This can be accomplished by years of practice, the right equipment, personal coaches and even more practice. But what if there was something that was preventing a golfer from performing optimally?

Research confirms the importance of postural balance on effective biomechanical results. That’s right, good posture lets your muscles and joints work better. Think of it this way:

If you head is too far forward (your earlobe should be in line with the front of your shoulder) it will throw off your balance because more weight is in front of your body. This is usually accompanied by “rounded shoulders” where your chest muscles become tight and cause your shoulders to move forward and your back muscles to become stretched and weakened. All this can cause your calf muscles to tighten up because they are trying to keep you from falling over.

What can this mean for your golf swing?

Imagine getting into your golf stance. Focus on what your calves and toes are doing. Are they working to keep your body from going forward? If that is happening, can you imagine how that is taking away from your swing and accuracy? As soon as you swing your body has to adjust so you can keep balanced.

The problem is that many people with poor posture are used to this and don’t even realize that it is occurring. Because many of us are used to it, it is hard to associate it with poor performance (or other problems like headaches, back pain, neck pain and the like).

What about the case for the “stiff” neck, or the neck which has lost its full and normal range of motion?
Here’s an exercise for you. Gently pull your shoulders back and turn your head to the left as far as comfortably possible. You should be able to see somewhat behind your shoulder (without cheating and moving your shoulders forward). Do the same thing on the right side.

Is your range of motion even? Do you feel any neck pain or tightness? Normal active range of motion turning for your neck is 70-80 degrees. Anything less may suggest that you have a muscle or joint issue.

Now keep your head facing straight ahead and turn your torso so that your left shoulder is in line with your chin. Do the same thing for the right side. This is the same as the first exercise, but this one resembles more of a golfer’s swing. Can you see how an issue with your neck can affect your swing?

This usually translates into the ball not going as far and also a less accurate shot because your arms and elbows pulling more to compensate for the decrease in neck movement.

You can take the above example of decreased motion or pain in your neck and apply if to your low back:

Get in your golf swing stance and pretend hitting a ball with your golf club. Hold your position after your follow-through and look at the position of your knees, hips, low back and torso. As you swing your chest is facing one direction, and when you are done hitting the ball did you notice that your chest was facing the opposite direction?

This also contributes to distance and accuracy. This is why it is very important for your joints and spine to be working properly for maximum performance, not to mention decrease in injury rate

All the personal coaching, practice and expensive equipment in the world are not enough to compensate for these types of issues.

What can be done to fix them?

1. Improve/restore range of motion. This can be done with gentle and appropriate stretching exercises. Believe it or not, you can stretch the wrong way.
2. Improve function. This is accomplished by specific strengthening exercises that not only make your muscles stronger, but train them in the way needed for them to increase function and performance.
3. Get your joints moving better.
4. Stabilize your foundation. There might be an issue with the arches in your feet that is causing everything else to become imbalanced.

Some of this can be accomplished on your own, but the question you must ask yourself is: “Am I doing this right?” There is a fine line between the right way — which will give you positive benefit — and the wrong way — which will do nothing but waste time, cause frustration or even worse injury or decreased performance.

A chiropractor can help you with the 4 steps above. We are trained to increase joint mobility, improve your body’s function, stabilize and balance your muscles and joints, improve range of motion and get your body working as efficiently and optimally as possible.

Chiropractic care is very safe, effective and affordable, and the improvements are measurable.

If you would like a free assessment of the above 4 goals feel free to give my office a call.

Antonio Marotta D.C. is a Clifton Park chiropractor.

For more information:

• Marotta Health and Wellness Chiropractic, 939 Route 146 Suite 230, Clifton Park, 357.3347
• Dr. Marotta’s Facebook page
• The importance of a well-aligned body to your golf game

But there’s also a con side to the coffee cup.

Pros

Boosts antioxidant levels: Coffee is a source of dietary antioxidants called polyphenols, which keep disease-causing free radical chemicals from damaging cells. “Both caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels,” according to researchers (Nutr Today 2005;40:245).

Minimizes inflammation: A study published in May 2006 shows that imbibing an average of 1-3 cups of coffee a day might inhibit inflammation and thereby “reduce the risk of cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases in postmenopausal women.” (Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:1039.) The researchers did not differentiate between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.

The 15-year analysis, which included 410,235 postmenopausal women, also proved the theory that “more” is not always “better.” The researchers noted that drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day did not significantly increase the brew’s anti-inflammatory benefits.

Enhances well-being: According to Dr. Peter Martin of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Institute for Coffee Studies, “Work in the mid-1980s suggested that chlorogenic acids (chemicals in coffee) might have an effect on the opiate system in the brain. They may have antidepressant effects, which would make some sense because we know that drinking coffee gives people a sense of well-being. It’s possible that these or other components of coffee may have an effect on reducing alcohol dependency.”

The plant hormone trigonelline, another anti-carcinogenic property found in coffee, might also have a sedative effect on the brain.

Curtails cirrhosis: Consuming just 1 cup of coffee each day can slash a person’s risk of developing alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis by more than 20%. And because the link appears to have nothing to do with caffeine, it doesn’t matter whether you choose the leaded or unleaded version.

The 22-year analysis included 125,580 people whose medical history included the use of alcohol. Of the
group, 330 developed cirrhosis of the liver.

