Still want that drug?

We all want to live a life of comfort, few problems and easy fixes for the problems we do endure.

Nothing offers this better than good ole medicine. Yet HMO's spend more money now treating Adverse Drug Reactions than on actual drugs. Adverse Drug Reactions are now the #1 cost of malpractice payouts!

So, before turning too quickly to pharmaceuticals for your health, consider safer, non-drug alternatives, such as diet and exercise. Of course, always check with your doctor first. The more M.D.'s I get to know, the more I hear the same from them. Most of them would prefer not to give medicines when they are not absolutely necessary. Many report that patients actually often prefer medicating to lifestyle changes and being patient. Yikes!

This is from the Employee Benefit Research Institute for Medicare/Medicaid 2007.

I want a new drug

Perhaps you remember the Huey Lewis song from the 80's,
"I want a new drug...one that won't make me sick,"
The truth is, you have to be very careful thinking a new drug is better just because it is new.
A 2002 study of more than 42,000 patients found older, more generic drugs were more
effective at lowering blood pressure.
Other reports reveal that of all new drugs, about 50% end up having significant side-effects that were not discovered (or revealed) during clincal trials.
With medication, it's "taker beware!"
I love being a drug-free practitioner. While we can agree there are life-saving medications,
there are too many that just aren't worth it.

Rule Of The Hand Rules

The hand is a marvelous instrument. Life would be a real challenge without a pair of them. In my office I have a beautiful rendition of Michelangelo's creation of the world from the Sistene Chapel. It has the hand of Adam and the hand of God. Magnificent.
The hand can also be a very portable reminder system, or "Palm Pilot." In prioritizing our lives, it can be very "handy. " Hold up your hand, with your thumb up and look at this...

Number one priority, the thumb, is God.
Number two, the pointer, is our spouse.
Number three the middle, is our family and kids.
Number four is our work or ministry.
Number five the little pinky is, "everything else."

Use the rule of the hand to check out if your life is in proper order!

Mental Attitude

Exercise Instead of Med's for Depression:
A recent study suggests that regular exercise can help patients suffering from depression. This study was a group-based exercise therapy three times per week. It worked as well as pharmaceutical drugs.
Psychosomatic Medicine, September 2007
There are many factors beyond the actual exercise that may be at work here. One of course is the "group" part. Many studies show that just being with other people can lift the spirits and be an anti-depressant.
It's always refreshing to hear of more natural and practical alternatives to help ourselves feel and be better.

Neck Pain and Balance

Interestingly, 5-10% of people develop debilitating symptoms from neck pain. Unfortunately, even among those folks who do not have disabling pain, the majority find their neck pain is stubborn and recurrent, to some degree. Canadian scientists have show that arthritis of the neck may affect balance. This could mean, in cases of poor balance or repeated falls among the elderly, treatment of the neck may have value.
This comes from the March/April Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

Bad Economy Got You Worried and Down?

Jesus said it best:

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you can not do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" Luke 12:25-26 NIV

Back Pain Relief - Nothing Beats Chiropractic

A study of back pain sufferers who received chiropractic care found 81.75% reported their back pain was much improved. 17.3% reported their back pain was slightly improved, 0.95% reported no chnage and 0.0% reported their pain worsened. This was from the Chiropractic Research Foundation of National Chiropractic Association.
These results are no surprise to many of of you. Many other studies have found the same.
Nothing beats good chiropractic care for the kind of back pain that most people suffer.