Dr. David Russ is a Wilmington, NC Chiropractor who is passionate about educating the community on health and wellness topics. He believes that chiropractors, at the forefront of the wellness community, should strive to lead and teach by example. Dr. Russ discusses the "popping" sound associated with a chiropractic adjustment.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Fix Your Own Aching Back!
Back pain is one of the most common ailments to affect Americans and it cost us a whopping 250 billion dollars per year. It can range from an annoyance to disabling pain requiring permanent disability.
As a doctor who treats back pain, among other conditions, I see the same things over and over so I have written this to help you prevent issues from arising now or in the future. Below are a list of things that YOU can do for free!
GET MOVING! - Whether you call yourself one or not you are an athlete! Your body was designed to run, jump, hunt, fight, play, etc. but I rarely meet anyone over the age of 15 that leads a truly active lifestyle. Like car that has not been started in years, our bodies too will get "gunked up." Being active can keep the back strong.
LOSE THE GUT! - If you are carrying excess weight, especially in the abdomen, its time to shed that spare tire. Being overweight stresses the joints of the spine particularly the ones in the low back. If you need to lose a few set a goal of losing 1 pound/week until you reach your target weight. Your spine will love you for it.
TOUCH YOUR TOES! - Stretch, stretch, streeeeeeeetch! Flexibility is essential to keeping the joints moving freely. Picture the stiff old tree or the young green sapling during a hurricane: which one is more likely to become damaged? Aim to stretch once a day for at least 10 minutes.
ATTENTION!! - Are you slouching as you read this? Sit up and stand up straight as often as possible to prevent the ligaments and discs in your spine from being damaged. Postural fatigue is one of the top causes of back pain.
As always consult your local chiropractor before making any changes to your lifestyle to make sure that your body is ready.
Dr. Russ practices in Wilmington, NC and has been freeing people from pain and other conditions since 2007. Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center utilizes Chiropractic, Massage, Exercise, Nutrition, and Weight Loss to help others achieve their individual health goals. Visit us on the web at http://www.RussChiro.com
Get FREE health updates by becoming a Fan at http://www.facebook.com/RussChiropractic
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Russ
As a doctor who treats back pain, among other conditions, I see the same things over and over so I have written this to help you prevent issues from arising now or in the future. Below are a list of things that YOU can do for free!
GET MOVING! - Whether you call yourself one or not you are an athlete! Your body was designed to run, jump, hunt, fight, play, etc. but I rarely meet anyone over the age of 15 that leads a truly active lifestyle. Like car that has not been started in years, our bodies too will get "gunked up." Being active can keep the back strong.
LOSE THE GUT! - If you are carrying excess weight, especially in the abdomen, its time to shed that spare tire. Being overweight stresses the joints of the spine particularly the ones in the low back. If you need to lose a few set a goal of losing 1 pound/week until you reach your target weight. Your spine will love you for it.
TOUCH YOUR TOES! - Stretch, stretch, streeeeeeeetch! Flexibility is essential to keeping the joints moving freely. Picture the stiff old tree or the young green sapling during a hurricane: which one is more likely to become damaged? Aim to stretch once a day for at least 10 minutes.
ATTENTION!! - Are you slouching as you read this? Sit up and stand up straight as often as possible to prevent the ligaments and discs in your spine from being damaged. Postural fatigue is one of the top causes of back pain.
As always consult your local chiropractor before making any changes to your lifestyle to make sure that your body is ready.
Dr. Russ practices in Wilmington, NC and has been freeing people from pain and other conditions since 2007. Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center utilizes Chiropractic, Massage, Exercise, Nutrition, and Weight Loss to help others achieve their individual health goals. Visit us on the web at http://www.RussChiro.com
Get FREE health updates by becoming a Fan at http://www.facebook.com/RussChiropractic
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Russ
Saturday, June 26, 2010
National HIV Day Health Fair
Dr. King, Adja ( our massage therapist), and I are downtown at the Martin Luther King center at 401 8th street doing free health assessments and spinal screenings. Come on down for a free chair massage and show some support! There are also free blood tests available for cholesterol, stds, etc. We will be here from 10 - 2. Hope to see you today!
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Friday, June 18, 2010
Eat Breakfast to Lose Weight
A study appearing in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009; 63, 405-412) found an association between skipping breakfast and becoming overweight or obese. Information was gathered about breakfast, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption in 25,176 teen-aged subjects. The researchers found that skipping breakfast had a stronger association with being overweight obese-stronger than alcohol consumption or physcial inactivity. Other research appearing in Family Practice News (May 15, 2003:10) looked at 1,943 adults between the ages of 25 and 37 and found that those who ate breakfast seven days per week were less likely ot be obese, or to have insulin resistance. The risk for insulin resistance was between 37% and 55% lower for regular breakfast eaters than for those who ate breakfast seldom or never.
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Click to Become a Facebook Fan!
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Click to Become a Facebook Fan!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Free Seminar - FAST TRACK TO HEALTH ($57 Value)
This information could literally SAVE YOUR LIFE or that of someone you love!
Come join us on Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 PM for an interactive, educational seminar. You will learn how to spend less time in doctor's offices, how to live with less pain, and become healthier in 5 easy steps. We'll also let you in on the best kept secrets your doctor doesn't want you to know! This seminar will help you and your family live healthier lives.
Sign up today to take control of your life!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Free Intro Massage!! Limited Time Offer. Call Now!
