Sunday, January 24, 2010

Chiropractic and research


Chiropractic as a way of healthcare is based on the connection and advancement of three things. Just like any structure of importance, its strength is based on having a strong foundation. A common support system that stands strong is pillars. Chiropractic as a practice is made strong itself by three pillars. One pillar is through the philosophy that the body was built intelligently enough to adapt to environmental stresses and express health when there is nothing impeding its function. The next pillar being the Art of the adjustment, is a skill learned to deliver a specific thrust, with calculated force, in a predetermined vector to reduce and remove the subluxation. The final and just as important pillar of the trio being the science, the science that is driven by research aimed to advance our knowledge as we gain more information in delivering chiropractic care.

As the past year has come to an end, a review of the chiropractic literature revealed promising advances in our understanding of the benefits of regular chiropractic care. A study published by Zhongguo Gu Shang in June of last year reported that spinal manipulation may cure Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Researchers in China did an analysis of 82 patients with irritable bowel syndrome who received spinal manipulation to the mid and lower spine regions. The outcome revealed that 91 percent of the patients were cured and the others remaining showed significant improvement. The study concluded that unstable vertebrae caused pressure compromising nerve and blood supply to the affected area resulting in irritable bowel syndrome.

Another study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complement Medicine suggests that chiropractic care and resistance training is extremely effective in the functional quality of woman with fibromyalgia. The experiment done at Florida State University, separated 48 women suffering from fibromyalgia into two groups, both groups completing 16 weeks of resistance training with one group receiving chiropractic care as well. The study showed improvements with the fibromyalgia in both groups, but the women in the chiropractic group showed greater results. In concluding, “the addition of chiropractic treatment improved adherence and dropout rates to the resistance training and facilitated greater improvements in the domain of functionality.”

The studies discussed above are only a few of many done in 2009. However, these studies are crucial in the advancement of chiropractic as we gain modern information. As mentioned in previous discussions, chiropractic does not search for a specific symptom or disease process, but removes the pressure on nerves and allows the body to manifest health regardless of the ailment. Keep your spine checked regularly by your chiropractor.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Have you had your artichokes?


It is important that when we speak of embracing a healthy lifestyle we incorporate optimal nutrition into our lives. A balanced diet is an essential part of the chiropractic lifestyle. This lifestyle is centered on disease prevention that includes regular chiropractic care, active living via exercise, and many other preventive measures.

One of the biggest health concerns in society today is the booming rate of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease may in part be related to our genetic make-up, but an overwhelming contributor is lifestyle choices such as nutrition. Providentially, recent studies indicates that artichoke enriched diets may keep cholesterol levels within the normal range. One study published in 2008 in the journal Phytomedicine contrasted a group of adults with elevated blood cholesterol. One group of the study participants was given artichoke leaf extract, while the other group a placebo. The study concluded that the artichoke leaf extract consumption group displayed a positive statistically significant difference in total cholesterol after 3 months.

Along with its ability to decrease cardiovascular disease, artichokes may also promote liver health, primarily amongst individuals exposed to toxins, have compromised liver function, or are heavy drinkers. In addition, artichokes have been shown to weaken irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other digestive problems. Recent research published in the Journal of Alternative and Complemintary Medicine discussed the effects of artichoke leaf extract on over 200 adults who were suffering from IBS. The results showed a greater than 26% decrease in incidence of IBS amongst the group.

Artichokes contain many nutrients that are effective in promoting a preventive environment from such diseases as cardiovascular, irritable bowel syndrome, and those affecting the liver. They contain elevated levels of fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid. They also provide an avenue of potassium, phosphorus, chromium, iron, magnesium, and calcium. Artichokes have all of these benefits contained in a small amount of calories and no low density lipoprotiens (LDLs) that causes high cholesterol.

Living a healthy lifestyle requires more than just the occasional run in the park, or a bi-weekly visit to your chiropractor. An optimal healthy lifestyle consistently needs to include an appropriate activity level, regular visits to your chiropractor to remove or reduce subluxations, and a diet that is rich in nutrients that embeds preventive measures.