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Silver has been used for centuries to
control microbes --bacteria, fungus, yeast, and virus--in various
cultures. In India with its hot, moist climate --silver is used to wrap and preserve foods where no refrigeration is available. These foods are eaten wrapper and all without ill effects.
Silver was commonly used in the United States until the advent of antibiotics
in the 1940's.
Today it is the treatment of choice in burn units.
Antibiotics as we know are widely overused and are estimated
to cause over 100,000 deaths per year. Recently we have begun to hear of MRSA, that is microbes which are resistant to new
forms of bacteria. We need alternatives. In this case it is Back to the Future as we seek forms of treatment. Silver is a
good, safe, inexpensive choice.
Can Silver
Cause Metal Poisoning or Toxic Nephropathy? Any substance can be
fatal in excessive amounts --even water. The MERCK manual (17th edition, p. 1880) has a list of toxic heavy metals--silver
is the only one not listed as one that cause toxic nephropathy --kidney impairment.
American Biotech Labs produces USDA approved products that are well within safe
limits --that is 24 ppm (parts per million) --very low --that tests have shown to eliminate bacteria. The liquid and new gel
forms produced at American Biotech Labs are now available at Rocklin Chiropractic Clinic ---www.rocklinchiro.com--916-624-0682.
“The Big D”
September 29, 2009
We all experience depression from time to time and in different degrees.
We have all heard that many famous and accomplished persons experienced deep and prolonged
depression. Depression is not a sign of weakness.
One of the first principles of psychology that I learned as a college freshman in 1960
was "depression" is 'anger turned inward', that is anger directed toward ones self. Almost 50 years later I still contemplate
that simple truth.
Early in my practice I had a patient confined to a wheelchair as a result of a work accident. Peter
was a large-framed man who had had a career as a professional athlete. Subsequently as a fire fighter he suffered terrible
injuries that resulted in the wheelchair. He may have experienced brain injury as he spoke with a slur. One day he was wheeled
in for treatment of musculo-skeletal complaints. I greeted him with a smile and asked How are you?
He answered "mizzzerable." He felt useless and depressed. I shared that I had just finished
a book by one of the Meninger brothers, well known Drs. specializing in mental - emotional disorders. I quoted the book which
stated very simply that the easiest and best "cure" for depression was to do something for somebody else.
I never saw Peter again. He was unfortunately unable to address what today would be called
his "issues."
What were some of the things Peter could have done for himself? Following are some ideas: physical
- Peter gets credit for this one because he was seeking care for the bodily pain he felt. Physical therapy, massage, chiropractic,
yoga are examples of valid avenues. nutritional - amino acids which are the building blocks for proteins are essential.
Supplements of B6 and B12 (sublingual is best) are crucial especially for the aging population. SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
is available over- the- counter and has been successfully used by Europeans for decades. exercise - even stretching
assists in producing endorphins which are the hormones that make us feel good.
breathing - as discussed in an earlier
blog on this site is something we all forget to do properly. stimulate olfactory senses - scents, fragrances, foods
activate portions of the brain that enhance the joy in our lives. visual senses - colors . When I think about it now
flowers incorporate the last two (olfactory and visual) concepts and it's easy to see why flowers would be universally
used as gifts for healing and mood enhancement. Finally laughter we know can actually boost the immune systemfor healing
and balance in our lives.
"It's All in the Interpretation"
September 18, 2009
The following appeared in the Berkshire Genealogist, Volume 27, Number
1.
You will enjoy it!:
An amateur genealogy researcher discovered that his great-great uncle, Remus Starr,
a fellow lacking in character, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889.
The only known photograph
of Remus shows him standing on the gallows.
On the back of the picture in this inscription: "Remus Starr; horse thief, sent
to Montana Territorial Prison 1883, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six
times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889."
In a family history subsequently written by his descendant, Remus' picture is
cropped, scanned in as an enlarged image, and edited with image processing software so that all that's seen is a headshot.
The accompanying revisionist history states:
"Remus Starr was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory.
His business empire grew to include acquistion of valuable equestrian assets and intimate
dealings with the Montana Railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility,
finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by
the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when
the platform upon which he was standing suddenly collapsed."
Extra
Vertebra in the Spine
September 4, 2009
Question: "We have an interesting development with our 22 year old granddaughter.
She had been having balance and walking difficulty this summer and after seeing many specialists and now consulting at Mayo,
she has been diagnosed with an extra vertebra between the 7 and 8th. We are assuming it isn't a very common condition.