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You asked for it so you got it! We are excited to announce the addition of a new massage therapist to our team here at Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center. We are always striving to serve you better and after extensive searching and interviewing we have found the perfect massage therapist to complement our wellness center.
I would like to introduce you to Jennifer McCarthy. Jennifer comes to us from Ottawa, Canada and has been a proud Wilmington resident since April 2008. She has multiple national massage certifications in Rehabilitative, Swedish, Deep Tissue and Elderly massage. Her massage practice specializes in a client centered focus that helps each individual achieve his or her personal goals.
When Jennifer is not busy following her passion to help people stay healthy and out of pain, she enjoys scuba diving, traveling to far away places, surfing, biking and kayaking. You may even find her on the nearest ice hockey rink!
She is a wonderful addition to our office and will be a great asset in helping our patients down the path to wellness!
Call 910-395-5066 now to book your FREE MASSAGE! (limited time offer)
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Kids find a new way to adjust: Chiropractors
By Kim Painter, USA TODAY
Melanie Booth never expected to take her baby to a chiropractor. But when son Mac was 3 months old and having problems — difficulty with nursing, apparent discomfort when lying on his tummy and a tendency to turn his head only one way — his pediatrician recommended she do just that.
Booth, a university professor in Portland, Ore., found that her lactation consultant and several friends also endorsed chiropractic care for kids.
BETTER LIFE: More on parenting and kids' health
After one visit, she was a believer, too: As chiropractor Elise Hewitt worked on Mac, "he began to quiver and shake, and it kind of scared my husband and me," Booth says. "But she explained (she) was releasing energy that was stored up incorrectly in his body and particularly his spine. … And almost immediately, we saw a change in his ability to move his neck." The nursing and tummy time problems cleared up, too, Booth says, as Mac continued treatments over several months.
Stories such as Booth's help explain why nearly 3% of children in the USA were treated with chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation in 2007, making it the second-most common form of complementary or alternative medicine for children, a government report said recently. (Most common: natural products, such as fish oil and herbs.)
But stories are not studies. Even practitioners such as Hewitt, president of the American Chiropractic Association's council on pediatrics, concede their work is not backed by the kinds of studies that would be required if chiropractic care were a drug. As the government report noted, "there is insufficient proof that (alternative practices) are safe and effective." The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which released the report, was created to fill the research gap.
Chiropractors say they welcome the scrutiny. Hewitt says: "I wish there were more high-level studies." But she also says she is comfortable treating kids based on preliminary research, 100 years of chiropractic history and her own experiences.
Harm is 'rare, but possible'
One large safety review, published in 2007, did find a few serious injuries in children, including one death from a brain bleed and one case of paralysis. But there was no proof spinal manipulation caused the injuries and no way to estimate how common such injuries might be, says Sunita Vohra of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
"Serious harms may be rare but are possible," she says. She is working on further studies.
"I suspect that adverse events are very rare," says Kathi Kemper, professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. She wouldn't refer a child to a chiropractor for non-musculoskeletal problems but wouldn't ask parents to stop visits if they perceive benefits.
Word-of-mouth, not research, brings most parents to Jeanne Ohm, a chiropractor in Media, Pa., and executive coordinator of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Parents "are usually referred by someone whose asthma went away or whose ear infections went away," she says.
Ohm says she does not promise to cure any ailment in a particular child. She emphasizes broader goals: "Taking stress and tension off the nervous system affects their whole physical body and their mental state. We look at the whole person."
Dr. Dave's Comments -
As the old saying goes - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Chiropractic has shown to be remarkably safe and effective in helping many conditions common to children such as colds, earaches, colic, and ADD/ADHD to name a few. Just like most people make sure that they maintain their car by changing the oil and getting it tuned up, we should look to treat our children with the same care, if not better. More and more parents are taking their children to see chiropractors for preventive/ wellness check-ups than ever before. When was the last time your child's nervous system was checked?
Call 910-395-5066. to find out if Wellness Chiropractic is right for your child. Visit us at Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center for more information.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
4 Year Old McDonalds
If McDonalds put enough chemicals in there food to do this, imagine what it is doing to your insides....
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Protect Yourself From the Flu Without Drugs?
Chiropractic corrects spinal abnormalities called vertebral subluxations that result in interference of the nervous system. Since the nervous system controls all functions of the body -- including the immune system -- chiropractic care can have a positive effect on immune function.
“Contemporary research is beginning to shed light on the neurobiological mechanisms which may explain the outstanding clinical results chiropractors have experienced when managing patients with viral and infectious diseases,” stated Dr. Christopher Kent, Co- Founder of Chiropractic Leadership Alliance.
Dr. Kent explained: “A comprehensive review of the research literature reveals the current understanding that the brain and immune system are the two major adaptive systems in the body. During an immune response, the brain and the immune system 'talk to each other' and this process is essential for maintaining homeostasis or balance in the body.”
Since its inception, chiropractic has asserted that viruses and microbes don't threaten us all equally and that a healthy immune system easily repels most invaders. The immune system protects us from the flu, as well as any other infectious disease, and strives to get us well again when we do fall ill. Our immune system, like every other system in the body, is coordinated and controlled by the nervous system.
Chiropractors are also aware of the importance of positive health life style practices (rest, drinking ample quantities of water, diet, exercise, proper diet, use of multivitamins and minerals, and stress reduction approaches) that can also positively influence the nervous system and immune response. According to a large study of the chiropractic profession recently conducted by the Institute for Social Research, Ohio Northern University (McDonald et al., 2003), chiropractors also customarily advise their patients as to the benefits of these other modalities in optimizing overall health.
