"We accept ALL cases..."

". . . regardless of their physical condition or ability to pay."

When I was first exposed to chiropractic, it was from the perspective that we were all designed to be healthy and to live a full and powerful life. Further, the concept was that we don't as much need so much help from the outside (doctors, medicine, etc.) as we simply need less interference. And knowing what we know about health, it is really immoral to withhold care from someone either because they might have been "diagnosed" with some incurable disease OR because they simply did not have the financial wherewithal at the moment to pay for their care.

While I consider myself a free enterprise advocate, I frankly appalled at our health care system in America. It's absolutely shocking to me that someone can be told that they MUST have a certain procedure BUT their insurance policy does not cover that particular procedure OR they have a "pre-existing condition" that nullifies their coverage. To me, it is simply unethical and immoral to withhold care essential to a person's health and well-being for any conceivable reason. Of course that presumes that the person doesn't have a death wish and is not continuing (or will not continue) to do those things that might have caused their health problem.

Because I practice from the premise that you are supposed to be healthy and that what I do can help your body function better REGARDLESS of what your diagnosis may be, I simply cannot withhold care from someone seeking it. Now, that doesn't mean that I promise a cure for any and all disease whatsoever. It also doesn't mean that mine is a free clinic. I do have a fee system based on a membership concept. You pay more by the visit than you would by the month or by the year. And, my fee system is designed to be more reasonable than those based on third party payment systems like insurance.

Obviously, there are a few problems with this mindset. Some folks will try to abuse the privilege and not want to pay when they can. Sometimes, I end up with more folks who can't pay than those that can and it puts a strain on the budget. And sometimes, because someone is not paying the true value of the care they're getting they don't take the care seriously and don't stick with the program long enough to get the full benefit of what I offer. But, I have found the intrinsic value of offering folks hope in the midst of their despair more than offsets any of these drawbacks.

I'm always reminded of the story in the Bible of the woman with the issue of blood. Everyone knows that she had no hope left and knew that if she could just touch the hem of the Master's robe she would be healed. Well, most folks overlook the beginning of that story where all her money had been consumed by doctors treating her condition.

I've always believed that this world would be a much better place if we each would simply do what we can for as many as we can whenever we have the chance. If you'd like to make a donation so that we can continue to help people live a better, fuller life. feel free to use Paypal or send your donation to Dr. Tim Langley, 2100 Roswell Road #200C-526, Marietta, GA 30062.

I'm not a fan of insurance, but...

... it has it's place.

Being a heath care provider, I used to have this love-hate relationship with insurance. You know, it's one of those damned if you do and damned if you don't things. It seems you can't afford to be without insurance. But, you can't afford to buy it, either. Small business owners and those in life transitions seem disproportionately affected. So in many cases, folks just don't buy it.

Well, there's a time and place for everything. Health insurance is NOT about health. In fact, I think it often creates more health problems than it either prevents or corrects. Insurance really is designed to protect you from catastrophic and unforeseen events that could cause you irreparable financial harm if you're not prepared for it. In fact, most bankruptcies in America are caused by either a health problem or a legal problem.

Health insurance costs could be reduced dramatically if folks would simply understand that their health is THEIR responsibility. Lose weight, exercise, eat better, drink water, work on your spiritual life, do more with your family, find effective ways of reducing (or managing) the stress in your life and, of course, find a good wellness chiropractor.

Here's the point. A good friend of mine had a massive heart attack at his gym on July 4th. Fortunately, the General Manager of the LA Fitness where he worked out, knew CPR and how to use the emergency defibrillator. My friend is still alive, but in a coma in the local hospital. There's not yet a prognosis. Regardless of what the prognosis turns out to be, the medical costs are going to be astronomical. Because my friend was between jobs (and had been for some time) he was without insurance. If he recovers physically, he might never do so financially.

So, find a way to get even a ca strophic hospitalization policy to protect yourself and your family financially should something unexpected happen to you. While not a fan of insurance, I do understand that it protects you from extremes. You can keep the costs to a minimum if you just cover the extremes. But by all means, cover at least that.

Stay healthy. Say "I love you" to those you love. And NEVER take life for granted.

Evolution of a Chiropractor

When I fist discovered chiropractic, it was due to a bad back that had tormented me for 20 years. Since then, I haven't had even an aspirin for back pain.

When I decided to become a chiropractor, it was because of a young girl whose life and miserable prognosis were literally transformed because of chiropractic care. A little girl whose mom was told that her child should be institutionalized because she'd "never be like normal kids" is graduating from graduate school after receiving full academic scholarships for both undergrad and graduate school. Indeed, she's not like normal kids. She's incredibly superlative.

