Pain is Not the Problem

Many people begin chiropractic care because of an ache or a pain. Pain can be distracting, debilitating, irritating or annoying. Pain can be chronic, acute, intense or intermittent. Pain can be sharp or dull. And pain can be localized or general.

Pain may be a pain, but pain is not the problem!

Pain is a symptom. A signal. A sign. An indicator. A warning. Pain is no more a problem than a traffic signal or your alarm clock jarring you awake.

If there's a problem, it's the meaning we attach to the pain.

When we meet patients who are in pain, our first thought is that they must have exceeded some physical, chemical or emotional limit to which they can no longer adapt. So, while we're interested in the pain, we're even more interested in what was the underlying cause of the pain. Did it just happen? Has it been present a long time? What circumstances brought it on? Plus, what change(s) should be made to avoid this in the future?

Do you know someone who thinks pain is a problem? Please send them our way. Because in our practice, pain is never a problem!

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Serious NSAIDs

In a recent New England Journal of Medicine article, researchers disclosed that the adverse effects of using NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like aspirin, ibuprofen and others, can include stomach bleeding, ulcers and, in some cases, death.

Millions take NSAIDs without much thought. However, research has shown that bleeding and ulcers occur half the time... often, with no symptoms. Among the people who develop serious bleeding from NSAIDs and require visits to the hospital, 10 to 15% will die. In fact, 2,000 people in the United Kingdom die each year from gastro-duodenal lesions from taking NSAIDs.

These drugs simply cover up your body's warning signs and fool the body. Every day we help locate and reduce the underlying cause of many types of health problems. Is it time for a chiropractic checkup for you, or someone you know, who thoughtlessly reaches into the medicine cabinet?

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True Health Insurance

Are you one serious illness away from bankruptcy? Many in America with "health" insurance policies think they're protected from the burden of huge medical bills. Sadly, that's just not true. In a Harvard University study of almost 2,000 Americans in bankruptcy court, half said that illness or medical bills drove them to bankruptcy.

Every 30 seconds in the United States, someone files for bankruptcy because of a serious health problem. Over 75% of those had insurance but lost coverage during the course of their illness. Thus, they face the double disaster of illness and bankruptcy.

"If you're sick enough, long enough, you're likely to be financially ruined," cautioned Dr. David Himmelstein the lead author of the Harvard study.

Although most stats are from the US (where they record more of these statistics), the same rings true in Singapore and other places in the world.

In 2009 I had an emergency appendectomy (removal of my appendix).  I spent 2 days in the hospital and left with a bill of $15,000.  For 2 days!!! 

Once thought largely the result of bad financial choices, bankruptcy is increasingly accompanying serious health problems. People who go under from medical debt are mostly middle- or working-class homeowners.

The solution? Don't get sick. But how?

Many people neglect their health until their symptoms are unbearable. By then, problems can be well advanced or even irreversible. That's why I suggest wellness visits. Visiting our practice when you feel great may sound unusual or even a little strange, but preventive chiropractic care and similar measures may actually provide more "insurance" than your insurance.

The Master System

The nervous system is made up of two parts: the central nervous system, or CNS, and the peripheral nervous system, or PNS.

The brain and the spinal cord comprise the central nervous system. The spinal cord transmits sensory messages to the brain and motor messages from the brain. Sensory nerves carry messages from receptors to the brain. If you touch a hot stove, pain receptors on certain types of nerve cells tell your brain to move your hand. Motor nerves send signals from the brain to the muscles in the body. These nerves help us to do things such as walk, kick a ball or pick up an object.

The peripheral nervous system transports the messages between the central nervous system and the body. It consists of cranial and spinal nerves that carry messages to and from every sensory and motor nerve in your body.

Part of the peripheral nervous system is called the autonomic nervous system. The actions of the autonomic nervous system are automatic and include such actions as breathing, your heartbeat and digestion.

