30 Years of Adventure

30 years ago today I began practice in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  After graduating from Life Chiropractic College - West in December of 1984, my wife Pamela and I moved back to our home town of Medicine Hat to begin our careers as chiropractors.  With one young son and another on the way, I would practice solo until Pamela was comfortable leaving the boys. Graduating is one step to beginning practice.  National and provincial examinations needed to be successfully completed before a license would be issued to practice in Alberta.  On July 2, 1985 everything was in place for me to take over the Arcade Chiropractic Office from Dr. Ian Smith.  A great adventure began that day!

Looking back over the past 30 years, it has been an adventure indeed.  I have experienced and learned so much.  There have been many, many challenges and countless blessings. 
When I started practice, I thought I knew a great deal about chiropractic and health.  I was an honours grad after all.  Now, I know that I knew very little and that I still know just a tiny amount about the amazing human body.  That's one reason I am so thankful to be a chiropractor.  I don't need to know the minute workings of the body in order to help it.  I just need to know how to release it's potential.  That's what chiropractic does.  My job is to become ever more proficient at delivering chiropractic adjustments to enable my patients to experience the health they innately possess.  Along with the adjustments I have provided healthy lifestyle counseling to help people avoid the use of drugs and surgery whenever possible.

Upon reflection, there are many things from these years of practice that warm my heart.  There are the people who came to me, after having been everywhere and tried everything without success, and experienced a restoration of their health.  There are the young parents who were able to experience the joy of having a baby that didn't cry constantly.  There are the young children whom I adjusted who are now bringing their children to see me.  There are the smiles of the people who can sleep again, or walk again, or play again.  There the patients who have been able to return to work and support themselves and their families.  There are the support staff who have been able to be part of something greater than just having a job.  There are the associate doctors who have had the opportunity to develop skills to become great servant chiropractors.

I've also learned some other very important lessons.  Not everyone likes me or chiropractic.  I get fired on a regular basis.  I'm good with that.  Not all patients get the results either they or I desire, but I know their bodies are better for having been adjusted.  Not everyone values their health the way I value mine and they may not be prepared to work at, or invest in, being healthy the way I do.  Once I think I have things figured out, God sends someone through the door to prove me wrong.  Being the boss may seems like an enviable position, until the tough decisions need to be made and the tough actions need to be taken.  This has been 30 years of constant learning and it will continue to be as long as I am in practice.

Chiropractic has been good to me.  It has caused me to grow in innumerable ways.  It has given me a purpose bigger than myself.  There is no greater joy than helping people on a daily basis.  Chiropractic principles have guided me to live a healthy life.  I have been able to help my family be healthier as well.  Chiropractic has also given me and my family a very good and satisfying lifestyle.  I'm thankful every day that I'm a chiropractor and I have no desire to be in a different profession.  Let the adventure continue!  

Mastering the Tough Stuff

Usain Bolt receives a masterful chiropractic adjustment

When I graduated from Life Chiropractic College - West 30 years ago, I thought I had a pretty good handle on what it took to be a chiropractor.  Graduating near the top of my class I certainly had a lot of knowledge.  I also thought I had the skill to give a pretty good chiropractic adjustment.  When I started practice a few months later, I quickly realized that my knowledge and skill levels were far less than what I needed to be a great chiropractor.  There are still many days when I'm not sure I have arrived.  I still have much to learn about being a chiropractor.

In my early practice years I would go to seminars and watch to see how successful chiropractors conducted themselves.  The truly masterful adjusters had been in practice for years and regularly saw many, many patients.  People were attracted to their practices because their adjustments were extraordinarily effective.  Patients got results from these chiropractors they didn't get elsewhere.  Most of these chiropractors had one focus - to deliver outstanding chiropractic adjustments.  How did they get to be great adjustors?  They adjusted a lot of people and constantly focused on how they were providing those adjustments.  They weren't satisfied with being mediocre.  It was a constant that I observed in those who delivered outstanding adjustments regardless of which chiropractic technique they used. 

In Malcolm Gladwell's book, "Outliers", he proposes that in order to become truly great in a given field, a person needs to practice for 10,000 hours.  This applies to athletes, musicians, computer programers, scientists and, by extrapolation, even chiropractors.  While there may be holes in his theory, my experience is that when I had been in practice for 10,000 hours my skills where exponentially better than when I started practice.  When I had delivered 10,000 adjustments, my adjustments were amazingly more effective than when I thought I was a good chiropractor after graduating.  As I look back there has been a constant improvement of the effectiveness of my adjustments over the years.  I believe I am giving better adjustments today than I gave 5 years ago.  I see the same thing in my associate doctors.  They are becoming better and better with constant practice.  The more adjustments they give, the better the adjustments they give. 

I'm moved to reflect on the importance of mastering the difficult skill of the chiropractic adjustment because of a growing trend in the chiropractic profession.  There are groups of chiropractors, even here in Alberta, who are pushing to have chiropractors prescribe drugs.  Now there is a time and place for drugs to be used, but that should remain in the hands of those who's focus is medication - the medical profession.  There are real dangers for chiropractors being able to prescribe pain killers and muscle relaxants.  One such danger is that it is too easy.  Young chiropractors who have not yet mastered the chiropractic adjustment will be drawn to prescribe drugs to make up for the deficiency in their adjusting skills.  As a result they will prescribe more and adjust less never becoming masters and their patients will be worse off for it.  The default for most people, including professionals, is to take the easy road.  Sadly, when chiropractors are not masterful adjustors, patients usually don't get the results they were seeking and think chiropractic doesn't work.  Even more significantly the powerful effects of chiropractic on overall health are missed.  The great potential for these people has been denied because of the failure of the chiropractor to give the patient a great adjustment.

It has been fortunate for the chiropractic profession that we have not been able to prescribe drugs.  It has forced us to refine and master the chiropractic adjustment.  The result is that chiropractic has developed an enviable record of both results and safety.  This has not been an easy road for my profession, but it has been the right road.  The beneficiaries of taking this difficult path are the many patients who have had life changing experiences because of masterfully delivered chiropractic adjustments.  I pray that my patients are among those people.

