Alcohol consumption can either effect your health positively or negatively, depending on the amount you drink. For a CHIROPRACTOR like me, Dr. Kauf, I am always wanting to make sure my patients are healthy in all aspects of their life- not just from a back or neck like most think! Like most things, moderation is the key to getting the greatest benefits from alcohol. Those who drink moderately generally live longer and ARE in better health than those who either abstain completely or drink heavily. Interesting right?
How much do you drink to stay healthy?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), moderate drinking lowers your risk of heart disease by 40 to 60 percent. And people who normally consume one or two drinks daily have the lowest rate of mortality, according to the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association. The mortality rates of those who have suffered a heart attack are 32 percent lower than those of abstainers. The moderate consumption of alcohol leads to a lower incidence of strokes and can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, osteoporosis and prostate problems.
A European study found greater arterial elasticity in volunteers who had a drink of beer, wine or spirits each day, compared to those who were abstainers. In another study of over 18,000 men from the Physicians Health Study, those who increased the number of drinks they consumed from one to six per week showed a 29 percent lower risk of contracting cardiovascular disease. This was also found to be useful to diabetics, who achieved a 58 percent reduction in heart disease risk by consuming an alcoholic drink every day.
Alcohol has been shown to increase your “good” HDL cholesterol while reducing your “bad” LDL cholesterol, in addition to decreasing clotting and increasing blood flow to your heart. We always monitor your cholesterol as a form of good CHIROPRACTIC practice. We want to be the best CHIROPRACTOR for your health! A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the risk of stroke to be cut in half for those who take two alcoholic beverages per day. But what size constitutes the average beverage size?
A standard drink is considered to be one:
• 12-ounce bottle or can of beer
• 5-ounce glass of wine
• 1 ½ ounce serving of distilled spirits (the equivalent of a shot glass)
“Moderate” drinking is considered to be the consumption of one to three alcoholic drinks per day, depending on your body size. Less than that provides only minimal health benefits. More than two glass a day leads to some major health problems, including liver disease, cirrhosis, cancer, high blood pressure and depression. The over-consumption of alcohol is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, according to a study in The Lancet.
Of course, those who are pregnant, suffering from alcoholism or have adverse reactions to alcohol should abstain, as the benefits do not outweigh the risks. But for most healthy adults, moderate alcohol consumption will help them live longer and healthier lives. So call a friend and drink up, in moderation, that is!
Please call Chicago Chiropractic and ask for Dr. Kauf to learn more. Let your chiropractor help you feel your best today!
Fiber is important in your diet for a number of reasons, the main ones being that it improves digestion and lowers your risk of contracting diabetes, cancer and heart disease. It is recommended that adults get from 25 to 30 grams of fiber in their diet every day. As a CHIROPRACTOR we want to make sure you are receiving enough daily fiber.
There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water (and digestive juices), forming a gel-like substance that helps to lower cholesterol levels and reduce high blood sugar, while insoluble fiber is an indigestible bulking agent that keeps things moving in the digestive tract, aiding in elimination, and reducing occurrences of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis.
Soluble fiber can be found such foods as oats, apples, pears, lentils and carrots, while insoluble fiber is typically found in whole grain flour, nuts, broccoli, seeds and wheat bran. Beans may be one of the best sources, as they contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.
How much fiber do you eat each day?
Fiber has been found to:
- Lower blood cholesterol – Studies have found that soluble fiber lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or the “bad” cholesterol in the blood, which can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. The fiber binds to bile acids, allowing for the elimination of cholesterol from the system.
- Control blood sugar levels – Fiber slows the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream after a meal, helping to avoid insulin spikes and keeping your blood sugar at moderate levels, also reducing your risk of diabetes.
- Help you lose weight – The more fiber a food has, the more likely you are to feel full after eating and not become hungry as quickly. High-fiber foods are also usually lower in calories, so eating the same volume of high-fiber food will provide you with fewer calories to burn than its low-fiber counterpart. Contact us as your chiropractor if you are looking for fitness counseling.
