Dr Beecher’s November 28 Weekly Chiropractic Newsetter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, November 28th, 2011

 

 

Mental Attitude: That’s Life. Our life experiences (the ups, downs and everything in between) shape us, stay with us and influence our emotional set point as adults. By studying identical twins and monitoring them as their life paths diverged, researchers discovered life experiences are important influences on our levels of anxiety and depression. With diet, we say, “you are what you eat.”  This study shows “you are what you have experienced.” Virginia Commonwealth University, Oct 2011

 

Health Alert: Drunk Drivers! During the past year in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control estimates there were 112 million incidents of adults getting behind the wheel of their car while under the influence of alcohol. That’s 300,000 a day! These people put everyone on the road at risk. 11,000 people are killed every year in crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. CDC, Oct 2011

 

Diet: Thin Children? Children with thinner parents are 3 times more likely to be thin than children whose parents are overweight. When both parents were in the thinner half of the healthy-weight range, the chance of the child being thin was 16.2%, compared with 7.8% when both parents were in the upper half of the healthy weight range, 5.3% with two overweight parents, and only 2.5% for children with two obese parents. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Sept 2011

 

Exercise: Vigorous Exercise. Men who perform vigorous exercise 3 times a week have a 22% lower risk of heart attack. Researchers believe the vigorous exercise results in higher HDL-C (“good” cholesterol) levels, known to lower the risk of heart disease.

American College of Sports Medicine, Oct 2011

 

Chiropractic: Total Regeneration. According to Deepak Chopra, M.D., “98% of the atoms in your body were not there a year ago.” With that concept in mind, taking care of your body is essential as it is a constant state of regeneration. Through proper diet, regular exercise, getting enough rest, maintaining low stress levels and proper chiropractic care, you can give your body the best opportunity to be healthy and stay healthy.

 

Wellness/Prevention: Kids, Stay Thin! If your children are overweight or obese, their risk of having high blood pressure is almost three times higher than children at normal weight.

Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association, Oct 2011

 

Quote: “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” ~ Bill Gates

 

This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.

 

Dr Beecher’s November 21 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, November 21st, 2011

 

Mental Attitude: When You’re Hot, You’re Hot! When an athlete is doing well, commentators may describe him as being “hot” or “on fire.” Scientists have generally thought such streaks were, primarily, in the eye of the beholder… until now. After an analysis of five years of NBA free throws (over 300,000), researchers believe they have observed the so-called “hot hand” phenomenon: that a streak of positive outcomes is likely to continue. This phenomenon had largely been considered a product of human perception since its coining in 1985 but it appears commentators and fans were right after all.

PLoS ONE, Sept 2011

 

Health Alert: Risk Of Undetected Strokes! 95% of people aged 65 and older have brain small vessel disease. 25% of healthy seniors (average age 70) have evidence of small, silent strokes. Microbleeds, another type of small vessel disease, are associated with high blood pressure and with Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike major stroke events, these types of small vessel disease gradually build up and increase the risk of clinical stroke events, depression, falls and Alzheimer’s dementia. Canadian PURE MIND, Aug 2011

 

Diet: Get Your Vitamin D! More than three-quarters of cancer patients have insufficient levels of vitamin D and the lowest levels are associated with more advanced cancer. The five most common primary diagnoses were breast, prostate, lung, thyroid and colorectal cancer. 77% of patients had vitamin D concentrations either deficient or sub-optimal. American Society for Radiation Oncology, Oct 2011

 

Exercise: Good Reasons. Exercise helps the body resist upper respiratory tract infections, increases your anaerobic threshold (allowing you to work or exercise longer at a higher level, before a significant amount of lactic acid builds up), helps to preserve lean body tissue, and improves ability to recover from physical exertion. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, 1996

 

Chiropractic: Is Pediatric Chiropractic Care Safe? The rate of mild adverse events (irritability or soreness lasting less than 24 hours, resolving without the need for additional care) among chiropractic pediatric patients receiving Pediatric Manipulative Therapy (PMT) is .53% -1%. The incidence rate for PMT delivered by Medical Physicians is 6%, and 9% from Osteopaths. Clinical Chiropractic, Sept 2011

 

Wellness/Prevention: Men Stay Lean! Men develop type 2 diabetes at a lower body mass index than do women (33.69 vs. 31.83). Scottish Diabetes Research Network, Sept 2011

 

Quote: “I’m very pleased to be here. At my age I’m very pleased to be anywhere.” ~ George Burns

 

This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.

