Asthma

Your lungs are made up of 150 to 300 million air sacs. If they were spread out flat they would cover an area the size of a tennis court!  Unfortunately when a person suffers from asthma the airways to the lungs do not function properly.

There are two things happening when a person has asthma.  The first is the airways become restricted due to constriction or tightening of the muscles which hold the airway open.  The second is the lining of the airways become inflamed as well as produce extra mucus.  Chiropractors work with the nerves of your body that communicate with the muscles holding your airways open as well as with your immune system which is involved in the inflammatory response.  When you have a healthy nervous system your body is able to fight off any invaders that trigger the asthma attack.  Also by having a full functioning nervous system the signals from the brain to the muscles of the airways are uninterrupted allowing for easy breathing. 

Chiropractors generally find nerve pressure in the middle to upper back and occasionally in the neck regions.  Great results have been achieved with specific chiropractic adjustments to these areas removing the nerve pressure and allowing the nervous system to function properly and reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

Ear Infections

Ear infections or otitis media account for more than 35% of visits to the pediatrician each year.  According to the American Chiropractic Association almost half of all children will have at least one middle ear infection before they’re 1 year old and two-thirds of them will have an ear infection by the age of 3.

Common signs your child may be experiencing an ear infection include: tugging or pulling at the ear(s), crying, trouble sleeping, fever, problems with balance, trouble hearing, etc.

Despite the routine use of antibiotics, incidence of ear infections (otitis media) with fluid (effusion) in the United States has increased by 250% from 1975-1990.  Chiropractors typically find nerve pressure in the upper neck of children who suffer from ear infections.  A chiropractic adjustment to the specific area of the neck has shown great results in helping with ear infections.   With a Chiropractic adjustment, the nerves affecting the ear can be freed from interference allowing the ear to drain off any fluid and function properly.  If left uncorrected, chronic infections can lead to permanent hearing damage or loss as well as developmental delays.

Bed Wetting

Nocturnal enuresis or bed-wetting has been shown to get great result when managed with chiropractic care.  Commonly thought to be a problem with young children who are deep sleepers, bed-wetting is an issue that affects children and young adults as old as 18 or 19.  In most cases special techniques such as alarms, special routines, punishment, not drinking after a certain hour at night and other solutions don’t work because they are not resolving the cause of the problem. 

Bed-wetting is typically due to a weakened muscle in the bladder that normally constricts and keeps any liquid from leaving the bladder.  When there is pressure on the nerves that supply this sphincter muscles, the muscle is unable to contract fully.  With a poor functioning or constricted muscles, urine is allowed to flow out of the bladder.  Chiropractors look for nerve pressure in the lower back region where the nerves travel that communicate with the muscles of the bladder.  Once the pressure is removed from the nerve with a specific adjustment by a chiropractor, the function can be restored to the sphincter muscle allowing it to prevent leaking from the bladder. 

ADHD

In the past decade, prescriptions for Ritalin, a stimulant medication commonly used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), increased five-fold, with 90 percent of all prescriptions worldwide consumed in the United States.  Chiropractic is offering promising results with non-drug treatments that focus on postural muscles, nutrition and lifestyle changes that affect brain activity. (ACA Today)

Doctors of chiropractic offer a non-drug and non-invasive treatment alternative for ADHD patients that target the underlying problems, not just symptoms. Motor activity—especially development of the postural muscles—is the baseline function of brain activity. Anything affecting postural muscles will influence brain development. Musculoskeletal imbalance will create imbalance of brain activity, and one part of the brain will develop faster than the other, and that's what's happening in ADHD patients. (ACA Today)

Chiropractors are trained in working with the nervous system and the musculature of the body.  By re-aligning misaligned (or subluxated) vertebrae, pressure on the nerve is removed.  With no pressure on the nerve, messages from the brain can be relayed throughout the entire body without interference. If your nervous system is working at 100% then your body is functioning the way it was made to. When you are subluxation free your body will have a greater ability to cope with physical, chemical and emotional stresses that are put on it each and every day.

Children's Health

            During the month of August we will be discussing different topics on children’s health.  Some of these topics include: scoliosis, ADHD, bed wetting, colic and nutrition to name a few.

            Children’s spines need chiropractic care just as adult spines do.  There is a very traumatic event in most children’s life when they are born.  It is the called the birthing process and can have a major negative impact on the child’s spine and development if left uncorrected.  These minor misaligned vertebrae have a potential to cause major health issues as the child’s nervous system begins to develop and wire together.  The sooner a chiropractor can detect this nerve pressure the faster it can be corrected preventing more damage.

