The Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society is pleased to announce its new partnership with USA Cares, which delivers crucial financial assistance to combat veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). By removing the financial barriers to medical treatment, USA Cares helps the "invisibly" wounded gain access to treatment, ensuring that the financial burden does not fall on their spouses or their children.
Dr. Jeremy Gordon, director of the Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society (FVCS) and board member of the Florida Chiropractic Association, knows how difficult TBI can be. "TBI and PTSD are some of the loneliest conditions that effect our post 9/11 veterans," says Dr. Gordon. "The outside world doesn't see any evidence of damage, but inside, it can be extremely debilitating. We hope to help these individuals, and their families, however we can."
Dr. Gordon announced his intention to "give back" to USA Cares' military and their families by organizing an area-wide fundraiser, involving over 20 chiropractic offices throughout Volusia and Flagler counties, and several key sponsors including: Crystal Springs Water and Florida Health Care News. "If this goes well, I hope to have a state-wide fundraiser for USA Cares in 2011, involving many of the 4,600 members of the Florida Chiropractic Association". The idea is simple, patients can round up their bill to the next dollar or bring in excess change, and donate to USA Cares. Each office has the capability to accept donations, either in person or on line.
Bill Nelson, the Executive Director of USA Cares said: "It humbles me that so many people care so much about our Military and their Families. There is a saying in the Military that 'all gave some, and some gave all'. Dr. Gordon is providing a means for everyone to get behind our Military and show their support".
USA Cares programs include Housing Assistance, which helps stop foreclosures and evictions - Basic Needs, which focuses on quality of life areas including food, utilities and car repair - and Warrior Treatment Today, which provides access to treatment for the "unseen" wounds of PTSD and TBI. Their newest program area, Jobs for Vets, connects veterans to employment opportunities and clears the financial roadblocks that can stand in the way of job success.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Local Chiropractors Join Effort To Help Veterans
The Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society has joined a new partnership with USA Cares, which delivers crucial financial assistance to combat veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. By removing the financial barriers to medical treatment, USA Cares helps the "invisibly" wounded gain access to treatment, ensuring that the financial burden does not fall on their spouses or their children.
Dr. Jeremy Gordon, director of the Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society and board member of the Florida Chiropractic Association, announced his intention to "give back" to USA Cares military and their families by organizing an area-wide fundraiser, involving more than 20 chiropractic offices throughout Volusia and Flagler counties, and several key sponsors including Crystal Springs Water and Florida Health Care News.
"If this goes well, I hope to have a state-wide fundraiser for USA Cares in 2011, involving many of the 4,600 members of the Florida Chiropractic Association," he said.
The idea is simple, patients can round up their bill to the next dollar or bring in excess change, and donate to USA Cares. Each office has the capability to accept donations, either in person or online.
USA Cares programs include housing assistance, which helps stop foreclosures and evictions ; basic needs, which focuses on quality of life areas including food, utilities and car repair; and Warrior Treatment Today, which provides access to treatment for the "unseen" wounds of PTSD and TBI. Their newest program area, Jobs for Vets, connects veterans to employment opportunities and clears the financial roadblocks that can stand in the way of job success.
The Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society is composed of chiropractic physicians throughout Flagler and Volusia counties in central Florida. The FVCS coordinates charity fundraisers for the local community and provides education to the public about the chiropractic profession. The Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society is affiliated with the Florida Chiropractic Association, which has more than 4,600 members and represents more than 80 percent of the chiropractic profession in the State of Florida. For more information about FVCS, contact Dr. Jeremy Gordon at jgordodc@yahoo.com or call 386-734-9995.
In Florida, Military families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares website, USAcares.org or by calling 800-773-0387.
Dr. Jeremy Gordon, director of the Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society and board member of the Florida Chiropractic Association, announced his intention to "give back" to USA Cares military and their families by organizing an area-wide fundraiser, involving more than 20 chiropractic offices throughout Volusia and Flagler counties, and several key sponsors including Crystal Springs Water and Florida Health Care News.
"If this goes well, I hope to have a state-wide fundraiser for USA Cares in 2011, involving many of the 4,600 members of the Florida Chiropractic Association," he said.
The idea is simple, patients can round up their bill to the next dollar or bring in excess change, and donate to USA Cares. Each office has the capability to accept donations, either in person or online.
USA Cares programs include housing assistance, which helps stop foreclosures and evictions ; basic needs, which focuses on quality of life areas including food, utilities and car repair; and Warrior Treatment Today, which provides access to treatment for the "unseen" wounds of PTSD and TBI. Their newest program area, Jobs for Vets, connects veterans to employment opportunities and clears the financial roadblocks that can stand in the way of job success.
The Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society is composed of chiropractic physicians throughout Flagler and Volusia counties in central Florida. The FVCS coordinates charity fundraisers for the local community and provides education to the public about the chiropractic profession. The Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society is affiliated with the Florida Chiropractic Association, which has more than 4,600 members and represents more than 80 percent of the chiropractic profession in the State of Florida. For more information about FVCS, contact Dr. Jeremy Gordon at jgordodc@yahoo.com or call 386-734-9995.
In Florida, Military families anywhere in America can apply for assistance through the USA Cares website, USAcares.org or by calling 800-773-0387.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veteran's Day Fundraiser
On this Veteran's Day, please join our Flagler Volusia Chiropractic Society in raising money for those military personnel and their families in need. I have organized a fundraiser in conjunction with USA Cares (www.USAcares.org) and Crystal Springs water to raise money for our local veterans and their families throughout this holiday season. Collection 'jugs' will be placed at approximately 30 chiropractic offices throughout Flagler and Volusia counties, and we are encouraging patients, friends, and neighbors to stop buy and contribute change, dollars, or whatever they can afford, to this worthy cause. Collection centers are already in place at my office (905 N. Stone Street - DeLand), and at Dr. Jim Antos' office on Health Blvd. in Daytona Beach. Please stop by and contribute what you can, and pass this message along to your friends and familiy members. For all that our veterans and their families have sacrificed for this country, it's the least that we can do.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Fish Oil Preventing Breast Cancer?
