Stress Management

Most of us with jobs or kids are under a considerable amount of mental stress and do very little to tip the scales in our favor.  There are many ways to determine how well your body is handling the stress you are under on a daily basis.  We have testing equipment that can tell you if you have adrenal fatigue or excess cortisol production, which are stress indicators.  Stress is managed by your nervous system and if your nervous system is an unhealthy one, you will suffer the damaging effects of stress.  Stress can lead to weight gain, aches and pains, irritability (obviously), sleep deprivation, heart disease and organ malfunction to name a few.  Coined "the silent killer," it has an impact on us all.  So, that being said, what the heck can you do about it.

There are many options available to you.  Joining a Yoga studio is a great way to decrease stress, unplug from our gizmos and gadgets and you can even get into shape while you do it.  Tons of Yoga studios have popped up all over San Diego.  In UTC La Jolla there is Core Power and Sol Yoga that I can think of.  They are both within a mile of the other.  Another idea is learning how to meditate.  There are classes, audiotapes and books that can teach you how to properly do it.  We have a Meditation Specialist in my office that does workshops every month.  I personally meditate for a few minutes every day.  20 minutes is best but even if you only get in 5, that's better than nothing.  I have been looking up Tai Chi studios as well.  That is a form of movement meditation.  Plus I'm a big fan of Asian culture and Kung Fu Panda, so anything close to that is exciting for me. 

Nutritionally there are many ways to help calm the nerves and reduce adrenal stress by way of supplements or homeopathics.  We have an in house Nutritionist that can help anyone find the right balance.  A regular Massage can also help reduce muscular stress and it feels amazing.  We have an in house Massage Therapist as well.  Last but not least, there is Chiropractic.  Nothing helps relieve stress better than unlocking stuck areas of your spine and getting your nerves unpinched.  Neural stress created by a misaligned spine has the worst effects on your stress levels.  An adjustment here and there can do wonders on your stress levels.  So, find an office that can do all of this for you, like ours (hint - hint), and get a handle on your stress.

Green Fix Organic Smoothy

This is one of my favorite healthy drinks.  It has all the stuff you need for an amazing energy boost and great nutritional benefit.  We should all drink one of these per day.  It contains primarily Dark Leafy Greens, which are the most nutrient dense food group on the planet.  One cup will give you a full days worth of your RDA's.  It is a whole food, full pulp, healthy beverage.  Make sure your ingredients are 100% organic.

Include:

• Greens (Kale, Chard, Collard Greens, Romaine Lettuce, Dandelion Greens, Parsley) 
• Half handful of each
• Pure Water
• 4 oz
• Organic Apple Juice, unless you want it sugar free.
• 4 oz
• Flax Seed
• 1 tablespoon

Enjoy!

It's Smoothy Time

One of the best things you can do for yourself is invest in a High Quality Blender.  I recently purchased a Vitamix Blender, although costly, it's the best one on the market.  It can even turn Cashews into Cashew Butter.  Good alternatives are "The Ninja" or "Kitchen Aid."  Now, it is important to use your blender a couple times a day.  A few ideas to help you get started include adding things you need for health that you otherwise would not consume.  For example, I am not the fondest of raw Brussels sprouts or radishes, but I'll blend them with fruit.  A few things I love to put into a drink include a dark green vegetable like Kale or Spinach, a root vegetable like radish or carrot, parsley or cilantro, ginger and as much fruit as you want.  Sometimes a little organic fruit sorbet makes it a bit thicker.  I almost forgot, you have to start with some organic juice or water before adding the other ingredients.  I also recommend throwing in some Whey Protein powder, almond butter and honey for good measure.  Flax seed won't hurt either.  If you're new to smoothies, start with just fruit and dark greens.  Wait a while before trying the ginger, cilantro or parsley.  It's not for the squeamish.  Remember, the more you juice the better.  There is no such thing as overdosing on fruits and veggies.  In closing, happy juicing and enjoy your new health.

The Holidays are here, try moderating your cheat meals.

