The Effectiveness of Chiropractic Maintenance Care

Posted on September 25, 2018 by DocJohn

The Effectiveness of Chiropractic Maintenance Care

The scientific literature is clear that chiropractic adjustments can be beneficial for acute and chronic low pain, sciatica, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Over 1 million chiropractic adjustments are performed every day around the world and people have benefited and avoided surgery and risky medications by seeing chiropractors.

Many people who see chiropractors also do so on a maintenance basis, with the objective of preventing future episodes or exacerbation of their symptoms. Previous research has found that chiropractic can effectively prevent future back pain, but this approach hasn’t been studied extensively.

Now, a Swedish study has given us some new data on the benefits of chiropractic maintenance care.

In this study, the authors started with a group of people who came to see a chiropractor for recurrent or persistent back pain. Of these patients, the researcher took those patients who experienced “definite improvement” from the chiropractic care and entered them into the main part of the study.

These 328 patients were then randomly assigned to two groups. The first group received Maintenance Care (MC): they were put on a chiropractic adjustment schedule that was determined by the chiropractor. The second group was the control group, and their chiropractic care was symptom-guided: the patients would come in for an adjustment when they felt like they needed one. This portion of the study lasted 52 weeks.

The authors describe the philosophy of the two types of care:

“In the MC group, the aim was to schedule patients before substantial pain reoccurred (i.e. controlled by the clinician), while in the control group patients were instructed to call in if and when the pain recurred (patient controlled). If patients in the control group made a new appointment, they were treated at one or several sessions until maximum benefit was reached and were once again instructed to call when in pain. If patients in the MC group experienced a new pain episode prior to the next scheduled visit, they were instructed to call for an earlier appointment and were cared for accordingly until they were ready to be scheduled for preventive visits again. MC visits were scheduled according to the clinicians’ judgement of patient need, but at intervals of no more than three months.”

At the completion of the study, the authors looked at the total number of days of bothersome low back pain in all subjects. The study found:

The Maintenance Care group had 85.2 days of bothersome pain
The control group had 98 days of bothersome pain
The patients in Maintenance Care had a quicker reduction in overall pain
The MC patients had an average of 6.7 visits over 52 weeks; the control patients had an average of 4.8 visits over 52 weeks
The only negative side effects experience were local soreness and tiredness.

The authors conclude:

“In patients with recurrent and persistent LBP who responds well to an initial course of manual therapy, MC resulted in a reduction in number of days with bothersome LBP per week, compared with symptom-guided treatment. In total, the MC group had on average 12.8 fewer days with bothersome LBP over 12 months. The effect of the intervention was achieved at the cost of 1.7 additional visits to the chiropractor. For patients with recurrent and persistent LBP who are selected according to evidence-based criteria, MC should be considered.”

Eklund A, Jensen I, Lohela-Karlsson M, Hagberg J, Leboeuf-Yde C, Kongsted A, Bodin L, Axén I. The Nordic Maintenance Care program: Effectiveness of chiropractic maintenance care versus symptom-guided treatment for recurrent and persistent low back pain-A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2018 Sep 12;13(9):e0203029. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203029. eCollection 2018. PubMed PMID: 30208070.

Written by: Michael Melton on September 23, 2018.

CAR ACCIDENTS AND THE NECK: “WHIPLASH”

Posted on September 24, 2018 by DocJohn

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Car accidents are most likely the number one cause for chronic disability and/or pain. The August 1999 issue of American Family Physicians, the article notes that 3.5 million people are injured in motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. each year. Even minor car accidents can cause changes in the spine that can lead to degenerating joint disease and future pain. Studies indicate that chiropractic care is the best treatment for the vast majority of injuries from a car accident. The main reason that chiropractic patients have less problems in the future and recover better from their present complaints is because of the focus in chiropractic care.

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The injuries to the spine will cause slight misalignments in the joints of the neck and back. It’s these misalignments that produce the majority of symptoms, not pulled muscles. Chiropractic care and analysis focuses on the detection and correction of spinal subluxations. Subluxation is the term for misalignments that develop in the spine. These misalignments can stay there for years unless they are corrected by chiropractic adjustments. The average patient after a car accident that visit an emergency room usually are only given pain pills and muscle relaxers. This of course allows the misalignments to remain. It’s this focus on just the symptoms of the injury that leave a high percent of car accident victims with ongoing disability, pain and degenerating joint disease.

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One study showed problems five or more years after the accident. Symptomatic recovery occurred in 57 per cent of the 146 patients, while degenerative changes developed after the injury in 39 per cent. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1974;56:1675-1682.

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……several studies have investigated and linked the relationship of altered cervical curve configuration to the presence of chronic headache pain. CBP Structural Rehabilitaion of the Cervical Spine, Deed E. Harrision, DC, Donald D. Harrison, PhD, DC, MSE, Jason W. Haas, DC, 2002 Harrison CBP Seminars, Inc. pg. 56, “Cervical Lordosis and Headaches”

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Cerebral symptoms after whiplash injury of the neck: a prospective clinical and neuropsychological study of whiplash injury. Ettlin TM, Kischka U, Reichmann S, Radii EW, Heim S, Wengen D, Benson DF. University Clinics, Basel, Switzerland.

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Twenty one unselected patients with an acute whiplash injury of the neck had neurological and neuropsychological assessment, cervical x rays, EEG, BAEP, MRI, and an otoneurological examination within two weeks of the injury. Subjectively, 13 patients reported concentration deficits, 18 reported sleep disturbances, 9 had symptoms of depression, and 7 female patients told of menstrual irregularities. Scientific Automobile Accident Reconstruction treatise by Barzeley; Published by Mathew Bender 1984; Chapter 46:

” The simple fact remains: neck injuries do occur as a result of rear-end automobile accidents. 46-2

” Whiplash injuries may be present as a result of automobile accidents, even though no physical, radiological or other objective evidence of injury can be found. 46-3

” Usually the onset of symptoms occurs from 12 to 24 hours afterward. Sometimes there may be as much as weeks or even months delay between the automobile accident and the experience of symptoms. 46-5

” Most people just don’t expect injuries to occur when the impact velocity has been low and damage to the vehicles has not been great. It is common sense to expect that the severity of the injuries should be in proportion to the severity of the collision. However, whiplash injuries most frequently result from relatively minor automobile accidents without major damage done to the vehicles. 46-6

” Rear-end collisions produce a sudden forceful hyperextension of the neck which is immediately followed by recoil into neck flexion. 46-8

” Probably most of the injuries result from the sudden traumatic snapping of the neck when the acceleration of the head suddenly shifts directions. 46-10

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In most cases you’re better off in the long-term to break a bone than to damage a joint. When you damage a joint, you primarily damage the connective tissue in the joint which can leave that joint unstable for the rest of your life. When you break a bone, the bone heals stronger than it was before. Connective tissue has a history of poor healing. By bringing that joint back to its proper alignment, you allow the maximum healing to the soft tissue or connective tissue in that joint. And by maintaining that alignment over the long-term, you assure maximum results. Out of 50 or so outcome studies which have been published in the past 40 years. They nearly unanimously presented 30 to 50 percent of whiplash victims are left with some form of residual pain or dysfunction.

Our treatment goals are not only to make you feel better now, but to try to assure that 10 years from now your injuries will not be bothering you.

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Humidity

Posted on September 24, 2018 by DocJohn

Dr. Keefe, Keefe Clinic. Tulsa Chiropractor, pain, natural health care.

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Winter time humidity is a big issue. As the weather turns colder and the heaters start working 24/7 then the indoor air will start drying out.

Studies have shown that dry air has four main effects on the human body:

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Breathing dry air is a potential health hazard which can cause such respiratory ailments as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and nosebleeds, or general dehydration since body fluids are depleted during respiration.
Skin moisture evaporation can cause skin irritations and eye itching.
Irritative effects, such as static electricity which causes mild shocks when metal is touched, are common when the air moisture is low.
The “apparent temperature” of the air is lower than what the thermometer indicates, and the body “feels” colder.

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As your body fights the dry air you start to use up your vitamin A stores. This enhances the dry skin and sinus problems as well as weakens your immune system. It is important that you have a humidity gauge in each bedroom and a cool mist humidifier to combat the dry air. I recommend the ultrasonic humidifiers as they put the most water in the air.

Some Of The Physical Effects Of Dry Air

Dry skin, Chapped lips, Clogged sinuses, Itchy skin, Dry throat coughs, Cracked nasal membranes, Increased risk of bacteria infection, Aggravated asthma & allergy symptoms

You may also notice these changes around your home:

Woodwork and furniture shrinkage
Hardwood floor separation
Piano goes out of tune
Wallpaper peels at the edges
Drawers loosen
Moldings gap
Collectibles shrink, warp and crack
Static Electricity increases

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Drier air causes sinuses to dry and crack, making people more susceptible to winter colds and flu viruses. In fact, this change from higher outside relative humidity to lower indoor relative humidity in the winter is a significant contributing factor in the spread of colds and flus. By maintaining the proper level of humidity indoors, you reduce illness in the winter. Studies have shown that the body’s immune system will function better when the relative humidity in a home is between 45%-65%.

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Pneumococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus bacteria die up to 20 times faster at a relative humidity between 45% and 55%, than above 70% or below 20%. Dehydration can also cause negative health effects. Symptoms of dehydration include dry skin, chronic joint and muscle pain, raspy throat, sinus and nasal pain, sore eyes, a lack of mental concentration, and a decrease in the body’s immune system.

The most comfortable relative humidity for the human body

45-65%RH

Ideal relative humidity for prophylactic and curative purposes

40-50%RH

Computer and telecom apparatuses

45-65%RH

Furniture and musical instruments

40-60%RH

Libraries (books), art galleries and museums

40-60%RH

Quick Fix 1: Get Steamy

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Dry air can cause or irritate sinus problems, but inhaling moisture can help. Simply breathing the steam from a hot shower will ease congestion.

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You can also enhance the steam you breathe with sinus-clearing essential oils. Once or twice a day, add five drops of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), or sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oils (or a combination) to a large bowl of steaming-hot water, suggests Sylvia Goldfarb, Ph.D., of Wyncote, Pa., author of Allergy Relief (Avery Penguin Putnam, 2000). Drape a towel over your head and the bowl, and breathe deeply for 10 minutes. You’ll feel relief within that time.

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To treat acute sinusitis, substitute tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and repeat the sinus steam three to four times daily. Tea tree oil’s powerful antibacterial properties fight the bacteria that cause many infections,” says Karen Barnes, N.D., a naturopath in Burlington, Ontario, and author of Naturopathic First Aid (Quarry Press, 2001). Your symptoms should clear up within a few days.

Quick Fix 2: Flush Your Sinuses

Rinsing your sinuses with saltwater helps them drain mucus. Studies show that this significantly reduced symptoms like pain and inflammation in more than 2/3 of sinusitis sufferers. Heatley says recommending nasal irrigation to her patients cut the number of sinus surgeries she performed in half.

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To rinse your sinuses, use a neti pot, a small teapot-like device sold at most natural food stores. Combine three parts non-iodized salt and one part baking soda, and add 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture to 1/2 cup of warm water in the pot. This solution matches your body’s salinity, and baking soda makes it less irritating to your sinuses.

