 Watson
Chiropractic,
Healthcare services, products, and information.
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503-MY-SPINE (697-7463) |
| Home---->News archive---->February 2007 |
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Watson
Chiropractic,
Healthcare services, products, and information.
|
|
503-MY-SPINE (697-7463) |
| Home---->News archive---->February 2007 |
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February 2007 News
Watson Chiropractic, P.C.
503-My-Spine (697-7463)
Patient
of the Month
"At
45 years of age you can still grow 3/4 of an inch."
That's what Jim Bonander said to me last Friday when I asked
him if he would like to be our patient of the month. I would
like to share Jims' story with you. It's a story of personal
achievement. The kind of achievement that takes dedication,
fortitude, vigilance, grit, and a whole lot of hard work. In
November 2005 Jim weighed 302 pounds and had very high blood pressure.
That must have motivated him, because he decided he was going to
make some major changes for the better. Jim enlisted the help
of some great professionals, including his doctor David
Campbell M.D., his nutritionist Jane Grace PhD, and his personal
trainer, Brian Chodowski. Jim now weighs 245 pounds (57
pounds less!), he increased his muscle mass by 54 pounds, and he's off all
blood pressure medications.
Chiropractic care became part of Jim's
plan last September when he decided he wanted to improve his posture. Jim
is now 3/4 of an inch taller and has a normal posture.
He no longer has his shoulders rolled forward, or the forward
weight bearing posture that he previously had. He is standing
much taller, head high, shoulders back, and he looks great.
Great job Jim!
By the way... Jim has lots of good
things to say about his team, so if you are looking for a medical
doctor, nutritionist, or personal trainer here's their contact
information.
David Campbell, M.D. -
503-635-7999
Jane Grace, PhD - 503-697-4171
Brian Chodowski, Personal Trainer -
503-810-1815
Epson Salts Baths
I often recommend Epson salts to be used
in a bath to aid in muscle pain and spasms. Epsom salts can be
found in most pharmacies and grocery stores. Look for it
wherever you find aspirin, Tylenol, or ace bandages. Epson salt
is a time tested mineral compound that has many uses. For
instance, it is also an FDA approved laxative.
The active ingredient is Magnesium Sulfate. Here's what the Epson
Salt Council says about magnesium; "Magnesium is the second-most
abundant element in human cells and the fourth-most important
positively charged ion in the body, so it's little wonder this
low-profile mineral is so vital to good health and well being.
Magnesium, a major component of Epsom Salt, also helps to regulate the
activity of more than 325 enzymes and performs a vital role in
orchestrating many bodily functions, from muscle control and
electrical impulses to energy production and the elimination of
harmful toxins." In laymen's terms, that means your
body will have a better ability to reduce muscle spasm and pain with
an adequate supply of magnesium. The body absorbs the magnesium
in the bath through the skin.
Cadaver
exhibit comes to OMSI
If you read
last month's newsletter, you may recall I mentioned a cadaver exhibit in
Seattle called "Bodies, the Exhibition". Well, if you
wait, the original cadaver exhibit called "Body Worlds 3" will
arrive at OMSI June 7th, 2007. For more info here is OMSI's
exhibit link. http://www.omsi.edu/visit/featured/bodyworlds/?thumbURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eomsi%2Eedu%2Fvisit%2Ffeatured%2Fbodyworlds%2F
If that does not work, go to www.OMSI.edu
and look for the exhibit on their main page. I have read some
reviews on the two exhibits and it looks like the OMSI exhibit is the
better of the two. Although both will be fascinating.
OMSI is predicting their largest turn out ever for an exhibit.
They are expecting over 400 thousand visitors. They must have a
crystal ball or something.
How
to Prevent Disc Buldges and Herniations
 The disc is a cartilage pad that is in between each vertebra. The discs are the main joints of your spine. A disc is like a really tough water balloon between each vertebra that absorbs shock and allows us to be able to bend and twist our spine. After puberty, the discs do not have a good blood supply, and rely on the surrounding tissue for nutrition. The way to prevent disc herniations and bulges is to make sure all your discs gets plenty of nutrition. The disc ingests surrounding fluid (nutrition) like a sponge, and excretes waste - like water from a sponge when squeezed. To be healthy, the disc needs to be continually wrung out - like a sponge, so that it can excrete waste and once again absorb nutrition. This occurs with spinal motion. Movement is the key. This is another instance of "use it or loose it". Small misalignments of the spine (subluxations) can cause a lack of movement, and the disc can become deficient in nutrition. Maybe you have had a stiff back or neck in the past and ended up with a loss of motion in your spine. Maybe it became hard to turn your head to back up your car, or you just could not touch your toes anymore. Well... that's a warning sign that your discs may not be getting proper nutrition and may be susceptible to buldging or herniation.
Disc bulges and herniations can be very
painful, even if they do not encroach upon a spinal nerve, because the
outer layer of the disc is innervated with nerve cells that sense pain.
Sometimes a patient may have a herniation that requires surgery,
although that is uncommon. More commonly, a patient only requires
some chiropractic care with some pain and inflammation medications.
On occasion, a patient may go for a epidural shot which is a steroid
injection near the disc to reduce inflammation. Intersegmental
traction, percussion, and arthrostim are all methods I use to get the
disc moving and ingesting nutrition again. Chiropractic
adjustments align the spine so your natural daily movements allow
the disc to continually receive proper nutrition.
Humor
A
woman told the vet that something was wrong with her dog. He examined
the animal and told her the dog was dead.
"I don't believe you", she said, "I'd like a second opinion" The vet said that would be fine. He went into the other room and got a cat. He put the cat up on the table with the dog. The cat sniffed the dog and jumped down. The vet then got a black lab, put him on the table and the lab sniffed and jumped down. The vet tells the lady again, "I'm sorry, but your dog is definitely dead. That will be $600 for the exam." "$600 is ridiculous, what are the charges for?" she exclaimed. "$600 is a bargain," the vet explained. "$50 for me and only $550 for the cat scan and lab work."
In
the hospital, a patient's relatives gathered in the waiting room, where
their family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking
tired and somber. "I'm afraid I am the bearer of bad news," he
said as he surveyed the worried faces. "The only hope left for your
loved one at this time is a brain transplant. It's an experimental
procedure, semi-risky, and you will have to pay for the brain
yourselves."
Doctor
Vs. Mechanic Morris
was removing some engine valves from a car on the lift when he spotted
the famous heart surgeon Dr. John Jones, who was standing off to the
side, waiting for the service manager. Morris, somewhat of a loud mouth,
shouted across the garage, "Hey Jones...Is dat you? Come over here
a minute." The
famous surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to where Morris was working
on a car. Morris, in a loud
voice said argumentatively, "So Mr. fancy doctor, look at this
work. I also take valves out, grind 'em, put in new parts, and when I
finish this baby will purr like a kitten. So how come you get the big
bucks, when you and me are doing basically the same work?"
Dr. Jones replied. "Try doing your work with the engine running."
Cheers!
Dr. Watson
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