january newsletter - Hesselberg Chiropractic

January 2016
Dear Patient,
In this month's January issue of our newsletter - we have a good article on sciatica,
and even a good chiropractic joke. The New Year is upon us, but I just want to reassure
you that I’m going to do my best to make this the best year you’ve ever had when it
comes to you being healthy. I also want to let you know that last year was a very
interesting and challenging year for me. But like I said, it’s the New Year, so this office
will NOW… be open regular hours since the holidays are over. Enjoy the newsletter and
see you soon. Stay healthy and if you have any questions, please let us know. HAPPY
NEW YEAR!
I have this friend who always seemed to lean slightly to the left all the time. It
used to bother me, so I suggested he see my chiropractor, and have his legs
checked. For years, he refused... and he told me I was crazy. But last week he
finally went, and sure enough, my chiropractor discovered his left leg was ¾"
shorter than his right. A quick bit of adjusting later, he was feeling better, lighter,
and looking and feeling good, and both legs
were exactly the same length now, and he no
longer leaned.
"So," I said, "You didn't believe me when I
told you my chiropractor could fix your leg."
He just looked at me and said...
"I stand corrected."
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Sciatica
Your sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in your body. It begins in your lower back as
five smaller nerves joining together and it is found in your pelvis, thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot
and toes.
What Is Sciatica?
When such a large nerve becomes inflamed the condition is called sciatica (pronounced si'ada'ka) and the pain can be intense! The pain may follow the path of your nerve - down the back of
your legs and thighs, down to your ankle, foot and toes - but it can also radiate to your back!
Along with pain there may be burning, pins and needles, tingling, prickling, crawling sensations
or tenderness. Ironically, the leg may also feel numb!
To complicate matters, although sciatica pain is usually in the
back of the legs or thighs, in some people it can be in the front or
side of the legs or even in the hips. For some, the pain is in both
legs: bilateral sciatica!
The quality of the pain may vary. There may be constant
throbbing but then it may let up for hours or even days; it may
ache or be knife-like. Sometimes postural changes, like lying
down or changing positions, affect the pain and sometimes they
don't. In severe cases, sciatica can cause a loss of reflexes or even
a wasting of calf muscles.
For sciatica sufferers, a good night's sleep may be a thing of the
past. Simple things like walking, bending, turning, sitting or
standing up can be difficult or impossible.
Causes of Sciatica
Like most other conditions, sciatica has a wide variety of causes. An unhealthy spine with a
protruded or ruptured disc that can irritate the sciatic nerve is one cause. Sciatica has been
reported following accidents, injuries and even childbirth, usually due to spinal misalignment. (1)
However advanced diabetes can also cause sciatic nerve irritation, as can arthritis, constipation,
tumors and even vitamin deficiencies.
The Medical Approach
The medical approach to sciatica is usually treating symptoms with painkillers, muscle
relaxants and orthopedic devices such as traction and physical therapy. Sciatica is particularly
frustrating to treat with drugs because in many cases even strong painkillers bring little or no
relief. However, relief may be obtained by injecting painkillers directly into the nerve roots! As
with all painkillers, there is always a risk of drug dependency. In extreme cases orthopedic
surgery may be resorted to.
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For years medical doctors have prescribed bed rest for sciatica, yet there is little objective data
to show it works. In fact there is increasing evidence that it is ineffective for low back pain as
well as sciatica. (2)
The Chiropractic Approach
For over a hundred years the benefits the chiropractic spinal adjustment has on sciatica and leg
pain have been reported. Many sciatica sufferers have experienced dramatic relief after
chiropractic care. (3-4) Many sufferers of sciatica and leg pain have found that chiropractic was
superior to traction and pain injections, often saving them from having spinal surgery. (5-7)
In one controlled study four different approaches (spinal care, traction and two types of
injections) were used to deal with low back pain and sciatica sufferers. The group that had spinal
care experienced the greatest degrees of recovery. Interestingly, a large number in the traction
group eventually required surgery.(8)
In another study 20 patients aged 20-65 with low back-related leg pain were divided into three
groups that were given medical care, chiropractic care and steroid injections. After 12 weeks the
medical and steroid injections showed no advantage over the safer, non-drug improvements the
chiropractic patients experienced.(9)
Chiropractic care appears to have the most effect on sciatica when used first. Unfortunately
many people first submit to medical care. Even in this group excellent results may be obtained
with subsequent chiropractic care. Three thousand, one hundred and thirty-six people with
lumbosciatalgia (lower back and sciatica pain) with disc disease (protrusion) who had previously
had medical treatments such as physiotherapy and drugs with no positive results were given
chiropractic care.
A follow-up two years later showed that 50.4% had excellent results with no painful relapses,
34.4% had relapses but then responded favorably after further chiropractic care. 15.2% showed
no significant improvement.(10)
Another cause of leg pain involves damage to the spinal nerves that go to the legs. This
condition is called neurogenic claudication. The sufferer can't walk for long periods of time and
has to stop walking and rest for a while. Symptoms may include pain and parasthesias that
commence after walking and disappear following a rest period.
