National Chiropractic Health Month- October
Happy October!
October is National Chiropractic Health Month. All this month we are going to be updating you on this years theme. Staying Techno-healthy. Now this doesn’t mean we are bringing back Depeche Mode; but we are going to be showing you ways to keep your spine and body healthy as we use our smartphones, laptops, and sit at our desks more and more. What I find in practice and observing people in public is that almost everyone is using their smartphone with their shoulders slumped, neck bent forward and low back rolled under them, so they look like Mr. Burns from the Simpsons.
Below are some tips from an article by the American Chiropractic Association:
- Keep the mouse in front of you instead of at the side and closer to the body, reducing the distance you have to hold your arm while using the mouse
- Ensure the mouse is the proper size for your hand. Too small and you’ll squeeze to hard.
- Ensure you have a proper fitting chair and workstation
- Get up at least once per hour to reduce the strain put on your neck and wrist.
Attached is the article for further reading on some of the tips.
This month on October 18th we will be doing an in office workshop on proper ergonomic work station set-ups
that I recommend anyone to come to. We will post more details about the event in the next week.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Kris Royal
Chiropractor
Coconut Oil – It is Good For Your Health!
Coconut oil is a saturated fat. Saturated fats cause elevated cholesterol and this leads to heart disease, right? Well maybe, but maybe not with all saturated fats. Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid that is rapidly metabolized in the liver. Medium chain fatty acids are not associated with elevated cholesterol. Recent studies are suggesting that coconut oil may actually be good for your heart and your health. As I discuss this topic with patients I find that misinformation regarding heart disease and coconut oil is quite common. Most believe that coconut oil is bad. Current studies, however suggest that in countries where a large percentage of dietary fat consumption is in the form of coconut oil, heart disease rates are significantly lower.
Coconut oil has been shown to reduce LDL’s and elevate HDL’s thereby creating a healthier ratio of bad and good cholesterol. There is mounting evidence that chronic infection may be a contributing factor in coronary arteriosclerosis. Coconut oil has antimicrobial effects (kills bacteria and virus) and may reduce heart disease rates by eliminating these pathogens. The use of dietary coconut oil has been shown to reduce body fatand we all know that elevated body fat is bad for the heart. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory effects in the bodyand it is well established in the current studies in cardiology that inflammation plays a crucial role in coronary arteriolosclerosis.
For access to studies please go to http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/Coconut%20Research-Coconut%20Research%20Center.pdf
Bottom line: consumption of coconut oil is very likely a healthy choice. I began using coconut oil for cooking over 10 years ago. I consume coconut oil on a regular basis and believe that enough evidence exists to recommend my patients do the same.
I look forward to your comments.
Yours in Good Health,
Dr. Brian Graham
Chiropractor
Promote Better Health with Cherries
As a boy growing up in Eastern Washington I remember sneaking into the cherry orchards late at night with my neighborhood pals and eating cherries by the handful. As it turns out, this incredible fruit is not only delicious, it is also extremely beneficial for good health.
Cherries are rich sources of Vitamin C, Potassium and Boron (a mineral that plays an essential role in bone health, especially for women). Cherries have anti-inflammatory properties and help to naturally reduce arthritic pain and heart disease.
According to research done at Michigan State University the anthocyanins that make cherries red could also help relieve pain more effectively than aspirin. This research concludes that cherries are as good as ibuprofen and some of the nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs for people’s pain.
Another study from the University of California at Davis found that a single dose of cherries reduced blood level of uric acid in healthy women. Excess uric acid causes gout, a very painful type of arthritis. The use of cherries to prevent gout is well established in Western folk medicine.
Remember: always buy organic. Pesticides on conventionally grown cherries are difficult to remove making cherries #7 on the dirty dozen list of fruits and vegetables never to consume unless organic.
Yours in good health,
Dr. Brian Graham
Chiropractor
No Surgery Required
Over the years we have successfully treated hundreds of disc problems with conservative chiropractic care. Patients present with leg and arm pain, many with MRI verified disc herniations and chiropractic care combined with the fine work of Dr. Groven in our rehabilitation center gets most of these patients better. Years ago we were still referring about 30 to 40 percent of these cases for surgical intervention because our efforts just didn’t help everyone; however these referrals have dramatically declined over the past 5 years. Lumbar decompression using the DRX 9000 has made all the difference, reducing our referrals for surgery to less than 10 percent for lower back cases. Think about that. Less than 10 percent of disc herniations require surgery when proper conservative measures are employed.