 

 

 

Dr Beecher’s November 14 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

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WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, November 14th, 2011

 

Mental Attitude: More Vacations? Researches claim vacations help us recharge our batteries and perform at a higher level once we return to work. However, because the after-effects are short-lived, we should take trips more frequently in order to keep our levels of health and well-being high.

The Psychologist, Aug 2011

 

Health Alert: Over Spending? Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found $6.7 billion was spent in one year for unnecessary tests or prescribing unnecessary medications, with 86% of that cost attributed to the prescription of brand-name statins to treat high cholesterol.

Archives of Internal Medicine, Oct 2011

 

Diet: Iron Man? The right amount of iron is needed for proper cell function, but too much may lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Men typically have more iron in their bodies than women, which may be why men develop these age-related neurodegenerative diseases at a younger age. (Younger women’s iron levels are thought to be lower because of menstruation.) To reduce iron levels: decrease over-the-counter supplements that contain iron, unless doctor recommended; eat less red meat; donate blood; and take natural iron-chelating substances that bind to and remove iron (such as curcumin or green tea). Neurobiology of Aging, Oct 2011

 

Exercise: Music To The Ears. Researchers found listening to music (in this case Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”) while exercising improved participants’ mental agility. The study’s author, Charles Emery, believes all types of music can produce a similar effect, not just classical. ABC News, April 2011

 

Chiropractic: Brain Activity And Chronic Low Back Pain. A new imaging technique, arterial spin labeling, shows the areas of the brain that are activated when low back pain worsens in chronic pain patients. This is a first step towards objectively describing chronic pain, normally a subjective experience. When a patient has worsening of their usual pain, there are changes in the activity of the brain in the areas that process pain and mood. Anesthesiology, August 2011

 

Wellness/Prevention: Breastfed Babies. Babies fed only breast milk up to the age of six months have a lower risk of developing asthma-related symptoms in early childhood. Compared to children who were breastfed for 6 months or more, children who had never received breast milk had an increased risk of wheezing, shortness of breath, dry cough and persistent phlegm in their first 4 years.

European Respiratory Journal, July 2011

 

Quote: “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

 

This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.

 

Dr Beecher’s November 2011 Monthly Chiropractic Newsletter

To download Dr. Beecher’s Monthly Newsletter, please click here!

“There is a sacredness in tears.  They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.” ~ Washington Irving

 

 

Do you know these benefits of relaxation?

How Stress

Is Ruining

Your Life!

Learn To Relax To Lose Weight,

Feel Better & Look Years Younger

 

Plus All This:

  • Red wine burns belly fat and helps diabetes?
  • Simple steps to prevent and decrease high blood pressure.
  • Meditation and pain relief.

A Valuable Lesson From A “Simple-Mama”:  Why being a great role model for your children is the most important thing in the world…


Houston – Did you know there are relaxation techniques that can do wonders to relieve your stress?  With times being so tough, who doesn’t need a good way to calm down and feel better?

A lot of people just ignore stress.  But, stress is much bigger problem than most people think — it’s actually a killer.

Why Is Stress Such A Killer?

Stress changes body chemistry and these changes, over time, can lead to all kinds of chronic (and deadly) diseases.

Stress weakens your body’s natural immune system and makes you susceptible to the common cold, the flu and many other germs.

According to Care2…“In the US, stress-related problems cost the economy up to $300 billion dollars per year, with $7,500 dollars per person lost per year to stress, whether through absenteeism or decreased productivity. According to the American Psychological Association and The American Institute of Stress, over 19 million Americans are affected by stress; 77 percent suffer from physical symptoms, and 73 percent from emotional and psychological symptoms. And by one account…  it is on the rise.”

Obviously, stress is not something that should just be “shrugged off.”

Can Red Wine Burn Belly Fat

And Help Diabetes?

It has long been thought that drinking red wine, in moderation, is “heart healthy.”

Now, researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered the powerful antioxidant Resveratrol, found in red wine, may also prevent diabetes by reducing abdominal fat accumulation (i.e., the dreaded “spare tire” or “apple on a stick” body shape).