There may be cramping, pain, numbness, aching, and/or fatigue usually in the calf but also in
the foot, thigh, hip or buttocks. Claudication means that it comes back when you walk the same
distance again. There are vascular as well as neurologic causes. Although one way of dealing with
this condition is surgery, spinal care should be tried first before medical and surgical techniques
are resorted to.(11)
Conclusion
For over a hundred years sciatica sufferers have praised the blessings of chiropractic. All
sciatica sufferers should call this office to ensure they have spines free from the vertebral
subluxation complex (subluxation). A subluxation causes poor spinal misalignment, disc and
nerve pressure and may stress the entire body. We help by correcting or removing subluxations,
which relieves stress on your spinal nerves, joints and discs.
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Chiropractic is a procedure for the analysis and correction of a serious condition that can
damage your joints, muscles and nerves: the vertebral subluxation complex. If you do have
sciatica, from whatever cause, OUR chiropractic spinal adjustment is very badly needed to
remove pressure on your nerves, rebalance your spine, take stress off your discs and permit your
body's muscles, glands and tissues to function in a more balanced manner.
Every sciatica sufferer needs a healthy spine and therefore every sciatica sufferer should visit
MY office for a spinal checkup.
References
1. Fonti S, Lynch M. Etiopathogenesis of lumbosciatalgia due to disc disease; chiropractic treatment. In J. Mazzarelli (Ed.), Chiropractic:
Interprofessional Research. Torino, Italy: Edizioni Minerve Medica, 1983:59-68.
2. Patrick CAJ, Vroomen MD, Marc CTFM, et al. Lack of effectiveness of bed rest for sciatica. The New England Journal of Medicine.
1999;340:418-423.
3. Johnson EW. Sciatic nerve palsy following delivery. Postgrad. Med. 1961;30(5).
4. Barge FH. The chiropractic vertebral subluxation and its relationship to vertebrogenic lumbar pain, cruralgia and sciatic syndromes.
Chiropractic Research Journal. 1995;3(2):25-39.
5. Livingston M. Spinal manipulation: a one year follow-up study. The Canadian Family Physician. July 1969:35-39.
6. Mathews JA, et al. Back pain and sciatica: controlled trials of manipulation, traction, sclerosant and epidural injections. British Journal of
Rheumatology. 1987;26:416-423.
7. Osterbauer PJ, Fuhr AW. Treatment of chronic sciatica by mechanical force, manually assisted, short lever adjusting and a video assisted
stretching program: a quantitative case report. Proceedings of the Consortium for Chiropractic Research Conference on Research and Education,
1992. Palm Springs, CA.
8. Cox JM, Shreiner S. Chiropractic manipulation in low back pain and sciatica: statistic data on the diagnosis, treatment and response of 576
consecutive cases. JMPT. 1982;7:1-11.
9. Bronfort G, Evans RL, Anderson AV, et al. Non-operative treatments for sciatica: a pilot study for a randomized clinical trial. JMPT.
2000;23(8).
10. Downs S. Unilateral intermittent claudication of the left lower extremity. JMPT. 1988;11:322-324.
11 Nall SK. The role of specific manipulation towards alleviating abnormalities in body mechanics and restoration of spinal motion. JMPT.
1982;5:11-15.
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What is the difference between food allergies and food intolerance?
Food allergies involve the immune system. Food allergies are defined as toxic clinical reactions to
food or food additives that involve the immune system. The immune system is a complex system
whose cells and molecules are found throughout your body to protect it from potentially harmful
foreign molecules. It is most active in the areas of the body which have some direct contact with
the outside world such as the skin, lungs, nose and gastrointestinal tract. The majority of
potentially harmful molecules enter your body through your intestinal tract therefore, it is not
surprising that over 60% of immune activity occurs in this area. The immune system is made up of
a team of different types of cells that, while each having their own specific function, work together
to protect the body from foreign invaders: B-cells produce antibodies; T-cells conduct surveillance
for potentially dangerous molecules and kills dangerous cells such as disease-causing bacteria;
and macrophages are the scavenger cells of your body acting like garbage trucks, cleaning up
residue and removing potentially dangerous substances.
A surveillance team of cells determines whether newly introduced molecules pose a threat to your
system. New molecules are constantly being introduced into the intestinal tract by the food that we
eat. An allergic reaction occurs when your body identifies molecules as potentially harmful and
toxic; these molecules are called antigens. The surveillance cells bind to the antigens activating
the immune cells to release histamine and other chemicals which then signals the scavenger
macrophages to come to the site and destroy them. Allergic reactions involving excessive
histamine release can cause anaphylactic reactions (difficulty in breathing) which are responsible
for 29,000 people in the United States ending up in the emergency ward each year. When the
surveillance immune cells bind to an antigen and send out chemical messengers, they also
communicate to other immune cells, the B-cells, which are instructed to make antibodies to the
antigen.