“Tea consumption had no effect on the risk of alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis, making it likely that a component of coffee other than caffeine is responsible.” (Arch Intern Med 2006;166:1190-5.)

The researchers also found that each additional daily cup cut the risk of alcohol-associated cirrhosis by 22%, though it did not reduce the risk of other types of cirrhosis.

Prevents post-workout soreness: The caffeine in coffee “improves performance and endurance during prolonged, exhaustive exercise. To a lesser degree it also enhances short-term high-intensity athletic performance.” (Curr Sports Med Rep 2003;2:213-9.)

But that’s not all. Studies show 1-2 cups of caffeinated coffee prior to exertion might prevent post-workout aches and pains.

Reduces Parkinson’s risk: In a 30-year study of 8,004 Japanese-American men, coffee drinkers enjoyed a 3- to 6-fold reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, compared with noncoffee drinkers. Caffeine intake from noncoffee sources was also associated with a reduced risk (JAMA 2000;283:2674).

Bolsters glucose tolerance: Drinking 2 or more cups of coffee a day is associated with better glucose tolerance and a “substantially lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in diverse populations in Europe, the US and Japan.” (Diabetes Care 2006;29:398.) This conclusion was based on a study of 88,259 women between 26-46 with no history of diabetes.

Researchers also noted that decaffeinated coffee was just as effective as caffeinated. This study is just one of many highlighting coffee’s protective effect against developing Type 2 diabetes.

Based on information gathered from more than 125,000 men and women, researchers in Australia concluded that “women who drank 6 or more cups of coffee a day had a 30% lower chance of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who did not drink coffee at all. Men who drank more than 6 cups of caffeinated coffee each day had a 50% lower chance compared to noncoffee drinkers.” (Aust Nurs J 2004:11:31.)

Cons

Insomnia and acidity: Caffeine can have a detrimental effect on sleep quality. Its diuretic (promotes water loss) and laxative effects can keep you dashing to the bathroom all night.

To offset the acidity created in the body, 64 ounces of water should be consumed per day for each cup of coffee consumed. Diseases only exist in acidic body environments.

Drug-rebound headaches: Coffee can stop a headache dead in its tracks. In fact, caffeine is a common ingredient in many headache medications. But its long-term use may spark chronic “drug-rebound” headaches. “Excessive caffeine consumption, mostly in the form of coffee and tea, is a well-recognized cause of headache and migraine.” (Cephalalgia 2003:23:332-5.)

Bone fracture: In a 10-year study of 31,527 Swedish women, researchers determined that drinking 4 cups of caffeinated coffee a day “significantly increased the risk of fracture, whereas tea drinking was not associated with risk.” (Osteoporos Int 2006;17:1055-64.) Research shows that minerals can leach out of bones to neutralize acid from the coffee.

Glaucoma concern: It’s not unusual for ophthalmologists to instruct patients with glaucoma to avoid caffeinated coffee and other caffeine products. The reason, according to researchers, is that caffeine raises pressure inside the eye (Ann Pharmacother 2002;36:992-5).

High-risk pregnancy: According to researchers who analyzed more than 18,400 women, “Compared to pregnant women who didn’t drink any coffee, those who drank 4-7 cups daily had an 80% increased risk of stillbirth, and those who drank 8 cups or more increased their risk threefold.” (RN 2003;66:98.)

Caffeinated coffee consumption among pregnant women is also linked to a decrease in birth weight among infants. In a study of 2,291 women, those who regularly drank caffeinated coffee delivered lower-weight babies. Decaffeinated coffee, however, did not affect infant weight outcomes (Am J Epidemiol 2003;157:456-66).

Caffeinated vs. decaffeinated: By now, you are probably saying to yourself, “The problem with coffee seems to center more on its caffeine status than the brew itself.” And you’re right.

But decaf can pose hidden health risks as well because of the chemical process employed to remove caffeine. The procedure, developed in 1900 by a German chemist, involves exposing green coffee beans to “steam and solvent in a rotating drum. The solvent absorbs the caffeine and more steam is used to wash out the caffeine-bearing solvent.” (Patient Care 1986;20:179)

Over the years, a number of chemicals have been used only to be discontinued because they were proven to cause cancer. Today the industry standard is methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. And while their safety, according to researchers, has “never been questioned,” many health experts remain skeptical.

There is good news, however, for those who want to avoid caffeine and chemicals. There are chemical-free decaffeination processes available.

For instance, the Swiss water process, which uses an 8-hour water filtration system, is 100% chemical-free. To determine if your coffee of choice is chemically or naturally decaffeinated, check its label.

Cream and sugar? Cream? Sugar? Syrups? Artificial sweeteners? These additions can counteract coffee’s potential health benefits.

Cream is packed with calories and fat. And even lower-fat dairy options, such as skim milk or any milk product, can contain synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics. So opt for organic dairy products or organic soy alternatives.

The syrups in many “designer” coffee drinks are loaded with sugar and artificial chemicals. Sugar substitutes like aspartame (in blue packets called Equal, Nutrasweet, Canderel and now AminoSweet) and sucralose (yellow packets, Splenda), pink packets (Sweet’n’Low, saccharin sweeteners) also carry health risks. Aspartame, for instance was previously listed by the Pentagon as a biochemical warfare agent!

For a healthier option, try honey or melting a small square of dark organic chocolate (at least 60% cocoa) into your brew.