Lean over a sink and insert the spout of the pot into your left nostril. Tilt your head and the pot to the right and let the solution flow out your right nostril. Exhale forcefully through both nostrils and repeat on the other side. Repeat as needed.

Quick Fix 3: Eat Spicy Food

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The zing of certain spices opens clogged sinuses and promotes drainage. As condiments, use hot salsas or chutneys that contain chiles, or sprinkle cayenne pepper on your food, recommends Goldfarb or use wasabi.

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Aug. 6, 2018

Posted on August 6, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Depressed and Anxious Patients Receive More Than Half of All Opioid Prescriptions In 2014, 1.2 million Americans ended up in the emergency room with an opioid-related side effect; in 2015, 33,000 died from an opioid-associated drug overdose. Adults with depression and anxiety receive 51 percent of all opioid prescriptions in the U.S.; 19 percent of the 38.6 million Americans diagnosed with a mental health disorder use opioids, compared to 5 percent of the general population. Women are being prescribed opioids during pregnancy and after delivery, creating drug-dependent mothers and infants; 23 percent of 1.1 million pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid filled a prescription for an opioid in 2007. If you or someone you love struggles with anxiety or depression, it would be wise to take whatever steps necessary to minimize your exposure to cell phones, portable phones, Wi-Fi routers, smart meters, wireless computers, and tablets. You may also need to address other sources of dirty electricity in your home. Note: See or pamphlet on grounding and dirty electricity or visit Keefeclinic.com.

WELLNESS: B vitamins- With our deteriorating food quality, rising assaults on gut health, and a living environment that becomes more toxic by the day, it’s clear that we need this complex of brain and body nutrients more than ever. As you’ll soon see, researchers are discovering potential benefits of the family of B vitamins that are much greater than we ever imagined. 13 Signs You May Be Low in B Vitamins-Low levels of B vitamins can affect your body in many different ways because of the vitamins’ far-reaching and interrelated effects. Anyone of these common symptoms could be a result of low levels of one or more B vitamins:Inability to sleep well, Fatigue and apathy, Mental “fog,” confusion, and forgetfulness, Mood swings and irritability, Gastrointestinal symptoms, Joint or muscle discomfort, Muscle weakness, Loss of muscle mass, Numbness or tingling in fingers and toes, Frequent bruising, Headaches, Irritability, Dry, cracking skin. Because the vitamin B complex is a group of eight major B vitamins that work together, you can impact their synergy just by running low on one. Note: With Vega testing, we can determine if a B complex or a single B vitamin would be the most effective for your health.

CHIROPRACTIC: CHIROPRACTIC RELEASES YOUR INBORN ABILITY TO HEAL You are a natural born healer! What? Didn’t you know that? Indeed, even before you breathed your first breath, you were designed with an amazing innate healing ability that allows your body to heal all disease! Yes, it’s true! Your body is fully equipped to heal everything from a cut on your hand to cancer in your colon and everything in between. That is, as long as there is no interference. In fact, we have all witnessed this amazing healing in action on many occasions throughout our lives. Think about the last time you cut your finger. Maybe you were distracted by your computer screen as you reached across your desk for a piece of paper and then – suddenly – felt that all too familiar intense, burning pain of a paper cut. Now, once you stop the bleeding and move past the pain, what do you do to cause that little cut to heal? You may cover it with a bandage to keep it clean but does the bandage heal the cut? No, the cut will heal with or without a bandage. It is an irreducibly complex process, a process that none of us could ever fashion on our own – truly a stamp of our Creator. Your nervous system is the master control system of your body controlling every function and all innate healing in your body. In fact, your body’s ability to heal itself is directly related to the health of your nervous system. When your nervous system is healthy and unobstructed, your body can function and heal at 100%. However, if there is any interference in this normal flow of information from your brain to your body, healing is interrupted. Remember-chiropractic first, drug second and surgery last.

FUNNY BONE: Doctors Are Sharing Their Stupidest And Funniest Patient Stories–As I leaned in to check her eyes, my older patient got a little frisky. “You remind me of my third husband,” she said coyly. “Third husband?” I asked. “How many have you had?” “Two.”@@My patient announced she had good news … and bad. “The medicine for my earache worked,” she said. “What’s the bad news?” I asked. “It tasted awful.” Since she was feeling better, I didn’t have the heart to tell her they’re called eardrops for a reason.@@“Here,” says the nurse, handing the patient a urine specimen container. “The bathroom’s over there.” A few minutes later, the patient comes out of the bathroom. “Thanks,” he says, returning the empty container. “But there was a toilet in there, so I didn’t need this after all.”@@Guy comes into the emergency department via Ambulance with burns on his lower extremities. His shoes are charred and the bottoms of his pants are definitely burned away but his skin isn’t so bad. He had been trying to use a propane-powered weed burner in his yard (think flamethrower) and things got a little out of control. I smelled alcohol on his breath so I asked the guy if he had been drinking and he looked me directly in the eye and said, “Nooooo”. I got drunk just standing next to him. It was a once in a lifetime set up and I couldn’t help myself. As straight-faced and professionally as possible I said, “Sir…liar, liar, pants on fire”. The paramedics all turned at once and ran out of the room they were laughing so hard! The patient just stared at me. He was so drunk it went totally over his head.

Websites: keefeclinic.com-faceebook/keefeclinic.com

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday July 16, 2018

Posted on July 16, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Kids whose mothers do these 5 things are 75% less likely to be obese The best thing mothers can do to ensure their kids avoid developing obesity may be to take care of themselves. That’s the main takeaway from a study looking at mothers and children published Wednesday in the British Medical Journal. Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled in the US since the 1970s, according to the CDC. Nearly 20% of kids and teens aged 6 to 19 now qualify as obese. Being obese as a child comes with serious long-term health effects, including higher risk for diseases including asthma, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, depression, and risk factors for heart disease. According to the study, genetics play an important role in obesity, but researchers think lifestyle factors may be behind the increased rate in recent decades. So the study authors decided to analyze lifestyle choices of mothers and children to see how they affected obesity rates. Obesity risk is lowest for children whose mothers make five healthy lifestyle choices. These mothers maintain a healthy weight, exercise at least the recommended 150 minutes per week, and don’t smoke. They eat a high quality diet, determined by high intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, healthy fats, and low consumption of sugary beverages, red and processed meat. Finally, they drink light to moderate amounts, quantified as two small glasses of wine or one standard pint of beer a day.

WELLNESS: Obesity makes breast cancer cells more aggressive We already know that obesity diminishes health in a number of ways. Now the increased spread of breast cancer can be added to that list. Research out of Heidelberg University Hospital and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Technische Universität München (TUM) has yielded some enlightening discoveries. During their research, the European scientists found that obesity causes cytokines to be released into the bloodstream. This in turn impacts the metabolism of breast cancer cells, causing them to become much more aggressive. Losing excess body weight will reduce the risk of breast cancer metastasis: Breast cancer metastasis and recurrence after tumor surgery is the primary cause of deaths from cancer in women. Other studies have linked obesity with aggressive breast cancer forms. Important note: Postmenopausal women are at an even higher risk of developing breast cancer that metastasizes. Naturally, we all understand the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for good health. These research results should give overweight women – at a high risk for breast cancer – even more incentive to lose weight. Take action today: Favor organic (chemical free) fruits and vegetables; eat high-quality protein while avoiding processed foods. Lower mental and emotional stress – especially the repair of toxic personal relationships. Exercise on a regular basis – even if it’s just walking. And, finally, replace those toxic personal care or household cleaning products with safer versions that use natural ingredients like, essential oils. These steps will go a long way to reducing your risk of cancer or any other chronic health problem.

CHIROPRACTIC: KIDS AND TECH NECK Neck problems are becoming way too common with today’s technology. Over the years the development of the proper position of computer monitors and keyboards have become better understood but with today’s smartphones we are back to the starting line. The average head weighs about 10 pounds and it sits on the smallest vertebra in the body. When you lean your head forward just 1 inch you develop up to 16 to 18 pounds of pressure on your spine particularly your low back. This steady head forward posture puts the muscles, discs and joints in the neck under a lot of stress. Over time this can alter the normal curve in the neck leading to degenerative changes. As this process develops headaches, neck tension, eyes and sinus symptoms, shoulder problems, elbow problems, carpal tunnel syndrome are just a few of the issues that can develop. You add the effect of technology on poor sleeping habits you become a neck problem waiting for the point of explosion i.e. symptoms. Unfortunately degenerative changes in the neck don’t always show up symptomatically for a decade or more. When you feel the first symptoms the underlying problem could be very hard to fix. For your kids’ sake you need to discuss keeping the phone out in front of them so they don’t have to bend their head forward and down. Chiropractic adjustments are the most effective treatment for tech neck.

FUNNY BONE: Q. Why did the invisible man turn down the job offer? A. Because he just couldn’t see himself doing it.@@ Wife: “In my dream, I saw you in a jewelry store and you bought me a diamond ring.” Husband: “I had the same dream and I saw your dad paying the bill.”@@ I just ended a long-term relationship today. I’m not too bothered, it wasn’t mine.@@ Never lend money to a friend. It’s dangerous. It could damage his memory.@@ Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I’m not there, I go to work.@@ Money isn’t everything, but it certainly keeps you in touch with your children.@@ You take away the looks, money, intelligence, charm and success and, really, there’s no real difference between me and George Clooney.@@ I saw a sign that said “Watch for children” and I thought, “That sounds like a fair trade”.

Visit our web sites: keefeclinic.com & facebook.com/keefeclinic

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday July 2, 2018

Posted on July 2, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Keep Mosquitos away for good with these simple tricks There’s nothing like a summer night gathered around a campfire or hanging on the porch, enjoying the cool breeze after a long hot day. The only downside? Mosquitos! Those pesky bugs can easily ruin a fun summer night. There are a few unique hacks that can help your mosquito-blocking efforts even further. Remove water sources You may be surprised to know that having accessible water sources can stand as a threat to the number of mosquitos around your home. Why? Because mosquitos actually lay their eggs in standing or slow moving water. By cutting these water sources, you are cutting the number of mosquitos laying eggs around your home—and in return, having fewer mosquitos around the house in general. Use oil from lemon eucalyptus This may seem like a myth, but oil from lemon eucalyptus is actually recommended by multiple government sources as an insect repellent (including the Center for Disease Control and Prevention). It doesn’t just have to be DEET. If you’re looking for a more natural remedy to keep the mosquitos away, this oil will do the trick. Avoid scented body products Although some scents work as a repellent for mosquitoes, other body lotions or perfumes can actually attract these pests. The best thing to do is stay away from fancy smelling perfumes, colognes, body washes or lotions if you plan on spending time outside during high mosquito activity hours. These hours are typically dusk to dawn between April and October. Wear light clothing Not light in weight, although in the summer that is a given. But light-colored clothing. Turns out mosquitoes are attracted to darker colored materials. As for the length, if you can cover up, you should do so. Wearing long sleeves and pants will significantly reduce the number of mosquito bites you accumulate by the end of the evening.