AN ANTIDOTE TO SITTING ALL DAY

Sitting all day at work, school and often at home has become the prevalent posture in our society.  Increasingly, all this sitting is being attributed to a host of health problems including back pain, neck pain, headaches, diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular problems.  Indeed those who sit all day have higher mortality rates than those who don't.

To counter all the sitting we do, exercise is vitally important. Almost any exercise will be beneficial to help counteract sitting.  Walking, swimming, weight training and stretching will help.  Some exercises can be more effective and efficient than others.  Because time is often such a tight commodity, a good anti-sitting exercise should be able to be done in a short period of time.  Then it can easily be done daily or better yet, for people who spend their day sitting, twice a day.

I was reminded this past week of one exercise that is a fabulous antidote to all the sitting we do.  That is a back stretch over an exercise ball.  This short YouTube video demonstrates how easy it is to do.

I would like to add a few additional instructions for safety and maximizing the benefits.  

• Wear shoes or go with bare feet.  Socks can be too slippery and dangerous if you lose your balance.
• Only attempt this stretch if you can balance well on the ball while sitting.  If you are new to working on an exercise ball, have someone spot you until you are comfortable using the ball.
• Always move slowly and maintain complete control.  If you are wobbling on the ball, return to sitting and begin the stretch over again.
• When going from the sit to laying back on the ball, do a slight pelvic tuck to engage the abdominal muscles.  This will increase stability.
• Before raising the arms overhead, make sure the head is contacting the ball.  Keep the head against the ball during the entire stretch.  This will minimize the chance of neck injury.
• Hold the stretch for 5 slow breaths.  Breath into the abdomen rather than the chest.
• Don't over stretch!  The more often you do this stretch the further you will be able to stretch.  Just be relaxed and let the weight of your arms provide the stretch.
• When coming back up, again do a pelvic tuck and come up slowly.  Keep the head on the ball until the arms are again along the body.
• Repeat.
• Regular chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy will help this stretch to be more effective.

I don't know about you, but it seems that things that are good for me are easily dropped.  This ball stretch use to be a part of my regular routine and I've let it slip for months.  Well I've put it back into practice  this week.  Even though I don't sit all day, working on patients all day still puts me into flexion and this stretch is a great antidote.

If you sit a lot or spend time flexing forward this stretch is a simple and very effective antidote.  It only takes a few minutes to do.  Add it to your daily routine and you will appreciate how much better you will feel. 

Postnatal Depression

When a mother brings her young baby to see a chiropractor and neither parent has seen a chiropractor before, it is usually a sign of parents that have reached their limit with the child.  Such was the case recently.  Mom, obviously tired and distraught, brought her 5 week old baby boy to our office.  The baby was barely sleeping, constipated, hard to burp, and crying almost constantly.  This little bundle had the entire household worn out.

At the end of the baby's initial visit to our office, the mother happened to ask if chiropractic could possibly help the post natal depression she was suffering from.  My reply was that perhaps chiropractic could be helpful and we would discuss it on the baby's next visit.  When the baby was brought back to see me a few days later, he was sleeping better, pooping better and had a generally happier disposition.  (I wish every baby responded that quickly.)  I asked Mom how her depression was.  She replied, "I haven't noticed it.  I think it's gone!" That's exactly what I thought would happen once she got some rest and the anxiety of not knowing why her baby was so uncomfortable was gone.  This is a scenario I've seen many times.  Baby feels better and sleeps better and Mom's depression subsides.  Chiropractic care helped improve Mom's mood even though she never received a chiropractic adjustment herself.

This isn't an observation that only I've had.  A recent publication in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics  called "Mama, please stop crying: lowered postnatal depression scores in mothers after a course of chiropractic care for their infants"  showed there is significant improvement in mother's post natal depression when their children are under chiropractic care.  The researchers didn't speculate why the depression subsided, but only recorded that it did.  My clinical observation is that the improved rest and peace of mind helps the mother's mood improve.  There can certainly be other contributing factors, but this seems to be very key.

It's not only new moms that become depressed when they don't sleep and are anxious about the well being of someone very close to their heart.  That can happen to all of us.  The conclusion is happy baby = happy mom. 

Staying Healthy - According to Mark Twain

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not."  Mark Twain from "Following the Equator" (1897)

Mark Twain is recognized as having been a very insightful individual.  Even in his humour he was a remarkably astute observer of human nature.  This quote was likely very truthful back in 1897 when he wrote it and is relevant today as well. The implication is that what we like the most to eat, drink and do may not be the best for us.

Mr. Twain is reminding us that good health is the result of the choices we make.  Having a healthy lifestyle often means making choices which we would prefer not to make but need to make for the sake of our well-being.   There are three areas in which he says we need to make the right decisions and not necessarily the easy decisions.

The sad fact is that so many foods that we like and that taste good are really detrimental to our health.  They taste good because of added sugars, unhealthy fats and chemical flavour enhancers.  Yummy tasting food is often devoid of essential nutrients as well.  So these foods are not only harmful, but empty as well. These are the foods we want to eat.  To be healthy we need to make food choices based not only on taste, but on nutritional content.  Pick the vegetables instead of the ice cream.

The same is true for what we drink.  Drinking water or tea is a healthier choice than pop or beer.

Then Mr. Twain says we need to do what we'd rather not do. The list of lifestyle choices which lead either to poor health or better health are long.  Choose to get adequate rest and exercise.  Develop stress control methods. Establish supportive relationships. Enjoy the sunshine. Get regular chiropractic adjustments and adopt a healthy chiropractic lifestyle. 

Good health comes from deciding to do what is best rather than what is easy or what we want.  The results are worth the effort.

Does Everyone Need to See a Chiropractor?

When people first find out I'm a chiropractor, there are two common responses.  First, is that they have been to a chiropractor and want me to "crack" their back or neck for them, often implying I should do it right there in the restaurant or wherever we may be.  Second are people who say, "I don't need to see a chiropractor.  I don't have back pain."  Should people who don't have pain go see a chiropractor?

