Category Archives for Chiropractic Tip Of The Week
Flu Shot Facts And Stats
“Flu Shot Facts, Stats, And Stories
From Our Burlington Chiropractic Clinic”
Well people;
Here we go again!
The annual huge media campaign praising the benefits of the flu shot.
You would probably turn ‘green’ if you had any idea how many millions and millions of your tax dollars go towards these campaigns.
TV, radio and print ads do not come cheap, not to mention the estimated $72,000,000.00 spent purchasing, distributing and injecting.
That’s right. 72 million dollars!!
We chiropractors are always asked whether to get the flu shot.
And every time I recall a situation with one of my senior patients who blindly followed her family docs advice and took a flu shot…Just because the doc told her to.
Afterwards she went to the mall to do some shopping and when she got on the escalator, her arm felt funny, so she took off her jacket to take a look. Her arm ( the same side as the flu shot injection ) was 3 times its normal size.
When she saw this, she fainted and fell down those hard steel escalator stairs and damn near killed herself!
When she went back to the family doc, they vehemently denied the flu shot had anything to do with the swelling of her arm. Big surprise !!
Since most of you reading this are adults and you can make decisions for yourself, let me help you understand that the information out there about the flu shot is extremely biased.
Take this for nothing more or nothing less than helping you to make the best decision about whether you or your family should get a flu shot.
Some facts about influenza, aka the Flu
There are 3 main types of flu strains: A,B and C. 5 main sub-types and 150 different variants leading to virtually thousands of different viruses.
The influenza virus mutates very quickly, which is why you can never get life-time immunity.
Let me say again – you can never get life-time immunity!
It is spread by inhalation of ‘droplet transmission’ ( sneezing, kissing, coughing ) but it does not survive in the air very long.
You cannot catch it without close contact.
It also has a very short ‘shelf-life’ ( on doorknobs, counter-tops, taps ) once it has left the confines of your body (respiratory tract ).
And the reality is you cannot determine if you have the flu by symptoms alone.
You need a blood analysis for verification.
The flu shot contains 3 variants of dead influenza virus.
There is no scientific way possible to determine what this year’s type of flu will be, so the ‘experts’ decided last year what 3 variations would be included in this year’s batch or lot.
Experts? Guessing? What is wrong with this picture?!
This is what else goes into the batch: formaldehyde, aluminum, alcohol, mercury, antibiotics, thimerisol and squalene.
And then they suggest injecting this brew into your body.
And this is good for you, how?
According to Health Canada, about 8-12% of blood tests for influenza were positive in ANY year.
That means a whole lot of people felt sick, went to their family doc or a clinic, were most likely diagnosed with the flu ( which was reported to the Public Health Unit as the flu ), had a blood draw but did not have the flu after all.
So, we can state very confidently that 90% of all flu-like symptoms are not the flu at all!
So, how does a flu shot protect you against a non-flu?
Well, it doesn’t.
But, what about all that other stuff ( the formaldehyde, aluminum etc. ) that is now in your body ?
Yikes !!!!
Then they try to use flu-related deaths as leverage.
Health Canada says about 1500 annually.
But what you probably don’t know is that they lump it in with deaths from pneumonia which can be a complication after getting the flu.
Pneumonia and influenza are 2 different things.
The data is therefore not accurate.
As for predicting the strains, the CDC ( Center for Disease Control , Atlanta Ga. ) keep statistics and for 2011 their stats showed they were 62% WRONG on picking the proper strains.
But, proponents of the flu shot state it is up to 90% effective in preventing the flu.
How is that possible?
I guess they don’t read their own data.
Regarding creating specific immunity, it is hard to find a study that shows this to be true.
There are studies that indicate a high rate of immune-reaction after injection, but so would scratching yourself with a rusty nail!
Other studies show that the shot actually causes a reduction in anti-body production for up to 2 weeks afterwards making it easier to catch the flu or other illnesses.
Do you think this is why so many people get the flu after the flu shot?
Remember the massive outbreak of flu a number of years ago in a Kitchener nursing home?
That is what really started the Ontario flu shot campaign in the 1st place.
Listen to this …. according to statistics released after the inquest, more people who GOT the vaccine died than those who went without!
But the Ministry of Health still pushes the flu shot upon us.
What are they thinking?!