Fish oil and a variety of dietary supplements used to ameliorate the symptoms of menopause were evaluated in a recent study to determine their possible association with breast cancer risk. In the study, researchers investigated the relationship between the consumption of fish oil, and menopausal supplements (black cohosh, dong quai, soy, and St. John's Wort), and the risk of developing breast cancer. The subjects were followed for up to 7 years to evaluate the incidence of breast cancer.
The results showed that the subjects' current use of fish oil was associated with a 32% reduction in the risk of developing ductal breast cancer, particularly those taking it for over 10 years. The use of the menopausal supplements did not affect breast cancer risk.
The results showed that the subjects' current use of fish oil was associated with a 32% reduction in the risk of developing ductal breast cancer, particularly those taking it for over 10 years. The use of the menopausal supplements did not affect breast cancer risk.
Friday, July 30, 2010
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome or, CTS, is a condition where a nerve (called the median nerve) is compressed in a relatively tight or restricted space (called the carpal tunnel), resulting in altered nerve function that includes numbness and weakness. In order to fully understand what CTS is, let’s devote this Health Update to better understanding the anatomy of the carpal tunnel.
The carpal tunnel is made up from 8 bones (2 rows of 4 carpal bones that are stacked on top of each other) that are arranged in the shape of a horse shoe. The “roof” of the tunnel is a ligament (transverse carpal ligament) that stretches tightly across the two ends of the horseshoe completing the formation of a tunnel – actually, an upside down tunnel when looking at the palm side of the wrist). The contents of the tunnel include 9 tendons and their covering (sheath), blood vessels and on top of all that just under the roof is the median nerve – the culprit that creates most of the symptoms of CTS. The cause of CTS is simply anything that causes the contents inside the tunnel to swell or become inflamed, which then compresses the median nerve up into the roof or ligament, pinching the nerve. This can create pain, numbness, tingling, the falling asleep sensation and weakness. It’s important to point out that the median nerve starts out from the neck, passes through the shoulder, past the elbow, through the wrist’s carpal tunnel and ends in the hand – specifically fingers 1, 2, 3, and part of the 4th finger. Therefore, the ENTIRE nerve must be looked at for all CTS cases as pinching can occur anywhere along its course from the neck to the hand.
The carpal tunnel is made up from 8 bones (2 rows of 4 carpal bones that are stacked on top of each other) that are arranged in the shape of a horse shoe. The “roof” of the tunnel is a ligament (transverse carpal ligament) that stretches tightly across the two ends of the horseshoe completing the formation of a tunnel – actually, an upside down tunnel when looking at the palm side of the wrist). The contents of the tunnel include 9 tendons and their covering (sheath), blood vessels and on top of all that just under the roof is the median nerve – the culprit that creates most of the symptoms of CTS. The cause of CTS is simply anything that causes the contents inside the tunnel to swell or become inflamed, which then compresses the median nerve up into the roof or ligament, pinching the nerve. This can create pain, numbness, tingling, the falling asleep sensation and weakness. It’s important to point out that the median nerve starts out from the neck, passes through the shoulder, past the elbow, through the wrist’s carpal tunnel and ends in the hand – specifically fingers 1, 2, 3, and part of the 4th finger. Therefore, the ENTIRE nerve must be looked at for all CTS cases as pinching can occur anywhere along its course from the neck to the hand.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Obesity and Weight Loss
The June 19th, 2010 edition of The Endocrine Society reports, “[According to a new study ,] Obese women with insulin resistance lose more weight after three months on a lower-carbohydrate diet than on a traditional low-fat diet with the same number of calories...” The study’s lead author, Raymond Plodkowski, MD, Chief of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno wrote, “The typical diet that physicians recommend for weight loss is a low-fat diet… However, as this study shows, not all people have the same response to diets.”
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Dangers of Sunscreens
For years and years, we have known two things to be true. First, the sun is bad for you… therefore exposure should be limited. Most people don’t know this, but the sun has three types of “rays,” not just two.
The first is UVC. This ray usually does not reach our planet’s surface and this is good because it is believed only brief exposure to UVC rays is fatal.
Next, are UVB rays. These have long been considered the “tanning rays.” They are strongest during the summer months when the Earth’s orbit is closest to the Sun. UVB rays are what produce a “sun tan.”
For many years, sunblocks and sunscreens only attempted to block UVB because science was unaware of the effects of UVA rays (the third type of sun ray) on the body.
UVA was believed to be the safe ray in the 1980s, which spawned the growth and popularity of the artificial sun bed industry – some dermatologists even backed this artificial tanning! But, science now believes UVA rays actually do more damage than UVB rays! UVA rays are not dependant on how far the Earth is from the Sun – so the effects are the same all year round.
What’s more, UVA penetrates light clothing and car windshields... even many hats. Over-exposure to the sun has been linked to premature aging and even deadly skin cancer... Which Brings Us To The Second “Truth”:
Limit exposure to the harmful rays of the sun by using high SPF sunscreens and sunblocks. For years, the sunblock industry has been booming with the promise their products protect you from the sun’s aging and cancerous rays.
But, research now says these “truths” are not so “true.”
For example, there is no consensus whether sunscreens prevent skin cancer. According to the Environmental Working Groups’ (ewg.org) finding, “The Food and Drug Administration’s 2007 draft sunscreen safety regulations say: FDA is not aware of data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer.” (FDA 2007).