Any input would be welcome. Thanks. K & J"
Answer: I'm assuming
the extra vertebra is in the neck, cervical (yes, that is the correct term) which normally has 7 vertebrae however if it is
in the thoracic region the following will still apply.
An extra vertebra in the spine is not an uncommon occurrence.
It is a "normal anomaly" which means a benign variation= we are all different. I have seen it occasionally. I don't think
there is a direct correlation with the symptoms you mention. In other words not everybody with this extra vertebra has problems,
but it is possible and worth pursuing from a biomechanical (chiropractic) standpoint. As is so often the case, this sounds
like a
last resort option. I hope it works for your granddaughter.
"The Chiropractic vs
Medical Perspective"
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Chiropractic = resistance (strength) of the organism
(human)Medicine =virulence of the pathogen ("bug")
The medical (allopathic) model is to focus on the "bug" be it a
strep, staph, or cancer cell.
After identifying the pathogen, the next step is how to kill it. Burn, cut, or
poison are the choices. Of course all these choices compromise the human organism. We pay a toll. Every medicine has
its contraindications as we know.
In contrast, chiropractic has always focused on the human host if you will. The human
is composed of several aspects: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. These aspectscontribute to our immune system which
we call our resistance.
We are surrounded by bugs in our external environment. They may be mosquitoes or aphids. We
are filled with bugs in our internal environment: staph, strep, cancer cells,and misguided fragments of DNA.
The question is: Why do some people get sick while others don't? The answer is
simple:immunity.
In conclusion, chiropractic focuses on the integrity of the nervous system which
isnetwork or wiring that serves all of our organs and systems including immune systems.
By enhancing and optimizing our immunity we can resist colds,
swine flu, ulcers and cancers.
Metabolic
Syndrome in a Thimble
July
31, 2009
Metabolic
syndrome is a term that sounds so neutral, yet is such a pernicious concept that
it could be called "death markers." In
fact the ominous term Syndrome X is used to describe
Metabolic Syndrome in some circles.
I recently met with a cousin,
now 75, who was an athlete and coach and who was in relatively good shape until 5 years ago when I last saw him. He had noticeably
gained weight and particularly around his middle. He announced that he had recently been diagnosed with several diseases --diabetes,
high cholesterol and other blood lipids, arthritis, and cardiovascular
disease. I don't know that he mentioned elevated blood pressure but it is likely. I asked him Did your doctor call it "metabolic
syndrome?" "No", he said, he had "never heard of that one."
I was distressed to see my cousin resigned to his conditions
and displaying the six classic factors of Metabolic Syndrome: 1) excessive fat tissue around the waist, 2) blood fat disorders
(high lipids), 3) high blood pressure, 4) insulin resistance (type II diabetes), 5) elevated risk of blood clot formation,
and 6) inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
What can be done about this X Syndrome? I revert to my Formula for Wellness
www.rocklinchiro.com .
The formula is 5-part: 1) chiropractic care, after all I
am a chiropractor, 2) physical therapy including massage, 3) nutrition including supplements and herbs, 4) exercise, and 5)
good sleeping habits. The first 2 are important, yet passive for the most part.
Nutrition, exercise, and sleeping habits
are active and the responsibility of the individual.
NUTRITION I will make
one comment about nutrition that is not often addressed, that is digestion and assimilation. We can eat the best foods in
the world and we can take the most expensive vitamins, herbs and supplements BUT if they are not absorbed "they can go right
through you." I have heard reports and seen xrays that show undigested "pills."
*Key=
enzymes in our foods and as supplements are essential.
EXERCISE Like nutrition,
volumes and a plethora of books have been written on this subject. So let me refer you to one of those for suggestions and
let me say incorporate exercise in your activities of daily living.
Basically I am saying move people. If the gym is not your thing- if
competitive sports are not your thing --make your home, your yard, your garden, your grocery shopping, your pleasure trips
--your exercise. Walk those few extra steps to the store of your choice, park some distance away. Take the stairs rather than
an elevator. Why not mow your own lawn, clean your own house? In the mornings imitate your cat ---stretch-- no, I don't have a cat either.
Some mild activity before bed can help you sleep. Don't forget sex is exercise.
SLEEP I heard a "celebrity doctor" recently on a morning television show advise shifting gears downward an hour
before bed, then at bedtime turning out all lights even LCD lights on clocks and electronic devices should be screened. If
you can't break the habit of leaving TV on when you go to sleep, use your sleep-timer feature. I took this TV doctor's advice
and it worked! I have slept more soundly.
