OK, so I haven’t written a newsletter since June because I was away from my desk!

On June 10th & 11th, Marcia and I traveled to Reno, Nevada to attend our annual CCA (California Chiropractic Association) Convention (more on that later).

Then, at the end of June, my family and I spent one glorious week camping and hiking in the high Sierra. There was still plenty of snow at 9300 ft…enough to pack a beautiful trout back down the trail for dinner!

This curious little marmot hung around our camp one day. Apparently we were in it’s home. Kinda cute for a large rodent!

As you can see, my favorite gym is the great outdoors. I hope you’re also enjoying a wonderful summer and taking every opportunity to get outdoors and play!

Dr. Pamela Wells

Free Exercise Workshops

We’ll be presenting our final workshop of a 3 part series at Relax-The-Back in Sunnyvale on Tuesday, August 17th at 7 pm. We’re calling it “Stretch your Stress Away.” After a short presentation, we’ll perform stretches together, using sticks as aids to provide support and leverage. Stick stretching is a fun and easy way to get started with a stretching program. If you’ve never tried it before, you’re in for a treat!

Wear loose comfortable clothing and good athletic shoes. We’ll provide the sticks.

Call Marcia at 408-737-0330 to sign up. This class is filling up, so don’t delay!

Back to School

No, not the kids, but Marcia and Dr. Wells. We took 2 packed days of classes at the CCA Convention. Dr. Wells has nearly completed her 50 hour certification program in the 100 Year Lifestyle.

Marcia took a class for Chiropractic Assistants, and to our delight, discovered that our office policies and procedures are pretty much as recommended! Of course, we can always strive to be better, and we had lively discussions on the drive home about changes we’d like to make.

Dr. Wells took classes on National Healthcare Reform, Fitness and Rehab and Upper Extremity Adjusting. She even took early morning Yoga class. Below is a sampling of the information presented…

If it Hurts, Move it!

We instinctively know this. When we bump an elbow or pull a muscle, we automatically rub it or “shake it off.” But did you know that science supports the idea that joint motion relieves pain?

When sensors in muscles, tendons and ligaments are stimulated by joint movement, they send nerve signals to the spinal cord with information telling your muscles how to react to changes in position, stretch or tension. Scientists call these responses “motor programs.”. These “mechanical” nerve signals cross-over in the spinal cord with signals from pain sensors. It is here that the sensory information is integrated and it is here that the mechanical nerve signals “inhibit,” or prevent some of the pain signals from reaching the part of the brain (sensory cortex) where conscious pain perception resides.

So you see, moving a joint really does relieve pain! Not only that, but stretching and exercising regularly improves joint function. And when a joint is “stuck” or restricted so that you cannot fully move it yourself, Chiropractic adjustments can restore normal joint motion and function. In fact, the “high velocity, low amplitude” force of the adjustment has been shown to normalize signals coming from injured joints and effectively “reset” incorrect motor programs. How’s that for a “reset” button?

Price D., Psychological and neural mechanisms of pain. New York: Raven Press, 1988:76-99.

Pickar, JG, DC, PhD, Kang, YM, PhD, Paraspinal muscle spindle responses to the duration of a spinal manipulation under force control. JMPT 2006; 22-31

Food Rules

#1. Avoid foods that are pretending to be something they are not.

#2. Avoid foods that you see advertised on television.

#3. If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.

by Michael Pollan

This summer I invite you to forget the workout and get outside and play instead. Maybe I’m dating myself, but when I was a kid, we spent our summers doing cartwheels, twirling hula hoops and running through the sprinklers. We threw the ball around, played rousing games of “pickle,’ and had contests to see who’s cannonball made the biggest splash. We got plenty of exercise but were having too much fun to notice.

So turn off those pesky computers and electronic toys and get outdoors this summer! Long days and warm temperatures mean you can go for an evening hike or bike ride and plan a family picnic and badminton game for the weekend. For more information on county parks, go to parkhere.org.

