Looking for the Master Plan

My passion, professionally that is, is helping people maintain and improve their health. Chiropractic care is the first line of treatment I use, obviously. It's what I've spent my career doing and it's the best way I know to get and stay healthy. But, there is more to being healthy than structural therapy.

Like I wrote about in an earlier blog post, us Chiropractors look at the "Triad of Health" a.k.a the Body-Mind-Chemical balance theory.

In this is a three part theory, Chiropractic adjustments handle the "body" piece, and other practitioners are typically taking care of the "mind" piece. But what about the "chemical"/nutrition piece? That's a huge part of health, obviously. And it became more evident through the years to me and my partner (Dr. David Monson), that this was worth exploring more in depth.

Why, you ask? Well, first of all, to improve the results we were getting with patients pain symptoms in general. So, we started the journey to learn more about nutrition therapy. I have to say, it's been a long and bumpy ride. Last year I added up the hours we've taken over the last 20 years and it was right around 1000 for each of us. Considering that a weekend seminar has 8-12 hours of training....that's a lot of weekends!

Taking seminars is work, but it can be so interesting. To me, the harder part is figuring out how to fit the knowledge into what you already know. And... how to implement it into your practice. I've taken enough seminars to know that when the brochure states "you'll be able to start using this on Monday morning." Well, that's wishful thinking at best. But still the quest continues... even for one more seminar or system that will make sense of all you've learned to date.

Sometimes, the one piece you're looking for is there all the time, but you may not have been ready to explore it. I believe that in my case, I have figured out what that is for me. See, the last year or so, I've been using Hair Analysis testing. Not that it tells all, but because it sets up a plan to follow, its a great place to start. And at certain intervals the test is repeated, maybe several more times too, until you reach a point of "homeostasis." That's a kind of fancy way of saying balance, but it has more to do with bodily systems and function.

One big reason I find this type of testing so useful for my baseline nutrition work is that it helps me set up a plan. In health care talk, we call this a "treatment plan." It's so easy to get caught up in patients changing symptom patterns that you overlook the core issues.

Hair Mineral Analysis works on the theory that the vast majority of people on this stressful polluted planet we live on have toxic overload of heavy metals which impede the healthy uptake of nutrient minerals and vitamins leading to poor glandular health. Glands, meaning thyroid and adrenal mainly, but not exclusively. So that's why the repeat testing, because you need to get rid of the bad/toxic/heavy metals first.....OR maybe you have to replenish as best you can the glands first if the persons adrenal glands are really tanked.

No the word tanked isn't a medical term, but I think you get the picture.

Anyway, I've been using this work for about 1.5 years and all results have been positive. It's a process, like all journeys to health, but the results are encouraging. And the latest case (I really don't like to think of my patients as "cases," they're people!) is particularly exciting. And I did get an okay to mention this individual's case in my blog. (I do respect my patients privacy!)

This individual has been struggling with high-stress situations for the last few years (was out of work, etc.) Even though he takes care of his health pretty well, the stress had taken a toll with sleep issues, mind-racing, and he was unable to relax. It was all really starting to affect his ability to perform at a new high-stress job, one with lots of overtime. When we reviewed his results, it revealed exhausted adrenal glands, blood sugar issues and plenty of other baddies. With the report and chart right there for him to see, we could map out a plan. First things first, we started him on new vitamins. The very next day I got a phone call from him saying that he already noticed a big change in his symptoms.

Over the next week other positive results started to appear. And this is the way it's been for pretty much everyone, myself and Dr. Dave included. Oh, there's ups and downs, but that's to be expected.

I don't really have a nifty wrap-up here.  Just that this is the most useful functional tool I've found to start patients on that are looking for a nutritional advice and want to get on a system. Because systems are what make the most sense. Otherwise, you're just symptom-chasing--Oh, you can't sleep--let's try this, etc... That is just a time waster. And I don't want to waste anyone's time, including my own.

Get Fit Or Die Trying? There Are Better Ways.

I was scanning the obituaries the other day (a sure sign I'm over 50) and saw side-by-side stories on two recently deceased individuals.

Both very different stories and very different people.

The first one was of a gentleman who'd passed away peacefully at the age of 94. He was a pioneering research scientist in the field of nutrition who was still working into his eighties. His specialty was Essential Fatty Acids, indeed he named them "Omegas."  Likely he really loved what he did for a living and practiced what he preached.

The other obit was of a women, who, apparently, also practiced what she preached. And died doing it. This gal collapsed of a heart attack at the gym, doing her daily workout. She was 44. One person remarked, "She was really healthy as far as we knew." She was considered quite "fit."

Hmm... that's doesn't seem quite right in my book. "Fit" means sound mentally and physically healthy. You don't drop dead of a heart attack at 44 if you're healthy.

So, what's my take-away from this? When it comes to exercise, don't overdo it. It's not the end all be all for "Fit"ness. In fact, fitness experts recommend at least a day off a week from active training. Walking doesn't count - a daily walk is beneficial.

And when it comes comes to nutrition, maybe look at the guy in the first obit again... he specialized in the field and lived until he was 94.

Now, I'm not saying food, or what we ingest is more important than exercise.

They are both very important and together make a world of difference. For most people who want to make a change, it's a lot easier to start exercising than it is to change eating habits.

For starters, it's cheaper. You just need to get a pair of shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather and take a walk.  Or if you can't walk, swim. Whatever gets you out of your chair. Then, when you can, add in some resistance training. As in, get some dumbbells to start with and do simple exercises.