The autonomic nervous system is made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic system alerts the body when there is an emergency or danger. When this happens, your heart beats faster, your blood pressure rises and your pupils dilate in what is called a "flight or fight" response. The parasympathetic system returns your body to normal once the danger has passed.

Chiropractic care is designed to restore the integrity of your nervous system so that everything works the way it's supposed to. That's why it's vital to have your spine checked regularly for optimum health and well-being.

Contact Active or Advanced Chiropractic today to find out how we can help you get well!

Do you know of anyone addicted to drugs?

Most would say "certainly not!"  Especially in Singapore, the very thought of it seem crazy.

Of course this is assuming we are talking about illegal drugs.  What about the "good" drugs?

The truth is most people are, in a way, addicted to drugs.  It starts from when we are born.  Sounds crazy but just stay with me for a minute. 

When we are born we get silver nitrate put in our eyes.  This practice was done because of the risk of the newborn getting a gonorreah infection to the eye.  The small detail with this is that the mom has to actually have gonorreah to be able to infect the newborn.

Then the baby is given a vit K jab.  This is in case the baby’s body somehow forgets to clot his or her blood.  Recently studies show that vit K injections can cause liver failure in newborns.

Then the newborn is given a set of vaccinations filled with such things are thimerisol (mercury preservative), formaldehyde, antifreeze, washed sheep blood cells, chick embryo cells, aborted fetus cells, aluminium, gelatine, many different antibiotics and more!

 Don’t believe it?  Take a look at this website with information that vaccine companies have to disclose.

http://www.informedchoice.info/cocktail.html

Are you still sure that the drug companies have your best interests at heart? 

When a child develops a cold or flu the first thing we do is either give over the counter drugs or take them to the medical doctor to get a prescription.  A “sickness” is nothing more than a reaction of the body to something it perceives as a threat.  For example, let’s say you get a fever, running nose and cough on top of feeling very tired.  Would you believe that this is an extremely intelligent thing the body does?  A fever heats up your body which is great for our cells as it makes them faster.  It is very bad for infected cells or bacteria as it slows them down or kills them.  A running nose helps to expel infected cells from the head.  The mucus contains powerful antiviral properties and antibiotics.  Coughing and sneezing is meant to help you expel foreign or infected particles from the body.  And the general sense of feeling tired or cruddy is something your body does to slow you down so it can fight and heal.  So tell me WHY DO YOU WANT TO STOP THE BODY FROM DOING THAT!??

What about when a child is struggling at school?  Perhaps they are a little hyperactive.  Parents may go to medical doctor and get a prescription for Ritalin, Wellbutrin or Prozac and are elated at the effects because the teachers will say how much better they act.  The side effects for these drugs are anything from

• Sexual side-effects: delayed or non-existent ejaculation, hyposexuality

   

• Nausea

   

• Dizziness

   

• Anorexia

   

• Anxiety

   

• Agitation

   

• Vivid nightmares/dreams

   

• Urinary retention

   

• Tinnitus

   

• Tremor

   

• Sleeplessness

   

• Palpitations

   

Now I am not saying that all medications are bad.  Some can be life saving.  I am simply saying that they have a place in sickness care but NOT healthcare.

Chiropractic has been proven to boost the immune system and increase general well-being.  Studies show the effectiveness for conditions and problems like ADD, ear infections, colic, headaches, digestive issues and soooo many more.   Chiropractic is a fantastic alternative to medication from newborn to elderly.

Please contact us at the phone number or email address below for questions or comments. 

In health,

Dr Brett

This post is dedicated to those wanting to know more about natural birthing.  For most, natural birthing is nothing more then a vaginal birth.  Me, and others have a more refined and specific definition.

A natural birth is:

• A vaginal delivery
• Unmedicated (including epidural)
• Non-induced---delivery comes on the mother's and baby's time not the doctors and mother's
  
• No forceps, vacuum or extraction tool

Natural births may occur in the hospital but very commonly (in other countries), births are at home.  There are many whom question the safety of this practice.  They are usually shocked or dismissive when shown the studies of the success and safety in home birthing.  For example, did you know that home birthing has the least rate of "emergency" c-sections when compared to hospital births? 