Chiropractors helping patients battle the flu is not a new occurrence either. During the 1917-18 influenza epidemic, which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has been estimated that 20 million people died throughout the world, including about 500,000 Americans. It was chiropractic’s success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession’s licensure in many states.
Researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa, out of the 93,590 patients treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths -- a loss of one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but 25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.
“These results are not so surprising given what we now know about the interaction between the nervous system and the immune system” stated Matthew McCoy DC, MPH, Editor of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. “Through research we know that chiropractic has beneficial effects on immunoglobulins, B-lymphocytes (white blood cells), pulmonary function and other immune system processes.”
One such study, conducted by Patricia Brennan Ph.D and her team, found that when a chiropractic “manipulation” was applied to the middle back, the response of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (white blood cells) taken from blood collected 15 minutes after the manipulation was significantly higher than blood collected 15 minutes before and 30 and 45 minutes after the chiropractic procedure. This research demonstrated an “enhanced respiratory burst” following the chiropractic adjustment. This “burst” is needed for our immune cells to destroy invading viruses and bacteria.
Another small study of HIV positive patients was conducted to study the effects of specific chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations in the upper neck on the immune systems of HIV positive individuals. Over the six-month period of the study, the group that did not receive chiropractic care experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts, while the adjusted group experienced a 48% increase in CD4 cell counts over the same period.
A large retrospective study conducted by Robert Blanks Ph.D and colleagues studied 2,818 individuals undergoing chiropractic care - these individuals reported an average overall improvement, ranging from 7-28 percent, in a battery of physical symptoms including stiffness/lack of flexibility in the spine, physical pain, fatigue, incidence of colds and flu, headaches, menstrual discomfort, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, dizziness and falls (Blanks et al., 1997, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research).
More importantly, the incidence of colds and flu was reduced by an average of 15 percent in this large population who were undergoing regular chiropractic care.
“In addition to the passive recommendations regarding hand washing, avoiding large gatherings, coughing and sneezing into your hands – it makes a great deal of sense to do everything you can to ensure that your immune system is functioning at its best. And that strategy should include chiropractic care,” stated Dr. McCoy.
“Contemporary research is beginning to shed light on the neurobiological mechanisms which may explain the outstanding clinical results chiropractors have experienced when managing patients with viral and infectious diseases,” stated Dr. Christopher Kent, Co- Founder of Chiropractic Leadership Alliance.
Dr. Kent explained: “A comprehensive review of the research literature reveals the current understanding that the brain and immune system are the two major adaptive systems in the body. During an immune response, the brain and the immune system 'talk to each other' and this process is essential for maintaining homeostasis or balance in the body.”
Since its inception, chiropractic has asserted that viruses and microbes don't threaten us all equally and that a healthy immune system easily repels most invaders. The immune system protects us from the flu, as well as any other infectious disease, and strives to get us well again when we do fall ill. Our immune system, like every other system in the body, is coordinated and controlled by the nervous system.
Chiropractors are also aware of the importance of positive health life style practices (rest, drinking ample quantities of water, diet, exercise, proper diet, use of multivitamins and minerals, and stress reduction approaches) that can also positively influence the nervous system and immune response. According to a large study of the chiropractic profession recently conducted by the Institute for Social Research, Ohio Northern University (McDonald et al., 2003), chiropractors also customarily advise their patients as to the benefits of these other modalities in optimizing overall health.
Chiropractors helping patients battle the flu is not a new occurrence either. During the 1917-18 influenza epidemic, which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has been estimated that 20 million people died throughout the world, including about 500,000 Americans. It was chiropractic’s success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession’s licensure in many states.
Researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa, out of the 93,590 patients treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths -- a loss of one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but 25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.
“These results are not so surprising given what we now know about the interaction between the nervous system and the immune system” stated Matthew McCoy DC, MPH, Editor of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. “Through research we know that chiropractic has beneficial effects on immunoglobulins, B-lymphocytes (white blood cells), pulmonary function and other immune system processes.”
One such study, conducted by Patricia Brennan Ph.D and her team, found that when a chiropractic “manipulation” was applied to the middle back, the response of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (white blood cells) taken from blood collected 15 minutes after the manipulation was significantly higher than blood collected 15 minutes before and 30 and 45 minutes after the chiropractic procedure. This research demonstrated an “enhanced respiratory burst” following the chiropractic adjustment. This “burst” is needed for our immune cells to destroy invading viruses and bacteria.
Another small study of HIV positive patients was conducted to study the effects of specific chiropractic adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations in the upper neck on the immune systems of HIV positive individuals. Over the six-month period of the study, the group that did not receive chiropractic care experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts, while the adjusted group experienced a 48% increase in CD4 cell counts over the same period.
A large retrospective study conducted by Robert Blanks Ph.D and colleagues studied 2,818 individuals undergoing chiropractic care - these individuals reported an average overall improvement, ranging from 7-28 percent, in a battery of physical symptoms including stiffness/lack of flexibility in the spine, physical pain, fatigue, incidence of colds and flu, headaches, menstrual discomfort, gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, dizziness and falls (Blanks et al., 1997, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research).
More importantly, the incidence of colds and flu was reduced by an average of 15 percent in this large population who were undergoing regular chiropractic care.
