Chiropractic Lifestyles

Well it’s getting to be that time of year again, the dreaded cold and flu season. Before you run out and grab the newest drug or get the latest flu shot, here are some natural safe alternatives you may want to consider (taken from Foxnews.com)

1. Eucalyptus Oil
“Eucalyptus oil is the ultimate cold season decongestant,” Kilham said. “Eucalyptus, it’s a tree that originates in Australia, and grows all over the world now.  The oil is inexpensive and very effective.  Fill a bathroom sink full of hot water, drop about five drops of this into the water, drape a towel over your head — breathe the vapors, and this helps to open up clogged up sinuses.”

2. Ginger
“Ginger is just about the best thing for relieving a sore throat, and it makes you feel better almost instantly,” Kilham said.  “And it also contains ingredients that kill rhinoviruses, which are the viruses that cause colds.”

How do you use ginger root for a cold? Kilham said to break off a piece and chop it up very finely or grate it. Put it in a cup and pour boiling water over it, then you let it sit for about five minutes.  Strain it and drink it – you can always add honey for extra flavor.

3. Mint
“For decongesting, this is one of my favorite remedies,” Kilham said. “And I like this because it’s safe for children. Mint contains menthol, and menthol is a compound that helps to open up your sinuses. Chop it up finely, and put it in a cup, then pour boiling water over it. Let it sit for about five minutes. Strain it; you can add a little honey.  It will help to decongest, and open up your breathing passages.”

4. Umcka
If you don’t have time to make a cold tea at home – try umcka.

Umcka is the san tribal name for the African herb perigonian serdoties, according to Kilham.

“What you need to know about this stuff is it reduces the symptoms of a cold quickly, especially congestion. So at the first sign of a cold, you take about a half a teaspoon of this syrup and it starts to work immediately.”

These remedies don’t have the awful side effects of drugs, Kilham said, and they work quickly and efficiently. He also recommends getting lots of rest, drinking plenty of fluids and eating chicken soup.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/30/4-natural-cold-and-flu-remedies/#ixzz1l2jhkU20

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, tracked 272 patients with recent-onset neck pain who were treated using three different methods:

1. Medication
2. Exercise
3. A Chiropractor

After 12 weeks the patients who used a chiropractor or exercised were more than twice as likely to be pain free compared to those who relied on medicine. The patients treated by a chiropractor experienced the highest rate of success with 32 percent saying they were pain free, compared to 30 percent of those who exercised. Only 13 percent of patients treated with medication said they no longer experienced pain.

To see the video, go to:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/01/04/neck-pain-chiropractors-exercise-better-than-medication-study-says/

Q: What can I do for joint pain? Are there any preventive measures I can take?

-T.B.

A: The best thing you can do for joint pain, providing there is no serious injury, is exercise. Now, I don’t mean you have to go out there and lift huge amounts of weight. Simply moving the joint through its full range of motion will suffice. It is motion that give the joints the nutrients they need to stay healthy and lubricated. It is when the joints stop moving that we begin to see arthritic changes occur. You may also want to try:

1) Bromelain- an enzyme found naturally in pineapple or can be bought as a supplement. It has anti-inflammatory properties.

2) Cayenne- used as a pain reliever.

3) SAMe- is the abbreviation for S-adenosylmethionine, which is a substance that is naturally found in the cells of your body. It is known as a “chondroprotective agent,” meaning it prevents damage and degeneration to the cartilage around the joints.

4) Glucosamine Sulfate- supplement that lubricates and prevents damage to the cartilage

These are just some suggestions that have had positive results in trials. They are all natural and don’t have the side-effects that come with Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or other pain relievers.

-Dr. Ritchie

Q: How does eating affect your spinal alignment and muscles?

-P.H.

A: Not only does eating affect your general health, it also has an impact on your spine and muscles. This will take a bit, but let me explain. Your Central Nervous System, which consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves, controls all actions of the body including the functioning of  your muscles and organs. Before you were born your brain was busy making connections to your muscles and organs via the spinal cord and nerves. Those nerves that exit the spinal cord not only go to organs but go to muscles as well. Let’s take the gall bladder for example. It is innervated by the T4 nerve root which exits the spinal column just under the 4th thoracic vertebra. This same nerve root supplies a couple of the muscles between the shoulder blades. So, how does food come into play?

Well, when you eat a meal that is high in fat, your gall bladder is stimulated to produce bile to help with digestion. This is the normal function of the gall bladder and doesn’t really pose a problem. However, if you constantly have meals high in fat, the gall bladder has to work longer and harder. It becomes stressed and sends messages to the brain through the nerves of the T4 root. When the brain sends a response, it does not totally differentiate where the message is going. Therefore, whatever the T4 root supplies will also respond, including the muscles between the shoulder blades. They will contract and become tight, and as they become tight they pull on the vertebrae changing their position and your posture.

This is only one example. The same thing can occur when other digestive organs become over stressed. It will just happen at a different area of the spine.

-Dr. Ritchie

Q: I’ve never been to the chiropractor before. Will my first visit hurt?

-D.C.

A: I can’t speak as to how other offices work, but in our office. your first visit will generally consist of a consultation and an examination. You’ll come in, tell us about the problems you are having, and then we’ll put you through some tests. Now, these tests are designed to reproduce your symptoms, so this may cause some mild discomfort. However, this is necessary for us to determine what the problem is and where it is coming from.

As far as the adjustments go on the subsequent visits, they are usually very gentle. In our office we have the pro-adjuster which is a computer that uses light repetitive pulsing to nudge the vertebrae back into position. Should you require manual adjustments, these utilize a little more force but aren’t typically painful.

-Dr. Ritchie

Tags Chiropractor, First, Hurt, Visit

Hello Everybody!

I trust that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is looking forward to an exciting new year. It’s time to get working on those resolutions you’ve made. I’m starting one of mine right now and that’s to get this Newsletter up and going. However, I’ve decided to change it up a little bit.  Instead of a newsletter that will come out monthly, I’m going to post items on this blog. This way I will be able to post things day to day and keep you up to date on the latest health trends. I’m sure most of you have seen the “Ask the Doc” flyer in our office. I have received a few questions, keep’em coming. You can also send your questions to nathanielkeith.ritchie@gmail.com. Your questions along with other stories and tips will be posted on this blog.