October 1998 To Your Health News Volume 1, Number 10
Chiropractic Much More than Low-Back Care
When you feel pain in your lower back, you go to your chiropractor. But when you feel pain (especially numbness, pressure and inflammation) in your wrists and hands, where do you turn? Before running to a medical doctor, consider the results of a recent study comparing chiropractic and medical management of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can affect just about everyone, but particularly people involved in occupations requiring repetitive use of the hands and wrists (i.e., office and skilled labor jobs). This study showed that chiropractic was as effective as medical treatment in reducing symptoms of CTS. Chiropractic care included spinal adjustments, ultrasound over the carpal tunnel, and the use of nighttime wrist supports.
Anti-inflammatory drugs, which prove ineffective in some patients and cause adverse side effects in others, are commonly prescribed by medical doctors for patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Numerous studies (including this one) have illustrated chiropractic’s effectiveness in managing a variety of conditions — not just low-back pain. If you’re experiencing tightness or pain in your wrists/hands, make an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic.
Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, et al. Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, June 1998, vol.21/no.5, pp317-26.
Three Good Reasons to Go to a Chiropractor
Have you ever had your car stall in rush-hour traffic, or been stuck on a dark, abandoned road wishing your car would start? If your answer is “yes” to either of these questions, you’ve probably learned to appreciate the value of prevention. Taking your car in for a tune-up helps prevent problems down the road. But what about your body? Do you take care of health problems before they start? If you think you’ll never break down, take a look at these recent estimates of arthritis and low-back pain in the U.S. population:
1. Low-back pain affects more than 150 million Americans each year. That’s more than 56% of the population — making it one of the most common reasons for seeking health care.
2. More than 26 million Americans aged 20-64 will experience “frequent” low-back pain — 15% will suffer from pain lasting more than two weeks at a time. Two weeks in pain can substantially affect your ability to work and function.
3. An estimated 40 million Americans will suffer from some form of arthritis, and in the next 25 years that number could exceed 60 million. If you’re standing in a room with five other people, one of them (or you) is probably in pain.
What does this all mean? Unfortunately, it means that if you haven’t broken down yet, there’s a good chance that you (or one of your loved ones) will in the near future. It also means that you should do something now, before the pain starts. Make an appointment with the health professional who’s an expert in compassionate, effective preventive care — your local doctor of chiropractic.
Lawrence RC, Helmick CG, Arnett FC, et al. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and selected musculoskeletal disorders in the United States. Arthritis and Rheumatism, May 1998, vol.41/no.5, pp778-99.
Tobacco Residue Found in Breast Milk
Your children mean everything to you, but do they mean enough to stop smoking? Before you answer, consider the results of a study in the American Journal of Public Health. More than 300 women and their newborn children were examined to determine if the harmful residue of tobacco smoke could be passed from mother to child by way of breast milk. Here’s what the researchers’ findings suggest:
1) If you don’t smoke, whether you breast-feed or bottle-feed has little effect on tobacco levels in your child. Small, relatively harmless amounts will get into your child’s system (and yours) from residue circulating in the air.
2) But if you do smoke, the decision makes a big difference: Bottle-feeding will pass six times more residue to your child, whereas breast-feeding will pass 84 times more residue than if you do not smoke.
Breast-feeding is of many precious, intimate experiences between mother and child — plus, several recent studies have documented the benefits of breast-feeding/breast milk (see “Benefits of breast-feeding: higher intelligence?” and “Give your child a healthy start by breast-feeding” in the May issue of To Your Health, and “Breast milk protects against viral infection” in the July issue). If you can’t give up smoking permanently, at least stop during pregnancy and while you’re breast-feeding. You both deserve it.
Mascola MA, Van Vunakis H, Tager IB, et al. Exposure of Young Infants to environmental tobacco smoke: breast-feeding among smoking mothers. American Journal of Public Health, June 1998, vol.88/no.6, pp893-96.
Free Weights vs. Weight Machines
Ask athletes, trainers and sports medicine specialists about improving muscle strength. While they’ll all probably tell you that resistance exercises — using free weights or weight machines — are a good place to start, there’s a good chance they’ll disagree on which type of training is most effective.
A study in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy compared free weights with weight machines to determine which form of training produced the greatest strength and power gains in the lower body. Sixteen men and eight women performed progressive weight training exercises twice a week for six weeks using free weights (barbell squats) or weight machines (knee extensions and hip adduction).
Strength gains were evaluated at the end of the six-week period by way of three tests Significant improvements were seen in both groups in barbell squat, vertical jump, and knee extension tests, with slightly greater strength gains taking place in subjects participating in the free-weight program.
So, which type of program should you follow? Perhaps both, although the answer depends on a variety of factors, including your physical condition, time constraints, and fitness goals. Ask your doctor of chiropractic to suggest nutritional and exercise guidelines most appropriate for you.
Augustsson J, Esko A, Thomee R, et al. Weight training of the thigh muscles using closed vs. open kinetic chain exercises: a comparison of performance enhancement. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 1998, vol.27/no.1, pp5-8.
Stressed out? New Kava Information
When the 18th century Europeans discovered the South Sea islands, they also discovered that the natives frequently drank kava. The Polynesians prepared an extract from the root of the kava plant and combined it with water or coconut milk.
Two hundred years later, kava is still around. And these days, getting kava doesn’t require a journey to the remote Pacific — all it takes is a trip to your local health food market. Why all the interest in kava? Studies have shown that kava may help people deal with stress.
A recent investigation found that a particularly potent extract of kava reduced anxiety levels in patients suffering from phobias, adjustment disorders and various other anxiety/stress-related conditions. Patients took one capsule of kava extract or a placebo three times a day for 12 weeks. More than three-fourths (75.5%) of the patients in the kava group reported dramatic improvement in their anxiety levels, while only 24.5% said the extract produced no significant change in their condition.