And if you believe what they tell you about safety, here are the side-effects according to the ‘Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs’: anaphylactic shock ( which can kill you ),kidney damage ( which can leave you severely ill or kill you ), pericarditis (inflammation of the heart which can kill you ) and Guillain-Barre Syndrome ( which can leave you paralyzed for life ).
A study in the 80’s showed that 5 consecutive flu shots increased your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease by 10 times !!
It is anticipated that Alzheimer’s will increase a staggering 400% over the next 10 years.
Hmmm, I wonder why?
One last thing you may interested to know is that influenza is perhaps the biggest reason chiropractic survived the medical witch-hunt in the early part of the last century.
Chiropractic pioneers were carted off to jail every which way for “practicing medicine without a license” ( even though they prescribed no pills and did no surgery ).
What exploded the growth of our profession and possibly increased medicine’s vengeance towards us was the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1917-19.
With millions of people dying all over the planet, it became obvious in short order that people under chiropractic care either did not get sick or recovered quickly if they did.
The incidence and ultimate death-rates for people getting adjusted were around 2% of those who undertook traditional medical care.
The reality is, we still see this in our office now.
Here is your safe and inexpensive prescription
for beating the flu
Eat right, get adequate exercise, get adjusted regularly.
It is as simple as that!
For more information on how we can help, call us at 905 335 LIFE ( 5433 ).
Consultations are always free of charge and family appointments are also available.
We are here to help families just like yours build vibrant, healthy, drug-free lives.
Click Here To Book a Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The Burlington Clinic
Constipation Relief
“Constipation Helped By Chiropractic Adjustment In Our Burlington Clinic”
Constipation can affect children & adults both & is typically characterized by infrequent bowel movements &/or difficult or hard bowel movements.
Often times constipation is caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back ( lumbar spine ).
The nerves from the lumbar #1 level in the lower spine go directly to the large bowel.
When this nerve gets compressed or pinched due to poor posture in this area of the spine, constipation is often times a result.
Chiropractic adjustments to correct spinal alignment here can have a huge positive effect on bowel function.
If you or someone in your family is suffering with constipation, consider chiropractic care.
Safe, natural & non-invasive treatments.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad
Addiction And Teenage Computer Use
“Parents Need To Monitor Teenager Computer Use”
If you are a parent and your kids are using your computer or have their own, you need to read this!
Adolescents ( especially ) who are internet addicts may also be at increased risk of substance abuse according to a study in the March issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
Teens with “pathological internet use” are more likely to have past or recent use of illicit substances, according to the study by Dr G.Floros & colleagues of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The new research also points toward some common personality characteristics among adolescents who are abusing the internet and have a history of substance abuse.
The researchers surveyed the entire adolescent population (aged 14 – 19 ) on the Greek island Kos regarding internet use, substance use and personality factors.
Internet addiction means not only just heavy internet use but also consequences such as losing track of time spent online, neglecting other activities and having difficulty cutting down on internet use.
Of the 1221 teenagers who responded to the study, about 15% were heavy internet users and 5% showed signs of internet addiction.
Thirteen percent reported past substance abuse, including a 7% rate of substance abuse within the past month.
Both substance abuse & heavy internet use were associated with distinct personality profiles including higher scores for characteristics classified under the label of “psychoticism.”
According to the Eysenck model of personality theory, psychoticism includes traits such as nonconformity, aggressiveness and impulsiveness.
Internet addiction has not yet been formally accepted as a psychiatric diagnosis but according to these researchers it has many features common with addictive diseases. ( ref. The Chiropractic Choice, Feb. 2012 )
So what does this mean to you as a parent?
If you yourself spend time at a computer surfing the web, you know that you can spend literally hours doing so without even realizing how much time has passed.
The same goes for children of all ages.
What this study is saying is to keep an close eye on your teenagers surfing especially if you know there is a past history of, or you suspect substance abuse.
And, if there is a family history of substance abuse with either of the parents ( or both ), keep an even closer eye.
Computer addiction can be a sign of other possible addictions.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call us at 905 335 LIFE ( 5433 ).
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Treating Colic
“Treating Colic With Chiropractic Care”
Spinal misalignments are a frequent occurrence in new-borns and especially if the delivery was difficult or complicated.
Often times this can result in colic for the new-born baby. How do you know if your baby has colic?
