The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 85
percent of diseases have an emotional element. Ryke Geerd
Hamer, M.D., former head internist in the oncology clinic at
the University of Munich, Germany, has done research
indicating that the most common cause of cancer, heart
attacks, and many other serious illnesses is emotionally
stressful events. Renowned physician and author John Sarno,
M.D. has helped numerous chronic back pain sufferers fully
recover just by examining them and convincing them that they
are healthy and their pain is caused by “tension myositis”
which essentially means needless worrying about their
condition.
We all
know, intellectually, that our mental and emotional health
is closely related to our physical health and well-being.
But we tend to forget how profoundly this is true, and how
important taking care of ourselves on an emotional level is
to recovering more quickly from pain and illness and to
staying healthy.
Dr. Hamer
and others found that conflicts involving territorial loss
-- such as losing a family member, your home, or your
financial stability -- cause changes in the coronary
arteries of all animals -- including humans. These changes
can lead to heart attacks, which sometimes occur just after
the stressful period has ended. Many folks have the
experience of going through a stressful time and, just when
the stress lets up, getting sick. I have seen many patients
who developed severe back or neck pain after going through a
period of emotional difficulties and stress.
Stress is
unavoidable, and stressful life events such as financial
problems, the illness or loss of a family member or beloved
pet, relationship difficulties, and job stress are
inescapable and sometimes come upon us unexpected. So what
can we do about it?
I believe
a big part of the reason that stress and stressful events
can lead to pain and illness is that, during stressful
periods, we tend to stop doing the things that keep us
healthy and relieve stress, just when we need them the
most. We may stop exercising, eat foods that cause chemical
stress instead of providing healing nourishment, stop our
meditation practice, forget to take our vitamins, miss our
chiropractic appointment, or get less sleep. Some of this
may be unavoidable, but we can choose to hold a fierce
determination to do whatever we can whenever we can to
nurture and love ourselves. We can go out of our way to ask
others for help and comfort. We can take a walk around the
block. We can take five minutes to sit quietly and breathe
deeply or to make a list of all the things in our life that
we can be grateful for. We can remember that the more we do
to take care of ourselves, even when circumstances seem
urgent and demanding, the better we’ll be able to meet the
challenges that face us, and the sooner we’ll get back to
having fun again.
Yours for better health, naturally,
Mha Atma S. Khalsa, D.C.
C
EXCITING
CHIROPRACTIC RESEARCH NEWS
A single meal can lead to good (or bad) health—
In a study published in Journal of the
American College of Cardiology (January 22,
2008; 51:249- 255), researchers found that it
takes just one “bad” meal -- a cheeseburger,
fries and a soda, fried chicken and biscuits, a
slab of chocolate cake and ice cream -- to do
damage to your body, according to new research.
The good news, however, is that eating just one
good meal will start to repair the damage.
This occurs because, when you eat, your body
breaks down the food into glucose (sugar),
lipids (fats) and amino acids (the building
blocks of protein). As soon as you polish off
the last of your high-fat, high-sugar meal, the
sugar causes a large spike in your blood-sugar
levels called “post-prandial hyperglycemia.” In
the long term this can lead to an increased risk
of heart attack, but there are short-term
effects as well, such as:
·
Your tissue becomes inflamed (as occurs when it
is infected).
·
Your blood vessels constrict.
·
Damaging free radicals are generated.
·
Your blood pressure may rise higher than normal.
·
A surge and drop in insulin may leave you
feeling hungry soon after your meal.
Eating healthy foods, such as fresh vegetables
and fruits, lean proteins, and high-fiber items,
will stave off post-prandial spikes and help to
keep your blood-sugar levels even.
The desire to eat junk food is a vicious cycle,
the researchers pointed out, since the more you
eat it the more your body craves it. This occurs
because junk food distorts your hormonal
profile, stimulating your appetite and causing
you to crave unhealthy foods -- while making you
feel unsatisfied when you eat only healthy ones.
The risky blood sugar spikes that follow a junk
food meal are most likely to occur in people who
don’t exercise, or who carry weight around their
abdomen.
Antibiotics don’t help most sinus infections—A
study from the University of Southampton in
England reports that antibiotics are of no
use in treating most sinus infections. This
paper compared amoxicillin, a steroid spray,
or placebos as treatment options for 240
adults with sinusitis. There basically was
no difference in the time it took for the
infections to clear up regardless of which
treatment was used. Sinus infections are
diagnosed in about 31 million Americans each
year and are a very common reason for doctor
visits. Journal of the American Medical
Association , Dec. 5, 2007.