WELLNESS: 3 Big Reasons to Choose Natural Cures and Natural Remedies Over Orthodox Medical Treatments… #1. Safety: It’s shocking to realize that over 200,000 people die in the U.S. each year from taking prescription medication. That’s right, over 200,000! Another 300,000 people die every year in hospitals as a result of medical negligence. That’s over half a million people each year (and these statistics are very conservative). So how many people die each year from using natural health remedies and alternative medicine… virtually zero! #2. Cheaper: Orthodox medical treatments can cost you a small fortune – private health insurance, the cost of medications, Medicare and doctor’s bills (even if you don’t pay for it directly, you pay for it in your taxes). Natural cures and natural remedies, on the other hand, are far cheaper. Especially if you grow some of the home remedies in your own garden! #3. They work better: Yes, it’s a fact. Natural remedies and cures work better than orthodox medical treatments. Why? Because they treat the underlying cause, not just the symptom. For instance, blood pressure drugs will lower your blood pressure (treat the symptom). But the underlying cause of your high blood pressure (mineral deficiency/pH imbalance) still continues on. If it’s not rectified, death can be the ultimate result! However, by using natural treatments and natural cures the root cause of the problem is addressed (lack of magnesium and vitamin D). So the “cure” will be real and permanent.

CHIROPRACTIC: THE CHIROPRACTIC APPROACH “Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.” Chiropractic is the second largest healing art in America and the world’s largest “natural” healing art. Because healthcare is so competitive there have been aggressive attempts to discredit chiropractic and to maintain a monopoly by some in the healthcare industry. Chiropractic has survived and thrived because as a chiropractic physician I offer something unique. It is been said, “To someone who only has a hammer everything looks like a nail”. Chiropractic takes a more holistic approach. We work at De-stressing and balancing the function of the nervous system, matching diet to a patient’s genetic makeup, balancing blood chemistry through nutritional therapy, working with the bodies detox pathways to help the body eliminate poisons along with other approaches. To try to help everyone get well using just one tool is an invitation for failure. One of the biggest problems in helping patients gain better health is the fact they don’t bring up certain issues because they didn’t realize we have tools for that. If your body is not functioning properly it’s important that you realize there is a cause for that. My biggest task, as a chiropractic physician, is to find the cause and fix the cause. If you or someone you know suffers from a chronic healthcare problem or chronic pain try chiropractic first.

FUNNY BONE: A woman was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would be re-boarded in 50 minutes… Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind…. A man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her guide dog lay quietly under the seat in front of her throughout the entire flight… He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, “Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour, would you like to get off and stretch your legs?” The blind lady said, “No thanks, maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs.” All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with the guide dog for the blind! Even worse, the pilot was wearing sunglasses! People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!

Visit our web site: keefeclinic.com or faceebook/keefeclinic.com

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday June 11, 2018

Posted on June 11, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Things to Know About Restless Legs Syndrome If you’ve ever been reading a book or watching TV in the evening and felt a strange, powerful urge to move your legs, you may have experienced the characteristic symptom of restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease. People may variously describe the feeling as creepy-crawly, jittery, or electrical. The hallmark of RLS is “the uncontrollable urge to move the leg, that comes on at rest [while awake],” says Suzanne Bertisch, M.D., a sleep physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Symptoms of restless legs syndrome may affect as many as 7 to 8 percent of all U.S. adults, with 2 to 3 percent of people having cases severe enough to require medication. Yet there’s a lot experts still don’t know about RLS, and it can be tricky to treat. For Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day, here are five things you should know about this condition. Drugs for RLS Can Have Serious Side Effects so what is the alternative? Regular moderate exercise can reduce symptoms in some people, Not getting enough sleep can also trigger restless legs symptoms. Antihistamines are thought to make RLS worse, as much as 43% of RLS is associated with insufficient iron levels, 89% of RLS-associated conditions have been associated with inflammatory changes which also can cause iron levels to drop. Ask for an anti-inflammatory diet at the front desk.

WELLNESS: Don’t want dementia? Turn off your TV— A healthy lifestyle builds brain resilience and really WILL keep dementia at bay – even if you’re predicted to get it – and here are the tips to follow, reveals largest study of its kind– Alzheimer’s disease really can be avoided by following a healthy lifestyle – even if you’re predisposed to get it, the largest study of its kind has revealed. Exercising, monitoring blood pressure and watching less TV are the three key factors that will help build brain resilience and keep the disease at bay. Researchers at the University of California in Irvine began the ’90+ Study’ in 2003. Tests were carried out on the 1,700 participants every six months to monitor their cognitive ability. Post-mortems were conducted upon their death. Astonishingly half of the dementia-free patients had the hallmark brain plaques – which lead to memory loss and dementia – when they died. Meanwhile half of the dementia patients did develop symptoms of memory loss – even without having these build-ups in their brain. Professor Claudia Kawas, lead researcher, suggested the reason for such ‘cognitive resilience’ in those who should have developed dementia but remained free of it was down to a healthy lifestyle.

CONDITION OF THE WEEK: A Better Life With Chiropractic Why take your kids to the chiropractor? For many of the same reasons every adult should be visiting a chiropractor on a regular basis. Plain and simple, your quality of life improves with chiropractic care. Look no further than a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, which evaluated nearly 900 children ages 8-17 who received chiropractic spinal adjustments and related therapies commonly provided by DCs. Quality of life, measured in terms of depression, anxiety and interference with daily activities due to pain as part of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-25 assessment tool, was significantly higher in children under the care of a chiropractor. Specifically, children were significantly less likely to report any symptoms of depression, anxiety or pain interference following a trial of chiropractic care. The researchers also accounted for variables that could have influenced the outcomes, such as number of visits, pain level, motivation for care, etc. Give your children (and yourself) a better life with chiropractic. The sooner your kids experience the health and wellness benefits of regular chiropractic care, the better. After all, what parent doesn’t want their children to grow up with as little depression, anxiety and pain as possible? Talk to your chiropractor for more information.

FUNNY BONE: I said to the gym instructor, “Can you teach me to do the splits?” He said, “How flexible are you?” I said, “I can’t make Tuesdays.”@@ A man entered a local paper’s pun contest. He sent in 10 different puns, in the hope that at least one of the puns would win. Unfortunately, no pun in 10 did.@@ Thanks for explaining the word “many” to me. It means a lot.@@ I was on a flight the other day when the air hostess came up to me and said, “Excuse me sir, would you like to have dinner?” I said, “What are the options?” She said, “Yes and No.”@@ My favorite color is purple. I like it more than blue and red combined.@@ What do you call a Mexican bodybuilder who’s run out of protein? No whey Jose.@@ My girlfriend told me she was leaving me because I keep pretending to be a Transformer. I said, “No, wait! I can change.”@@ I used to be a narcissist. But now look at me.@@ I bought a dog off a blacksmith today. As soon as I got it home it made a bolt for the door.@@ I haven’t owned a watch for I don’t know how long.@@ I failed my driver’s test today. The instructor asked me “What do you do at a red light?” I said “I usually check my emails and see what people are up to on Facebook.” @@ Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood. @@ Never let a fool kiss you, or a kiss fool you. @@ Do bankruptcy lawyers really expect to be paid?

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WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday April 9, 2018

Posted on April 9, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: ‘Wi-Fried’ — Is Wireless Technology Dooming a Generation to Ill Health? According to many experts, chronic, heavy exposure to wireless radiation is likely having severe repercussions for our health, especially that of children, who are now being exposed even before birth. While a number of different devices contribute to the overall radiation burden, those kept closest to your body on a regular basis, such as your cellphone, are of greatest concern. Your body has natural electromagnetic fields (EMFs), as many of your bodily processes involve the transmission of electric signals, and external interference can disrupt those signals. Inside every cell in your body are mitochondria, the power plants of your cell, and they are adversely impacted by EMFs, resulting in mitochondrial and cellular dysfunction. Two organs most vulnerable to outside RF interference are your heart and brain. Both also have the highest density of voltage gated calcium channels, which are inappropriately activated by EMFs, thereby causing most of the damage associated with EMF exposure. NOTE: Certain cell phone covers can help block some of this radiation.

WELLNESS: Increasing negative ions in the air through crystal salt lamps. Since the beginning of recorded history, the beneficial properties of salt have been well known and documented. Early civilizations greatly valued salt, and used it as a trading currency as well as a preservative for food. For years, many European countries have used salt mines and hot salt springs to promote a sense of rejuvenation. People rest and rejuvenate in salt mines and caves (in spa-like ambiance in many cases), for periods of time to help aid their mood and overall sense of calm. Why are the salt mines so beneficial? Quite simply… the very dry, fresh environment of a salt mine is key. The solution involves pure Himalayan crystal salt… the same type of salt I offer in my office… the same type of salt Himalayan miners go deep into the earth to uncover. Ever breathe and experience the air around a thunderous waterfall… on a serene mountain top… at a pulsating seashore… or after a wild thunderstorm? I’m sure you have. Remember how fresh the air felt and how easy it was for you to breathe? Well, what you experienced was likely the result of negative ions. The rush of negative ions helps neutralize and balance the positive ions. Many published articles and scientific studies report how negative ions in the air can have positive effects. One demonstration of that is how they potentially increase the growth rate of certain plants. In most of these studies, sophisticated negative ion generators were used in controlled group environments – not something you can readily recreate in your own home. Something else you can do to help offset excessive frequency vibrations while you’re actually using an electronic device is to use beautiful decorative lamps, called crystal salt lamps.

CONDITION OF THE WEEK: ALLERGIES AND CHIROPRACTIC– We are entering allergy season and for those of you who have allergies this can be a tough time of the year. Though just remember some people suffer from allergies year round. Allergies really are not caused by pollens they are caused by an inappropriate response to pollens by your immune system. Sometimes adjustments alone can reestablish normal immune function and eliminate allergies. For others we need to work at desensitizing the person from the pollens. Air filtration systems along with negative ion generation can give you a safe place in your house. We offer a filter to put in your return air vent that takes out 97% of what’s floating in the air including pollens. So this allergy filter along with an air purification system with negative ions can greatly reduce your exposure to pollens in your house. Most people understand the concept of allergy shots where you introduce a diluted form of the pollen over time to develop immunity. We have used oral drops over the past 30+ years and found them superior to allergy shots. Recently American allergists have started moving to the oral drops as well. With the regular use of these drops you desensitize your body’s response to the pollen and in time you can be allergy free. There is also electronic device called the Elmag that can electronically balance your immune system while you’re wearing it and many people become symptom-free. Lately it’s been difficult to access the elmag but it can be ordered through the Internet from a European country. The allergy drops that we offer are safe for all ages and the dosage is 10 drops under the tongue three times a day, for a stronger effect five drops six times a day can be more effective. Sometimes adrenal support, vitamin C or other nutrients are important for the immune system to respond. If you suffer from allergies don’t suppress your immune system with antihistamines seek a natural approach that’s both safe and effective.

FUNNY BONE: Here are some Stephen Wright quotes: Someone sent me a postcard picture of the earth. On the back it said, “Wish you were here.@” Last night I played a blank tape at full blast. The mime next door went nuts. @If a person with multiple personalities threatens suicide, is that considered a hostage situation?@ Just think how much deeper the ocean would be if sponges didn’t live there. @If a cow laughed, would milk come out her nose? @Whatever happened to preparations A through G? @Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections? @Why don’t they just make mouse-flavored cat food?@ If it’s tourist season, why can’t we shoot them? @So, what’s the speed of dark?@ Isn’t Disney World a people trap operated by a mouse? @How come abbreviated is such a long word? @If olive oil comes from olives, where does baby oil come from? @I went for a walk last night and my kids asked me how long I’d be gone. I said, “The whole time.” @How come you don’t ever hear about gruntled employees? And who has been dis-ing them anyhow? @After eating, do amphibians need to wait an hour before getting OUT of the water? @If you’re sending someone some Styrofoam, what do you pack it in? @I just got skylights put in my place. The people who live above me are furious.