After graduating chiropractic school (Life University in Marietta, Georgia) I practiced exclusively as an upper cervical chiropractor. I had great disdain for chiropractors that mixed things (physical therapy, etc.) other than chiropractic into their practice. I was a "medical basher" because of the havoc I had seen wrought in people's lives by virtue of medical errors and arrogance.

It's funny how time, experience and awareness tend to take the edge off subjectivity. Does that mean that I think physical therapy is any more beneficial to the chiropractic patient, that upper cervical care is no longer the best approach or that the practice of medicine is no longer dangerous? Of course not!

All of those things are STILL true. However, that is only MY perspective. I've come to realize that the determination of what care an individual gets SHOULD be THAT individual. AND that individual deserves as much accurate information as he/she can get. It is my job as a chiropractor to communicate BETTER that chiropractic care can help people live better, fuller lives less dependent on dangerous drugs. It's even more important that I do those things over which I have some control, those bing communication of MY message and giving the very best adjustments I can while educating folks on the power they have to control their health, their happiness and the conduct of their own lives.

I've come to realize that you CAN see your medical doctor and me at the same time. Getting adjusted has nothing to do with what your MD might recommend. When I accepted the premise that I can help you regardless of what condition you may have or what kind of insurance coverage you might (or might not) have, practice became simpler and easier.

Performance Enhancing Drugs

Over the last several weeks, we’ve been treated to the so-called Mitchell report identifying several Major League stars that had used performance enhancing drugs. The report was received with a collective yawn by most Americans. Many were shocked by the seeming apathy at what many consider “cheating” by using steroids or human growth hormone.

But how could we be surprised by the public’s “so what” reaction to the allegations. For years, owners simply turned their back while MLB was enjoying growing fan interest with the home run race between Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa. Better hitters and faster pitchers are good for the game, right? And, what would the player’s union say? After all, more fans and more revenue for MLB mean bigger salaries and prolonged careers for its members. As a fan of Aaron, Mays, Rose, Koufax, Clemente and so many other greats of the past, I’m disgusted and have decided to all but ignore professional sports altogether.

In a society where children from the age of two are given the equivalent of cocaine (Ritalin, Adderol, etc.) supposedly to help them do better in school by suppressing “symptoms” of ADD/ADHD. As adults, we take pills for potency (Viagra, Cialis, etc) or pills to sleep or for depression and anxiety. In fact, our society seems to be based on the premise of “better living through chemistry”. “Whatever it takes” is the mantra of today’s American athlete. Heck, maybe that’s one of the problems facing our entire culture. We’re so bent on winning that we’ve cast aside corny virtues like integrity, hard work and sportsmanship.

There was a time when Americans ridiculed Eastern Bloc countries for using steroids to boost their performance in the Olympics. But then again, that was before the USA decided to use professional basketball, baseball and hockey players to ensure winning Olympic medals. I wonder how many Americans relish the specter of American amateur athletes winning the gold medal in hockey or basketball, any more. I hardly even watch the Olympics these days.

But, unless we’re willing to clean up the rest of society, why the double standard for MLB players? Professional sports in some ways merely reflect social mores. Maybe we’ll eventually get the idea that how we play the game and how we live our own lives are more important than the instant gratification of hollow victory. Real victory is an expression of who you are deep inside and reflects the training, dedication and endurance of one who really loves who they are and what they do. Honor, principle and the game itself are far more important any statistic or season.

Your Mama Was Right: Posture Matters!

Almost everyone has a memory of their mom (or dad) constantly reminding them to “Stand up straight! You don’t want to grow up with bad posture. Do you?” Or as one of my friends puts it, “Stand up straight and act like somebody!” While most parents dutifully admonish their kids to stand tall, they may not realize just how important that advice really is. There are many reasons why good posture matters, including self-esteem, career performance, even significant health considerations.

Let’s talk about how your posture affects several aspects of your life. At the end of the article, we’ll offer some tips on how you can start today to improve your posture and your life.

How you approach the world has a tremendous impact on how you feel about yourself. What’s the first impression you have of someone with slumped shoulders or their head drooping down? Honestly, that person is giving the impression that they’re beaten, sad or hopeless.

Life can be tough. Things happen to everyone that can hurt in so many ways. One way to respond to life’s calamities is to withdraw and become inward. When this happens and a person’s confidence is shaken they look defensive and passive. A slumped posture is almost like curling up in a fetal position while standing, hoping that no one will bother you. Unfortunately, most folks won’t bother with you in that posture.

