Strong bones are essential for overall health and well-being, and there is a lot you can do to support better bone health. Here are some simple ways we encourage patients at our clinic to help their bones be their strongest and reduce the risk of osteoporosis:
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• Nutrition & Supplements: A diet rich in whole unprocessed foods provides essential nutrients for bone health. Bone broth and fermented foods provide added benefit. Fermented dairy (yogurt and real cheeses) have been associated with better bone health while milk has not.​ Research has varied on the benefits of supplementing with just calcium. We recommend  a Standard Process supplement called Calcifood which is made from animal bone to provide a variety of nutrients and feed the whole bone complex. Vitamin D also helps your body absorb calcium and is important for bone health. Sunlight exposure or vitamin D supplements can help maintain a healthy level. Have vitamin D tested as part of your blood work to check your status.
• Weight-bearing Exercises & Vibration: Engage in activities that put healthy stress on your bones. Walking, running, dancing, and weightlifting are excellent options. These exercises help stimulate bone growth and density. Exercises that challenge balance also help reduce the risk of falls and fractures. Vibration therapy uses a special platform to increase the load on your bones as well. Non-weight-bearing exercise like swimming is great but does not help as much to strengthen your bones.
• Limit Alcohol and Tobacco: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can weaken bones. If you smoke, quitting is crucial for bone health.
• Use Caution with Medications: Some medications can interfere with bone health and should be discussed with your doctor. These may include steroids, hormones, acid reducers, high dose blood thinners, diuretics, and anti-convulsive medications.

By following these guidelines, you can take proactive steps to strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis or bone injuries.

The cold and flu season can be a miserable time, but there are several natural ways to improve immune system function and reduce your susceptibility to a cold or flu. With the weather changing, it is a good time to think about preparing to avoid the worst by improving your health habits.

1. Eat a healthy diet: Nutrient dense foods provide a variety of vitamins and minerals that help the immune system function at its best. Load up on real whole foods and avoid the processed junk that impairs immune health. Include bone broth and fermented foods in your diet for an extra boost.
2. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out toxins and keep your body functioning optimally. Dehydration is central to common problems that arise from respiratory infections so prioritize healthy water intake.
3. Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health, including a robust immune system. Lack of sleep leaves you susceptible to the next bug that comes along. 6-7 hours per night is the minimum.
4. Manage stress: Chronic stress can weaken your immune response. Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to manage stress. Time outside is another great stress reliever.
5. Exercise regularly: Physical activity helps to boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.
6. Take your supplements: Vitamin D production especially drops as our days shorten and we spend more time indoors out of the cold. Keep your D level up with a daily supplement. 
7. Wash your hands frequently: This simple habit can go a long way in preventing the spread of germs.

By incorporating these natural strategies into your daily routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of catching a cold or flu. And if you do experience a cold, these consistent health habits can ease your recovery.

In a world obsessed with fad products and pills promoted by the latest social media stars, Dr. Aaron McMichael's "Eat Ugly" offers a refreshing take on achieving better health. This book isn't about chasing the latest superfood, spending hours at the gym, or finding a magic pill. Instead, Dr. McMichael offers a collection of 64 simple and memorable tips that enable readers to take control of their health.

"Eat Ugly" Teaches You To Take Control of Your Health

Dr. McMichael noted, “I wanted to write a book that was an enjoyable read without the medical jargon, and could empower people to take simple steps to make a big difference in improving their health. It’s time to recognize that our genes are often not the biggest determinant of health; our lifestyle choices are more important. The research is clear but 500 pages explaining it is unnecessary.”

It's encouraging to know that your health is not predetermined by your family genetics. You can make your health better or worse, and some simple changes can have a great impact. The rules in this book are organized into 7 categories to provide a comprehensive foundation of good habits: eating, activity, posture, stress, sleep, healthcare, and your environment.

Think Different About Health With "Eat Ugly"

The title itself, "Eat Ugly," encourages a shift in perspective. Forget about picture-perfect fruits and vegetables grown in a fog of agricultural chemicals. Produce grown without these chemical inputs may be smaller or have a blemish or scar, but are loaded with significantly more nutrients. Embrace these “ugly” fruits and veggies, and you will be rewarded with more health-promoting nutrition. Other tips similarly encourage readers to think differently when making choices that affect their health.