Dr. Pamela Wells

Free Workshops

We’re continuing our exercise workshops at the Sunnyvale Relax-The-Back store with a series of classes on Tuesdays at 7 pm. All classes are part lecture, part practice and all fun! You’ll learn key anatomy and exercise concepts to get you started or to help you move on to the next level. All classes are appropriate for beginner to intermediate exercisers. Advanced pupils can still learn a thing or two and can ask for more challenging variations.

June 22: Banish Back Pain with Balls! Learn simple stability ball exercises for quick relief and lasting results. Bring your stability ball.

July 20: Nix Neck and shoulder Pain! Exercise with bands and balls for better posture and quick relief. Bring your stability ball. We’ll supply the bands.

August 17: Stretch your Stress Away. Melt away your stress with simple stretches for total body relaxation.

Call Marcia at 408-737-0330 to sign up. Space is limited so don’t delay!

Out of the Office - Mark your Calendar!

Our office will be closed this Thursday and Friday, June 10th and 11th for the CCA annual convention in Reno, Nevada. Dr. Wells will be continuing classes to become certified as a 100 Year Lifestyle practitioner and Marcia will be attending a program for Chiropractic Assistants.

We will be closed the week of June 28th for summer vacation. Dr. Wells will be camping with her family in the high Sierra just north of Mono Lake. She’s looking forward to high country hiking, trout fishing and good books.

An on-call doctor will be available while we’re away. Call our office for contact information.

Hoop It Up!

Talk about fun! Hula hooping isn’t just for kids anymore. Fitness centers are adding “hooping” classes and adult size, weighted hoops make it easier to master. Hooping strengthens your core, gluteal muscles and legs. It’s a great warm up for running or circuit training or can be a stand alone cardiovascular exercise.

Go to hooping.org for more information on how to get started and even how to make your own hoop.

The 100 Year Lifestyle

“If you knew you’d live to be 100, how would you change your life?” Whether you want to or not, chances are you will live well into your 90s and beyond. While our parents and grandparents may have been blindsided by their longevity- and suffered for it- that doesn’t have to happen to you.

Aging can be a good thing…the opportunity to realize your dreams and establish a remarkable legacy. But if you don’t like where you’re headed, it’s not too late to make some healthy changes and transform your life.

Try this. Calculate your “Empire” or MPYR (Minimum Potential Years Remaining) by subtracting your current age from the age of the oldest grandparent in your family. 100yearlifestyle.com

Have a Soda-Free Summer

If you or your children are still drinking sodas, summer is the perfect time to say “good riddance!” As more and more adults and children struggle with obesity, doctors are targeting sodas and sweetened drinks, the largest source of sugar in the American diet.

To help families make the switch, several local health organizations have teamed up to create the Soda-Free Summer campaign. They encourage water as your best choice to stay hydrated during the hot summer days. Try it with a squeeze of lemon or sliced strawberries for a refreshing change. Go to sodafreesummer.org to track your soda-free days and enter to win cool prizes.

What About Diet Soda?
Don’t be fooled by slick marketing encouraging diet or sugar-free drinks as a healthy alternative. Artificial sweeteners are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar and trick your brain into craving even more sweet stuff.

Why is High Fructose Corn Syrup so Bad?
A recent study by Duke University Medical Center found that increased consumption of high fructose corn syrup (the sweetener found in most drinks) was associated with scarring or fibrosis of the liver in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Even more alarming is that doctors are seeing more and more children being diagnosed with NAFLD, a condition for which there is no treatment.

Fructose, naturally found in fruits and vegetables, is metabolized differently than glucose. There is no insulin response to convey it into cells to be used as energy. Fructose is metabolized in the liver, which turns it into glucose first, and then if there is no need for glucose, into triglycerides (fat).

Food Rules

by Michael Pollan

# Avoid foods that have some sort of sugar (or sweetener) listed among the top 3 ingredients.

# Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce.

# Buy your snacks at the farmer’s market.

And we’re starting to see that tell-tale sign of spring…gardening injuries! In this issue, I’ll share why I like to garden and my Top Ten Tips for a green thumb and a healthy back.

I’m also delighted to announce that we are partnering with Relax The Back Sunnyvale to be able to present our monthly Core Training Workshop in a larger space this month. If you haven’t been to this workshop yet, or know someone who is interested in attending, please give us a call.
Dr. Pamela Wells

Upcoming Events

Core Training Workshop - Free Earth Day Event!
oin us on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2010 at 7 pm at Relax The Back Sunnyvale as Dr. Wells leads an introductory class on Core Training with Stability Balls.The class will include a discussion of key concepts and anatomy as well as a group exercise session. There will be time for questions and answers after the class.

Bring your stability ball & dress to move. Refreshments will be provided.

Call Marcia at 408-737-0330 to sign up. Space is limited so don’t delay!
Relax The Back Sunnyvale is discounting environmentally friendly Natural Fitness exercise mats all month. Call 408-737-2225 for details or go to relaxtheback.com.

Posture Perfect

with Core Training and Stability Balls

Your mother was right; posture does matter! Good posture encourages deeper breathing, aids focus and concentration, reduces muscle fatigue, decreases risk of injury and promotes healthy aging. In addition, strong core muscles are essential to supporting good posture and protecting your back from injuries during daily activities such as bending and lifting.

So why do so few people sit and stand with good posture? Simply put, because we’ve forgotten how! From the time we’re in Kindergarten we spend much of our time sitting in chairs. We hunch over keyboards, sit in cars and sit to watch T.V. Certain muscles shorten while others weaken, and we lose the neural connections to the core muscles that support healthy postures. And when we attempt to sit or stand properly we have difficulty activating these supporting muscles.

Re-training your core musculature is easy with the aid of stability balls. Sitting on a stability ball naturally encourages good posture, while the unpredictable movement of the ball causes your core muscles to contract automatically. If they didn’t, you might end up on the floor!

It is also helpful to perform core exercises that emphasize strength and endurance in balance and natural movements such as bending. Try taking a class in Yoga or Pilates, or work with a certified fitness trainer who specializes in core training.

Celebrate Earth Day - April 22nd, 2010

There are many simple things you can do on Earth Day and every day to celebrate and protect our planet. Plant a garden. Buy what you can’t grow at your local Farmer’s Market. And carry it all home in your own canvas bags.

Click here for more ideas on how to celebrate earth day.

Why I garden

My backyard is my gym. Bending, lifting and digging can be legitimate exercise. And there are many studies linking gardening to increased bone density and longevity. When I’m outdoors I can watch the butterflies and listen to the birds singing. Gardening is also my therapy.

I love to eat! And nothing tastes better that just picked tomatoes, still warm from the sun. I love the convenience of picking my dinner just before I prepare it.

I feel good about doing something good for our planet in small but tangible ways. I compost my kitchen scraps, reducing waste and putting nutrients back into the soil. I don’t use chemical pesticides and no fossil fuels were consumed shipping my food to the local grocery store.
When I’m gardening, I’m fit, well fed and happy!

Getting Started. My Top Ten Tips

1. Start with good soil. If you haven’t started composting yet, buy some good garden soil. Good soil is easier to work, holds water better and grows healthier plants.

2. Start small. It’s easy to get in over your head. Gardening should be fun and rewarding, not a chore.

3. Grow vegetables that you love to eat. Tomatoes are the best bet. They’re easy, prolific and scrumptious.

4. Ask questions. Go to a local nursery for recommendations. Or go to mastergardeners.org.

5. Plant perennials. Lavender, rosemary and oregano are very easy and last for years.

6. Plant in raised beds or pots. Gardening is less tiring on your back if you can reduce the amount of bending and squatting you must do.

7. Use the right tools for the job. Use gloves to protect your hands.

8. Drink plenty of water.
9. Treat gardening like exercise. Warm up, take breaks when you’re tired and stretch afterwards.

10. Use your core muscles. Bend with your legs and not your back. Don’t know how? Come to our core workshop!

Chiropractic Included in Healthcare Reform

Preventive care such as chiropractic makes sense both clinically and economically, so I’m happy to report that chiropractic has been included in several important provisions of the National Healthcare Reform legislation that was signed into law by President Obama on Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

Most important is a provider non-discrimination provision which makes it against federal law for insurance companies to discriminate against doctors of chiropractic and other providers relative to their participation and coverage in health plans.

