Approximately 40% of Americans have the genetic potential to become gluten intolerant. More than 1% of Americans have celiac disease. In fact, this percentage may be a low estimate because most physicians are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of celiac disease, which can be a “great masquerader”. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are closely related. After repeated exposure to gluten, a person who is gluten intolerant may develop celiac disease. Gluten is a complex of proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. The human digestive tract cannot break down gluten into its component amino acids, so gluten proteins persist in the gastrointestinal tract until they are excreted.
In susceptible individuals, the gluten proteins may be identified as "foreign" and their immune systems may launch a reaction against these non-self proteins. In such persons, including infants, children, teenagers, and adults, continued exposure to gluten may cause development of signs and symptoms of celiac disease.
Wheat, rye, and barley comprise significant components of the Western diet. Almost all breads are made from one or more of these three grains. Cookies, cakes, bagels, muffins, pizza, and pasta are all gluten-containing foods. Additionally, gluten is found in vitamin pills, shampoo, toothpaste, household cleansers, and even prescription drugs. Wheat-based binders are often used in the manufacturing process of these articles. So gluten is literally everywhere.
A susceptible person's initial immune reaction to gluten persists with continued exposure. Eventually the immune reaction may damage the lining of the person's small intestine, leading to the classic symptoms of celiac disease - abdominal pain, constipation and/or diarrhea, and abdominal bloating. Intestinal damage causes these very unpleasant and debilitating symptoms and may also lead to additional serious diseases. Malnutrition is one of the major consequences of celiac disease.
Importantly, gluten intolerance may be related to a variety of serious disorders. Neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia may be associated with underlying gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), and psoriatic arthritis may be related to gluten intolerance. Endocrine conditions including diabetes, hyper- and hypothryroidism, and Addison's disease are often related to gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Infertility and frequent miscarriages may also be related to an underlying condition of gluten intolerance.
The takeaway is this. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease may be an underlying cause of serious medical conditions that have not been treated successfully. The key is considering gluten intolerance as an underlying cause and taking appropriate action. Patient knowledge and increased physician knowledge and awareness are crucial to correctly identifying a hidden problem.
Your family chiropractor is an expert in nutrition and is trained to identify underlying causes of health problems. In addition, chiropractic treatment may help restore more normal and more effective immune system functioning. In cases requiring a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, chiropractic treatment is a crucial component.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Don’t Confuse Being Out of Pain with Being Well
Many of my patients start to miss appointments once they are feeling better. Its my job as a teacher to explain to them the phases of healing before they relapse. Getting back to doing normal motions with tissues and structures that are not 100% will lead to re-injury. Most patients cannot afford to "shut it down" meaning miss work, not pick the kids or groceries etc. That's why maintaining your alignment and sticking to the game-plan pays off in the future.
A doctors recommendation is not based on economics. Multiple treatment therapies build off the one before by retraining the brain to re-energize the area which facilitate healing. It also increases proprioception, which is the brains ability to remember where you are in space. Most therapy treatment plans are based on science. A doctor recommends a specific number of treatments based on research studies, clinical experience and the physiology of the healing tissue. Everyone is different with more or less barriers to overcome.
Pain is the last sensation to show up during a chronic repetitive injury, and the first to go away while healing. Long before there is pain there is dysfunction causing neurological compromise, increased muscle tone along with decreased range of motion. Healing involves first ridding the pain, regaining the lost range of motion, increasing the strength lost and finally retraining the brain to keep a certain muscle tone and to hold unconsciously have control over the very small motions of the effected area.
Next time a doctor or therapist recommends a certain number of therapies, remember this article so you can understand why he or she recommends them. No one can give you a percentage of how much better you can feel, but going with these guidelines, you can expect maximum results.
Hands of Gold CHiropractic
A doctors recommendation is not based on economics. Multiple treatment therapies build off the one before by retraining the brain to re-energize the area which facilitate healing. It also increases proprioception, which is the brains ability to remember where you are in space. Most therapy treatment plans are based on science. A doctor recommends a specific number of treatments based on research studies, clinical experience and the physiology of the healing tissue. Everyone is different with more or less barriers to overcome.
Pain is the last sensation to show up during a chronic repetitive injury, and the first to go away while healing. Long before there is pain there is dysfunction causing neurological compromise, increased muscle tone along with decreased range of motion. Healing involves first ridding the pain, regaining the lost range of motion, increasing the strength lost and finally retraining the brain to keep a certain muscle tone and to hold unconsciously have control over the very small motions of the effected area.
Next time a doctor or therapist recommends a certain number of therapies, remember this article so you can understand why he or she recommends them. No one can give you a percentage of how much better you can feel, but going with these guidelines, you can expect maximum results.
Hands of Gold CHiropractic
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
YOUR PERSONAL CORPORATION
You are the CEO of your own personal enterprise. In addition to whatever business you might be running or might be in, your personal corporation consists of the value you generate during your time on Earth.
Some persons such as government officials make choices and take actions that obviously affect the lives of many others. For most of us it may seem that we have less scope and reduced impact, but that is not necessarily so. Our choices and actions affect those people closest to us - our family, friends, and colleagues - and their choices and actions affect persons closest to them. An ever-widening series of ripples continues to flow, affecting more and more people, all stemming from the actions we take and the choices we make today. If we haven't recognized this potential and this power, all that's required is raising our gaze to the horizon and widening our field of view.
In order for a corporation - a personal corporation - to be effective it needs to have a sound balance sheet. If there's a lot of red ink it's going to be difficult to be able to provide goods and services. Depletion of resources leads to depletion of energy. We need to provide a steady stream of raw materials so we're able to create new products that are desired in the marketplace.
Our personal corporations require specific raw materials 1,2,3
Some persons such as government officials make choices and take actions that obviously affect the lives of many others. For most of us it may seem that we have less scope and reduced impact, but that is not necessarily so. Our choices and actions affect those people closest to us - our family, friends, and colleagues - and their choices and actions affect persons closest to them. An ever-widening series of ripples continues to flow, affecting more and more people, all stemming from the actions we take and the choices we make today. If we haven't recognized this potential and this power, all that's required is raising our gaze to the horizon and widening our field of view.
In order for a corporation - a personal corporation - to be effective it needs to have a sound balance sheet. If there's a lot of red ink it's going to be difficult to be able to provide goods and services. Depletion of resources leads to depletion of energy. We need to provide a steady stream of raw materials so we're able to create new products that are desired in the marketplace.
Our personal corporations require specific raw materials 1,2,3
- Healthful, nutritious food
- Regular vigorous exercise
- Sufficient rest
- A positive mental attitude
If we're not receiving sufficient amounts of any of these inputs, the debit side of our balance sheet increases. We don't have enough energy to accomplish our daily tasks, let alone do the things that will make our corporation profitable. With sufficient inputs we have energy to spare and our corporation thrives.
What are some outputs of a healthy personal corporation? A healthy, happy family. A creative work environment. Ongoing engagement in rewarding social activities. An ongoing experience of accomplishment. Self-expression. Peace. Joy.
In order for our personal corporation to continue to grow and prosper, it's basic needs must be met. In addition, it's always a good idea to make sure all the parts are working properly. That's where chiropractic care comes in. Just as an accountant reviews the financial health of a corporation, your chiropractor reviews its physical health. She makes "adjustments" wherever and whenever necessary, enabling your personal corporation to continue to evolve.
1Fitzbiggon ML, Beech BM: The role of culture in the context of school-based BMI screening. Pediatrics 124(Suppl 1):S50-S62, 2009
2Maizes V, et al: Integrative medicine and patient-centered care. Explore (NY) 5(5):277-289, 2009
3O'Donnell MP: Definition of health promotion 2.0: embracing passion, enhancing motivation, recognizing dynamic balance, and creating opportunities. Am J Health Promot 24(1):4, 2009
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
THE INNER GAME OF HEALTH
Way back in the 1960s, when everything was brand-new, the Beatles introduced Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to national television audiences in American and the UK. The Maharishi came to the West with the Beatles to introduce a new thing - Transcendental Meditation.
At the time most Westerners were not familiar with meditation in any form. The Maharishi introduced a simple method that has become well-known and popular over the years. Meditation is even more important to our health and well-being in the 21st century than ever before.
It takes a lot to maintain good health these days. Of course, eating a healthy diet - with plenty of fruits and vegetables - and exercising regularly are the cornerstones of good health. Sufficient rest is another key ingredient - most of us require at least seven hours of sleep each night to restore energy and vitality.