According to an article in the Toronto Sun… “Although this is an early-phase research discovery, if it holds true in humans, there might be a way to prevent at-risk humans from developing obesity later in life,” said U of A researcher Jason Dyck, Department of Pediatrics and Pharmacology.

       The study, conducted on lab rats, shows that all offspring fed a high-fat diet will gain weight.

       However, offspring that have trouble growing in the womb, gain weight specifically in the abdominal-area, making them more susceptible to obesity and diabetes later in life.

            Results show that when offspring with inner-uterus growth problems were given the antioxidant Resveratrol — commonly found in red wine – Type 2 diabetes was completely prevented because the natural compound targets abdominal fat.

According to Dr. Carolyn Torrillo, from provenrelaxationtechniques.com:  “I know that when I drink a glass of red wine, it certainly affects my mood… I feel a gradual reduction in my overall emotional stress level and I especially feel my shoulder muscles (where I tend to “carry” most of my stress) loosen, and experience an overall relaxation of my whole body.

       “Since learning that Resveratrol has also been found in berries, nuts and grapes, I have made a habit of drinking one-half glass (4 oz.) of red wine (around 100 calories) along with a 1/2 oz. of peanuts (83 calories) as a ‘heart and mind healthy’ treat.”

But, it goes beyond just drinking some red wine. Many experts agree that stress is a major cause, or accelerating factor in just about every illness and disease.

That’s why the best approach to weight loss and staying healthy is to not only eat right and exercise – it includes implementing proven relaxation techniques.

The right relaxation techniques, when done properly and consistently, can help you lose weight, stay healthy, give you more energy, look younger, perform better at work and in sports… and… give you a better life.

Don’t look for “one magic cure” to lose weight or stay healthy.  The answer lies in doing several small things CONSISTANTLY for long periods of time.

Do that and if you take a look at your life – say 6 months from now – you will be shocked to see the thin, healthy and happy person staring back at you in the mirror.

But, it all starts with a decision and that decision is to start doing one small correct thing… right now.

Without that decision and action, 6 months from now, you will look in the mirror and see the exact same person living the exact same life.

Exercising Like This

May Be Causing Your Back Pain

Exercising is good for back pain… right?  Well, it’s not as simple as that.

There are good and bad ways to exercise and when you have back pain, it can get much more complicated.

“Wear and tear on your discs is cumulative – it all adds up,” says Arya Nick Shamie, M.D., a spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and an Associate Professor of Spine Surgery at the University of California Los Angeles.

Irregular exercise is a big contributor to back pain, and the weekend warriors, those who are sedentary during the week and push hard on the weekends, are the face of this contributor to pain. “If you take on something tough after being relatively sedentary, you can seriously hurt yourself,” explains Dr. Shamie.

It’s not just the risk of injury while you’re doing the activity you have to worry about. “If you are doing high-impact sports without cross-training first to strengthen your core, your spine won’t have strong enough muscles to support the impact,” says Robert S. Bray, M.D., a neurological spine surgeon.

He recommends dedicating as little as 15 minutes three times a week to basic core exercises and stretching to help prepare your core for more intense workouts later in the week.

One of the best things you can do for exercise advice is to consult with a doctor who understands back pain, back injuries and how to treat them.

Chiropractors are specialists in treating back pain and can help develop an exercise program that is right for you.

 

And don’t forget, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your health talk to us. Contact us with your questions. We’re here to help and don’t enjoy anything more than participating in providing you natural pain relief.

 

Inspirational Story Of The Month –

(Names And Details Have Been Changed To Protect Privacy)

 

A Valuable Lesson From A “Simple-Mama”

Why Being A Great Role Model For Your Children Is The Most Important Thing In The World…

 

Times have changed.  We live in a fast-paced society that often neglects and glances over the most important things in life.  We all know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet and doing WHATEVER it takes to pay the bills and get by.  It’s easy to get off track, to forget why we are all here.  We may even do things we would not want our children to do. You know, “do as I say, not as I do.”

In the past, you used to be able to sum it up by saying, “don’t do anything you wouldn’t want published on the front page of the newspaper tomorrow.”  But, in a day and age when people are rewarded and get rich for being “bad” that you can’t really say that anymore. Well, for some, times haven’t changed.  Family values, ethics and morals that were important in the last century are still practiced today.

