Doctor Higginson’s Blog

The first symptom of the top three causes of death is often death.   How often do we hear someone suffered from a “sudden heart attack.”  People don’t have sudden heart attacks.  Lifestyle choices stress the body to a point that the heart can no longer function properly.  That “sudden” heart attack started long before the day the first symptom was experienced.

In my office I don’t see “sudden heart attacks”; what I see is “sudden back attacks.”  “I just reached over to pick up my sock and my back went out.”   Unless you have really heavy socks, I doubt that it was the sock that caused the problem.  The sudden back attack is a collection of events and stresses put on the body over a long period of time that culminates to a point of no return.

If you did not change your oil in your car for 3 years and your car broke down, would you call it a sudden car problem or a car problem of neglect.

It is no coincidence that it was the camel’s back that was broken by the straw.

If you are interested in preventing sudden back attacks, speak with your chiropractor today.

The following is an excerpt written by Bill Esteb who provides educational materials for chiropractors. I felt that it was worth sharing and I hope you agree.

Fear means you’re not living in the now.

The powerlessness that accompanies fear is because you’re invested in something you can’t control: the future. In the same way you can’t change the past (the source of guilt), you can’t do much about the future (the source of fear). Our power and influence is totally limited to the present.

We are deceived by the notion that what we do now affects the future. Of course it does. But the consequences that manifest in the future are out of our realm and assume a mechanistic linearity of cause and effect that just isn’t true.

Consider for a moment the countless patients who had miraculous recoveries that you couldn’t have predicted. Or the patients who didn’t respond but should have. The lie is in denying our vitalistic nature and spiritual possibilities. We’re not some pinball whose path can be mathematically predicted!

All we really have is the present. Now. And now. Stay here. It’s a guaranteed fear-free zone.

Dr. Bingham’s Comments:

So much of our life is spent worrying about the future or feeling guilty about the past. Both of which we have no control. We know the effect stress plays on our health and there are very few things that are more stressful than fear and guilt.  Luckily there is only one person who can make you experience these feelings.
Do yourself a favor, stop waiting, feel everything, love completely, give totally and let go.

The National Council on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), which is a part of the National Institute of Health (NIH) released their quarterly report this week with a big boost for probiotics.

Probiotics are helpful bacteria that live in our bodies; they assist with the breakdown of food and the absorption of vitamins and minerals.  If the body has a lack of “good” probiotics, nutrition from food will not be absorbed.

What can cause a decrease in “good’ probiotics?

1. Antibiotics, when they kill friendly bacteria in the gut along with unfriendly bacteria. Some people use probiotics to try to offset side effects from antibiotics like gas, cramping, or diarrhea. Similarly, some use them with the intent to ease symptoms of lactose intolerance, a condition in which the gut cannot digest significant amounts of lactose, the major sugar in milk.
2. “Unfriendly” microorganisms such as disease-causing bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and parasites can also upset the balance. Researchers are exploring whether probiotics could halt these unfriendly agents in the first place and/or suppress their growth and activity.

Probiotics have been shown to be helpful in treating a number of conditions…. read on in the NCCAM Newsletter.

Examples of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent as science struggles to keep pace with the genetic modifications demonstrated by certain “super bacteria.” These bacteria, through modification, have been able to make themselves immune to some if not all types of antibiotics.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, was once very rare and hardly seen in doctor’s offices. A recent study revealed that this once rare strain has been become increasingly more common and accounts for more than half of the skin infections treated in U.S. emergency rooms.

A common presentation is what looks like a spider bite or pimple that is not getting better. Patients rarely understand the gravity of situation prior to visiting their doctor.

Dr. Rachel Gorwitz of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said: “I think no one was aware of the extent of the problem.”

Skin infections can be life-threatening if bacteria get into the bloodstream.  Drug-resistant strains can also cause a vicious type of pneumonia and even “flesh-eating” wounds.

If you or your child is experiencing a skin irritation that looks like a spider bite or a pimple that is not getting better, visit your primary care physician.  If he or she recommends antibiotic medications, question your physician about possibility of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Contamination prevention tips:

Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.

Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.

Avoid contact with other people’s wounds or bandages.

Don’t share towels, wash cloths, razors, soap, ointments or other personal items.

Wipe down athletic gear like mats, head protectors and gym equipment with alcohol or antiseptic solution after each person uses it.
Full story: CNN.com

Are you in the 4% of the population diagnosed with fibromyalgia?  Do you suffer from widespread unexplainable pain?  What about interrupted sleep, extreme fatigue?  Irritable Bowel Syndrome?  Anxiety?

There are a lot of signs and symptoms that have been grouped together and called Fibromyalgia - which has no known specific cause.  Western medical treatments include pain relievers, muscle relaxers, and anti-depressants - all symptom relief. 