There is another essential factor - one that is less well-recognized and easy to overlook. In the early years of the 21st century we all need to find ways to manage our daily levels of stress. If we tell the truth, for most of us, our stress levels are off the charts.
Meditation can be a powerful tool for reducing the impact of stress on our bodies, and for helping us better manage the stress in our lives.1,2 Meditation is simple and straightforward - all that's required is a commitment to making it happen.3
You don't need any special equipment. You don't need incense or candles. You don't even need a mat or a cushion. You can do meditation sitting in a comfortable, straight-backed chair.
There are many methods and ways of practicing meditation. In Transcendental Meditation you silently repeat a simple phrase to yourself. You focus on the phrase, known as a mantra. In Zen meditation, you focus on your breath - not by breathing deeply, but rather as a means to focus your attention. Breathe in, breathe out. Your attention wanders. Notice that, and return your focus to the breath.
Or, you can simply sit quietly. Close the door and turn off your cell phone. Make sure everyone in your home knows this is your alone time. Just sit quietly for ten minutes, allowing yourself to relax. Find a place within yourself on which to focus, and let yourself go. Set aside ten minutes a day. You'll find that you eagerly look forward to this quiet time and that you emerge refreshed and revitalized.
Your chiropractor is an expert in helping people achieve greater levels of health and well-being and will be glad to help you learn about methods of stress reduction that will work for you.
At the time most Westerners were not familiar with meditation in any form. The Maharishi introduced a simple method that has become well-known and popular over the years. Meditation is even more important to our health and well-being in the 21st century than ever before.
It takes a lot to maintain good health these days. Of course, eating a healthy diet - with plenty of fruits and vegetables - and exercising regularly are the cornerstones of good health. Sufficient rest is another key ingredient - most of us require at least seven hours of sleep each night to restore energy and vitality.
There is another essential factor - one that is less well-recognized and easy to overlook. In the early years of the 21st century we all need to find ways to manage our daily levels of stress. If we tell the truth, for most of us, our stress levels are off the charts.
Meditation can be a powerful tool for reducing the impact of stress on our bodies, and for helping us better manage the stress in our lives.1,2 Meditation is simple and straightforward - all that's required is a commitment to making it happen.3
You don't need any special equipment. You don't need incense or candles. You don't even need a mat or a cushion. You can do meditation sitting in a comfortable, straight-backed chair.
There are many methods and ways of practicing meditation. In Transcendental Meditation you silently repeat a simple phrase to yourself. You focus on the phrase, known as a mantra. In Zen meditation, you focus on your breath - not by breathing deeply, but rather as a means to focus your attention. Breathe in, breathe out. Your attention wanders. Notice that, and return your focus to the breath.
Or, you can simply sit quietly. Close the door and turn off your cell phone. Make sure everyone in your home knows this is your alone time. Just sit quietly for ten minutes, allowing yourself to relax. Find a place within yourself on which to focus, and let yourself go. Set aside ten minutes a day. You'll find that you eagerly look forward to this quiet time and that you emerge refreshed and revitalized.
Your chiropractor is an expert in helping people achieve greater levels of health and well-being and will be glad to help you learn about methods of stress reduction that will work for you.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
How is pain a good thing??
We’ll often ask my newest practice members, “What if the sensation of pain didn’t exist?” If you have back pain or headaches or know someone who does, making the pain go away is a major goal. But what is the purpose of pain?
Why are we equipped to feel pain?
Pain of any type is the way your body warns you that something isn’t right.
It turns out there are some very important reasons why we’re equipped to sense pain. Dorland’s Medical Dictionary used by health professionals around the world list over 34 different types!
Pain causes you to pay attention to something that’s not working right. It’s a warning that a limit of some type has been reached that the body is not equipped to handle or cannot adapt further.
In many ways, pain is a good thing. It’s only when we misinterpret the pain or think that by making it go away without tending to its underlying cause that we get into trouble.
Many of my patients begin care because of a painful symptom or obvious health problem. And while we always show our compassion, our primary interest is in the underlying cause of the pain. Numbing the body with drugs to fool the body by hiding the pain may be convenient, but in the long run, expensive.
If you or someone you know regularly consults a medicine cabinet to deal with pain, urge them to consult my office. I promise to help identify the underlying cause of their problem, explain the options and offer safe and natural solutions to their body’s cry for help. Have them contact our office today!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
what is a herniated disc??