The International Agency for Research on Cancer agrees. IARC recommends clothing, hats and shade as primary barriers to UV radiation and writes “sunscreens should not be the first choice for skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun” (IARC 2001a). Even worse, there is evidence emerging that sunscreen may actually INCREASE THE RISK OF SKIN CANCER!
Researches speculate the cause(s) may be lack of UVA protection by most sunscreen for over 30 years, improper usage, staying in the sun longer with sunscreens and some of the ingredients. One big problem is the SPF (sun protection factor) myth.
In 2007, the FDA published draft regulations that would prohibit manufacturers from labeling sunscreens over 50 SPF. The FDA stated that anything over 50 SPF was “inherently misleading.” Even an SPF of 50 can be misleading because of the way most people use sunscreen. In the real world, tests show people apply only one-half to one-fifth of the amount used when testing the sunscreen. A person using one-fourth the amount of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 only actually gets an SPF of 2.3. The same person using a sunscreen with SPF 100 ends up with only SPF 3.2. (The math is exponential, that’s why there are such drastic reductions in SPF.)
Then, there are the potential problems with the ingredients found in sunscreens. For example, oxybenzone, a common ingredient, is a known hormone disruptor. Retinyl palmitate (a form of Vitamin A also commonly used in sunscreens) may increase the risk of skin cancer.
According to Environmental Working Groups, “The publicly available data from FDA’s new study suggest that when used in sun-exposed skin care products, retinyl palmitate and related chemicals may increase skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk instead of protecting the skin.” Also, according to Environmental Working Groups, 41% of all sunscreens contain retinyl palmitate.
All of this may be surprising but what’s even more shocking is that the FDA first issued draft sunscreen regulations in 1978 and last updated the draft in 2007. The regulations are still not final, despite multiple announcements of impending completion. Until the agency formally issues its rules, companies are not required to verify their sunscreens work, including testing for SPF levels, checking waterproof claims or providing UVA protection. Nearly one in eight sunscreens do not block UVA rays. Many carry the seal of “The Skin Cancer Foundation.” According to the Environmental Working Groups, “The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) lends its logo to hundreds of sun protection products. SCF approval is easy, just document that your product has an SPF of at least 15 and provide results of basic tests (for SPF, skin reactions and water and sweat resistance, if such claims are made). SCF also requires that companies pay a $10,000 donation to join the Foundation’s ‘Corporate Council’ in order to have their products approved.”
Confused? If you are, then you are not alone. Here’s something that will make the most of the confusion disappear… Since sunscreens are probably not as safe as once thought, the best thing to do is stay out of the sun during its peak hours (10:00am – 2:00pm) and whenever possible, wear protective clothing instead of chemicals. Don’t forget, some sun is absolutely necessary for Vitamin D production and proper health. The amount of sun you should get depends on your skin type but you should NEVER burn.
The first is UVC. This ray usually does not reach our planet’s surface and this is good because it is believed only brief exposure to UVC rays is fatal.
Next, are UVB rays. These have long been considered the “tanning rays.” They are strongest during the summer months when the Earth’s orbit is closest to the Sun. UVB rays are what produce a “sun tan.”
For many years, sunblocks and sunscreens only attempted to block UVB because science was unaware of the effects of UVA rays (the third type of sun ray) on the body.
UVA was believed to be the safe ray in the 1980s, which spawned the growth and popularity of the artificial sun bed industry – some dermatologists even backed this artificial tanning! But, science now believes UVA rays actually do more damage than UVB rays! UVA rays are not dependant on how far the Earth is from the Sun – so the effects are the same all year round.
What’s more, UVA penetrates light clothing and car windshields... even many hats. Over-exposure to the sun has been linked to premature aging and even deadly skin cancer... Which Brings Us To The Second “Truth”:
Limit exposure to the harmful rays of the sun by using high SPF sunscreens and sunblocks. For years, the sunblock industry has been booming with the promise their products protect you from the sun’s aging and cancerous rays.
But, research now says these “truths” are not so “true.”
For example, there is no consensus whether sunscreens prevent skin cancer. According to the Environmental Working Groups’ (ewg.org) finding, “The Food and Drug Administration’s 2007 draft sunscreen safety regulations say: FDA is not aware of data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer.” (FDA 2007).
The International Agency for Research on Cancer agrees. IARC recommends clothing, hats and shade as primary barriers to UV radiation and writes “sunscreens should not be the first choice for skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun” (IARC 2001a). Even worse, there is evidence emerging that sunscreen may actually INCREASE THE RISK OF SKIN CANCER!
Researches speculate the cause(s) may be lack of UVA protection by most sunscreen for over 30 years, improper usage, staying in the sun longer with sunscreens and some of the ingredients. One big problem is the SPF (sun protection factor) myth.
In 2007, the FDA published draft regulations that would prohibit manufacturers from labeling sunscreens over 50 SPF. The FDA stated that anything over 50 SPF was “inherently misleading.” Even an SPF of 50 can be misleading because of the way most people use sunscreen. In the real world, tests show people apply only one-half to one-fifth of the amount used when testing the sunscreen. A person using one-fourth the amount of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 only actually gets an SPF of 2.3. The same person using a sunscreen with SPF 100 ends up with only SPF 3.2. (The math is exponential, that’s why there are such drastic reductions in SPF.)
Then, there are the potential problems with the ingredients found in sunscreens. For example, oxybenzone, a common ingredient, is a known hormone disruptor. Retinyl palmitate (a form of Vitamin A also commonly used in sunscreens) may increase the risk of skin cancer.
According to Environmental Working Groups, “The publicly available data from FDA’s new study suggest that when used in sun-exposed skin care products, retinyl palmitate and related chemicals may increase skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk instead of protecting the skin.” Also, according to Environmental Working Groups, 41% of all sunscreens contain retinyl palmitate.
All of this may be surprising but what’s even more shocking is that the FDA first issued draft sunscreen regulations in 1978 and last updated the draft in 2007. The regulations are still not final, despite multiple announcements of impending completion. Until the agency formally issues its rules, companies are not required to verify their sunscreens work, including testing for SPF levels, checking waterproof claims or providing UVA protection. Nearly one in eight sunscreens do not block UVA rays. Many carry the seal of “The Skin Cancer Foundation.” According to the Environmental Working Groups, “The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) lends its logo to hundreds of sun protection products. SCF approval is easy, just document that your product has an SPF of at least 15 and provide results of basic tests (for SPF, skin reactions and water and sweat resistance, if such claims are made). SCF also requires that companies pay a $10,000 donation to join the Foundation’s ‘Corporate Council’ in order to have their products approved.”
Confused? If you are, then you are not alone. Here’s something that will make the most of the confusion disappear… Since sunscreens are probably not as safe as once thought, the best thing to do is stay out of the sun during its peak hours (10:00am – 2:00pm) and whenever possible, wear protective clothing instead of chemicals. Don’t forget, some sun is absolutely necessary for Vitamin D production and proper health. The amount of sun you should get depends on your skin type but you should NEVER burn.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
New Vitamin D Study
A new Vitamin D has found a significant correlation between Vitamin D levels and obesity. Low Vitamin D levels correlate with higher fat deposition, increased waist circumference, and increased insulin levels. Many current physicians who deal with nutritional issues are recommending Vitamin D supplementation at levels between 2,000 and 5,000 I.U./day.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Vitamins and Supplements Under Attack...Again
Most are familiar with those commercials on television promoting prescription drugs that supposedly offer relief from a variety of ailments, if one would only pressure one’s doctor to obtain them. They have become a source of great entertainment and amusement to some, the kicker coming at the end of each commercial when the FDA-approved medication’s obligatory litany of warnings and dangerous side effects is recited: “Tell your doctor if....” and “Side effects may include.....” Some of the warnings are mild like diarrhea and constipation, some list serious effects like cancer or tuberculosis, and others admit that sometimes even death can result.
The point here is that these are all FDA-approved drugs being advertised and used extensively. Drugs that can cause serious diseases like lymphoma. Drugs that can kill. The FDA’s dismal safety record is well documented; even PBS ran a Frontline special that investigated and exposed the FDA’s unsafe drug record, the influence of Big Pharma inside the FDA, and lack of long-term testing and medical review of many, many dangerous drugs. The FDA seldom removes a drug from the market even after it proves to be harmful or deadly, however they do post quarterly reports with details of the latest potentially dangerous side effects of drugs currently under investigation.
Nonetheless, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) wants this same FDA, with its dismal safety record, to regulate dietary supplements. The Dietary Supplement Safety Act (DSSA), S. 3002 (text of this bill posted on Senator McCain's website), that McCain has introduced with one cosponsor, would repeal key provisions of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) to “more effectively regulate dietary supplements that may pose safety risks unknown to consumers.”
Under attack by the DSSA is the once-protected field of supplements, as they have always been considered food. Potencies would have to be reduced to comply with what appears to be a plan modeled after the European Food Safety Authority. A new list of “Accepted Dietary Ingredients” would be “prepared, published, and maintained by the Secretary,” in the future. That’s a bit like being handed a blank check and told to fill it out later as one wishes. It could certainly be used to severely limit access to, and even production of, hundreds of life-sustaining and essential mineral, herb, and vitamin products.
All ingredients contained in each supplement would have to be disclosed at the time the company registers all of its “manufactured, packaged, held, distributed, labeled or licensed,” products with the FDA. An onerous burden would be placed on the shoulders of suppliers and retailers of dietary supplements, as they would have to “obtain written evidence” from the seller that the product is registered as required by law, and keep that documentation on file. Monetary penalties for non-compliance “may, in addition to other penalties imposed in this section, be fined not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds derived from the manufacture, packaging, holding, distribution, labeling, or license of such dietary supplement.” Those are very broad dictates and most likely subject to even broader interpretation.
The McCain bill would change existing mandatory serious adverse reporting regulations, requiring minor adverse effects to be reported as well so that the FDA could arbitrarily pull supplements off the shelves or reclassify them as drugs. This immediate recall authority would be granted to the “Secretary upon determination,” that there is a “reasonable probability” that the product is “adulterated” or “misbranded.” Adulterated in this bill takes on a whole new expanded definition: “A dietary supplement which contains a new dietary ingredient shall be deemed adulterated under section 402(f) unless there is a history of use or other evidence of safety.” The development of new products that contain newly discovered nutritional components may be entirely quashed.
The hypocritical contrast between the regulation of drugs that can kill and the proposed hyper-regulation for food products -- vitamins, minerals, herbs -- is as plain as the nose on everyone's face.
A Pandora’s box of intended and unintended legal complications and government harassment of nutritional supplement manufacturers and sellers could very well be unleashed if this bill is passed. There are already existing laws on the books that protect consumers from misbranded, fraudulent, or contaminated products. Granting the FDA additional regulatory authority over nutritional supplements seems a bit suspicious, especially considering the influence the enormous pharmaceutical industry has wielded over the research, development, and approval process inside the FDA. Let’s face it, the FDA has been no friend and often has been positively antagonistic toward the nutritional supplement industry. Therefore one wouldn’t set the wolf to guarding the sheep without dire consequences.