John Ferguson D.C. is a wellness chiropractor in Clifton Park and a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

For more information:

• Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 54 Crossing Blvd. Suite H (behind the clock tower), Clifton Park, 383.5595
• Ferguson Family Chiropractic Facebook page
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
• Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company, 3131 Lake City Way, Burnaby BC, 800.668.9981
• Aspartame dangers and side effects

This week I am going to reveal a startling fact — that being sufficient in bacteria … the healthy ones called probiotics … is critical for proper brain function and emotional wellness. While this connection might be difficult to comprehend, it is supported by scientific research. It is well accepted that probiotic bacteria are necessary, essential requirements for digestive health and overall wellness and prevention based on their ability to produce nutrients such as vitamins and short-chain fatty acids.

Research tells us that the intake of probiotics has been associated with beneficial effects on the immune system, such as improved disease resistance and diminished risk of allergies.¹ Therefore being deficient in probiotics would make one more susceptible to infections. Just how does this affect brain function and emotional wellness?

Evidence has demonstrated a link between serious psychiatric problems and microbial infections. An article in the April 17, 2008 issue of Scientific American states that “studies have repeatedly linked schizophrenia to prenatal infections.” It says that “the strongest evidence pertains to schizophrenia, but autism, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder have also been linked to bacterial, viral or parasitic infections in utero, in childhood or in maturity.”

This has been supported by more scholarly research entitled “Are some cases of psychosis caused by microbial agents: A review of the evidence.”²

More significant, clinical experience has demonstrated that some of these same psychiatric conditions can be improved with the re-establishment of the normal intestinal flora (probiotics). British researcher Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD, MMedSci (neurology), MMedSci (nutrition) states that “an autistic child needs a very special nutritional management, a major part of it being putting his gut flora right…in order to rebalance the gut flora it is essential to use a strong multi-strain probiotic.”³

She continues to say “probiotics are the absolute foundation but they must be the right sort and that means a multi-strain product containing soil bacteria”. To elaborate, this type and source of probiotic that we are designed to benefit from come from soil, fruits and vegetables not dairy, soy, corn or wheat. So if you are using yogurt, goat’s milk or another source that contains the above no-no’s, you are doing yourself a disservice. In addition, added ingredients such as sugar, artificial sweetners, colors, flavors and preservatives should be avoided.

It’s important to consume probiotics from birth. But we consume less than one-millionth the amount of healthy probiotic bacteria required to maintain a healthy intestinal ecosystem.

Colonization of the human gut with probiotic bacteria begins with the first exposure to the flora of the birth canal (crucial for development of the immune system) and a deficient probiotic profile of the mother, non-vaginal births, use of antibiotics and the level of artificial hygiene are known to exert a significantly negative influence on the number and species of microorganisms that colonize the newborn gut.

Also, modern human diets — deficient in fruit and vegetable fiber and toxic from dairy, refined sugars, alcohol and prescription drugs and animals treated with antibiotics — result in lowered rates of probiotic bacteria and higher survival rates of harmful or pathogenic illness-causing bacteria and yeasts, not to mention the modern farming, food processing and food preparation methods.

Premier multistrain probiotic formulas contain nine of the most essential species of beneficial bacteria: Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. casei, L. salivarius, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium (B.) bifidum, B. longum, B. breve. These strains have been isolated from healthy Swedish volunteers and were among the most common bacteria in the food of our healthier ancestors.⁴

More research suggests probiotics have the potential to lower systemic inflammation, decrease oxidative stress, improve nutritional status and correct bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.⁵ These positive changes have been linked to increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the survival of existing neurons (nerve cells) and encourages the growth of new neurons and synapses (connections between neurons).

These same researchers suggest that — because patients suffering from depression have been shown to have altered gastrointestinal (GI) function and lowered omega-3 fatty acid status — supplementation with probiotics and omega-3s might be an important addition to standard care.⁶ Research also indicates that probiotic bacteria require sufficient omega-3 fatty acids and sufficient raw fruit and vegetable intake (fiber) to survive.⁷

Clearly the most logical approach is to be sufficient in these essential nutrients to promote health and wellness and prevent illness.

Deficiencies in probiotic bacteria are linked to greater risk of illness throughout life:

• Infants and children: diarrhea, candida (yeast infection), digestive disorders, immune & vitamin deficiency, allergies, eczema, asthma, dermatitis
• Teens and adults: candida, digestive disorders, immune and vitamin deficiency, fibromyalgia, systemic infections, high cholesterol levels, cancers, heart disease
• Seniors: candida, digestive disorders, immune & vitamin deficiency, bladder and systemic infections, high cholesterol levels, cancers, heart disease

Focusing on wellness and prevention — rather than the treatment of disease — is the most logical way to better health. When you are sufficient in what your body needs and avoid those things that are toxic, you will naturally gravitate towards health and vitality and away from illness — it’s that simple. Until next time, live innately and get and stay well.

For recommendations on the best probiotic bacteria choices for your family, call me at 518.383.5595, email me at forlifetimewellness@yahoo.com or visit my website at http://www.ForLifetimeWellness.com.

