Showing posts with label Self Improvement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Improvement. Show all posts

South Forsyth County - Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:

Here's What You Need To Know To Quickly And Easily Boost Your Immune System... This Will Help Protect You Against Any Flu Virus - Including The H1N1 - Swine Flu Virus!


The H1N1 - Swine Flu Virus is quickly spreading all over the world. You can't control the outcome… but you can take action and boost your immune system.

Here's The Secret:

1) Boost your immune system with Vitamin C - aka - (Ascorbic Acid)!

First of all, if you tried Vitamin C in the past and it didn’t seem to work… that’s because most of the tablet forms available on the market are too weak and ineffective. Those tablets go in one end and out the other. I’ve heard numerous times that our digestive system only assimilates approximately 10% - 20% of the tablet. It is a waste of time and money to take those big tablets!

Bottom Line:


Buy Vitamin C - (Ascorbic Acid) only in it's true “POWDER” form! The drug store doesn’t carry the powder form… so you have to go to a special vitamin or nutritional store - etc. Also – you need to only get the powder form - NOT the crystal form or NOT a combination of Vitamin C plus Calcium... JUST THE PURE POWDER!

Vitamin C – powder: How much do you need to take when you’re HEALTHY and how much do you need to take when you’re SICK?

Here’s a SIMPLE way to determine how much Vitamin C your body requires WHEN YOU’RE HEALTHY:

Take 1/2 teaspoon of the Vitamin C powder (approx. 2500 mg)… mixed in water… and see if it makes you “gassy”… or have diarrhea. If so… that amount is TOO much… then… the next day… test 1/4 of a teaspoon. Once you figure that out… that’s how much Vitamin C your body requires at a “healthy” state.

Everyone in your family might require different amounts of Vitamin C powder, when their healthy, so you’ll have to follow this formula for each individual.

How much Vitamin C your body requires WHEN YOU’RE SICK?


When you start feeling a fever coming on… or you start to catch a “cold” - etc… START TAKING THE VITAMIN C MORE OFTEN! You can take your usual dosage once every 4 hours throughout the day until you feel better. When you’re “SICK” – your body will utilize every single molecule… so you won’t get “gassy” or get diarrhea! Just remember to separate the Vitamin C from any medications you might be taking because they don't mix very well.


IF YOU FOLLOW THIS ADVICE – YOU CAN HELP OVERPOWER THE FLU OR COLD VIRUS!... QUICKLY, EASILY AND SAFELY!

2) Boost your immune system with CHIROPRACTIC spinal manipulation!

Yes - This is very important! Since the beginning of time, it has been a known fact that the immune system is directly linked to the nervous system. If it’s been a while since you last got treated by your chiropractor… make a call today and get back on a regular schedule of treatment.


Your nervous system and immune system respond expedientially when you get chiropractic treatments… when you're sick or even when you’re already feeling good and healthy! Trust me… you’ll figure this out quickly.

HERE'S 6 WAYS TO FURTHER HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST THE H1N1 - SWINE FLU OR ANY OTHER FLU VIRUS:

1) Avoid large groups of people...
2) Wash hands often...
3) Buy a face “mask” now… instead of waiting...
4) Clean surfaces of shopping carts/public restrooms...
5) Be careful in the emergency rooms / hospitals…

6) Thoroughly cook meats (meat/fish)...

JUST USE YOUR COMMON SENSE!

Here’s what you need to know about the H1N1 - Swine Flu virus:

H1N1 - Swine Flu FACTS: The 2009 outbreak of swine flu occurred in Mexico. This is a variant of the H1N1 strain responsible for the 1918 pandemic… which infected over two million (2,000,000) Americans and killed over five hundred thousand (500,000) Americans! This current mutated variant was first identified in Mexico City and the surrounding area in March to April 2009. Within a few weeks, thousands of people had been infected and the amount of people who have died, so far, is unknown. The Mexican government has introduced emergency measures, and sparked a coordinated international effort to contain the outbreak, which involved quarantine measures, restrictions in travel and stockpiling of treatments. This outbreak prompted the World Health Organization, on April 26, 2009 to declare the world one step closer to a pandemic, by raising the pandemic alert level from 3 to 4. Phase 4 refers to when there are small clusters -- e.g., <25>(Excerpt from Wikipedia.com - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza)

I HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS!

**This is for informational purposes only… and not intended for medical advice. Although Vitamin C is a safe and natural supplement, if you have any medical problems or questions concerning Vitamin C… please consult your primary physician.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can improve your immune system, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at
http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Non-Drug Back Pain Doctor Reports:

Each year in the United States, 70 million prescriptions are written for anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In 2006, the estimated cost to consumers of pain management drugs around the world was $30 billion. Due to the fact that 5.4 percent of NSAID users develop serious bleeding conditions requiring hospitalization, each year 103,000 Americans are hospitalized and 16,500 die due to long-term NSAID use.


The annual medical cost of NSAID-related GI complications is $3.9 billion dollars. The 16,500 deaths each year caused by NSAID drugs is more than five times greater than the number of Americans killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and it accounts for one-third of the total cost of treating arthritis.