            During the first year of the life, the spine develops the most growing from 24cm to 36cm in length.  This is about a fifty percent increase in length in one year.  The next periods of rapid growth in the spine are ages one to five and again during the teenage years.  It is important for a chiropractor to detect any spinal misalignment as early as possible to allow the spine to develop properly during these times of rapid growth.  Once detected, a chiropractor will deliver a low force specific adjustment to the proper vertebrae removing pressure on the nerve and gradually realigning the spine. 

Psoriasis

     Plaque psoriasis can occur at any age, on any part of the body with some cases being worse than others. It is often mistaken for other skin diseases, such as eczema or dermatitis but it's important to know that plaque psoriasis is a disorder of the immune system.

By getting adjusted your body will have a healthier immune system and a better functioning nervous system. Removing the nerve pressure with a specific adjustment will allow the body to function normally. When the nervous system is functioning normally so are the adrenal glands which help to reduce inflammation within the body by controlling cortisol levels. Adding chiropractic care to your routine as well as changes to diet and lifestyles may help with psoriasis.

A few recommendations to help decrease the frequency and severity of attacks include avoiding foods with the color red, fruit juices, bread products, and beer. Other suggestions are to avoid using detergents and sunscreens that contain perfumes, dyes, or other preservatives that irritate the skin. Supplements that support healthy skin are Omega-3 oils, vitamin A, C, E, and Standard Process products: USF Ointment, Livaplex, CataplexE, CataplexACP, and Dermatrophin.

Acne - A Chiropractic Approach

Acne is caused by skin pores becoming blocked and getting infected leading to inflammation and pimples.  Some common causes of acne are hormonal changes (common in adolescence, menstrual cycles, pregnancy), emotional stress, cosmetics and hair products, prescription medication and drugs, toxins, and diet high in refined sugars. A common treatment for acne is over the counter medications that come with a list of side effects including: nausea, vomiting, indigestion, irritable bowel, conjunctivitis, increased cholesterol, and decreased absorption of vitamins and minerals.  A chiropractic approach to acne is to look at the lifestyle of an individual as well as to optimize the function of his or her nervous system. 

The nervous system which controls the adrenal glands and thyroid plays an important role in the production of cortisol in the body.  Cortisol helps to reduce inflammation caused by infections as well as help to boost the immune system.  When nerve pressure is removed with an adjustment by a chiropractor the immune system can better handle infections and foreign bacteria on the body.  When your body is healthy on the inside it will show as a healthy body on the outside on your skin.  

Along with chiropractic care, a chiropractor will recommend lifestyle changes to help reduce acne.  Some common suggestions include stress management, nutrition, exercise, and reducing chemicals in your daily routines.  

A Chiropractic Approach - Eczema

           Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that is characterized by red bumps, blisters, itching, scaling, and crusting.  Although it appears on the skin, it is may be due to a toxicity problem caused by nerve interference.  In a person with eczema, the amount of Cortisol being produced by the adrenal glands may be decreased because of nerve pressure.  The Cortisol acts as a natural anti-inflammatory (anti-itching, swelling) allowing the body to adapt and heal itself.  With decreased amounts of Cortisol being produced, eventually other health problems could occur. 

            By getting adjusted your body will have a healthier immune system and a better ability to fight off disease and infection.  Removing the nerve pressure with a specific adjustment will allow the body to function normally and reduce the amount of eczema attacks.  Along with chiropractic care, diet and lifestyle changes will help reduce the amount of attacks. 

A few recommendations to help decrease the frequency and severity of attacks include avoiding foods with the color red, fruit juices, bread products, and beer.  Other suggestions are to avoid using detergents and sunscreens that contain perfumes, dyes, or other preservatives that irritate the skin.   Supplements that support healthy skin are Omega-3 oils, vitamin A, C, E, and Standard Process products: USF Ointment, Livaplex, CataplexE, CataplexACP, and Dermatrophin.    

 

Shingles - A Chiropractic Approach

         Individuals who have had chickenpox have the shingles virus lying dormant within his or her nervous system. Shingles are present in one of five people and are more commonly seen in older individuals.  When the nerves are damaged or weakened by nerve pressure the virus within that nerve may present itself. Also, if a person has a weak nervous system due to nerve pressure they may experience shingles when encountered with high levels of stress. 