John Ferguson D.C. is a wellness chiropractor in Clifton Park and a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

Citations:

1. Ezendam, Nutr Rev, 2006, Jan;64(1):1-14
2. Yolken and Torrey, Molecular Psychiatry, 2008:13
3. Campbell-McBride, CAM journal, 2003
4. Bengmark, S. Immunonutrition: Role of biosurfactants, fiber and probiotic bacteria. Nutrition 1998:14
5. Logan and Katzman, Medical Hypotheses, 2005:64
6. Logan and Katzman, Medical Hypotheses, 2005:64
7. Bengmark, S. Nutrition, 1998:14

For more information:

• Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 54 Crossing Blvd. Suite H (behind the clock tower), Clifton Park, 383.5595
• Ferguson Family Chiropractic Facebook page
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association

Natural sunlight’s potential to harm you has really been blown out of proportion. This is thanks to many doctors, health officials, advertisements, beauty experts, corporations and well-meaning friends. They basically tell you that you need to stay out of the sun because the sun will kill you.

This simply isn’t true. For starters, there is little scientific evidence to justify the many health campaigns that urge you to completely avoid the sun. Avoiding the sun just doesn’t make sense. And it certainly doesn’t make any sense when study after study shows the sun is not deadly.

In fact, the sun is healthy for you. After all, your ancestors survived outdoors, working outside under the sun’s rays far more often than they were indoors and out of the sun. So how on earth would it be possible for your body to end up being configured in such a way that the sun is now a deadly threat to you, me and the entire human race?

That’s not to say sunlight can’t be harmful. Of course, it can be. For instance, long-term, excessive exposure to sunlight can increase the risk of certain types of skin cancer.

Yet moderate sun exposure is less dangerous than sporadic sun exposure. Plus, there’s a good deal of evidence that sun exposure without sunburn significantly decreases the risk of melanoma (a more deadly form of skin cancer.) So safe sun exposure is key.

What you should know about UVA and UVB rays

Ultraviolet light from the sun comes in two main wavelengths — UVA and UVB. It’s important to understand the difference and your risk factors from each. Consider UVB the good guy — though of course you can’t deselect UVA if you’re going to be in the sun. UVB helps your skin produce vitamin D.

UVA is considered the bad guy because it penetrates your skin more deeply and causes more free radical damage, a precursor to cell damage and cancer. Not only that, but UVA rays are quite constant during all the hours of daylight throughout the entire year.

By comparison, UVB waves are low in morning and evening and high at midday. So if you’re out early in the morning or late in the day, you get lots of UVA (bad guy) and not much UVB (good guy). Not a good way to produce vitamin D. Plus you increase your risk of cancer if that’s your only sun intake, and you fail to protect your skin. You can even get a sunburn on a cloudy day because the UVA rays can break through cloud cover and pollution and do some real damage your skin.

How sunscreens keep you from enjoying the benefits of the healthy rays

As you might know, wearing a sunscreen on your uncovered skin blocks your body’s production of vitamin D.

In fact, sunscreens that reduce vitamin D production by as much as 97.5-99.9% could have dire health consequences.

After all, vitamin D plays a crucial role in your overall health and well-being. For example, this vitamin is known to: support your cardiovascular health, promote optimal cholesterol levels, enhance your muscle strength, help produce optimal blood pressure levels, help maintain a healthy immune system, support healthy kidney function, promote healthy teeth, help keep your bones strong and healthy

Natural sunlight is far and away the best way to get your vitamin D. As soon as the sun’s ultraviolet rays strike your skin, your body is programmed to do something remarkable. It starts producing its own natural vitamin D — the most active form in existence, calciferol (vitamin D₃).

Vitamin D₃ is actually the precise form your body needs for the proper functioning of your organs and cells. Our bodies automatically generate enough of it with virtually no risk of overdose. They just know when to stop producing natural vitamin D before it can reach toxic levels.

But elevated vitamin D levels obtained strictly from oral supplements can take six months or longer to normalize. That’s why I cautiously recommend supplementing your vitamin D with pills. If you do take vitamin D supplements, you need to get your blood levels tested regularly to avoid toxicity.

With natural sunlight, you might be wondering what precautions you need to take … and it’s time to expose the sunscreen smokescreen.

In my opinion, corporate greed has created hundreds of products that are harmful and toxic because they contain man-made chemicals … chemicals I believe can cause serious health problems and increase your risk of disease. Here’s why:

The main chemical used in sunscreens to filter out ultraviolet B light is octyl methoxycinnamate. OMC for short.

OMC was found to kill mouse cells even at low doses. Plus it was also shown to be particularly toxic when exposed to sunshine.

OMC is present in 90% of sunscreen brands. But that’s not the half of it.

A common UVA filter, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, has also demonstrated toxic properties. Furthermore, studies show that the chemicals commonly used in sunscreens are absorbed through the skin and end up circulating in your blood stream and can cause kidney and liver changes/lesions and initiate tumors.

So if your sunscreen contains any of these chemicals that I consider dangerous and potentially life threatening, do yourself a big favor and dump it in the trash now: para amino benzoic acid, octyl-salicyclate, avobenzone, oxybenzone, cinoxate, padimate O, dioxybenzone, phenylbenzimi-dazole, homosalate, sulisobenzone, menthyl anthranilate, trolamine salicyclate, octocrylene.

Dioxybenzone and oxybenzone are some of the most powerful free-radical generators known to man and can cause skin cancer.¹ I recommend you switch to a safer, more natural sunscreen that is healthy for your skin.