- Maintain bowel health – Because fiber absorbs water it increases bulk and softens the stool, making elimination easier, and reducing hemorrhoids. Studies have also shown that it can also help relieve irritable bowel syndrome.
Try to avoid eating processed foods, as these are usually quite low in fiber. Your best choice is to eat whole foods such as fresh vegetables and whole grains, which will provide you with a high-fiber diet. If you would like to receive some fitness tips and health counseling a chiropractor can help.
It’s easy to incorporate high-fiber foods into your diet. Oatmeal at breakfast (preferably the steel cut variety, which has considerably more fiber than the instant kind) with a little fresh fruit added makes a great high-fiber start to your day. If you get hungry at work, instead of heading for the candy machine, try bringing some dried fruit or a handful of nuts. You can also add beans or chopped vegetables to soups and stews for extra taste and fiber. Your body will thank you!
Scoliosis is a disorder that affects some 5 to 7 million Americans. How do you know if you are one of them? A normal spine, as observed from behind the body, is aligned straight up and down. A spine with scoliosis is seen to have excessive side-to-side curvature, resulting in a “C” or “S” shape. What shape is yours? It is different from kyphosis (hump back) or lordosis (swayback), which are curvatures of the spine from front to back. Scoliosis is not merely a problem with posture, although people with scoliosis may seem to lean to one side or another. Not only does their spine curve excessively, their vertebrae are often rotated, which may cause a “rib hump” in the middle or thoracic area of the spine. The curvature may result in the shoulders or the hips appearing uneven. Chiropractors often see scoliosis in people who had no idea they were victim to this disorder!
Approximately 85% of all cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning they have no known cause. It is usually diagnosed during childhood and occurs equally in girls and boys: however some cases of scoliosis are caused by osteoporosis or other degenerative diseases of the spine. Scoliosis seems to have a genetic component because it runs in families. For unknown reasons, scoliosis curves are 5 to 8 times more likely to grow and need treatment in girls than in boys.
How do you know if you have scoliosis?
Mild scoliosis often requires no treatment, but if the curve grows to a moderate size, or about 60 degrees, braces, surgery or other treatments are usually necessary. Attempting to adjust one’s own posture is ineffective in treating scoliosis. When implemented during adolescence, braces can be very effective in preventing the curves from increasing, avoiding the need for surgery. However, braces cannot completely restore the spine to its normal shape, and may not be able to prevent an increase in curvature. Surgery is painful, expensive and requires significant alterations to lifestyle, although it can be effective in reducing curvature. Surgery should be considered a last resort treatment for scoliosis. Please see a chiropractor for further advice.
Chiropractic carehas been shown to be useful in reducing the spinal curvature of scoliosis, reducing pain and limiting disability. However, it is key that a multi-modal approach be used, rather than just one or two techniques. Diagnosis of scoliosis may include the Adam’s Forward Bending Test, X-rays, limb measurements, range of motion tests and a medical history. In addition to braces, treatment may include individualized exercises, X-rays, spinal manipulations and adjustments, shoe lifts and electrical stimulation. Specifically, the combination of spinal manipulation and postural therapy is critical to success. Chiropractors are experts in spinal problems, and they avoid the use of drugs or surgery. They will not only examine your physical condition, but also your lifestyle, medical history, family history and overall health, as all may contribute to the condition, as well as creating the best plan for treatment and rehabilitation. As scoliosis is not a condition that can be treated overnight, a long course of visits may be necessary to see results. A good CHIROPRACTOR will not only monitor your progress over time but will coordinate with other health care professionals as needed to ensure the best possible outcome. Contact Chicago Chiropractic today if you think you might have this disorder and need scoliosis treatment.
Resources
Some people think chiropractors only treat back pain, but actually they are specialists in the entire musculoskeletal system. They do focus primarily on the spine and surrounding tissues, but the spine is intimately related to good functioning of the whole body. Chiropractors may treat back pain and spasms, sports injuries, headaches, and pregnancy pain. They are trained in a variety of non-invasive techniques and believe in the most natural healing possible.
