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Alternative medicine lowers risk of heart disease 
Alternative medicine has a preventive and therapeutic role in cardiovascular disease. Medical physicians, including cardiologists, describe their use of alternative therapy as integrative medicine. Chiropractic physicians describe their use of alternative therapy as complementary medicine. This terminology probably reflects the perspective of each physician in the health care milieu; the medical doctor, at the top of the healthcare pecking order, chooses to integrate the research and methods of other practitioners. The chiropractor, who is the leading provider of alternative healthcare, decribes medical interventions that are complementary to traditional medicine. "Cardiologists are coming around," says Dr. Howard Sacher, Chief of Cardiology at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, as reported in the January 2003 Holistic Primary Care. "We're validating and vindicating a lot of so- called 'alternative' approaches, and we realize that some of these things really do make sense." Today, alternative medicine is used routinely in combination with healthy diet and moderate exercise to reduce high cholesterol numbers to a doctor-recommended level, and even patients with advanced coronary artery disease benefit from their use. The commonly prescribed nutrients include, omega- 3 fatty acids, folic acid, vitamins B3, B6 and B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, selenium and chromium. Cardiovascular health comes primarily through a combination of a healthy and balanced diet, moderate exercise to maintain optimal weight and positive change in the emotional patterns that affect the way you think and feel about yourself. Dietary changes can be simple, such as eating fewer high-fat foods and more foods that naturally lower cholesterol, like oats, whole grains, vegetables and soy. Aerobic exercise is an excellent way to increase "good" cholesterol and control your weight; it can be as easy as going for walks or taking stairs instead of an elevator. If you're ambitious, join a gym or explore new sports. The important thing is to eat healthy, delicious foods and do things you like to do with friends, family and community. People who feel connected to a supportive and nurturing community have lower illness and death rates. - KA Morgensen, DC Full Article | Printable Version | Article Archive Whiplash and trauma resulting from motor vehicle collisions In June of 2006, I attended the International Whiplash Trauma Congress presented by the Spinal Injury Foundation, and co-sponsored by Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine's Center for Health Communities and, my alma mater, Western States Chiropractic College. The speakers were a prestigious multidisciplinary faculty from biomechanics, chiropractic, engineering, epidemiology, medicine and neurophysiology. I am very impressed by the commitment of the international community to study whiplash and other motor vehicle crash- related injuries, and to share the trauma research and the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment. 
The presentations addressed innovative issues, such as, the effects of head restraint types and injury complaints in low impact collisions and why some patients do not recover after a whiplash injury. I was very interested in the issues of posttraumatic stress disorder following whiplash injury, health outcomes following whiplash-associated disorders and the clinical and biomechanical aspects of rear impact induced trauma, because I routinely address these issues with my trauma patients and with personal injury attorneys who request my professional opinion. Two new U.S. research studies reported on the effectiveness of chiropractic management for patients with acute and chronic neck pain, regardless of causation. In general, chiropractic treatment focuses on correcting specific joint and soft tissue dysfunction that underlies the pain and disability, and the chiropractic adjustment, which comprises specific joint manipulation and other manual procedures for joints and soft-tissues, has a central role in the treatment plan. Additional research reported that the combination of chiropractic manipulative treatment, soft-tissue release techniques and rehabilitative exercise is more effective in the management of whiplash injury than conventional physiotherapy treatment. I routinely employ this therapeutic approach in my management of neck and back pain patients, with successful outcomes. I am encouraged by the research evidence supporting my therapeutic goal-- to integrate the relief of symptoms with the restoration of normal function, and progress my patients toward functional independence. - KD Queen, DC |
Did you know?
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) largely comprises the healing arts of acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathic medicine and massage therapy. From 1990 to 1997, CAM usage in the U.S. increased approximately 47%, to 629 million CAM users by 1997. Expenditures for CAM services also rose by an estimated 45%, which totaled $21 billion. By 2002, approximately 1 in 3 adults were CAM patients. No word yet on whether or not they were insured. -KA Morgensen, DC From Perceptions about Complementary Therapies Relative to Conventional Therapies among Adults Who Use Both: Results from a National Survey. David M. Eisenberg, et al. Annals of Internal Medicine, 4 September 2001.135(5):344-51.
Plantar fasciitis If you or someone you know was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, but all you can remember is that it's called "plantar- something," I can help you with this; the words can be broken down easily to explain the condition. Plantar means bottom of the foot. Fascia means fibrous tissue that supports muscle and skin. The suffix, -itis, means inflammation. Put them all together (after you drop the "a" from fascia) and you have a word that is also a diagnosis, inflammation of the supporting tissue on the bottom of the foot. Easy, right? Perhaps, if you don't suffer from the condition. Plantar fasciitis is very painful and it can take a long time to heal. 
Plantar fasciitis is caused by over pronation of your foot. Over pronation happens when you roll your foot to the inside (toward your big toe) when you walk. This occurs in some people, who have a very low foot arch, and others who have increased body weight that weakens the legs and feet over time; their feet compensate by over pronating during walking, running or just standing around. Runners often experience foot pain from the repetitive stress of running, and they need to protect their feet from over pronation with quality shoes. People who stand all day and those who have chronically tight calf muscles or tightness in the Achilles tendon are predisposed to plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is preventable. Most people know if they have a low foot arch, or flat foot. These individuals can do exercises to strengthen their arch or they can purchase custom orthotics and over- the- counter shoe supports to alleviate the strain on their plantar fascia. Maintaining a healthy weight, using the proper shoes for exercise and recreation and taking frequent breaks from standing are essential to prevent and manage this condition. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, the best self- help for pain relief is the application of ice to the sole of your foot. Ice acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, and mild stretching of the plantar fascia will help to alleviate pain. Be sure to talk to your health care provider before you take anti- inflammatory medication. There are many effective and safe alternative medicines to nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). I use herbal medicine and homeopathic drugs in my practice and my patients think they are very beneficial. You should also make an appointment with your health care provider to talk about your condition and the possible causes. Be sure to bring your exercise or recreation shoes to the office visit, and take notes: much of your treatment is self- directed at home or the office. If you need custom orthotics, take heart; many insurance plans provide some benefit for this service when your chiropractor or podiatrist provides it. Chiropractic physicians are trained to evaluate foot alignment and to adjust the bones of your ankle, foot and toes. Ask your chiropractor to look at your feet, your shoes, and how you stand, walk, and run. Your feet are very important, and let's face it, nobody wants their feet to ache at the end of the day. - P Domm, DC, ATC |
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