A note to parents

You are undoubtedly very conscientious about caring for your children. But when you lather up your son or daughter with sunscreen thinking you’re doing the right thing, you could in fact be doing more harm than good.

Check the labels on your sunscreen and throw them out if they contain any of the potentially dangerous chemicals named above. After all, your skin is your largest organ as your child’s skin is his or hers.

Look for more natural sunscreens with the following skin-protective ingredients: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Both are natural minerals that remain on your skin to reflect and scatter away both UVA and UVB rays from your body.

Other healthy ingredients in more natural sunscreens include:

• Green tea — a powerful antioxidant, reduces the appearance of skin damage.
• Sunflower oil — contains vitamins A, D and E, moisturizes dry, weathered and aged skin.
• Coconut oil — moisturizes while attaining a glowing, dark tan. If you have skin sensitivities, it is likely to be more mild and gentle.
• Glycerine — improves skin’s natural moisture by attracting just the right amount of water to maintain your skin’s homeostasis.
• Jojoba oil — nonfragrant natural emollient for superior moisturizing and skin conditioning properties.
• Tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) — acts as a natural preservative.
• Shea butter — natural plant lipid used as both a thickener and an emulsifier. It has effective moisturizing properties.
• Eucalyptus oil — an essential oil. When mixed with other oils, it is more easily absorbed by your skin. Best of all, it assists other oils to be absorbed in your skin as well. This obviously supports the moisturizing process.

As with all safe sunscreen lotions, I recommend you reapply frequently, especially after swimming, perspiring or towel drying.

There are many simple lifestyle changes you can make to radically decrease your risk of sunburn, such as choosing your essential fatty acids wisely like omega-3 fish oil, consuming raw vegetables loaded with skin protecting antioxidant phytonutrients (cancer and free-radical fighters), avoiding processed foods and sugars that lack nutrients are loaded with denatured.

John Ferguson D.C. is a wellness chiropractor in Clifton Park and a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

Citations:

1. Toxic Rep Ser 1992;21:1-14,J Chrom B Anal Biomed 2004; 803: 225-31

For more information:

• Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 54 Crossing Blvd. Suite H (behind the clock tower), Clifton Park, 383.5595
• Ferguson Family Chiropractic Facebook page
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association

Many people attribute it to lack of sleep, getting older and daily stress. Although these issues can cause fatigue, it might be likely to be a combination of factors involved in causing your decrease in energy.

Why is this such a problem? Feeling fatigue can cause your mood to be depressed which can affect your work, your family, your friends and your overall mental outlook. This can cause a vicious cycle of low energy … lack of motivation … depression … low energy and the like.

• 20% of Americans claim to have fatigue intense enough to interfere with their having a normal life.
• 50% of adults who seek medical treatment complain of feeling tired all the time.

So what can cause general fatigue?

Obviously not getting enough sleep can cause you to be tired the next day. But not getting enough sleep (or enough restorative sleep) on a nightly basis can build up and contribute to something called “adrenal insufficiency.” Also, proper sleep allows your body to heal and rejuvenate. When you are not getting this sleep your body does not heal and you can develop pain cycles, inflammation and chronic fatigue.

Stress is another factor that causes fatigue. Chronic stress can cause an imbalance in your cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline and DHEA levels. These are very important hormones that are released in response to stress to let your body “fight or flee” from potential danger.

Instead of running from tigers in the jungle we are meeting deadlines, dealing with traffic, worrying about finances and the like. The potential “dangers” have changed but our body responds the same way. The imbalance of these hormones is what adrenal insufficiency really is.

Cortisol is our bodies’ natural anti-inflammatory. It also regulates sleeping patterns and weight control. When this hormone is out of balance you can develop pain cycles and inflammation, sleeping problems and the dreaded tire around your belly.

Adrenaline makes your heart beat faster and keep your blood pressure stable. When this hormone is out of balance or when we are constantly under stress our hearts are constantly beating faster than it should, we develop heart disease, high blood pressure and panic disorders/anxiety.

Noradrenaline helps to divert blood flow from your digestive tract to your muscles so that when you are fighting or fleeing your energy and blood is focused on your muscles and not on digesting your meal. When this hormone is out of balance it can cause digestive problems because of decreased circulation to your digestive tract and muscle aches and tightness because of over stimulation or too much blood to your muscles.

DHEA is a precursor to your sex hormones. When this hormone is out of balance it can cause problems with fertility and menstruation problems, such as cramps, in women.

Other fatigue causes include:

• Hypothyroidism
• Poor/inadequate diet
• Lack of proper exercise
• Toxins from our environment
• Chronic infection
• Digestive tract disfunction
• Pain
• Fibromyalgia

So what can you do to fix this?

De-stress: Easier said than done. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Most of the time we make mountains out of mole hills. Change the things you can in your life and know what things you can’t change and adapt accordingly. Seeking professional help or just talking about your problems with others can help as well.

Cut out the caffeine: Caffeine causes depletion of the adrenal glands, which can cause another vicious cycle (fatigue … caffeine … more fatigue … more caffeine … and on and on).

Work towards getting better quality sleep: Try a new mattress, maintain regular sleeping hours. Early to bed, early to rise.

Get out of pain: Pain is another cause of stress and sleeping problems. If you are having pain you must get the problem that is causing the pain fixed. See your chiropractor!

B vitamins: A B-vitamin complex can help to give you an energy boost and decrease your fatigue levels. You might also want to get a supplement that supports and maintains proper adrenal gland function.

Eating better: Eat a healthier, more natural diet. Say away from carbs and sugar. Eat more vegetables, fruits, fiber and nuts.

If you are suffering from chronic fatigue, it is important to see a natural-health-care practitioner to assess the problem’s true cause. Without this you might be missing a key component to your condition that could get you better.

Antonio Marotta D.C. is a Clifton Park chiropractor.

For more information:

• Marotta Health and Wellness Chiropractic, 939 Route 146 Suite 230, Clifton Park, 357.3347
• Dr. Marotta’s Facebook page

Anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, antidepressants, physical therapy, counseling and support groups just mask symptoms and have poor records in helping sufferers. But wellness care, relaxation techniques, mediation and nutritional therapy have more encouraging results.^1-3

Spinal trauma has long been associated with fibromyalgia.⁴ The reason is because an injury causes misaligned spinal bones (“subluxation”), resulting in damage to the spinal cord and stimulates nociceptive nerve signals (stress and conscious pain messages) from the damaged area. When the problem is not corrected these signals continue to fire.

This cascade of signals creates a sensitization in the body’s nerves, which then begin to send messages of pain with lighter and lighter touch. If you or someone you know suffers from fibromyalgia you know exactly what I mean — a little light touch to an average person feels like excruciating pain to sufferers of this condition.

One study, for example, showed a neck injury increased the occurrence of fibromyalgia by 10 times.⁵ One reason why fibromyalgia sufferers report good results from chiropractic is because we correct the results of the causal injury.

For example, in one study all 23 fibromyalgia sufferers (ages 11-76) showed 92-100% improvement and maintained their improvements after one year follow-up with chiropractic care.⁶ In another study of 15 women, 60% reported at least a 50% reduction in their pain, less fatigue and improved sleep quality with chiropractic.⁷

Anyone suffering from fibromyalgia should see a chiropractor like me specialized in the treatment of this condition. It could be the difference between continued illness and recovery, between a life of pain and a life of ease. Call now to schedule a complimentary consultation and screening to find out how chiropractic can help you get your life back.

John Ferguson D.C. is a wellness chiropractor in Clifton Park and a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

Citations:

1. Valim V, Oliviera L, Sud A et al. Aerobic fitness effects in fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol. 2003;30(5):1060-1069.
2. Guler M, Kimap M, Bekaroglu M et al. Clinical characteristics of patients with fibromyalgia. Isr J Med Sci.1992;28(1):20-23.
3. Kaplan KH, Goldenberg DL and Galvin-Nadeau M. The impact of a mediation-based stress reduction program on fibromyalgia. GenHosp. Psychiatry. 1993;15(5):284-289.
4. White KP and Carette S. Trauma and fibromyalgia: is there an association and what does it mean? Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2000;29(4): 200-216.
5. Buskila D, Neumannn L, Vaisberg G et al. Increased rates of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome cases. Today’s Chiropractic. May/June 2000;76-86.
6. Amalu WC. Upper cervical management of primary fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome cases. Today’s Chiropractic. May/June 2000;76-86.
7. Hain S and Hain F. Combined ischemic compression and spinal manipulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a preliminary estimate of dose efficacy. JMPT. 2000;23(4):225-230.

For more information:

• Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 54 Crossing Blvd. Suite H (behind the clock tower), Clifton Park, 383.5595
• Ferguson Family Chiropractic Facebook page
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association

Imagine being squeezed through a 10-centimeter opening. Someone grabs your head and pulls on it with 140 pounds of force. Then there are the forceps, the vacuum extraction and the Caesarean section methods.

The stress of delivery can have an enormous effect on the function and alignment of a baby’s delicate vertebrae, nerves and spinal cord, possibly causing a host of health problems if the nervous system doesn’t function properly.

Chiropractic care benefits all aspects of your body’s ability to be healthy. This is accomplished by working with the nervous system — the conduit of internal intelligence between your brain and body.

As a chiropractor, I work to correct subluxations, the misalignments of the individual spinal bones. When subluxated, these vertebrae put pressure on the spinal cord and the spinal nerves, causing malfunction in parts of the body.

One such malfunction is the tightening of pelvic muscles and ligaments to produce a change in the way the uterus functions. This is called “in-uterine constraint.” It’s these tense muscles and ligaments and their constraining effect on the uterus that prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the normal vertex (head-down) position.

Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association in Georgia, has developed a specific and safe technique to restore the proper pelvic structure and function of pregnant women. It’s called the “in-utero constraint technique.”

This technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment for correcting subluxations in the pregnant woman’s sacrum (a curved triangular element of the backbone consisting of 5 fused vertebrae) and pelvis. It relaxes the mother’s pelvic muscles and ligaments, providing the physiological environment necessary for normal baby positioning.

This is very important for a baby in a pregnancy’s last trimester. There is little room for the infant to turn and he can become constrained within the uterus. The head of the baby can be forced onto his shoulder, or the knee can rest upon the face or the spine bent to the side.

Babies who assume these positions can usually free themselves with little difficulty. Prior to delivery, the baby should normally assume the head-down position in readiness for being born. This type of position is easiest for delivery. Often, however, the baby will be in the opposite position — head up. This is called breech position and makes birth more difficult.