“In addition to the passive recommendations regarding hand washing, avoiding large gatherings, coughing and sneezing into your hands – it makes a great deal of sense to do everything you can to ensure that your immune system is functioning at its best. And that strategy should include chiropractic care,” stated Dr. McCoy.
Are you and your family ready for flu season?
If you and your family are interested in receiving a complementary state of the art nervous system scan to see how your immune system is functioning call 910-395-5066 to schedule a time just for you. You will also receive an complete wellness consultation, exam, and x-ray(if needed) valued at $210. Visit us on the web at Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center for more information.
If you decide to purchase additional treatment, you have the legal right to change your mind within three days and receive a refund.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Use of Low-Dose Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events Not Recommended
Barcelona, Spain - The use of low-dose aspirin in the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in healthy individuals with asymptomatic atherosclerosis is currently not warranted, according to the lead researcher of a large "real-world" study presented today at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2009 Congress.
In the randomized trial of 3350 subjects deemed at high risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events because of a low ankle-brachial index (ABI) (<0.95), aspirin had absolutely no effect on reducing events compared with placebo, Dr Gerry Fowkes (University of Edinburgh, Scotland) reported on behalf of the Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis (AAA) trialists.
However, aspirin did increase the risk of major hemorrhage.
The bleeding effect "is a real obstacle," Fowkes told heartwire. "I don't think the evidence is convincing enough as yet that aspirin should be used routinely in the general population."
The results of the trial are in conflict with findings from a meta-analysis from the Antithrombotic Trialists' (ATT) collaboration, which was published earlier this year in the Lancet [1], discussant Dr Carlo Patrono (Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy) told ESC attendees. He questioned how the results of AAA could be interpreted in light of the 12% relative risk reduction in serious cardiovascular events, largely driven by a reduction in nonfatal MI, that was seen in the ATT trial.
AAA done where the need for prevention is great
The AAA was a pragmatic trial, Fowkes explained, conducted in a deprived population in central Scotland, where rates of coronary heart disease and related mortality are high. "We wanted to get at where the problem actually existed in the population," he said.
Between 1998 and 2001, the AAA trialists invited men and women 50 to 75 years of age to undergo screening for asymptomatic atherosclerosis by measuring their ABI. A low ABI in otherwise-healthy individuals has been shown to be related to an increased risk of future cardiovascular events. Because it is simple and noninvasive, the ABI has the potential to be used as a screening test to detect high-risk individuals, Fowkes explained.
Of the more than 166 000 invitations that were sent out, the trialists ended up screening 28 980 individuals. Of this number, 3350 had a low ABI and were thus eligible to be entered into the trial.
They were randomly allocated to 100-mg enteric coated aspirin daily or to placebo and followed for a mean of 8.2 years. The primary end point of the trial was the composite of an initial fatal or nonfatal coronary event, stroke, or revascularization. Secondary end points were all vascular events, which included a composite of initial fatal or nonfatal coronary event, stroke, or revascularization, angina, intermittent claudication, transient ischemic attack, and all-cause mortality.
Patients in both groups were matched for age (mean age 62 years), gender (roughly 30% were men), and comorbidities. One-third of the study population consisted of smokers.
Aspirin had no effect in terms of reducing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. In all, there were 357 events, 181 (10.8%) in the aspirin group and 176 (10.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.84-1.27).
Primary end-point results for aspirin vs placebo
End point
Aspirin (n=1675), n (%)
Placebo (n=1675), n (%)
Fatal coronary event
28 (1.7)
18 (1.1)
Fatal stroke
7 (0.4)
12 (0.7)
Nonfatal coronary event
62 (3.7)
68 (4.1)
Nonfatal stroke
37 (2.2)
38 (2.3)
Coronary revascularization
24 (1.4)
20 (1.2)
Peripheral revascularization
23 (1.4)
20 (1.2)
Interestingly, cancer mortality was higher in the placebo group than in the aspirin group, Fowkes noted.
Adverse events, including major hemorrhage, were greater in the aspirin group (HR 1.71, 95% CI 0.99-2.97).
Adverse events with aspirin vs placebo
Adverse event
Aspirin (n=1675), n (%)
Placebo (n=1675), n (%)
Major hemorrhage
34 (2.0)
20 (1.2)
Gastrointestinal ulcer
14 (0.8)
8 (0.5)
Fowkes pointed out that 40% of patients were noncompliant and did not take their aspirin as prescribed over the duration of the trial. Such a low compliance rate could have affected the results. "The 60% compliance rate is the typical level of compliance that you will find in the primary-prevention setting, and obviously there are many reasons that people stop taking aspirin. So whether aspirin is beneficial in clinical practice among patients who have a low ankle-brachial index and who are fully compliant with aspirin is unknown, and so our results cannot be extrapolated to that situation," he said.
heartwire asked Fowkes what he thinks may work for primary prevention in people with asymptomatic atherosclerosis, now that aspirin appears to be ineffective. "We don't have any strong evidence about what would work, but I think that given that these are high-risk individuals, it is probably reasonable to give them a statin. I think it would prove to be cost-effective to give a statin," he said. "Obviously, there is the possibility of giving a stronger antiplatelet such as clopidogrel or some of these new drugs that are being developed, but one would have to trial those properly."
AAA underpowered
Patrono said the AAA study may have been underpowered and suggested that was one reason for its negative findings. "The sample size would have to be about four times larger to achieve the power to show a 12% relative risk reduction," he said.
