Most of us in Northeast Ohio don't need much encouragement to get back outside this time of year. Improving weather is enough to attract us away from our winter dens of hibernation. But with covid still leading the news, others need a little more encouragement so here are 7 reasons to get outside now:
Being outside is without a doubt healthier than spending your days indoor. Don't wait any longer. Get outside now and enjoy the many health benefits!
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Each year, ystark! and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce award 20 community members under age 40 based on career acumen, community service and trusteeship, and personal and professional achievements. Dr. Aaron McMichael has been selected as a Twenty Under 40! award recipient for 2020. "When I look at current and past ward recipients (including my brother Dr. Ryan McMichael), it is an honor to be recognized for my service to patients and our community. The support of my wife and family allow me to do more to help others." Dr. McMichael has been active in multiple leadership positions in our regional North Central Academy of Chiropractic and the Ohio State Chiropractic Association. One of his priorities has been working on the Stark County Opioid and Addiction Task Force and OSCA Opioid Task Force to promote improved treatment of painful injuries to prevent opioid overuse and addiction. "While there are multiple factors contributing to the opioid problem, it is fundamentally an issue of mistreatment. We need to stop always choosing medication as a first option when health issues arise. Conservative options used first are much safer and often quite effective. These high-risk medications are best reserved for the limited cases that don't respond as well to drug-free care. I have appreciated the opportunity to work with Dr. Jud Sprandel and other colleagues and professionals to battle the opioid crisis. Much more work needs to be done, but we are starting to see changes that could profoundly improve the care and lives of patients." As an Eagle Scout, Dr. McMichael has enjoyed a return to scouting with his growing family. His sons, Simon and Oscar, are active in scouts as a boy scout and bear cub, and his wife Meghan leads the bear den with assistance from their daughter Elizabeth. One-year-old Philip is not quite old enough to join but enjoys being carried on a hike. Dr. McMichael currently serves as Cubmaster of Pack 4 in Canton and Troop 4 Committee Member. "It's great to see kids spend time outdoors, being active, and connecting with nature. We are made to be outside. Kids learn best and are healthiest when they are out being active and getting their hands dirty. Our family enjoys getting outside to hike, camp, or just play, and we encourage others to do the same. I appreciate the scout leaders who guided me as a young scout in developing not just outdoor skills, but leadership skills as well. I hope to help our young scouts grow and learn skills that will also serve them through life." Click here to read more in About Magazine. We have all heard the news about seniors being at increased risk of severe illness with coronavirus. It has especially taken a toll on those living in nursing homes. However, what has not been explained well is that it is not just about the number of your age. Research on covid patients indicates that your level of health, or lack of frailty, may be more important than how old you are. Frailty and Coronavirus Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, health care providers have been searching for the best indicators to help them evaluate the risk of serious illness with covid and guide treatment decisions. While advanced age tends to correlate with increased risk and is an easy number to use, it’s not the best indicator for patients. Most of the association between increased age and increased risk of severe illness is due to increasing co-morbidities that are more common as we age. Co-morbidities is just a special term for various health issues or chronic diseases. These could include obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and pulmonary disease among many others. What's Your Frailty Score? Researchers have found that frailty is a better indicator than age or co-morbidities when determining someone’s risk of severe illness with covid. Consider the chart to the right which makes assessing frailty easy. The frailest are those that are completely dependent on others for basic needs and/or approaching the end of life. A recent study published in Lancet found that the frailest are at much higher risk of death or prolonged hospital stay with covid. This is true regardless of age or co-morbidities. It is those in the 7-9 categories of frailness that are at high risk of death or severe illness. Based on this research, we should worry less about our age and more about our frailness. Take steps to increase your health and reduce your frailty score to limit your risk with covid. As with other viruses, research indicates coronavirus is more likely to cause harm in those patients with low levels of vitamin D, and sun or UV light is an effective method of disinfecting and killing the virus. How does the sun relate to vitamin D levels and why does it seem to help against coronavirus and other viruses? Research on Vitamin D and Coronavirus Several studies around the world have been published that demonstrate a link between low levels of vitamin D and increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus. These