If they cry inconsolably for at least 3 hours per day, at least 3 days per week for at least 3 weeks in a row, then there is a very good chance they are suffering from colic.
Chiropractic treatments can benefit most colicky babies alleviating a great deal of stress for the baby and mother both.
If you have a colicky baby of your own, give chiropractic a try. Our treatments are safe, non-invasive and all-natural.
Heavy Metal Toxicity In Children
“Heavy Metal Toxicity In Children And What You Need To Watch Out For”
Mercury is the 2nd most toxic substance on the planet.
It has an affinity for our brains and organs ( heart, liver, kidneys ), and it can enter the body through our eyes, nose, skin and mouth.
It is still found in many consumer products, even those administered by health professionals.
Mercury bio-accumulates which means it builds up in your body.
Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for …. sensitivity to sound, anxiety, depression, inability to concentrate ( brain fog ), tender teeth, ringing in the ears, insomnia, eyelid or facial twitches, constipation, dizziness and irritability.
The more amalgam fillings you have, the more mercury you will have in your body.
Mercury levels in a fetus, newborn and young children are directly proportional to the number of fillings in their mother.
Health Canada currently does not restrict dental amalgam in Canada.
For nearly 25 years, removed dental amalgams have been considered hazardous waste!
The most common cause of mercury exposure in kids is vaccination.
25% of vaccinations today still contain mercury as do most flu shots.
The average child can tolerate 0.3 micrograms of mercury at one time. A 2 month old receiving all 4 ‘scheduled vaccines’ will have a mercury level of 62.5 micrograms! This is approximately 200 TIMES the reference dose for a child.
Parents, for the sake of your children, please be careful!
Chocolate Good For Your Heart
“Good News If You Have A Sweet Tooth”
A study published in the British Medical Journal, Aug.2011 shows that chocolate consumption significantly reduces cardiovascular disease risk factors, including coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
The study conducted at the University of Cambridge in England, viewed seven independent studies of cocoa consumption among more than 10,000 participants.
The authors concluded that increased chocolate intake was significantly associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Those who ate the most chocolate were able to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by 31 %, and stroke by 29 %.
This is because of the long known benefits of polyphenols found in chocolate and their ability to protect the heart from the build-up of atherosclerosis or plaques.
Certain dark chocolates provide some of the greatest sources of these healthy plant molecules in our diet.
The majority of the benefits of chocolate on heart disease are from special cocoa flavonoids which have been shown to clinically lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol.
The BMJ cautions however that commercially available chocolate products contain high levels of sugar and fat which can increase weight gain.
But there are cocoa products found at health food stores ( eg. Goodness Me ) which contain the health benefits of cocoa without the added sugars and fats.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Cell Phones Bad For Kids Health
“New Study Shows Cell Phones Exceed FCC Exposure Limits By As Much As Double For Kids”
A scholarly article on cell phone safety published recently in the journal Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine reports that cell phones used in the shirt or pants pocket exceed Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) guidelines and that children absorb TWICE as much radiation from phones as do adults.
The paper entitled “ Exposure limits: the underestimated exposure of cell phone radiation, especially children”, notes that the industry-designed process for evaluating microwave radiation from phones results in children absorbing twice the cellphone radiation in their heads, up to TRIPLE in their brain’s hippocampus and hypothalamus, greater absorption in their eyes and as much as 10 times more in their bone marrow when compared to adults.
The paper’s authors include three team members from the Environmental Health Trust: Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, Lloyd Morgan, Senior Science Fellow and Ronald B. Herberman, MD.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Managing Stress Part 8
“How To Get Rid Of Subluxations To Better Manage Stress”
Subluxations; so how do I get rid of them?
Well, truthfully speaking you never can because stress is inescapable.
But you can manage them and minimize the effect that they will have on your health and the health of your family.
The chiropractic adjustment is the only way that you can correct or minimize subluxations in your spine.
And never, ever let anyone other than a chiropractor do a spinal adjustment on you or your kids as this is our specialty and what we are trained to do for 4 years before we graduate from chiropractic college.
The chiropractic adjustment is the best way to make sure you maintain good spinal hygiene your whole life.
And the biggest benefit is that your spinal cord will not be compromised.
This means that your central nerve system can work at optimal potential which means you will be optimally healthy.