I have omitted the obvious dicta regarding
nutrition "eat healthy foods, avoid unhealthy foods" and sleeping preparations -"don't drink coffee before bed", "use a good
mattress and pillow", as I hope the reader knows and follows that good advice which is widely available.
"New Machine For Back Pain Releif"
- As seen on TV
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
(This is in response to an inquiry from Mary B.)
Hi Mary-- I have not seen the machine you ask about. However, I
have a patient who used it (same name and costing about $200) for 3 weeks and returned to me yesterday. The results
are very positive for his low-back pain which radiated into his left leg. His pain is releived, his range of motion
is better, and he is walking etter. He used it daily as directed. He said he was unable to use it on his mid-upper
back or neck. As he descrived the device to me the principle is sound, that is, TRACTION.
here is a list of tractioning procedures:
1. Chiropractic manipulations are tractioning movements. They have
the advantage of being specific and careful.
2. The Spine-o-lator machine I have patients use at my office in preparation
for an adjustment are general and unspecific tractioning movements.
3. Massage therapy is targeted tractioning of soft tissues.
4. "Decompression" machine wiht treatments costing $3,000 are simple
tractioning with lots of hype.
5. Even lying on your back with a round pillow under your neck and 2
regular pillows elevating your knees with your spine forming a kind of bridge is traction.
6. Stretching exercises = traction.
7. Yoga positions = ditto.
They all work! The methods listed above may be used in conjunction
with each other without conflict despite what health advocates (including MDs) who discourage procedures different tan their
own. I am always suspicious of health providers who say 'don't do this/don't do that' when there is a monetary consideration.
As you know, I encourage patients to design their own program including
chiropractic, physical therapy (including massage), nutrition, exercise, and sleeping habits.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Posted by J Carlson
Detox Breath
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Steps for detoxifying breathing:
1) Blow out your breath sharply as if blowing
out a candle.
2) Continue exhaling until you "feel it", that is until it feels complete and you are ready to inhale.
3) Now, do nothing, your lungs will start to fill all on their own.
4) At the end of you inhalation recruit your diaphragm to complete your breath. (Be careful not to throw
out your chest or lift your shoulders as you may have been taught.)
5) Do
these 4 steps and repeat them 6 times per day or about every 3 hours. this is similar to a baby's breathing cycle and
similar to a yoga breath.
How does
it work? We dump abut 30% of our bodies' waste through our organs of elimination -bowels and bladder - the rest is largely
up to our respiratory system, perspiration, etc.
What is
the magic key to efficient breath and maximizing full elimination of toxins?
We need
to utilize our diaphragm in breathing. Watch a baby breathe. A baby is using its diaphragm to breathe. Unfortunately
we un-learn this mechanism.
What is
the diaphragm? It is the muscle that separates our upper body, torso, from our abdomen. It attaches to the lowest ribs
front and back. If you place your fingertips under your sternum -wishbone- along the ridge of your ribs, you may feel
theattachments of your diaphragm. This tissue should be soft and pliable. You should be able to place a quarter
inch of your fingertips under your ribs. If it is hard and tight you are prone to g.r.i.d. (gastrointestinal reflux
disease), hiatal hernia, heartburn and other digestive disorders.
Posted
by J Carlson
Prednisole - A Short Affair
May 22, 2009
In
November, 2006, I experienced severe pain in the major joints of my body along with weakness, night sweats, and sudden weight
loss.
I used
an array of natural products and services: vitamins, minerals, aloe vera, chlorophyll, chiropractic, massage, heat,ultrasound
among others.
Later
I worked with a very competent acupuncturist whose treatments were supportive. But nothing gave me relief from the gnawing,
"hollow" pain. I consulted my M.D. I mentioned having dark stools and his immediate concern was colon cancer. As I left his
office, to my relief
I remembered taking the chlorophyll and how it would darken the stools.
On
subsequent visits the M.D. prescribed pain medications which helped and rendered a diagnosis of "polyarthralgia." I knew the
source of my pain was the connective tissues--ligaments, tendons--surrounding the joints, not the joints themselves. I went
on-line, plugged in my symptoms, and there it was "polymyalgia rheumatica," referred to as "PMR". Within a day I had a
conversation
with my older brother. I told him my symptoms and he said "That sounds like a condition I had a few years ago called "poly-my-algia
rheu-ma-tica".
