Chiropractic Care - What’s It All About …

A Psychology Today article by Charles and Elizabeth Schmitz lists the following seven recommendations to keep the stress out of the holiday season:

1. Appreciate the traditions within your family and your spouse’s family. Blend them together in a way that both you and your spouse will cherish and make new memories together.

2. Money is not the solution to a great holiday season - especially in these tough economic times.

3. Talk about what you are going to do for the season - what are you and your spouse’s highest priorities?

4. Take a moment in the midst of the chaos and pressure of the holidays to focus on what really matters.

Chiropractic can also be an effective tool to help cancer patients cope with side effects of treatment and any underlying discomfort due to musculoskeletal issues says research author Diana Price based on her work with chiropractors Drs. Sklar and McMichael. “There are many benefits for cancer patients who receive chiropractic care,” Dr. Sklar says. “Very often the stress of the diagnosis of cancer alone is powerful enough to cause muscle tightness that creates pain and decreases spinal motion.” In addition, he says, side effects from chemotherapy, such as neuropathy, headaches, nausea, joint stiffness, muscle aches, and painful changes in muscle tissue from radiation therapy, can also be managed by chiropractic. Like many complementary modalities, chiropractic ideally functions as part of an integrated care plan designed to support a patient’s wellness so that he or she can receive optimal treatment results.
 
“Doctors of chiropractic don’t treat the cancer,” Dr. McMichael says. “They help patients be as strong as they can be to respond to specific oncology treatments, and they help patients reduce pain and improve function so that their body responds as strongly as possible.” To ensure that chiropractic care is integrated in an overall care plan in a safe and effective manner, both Dr. Sklar and Dr. McMichael stress the importance of communication between the DC and the other members of the patient’s health care team. At their clinic, for instance, Dr. Sklar says, “the chiropractic department works with each oncologist’s team and meets with team members regularly to ensure that the physician has seen the most recent reports on every patient under
chiropractic care.” Communication among team members Dr. McMichael says that chiropractic
has a strong tradition of putting patients’ needs first. “Something chiropractic patients
have historically said is that we listen to them; we keep them in the center; we treat them as a person, not as a number or condition.” For this reason chiropractic can be an ideal component
of an integrated, whole-person approach to cancer treatment.

Looking To Ease Cancer Treatment-Related Symptoms,

Dr. Phil Kotzan, DC

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barely, and rye.  It has been blamed for the rising incidence of stomach pain, diarrhea and weight loss seen in some people that consume it–due to their heightened autoimmune response to this protein, commonly called Celiac Disease.  Below is gastroenterologist Joseph Murray’s advice on Celiacs Disease.
 
It is believed that the rate of Celiac Disease is rising–now up to 1% of the US population has it.  The rise is being blamed on the newer ways we grow, process and eat wheat.  Higher gluten breads are increasing on store shelves due to gluten’s ability to make the bread “spongey” and due to the fact it makes the bread more disease resistant.
 
Some people’s digestive proteins mistakenly convert part of gluten to a protein that their immune system recognizes as a danger and, therefore, goes on the attack mode to get rid of it.  This creates an inflammatory condition in the gut.  If this goes on for long enough, the lining of the intestine stays permanently inflammed and loses parts of its ability to absorb nutrients.  There are different levels of intolerance to gluten—a spectrum of symptoms presents between those with the disease.
 
There is currently a blood test that is fairly sensitive for detecting the disease.  But research still hasn’t indicated if it is cost-effective to screen everyone.  So, medical experts recommend only screening those with Celiac Disease, Irritable Bowel and Chrons in the family. A positive finding indicates a gluten-free diet might be best for you. 

Looking To Help Ease Gluten Sensitivity,

Dr. Phil Kotzan, DC

National Food Day will be October 24-in 2011 and in years to come. Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life-parents, teachers, and students; health professionals, community organizers, and local officials; chefs, school lunch providers, and eaters of all stripes-to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. Sponsored by the Center for Science In The Public Interest, the day is intended to foster working with people around the country to create thousands of events in homes, schools, churches, farmers markets, city halls, and state capitals that address these goals:

1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods

2. Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusiness

3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger

4. Protect the environment & animals by reforming factory farms

5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids

6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers

Enjoy these links to useful National Food Day Information…

National Food Day Website: Food Day

National Food Day Recipes: Recipes

National Food Day Events: Events

National Food Day Photos: Photos

National Food Day Youtube Videos: Videos

Have fun participating and learning how we can revolutionize our food production and consumption!

Happy National Food Day!

