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.
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