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WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday April 2, 2018

Posted on April 2, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS:. WHEN THE STATE CONTROLS WHAT YOU EAT In Canada, it’s illegal to sell or give away raw milk, a law that’s enforced in many provinces. In Ontario, distributing raw milk was long considered to be a regulatory offense punishable by fines, but as of January 2018 an order issued by Ontario’s Superior Court calls for anyone who distributes or sells raw milk in the area to face years in prison. Members of one area food co-op believe the Ontario injunction violates their constitutional right to access raw milk, and they’ve filed a motion to have the injunction stayed. In the meantime, the co-op has been forced to stop distributing the milk in order to avoid criminal charges, feeding it to pigs and chickens instead of handing it out to co-op members. Raw dairy farmers have been put out of business for mere suspicion of contamination. Even in the absence of a complaint of contamination, farmers and consumers are often harassed over the buying and selling of raw milk. In contrast, Blue Bell Creamery — the third-largest ice cream maker in the U.S. whose ice cream sickened 10 people with listeria, three of whom died as a result, in 2015, was fined just $175,000 for the incident. Ultimately, the choice of what to eat should belong to the individual consumer, not the state or federal government. If the FDA and other government agencies are allowed to impose their view of “safe food” on consumers, raw milk won’t be the only thing lost — one day virtually all food could be pasteurized, irradiated and/or genetically engineered.

WELLNESS: SUPERFOOD OF THE WEEK: CHERRIES. Famed for their anti-inflammatory superpowers, cherries are the hottest stone fruit on the block. … They’re also packed with anthocyanins, a powerful phytonutrient that jump-starts your immune system and gives cherries that gorgeous red hue. Cherries are a favorite summer treat with a number of valuable health benefits, thanks to their antioxidants and powerful anti-inflammatory compounds. Both sweet and tart cherries are easy to grow. Cherry trees will grow about 1 foot per year, start producing fruit in two to four years and can produce anywhere from 150 to 300 pounds of cherries per tree per year once fully mature. Tart cherry trees are self-pollinating and can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 4, 5 and 6. They require about 1,000 chill hours below 45 degrees F during winter months. Tart cherries contain two powerful compounds, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, which help prevent and relieve arthritis and gout. Sweet cherries such as Bing are also useful against gout, as they lower both uric acid and C-reactive protein levels. Sweet cherry is suitable for USDA zones 5 through 9, and need about 150 to 300 chill hours during winter months. Northwest Oklahoma is a 6 where the middle of the state including Tulsa is a 7 and the southern East tip of Oklahoma is an 8 hardiness zone. Self-pollinating cultivars include Stella, Black Gold and North Star. Others may need companion trees to ensure successful pollination. To keep birds from flying away with your harvest, cover the tree with netting as the fruit starts to form. Planting mulberry trees nearby can also help lure birds away from your cherry trees, but won’t prevent them from eating your cherries as well.

CHIROPRACTIC: Disease care vs. healthcare–Healthcare has undergone a change in the past 100+ years. Diet and herbal therapy along with other more natural treatments were a form of healthcare practice by most doctors. With the advent of antibiotics and the ability to convert herbs into powerful drugs healthcare made a major switch. This idea that we could control disease through drugs gained acceptance. There is no question within crisis care that drug therapy really shines. If your heart stops on the operating table a shot of adrenaline could save your life. Unfortunately this has led to a major change in healthcare. Instead of diet, exercise, vitamins or herbal treatment the idea that you could control all diseases through drugs took over healthcare. Unfortunately we have found that this is not the case in most instances. It’s true that an antibiotic used to be able to wipe out infections that otherwise killed people in the past. Unfortunately that’s becoming less and less of a miracle and turning into more of a nightmare. The problem is the overutilization of antibiotics has led to bacterial resistance diseases where the patient dies even with IVs of antibiotics pumping into their bloodstream. Antibiotics weaken the immune system not strengthening it. Herbs were very powerful back in the day but when chemist found that they could isolate the active ingredient in herbs and make it synthetically it produced stronger effects. But because all the synergistic properties of the herb were left on the table side effects became a growing problem. When you took the herb it would produce health benefits but when you took the synthetic active ingredient those benefits were increased along with side effects. Today over 2000 people a week die from side effects from the prescriptions they get from their medical doctors. And the other problem is drugs don’t heal. Insulin doesn’t heal diabetes, heart drugs don’t heal the heart they just modify the symptoms, antidepressants don’t heal the mind they just alter your perceptions. With the advancement in natural healthcare not only can these issues be treated they can be corrected in time because of the use of nutrients that fix the underlying problem. Find the problem, fix the problem is the approach in natural healthcare whereas find the symptom, suppress the symptom is the approach in drug therapy. Choose your healthcare wisely.

FUNNY BONE: A boy asks his father, “Dad, are bugs good to eat?” “That’s disgusting. Don’t talk about things like that over dinner,” the dad replies. After dinner the father asks, “Now, son, what did you want to ask me?” “Oh, nothing,” the boy says. “There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone.”@@ Q. How much room is needed for fungi to grow? A. As mushroom as possible@@ Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House. One is from Chicago, another is from Tennessee, and the third is from Minnesota. All three go with a White House official to examine the fence. The Minnesota contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. “Well,” he says, “I figure the job will run about $900. $400 for materials, $400 for my crew, and $100 profit for me.” The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, “I can do this job for $700. $300 for materials, $300 for my crew, and $100 profit for me.” The Chicago contractor doesn’t measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, “$2,700.” The official, incredulous, says, “You didn’t even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?” The Chicago contractor whispers back, “$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence.” “Done!” replies the government official. And that, my friends, is how the new stimulus plan will work.

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WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Feb. 19, 2018

Posted on February 19, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Depressed and Anxious Patients Receive More Than Half of All Opioid Prescriptions In 2014, 1.2 million Americans ended up in the emergency room with an opioid-related side effect; in 2015, 33,000 died from an opioid-associated drug overdose. Adults with depression and anxiety receive 51 percent of all opioid prescriptions in the U.S.; 19 percent of the 38.6 million Americans diagnosed with a mental health disorder use opioids, compared to 5 percent of the general population. Women are being prescribed opioids during pregnancy and after delivery, creating drug dependent mothers and infants; 23 percent of 1.1 million pregnant women enrolled in Medicaid filled a prescription for an opioid in 2007. Well over 65,000 die from opioid abuse last year compare that to 58,000 that died in the Vietnam War. When it comes to pain control our healthcare system is broken. Chiropractic care along with electrotherapy, acupuncture and even nutritional therapy can help resolve the underlying condition that causes the pain. Seek a natural approach for all of your healthcare issues including pain.

WELLNESS: Apple Cider Vinegar As you may know, apples, and especially apple juice, are high in sugar and are not something I recommend eating regularly as it will typically shift you out of fat-burning if frequently eaten. However, when you ferment apple juice or cider, the sugars are digested as a result of the fermentation process. Apple cider vinegar contains very little sugar and carbohydrate, making it a very attractive food from a dietary standpoint. Apple cider vinegar offers many potential health benefits: Apple cider vinegar contains a number of important components, such as organic acids: acetic, citric, formic, lactic, malic, and succinic acids. It also contains acid, catechins, epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid. Plus, it’s a source of manganese and potassium. Research suggests acetic acid may be the most significant of these components for health, and is found in high levels in apple cider vinegar. In various studies, researchers have found that acetic acid and the other constituents may help with a variety of healthy body functions: Healthy oxidation and cholesterol support, Normal cardiovascular support, Healthy cognitive function, Normal lymphatic drainage and normal detoxification processes, Athletic recovery. According to new research, healthy vinegar with acetic acid may support nutritional ketosis, and in turn, your mitochondrial health.

CONDITION OF THE WEEK: B VITAMINS Hardly anyone talks about B vitamins these days. I believe that’s about to change. With our deteriorating food quality, rising assaults on gut health, and a living environment that becomes more toxic by the day, it’s clear that we need this complex of brain and body nutrients more than ever. Most people are eager to remain mentally sharp, energetic and independent into their later years. As you’ll soon see, researchers are discovering potential benefits of the family of B vitamins that are much greater than we ever imagined.Because of this, the day we give B vitamins the attention they deserve has finally arrived…Keep in mind, you don’t need to have a flat-out deficiency in any of these vitamins. Surprisingly, many of the subjects in the studies you’re going to hear about didn’t. They just had lower levels. Increasing their intake of these vitamins made all the difference for these study subjects. Going from low or even routinely recommended minimal levels to optimal levels allowed them to benefit in significant ways! Low levels of B vitamins can affect your body in many different ways because of the vitamins’ far-reaching and interrelated effects. A B vitamin complex deficiency can show up in multiple ways. Any one of these common symptoms could be a result of low levels of one or more B vitamins: Inability to sleep well..Fatigue and apathy..Mental “fog,” confusion, and forgetfulness..Mood swings and irritability..Gastrointestinal symptoms..Joint or muscle discomfort..Muscle weakness..Loss of muscle mass.. Numbness or tingling in fingers and toes..Frequent bruising.. eadaches.. Irritability..Dry, cracking skin. Because the vitamin B complex is a group of eight major B vitamins that work together, you can impact their synergy just by running low on one. For example, many of the B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin. If you’re low in one or two, that can affect the actions of the others. Your nervous system requires B vitamins to respond properly to adjustments.

FUNNY BONES: Patience: what you have when there are too many witnesses.@@Hold your wife’s hand in the mall because if you let go, she’ll start shopping. It looks romantic. But it’s actually economic.@@The IRS returned my tax return to me this year after I apparently answered one of the questions incorrectly… In response to the question, “do you have anyone dependent on you?” I wrote, “9.5 million illegal immigrants, 1.1 million crackheads, 3.4 million unemployable scoundrels, 80,000 criminals in over 85 prisons plus 650 idiots in Washington.” The IRS stated the answer I gave was “unacceptable!” I then wrote back “Who did I leave out??”@@Wi-Fi went down for five minutes, so I had to talk to my family. They seem like nice people.