“I hope readers take advantage of what they can learn in a day and understand they have the tools to improve the health of their whole family right now,” stated Dr. McMichael. “Research supports common sense strategies that some have employed for generations. It’s important to highlight these and make them accessible in one place. And I tried to keep it fun and memorable.”

“Eat Ugly and Other Simple Tips to Improve Your Health” is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their health. Its focus on simple lifestyle changes provides a path to better health worth exploring. Find your copy on Amazon.com or stop in the clinic.

A study performed by Northwestern Sciences Health University demonstrated healthy changes for those following the Standard Process 28-day Detox Program compared to those who were only provided an educational session on healthy eating. The Standard Process Detox Program was associated with a significant increase in antioxidant activity, a decrease in oxidative stress, and improvement in scores for physical health and emotional health.

Our bodies come into increasing contact with chemicals inside and outside, which accumulate in our tissues and can contribute to health problems. Various reports have noted sources of chemicals ranging from our foods, to cosmetics and cleaners, city water, and furniture and electronic, among others. We are exposed to thousands of chemicals and many have been measured in the blood or urine of Americans. As this study states, "chronic exposure and improper clearance of these chemicals increase the body’s susceptibility to tissue injury and insufficient repair over time."

The whole food ingredients included in the Standard Process Detox Program included organic pea protein, flax meal, organic oat flour, organic pumpkin seed protein, organic buckwheat flour, organic beet (leaf) juice powder, organic buckwheat (aerial parts), apple pectin, juniper (berry) powder, organic Spanish black radish (root), burdock (root) powder, organic beet (root), calcium citrate, organic barley (grass), dandelion (leaf), broccoli (aerial parts), inositol, organic alfalfa (aerial parts) juice powder, Oregon grape (root) powder, globe artichoke (leaf), sunflower lecithin powder, milk thistle extract (80% silymarins), organic cordyceps mushroom powder, organic carrot, and organic sweet potato. Other ingredients included creatine, L-leucine, xanthan gum, L-isoleucine, L-valine, DL-methionine, monk fruit extract, and choline bitartrate.
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The researchers looked at multiple markers of improvement to determine if the Standard Process Detox Program was potentially supporting the liver's ability to detox chemicals filtered from the circulatory system. The detox program was associated with a 40% increase in total antioxidant capacity only in those completing the program. This change correlated with an observed 13% decrease in oxidative stress. The program essentially helped protect the body from damaging free radicals by increasing phase II detoxification and antioxidant enzyme activity. When tested for established physical health and mental health indexes, the detox program participants also demonstrated a small increase in these measures for general health in just 28 days for subjects that were largely healthy to begin with.

The study demonstrated benefits of Standard Process Detox Program for supporting detoxification of foreign chemicals accumulating in the body. The whole food ingredients used were shown to cause no side effects while providing these benefits. Those considering a detox program to support better health, may want to consider a program like this that used whole food ingredients.

During busy times of the year with extra stress, nutritional and herbal support can help improve your body's resilience and minimize the impact of that stress. Ongoing high levels of stress can negatively affect your health in multiple ways, including the amplification of aches and pains with increased levels of inflammation. 

Two popular options for stress support we like to use with our patients include Standard Process' Drenamin and MediHerb's Adrenal Complex. Both of these can be used for short term or longer chronic stress to improve the body’s resilience to the demands of life.
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Standard Process Drenamin

Drenamin is an adrenal function & energy production support supplement, with vitamins involved in production of neurotransmitters associated with emotional balance. The adrenal glands play an important role in the body's response to stress and Drenamin is designed to provide nutrients that support a well-functioning adrenal gland. A healthy stress response is beneficial for energy levels and mood. Drenamin includes nutrients from whole foods like liver, adrenals, stomach, yeast, alfalfa, buckwheat, bone, mushroom, sweet potato and more.

​MediHerb Adrenal Complex​

Adrenal Complex contains Licorice and Rehmannia used traditionally to support adrenal gland function for a healthy stress response. These herbs have been recognized as helping the body adapt to the challenges of everyday life.
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While these nutritional support products can be beneficial, those with ongoing issues should also consider strategies to help reduce their chronic stress. These strategies to reduce stress include spending time in nature, performing an enjoyable physical activity, increasing quality sleep, avoiding junk food and increasing nutrient dense whole foods, taking a quiet break during the day, and spending time with those you enjoy.