That's enough to start. And you'll do great things for you body.

It's the eating healthy thing takes more work.

Someone told me recently that when asking their MD for advice on proper diet, he was told this: "Eat food that rots. And nuts."

Oh, if only it were that easy. I mean, that's a start, but that doctor is clearly someone who isn't trained in nutrition! It's a good sound bite, though.

Teaching people how to incorporate nutrition in their life is one of the things I help individuals with in my practice quite regularly. You can save a lot of time and money by seeking knowledgeable people. And we all like to save time and money!

Organic or Conventionally Grown Food: Is There A Difference?

I don't know if you heard about the recent Stanford University study which compared vitamin and mineral levels in organically grown versus conventional foodstuffs.

Here's the jist:

Produce, dairy and meat were analyzed and compared and they found that there was very little difference between conventional and organically grown items.

It's not hard to believe that not much difference was found, actually, because in most croplands in the United States, the topsoil has been severely degraded over the last 50-100 years. I'd much rather see differences between long-standing organic farmland such as the rice-growers "Lundberg Farms" in California and a box of instant rice from the shelf. With that, there's so much more at stake than vitamin/mineral status.

I've eaten organic products since picking up tiny, spotted apples in a Nutrition World at Har-Mar Mall in Roseville... that's Roseville, Minnesota, not California. This was way before the USDA standards were imposed in 2002. Matter of fact, America's oldest certification program, Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association (I love the acronym, MOGFA), was formed in 1971.

I think it's important to point out what national standards regulate. The following are prohibited in organic products: artificial colors, flavors and preservatives; added growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, insecticides, sewage sludge (do you remember the fight over that? the good guys won), radiation and genetically modified foods (GMO's).

Sounds like stuff you don't want in your kitchen, on your table, or in your mouth, right? So before I give you my opinion on the findings, I just want to point out that even if the thought of eating this stuff doesn't bother you, just having less of a toxic load in the environment they're produced in is better in general. Be kind to Mother Nature. As one of my patients put it recently, "It's better for the earth, too!"

But back to the study. It was a "meta-analysis," which means that the results of a bunch of papers were added up. One of my issues with the study was pointed out by the "Organic Consumers Association," an advocacy group based in Finland, Minnesota. They discovered that there were papers included in the study which pre-dated the onset of the USDA standards formulated in 2002. This harms the credibility of the data, obviously. If there are no standards in place, there's no way to compare products.

I would not stake my decision of whether or not to eat organic foods on this study's findings. The chemical residues and hormones in conventional products and the integrity of the farmland which is being threatened by the use of GMO crops is a much more important issue to base a decision. Where is that study, eh?

Well, it's time to go make dinner: Organic rice with tofu, homemade pesto with homegrown basil, yummy stuff. Must have some veggies in the fridge to throw in there...

What Does A Balanced Lifestyle Mean To You?

 What's the big deal about balance and what does a balanced lifestyle mean to you? 

It varies from person to person. And within each persons life, too. Let's start by looking at what the word actually means.

I looked it up. Along with weights and measures, there's this:

Balance = A means of judging or deciding

I liked that. What it tells me is that achieving some balance isn't impossible, and that it depends largely on the decisions we make regarding exercise, diet, and other things that are in control. We truly have the ability to change one of these parts, or components, if something isn't working.

Oh, yes, components.

Chiropractors have been talking about the components of a healthy (balanced!) lifestyle for around 100 years. We call it the "Triad of Health."

We break it down into the following three parts.

1) Structural - physical components, such as the spinal column, joints (This is the Body)
2) Emotional - or Spiritual (This is the Mind|)
3) Chemical - or Nutrition

That covers it, if you think about it. And they're all interconnected. If one is ailing, the effects will show up in the other two.

So, when I'm evaluating a patient, whether it's their first visit or fiftieth, or just listening to their concerns, I keep all of those in mind.

Because you have to keep it in balance.

Is There a 'CURE' In The House?

Cure... is a word I truly dislike. To me, it's one of those four-letter words.

I don't use this word in my professional life, or private life, for that matter. I have to be honest: I'm actually not allowed to use that word professionally because my "scope of practice" in Minnesota, where I'm licensed, says I can't. As a matter of fact, only health care practitioners who are overseen by the state Medical Board can use the word in reference to their work - folks like M.D.'s, D.D.S.'s and D.O.'s.

That's okay with me, though. Because I'm allowed to say other things.

I can say that my therapy helps alleviate pain; assists the body's return to health from various conditions and injuries; helps restore normal function to the nervous system and helps restore normal motion to the spine and other joints in the body.

Research over many decades has shown Chiropractic therapy and adjusting can do that and so much more. Those are pretty great others in my opinion. And it's so gratifying to see it work!

So... back to that word I dislike: cure. Why do i dislike it so much? It gives all the power to the practitioner. I, like many Chiropractors, prefer this six-letter word: innate.

According to Merriam-Webster, here's the definition:

Innate: existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth.

Chiropractors use innate like this: "You body has an innate ability to heal itself."

Wow! Who has the power now?!

This doesn't mean if you break you leg or they have a nasty disease I'm the doc to see. But for many conditions including pain, inflammation and loss of normal bio-mechanical function, Chiropractic care can help immensely.

And because I'm trusting the innate to finish the job I start, I'm showing my respect for this wondrous creation we use to navigate this world, our physical bodies.

To your health!
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