On the other hand, good posture with your head up and shoulders back is a strong indicator of inner strength and self-confidence. A strong, self-confident person tells the world “Here I come. Give me all you’ve got!” When you stand tall, you tell yourself “I can! I will! I must!” From the standpoint of building and maintaining a strong self-image, one of the most important habits a parent can teach their child is to stand tall, keep your head up and your shoulders back. It will help that child withstand many of life’s challenges throughout his/her life.

There are many ways that an employer, customer or potential client will decide how you fit into their plans. One of the most important, yet subtle, ways others evaluate you is your body language. Let’s say you’re competing for a promotion to a management position with an equally qualified competitor. If the only difference between the two candidates is that one has poor posture and the other looks like a Marine, who wins? The Marine always wins. Every employer wants managers that are confident and show confidence in every way. And in some ways, poor posture communicates the same message as when someone won’t make eye contact. People wonder if you have something to hide. Good posture is like a good handshake. People make judgments about you based on their first impression. Make a good first impression. Stand tall. Head up. Shoulders back. Stomach in. It will pay you great dividends. Posture affects your health in several ways. From a purely mechanical standpoint, if things aren’t lined up the way they were designed, they simply wear out faster. People with arthritis in the joints or spine in their forties and fifties have generally had posture problems their whole life. Any good mechanic will tell you that poor wheel alignment will eventually cause all kinds of structural and mechanical problems with your car. It’s the same with your body. Structure affects function.

As a chiropractor, I see sick and hurting people all the time. One thing they all seem to share is some sort of posture problem. Sometimes, they come to me with pains in the neck and shoulders from driving or sitting at the computer for long hours at a time. Or, maybe a hip, leg or low back problem caused by sitting on a too thick wallet. Probably the most subtle, yet more important, effects of poor posture are neurological problems that can result. Often, people come in with strange problems from migraine headaches to high blood pressure corrected after adjustments to the upper neck. Everyone knows the plight of Christopher Reeves, the former star of the Superman movies. He was thrown from his horse and broke his neck and damaged his spinal cord. The actor was not only paralyzed from the neck down, but also unable to have normal bodily functions without the aid of machines until his eventual death. Postural problems can indicate similar, yet much more subtle spinal misalignments and neurological problems.

Many people have postural problems that may have resulted at birth that only become apparent later in life. Others may have had other trauma caused by injuries from sports, fall or auto accidents. Unless corrected, these problems only get worse with eventual health implications. Because these subtle misalignments and the posture problems they cause don’t involve broken bones, they’re generally not identified with medical diagnoses. For the most part, only chiropractors are trained to identify, locate and correct these misalignments.

So if you find yourself slumping and slouching, do something about it. Practice standing up straight with your head held high and eyes looking forward, not down toward the ground. Pull your shoulders back while tightening your stomach muscles and tucking your butt in. If you find that your posture problem is hard to correct and might also be related to other health problems, find a wellness-oriented chiropractor or e-mail me and I’ll help you find one in your area.

Stand up straight and tall. Let the world know you’re strong, confident and healthy!

Self-medicating

I thought about titling this article “Aleve” because that was the reason I’m writing today. But, I decided the problem of people self-medicating themselves with what they think are harmless over-the-counter drugs is much more dangerous than one specific dangerous drug.

My friend Jerry, whom I’ve known now for 40 years, called me recently to explain why he had been out of touch for a while. It seems that Jerry had been in the hospital recovering from an apparent reaction to the OTC painkiller Aleve. He did what the average American does and picked up a bottle of the painkiller at his local drugstore. After taking recommended doses for about a week, Jerry began to have a pretty serious nosebleed. When the bleeding didn’t stop, he headed to the Emergency Room. The bleeding stopped ONLY after he lost FOUR units of blood, a significant loss under any circumstance. A little more and he could have died. It’s taken several weeks, but he’s just now starting to regain strength.

Over the last few years, I’ve steered away from talking about symptoms and the risks associated with medicating away symptoms. Mine is a wellness practice and most of my clients come to me because they either want to get and stay healthy or they want to opt out of the “old way” of waiting until something’s broke to try to fix it or mask its symptoms with drugs. But, when you see a friend critically injured or hear of someone killed by what is purported to be a harmless drug, it’s hard NOT to speak out.

Just recently, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended stronger warnings on both prescription and over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, more commonly referred to as NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. BUT, how many people EVER read the label warnings of over-the-counter drugs? My guess is a precious few.