Other reasons: "The presence of peripheral arterial disease, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, may render platelet activation more critically dependent on ATP than thromboxane release, and there is some experimental as well as clinical evidence supporting this possibility."
An accelerated platelet turnover associated with peripheral arterial disease—at least in some patients—may also be a cause for the discrepancy, Patrono said.
To try to dissect out potential explanations, Fowkes and Dr Colin Baigent (Oxford University, UK), lead author of the ATT trial, have agreed to see how the AAA study would fit into the ATT meta-analysis. When available, the results will be posted by the Clinical Trial Service Unit, Patrono said.
Fowkes told heartwire that there is no reason to think that the relative reduction in cardiovascular events created by aspirin should be different in the primary or secondary setting. It's just that the benefits in the secondary setting far outweigh the risks. "The absolute reduction is much higher in secondary prevention than in primary prevention, but the level of bleeding is the same. So in secondary prevention, you've got a big reduction in events and a small amount of bleeding. In primary prevention, you have a smaller amount of reduction of events, and the same amount of bleeding. These two have got to be counterbalanced in the primary-prevention situation, and that is where the concern is at the moment."
Dr. Russ' Comments -
Once again better health through chemistry has failed. Are you concerned about your heart? Are your concerned about your health or someone else's? There are many healthy alternatives to taking an aspirin and hoping for the best. Call my office today at 910-395-5066 to schedule a complementary wellness consultation to see if I can help you regain your health and prevent heath issues in the future. You can also check us out on the web at Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center.
In the randomized trial of 3350 subjects deemed at high risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events because of a low ankle-brachial index (ABI) (<0.95), aspirin had absolutely no effect on reducing events compared with placebo, Dr Gerry Fowkes (University of Edinburgh, Scotland) reported on behalf of the Aspirin for Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis (AAA) trialists.
However, aspirin did increase the risk of major hemorrhage.
The bleeding effect "is a real obstacle," Fowkes told heartwire. "I don't think the evidence is convincing enough as yet that aspirin should be used routinely in the general population."
The results of the trial are in conflict with findings from a meta-analysis from the Antithrombotic Trialists' (ATT) collaboration, which was published earlier this year in the Lancet [1], discussant Dr Carlo Patrono (Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy) told ESC attendees. He questioned how the results of AAA could be interpreted in light of the 12% relative risk reduction in serious cardiovascular events, largely driven by a reduction in nonfatal MI, that was seen in the ATT trial.
AAA done where the need for prevention is great
The AAA was a pragmatic trial, Fowkes explained, conducted in a deprived population in central Scotland, where rates of coronary heart disease and related mortality are high. "We wanted to get at where the problem actually existed in the population," he said.
Between 1998 and 2001, the AAA trialists invited men and women 50 to 75 years of age to undergo screening for asymptomatic atherosclerosis by measuring their ABI. A low ABI in otherwise-healthy individuals has been shown to be related to an increased risk of future cardiovascular events. Because it is simple and noninvasive, the ABI has the potential to be used as a screening test to detect high-risk individuals, Fowkes explained.
Of the more than 166 000 invitations that were sent out, the trialists ended up screening 28 980 individuals. Of this number, 3350 had a low ABI and were thus eligible to be entered into the trial.
They were randomly allocated to 100-mg enteric coated aspirin daily or to placebo and followed for a mean of 8.2 years. The primary end point of the trial was the composite of an initial fatal or nonfatal coronary event, stroke, or revascularization. Secondary end points were all vascular events, which included a composite of initial fatal or nonfatal coronary event, stroke, or revascularization, angina, intermittent claudication, transient ischemic attack, and all-cause mortality.
Patients in both groups were matched for age (mean age 62 years), gender (roughly 30% were men), and comorbidities. One-third of the study population consisted of smokers.
Aspirin had no effect in terms of reducing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. In all, there were 357 events, 181 (10.8%) in the aspirin group and 176 (10.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.84-1.27).
Primary end-point results for aspirin vs placebo
End point
Aspirin (n=1675), n (%)
Placebo (n=1675), n (%)
Fatal coronary event
28 (1.7)
18 (1.1)
Fatal stroke
7 (0.4)
12 (0.7)
Nonfatal coronary event
62 (3.7)
68 (4.1)
Nonfatal stroke
37 (2.2)
38 (2.3)
Coronary revascularization
24 (1.4)
20 (1.2)
Peripheral revascularization
23 (1.4)
20 (1.2)
Interestingly, cancer mortality was higher in the placebo group than in the aspirin group, Fowkes noted.
Adverse events, including major hemorrhage, were greater in the aspirin group (HR 1.71, 95% CI 0.99-2.97).
Adverse events with aspirin vs placebo
Adverse event
Aspirin (n=1675), n (%)
Placebo (n=1675), n (%)
Major hemorrhage
34 (2.0)
20 (1.2)
Gastrointestinal ulcer
14 (0.8)
8 (0.5)
Fowkes pointed out that 40% of patients were noncompliant and did not take their aspirin as prescribed over the duration of the trial. Such a low compliance rate could have affected the results. "The 60% compliance rate is the typical level of compliance that you will find in the primary-prevention setting, and obviously there are many reasons that people stop taking aspirin. So whether aspirin is beneficial in clinical practice among patients who have a low ankle-brachial index and who are fully compliant with aspirin is unknown, and so our results cannot be extrapolated to that situation," he said.
heartwire asked Fowkes what he thinks may work for primary prevention in people with asymptomatic atherosclerosis, now that aspirin appears to be ineffective. "We don't have any strong evidence about what would work, but I think that given that these are high-risk individuals, it is probably reasonable to give them a statin. I think it would prove to be cost-effective to give a statin," he said. "Obviously, there is the possibility of giving a stronger antiplatelet such as clopidogrel or some of these new drugs that are being developed, but one would have to trial those properly."