And the reason I mentioned earlier on that this is the most important thing you can do to combat stress is because good rest, meditation and yoga do not correct subluxations.
They are critical to help position your mind and body to better deal with stress but they do not correct subluxations.
Minimizing subluxations with chiropractic will give your body the best chance to defend against stress.
All the other things we discussed are like the icing on the cake and will boost the effects of your chiropractic care.
You see, all the systems of your body depend upon the integrity of the central nerve system to function properly.
It is therefore no surprise that stress experts tell us that the most direct and effective way of managing stress and correcting illness is directed towards balancing the nerve system.
And the only way to do this is with chiropractic care.
Is massage good for stress?
Yes, it has some benefit.
Are vitamins and a proper diet important?
Of course they are, but they do not make it into the top 4.
If you choose to do them as well, this will only benefit you.
But again remember that massage and vitamins and a proper diet will not correct subluxations and this needs to be your primary focus in stress management for you and your family.
If you would like more information on stress management or you would like to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation, please call us at 905 335 5433.
Remember, our mission is to help families build healthy, vibrant, drug-free lives.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Managing Stress Part 7
“What Are The Causes Of Poor Spinal Hygiene”
Last week we identified what it means to have good spinal hygiene & what it means to have poor spinal hygiene.
So, the next logical question is …. ‘ what is it that can affect your spinal hygiene? ‘
The answer is something called a subluxation & everyone , parents especially, should know what they are, how they occur, what they do & how to eliminate them & prevent them from occurring.
Definition … subluxation : a partial or incomplete dislocation of a spinal vertebra. Sound painful? They certainly can be. But here’s the kicker – all those scenarios that we discussed last week, the ones that qualify you as having poor spinal hygiene – they are all the result of having subluxations in your spine!
Now, the next logical question you should be asking is…. ‘ how do you get subluxations?’
Answer: STRESS ! All 3 kinds of stress will cause you to have subluxations. Physical, mental/emotional & chemical, remember?
So follow me here; we have just learned that subluxations are caused by stress.
We know that no-one can ever escape stress.
We now know what impact subluxations have on your spinal hygiene.
And, we now know what poor spinal hygiene does to your spinal cord which is a critical part of your central nerve system.
And we know that a compromised spinal cord is a huge health concern. ( Did you do your homework last week? Did you study the Chart of Effects of Spinal Misalignments [subluxations] to see what effects they have on your health at all the different spinal levels? )
And because ‘inescapable stress’ causes subluxations, we are always at risk of getting subluxations.
So, your next question should be …. ‘ what can I do to make sure I am free of subluxations & my kids are free of subluxations? ‘
This you will learn next week in Part 8.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Managing Stress Part 6
“Our Burlington Clinic Believes That The Most Important Thing In Effectively Managing Stress Is To Maintain Good Spinal Hygiene”
So what does it mean to have good spinal hygiene?
Good spinal hygiene means that your pelvis is level and not rotated or twisted. Your spine is straight up and down and your hips and shoulders are level.
From the side , you have the 3 appropriate curves in your spine – a forward curve in the neck and lower back and a gentle backwards curve between the shoulder blades.
Good spinal hygiene also means that you have no arthritis in the spinal joints and all of your spinal discs are plump and healthy.
So why is this important?
Because inside the spine is your spinal cord.
The spinal cord connects your brain to your nerves.
The brain is the power supply to your whole body.
The nerves carry the power that is generated in your brain to all the organs , tissues and cells that make up your body.
If you do not have good spinal hygiene, ie. you have scoliosis, or a twisted pelvis, or forward head carriage, or spinal arthritis, or degenerating discs, or a reversed curve in your neck , then your spinal cord will be compromised.
It is impossible not to be compromised in these circumstances.
When the spinal cord is compromised, then it cannot transmit the power to your nerves in the right quantity or quality.
Do you think this would be an asset to your health or a liability?
The answer is that it is a huge liability and in fact is the one liability that has the greatest potential of robbing you of your health!
Next week we will continue discussing good spinal hygiene and stress, but before then I would like you to do me a small favour.
I would like you to search this website for the Chart of Effects of Spinal Misalignments.
Study it.
It will be quite enlightening and then next weeks’ tip ( Part 7 ) will make more sense to you.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic