The Spinal Column, Spring 2019
Dear Patients and Friends,
2019 marks Khalsa Chiropractic’s 40th anniversary. Forty years in practice and I’m having as much fun as ever! Being a chiropractor is fun because every day I get to see people experience less pain and better health from holistic chiropractic care. Of course it is not fun to see people suffering. But it is exciting and rewarding to see many of them respond to a treatment that is remarkably safe, simple and also inexpensive (compared to almost all other types of health care).
Some of the things I’ve seen and learned in 40 years:
Some people feel surprisingly better with only a few—or sometimes even one or two—chiropractic adjustments. But healing takes time—often longer than we would like—for many others. After an injury or with a problem that has lingered for months or years, recovery can be slow. Patience and persistence do pay off.
Sometimes chiropractic adjustments alone can make a huge difference and improvement. But often other changes are needed to achieve satisfactory and lasting results. These can include; doing the right exercises and doing them consistently, reducing foods that cause inflammation (sugar, grain flour products, vegetable oils, processed foods) and eating lots of anti-inflammation foods (vegetables, fruit, nuts, healthy protein), taking anti-inflammation supplements (Vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3 oils, turmeric/ginger, probiotics), getting enough rest and sleep, and working on becoming more kind and forgiving and patient with oneself and others.
As people get older, they can usually continue to feel youthful IF they continually improve their self-care in regards to diet, supplements, exercise, relaxation and ongoing chiropractic treatment. Younger folks can often get away with ignoring these things, but sooner or later they have to up their self-care game or suffer the consequences.
Many people go months, years, or even decades without getting the good chiropractic care they need, and when they finally get it their life changes. And for every one of those folks I see, I know there are many others who haven’t yet discovered what good chiropractic care can do for them. You may know one or more of those folks—if you do you might want to talk to them!
I feel very fortunate to have been able to apply these lessons in my own life. I see my chiropractor weekly, exercise as much as I can, eat a (mostly!) anti-inflammation diet and otherwise aim to practice what I preach. As a result I still have plenty of energy and focus to deliver the best chiropractic care that I can and enjoy doing it. And I am grateful to every one of you who has allowed me to serve you in the past and hopefully well into the future!
Yours for better health, naturally,
Mha Atma S. Khalsa, D.C.
Health News and Research
Flaxseed shows impressive antihypertensive effect –A double-blind, placebo-controlled study at University Hospital Holguin, Cuba reported at the American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions in Los Angeles demonstrated a significant reduction in blood pressure in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Patients taking the flaxseed showed a reduction of around 10 mm Hg systolic and 7 mm Hg diastolic after six months. The researchers stated that this is the largest decrease in BP ever shown by any dietary intervention and that such reductions would be expected to result in around a 50% fall in the incidence of stroke and a 30% reduction in heart attacks. medscape.com
Huge disc herniations can often get better without surgery –An English study looked at 37 patients who demonstrated large herniated discs on MRI but were treated without surgery. Most had severe sciatica at first but began to show clinical improvement despite the large disc herniations. After 23 months 83% had a complete and sustained recovery at the initial follow-up. Only four patients required surgerey (discectomy). Followup MRI showed an average 64% reduction in the size of disc herniations. Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England: 2010 March; 92(2): 147-153
**Seeing a chiropractor first after back injury dramatically reduces chance of eventual surgery–**What determines whether a patient undergoes spinal surgery? A recent study attempted to answer that very question and came up with several predictive variables, perhaps the most interesting of which is the type of health care provider – namely a surgeon or a doctor of chiropractic – the back pain patient sees first. The study authors, who note that “there is little evidence spine surgery is associated with improved population outcomes, yet surgery rates have increased dramatically since the 1990s,” found that Washington state workers with an occupational back injury who visited a surgeon (orthopedic, neuro or general) first were significantly more likely to receive spine surgery within three years (42.7 percent of workers) than workers whose first visit was to a doctor of chiropractic (only 1.5 percent of workers). This association held true even when controlling for injury severity and other measures.
Ibuprofen taken by athletes damages small intestines —Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) are commonly used by athletes to prevent anticipated exercise-induced pain. However, these drugs may have potentially hazardous effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa during strenuous physical exercise. This study of nine healthy trained cyclists showed that taking 400 mg of ibuprofen twice before cycling demonstrated a significant increase in small intestinal injury, more than cycling alone or ibuprofen alone. The researchers concluded that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs consumption by athletes is not harmless and should be discouraged. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: December 2012 - Volume 44 - Issue 12 - p 2257–2262
Artificial sweeteners increase the risk of depression –Here are the summaries of the findings of a review of 263,295 adults, aged 50-70: 4 cans or cups of sweetened soft drinks each day had a 30% increase in risk of depression. The increased risk with diet soda was 31%. Regular soda was 22% (yes-diet soda was worse for your brain than regular). Diet iced tea upped risk 25%.
Fruit punch was implicated as well at 38% increased risk. Diet fruit punch ramped up risk a massive 51%. Regular fruit punch “only” increased risk 8%. Overall, aspartame (Nutrisweet) showed a 36% increase risk of depression. (Other studies show that artificial sweeteners contribute to diabetes and weight gain.) American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: February 2013 vol. 97 no. 2 419-427
Thanks for Helping Us Help Others!
Nearly all our patients first come to our office through the recommendations of our present and past patients. We appreciate each of you who take the time and energy to help another person experience the benefits of chiropractic. We couldn’t do it without you! Our thanks to:
Max Schorr
Jenny Kow
Bob McMullin
Barrington Smith-Seetachit
Angie Terrell
Benjamin Wade
Manuel Lopez
Elmo Gomez
Jody Dybala
Mirian de la Cruz
Maggie Malyn
Erika Clemmons-Robinson
Melessa Bratten
Benhour Aryen
Darlene Valle
Kenneth Brown
Kathryn Korniloff
Jessica Jennings
Helen Clemmon
Sasha Ali
Eddie Daniels
Julie Jhun
Ben Blandford
Katie Queen
David Gross
Sunny Hanna
Jasmina Martin
Michael Butler
Sheryl Davis
Steven Wright
Laura Byrnes
Angie Revell
Janik Roskovani
Samantha Silverman
Lisa Fu
Mariana Perez Novoa
Madaline Jones
Farrah Diani
Charles Bradshaw
Claudia Vasquez
Linda Yudin
Sophie Mudd
Tom Lester
Cynthia Overstreet
Denice Lewis
Susanne Henderson
Lisa Nupoff
Sako Halebyan
Mimi Levinson
Dwight Mejia
Ricardo Hernandez
Amber Rickert
Greg Carter
Sarah Greene
Jairo Orozco
Donjia Gale
Gloria Shelby-Dyer
Cy Plouriez
Michael Barkyomb
Kayren Pace
Martha Villalobos
Ren-yo Hwang
Briana Diaz
Jason Lehel
Justin Park
Natasha Challapally
Janine Micucci
Keith Fiddmont
Gabriel Olson
Katarina Alexakos
Lorraine Hunt
Natalie Wierzba
Michelle Ellman
Marilee Smith
Karen Cooke
Starletta Dupois
Sharon Carz
Angela Chung
My Chiropractic Story
Lee-Peng (Jenny) Kow
I had pain in my lower back for many weeks. The pain was sharp with bending and sometimes even when walking. It was not going away so I decided to see a chiropractor. I chose Khalsa Chiropractic from a list of doctors who accept my insurance and are close to my home. I had been to a chiropractor once before and had a good experience.
Dr. Mha Atma was very informative and very gentle and answered all my questions of concern. He recommended consistent twice weekly and then weekly treatments, easing later to bi-weekly or monthly maintenance. He also showed me exercises to help strengthen my back.
The pain got much better within the first two to three weeks of treatment. I love chiropractic care now and will continue to have consistent maintenance treatment because it is very important. I have told a number of friends about it. Spinal health and wellness is very important to the overall health of the body. I now know that every cell in the body is connected by the central nervous system, and if the spine is not able to support the central nervous system as it should, then a lot of problems can pop up.
I highly recommend getting consistent chiropractic care even if you don’t have any problems. Maintenance of spinal health is important and the visits are quick, efficient and effective. Dr. Mha Atma is very gentle and caring. I now visit this office every two weeks and don’t have any more back pains.
SATURDAY, April 13, 2019 is
Hope Day!
In exchange for a donation of $10.00 or more to a local organization which provides food and other essentials for those in need:
All present and former patients will receive a FREE chiropractic adjustment and…
All new patients will receive a complete chiropractic examination and their initial treatment! (New patients can schedule their visit any time from now through the end of April!)
This is your golden opportunity to join us in helping our community while improving your health and introducing your family and friends to chiropractic.
Please see http://www.drmhaatma.com/2019-hope-day-flyer.pdf for details, then call for a HOPE DAY appointment!
Plant the seeds of good health:
See your chiropractor regularly!