A recent study shows us why we should all have chiropractic adjustments, including wellness care.

In His article  “Reverse the Aging Process Naturally, Part 2″, author Dr. David Jockers, citizen journalist reviews the evidence for us.
These are excerpts from the article.

“Chiropractic adjustments are also critical for enhancing cellular repair processes. In a recent study, chiropractic adjustments were shown to enhance serum Thiol levels. Serum thiol is a known measure of human health and the most important compound for DNA repair.”

“Enhancing cellular repair is critical to limiting the rate of telomere division. The greater the oxidative stress the faster the telomeres divide. High circulating insulin levels have also been shown to accelerate telomere division. Controlling oxidative stress and high circulating insulin levels is a necessary and foundational part of a healthy lifestyle. Insulin and oxidative stress are controlled by stabilizing blood sugar and eating a nutrient dense diet full of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and phytonutrients.”

His conclusion:
“Boost Your Growth Hormone & Cellular Repair Processes Naturally:
1.Do high-intensity, short time period resistance training and surge-style training daily. Ideal time is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
2.Be in bed early and sleep between 7-8 hours each night. The body secretes large doses of HGH between the hours of 10pm – 2am. Sleeping maximizes HGH.
3.Keep blood sugar under control by eating a diet low in sugar/grains and high in nutrient dense superfoods, healthy proteins, and good fats.
4.Use a non-denatured whey protein from a grass-fed cow or goat. Whey protein contains L-glutamine and branched chain amino acids that help maximize HGH secretion.
5.See a wellness chiropractor for a posture and neurological evaluation that will access the function of the body’s healing process.”

Referrences:

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbook…
http://www.tasciences.com/introduct…
http://www.naturalnews.com/029298_a…
http://precisionspinalcentre.com/re…

Chiropractic adjustments work to harmonize the body’s natural systems by realigning the spinal bones and removing pressure and congestion within the nervous system. This process decreases the physiological stress response and restores optimal function and healing to the body. Along with many other health issues, chiropractic care has shown to consistently achieve remarkable results in helping to stabilize blood pressure.

The nervous system is what allows our internal physiology to adapt to the stresses and demands of the external environment. The skull and spine surround and protect the nervous system and bear the consistent stress of gravity every day. When the external stressors become too great there is compromise in the spinal structure and resulting interference in the nervous system. This interference is termed subluxation. Subluxation causes the nervous system to move out of balance and towards sympathetic (fight or flight) dominance. This process increases stress hormone secretion, inflammatory processes, and blood vessel tone. For many individuals this results in higher blood pressure. Chiropractic adjustments remove subluxation and restore harmony to the nervous system allowing the body to stabilize and heal appropriately.

In 1988, a double blind study of 75 patients was performed to fully analyze the reports that chiropractic care could help stabilize blood pressure in patients. Within this study, one group of patients with elevated blood pressure received adjustments to the thoracic spine area. Another group received placebos (movements that seemed to be adjustments but were not), and a 3rd group received no treatment. The result was that the adjusted group experienced decreases in both systolic & diastolic blood pressure while no change was noted in either the control or placebo group.

A special chiropractic adjustment to the upper cervical region can significantly lower high blood pressure, a placebo-controlled study performed at the University of Chicago suggests. “This procedure has the effect of not one, but two blood-pressure medications given in combination,” study leader George Bakris, MD, tells WebMD. “And it seems to be adverse-event free. We saw no side effects and no problems,” adds Bakris, director of the University of Chicago hypertension center.

8 weeks after undergoing the procedure, 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure had significantly lower blood pressure than 25 similar patients who underwent a sham chiropractic adjustment. “When the statistician brought me the data, I actually didn’t believe it. It was way too good to be true,” Bakris says. “The statistician said, ‘I don’t even believe it.’ But we checked for everything, and there it was.”

Compared to the sham-treated patients, those who got the real procedure saw an average of 14 mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure count), and an average of 8 mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom blood pressure number). This was a greater effect than 2 powerful blood pressure medications given in combination.

In another double blind study, Dr. Yates examined the effects of upper thoracic chiropractic adjustments on blood pressure in 21 subjects with elevated blood pressure. Subjects in the active group (those getting adjusted) showed statistically significant decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Placebo and control groups demonstrated no such changes and did not differ significantly from each other. Results support that adjustment of thoracic region significantly reduces blood pressure of patients with elevated blood pressure.

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-h…

McKnight ME, DeBoer KF. Preliminary study of blood pressure changes in normotensive subjects undergoing chiropractic care. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1988 Aug;11(4):261-6.

G Bakris, M Dickholtz Sr, P M Meyer, G Kravitz, E Avery, M Miller, J Brown, C Woodfield, B Bell. Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study. Journal of Human Hypertension. March 2, 2007.

Yates RG, Lamping DL, Abram NL, Wright C “Effects of Chiropractic Treatment on Blood Pressure and Anxiety: A Randomized, Controlled Trial” J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1988; 11(6): 484-488.

Author: Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He is a chiropractor, exercise physiologist and natural health specialist.

– Children are among the growing population of users of “Complementary and Alternative Medicine”.

 Many parents are not aware of the fact that children’s health issues can be approached in a safe and effective Alternative way.

It is not uncommon for children to be treated for certain symptoms, by a doctor of chiropractic, an accupuncturist, an osteopath, or even a massage therapist. Herbs, homeopathic remedies, and vitamins can also be used in treating certain illnesses in children.

When choosing to use “Complementary Alternative Medicine”, it is important for parents to do as much research as possible regarding their child’s health condition.

Here are some tips that might help you:

1. Research your child’s health condition from various sources.
2. Choose an alternative physician that is experienced in treating children.
3. Do not mix herbs and dietary supplements with allopathic medications without consulting a knowledgeable physician or herbalist.
4. Getting a “Second Opinion” is always a good idea.

Click here to read an article from the NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE