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  • Office Update
  • Genetic Testing
  • Electrical Field Pollution
  • Seasonal Nutrition
  • Healthcare and the Election
  • Fall Office Specials
 
Office Update
 
On January 1st, 2009 we intend to upgrade to a new patient record and billing software system.  We have used the same office software system for 15 years with numerous updates and upgrades.  However, with the ever increasing demands of insurance companies, most health care offices are now converting from paper based offices, to electronic "paperless" offices to meet that demand.  I have been interviewing several different software companies, and will hopefully find one soon that meets our needs.  In the end we will look forward to a more efficient patient records and billing system.  Through this this process we will continue to maintain all your records for seven years, as required by state law.
 
 
Genetic Testing
 
I recently attended a three day seminar in Seattle and learned about the latest in genetic testing.  Three years ago it cost $3000.00 to test one gene, now we can test fifty genes for the same cost.  With technological advancement the cost is expected to continue to decline to a point where genetic testing will be readily available, and cost effective.   There are some who believe revealing one's personal genome will make it difficult to get health insurance, or may cause scrutiny in the legal system, and they may be correct.  However, this testing can be used for your good in the health care field.
 
What are some of the things genetic testing will help us with?   Right now there are some insurance companies that are requiring genetic testing to see if an expensive chemotherapy drug will be effective.   If you had cancer and were recommended to take a chemotherapy drug, wouldn't you want to take a genetic test to find out if it would work first?  Of course, anyone would.  Looking into the genome will help doctors to understand certain traits, or predispositions to disease.  One speaker at the seminar I attended was already using genetic testing to evaluate his patients.  He was taking evasive action to help his patients avoid possible unfortunate outcomes.  He makes recommendations to his patients, depending on their genetic profile, to help them support and strengthen known genetic weakness in their health potential.  These can include, nutritional and lifestyle recommendations to support weak systems.  For instance, if your doctor learned you were predisposed to heart disease, you may get recommendations to support heart health with antioxidants and essential fatty acids.   You could also receive recommendations to reduce stress, such as, performing meditative exercises, or changing your work habits.  If you know your genetic disposition up front, it's like knowing what hand you've been dealt in a game of poker.
 
This knowledge translates into prevention.  Rather than wait for a disease process to occur, and then treat it, we can make determinations about possible traits or predispositions and support the body to avoid health risks.  If you are interested in genetic testing I can refer you to a doctor who currently does this.  In a few years, I can see I will be using this in my office.  However at this time it's rather expensive, making it not cost effective for most.
 
 
Electrical Field Pollution
 
Electrical fields, electromagnetic fields (EMF's), radio waves, and microwaves are more prevalent now than anytime in the past.  With the use of cell phones, and being exposed to electrical sources more and more, we may be at risk for harmful effects.  There are some studies I have read that link a greater prevalence of cancer to people who live under power lines.  However, there's only a small amount of research and studies, to help us understand potential risks from electrical pollution.   I believe there is a real risk, although for the most part it's unknown just how much risk there is.  I decided to have a look at mine, and my families, personal exposure.  I purchased a Trifield meter that measures electrical fields, EMF's, radio waves, and microwaves.  I then measured my home and office, room by room to check for high fields.  It was a fun experiment to do, and I made some simple changes that I feel good about.
 
It is believed by some, that prolonged exposure to more than 3 milligauss may be harmful.  My findings revealed the clock radio emitted a high EMF, and it was right by my bed.  It was about a six on the meter, and it was right by my head the whole time I slept.  I moved the clock to the other side of the bedroom and set it on a dresser instead of the night stand next to my bed.  I found the dimmer switches in my home and office, emitted a high field as well, also about a six.  I am now aware of that field and will not spend prolonged time next to dimmer switches.  I found the old style TV's and CRT monitors emit high EMF's.  Florescent lights emit higher EMF's than incandescent.  I switched out some florescent bulbs to incandescent and replaced the old CRT monitors with LCD's.  I also went to Best Buy and had a look.  It was fun to see how different electrical devices emitted different EMF's.  The sales people were trying to figure out what I was up to, as I walked around with my meter checking out the electrical devices.  One thing to keep in mind is, the further away you get from an electrical device the lower the emitted field.
 
Here's some recommendations I have based on my personal findings:
  1. Move your clock radio if it's next to your bed.  It's just not worth the personal risk to have a high emitting device near your body every night while you sleep.  That's prolonged exposure.
  2. If you still have a CRT computer monitor get rid of it and get a LCD.  The old TV's emit just as high EMF's, but most people sit far enough away where it's less of an issue. 
  3. Make sure you do not sit near a dimmer switch.  If you have a dimmer switch next to your office chair I would consider that potentially harmful prolonged exposure.
  4. Use the speaker on your cell phone, and set it at arms length.  If you want to know if you have prolonged exposure just look at your cell phone bill and see how many minutes you had your cell phone held up to your ear.  Bluetooth?  No help there, you're still getting radio/microwaves with it too.
  5. Keep those wireless phones away from your bed or chair as well.
If you want to check your home and office room by room, you can purchase your own meter here http://www.trifield.com/EMF_meter.htm or you can use mine for three days use for $25.00.
 