Oriental Medicine, including Acupuncture looks at the whole person, getting to the root cause, thereby going beyond just symptom relief!  Acupuncture uses specific points along meridians, or pathways to rebalance the energy in the body.  There are many types of acupuncture - yes - even types that do not use needles!  There are new studies showing the benefits of acupuncture for the treatment of Fibromyalgia - opening a new and natural door for people with this common syndrome.

For the Full Article go to: Fibromyalgia Studies

Stephanie Petix, L.Ac.

503-227-8781

If you are planting an organic garden, try natural pest control with nontoxic products such as pyrethrum or neem:

• Pyrethrum, a mixture of insecticidal compounds found in some species of African chrysanthemums, controls aphids, whiteflies, stinkbugs and mites. You should be able to find pyrethrum products in your local garden center. (Some will say they contain “pyrethrins.”) Check labels carefully to make sure you choose the product intended for the crops you’re growing or the pests you’re trying to eliminate.
• Neem comes from the seeds and leaves of the Neem tree, Azadirachta indica, which is native to India. The compounds it contains (such as azadirachtin) act as insect repellents. Neem is non-toxic to animals and humans and beneficial to bees. Though neem products are somewhat more expensive than most synthetic pesticides, they are worth it for both personal and environmental health.

You might also consider adding beneficial insects such as ladybugs and praying mantis to your garden (both are commonly sold at garden centers). Ask about soap you can spray on plants to kill insects. Some insects, such as Japanese beetles, can be controlled with pheromone traps. And you can always pick insects off mechanically or wash them off with forceful streams of water.

Full Article - Dr. Weil.com

Dr. Bryan Bingham
Highland Chiropractic

Goji berries are the new “superfood” chocked full of antioxidants. By “new” I mean new to the public eye. Goji berries, also known as wolf berries, have been consumed in Tibet many years in but have only come into mainstream notoriety in the last few years. The latest issue of Time Magazine called goji berries the “breakout superfruit of the year”.
Claims associated with goji berries are wide reaching, from longevity to sexual potency. The famed Li Qing Yuen, who apparently lived to the age of 252 years (1678-1930), consumed Goji berries daily. Unfortunately there has been little research done on the health benefits of this superfruit.

For more information, visit the Great Goji Experiment

Dr. Bryan Bingham
Highland Chiropractic

“You make my blood boil!”  Ever heard yourself saying that at work, or at least thinking it at work?  That old cliche might be closer to the truth that you had ever thought.
You might ask yourself, “How many studies do we need to prove that stress affects our health?” Well, I guess we needed one more. Researcher observed 6,719 men and women white-collar workers, aged 18 to 65 years, in Quebec City. They found that men with the most job strain were 33 percent more likely to experience an increase in blood pressure.

Full Article: CNN.com

Obviously this should come as no shock to anyone who has not resided under a rock for the last century.  The question at this point is what to do with the information from a study like this.

Walk away from the stressful job, easier said than done.  Many of us live vicariously through that person who left the comforts of the corporate job to tend bar on a small island far from the land of stress and responsibility.  Making a leap like that is inconceivable for the majority of the worker world, so we are left with making the best of our current situation.

If you want to minimize the effects of stress on your health, I have one word for you, breathe. I know it seems so simple, but you would be amazed by health benefits you receive from breathing properly.  Don’t take my word for it, click here for more information on stress and breathing.

In the middle of a stressful situation, it is hard to remember this simple stress relieving strategy, so I am recommending a product created by a software designer here in Portland.  The product is called Smoooth and provides a small breathing reminder at the bottom of your computer screen.

A link to Smoooth and other great ways to relieve stress at work can be found at the Active Office section of my website.

Dr. Bryan Bingham
Highland Chiropractic

A new Belgian study demonstrates a link between chlorinated swimming pools and the prevalence of asthma. Researchers believe that exposure to chlorine bi-products, both in the air and the water, could be a factor.

They found that after taking into account other factors such as climate, childhood asthma and wheeze increased by 2-3 percent for every indoor swimming pool, according the research published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

For information on chlorine alternatives click here.

Full Article : Reuters.com

Dr. Bryan Bingham
Highland Chiropractic

In recent years organic has become a household word. Now you can get organic produce at Fred Myer, Wal-Mart or even Costco. The demand for organic produce has outgrown the ability to provide it to consumers according to Forbes.com.

As demand grows for organic produce, the supply is likely to lag until farmers are able to bridge the gap.  Certain foods hold on to pesticide more than others, so it is important to buy organic produce if you eating any of these pesticide-laden foods. The following is a list created by the Environmental Working Group and lists the 12 most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables are: (in order of toxicity)

1. Strawberries 2. Bell Peppers (tie)

3. Spinach (tie) 4. Cherries (USA)

5. Peaches 6. Cantaloupe (Mexico)

7. Celery 8. Apples

9. Apricots 10. Green Beans

11.Grapes (Chile) 12. Cucumbers

Full Article : Sustainable Enterprizes

Dr. Bryan Bingham
Highland Chiropractic