studies have shown a link across large populations as well as individuals that have been infected. These results are consistent with prior research that has shown vitamin D plays a role in protecting against acute respiratory infections. Coronavirus treatment protocols in some hospitals have included vitamin D supplementation with other procedures and medications to combat the infection. Researchers believe that vitamin D exerts a positive effect on modulation of our immune system in multiple ways. One of these ways may include its relationship with macrophages which are special cells that locate and “eat” microbes found in our body. Another way is reducing an excessive inflammatory response of the immune system. Others acknowledge the value of vitamin D but believe that the positive effects of vitamin D on coronavirus infection may relate more to its wide-ranging benefits on reducing chronic diseases. Let the Sun Shine on Coronavirus Hospitals have used UV light emitting technology for years to disinfect rooms or equipment. It damages a virus’s genetic material and their ability to replicate. The coronavirus pandemic has generated increased interest and research into the effects of sunshine and UV light on disinfection. The results of a recent experiment at the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center in Maryland noted sunlight reduced the life of coronavirus (airborne or on surfaces) from hours to a few minutes. Utilizing the Benefits of Sunshine and Vitamin D to Reduce Coronavirus Risk Considering the research noted above, sunshine can help us in two important ways. Exposure to sun helps disinfect areas with coronavirus, whether it be in the air or on surfaces. Sun exposure also is our primary method of vitamin D production. It is hard to obtain enough vitamin D from our food alone, so sun exposure or supplementation is necessary to increase our vitamin D to a healthy level. Spend time outdoors with sun on a significant portion of the skin until the skin starts to appear a little rosy. Those living in Northern areas and those with darker skin tones require more time outside for vitamin D production. Avoid sunburns which can increase the risk of cancer. Unless one takes high doses of vitamin D for a prolonged period, the risk of toxicity is low. The low risk and high potential for benefit makes increasing vitamin D a reasonable strategy to reduce your risk with coronavirus or other respiratory infections. The covid-19 / coronavirus pandemic has shown that everyone exposed to a virus or infectious microbe does not experience disease. Few experience severe illness and many don’t even experience mild symptoms. If disease is as simple as being exposed to a germ, why do some people avoid becoming sick? What Happens With Exposure to Coronavirus? Exposure does not equal infection and infection does not equal illness. The graphic below illustrates possible outcomes of exposure to coronavirus. Data indicates that 80% or more of confirmed cases of infection do not experience significant symptoms of illness. So, the large majority of those exposed and infected do not even know it because they do not become ill. This does not account for the even greater number of those exposed to coronavirus but have not been confirmed due to a lack of symptoms and limited testing. As testing increases, we may find that more than 90% of those exposed do not become sick. Some exposed cases may not test positive due to strong resistance or low exposure. Of the less than 20% of confirmed cases that experience symptoms of illness with coronavirus, most are mild and fewer are severe. An even smaller fraction (those with pre-existing health problems) experience such severe illness it leads to death (see our article about pre-existing conditions). As you can see in the picture, confirmed cases can be illustrated as a triangle, with a large majority experiencing no illness, and ever smaller portions experiencing greater degrees of illness or death. Surrounding that is the unknown (likely large) number of those exposed but not confirmed cases. Though infectious diseases can vary in transmission and virulence, this is similar to the presentation of many illnesses. Reducing Risks We are exposed to good and bad microbes every minute of the day and most of the time we experience little effect on our health as our immune system does its job. Many microbes are essential to our health, serving as a layer of protection or aiding our digestion among other benefits. For those viruses or microbes that may be harmful, we have three ways to assist the body’s natural fighting ability:
The covid-19 / coronavirus pandemic has illustrated more clearly than previous outbreaks the difference in individual susceptibility to infection. Why are some individuals more susceptible and how can we improve our resistance? A Story of Two Seeds Consider an example of identical seeds. One lands on fertile, nutrient-rich soil with ample sunlight and moisture. Another seed lands on rocky, dry soil in the shade. The first seed, in a nurturing environment, grows into a strong and healthy plant. The second seed struggles to grow. This seed must work harder, developing a spindly stem at odd angles trying to reach sunlight and the roots stretch to find adequate soil for nutrition and anchorage against the winds. Now what happens when one bug attacks these two plants? The healthy plant can mount a robust defense, producing more bitter phytochemicals to repel the bug and then quickly repair