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...

Rich Roll, Ultra-Marathoner and Ironman, is Plant Strong

I just finished reading a great book by Rich Roll called Finding Ultra. For anyone who participates in athletics or just takes care of the kids and wonders what might happen if they changed to a whole-foods plant based diet rich in superfoods, the answer is in Rich’s book. I recommend this book for two reasons. First, it contains Rich Roll’s inspiring story about overcoming alcoholism and middle-aged lethargy....

Genetically Modified Foods Trigger Belly Pain

Get ready for another pain in the belly. New information released by the Institute for Responsible Technology indicates that genetically modified foods (GM foods) trigger problems like impaired digestion and imbalanced gut flora. In turn, our injured guts may be more likely to become sensitive to gluten, found in foods like wheat. Wheat itself is not genetically modified, although it has been hybridized (bred for certain traits). While originally,...

Back Pain Overtreated by M.D.’s

If the brakes on your car were squealing, what would you think of your mechanic if he/she did expensive diagnostic testing on your car, then supplied you with and expensive set of earplugs to cover up the squealing sound? Crazy? Yes, but that’s the approach your medical doctor is likely to take when your back or neck sounds the pain alarm on you! According to researchers at Harvard Medical...

Patient Profile–Daniel “Twitch” Franco

There was excitement at Chiropractic Advantage today when pro boxers Daniel “Twitch” Franco and Anthony Villareal of Warzone Boxing Club made a quick stop to get adjusted on the way to weighing in for tomorrow night’s fights in downtown Los Angeles. My main objectives: keep them in alignment after sparring sessions so they can train more intensively with fewer days lost to injury, and keep the thoracic cage flexible...

Chiropractor or Pain Medication? What’s Best?

Say your back is hurting and you are in a lot of pain. Should you go to the urgent care and get medication, or go see a chiropractor? Well, often times chiropractic care can help, but it’s not going to be as immediate as taking a painkiller. The painkiller isn’t going to get at the root of your problem, but will quickly mask it for a while. Those of...

Chiropractors eat Veggies!

Last week, my assistant Melissa and I hung out with 100 chiropractors from across the U.S. at the Standard Process farm in Palmyra, Wisconsin. You may wonder, what can 100 chiropractors have in common? We loved the food! Here’s what was on our plates: turnips, beets, broccoli, yams, and wild rice. We met some of the nicest people, like Dr. Diana Hudgins Brown from Boaz, Alabama. Dr. Hudgins Brown,...

Hand Washing: Keep it Simple, use Soap

When did hand washing become a dangerous activity? When chemical companies started telling us we needed triclosan, an antibacterial agent. Triclosan doesn’t seem to do a better job than regular old soap, but there are a number of hazards associated with its use. It is a hormone disruptor, so it supresses testosterone and thyroid hormone levels in the body. It promotes the development of super-strains of bacteria. It slows...

A Little Common Sense Beats Too Much Health Care

In today’s Los Angeles Times, there were three articles with a common theme: too many people are being sold medical tests and procedures that do not promote better health. In the first Times article, we learn there are 220,000 bariatric surgeries performed a year. Originally it was hoped that, by undergoing this drastic procedure, people might be spared from obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and arthritis. Alas, the ongoing...

Shingles Facts and Shenanigans, Part 2 of 2

In part one of my shingles discussion, I describe my concern about drug companies marketing a vaccination for shingles. It’s up to you to decide if you should be super concerned about shingles. I am not. It’s painful, but usually resolves on its own in several weeks. My greater concern is that people who have been vaccinated might be unknowingly spreading shingles to their friends and co-workers. If that...