How do you know if you need a chiropractor or not?
How do you know if a chiropractor is right for you? Here are some conditions for which chiropractic treatment has been shown to be particularly effective.
- Joint pain. Pain in the back and other joints is one of the most common health complaints and causes the greatest number of missed work days for health reasons. Chiropractors specialize in treating back pain and have a wide variety of techniques to treat pain anywhere from the feet and ankles up to the neck.
- Headaches. In particular, migraine headaches can often be effectively treated by a chiropractor. While the exact origin of migraines remains a mystery, spinal manipulation has been shown to improve symptoms as much as a common prescription drug known as amitriptyline.
- Athletic injuries. Laser therapy is a common treatment for plantar fasciitis, a typical running injury, and it is commonly administered by a chiropractor. A soft tissue therapy known as the Active Release Technique is a popular treatment offered by chiropractors that can treat long-standing injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and fascia.
- Pregnancy. A somewhat sudden addition of around 30 pounds to the average woman adds stress to the body, from the back to the ankles, knees and feet. It also results in greater spinal curvature in the lower back and changes to the pelvis. Spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy and therapeutic exercises have been shown to be effective in reducing pain during pregnancy, particularly lower back and groin pain.
- Whiplash. Whiplash is a common injury sustained after a motor vehicle accident. It results in pain in several areas of the body, as well as headaches and vision problems. Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be effective in treating whiplash through the use of spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and specific exercises for the affected areas.
Other things to consider when choosing the type of care you need for your injury is that chiropractors use drug-free approaches without surgery. They are a good option for many kinds of pain and won’t steer you towards drugs or operations, which should be last-resort treatments because of the risks involved. At the same time, chiropractors are not “anti-traditional medicine” and often collaborate with allopathic doctors as well as other health professionals such as acupuncturists and massage therapists in order to design the most effective treatment plan for their patients.
Resources
How many hours a night do you sleep? How many of you suffer from sleep apnea? It may be more common than you think. As a Chiropractor in Chicago we often meet patients who suffer from this. The latest research shows that having sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of death. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects at least 18 million Americans. Pretty big number isn’t it? In fact, sleep apnea is also associated with nearly double the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, as well as early death in men, particularly middle-aged and older men. An obstructed airway causes sleep apnea, which results in cessations in breathing during sleep. This can occur hundreds of times each night. Sleep apnea often results in lowered oxygen levels in the blood, and if untreated, can lead to poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and increased car accidents. Mounting research reveals it may lead to far worse consequences as well.
- Do you suffer from sleep apnea?
Even those with mild to moderate sleep apnea may see an increase of up to 17% in their risk of death. A long and large study conducted at Johns Hopkins University and published this year showed results that have real meaning for the average person. Over a period of 10 years, the researchers included more than 6,400 men and women between the ages of 40 and 70. Most of the participants snored, which is the main symptom of sleep apnea. The researchers monitored their sleep patterns as well as their breathing, heart rhythms, and brain activity while sleeping. The results revealed that about half had moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Next, the researchers tracked those with sleep apnea over the next eight to ten years, monitoring and recording the incidence of sickness and death. The main illnesses they found were high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. They made an incredible discovery: those who experienced just 11 minutes of severe sleep apnea per night, in which blood oxygen levels dropped to below 90% of normal, nearly doubled the risk of death among men. The researchers were not able to conclude the same for women, since the study included so few women with severe sleep apnea. In general, sleep apnea affects men more than women.
The researchers indicated that these results are serious and require attention by doctors as well as patients. If you suffer from any of these conditions we urge you to call Chicago Chiropractic today or any CHIROPRACTOR that may be able to help you. “With such mounting evidence indicating the range of clinical effects of sleep apnea, awareness amongst health care professionals and the general community needs to increase,” said study lead author Dr. Naresh Punjabi, an associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Anyone with the main symptoms of sleep apnea, including loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating should discuss their symptoms with a doctor. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight may help the problem. If you have a more serious case of sleep apnea, there is effective therapy, including Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices that act as a sort of oxygen mask during sleep. According to accumulating evidence, not only can treating sleep apnea improve your quality of life, but may save it as well.