Just one FDA-approved anti-inflammatory drug, was estimated to have caused between 88,000 and 138,000 serious heart events, including heart attacks and strokes leading to death.


The number of Americans killed by this particular drug exceeds the number of Americans killed in both the Vietnam War and the War on Iraq (I and II) combined! Remarkably, up to 42% of physicians in the United States and the United Kingdom remain unaware of the dangerous side effects of anti-inflammatory medications.


To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can improve your back or neck pain without NSAIDs, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com


Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:

As if it wasn’t already bad enough for smokers, now researchers report there is another hazard from smoking that is just as difficult to get rid of.

It’s called "third-hand smoke" and is an invisible gas that clings to smoker’s hair, clothes… and… just about everything smoke comes in contact with. This gas is toxic and lingers long after visible smoke is gone.

According to a January 3, 2009 New York Times article, "The residue includes heavy metals, carcinogens and even radioactive materials that young children can get on their hands and ingest, especially if they’re crawling or playing on the floor."
By now, just about everyone knows that second-hand smoke is bad; but, this new finding makes the situation much worse.

Dr. Jonathan P. Winickoff, the lead author of the study and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, had this to say in the Reuters article: "When their kids are out of the house, [parents] might smoke. Or they smoke in the car. Or they strap the kid in the car seat in the back and crack the window and smoke, and they think it’s okay because the second-hand smoke isn’t getting to their kids" Dr. Winickoff continued. "We needed a term to describe these tobacco toxins that aren’t visible."

It looks like quitting is still the best option.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can improve your overall health, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:


On January 9, 2009, Reuters reported that Americans may start to reduce the amount of money they spend on food. One might think this would lead to weight loss.

On the contrary, experts think this will lead to weight gain. And they point to numerous studies that link obesity and unhealthy eating habits to low income. They surmise as money gets tough, people will cut out more expensive foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables in favor of foods high in saturated fats and sugars.

Adam Drewnowski, the Director of the Nutrition Sciences Program at the University of Washington in Seattle, had this quote in the Reuters article, "In Seattle we have found that there are fivefold differences in obesity rates depending on the zip code -- the low-income zip codes have a much higher proportion of obese people."

The article also stated that "studies in California suggested that a 10 percent rise in poverty translates into about a 6 percent increase in obesity among adults."
Some evidence of all this is already manifesting. McDonald’s, with its high fat and calorie "Dollar Menu", is still doing well. Third quarter profits were actually better than average. Whole Foods (which sells organic, natural and gourmet foods) has seen profits drop with the economy.

What the Reuters article did not mention was exercise. It would be interesting to know if a worsening of the economy translates to people exercising less.

Gym memberships are thought of as a luxury and many people quit exercising when stress increases, even though exercise is one of the first things you should do when stressed out. Exercise is a great stress reliever – not to mention all the other health benefits.

The combination of eating cheaper "junk" food and lack of exercise may not only be a prescription for weight gain – it can be deadly. Eating correctly and exercising should be the LAST things you cut out of your budget.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how we can help you improve your overall health including Diet and Weight Loss, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Fibromyalgia Doctor Reports:

Fibromyalgia (FM) has long been considered a condition involving the soft tissues of the body, that is, the muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. It is defined as “a chronic, generalized pain condition associated with symptoms of fatigue, stiffness, and sleep disturbance and is characterized by the physical findings of local tenderness in many specific but widely dispersed sites. Fibromyalgia is the most common cause of widespread pain. The prevalence of this disorder in the general population is between 3% and 5%... Most patients with fibromyalgia remain symptomatic for several years, and no cure has been identified." Disturbances in the central nervous system (CNS) have also been linked to this condition.

In one study, 168 FM patients had the CNS evaluated by hearing tests, eye movement tests, and a test that evaluates balance/dizziness. Abnormal findings were common in the FM patient group compared to non-FM subjects. Another study utilized an electrical current treatment approach through the skull to stimulate part of the brain to see if that would help a group of patients with FM. Two different parts of the brain were stimulated as well as a sham or fake treatment approach. One of two parts of the brain that was stimulated resulted in reductions of pain that lasted for three weeks and mild improvements in quality of life were reported.

Comparing 287 general practitioners (GPs), 160 orthopedists, 160 physiatrists, and 160 rheumatologists, evaluating a patient injured in a motor vehicle crash, those most likely to diagnose FM were rheumatologists (83%) with physiatrists and GPs in the middle at 60% and 71%, respectively. Orthopedists were least likely at 29%. There were five factors found to be important in the respondent's agreement or disagreement with the FM diagnosis:

- The number of FM cases diagnosed weekly by the respondent (strong predictor).
- The patient's gender (females > males was a strong predictor).
- The force of the initial impact (least important).
- The patient's psychiatric history before the trauma (more important).
- The initial injury severity (least important).

This information is important as the shift from considering FM to be strictly a condition of the muscles and other soft tissues to being a condition of the central nervous system will affect our future treatment strategies. Obtaining multiple opinions from various types of practitioners will most likely result in a variety of opinions.