I met a new patient yesterday. A 38 year old man who’s fitness level is in the top 2% for his age. The guy is an athlete. He was referred by his primary care physician for evaluation of his lower back. As of three weeks ago, he is a failed lower back surgical case. Sure, his lumbar microdiskectomy was a miracle for him just after the surgery back in 1992. He lasted almost 10 years and did very well. Now he is 38 years old. The effects of the heroic surgery have worn off and he is left with significant challenges. The surgery removed the pressure from his nerve and provided him immediate pain relief 10 years ago. The surgery also caused damage to the surrounding tissues and altered his neurology. The surgery didn’t treat the biomechanical cause of his disc herniation, it only removed the nerve pressure thereby effectively treating his symptoms. His entire lumbar spine was left under abnormal biomechanical load and over time degenerative disease set in. THIS GUY IS 38 YEARS OLD and his story is not unique. The majority of lower back surgical interventions eventually do fail and those patients are left with more problems than they started with. The 10 good years he reaped from this surgery really amounts to nothing for this 38 year old athletic man I met yesterday. Fortunately there is hope. The chiropractic adjustment he received yesterday made his pain more tolerable. He, like most guys in his situation, felt better after treatment. I am hopeful that with the resources we have at our center, we can help. But I sure do wish I could have got my hands on him before the surgery.
A recent study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics entitled Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study, compares chiropractic care with surgical intervention for MRI verified lower back disc herniations. The study concluded that “Sixty percent of patients with sciatica who had failed other medical management benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention. Of 40% left unsatisfied, subsequent surgical intervention confers excellent outcome. Patients with symptomatic LDH failing medical management should consider spinal manipulation followed by surgery if warranted.” FANTASTIC RESULTS!! But here is the deal. That 40% that didn’t respond to good chiropractic care (these researchers used side posture adjustments just like we use), would likely respond to decompression therapy on the DRX 9000. There are currently 6 patients in the clinic rehabilitating with decompression therapy. All 6 failed to get better under chiropractic care alone and these patients would have been sent off to the surgeon had they participated in this study. Instead they began a course of decompression. All 6 are responded favorably and will avoid surgery. The problem is being solved. No surgery. No scar tissue. No long term disability.
Bottom line: DON’T LET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY GET SURGERY WITHOUT TRYING THIS FIRST. There is virtually no need to have lower back surgery these days. It’s archaic and will soon be discarded. Years ago everyone with a sore throat needed their tonsils removed and hysterectomy was common place. Disc surgery will fall by the way side because there are other treatments that are more effective, less invasive, less expensive and provide better long term outcomes. Chiropractic works.
Please send me your comments.
Yours in Good Health,
Dr. Brian Graham
Chiropractor
Wellness Week update
So yesterday I mentioned we have Wellness Week starting on Monday. Below is the schedule as well as some of the activities we will have on hand.
Monday May 23rd will be Movement Monday
- be prepared to move it or lose it.
Tuesday May 24th is Touch your Toes Tuesday and Wellness Talk
- Come test your flexibility and join a talk at 6pm on improving and attaining a higher level of wellness.
Wednesday May 25th is Wellness Wednesday
- This day is all about figuring out your wellness goals. Patients are encouraged to ask the doctor questions about your health and wellness goals.
- We are also giving away a complimentary stability ball to anyone who refers a friend or family member who calls to schedule during this week.
Thursday May 26th is Thirsty for Water Thursday
- Learn about proper hydration and spinal disc health.
Friday May 27th is Fight Free Radical Friday
- Come learn how to prevent free radical formation and improve your nutrition to keep your cells healthy.
- We will have some samples and surprises in the office that day so feel free to stop on by. It is supposed to be SUNNY on Friday so fight those free radicals!
Looking forward to seeing many of you this upcoming week. Feel free to stop by anytime and see what is new for the day.
