America is Due for its Annual Chiropractic Check-Up

Dr. Eve Venturi treating Dr. Young

It’s a simple idea; maybe so simple as to be overlooked or misunderstood; but the annual chiropractic check-up is not only a concept whose time should have already come in America, but should have arrived at least 39 years ago.

Chiropractic was founded in America in 1895. In 1972 the US Congress voted to make chiropractic care available under Medicare. Chiropractic was clearly determined to be of value, for at least our elderly, 39 years ago. Recognizing that those under 65 years of age also have spines, and that degenerative diseases don't begin at 65, one might conclude that all American's would be benefited by chiropractic care.

We all know that it is wise to see our dentist each year, and we do so because of 4 factors: 1) we have teeth, 2) teeth  are known to become unhealthy and painful, 3) dentists specialize in treatment of the oral cavity, and 4) preventive care is less expensive and results in better oral health than that achieved by repairing damaged teeth.

The situation with chiropractors (doctors of chiropractic – DC) is a bit more complicated, because while we do specialize in treatment of the spine, we are also licensed as general practitioners, treating virtually all conditions, and being limited only in regard to the use of drugs and surgery. But, for the moment, let us focus on chiropractic expertise in spinal function and spinal health.

It would be reasonable for all Americans to have annual spinal check-ups provided by a spinal health expert; a chiropractor. The same 4 factors that drive the annual dental check-up, drive the need for the annual chiropractic check-up: 1) we have spines, 2) spines are known to become unhealthy and painful, 3) chiropractors specialize in the treatment of the spine, and 4) preventive care is less expensive and results in better spinal health than that achieved by repairing a damaged spine.

It is important to additionally consider that while dental problems can be very serious, their effect on our society, compared to the effect of spinal (back and neck) problems, is minor. Back pain is the second leading cause of lost work time, and was estimated to have cost America $100 billion in 1998.

Do you get at least one spinal check-up per year?

I am suggesting that our culture needs a chiropractic check-up, and a wake up to spinal health.

PS – I know that there are some doctors, other than chiropractors, that can provide excellent spinal evaluation. If you have one, then see her/him at least annually.

The Fox that is Guarding the Drug House May be Offshore

For a very long time it has been hard to feel a sense of trust in drug companies. This is true because there is so much money (imagine billions) to be made in drug sales, and because there has been so much evidence against, and conviction for fraud in the prescription drug world.

Things are not getting better, they are just going "offshore". Check out this Vanity Fair article that an MD friend sent me, about how the testing and safety of your drugs are becoming less tested and less safe.

http://m.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2011/01/deadly-medicine-201101?currentPage=all

So, what's the moral? It might be, to start learning about and practicing health, so that you have less need for drugs.

Our Commitment to Health 2011

You care about your health.

You care about your family's health.

Knowledge about health, taking care of yourself, and lifestyle are more important and more powerful than treatments or medical insurance.

Would you give 90 minutes each month of 2011, in Ventura, on the second Thursday of each month, from 7-8:30 PM to join with others in a commitment to learning about and practicing health? Would you pay, in advance, $2 per gathering?

We would be talking about food, pain, depression, sleep, relaxation, family, cancer, allergy, vitamins, behavior, and more.

Please take a moment and let me know if you would join this group? Other thoughts also appreciated. E-mail me at: kychiro@pacbell.net

Every Child Needs a Chiropractor

Every child deserves, and needs evaluation and treatment from a knowledgeable doctor of chiropractic (DC).

Proper function of the spine, and the muscles, nerves and connective tissues of which it is comprised, are critical to a child’s health and vitality. The most common spinal dysfunction that affects children is a gradual loss of motion and flexibility in the spinal joints. This loss can be a major factor in, or cause of back or neck pain. A knowledgeable DC is trained to diagnose this loss of mobility, often before pain occurs and before damage is detectable on an x-ray.

Back pain in children is very common. A 1994 Scandinavian study, by Trousler, showed that 51% of 1,174 school children had experienced back pain.

For most families in America, the two choices of practitioners to treat childhood spinal pain or spinal conditions are a DC and an MD (family practice or pediatrician). In my opinion, the best choice is a knowledgeable DC. DCs specialize in treatment of the spine, while neither family practice nor general pediatricians do. Additionally, MDs rarely address prevention of spinal problems, while prevention would always be a primary focus of a knowledgeable DC.

Turning 60 Consciously

Hello!

I want to let you know that I have established a new blog on which to share the daily writing of my new/first book entitled “Turning 60 Consciously ... With Something to Say”. http://turning60consciously.blogspot.com

Look for life-changing insights, wisdom and guidance in the areas of health, marriage, politics and more. Please consider reading along as I write this book during my 60th year.

In health,
Dr. Young

Some People Don't Like Worriers

I love worriers! They care, and are usually looking out for others, too.

Dr. Young

photo by angelic_shrek from Flickr

Fish Oil up -> Breast Cancer down

More evidence.

Researchers in the Public Health Sciences Division found regular use of fish oil supplements, which contain high levels of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, is associated with a 32 percent reduction in breast cancer risk. The findings—the first to demonstrate such a link—were published in the July issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

The research, led by Dr. Emily White and funded by the National Cancer Institute, adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements may play a role in preventing chronic disease.




http://www.fhcrc.org/about/pubs/center_news/online/2010/07/fish_oil_breast_cancer.html