It wasn't all that long ago that people only saw medical doctors when they were sick.  They only consulted a dentist when they had a tooth ache.  I'm old enough to remember those days.  The idea of consulting a health professional for prevention of problems is a fairly recent phenomenon.  Most of our society now sees the logic in seeing an MD, dentist, or optometrist before problems arise for either prevention or early treatment.  Using the same logic, it also makes sense to see a chiropractor before back pain, neck pain or headaches become problems.

Since every person has a spine, everyone has the potential to develop spinal problems.  Statistically, 80% of Canadians will experience back pain over the course of their lifetime.  For many of those people it will be debilitating; interfering with their ability to work or perform activities of daily living.  But the effects of spinal problems are not limited to pain.  Abnormal function of spinal joints results in irritation to adjacent spinal nerves.  This produces alteration of nerve function through the entire path of that particular spinal nerve.  The result can be health problems distant from the spine itself.  A person can suffer detrimental effects of spinal problems without actually having pain in their spine.

Chiropractors use the term, Vertebral Subluxation, to describe abnormally functioning spinal joints with associated nerve irritation.  It may or may not be accompanied by pain.  Chiropractors are uniquely trained to detect and correct Vertebral Subluxations.  Like most conditions, Vertebral Subluxations can be most effectively treated when they are detected early.  Once abnormal spinal joint function becomes chronic, associated muscles adapt patterns where they are either too tight or too lax.  The ligaments of the joints are weakened.  Blood supply to the joints is altered as well.  It's also significant that chronically irritated spinal nerves heal very slowly.  Consequently detecting and correcting Vertebral Subluxations early, even before there is associated pain, makes a lot of sense.  Seeing a chiropractor when you don't have back pain, neck pain or headaches is as logical as seeing a medical doctor when you aren't sick or a dentist when you don't have a toothache or an optometrist when you can see well.  

If you are the type of person that only consults a health professional when they have an obvious problem, you likely won't grasp the logic of seeing a chiropractor when you don't have pain in your back, neck or head.  But that doesn't mean that you don't have spinal problems.  Waiting until you have pain can result in much more damage to the tissues and prolonged treatment.  As well when treatment is delayed the outcomes are often much less desirable.

As always whether you choose to see a chiropractor when you don't have pain is up to you.  But the logical approach is to get checked and assure your spine is working as well as it can so you don't end up with debilitating or chronic spinal problems.  Regular chiropractic adjustments should be part of your healthy lifestyle.

Demon Sugar

The feature article in the May 12, 2014 issue of Maclean's is "Sugar Overload" by Kate Lunau.  The author reviews not only the health consequences of consuming too much sugar but also the strategies of the processed food industry to sell us sugar laden foods.

Ms. Lunau implies in her article that the link between sugar and health problems such obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and perhaps even Alzheimer's is a relatively new finding.  The reality is that this link was proposed in the 1970's.  William Duffy released his ground breaking book "Sugar Blues" in 1975.  Duffy argued that refined sugar is an addictive drug that is unnatural and leads to a host of physical and mental health problems.  Duffy was highly criticized and marginalized by the food industry.  Only those who were serious about natural health really took note.

"Sugar Overload" explores how mainstream science is now validating sugar's detrimental effects on human health. Take the time to read the article.  I'm not going to recap it.  Then get Duffy's book.  It will be an eye opener for you.  Although it is almost 40 years old, it is still very valid and is being verified by current science.

As you read this information also be very aware of the processed food industry's methods to have you buy and eat more and more sugar filled foods.  Food processors have a history of using whatever methods they can come up with to get people to buy their creations regardless of nutritional value. Think of their low cholesterol, low fat products which have turned out to be real health robbers.  (Don't hold your breath that their new gluten free products are going to be that healthy either.) 

The demon sugar can be beaten.  The answer is to eat unprocessed foods.  Whole foods with naturally occurring sugars do not affect the body the same as added sugar in processed foods. Shop the outside of the supermarket and avoid the middle aisles.  Real foods are found in the produce, meat, and dairy sections of the store.  Products in the center of the grocery are more likely to be processed with high sugar content along with other potentially harmful additives.

Eating wholesome, natural foods is an essential part of a healthy chiropractic lifestyle. 

It's Easier to Be a French Fry Eating Couch Potato

A few days ago I was cutting up a butternut squash to bake and I couldn't help but think that it would be much less work to just take the short drive to Wendy's and get some fries.  Then this morning the last thing I wanted to do was to do my workout.  I struggled through every set thinking of how good my bed would feel.  My oh my, a healthy lifestyle can be a lot of work!  And there are times I really don't want to put in the effort.  I know I'm not alone in feeling that having a healthy chiropractic lifestyle is a lot of work and there are days when it would be easy just to say forget it.

It's on those days when I have to remind myself of why I choose a healthy lifestyle, and it is totally my choice.  The benefits of eating well, exercising, getting rest, managing stress, and keeping my spine adjusted are tremendous.  When I do these good things I have more energy, I'm happier, my immune system is strong, and I'm able to handle the challenges life throws at me.  I also know deep within myself that by living healthy now, I have a much greater chance of enjoying good health as I age.  One goal I have for myself is to be able to live vibrantly until I die.

Then I also look at the cost of not living a healthy lifestyle.  I would surely gain weight and become sluggish.  Along with that comes loss of muscle tone and strength.  I would be more susceptible to acute infections and chronic disease processes such as diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular problems.  An unhealthy lifestyle now would jeopardize the health I hope to have in the future.

The only benefit to leading an unhealthy lifestyle is that it is easy.  No effort is required.  To go downhill all you have to do is coast.  But once you reach the bottom getting back up is an awful lot of work, if it can be accomplished at all.  Hitting the bottom from a health standpoint is not a good place to be.  It means the body is no longer able to maintain or repair itself and there is widespread failure of body systems.  There is no longer any enjoyment of life.  That's not a place any of us look forward to being in; I certainly don't!