Honesty.  Loyalty.  Hard work.

“Simple-Mama” is one of those people.  Her real name is “Jenny” but she goes by “Simple-Mama” on an internet forum where she helps strangers set up websites… FOR FREE.  Yes, for free.

She is a mother of two boys and also has a daily blog where she posts links to free giveaways for mothers and children.

Jenny wrote a great article on her website entitled, “Are You A Role Model For Your Children?”

Here it is… “As a parent, I believe being a positive role model for my children is the most important thing I can do.  The things I do and say now affect the type of adult they will one day become. And I struggle with this on a daily basis. My youngest child, who is three, frustrates me to no end. Because of this, I have little patience nowadays (which bothers me a lot). He is the exact opposite of his older brother. He is a busy-body who always has to be doing something and requires attention every second of the day.  My oldest son (when he was younger, and even today) would be happy to sit and build a castle out of blocks for hours – and he would do it on his own. I have had to use two entirely different parenting styles with them. But one thing remains with both: I must be a role model.

Do As I Say… And As I Do

“I teach by example. I show my children that it is important to say you’re sorry. It’s okay to lose.

“And most importantly, you should never lie about anything, no matter how small it seems.

“All of these values were instilled in me by my parents and I believe in those values wholeheartedly. They have shaped me into the type of person I am today.

“One thing I discovered on my own though is health and nutrition. I have taught my children about living a healthy lifestyle and the importance of drinking milk and water rather than soda. Hopefully, by being a positive role model, I can pass on these values to my children. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all strict business over here. In fact, it’s almost the opposite. We are a family of jokers who all like to goof off and have fun.

Have Yourself A Little Fun Too

“Like going to the National Milk Mustache got milk? campaign on Facebook and create your very own milk mustache picture. How fun is that?!   You can also watch the video about Moms and send an e-postcard to a loved one, maybe even to your Mom. Show her that she was, and still is, an important role model to you.”

 

        We love helping our patients and their friends and relatives through their tough times and getting them feeling better!  We are here to help you stay feeling better and looking younger!  Don’t be a stranger.  You really can afford Chiropractic care! Don’t wait until you can no longer move!


Did You Know?…

The type of light bulbs we use and where our lights are positioned can have a profound effect on our sleep. Our bodies are highly sensitive to the lighting around us. In nature, lighting changes with the days, the seasons and the moon cycles. For humans in the past, these cycles signified what times were best for hunting, fishing, planting and harvesting, and of course, for waking and sleeping. These days, electronic lighting allows us to accomplish more than ever before at any time we like. With electronics like televisions, computers and smart phones, we have more we can do in our spare time than ever before. But, these also keep us awake.

It’s no coincidence that chronic sleep deprivation and sleeping disorders are also more common than ever. These sleep problems impact our quality of life in a big way. When we don’t get enough sleep, our mental function, our moods, our productivity and our long-term health greatly suffer. Fortunately, we can help get our sleep back on track by applying a few key lighting tips that make a big difference:  1) Low lights after sunset. This is crucial to help your body recover a natural circadian rhythm. After the sun goes down, avoid the use of overhead lights and instead use lamps at table height. This simulates the firelight our ancestors would have been exposed to after dark, whereas overhead lights simulate sunlight and prevent your body from realizing it’s time to rest.  2) Use low-watt bulbs. No need for bright, 100-watt bulbs in the evenings. For the last one to two hours before bed, use bulbs with a lower light output.  3) No blue before bed. Blue lighting simulates daylight. In the evenings, use bulbs that give off more yellow light. Lamp shades in gold or red tones can help simulate natural evening light and help you get to sleep.  4) Cut back on electronics before bed. Research shows that using electronics like televisions, computers or cell phones before bed contributes to sleep problems. Limit their use in the hour or two before bedtime. (If you need to use the computer at night, there is free software you can download to help your computer’s light simulate the natural light cycles of your region.)  5) Block window light. Street lamps or flood lights can shine through windows and are sometimes as bright as daylight! Get some curtains that block out light if you have trouble with light shining through your windows at night.  6) Bright lights in the morning. Did you know the light you see in the morning can affect your sleep at night? Expose yourself to the bright morning light as soon as you wake up if possible. If you can’t get outdoors, try a sun lamp for 15 to 30 minutes in the morning. Many report that sun lamps are very effective for restoring natural sleep cycles.