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Jan. 29, 2018

Posted on January 29, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS:. 5 Natural Strategies That May Help Protect Your Healthy Vision… Quit smoking, if you currently do. Smoking ramps up free radical production throughout your body, and puts you at risk for less-than-optimal health in many ways. If you want healthy vision for your whole life, you cannot afford to risk less-than-optimal eye health with cigarettes. Care for your cardiovascular system. High blood pressure can cause damage to the miniscule blood vessels on your retina, obstructing free blood flow. Normalize your blood sugar. Excessive sugar in your blood can pull fluid from the lens of your eye, affecting your ability to focus. And, it can damage the blood vessels in your retina, also obstructing blood flow. Eat plenty of fresh, dark green leafy vegetables, especially kale. Your mother was right – eat your vegetables. Studies have shown that a diet rich in dark leafy greens helps support eye health. And that those with the highest consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetables, especially ones rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, had increased vision health. Consume omega-3 rich foods such as fresh-caught salmon – or supplement with krill oil. A study published in the August 2001 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology found that consuming omega-3 fatty acids was protective of your healthy vision. However – especially if you’re a Baby Boomer or older – you may want to hedge your bets on wise supplementation to help protect your eyes’ healthy function. If you’re younger, prudent supplementation while also addressing the five natural strategies listed above can offer your eyes important support. There are some incredible newcomers on the scene of protecting and supporting your eye health:Two new ingredients – black currant and astaxanthin – recently made their way to the cutting edge of the eye health world. And they’re far more powerful than lutein, zeaxanthin, or bilberry. Scientists discovered that black currant contains anthocyanins, supporting eye energy.* And astaxanthin is also a strong antioxidant.*

WELLNESS: Don’t Risk Your Health (or the Health of Your Child) A healthy pregnancy and a healthy child – who doesn’t want that? And yet many women put themselves and their developing child at risk, often without knowing it. You deserve better. Your child deserves better. Here are two of the health issues your can help avoid based on the lifestyle choices you make:

Heart defects linked to ADHD drugs: Use of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs during pregnancy increasing the risk that the child will develop a cardiac malformation (heart defect, in laypersons terms) . Exposure to methylphenidate after the first trimester increased the risk by 28 percent, according to research summarized in JAMA Psychiatry. Findings emphasize the need to better understand the safety issues surrounding use of ADHD drugs, particularly during pregnancy, and explore potential drug-free options for treating ADHD. Obesity and fetal growth patterns: Obese women are more likely to have unusually large babies, even if the mother’s obesity isn’t causing health complications. The result, according to the study in JAMA Pediatrics: a large, heavy baby, particularly a baby with a large head circumference, and larger thigh and arm bones, compared to babies born to normal-weight mothers. Larger babies may complicate the delivery process and require Cesarean delivery, which can risk the health of both mother and child. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases obesity can be managed with proper diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes. If you’re expecting a child or planning to conceive, talk to your doctor early in the process about everything you can do (and avoid doing) to ensure a healthy childbirth for mother and child.

CHIROPRACTIC: Overview and History The term “chiropractic” combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice) to describe a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy—especially adjustment of the spine—is central to chiropractic care. Chiropractic is based on the relationship between the body’s structure (primarily that of the spine) and its function (as coordinated by the nervous system) affects health. Spinal adjustment is a core treatment in chiropractic care. Chiropractors commonly use other treatments in addition to spinal manipulation including nutrition, diet management, acupuncture, physical therapy, allergy therapy. What the Science Says Researchers have studied spinal manipulation for a number of conditions ranging from back, neck, and shoulder pain to asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and headaches. Much of the research has focused on low-back pain, and has shown that spinal adjustments benefit people with this condition. A 2010 review of scientific evidence on manual therapies for a range of conditions concluded that spinal adjustments helpful for several conditions in addition to back pain, including migraine and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches, neck pain, upper- and lower-extremity joint conditions, and whiplash-associated disorders. Chiropractic colleges accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) offer Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree programs. (CCE is the agency certified by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit chiropractic colleges in the United States.) Admission to a chiropractic college requires a minimum of 90 semester hour credits of undergraduate study, mostly in the sciences. Chiropractic training is a 4-year academic program that includes both classroom work and direct experience caring for patients.

FUNNY BONE: CHILDREN ARE QUICK TEACHER: Why are you late? STUDENT: Class started before I got here.@@ TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America. MARIA: Here it is.TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America? CLASS: Maria.@@ TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn’t have ten years ago. WINNIE: Me !

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WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Dec. 11, 2017

Posted on December 11, 2017 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Chuck Norris Focuses Attention on Heavy Metal Risks After Enhanced MRI Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a study allowing your physician to see detailed images of your organs and tissues using a large magnet and radio waves. Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) may be prescribed to enhance the image but the heavy metal gadolinium is known to deposit in your brain, bone and organs. The FDA acknowledges the metal may be found in your tissues for years but claims there is no known effect, despite the rising number of people suffering from kidney damage, cognitive dysfunction and muscle wasting. Strategies you may consider if an enhanced MRI is absolutely necessary include optimizing your gut and nutrition, eating fermented foods and using a sauna to aid detoxification. After undergoing three MRIs with GBCAs to evaluate her rheumatoid arthritis, Gena O’Kelley, the wife of American film icon Chuck Norris, began experiencing severe physical symptoms that began with a burning sensation in her skin. She described it as if there was acid burning her skin, slowly covering her body. She reports that she visited the emergency room five or six nights in a row, while doctors ran multiple tests for ALS, MS, cancer and Parkinson’s disease. However, it was O’Kelley who made the connection between her burning skin, contracted arm and cognitive issues and the multiple MRIs she had undergone. She told Full Measure: “When we got to the hospital in Houston this last time, and I’m so bad and I said, listen, I am sober enough in my thinking right now, because I had such brain issues going on, I said I’m only going to be able to tell you this one time and I need you to listen to me very closely. I have been poisoned with gadolinium or by gadolinium and we don’t have much time to figure out how to get this out of my body or I am going to die.” After five months of treatment in China and then in a clinic in Nevada, O’Kelley was able to return home to her seven children for continued treatment by a physician in Houston. Norris shared their tax return records documenting $2 million over three years in uninsured medical expenses to help O’Kelley return to health. Now Norris is suing 11 medical companies for the part they played in not warning the couple and others of the dangers of using a GBCA for MRI contrast.

WELLNESS: Salt and Good Health Salt is essential not only to life, but to good health. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that Americans consume a minimum of 500 mg/day of sodium to maintain good health. Individual needs, however, vary enormously based a person’s genetic make-up and their lifestyle. While individual requirements range widely, most Americans have no trouble reaching their minimum requirements. Most consume “excess” sodium above and beyond that required for proper bodily function. The kidneys efficiently process this “excess” sodium in healthy people. Experimental studies show that most humans tolerate a wide range of sodium intakes, from about 250 mg/day to over 30,000 mg/day. The actual range is much narrower. Americans consume about 3,500 mg/day of sodium; men more, women less. Salt has been wrongly demonized as a major contributor to high blood pressure. Factors that play a significantly greater role include your sodium-to-potassium ratio, and a high-sugar, processed food diet. Symptoms of sodium deficiency may include muscle fatigue, spasms, cramps and heart palpitations. Such symptoms may disappear by adding more salt to your diet. In the 1600s, the average person was consuming up to 100 grams of salt per day from salted cod, herring and meats. Today, most people get 10 grams of salt per day or less, yet we have far higher rates of hypertension. Low-sodium diets may lower blood pressure. However, this reduction in blood pressure may not necessarily translate into a reduction in cardiovascular events. In fact, the reduction in blood pressure may actually be harmful by potentially increasing heart rate, as well as the risk of falls and fractures. NOTE: Some people are salt sensitive and should consider a salt substitute. Table salt is considered dead salt as it only contain sodium chloride, Himalayan salt contains around 70 other minerals and is considered much healthier.

CHIROPRACTIC: Chiropractic care in low-back pain, leg pain, and idiopathic chronic testicular pain: SUBJECT: A 36-year-old male patient had low-back pain, right leg pain, and testicular pain that was worsening. All had been present for 5 years. He had been seen by several medical physicians and had lumbar magnetic resonance imaging and x-rays performed. All were read as normal. Examination revealed tenderness of the testicles bilaterally with no masses or other abnormality of the testicles or scrotum. Orthopedic and neurological testing was unremarkable. Tenderness rated 8 out of 10 was noted at the L4 spinous process. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, the patient’s low-back pain was decreased and his leg pain was gone. The testicular pain was improved after the first treatment and gone after 3 weeks of care. The patient was followed up by telephone at 3 and 6 months after discharge to find out if the testicle pain had returned, which it had not.

FUNNY BONE: Father: “Son, you were adopted.” Son: “What?! I knew it! I want to meet my biological parents!” Father: “We are your biological parents. Now pack up, the new ones will pick you up in 20 minutes.”@@ Redneck at the doctor: “Doc, I think I’m in trouble, I swallowed an ice cube 3 days ago and it ain’t come out yet.”@@ I asked my Mom if I was ugly. She said, “I told you not to call me Mom in front of people.” @@ Thank you student loans for getting me through college. I don’t think I can ever repay you.@@ Every single morning I get hit by the same bike. It’s a vicious cycle.@@ My wife asked me to pass her lip balm. I gave her superglue by mistake. She’s still not talking to me.

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Have you been told …… “There is no cure for what you have, no one can help you”….. Really?

Posted on September 29, 2017 by DocJohn

Have you been told ……

“There is no cure for what you have, no one can help you”…..

Really?

Many patients have been told this by their medical doctor and yet have gone on to find help through natural healthcare and chiropractic. It’s not that the medical doctors were lying to them but what they were really saying is drugs and surgery can’t help you. Their language is unfortunate because that traps many people with conditions they live with the rest of their lives. It’s also sad that medical doctors are brainwashed in school into believing that if drugs and surgery can’t help the patient in front of them, nothing else will.

Chiropractic and natural healthcare approaches the body with completely different eyes. We might do some of the same tests like lab work, MRIs or x-rays and physical exams but we interpret the information completely different in some cases. The focus of drug therapy is to find some chemical that will suppress your symptoms. It’s like with type II diabetes where the body is not responding to the insulin it’s producing so they use chemicals to force the sugar out through the kidneys. This doesn’t help the cells that need sugar for proper metabolism to get the sugar they need it just limits the danger of ever increasing blood sugar levels. The natural approach focuses on nutritional and lifestyle changes that help the cells recognize and respond properly to the insulin.

It’s been said there are no incurable diseases just some incurable patients. The process of getting well can be complex and difficult in some cases the motivation to make the changes in lifestyle and diet are more than some people are willing to do thus they carry their condition to an early grave. The key in any health problem is breaking the code for that disease and to do that sometimes it’s as simple as doing basic blood work and understanding the nutritional components of those findings but in some cases it’s more complicated, requiring innovative tools to break the code. That’s one reason we use a muscle reflex testing protocol that we call Vega testing. The founder of Vega testing was a German medical doctor/dentist who developed this test that included both the protocol of testing along with a sophisticated Ohm’s machine to study the response from the body. Because that machine was both expensive and subject to operator error we decided to use a muscle reflex test to work the protocol, it is more objective and quicker. In Vega testing we monitor muscle reflexes in response to certain diagnostic ampules to help us break the code of the disease, understand the underlying components. We can quickly, in a lot of cases, find the underlying toxicity, emotional component, nutritional imbalance that’s allowing the condition to remain in the body. Your body has an ability to heal itself but that ability can be interfered with because of different blockages. Our goal is to determine what those blockages are and remove them allowing your body what it does best, heal.

The basic approach that we use at Keefe Clinic includes determining what body type you are so we can establish the right ratio of fats, carbs and proteins for your particular genetic makeup. Along with that diet, detoxification, possibly an anti-inflammatory diet, and neurological balancing and establishing the necessary neurological pathways so the body can regulate itself and in turn heal itself. Targeted nutritional therapy, exercise, stress handling are just some of the techniques that were used to help the body.