Previous reports of treatment benefit utilizing chiropractic approaches, exercise, and strategies to facilitate sleep restoration remain strong in the management process of FM.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue treatment may be of benefit to you or a loved one, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at
http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor And Headache Doctor Reports:

One of the reported causes of both migraine and tension headache is cervical muscle tension and spinal joint abnormalities in the neck. When considering treatment for headaches, whether it’s a tension-type or migraine, there are many choices available. The question is which of the many options offer the best benefit?

One study compared the effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) to that of relaxation and thermal biofeedback (RTB). Both groups were treated using one of these approaches, and if at least a 50% improvement was not achieved, the other form of treatment was then utilized. Results were calculated at 3, 6, and 12 month timeframes. The PT group of 30 females used standard physical therapy approaches that included:

- Posture correction for alignment of head and spine
- Cervical range of motion for neck and shoulders
- Isometric strengthening of the neck
- Flare-up management techniques
- Active self mobilization of the spine
- Whole body stretching

The goal was to target muscular abnormalities and those in this group were to perform the above twice per day for 30 min. The RTB group were instructed in relaxation and thermal biofeedback (RTB) treatment that focused on muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and the use of a thermal feedback device that determines when the subject’s temperature changes telling them if they are successfully relaxing. The participants were to practice at home and utilized audiotapes for relaxation and monitor success with the portable biofeedback unit.

Using the PT approaches, only 13% reported a successful outcome compared to 51% in the RTB group.

In the follow-up of 3, 6 and 12 months, both groups reported continued benefit. When the subjects reported less than 50% benefit with either method, they were given the other treatment option, and the PT approach achieved a 47% success rate and the RTB 50%. These findings suggest that treatments that focus on muscle tension reduction (such as the RTB group) might result in a better outcome compared to only addressing posture, range of motion and flexibility. However, as illustrated in the follow-up group, PT did have a positive beneficial effect. An important point – the subjects in the RTB group demonstrated the ability to reduce migraine pain and the associated disability by using a self-applied form of care. When teaching the patient to self-manage their condition by instruction and training, the greater the likelihood is for a successful outcome.

Chiropractic focuses on many self-management training procedures including (but not limited to) the training of the use of ice vs. heat, application of pressure point therapy, strengthening and stretching exercises, proper methods of bending and lifting, as well as ergonomics and posture. The use and instruction of relaxation is also a commonly recommended form of care, which this study found to be most beneficial.

To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn how our comprehensive headache and Migraine treatment may be of benefit to you or a loved one, just call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at
http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:

Over the years there has been a great debate over organic versus non-organic foods. Do you really need to go organic… or… is it just a waste of money?

The Environmental Working Group (
www.ewg.org) is a nonprofit organization that advocates in Washington D.C. for policies that protect global and individual health. Among the many valuable services they provide is a Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

It is based on the results of nearly 43,000 pesticide tests performed on produce and collected by federal agencies between 2000 and 2004. Nearly all of the data used took into account how people typically wash and prepare produce - for example, apples were washed and bananas peeled before testing.

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested, these had the
highest pesticide load, making them the most important to buy organic versions of or to grow organically yourself:

Peaches - Apples - Sweet bell peppers - Celery - Nectarines - Strawberries - Cherries - Lettuce - Grapes (imported) - Pears - Spinach - Potatoes

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested, the following 12 foods do not have to be organic. These had the
lowest pesticide load, and consequently are the safest conventionally grown crops to consume from the standpoint of pesticide contamination:

Broccoli - Eggplant - Cabbage - Banana - Kiwi - Asparagus - Sweet peas (frozen) - Mango - Pineapple - Sweet corn (frozen) - Avocado - Onion

Why Should You Care About Pesticides?

The EWG points out that there is a growing consensus in the scientific community that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can have adverse effects on health, especially during vulnerable periods such as fetal development and childhood.

A few other notes from the EWG: Nectarines had the highest percentage of samples that tested positive for pesticides (97.3 percent) followed by peaches (96.6 percent) and apples (93.6 percent). Peaches had the highest likelihood for multiple pesticides on a single sample: 86.6 percent had two or more pesticide residues.

For more information about how we can improve your overall health or for more information about our
pain relief services, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County – Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Comments:

Coronary heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Stroke is the number three cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability. That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.

Heart Attack Warning Signs - Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often, people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

For more information about how we can improve your overall health, exercise, diet or about our pain relief services, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at
http://www.painreliefcare.com/

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

South Forsyth County - Alpharetta-Cumming Chiropractor Reports:


A new study has just show that children whose mothers used cell phones frequently during pregnancy and who are themselves cell phone users are more likely to have behavior problems.

Researchers looked at a group of 13,159 children whose mothers had been recruited to participate in the Danish National Birth Cohort study early in their pregnancies. When the children reached age 7, mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire about their children's behavior and health, as well as the mother's own cell phone use in pregnancy and the child's use of cell phones.