We hope you reach out to your Chicago chiropractor soon.. we want you to leave feeling your best and be receiving healthy sleep every night!
How Many Adjustments Will I Need?
The short answer to this question is, “It depends.”
For example, the number of recommended adjustments may depend on why you sought chiropractic carein the first place. Were you concerned with pain, or recovery from an injury, or did you seek care to promote your overall health and wellness? The national average when dealing with pain and injury is 20 to 22 adjustments per patient, per injury. When the initial pain or injury has been relieved and treatment moves more into the area of general wellness care and health maintenance, the number of adjustments is almost always a partnership between the chiropractor and the patients. They work together to determine o
How many back adjustments do you receive each month?
verall goals and set up an appropriate treatment schedule.
Many patients find relief in their first visit and see considerable progress within a week or two of regular visits, and regular adjustments can become less necessary as your body stabilizes. Of course, this varies from patient to patient, depending on the nature of the injury and the stage of treatment they are in. In the first or acute stage, when the patient has first consulted a chiropractor, the primary goal may be to relieve pain and increase mobility, so several adjustments a week may be required to accomplish this.
However, the scar tissue and postural imbalance that can build up around spinal injuries can take some time to heal completely, so there may be a reconstructive or healing phase of treatment. This stage seeks to improve the strength and flexibility of soft tissue surrounding the area of the original injury. During this phase there are commonly fewer adjustments – from once a week to once a month. At first the patient may find in nearly every visit that their spine has slipped back out of adjustments and requires correction. When the spine starts holding its adjustments, however, treatment can be reduced to a check-up every few months.
The number of recommended chiropractic adjustments may also vary depending on the nature of the services provided by the individual chiropractor. Some treatment approaches seek to correct problems in a few sessions, while others take a more long-term approach, constantly evaluating the patient’s progress and changing the treatment regimen accordingly to not just heal the immediate injury but develop a more healthy spine and lifestyle. Chiropractic care is to some extent an art form; there are many ways to adjust the spine, and many ways to determine whether the adjustment has been successful. This can depend on the chiropractor’s personal style, where they were educated, their experience, and many other factors.
To some extent the determination of how many adjustments you will need depends on you, your personal goals, and how much you want to benefit from chiropractic care. Some patients seek only resolution of pain or discomfort from an injury, and are not as interested in long-term therapies to improve their spinal and general health. Others choose to pursue treatment because they recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy spine, to prevent future injuries and increase their quality of life.
Resources:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4397485_how-many-chiropractic-visits-do.html
http://www.demosschiropractic.com/chiropractic-fidelity.cfm
http://www.oliverspecific.com/chiropractor/how-many-chiropractic-adjustments-do-i-need-part-2/
http://www.back2harmony.com/faqs_treatment.html#howmany
http://www.creatingwellnessdr.com/chiropractic-adjustments.php
How many times a day do you wash your hands?
In previous centuries, the importance of hand washing was not understood, and led to the needless deaths of many millions of people. Would you have ever guessed that? When performed properly, hand washing is by far the most effective way to reduce the spread of communicable diseases.
Up to 25% of women in the 19th century died in childbirth from childbed fever (peurperal sepsis), a disease subsequently found to be caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, which was inadvertently transmitted to the mothers on the hands of the doctors attending them. When hand washing was instituted in the delivery room, the rate of death dropped to less than 1%. As a chiropractor and as a doctor that provides chiropractor care for pregnant women daily, this was a shocking statistic!
Washing your hands after using the toilet or changing a diaper is of utmost importance, as the ingestion of even the smallest amount of fecal matter can cause serious illness from deadly pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, giardiasis and hepatitis A, among others.
Viruses can also be spread via the hands when they come into contact with infectious respiratory secretions, such as after coughing, sneezing, shaking hands with someone or touching an object that has been in the proximity of someone who is ill, then touching the face, particularly the nose, eyes or mouth. This is one of the primary ways of transmitting the virus that causes the common cold. One way we urge everyone to stay healthy is through chiropractic care. If you ever feel less than your best you should contact Chicago Chiropractic to see what we can do for you.