Not all herniated discs cause pain or discomfort. It is when the bulge puts pressure on the exiting spinal nerve that pain, or an inflammatory reaction, will occur. It is therefore very important to have a full understanding of what is causing the pain. What is Subluxation? Another term important to understand in the diagnosis of a herniated disc is subluxation. Subluxation is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position. The result can be a herniated disc.
If this creates pressure on spinal nerves, problems will result. This pressure or irritation on the nerves causes the nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves. Symptoms can be one or more of the following: · Pain spreading over the buttocks, down the back of one thigh, and into the calf · Pain may be in one leg (more common) or both legs · Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet · Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms · In severe cases, inability to find comfort even lying down · Sudden aching or twisted neck that cannot be straightened without severe pain · Bowel or bladder changes and/or numbness in the groin Treatment Treatments for a herniated can range from physical therapy, to anti-inflammatory medication, to cortisone shots to surgery.
Because back surgery is extremely invasive, and because surgery is not always totally successful in correcting the problem, it would be wise to seek out the services of a doctor of chiropractic first. Before resorting to a surgical approach, it just makes good sense to try a more conservative procedure. A doctor of chiropractic is trained to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This can be accomplished through a series of chiropractic adjustments designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine.
Chiropractors are the only professionals who undergo years of training to be experts at correcting subluxations. There are methods to decompress the vertebrae which allow the disc the ability to heal itself. Early Diagnosis Be aware that few treatments - even chiropractic treatment - can make up for years of abuse and neglect of spinal health that many people endure. Poor nutrition, poor posture, lack of proper exercise, and even incorrect lifting methods are among the many ways the spine suffers abuse. Early diagnosis and conservative treatment is the best way to begin correcting the pain suffered from a herniated disc. And the chiropractic approach is an excellent first choice for extended pain relief and for a healthier spine in the future!
Dr. Jason Peloquin is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport, College of Chiropractic located in Bridgeport Connecticut.. He is the proud founder and owner of Hands of Gold Chiropractic health and wellness center located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Dr. Peloquin makes sure his patients get extensive education about Chiropractic and learn exactly what is going on with their nervous system. He explains precisely what needs to be done for the relief of current pain and the improvement of future health. Are you ready to feel better and to enjoy optimum health? Visit Dr. Peloquin at http://www.Handsofgoldchiropractic.Com
If this creates pressure on spinal nerves, problems will result. This pressure or irritation on the nerves causes the nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves. Symptoms can be one or more of the following: · Pain spreading over the buttocks, down the back of one thigh, and into the calf · Pain may be in one leg (more common) or both legs · Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet · Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms · In severe cases, inability to find comfort even lying down · Sudden aching or twisted neck that cannot be straightened without severe pain · Bowel or bladder changes and/or numbness in the groin Treatment Treatments for a herniated can range from physical therapy, to anti-inflammatory medication, to cortisone shots to surgery.
Because back surgery is extremely invasive, and because surgery is not always totally successful in correcting the problem, it would be wise to seek out the services of a doctor of chiropractic first. Before resorting to a surgical approach, it just makes good sense to try a more conservative procedure. A doctor of chiropractic is trained to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This can be accomplished through a series of chiropractic adjustments designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine.
Chiropractors are the only professionals who undergo years of training to be experts at correcting subluxations. There are methods to decompress the vertebrae which allow the disc the ability to heal itself. Early Diagnosis Be aware that few treatments - even chiropractic treatment - can make up for years of abuse and neglect of spinal health that many people endure. Poor nutrition, poor posture, lack of proper exercise, and even incorrect lifting methods are among the many ways the spine suffers abuse. Early diagnosis and conservative treatment is the best way to begin correcting the pain suffered from a herniated disc. And the chiropractic approach is an excellent first choice for extended pain relief and for a healthier spine in the future!
Dr. Jason Peloquin is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport, College of Chiropractic located in Bridgeport Connecticut.. He is the proud founder and owner of Hands of Gold Chiropractic health and wellness center located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Dr. Peloquin makes sure his patients get extensive education about Chiropractic and learn exactly what is going on with their nervous system. He explains precisely what needs to be done for the relief of current pain and the improvement of future health. Are you ready to feel better and to enjoy optimum health? Visit Dr. Peloquin at http://www.Handsofgoldchiropractic.Com
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