 
Seasonal Nutrition
 
Every season brings new challenges. 
  • Immune Support.  It's that time of year for cold's and flu's.
    • Total Virx -  General immune system support.  Echinacea and goldenseal base with synergistic factors.
    • Total Multimune - General immune support.  Colostrum, maitake mushroom and astralgus base with synergistic factors.
    • Core Level Lung - Support for chest colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
    • Zinc Lozenge - Support for sore throats.
    • Immuno Plus - An herbal tincture. Great for kids who have difficulty swallowing supplements
    • Pedia C - Vitamin C with synergistic factors.  Also great for kids who have difficulty swallowing supplements.
  • Brain Support.  Less sunlight means less vitamin D.  The autumnal equinox was September 22nd and we'll see our days get shorter until the winter solstice on December 21st.  This can cause brain issues for those that are seasonally affected from a loss of vitamin D.
    • Bio Emulsion D - 400iu of vitamin D in one drop of emulsified liquid.  Just one drop per day in you morning beverage and your meeting your daily RDA for vitamin D.
    • Total Brain - Consider this a daily multiple for your brain.
    • Brain Plus - This one supports short term memory.  Where did I put those car keys?
    • Total 5-HTP - The precursor to serotonin,  Support for mild to moderate depression and sleep disorders.  Never take this supplement without a doctor's guidance.
    • Li-zyme Forte - Plant based lithium.  Support for manic depression and bipolar disorder.  Never take this supplement without a doctor's guidance.
  • Stress Support.  Here's some nutritional support for the stress related to the upcoming election, and the current economy.
    • DSF - Translates to "De-Stress-Formula".  Excellent support for the adrenal glands which are known as the glands of stress.  See my article on adrenal fatigue to learn much more about the adrenal glands and stress.  http://www.watsonchiropractic.com/articles/adftg.htm
    • Core Level Health Reserve - The best daily multiple period, in my opinion.  Everyone needs a multiple every day.
    • F Complex - Essential fatty acids. Get your omegas for all kinds of reasons.  Reduce inflammation, aid in cardiovascular health, etc.  Everyone needs this every day.
    • B Complex - Heart health and energy support.
    • Total Heart - A multiple for the heart.
 
 
Healthcare and the Election
 
I believe if we are to solve the health care crisis we need to address the current way we care for ourselves, how we manage chronic care, and our beliefs about end-of-life care, or more succinctly death.  Whatever the healthcare plan is, we need to focus on preventing disease instead of waiting for a disease to occur, and then treating it.   Prevention will greatly reduce the costs associated with chronic care, as well as reduce the frequency of doctors office and hospital visits.  We also need to come to terms with our own mortality, and become more comfortable with the notion that death is inevitable, and make a conscious decision to pass on without costing untold expenses in end-of-life care.  Every American will need to make better decisions about their own personal health care to "fix" the current health care crisis.
 
Below are the candidates positions on healthcare in no particular order or affiliation, abbreviated in a non-biased manner, directly from their websites.
 
  • Create competition to improve the quality of health insurance with greater variety to match people's needs, lower prices, and increase portability.
  • Every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit - effectively cash - of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance.
  • Proposes Making Insurance More Portable.  Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines.
  • Chronic conditions account for three-quarters of the nation's annual health care bill. By emphasizing prevention, early intervention, healthy habits, new treatment models, new public health infrastructure and the use of information technology, we can reduce health care costs. We should dedicate more federal research to caring and curing chronic disease.
Barak Obama
  • Require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions so all Americans regardless of their health status or history can get comprehensive benefits at fair and stable premiums.
  • Create a new Small Business Health Tax Credit to help small businesses provide affordable health insurance to their employees.
  • Lower costs for businesses by covering a portion of the catastrophic health costs they pay in return for lower premiums for employees.
  • Prevent insurers from overcharging doctors for their malpractice insurance and invest in proven strategies to reduce preventable medical errors.
  • Make employer contributions more fair by requiring large employers that do not offer coverage or make a meaningful contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of their employees health care.
  • Establish a National Health Insurance Exchange with a range of private insurance options as well as a new public plan based on benefits available to members of Congress that will allow individuals and small businesses to buy affordable health coverage.
  • Ensure everyone who needs it will receive a tax credit for their premiums.
  • Lower drug costs by allowing the importation of safe medicines from other developed countries, increasing the use of generic drugs in public programs and taking on drug companies that block cheaper generic medicines from the market
  • Require hospitals to collect and report health care cost and quality data
  • Reduce the costs of catastrophic illnesses for employers and their employees.
  • Reform the insurance market to increase competition by taking on anticompetitive activity that drives up prices without improving quality of care.
 
Fall Office Specials
 
To account for the current economic challenges I have some new specials, and I have lowered the prices on previous specials, as well as increased their availability.  These specials are only available through the end of 2008, and you MUST bring in this newsletter to redeem the special discount.
  • New Patients may come in for $57.00.  This includes an exam, treatment, and x-ray if necessary.  I used to make this offer for $96.00, now it's only $57.00.  I'm kind of embarrassed to make this one so cheap.  But what the heck, times are tough.
  • Three spinal adjustments for $84.00.  In the past I have made this offer at $96.00 and to only those who have not been in the office in the last three months.  Now it's $12.00 less and available to everyone.
  • 20% discount on all supplements.
  • Buy three of any one supplement and receive a fourth of equal or lesser value free.
  • Refer a new patient and receive a free bottle of Core Level Health Reserve (a great daily multiple).  You must come in to pick it up.
 
Thank you for reading my newsletter.  I looked and looked for humor this month and ended up on some website that set my virus software into alert.  After that I decided to stop surfing for humor.  If you have any humorous material you would like to send me, it would be much appreciated.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Watson