          Shingles presents as painful bumps that typically follow certain patterns on the body.  These patterns are typically the areas that specific nerves travel and communicate with the body.  The virus does not affect the entire body.  It only expresses itself along the paths of the weakened nerve.  The sooner a chiropractor can adjust the spine and remove the pressure from the nerve the less damage will be done to the nerve.  The longer the virus presents itself the longer it will take to resolve because of the amount of damage done to that nerve.  With less stress on the nerve and a proper functioning nervous system the shingles virus will not have the ability to express itself. 

Skin Health

        During the month of July we will be discussing different topics that involve skin health and some issues that may arise.  We will look at how this is related to your nervous system and how a chiropractic exam could benefit.  Some of the topics we will cover this month include: Shingles, Sun burn, Psoriasis, Eczema, and Acne.

          The largest organ of your body is your skin.  Just like every organ in the body, without proper nerve supply it would not have the ability to function properly.  Your skin is a great window that shows the health of the inside of the body. When there are unhealthy organs within the body, they may show as signs on the skin such as rashes, pimples, eczema, psoriasis, shingles, etc.  Along with protecting your body form the environment, the skin also helps expel toxins and is host to bacteria that aid in protection. 

          Some recommendations along with regular chiropractic care are to avoid applying chemicals (make-up, sunscreen, perfume, lotion, etc) to the skin, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables,  drink the recommended amount of water daily, and  take vitamins A,C,E, and Omega-3 to support healthy skin from the inside.

Avocados: Heart Healthy and Delicious, plus a Recipe!

Did you know that avocados are not only delicious, but they are powerhouses of nutrition, too!!!???!!  With this being Heart Health week at Hackbart chiropractic, it's the perfect time to highlight this delicious super food and share some ways it can contribute to a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Avocados contain oleic acid, an omega-9, monounsaturated fatty acid that can help lower our "bad" cholesterol (LDL).  Oleic acid is also believed to slow the pace of heart disease and promote the production of antioxidants.  The vitamin B6 and folic acid in avocados also control homocysteine levels, which again, helps to reduce the risks of heart disease.

Avocados are simply an all around nutrition burst.  The lutein they contain helps to prevent age-related eye deterioration.  And they are loaded with fiber which helps with digestion and regulation of blood sugar.  Glutathione, one of the most important antioxidants, is also found in avocados.  Glutathione boosts the body's immune system and promotes a healthy nervous system.

Chiropractic is about natural health and healing.  Regular chiropractic visits go hand-in-hand with appropriate exercise and a healthy diet to be the least invasive, chemical-free and most successful ways to attain, and keep, good health.  They all help to prevent and to treat the root cause of health problems, instead of simply trying to mitigate symptoms.

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Call the office, today to schedule a regular health maintenance adjustment and check out the recipe link, below, for just one example of how delicious, healthy eating can be.  Our friend, Glenda, at Busy-at-Home has a fabulous recipe for Avocado Salsa (Click the picture or this link to get the recipe.) that will tantalize the taste buds of even the most finicky eaters in your household!  Enjoy!

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Heart Health: A Chiropractic Approach

Heart disease is one of our nation’s number one causes of death, for men, and men are two times more likely than women to have issues with their hearts.  One of the most common reasons for hospitalization for people over the age of 65 is heart failure.  Although family and genetics play a role in risk factors so do life style choices.  Some factors that you have control over include smoking, stress, excessive weight, lack of physical activity, diets high in saturated fat, etc.

But don’t forget, the heart is connected to the nervous system, and like any organ in the body it functions properly when there is no interference in communication.  Chiropractors relieve the stress placed on the heart by removing the nerve pressure, caused by a subluxation in the spine, with a specific adjustment to that area.  Studies show that a specific chiropractic adjustment to the upper neck can have a positive effect on significantly lowering blood pressure for an extended period of time; and also that adjustment applied to the neck and or lower back can decrease overall heart rate and blood pressure.  Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeats have been alleviated with adjustments to the upper back which would have nerve supply directly to the heart.   Regular chiropractic care along with healthy lifestyle choices can help you have a healthier heart.

It's the perfect time to call the office and make an appointment to ask one of the doctors all of your questions about keeping your heart healthy and strong.

Prostate Health: A Chiropractic Approach

Like any organ in the body, the prostate gland is in constant communication with the brain and if that communication is disrupted the prostate is not working at its optimal level.  This makes it more difficult for the prostate to function normally, as well as ward off bacteria or viruses that may play a role in some forms of prostatitis.  If there is a subluxation involved, (typically in the lower back), then it is likely that the prostate will respond to specific adjustments performed by a chiropractor.  Some common symptoms associated with an unhealthy prostate include the inability to empty the bladder, decreased urine flow, and increase in frequency of urination at night, to name just a few.  Another issue that typically gets good results with specific adjustments to the lower back is erectile dysfunction.  When the prostate is unhealthy, the sex organs are involved making it difficult for some men to function normally on their own.

