Corona Virus, Spanish Flu and Chiropractic

Listening to the news reports one can not help but believe that we are all doomed to fall victim to the Corona virus making its way out of China.  Yes, it seems to be quite virulent and mortality from it is higher than typical viruses;  however, as with most viruses our best defense is to use proper hygene and keep our immune system supported.  Healthy immune function is important for everything from the cold and a runny nose, to influenza, cancer, and heart disease.  This entails getting adequate sleep, eating right (avoiding over consumption of processed foods and their additives, watching our sweetener intake), drinking plenty of fluids  and consuming vitamin C and D which have been shown to improve the resistance of the immune system.

As I thought about this, it reminded me of an historical chiropractic point.  Chiropractic came into its own during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919. (<-This link downloads a PDF)  Chiropractic historians have marked the 1918 Flu Pandemic as a major factor in the success and proliferation of the chiropractic profession as a whole.   During the time before the take over of healthcare by the pharmaceutical industry, chiropractic was actually licensed and utilized to treat many infectious disease and disorders; even polio up to the 1950’s.   As mentioned above, the best defense is a strong immune system.  So how did chiropractic help?  Multiple studies show the positive benefits of the chiropractic adjustment  here and here.  

Specifically, chiropractic has been shown to  reduce the production of pro inflammatory substances in the body,  stimulate the production of immune boosting white blood cells and enhance their activity.   Spinal adjustments have been found to increase and even kick off the production immunoglobulins which act as anti bodies against disease causing organisms.

How effective was chiropractic in its efforts against the Spanish flu?  In Davenport, Iowa, 50 medical doctors treated 4,953 cases, with 274 deaths. Throughout Iowa, excluding Davenport, 4,735 patients were treated by chiropractors with a loss of only 6 cases.   Epidemic reports show that in New York City, during the influenza epidemic of 1918, out of every 10,000 cases medically treated, 950 died.  The same reports show that chiropractors cared for 3,490 cases of influenza with only 7 deaths.  In Oklahoma there is a clear record showing that chiropractors were called in 233 cases where medical doctors had cared for the patients, and finally gave them up as lost. The chiropractors saved all but 25 of these “lost” cases.  National figures show that 1,142 chiropractors treated 46,394 patients for influenza during 1918, with a loss of only 54 patients.  These figures clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of chiropractic care in helping our bodies fight against disease.

This is only one aspect of the amazing benefits of chiropractic.  Numerous studies and research have shown profound affects of the adjustment on the musculoskeletal system, neurology, hormonal balance, immunology and even psycho-emotional states by way of modulating the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and its effect on the body, all with virtually no negative side effects.

I would urge you to consider putting the powerful effects of chiropractic care into your wellness regime before you need to depend on the medico-pharmaceutical establishment for crisis care.  We welcome all patients, whether you are looking for an alternative or addition to your medical care.

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

Their New "discovery" Is Really Quite Old.

"Conceptually, bioelectronics is straightforward: Get the nervous system to tell the body to heal itself. But of course it’s not that simple. “What we’re trying to do here is completely novel,” - NYT.     

Chiropractic has been helping improve the impulses through the nervous system to the body's tissues to improve all functions of the body since 1897, without the risks of implanted devices.   There is nothing novel about it!  But it is nice that they are finally catching up.