In this perverted overly-regulated country, food is now toxic, and drugs and chemicals are safe for ingestion, no matter the harm that results. This inversion should remind us that those who best have the consumers health and safety interests at heart are the consumers themselves. It is big government that has a proven track record of not protecting the public. And it is big government that is seeking to take away yet another individual freedom, the right to choose one’s own treatment. (Where is the pro-choice crowd on this one; the ones that claim, “my body, my choice?”)
Contact your federal legislators and urge them not to cosponsor, support, or vote for such a power-grabbing, bill. Let them know Americans want unrestricted access to nutritional supplements, and the government out of their health choices.
Sen. McCain described his bill as a “no brainer.” For constitutionalists it’s a “no brainer” that it should be rejected for the dictatorial, power-grabbing, choice-limiting attack on the nutritional marketplace and individual freedoms that it is.
The point here is that these are all FDA-approved drugs being advertised and used extensively. Drugs that can cause serious diseases like lymphoma. Drugs that can kill. The FDA’s dismal safety record is well documented; even PBS ran a Frontline special that investigated and exposed the FDA’s unsafe drug record, the influence of Big Pharma inside the FDA, and lack of long-term testing and medical review of many, many dangerous drugs. The FDA seldom removes a drug from the market even after it proves to be harmful or deadly, however they do post quarterly reports with details of the latest potentially dangerous side effects of drugs currently under investigation.
Nonetheless, Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) wants this same FDA, with its dismal safety record, to regulate dietary supplements. The Dietary Supplement Safety Act (DSSA), S. 3002 (text of this bill posted on Senator McCain's website), that McCain has introduced with one cosponsor, would repeal key provisions of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) to “more effectively regulate dietary supplements that may pose safety risks unknown to consumers.”
Under attack by the DSSA is the once-protected field of supplements, as they have always been considered food. Potencies would have to be reduced to comply with what appears to be a plan modeled after the European Food Safety Authority. A new list of “Accepted Dietary Ingredients” would be “prepared, published, and maintained by the Secretary,” in the future. That’s a bit like being handed a blank check and told to fill it out later as one wishes. It could certainly be used to severely limit access to, and even production of, hundreds of life-sustaining and essential mineral, herb, and vitamin products.
All ingredients contained in each supplement would have to be disclosed at the time the company registers all of its “manufactured, packaged, held, distributed, labeled or licensed,” products with the FDA. An onerous burden would be placed on the shoulders of suppliers and retailers of dietary supplements, as they would have to “obtain written evidence” from the seller that the product is registered as required by law, and keep that documentation on file. Monetary penalties for non-compliance “may, in addition to other penalties imposed in this section, be fined not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds derived from the manufacture, packaging, holding, distribution, labeling, or license of such dietary supplement.” Those are very broad dictates and most likely subject to even broader interpretation.
The McCain bill would change existing mandatory serious adverse reporting regulations, requiring minor adverse effects to be reported as well so that the FDA could arbitrarily pull supplements off the shelves or reclassify them as drugs. This immediate recall authority would be granted to the “Secretary upon determination,” that there is a “reasonable probability” that the product is “adulterated” or “misbranded.” Adulterated in this bill takes on a whole new expanded definition: “A dietary supplement which contains a new dietary ingredient shall be deemed adulterated under section 402(f) unless there is a history of use or other evidence of safety.” The development of new products that contain newly discovered nutritional components may be entirely quashed.
The hypocritical contrast between the regulation of drugs that can kill and the proposed hyper-regulation for food products -- vitamins, minerals, herbs -- is as plain as the nose on everyone's face.
A Pandora’s box of intended and unintended legal complications and government harassment of nutritional supplement manufacturers and sellers could very well be unleashed if this bill is passed. There are already existing laws on the books that protect consumers from misbranded, fraudulent, or contaminated products. Granting the FDA additional regulatory authority over nutritional supplements seems a bit suspicious, especially considering the influence the enormous pharmaceutical industry has wielded over the research, development, and approval process inside the FDA. Let’s face it, the FDA has been no friend and often has been positively antagonistic toward the nutritional supplement industry. Therefore one wouldn’t set the wolf to guarding the sheep without dire consequences.
In this perverted overly-regulated country, food is now toxic, and drugs and chemicals are safe for ingestion, no matter the harm that results. This inversion should remind us that those who best have the consumers health and safety interests at heart are the consumers themselves. It is big government that has a proven track record of not protecting the public. And it is big government that is seeking to take away yet another individual freedom, the right to choose one’s own treatment. (Where is the pro-choice crowd on this one; the ones that claim, “my body, my choice?”)
Contact your federal legislators and urge them not to cosponsor, support, or vote for such a power-grabbing, bill. Let them know Americans want unrestricted access to nutritional supplements, and the government out of their health choices.
Sen. McCain described his bill as a “no brainer.” For constitutionalists it’s a “no brainer” that it should be rejected for the dictatorial, power-grabbing, choice-limiting attack on the nutritional marketplace and individual freedoms that it is.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Can Chiropractic Help Headaches?
Headaches are a common complaint in patients presenting for professional care, including chiropractic management. Patients with headaches seek chiropractic care because they find manipulation or adjustments applied to the cervical spine and upper back region are highly effective in reducing the intensity, frequency and duration of the headache pain. This is because the cervical spine / neck, is often the origin of the headache as the three nerves in the upper neck (C1, 2 and 3) pass through the thick, overly taught neck muscles in route to the scalp / head. When the muscles of the neck are in spasm, the nerves get “pinched” or squeezed by the overly tight muscles resulting in headache pain. Each nerve runs to a different part of the head and therefore, pain may be described as “…radiating over the top of head (sometimes into the forehead and eyes),” or, into the head and over the ear, sometimes reaching the temple. Also, an area located in the back and side of the head is the area where the C1 nerve innervates, so pain may also be reported in that location. When more than one of the C1-3 nerves is pinched, the whole side to the top of the head may be involved.