Those who handle food should routinely wash their hands, not only after using the toilet, but also after touching raw meat, fish or poultry, as the microbes present on uncooked food can cause gastrointestinal infections that can range anywhere from mild to severe.
Other instances in which you should wash your hands are after handling garbage, handling animals or animal waste, visiting or caring for an ill person, or if the hands show visible dirt. These are probably common things we do daily and don’t event recognize.
To wash your hands properly you need only two things: soap and clean, running water. If these two are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has a minimum 60% alcohol content. We always urge our patients to carry the travel size hand sanitizer in your bag with you. Just a little tip from your Chicago Chiropractor 
Before washing your hands, remove all rings and other jewelry. Using warm, running water, wet your hands thoroughly, then apply enough soap to work up a nice lather. Keeping your hands out of the water, rub them together, being sure to scrub both the front and backs of your hands, including your wrists, and also washing between the fingers and under the nails. Do this for 20 seconds, then rinse completely under the running water. Turn off the taps with a paper towel and dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer.
For more tips on how to stay healthy and feel your best contact Chicago Chiropractic!
As a chiropractor in Chicago we need to make sure our patients take the proper precautions when taking part in physical sports and activities. Skiing is one of the most exhilarating sports for almost any age. Unfortunately, the excitement and fun is all too often marred by accidents that can range from the inconvenient to the deadly. Although one can exercise good judgment, be in excellent shape and be an expert skier, there is no way to avoid the significant risk of accidents on the slope due to careless skiers, unforeseen obstacles and equipment failure.
It is in those brief moments of chaos where head protection becomes the deciding factor between getting back up and being evacuated by the ski patrol. A good helmet protects not only against the blunt force trauma of high-speed head-to-ground contact but also the puncturing wounds from head-to-tree collisions.
Chiropractors can help when choosing a ski helmet, make sure the size and fit are perfect for your head. Determine your helmet size by measuring your head’s circumference (a measuring tape works quite nicely). When trying out helmets, make sure it fits properly by rolling the helmet off of your head. If the skin of your face moves then the helmet fits properly. Also make sure the helmet is not too tight, as any pressure points while fitting the helmet will cause significant pain on the slopes. Even the chinstrap should be relaxed and comfortable, enough to hold the helmet on but not to cause any pressure.
It is also important that the back of the helmet not touch the back of the neck even when the head is fully titled back as this may cause injuries during a crash.
If you plan to order online then be aware that helmets are designed for varying head shapes as well as sizes. You may need to order a variety of styles and return the ones that don’t fit well. Have a friend check the shape of your head to determine if you have an oval, round or “roval” head.
Your ski goggles should also fit the helmet perfectly. While wearing the helmet, you should be able to fit the goggles properly without any exposed space on your forehead and a minimum amount of exposed space on the sides. The goggles should not overlap the helmet on any side. Make sure the helmet has a clip in the back to hold the goggle strap otherwise you may find it slipping off at the worst possible moment.
Helmets not only provide vital protection during collisions but also provide protection from the cold and adverse weather conditions. You can find helmets that provide ear protection and other comfort features, such as vents for warmer weather skiing
Lastly, for an extra bit of fun and some long-term memories, helmets allow you to attach cameras so that you can record your ski runs. What better way to enjoy your runs than show them off on video!
Shoulder pain is a common complaint that patients present to both primary care physicians and chiropractic practitioners. There are several underlying conditions that may cause discomfort in this area, many of which may be assisted by chiropractic treatment and chiropractic manipulation. A proper diagnosis is important in order to determine what kind of treatment is indicated in each case.