The best assurance I have of enjoying a healthy future is to put in effort and sacrifice today.  What I do, or don't do, today will have a tremendous impact on my tomorrow, my next year, and my next decade.  Like everything I do in life, where my health is concerned I need to focus on my long term goals and work toward them.  Though it may be easier to go for the fries and skip my exercises, I'm going to continue to prepare my veggies and get up to workout.  I resolve to persevere with a healthy chiropractic lifestyle this year and end 2014 healthier than when it started.  How about you - expend the effort or take the easy route?

Abnormal Lab Results

It's been a while since I've added a new post to this blog.  Like many people I don't always have time to accomplish all the things I want to and this blog has unfortunately been pushed down on my priority list many times lately.  There are many things I want to comment on and my plan is to be more regular again with my posting.

A few months ago I had my annual checkup from my medical doctor.  As part of the procedure he ordered a number of lab tests to check the chemical values of my blood and urine, along with an EKG.  When the tests results came back, a couple of the values were out of the normal range.  What should be done?  Very often the medical approach is to prescribe some medications to bring the lab values back to within the normal range.  Is this the best approach to take?

Before I comment further, let me clearly state that there are times when medications are necessary.  But there should always be other considerations first.  The chiropractic approach is always chiropractic first, drugs second, surgery last.  Fortunately I have a good relationship with my MD and, although his first suggestion was medication, we agreed on an approach that did not involve taking any drugs.  There were two of my blood values that were of concern.  First, my testosterone levels were low.  This is not uncommon for a man of my age.  Second, my C-reactive protein levels were high.  I believe anytime a person has abnormal lab values the first thing to do is to consider lifestyle issues that could cause the abnormalities.  Was there something I was or wasn't doing that would result in my body working less that optimally?

In the case of low testosterone, it's easy to just say I'm getting older and that's just what's going to happen.  The knee jerk reaction is to take hormone replacement, risk the side effects and not make any changes to my lifestyle.  Instead I changed my exercise routine to include more strengthening of my big muscle groups.  I also made sure I was getting plenty of high quality protein and fat in my diet, including increasing my red meat intake.  Additionally, I took an herbal supplement (TestoGain from Douglas Labs) formulated to support testosterone production.  Within three months my testosterone level was right in the middle of the normal range.  My conclusion is that my low testosterone was the result of diet and exercise deficiencies and not my age.

High levels of C-reactive protein are indicative of an inflammatory process in the body.  It is significant because low grade inflammation that elevates C-reactive protein is associated with cardiovascular problems.  Stress is probably the greatest cause of this abnormal finding.  This can be physical, chemical or emotional stress.  In my case, I recognized stresses in all three areas.  I reduced my consumption of wheat and white potatoes while increasing my consumption of green vegetables.  My sleep quality also needed improving so I became more diligent in getting to bed at the same time each night and taking magnesium (Natural Calm) each evening.  Managing emotional stress is an ongoing challenge, but I've tried to make sure I have down time just for me.  Additionally, I increased my anti-oxidant and enzyme intake.  Again within three months my C-reactive protein levels were well within the normal range.

When our lab values are abnormal, there is a reason.  There is usually a lifestyle issue that is the cause and lifestyle changes can be corrective.  It may be easier to take a prescription, but drugs all come with the risk of side effects and they don't necessarily get to the root of the problem.  It takes more effort to actually make changes, but the long term results are better.  Nothing beats a healthy chiropractic lifestyle.

I've given you my own case only as an example of what can be accomplished with some effort.  Abnormal lab values can be corrected with lifestyle changes and nutrition without the use of drugs.   What will you do when some of your lab results are abnormal? 

Buyer Beware

This past weekend news outlets around the world reported on research out of the University of Guelph that found a significant portion of herbal supplements tested either contained or didn't contain the products listed on the label.  A typical sample of these reports was published in the Vancouver Sun, "'CSI'-like DNA study finds herbal products don't always list all contents on the label."  The findings are not a surprise to me.

Patients in our office have often asked us why they can by a certain supplement at a big box store so much cheaper than for what we sell products at our office.  My answer has typically been that I know what is in the products I carry.  I do not know what is or isn't in the supplements carried at the big stores and likely no one at the big store does either.  These companies, and many smaller natural product companies, buy their ingredients from wherever they get the best price and simply put their label on it.  They do not maintain the laboratory facilities to assure quality control.  They accept the assurance of the supplier for the quality of the ingredients.  Sadly many of these suppliers lack quality control facilities as well.  It is thus common for supplements to contain toxins, contaminants, and ingredients that do not have the potency they should have.

On the other hand, I do know that by carrying the professional grade supplements we have in our office I am assured that what is on the label is in the product.  Both Metagenics and Douglas Labs maintain their own research, quality control, and manufacturing facilities.  Their products are produced to pharmacutical standards to assure there are no toxins or contaminents.  They produce many of the raw materials themselves and all ingredients are analyzed for potency.  This assures that the products consistently produce the desired biological effects in the body.

There are significant costs to establishing, staffing and maintaining the facilities necessary to assure high quality products.  Although the products sold in our office are often higher priced, patients usually get better results than when they use discount brands.  Many, many times patients will tell me they have tried a specific supplement with no positive results and then they have gotten great results when using our high quality supplements.  The end result was that the quality product was actually more cost effective because the desired results were obtained.

With supplements, as with anything else we buy, we get what we pay for.  No where is quality more important that dealing with our health.  Beware when buying supplements.  Buy quality if you want consistent results.  

You Have Both a Right and a Left

It came as a bit of a surprise to me when I found out that when practicing, pro golfers will hit a bucket of balls right handed and then a bucket left handed, or vice versa.  This should not have surprised me because from a conditioning and biomechanical stand point, it makes perfect sense.  As humans we tend to be very one handed but using one side predominately can result in a host of problems.  By hitting balls both ways the pros are trying to minimize the possibility of these problems happening and at the same time improve their overall performance.  Given that I really can't hit a golf ball decently right handed, I can only imagine the challenge hitting it left handed.

Human balance can be thought of in two ways.  The first is whether or not a person has equilibrium.  That is whether they can remain upright.  If you lose your balance you fall down.  The second type of balance is whether a person has symmetry.  That implies the body having equal strength and mobility from one side to the other or front to back.  Having equilibrium is probably the most important type of balance, but having symmetry is important to having optimal equilibrium.  The two are related and both are important aspects of health.

