Chiropractic and Limited Antibiotics for Childhood Ear Infections

Chiropractic has been used for decades by 100's of thousands of people for addressing many common ailments.  One such ailment is childhood ear infections.  The question has always been; is it effective?

One of the biggest problems of childhood ear infections is the use and repeated use of antibiotic therapy.  Antibiotics can help knock out an infection, unfortunately they can also wreak havoc on the the good bacteria which helps buffer the digestive tract which possesses about 70-80% of the body's immune system tissues; thereby making the individual more susceptible to reinfection after a bout of antibiotics.  This is the reason we recommend that parents feed their child "active culture" yogurt while on antibiotics and for one week after, to replace the healthy bacteria that are killed off, if they decide to go the antibiotic route with ear infections

A new study with children 5 years of age and younger, found chiropractic care for childhood ear infections was extremely effective, recommending utilizing chiropractic care and limiting medical intervention.

"93% of all episodes improved, 75% in 10 days or fewer and 43% with only one or two treatments. Young age, no history on antibiotic use, initial episode (vs. recurrent) and designation of an episode as discomfort rather than ear infection were factors associated with improvement with the fewest treatments."

Keep your child's body as healthy as possible by including chiropractic into their well child schedule.

For your better health,

Dr. Heller

Do-It-Yourself Apple Cider Vinegar For Your Health and Enjoyment

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is one of those super foods that is almost too good to believe.  Not only does it offer numerous health benefits but it is also very versatile around the house and for personal care.   You can find out alot about ACV at this page.  They will offer to sell you a book at the end of the page.  I have no connections with the seller, I only link to their page because they have done a fine job of simply, summarizing the benefits of ACV.  You can also do the research on your own with a simple Google search.

Would you believe me if I told you that Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can be a delicious, refreshing and satisfying addition to your summer refreshments? I know, for most of you that have tried ACV, you are probably shaking your head thinking, "yea, right!". Sad but true that most commercial ACV is extremely acidic tasting and overly tart. Even raw, unfiltered, quality ACV such as Bragg's is missing the pleasant tasting experience.

DIY ACV is very economical.
You can use the parts of the
apple that would normally get
thrown away.

Enter the Do-It-Yourself, home brewed ACV with very little cost or investment. It is quite easy with not much of a learning curve. If you can peel an apple and measure sugar and water you can ferment your own ACV.  Most people I talk with about D.I.Y. ACV are under the misconception that they need a "mother" to create ACV.  My simple response to them is "not at all".    All you need is a glass jar, apple peels and cores (you can use the entire apple if you wish), sugar, water and a breathable cover for the jar (I use a paper coffee filter held in place with a rubber band. Keeps out fruit flies better).  It does take time to ferment, about 4 weeks, but very little effort.  I started by using this link as a reference.  One of the things that I have found fermenting ACV that this web page does not mention is that as the apple peels and cores float and protrude above the surface of the water they are prone to blue-green mold. Harmless to you, but not appealing.  I have a small glass dish that just fits inside the opening of my gallon jar which is heavy enough to hold all apple solids under the surface of the liquid but not so heavy that it sinks.  This has prevented the development of mold on my future batches.

We started fermenting by the quart but found that we drank it too fast to keep up and now my family ferments it by the gallon jar usually yielding about 3 quarts.  It is delicious!  It taste more like tangy cider than vinegar.  I actually did a pH test on my first couple batches of ACV to see if it was similar to commercial, raw ACVsuch as Bragg's.  My home fermented ACV pH tested at the same or slightly stronger acid pH than the Bragg's ACV, telling me that I actually did have Apple Cider Vinegar.

Most ACV pages will recommend 1-2 tablespoons of ACV per day to help with health.  It can be taken straight or diluted in water.  My family actually enjoys adding ACV to a glass of fruit juice, giving it a bit of a kick.  Another great way to enjoy ACV, especially during the summer is to make Switchel.  Switchel, or as it was often referred to "haymaker's punch" is as old as the colonies.  A very refreshing, energizing drink and an excellent electrolyte restorer.  No more sugary, caffeinated sport drinks.

Have a safe and healthy summer.

Yours for better health,

Dr. Heller

Non-Drug Pain Management is a Safer Strategy than Opioids

An estimated 126.6 million Americans (one in two adults) are affected by a neuro-musculoskeletal condition.  When these conditions become chronic and over the counter analgesics (pain relievers) no longer control the pain a prescription is often given for opioid pain relievers.

There are no randomized control trials that have shown opioids to improve function, and there is an overriding national public health concern regarding widespread abuse and misuse of these drugs.  The list below are the most common ones prescribed:

Fiorional with Codeine            Robitussin A-C            Tylenol with Codeine

Empirin with Codeine              Roxanol                       Duramorph

Demerol                                    Actiq                            Duragesic

Sublimaze                                 OxyContin                   Percodan

Percocet                                   Tylox                             Dilaudid

Rather than putting your health at risk to opioid side effects safer options to eliminate the cause of the pain should be sought.  Chiropractic can help with most common complaints of musculoskeletal origin.  A short report can be downloaded from this page, giving you a wealth of research referenced information on opioids, pain management and chiropractic.

        Or you can download it directly from:

                         Download ‘Chiropractic: A Safer Strategy Than Opioids’

As primary care professionals for spinal health and well-being, doctors of chiropractic – who receive a minimum of seven years of higher education – are specifically trained to diagnose, evaluate and provide non-pharmaceutical care and rehabilitation to individuals suffering from acute and chronic back, low back and neck pain, headaches, neuro-musculoskeletal and other related conditions.

Poor Posture: An Unknown Threat

An Unknown Threat: What Poor Posture May Be Doing to Your Body

Sit Up Straight! Poor Posture Can Affect Your Body

Feeling tense and achy? It may be due to poor posture.

While the media is touting warnings about “tech neck” — the neck pain and damage sustained from hunching over smartphones and other devices for too long —

you’re actually risking harm to your overall health if any other body part becomes

misaligned.

That’s because, as the American Journal of Pain Management notes, a person’s

posture affects and moderates every physiological function from breathing to hormonal production.

Yes, every physiological function.

How, you may ask? “Our muscles and ligaments routinely work to balance us as

we sit, stand, bend, and sleep,” says Sherry McAllister, DC, executive vice president

For every additional degree of imbalance of the posture,
the body must work harder against the effects of gravity.

of the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. “Over time, however, uneven stress causes the body to adapt and change — subsequently, causing aches and pains.”

Various factors can contribute to poor posture — including injury, stress, obesity,

pregnancy, and weak postural muscles. Chiropractors have been specifically trained, as part of their minimum seven years of higher education, to provide drug-free, hands-on care that helps to naturally align and strengthen the spine, as well as advise on healthy lifestyle habits.

And as far as habits go, in keeping with National Correct Posture Month, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress is out with tips designed to help you develop smart ways to perfect your posture. Among them:

• Maintain a neutral spine. Meaning, chin up and shoulders pulled back.

• Avoid extended time spent with your head flexed forward.

• Don’t cross your legs while seated.

Check out our Facebook banner and see examples of what we can do for your posture with Advanced BioStructural CorrectionTM at David City Chiropractic

Chirpractic Care For All Over Better Health

Most everyone thinks of chiropractic for the care of back or neck pain. Some may turn to chiropractic for sport and leisure activity injuries.  Truth be told the benefits of regular chiropractic care are so far reaching is is one of the best kept secrets of the healthcare world.

Even our friends at TTAC understand how chiropractic helps the body function better to be healthier.

Check out the link below.

10 Reasons You Should Consider Chiropractic Therapy