What about medications?  People are baffled at the thought of doing child birth without medication.  Medications are a large reason for slow delivery and can lead to problems with mother/ baby attaching among MANY other complications. 

More facts about medications during pregnancy or labor:

• Aspirin has been shown to prolong pregnancy. 
  
• Nose drops can shrink the placental bed (this can reduce the amount of oxygen and nutrition the baby needs to grow and thrive)
  
• Birth defect risks unknown for most new drugs
• Studies of antibiotics in pregnancy lead to increase chance of baby developing allergies or asthma.
• NSAIDS (Aspirin, Celebrex, Motrin, Exedrin, Voltarin, ect) linked with miscarriage.
• Paxil (anti-depressant) linked to birth complications 
• Babies who's mothers had epidural, had a lower APGAR score, may have heart problems, are more likely to have seizures and brain damage, ect. (see below for more on epidurals)
  

The baby can receive 20x the same dosage of a drug that a mother receives.  20 times!

Even the American Academy of Pediatrics states "there is no drug, whether over the counter remedy or prescription, which when taken by the child-bearing woman has been proven safe for the unborn child"

 More on epidurals (this excerpt taken from www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com ):

"The epidural relaxes pelvic muscles and makes it more likely that a posterior baby will remain posterior throughout labor. This makes the birth harder for both you and baby and again increases the risk of assisted delivery - which also increases the risk that the baby will be injured at birth. Bruises, blood clots, and facial injury are all possibilities for the newborn."

"Epidural analgesia significantly affects the hormones that run through your body during birth. The depression of these hormones means that you're robbed of some of the natural ways to cope with labor.

It's harder to work with your labor because the hormones that would encourage your getting into the birth rhythm have been stopped or reduced by the epidural.

Labor has been shown to take longer with an epidural. With an epidural you're also more likely to need labor augmentation (help) from synthetic oxytocin to keep your labor moving. This greatly increases the risk of distress for the baby and cesarean section for the mother.

The natural high and euphoria of birth may also be taken from you. Because the hormones of birth are slowed down or stopped you don't feel the final surge of "feel-good" hormones as you push your baby out.

These hormones prepare you to hold your baby - and they help you to be alert and ready to interact with him or her. Loosing them can cause bonding problems for some mothers and babies."

I have heard many times "Your wife must be crazy!" or "You wife is very brave".  Although the second one is certainly true (and the first to some degree;), we truly believe that the ones that are a little crazy are the ones that trust in the system to give them healthy, perfect and even (shockingly) a pleasent and beautiful experience.  If you don't believe that it is possible ask people who have actually done it.  More natural birth parents have a positive and loving experience of the birth then the people in hospitals by far!

You can read more on the safety of home birth on the link below:

Home Births as Safe as Hospital Births

The largest study of its kind has found that for low-risk women, giving birth at home is as safe as doing so in hospital with a midwife. The Department of Health said that giving more mothers-to-be the opportunity to choose to give birth at home was one of its priority targets for 2009-10.

Read the entire article here: www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7998417.stm

Natural Pain relief:

I have Pediatricians refer to my office for many ailments associated with pregnancy or post natal care.

Chiropractic is a great natural way to help with the minor to moderate aches, pains, headaches, nausea, ect. associated with pregnancy.  Contact us at the email link below or click on "Contact Us" Tab for phone or address.

 I also do a one hour lecture on Natural Children: Our Lasting Effect

In health,

 Dr Brett

Patients sometimes ask me, “What is the difference between a Chiropractor and an osteopath?"

Before I start I should make clear a few things. First, this issue tends to be an emotional one for both sides.  The remarks I make are very general.  There are many exceptions to both sides.  Since it is a common question, I thought it best to at least try to give it some attention.  Lastly, I am a Chiropractor.  I am sure asking an osteopath the same question could give another version.