Dr. Phil Kotzan, DC

In honor of National Chiropractic Health Month this October, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is bringing attention to the rise in musculoskeletal injuries caused by excessive use of mobile devices, computers and other technologies. While they may offer convenience in our work and private lives, these devices also can lead to neck, back, wrist and even thumb pain, in addition to other musculoskeletal injuries. Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) have a conservative, whole-body approach to health and wellness, with particular expertise to the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal pain and injuries. During National Chiropractic Health Month, Dr. Kotzan is sharing ergonomic and other injury-prevention tips that will keep people connected-and healthy!

The tabloid Heart has kept tabs on Victoria Beckham since her pregnancy just a short while back.  Victoria was seen out in Los Angeles for the first time over the weekend, since giving birth in July to baby Harper Seven.  Posh was looking tired and wearing flat shoes instead of her usual six inches Louboutin shoes.  
It was revealed last week that the mum of four had been suffering with a slipped disc and was seeing chiropractors to ease the pain.  Victoria took to her Twitter to thank fans for their support, writing “Thank u (sic) for your kind messages. I’m feeling much better and enjoying every precious minute with baby Harper, I’m so in love. X VB”  Ask Dr. Kotzan for treatment options for herniated/bulging discs.  Chiropractic and Active Release Technique are fantastic treatment options for this disorder.

AND not a tabloid around has failed to saturate our news with gossip about the not-so-newsworthy wedding celebration of reality TV show celebrity Kim Kardashian two weeks ago.  BUT what they didn’t mention was that Kim later tweeted that what fully relaxed and prepared her for her wedding was her chiropractic appointment a few days before the celebration.”Just had the best chiropractor appointment, then massage and Korean spa scrub! I feel sooo relaxed. I really needed this!” tweeted Kim.

What Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham do, so should you.  Ha.

Dr. Phil Kotzan, DC

Chiropractic is a form of joint and muscle maintenance that allows your body to fuction at it’s very best without being affected by pain, tightness or weakness.  As this post points out, chiropractic is a fantastic remedy for everyone—regardless of physical ability, financial status, or daily activity levels.  Whether you are a famous celebrity, a stay at home mother, or a child, you can tremendously benefit from chiropractic care.

Looking forward to working with you soon,

Dr. Phil Kotzan, DC

Here are a few of my favortite summer-time nutrition tips:

1.)  Buy a bag of fresh cut veggies

2.)  Replace processed meats with no-nitrite-added deli meats

3.)  Switch to thin breads or light bread

4.)  Every month try eating a new vegetable

5.)  Read labels to dodge salt

6.)  Replace a side of rice, potatoes, or pasta with beans

7.)  Eat fish twice a week

8.)  Cover half of your plate with vegetables or fruit

9.)  Check serving sizes

10.) Drink calorie-free

11.) Cook with canola or olive oil

12.) Pack up half of your meal

13.) Asian: veggies, not noodles; Pizza: think not thick crust; Mexican: tacos and not a burrito

Helping you enjoy your summer!

Dr. Phil Kotzan, DC

Text Neck

Children as young as three are developing poor posture because of their increased use of electronic devices, Australian web news Adelaide.com reports chiropractors as saying. A Chiropractic Association of Australia study, which surveyed 600 members of the public and 126 chiropractors, found the use of electronic devices - including laptops and hand-held gaming consoles - caused bad posture. CAA state president Dr Brett Hill said postural issues normally developed later in life - in high school, or more typically in working-age Australians. “We are starting to see a growing trend in our patients and in the public of young kids which are starting to develop postural problems that typically didn’t happen until many years later,” Dr Hill said. “Kids as young as three or four (are) starting to use iPhones and iPads and other gaming consoles, hunched over those devices even from a really young age.” He said the most common problems include a forward head posture, uneven hips and round shoulders among users. Children develop those problems as they lean forward and sit hunched over, which predisposes them to a variety of back and joint problems and in serious cases leads to nervous system issues, Dr Hill said.  The CAA study found half of all Australians use their laptop more than they did five years ago and a third have increased their use of desktop computers and texting on mobile phones. “We understand we are not going to stop kids from using these devices, it’s something that has become ingrained in our society.  “But we would encourage children to get out and get active and not just sit hunched over those devices for extended periods.”  Dr Hill said exercise helped strengthen and activate postural muscles.  “It helps to unwind some of those static postures,” he said. “It can be as simple as starting to walk.” He said walking helped position the spine into its natural upright shape. “Regular walking will also build up your core strength, which is an important part of maintaining good posture and will help you to maintain better posture during your other daily activities.”

Helping Prevent One Text-Neck At A Time,

Dr. Phil Kotzan, DC