Combining healthy habits with extra nutritional support can significantly help you reduce the effects of stress and make you more resilient to the challenges of life.

Aches and pains cause millions of Americans to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Advil, Bayer, and Aspirin, but research links these common pain relievers to higher risks than once believed. Fortunately, there are alternatives that can reduce inflammation without the risk of side effects.

Inflammation & Arthritis Pain

Inflammation occurs when there is damage to tissues of the body. Common signs of inflammation include pain, swelling, redness, and warmth over the area of injury. While inflammation is a natural response to injury, it can become severe or chronic, contributing to significant pain and disability. Inflammation is a large component of the pain experienced by those with osteoarthritis, which affects over 30 million American adults. Controlling inflammation can help these patients control pain and stay more active.

NSAID medications are commonly used for inflammation and arthritis, but they can be hard on the digestive system, sometimes damaging organs and causing stomach upset and bleeding. The body's processing of these drugs can lead to liver or kidney damage for some patients. Others can experience increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce pain by blocking inflammation in the body, but this benefit may not be worth the risk for some patients.

Natural Strategies to Reduce Inflammation

Anti-inflammatory medication is not the only way to reduced inflammation. Healthy habits can help reduce inflammation in the body, and may be even more effective than medication for some patients without the risk of side effects. Try improving these habits to reduce your inflammatory aches and pains:

• Avoid inflammatory processed foods and eat more whole foods
• Drink plenty of water
• Keep up with active exercise to your tolerance
• Counteract stress with stress-relieving habits
• Ensure adequate sleep each night (6 hour absolute minimum)
• Improve your posture to reduce physical stress on your joints and soft tissues

Extra Support to Reduce Inflammation

These health habits can reduce inflammatory aches and pains in most patients, but some may need a little more help. A variety of food and herbs are anti-inflammatory and can help even more. One of our favorite supplements to support a healthy inflammatory response (especially for those patients we see with arthritis pains) is Boswellia Complex by Mediherb. This herbal supplement includes boswellia, ginger, turmeric, and celery seed, four naturally anti-inflammatory herbs. This combination inhibits inflammatory leukotrienes without interfering with other processes of the body so we don't have to worry about the risks associated with NSAIDs.

One tip when taking boswellia to help inflammatory levels, is to take it with a meal when eating healthy fats or oils. This helps improve the effectiveness. Start improving your habits today, and try Boswellia Complex if you need more anti-inflammatory support.

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:

• Cataplex A-C includes whole food vitamins A and C, which support healthy mucous membranes (our first defense against microbial invaders) and immune system resistance. This is NOT synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is only the wrapper around the whole vitamin C complex. It also includes Echinacea which helps modulate a healthy immune response.
• Thymex includes thymus enzyme extract that helps support the thymus, a key gland that produces antibodies to fight infection.
• Calcium Lactate is a very absorbable form of calcium, which plays an important role in phagocytosis ("eating") of microbes.
• Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) involved in protein building.

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!

A recent analysis of Optum insurance data concluded, "spinal manipulation is the single service that -- if not included during management of a non-surgical spinal episode -- will lead to higher total episode costs. Optum data, which covered a two-year span, projected a total savings of $1.3 billion had its reported 14.7 million non-surgical spinal episodes begun with chiropractic care."

“Chiropractic care advances the opportunity for optimal outcomes across care delivery, quality and cost”

The data from patients covered under Optum insurance plans showed that when spinal manipulation is performed "within the first 10 days of a spinal episode, results include:

• Reduced overall episode costs
• Lower frequency of imaging, injections, prescription medications and surgery"

“Musculoskeletal conditions rank amongst the costliest in health care and are a top concern for all stakeholders – patients and payers, alike,” states Gerard Clum, DC, spokesperson, F4CP. “Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) provide evidence-based, cost-effective care, which includes spinal manual care appropriate for the management of these conditions and other health concerns.”

Imagine the billions saved if all insurers, Medicare, Medicaid, Military, Veterans Administration and other health care systems recommended trying chiropractic treatment first for spinal problems (not to mention extremity problems); and more importantly the reduced suffering.

The medical community has not always acknowledged the benefits of chiropractic treatment, but that is gradually improving. Medical institutions and organizations are increasingly recognizing the value of chiropractic. Some medical treatment guidelines even recommend trying conservative chiropractic treatment before trying more invasive medical treatments.