The type of balance the golfers are working on when hitting balls both right and left handed is symmetry.  By doing this muscles and joints on both sides of the body are utilized.  Most significantly the "core" of the body is developed in a symmetrical manner.  This is particularly important for proper spinal function.  The nervous system also benefits tremendously when activities are done both right and left handed.

As a chiropractor, I see many spinal problems that are the result of people repetitively doing things one handed or one direction only.  When muscles are more developed on one side of the body, or more on the front or back, the joints of the spine move abnormally.  This results in the development of vertebral subluxations where there is not only a loss of joint function but altered nerve conduction as well.  A whole host of health problems can result.

It's not easy to use the body symmetrically.  Most of us are very one handed and it takes real effort to use the body in a balanced way.  It is particularly important to try to be balanced with the activities we do the most.  That means looking at the way we do our work and recreational activities.  For example I had to make a conscious effort to hold my Activator Adjusting Instrument an equal amount with either hand.  I had to train myself to work from both sides of the adjusting table.  By doing this over time my left hand has become almost as strong and coordinated as my right hand.  It certainly wasn't when I started doing this years ago.  I believe that doing this has not only prevented injuries but is a factor in my overall health.

It's important to also try to achieve symmetry when exercising.  This is particularly significant when rehabilitating injuries.  Stretching and strengthening should be done on both the right and the left.  Of equal importance is balancing the front and the back of the body.  Did you know that walking on the ground provides much more symmetry than walking on a treadmill?  When walking on the ground both flexor and extensor muscles of the lower extremity are used as opposed to the treadmill where the machine does most of the extension for you and the flexor muscles develop more than the extensors.

Take a tip from the pros to improve both your performance and your health by using your body in a balanced manner.  You will have fewer injuries, recover faster, have improved coordination, and better equilibrium.  Balance is part of a healthy chiropractic lifestyle.   It's not easy, but you will be better for it.

I Have Algorithms In My Head

When I'm consulting a patient for the first time I often tell them they are just like a jigsaw puzzle and I'm trying to put the pieces together so they make sense.  All the questions my staff ask and that I ask are designed to reveal glimpses of who this person is and what their condition really is.  Each examination procedure also reveals more pieces to the puzzle.  But just having all the pieces of the jigsaw on the table doesn't show you what the whole picture is.  The pieces have to be put together.  Each piece contains clues.  In a picture puzzle this includes shape, colour and pattern.  Every interconnection reveals more of what the whole will look like.

This is not dissimilar to the way I need to evaluate a patient.  Age, sex, family history, occupation, diet, physical activity, injuries, illnesses, and many other factors need to be probed.  Depending on the answer given to a particular question, it leads to the next question that needs to be asked.  The examination is then formulated from what has been gleaned from the history and consultation.  Each positive or negative finding leads to the test that should follow.

Over the years of evaluating many, many patients, I have developed algorithms that run through my mind to help me quickly and accurately assess what is going on.  An algorithm is defined as a formula or set of steps for solving a particular problem. To be an algorithm, a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear stopping point.  For example you can have an algorithm for baking a cake.  It might look like this:

 

Evaluating a patient is certainly more complex than baking a cake and instead of a simple algorithm, algorithms often need to be combined to get valid results.  If a patient has just one simple complaint, say a sprained ankle, there are few steps necessary to make the diagnosis and develop an approach for rehabilitation.  Few people present with such a simple situation.  Although a person may have one complaint, perhaps low back pain, there can be many factors which lead to the condition and usually involve more than just the lower area of the spinal column.  By having a logical sequence to follow, an algorithm, clues don't get missed and the best possible conclusions can be determined.  During both the history and examination of a patient with low back pain, algorithms for evaluating the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hips will likely be combined.  The knees, feet, and even the neck may be added depending on what is revealed.  

Activator Methods, my primary chiropractic technique, is based on a series of algorithms that allows for very efficient and thorough evaluation and adjustment of the spine and extremities.  The Activator Methods basic scan for the lumbar spine looks like this:

This basic algorithm covers most low back conditions.  Should a patient present with a more complicated situation there are advanced algorithms that can be applied to evaluate the lumbar spine more thoroughly.    Following the algorithms leads to effective care of low back conditions.  There is less likelihood of missing pieces to the low back pain puzzle.

Whether I'm work with a new patient or during a routine office visit, I have algorithms constantly going through my mind.  As a result I can quick evaluate the spine and extremities for subluxations and determine the best chiropractic adjustments for a given patient.  By putting the pieces together I know where, when, and when not to adjust.  This is crucial to being an effective chiropractor. 

  

Activator Methods Upgrading

Last weekend I participated in an Activator Methods Seminar.  The technique requires that in order to maintain my Advanced Proficiency status that at least once every year I attend a seminar to assure my competency in using the procedures.  This is something I really appreciate about Activator Methods.  They assure that all the doctors who are rated to use the technique, continue to maintain their competency.  This is important for patients and also for practitioners.

During the weekend our instructor, Dr. Rebecca Fischer, walked us through relevant research and showed us how to apply it in our practices.  Something that is not always easy to do is to take research and make it practical in a clinical setting.  In the rapidly changing health care world this is very valuable.  This year's focus was on osteoarthritis.  I appreciate not only the ongoing research that Activator Methods does but how they utilize research from many, varied sources to continually refine the technique.  There are few techniques that are so diligent.

Probably more important than the research however is the time spent on practical application over the course of the weekend.  Doctors are divided into basic, intermediate and advanced classes depending on their experience using Activator Methods.  In the advanced class with Dr. Fischer that I attended we spent a great deal of time refining our ability to use the technique.  That included hands on workshops, small group case studies, and a review of both old and new advanced procedures.  Nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle issues were integrated into the presentation and workshop.  This year the emphasis was on evaluating and treating the lower extremity.   Dr. Fischer and her helpers evaluated each attendee on their competency in using the Activator analysis.  It is wonderful to have this done every year.  It's amazing how many bad habits a person develops and this seminar always helps to bring back my focus.  There are also those, "Man I totally forgot about that test!" moments.

