The Negative Potential of Technology on Your Health.

It seems that people with a technology device in hand reading, texting, taking a selfie and all in the name of immediate social response.  Combine this with the overstuffed, improperly worn backpacks and we are setting ourselves up for a critical storm.  These poorly worn and over used devices are putting undue stress on our spine and nervous system affecting the structure, function and physiology of our bodies.  

The spine is made up of 24 vertebrae.  When positioned and functioning properly, the spine is designed to resist the heaviest of loads.  Take away the ideal position combined with repetitive static loads and the spine becomes weakened and subject to premature wearing, pain, and stiffness. The compromised tissues structure over time will increase our susceptibility to sudden injury and even sickness.

Research found that abnormal spinal health and posture leads to an imbalance in hormones. A study from 2014 cited that repetitive poor posture, particularly of the head and neck caused LOW T(testosterone), reduced serotonin, increased cortisol and more. In the 2014 study, published in the Surgical Technology International Journal, billions of people were found to be using cell phone devices daily. Stresses on the spine from constantly looking down at a cell phone is very damaging to short and long term health. This study evaluated forward head flexion stress on the human spine and corresponding body function. The findings were remarkable: 

*The study assessed the forces placed on the spine as the head is tilted forward into worsening posture.

*The study evaluated the stress using an average head weight of 13.2 pounds

*The weight added to the spine dramatically increases when flexing for varying degrees. 0° increased weight on the neck by 10 to 12 pounds. 15° increased weight on the neck by 27 pounds. 30° increased the weight on the neck by 40 pounds. 45° increased the weight on the neck by 49pounds. And 60° increased the weight on the neck by 60 pounds.  Can’t grasp the significance of 60 pounds? Imagine carrying an 8-year-old around your neck several hours per day.

*Loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine. The stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries.

*Good posture is defined as ears aligned with the shoulders and shoulders retracted. With proper alignment, spinal stress is diminished.

*Good posture was associated with much more than just bad backs or bad necks. Good posture helped increase good hormones. Good posture was linked to higher testosterone, increases in serotonin, decreases in cortisol, and increased feelings of power. Poor posture is associated with reductions in testosterone levels, reduced serotonin, increased cortisol, and reduced feelings of power.

*Poor posture occurs with the head in a tilted forward position and the shoulders drooping forward in a rounded position.

*An average person spends 2 to 4 hours a day with their heads tilted forward for reading and texting on their smart phones, amassing 700 to 1400 hours of excess, abnormal cervical spine stress per year. It was also noted that a high school student may even spend an extra 5000 hours in poor posture per year.

Beyond spinal and muscle injuries, improper posture influences all aspect of human performance through the endocrine system. As evidenced through research, poor posture negatively influences levels of testosterone, serotonin, cortisol, and feelings of power.  Bad posture has been linked to a host of other medical problems, including headaches and other neurological problems, depression, constipation, and heart disease. At a minimum, constant slouching is likely to cause a lot of chronic pain.

As technology continues to govern more and more of societal functions, the need for practitioners who positively influence posture increases. Unfortunately, most of society still believes that poor posture is more of a cosmetic issue than a health issue. Because of this, awareness and education is the key to making change. 
 

Chiropractors are key leaders to improving quality and longevity of life in all men and women by improving the health and function through postural alignment.

Quick tips to minimize the costly damages of technology and backpacks.

1.                   Limit use of technology

2.                   Maintain proper posture while using technology & backpacks

3.                   Do regular spinal postural stretching and movement exercises

4.                   Drink the proper amount of daily water

5.                   Stand, stretch and move regularly 

If you feel problems are persisting find a chiropractor to do a postural analysis to assess the potential damages and discuss options for correcting the problem.

Yours in Better Health

Dr. Russell Heller

                                       

 Surgical Technology International Journal 2014 Nov;25: 277-9. Hansraj, KK.

Avoid NSAID's, Reduce Inflammation, Live Better

My readers may have seen in past blogs and Facebook posts information regarding the dangers of analgesics (pain reducers), over the counter and prescription.  The question then arises, what can I do to help control pain.  Aside from addressing the body's structural problems, which lead to pain, with chiropractic evaluation and care, one of our recommendations is Turmeric.  Turmeric has been proven to reduce or eliminate pain better than leading prescription medications. [1]

A 2004 study published in the journal Oncogene [2] found that turmeric was an effective alternative to the drugs; aspirin, ibuprofen, sulindac, phenylbutazone, naproxen and diclofenac and the like, generally considered NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories).