Best of Health,
Dr. Kristopher Royal
On May 5 we celebrated our 19th year at the same location in downtown Seattle. With each anniversary I make a point of taking the time to reflect, give thanks and set new goals for the year ahead. This past year brought some dramatic changes in our center with the addition of two incredibly talented practitioners, Drs. Saunders and Royal, as well as the addition to two staff members who are vitally important, Carin and Marissa. The core has not changed with Paige’s bright and cheery face gracing our front desk, Sharon doing her diligent work in the back office, Laurel’s incredible talents as a myotherapist and of course “The King of Rehab”, Dr. Groven working miracles in the rehabilitation department. I find myself surrounded by incredibly talented people who have made it their mission to provide our patients with a quality holistic experience. Without a doubt, this is the best team I have ever had the pleasure of working with. So things have changed from our humble beginnings on that May 5th day in 1992 when I opened the doors with only one staff member.
The chiropractic profession has also changed significantly over the past 19 years gaining more and more acceptance in the health care community. I’m finding that chiropractic is not just gaining acceptance, its gaining respect. As an avid student of health care, I find myself reading more and more studies demonstrating how effective and powerful chiropractic is. While not news to me, this information is definitely having an impact on how we as chiropractors are viewed by the public and our medical piers.
In a recent study published in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 2011, the lead medically trained researcher made some comments that really drives this point home. The results of the study were not much different then dozens of other studies published in the past several years have concluded: Chiropractic is more effective than any other form of treatment for back pain.
- Chiropractic gets people out of pain faster
- Chiropractic keeps people pain free longer
- Chiropractic lowers health care cost
- Chiropractic reduces time loss from work
- Chiropractic reduces long term disability
- IN SHORT: CHIROPRACTIC WORKS!!
What struck me in this article is that this medical researcher found that patients who treated without the interference of their medical doctor recovered better. He found that when the medical doctor co-treated the patient with pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs, patients took longer to get out of pain and back to work. He found that co-treated patients (and medically treated patients) were more likely to be permanently disabled. This author further implied that when some patient’s in the study began to see a chiropractic physician, they relied on their medical doctor less in general. He even had a term for this. He called these patients “chiropractic loyalist” and stated that patients who appeared to be “chiropractic loyalist” generally did better than others in the study. Interesting.
During an initial consultation this week I met a new patient who had a variety of health issues. She suffers from back and neck pain prompting her visit, but she also struggles with digestive disorders, poor energy and difficulty in losing weight since delivering her 2nd child. She was frustrated, emotional and sick and tired of being sick and tired. After a 50 minute consultation and examination with her she said something very revealing about the state of health care in our country. She said that in her medical doctor’s office there is a sign on the wall in the exam room that informs patients that they must limit their complaints to one primary condition in an effort to save time. She shared her experience with that visit where she got about 5 minutes to speak with her doctor, was never physically touched and then left her office with yet another prescription for medications she was tired of taking. This patient was looking for someone who could help her, she didn’t care what letters they have after their name. I believe that she has already become a “chiropractic loyalist”.
Health defined: “Health is a state of optimal physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Crisis management with chemicals is not health care!
As I reflect on this last year I have others to pay tribute to, my patients and the patients who frequent our center. Many have become “chiropractic loyalist” and are now experiencing a vital, energetic and pain free life. They practice health care not crisis management. They limit medication use and seek alternatives to invasive procedures. They are advocates for holistic health care and find our center a vital resource in assisting them in their health care goals.
Our team is truly lucky to have the opportunity to serve our patients who are “chiropractic loyalist”. More and more people are using the services in our office to remain healthy and avoid crisis. They are taking responsibility for their own health in a proactive way and not using pain as their guide. Health is a journey, not a destination. You are either working to remain healthy or you are gradually heading toward crisis.
Please share your thoughts.
Yours in Good Health,
Dr. Brian Graham “chiropractic loyalist”
Wellness Week May 23rd-May27th
Hey everyone!
We at Graham Rehab are celebrating Wellness Week starting on Monday May 23rd. Everyday will be a new theme at the office to further inform you on ways to stay healthy and improve the quality of our lives for this summer and the future. Each day will be focused on wellness and include some activities in the office when you come in. We will be giving away prizes and useful information to increase your health and wellness.
So what’s on hand?
Check back tomorrow for more details about the upcoming week
Best of Health,
Dr. Kris Royal