AAA underpowered
Patrono said the AAA study may have been underpowered and suggested that was one reason for its negative findings. "The sample size would have to be about four times larger to achieve the power to show a 12% relative risk reduction," he said.
Other reasons: "The presence of peripheral arterial disease, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, may render platelet activation more critically dependent on ATP than thromboxane release, and there is some experimental as well as clinical evidence supporting this possibility."
An accelerated platelet turnover associated with peripheral arterial disease—at least in some patients—may also be a cause for the discrepancy, Patrono said.
To try to dissect out potential explanations, Fowkes and Dr Colin Baigent (Oxford University, UK), lead author of the ATT trial, have agreed to see how the AAA study would fit into the ATT meta-analysis. When available, the results will be posted by the Clinical Trial Service Unit, Patrono said.
Fowkes told heartwire that there is no reason to think that the relative reduction in cardiovascular events created by aspirin should be different in the primary or secondary setting. It's just that the benefits in the secondary setting far outweigh the risks. "The absolute reduction is much higher in secondary prevention than in primary prevention, but the level of bleeding is the same. So in secondary prevention, you've got a big reduction in events and a small amount of bleeding. In primary prevention, you have a smaller amount of reduction of events, and the same amount of bleeding. These two have got to be counterbalanced in the primary-prevention situation, and that is where the concern is at the moment."
Dr. Russ' Comments -
Once again better health through chemistry has failed. Are you concerned about your heart? Are your concerned about your health or someone else's? There are many healthy alternatives to taking an aspirin and hoping for the best. Call my office today at 910-395-5066 to schedule a complementary wellness consultation to see if I can help you regain your health and prevent heath issues in the future. You can also check us out on the web at Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Monday, December 22, 2008
Pavlovs dog?
Before the next time you swallow a pill take a minute and ask yourself do I really need this or have a just been programmed to take something every time I feel some sort of symptom? Most people are conditioned to believe that "relief is just a swallow away." They think that health is a state that can be bought rather than sought.
These folks never stop to read the label that says for "For fast, TEMPORARY relief" or the label that says "discontinue use if symptoms do not improve in 7-10 days." Most people will continue to take these pills indefinitely and wait until the side effects if whatever it is they are taking tears up some other part of their body.
I recently had a patient tell me that she has been taking 2 tylenol a day 3-4 days a week for the last 30 years for headaches!!! That adds up to over 5000 tylenol!! This is sickening considering the following excerpt for the New England Journal of Medicine -
"For those who took more than 1000 pills containing acetaminophen in their lifetime (compared to those who took fewer than 1000 acetaminophen-containing tablets), their increased risk of end-stage renal (kidney) disease was 100%. For some, the increased risk of end-stage renal disease was as high as 220%."
I determined that this patient's headaches were due to trigger points in the muscles on her neck and subluxations in her spine. 10 days after beginning treament she was symptom free. If only she had known earlier the effect that chiropractic can have on headaches she would have avoided the irreparable damage that she has done to her body.
If you or someone you love and care about suffers from Headaches please call Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center at 910-395-5066 to find out if you can be helped too.
These folks never stop to read the label that says for "For fast, TEMPORARY relief" or the label that says "discontinue use if symptoms do not improve in 7-10 days." Most people will continue to take these pills indefinitely and wait until the side effects if whatever it is they are taking tears up some other part of their body.
I recently had a patient tell me that she has been taking 2 tylenol a day 3-4 days a week for the last 30 years for headaches!!! That adds up to over 5000 tylenol!! This is sickening considering the following excerpt for the New England Journal of Medicine -
"For those who took more than 1000 pills containing acetaminophen in their lifetime (compared to those who took fewer than 1000 acetaminophen-containing tablets), their increased risk of end-stage renal (kidney) disease was 100%. For some, the increased risk of end-stage renal disease was as high as 220%."
I determined that this patient's headaches were due to trigger points in the muscles on her neck and subluxations in her spine. 10 days after beginning treament she was symptom free. If only she had known earlier the effect that chiropractic can have on headaches she would have avoided the irreparable damage that she has done to her body.
If you or someone you love and care about suffers from Headaches please call Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center at 910-395-5066 to find out if you can be helped too.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Finish Strong, Start Strong!
As the calender gets closer to the end of 2008 there is still much to do and much to look forward to! The Holidays are coming soon bringing time with family, football, good food, and hopefully time to relax.
This time of year is also a great time to get a jump on the new year and begin your goals now. "Goals for the New Year, already?" you may ask, "The year's not even through yet."
I know there is still a few weeks left of 2008, and I know that I am programmed like most others and that means I will put something off for a few weeks if I am given the chance.
Think back to the beginning of 2008, and actually the beginning of anyprevious year and remember how you felt then. You were optimistic for a New Year, a new beginning and fresh start. You had huge dreams and goals and unlimited potential. Maybe there were goals to exercise more, eat healthier, cut back smoking, or finding more time for some rest or time to use your talents. But what happened? You got a good start and you felt fantastic for the first little while as you were completing your goals. But life is busy and we get distracted. And before long our goals become wishes then are forgotten until the next year. Well now is a great chance to get started early!