LINK: Vega testing

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Sept 4, 2017

Posted on September 4, 2017 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: ‘What the Health’ — Where This Vegan PR Film Went Wrong The documentary, “What the Health,” ignores accumulated evidence against sugar in a misguided effort to promote vegan ideology. According to the film, the focus on sugar as a contributor to obesity, diabetes and ill health has steered people away from the real culprits, which they claim are meat and animal fat. For example, Dr. Neal Barnard, adjunct associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, claims that diabetes is not caused by a high-carb, high-sugar diet. In his view, diabetes is caused by fat buildup caused by a meat-based diet. To treat diabetes, Barnard recommends a low-fat vegetarian diet, free of any and all animal products, without any restrictions on carbohydrates. The sugar industry promotes the myth that saturated fat is to blame for weight gain and ill health, not sugar, along with the thoroughly debunked energy balance theory. Fortunately, some great books have now been written exposing the history and extent of the cover-ups. Two examples are science journalist Gary Taubes’ book, “The Case Against Sugar,” and Marion Nestle’s “Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning).” While a high-vegetable diet is certainly beneficial, the low-fat, unrestricted-carb recommendations are not. Low-carb, high-fat diets have proven superior for controlling insulin resistance, which is the hallmark of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. NOTE: This article points out the fight within nutritional science between the high protein low carb diet and the high complex carb low-fat diet. The truth is both diets are correct for different populations, 60 to 70% of the population should be on a high protein low carbohydrate diet where 30 to 40% of the population need to be on a low fat high complex carb diet. It’s a matter of genetics, we are not all the same. KNOW your body type!

WELLNESS: Are you getting enough fiber? One of the most underserved nutrients today is fiber. Typically missing or very low in packaged and fast foods, fiber intake for most Americans is woefully low. Adults need between 20 to 30 grams of fiber every day for optimal health, but most Americans get only about 15. I believe the ideal is closer to 32 grams. What potential benefits might you expect when you increase the amount of fiber you eat each day? Fiber: Assists in managing your weight by helping you feel full longer Helps promote regularity Helps support your heart health Helps support healthy GI function. Your body needs two different types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber helps slow down your digestion and helps maintain glucose and blood cholesterol levels already in the normal range. Good food sources are nuts, seeds, apples, and blueberries. Insoluble fiber helps propel food through your digestive tract and promotes regularity. Good food sources include dark green leafy vegetables, green beans, celery, carrots, and brown rice. Many whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables, contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, a real nutritional bonus.

CHIROPRACTIC: How Does Chiropractic Work? Many people seek chiropractic care when their back goes out or their neck tightens up. But how does this form of care actually work? What are the benefits of receiving chiropractic care for nerve dysfunction compared with other healthcare options? Let’s take a look! First, let’s discuss how the nervous system “works.” We have three divisions of the nervous system: the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, and it’s essentially the main processing portion of the nervous system. The spinal cord is like a multi-lane highway that brings information to the brain for processing (sensory division) and returns information back to the toes, feet, legs, and upper extremities from which the information originated (motor division). For example, hiking on a mountain trail or simply walking requires constant input to and from the CNS so we can adjust our balance accordingly and not fall. These “sensory-motor pathways” are essential and allow us to complete our daily tasks in an efficient, safe manner as information is constantly bouncing back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes a similar sensory/motor “two-way street” system relaying information back and forth from our toes/feet/legs and fingers/hands/arms to the spinal cord (CNS). And if this isn’t complicated enough, we also have “reflexes” that, for example, allow us to QUICKLY pull our hand away from a hot stove to minimize burning our fingers. Reflexes allow the information to “skip” the brain’s processing part so quicker reactions can occur. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions that basically “run” our automatic (organ) functions like breathing, heart rate, digestion, hormonal output, and more. There is constant communication between the ANS, PNS, and CNS that allow us to function in a normal, balanced way… unless something disrupts them. There are obvious conditions that interfere with this communication process that include (but are not limited to) diabetes (with neuropathy), frost bitten or burned fingers, peripheral nerve damage from conditions like carpal/cubital tunnel syndromes, thoracic outlet syndrome, and/or pinched nerves in the neck, mid-back, low-back spinal regions, as well as conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barre Syndrome, after a stroke (spinal cord or brain), and after trauma with resulting fractures where nerve, spinal cord, and/or brain damage can occur. These are “obvious” reasons for delayed or blocked neurotransmission. There are many other less obvious injuries or conditions that can result in faulty neuromotor patterns and nerve transmission of which chiropractic services can benefit. The “subluxation complex” is a term some chiropractors use to describe the compromised nerve transmission that may occur if a nerve is compressed or irritated due to faulty bone or joint position along the nerve’s course. Reducing such nerve compression typically allows for a restoration of function. A good illustration of this is a patient who suffers from a herniated disk in the neck with numbness and tingling down the arm to the hand. The goal of treatment (for all healthcare professionals) is to remove the pinch of the nerve. To realize this goal, doctors of chiropractic utilize spinal manipulation and mobilization in addition to other non-surgical, non-drug approaches that may include exercises, nutritional advice, home-care such as a cervical traction unit, and other anti-inflammatory measures (ice, modalities like low level and class IV laser, electric stimulation, pulsed magnetic field, and more). Given the minimal side-effect risks and well-reported benefits, it only makes sense to try chiropractic FIRST and if you’re not satisfied, your doctor will help you find the next level of care.

FUNNY BONE: Ah, marriage. I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror one evening admiring my reflection, when I posed this question to my wife of 30 years: “Will you still love me when I’m old, fat, and balding?” She answered, “I do.”@@ As the music swelled during a recent wedding reception, my hopelessly romantic husband squeezed my hand, leaned in, and said, “You are better looking than half the women here.”

Visit our web site: keefeclinic.com or faceebook/keefeclinic.com

Natural Healthcare vs. Drug Therapy and Surgery

Posted on August 9, 2017 by DocJohn

Looking at the 10 top reasons people seek healthcare

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There’s a lot of misinformation, politics and deception in healthcare and as a patient it can be difficult to make educated decisions. There are really only two types of healthcare in the United States, allopathic medicine and natural healthcare. Allopathic medicine focuses on drugs and surgery whereas natural healthcare focuses on enhancing body function, diet, exercise etc. (See our posts on the natural laws of health)

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I thought, as a healthcare consumer, you might simply want to see the different approaches with the 10 most common reasons people see doctors of any type.

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Cholesterol leads the list. Most of you are probably aware of the drugs that are used for cholesterol as you see their advertisements 50 times a day on television and radio as well as print media. What you might not know is how the drugs work.

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I believe that you need to understand 80% of the cholesterol in your blood your liver made. That means only 20% comes from diet. Even so diet can lead to the stress factors that promote the liver to make cholesterol. So in natural healthcare our focus is on establishing a healthy liver. Whereas the drugs for cholesterol actually make your liver a little sick. The sick liver doesn’t make as much cholesterol and thus your cholesterol numbers fall.

In natural healthcare we don’t see that is making much sense. Plus the statistics don’t show it makes a big difference in lifespan. You can’t be healthy by making parts of your body sick so in natural healthcare we identify the proper diet that a person needs and also the nutrients the liver needs in order to establish normal cholesterol levels. I will let you decide which of these approaches makes more sense.

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Acid reflux is the next major reason people visit physicians. Most of you know that antacids are the number one approach allopathic medicine uses. Digestion is a complicated system and I encourage you to read our pamphlet on acid reflux to fully understand the process. Is acid reflux caused by a lack of antacids in our diet? Chronic antacid use causes malnutrition because it suppresses your body’s normal digestive process. In natural healthcare we work at reestablishing a normal digestive system because any organ in the digestive system can be a source of acid reflux if it is operating abnormally. If you take antacids you need to ask yourself what organ is that correcting? Of course it’s not correcting anything it’s just suppressing symptoms at a cost. The cost to your digestive process and your nutritional status and thus your health.

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Depression. The most common allopathic approach is to use drugs that manipulate neurotransmitters. Depression is a complex condition that can have several sources of malfunction within the body. Antidepressants do not correct these problems. At best an antidepressant might artificially alter certain neurotransmitters. Did you know your neurotransmitters are made by amino acids from your diet? In natural healthcare there are many nutrients that we might work with in reestablishing normal neurotransmitter levels. For instance with serotonin L-tryptophan is a very common amino acid that might be deficient. And so instead of artificially trying to alter the serotonin level in natural healthcare we would give the body what it needs to make more serotonin. Again other neurotransmitters and other health issues like hormone imbalances or blood sugar imbalances could be involved in this. In natural healthcare we would address those underlying causes. Antidepressants do not correct any of these underlying causes.

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Osteoarthritis. Of course allopathic medicine uses dangerous painkillers and artificial anti-inflammatories to address this condition. But did you know 20,000 arthritic die every year from perforated ulcers because they take aspirin? And did you know that aspirin accelerates arthritis? Treating a symptom just allows the underlying condition time to get worse over time. Treating the underlying condition eliminates the symptoms because healing has taken place. Arthritis has multiple causes: food allergies, fatty acid deficiencies, mineral deficiencies, autoimmune processes etc. Again painkillers do not address any of these underlying causes. The natural approach would include joint realignment to reduce inflammation and decreased wear and tear of the joint. Nutritional therapy to supply nutrients for cartilage and joint health as well as essential fatty acids to supply lubrication to the joints. There are many other things a natural healthcare provider might utilize in helping patients overcome their arthritis not just covering the symptoms and allowing the condition time to get worse.

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Pain. Advisors for the FDA have recommended all painkillers to be removed from the market because of their danger. Just a few years ago three painkillers were permanently removed from the market because of the deaths they caused. Did you know 3500 women a year die from kidney failure taking ibuprofen for their headaches? We just discussed the 20,000 arthritic who die from taking aspirin. The facts are over 3000 people a week die from prescription drugs many of those from painkillers. And do painkillers address the root cause for pain? Of course not! When people notice pain relief in natural healthcare it is because healing has taken place. There are so many different aspects to pain that we can’t discuss them all here but natural healthcare is the most effective approach to dealing with the root cause of pain than any other approach on this planet. And you’re not going to die from the treatment.

Diabetes. I would be the first one to say that for type 1 diabetes taking insulin might be your only choice. Insulin does not cure your diabetes and if you’re diabetic you’ll suffer from the disease but insulin will keep you alive. When it comes to type II diabetes natural healthcare offers tremendous help. 70% of all type II diabetics can be drug-free with normal blood sugar levels with a combination of diet and targeted nutritional therapy. Natural healthcare is the only approach that can address insulin resistance. Plus it is safe as well as effective.

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Allergies. The most common allopathic approach is antihistamines. Histamine is a normal immune process and essential in keeping you healthy. One study indicated chronic antihistamine use could make you susceptible to cancer. Why? Chronically suppressing the immune system is not a smart idea. Allergies respond beautifully to homeopathic antigens and nutritional therapy to build up the adrenals and immune system. Antihistamines do not fix anything they just suppress symptoms. Again symptom suppression allows the underlying weakness or condition time to get worse. Natural healthcare offer some of the most dramatic healing results when it comes to allergies.