Chiropractors, like me (and there are varying types of chiropractors that I would save for another article), look at a persons overall health.  An osteopath is of the same school as most medical doctors and tends to be symptom based.  Chiropractors do not prescribe medication or do surgery whereas osteopaths can prescribe on a regular basis.
Chiropractors look for vertebral subluxations.  These are misalignments of the spine caused be stress (mental/emotional, physical and/or chemical).  They are the only doctors that are trained to detect this.

The process of correcting a vertebral subluxation is called an “adjustment.”  It is a method of allowing the spinal bone to return to its proper position, thereby removing the interference to the vital information transmitted over the nerves.  There is a procedure in osteopathy called “manipulation” in which various bones are moved.  This is probably the single biggest reason why most people try to compare chiropractic and osteopathy.   Though they may both deal with the human body and, in fact, some of the procedures used appear to be similar, the goals and, therefore, technical considerations are quite different.  The procedure of osteopathic manipulation is not directed toward the correction of vertebral subluxation and, so, it will not be applied with the same technical considerations or evaluated based upon the same analyses.  In other words, manipulation is non-specific whereas a vertebral segmental adjustment is.  Chiropractic adjustment and osteopathic manipulation are not interchangeable terms or procedures at all.

At osteopathic school, there is a joke that the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor is “$96,000 after five years” because the chiropractor would have seen a lot more patients by then.  It is true that a chiropractor will tend to see a patient more then the average osteopath.  The reason again comes down to fundamental philosophy.  Usually a osteopath is very much symptom based.  Chiropractors look beyond the symptoms to correct the cause and increase overall health and wellbeing.  In this regard anyone looking at increasing their overall health may be a good candidate for chiropractic care.  This doesn’t limit a chiropractor to just a symptomatic or flared patient. 

Example case:
A common example of a patient that might present to an osteopathic and chiropractic office.
Patient is a 40 year old female that is of moderate health presents with chronic headaches becoming more constant the past 5 years.  Seems to come on most when stressed at work.  Both doctors find tenderness in the neck and through a more detailed history and various orthopaedic tests determine that the headache is cervogenic (coming from the neck).  The osteopath might try to manipulate or simply give medications to reduce inflammation, muscle tension and pain.  Perhaps all of them.  If the patient was given advice to follow up and the pain was gone then most likely case is closed.  Seems fine right?

For the same patient a chiropractor would probably take or send out for xrays.  Having done this he/she could have found the patients neck severely degenerated.  This means the problem had been developing for a long time.  Should we expect the problem to disappear in a day if it has been developing for 10 years?  A chiropractor would set this patient on a program that would focus on not only getting rid of the pain but stabilizing the issue as to prevent or slow the degenerative process from going further.  This may include exercise and nutritional advice.  Having done this the patient prevents (or reduces the chance of) relapses whereas with the osteopath, a relapse is almost assured.  All medical doctors, including osteopaths will be the first to tell patients that a vast majority of medications (including pain meds, muscle relaxants and anti- inflammation meds) do not solve any problems, they mask the symptoms.  Most chiropractors tend to take this seriously and therefore move towards correcting the cause, not just the symptom.

In conclusion, it is obvious that both practitioners get into their respective fields to help people and not to deceive.  The truth is I have worked with osteopaths in the past as well as many other different practitioners.  In my eyes, we all have something to offer.  It is also my opinion that people vote with their feet and wallets.   Where they spend their health care dollars speaks volumes.  This is especially relevant as most health insurances will cover osteopathic care and not chiropractic (or very limited).  This simply means that people go to and refer to what works.  I don’t have any data for specifically osteopaths but studies are showing a dramatic increase in alternative health care visits (which chiropractors are by far the leader in).  Studies are also showing a decrease in office visits to medical doctors (which an osteopath is considered in the group of).  People must find something effective in what chiropractors do and the way they do it. 

In health,
Dr Brett Van Norman D.C.