Not insignificant is the opportunity to connect with other like minded doctors.  This is often the only occasion where I get chance to see these people, may of whom are not from Alberta.  Time is spent sharing good and bad things that happen in our practices.  There is great value in this time of informal exchange.  I come away with a great confidence in many of the doctors I want to refer to and also recognize some I don't want to send patients to.

I commend Activator Methods for maintaining a system of quality control through their annual seminar requirement.  It's good for me as a doctor and also good for my patients.  For me it is not a burden, but a privilege to maintain my proficiency with Activator Methods.

Light and Health

Here in Medicine Hat we have enjoyed an exceptionally mild winter.  The same cannot be said for many of our patients we live to the north and east of the city.   Although the calendar says it is spring looking at the thermometer and the snow on the ground this past week, we know that spring has not yet come to our part of the country.  When the sun does shine however it lifts our spirits with more than just the expectation of warmer weather to come.

Sunshine has a very positive effect on our physical bodies.  After a few cloudy days going out into the April sunshine just seems to energize a person.  The energy does more than just lift our mental spirits.  Did you know that every cell in the human body gets energy from light?  Each cell has receptors that absorb the energy from light and convert that energy into the energy which runs the cell.  So when light shines on the cells of our body, they have more energy to do what they need to do.  They grow better.  They heal better.  When individual cells function better and are healthier, the tissues that are made up of those individual cells are also more functional.  Ultimately the whole person is healthier.

While sunlight is very beneficial it is not always possible to expose tissues needing light stimulation to the sun.  For instance injured joints or an injured spine may not be practically exposed to enough sunlight to have a therapeutic effect, particularly during a Canadian winter.  The full spectrum, scattered waves of sunlight only penetrate a maximum of 1/2 inch into the body.  Most times injured tissues are much deeper.  So although sunlight has a therapeutic benefit, it is very limited.

To practically use light to stimulate healing in the body, requires the light to be focused rather than scattered and of wavelengths that can effectively penetrate deep into the body.  The most effective sources of such light are lasers.  Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been developed specifically to stimulate the healing of the body.  It uses specific wavelengths and powers that are most effective at energizing the cells of injured tissues.  At the same time LLLT produces no heat and it does not damage any healthy tissues.  Shining laser light on injured tissues is almost like plugging the cells into a power source to get them working.  Once the cells are energized the injured tissues can quickly return to their normal function.

In our office we have found LLLT to be a very valuable adjunct to chiropractic adjustments.  It speeds the healing process significantly.  It reduces the sensitivity of irritated nerves.  It improves circulation.  It reduces inflammation.  It normalizes the function of the body's healing cells.  Chiropractic works with the natural ability of the body to heal and LLLT simple enhances the process. 

Even though going out into the sunshine can have a very positive effect on the body, when it comes to stimulating healing, laser light is far superior.   

What Makes Chiropractic Adjustments So Powerful?

A chiropractic adjustment is a very simple procedure.  The chiropractor analyzes a patient's spine for an area that has lost its proper position and motion.  Then a very quick, light thrust is applied in a specific direction to this area.  This may be done to one or several areas of the spine and the patient's spine has been adjusted.  Both the analysis and the procedure are quick and simple.

Most people visit chiropractors because of pain in the back or neck.  It's easy for them to make the connection between pain in the spine and the benefits of adjusting the spine.  But many of these people, who've come for relief of back and neck pain, find other positive things happen after receiving chiropractic adjustments.  Some examples from my practice over that past few weeks are:

• the child who is no longer constipated
• the man who no longer gets heartburn at every meal 
• the lady who now sleeps comfortably through the night
• the gentleman who no longer has constant hiccups
• the baby who nurses without vomiting everything back up
• the woman who can walk with her friends again without discomfort
• the fellow whose jaw no longer "cracks" so loudly that it annoyed his family
• the boy who no longer has chest pain and shortness of breath when he runs

There are many more examples I could list of positive, unexpected benefits patients in my office have experienced recently.  In each case, the person was analyzed for spinal problems and given simple chiropractic adjustments.

That a chiropractic adjustment can produce such a wide range of positive effects can seem amazing.  The power in the adjustment is not in the technique the chiropractor uses or even in the force that the chiropractor puts into the spine.  The power comes from what the body does with that force.  When areas of the spine have lost their proper position and motion it means that a Vertebral Subluxation is present.  Vertebral Subluxations also involve irritation of the adjacent spinal nerves.  Once the nerves are irritated, all areas of the body that depend on those particular nerves are negatively affected.  A chiropractic adjustment applied to a Vertebral Subluxation restores normal position and motion which then results normalization of the spinal nerves.  Once nerve function returns, truly amazing things can happen in the body.  The body can again function the way it was designed to.  The chiropractic adjustment can be likened to turning on a switch that gets the body working again.  Chiropractic adjustments turn the nerves on.  It's that simple.  That's why chiropractic adjustments are so powerful!

Life is Like Riding A Bike

"Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance you must keep moving."  Albert Einstein



Albert Einstein was a pretty smart fellow and not just in math and science.  When reading quotes from him, I have to conclude that he had a great grasp of what life is all about.  The quote above is certainly in line with a healthy chiropractic lifestyle.

Balance is a key to both physical and mental health.  I don't know whether Albert Einstein was referring to one or both of these areas of life when he made this statement.  Motion is crucial for health in both areas.

In physical health it's easy to see how motion is a critical element.  Motion tones our nerves and muscles and it keeps our circulatory system functioning.  As we move our body systems become coordinated so everything works together.  That is the prerequisite to having physical balance.

As a chiropractor, I am very focused on the how well my patients move.  The motion of the joints of the spine is particularly important.  Spinal joints that move either too much or too little will affect the nerves that exit the spine and go to all parts of the body.  This can lead to an imbalance in the nerves that control not only muscle activity but sensations such as pain and feelings as well as organ function.  When spinal joints loose their proper motion and the nervous system loses its balance, that is termed a vertebral subluxation.  Correcting vertebral subluxations with specific adjustments is what chiropractors specialize in.