Obviously, we live in a drug culture in America. We seek relief and comfort from a bottle. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to consider a new way of thinking. One of the things I try to get folks to do is to realize that they were designed to be healthy and that design did not include a shortage of drugs or a surplus of defective or unnecessary parts. Once we realize that health is part of the design and that symptoms are our friend and are NOT to be ignored, we can start to approach health matters a little more rationally. Another, thing that we work on in my office is helping people become responsible for their own health and not relying so much on a doctor or drug manufacturer to make important health decisions for them.

If I could convince you to change one thing as a result of reading this article, it would be to learn more about your own body, how it works and how specific drugs are supposed to work and the risks (side effects) they carry. When you work to build health instead of simply avoiding disease, your health and your life will take on a whole new meaning.

If you know someone that routinely takes NSAIDs (or any pain medication) please forward this article to them. Encourage them to explore other options for dealing with their symptoms.

Corporate Wellness: Bottom Line Strategies for Effective Healthcare Reform

It is clear to virtually every American (especially those of us in business) that healthcare costs are skyrocketing out of control. No one doubts that either the market will solve the problem OR the government will impose one on us. Managed care has failed from either a cost containment or quality of care perspective. Companies have reached the point where the cost of providing health insurance is almost as burdensome as government regulation. It’s time for some new thinking on healthcare and its impact on business and vice versa. “Corporate wellness” as an operational perspective instead of merely window dressing is one way to deal effectively with rising healthcare costs.

The Insurance Problem

The first step in correcting the problem is to realize that an employee’s health is their own responsibility. Expecting employers to provide unlimited health insurance coverage is simply unrealistic and unreasonable. It’s time for employers (on a broad scale) to reconsider their role in providing health insurance coverage. Instead of providing complete coverage for all employees through group plans, companies should begin to shift the burden of health coverage to those covered.

Here’s the approach. Provide catastrophic health insurance as a group benefit to all employees with a large enough deductible (say $5000 per employee) to make the cost affordable for the company. Then, allow employees to buy their own health insurance policies (based on their own needs) and pay for them through payroll deduction with pre-tax earnings. There are numerous insurance companies that sell individual plans on this basis. Everybody wins. Employees can tailor their coverage to their own needs and circumstances using their own doctors. Companies win by stopping the endless cycle of rising costs and ever-changing plans. And when individuals become responsible for the cost of their own insurance, they become more attentive to their own health. Besides, if an employee is interested in working for you ONLY because your company offers great insurance benefits aren’t they telling you they’re going to cost you more money in the future?

Develop a “Wellness Culture”

Our current “sickness culture” perpetuates the healthcare crisis and hastens the demise of market-based solutions. By sickness culture, I mean our focus on health problems instead of on having a healthy workplace and performance culture.

So, what would a “wellness culture” look like? First, instead of paid sick days, employees might be rewarded at year’s end with an attendance bonus. Employees would be reimbursed for successful completion of smoking cessation and weight-loss programs. Companies would invest in corporate memberships at local health clubs so every employee can participate. Employees would be offered in-house wellness programs on a variety of issues ranging from ergonomics to stress management. Finally, companies would commit to hiring and retaining healthy employees. Simply put, healthy employees cost less and are more productive than unhealthy ones. Applicants should be screened for health habits and practices that limit their productivity and increase the likelihood of future expense. While this may seem harsh, it rewards those employees whose personal lifestyle and habits ensure the best Return on Investment by the company committing to hire, train and pay them.

Be open to “alternative and complementary” approaches

Studies published in major medical journals reveal that individuals who use “alternative and complementary” health modalities (including chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga and massage) are generally healthier, better educated, take fewer medications and miss fewer days from work than the average American. Since these individuals look for ways to stay healthy without drugs and surgery, they end up being a net benefit in terms of attendance and productivity. Old prejudices in this area should be discarded in order for companies to improve productivity and increase profitability

Conclusion

Healthcare costs are increasing at a staggering pace. Managed care is an abysmal failure. Companies are buckling under the pressure of providing health coverage to their employees. American competitiveness in the market is sagging. These times call for extraordinary solutions. It’s time for American companies to consider some out-of-the-box solutions to the healthcare crisis. Corporate wellness is an approach that is timely, achievable and reasonable given the alternatives. All options should be considered while we still have a chance.

MRSA Panic - How and WHY NOT to

We’ve been deluged lately with news stories on MRSA or methicillin resistant staph infection. It seems that what we in the alternative healing community have been saying all these years about the overuse and abuse of antibiotics has come true. Sadly, we’re actually BREEDING bacterial superbugs in the very place where most people think is the safest healing environment possible, the hospital.

MRSA is expected to kill more Americans every year than AIDS. And while it’s being reported that the infection can be acquired through sports activities and other physical contact, the vast majority of cases are found in hospitals and nursing homes. The ONE thing that hospitals and nursing homes have in common is that almost everyone there is already sick and their immune systems weakened. In other words they’re not able to resist even minor infections, much less one that actually feeds on the strongest antibiotics available.

So, how does one protect themselves from the superbug MRSA? First and foremost, the best thing you can do is practice good hygiene. Simply washing your hands goes a long way. One news report I heard over the weekend gave this advice to HOSPITAL staff. Good grief! If you’re kid is plays a contact sport, make sure they shower well after practice and games. Don’t share towels, toothbrushes or razors. Sounds obvious. But one reported outbreak was among a football team that shared a razor to shave their legs before wrapping their ankles.

Another way to avoid MRSA (also called a nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infection) is to avoid the hospital, if at all possible. I know it’s not always possible. But when hospitals are warned to have their staff wash their hands and take off their white coats, you KNOW something is REALLY wrong. If you can’t avoid the hospital, at least make sure you remind your caretakers to practice good hygiene.

Probably the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to build your immune system as much as possible. How? Do those things that make you as healthy as possible: exercise, eat right, drink lots of water, get plenty restful sleep, reduce stress by developing and maintaining a positive mental attitude and keep stress on your nerve system to a minimum. While you can take care of the first four, only a chiropractor is trained to locate and reduce sources of stress created by spinal misalignment.

MRSA was created by overuse and abuse of antibiotics. Less reliance on drugs and greater reliance on your body’s ability to fight infection and disease is a great first step in protecting you from hospital-acquired infections.

Shingles and Chiropractic

So, can chiropractic cure shingles? Of course not. But, neither can Medicine. There is no cure for shingles, a condition that causes extreme pain to those afflicted.

Shingles is a condition where the Chicken Pox (herpes zoster) virus settles into a person’s nerve root and causes no problems until activated, usually by stress. Once activated, the entire nerve is affected causing extreme discomfort and pain. Unfortunately, there’s little that can be done to alleviate the problem other than try to lessen the symptoms.

However, many sufferers of shingles have found that finding ways of reducing and dealing with stress keeps the virus from becoming active. One of those ways is getting adjusted by their chiropractor on a regular basis. Chiropractic adjustments help balance stress on the nervous system. Reducing that stress helps prevent shingles outbreaks and helps your body recover quicker when there is an outbreak.

If you suffer from shingles, I encourage you to find a wellness chiropractor whose focus is on the upper cervical spine.

Tamiflu

Beware of relying on drugs as a means of achieving or maintaining health. Check out this story about the Food and Drug Administration and popular flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. Can you afford to trust your child's health to the pharmaceutical industry?

FDA Advisers Back New Warning on Tamiflu

WASHINGTON — The most widely used flu drug in the world should carry a stronger warning label about psychiatric problems seen in a handful of patients, government advisers said Tuesday.

A panel of experts to the Food and Drug Administration recommended drug maker Roche change the warning label for Tamiflu, which has been used by 48 million patients since its launch in 1999.

The drug's label already mentions reports of delirium and self-injury, primarily among children in Japan, but some FDA's experts suggested the language should mention several patients died as a result of these abnormal behaviors. The panel was discussing specifics of the language late Tuesday.

For the full story CLICK HERE.

Chronic Fatigue

I can’t begin to tell you how many people I’ve seen over the years who’ve been diagnosed with “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”. Well, I just don’t buy it. For one thing, how do you come up with a diagnosis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? In my opinion, it’s one of those “junk drawer” diagnoses that is often used when nothing specific can be identified. What causes it? How should it be treated?

The problem with diagnoses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, ADD/ADHD, etc. is that because they’re little more than a collection of symptoms whose cause cannot be specifically identified they end up with sometimes bizarre treatment regimes, like antidepressants, muscle relaxers, steroids, etc. Once on the treatment path, it’s almost impossible to get off the treadmill.

In my practice, I’ve observed that when someone begins to look at the bigger picture of their lives and living more intuitively, their symptoms tend to fade away. As they take more control over the things they can control (their thoughts and behavior) and quit worrying about the things over which they have no control, their reliance on either over-the-counter or prescription drugs goes away.

If you’re always tired and have little energy to do the things you want and must do, I strongly encourage you to try to get off the symptom chasing treadmill. Find a holistic wellness practitioner and develop a plan for living a free and healthy life. Freedom is found outside the pill bottle.

Conventional Wisdom – Is It Really Wisdom or Just Lazy Thinking?