Turmeric does not just fight pain and inflammation, it does so much more. [3]

Simple root, Profound action

Most researchers agree that the turmeric’s profound healing abilities can be traced to its powerful anti-inflammatory action.

Full-spectrum turmeric (whole root, as opposed to an isolated curcumin extract) is especially effective because it operates by both mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action.

Most anti-inflammatory foods, work in one of the following ways...

1. They neutralize free radicals in the body which causes inflammation, with a flood of antioxidants or

2. They stop the body from producing the chemicals that initiate inflammation in the first place (this is how aspirin and OTC pain meds work)

What is unique about turmeric is that it combats inflammation through both of these mechanisms.... simultaneously! Its multi-pronged approach allows it to work wonders for aches, pains, and arthritis (by stopping inflammation at the source), while also strongly supporting the immune system with antioxidants.
 

Nearly all diseases and ailments can be traced back to inflammation and oxidative stress…it appears there’s almost nothing that turmeric can’t help.

Not all forms of turmeric are created equal…

Most of the turmeric supplements you see in stores come in the form of encapsulated powders. Many are just the isolated curcuminoids and as we mentioned above the whole root, with complimentary components appear to be most beneficial.

 

The truth is with turmeric powder you may be getting very little actual benefit.  Turmeric powder has a fairly low bioavailability (meaning that a good portion of it isn’t properly absorbed by your body), it often isn’t very fresh, and it’s sometimes made with harsh processes that can destroy or degrade turmeric’s healthful components.

 

Our recommendation;  buy a quality, full spectrum (whole root) supplement or what my family prefers is buying fresh whole root and grate it ourselves as needed. You can crush it or grind it, we purchased an inexpensive "micro grater", it works wonderfully and easy to clean up.  You can also use it for other root foods like garlic and ginger.   It can be difficult to find turmeric root in smaller communities and expensive when you do find it in major chain grocery stores.  We have great luck at Asian markets.  Most usages in cooking or dosing call for a teaspoon or less.  

 

Through experimentation our family has learned to use it in a number of home cooked dishes.  We also enjoy "Golden milk" or "Turmeric tea".   By using turmeric in these ways you can also increase its bioavailability (absorption).  Studies have found that absorption of turmeric components can be increased by either heating the ground up root, adding healthy fats or adding black pepper. Golden milk can do all three.

So, save your liver and kidneys from the abuse of NSAID use and consider giving turmeric a try.  Aside from the pain relieving properties tumeric has also been found to protect the brain, repair the liver, protect the heart after surgery, helps asthma patients and the list could go on and on.  Turmeric has been found to be as effective as 25 drugs, without the side effects.

 

 

 

References:
1. Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Curcuminoids in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Pain Med. 2015 Dec 14. Epub 2015 Dec 14. PMID: 26814259
2. Green Med Info: greenmedinfo.com/blog/science-confirms-turmeric-effective-14-drugs
3. Zingiberaceae extracts for pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis: Nutr J. 2015 ;14:50. Epub 2015 May 14. PMID: 25972154

Breakfast: A Very Important Meal For Your Health

Skipping breakfast because you think that one less meal through the day will help you lose weight?  Well, you may want to rethink that.  The medical literature reports that roughly 10%-20% of Americans routinely skip breakfast whether for weight management or out of convenience.

A new report on a randomized trial finds that skipping breakfast can trigger a condition referred to as insulin resistance.  It was found that skipping breakfast triggered acute insulin resistance and elevated levels of free fatty acids in nine obese, non-diabetic women, compared with a day on which they ate breakfast.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas and released in the blood stream in response to sugars in the blood (glucose).  Glucose is obtained from nearly all the food we eat and serves as the fuel to produce energy for every tissue of the body.  The insulin is necessary for the glucose in the blood to enter the tissues, sort of like a key in a lock.  When the body develops resistance to insulin the body is then forced to dump more insulin into the blood stream in an attempt to "open up the tissues".  Ironically this excess insulin release tends to make the tissues even more resistant, and the cycle repeats itself over and over with each skipped breakfast. The situation is not much better with a breakfast that is high in refined carbohydrates (ie, breakfast cereals) and low in proteins. 