After the researchers adjusted for factors that could influence the results, such as a mother's psychiatric problems and socioeconomic factors, children with both prenatal and postnatal cell phone exposure were 80 percent more likely to have abnormal or borderline scores on tests evaluating emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, or problems with peers.

Risks were higher for children exposed prenatally only, compared with those exposed only postnatal, but were lower than for children exposed at both time points. Kheifets and her colleagues note that a fetus' exposure to radiofrequency fields by a mother's cell phone use is likely very small.

However, they add, research has shown that children using cell phones are exposed to more radio frequency energy than adults, because their ears and brains are smaller. Because cell phone use was so infrequent among children in the study - 30 percent of kids were using a cell phone, but just 1 percent used a cell phone for more than an hour a week – radio frequency exposure seems unlikely to have caused any behavior problems, they say.

Researchers pointed out that there are other factors that could be involved (such as social-economic status and smoking) and that the results should not be over interpreted. More research needs to be done.

But the question remains: with more and more studies coming out linking cell phone use to potentially disastrous and life threatening health problems – should you wait for the research to be 100% sure? Or should you take steps immediately to reduce your potential risk. After all, there was a time when tobacco companies said there was no definitive proof that smoking was bad for you. Remember that?

What Steps Can You Take?

The first thing to understand is studies have shown that any dangers associated with cell phone use are related to the closeness of the antenna to the human body. So, head-set and hands-free devices protect the human body from adverse cell phone radiation. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE BLUETOOTH DEVICES. It appears that Bluetooth devices may be “even worse” than using a standard cell phone in terms of microwave radiation.

There is also a product called the RF Raider that may effectively reduces up to 60% of the radiation exposure you get from your cell phone. If you are interested in learning more about this ingenious new device… just go to
www.rfraider.com.

Basically, you can stop using your cell phone, use an appropriate headset (not Bluetooth), or look into the RF Raider. A combination approach is probably the best.

More Dangers Of Cell Phone Use…

In case you don’t already know, a recent study has found a possible link between cell phone use and brain cancer. In fact, award winning Neurosurgeon, Dr. Vini Khurana, recently conducted a 15 month “critical review” of the link between mobile phones and malignant brain tumors and found…

Using Mobile Phones For More Than 10 Years Could More Than DOUBLE
The Risk Of Brain Cancer!

And listen to this… Dr. Khurana says people should avoid using them whenever possible and that governments and the mobile industry must take “immediate steps” to reduce their radiation.

This is so important because at the time of writing this, there are approximately 3 billion mobile phone users worldwide and a malignant brain tumor basically represents, according to Dr. Khurana, “a life-ending diagnosis.” Wow! And if that wasn’t bad enough… check this out:

For more information about how we can improve your overall health or about our pain relief services, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at
http://www.painreliefcare.com

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor Comments:

Staying healthy is important. But the sad thing is, most people don’t realize what they’ve got ‘til it’s gone. And, for the most part, staying healthy is not as hard as you probably think. Sure, genetics play a certain role in certain health conditions. But many over-exaggerate and blame "poor genetics" for EVERYTHING.

So, here’s a list of things you can do to help live a better and healthier life that is easy… yet can have a dramatic impact in the long run.

1. Stay as active as possible! At first glance, this may sound hard and/or time consuming. But it’s not. You do not have to go join a gym to simply stay active. Simple things like choosing the stairs instead of the elevator every day at work… or… walking your dog an extra block can do wonders. For example, a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2004 found that adding just 30 minutes of walking per day was enough to prevent weight gain and encourage moderate weight loss. And if 30 minutes is still too big a bite, another study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, found three brisk 10-minute walks per day were as effective as a daily 30-minute walk in decreasing risk factors for heart disease. Playing catch with your kids is a great option. Or vacuuming the house an extra time each month. Maybe park far away every time you go to the supermarket. And don’t forget – if you sit all day at work, make sure you are taking frequent breaks to get up, stretch and go for a little walk.

2. Take a Saturday afternoon snooze! No… I’m not kidding! Taking a little nap every now and then is great for stress reduction and charges up your batteries so you can be more productive when you are awake. Research has shown we need more sleep than most people get. If you are tired when you wake up, or run out of gas in the afternoon, you are most likely not getting enough quality sleep. Lack of sleep has serious long-term health repercussions, including many diseases and conditions… not to mention feeling miserable all the time and falling asleep behind the wheel of your car! In some cases, a simple 30-minute nap can make all the difference in the world. And if you don’t think you can find 30 minutes a day… do this…

3. Write down everything to do for a week! Yes… EVERYTHING. Why would you do such a thing? You will understand as soon as you do it. It’s amazing how we ALL waste so much of our time. And just as small things you can do for yourself have HUGE long-term impacts… small changes in time management will literally add YEARS to your life. Heck, cutting 20 minutes of wasted time every day gives you 10 extra hours of productive time, every month. When you write everything down, you will (1) be embarrassed by how much time you actually waste every day, and (2) instantly know what you have to do to find 30 minutes for your nap!!! One more "bonus" thing – if you write down every penny you spend next week – you will really be in for a shock!!! But this can be too painful – which is why I made it a "bonus" and not part of the original list!

For more information about our pain relief center and to schedule an appointment with the doctor, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and also visit our website: http://www.painreliefcare.com.

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor Comments:

Most Americans do not get the recommended eight hours of sleep required for good health, safety and optimum performance.

In fact, 63 percent of Americans are sleep deprived. During stressful times -- such as the loss of a loved one, a change in job status or a serious illness -- the numbers of those who suffer from sleep deficiency can be even greater. Ironically, this is the time when a good night's sleep is even more important to facilitate recovery and healing.

The following suggestions may ensure a more peaceful and restorative night's sleep for the entire household. People who suffer from anxiety often have difficulty falling asleep, wake up frequently during the night, arise too early in the morning, or experience un-refreshing sleep. These symptoms of insomnia are fueled by stress, grief, worry and disrupted sleep schedules.

One solution to combating insomnia is to create a restful sleep environment in every bedroom in the house. This includes keeping the temperature cool, the light dim and the bed comfortable.

Choosing a good mattress can make a difference in the quality of sleep you get at night and the way you feel during the day. Most people do not realize their bed can prevent them from sleeping well. Insomniacs might consider alternative sleep surfaces to improve their sleep.

Insomnia can be a forerunner of depression and other health-related problems, so it is important to seek a doctor's advice if symptoms persist. For many involved in a crisis, daytime sleepiness is a frequent problem.

Even if a person is getting the recommended eight hours of sleep a night, stress and emotional fatigue can cause excessive sleepiness and frequent dozing off. This can be especially harmful for adults since daytime sleepiness can lead to health problems or dangerous situations when they drive.

The best solutions for overcoming daytime sleepiness are to stick to a normal sleep routine and get extra rest if your body needs it. When stressed, adults should pay careful attention to what their bodies are telling them, make good judgments about getting to bed earlier and take frequent naps.

For more information about our pain relief center and to schedule an appointment with the doctor, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and also visit our website: http://www.painreliefcare.com.

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor Comments:

Imagine this: You have a joint pain… such as back or neck pain. You go to a rheumatologist – a doctor who treats arthritis and other joint problems. He or she examines you and determines your problem. He or she prescribes a treatment and describes the treatment to you as "a potentially beneficial medicine not typically used for your condition." What Would You Do?

Would you follow his or her recommendations? Probably. And you would probably do it without much question or skepticism at all. Right?

Would THIS information change your decision? According to an October 23, 2008 Associated Press article, a recent survey found about 50% of American doctors REGULARLY give their patients drugs or vitamins that won’t help their condition.

But that’s not the worst part… These "placebo" treatments are not explained to their patients.

For example, in the survey, a random sample of 1,200 internists and rheumatologists were questioned; 679 of the doctors responded to the survey, and… 62% Believed Using A Placebo Treatment Was Ethically Acceptable

But really, is that so bad? After all, some studies have shown the "placebo effect" to be real. A certain percentage of patients actually get better when they believe the treatment they are getting works – when in reality, it is a sugar pill sham. (Which is an amazing testament to the power of your mind and the human body!)

Think about it. Just believing you are going to get better has the ability to make you better. How Can This Be?

Actually, it’s simple. Allow me to explain… Imagine you’re walking in a really dark place. Maybe it’s in the woods… or an unlit street… or you’re home alone one night and all the lights in your house are off… And in the complete darkness… someone sneaks up on you and touches you. Or yells, "BOO!!!"

What happens? Yes… you almost jump out of your skin. But what happens INSIDE YOU?

Here’s what: Your heart rate suddenly and sharply increases. Your pupils dilate. The hair follicles on your body stand on end. Your breathing increases. You stomach feels queasy. You instantly sweat. And you are… Wide Awake And Ready To Go!!!

It’s called the "fight or flight" response. In an instant, your brain signals your body and you produce an incredible array of chemicals – commonly called an "adrenaline rush."

What’s more, anytime you are under stress, your body has a similar response. If the stress or is not so sudden or intense – your body’s response will not be as severe. This is exactly how many people can become "suddenly" ill with a serious disease, even those that seem to have no blatant cause.

Small or moderate amounts of stress can cause your body to dump these "fight or flight" chemicals into your body over and over again for years and years and years. And just like smoking cigarettes over a long period of time can lead to lung cancer and other serious health problems, your body’s reaction to stress can slowly break down your immune system and lead to real problems.

Which is exactly why so many people say… Stress Kills! On the other side of the coin, if your body can produce "bad" chemicals, it can also produce "good" ones. That’s what the placebo effect is. When you believe 100% you are taking a medication that will help, your body reacts in a way that heals.

Here’s one very good theory about why that happens… When you are faced with stress, your body reacts in a harsh way in an attempt to save you from the impending danger. The adrenaline rush is important to quickly get you out of harms way, if necessary.

So it makes complete sense that if you REMOVED stress from your life – you would not only never produce the harmful chemicals from the fight or flight reaction – but your body may produce healing chemicals instead.