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Osteoporosis. Every osteoporosis drug has a long list of side effects. Ask this simple question, is osteoporosis a drug deficiency disease? Of course not! Of the five nutrients the FDA allows claims to be made for, hydroxyapatite for osteoporosis is one of those. Osteoporosis is a combination of nutritional deficiencies (and I’m not talking about calcium), hormone imbalances, and a lack of exercise. Which of these do the drugs fix? Of course none of these. To understand osteoporosis completely you should read our pamphlet “The truth about Osteoporosis”.

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Sleep disorders. Sleeping pills are a public healthcare disaster. Just ask the lady who the police were called on and was found naked at midnight power washing her house. The sleep medication had caused the bizarre sleepwalking event because of the way it alters brain chemistry. We know serotonin and melatonin are behind most sleep disorders and guess what you get serotonin and melatonin from, L-tryptophan. Most sleep disorders are just a sign of nutritional deficiencies. Sleeping pills do not appropriately address these issues. One of the things patients tell me when they received chiropractic care is that they sleep better. Do you think reducing the stress that misalignments cause the nervous system would help the body relax and sleep? Find out the cause, correct the cause.

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Asthma is the last on the list of the top 10. Allopathic medicine use some of the most dangerous debilitating drugs on kids with asthma including steroids. Do these drugs cure asthma? I think you know the answer to that. Chiropractic and natural healthcare has a long history of fixing the underlying causes for asthma. Drugs don’t heal! I remember the seven-year-old patient several years ago who was having alarming symptoms from the drugs his medical doctor had put him on and yet he was a prisoner in his own house. He would look out the window at his friends playing and cry because he couldn’t go outside due to his allergies. Three weeks of chiropractic care he was off all of his medication and outside playing with his friends.

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The bottom line is this. You have been manipulated primarily by pharmaceutical companies in most cases into making decisions about your health that are the wrong decisions. Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars every year on manipulating how you think about your health.

They’ve even come up with phony conditions and then promote their dangerous drugs to treat them. And they use slick advertising to make you think that you need to take a drug in order to be happy or healthy.

Drugs are necessary in crisis care. Drugs are like the fire department coming in with their axes and hoses to tear down doors and walls to put the fire out. Allopathic medicine is very destructive to your body and your health.

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Natural healthcare CLICK HERE

Natural healthcare is like the carpenters and who come in and rebuild the home. If you keep the electrical system and the gas lines in good working order you might not have a fire. If you keep your body, your nervous system and energy systems in good working order you might not need emergency healthcare.

Chiropractic and natural healthcare can make a tremendous difference in your health and the health of your family. Seek solutions for your healthcare. Health is a natural expression of your body.

Back Pain

Acid reflux, stomach problems and Chiropractic

Posted on August 8, 2017 by DocJohn

I don’t keep up with drug sales let alone the actions and side effects of all the latest drugs. But I would think antacids must be making pharmaceutical companies literally billions of dollars each year. (The January 8, 2001 issue of Business Week mentions that Priolsec is the top selling prescription drug in the world. It earns Astra Zeneca (the drug’s maker) 6 billion dollars per year.)

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One of the reasons that antacids sell so well is that they stop the pain in 60-70% of the cases. (A recent online survey of over 4200 patients taking Priolosec.) If you’re troubled with chronic acid reflux and you can take a pill and all the pain just disappears, it seems like you’re doing the right thing, doesn’t it? Before you answer that let me explain the digestive process and then ask you that question again.

Digestion is literally a miracle. All the different types of foods and yet your body knows the exact enzymes and the correct amount to properly breakdown each food to its simplest component. Complex carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars, proteins are broken down into their individual amino acids and fats and oils are reduced to their individual fatty acids. And then the process of properly absorbing these nutrients along with the vitamins, minerals and enzymes plus other things that were still learning about. If you eat different foods you get different kinds and amounts of enzymes to digest them.

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As you chew your food you help break it down for your stomach as well as blend it with saliva which helps start the whole process. As the food enters the stomach it starts to churn and release digestive enzymes. Hydrocloric acid (HCl) is one of the most important enzymes that the stomach releases. The amount of HCl that leaves the stomach with the food entering the small intestines stimulate fluids from the liver and gallbladder as well as enzymes from the pancreas to complete the digestive process. It is essential that the right amount of HCl enters the small intestines to begin a wavelike motion called peristalsis that help move the food throughout the intestines. If the level of HCl is less than ideal then every other step in the digestive process is compromised.

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It’s like when you have a row of dominos stacked together and push the first one over a chain reaction happens. Without HCl the rest of the digestive process is severely compromised. If you don’t produce the right amount of enzymes then you cannot breakdown your foods properly. If you don’t break your foods down properly you can not absorbe nutrients that your body requires. Studies of individuals who have used antacids over a long peiord of time find evidence of malnutrition. Doesn’t that make sense? What do antacids do? They severely reduced if not completely block the release of HCl. Remember the chain of dominos.

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When you consistently reduced the amount of HCl that is released from your stomach that causes a series of changes in the lining of your stomach. A healthy stomach has a mucous lining that protects the stomach from its own acids. When the body senses that this coating has been reduced it automatically reduces the amount of HCl it secretes. As this happens the stomach will churn more to help break down the foods. After a series of processes, this increase of abnormal stomach contractions can force what little bit of HCl you produce up into the esophagus.

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This can cause a burning or painful sensation from your stomach up into the back of your throat. This is called acid reflux. This condition is rarely due to the overproduction of HCl. If this problem is not corrected over a lifetime the chronic inflammation to the cells can lead to cancer. But be forewarned, the chronic suppression of HCl with antacids will lead to incompletely digested food irritating your intestines and increasing your chance for colon cancer. Usually the mechanism I described above is leading to the inappropriate release of HCl into the esophagus. It is true eliminating the amount of HCl you produce will relieve symptoms. It’s also true that these drugs will relieve you of the normal digestive process.

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Now the main question is this- is the choice between symptom relieve with drugs or suffering pain with each meal? No! By properly correcting the dysfunction within the digestive system you can, not only restore proper function without drugs, you can also overcome your acid reflux.

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There are several principles to good digestion. Completely chewing your food, not combining proteins with sweet fruits, don’t eat too quickly, eat foods that are consistent with your body and blood type, too much dairy with a meal could interfere with the digestive process and watch the junk food. Fiber helps move the food through your digestive system.

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A lot of time patients with digestive problems also notice that they have discomfort between the shoulder blades. Neurologically this is very significant. The nerves between the fourth thoracic and eight thoracic are some of the most important controlling nerves to your digestive system. If you carry nerve pressure in your upper back then your digestive system is most likely compromised. Now remember, you can have nerve pressure without back symptoms, though alot of patients with acid reflux know what I’m talking about when I talk about discomfort between their shoulder blades.

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B-vitamins are very important when it comes to digestion and because you can’t store B-vitamins. A good percentage of patients with digestive problems also have deficiencies in some of their B-vitamins. We also use targeted nutritional formulas to help restore the normal lining of the stomach along with diet and Chiropractic adjustments.

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The care I just outlined for acid reflux is also extremely beneficial from most other digestive problems. Chiropractic care is the most effective treatment on the planet for digestive disorders. Most other approaches, even with gastroenterologists, focus primarily on symptom relieve and not correction.

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Now let me ask you that question again and tell me if you might have a different answer. If you’re troubled with chronic acid reflux and you can take a pill and all the pain just disappears, it seems like you’re doing the right thing, doesn’t it? Are you?

Grape Juice: Better than aspirin?

Posted on August 8, 2017 by DocJohn

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Dr. John Folts is currently the Director of the Coronary Thrombosis Research Laboratory at The University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Dr. Folts’ current research is on in vitro platelet mediated coronary thrombosis and anti-oxidants. Dr. Folts developed the experimental model on Aspirin in 1974 and demonstrated by in vitro testing that aspirin can reduce arterial blood clots.

The anti-stick factor

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Platelets, a class of blood cells, aid in clotting. They keep a fresh cut in the skin from causing life-threatening blood loss. In persons with coronary artery disease, however, overly sensitive platelets may foster clots that obstruct blood flow through vessels already narrowed by fatty deposits. The result can be a heart attack.

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In a host of studies, Folts’ team has shown that red wine and dark beers inhibit platelets in the blood from becoming unusually sticky and generating those risky, clot-forming clumps. Indeed, these dark-colored drinks clearly outperform lighter ones, such as vodka, white wine, and pale lagers.

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What tends to distinguish a dark beer from a light brew, or a ruby-hued wine from a white one, is their concentrations of quercetin, rutin, resveratrol, and other flavonoid pigments.

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In their new study, the Wisconsin scientists initially recruited five healthy men and women (including Folts) to drink about three servings of purple grape juice at a sitting — some 20 to 24 ounces. An hour later, the researchers sampled the volunteers’ blood and put it into a device that measures platelet stickiness. Compared to blood samples taken an hour prior to drinking the juice, the later blood was almost 50 percent less prone to platelet clumping.

That’s a lot of juice, Folts acknowledges, so he decided to explore what would happen if he halved the dose and drank it daily for a week. Two or 3 days after the last glass was drunk, each volunteer returned for another blood test.

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The results, reported this week, indicate that regular consumption of the popular juice appears to have a carryover effect. Even after a hiatus of several days, the volunteers’ blood was about 25 percent less likely to clump than before the treatment began.

This finding was particularly welcome, Folts notes, because most heart attacks occur in the early morning, sometimes just as an individual is getting up. His group’s data now suggest that even if the juice had been drunk the day before, it would still confer some protection.

Unlike aspirin…

For nearly a decade, cardiologists have known that healthy men over 50 — and postmenopausal women — can nearly halve their risk of heart attack by taking an aspirin every other day. Like grape juice, this drug appears to work by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Dr Keefe, Natural Health care, pain Tulsa chiropractor,

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However, when adrenaline is pumped into the blood in response to stress or heavy exercise, Folts points out, aspirin’s platelet inhibition virtually disappears. So in the new study, he tested grape juice drinkers’ blood to see if the same thing happened to them.

In one case, he took the volunteers’ blood, added adrenaline to it, and then measured its susceptibility to platelet clumping. In another, some volunteers exercised and then provided blood for analysis. In both cases, Folts says, the juice depressed platelet clumping.

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In the late seventies however, we discovered that if we raised the adrenaline or epinephrine, that the same thing, 75% -80% of the time clot formation comes back with aspirin and that’s a serious problem. That’s why we have spent the last 20 years looking for drugs and food substances that would inhibit the platelets and prevent the clot formation, but also, prevent the renewal of clot formation from elevated epinephrine.

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Now, in our previous findings with the animal model, we have shown that red wine, moderate amounts equivalent to 2 glasses in you or I, purple grape juice; not the clear or white grape juice, tea, but not coffee, in this animal model reduced or inhibited platelet mediated clot formation and protected against potentially fatal coronary thrombosis. These flavonoids in red wine, purple grape juice and tea inhibit platelets about the same as aspirin but they have one unique feature. THEY PROTECT AGAINST ELEVATIONS OF ADRENALINE, WHICH ASPIRIN DOES NOT. That makes the flavonoids more desirable.

When healthcare makes you sick

Posted on May 31, 2017 by DocJohn

The last thing you might expect going to a doctor for a health problem is becoming a drug addict in the process. In the U.S., painkiller addiction is so rampant that 91 Americans die every day from an overdose of prescription opioids or heroin.