Insulin resistance is the forerunner of type 2 diabetes and a component of the disorder metabolic syndrome.  Elevated insulin levels in the blood have also been linked to a number of other health compromising conditions.

On the days of skipped breakfast indirect calorimetry measures showed decreased energy expenditure (difficulty burning calories) and a significantly reduced respiratory quotient (a measurement of basal metabolic rate), which indicates greater fat oxidation (LDL cholesterol production).

Just 1 day of missing breakfast could do this.  It is easy to see how skipping breakfast regularly over time may lead to further metabolic problems such as chronic insulin resistance and possible progression to type 2 diabetes.

It seems breakfast is an important meal of the day, maybe more so than originally thought.  It is important to eat a balanced breakfast containing a significant amount of quality protein such as eggs or yogurt.

For your better health,
Dr. Heller

Walking For Health

Another article from our friends at thePowerofpositivehabits.com discussing the health benefits of brisk walking. *************************************************************   Benefits of Brisk Walking By Dan Robey "Not running, not jogging, but walking is your most efficient exercise and the only one you can safely follow all the years of your life." – Executive Health Organization Walking as a daily exercise habit can truly be a life-changing positive habit and is one of the most powerful habits for reaching your goal of a healthy trim and fit body. Over the past 20 years, there have been dozens of studies that have proven the benefits of brisk walking. Thousands upon thousands of people have improved their health and lost weight by the diligent habit of walking. If you think that walking does not provide the same benefits as other more vigorous exercises, think again. A study published by the New England Journal Of Medicine showed that postmenopausal women who walked regularly lowered their risk for heart disease just as much as women who did more vigorous exercise, such as playing sports or running. This study suggests that walking is just as good for your heart as heavy exercise. I spoke with study author Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, Chief of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Womens Hospital, Professor of Medicine, at Harvard Medical School. She said, “The study provides compelling evidence that walking and vigorous exercise provide similar heart benefits, about a 30% to 40% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease with 30 minutes per day of either activity.” I also asked her about the benefits of making brisk walking a positive habit, and she responded, “they could surely walk away from heart disease and several other chronic diseases. We have also found that brisk walking for at least 3 hours a week can lower the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer. No pain, no gain, is an outdated notion; exercise doesn’t need to be strenuous or uncomfortable. It can be easy and enjoyable.” Even though the study consisted solely of women, it is likely that men would experience similar benefits from the positive habit of brisk walking. Here are additional benefits you will receive from your habit of brisk walking: * Walking burns calories and helps you lose weight and burn excess body fat. * Walking can help to improve your posture. * Walking requires no special equipment or gyms. * Walking can help lower blood pressure and help prevent circulatory and heart disorders. * Brisk, aerobic walking will give you the benefits of other exercises, such as jogging and cycling, but without the risk of injuries. * Walking at night can help promote better sleep. ***************************************************************   So get out and walk during the summer evenings.  Your body will thank you for it.   For your better health, Dr. Heller

Friends for Life = Friends for Health

It is pretty self-evident that spending time with those close to us, that we can share with, laugh with and just spend time with make us feel better about ourselves and our lives.  Evidence is now coming out that the benefits are not only emotional they are truly physical.

Most of us have heard that pets and deep friendships with others can extend life and improve quality of life.  A recent study appearing in the from Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology annual meeting in New Orleans has found why.

Researchers found people who were more lonely showed signs of elevated latent herpes virus reactivation and produced more inflammation-related proteins in response to acute stress than people who felt more socially connected. 

It seems that loneliness boosts inflammation.  Inflammation is linked to coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and most other chronic disorders.  Inflammation can lead to

tissue damage throughout the body accelerating aging and predisposing you to other disease processes.  Currently these chronic conditions are typically addressed with anti-inflammatory drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s).  Listening to the news and the disclaimers on advertising we should understand that this approach is not without significant risks.

It is clear from previous research that poor-quality relationships are linked to a number of health problems, including premature mortality and all sorts of other very serious health conditions. And people who are lonely clearly feel like they are in poor-quality relationships," stated the lead author.

So as you are taking steps in the New Year to keep yourself healthy, make sure you include time with friends, family and other companions in your daily or at least weekly schedule to improve your well-being.  

Yours for Better Health,

Dr. Heller 

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