In the October 2009 issue of The Spine Journal, Western States Chiropractic College, Center for Outcomes Studies, reported benefits are obtained with the utilization of spinal manipulation in the treatment of chronic cervicogenic headaches. The word “chronic” means at least 3 months of headache pain has been present. This new study compared 2 different doses of therapy using several outcome measures including the pain grade, the number of headaches in the last 4 weeks and the amount of medication utilized. Data was collected every 4 weeks for a 24 week period and patients were treated 1-2 times/week and separated into either an 8 or a 16 treatment session with half the group receiving either spinal manipulative therapy or a minimal light massage (LM) control group.
The results of the study revealed the spinal manipulation group obtained better results than the control group at all time intervals. There was a small benefit in the group that received the greater number of treatments with the mean number of cervicogenic headaches reduced by 50% in both pain intensity and headache frequency.
The importance of this study is significant as there are many side effects to medications frequently utilized in the treatment of headaches. Many patients prefer not taking medications for this reason and spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) offers a perfect remedy for these patients. Couple SMT with dietary management, lifestyle modifications, stress management, and a natural, vitamin/herbal anti-inflammatory (such as ginger, turmeric, boswellia) when needed, a natural, holistic approach to the management of chronic headaches is accomplished.
In the October 2009 issue of The Spine Journal, Western States Chiropractic College, Center for Outcomes Studies, reported benefits are obtained with the utilization of spinal manipulation in the treatment of chronic cervicogenic headaches. The word “chronic” means at least 3 months of headache pain has been present. This new study compared 2 different doses of therapy using several outcome measures including the pain grade, the number of headaches in the last 4 weeks and the amount of medication utilized. Data was collected every 4 weeks for a 24 week period and patients were treated 1-2 times/week and separated into either an 8 or a 16 treatment session with half the group receiving either spinal manipulative therapy or a minimal light massage (LM) control group.
The results of the study revealed the spinal manipulation group obtained better results than the control group at all time intervals. There was a small benefit in the group that received the greater number of treatments with the mean number of cervicogenic headaches reduced by 50% in both pain intensity and headache frequency.
The importance of this study is significant as there are many side effects to medications frequently utilized in the treatment of headaches. Many patients prefer not taking medications for this reason and spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) offers a perfect remedy for these patients. Couple SMT with dietary management, lifestyle modifications, stress management, and a natural, vitamin/herbal anti-inflammatory (such as ginger, turmeric, boswellia) when needed, a natural, holistic approach to the management of chronic headaches is accomplished.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Spinal Stenosis: Symptoms and Treatment Options
According to the Mayo Clinic website…
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of one or more areas in your spine — most often in your upper or lower back. This narrowing can put pressure on your spinal cord or on the nerves that branch out from the compressed areas.
Spinal stenosis can cause cramping, pain or numbness in your legs, back, neck, shoulders or arms; a loss of sensation in your extremities; and sometimes problems with bladder or bowel function. Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by osteoarthritis-related bone damage. Spinal narrowing doesn't always cause problems. But if the narrowed areas compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves, you're likely to develop signs and symptoms. These often start gradually and grow worse over time.
The most common spinal stenosis symptoms include:
Pain or cramping in your legs. Compressed nerves in your lower (lumbar) spine can lead to a condition called pseudoclaudication, false claudication or neurogenic intermittent claudication, which causes pain or cramping in your legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk. The discomfort usually eases when you bend forward or sit down, but it persists if you continue to stand upright.
Another type of intermittent claudication (vascular claudication) occurs when there's a narrowing or blockage in the arteries in your legs. Although both types of claudication cause similar symptoms, they differ in two important ways: Vascular claudication becomes worse when you walk uphill and improves when you stand still. Pseudoclaudication is usually worse when going downhill and gets better when you lean forward or sit down.
Radiating back and hip pain. A herniated disk can narrow your spinal canal and compress nerves in your lumbar spine, leading to pain that starts in your hip or buttocks and extends down the back of your leg. The pain is worse when you're sitting and generally affects only one side. You may also experience numbness, weakness or tingling in your leg or foot. For some people, the radiating pain is a minor annoyance, but for others, it can be debilitating.
Pain in your neck and shoulders. This is likely to occur when the nerves in your neck (cervical spine) are compressed. The pain may occur only occasionally or it may be chronic, and it sometimes can extend into your arm or hand. In addition, the spinal cord is sometimes compressed, which can result in lower extremity weakness and difficulty walking. You also may experience headaches, a loss of sensation or muscle weakness.
Loss of balance. Pressure on the cervical spinal cord can affect the nerves that control your balance, resulting in clumsiness or a tendency to fall.
Loss of bowel or bladder function (cauda equina syndrome). In severe cases, nerves to your bladder or bowel may be affected, leading to partial or complete urinary or fecal incontinence. If you experience either of these problems, seek medical care right away.
Treatment Options:
The most common traditional treatment for spinal stenosis is surgery. The type of surgery will be dependent on the primary cause of your stenosis. The causes can include disc protrusions/herniations, thickening of the ligaments withing the spinal canal, osteoarthritis of the spinal joints, and other space occupying lesions within the spinal canal. If the primary cause of your stenosis is due to a disc bulge, protrusion, or herniation, then the DRX 9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression system may be able to reduce the severity of your spinal stenosis and relieve your symptoms. Call our office for a free consultation and assessment of your MRI or CT scan with Dr. Gordon. Call us at 734-9995.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of one or more areas in your spine — most often in your upper or lower back. This narrowing can put pressure on your spinal cord or on the nerves that branch out from the compressed areas.