Many of us rely on conventional wisdom to help guide us through routine decision-making processes. But, does conventional wisdom really serve us that well? Or does it actually keep us from making the best decisions possible? While common knowledge can be helpful in certain situations, it keeps us from making progress in almost every aspect of our lives, as well as that of our society and the worldwide community.

By now, we’re all too familiar with the example of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Western World. Conventional wisdom of the day was that the Earth was flat and if you sailed far enough you would simply fall off the end of the Earth. Having little more than intuition and faith, Columbus defied conventional wisdom and set out on his voyage of discovery. Of course, the rest is history.

One of the areas most affected by conventional wisdom is in the area of health and wellness. For centuries, Western cultures have favored scientific advances in the fight against death and disease. Obviously, advances have been made that improved the plight of mankind. Discovery of the causes of many diseases have led to improvements in sanitation and drinking water supplies. Unfortunately, these advances have received little credit for the virtual elimination of such diseases as polio and tuberculosis (in developed countries) while mass vaccination programs have received almost all of the credit. Conventional wisdom says that vaccination prevents disease. In depth analysis might point to many differing perspectives.

Another bit of conventional wisdom is that animal protein is unhealthy for humans. It’s supposed to increase cholesterol and cause cardiovascular disease. Just this week, though, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) released a study that counters that conventional wisdom. For years, Dr. Robert Atkins, developer of the high protein, low carbohydrate weight-loss program named after him was called a quack, huckster and charlatan by mainstream medicine. The JAMA study showed that the high-protein Atkins diet was more effective at helping participants lose weight than other mainstream programs, like The Zone diet and the Ornish diet. Even more amazing is that with the unconventional high-protein, high-fat Atkins diet participants not only lowered blood pressure, they reduced LDL, or bad, cholesterol and increased HDL, or good, cholesterol. Maybe Dr. Atkins’ critics will now let him rest in peace.

Conventional wisdom also tells us “germs cause disease”. Fortunately, the theory that germs alone cause disease is about as silly a notion as the one that Columbus had to overcome. Unfortunately, the Germ Theory (misapplied) has done much to set up Western civilization for potentially huge public health problems in the near future. Let’s take a closer look. If germs really caused disease then why doesn’t everyone in a household get a cold or the flu at the same time? Or, why do just some people at work get the flu and not everyone? In its haste to eliminate disease by killing germs, modern Medicine has abandoned the real precepts of the Germ Theory that tell us it’s the strength of the germ (or pathogen), the amount of exposure and the strength (or weakness) of the host (you and me) that determines if one will actually develop a disease or condition when exposed. The main reason that some get sick and some don’t is the strength of our immune system and it’s ability to isolate and kill those germs. Many believe that conventional wisdom regarding the war against disease is that it has caused potential problems with over-vaccinating children and abuse of antibiotics among a host of other problems. It has also created a situation that actually invites a pandemic catastrophe.
There are many sets of conventional wisdom that bear scrutiny, including global warming, mandatory vaccination programs and the net benefit of mandatory public education. Of course, the list is limited only by your own observation.

So, how can we keep from becoming a victim of conventional wisdom as both individuals and as a society? First, realize that “common knowledge” is just that. It’s common, accepted by all without little thought or analysis, the lowest common denominator and far from the final answer. “Conventional wisdom” is more consensus than wisdom. It stifles thought and fosters ignorance among the masses. Second, force yourself to ask “Is this true or does it just seem true because so many people accept it?” Finally, let principles guide you rather than the mere assertions of others.

Here are some principles that will never let you down.

• The human body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism. It doesn’t as much need help as it just needs less interference.
• If drugs worked, rich people wouldn’t die.
• Individual freedom is superior to group identification.
• Morality, self-restraint and personal responsibility are more effective than regulation.
• If something can be imagined, it can be done.
• The human mind contains all the knowledge of the Universe. Don’t allow your thinking to be limited by common knowledge or conventional wisdom.
• The Earth has been here a long time. It can correct anything Mankind can do to it.
• The wisdom of Nature is greater than the sum of all Mankind’s knowledge now and forever.
• Mother Nature always wins in the long run. Work with it not on it or against it.

Just know that principles win out over knowledge every time. Live your life in accord with solid principles. Don’t be a victim of common knowledge or conventional wisdom. Think for yourself. Be all that God designed you to be.

Backpacks and Posture Problems: As the Twig is Bent So Grows the Tree

As we approach the coming school year, we head off to the stores and malls to buy school supplies. Of course, most kids have outgrown most of the clothes they finished the last school year in just a couple of months ago. And then, there’s the usual array of binders, pencils, paper and of course the trusty backpack.

