Recently I came across this article that was posted on MSN. I thought that it was well done, and provided some valuable information, so here is the link: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100267432
Pain medication for the treatment of arthritis pain only masks the symptoms. There are also several negative side affects related to taking pain medication. For example, Ibuprofen is linked to gastrointestinal bleeding, and is responsible for an estimated 100,000 deaths every year. Tylenol, on the other hand, is severely toxic to the liver.
The good news about the alternatives listed in the article is that the side affects are improved health generally. In other words, if they don't have any affect on your arthritis pain, they are likely to help your body be more healthy generally.
Say No to Drugs... something that we try and teach our children, but something that many of us, as adults, should take to heart.
Keith Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com
Showing posts with label arthritis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arthritis. Show all posts
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
20% Suffer with Arthritis
Arthritis limits mobility, causes pain, affects more than 20 percent of the population and costs the U.S., and costs $128 billion annually. Data from a recent government survey found that from 2007 through 2009, close to 50 million people had been diagnosed with arthritis by their doctor. Those most at risk were individuals who are obese, those who exercised less, those who smoke, and those who have lower levels of education. Arthritis is injury and inflammation of the joints. Arthritis is typically associated with pain, swelling, stiffness and limited motion.
The medical approach to treating arthritis is primarily limited to pain medication. Severe cases are treated surgically through joint replacement procedures. The medical treatment of arthritis with medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex, and Viox comes at a significant cost to the patient, and I am not talking simply financial. Liver disease, heart attacks, ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and strokes are just some of the conditions that are linked to taking these pain medications. Some speculate that these drugs actually accelerate degenerative changes (arthritis) within joints. Surgical joint replacement offers not guarantee, and like any surgical procedure, puts the patient at risk of infection, stroke, and even death.
Doctors of chiropractic are experts at treating the many joints of the body in order to restore motion and nutrition to the joints, thereby reducing inflammation, stiffness and pain. One of the most common forms of treatment utilized by the chiropractor is the adjustment or manipulation of the joints. If you are suffering from pain, stiffness or swelling of one or more joints, schedule a consultation or examination from your local chiropractor today to see of chiropractic can help.
Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
www.therapeuticfoods.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
The medical approach to treating arthritis is primarily limited to pain medication. Severe cases are treated surgically through joint replacement procedures. The medical treatment of arthritis with medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex, and Viox comes at a significant cost to the patient, and I am not talking simply financial. Liver disease, heart attacks, ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and strokes are just some of the conditions that are linked to taking these pain medications. Some speculate that these drugs actually accelerate degenerative changes (arthritis) within joints. Surgical joint replacement offers not guarantee, and like any surgical procedure, puts the patient at risk of infection, stroke, and even death.
Doctors of chiropractic are experts at treating the many joints of the body in order to restore motion and nutrition to the joints, thereby reducing inflammation, stiffness and pain. One of the most common forms of treatment utilized by the chiropractor is the adjustment or manipulation of the joints. If you are suffering from pain, stiffness or swelling of one or more joints, schedule a consultation or examination from your local chiropractor today to see of chiropractic can help.
Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
www.therapeuticfoods.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Monday, September 20, 2010
Normal Neck Curves
Your neck has naturally occurring curve that is shaped like a "C". The mid back also has a curve in the opposite direction. The lower back has a curve as well. It is what gives you that indentation in the small of your back.
The entire spine works together to help support your weight and structure against the forces of gravity, and the stresses inflicted upon it by physical activity. The neck is a very delicate area, and is often the part of the spine that first shows signs of wear and tear.
One of the first things that happens is that you can loose that normal "C" shaped curve. This is often called "millitary neck. Without an x-ray, it is very difficult to detect. There are many things that can contribute to the loss of the normal neck curve, including poor posture habits, car accident injuries, sport injuries, spinal developmental problems, and scoliosis, just to name a few.
The problem with a loss of the curve is that such a posture places an incredible amount of pressure on the joints of the lower part of the neck. This increased pressure over time can cause early "wear and tear", often referred to as spondylosis or osteoarthritis. As the degeneration progresses, delicate nerve tissue can be irritated, resulting in pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in the shoulder, upper arm, lower arm, hand, fingers, or all the above. Many people who think that they have carpal tunnel syndrome actually have moderate to severe neck degeneration with nerve irritation.
Good neck health is essential to good overall health. How do you know if you or someone you know has neck problems? Here are some simple things that you can watch for at home:
1) Can you turn your neck to the right and to the left equally and without pain or restriction? (normal rotation is nearly 90 degrees to the right and 90 degrees to the left, without moving the upper back to compensate)
2) How is side bending? You should be able to bend your neck to the side 45 degrees without pain or restriction. (some people will start to rotate or turn their necks to compensate. Make sure this is avoided in order to test true side bending ability)
3) Do you get headaches frequently? (headaches are often the result of neck problems)
4) Watch for signs of numbness or tingling or pain in the arms or hands.