any damage. The already stressed and unhealthy second plant is too weak to defend itself and the same bug ends up killing it. Why was the second seed killed by the same bug that hardly affected the first plant? It was not a difference of genetics. The seeds were identical. It was a difference of resistance that resulted from the health of the surrounding environment. The same idea can be applied to human infections. The Coronavirus Story We have heard about the susceptibility of the elderly to coronavirus, with the CDC reporting those over age 64 account for 80% of deaths. The next highest risk population is not those with immune-weakening genetic diseases. It appears to be those who are obese. Obesity doubles the risk of hospitalization for anyone under age 60. More broadly, those with metabolic disorders like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol are at risk. Now compare this to our seeds. Your body is the environment that coronavirus comes across. Is your body weak and unhealthy, with little defense against infection? Or is your body strong and ready to battle an invader? How Can We Reduce Our Susceptibility? Our genetics plays a much smaller role in health than our habits. Good habits create health. Your best chance of fighting off an infection is to be healthy in the first place, with an immune system ready to do its job. If you have been up late, sitting around the house, stressing out and eating junk, your body is in no shape to fight. It is already busy fighting to recover from your bad habits. Like the seed, you need to be watered. You need adequate sunshine, good nutrition, and low stress. Care for yourself like a young and tender plant (and do not forget to water your kids as well). The ketogenic diet has been increasing in popularity and not just because everyone loves bacon. We receive many questions about the keto diet from our patients, so here’s some basic info and perspective on the topic. What is Keto? A ketogenic diet is any diet or eating pattern that causes the body to spend significant periods of time in “ketosis” - the state in which our body burns fat rather than carbs/sugar/glucose as the primary source of fuel. Burning fat over sugar not only helps with weight management and blood sugar control. It also promotes a reduction in inflammation throughout the body which can result in an improvement in a wide range of health issues. It is best to think of frequent and significant time spent in ketosis as a fundamental expectation of our human bodies just as much our bodies expect to get good amounts of sleep, activity, and un-processed organic foods. These are simply the circumstances under which our bodies and genes developed and precisely that for which we are designed. To reiterate, NOT spending significant periods of time in ketosis on a regular basis can be just as detrimental to our health as NOT sleeping enough, NOT being active enough and NOT eating high-quality foods. For this reason, it is fair to say that we are adapted for long periods of ketosis and that we are unlikely to achieve optimal health without it. How can you create Ketosis? How do we ensure that we are spending enough time in ketosis to create healthy changes? The most common strategies are by dramatically restricting carbohydrate intake or incorporating long periods of fasting. Most keto dieters will end up combining these strategies in some way to maximize their results, however it is often easiest to implement one strategy at a time. The good news is that each strategy can help to initiate positive outcomes in body-composition and energy levels among many other beneficial outcomes. Also, a good week or two of implementing either strategy often makes it that much easier to implement the other. Two ways to get started:
Going “keto” can fit perfectly into the anti-inflammatory eating picture that we discuss so often with our patients, however some individuals go “keto” in ways that are not nearly as helpful at reducing chronic inflammation- we’ll dig into this more in an upcoming article so stay tuned. P.S. Both of the strategies for increasing time in ketosis outlined above will lead to improved metabolic flexibility and better immune system functioning with respect to addressing viral infections, so here’s just one more great reason to go “keto”. written by Dr. Rick McMichael It is not merely the virulence of the infecting organism (virus or bacteria) that determines the impact on our health but also the health and vitality of the patient. We can wait and hope for a cure to be found or we can get busy and do the things that science knows will improve our strength, health, and vitality. Are You Waiting for a "Cure"? The recent events surrounding covid-19 have focused much attention on the identification of a cure or vaccine. However, these are not simple tasks and normally require a significant amount of time, if an effective treatment or preventive treatment is to be found. In the meantime, we would be wise to begin changing our habits and to focus on healthy activities that will elevate our health status. The results of the covid-19 pandemic have made it clear that those who are weak and unhealthy, with low strength and vitality, are definitely at the highest risk of serious illness. We have been told that these high risk patients include older adults, especially those in nursing homes, and those people with multiple co-morbidities. The co-morbidities most often cited are chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease, as