Bingo!My
differential diagnosiswas PMR. As a health professional who considered himself a specialist in neuro-muscular-skeletal conditions
I had never heard of PMR. I went back to my M.D. who did not concur with a diagnosis of PMR, but agreed to refer me to a well-known
rheumatologist. It was another two months before he could see me. For those two months I suffered pain and was unable to work.
I had a substitute practitioner take care of my patients. This practitioner proceeded to siphon off some of my patients and
invaded my computer management program for confidential information.
I went
to my health club and slipped on the wet floor only to be caught in the arms of a friend who was shocked by my appearance
and said, "Buddy,what's wrong?" I reassured him I had a "temporary arthritis" and would get over it.
********************************************
The
welcome day arrived to see Dr. Taber, the rheumatologist, who looked at my sed-rate (130---normally in the range of 10), examined
me and confirmed the diagnosis of PMR.
He
started me on prednisone which I knew from my on-line research was the standard medical remedy. The results were instant.
I was out of pain and my joint function returned. I could return to work and rescue my practice.
I started
at a lower level of 15 milligrams per day. I proceeded to halve the dosage and told Dr. Taber I was doing so. I could tell
he was not happy I was
doing the dosage reduction on my own.
He
also would not have been happyto know I was taking the prednisone sublingually, under my tongue (it is a 'bitter pill') to
allow it to get into my bloodstream more quickly and directly than going through my GI tract.
Dr.
Taber warned me that my appetite would be "enormous" while taking prednisone. With a sed rate of 130 and a metabolic rate
in overdrive, I was enjoying large amounts of food and 2 additional meals per day.
For
the first timein my life I was trying to gain weight! from 155 back to 175.
(Two
and one half years later I am back to keeping my weight under control, no more daily malts and frosties.)
In
February, 2009, I was down to 1/2 milligram of prednisone per day, my pain controlled, my joint function normal, my weight
stabilized.
When
I tried to stop the prednisone the symptoms came back with a vengeance.
I never
developed the side affects we hear of from prednisone --no undesireable weight gain, no moon-face, no dowagers hump, etc.
My blood tests all came back normal so it wasn't affecting my liver or other internal organs.
In
summary I consider prednisone a friend to embrace with eyes wide open and tell: "You know this is only temporary, don't
you?"
Posted
by J Carlson
While driving
I could see an old grizzled man ahead trying to cross the street in heavy traffic. Several cars ahead ignored him and buzzed
past.
I stopped
and he crossed the street. He stood on the curb facing me, removed his dirty cap and tipped it toward me with a bow of his
head.
It was performed
in a stagey, theatricalmanner.***********
Was he a
by-gone actor? An alkie stumbling his way home?
An apparition from the past? An angel unawares?
Perhaps.
This post is in response to
Gary who has emailed questions on his wife's xray findings.
I have not had the opportunity
to see the films, but Gary, a layman, describes the pictures as having "poofey joints and bones appearing much older than
her 40 years." Here is my roundabout sight unseen answer to Gary.
First let's get clear on
arthritis. "-itis" indicates inflammation whether it be tonsilitis, appendicitis, or cellulitis. Hippocrates, the Father of
Medicine, said inflammation has four characteristics: rubor, calor, tumor, and dolor, that is redness, heat, swelling and
tenderness.
When you describe the joints as poofey I picture swelling. You have told me she had xrays because of pain which fulfills the
"dolor" characteristic. Consistent with swelling would be spurring, osteophytes and other degenerative changes. A current
descriptor of the condition being considered would be "degenerative joint disease."
Just as teeth and eyes
show signs of wear our bones develop degenerative changes with age.
Once again without the benefit
of seeing xrays my guess is that your wif'e's pictures show degenerative changes which is why someone may have described their
appearance as "old bones."
Posted by J Carlson
Chiropractic Wellness Formula
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The focus for the chiropractor
and the patient should be on 3 tissues: bone, muscle, and nerves. All 3 of these
tissues are involved in a pain syndrome.
There are 5 ways to treat these
3 tissues:
1) chiropractic including manual
manipulation of affected vertebral segments,
2) physical therapy which chiropractors
in most states are fully licensed to perform. Modalities may include: massage, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation,
and
others.
3) Nutrition including foods,
vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements.
4) Exercise.
5) Sleeping habits such as
the type of bed and the type of pillow.
Conceptualizing and following the above can lead to optimal wellness and relief
of back pain.
James Carlson, D.C.
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