In 1986 the government sent a report to every doctor and healthcare facility in the US. That report was based on extensive research into back pain. Most people might not realize that low back pain is the number 1 health problem in the United States. It’s responsible for more time off work, the high cost of rehabilitation on top of the extra high cost of surgery. Since surgery is only 20 to 30% effective and cost a lot of money the government decided to find the most effective treatment for back pain. After they evaluated all the research from around the world the number 1 active treatment they recommended was spinal adjustments. And so they sent this report to every healthcare facility in the United States in hopes of saving the country money.

Unfortunately this report was largely ignored. Surgeons kept doing ineffective surgery, and drug therapist kept giving more powerful painkillers. Today if you listen to news reports you realize we are having an opiate addiction problem like none other. Even though opiates can block pain they also cause a lot of drug addicts to this deadly drug. Since our healthcare system seems to focus more on gaining power over helping patients then you have to be your own protector. Just because a doctor writes your prescription doesn’t mean that prescription is going to be both safe and effective for you.

Studies have shown over the past 50 years or so that there are over 2000 people who die every week from prescriptions they get from their doctor. These statistics only come from hospital bound patients we’re not for sure how many a week die who are not hospitalized. 2000 a week is like 3 jumbo jets crashing every week with no survivors for the past 50 years. There are over a million hospitalizations related to drug therapy per year. Now I would be the 1st to say that in certain conditions drugs are necessary to keep a person alive i.e. insulin for type 1diabetes. But the percent of the population who needs prescriptions to survive is a very low percent. Most people’s conditions could be safely and effectively resolved through natural healthcare and chiropractic.

A seven-year study showed that patients whose primary physician was a chiropractor, experienced these results: 60% less hospital admissions, 59% less days in the hospital, 62% less outpatient surgeries, 85% less in pharmaceutical costs. Not only is natural healthcare/chiropractic substantially more effective in the countries’ number 1 health problem (low back pain) nutritional therapy and chiropractic can effectively resolve most nonemergency health challenges.

If you’re having a heart attack you need to be in the hospital but after you’re released, if you want to fix the underlining problem that led to the heart attack, then drugs are not going to help you very much. Natural healthcare/chiropractic focuses on the underlying cause of disease. For instance type II diabetes is a growing problem in our society and drugs do not correct that, insulin might be essential in type I diabetes for those bodies who can’t make insulin so you have to take it in order to stay alive. But conditions like type II diabetes are related to dietary faults and the subsequent over stressing of the bodies sugar management systems. Simple dietary changes along with targeted nutritional therapy can help the cells recognize insulin and self-regulate blood sugar levels.

I don’t care if we are talking about allergies, blood pressure, autoimmune problems, and hormone problems in a high percent of cases you simply find the cause and correct the cause and health is the result. But we live in a pharmaceutical controlled society when it comes to healthcare. Multibillion dollar pharmaceutical companies have taken over healthcare and most clinics and hospitals. Unfortunately their bottom line is not your health but their bank account.

Just because you can take a drug and that drug may make acid reflux feel better doesn’t mean that’s the correct approach. Shutting down your digestive system at the level of the stomach will deftly remove acid that might burn your esophagus but it will also remove the initial digestive process to properly digest and absorb nutrients from what you eat. That’s why studies of people who have taken antacids for long periods of time develop signs and symptoms of malnutrition. When you mess with the digestive system you mess with life. Acid reflux like headaches or back pain have a cause. Never is that because of a lack of pharmaceuticals.

Unfortunately in today’s healthcare system symptom relief has become the dominant approach. That makes as much sense as clipping the wire to the warning light on your dashboard and thinking you’ve taken care of something, yes the warning light has gone off but the problem still there. This is one of the reasons why chronic disease has skyrocketed over the past 40 years. Who would guess it? If you don’t fix the problem it just becomes much worse.

Natural healthcare/chiropractic offers a completely different approach to health care in that we don’t play the symptom relief came. Our total focus is on finding the cause and then developing effective strategies to resolve the cause. When the cause is eliminated so are the symptoms.

You might think all doctors have this mindset but not if their primary treatment is pharmaceuticals. Except in very rare cases pharmaceuticals are never the appropriate treatment for most healthcare problems. If you have reoccurring headaches then either you have vertebra in your neck out of place or you have toxicity issues or possibly hormonal issues that need to be corrected. Painkillers don’t fix any of those possible causes. Painkillers are the biggest killers in drug therapy. Several well-known painkillers have been taken off the market over the past 20 years because of the death rate. And opiates will not only kill you but they can cause a lifetime addiction and they don’t fix at all the underlying cause for pain.

Buyer beware is a important slogan to protect yourself in the marketplace. Unfortunately in today’s healthcare system you need to take responsibility for yours and your families choices in healthcare.

American College of Physicians issues guidelines for low-back pain: ‘Avoid drugs.’

Posted on February 15, 2017 by DocJohn

February 14, 2017—In an update to a report issued 10 years ago, the American College of Physicians (ACP) published a meta-analysis on the treatment of low-back pain. The study, released on February 14, 2017, is in the form of guidelines directed toward “all clinicians” and the patient population suffering from acute, subacute, and chronic low-back pain.

In this terminology, “acute” stands for pain lasting fewer than four weeks, “subacute” for pain lasting from four to 12 weeks, and “chronic” meaning pain lasting more than 12 weeks.

The researchers conclude their findings with three recommendations, based on their assessment of evidence-based outcomes for the patient population with respect to standard noninvasive approaches to treatment. Namely, they examined how patients responded to pharmacologic treatment and nonpharmacologic treatment; in other words, standard allopathic medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

The ACP recognizes that low-back pain is one of the most common health complaints in the U.S., and cite statistics with which every doctor of chiropractic (DC) is intimately familiar. They estimate the total cost (in 2006), between active care and lost productivity, to have been approximately $100 billion—a number likely to be considerably higher today.

In looking at pharmacologic approaches to low-back pain treatment, acetaminophen was found to be on a par with placebo, offering little benefit but presenting known risks of liver damage. Other drugs, ranging from cox-2 inhibitors to NSAIDs to opioids, offered slightly greater benefits but with concomitantly pronounced risk.

On the other hand, when looking at nonpharmacologic approaches, including exercise, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, heat therapy, low level laser therapy, and others (tai chi, yoga, ultrasound, etc.), measurable positive outcomes were found with virtually zero risks. The researchers concluded that, given the evidence at hand in the new study and in the older one, that treatment should always begin with nonpharmacologic approaches first, and only those patients who are nonresponsive to them should be considered for drug therapy or invasive medicine.

Specifically, the three recommendations of the study authors are:

Given that most patients with low-back pain of any type tend to improve over time regardless of treatment type, they should first turn to the most conservative forms of care (massage, spinal manipulation, etc.), and NSAIDs and muscle relaxants can be considered if necessary.
For patients with chronic low-back pain, the first option should be nonpharmacologic conservative care. Patients in this group respond more strongly to CAM approaches than those in the acute and subacute groups.
Patients with chronic low-back pain who fail to respond to nonpharmacologic approaches could consider pharmacologic treatment, starting with those products known to present the least risk, and after being educated by their provider about the known risks posed by such products.

These recommendations are in keeping with the Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm. It is noteworthy to see an MD association admit that CAM approaches to medical care—and here specifically chiropractic is included—offer superior outcomes to standard allopathic medicine. These results were striking enough that they were summarized in the February 14, 2017, edition of the Wall Street Journal

NOTE: this is basically a rehash of a large government study done several years ago. The number one effective treatment for back pain is what chiropractic physicians do every day in their office, spinal adjustments.

How to best swallow pills

Posted on December 22, 2016 by DocJohn

How to best swallow pills

Many people have problems swallowing pills. When it comes to nutritional therapy your ability and consistency in taking your supplements determine your rate of recovery. One issue that I have discovered that affects a person’s ability to comfortably swallow pills is a flap of tissue called the epiglottis. If this doesn’t work correctly pills that you swallow can try to go down the windpipe. This can set up anxiety when it comes to pill taking which can escalate to a real phobia about swallowing pills.

Before I discuss the technique you want to remember never to take capsules and tablets together. These both have different dynamics in fluid. The rule of thumb is when you take a tablet you lean your head back and then swallow; when you take a capsule you lean your head forward and then swallow.

Now to the issue of the epiglottis, most people will put capsules or tablets in their mouth and then add the water to swallow. It’s important when you’re adding the water that you’re constantly breathing in through your nose. At the end of respiration when you go to swallow it’s just natural for the epiglottis to close so there is no confusion between which pipe the pills are supposed to go. If you breathe in properly the chances of a pill trying to go down the wrong pipe is very slim.

Below are additional tricks to proper swallowing:

Fill a plastic water or soda bottle with water. Put the tablet on your tongue and close your lips tightly around the bottle opening. Take a drink, keeping contact between the bottle and your lips and using a sucking motion to swallow the water and pill.

Until you know what’s behind your swallowing issues, here are a few things you can do to make swallowing medicine a little easier:

Put a pill in applesauce or pudding. The texture can make it easier to swallow pills whole.
Grind a pill into a powder and add it to applesauce or pudding.
Cut a pill with a pill splitter and swallow the smaller pieces one by one.

You can also use pieces of a bagel, a cracker, or a cookie as well. The texture is similar enough to help the pill go down once the food is chewed.
You can also take a drink of water afterward to help it go down easier.
Some medications need to be taken on an empty stomach. Check the bottle of your medication to see if you need to take your medicine on an empty stomach.

Cut a gummy bear. To help you swallow a pill, you can stick it inside a gummy bear. Take the gummy bear and cut a small pocket in the stomach of the bear. Slip the pill inside. Eat the gummy bear, but don’t chew it; chewing some medication will change the duration and timing onset of the medication. Just try to swallow it, then once it’s in your throat quickly drink your water.^[2]

This may be difficult if you can’t swallow the gummy bear. It may take practice.
This method is especially helpful for children. Helping mask the pill taking act with a gummy bear will help ease her into taking her medication.

Put the pill inside honey or peanut butter. Pills can be taken with honey or peanut butter because they ease the passage of the pill down your throat. Get a spoon full of either food. Place the pill in the middle of dollop of food you have on the spoon. Make sure to push it into the food. Next, swallow the spoonful of honey or peanut butter with the pill inside. Wash down with water.^[3]

You should drink water before and after this method. The honey and peanut butter are relatively thick and can feel slow going down. Hydrating your throat beforehand and after will help get the food down quicker and without choking.

Try soft food. If you can’t take your pill with bread, try taking it in a soft food such as applesauce, yogurt, ice cream, pudding, or gelatin. This is a common method used in hospitals for patients who have difficulty in swallowing. Make a small dish of the food. Drop the pill into the dish. Eat a little bit of the food before you take the bite with the pill in it. Then take the bite with the pill in it. It should go down easily with the food when you swallow.^[4]

Make sure you don’t chew in the pill.

Use a straw. For some people, using a straw to drink water or a beverage helps the pill to go down better. Place the pill on the back of your tongue. Drink something through a straw and swallow the liquid and the pill. Keep drinking for a few sips after you swallow it to help the pill go down.

The suction used to pull the liquid through the straw makes it easier to swallow the pill.^[9][10]