After all, what happens when you get a placebo? You are sick and stressed out because you are sick. You don’t know if it is serious, if you will get better or if you will get worse. We humans have a tendency to let our minds run crazy and always think of the worst case scenario, don’t we?

I’m sure you’ve had a little ache or pain at some point and thought you had a disease you were going to lose a limb or die from… and then it turned out to be NOTHING!!! We all have. Anyway, back to the placebo effect. When you go to the doctor and he tells you he knows what is wrong with you and gives you something to take care of it – you instantly RELAX.

All the stress and strain of the unknown mystery disease that was going to kill you is gone. Not only is the stress removed, but your body is able to relax and do what it does best… Heal!

So… the placebo effect is a good thing, right? Certainly. But there is an ethical question to all this, that was raised in the above-mentioned survey. You see, for the placebo effect to work, you really have to believe 100% you are receiving a treatment that works.

Can you see the catch 22 for doctors here? In order for the placebo effect to work… They Must Lie To You!

And that’s exactly what the survey found. According to the Associated Press article, "Half of the doctors reported using placebos several times a month, nearly 70 percent of those described the treatment to their patients as ‘a potentially beneficial medicine not typically used for your condition.’ Only 5 percent of doctors explicitly called it a placebo treatment."

And here’s what may be shocking: "Most doctors used actual medicines as a placebo: 41 percent used painkillers, 38 percent used vitamins, 13 percent used antibiotics, 13 percent used sedatives, 3 percent used saline injections, and 2 percent used sugar pills."

When questioned, 60% of doctors said they would prescribe a sugar pill for chronic pain if it had been shown to work better than no treatment.

According to the AP article, Franklin G. Miller, one of the authors of the study and director of the research ethics program at the U.S. National Institutes for Health said, "It’s a disturbing finding. There is an element of deception here which is contrary to the principle of informed consent."

Clearly, there are two BIG issues here: Always doing what’s best for your patients and always informing them everything that is going on. You may ask yourself this: Would you rather receive a placebo and not know about it and get better… or… be 100% informed and stay sick? Only you can answer that question.

But on the bright side – this demonstrates the body’s amazing ability to produce whatever it needs to heal itself. And more of your time and effort should be spent on eliminating all the stresses in your life – and focusing on all the wonderful things life has to offer. There is no doubt you will be happier… and healthier!!!

For more information about our non-drug pain relief center or to schedule an appointment with the doctor, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and also visit our website: http://www.painreliefcare.com.

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Low Back Pain And Its Many Causes!!!


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor And Back Pain Doctor Comments:

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common complaints presenting to our office and remains one of the most challenging conditions to manage because there are so many causes of LBP. Some of the causes include the obvious such as over lifting, over use activities such as sports injuries (bowling, golfing, skiing, tennis, football, etc.), raking leaves, shoveling snow, and more.

Frequently, work related strains are the primary cause of LBP due to the constant, persistent and awkward positions frequently required in many jobs, especially in repetitive motion assembly line work.

The cause can also be as simple as standing on 2 feet vs. 4 feet. Studies show when 2 legged and 4 legged animals are compared, arthritis starts in the 3rd vs. the 6th decade of life, respectively due to the vertical load placed on the biped or 2-legged animal. In spite of this, after sharing this information with patients, I have not been successful in convincing them to start walking on all fours!

Because we are a 2-legged species, addressing a short leg can have significant benefits to any spinal condition. This is because a short leg of only 5mm (1/4 inch) can result in a drop in the pelvis resulting in crooked foundation that the spine sits on, creating a curvature in the spine. This places stress on the spinal components including the spinal cord and nerves and can contribute or be the actual cause of not only LBP, but also problems higher in the spine including neck pain and headaches!

Many times, a satisfying outcome is not achieved until I address the leg length issue by the use of heel or a combination of heel & sole lifts. If a leg is short, the effects at the top – that is, the neck and head, are dramatically affected. In one case, treatment to the neck and head had little effect on his headaches and only after placing a heel lift in one shoe and arch support in both shoes did he feel significantly improved.

In most cases, treatment addressing the entire body from the feet up yields the most satisfying results. Also, secondary issues such as diet, stress management, home treatments including exercises, can be very important in the successful management of back pain. In many patients, a combination of chiropractic, leg length correction, and nutritional management including the use of vitamin and herbs resulted in the best approach results.

Usually, offering the patient advice on the methods of applying ice, modifying/reducing bending/ lifting activities, as well as performing the chiropractic treatment will satisfy the majority of patients. However, in some cases, co-management with other allied health care providers is necessary, especially where there is a slow response in the initial acute stage of LBP. If these less common cases should occur, the combination of chiropractic and primary care yields the best results.

In our clinic, we offer a multidimensional, holistic approach to the treatment of low back pain so that a positive, satisfying outcome is achieved.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with the doctor, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and also visit our website: http://www.painreliefcare.com.

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

A Cup of Coffee Before Exercise?


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor Comments:

The amount of caffeine (about 135 mg) in an 8-oz. cup of coffee is enough to raise your metabolism for more than 2 hours. Drinking coffee before a workout may give you an extra kick. Caffeine may help free stored fat, so your body can burn it for energy as you exercise. (If you have high blood pressure, avoid caffeine before exercise.) Reuters, July 2006.

To schedule a consultation to discuss exercise or pain relief treatment, please call our office at 770-777-0900 and visit our website at http://www.painreliefcare.com/

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

I Have Back Pain! Do I Use Heat Or Ice?


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor And Back Pain Doctor Comments:

I get asked this question all the time. Hey, doc, do I use heat or ice? The rule of thumb is to always use ice.

My recommendation is to use ice when you have a sudden onset of pain. What would you do if you smashed your thumb with a hammer... and it swells up. You would obviously put ice on your thumb! So the same is true if you twist your knee or ankle or you do something to hurt or agravate your back or neck.

Ice for how long? You want to ice the back for 20 minutes and the neck for only 10 minutes because it's a smaller area. You never want to ice the area longer than that because the reverse will happen. There's a built in reflex in the body... simular to when your ear lobe gets hot and red when your out in the cold weather too long in order to prevent frost bite! Remember, the purpose of ice is to constrict - to bring the swelling and inflammation down. You want to use ice at first - usually for the first two to three days after an injury or agravation.

Heat? Heat is good for chronic pain and arthritis that's been around for a long time. The best application of heat is to use a "moist" or "wet" form of heat. Don't use an electrical "dry" heating pad... it doesn't penetrate too deep and might make your problem worse. I recommend heating up a interchangable heat-ice pack in the microwave or a "rice" roll in the microwave...or a hot water bottle. Anything besides a heating pad that plugs into the wall!

Usually a muscle problem will go away after a day or two and NOT come back. But, if the back, neck or joint pain returns, lingers on, shoots down your leg or arm, becomes tingling or numb... that's when you need to get it checked out to determine if it's a disc problem or pinched nerve.

If you need help, please contact my office at 770-777-0900 and make an appointment. My website is http://www.painreliefcare.com.

My office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 - 7:00 and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00am to 1:00pm.


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor Comments:

It’s everywhere. It seems like there is no escaping it. Every news broadcast. Every radio station. Even people in the streets. Of course, we are talking about all the doom and gloom from the recession.

It is well-known that stress is very harmful to your health. It not only zaps your body and mind of precious energy – it can suppress your immune system and lead to countless bigger problems down the road.

That’s why it’s important to have a plan… so to speak… to help you get through all the stress and strain created by this recession. So, here are 6 tips to help you minimize all the doom and gloom and escape this recession with minimal stress and strain:

1: Stop watching the news and listening to all the political talk!!! The first and quickest way back to sanity is to stop constantly watching the “sour grapes” news. And, stop reading about all the misery too. It’s not that you shouldn’t be informed. In fact, it is very important that you are. But, keeping informed and being consumed with this mess is very different. Truth be told: There is nothing you can do about it anyway. The best thing to do is move forward with your life and do the best you can for you and your family. So… cut down on all the hot air and misery and start focusing on something you can control…. YOU!


2: Get your finances in order! Cut your spending. Ask yourself, do I really need that right now? Prioritize all your monthly expenses and think twice about wasting money right now.

3: Try to cut your bills! Are you paying too much for your cell phone service? If you have had the same plan for 2 years, you most likely are. Look at all your bills and see what can be slashed.

4: Bring down debt! Once again, make sure you are paying the lowest rates possible on your credit cards. And, if possible, pay them off completely. And even more important – don’t create MORE debt somewhere else!!!

5: Check your mortgage rate! If you have good credit, there is a good chance you can get a lower rate than you have right now. You never know until you try – and this could save you a bundle – not only now, but over the course of your loan.

6: Keep your head up and have some fun! I know this may seem hard to do right now, but it’s probably the most important. The best way to eliminate stress is to LAUGH. Laughing causes your body to produce many healthy chemicals. And best of all – laughing is contagious. If you don’t believe me, simply watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HhCqRjjFGI. Check it out. And, if you are having a hard time mustering up a laugh… this will do the trick. Here’s another one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXgdSOxaCGI. Now, go make someone else laugh! Like we already said – laughter is contagious. And it is easy to make someone else laugh. Basically, all you have to do is be happy and laugh, and it spreads like wildfire!!!!

For more information about stress relief and pain relief, please call our office at 770-777-0900 or go to
http://www.painreliefcare.com.

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor Comments:

The chromosomes of people who exercise more and eat better do not degrade as quickly as people who do not. This suggests a healthy lifestyle may not only lengthen life by helping to stave off disease, but also by slowing the process of aging itself. The effects of
aging have been linked to a shortening of chromosome components known as telomeres, which protect the ends of chromosomes and keep the DNA in the middle from being damaged. Over time, telomeres shorten and both cells and DNA become more vulnerable to various forms of damage. This may be one of the primary mechanisms connected to age-related decline. Shorter telomeres have been correlated with an increased risk of both cancer and cardiovascular disease.