Interestingly, 80% of men with chronic low back pain also have prostate problems! A study done, by Dr. Winsor, found that eight out of eight male subjects who were having prostate problems also had nerve interference in the lumbar region of their backs.  This shows that a lack of communication with the prostate gland may have a role in the function and overall health of the prostate.  Restoring communication, with specific chiropractic adjustments, will help achieve or maintain a healthy prostate.

If you have questions, or are experiencing symptoms that you think may be related to prostate health, call our office and make an appointment to speak to Dr. Hackbart, Dr. Folkers, or Dr. Isaacson about restoring the nerve communication to the prostate gland. Chemical medications or invasive procedures should never be a first course of action.  Instead of masking symptoms with temporary fixes, the natural healing of chiropractic care should always be the first choice for restoring health and eliminating the root cause of the problem.

June is Men's Health Month: Why Do You Need a Sports Exam?

During the month of June we will be looking at and discussing different topics that involve men’s health.  Some examples of issues covered this month include:  sports performance, prostate health, heart health, “tough guy” syndrome and nutrition.

Amateur and professional athletes are starting to make chiropractic care a top priority in their training.  The three main ways chiropractic care helps enhance sports performance are:

1. injury prevention
2. recovery time after an injury
3. getting to the cause of the problem.

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Chiropractors work first and foremost with the nervous system of the body which controls every movement and function of the body.   An unhealthy nervous system could lead to a lack of balance, coordination, flexibility, and range of motion to name a few.  All of these may lead to injuries during sports activities.  If the nervous system is healthy, and functioning properly, a person will not only improve on all the aforementioned activities, but also have the ability to excel in their sport, while reducing the amount of time the body takes to recover after an event or injury.  Chiropractors will examine the athlete’s spine, and biomechanics, checking for any nerve pressure or misaligned vertebrae which may compromise the function of the nervous system.  Once these are removed, with specific adjustments, the body has the ability to perform at its optimal levels.

Call Hackbart Chiropractic, today, to schedule a sports exam or to speak to one of the doctors about your health questions.

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Irregular Menses: A Chiropractic Approach

Irregular menses may be caused by the nerve supply to the ovaries being restricted. This would indicate that there is a subluxation or nerve pressure in the mid to low back region. The nerves that exit the spine in these regions supply and communicate with the ovaries. Once the nerve pressure is removed the lines of communication can be restored allowing proper function of the ovaries.

An absence of menses or amenorrhea may be due to several factors. If a female allows herself to become very lean and reduces her body fat to a bare minimum amenorrhea can occur, naturally, due to a decreased amount of hormones. The area of focus for a chiropractor would be the upper neck region which supplies or communicates with the pituitary gland or the mid to low back region which supplies the adrenal glands that regulate reproductive hormone levels. Once the pressure on the nerves in these areas is removed, the body can begin to regulate its hormone levels. With proper hormone levels and time the body can start to cycle as it should.

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Call the office to make an appointment to visit with one of our doctors, if you experience any of these issues.  They are effectively and healthfully treated without the use of chemical or invasive medical interventions, by many of our patients.  When you call, ask about patient testimonials that share their success in overcoming this problem.  Make a choice for lifelong health by increasing your knowledge and understanding of spinal health.  We're excited to show you how!

Nichole Thomas: Patient Video Testimonial

Nichole Thomas discontinued use of a prescription antibiotic, after just 24 hours, to instead, allow chiropractic to strengthen her immune system. This natural, healthy choice allowed her to recover from shingles in just two weeks, while someone she was close to continued their prescription and suffered a long and painful "recovery" experience. A long-time chiropractic patient, Nichole understood the benefits and opted for the healthy alternative. We're proud and grateful to have Nichole as a patient at Hackbart Chiropractic. Listen to her video testimonial to get the full-story on her healing experiences, with not just shingles, but with the pain of fibromyalgia.

Hemorrhoids: A Chiropractic Approach

Typically, chiropractic patients get great results and relief for their hemorrhoids, as their body responds to correction of the subluxations, or nerve pressure, found in the L4 and L5 area of the low back.  Occasionally, hemorrhoids are the result of sacral or pelvic subluxations.  When the pressure is removed from the nerve, the muscles that control the dilation and constriction of the blood vessels in the bowels will function properly and potentially reduce the hemorrhoids.