An online article published by Harvard's Medical School describes chiropractic treatment and its benefits:

"Most research on chiropractic has focused on spinal manipulation for back pain. Chiropractic treatment for many other problems—including other musculoskeletal pain, headaches, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia—has also been studied. A recent review concluded that chiropractic spinal manipulation may be helpful for back pain, migraine, neck pain, and whiplash."

It's good to see more positive information about conservative treatment like chiropractic that has been shown to be safe, effective, and low cost. More patients should experience the benefits of chiropractic treatment first, before trying more invasive medical care.

The New York Times reported, "The New York State attorney general’s office accused four major retailers on Monday of selling fraudulent and potentially dangerous herbal supplements and demanded that they remove the products from their shelves.

The authorities said they had conducted tests on top-selling store brands of herbal supplements at four national retailers — GNC, Target, Walgreens and Walmart — and found that four out of five of the products did not contain any of the herbs on their labels. The tests showed that pills labeled medicinal herbs often contained little more than cheap fillers like powdered rice, asparagus and houseplants, and in some cases substances that could be dangerous to those with allergies."

Consumers are often drawn to the cheap prices offered by big retailers, but when it comes to supplements you really get what you pay for. Even those supplements containing the proper ingredients, may be using lower quality versions that the body cannot use as well.

We recommend consumers beware of cheap supplements sold at major retailers. The stores are more concerned about offering a great deal, than a quality product that will benefit someone's health. We use supplements from companies we trust like Standard Process and Carlson's, and recommend you do the same.

Read the rest of the New York Times article here.

While Celebrex is commonly prescribed as a medication for knee pain related to arthritis, Medpage Today reports on a recent study that has found Glucosamine Chondroitin supplements to be just as effective for treating osteoarthritis of the knee:

"In a clinical trial known as MOVES that included 606 patients with moderate-to-severe pain, 6 months of treatment with the dietary supplements was associated with a 50.1% decrease in pain...compared with a 50.2% decrease among patients given celecoxib, according to Marc C. Hochberg, MD, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, and colleagues."

Prior studies comparing Glucosamine Chondroitin to Celebrex had similarly found that the supplements were as effective as the medication, especially for patients with moderate-to-severe pain. Researchers also found that Glucosamine Chondroitin can reduce narrowing of the knee joint which occurs over time with arthritis (leading to bone on bone).

This is especially good news since Celebrex has been associated with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and kidney problems. Based on the research, Glucosamine Chondroitin provides a safer alternative for knee pain related to arthritis, but should be taken daily for at least 6 months (or longer to reduce narrowing of joint space).

We regularly coach patients on dietary changes that will gradually improve their health, but we are often asked what can be done to see dramatic changes in a short period of time. For these patients we have specialized nutrition programs that allow them to see quick progress and leave no doubt in their mind about the power of nutrition.

Well-designed nutrition programs can give you a quick boost in the right direction AND help you set better lifestyle habits for long term health. It's never about a quick fix. It's about a quick start to better health that lasts a lifetime.


21-day Purification Program

Standard Process' 21-day Purification Program is the oldest and most popular nutrition program we've offered patients at our clinic. At this point, we have seen positive changes with just about every health problem you can imagine - allergies, asthma, skin problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, stress, digestive problems, aches & pains, anxiety, sleep problems, overweight... It's amazing how quickly the body can change when we focus on eating ONLY nutrient dense foods and provide extra support from whole food supplements. It's not about taking some chemical to flush you out. It's not about stopping eating and taking a diet drink. It's about eating the most nutritious foods you can and learning to establish healthy habits. It's also a lot of fun for us.

10-day Nutrition Programs

For those patients that aren't ready for a full 21-day program or are looking for something more specific to their individual needs, we now offer 10-day nutrition programs. These also focus on eating the most nutritious foods, while including supplements that target the desired health problem or goal.

Anti-inflammation Program
Inflammation is involved to some degree in just about every health problem, and the average American is driving up their systemic inflammation with poor eating habits. This nutrition program targets inflammation to reduce it as quickly as possible - naturally - to avoid the side effects of anti-inflammatory medications.

Balanced Blood Sugar Program
With diabetes and blood sugar handling problems hitting epidemic levels, this program provides a natural solution to control blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.