Couch-potato kids and high blood pressure—A
study published in the American Journal
of Preventive Medicine reports that
children who watch four or more hours of
television a day are three times more likely
to have high blood pressure than those who
view less than two hours' worth. High blood
pressure in children, previously a rare
occurrence, has become much more prevalent
in recent years. Blame most often is placed
on lack of exercise, junk food and the
obesity that follows. The study involved 546
children, ages 4 to 17, who were being
treated at weight management clinics. About
17 percent of U.S. children are classified
as obese, according to the Centers for
Disease Control & Prevention. AJPM,
Oct. 30, 2007.
It's official: Organic really is better—The
debate over whether organic food is
healthier than conventionally grown food may
be over, according to results from a
$25-million study into organic food -- the
largest of its kind to date. The four-year,
European-Union-funded study found that:
Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to
40 percent more antioxidants, organic
produce had higher levels of beneficial
minerals like iron and zinc, and milk from
organic herds contained up to 90 percent
more antioxidants. The researchers obtained
their results after growing fruit and
vegetables, and raising cattle, on adjacent
organic and non-organic sites. They say that
eating organic foods can even help to
increase the nutrient intake of people who
don’t eat the recommended five servings of
fruits and vegetables a day. The UK’s Food
Standards Agency, which has formerly said
that there is no difference between organic
and conventional foods, is reviewing the
research findings. Times Online
October 28, 2007
OTHANKS
FOR HELPING US HELP OTHERS!
O
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:
Daniel Bortz
Krishna Khalsa
Joyce Weathersby
Elias Morales
Dana Onaga
Doris Schwartz
Charisma Carpenter
Mariann Laws
Kori Lawson
Vala King
Tim Lacatena
Sharmagne Leland-St. John
Élan Yaaria
Rhonda Clarke
Candace Cooper
Charles Daniel
Heba Sitita
Berto & Renata Barba
Anne Redstone
Don Glenn
Penny Holt
Taliba Shakier
Andy Terranova
Charity Babcock
Maryann Nadeau
Tasya Abe
Alissa Solomon
Jeff Binstein
Mayrita Varna
Noura Elnaser
Ann Capotosto
Maria Elena
Kurt Morgan
Sat Kaur Khalsa
Darren Strothers
Adrien Mahl
Terry Zaneski
Evonne & Brent Heyning
Howard Sutton
Tom Alvarez
Renata Barber
Michelle Shore
Rico Cardinale
Lionel Smith
Kyle Fritz
Layla Welborn
Alien Chun
Greg Taylor
Timothy Washington
Kira McCoy
Tash Mosley
Peggy & Sal Velasco
Sam Sawyer
Jackie Taylor
Mary Ellen Cardinale
Oscar Reyna
Dr. Kevin Flynn
Tammie Santor
Edie Wu
Dorothy Beam
Kurt Woolner
Belinda Menendez
Cheryl Murphy
Redd Anderson
Vivian Chang
Dr. Akasha Singh Khalsa
Chloe La Fond
&
MY CHIROPRACTIC
STORY &
JOE TORRES
I’ve had back pain for 20 years, both
excruciating lower back pain and shooting
sciatica. One night a couple of years ago, my
wife and I had one of her very good friends,
Elena Lobito, over to the house for dinner. My
back had been acting up all week and I was not
in a very good mood because of it. So when my
wife ratted me out, Elena immediately said “You
should go see my guy—he’s terrific and will
really help you.” Turned out her “guy” is Dr.
Mha Atma.
I was more than a little skeptical of doctors in
general and had seen a chiropractor before with
no positive effects. But at my wife’s urging
(translation: persistent nagging) I made an
appointment with Khalsa Chiropractic. When I
returned home afterwards, she was surprised to
see a smile on my face. The pain was eased
tremendously in just that first session. I
became such a true believer that I immediately
purchased 10 sessions (Khalsa Chiropractic gave
me a pre-pay discount!) and have been going
regularly ever since. I recently received
another 10-session packet from my wife for my
birthday gift!
Dr. Mha Atma is caring, compassionate and a true
professional. Khalsa Chiropractic is a warm,
friendly place and the ladies in the front
office are so nice and welcoming. It has
changed my life. Now whenever I hear someone
say that they have back problems, I say, “You
should go and see MY guy!”