If your kids are anything like mine, it almost seems like they need a pack mule to carry all their new supplies to school. And, it seems like the book bags and backpacks get bigger every year. At the same time we’ve tried to get a backpack that’s big enough to carry everything, we could be setting our kids up for future posture problems and potentially scoliosis and other health problems.

I don’t know about your kids, but mine seem to grow like weeds. The minute you turn your back, they seem to grow an inch before you can turn back around. While it’s not quite that dramatic, they really do grow rapidly. Then, somewhere around middle school most kids have what’s called a growth spurt where they actually grow even faster. Girls usually have their growth spurt earlier than boys. Hmmm. Maybe there’s a link between earlier growth spurts and a higher incidence of scoliosis in girls than in boys.

Here’s the problem. At a time when kids (especially girls) are growing rapidly, they’re also saddled with as much as 20-30 pounds of books, papers, etc. in their book bags. And as we all know, most of those bags are typically carried over one shoulder or the other. It’s like strapping a bowling ball to the top of a little pine sapling. Surely, it will bend under the weight. Your kid’s spine works the same way. Now, imagine that little pine tree growing in that bent over position. As it grows, it will grow in that same position. So, too, will your child grow to develop posture problems by carrying a heavy load of books on a regular basis while their bones are still softer and growing.

How can you tell if your kid is developing posture problems? Actually, there are a couple of ways. First, simply look at them from the back and then from the side. As you observe them from the back, see if their head tilts from one side to the other or if one shoulder is higher than the other. The slightest difference can indicate a problem that could get even worse over time if not corrected. Have them bend over at the knees. If you can see that one side of their back is higher than the other, there may be what’s called a functional scoliosis. Finally, have them turn so their side is facing you. As you look at them you should be able to almost draw a straight line from their ear, through their shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. If you can’t see that straight line, there’s a potential problem that should be addressed before it gets worse.

So, just what kind of problems might posture problems in kids lead to? First, bad posture can lead to structural problems that can lead to chronic pain and soreness in the neck, middle and lower back. Second, it will lead to uneven stresses on the spine and potential degenerative back problems as they get older. Finally, stress on the spine can also cause stress on the spinal cord and central nervous system. When that happens, there’s always the potential for a variety of chronic health problems.

So, what can be done to prevent and correct these potentially harmful effects on your kids as a result of heavy backpacks and book bags? Obviously, I think every child should be checked for postural problems at an early age. Many times these problems can be prevented with attention, exercise and good habits. Family chiropractors that see kids can recognize the problem and, in many cases, slow down or reverse the problem if dealt with early. While the kids might not like it, buy a book bag with rollers and an extendable handle or one that will distribute the weight load evenly. And finally, pressure should be put on school systems to reduce both the size and quantity of books a child should be required to carry home from school. These days, most families have a computer at home. School systems should make books available on DC (compact disk) to lighten the physical load of carrying books.

Your kids’ posture and health are worth the extra attention. Don’t let them grow into health problems that could have been prevented with a little attention.

Drugs Don't Work!

That sounds like a pretty bold statement. Maybe it is. But frankly, if drugs worked there‘d be no more chronic disease like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and so on. Sadly, chronic disease is the leading cause of death of Americans. The treatment of those diseases is reported to also be among the leading causes of death.

Maybe in one sense drugs do work in that they might provide temporary symptom relief. However, their purpose is to fool the body so that it responds inappropriately to certain conditions. By altering your body’s normal function, drugs cause problems for other systems that may not be revealed for years to come.

Everyone’s heard about Vioxx and Celebrex and the risks those prescription drugs carry, including death. In recent months the popular diabetes drug, Avandia, has been shown to also put you at risk of heart failure. Kids diagnosed with ADD/ADHD who take drugs like Ritalin and Adderol are at risk for problems ranging from stunted growth and insomnia to suicide. Anti-depressants have been implicated in numerous mass murders, including Columbine and Virginia Tech. Even common over-the-counter drugs for colds, arthritis, allergies and headache carry significant health risks.

What is this fascination we have with drugs? Granted, Mankind has been self-medicating itself since the beginning of time. However, that was on an individual basis and self-limiting. But I’m afraid our societal love affair with drugs is having (and will have) a long-term negative impact on the health of our economy, health care system and well being of our nation as a whole.

Have we evolved (or devolved) as a species to the point where we can’t tolerate any discomfort, whatsoever? If so, how can we ever survive? I’ve never seen a dog or cat complain of a headache or depression. When they’ve eaten something bad, they don’t reach for the Pepto Bismol. They simply throw up and move on. But we humans, having dominion over all the Earth, can’t survive without taking a pill to manage a headache, a fever, diarrhea, constipation, blood pressure or whatever.