These results are particularly encouraging considering that traditionally prescribed anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications have been associated with a number of side effects.
Volz HP, Kieser M. Kava-Kava extract WS 1490 versus placebo in anxiety disorders–a randomized placebo-controlled 25-week outpatient trial. Pharmacopsychiatry, 1997, vol.30, pp1-5.
Restrict Sodium during Pregnancy?
Besides the physical and emotional changes that accompany pregnancy, the expectant mother must survive another challenge: the constant stream of advice from their team of health care professionals. Drink plenty of fluids; limit caffeine and refined sugar; take prenatal supplements; perform low-impact exercises — the list of recommendations goes on and on.
Many doctors advise sodium restrictions for the general population and for pregnant women, particularly as a means of regulating blood pressure.
A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition examined the wisdom of this recommendation by placing 41 expectant mothers on a low-sodium diet (500 milligrams of sodium, an estimated minimum daily requirement) and comparing them with 53 others who followed their normal diet (amounting to approximately 2500 milligrams, an estimated maximum limit).
Adopting the low-sodium diet produced no significant changes in blood pressure, maternal weight/body fat, or birth weight. The low-sodium diet did correspond with lower daily intakes of fat and cholesterol, but also of carbohydrates, protein, minerals (calcium iron, magnesium and zinc) and overall energy. Expectant mothers should always consult with their doctors before making any substantial dietary changes, and consider prenatal supplements to compensate for potential nutritional deficiencies.
Van Der Maten GD, Van Raaij JM, Visman L, et al. Low-sodium diet in pregnancy: effects on blood pressure and maternal nutritional status. British Journal of Nutrition, 1997, vol.77, pp703-720.
The Migraine Time Line
Throbbing head pain, ringing in the ears — unless you’re at a rock concert, these are most likely the signs of a migraine headache. For millions of people, migraines are a source of recurrent pain and disability; they are also a source of tremendous frustration because they often strike without warning and for no apparent reason.
A study in the journal Headache investigated the potential role of stress and various mood changes in the development of migraines. Nineteen patients recorded headache symptoms and rated their mood states four times a day for 10 consecutive weeks. Results were compiled by the study authors into what they call the “migraine time line,” which may help predict when (and why) migraines occur:
1) Morning migraines (8am-1pm): predicted by tension/stress the afternoon before, followed by nighttime fatigue that continues into the morning;
2) Afternoon migraines (1pm-6pm): predicted by tension and increased alertness the night before, and stress, tension and irritability that morning;
3) Evening (6pm-11pm) and Night (11pm-6am) migraines: predicted by substantial afternoon stress and daily hassles that day.
The authors conclude that three important mechanisms contribute to migraines: prolonged fatigue not relieved by sleep, extreme tension associated with irritability, and (surprisingly) relaxation immediately following stress. Keep these results in mind next time you’re hit with a migraine. If you recognize what might be causing your pain, you’ve taken the first step toward prevention.
Spierings EL, Sorbi M, Maassen GH, et al. Psychophysical precedents of migraine in relation to the time of onset of the headache: the Migraine Time Line. Headache, 1997, vol.37/no.4, pp217-220.
Dentists Aren’t the Only Ones Recommending Fluoride
For years we’ve been hearing about how fluoride can help protect your teeth. Fluoride toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash, fluoride supplements — we even make sure there’s enough fluoride in the public water supply to promote optimal dental health.
While all this fluoride’s been keeping our teeth healthy, it may be helping our bones stay sturdy and strong, too. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine examined 200 women with osteoporosis (a condition causing “holes” in the bone — think of Swiss cheese) to assess the effect of fluoride in reducing fracture rates.
The women received daily supplements of fluoride with calcium (a known bone strengthener) or calcium alone for four years. Fewer patients in the fluoride/calcium group suffered fractures during the study period compared with the calcium-alone group, demonstrating the added benefit of fluoride.
Osteoporosis is a painful and disabling condition that affects thousands (especially postmenopausal women) each year. Previous studies have suggested that moderate exercise and calcium supplementation may help strengthen bones and protect against fractures. Now you can add fluoride to that list. Ask your chiropractor for more information.
Reginster JY, Meurmans L, Zegels B, et al. The effect of sodium monofluorophosphate plus calcium on vertebral fracture rate in postmenopausal women with moderate osteoporosis. Annals of Internal Medicine, July 1, 1998, vol.129/no.1, pp1-8.
Copper and Zinc Contribute to Violent Behavior?
Our bodies require small amounts of zinc and copper to function properly. Copper is the key component of several enzymes stimulating the body’s chemical processes, and zinc plays a role in reproduction and sexual development. Not getting enough of these metals can be dangerous; getting too much can prove deadly.
A recent study in Physiology and Behavior examined 153 male patients aged three to 20 (135 with a history of physical or verbal assaults, destructive rages, and aggravated assaults, and 18 with no history of violent/aggressive behavior). High levels of copper and low levels of zinc were noted in patients with a history of aggression compared with patients with no such history.
Patients exhibiting very aggressive behavior, such as aggravated assaults or destructive rages, tended to have a higher proportion of copper to zinc (less zinc, more copper) than patients with a history that included less aggressive behaviors, such as verbal assaults.
Violence in the home, on the streets, on TV — it invades our lives on a daily basis. Chemical imbalances, poverty, abuse, and other environmental/physiological factors may all contribute to aggressive behavior. Understanding what causes violence is important, but it’s only half the battle. If you have a child who displays aggressive or violent tendencies, talk to your doctor about what you can do.
Walsh WJ, Isaacson HR, Rehman F, et al. Elevated blood copper/zinc ratios in assaultive young males. Physiology and Behavior, 1997, vol.62, pp327-29.