The Nerve Connection
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Four Ways to Feel Better
Many people visit a chiropractic office for the purpose of feeling better. Often they are unaware that relief of symptoms is not the chiropractic objective. There are a number of ways to feel better. Some of them are natural; some are artificially induced.
- Reducing the irritating or invasive forces. If ragweed pollen is irritating to you, get into a pollen-free environment. If a thorn is stuck in your hand, remove the thorn. If germs are in your body, kill the germs with an antibiotic. If a gall bladder is causing pain, remove the gall bladder. Removing the irritant is sometimes a very effective method of making the individual feel better. However, there are a few problems with this approach. Sometimes the method of reducing the irritating or invasive force does more harm than good. People die from surgery. Drugs cause harmful reactions. Sometimes it is impossible to avoid the irritant. If you make your living as a gardener, it may be difficult to avoid pollen. The major problem with this approach is that the doctor is attempting to take over responsibility of making decisions for the body that really should be left to the body's innate intelligence. The body, if working properly, can remove the irritant most of the time.
- Blocking sensory nerves. There are numerous ways to deaden pain and relieve other symptoms. Most involve not allowing the pain message to reach the brain. Drugs, surgery, and hypnosis are just a few. They are effective, but usually only for a short time. Pain has a purpose and usually the symptom will return after the effects of the sensory nerve blocking procedure have worn off. The procedures also have harmful side effects.
- Impairing adaptation. This method of making an individual feel better is never good. To understand it, you must first understand that symptoms are not always bad. A low-grade fever may be the body's means of fighting off germs. Diarrhea and vomiting may be the body's way of ridding itself of unwanted substances. These symptoms are not pleasant, but they are a means by which the body adapts. Any procedure or drug that reduces a beneficial fever or stops vomiting or diarrhea when the body is trying to get rid of something may make the individual feel better, but it is impairing adaptation and the resultant restoration of health.
- Improving adaptation. This method is the most natural way and seems to make the most sense. The body has an inborn mechanism referred to as innate intelligence, which is responsible for adapting the body to its environment. If the body is adapting sufficiently, it is resistant to germs. It's the body's adaptation mechanisms working at is maximum potential, the body can heal itself when injured or sick. This means of feeling better is also the most common. A good night's sleep is the most natural way in which the body improves adaptation. When we eat wholesome food, the innate intelligence turns it into energy that improves adaptation, making us healthier. Improving adaptation is synonymous with becoming healthier. A healthier person almost always feels better.
| The following is a very important announcement for those of you who regularly use acetaminophen (Tylenol). We know that the drug can harm the liver when mixed with alcohol, but you may be surprised to find that it can also cause harm if you ingest the drug while fasting. Gastroenterologist, Dr. Laurie DeLeve, at the University of California states, "fasting is a more common cause of acetaminophen toxicity than alcohol. Some 36% of acute liver failures are linked to acetaminophen. When people are sick they tend to skip meals and take Tylenol or other aspirin-free products; this can cause serious damage to the liver." |
Practical Tips When at the Computer
- Position the computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or below eye level.
- Make sure the chair at your workstation fits correctly. An ergonomic back cushion can be placed in the small of the back to lend added back support. There should be at least two inches between the front edge of the seat and the back of the knees. The chair should have arm supports so that the elbows are resting within a 70-135 degree angle to the computer keyboard.
- Wrists should be held in a neutral position while typing, not angled up or down. The mouse pad should be close to the keyboard so the harm is not held away from the body.
- Knees should be positioned 90-120 degree angle. To accomplish this angle, for those having trouble touching the floor, place the feet on a foot rest or stool.
- Limit the time spent on the computer. If long periods of time are required, be sure to take a stretch break every 30-45 minutes.
Research Notebook
Why do some foods that are so good for you taste so bad? Take brussel sprouts, greens and spinach. These plants release bitter-tasting chemicals to protect themselves from being eaten by predators, according to a University of Washington research review. These same chemicals helps prevent disease in humans by lowering total cholesterol, inhibiting tumor growth and absorbing free radicals that can cause tissue damage. Mollie Katzen, author of Moosewood Cookbook, suggests adding something sweet to the dish to counteract bitterness; such as honey, caramelized onions or some sautéed pine nuts and raisins.
Short Takes
- On January 23rd, President Bush signed a bill that mandates permanent chiropractic benefits within the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system.
- On March 7, 1845, D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, was born in Port Perry, Ontario, Canada.
- Your diet may help arthritis pain. Try eating broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, avocado, grapefruit, peaches and watermelon. These provide a powerful antioxidant lacking in many arthritis sufferers. Avoid green peppers, potatoes, eggplant and tomatoes.
- Dr. Doug Sharpe, a Palmer College of Chiropractic alumnus, is a member of the U.S. Bobsled team at Salt Lake City. Sharpe earned Silver status at the Olympic trials.
- According to the BBC, vitamins cold soon be added to beer in an attempt to reduce alcohol-related health problems in Scotland. Scottish ministers are asking brewers to consider adding Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) to their products in an effort to prevent alcohol-related brain damage.
- New research from Cornell University suggests that Quercetin, a phytochemical found in apples has extremely strong anticancer effects in the human body.
DID YOU KNOW...
Recent studies from the American Medical Association and the Journal of Chiropractic Research have indicated that chiropractic care can have a dramatic effect on childhood illnesses? Take a look:
- 49% of children who received regular chiropractic care never had to use antibiotics, compared with 11.8% of children who received medical care.
- 69% of children who received regular chiropractic care had no ear infections, compared with 19.9% of children who only received medical care.
- 94% of children who received an average of three chiropractic adjustments had no colic symptoms after 2 weeks.
- 73.7% of children who received regular chiropractic care had no occurrence of tonsillitis, compared with 57.1% of children who received medical care.