It has been found that the telomeres of smokers, the obese and those with sedentary lifestyles tend to be shorter than average. This spurred an investigation if an improvement in lifestyle could be directly connected to telomere protection? Lifestyle changes included a moderate aerobic exercise routine, classes in stress management and relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and supplements of vitamins and fish oil. After lifestyle changes, telomerase activity increases by an average of 29 percent. The level of telomerase increase is also correlated with a decrease in levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and the frequency of intrusive thoughts (a marker of stress).

For more information about exercise, diet and pain relief, call our office at 770-777-0900 or go to
http://www.painreliefcare.com/.

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

Stress Can Make You Unhappy And Sick


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor And Chronic Fatigue Doctor Comments:

Every day, we wake up hoping for a better day. We hope today will bring us one step closer to our goals, dreams and desires than we were yesterday. And, even though we wake most days with the best of intentions…

Do these dreams ever really come true?

In hard economic times, like we are facing today, these dreams seem to fade for too many people. They let pessimism and negativity fill their thoughts. And, since we can only think about one thing at a time – this can be very dangerous.

Self-help writer, Napoleon Hill said we become our dominant thoughts. And, we must control what goes into our brain and what we think about. We must guard it wisely. Nothing could be more important today.

With all the bad news surrounding us, you have to make it your conscious choice not to become a harbinger of doom, too. Instead, know that you can and will be happy. And, you can and will do whatever it takes to be positive.

This is vitally important because success not only starts with your thoughts – so does your health. You cannot possibly be 100% healthy and strong from the neck down if you are miserable from the neck up.

Plain and simple: stress can make you unhappy and sick. It causes bad chemical reactions in your body that can show up as many conditions. One is back pain. Another is fatigue. Check out this study I came across - go to http://www.psychcentral.com/news/2008/01/18/stress-triggers-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/1804.html


If you are feeling more fatigued or experiencing more back pain recently, you are not alone. And there is a good chance we can help.

One of the best things you can do right now is give us a call and schedule an appointment that will not only help your back physically, it will be a nice, relaxing getaway from all the stress and strain you are experiencing.

It’s amazing what a little “TLC” can do for the way you feel – and how successful you are. You can’t control all the crazy things that are happening in the world right now… but you can control your reaction to it and if you stress over it or take action in some other way.

If you are feeling stressed out, tired or have back pain, give us a call at 770-777-0900 and we will schedule you for our next available appointment. For more information visit our website at
http://www.painreliefcare.com.

Our standard business hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM and Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.


Forsyth County – Alpharetta Chiropractor And Health Blog Author Comments:

We’ve all heard it. “Some day, I’m going to write a book or create a blog.” Most people say they would love to have their own book or blog. They have plenty of stories from their vast life experiences. Or, maybe you are the creative type that can create spell-binding fiction? But then again… maybe not! Chances are, you have some great ideas, thoughts or stories to put down…but an entire book is not in the plans. That’s why it’s great to have a blog!

The good news is: getting in the routine of writing just a little bit every day has many great benefits. And you don’t have to be a professional writer to attain them. Here’s a list of several great benefits you can reap by writing just a little bit every day:

1. The best way to learn new things! If you think back to when you were in school, you may remember some teachers advising you to re-write your notes everyday from class. Many teachers advise this, but few explain why you should do it. Well, here’s why: The physical act of writing something down dramatically helps you remember that information. The theory is that it engages more of your senses than just reading. Some actually say that the act of writing something down helps the information go directly into the subconscious brain and become “accepted.” If you want to learn the lyrics to a song – write them down several times. If you want to memorize your friend’s phone number (an extinct skill with the evolution of cell phones!!!), write it down a few times. And if you want to learn to become a good writer, copy free-hand some of the works of the great authors. No matter what topic you write about, you will learn all kinds of new and interesting things simply by the act of writing.

2. The Great Stress Reliever! Many have called writing the “great escape.” And one must agree. No matter how hectic or crazy your day is, when you sit down to write… everything else disappears. It’s just you, the pen, paper and your imagination. This is one of the best stress relievers you can think of. Writing can have many of the benefits of stress reduction seen in meditation that clears the mind. And meditating before writing is the best of both worlds!!! Make no doubt about it: stress kills. And, any way you can reduce it should be pursued. Finding a quiet spot and writing for 20-30 minutes a day could have a great impact on your mental and overall well-being.

3. Increases your communication skills! Whatever you do not use, deteriorates and whatever you practice, gets better. This includes you communication skills. Writing is one of the best ways to communicate better. Not only in terms of written communication – but in all aspects of communication. Ever sit down to write a simple letter or email and “freeze up?” This is often called writer’s block. The more you write, the less this will happen to you. And the more you write, the more you will say with fewer words and in a shorter time.

4. Make some extra money! This is not for certain, but who knows. If you write for 20-30 minutes everyday, in a year you will have an amazing amount of information in your blog. And you might be surprised to discover that knowledge that is common to YOU… is not common to OTHERS and some will pay for it. More than one writer has gotten their start this way. So, start writing and you never know what will happen!
For more information on Dr. Kurt Meininger call 770-777-0900 or visit our website at
http://www.painreliefcare.com