Chronic Pain Causes Brain Shrinkage–Do Something About It!

First reported in 2004 by Apkarian et al in the Journal of Neuroscience, numerous studies now show that chronic pain affects us in multiple ways. Alarmingly, chronic pain is associated with brain atrophy of up to 11%, equivalent to 10-20 years of normal aging. Other affects include altered brain chemistry, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, immune system suppression, elevated stress hormones, adrenal exhaustion, depression, insomnia, and suicide. It takes...

Immunity–Get the Chiropractic Advantage

You’ve heard things like, “sugar suppresses the immune system,” and “too much stress will get you sick.” Most of us would agree with those statements just from personal experience. Recently, I came across a research article published in a journal called Brain Behavior and Immunology which helps explain the relationship between stress and our immune system. In it, the authors demonstrate that all immune organs, from the spleen and...

Movie Night at Chiropractic Advantage: “Doctored”

I am looking forward to seeing “Doctored,” the movie. I have ordered the DVD and we’ll have a free showing here at Chiropractic Advantage on the following dates: Tuesday, November 13, 6:45 p.m., and Wednesday, November 14, at 4:00 p.m. Please RSVP to 909 483-5295 or email us at dcsharonmartinez@aol.com if you would like to attend. Please come! Our health care choices determine, to a great degree, the quality...

Medical, Inc. Film Coming out In Favor of Chiropractors!

I was delighted when I found out about Jeff Hayes’ latest film, Medical, Inc., due to be released summer 2012. Once you’ve seen this film, you’re going to have to question the medical model of health care. Many people have been buying into the premise that, if health insurance covers the cost of something, a drug as opposed to a chiropractor, for example, then the drug is the better...

When is the Hamster Wheel a Good Thing?

I get patients who ask, “is massage good for me?” Well, read this: new research results released by Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, a researcher at McMaster University in Canada, indicate that massage is indeed good for you. Specifically, it boosts the production of a protein that builds mitochondria in the muscle tissue. Mitochondria are small energy factories in your cells, and it has long been assumed that they diminish in...

Spinal Manipulation vs. Arnold Schwarzenegger

I am not anything like Conan the Barbarian, in spite of having some martial arts training. For years, the medical community has promulgated the idea that chiropractic spinal manipulation causes strokes. I’ve met many people who have “heard stories” about chiropractors causing strokes. When questioned further, the stories sound more like urban legend (or Fox New, take your pick) than fact. It’s not uncommon for prospective patients discuss their...

On the Front Lines of Research–Chiropractic and the Military

Could the government save money and improve our nation’s safety by making chiropractic care available to soldiers? My opinion: yes, SIR! A $7.4 million-dollar research project has just been awarded jointly to the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, the RAND Corporation and the Samueli Institute. The four-year study will focus on the effects of chiropractic care on the military readiness of active-duty military personnel. While chiropractic care is currently...