 

Tips Of The Month

Meditation For Pain Relief

Not too long ago, meditation was WAY out of the mainstream.  But, things have changed. For example, according to the Times Of India, in April, 2011, a study by the researchers at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center indicated that a person can attain at least 40 percent decrease in pain intensity and 57 percent in pain unpleasantness merely by practicing [meditation] techniques regularly. This reduction in pain was actually found to be better than morphine and other pain-relieving drugs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed increased brain wave activity (responsible for pain reduction) in study participants after meditation. Scientists could see WHAT was happening – but they did not understand HOW, until now…According to recent research published at the Brain Research Bulletin, investigators from Harvard, MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a possible answer. They suggested the explanation probably lies in alpha wave manipulation in the brain. Researchers said, by practicing the techniques of mindfulness meditation for a period of eight-weeks or above, you can control the activity of these brain waves. Looking into meditation may not only be a possible way to relieve pain, it can also relieve stress. And, relieving stress can, in turn, relieve pain. It’s amazing how everything works hand-in-hand. Which bring us to…

Bring Down Blood Pressure

According to the American Heart Association, one of the biggest factors for not developing high blood pressure is living a healthy lifestyle. This includes… 1) Maintaining a healthy weight 2) Practice moderation if you drink alcohol  3) Quitting smoking  4) Regulating the excessive intake of salt and sodium 5) Frequent regulation of your health by visiting healthcare professionals at periodic intervals.

The American Heart Association also recommends: aerobic training, weight training, yoga and meditation, and deep-breathing exercises. Here’s what they specifically said about yoga and meditation: “In order to prevent this condition, yoga postures and meditation techniques should also be incorporated in your daily routine. The prime effect of these fitness programs is that they help combat stress and saturate the mind with tranquility.” Once again… managing stress plays an important role in maintaining health. Clearly, the more ways you can incorporate stress management and reduction in your life, the better.

 

Remember, we’re always here to help your body heal and maintain the pain free body you deserve.

 

This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice.  Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a healthcare professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. We cannot be held responsible for actions you may take without a thorough exam or appropriate referral. If you have any further concerns or questions, please let us know.

If you would like this newsletter via e-mail, you can go to BeecherChiropractic.com/blog or www.facebook.com/BeecherChiropractic and” like” us or sign up for the RSS feed.

Dr Beecher’s November 7 Weekly Chiropractic Newsletter

To download Dr. Beecher’s Weekly Newsletter, please click here!

WEEKLY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE

Week of Monday, November 7th, 2011

 

 

Mental Attitude: Remember Zinc. For over 50 years, scientists have known zinc plays a vital role in the brain but were not quite sure what that role is. Now, researchers from the Duke University Medical Center and MIT have discovered that zinc regulates the communication between neurons in the hippocampus, where learning and memory processes occur. Neuron, Aug 2011

 

Health Alert: Health Costs Rising! According to experts, healthcare spending will grow 6% each year through 2020. Researchers estimate that doctor visits, clinical services and prescription drugs will be the largest growth areas. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

 

Diet: Where to Eat? As childhood obesity rises and the American diet shifts towards increasing consumption of foods eaten or prepared outside of the home, concerns about the nutritional quality and the total consumption of such foods are also increasing. Comparing measurements from 2006 to 1977, children now eat more calories every day (+179 kcal/day). This is associated with a major increase in calories eaten away from home (+255 kcal/day). The percentage of calories eaten away from home is now 33.9%. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Aug 2011

 

Exercise: Strong Arm Diabetes. Building muscle can lower your insulin resistance risk, thus lowering your chance of developing Type-2 Diabetes. Scientists have known for a while that low muscle mass raises the risk of insulin resistance; however, no study had attempted to figure out whether increased muscle, regardless of obesity levels, might improve blood glucose control.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, July 2011

 

Chiropractic: Hall of Fame Help. During his playing career, NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Montana said, “I’ve been seeing a Chiropractor and he’s really been helping me a lot. Chiropractic’s a big part of my game.”