Antibodies are long, branched molecules that have places for recognition and binding
(attachment) of the antigen on one side, and a site on the other end that can call into action other
immune responses.
An antibody will only bind one specific antigen and nothing else. When the antibody binds, or
sticks, to the dangerous molecule it is acts like a red flag identifying the molecule as something
potentially damaging that should be removed. Your macrophage cells are often called the
'scavenger' cells of the immune system and are specifically designed to remove damaging
molecules from the body. After the antibody binds to a dangerous molecule the macrophages
consume the molecule, taking it out of circulation and destroying it.
Food intolerance does not involve the immune system. The majority of toxic responses to food is a
result of food intolerance rather than food allergy. A food intolerance response is defined as any
reproducible, toxic response to food that does not involve the immune system. Food intolerance
responses can occur for many different reasons. A food can contain a molecule that your body
has difficulty breaking down or digesting causing an intolerance response as that molecule is
allowed to continue down your intestinal tract. Lactose intolerance is an example of this type of
toxic food response. Food intolerances can also be caused by food additives such as sulfites
which are added to processed foods to extend their shelf life.
Government agencies often include food poisoning as a food intolerance, but in this case, the part
of food that is reacted to is not a deliberately added component during processing, but a naturally
occurring toxin or an unintentionally added toxin (like the mercury in mercury-contaminated
oceans that can end up in tuna), so an adverse reaction to this food would not be expected to
occur every time you ate that particular type food. For this reason, most research scientists do not
consider food poisoning to be a true food intolerance.
There are many types of food intolerances. The most common are intolerances to:

Lactose, Tyramine, Preservatives and Additives, Gluten
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Hesselberg Health Hints
Does vitamin B6 help promote the health of our brain and nervous system?
Vitamin B6 is one of several B vitamins required for proper production of messaging molecules in our
nervous system and brain (called neurotransmitters). Three key neurotransmitters—namely GABA,
dopamine, and serotonin—all require vitamin B6 for synthesis.
Just as an example of how important this nutrient can be to proper brain and nervous
system, function, there is a condition called pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy where a
genetic mutation interferes with normal vitamin B6 function. In people who have this
mutation, the brain does not develop properly and epileptic seizures are experienced
beginning in infancy. Luckily, this condition is rare.
However, we may be at risk of other more common problems that can be brain and
nervous-system related if our B6 intake is poor. Depression is a good example in this
area. Recent research has also begun to indicate a link between B6 deficiency and risk of development
for attention deficit disorder (ADHD). So once again, we are looking at the possible widespread
importance of B6 for brain and nervous system support.
Quinoa
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has officially declared that the
year 2013 be recognized as "The International Year of the Quinoa." Quinoa provides numerous
health benefits including: Complete protein, Overall nutrient-richness, Antioxidant benefits, AntiInflammatory benefits.
Phytonutrients found in onions
The flavonoids in onion tend to be more concentrated in the outer layers of the flesh. To maximize
your health benefits, peel off as little of the fleshy, edible portion as possible when removing the
onion's outermost paper layer. Even a small amount of "overpeeling" can result in unwanted loss
of flavonoids. For example, a red onion can lose about 20% of its quercetin and almost 75% of its
anthocyanins if it is "overpeeled."
Foods of choice?
The World's Healthiest Foods are among the most nutrient-rich foods in the world and therefore
help promote optimal health by providing you with maximum nutrition and taste for the least
number of calories. Along with vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids they are
concentrated in antioxidants and phytonutrients, which combat free radicals that can damage DNA
and cellular structures, as well as act as powerful anti-inflammatory agents.
We always recommend selecting nutrient-rich foods for our body to function optimally and inspire
well-being. This way of eating may help you enjoy more energy, strong bones, healthy skin, good
sleep, and other aspects of optimal wellness. Alternatively, a diet that emphasizes nutrient-poor
foods may lead to symptoms of nutrient deficiency: low energy, unhealthy skin, poor heart health,
an inability to sleep, and reduced ability to cope with stress.
Vegetables: Asparagus, Avocados, Beet greens, Beets, Bell peppers, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard greens, Cucumbers, Garlic, , Kale, Onions, Sea
vegetables, Spinach, Squash, Sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, Tomatoes, Turnip greens
Fruits: Apples, Blueberries, Cranberries, Lemon/Limes, Pears, Pineapple, Raspberries
Seafood: Cod, Salmon, Sardines, Scallops, Shrimp, Tuna
RAW Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, Cashews, Flaxseeds, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower
seeds, Walnuts
Beans & Legumes: Black beans, Garbanzo beans (chickpeas), Kidney beans, Lentils, Lima
beans, Navy beans, Pinto beans
Poultry & Meats: Beef, grass-fed, Chicken, pasture-raised, Lamb, grass-fed, Turkey, pastureraised
Eggs & Dairy: Cheese, grass-fed, Cow's milk, grass-fed, Eggs, pasture-raised, Yogurt, grass-fed
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