Neck problems, if left uncorrected, only get worse. If you have any questions, or if you are unsure as to whether or not you are having spine problems in the neck or any other area, call my office, mention this blog post, and ask for a complimentary consultation and examination.
Keith Biggs, DC
therapeuticfoods.blogspot.com
eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
The entire spine works together to help support your weight and structure against the forces of gravity, and the stresses inflicted upon it by physical activity. The neck is a very delicate area, and is often the part of the spine that first shows signs of wear and tear.
One of the first things that happens is that you can loose that normal "C" shaped curve. This is often called "millitary neck. Without an x-ray, it is very difficult to detect. There are many things that can contribute to the loss of the normal neck curve, including poor posture habits, car accident injuries, sport injuries, spinal developmental problems, and scoliosis, just to name a few.
The problem with a loss of the curve is that such a posture places an incredible amount of pressure on the joints of the lower part of the neck. This increased pressure over time can cause early "wear and tear", often referred to as spondylosis or osteoarthritis. As the degeneration progresses, delicate nerve tissue can be irritated, resulting in pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in the shoulder, upper arm, lower arm, hand, fingers, or all the above. Many people who think that they have carpal tunnel syndrome actually have moderate to severe neck degeneration with nerve irritation.
Good neck health is essential to good overall health. How do you know if you or someone you know has neck problems? Here are some simple things that you can watch for at home:
1) Can you turn your neck to the right and to the left equally and without pain or restriction? (normal rotation is nearly 90 degrees to the right and 90 degrees to the left, without moving the upper back to compensate)
2) How is side bending? You should be able to bend your neck to the side 45 degrees without pain or restriction. (some people will start to rotate or turn their necks to compensate. Make sure this is avoided in order to test true side bending ability)
3) Do you get headaches frequently? (headaches are often the result of neck problems)
4) Watch for signs of numbness or tingling or pain in the arms or hands.
Neck problems, if left uncorrected, only get worse. If you have any questions, or if you are unsure as to whether or not you are having spine problems in the neck or any other area, call my office, mention this blog post, and ask for a complimentary consultation and examination.
Keith Biggs, DC
therapeuticfoods.blogspot.com
eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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
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
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Liz Taylor Refuses Neck Surgery
I came across this article about Liz Taylor, and how she is suffering from a lot of neck pain. The author quoted a source as saying that she doesn't want to have any more surgery, even though she "needs" surgery on her neck to relieve nerve pressure.
Perhaps she does “need the operation”, but maybe not. Who is the source? What is his/her background? Is he/she even in a health care field? How about poor Ms Taylor. Can Ms. Taylor withstand the rigors of another surgery? Are her heart and lungs in good enough shape? What are her chances of passing away while on the table? What type of spinal surgery is proposed, and what are the potential risks vs benefits of the surgery? What are the potential short and long term complications of having the surgery verses not having the surgery? It sounds like I am harping on Ms. Taylor and the “source” quoted in the article, but in fact, I am simply asking many of the questions that I ask my patients when they consider surgery. Spinal surgery is risky, could kill her, and might not relieve her pain. Surgery should never be considered lightly.
Contrary to popular belief, spinal surgery does not cure anything. It only sometimes helps the patient to manage and control symptoms. Pain is not the disease, it is the symptom. The pain is caused, most likely in Ms Taylor's case, by spinal degenerative changes. Has she tried acupuncture? How about cervical traction? Could she get some relief from massage therapy, exercises, or even gentle chiropractic work?
I trust Ms. Taylor to make the best decision for herself. I would encourage her, and anyone else considering spinal surgery, to weigh the options, and exhaust all alternatives to surgery first. Only then can a educated decision be made.
Click Here to find out more about neck pain.
Dr. Biggs
Perhaps she does “need the operation”, but maybe not. Who is the source? What is his/her background? Is he/she even in a health care field? How about poor Ms Taylor. Can Ms. Taylor withstand the rigors of another surgery? Are her heart and lungs in good enough shape? What are her chances of passing away while on the table? What type of spinal surgery is proposed, and what are the potential risks vs benefits of the surgery? What are the potential short and long term complications of having the surgery verses not having the surgery? It sounds like I am harping on Ms. Taylor and the “source” quoted in the article, but in fact, I am simply asking many of the questions that I ask my patients when they consider surgery. Spinal surgery is risky, could kill her, and might not relieve her pain. Surgery should never be considered lightly.
Contrary to popular belief, spinal surgery does not cure anything. It only sometimes helps the patient to manage and control symptoms. Pain is not the disease, it is the symptom. The pain is caused, most likely in Ms Taylor's case, by spinal degenerative changes. Has she tried acupuncture? How about cervical traction? Could she get some relief from massage therapy, exercises, or even gentle chiropractic work?
I trust Ms. Taylor to make the best decision for herself. I would encourage her, and anyone else considering spinal surgery, to weigh the options, and exhaust all alternatives to surgery first. Only then can a educated decision be made.
Click Here to find out more about neck pain.
Dr. Biggs
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