By this time, you’re probably thinking I’m some sort of nut. Drugs have all been researched and approved by the government and wouldn’t be on the market if they weren’t safe. Right? Well, I would only ask that you check out the facts and compare them with what you know or what you have seen. Some of you will probably say, “I’ve been taking drugs all my life and have never had a problem”. But, a good many of you will honestly “You know, I’ve been taking drugs for so long, I can’t remember. But, he’s got a point. I’ve STILL got my problem!” And there’s a reason why you’ve still got that problem.

For the most part, drugs have only one purpose, managing your symptoms. While temporary symptom relief is not a totally bad thing, it’s never a permanent solution. Think about the addict that continually escapes from their problem by getting drunk or high only to find their problem has worsened If he’d deal with his real problem his life would take on new meaning, power and significance. So it is with you. Find the source of your problem and correct it.

OK. So what can you do to get off some of your medications? The first thing I recommend is to take some time to consider your lifestyle. Are you overweight? Do you exercise, at all? What do you eat? Got stress? After you’ve taken a serious look at some of the things you might be doing to make yourself sick, make a plan to begin to change some of those habits. Even better, think about the life you want to live and start living it. As you begin to pursue health, it will pursue you. As you clean the crap out of your system, your body will function better and you’ll feel better. Find a good wellness chiropractor, a nutritionist, a personal trainer, drink tons of water and maybe even find a family doctor who will help you get off the drugs. Live the life you want and you’ll rarely need to cover up the parts that don’t work perfectly.

Weak Muscles - Weak Joints

As a chiropractor, I see people from all walks of life for a variety of reasons. Some are wellness clients that get checked on a routine basis to build and maintain an active and vibrant lifestyle. These clients generally bring their whole family and do so to get off (or stay off) the medication merry-go-round. Others come to avoid a problem that had been corrected that they just don’t want to have to deal with again. Still others come in to correct a problem for which painkillers just don’t cover up any more.It’s that last group I want to talk about today. Sometimes the problem might be in their arm or shoulder, sometimes the knee, and sometimes in different parts of the spine or hips. While my focus as a chiropractor is on the nerves and spinal cord by way of the spine, problems with the spine can cause other problems in other parts of the body.

Let’s talk about those joints, though. Our bodies were designed for movement. And body movement involves three components; nerves, muscles and bones. Muscles move bones after getting signals from the nervous system. Joints, or hinges, make movement more efficient and more effective. I think everyone would agree that the moving parts in any machine (especially the human machine) are generally the first parts to wear out.

The tendency is to blame joint problems on aging. Well, that’s just too easy a copout. If it were as easy as that, every senior citizen would have bad joints. Granted, many seasoned citizens do have joint problems, not all. But aging alone is not really the problem. Besides, there’s nothing we can do about getting older. BUT, there is plenty that can be done about HOW we get older.

Since “structure affects function”, we should look at the other aspects of body movement and joint stress. One component of joint stress is body imbalance. We’ll spend more time on this component in the near future. But, just know that if you look in the mirror and notice that one shoulder or one hip is higher than the other or your head tilts in one direction, you are predisposed to structural problems that will affect you down the road.

The power to move is generated from the muscles. The stronger and more flexible your muscles, the less stress there is on your joints. If your muscles are weak, the joint bears all of your body weight and all the stress of movement. Oh yeah, and folks who don’t maintain a good level of muscle tone are usually somewhat overweight, putting even more stress on their joints.

So, what’s the answer? Well, there are a couple depending on your perspective. If you’re one of those passive individuals who beleive that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, then just wait until your knees, elbows, wrist, back or hip wears out and hope that drugs or surgery will “fix it”. If that’s you, I wish you good luck. You’ll need it. On the other hand, if you want to make sure your joints last longer and work better, there are a few things you can do.

First, make sure you drink plenty of water on a regular basis. This helps keep the joints from drying out. Second, start a regular conditioning program. If you’re not exercising already, start slowly. But start! And don’t just focus on just those parts you want to look firmer. Firm it ALL up! That will help you lose unwanted fat quicker and strengthen all your joints. Walking is great and can be done almost anywhere. Just use your whole body when you do. When you get stronger, start doing some resistance exercises to get even stronger.

Finally, if you notice any posture distortions or other problems, find a good wellness chiropractor. Remember, structure affects function. And, how your body functions affects every aspect of your life. Life is motion. Get moving!