Additionally, Doctors of Chiropractic are included as potential members of interdisciplinary community health teams designed to enhance patient care, wellness and lifestyle improvements. Chiropractors are also included in the newly established National Health Care Workforce Commission to provide comprehensive, unbiased information to Congress and the Obama Administration about how to align federal resources with national needs.

For more information go to palmer.edu.

And I’m excited to inform you that the role of chiropractic in the Olympics continues to expand with the first ever inclusion of chiropractic in the Olympic Village Polyclinic and the appointment of Bill Moreau, D.C. to director of sports medicine clinics for the USOC. A few years ago I had the privilege of taking a class on adjusting the lower extremity by Dr. Moreau. I was impressed by the depth of his knowledge and experience and am pleased to see his appointment.
I’m inspired! I think I’m going to put on my roller blades and pretend I’m speed skating…

Dr. Pamela Wells

Train like an Olympian!
You can bet all the Olympic athletes have strong core muscles.
We can show you how to strengthen your core muscles too at our monthly free Core Exercise Class. This is a great introduction if you are new to core exercise, but we can also challenge those who are ready for more.

Our next class is Tuesday, March 9th from 7-8 pm at our office. Shani Davis
Guests are invited, but space is limited so please sign up with Marcia; 408-737-0330.

Next month our class will be on Thursday, April 8th.

Chiropractic at the Olympics
For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, included chiropractic care inside the Olympic Village Polyclinic, a multi-disciplinary facility that offers comprehensive health care and medical services. Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.s) have historically been included on the Olympic medical staff, but the 2010 Winter Olympics is the first time that D.C.’s from the host country treated athletes and officials from around the world directly inside the Polyclinic.

“This is an historic event not only for the chiropractic profession, but also the athletes who will now have access to the care that will help them prepare their bodies for competition,” stated Michael Reed, D.C., MS, DACBSP, and Team USA Medical Director (USOC). “These athletes train hard and endure significant physical demands. Sports-focused D.C.s, along with other members of the sports medicine team, are specially skilled to assist them in reaching peak performance.”

Throughout the years, chiropractic has become a mainstay in the care of world-class athletes, leading to a growing number of D.C.s included in the Olympic Games. Countless athletes attribute the care they receive from their chiropractors — working along-side other health care professionals – as a key to properly preparing their bodies to perform optimally.

Source: Press release from the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. www.foundation4cp.com

DC named Director of USOC Sports Medicine Clinics
In December 2009, Bill Moreau, D.C., DACBSP was named director of sports medicine clinics for the USOC, overseeing the clinics at the U.S. Olympic training centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., Chula Vista, Calif., and Lake Placid, N.Y.

Dr. Moreau was among the team of 5 medical professionals working with short track speed skater J.R. Celski to get back on the ice after his skate blade sliced a 6 inch wide gash in his leg in September. Celski went on to win a bronze medal in the men’s 1500 meter short track event.

Dr. Moreau and his team were featured in a Feb. 14 Seattle Times article about Celski.

What’s wrong with this picture?
Did anyone else take offense to the diet Coke ads during the Olympics promoting awareness of heart health?

Are we to believe that Coke is good for your heart?.. a product with an ingredient list that reads like a chemistry experiment?!! Apparently, using artificial sweeteners instead of sugar qualifies Coke as a “heart healthy” food!

It turns out that Diet Coke is the most prominent sponsor of the Heart Truth campaign, of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has issued a letter to the NHLBI asking the agency to end its partnership with Coca-Cola in the program. In a statement, Michael Jacobson, executive director of the center compared the sponsorship with allowing Phillip Morris to fund a government anti-smoking campaign.

