HealthProfs Blogs

Many people take painkillers for headaches which temporarily stop the pain, but they don’t resolve the underlying problems--excessive tension in head and neck muscles or too much blood flow through the brain. Chiropractic care, by contrast, solves these fundamental maladies, explains  chiropractor Philip Vincent in The Chiropractic Blog. According to Vincent, most headaches occur when we are stressed, tightening muscles in our heads and necks. The taut muscles press nerves, causing neurons to fire off pain signals to the brain. Migraines, on the other hand, occur as blood vessels open and blood rushes through the brain, causing a drastic pain response. Chiropractic care helps with both headache types: spine and neck manipulation together with stretching exercises improve blood flow to the brain and loosens muscles.

Whackos Whack Chiro: A Denver chiropractor sent out a promotional postcard inviting patients “out of whack” to visit him for treatment. He was forced to apologize after self-identified “whackos” voiced their hurt feelings.

Tweet Tweet: You can follow chiropractor Michael Dorausch now that he is atwitter.

The Risk of Stroke: Responding to an article in the Syracuse Post-Standard, chiropractor Joe Borio disputes the claim that his treatment modality puts patients at risk for stroke.

Can’t stomach some of your favorite meals? An all-natural supplement proven to relieve symptoms of food intolerance is now available in the U.S., under the brand name Histamine. By regulating the body’s natural levels of histamine, the enzyme that causes digestive problems in about 25 percent of the population, Histamine will makes it possible for many people to fold “problem” foods back into their diet.

Alternative Nation

Alternative treatment is no longer a fringe benefit: Approximately 38 percent of adults and 12 percent of children in the United States use some form of alternative medicine, according to a 2007 survey recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most common alternative therapies are herbal supplements, deep breathing exercises, and meditation. In adults, these therapies are most popular among those with back or neck pain, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Children are most likely to be given alternative treatment for chronic pain and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Sprouting Remedies

Here’s soothing news for those with chronic tummy aches: A British study found that several plants work to kill H. pylori, the bacteria responsible for inflammation and stomach ulcers. Turmeric was shown to be the most powerful bactericide among those tested, and along with parsley and borage, it was able to inhibit the adhesion of H. pylori to the stomach. Cumin, ginger, chili, black caraway, oregano, and licorice were also effective at killing strains of H. pylori. And aloe vera and the amino acid L-Glutamine have previously been shown to help treat stomach inflammation and ulcers.

If you are feeling mildly to moderately depressed St. John’s Wort may remedy the symptoms just as well as leading anti-depressants like Prozac, and with fewer side effects, according to a recent study. Although the mechanism is poorly understood, St. John’s Wort purportedly affects brain function similarly to SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. To ensure that the herb won’t harmfully interact with other medications, a doctor’s approval is recommended. Although double-blind studies have not shown that St. John’s Wort aids those with more severe depression, it can complement a routine to regain regular sleep patterns for those suffering from insomnia. If mild forms of depression present a problem, this herb may truly be a saint.  

In other news:

Gimme Some Lovin’: Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend give each other “love scrubs” when reunited after time spent apart. The cleansing lotion, said to have aphrodisiac powers, is made with herbal infusions.

Fit as a Thistle: In a study published in the Saudi Medical Journal, milk thistle treated osteoarthritis of the knee more effectively than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and helped reduce the inflammation and swelling that cause pain.  

Kick the Habit: The New Straits Times identifies all-natural strategies to help quit the smoking habit, such as avoiding triggers, and they offer remedies to heal the health-damage already done. 

What to expect when you’re expecting? Pregnancy and early motherhood can put a huge burden on both the physical body and the emotional state of the mommy-to-be, but regular massage can help smooth the transition from ultra-sound to playground. Not only does massage attenuate muscular pain associated with pregnancy, but when treating depression in expectant mothers, those receiving massages alongside psychotherapy showed greater mood improvement and decreased anxiety than those receiving psychotherapy alone.  Post-partum massage, a technique which pampers mothers while they hold or nurse the baby, aims to stave off the “baby blues” by encouraging maternal bonding, relieving pelvic pain, and decreasing stress hormone levels. Massage is also key when the new arrival arrives too soon: premature infants who receive moderate touch massage have bolstered immune systems, faster growth rates, and increased weight gain when compared to their non-massaged peers.

Naughty to Nice: Instead of a slap on the wrist, researchers in Sweden are exploring what a neck rub can do to decrease aggression in kids. Daily 5-10 minute massage sessions were found to be affective in the long term treatment of aggressive misbehavior in preschoolers.

Lying Down on the Job: The UK is getting a feel for massage in the workplace. In response to increased stress levels in workers, companies are turning to massage as a cost-effective, non-invasive, holistic way for treating on-the-job stress, promoting relaxation, and increasing job satisfaction.

A Touching Gift: What makes us help those we don’t even know? Neuroeconomist Paul Zak recently tested whether a massage would make someone more likely to give money to a stranger by activating the neurochemical thought to encourage such pro-social behavior, oxytocin. When participants chose to trust a computerized "stranger" with their money, those who were massaged had amplified levels of oxytocin. In addition, they trusted 243% more money to the stranger than their un-massaged peers.  For more insights from Paul Zak, see our blog.