 

Wellness/Prevention: Blueberries And Cancer.  Eating as little as a cup of blueberries every day may help prevent cell damage linked to cancer.

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sept 2011

 

Quote: “Nature, time and patience are three great physicians.” ~ H.G. Bohn

 

This Weekly Health News Update is compliments of Dr. Ward Beecher and Beecher Chiropractic Clinic. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 281-286-1300 or www.BeecherChiropractic.Com.

 

What is a Degenerated Disc?

Houston Area Chiropractor Comments: A report from your doctor that you have a “degenerated disc” can sound scary until you realize that lots of people have degenerated discs and it does not mean surgery. It is important to understand how the disc works in the low back, how it is injured, and how it can be safely treated, to get the best results with your condition.

So what is a disc? A disc is nothing more than cartilage similar to the cartilage in your knee. Cartilage covers bones and connects them allowing a joint to be formed. Cartilage and ligaments are what make motion possible but they also restrain movements that are too large. In the case of the spine, there are 24 individual bones called vertebrae. The disc is a cartilage that connects each of these vertebrae.

The disc can be injured just like a knee or an ankle can be sprained. The injury will stretch the ligaments and cartilage and cause them to tear. Whenever the body is injured, inflammation follows which serves to begin the healing process. Damaged tissue is consumed and scars are laid down.

In the case of the disc, the degeneration is usually at the back portion of the disc, because that is the location of the original injury. The disc also contains a more watery center called the nucleus. When injury to the disc occurs, the joint does not move properly. Lack of movement can be just as detrimental as too much movement. With this lack of motion there is less movement of water, in and out of the nucleus. The nucleus then dehydrates and the disc begins to collapse under the weight of gravity.

You were likely shown an x-ray of the degenerated disc and told that the space between the vertebrae is smaller because the disc material is degenerating. An MRI or CT scan can also show the degenerated disc. However, it does not mean that you need surgery.

The body is meant to handle degeneration of the disc and many people do quite well despite what an MRI or x-ray may show. Other patients have a bulging of the disc along with the loss of height. This bulging, called a herniation, can press on the nerve and cause back or leg pain (sciatica).

If the pressure within the disc can be lowered, then it is possible to create a vacuum that draws the bulging disc away from the nerve. Decompression treatment uses this effect as a treatment for back pain and leg pain caused by a degenerated disc.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

 

Headaches in Children

Houston Chiropractor Comments: Ouch! Did you know that 96% of children experienced some acute pain in the previous month? Headache, at 78%, is the most common type of pain reported. You may not have known that your child was experiencing pain. Sometimes children will show behavioral changes rather than complain of head pain. One study tested parents’ knowledge of headache vs. the children’s recollection. The children reported headache about 57.6% of the time for the previous month. Mothers, and especially fathers, tended to underestimate whether their child had suffered a headache.

It is alarming that so many children each month have headaches and 6% of schoolchildren have chronic pain. Over the past 30 years childhood migraine and “frequent headache” have substantially increased. No one really knows for sure what lifestyle changes are producing these painful trends.

Children with frequent and severe headaches are more likely to have difficulties with home life, friendships, classroom learning, and leisure activities. The child’s quality of life and life of those around them is substantially affected by headaches.

You’re probably not sure if taking pain pills at such an early age is the right thing to do. You have to be concerned because it is consumption of pills over many years that leads to problems. They’re not to be taken casually like vitamins, and serious internal bleeding or kidney problems can result from long-term use.

One study looked at headaches in childhood over a 20-year time span.  They found that medication use steadily increased, and 70% were still consuming medications daily, 20 years after being originally diagnosed. Most patients had tension-type and migraine, and rated the headaches as moderate to severe. 45% of those surveyed also said that non-drug approaches were the most effective for them. There are non-drug and non-surgical approaches that have been proven effective. It is important to consider these options especially they generally don’t carry with them as many side effects.

Spinal problems in children can begin with neck trauma during delivery. Also many infants fall from a high place during the first year of their life. This can occur as the diaper is changed. These and other tumbles and traumas may cause the spinal joints to sprain, irritating the nerve. The chiropractor’s approach is to look at the child’s spinal structure to determine if there is a spinal cause for the headache. Adjustments are delivered to specifically address the areas in the spine that have sprained or subluxated to allow them to function more normally.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!