Women's Vitality Program
Hormonal imbalance in cycling and non-cycling women can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. This nutrition program helps balance hormones naturally to reduce the discomfort and symptoms so commonly noted.

What's right for you? If you are not sure, ask our doctors or attend one of our monthly nutrition classes for more information. Our goal with every patient is to see enough improvement that there is no doubt in your mind as to the power of better nutrition, and these nutrition programs help us do that.

The new year has begun, which means it's time for lists: here's a list of our 5 favorite supplements that we've seen patients benefit from the most.

1. Whole Food Multivitamin - the best source of nutrition is whole foods. The second best source of nutrition is whole foods in tablet form (not the synthetically-derived vitamin components sold in high doses at the drug store). We like Catalyn because Standard Process has perfected the process of raising it's own organic produce and tests every step of the way to make sure it's multivitamin provides the best nutrition.
2. Omega 3 Fish or Krill Oils - omega 3 fish oils are one of the most anti-inflammatory foods you can eat, but most of us are not including them in the diet. If you're not eating wild fatty fish regularly, include a high quality fish or krill oil.
3. Probiotics - researchers continue to find more links between our microbiome (bugs living in and on our bodies) and a variety of health issues involving digestion, regularity, immunity, skin health, mental health, arthritis, obesity, auto-immunity and more! Include healthy bugs in your diet on a regular basis by eating fermented foods or taking probiotics.
4. Vitamin D - the importance of vitamin D has been well established, but 80-90% of our patients tested for vitamin D with blood work show insufficient levels. Is that a surprise in less-than-sunny Northeast Ohio? There are few food sources high in vitamin D, and most of us don't spend enough time in the sun to produce adequate levels. Take vitamin D to keep your levels up to par.
5. High Quality Protein Powder - a smoothie can be a quick and easy nutritious meal when you're in a hurry (or have time to enjoy it). Start with a minimally processed whey protein powder (not isolate) without added junk like processed sweeteners, colors, artificial flavors, etc. Combine with fruits and other good ingredients for a delicious meal.

For the most benefit, take your supplements with healthy meals as much as possible. A variety of other supplements can be helpful for specific needs, but these are the best supplements for most of us.

Modern health problems are related to modern lifestyles, not modern genes. Modern humans have essentially the same genes we did thousands of years ago, and those genes provide our bodies with the blueprints to be strong, smart, and beautiful...as long as we continue the ancient habits that turn those beautiful genes on.

Research has confirmed the following tips have amazing health benefits beyond anything modern medicine can provide. Make this your healthiest year yet by living like a caveman (except for the cave). Just think - what would Caveman do?

1. Drink the best beverage ever created: water! Caveman no drink sweetened sodas and teas, flavored waters, sports drinks, and energy drinks. He may have enjoyed a seasonal crushed fruit smoothie or occasional fermented rotting fruit beverage (puddle of wine anyone?).
2. Get moving. Caveman may not have zumba-ed or yoga-ed but he may have line danced. Whether it's walking, swimming, cycling, lifting, dancing, climbing, gardening, skipping...just get moving on a regular basis. And occasionally do something more intense.
3. Breathe like a caveman. Do you breathe with your chest or with your belly? We're pretty sure Caveman didn't worry about sucking in his gut to look good. Stop sucking in your gut, and take deep belly breathes that fill your lungs with oxygen.
4. Sleep or find time for quiet restfulness. When it's dark, sleep. When you're tired, sleep. When you don't feel good, sleep. When you're at work...wait...Caveman did not have a boss paying him to be awake. A few minutes of quite time and deep breathing at work can also be beneficial.
5. Hug a tree. Caveman spent a lot of time in nature. He didn't really have another option. Go outside when you can, and bring outside in when you can't.
6. Eat like a caveman. Eat cooked and raw whole foods grown naturally without chemicals - vegetables, fruits, meats/eggs, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, and herbs. Would Caveman recognize what you're eating?
   
7. Get adjusted. Anthropologists in North Eastern Africa recently found what they believe to be the oldest fossilized remnants of face paper dating back to 50,000 years ago. It was found near a large stone about the size of a table. Not really, but the oldest form of treatment surely would have involved one caveman helping another by using his hands.

The secrets to a healthy year are now yours. Live the way our genes designed for. Live like a caveman. If you need some help, give us a call.

Britain's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently updated quality care guidelines for childbirth, noting that research shows it is safer for healthy mothers to have their babies at home, or in a birth center, than in a hospital.