Getting started early has some great advantages. It gives extra time for false starts and do-overs. An extra 6 weeks gives procrastinators time to actually start. You can start practicing now, remember repetition is the mother of learning. The more you do a certain action the stronger the neural pathways in your brain become making it easier to do that action. Practice makes perfect.
Get excited about the things you want to accomplish! The human body is amazing at healing, strengthening and adapting, it wants to be active, so there is an incredible potential for health! The brain, and even more the mind of a person has unlimited potential! Set your mind to something, focus and your will be able to achieve.
The only difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal has a deadline.
So get started early. Write down what you would like to accomplish, for example: Lose 5 Pounds, decrease you cholesterol or heart rate, eat healthier, run longer, swim faster, walk further, stop smoking, get more sleep, practice talents, or learn something new. Once you have it written down your dream is now a goal.
FINISH STRONG! START STRONG!
This time of year is also a great time to get a jump on the new year and begin your goals now. "Goals for the New Year, already?" you may ask, "The year's not even through yet."
I know there is still a few weeks left of 2008, and I know that I am programmed like most others and that means I will put something off for a few weeks if I am given the chance.
Think back to the beginning of 2008, and actually the beginning of anyprevious year and remember how you felt then. You were optimistic for a New Year, a new beginning and fresh start. You had huge dreams and goals and unlimited potential. Maybe there were goals to exercise more, eat healthier, cut back smoking, or finding more time for some rest or time to use your talents. But what happened? You got a good start and you felt fantastic for the first little while as you were completing your goals. But life is busy and we get distracted. And before long our goals become wishes then are forgotten until the next year. Well now is a great chance to get started early!
Getting started early has some great advantages. It gives extra time for false starts and do-overs. An extra 6 weeks gives procrastinators time to actually start. You can start practicing now, remember repetition is the mother of learning. The more you do a certain action the stronger the neural pathways in your brain become making it easier to do that action. Practice makes perfect.
Get excited about the things you want to accomplish! The human body is amazing at healing, strengthening and adapting, it wants to be active, so there is an incredible potential for health! The brain, and even more the mind of a person has unlimited potential! Set your mind to something, focus and your will be able to achieve.
The only difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal has a deadline.
So get started early. Write down what you would like to accomplish, for example: Lose 5 Pounds, decrease you cholesterol or heart rate, eat healthier, run longer, swim faster, walk further, stop smoking, get more sleep, practice talents, or learn something new. Once you have it written down your dream is now a goal.
FINISH STRONG! START STRONG!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Phillies Pitcher Touts Chiropractic's Benefits
A feature artcle in the Philadelphia Daily News recently brought more natiaonl attention to teh regular use of chiropractic by Philadelphia Phillies Starting pitcher Cole Hamels, who led the team to its first world series appearance since 1993.
"I felt a difference right off the bat. A lot better than my physical therapy and prescription drugs the doctors were giving me," Hamels said of chiropractic during an interview with the daily news.
In late 2007, Hamels told reprters that his trip to the disabled list with a strained left elbow could have been prevented if he had access to reguklar chiropractic vistis. At the time, Hamels visited a chiropractor twice a week when home in Philadelphia, but chiropractic was unavailable during away games.
The Daily News reprted that in addtion to chiropractic, Hamels relies on yoga, massage, nutritional supplements such as fish oil, and Active Release Technique.
"I felt a difference right off the bat. A lot better than my physical therapy and prescription drugs the doctors were giving me," Hamels said of chiropractic during an interview with the daily news.
In late 2007, Hamels told reprters that his trip to the disabled list with a strained left elbow could have been prevented if he had access to reguklar chiropractic vistis. At the time, Hamels visited a chiropractor twice a week when home in Philadelphia, but chiropractic was unavailable during away games.
The Daily News reprted that in addtion to chiropractic, Hamels relies on yoga, massage, nutritional supplements such as fish oil, and Active Release Technique.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Are you still drinking diet soda?
If so, you are choosing to consume one of the most controversial food additives approved by the FDA despite the overwhelming evidence of harm that it can produce in the body.
Yes, Aspartamine (Nutrasweet, Equal) is used in over 4000 products worldwide...not just in most of our diet pops! Experiments have demonstrated a direct correlation between the amount consumed and the incidence of tumors in the body.
Aspartame contains methanol, which breaks down into formaldehyde and formic Acid...both of which are toxic. In fact, formaldehyde has been shown to cause accumulative damage to our DNA. Another component of aspartamine is aspartic acid. Aspartate is referred to as an "excitotoxin" due to the nerve cell damage that it causes. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, epilepsy and ALS are just a few of the chronic illnesses linked to this toxic substance.
I would strongly think twice about consuming those products containing artificial sweetners particularily, Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal).
Does anyone have a story related to their use of Aspartame that they would like to share?
Yes, Aspartamine (Nutrasweet, Equal) is used in over 4000 products worldwide...not just in most of our diet pops! Experiments have demonstrated a direct correlation between the amount consumed and the incidence of tumors in the body.
Aspartame contains methanol, which breaks down into formaldehyde and formic Acid...both of which are toxic. In fact, formaldehyde has been shown to cause accumulative damage to our DNA. Another component of aspartamine is aspartic acid. Aspartate is referred to as an "excitotoxin" due to the nerve cell damage that it causes. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons, Alzheimers, epilepsy and ALS are just a few of the chronic illnesses linked to this toxic substance.