Spinal stenosis can cause cramping, pain or numbness in your legs, back, neck, shoulders or arms; a loss of sensation in your extremities; and sometimes problems with bladder or bowel function. Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by osteoarthritis-related bone damage. Spinal narrowing doesn't always cause problems. But if the narrowed areas compress the spinal cord or spinal nerves, you're likely to develop signs and symptoms. These often start gradually and grow worse over time.
The most common spinal stenosis symptoms include:
Pain or cramping in your legs. Compressed nerves in your lower (lumbar) spine can lead to a condition called pseudoclaudication, false claudication or neurogenic intermittent claudication, which causes pain or cramping in your legs when you stand for long periods of time or when you walk. The discomfort usually eases when you bend forward or sit down, but it persists if you continue to stand upright.
Another type of intermittent claudication (vascular claudication) occurs when there's a narrowing or blockage in the arteries in your legs. Although both types of claudication cause similar symptoms, they differ in two important ways: Vascular claudication becomes worse when you walk uphill and improves when you stand still. Pseudoclaudication is usually worse when going downhill and gets better when you lean forward or sit down.
Radiating back and hip pain. A herniated disk can narrow your spinal canal and compress nerves in your lumbar spine, leading to pain that starts in your hip or buttocks and extends down the back of your leg. The pain is worse when you're sitting and generally affects only one side. You may also experience numbness, weakness or tingling in your leg or foot. For some people, the radiating pain is a minor annoyance, but for others, it can be debilitating.
Pain in your neck and shoulders. This is likely to occur when the nerves in your neck (cervical spine) are compressed. The pain may occur only occasionally or it may be chronic, and it sometimes can extend into your arm or hand. In addition, the spinal cord is sometimes compressed, which can result in lower extremity weakness and difficulty walking. You also may experience headaches, a loss of sensation or muscle weakness.
Loss of balance. Pressure on the cervical spinal cord can affect the nerves that control your balance, resulting in clumsiness or a tendency to fall.
Loss of bowel or bladder function (cauda equina syndrome). In severe cases, nerves to your bladder or bowel may be affected, leading to partial or complete urinary or fecal incontinence. If you experience either of these problems, seek medical care right away.
Treatment Options:
The most common traditional treatment for spinal stenosis is surgery. The type of surgery will be dependent on the primary cause of your stenosis. The causes can include disc protrusions/herniations, thickening of the ligaments withing the spinal canal, osteoarthritis of the spinal joints, and other space occupying lesions within the spinal canal. If the primary cause of your stenosis is due to a disc bulge, protrusion, or herniation, then the DRX 9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression system may be able to reduce the severity of your spinal stenosis and relieve your symptoms. Call our office for a free consultation and assessment of your MRI or CT scan with Dr. Gordon. Call us at 734-9995.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) – What, Why, How?
What? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS, is the most common of the peripheral nerve conditions where the median nerve is compressed or pinched at the wrist. The resulting symptoms include numbness/pain in the wrist, thumb, fingers (index, third, and part of fourth), multiple sleep interruptions due to hand/finger numbness requiring frequent shaking and flicking, difficulty in gripping or pinching such as buttoning a shirt, threading a needle, lifting a coffee cup, frequent dropping of objects, and the inability to perform work duties. Pain can even shoot up the arm towards the shoulder and into the neck. Because there are 9 tendons over which lies the median nerve that pass through the rather tight tunnel made up of the 8 carpal bones of the wrist, even a little swelling can create CTS.
WHY? There are many possible causes but in general, whether it’s swelling, a spur, or a metabolic condition, the common denominator is median nerve pinch in the confined space within the carpal tunnel. A common cause of swelling can occur with performing repetitive motion work such as line assembly, meat packing, carpentry, and so on, and over time, the tendons inside the tunnel inflame or swell and the median nerve is pressed into the ligament that crosses over the roof of the tunnel on the palm side of the wrist. Once the contents inside the carpal tunnel swell, all positions of the wrist other than neutral or, holding the wrist in line with the forearm further increases the pressure inside the tunnel. That is why sleeping with the wrist cocked in any direction often wakes up CTS patients. Those most at risk are women over 50 years of age. CTS can also be associated with other health conditions including (but not limited to) Lyme’s Disease, inflammatory arthritis, and hormone-related conditions including pregnancy, taking birth control pills (BCPs), hypothyroidism, diabetes, and menopause. Lifestyle issues that affect CTS may include high caffeine intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, as well as obesity.
HOW? So the key question is how are we going to help those with CTS? First, we must identify all the possible reasons why CTS developed in the first place and manage those issues. Therefore, an ergonomic (work place) assessment or, discussing and possibly observing the patient at work can be very helpful. Sometimes, a few simple changes to a work station such as moving the monitor of a computer in line with the keyboard/mouse or adjusting the height of the computer can really help. Changing a tool handle type (pistol vs. straight grip), propping up a part that is frequently worked on, moving the product closer to where it is being assembled, eliminate overhead reach requirements, standing on a raised platform, and so on, may be most important in long term results. Identifying and treating any condition that may be participating in the cause like thyroid disease, diabetes, medication (like BCPs), and weight management, is very important. Wearing a night splint is also very productive. Unique to chiropractic, treatments include manipulation of the neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and fingers, “cold” laser therapy (decreases inflammation and promotes healing of damaged nerve tissue), soft-tissue therapy including massage, mobilizing the forearm muscles and tendons, teaching carpal stretch and other upper extremity exercises, and nutritional counseling. Strategies here can include eliminating any suspected food allergy related products including dairy, glutens (wheat, oats, barley, rye), soy, corn, trans-fats, preservatives and some chemical additives. Increasing B-vitamins (especially B6), by increasing dark leafy vegetables and, increasing antioxidants including fruits and veggies. An anti-inflammatory vitamin regimen of fish oil, vitamin D3, magnesium, CoQ10, and a multiple vitamin/mineral may facilitate as well. Once CTS is controlled, preventing a recurrence is important by promoting good posture, exercise, and sticking with the life style adjustments described above. If you, a friend or family member requires care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services. For a free consultation, call our office at 386-734-9995.
