Product of the Week!

Stress.  The effects take a significant toll on your health, and for many, the holidays seem to magnify those effects.  We need powerful protection against those stress hormones!  Here is one formula that will help you fight the stress hormone and its side effects.

Nusera-

Nusera is a chocolate-flavored chewable tablet specially formulated to help people feel calm and relaxed during occasional stressful moments.  Research suggests LactiumPure may influence the metabolism of cortisol-the stress hormone.  In vitro studies suggest LactiumPure positively influences the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) - a calming neurotransmitter.

The Scientific Explanation of the ARP (Accelerated Recovery Performance) Trainer

The cellular processes of tissue and bone healing are complex and multifactorial. The scientific basis for ARP treatment is the positive cellular effects of direct current electrical fields on these processes. Direct current has been shown to affect cellular migration and orientation, endothelialization, protein synthesis, and calcium regulation, as well as stimulation of new bone formation and fracture healing.(4,6,7,10,18,19,21,22,24,25)

The initial response after injury is coagulation modulated by plasma platelet cells that form fibrin clots to stop bleeding. The clots attract polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and fibroblasts that, in turn, adhere to the clots forming a fibrin gel. The PMNs consume bacteria and wound debris by secreting proteases. 

Platelets also release growth factors that attract monocytes to the site of injury. Monocytes mature into macrophages that become the controlling cells in tissue healing. Macrophages continue the process of bacteria phagocytosis and cleaning of wound debris and also secrete growth factors that attract and activate fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts proliferate and migrate, and produce a collagen matrix. Concomitantly, endothelial cells migrate to the collagen matrix to produce new blood vessels in this matrix. Granulation tissue is formed composed of fibroblasts, endothelial cells, PMNs, and a collagen matrix. 

Direct current electrical fields can modulate a number of factors involved in the healing response. A major process that is affected by direct current is cellular migration and orientation. Cooper and Keller, working with amphibian neural crest cells exposed to a direct current field, demonstrated a migration of cells towards the cathode with a resultant perpendicular cellular orientation.(7) In further studies, Cooper and Schliwa concluded that cell locomotion could be controlled with manipulation of the direct current field.(8) This process, called galvanotaxis, has been demonstrated also in neutrophils, macrophages, and fibroblasts.(10,18,21,22,23)

Direct current can also produce changes in endothelialization. Nannmark et al reported an increased permeability to macromolecules, and changes in capillary permeability to white blood cells with exposure to low levels of direct current.(19) Direct current can affect the migration of endothelial cells in vitro.(24)

Intracellular processes are also affected by exposure to direct current. Cheng et al established that relatively low levels of direct current can raise the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level almost 500 % and increase protein synthesis and membrane transport.(6) Bourguignon et al demonstrated an uncapping of insulin receptors on the cell membrane and enhancement of protein and DNA synthesis within the first minute after direct current stimulation.(4)                                                             

                                                           

New bone formation and fracture healing are positively affected by the application of a direct current electrical field.(11,12,14,17) The net effect of direct current on bone is an increase in osteoblastic activity and new bone formation around the cathode. These effects are optimally demonstrated with a current level of 5 to 20 micro amps. Studies have shown increased spinal fusion rates, and increased healing of fracture nonunions.(5,9,13)

The scientific basis for the use of direct current stimulation in tissue healing has long been established. The clinical problem has been in the application of the direct current without severe discomfort and skin damage. With precise application of an ingenious, patented background waveform, ARP technology allows clinically appropriate levels of direct current to be delivered to tissues safely.

Influenza

People most likely to get influenza are those whose immune systems are not working properly (for example, transplant recipients or people with HIV), or those whose lifestyle or work brings them into frequent contact with sick people (like health care workers).
The following put you at the greatest risk for complications from the flu:

• over the age of 50
• Having a serious underlying medical condition like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease (such as asthma or cystic fibrosis) or kidney disease.
• Having a weakened immune system

Your age and your underlying medical condition are tough to change but strengthening your immune system is not.  We have many different ways that we can strengthen the immune system.  The first 2 are diet and exercise.  A diet rich in fruits and vegetable will provide lots of antioxidants, especially vitamins A and C.  Minimize your stress and reaction to stress.  The stress hormone cortisol has been proven to decrease your immune system response so by performing stress relieving activities your immune system will function better.  There are also many different nutritional supplements that boost your immune system.  The following is a list of some of the common supplements we use to treat influenza and boost our immune system:

1. Andrographis Plus - combines a proprietary blend of Ayurvedic and Asian herbs designed to promote healthy immune system function.
2. Flu Terminator - broad spectrum homeopathic remedy for influenza
3. Immucore - designed to provide a multiple mechanistic approach to support healthy immune system function through enhancing activities of macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cell subsets.
4. N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine - mucolytic agent that helps break up mucous after the infection has already occurred.
5. Ultra Flora Plus DF Capsules - non dairy pro biotic formula that provides highly viable, pure strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis along with supportive factors.
6. Vitamin D - when converted into its active form by monocytes it acts as a cytokine, defending the body against microbial invaders

~Nutrition Reference Guide, 2010

For more information on these products or about the flu call 334-6656.

Lower Extremities!

We pride ourselves in being able to effectively diagnose and treat many different types of lower extremity ailments!  Check out this article on the To Your Health website!

Not only the spine!

We treat extremity conditions such as plantar fascitis, ankle sprains, gait abnormalities, knee pain and tracking disorders, hip dysfunction and pain, shoulder joint problems and rotator cuff tears, elbow tendinitis and tendinosis, wrist injuries such as DeQuervain's Disease, hand injuries, and more. Not unlike the spine, your extremity joints can be dysfunctional due to a host of reasons. In addition, sprains/strains are very common. Advanced training in this area of treatment allows us to better identify the cause of the problem and formulate an appropriate care plan. Should diagnostic imaging and/or a referral be necessary, we work with excellent practitioners in many different fields of medicine.  If you are suffering from pain coming from somewhere other than the spine, schedule an appointment today (605-334-6656) so you can feel better tomorrow!

Antibiotics for Ear Infections?

Do antibiotics benefit your child from ear infections?  Are the side effects worth the reward?  Check out this article Antibiotics and Ear Infections.

Quote of the Day.

* The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is the best.
Thomas Jefferson