In expectant mothers presenting with a baby in a breech position, the in-utero constraint technique has shown a 75-95% success rate of turning the baby to the normal vertex position. Most commonly known for its success in turning breech babies, this technique has been referred to by many as the “breech-turning technique.”

Any position of the baby other than the vertex might indicate the presence of subluxation and in-utero constraint, however. It has been strongly recommended by trained doctors that this technique be used throughout pregnancy to detect subluxations and prevent in-utero constraint.

Because this technique has been so successful and totally pain-free, many women across the United States and Canada have been asking their obstetricians, physicians and midwives to refer them to a chiropractor, like myself, who is trained in its use.

Because of the effect the chiropractic adjustment has on all body functions, all pregnant women should have their spines checked regularly throughout pregnancy to optimize health for themselves and their developing baby. Chiropractic care from conception and continued after birth has given many families an opportunity for greater health.

John Ferguson D.C. is a wellness chiropractor in Clifton Park and a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

For more information:

• Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 54 Crossing Blvd. Suite H (behind the clock tower), Clifton Park, 383.5595
• Ferguson Family Chiropractic Facebook page
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association

What would you think if I told you it wasn’t true?! Running and jogging isn’t as bad as people say it is — that is, if done correctly.

Running is a natural movement for us. The reason why it leads to joint damage and wear and tear is because most people do it the wrong way.

Our joints don’t act as the shock absorbers as we run; our muscles and tendons do. Many runners run on hard pavement and pound their heels into the ground as they run. This is not a natural movement, and it is this way of running that causes problems.

If your heel strikes first when running you are utilizing bad biomechanics, and that shock from the heel translates up your leg into your knee, low back and even neck.

So what is the correct way of running?

First off, let’s address running shoes. Our feet were not made to be enclosed all day.

There are 26 movable bones in each foot with 20 muscles telling them how to move. When we wear shoes our bones move differently (restricted). That altered movement causes problems all over the body.

When the foot and ankle move differently (less) then the lower leg and knee have to move differently. The aberration continues as the thigh, pelvis and spine have to move differently. This is where problems such as knee pain, hip pain, arthritis, sacroiliac pain, low back pain and more can occur.

Think of it this way:

Have you ever known someone who had a cast on their arm? After a few weeks you start to notice that the arm gets weaker and the arm (muscles) actually shrink. This is called “disuse atrophy” and is caused by the muscles not doing what they do best — moving and working.

Now think of a shoe. It is very similar to a cast. It goes around the foot to protect it, and thus restricts movement. Eventually you get “disuse atrophy,” which can show up as fallen arches.

Ideally running should be barefoot and on softer ground. Why barefoot? Well, your feet are made to endure absorbing shock. As I stated earlier, its the muscles that absorb the shock, so when they are restricted or atrophied they don’t work as shock absorbers and your joints have to take over.

Running should start with the toes or ball of the foot touching the ground first. In fact, your heel doesn’t even have to touch the ground. This is something that is harder to accomplish with shoes on.

I know that running barefoot outside isn’t very safe, so what are your options?

1. Run inside on a treadmill.
2. Wear special running shoes with toes, such as Vibram FiveFingers.

Running can be very healthy and enjoyable if done correctly.

Running barefoot or with funny shoes on might seem a little strange, but only because it is out of the “norm.” The first time you run barefoot you will feel muscles hurt that you never knew you had — because you never used them before.

Give it a try; see how it feels. You just might enjoy running a little more.

Antonio Marotta D.C. is a Clifton Park chiropractor.

For more information:

• Marotta Health and Wellness Chiropractic, 939 Route 146 Suite 230, Clifton Park, 357.3347
• Dr. Marotta’s Facebook page
• Barefoot Running May Be Better For You

If you suffer from frequent headaches, you want them to go away. But not so fast. Why do we get headaches? Why are we equipped to experience this unpleasant feeling? And what’s the best way to reduce or eliminate them?

Identify limits. Pain of any kind is a way our body tells us that we’ve reached a boundary. When our finger exceeds the limits of the joint, we experience pain.

Provide a warning. Pain is a signal our body uses to alert us that something isn’t working right. Physical pain, social pain, financial pain and even psychological pain is a warning that something needs to change.

Avoid injury. Ultimately, pain is a form of self-protection. Without experiencing pain, we might do more serious, irreversible damage to ourselves.

Understandably, we want pain to disappear. A convenient way is to ingest a drug that covers up pain or fools the body so it doesn’t feel the pain. In the short term, this quiets the pain. But as you might expect, this strategy can make the original, underlying problem worsen and make it more difficult — and expensive — to correct later when this method no longer works. Because eventually it takes increasing doses to produce the same effect.

While convenient, drugs that numb your nervous system have unwanted effects, such as kidney failure or liver damage. Worse, they do little to correct the actual cause of your headache. While there can be many causes of headaches, a common one we see is when the spinal bones of the upper neck no longer support the head properly. This can do two things:

1. Disrupt the nerve supply to your head.
2. Change the blood supply to your head.

Either one — or a combination of both — can cause a headache.

Types of headaches

Migraines usually show up on one side of the head. Nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances are commonly associated. Blood sugar changes, emotional disturbances, stress and fatigue can set them in motion.