"Women with uncomplicated pregnancies...were better off in the hands of midwives than hospital doctors during birth...For these low-risk mothers-to-be, giving birth in a traditional maternity ward increased the chances of surgical intervention and therefore infection, the regulator said."

The difference in safety is related to doctors' frequent use of cesarean sections, episiotomies, and epidurals (which increase the risk of protracted birth that requires forceps and tissue damage). All of these medical procedures carry increased risk of infection and other complications.

For years, doctors have recommended hospital delivery over home or birth center delivery, but the research doesn't support those recommendations for healthy mothers. Compared to the United States, home births are more common in Europe where the government provides health care and there is no financial incentive for doctors to recommend birth at a hospital.

Dr. Jeffrey L. Ecker, the chairman of the committee on obstetrics practice for American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists noted that if a recommendation for home births were made in the United States, doctors might worry about losing patients to midwives.

Read more of the article in the New York Times.

As part of National Chiropractic Health Month, we take a look at one the biggest issues affecting patient's ability to heal from injuries - delaying treatment.

The National Institute of Health notes pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.

Why do so many Americans experience chronic pain?

It's common to wait after an injury to see if it will go away on its own, but waiting too long only makes it harder to bounce back. Research confirms that waiting more than 7 days to treat an injury increases your risk of chronic problems.

But why? It's all about how the body heals from an injury:

Initially, inflammation increases at the site of an injury. This means swelling, redness, warmth, and PAIN. Inflammation increases over 1-3 days, which explains why pain may not be immediate but can build after a day or two. Frequently, the pain and inflammation will start to reduced after a few days - this is where you can get in trouble...

Within a week of injury, the body starts repairing soft tissues with fibriotic scar tissue. Picture normal muscles and soft tissues as nicely organized fibers lined up next to each other. Now picture scar tissue as a tangled nest of fibers trying to patch up a hole. Pain may be fairly well controlled at this point, but as scar tissue builds, increased stiffness and joint restrictions can develop. If scar tissue develops enough to restrict a full range of motion in a joint, it's only a matter of time before pain and inflammation return -- because the joint can't function correctly.

Moral: Don't delay treatment more than one week or the risk of chronic problems increases

Chiropractic treatment is key to not only reducing pain and inflammation, but also improving scar tissue function so your joints are moving correctly again. The key is healthy movement. Chiropractic adjustments help the scar tissue align and reorganize to be more similar to your body's normal healthy soft tissues. This reorganization process can take months, but chiropractic care tends to accelerate  this natural response.

Don't rely on pain as your only indicator of health. If you pay attention to how well your body is moving and functioning, you may be able to avoid the pain in the first place.

As part of National Chiropractic Health Month, we take a look at recent news and research that has highlighted the growing epidemic of prescription drug problems:

CNN's story, "Let’s End the Prescription Drug Death Epidemic," reported on the increasing injury and death from prescription medication as Americans consume 80% of the world's pain medication for less than 5% of the world's population.

Harvard research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlighted increasing medical mismanagement of back pain as doctors continue to increase narcotic pain prescriptions and ignore medical guidelines that recommend safer, more effective options like chiropractic treatment.

A national report on prescription drug abuse ranked Ohio as 12th Highest Drug Overdose Mortality Rate in the US, with most deaths coming from prescription medications.

"Fifty Americans die a day from prescription drug overdoses, and more than 6 million suffer from prescription drug abuse disorders. This is a very real epidemic - and warrants a strong public health response," said Andrea Gielen, ScD, Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy.

What's Going On?

October is National Chiropractic Health Month. Discover how to improve your health with chiropractic care.

Joints are critical to all movement and allow us to carry out normal activities of daily living. Some 150 million to 200 million cases of back pain send people to the doctor every year—and many of those are related to joint injuries. The bones that make up the joint allow movement, but it is the muscles that pull the bones that produce the movement.

Use it or Lose it

The movements that you perform on a daily basis are critical to long-term joint health, as are proper nutrition, a healthy exercise regimen, and a healthy lifestyle. Moving a joint through its full range of motion serves several important purposes. Joints are not supplied directly with blood as are other organs within the body, but instead are nourished with synovial fluid that is forced into the joint cartilage through pressure resulting from body movement. So the saying, “Use it or lose it” applies to joint function.