In the world of chiropractic health care, spinal decompression is promoted as the latest technology to relieve back pain caused by compressed or degenerative discs. Although some within the medical community, including the Mayo Clinic, are using the treatment for conditions such as herniated and bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica, most doctors are awaiting… Read more »
What is Optimal Health? In his book, Dr. A’s Habits of Health, Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen describes Optimal Health as ‘the highest degree of health that is possible for you to achieve.’ The reality for many people is they’re simply surviving in a slowly declining state of well-being, not really healthy and not quite sick.… Read more »
Pain, stress or limited motion keeps you from achieving optimal results and benefits from your sport. Pain and muscular tension interfere with your mobility on the tennis court or the swing of your golf club, reducing your performance, endurance and enjoyment. Do you wake up the day after golfing, biking or playing tennis with stiffness,… Read more »
The holidays are behind us and we’ve just turned the corner into the New Year. Now it’s time to get ourselves back on track for more balanced living. But how easy is that in this extremely social valley with galas, fundraisers and a seemingly endless calendar of events? We move from the holiday season into… Read more »
Chiropractic is from Greek words which mean “done by hand.” It is grounded in the principle that the body can heal itself when the skeletal system is correctly aligned and the nervous system is functioning properly. To achieve this, the doctor of chiropractic uses his or her hands as an adjusting tool to perform specific… Read more »
I realize that talking about hemorrhoids is not polite cocktail conversation. With that in mind, I use every other opportunity I have to educate the public on this too-often embarrassing subject. My 30 years as a board certified colon and rectal surgeon qualifies me to speak on the subject. Hopefully I will demystify some of… Read more »
Ginseng is one of the most renowned of all herbs. There are several varieties of ginseng, and most common are the eleven species of Panax ginseng. The word panax means “all heal” in Greek, (think of panacea) and ginseng was so called because of its healing properties. In Chinese, the herb is called ren shen–literally… Read more »
Imagine lying on a soft table with your eyes closed focusing on breathing in and out while someone else does your stretching for you. This is one of the many benefits I discovered with Fascial Stretching Therapy (FST). Fascia is the most prevalent tissue in your body. It is the continuous band of fibers that… Read more »
It is wonderful to see our government actively promoting the importance of eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. In March 2007, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) launched the “Fruits & Veggies—More Matters” campaign promoting the benefits of fruits and vegetables in a way that will sustain consumers’ eating behavior in the long… Read more »
A man’s ability to achieve and sustain an erection depends on the healthy operation of a network of systems that cause vascular tissue in the penis to fill with blood. For an erection to take place, an adequate blood supply must circulate to the penis, the nerves must function properly, and they must receive stimuli… Read more »
The World Health Organization defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.1 Most Americans base their health on how they look or feel, referring to good health as a lack of disease. However, following this map has led the majority of the… Read more »
If you have ever suffered with a migraine headache or seen someone who has, you know firsthand how debilitating the pain can be. Migraines can occur anywhere from once or twice a year to several times per month. The cost of treating migraine patients in the United States is estimated at $13 – $17 billion… Read more »
Many of my patients come in seeking relief from acute or chronic pain from neurological conditions or injuries. Often, we do not acknowledge our health until it is compromised and only then do we seek ways to regain it. Some will not try acupuncture until they’re in so much pain the thought of a needle… Read more »
Cabbage, kale, collards, radishes…Each of these vegetables is packed with a host of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, plus the natural disease-fighting compound called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane reduces inflammation, fights unhealthy bacteria and protects against carcinogenic toxins…and it only takes a few servings a month to realize the benefit. It is recommended in the prevention and… Read more »
Iron Moxa is a unique union of Japanese massage and moxibustion, a traditional Chinese therapy using moxa, or mugwort herb. Its significant benefits include relieving fatigue, improving circulation, easing neuralgia (nerve) and muscle pain, and boosting gastrointestinal function. Iron Moxa can also be used for facial rejuvenation treatment, as its combination of gentle heat and… Read more »
Arthritis can be a debilitating condition. Some of the easiest everyday activities seem challenging — like putting on a shirt or placing one foot in front of the other. Did you know that your digestive health can be a critical factor in the treatment of arthritis? Maintaining digestive health is a key to overall body… Read more »
Nutritional deficiencies are very common in the general population and may be even more prevalent in people who suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiovascular disease. Optimal nutrition–including vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, coupled with weight loss, increased exercise, smoking cessation and moderate restriction of alcohol and caffeine–can help prevent and control nutritional deficiencies in… Read more »
A landmark study by the National Institutes of Health confirmed that acupuncture provides pain relief and improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. They concluded that the modality serves as an effective complement to standard care. The study—the longest and largest randomized, controlled phase III clinical trial of acupuncture ever conducted— was funded… Read more »
Over 100 forms of arthritis have been identified, and one in five (22%) of all adults in the United States report having doctor-diagnosed arthritis. 50% of people over age 65 are currently being treated for arthritis–a staggering statistic. At the core of any natural treatment for arthritis is reduction of inflammation and effective control of… Read more »
You don’t have to go far for a little sweat this time of year, but sometimes a “good sweat” is what you really need. Many think that the best part of sweating is ridding your body of toxins, but that is not always the case. Sweat does contain trace amounts of toxins, says Dr. Dee… Read more »