Commonly observed causes of shoulder pain include:
- Bursitis or tendinitis of the rotator cuff (inflammation of the shoulder joint, also called impingement syndrome, since the inflammation impinges on the ability of the shoulder to move fully)
- Frozen shoulder (restriction of joint movement by the shoulder capsule, also known as adhesive capsulitis)
- Rotator cuff tear (tearing of the shoulder tendons away from the bone). The rotator cuff refers to the group of four muscles and tendons that are responsible for moving the shoulder joint
- Shoulder dislocation and shoulder instability (repeated dislocation, which may follow the initial occurrence as a result of the weakening and tearing of shoulder ligaments)
- Synovitis (inflammation of the synovium that protects joint bones from rubbing together)
- Calcific tendinitis (calcium deposits in the shoulder tendons)
- Referred pain from the neck or elsewhere in the body
- Arthritis (wearing away of shoulder cartilage)
- Fractures
The precise nature of chiropractic treatment for shoulder pain depends on which of the above diagnoses is made by your practitioner, but will likely include some degree of manipulation to ensure correct spinal alignment (especially in the neck) and improved shoulder mobility and function. Additional measures such as heat and ice packs, stretching and strengthening exercises, anti-inflammatory medication, rest and cortisone injections may also be discussed. Furthermore, your chiropractor will want to look at your overall health, diet and lifestyle to see if any improvements can be made to assist with your healing process. Chiropractors are specialist health care professionals who deal with shoulder pain on a daily basis.
Signs that you should your chiropractor about your shoulder include the following:
- Pain when carrying objects
- Shoulder pain at night and when resting
- Being unable to raise your arm
- Pain that persists beyond a few days and is unimproved by rest and painkillers
- Warmth, redness and/or swelling of the shoulder and/or fever, which may indicate infection
- Bruising around the shoulder area
If your baby suffers from colic, try chiropractic care as a solution!
At Chicago Chiropractic we see a lot of parents and children in our office. How many of you can say you have experienced having or knowing a colicky baby? Colic is a bit of a mystery to both parents and scientists and sometimes to me, a chiropractor! There is no complete definition of colic or its causes, but it is generally seen as unexplained and uncontrolled crying in infants from 0 to 3 months of age, for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks, usually in the afternoon or evening hours.
Colic is usually assumed to disappear spontaneously around 3 months of age. However, studies have shown that colic can continue in some infants until 6 or even 12 months of age. The excessive crying and general unrest can cause great stress and frustration in a household, and may have long-term consequences such as temper tantrums and frequent night waking. Understandably, parents are continually seeking treatments that can help. Would you seek chiropractic care for a colicky baby? Read on to find out why you might want to!
Research on colic and its solution is limited. However, medications have not been shown to be particularly effective in treating colic, so some parents have turned to chiropractic care instead. Chiropractors have been treating colicky babies for many years and with significant success. The theory is that when babies are born, the neck and back vertebrae may become misaligned during the compressions and stretches of the birthing process. If interventions are used to assist the birth, such as forceps or vacuum suction, these misalignments can be even worse. These misalignments or subluxations can disturb normal physiological processes such as digestion, causing significant infant discomfort and can lead to colic. Chiropractors experienced in treating infants use a gentle, ìno-crackingî adjustment process that is relaxing and comforting.
A recent study examined behavioral and sleep disturbances experienced by post-colicky children who had been treated with chiropractic care versus children who had not received such treatment. Results showed that toddlers who had been treated with chiropractic care were two times as likely not to experience long-term consequences of colic than those who had been treated with chiropractic care.
Another study showed a reduction in crying of 1 hour in babies treated with a drug called dimethicone, and a reduction in crying of 2.4 hours in babies treated with chiropractic manipulation. For those of you with colicky babies, how does a reduced 2.4 hours of crying sound?
In conclusion, chiropractic care for infant colic is effective in many cases. Be sure to select a chiropractor that is experienced in treating babies and in particular, babies with colic.
Resources:
Miller, JE. Long term effects of infant colic. A survey comparison of chiropractic treatment and nontreatment groups. J Manipulative Physio Ther. 2009 Oct;32(8):635-8. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19836599
Wiberg JMM, Nordsteen J, Nilsson N J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 (Oct);22 (8): 517-522). Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10543581?dopt=Abstract
