottle?  When are parents going to stop hurting and killing their children through poor diets?

Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
480-985-3334

Research Australia (2010, July 29). Western diet link to ADHD, Australian study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 3, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/07/100729091454.htm