I would strongly think twice about consuming those products containing artificial sweetners particularily, Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal).
Does anyone have a story related to their use of Aspartame that they would like to share?
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Healthy School Lunches?
Most parents today understand the importance of feeding their children healthy food but more often than not fail to do so due to the convenience of of fast food. This is another topic in and of itself. The issue today is what are the schools feeding our kids?
The answer.........
Pizza, cheeseburgers, sloppy joes, hot dogs, corn dog, french fries, fried chicken, and all of this is washed down with sugared-up fruit juices or even worse, soda. Even when options like salads and vegetable are offered the children usually gravitate towards the fatty or sugar laden foods.
What do mom and dad usually pack with their child's lunch?
The answer....
HoHo's, DingDongs, potato chips, candy bars, little debbie's cakes, and other "treats" that ultimately contribute to the demise of their child's health in the long run. Think of the last time you ate a bunch of junk food for lunch.... You probably got hyper for a little while and then you crashed for the rest of the afternoon.
Could this be why teachers are having difficulty controlling their classes? Imagine being in a room of 30 sugar-high kids and trying to get them to learn. This is the struggle going on in the class rooms everyday which is contributing to the increase in diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. Many studies have been done linking ADD/ADHD to nutritional issues.
So what can we do about this?
Parents need to take action!! These are YOUR kids and YOU are responsible for their health, end of story. Parents need to educate their children at home about proper nutritional choices and empower them to do the right thing.
The schools need to remove the soda and candy machines. We are allowing people to take advantage of our children for financial gain the the very place that they should be the safest. This is an absolute disgrace and poor reflection of this country's commitment to the next generation. Schools need to abandon all junk foods from their menus which, in my opinion as well as other prominent researchers, would eliminate many of the behavioral issues that have been affecting kids today.
The bottom line is that everyone needs to do their part and get healthier themselves. By setting a better example we can lead the next generation to make better choices and start reversing the downward trend that the American health care system has been experiencing.
For more information please visit Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center or call 910-395-5066.
Your for Better Health.
Dr. Dave
The answer.........
Pizza, cheeseburgers, sloppy joes, hot dogs, corn dog, french fries, fried chicken, and all of this is washed down with sugared-up fruit juices or even worse, soda. Even when options like salads and vegetable are offered the children usually gravitate towards the fatty or sugar laden foods.
What do mom and dad usually pack with their child's lunch?
The answer....
HoHo's, DingDongs, potato chips, candy bars, little debbie's cakes, and other "treats" that ultimately contribute to the demise of their child's health in the long run. Think of the last time you ate a bunch of junk food for lunch.... You probably got hyper for a little while and then you crashed for the rest of the afternoon.
Could this be why teachers are having difficulty controlling their classes? Imagine being in a room of 30 sugar-high kids and trying to get them to learn. This is the struggle going on in the class rooms everyday which is contributing to the increase in diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. Many studies have been done linking ADD/ADHD to nutritional issues.
So what can we do about this?
Parents need to take action!! These are YOUR kids and YOU are responsible for their health, end of story. Parents need to educate their children at home about proper nutritional choices and empower them to do the right thing.
The schools need to remove the soda and candy machines. We are allowing people to take advantage of our children for financial gain the the very place that they should be the safest. This is an absolute disgrace and poor reflection of this country's commitment to the next generation. Schools need to abandon all junk foods from their menus which, in my opinion as well as other prominent researchers, would eliminate many of the behavioral issues that have been affecting kids today.
The bottom line is that everyone needs to do their part and get healthier themselves. By setting a better example we can lead the next generation to make better choices and start reversing the downward trend that the American health care system has been experiencing.
For more information please visit Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center or call 910-395-5066.
Your for Better Health.
Dr. Dave
Friday, October 24, 2008
Doctors Told to Curb Use of Ritalin in Hyperactive Children
According to new British health guidelines, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be treated with drugs such as Ritalin only in severe cases and never when they are younger than 5.
There is widespread concern that such medication is used too freely to calm hyperactive children. The new policy is that most children with ADHD should instead be offered psychological therapy to improve their behavior, backed up by training to support their parents and teachers.
Up to 3 percent of school-age children in Britain may be affected by ADHD, but only about a third to a quarter of these would qualify as severe cases. The symptoms of ADHD include an inability to concentrate for long periods, hyperactive and restless behavior, and impulsive actions.
Source:
The Times Online
Doctors Told to Curb Use of Ritalin in Hyperactive Children
-Dr. Dave
For more information about how Chiropractic may be able to help you or someone you care about please call 910-395-5066 for a Complementary Consultation.
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
There is widespread concern that such medication is used too freely to calm hyperactive children. The new policy is that most children with ADHD should instead be offered psychological therapy to improve their behavior, backed up by training to support their parents and teachers.
Up to 3 percent of school-age children in Britain may be affected by ADHD, but only about a third to a quarter of these would qualify as severe cases. The symptoms of ADHD include an inability to concentrate for long periods, hyperactive and restless behavior, and impulsive actions.
Source:
The Times Online
Doctors Told to Curb Use of Ritalin in Hyperactive Children
-Dr. Dave
For more information about how Chiropractic may be able to help you or someone you care about please call 910-395-5066 for a Complementary Consultation.
Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Blind Man Can See Now
Here is an amazing video about a man who's vision returned following a chiropractic adjustemnt.
-Dr. Dave
For more information about chiropractic go to Russ Chiropractic and Wellness Center
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