“Coca-Cola promotes heart disease by marketing drinks that contribute to obesity,” Mr. Jacobson wrote. “Coke has long sought to affiliate with or co-opt health groups and associate its brand with athletes and models. I fervently hope that N.H.L.B.I. officials understand that letting Coke bask in their agency’s good reputation does American hearts far more harm than good.” well.blogs.nytimes

While I’m on this rant, are we really supposed to believe that Olympic athletes eat at McDonalds? And what is a chicken McNugget anyway? Hint: Only one of its 38 ingredients is chicken. 13 ingredients are derived from corn (binders, emulsifiers, fillers, preservatives and partially hydrogenated corn oil) while several completely synthetic ingredients (leavening agents, antioxidants, anti-foaming agents) come from petroleum refineries and chemical plants.
“A Full serving of Nutrition Facts,” pamphlet published by McDonald’s (2003)

If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.
Avoid foods you see advertised on television.

Eat only foods that will eventually rot.

There was an abundance of timely news this month, so I’ll keep this short. Whether you were rooting on Sunday for the Saints or the Colts, I hope you’ll enjoy reading what Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith have to say about chiropractic care.

So many books…so little time! The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout is just out, In Defense of Food is the 2010 choice of Silicon Valley Reads and Food Rules is just plain fun. So start reading and start getting healthy!

And if you’re tired of ads for all the things you need to buy to tell your Valentine how you feel, you’ll find what kids have to say on the subject surprisingly refreshing. Enjoy!

Dr. Pamela Wells

Core Classes Continue
Join us for a free Introductory Core Exercise Class in our office during the second week of each month from 7 to 8 pm. This is a great introduction for people who are new to core exercise but we can also challenge those who are ready for more.

Our next class will be Thursday, February 11th. Guests are invited, but space is limited so please sign up with Marcia.

Next month our class will be on Tuesday, March 9th.

Rice and Smith on Chiropractic
Last Saturday, the NFL announced the newest incoming class of the pro football hall of fame. Among the 7 inductees are two huge chiropractic advocates; Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith.

Emmitt Smith is the leading rusher in NFL history. A perennial Pro Bowler and three time Super Bowl Champion, when he retired with over 18,000 yards, Smith said, “I thank God, my family and my chiropractor.” Chiropractic care not only helped him heal quickly from injuries but he also used chiropractic care as a part of his lifestyle and training regime to keep functioning at the top of his game.

Jerry Rice is the game’s most prolific receiver and also a three time Super Bowl Champion. He played in the NFL for 20 years, quite an accomplishment considering the average NFL career spans only 3.5 years. Despite all his records and accomplishments, Jerry Rice is perhaps best known for his desire to succeed and his willingness to do whatever it takes to be the best.

Jerry Rice initially sought chiropractic care because of a crisis after being injured on the field. After learning about the benefits of chiropractic care from his teammates, he made it a regular part of his training routine. Jerry Rice currently serves as official spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the value of chiropractic care to the public. Says Rice, “I’ve enjoyed considerable longevity as a professional athlete. I am now working on longevity in life. Chiropractic care has been and continues to be a key element of my game plan.”

100 Year Lifestyle Workout
The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout, by Eric Plasker, D.C. is now available in bookstores. This lifestyle, nutrition, and fitness program is designed to get you in the best shape of your life regardless of your age, and keep you that way for a lifetime. The book is full of practical advice, menus and exercises to take you from where you are now to where you want to be. It is rounded out by stories from health and fitness experts, as well as professional and Olympic athletes.

Get your ESS in Shape: Endurance, Strength and Structure. The ESS concept is the framework for The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout. It involves the three elements that must be in shape to ensure quality of life as people age. Endurance relates to good cardiovascular exercise, important for a healthy heart. Strength covers strength training, a component of being able to stay healthy, active independent and mobile, especially as you age. Structure deals with posture, flexibility, a healthy muscular system and a healthy spine and nervous system. The balance between the three, the ESS, ensures good health, mobility, and activity as you age. Learn more at www.100yearlifestyle.com.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
Eating doesn’t have to be so complicated. In his newest book, Food Rules, An Eater’s Manual, Michael Pollan tells you how to eat, with the clarity and wit that have become his trademark. With advice like, “Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third-grader cannot pronounce,” “Eat your colors,” and “Treat treats as treats,” he offers simple, rules or “personal policies” designed to simplify your eating life.