The Holidays have arrived and the cookies and sweets have arrived as well.  It's very difficult for me to resist all the goodies that are around or gifted to me by family, friends and patients.  I have been known to have a STRONG sweet tooth myself.  The important thing to remember is that it's OK to cheat once in a while, just make sure it's done in moderation.  My Mother has been know to make the most amazing sugar cookies I've ever tasted and she makes them in abundant supply.  Anytime I'm at my parents house, I have to talk my self out of finishing the whole plate.  Then I remember the famous words of my old man, "all things in moderation."  He is a very wise man.  To eliminate all of life's pleasures is unhealthy, but moderate amounts within healthy ranges are fine.  I love the 80/20 rule.  Make sure 80% of what you eat is as perfect as possible and the rest can be what you want.  So, in closing, enjoy the Holidays with your family.  Leave the guilt behind and have some cookies, egg nog and Holiday Treats.  It's a short time of year and won't kill your health.  Happy Holidays everyone and here's a heads up.  Starting in January, we will be launching a huge Nutritional Purification Campaign in our office complete with weekly lectures and information.  We will follow that with a month of Fitness promotion to round out your New Years Resolutions.  Always remember, Life is better when you're Well Adjusted!

Sincerely,
Dr. Caldwell

Health Myth #4

Green mucous indicates a sinus infection:

No.  It does not indicate a sinus infection.  It only indicates that there is something compromising the immune system by either a bacteria or virus.  Acute sinusitis usually follows a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract, but allergy-causing substances (allergens) or pollutants may also trigger acute sinusitis. Viral infection damages the cells of the sinus lining, leading to inflammation. The lining thickens, obstructing the nasal passage. This passage connects to the sinuses. The obstruction disrupts the process that removes bacteria normally present in the nasal passages, and the bacteria begin to multiply and invade the lining of the sinus. This causes the symptoms of sinus infection. Allergens and pollutants produce a similar effect.
Bacteria that normally cause acute sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. These microorganisms, along with Staphylococcus aureus and some anaerobes (bacteria that live without oxygen), are involved in chronic sinusitis.  Fungi are also an increasing cause of chronic sinusitis, especially in people with diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS, leukemia, and diabetes.

Health Myth #3

Chiropractors do not have as much education as Medical Doctors

Answer:  Not True, see comparison of course work below

Subject Hours Comparison Between DC's and MD's

You may be surprised to learn that chiropractic doctors receive more class and study time in many important subjects compared with their medical counterparts.

Subjects	Class Hours Chiropractic Students	Class Hours Medical Students
Anatomy	540	510
Chemistry	165	325
Diagnosis	630	325
Microbiology	120	115
Neurology	320	110
Obstetrics	60	150
Orthopedics	210	155
Pathology	360	400
Physiology	240	325
Psychiatry	60	145
Radiology	360	150
HOURS	3,065	2,710
	Additionally Required Studies
	Spinal Manipulation Nutrition Physiotherapy Advanced Radiology	Pharmacology Immunology General Surgery
Total Hours	4,485	4,250

See also this link:  http://yourchiropractorsandiego.com/index.php?p=246466#a6

Health Myth # 2

Does cold weather make you sick?

Answer:  NO

In studies of cold transmission, people who are chilled are no more likely to get sick than those who were not. It may be that cold weather keeps people indoors, where germs are more likely to catch up with you.  Most contagious germs survive and thrive in colder weather, so there are more around to get you sick.  That is why you get a fever when you're sick, because your body is trying to eat up internally to kill of the bacteria and viruses in your body that are making you ill.  Cold temperature can compromise your nervous system making it work overtime.  Your blood vessels and skin will constrict and your hairs will stand on end in an effort to keep you warmer.  That is also why you shiver.  When the core body temperature drops, the shivering reflex is triggered to maintain homeostasis. Muscle groups around the vital organs begin to shake in small movements in an attempt to create warmth by expending energy. Shivering can also be a response to a fever, as a person may feel cold, though their core temperature is already elevated.

Health Myth #1

Does cracking your knuckles cause arthritis?

Answer:  No, it most certainly does not.  Cracking or popping your knuckles does nothing more than release different gases from your synovial joints.  When the pressurized liquid in the synovial joint capsule between the bones of your fingers is popped it depressurizes and turns to a gaseous state, making the popping sound.  It is very similar to when you pop open a carbonated beverage.  The worst that can happen from cracking your knuckles is ligament laxity.  The reason it doesn't influence arthritic degeneration is that the bones themselves are not grinding in to each other which would be necessary for arthritic change.  I do not recommend popping your knuckles ten times a day, but once a day will actually prevent arthritic changes.  Stay tuned for more answers to health myths.