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Acute tension headaches are usually short and can be relieved with rest or numbed with over-the-counter medications. Chronic tension headaches rarely respond to drug solutions.

Hormonal headaches are usually set in motion by changes in blood chemistry. This could result from eating certain types of foods, unusual levels of stress or monthly menstrual cycles.

Cluster headaches are cited as the most painful. They usually occur more commonly among men.

Sinus headaches are relatively rare and are accompanied by nasal drainage, runny nose and fever. Pain is often experienced on the face, forehead, behind the eyes and sinuses.

It’s been our experience that many types of headaches resolve with chiropractic care. This surprises many who overlook the relationship between the spine, the nervous system and blood supply to the head.

Take this simple test

Many headaches, neck problems and shoulder pain result from restricted neck motion — something we help people with every day. Here’s a simple test you conduct at home to see if you might be a good candidate for chiropractic care in our office:

Step 1: With the test subject comfortably seated and their eyes closed, have them tilt their head up and down several times, coming to a neutral resting position.

Step 2: With their eyes still closed and without moving their shoulders, have them rotate their head fully to the left and hold for a few seconds. Repeat the same for the right side.

Assessment

1. Was the subject able to rotate his or her head less in one direction?
2. Was motion restricted or was pain associated with turning in either direction?
3. Did the subject hear any “popping” or grinding sounds?

If so, these are significant findings.

I suffered with headaches and migraines for years with no help from the medical drug model — medicine or other therapies. Chiropractic addressed the cause of my health problems and continues to keep my spine and nerve system in peak performance and me headache-free.

Many people have been told to live with their headaches or that it’s “all in their head.” Many depend upon powerful, sometimes dangerous drugs to tame the pain. That’s no way to live.

John Ferguson D.C. is a wellness chiropractor in Clifton Park and a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

For more information:

• Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 54 Crossing Blvd. Suite H (behind the clock tower), Clifton Park, 383.5595
• Ferguson Family Chiropractic Facebook page
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association

Imagine for a moment feeding your munchkin, when all of a sudden she begins screaming at the top of her lungs — arms curling in, legs drawing up — with what seems to be agonizing pain. All the common remedies associated with “over-the-fence,” neighborly and grand-motherly advice seems to be of no avail.

Colic tends to start sometime in infancy, around the first two weeks of life, and persists for a number of months. Most health textbooks mention that it usually happens in the evening hours. I haven’t found that to be the case. I find that it tends to occur at any time of the day and seems to have no rhyme or reason.

Colic is characterized by constant crying, screaming, whining, pain in the stomach area and acute irritability. (Not “cute” irritability.) The spells of crying can last for hours.

This leads to a condition called aerophagia — the swallowing of air. Aerophagia causes distention of the bowels, which creates more pain, creating more crying, causing more air to be swallowed. It becomes a cycle.

Colic is also characterized by passing an exorbitant amount of gas. The stomach area is enlarged and bloated. The infant does not appear to be ill. She’s gaining weight and has a good appetite.

If either of those is absent, however, then the incessant crying can be caused by a problem different from colic. In such cases, I would suggest you consult you family healthcare provider for advice.

There have been many theories to explain what colic is and why it occurs. Some have blamed lactose intolerance, some said it is caused by stress of the parents — which a baby can readily pick up on — stress of the baby, abnormal gallbladder function, higher levels of intestinal hormones and so on. None of these seem to provide adequate answers.

It’s interesting to note that breastfed babies area rarely affected by colic whereas bottle fed babies have a much higher incidence.

The answer here is that mom’s milk is specially designed for that baby — and no other. It’s the perfect food. It’s easily digested, leaves very little waste and research shows that breastfed babies have a higher IQ, less allergies and dental cavities and better jaw, teeth and speech development than their formula-fed counterparts.

In my experience dealing with hundreds of children and babies, I found that often a vertebral subluxation in the spine affecting the way the nervous system controls bowel function is usually the cause of colic. Any chiropractor involved in seeing children will attest to this fact.

You must understand that the digestive system is essentially a long tube and is made of muscle walls under the direct control of the nervous system.

I find that a vertebral subluxation will reduce the amount of information flowing from the brain to the large intestine in the case of colic — thereby reducing the normal function and motility (movement and function) of the large intestine. This causes food to “stick around” in the large intestine longer than it should, and that tends to produce gas.

This gas causes distention of the intestinal wall, causing pain and crying. The cry of the baby is really for help.

I have often been asked if there are any nutritional products parents can give a colicky baby to ease their discomfort. If the child is older, mom can try a little slippery elm powder and also test for lactose intolerance, which can produce gas in the bowel.

The most important thing is to find out why your baby has colic. To treat only the pain will provide generally short term relief. I have always felt that this is a most important distinction.

Children who are affected by colic generally show a wonderful response in the hands of a pediatric chiropractor. Most often I see results within the first week of care, but the care must be directed at the correction of the subluxation that is at the root of the problem. It is not enough to simply give the child mere relief.

For those of you who have children affected by colic or know of a new mom who has a child so afflicted, I suggest you take your child to visit a pediatric chiropractor right away.

John Ferguson D.C. is a wellness chiropractor in Clifton Park and a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

For more information:

• Ferguson Family Chiropractic, 54 Crossing Blvd. Suite H (behind the clock tower), Clifton Park, 383.5595
• Ferguson Family Chiropractic Facebook page
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association