For the science behind the rules, you’ll want to read Pollan’s previous book, In Defense of Food, An Eater’s Manifesto, in which he investigates what we should eat in order to be maximally healthy. And although the answer, “eat food,” sounds simple, in a time where there are thousands of “edible foodlike substances” in the supermarket, each with elaborate health claims, the answer is not as simple as it seems.

For a calendar of events and activities for all ages centered on the themes of In Defense of Food, go to www.siliconvalleyreads.org.

Kid’s on Love
When a group of professional people asked a group of 4 to 8 year olds, “What does love mean?” the answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

* “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy – age 4
* “Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” Terri – age 4
* Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” Bobby – age 6
* “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend whom you hate.” Nikka – age 6
* “There are two kinds of love. Our love. God’s love. But God makes both kinds of them.” Jenny – age 4
* Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” Mary Ann – age 4
* You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.” Jessica – age 8

One of the things I enjoy most about being a Doctor of Chiropractic is that I have the opportunity to get to know you, and often, your families. We look forward to seeing our “regulars” who choose to come in for wellness care, and those who come in “as needed,” often with an interesting story to tell! We enjoy hearing about the activities that got you into trouble and those you want to be able to return to. And we enjoy watching your families and children grow.

Whenever Chiropractic students come to my office to observe, they tell me, “You have the nicest patients!” Indeed I do! Thank you for entrusting us with your Chiropractic care and allowing us to be a part of your lives.

Dr. Pamela Wells

Office News
Office Makeover
If you’ve been in the office recently, you’ve noticed our new look. In October, we finalized a new lease, moved out, had the entire office painted and re-carpeted, and moved back in…all in the course of one week! We’re still re-organizing and hanging things back on the walls, but the end is in sight.

Affordable Family Care
Children’s bodies are naturally resilient but even they need Chiropractic care at times. We want to encourage the whole family to get the care they need with our free Kid’s Check-ups and new Family Plan.
Call Marcia for details.

Upcoming Events
Introductory Core Exercise Class
Tuesday, January 12th, from 7 to 8 pm, Dr. Wells will be giving a free Core Exercise Workshop at Remington Chiropractic. There will be a short presentation followed by a small group exercise class. Even if you’ve taken a core exercise class before, you’re likely to learn something new. We welcome participants of all different fitness levels. Dr. Wells can adapt the exercises to fit individual needs.

Space is limited, so please call to sign up with Marcia at (408) 737-0330. We offer this workshop once monthly. Call for dates.

Dr. Wells is available to lead exercise classes and speak on a variety of topics at local companies, church and civic groups. Call to schedule your group.

A Gift of Life
Are you looking for a way to really make a difference this holiday season? Your donation of blood can save a life. It’s so easy to do and you get treated to juice and cookies afterward! Stanford Blood Center has mobile units that will likely be in your neighborhood soon. Find out more at http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu.
As if you needed another reason to give blood, how does 20% off your entire purchase at Sports Basement sound? Donate any time between now and December 31st to receive your 20% off coupon.

The 100 Year Lifestyle
In a recent Discover magazine article, scientists concluded that a child born today has the potential to live to 150 years, possibly longer. In fact, today more and more people are reaching the ends of their natural life spans.

How you spend your later years is largely up to you. Many health conditions that we take for granted (hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer’s) are not a normal part of aging elsewhere. They are largely brought on by our lifestyle…our choices.

If you knew you would live to be 100, how would you change your life? That is the question posed by Dr. Eric Plasker in his best-selling book, The 100 Year Lifestyle. In May, Dr. Wells began a 50 hour certification program by the same name. The program, sponsored by the California Chiropractic Association, includes classes to help Doctors of Chiropractic support healthy aging in their patients and address the healthcare needs of people at all stages of life.

So, what kind of lifestyle choices are you going to make? Look for our healthy lifestyle tips and insights in future newsletters and feel free to ask questions at your appointments. Dr. Wells wants to be your wellness expert.