Physical balance requires motion in more areas than just the spinal joints.  All the joints of the body must move properly and all the body's systems must be working together in a coordinated fashion.  Its the nervous system that assures the coordination of the entire body..

Being balanced mentally also requires motion.  Physical motion provides proper blood flow to the brain.  Through the blood the brain receives the oxygen, nutrients, and hormones necessary for it to work properly.  Also through physical motion the brain obtains stimulation from every part of the body.   Keeping mentally active is also necessary for to have mental balance.  Keep the mental "gears" turning through constant learning and stimulation to keep the mind healthy. 

A chiropractic lifestyle involves keeping the spine functioning properly as well as adopting healthy diet, exercise, nutrition, and sleep habit,   It's about managing physical, chemical, and emotional stresses so the body and mind can function the way they were designed to.  To be healthy we need to be balanced, physically and mentally.. Sitting in front of the TV in no way promotes balance.  Balance requires movement.  Take it from Albert Einstein, to be balanced we need to keep moving.  He was a wise man.

5 EASY STEPS TO BECOME UNHEALTHY IN 2013

If your New Year's Resolution is to become less healthy this year, I have 5 easy steps for you to take to reach your goal.

1. Inactivity – Lack of physical activity will result in increased risks of circulation problems, heart disease, diabetes, digestive problems, sleep disturbances, muscle wasting, joint problems and mental health issues. It's not just physical activity you want to avoid but mental stimulation as well. Being a couch potato in front of the TV might be a great place to start.  This will minimize both your physical and mental activity levels.
2. Poor Nutrition – Eat as much as you can of whatever looks good and tastes good. Go for high sugar, deep fried, highly salted, high calorie, processed and genetically modified foods.  Avoid natural foods, especially fresh vegetables (green = bad) and fruit.  Consuming large quantities of alcohol will also deplete your nutritional reserves.  Without essential building blocks the body is unable to repair itself and all its systems gradually breakdown.
3. Poor Supplementation – Don't take any supplements.  Rely on the nutrient deficient foods you choose (see #2) to supply what your body needs, even though these foods don't have what the body needs.  Even more detrimental to your health is to take supplements that your body can't absorb or that are in forms that the body can't utilize. Choose low quality supplements that contain toxins and fillers. This is sure to stress the body chemically.
4. Stress Response – Prolonged stress has been shown to be a causative factor in 8 of the 10 most costly illnesses. This includes cardiovascular disease, some cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, spinal conditions, as well as mental health conditions.  So don't develop mechanisms to reduce your stress levels. Let your stresses eat away at you both mentally and physically.
5. Nerve Interference – Don't worry about using proper body mechanics. Ignore aches, pains and stiffness in your spine.  A poorly working spine affects the nervous system, which is the master control of the entire body.   It only takes as much pressure on a spinal nerve as the weight of a dime to reduce the function of that nerve by 60%. Then every tissue that nerve goes to will be compromised. Be sure not have any chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations and reduce nerve irritation in the spine.

I don't know which of these steps will cause the greatest deterioration in your health, but be assured that if you do all 5 of them you will definitely go downhill this year. It doesn't get any easier than that!  Going downhill is always the easy path.

But perhaps becoming unhealthy isn't really your resolution for 2013.  Do you instead want to get healthier? Then you will want to do the opposite of the things I've listed. Increase your physical and mental activity, improve your nutrition, take high quality supplements, control your stress levels, and reduce nerve interference with chiropractic care.  As chiropractors we can help you become healthier this year.

Forgetfulness

It's very frustrating that as a person gets older, it gets hard to remember even simple things.  Where did I put my keys? What did I come into this room for?  What did I have for lunch yesterday?  The list of what I forgot just gets longer and I'd tell you all the things that are on it, if I could just remember where I put it.  It's frustrating.

However, our memories don't have to get bad with age.  There are things that can be done to prevent, slow and even reverse age related memory loss.  Like so many problems that show up as we age, memory issues are best dealt with when we are young and before there are any signs of forgetfulness.

Memory is dependent on the proper functioning of a series of complex chemical reactions in the brain.  These reactions occur within the nerve cells and between the nerve cells.  First these reactions need to take place in order for the memory to be encoded.  Then there needs to be another series of reactions to retrieve the memory.  Any disruption in either process and we cannot remember what we wanted to.  As we age there is a tendency for the brain to produce memory related neurotransmitters which allow one nerve cell to communicate with other nerve cells.  There can also be a decline in the chemical make up of the cells themselves resulting in less efficient processing of information.  Memory is an indicator of not only how well the brain is working, but the entire nervous system.  Nervous system health is the primary focus of chiropractors.

In his book, "Brighter Mind", Kyl Smith D.C. has a four step program to prevent mental decline or to improve mental performance in those already experiencing problems.  Dr. Smith uses many scientific studies to illustrate his approach to boosting brain function.  He references over 1500 peer reviewed scientific studies.  The bottom line is that there are simple action steps that anyone can take to improve their mental capacities, including memory.  I like Dr. Smith's approach because it fits in with a healthy chiropractic lifestyle that I think is beneficial for everyone.

The four steps are to nourish, support, improve, and protect your mind.