WHY? There are many possible causes but in general, whether it’s swelling, a spur, or a metabolic condition, the common denominator is median nerve pinch in the confined space within the carpal tunnel. A common cause of swelling can occur with performing repetitive motion work such as line assembly, meat packing, carpentry, and so on, and over time, the tendons inside the tunnel inflame or swell and the median nerve is pressed into the ligament that crosses over the roof of the tunnel on the palm side of the wrist. Once the contents inside the carpal tunnel swell, all positions of the wrist other than neutral or, holding the wrist in line with the forearm further increases the pressure inside the tunnel. That is why sleeping with the wrist cocked in any direction often wakes up CTS patients. Those most at risk are women over 50 years of age. CTS can also be associated with other health conditions including (but not limited to) Lyme’s Disease, inflammatory arthritis, and hormone-related conditions including pregnancy, taking birth control pills (BCPs), hypothyroidism, diabetes, and menopause. Lifestyle issues that affect CTS may include high caffeine intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, as well as obesity.
HOW? So the key question is how are we going to help those with CTS? First, we must identify all the possible reasons why CTS developed in the first place and manage those issues. Therefore, an ergonomic (work place) assessment or, discussing and possibly observing the patient at work can be very helpful. Sometimes, a few simple changes to a work station such as moving the monitor of a computer in line with the keyboard/mouse or adjusting the height of the computer can really help. Changing a tool handle type (pistol vs. straight grip), propping up a part that is frequently worked on, moving the product closer to where it is being assembled, eliminate overhead reach requirements, standing on a raised platform, and so on, may be most important in long term results. Identifying and treating any condition that may be participating in the cause like thyroid disease, diabetes, medication (like BCPs), and weight management, is very important. Wearing a night splint is also very productive. Unique to chiropractic, treatments include manipulation of the neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and fingers, “cold” laser therapy (decreases inflammation and promotes healing of damaged nerve tissue), soft-tissue therapy including massage, mobilizing the forearm muscles and tendons, teaching carpal stretch and other upper extremity exercises, and nutritional counseling. Strategies here can include eliminating any suspected food allergy related products including dairy, glutens (wheat, oats, barley, rye), soy, corn, trans-fats, preservatives and some chemical additives. Increasing B-vitamins (especially B6), by increasing dark leafy vegetables and, increasing antioxidants including fruits and veggies. An anti-inflammatory vitamin regimen of fish oil, vitamin D3, magnesium, CoQ10, and a multiple vitamin/mineral may facilitate as well. Once CTS is controlled, preventing a recurrence is important by promoting good posture, exercise, and sticking with the life style adjustments described above. If you, a friend or family member requires care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services. For a free consultation, call our office at 386-734-9995.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Does Chiropractic Work? - What Do Insurance Companies Say?
If chiropractic care helps patients get better faster and costs the patient and/or insurance company less, shouldn’t EVERY low back pain patient FIRST see a chiropractor before any other type of doctor? That is in fact, what should be done, based on a recent report!
On October 20, 2009, a report was delivered on the impact on population, health and total health care spending. It was found the addition of chiropractic care for the treatment of neck and low back pain “…will likely increase value-for-dollar in US employer-sponsored health benefit plans.” Authored by an MD and an MD/PhD, and commissioned by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, the findings are clear; chiropractic care achieves higher satisfaction and superior outcomes for both neck and low back pain in a manner more cost effective than other commonly utilized approaches.
The study reviews the fact that low back and neck pain are extremely common conditions consuming large amounts of health care dollars. In 2002, 26% of surveyed US adults reported having back pain in the prior 3 months, 14% had neck pain and the lifetime prevalence of back pain was estimated at 85%. LBP accounts for 2% of all physician office visits where only routine examinations, hypertension, and diabetes result in more. Annual national spending is estimated at $85 billion in the US with an inflation-adjusted increase of 65% compared to 1997. Treatment options are diverse ranging from rest to surgery, including many various types of medications. Chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation and mobilization, is reportedly also widely utilized with almost half of all patients with persisting back pain seeking chiropractic treatment.
In review of the scientific literature, it is noted that 1) chiropractic care is at least as effective as other widely used therapies for low back pain; 2) Chiropractic care, when combined with other modalities such as exercise, appears to be more effective than other treatments for patients with neck pain. Other studies reviewed reported patients who had chiropractic coverage included in their insurance benefits found lower costs, reduced imaging studies, less hospitalizations, and surgical procedures compared to those with no chiropractic coverage. They then utilized a method to compare medical physician care, chiropractic physician care, physiotherapy-led exercise and, manipulation plus physiotherapy-led exercise for low back pain care. They found adding chiropractic physician care is associated with better outcomes at “…equivalent to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $1837 per QALY (Quality-adjusted Life Year).”
When combined with exercise, chiropractic physician care was also found to be very cost-effective when compared to exercise alone. This combined approach would achieve improved health outcomes at a cost of $152 per patient, equivalent to an “incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $4591 per QALY.” When comparing the cost effectiveness of chiropractic care with or without exercise even at 5 times the cost of the care they utilized in their analysis, it was still found to be “substantially more cost-effective” compared to the other approaches. It will be interesting given these findings if insurance companies and future treatment guidelines start to MANDATE the use of chiropractic FIRST – it would be in everyone’s best interest!
If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future. To contact our office directly, call 386-734-9995. For more information, check out our website at www.DrGordonOnline.net, or go to www.FCAChiro.org for a listing of chiropractors in your area.
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