Stay Healthy during Cold and Flu Season
The flu, especially the Swine Flu has received a lot of media attention lately. Yet, most of us remember being sick with the flu more than once in our lives. Yes, it was miserable, but we weren’t particularly scared. Both the common cold and the flu (influenza) are caused by viruses that affect the respiratory system. They both cause congestion and coughing, but the flu may also cause fever, body aches, chills and extreme fatigue. Serious illness and death, while rare, occurs from complications of the flu such as pneumonia and dehydration, and from aggravation to existing conditions such as asthma.

Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and most over-the-counter medications are not recommended for children. According to the CDC’s director of the National Center for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases, Anne Schuchat, in the September 8, 2009 Wall Street Journal, “Most people just need “mom’s chicken soup, rest and lots of fluids.”

Vaccines for the flu are available, but their benefit is questionable. A recent article published in the Lancet medical journal suggests that the flu vaccine is having little or no effect on the number of elderly people developing pneumonia each year. And since flu viruses mutate constantly (the Swine Flu is one such mutation), it is very difficult to include the right strains in the vaccine.

You can bolster your body’s natural defenses by following some of the tips below.

* Get a good night’s sleep. This is crucial for the production of essential hormones.
* Manage stress.
* Wash hands with old fashioned soap and water. Our skin covered with good bacteria…part of a complex defense system. Hand sanitizers kill 100% of the bacteria on your skin…good and bad.
* Avoid too much processed comfort food (refined flour, sugar, fat) and add probiotics to enhance your immune function from the inside.
* Add garlic to your diet. It is naturally anti-bacterial and antiviral.
* Get regular chiropractic adjustments. Your nervous system directly controls your immune system and Chiropractic care will help your body maximize its immune system response.

President Obama’s plan includes expanding the range of chiropractic services covered by Medicare and fully integrating chiropractic care into the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs health systems and the U.S. Public Health Service.

In his letter Obama concluded, “As we shift our health care delivery system towards a culture of wellness and disease prevention, I believe that chiropractors must play an integral role in expanding access to preventive care and strengthening our public health system.”

Make Your Voice Heard!
You can take action to protect your right to have chiropractic care covered in national healthcare by signing up to receive voter alerts from the ACA at ChiroVoice.org. Of course, your privacy will be protected. When you get to the home page there are two boxes on the right. Click on “Join Us” and “Contact Your Legislator.”

Dr. Pamela Wells is a Chiropractor based in Sunnyvale California.

Of types of treatment rated by respondents, chiropractic treatment scored a 58% rating, followed by spinal injections (51%), massage (48%) and physical therapy (46%). Other highly rated treatments were prescription medications, yoga, movement therapy and acupuncture.

In a sidebar article, Dr. Orly Avitzur, a board-certified neurologist stated that given the high incidence of adverse effects caused by prescription drugs (specifically opioids, such as Vicodin), she prefers to prescribe “hands-on” therapies.

Dr. Pamela Wells is a Chiropractor based in Sunnyvale California.

Find a Healthy Balance
Inflammation is not all bad. It is the necessary first step on the path to healing. Your body needs a healthy balance of pro and anti-inflammatory chemicals to function at it’s best. The problem is that the average American diet is heavy in the highly processed foods that promote inflammation and low in the real foods that help to prevent it.

The Good

Fruits & vegetables
Raw nuts
Lean meats, fish & chicken
Extra virgin olive oil,
coconut oil, butter

The Bad

Refined sugar, sweeteners, & flour
Refined oils (corn, canola)
Fatty meats

Its foolish to think that you can eat mostly ”Bad” foods and decrease inflammation with a fish oil supplement or an Advil. But does that mean you can’t ever again indulge in a chocolate chip cookie or a burger and fries? Of course not! Try to eat 80-85% of your food from the “Good” list. Then have fun with the remaining 15-20% with foods from the “dark side.”

Or as Michael Pollan simply states in his new book,
In Defense of Food, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

Dr. Pamela Wells is a Chiropractor based in Sunnyvale California.

To help decrease pain after an injury, try safe, natural alternatives first. Chiropractic treatment, ice and other therapies not only decrease pain but promote healing. Safe and effective nutritional approaches and supplements are also available.

Call our office: (408) 737-0330 for suggestions.