Other advice for hemorrhoid reduction is to avoid white flour and white sugar, which will help to establish regular bowel habits.  One to two ounces of Aloe Vera juice, a day, can help any type of intestinal irritations and support healthy bowel habits, as well.  Drinking plenty of water and or taking Fen-Cho (a Standard Process product) will help keep the bowels loose while the hemorrhoids are healing.  Strengthening the abdominal musculature may also help in the reduction of hemorrhoids.  Collinsonia Root, which is another great Standard Process product, will help with vascular toning and correction of hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

If you, or someone you love, suffers with hemorrhoids, call the office and make an appointment to consult with one of the doctors about how you can get lasting relief through consistent chiropractic care.

Gastric And Peptic Ulcers: A Chiropractic Approach

Peptic ulcers can be felt 15-30 minutes after eating and may be caused by too little mucus being secreted by the cells of the stomach.  Chiropractors relate this problem to a subluxation or nerve pressure in the mid- to upper-neck region.  This area is involved with the parasympathetic nervous system.  By removing the pressure on the nerves, it will restore mucus production to the cells of the stomach.

Gastric ulcers may subside 20 minutes after eating and may be aggravated by an increase in hydrochloric acid in the stomach.  Chiropractors look for nerve pressure in the middle of the back and, if no response is seen, they will look in the upper neck region. Once the pressure is removed and the nerve function is restored the stomach can function normally.   Also recommended is eliminating certain foods such as coffee and sugar from the diet.  Niacinamide found in corn and pork will help aid in stomach tissue regeneration as well as vitamin A and/or Gastrex Capsules, both products in the Standard Process supplement line.   Increasing water consumption has also been shown to help with digestive tract problems as many people are dehydrated and don’t realize that they are.

Acid Reflux: A Chiropractic Approach

Acid reflux is caused by your stomach producing too little, or too much, digestive enzymes or gastric acid.  By working with the mid-back region, and the neck, chiropractors can help restore normal function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, which regulate the function of stomach digestion.

The muscle preventing the backward flow of stomach contents is sensitive to the amount of acid in the stomach.  When more acid is being produced in the stomach, the tighter the muscle contracts, preventing the reverse flow of stomach contents.  If there is not enough acid being produced by your stomach, the muscle will be more lax and more likely to allow reverse flow. If you experience heartburn, on an empty stomach, your body is producing too much gastric acid and this could be a result of interference with the parasympathetic system. Both are causes of too little or too much gastric acid production.  Along with adjustments, we also suggest Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, available in our office or many health food stores, Gastrex (a supplement produced by Standard Process, also available at Hackbart Chiropractic), and a healthy diet.

Are We Healthier?

Since the creation of the USDA's food pyramid, in 1972, are we a healthier nation?   TIME magazine's 2008 article didn't think so; and 5 years later our answer would unfortunately stay the same.

This Time Magazine cover suggests that American health was bad in 2008 - Unfortunately, in comparison to 16 other countries, it still is.  Credit: time.com

It's time to start taking our health back and not mindlessly follow the USDA's standard of food safety, the Medical Association's mandates on vaccines and Big Pharma's greedy offers to fix all life's ailments; which the former two agencies produce and their own drugs create.  Disease management through vaccines, pharmaceuticals  and unnecessary medical procedures cannot take the place of a healthy lifestyle.  A healthy lifestyle includes healthy eating, but when the USDA became involved with our food supply, our food became.......well, not really food at all, but more of a big business.  It is made with cost in mind and most of it is laden with fillers, dyes, artificial preservatives, pesticides and hormones that the USDA has passed with a green light.   Yet fresh, natural, raw milk, with no hormonal or antibiotic residue, is illegal!

Wellness education is now needed to help unhealthy Americans train there brains to think before they eat, pop a pill or go under the knife.  And thinking we are!  Chiropractic, Nutritionalists, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Physical Trainers and many more natural approaches to health are being sought out.

There is a way to Hope, Healing, and Health, but it has to be sought out in America, because it is not the culture of our system.  The system is broken and the unhealthy are seeking other options.  It's time to make changes before your health is lost.  If you would like to discuss your hopes for health with us, please stop in.  We would love to help you.  If we are not the answer we can help you find what you are looking for.   We want to help you get back to life!

Let's get educated together!  Come check out our library at the office.  We have books, DVD's and classes offered each week for FREE.

We are here to serve you and help you find Hope, Healing, Health!