well as pulmonary and renal conditions. Those at higher risk also include patients with a compromised immune system, which may be due to chronic illness or immune suppressive drugs like those used for cancer treatment. What Can You Do? So, what can we do to be healthier and stronger, that may help to lower our risk. We can focus on things that we can change... things that science tells us will improve our health status and reduce or eliminate some of the chronic conditions (co-morbidities) that place us at more risk of serious illness. For starters, we can improve our diet, increase our exercise, reduce our sugar and processed food intake, avoid our exposure to toxins, get sufficient rest and drink plenty of water. Did you know that chronic health conditions are responsible for a large part of our medical expenses? Did you know that science has shown us that some of these chronic conditions can be reversed, reduced or even eliminated simply by increasing our good health habits? Studies on exercise and diet have been shown to effectively reduce obesity, heart disease and diabetes and thereby increase our health and vitality...and reduce our risk of serious illness. Why not set a plan to increase your health, strength and vitality naturally? Why not set a plan and begin to implement it today! We will be happy to help you design a plan to improve your health and coach you to successfully implement your plan. Just call us to schedule an evaluation and plan to be as healthy as you can be! Professionals of every kind have their favorite go-to tools for handling common problems. Let's take a look at one of our favorite tools for immune system support and upper respiratory challenges. Congaplex: Go-to Immune Support Congaplex is one of our favorite answers when patients ask about what to do for stuffy sinuses, coughing, sneezing, and the other fun than comes with upper respiratory challenges. We especially keep it handy around our houses during the winter when those problems hit the hardest. Conga - plex can be thought of as a complex of whole food nutrients that fight congestion and support the immune system. Congaplex is actually a specially formulated blend of other Standard Process supplements:
We have found it to be a great choice and kids especially like the Congaplex chewable version that includes berry powder. We use it in lower doses for prevention or higher doses when fighting off a bug. Check out some of the good foods inside: bovine thymus extract, carrot root, bovine bone, nutritional yeast, wheat germ, bovine adrenal, alfalfa juice, oat flour, alfalfa flour, bovine kidney, veal bone, veal bone extract, mushroom, buckwheat leaf juice, buckwheat seed, peanut bran, soybean lecithin, carrot oil. You could try Congaplex or eat all of these! Echinacea has traditionally been used for hundreds of years, partly due to the thought that it benefits the immune system and protects against colds and infections. However, research has showed mixed results and there has been much confusion and misunderstanding of how Echinacea may provide health benefits. The following myths and explanations take a closer look at how Echinacea should or should not be used. Prevention not Cure Studies have demonstrated Echinacea may have more potential to support a healthy immune response when taken preventively rather than during an acute illness. While it may be helpful when taken during an infection, Echinacea's greater potential appears to be as a preventive measure to prepare the immune system before an infection occurs. Echinacea & Long-term Use Concerns regarding long-term use of echinacea have been dispelled by research that shows Echinacea is not only safe when taken over a year, but beneficial. A study in mice fed Echinacea daily for 13 months, showed increased health and longevity compared to mice not fed Echinacea. Other studies have indicated potential benefit when taken by those with chronic immune system issues. Purple Coneflowers are Echinacea? It's important to recognize the various species of Echinacea and their varying ability to effect immune system function. The purple coneflowers frequently grown in gardens (pictured above) are one species called Echinacea purpurea. Another species called Echinacea augustifolia has more traditionally been used, and research indicates its roots contain higher levels of alkylamides that are the primary active constituent. It's the alkylmides that cause a tingling sensation on the tongue when taken. Studies indicate E. augustifolia root or a blend of both species are more effective for immune support. If your supplement doesn't cause a mild tingling when held in the mouth, it may be too low in active constituents to be effective. Studies that have found less benefit with Echinacea, tend to use the wrong plant, the wrong part (not the root), the wrong method of concentration, or too small a dose. How Does Echinacea Effect the Immune System? Research has demonstrated multiple changes in immune cell function with Echinacea. Research has noted significant increases in natural killer cells and monocytes. Natural killer cells are important in defending against viruses, by killing virus-infected cells in the body. Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that can capture microorganisms or transform into macrophages that "eat" fungi and microbes. There also appears to be beneficial effects on T cells and heat shock proteins that play a role in a healthy immune response. In a study of adults flying internationally in economy class, those taking Echinacea Premium tablets before, during, and after flight experienced fewer symptoms of respiratory illness compared to the placebo group. Echinacea is worth considering as part of a healthy lifestyle to support proper immune system function. Our preferred version is Echinacea Premium due to its high quality and research support. Those with allergies to the daisy family should be cautious, though there is less concern when the root of the plant is used. The unknown nature of coronavirus has caused great concern but provided little in the way of recommendations other than improving hygiene habits. There is no need to live in fear, but improving your health habits is a good idea. Washing hands, covering coughs, and cleaning surfaces is a good start to limit transmission of viruses, but there are also easy actions that can be taken to lower the risk of viral infections or minimize their harm. And they can make you generally healthier while you do them! Appropriate preventive measures for viral infections can be divided into two categories:
Keep Clean & Reduce Viral Transmission By now most have heard the common sense recommendations to increase cleaning and limit contact with others. Know that antimicrobial soaps have not been found to be any more effective than regular soaps and ingredients like triclosan antibacterial has been linked to other health issues. Make sure you spend 20 seconds when washing those hands. Hand sanitizers are only to be used when soap is unavailable. It provides no additional benefit. Increased humidity can also be beneficial to reduce viral transmission. Research has demonstrated that more humid environments interfere with the spread of viruses. That's one of the reasons it's easier to catch a bug in the winter with drier air inside and out. Using a simple humidifier can make a big difference. Strengthen Your Health The best way to strengthen your health and reduce your susceptibility to infection is to improve your basic health habits:
More Strategies We Use to Stay Healthy Manual treatments like adjustments and massages work the body and have been shown to increase immune cell activity shortly after being performed. Some special techniques can help open the sinuses when congested. Supplements we like for prevention include a high quality Echinacea or Immuplex from Standard Process which provides important nutrients that support the immune system. Keep up your level of Vitamin D, which drops in our gray skies of winter in Northeast Ohio. When the body is fighting an infection, St. Johns Wort, Andrographis, Congaplex, or a good high dose Vitamin C can provide helpful support. If you want to stay healthy and resilient to whatever comes along, make sure to take steps to actively improve your health. "Researchers from the National Institute for Health Research at the University of Bristol and the University of Manchester reviewed published 'systematic reviews' on the use of [complementary and alternative medicine] therapies to treat babies with colic." Their findings indicate natural non-drug options could be helpful for children with colic. The long nights of little sleep with a colicky baby can be difficult on babies and parents. Without helpful medical treatments, parents can be left distressed over what to do or where to go. Some try natural non-drug options like chiropractic or supplements. This study takes a closer look at the research that has been performed to determine how helpful these options are for colic. The researchers noted evidence that probiotics, fennel extract, and chiropractic could be helpful for colic. There was not enough evidence at this time to recommend acupuncture or soy. Dr. Rachel Perry, Senior Research Associate in the NIHR Bristol BRC's nutrition theme at the University of Bristol said, "Our review does show that some treatments -- probiotics, fennel extract and spinal manipulation -- do appear to help, though the studies that showed this weren't big enough or well-designed enough to be sure of the results. This is especially true for probiotics, where some of the findings from earlier, poor quality studies were rather oversold. But our findings do point to where future research efforts should be focused." One of the benefits of trying a natural non-drug option is the low risk of harm. Chiropractic and other options may be helpful, and the risk of trying them is low so consider these options for your families health issues. You've probably seen the fast food commercials of customers tricked into eating a "veggie" burger made by the Impossible Foods company. The samplers are amazed at how meaty it tastes and can't believe it's actually "vegetarian" when it "bleeds" like a real burger. The Impossible burger is showing up as an option at more and more of the largest fast food chains as these companies try to cash in on providing a "vegetarian" option that appears to be a healthy alternative to beef and friendly to the environment. Don't believe the hype. It's not what you think it is. While the fast food giants promote this as a healthy plant-based option compared to meat, the company that makes the burger avoids making specific health claims, and no studies have been performed to show a positive effect on health with this product. There aren't even studies to prove that the genetically engineered ingredients have no effect on humans. But aren't vegetables healthy? Sure, but this is no patty of vegetables being served. What's in the Impossible burger sold at fast food chains? The meaty taste and "bleeding" of the burger may be an impressive innovation, but that innovation comes from a constituent of soy call leghemoglobin that has been produced by genetically engineered yeast. Combine that with other heavily processed ingredients like soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, modified food starch, methylcellulose, potato protein, yeast extract, cultured dextrose, natural flavors, sunflower oil and more, and you've got a recipe for health right? Probably not. We're not big fans of most "veggie" burgers due to their highly processed nature, and the Impossible burger goes a step further to being an ultra-processed food product. It is a good idea to avoid the factory farmed burgers sold by most restaurants, but that doesn't mean we can't find a better option than a factory produced "veggie" burger. There are two better options for your health (and the environment). If you want a veggie burger, find one without all of the processed junk and that is actually made out of vegetables (or make one yourself). Or choose naturally pastured-raised or grassfed beef for your burger. If someone tells you their processed food product is healthier than real food, they better have some amazing studies to prove that a century of nutrition research is wrong. While they work on those, go eat the real stuff. Did you miss the article published in the Canton Repository by Dr. Jud Sprandel and Dr. Aaron McMichael? Here's an excerpt: "The adverse effects of Ohio’s opioid/prescription epidemic continue to harm everyone in Ohio, especially our active military, veterans and their families. TRICARE, the insurer of our active military and their families, does not cover chiropractic or acupuncture treatment. Active duty military personnel are suffering with large numbers of musculoskeletal injuries, and they deserve a non-drug option. Chiropractic care is a non-drug, non-surgical approach that is safe, medically effective and cost-effective. Opioid use continues, addictions are frequent and related suicides have been noted. Recently, there were 10 Ohio deaths in a 26-hour period in Franklin County. U.S. data outline the ongoing problems generated by use of opioid medications per day: • 540,000 prescriptions of opioid medication. • 5,480 start non-medical use of opioids. • 600 start heroin use. • 3,300 visits to an emergency room caused by opioid use. • 90 babies are born addicted. • 140 die of opioid overdose..." Read more at cantonrep.com A recent study of whole body vibration found interesting changes that indicate the benefits of this therapy could go beyond musculoskeletal health. Whole body vibration is a form of exercise that involves sitting, standing, or moving on a vibrating platform that makes small repeated, rapid movements. As in our clinic, whole body vibration has largely been used as part of exercise protocols to assist recovery from injuries or painful musculoskeletal conditions. Patients benefit from the ability to utilize the vibration from a very low intensity to a higher intensity level of exercise. However, the latest research goes beyond the usual rehab application to explore changes in inflammation and metabolism related to positive effects on the immune system and microbiome. A crucial finding was a 17-fold increase in gut microbes that play a key role in reducing inflammation The study, performed on two types of mice for comparison, measured a number of suspected changes that could have far reaching benefits for health. Those that were given whole body vibration had measurable improvements in immune system cells and gut microbes that can reduce inflammation. This helps provide a potential explanation for why prior whole body vibration studies noted improvements in blood sugar regulation, cholesterol, and reduction in fatty liver. The group of mice that had been modified to be prone to diabetes, experienced even more significant improvement than the normal group. Whole body vibration, even when performed passively with a patient just standing, appears to mimic other forms of exercise with resulting metabolic benefits. Other research has also indicated potential improvement in bone quality and quantity with whole body vibration, but this may require longer durations. Further research could help us better understand how these beneficial changes occur in the body. With our current evidence of minimal risk of adverse effects and multiple benefits, whole body vibration is a therapy worth including in a rehab protocol for a variety of patients. It can especially be a good way to start exercise for those with severe limitations. Which do you think is healthier: BUTTER or BREAD? It's not a trick question but the answer may surprise you. High fat or high carbs? Does it matter if the bread is whole grain or the butter is organic? What if it's a buttery spread? Our patients who have been taught to avoid inflammatory foods will know the answer. Carbohydrates turn straight into sugar in the body which increases inflammation throughout your system. Processed fats (like fake buttery spreads) can also increase inflammation in the body. However real butter tends to have a limited inflammatory effect compared to bread which spikes blood sugar and inflammation. Organic butter is even better, but organic bread is still high in inflammatory carbs. Multiple studies have now confirmed that saturated fats like those found in butter are NOT related to heart disease, but sugars and processed grains are. Improve your health by limiting the bread.
Military.com reported on a recently published report on a study of chiropractic care in the military. "The $7.5 million study was ordered under the fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law on Oct. 28, 2009. According to the report released Sept. 6, the trials showed some positive results." A series of clinical trials examined whether chiropractic care reduced back pain and improved fitness compared to military personnel not receiving chiropractic care. The studies showed reduced back pain, increased strength, and improved endurance in those that received chiropractic care. The non-chiropractic group comparatively lost strength and endurance during the studies. "'Based on the results, the investigators concluded that chiropractic care improves key fitness characteristics among active-duty service members with lower back pain and could lead to improved military readiness in such individuals,' the report notes." The study confirms prior military research that demonstrated improved outcomes, improved readiness, and lower costs with chiropractic care compared to standard medical care for the military. Even with proven effectiveness and a survey by Blue Star Families demonstrating desire to access chiropractic care, the Military.com article notes continued restrictions limit availability of chiropractic services, especially for military dependents and retirees. It's time our military, retirees, and their families had full access to the benefits of chiropractic care. Contact your congressman to ask for action. 9/24/2019 Canton Rep Publishes Article on Expanding Chiropractic in Medicare by Dr. McMichaelRead Now"Canton Mayor Thomas Bernabei has joined other leaders around the country in proclaiming September as Drug-Free Pain Management Awareness Month, and a new bipartisan bill introduced to Congress signals a change in pain management that could help accelerate an end to our national opioid epidemic. While state and local governments pursue legal efforts to hold prescription opioid makers and distributors accountable for their role in fostering opioid addiction, communities continue to work hard to reverse the numbers of drug overdose deaths. Stark County has benefited from the collaborative efforts of Stark County Opiate Task Force members. Our community has had some success at preventing deaths from opioid overdoses through more widespread use of Naloxone, increased opioid addiction treatment and education efforts. Between the years 2006 and 2012, there were 119,481,839 prescription pain pills flooding Stark County, enough for 45 pills per person per year. As of 2017, 191 million opioid prescriptions were still written in the U.S.; six times the number written in 1999. Pulling our community out of that hole will take a continued comprehensive effort. Another important part of the solution recommended by modern pain treatment guidelines is the increased use of evidence-based, drug-free treatments to address painful conditions. Drug-free treatments like spinal manipulation, acupuncture and physiotherapies utilized first can prevent or reduce opioid reliance. Changing how we treat pain has the potential to not only reduce deaths, but also to prevent overdoses and addiction from starting." Read more in the article about supporting changes in Medicare that could save lives and dollars. Back pain and injuries related to backpacks are more common than you would think. With kids headed back to school, it's important to take a close look at their backpacks before they start the year. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2016 alone, and estimated 6,300 kids received emergency room treatment for backpack-related injuries. This number does not include visits to primary doctors or other physicians for backpack-related injuries.
Ensure your child is wearing the right back pack the right way to minimize the risk of injury. Here are some tips for safe backpack use:
Patients are welcome to bring their child in our clinic and have their child checked while wearing their backpack to make sure it is being worn properly. Call (330) 492-1010 to schedule a courtesy backpack check and have the bag filled with an average day's supplies. A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to improve coverage of services provided by a doctor of chiropractic to Medicare patients. The legislation, H.R. 3645, known as the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2019, would "align Medicare's coverage of chiropractic services with that of other federal health care providers as well as many private health plans."
For years, Medicare coverage has been overly restrictive on services provided by chiropractic physicians, forcing these patients to pay out of pocket for examinations or adjunct therapies. Doctors of chiropractic are the only physicians restricted in this way. Multiple studies comparing Medicare patients under the care of chiropractors have shown good benefit as well as cost savings compared to more expensive medical care. Other Medicare studies of chiropractic patients have revealed prescription opioid use at half the rate compared to patients seeing a medical provider for a similar condition. H.R. 3645 has the potential to reduce overall health care costs for Medicare patients seeing a doctor of chiropractic as well as significantly reducing high risk opioid use. The American Chiropractic Association described the bill stating it "would enable beneficiaries to more easily access the chiropractic profession's broad-based, non-drug approach to pain management, which includes Medicare-covered services such as manual manipulation of the spine and extremities, evaluation and management services, diagnostic imaging and utilization of other non-drug approached that have become an important strategy in national efforts to stem the epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and abuse." To help voice support to improve the health coverage of U.S. seniors, please take one minute to use the link below to send a letter of support to your U.S. Representative: |
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February 2024
_Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor. This blog is not a doctor and will not diagnose or treat your problems.
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