Chiropractic Health Newsletter

Would you rather be healthy or just feel good? You can be healthy and still not feel well. Coughing, sneezing, headaches, aches and pains are not the result of a lack of medication. Fever, diarrhea, and other symptoms are natural ways your body responds to infection and disease. These are just a few of the many symptoms associated with colds and flu.

A traditional medical approach has been to treat symptoms by using drugs to numb, slow down, or to speed up the malfunctioning body part (s). It surprises many  patients when they discover chiropractic doctors focus, instead, on the underlying cause of their symptoms.  Correcting the cause, allows the body to eliminate symptoms of ill-health naturally.

Judging your health by how you feel can be dangerous. The first symptom of high blood pressure is often a deadly stroke. The first symptom of heart disease could be a fatal heart attack. Because your body is so adaptive, by the time many symptoms warn you of a problem, it can be well advanced.

Chiropractic adjustments can help stimulate a positive immune system response, helping your body fight against invading organisms.  The proper function of your nervous system, which is the key to good health, is the primary interest of your chiropractic doctor. Getting adjusted today will help your body function at its best.

The birth process may be one of the most traumatic events of our lives. Even so-called "natural" birthing methods can stress a still developing spine. The resulting irritation to the nervous system can be the cause of many new-born health complaints. Colic, unexplained crying, poor appetite, breathing problems, and allergic reactions can often be traced to nervous system dysfunction caused by a malfunctioning spine.

Head support, followed by crawling, and a baby's 1st few steps should be followed by chiropractic checkups. If neglected, the bumps and falls during this period of rapid growth may lead to serious spinal deformities later in life. This can set the stage for scoliosis, "growing pains" and a weakened immune system response.

Chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified to fit a child's size, weight, and unique spinal problem. Parents often report that their children seem healthier than other kids their age.

Many spinal problems seen in adults begin in childhood. Proper spinal hygiene is an important key to better health. Do you know a child that could benefit from chiropractic?

·          Colds are the leading cause of doctor visits and both school and job absenteeism.

·          In an average year, the flu kills an estimated 20,000+ North Americans

·          Over-the-counter cough and cold medication sales in in the excess of $3.2 billion per year.

·          Most adults get 2 to 4 colds each year.

·          Most children get 6 to 10 colds a year.

·          In test tubes, zinc  had been shown to prevent cold viruses from reproducing themselves.

·          Symptoms of the common cold are caused by more than 200 different viruses.

Many herbal teas contain a substance called tannic acid or tannins. This is a dehydrant and causes your body to lose water.

 Common Cold

Symptoms of the common cold usually begin 2 to 3 days after infection and often include nasal discharge, obstruction of nasal breathing, swelling of the sinus membranes, sneezing, sore throat, cough and headache. Fever associated with colds is usually slight. Cold symptoms are the result of the body's immune response to a viral invasion. Virus infected cells in the nose send  out signals that recruit specialized white blood cells to the site of the infection. In turn, these cells emit a range of immune system chemicals that create the symptoms of the common cold.

Influenza

The flu is an acute respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. Flu viruses generally enter through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. Symptoms include headaches, chills and a dry cough that is followed by body aches, malaise  and fever. Typically the fever will start declining on the second or third day of the illness as upper respiratory symptoms like nasal congestion and soar throat become more noticeable.

Ingredients:

2 cups old fashion oats

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup whole almonds

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup flaked coconut (unprocessed)

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup apple juice concentrate 

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup dried fruit

Directions:

1.) Pre-heat oven to 300°F.

2.) In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the dried fruit and toss well. Spread on large cookie sheet and bake 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Stir in dried fruit.

Makes 6 servings (approx 5/8 cups each)

Nutritional Info

Fat: 6.5 g

Carbohydrates: 60 g

Calories: 251.3

Protein: 6.5 g

Blood pressure is required to make blood flow to every part of our bodies. But there is no perfect blood pressure that applies to everyone; 120 over 80 is just average. Some elements that can cause blood pressure to change are:

Exercise    Time of day     Emotional tension and stress          Alcoholic consumption    Altitude     Tobacco Use     Stress

Low blood pressure is called hypotension and high blood pressure is called hypertension. Yet the exact cause of high blood pressure is unknown.

Is High Blood Pressure Considered a Defense?

There seems to be the possibility that for some individuals, high blood pressure has an important purpose. That it may be the body?s defense against pressure on the spinal cord and the brain. The body then retaliates by a rise in blood pressure.

The Medical Approach and the Effects of Medication

Most doctors turn to prescription drugs to lower a person?s blood pressure. This perspective ignores the important questions:

1.) What causes the blood pressure to raise?

2.) Is this drug just treating symptoms and not the cause?

3.) Is the blood pressure performing a particular needed function for the person?

The side effects of prescription drugs are numerous. To name a few would include the following:  Mood swings, dizziness, loss of energy, anger, depression, aching joints, weakness, rash & hives.

How Can Chiropractic Help?

It is important to note that chiropractic is not a type of treatment for high blood pressure. Yet it seems to be one of the most important things that a person can do for their blood pressure and their entire bodies. Chiropractors do adjust on the spine to correct joint misalignments which can relax tight muscles that have offset the body?s balance and nerve function. The exact reason why chiropractic care is so effective is not completely understood. But, what we do know that there is a huge relationship between the spine, the nervous system, and all of our internal organs

Regardless of the condition you have, you can benefit from a healthy spine.

  To Our Referring Patients!

Dorene Baldwin                              Chad Outman

Alyssa Smith                                    Kean Clark

Nicole Mosher                                 Jim Winkel

Jeff Sprague                                    Jeff Vanhaitsma

Angie Ashby                                     Kaycee Kregear

Larry Niebrzydowski                       Chad Dodde

Ann Avery                                         Laredo Hughston

Jena Garrick                                    Wilma Sirpilla

Mike Schneider                               Esther Miller

Apollo Watson

1.) Get adjusted. It will, maximize your  nervous system, stimulating your immune system response and allowing your body to heal itself.

2.) Drink plenty of water. Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water every day. For example, a 200 pound man should drink 100 ounces of water daily. When you have a cold or flu, increase that number by 20%. You can also drink clear soup broths or diluted vegetable juices.

3.) Minimize sugar intake. Sugar, even if it is derived from natural sources like fruit juice and honey, can impair immune function. Keep sugar to a maximum of 50 grams per day.

4.) Suck on zinc tablets or lozenges. Zinc is a nutrient which can help the immune system function.   A zinc gluconate lozenge every 2 waking hours may help eliminate some symptoms and can cut the duration of the cold. Discontinue the zinc after 1 week if symptoms persist.

5.) Maintain a positive attitude. At the most, your cold or flu will last 3 to 7 days, so follow these guidelines and allow your body to fix itself.

6.) Rest. Listen to your body. If you feel the need to rest or sleep, do so.  Though regular exercise can boost your immune system, during a cold or flu it may be wise to lighten or skip your usual workout or exercise program depending on the severity of your condition.

McBain Public School

Dillon Smith

Brock Jenema

Apollo Watson

Cole Dykhouse

Monica Randall

Maggie Bekken

Ann Herweyer

Linnea Nelson

Andrew McKay

Rebeka Herweyer

Colton Helsel

 Cadillac High School

Mike Boike

Josh Fiester

Eric Hoblet

Northern Michigan Christian

Elizabeth Mulder

Scott Dick

Kingsley Public School

Skylar Gifford

Marion Public School

David Groesser

Lake City Public School

Cody Richardson

Kyle Loney