Chiropractors should expect to have at least one presentation of a myocardial infarction, or heart attack, during their careers, according to chiropractor Dr. Dwain M. Daniel. Research indicates that regular chiropractic adjustments may prevent heart attacks, lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, relieve chest pain and support the cardiovascular system, according to the Palmer Chiropractic College.

Studies at the College investigated the effects of chiropractic treatment on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in reference to an analysis of heart rate variability. Findings indicated that chiropractic adjustments do reduce pain and lower participant’s mean heart rate.

Additionally, anecdotal evidence indicates that adjustments of the atlas, or first cervical vertebra, may stop some heart attacks while they are occurring, according to chiropractor, Dr. Christopher Clarke of the Vibrance Family Chiropractic Center in Nashville. If a patient experiences a heart attack during an adjustment, gentle manipulation of the atlas may be appropriate and may alter the outcome; however, other emergency measures must be performed in an attempt to save a patient’s life, including transport to the nearest medical facility. There are few studies on this fascinating aspect of chiropractic and additional research is necessary.

Reducing blood pressure
Chiropractic treatment also has a significant effect on blood pressure and anxiety levels, according to a study reported in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. The study examined systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels and patients’ anxiety levels before and after an adjustment. In all cases, those subjects who received active treatment experienced a distinct drop in blood pressure and a decrease of their anxiety levels. Results of this study provide evidence that chiropractic treatment offers support to the cardiovascular system.

*Conclusion of article to be posted next time.

Article by: JB Bardot < http://www.naturalnews.com/034760_chiropractic_heart_attacks_blood_pressure.html>

One study of elderly people living in an urban area found that 90% of those were deficient in vitamins B1 and B6, and 40% demonstrated deficiencies in calcium, iron and vitamins A, B3, B12 and C.  Furthermore, only 10% of the subject consumed adequate amounts of protein.  Many Americans, particularly those living in regions in the upper lattitudes and those in nursing homes, demonstrate significant deficiencies in vitamin D which play a critical role in maintaining bone integrity and mental health.  A diet that lacks these essential nutrients leads to a greater risk of degenerative disease (arthritis), heart disease and certain forms of cancer over time.

One can have vitality and a zest for living at any age.  You should NOT assume that pain and illness are inevitable parts of aging.  It is absolutely possible to feel better in your 60′s than you did in your 40′s by making healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle.  Providing your body with the proper nutrients it relys on using both whole foods and supplements, will give you the added power to ward off future illness and even prevent progression of and potentially reverse some of your current ailments.  One important thing to remember is that it takes years for many of these problems to develop; likewise, it will take some amount of time to resolve them as well; making it all the more important to begin taking steps to improve your health status today.

Chiropractors in Charlotte NC are uniquely versed in utilizing nutrients in conjuction with tapping into the inherent recouperative powers of the body and therefore are an excellent starting point and an invaluable resource to restoring your health and adding life to your years.

About 80% of the adults in the U.S. have been bothered by back pain at some point. The Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center recently surveyed more than 14,000 subscribers who experienced lower-back pain in the past year but never had back surgery. More than half said the pain severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer, and 88 percent said it recurred throughout the year.

Lower-back pain disrupts many aspects of life. In our survey, 46% said that it interfered with their sleep, 31% reported that it thwarted their efforts to maintain a healthy weight, and 24% said that it hampered their sex life.

Where to go for treatment?
When back pain goes on and on, many people go to see a primary-care doctor. A surprising number of the lower-back-pain sufferers we surveyed said they were disappointed with what the doctor could do to help.

Who helped the most?
The percentage of people highly (completely or very) satisfied with their back-pain treatments and advice varied by practitioner visited.

Patients with lower-back pain are faced with a confusing list of options. Our survey respondents tried an average of five or six different treatments over the course of just a year. We asked them to rate a comprehensive list of remedies (available to subscribers) and had enough data to rate 23 treatments. We analyzed the medical evidence for each and came up with recommendations and cautions. Here are some highlights from our survey findings:

Hands-on treatments were rated by lower-back-pain sufferers as very helpful. Survey respondents favored Chiropractic treatments (58%), massage (48%), and physical therapy (46%) — another testament to the healing power of touch.

Spinal injections (available to subscribers) were rated just below chiropractic treatments by those who took our survey; 51% percent of the respondents found them to be very helpful, although the techniques their doctors used varied.

Prescription medications (available to subscribers), which one-third of our respondents said they took, were rated as beneficial by 45% of them. Almost 70% said they took an over-the-counter medication, but only 22% said the drugs were very helpful.

Evidence in the report shows that among the many treatment alternatives, Chiropractic is among the most effective in both tension-type and cervicogenic headaches.

Key evidence in the report states that Chiropractic produces “markedly superior results in the treatment of tension-type headaches,” when compared to treating the same type of headaches with the common anti-depressant, Amitriptyline.

And even when compared to various soft tissue procedures, Chiropractic manipulation is shown to produce “sustained improvement in headache frequency and severity in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.”

Chiropractic management surpassed the results of various treatments. Based on the assessment, the evidence clearly positions chiropractic as a viable treatment that lacks the detrimental and sometimes fatal side effects of conventional treatment methods.

According to the CDC, 14,800 people died from an overdose on prescription narcotic painkillers in 2008. This was higher than the number of deaths from overdoses on cocaine and heroin combined.