1. Nourish -This means to feed, maintain and support.  To function properly it is absolutely essential that the brain has adequate amounts of all the B-Vitamins, Vit. E, Vit. C, Vit. D, beta carotene, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, essential fatty acids, and CoQ10.  The best way to get these nutrients is from a diet consisting of unprocessed foods with an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts.  Wild fish, free range poultry, and grass fed animals are also recommended.  While it is necessary to consume foods which contain the necessary nutrients, it is equally important to avoid foods which deplete those nutrients.  In the simplest term, this means no processed foods.  Processing destroys essential nutrients while adding many chemicals which interfere with brain function.  Dr. Smith says, "A diet high in processed foods can literally starve your brain."  Inadequate brain nutrition results in poor concentration, mental fatigue, depression, learning disabilities, disturbed sleep, and loss of memory.
2. Support - This means to assist, help and maintain.  Closely related to nourishing, supporting the brain means selecting slow release carbohydrates over sugars or carbs that are quickly converted to sugar.  Most refined grains fit into the latter category.   Consume  good quality amino-acid rich protein. Such proteins are best found in whey, dairy, eggs, fish, and beef, Yes, red meat is good to support brain function.  Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to support the brain.  These can be either plant derived or marine derived.  Those from marine sources are better because they are already in the form your brain utilizes.  A healthy cardiovascular system also supports the brain.
3. Improve - This means to enhance or make better.  There are naturally occuring substances that will actually improve the function of the brain and they have no side effects.  These include phoshadylserene (PS), GPC (L-alpha-glycero-phosphorylcholine; yikes! Just call it GPC.)  ALCAR (acetyl-L-carnitine), and DMAE (dimethyl-aminoethanol),   Of these supplementing PS and ALCAR show the most brain improvements.  Exercise, both mental and physical, is very beneficial for improving the mind.  Good sleep is also essential.
4. Protect - Means to guard, shield and defend.  The brain is particularly susceptible to damage from toxins and oxidation.  Oxidation is a product of metabolism in the body and is amplified by stress of all kinds.  Nutrients which protect the brain include: CoQ10, Vit. C, Vit. E, R-Lipoic Acid, ALCAR, resveratrol, grape seed extract, anti-oxidant rich berries and beans, vinpocetine, ginko biloba, rhodiola, and green tea,   This is a long list and not every person needs to consume all of these.  It is best to get most of them from a diet consisting of natural foods and then supplement with those that will specifically address an individual's situation.

The bottom line here is to improve one's diet by eating less processed foods and more vegetables and fruits, supplement to get hard to obtain nutrients and omega 3 fats, and exercise both the mind and the body.  Do this and your mind will work better.  You won't be as forgetful. 

Co Q10

There are a few supplements that I think just about everyone can benefit by taking.  One of them is Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10), also called Ubiquinol in it's active form.  Co Q10 is a fat soluble anti-oxidant and micro-nutrient.  It protects cell membranes from oxidative damage.  It is also absorbed into cells where it is a vital component in the production of cellular energy in the mitochondria.  A properly functioning body produces the Co Q10 that is needed.  However due to increased demand, illnesses, interference from medications, stress, nutritional deficiencies, and inadequate intake of Co Q10 building blocks, a huge segment of our society is Co Q10 deficient.

Without adequate Co Q10 people tend to have low energy levels.  They are also more likely to suffer from heart disease, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, periodontal disease, Parkinson's Disease, Type 2 diabetes, and a depressed immune system.  They are also unable to properly recover from physical stress. Heart muscle has a particularly high need of Co Q10. That's a pretty extensive and varied list of conditions.  Most of the conditions listed are ones I personally want to make every effort to guard against.   

The best dietary sources of Co Q10 precursors are organ meats, red fleshed fish, sardines, soybean oil, olive oil, and grapeseed oil.  They are found to a lesser extent in dark green vegetables and nuts.  Unfortunately these are not foods that we consume in large quantities so many people simply don't have the necessary elements to make adequate amounts of their own Co Q10.  A further complication is that as we age our bodies become less efficient at producing Co Q10.  Some studies indicate that Co Q10 production starts to decrease in people in their 20s.  That's not good news for someone my age.

A very significant problem in that past couple of decades is that a number of medications interfere with Co Q10 production and absorption.  These include some beta blockers, blood pressure lowering medications, and statins.  Statins are a class of cholesterol lowering drugs that include Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, and Livalo.  These statin drugs are known to produce many side effects and one of the reasons for these is the great interference they have on Co Q10.  Many specialists believe all people taking statin medication should be supplementing with Co Q10.

Supplementing Co Q10 is not straight forward.  It is fat soluble and not easily absorbed.  Unfortunately many people are simply wasting their money by taking Co Q10 supplements that they simply aren't absorbing.  It doesn't matter how low the price on the bottle is, it's expensive if your body can't utilize it.  The supplement should be all natural and free of toxins.  The product we most often recommend in our office is Nanocell Q from Metagenics.  This is a nanomicellized form of Co Q10 which converts the fat soluble product to become water soluble.  Once water soluble it is easily absorbed.  It is also in a great tasting liquid form which makes it easy to take.

Co Q10 is absolutely essential to be healthy.  Supplementation is the best answer for most people to help prevent many serious degenerative diseases.

Thanks

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada.  We celebrate this holiday a month and a half earlier than our American friends, probably because we need to be done our harvesting earlier than they do.  Certainly the farmers around Medicine Hat have gotten their crops in.  Other than carrots to dig, our garden has given up it's abundance for this year.  The frost and even snow that we've had has made sure that the growing season has come to an end.  So we give thanks this weekend for the blessings the land has provided this summer.

But Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for more than just the produce of the land.  It is a time to reflect on the all the good things we have and we are certainly a people who have truly been blessed with great abundance.  Compared to most of the world our society has material wealth and possessions that the majority of earth's inhabitants can only dream of.  But we need to be thankful for more than just our bank accounts and stuff.  There are the things we cannot buy: family, friends, health, peace, freedom and life itself.

There is something very powerful about taking time to reflect on what a person has as opposed to what we don't have.  To give thanks for the blessings that are ours today.  It helps us to live in the present; to be more content with our lives knowing what we really have.  

I know from personal experience that when my life and circumstances have been difficult, reflecting on what I have that is good has been very beneficial.  Even more so when I have specifically been thankful for those blessings. The Bible tells us "... give thanks in all circumstances ..." (1Th 5:18).  It doesn't tell to give thanks for the circumstances we find ourselves in, but to look for the good in the circumstances.  Even in difficult times there are almost always some bright spots or some valuable lessons we are able to learn.  Some of our greatest personal growth takes place in our toughest times.  We need to be thankful for that.

Thanksgiving is not just about the turkey and fixin's.  It's about reflecting on what we have been blessed with, material and more importantly non material. 

Something that we are very thankful for at Powers & Jans Centre are the loyal patients who have entrusted us with providing chiropractic care to them and their families.  We know what a great blessing it is to be able to serve the needs of others.  Thanks!