Humidity

Posted on November 13, 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

Dr Keefe, Keefe Clinic, Natural Health Care, Tulsa Chiropractor, Diet, Pain,

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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.

Car accidents respond best to chiropractic care

Posted on October 24, 2018 by DocJohn

CAR ACCIDENTS AND THE NECK: “WHIPLASH”

Posted on September 24, 2018 by DocJohn

Head_On_Collision, Dr Keefe, Natural Health care, pain, Tulsa chiropractor,

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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.

Dr. Keefe, Natural Health care, pain, Tulsa chiropractor, neck pain, headache,

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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.

15-yrs-post-whiplash, Dr. Keefe, Natural Health care, pain, Tulsa chiropractor, neck pain, headache,

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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.

headachespine, Dr. Keefe, Natural Health care, pain, Tulsa chiropractor, neck pain, Dr. Keefe, Natural Health care, pain, Tulsa chiropractor, neck pain, headache,,

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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”

whiplash, Dr. Keefe, Natural Health care, pain, Tulsa chiropractor, neck pain, headache,

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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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WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Sept. 24 , 2018

Posted on September 24, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: CDC warns parents not to give children antibiotics to treat the common cold, flu “Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like the common cold, flu, most sore throats, bronchitis, and many sinus and ear infections,” read a recent CDC advisory on Facebook. “Taking antibiotics can also have harmful side effects for you or your child.” While parents might be tempted to seek out antibiotics during this year’s supposedly more severe than usual flu season, taking the bacteria-killing medication will not cure the infection, stop others from catching it, nor make flu victims feel better. In fact, needlessly taking antibiotics will kill healthy bacteria and may lead to harmful side effects that could send a child to the hospital. According to the CDC, antibiotics are the most common cause of emergency hospital visits for children experiencing negative reactions to drugs. In addition, needlessly using antibiotics can make the body more resistant to the medication, making it harder to treat an infection. In total, the CDC estimates that 30 percent of all antibiotics prescribed to patients seeking medical treatment without hospital admission are unnecessary.

CHIROPRACTIC: American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has announced a national health care observance–October is National Chiropractic Month DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WITH A HEALTH PROBLEM OR IN PAIN? INVITE YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS TO THE PARTY Who do you know who is hurting? Who do you know that you have been trying to get started at Keefe Clinic? Now is the time to get your spouse or child started on the road to good health. Complimentary DIAGNOSTIC WORK UP DURING OCTOBER Complimentary initial exam and one X-ray. Tell someone today

WELLNESS: Empathy: Caring for Others Is Good for You Empathy, the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, so to speak, and understand their feelings and point of view, is a character trait that may benefit society and individuals in multiple ways. Empathy training has been found to reduce stress levels among medical students facing intense emotional encounters with patients, for example. While many parents try to instill empathetic qualities in their children, there’s growing research that empathy has deep neurological roots in humans. Empathy has complex neurological underpinnings that control the way our brains help us to care about other people. Humans have “mirror neurons” that react to others’ emotions and reproduce them; a deficit in mirror neuron receptors has been suggested as an explanation for narcissism and neurotic behaviors. Researchers found that empathy was positively associated with treatment adherence, patient satisfaction and reduced dental anxiety, sentiments that seem to be echoed among medical practitioners. Among adolescents, empathy may even go hand in hand with future success, according to licensed professional counselor Ugo Uche: “Teenagers who are empathetic tend to be more purpose driven and they intentionally succeed in their academics not because they are looking to make good grades, but in most subjects their goal is to understand the subject material and to utilize the knowledge as one of their ever-increasing tools …Teenagers who are more empathetic do a much better job in embracing failure, because there is little ego involved in their tasks, and setbacks while disappointing are rarely seen as failures, but rather as a learning experience about an approach that does not work for the task at hand.” Practicing empathy may help you relieve stress, strengthen your relationships and have a more satisfying work life.

FUNNY BONE: The last time we changed from daylight saving time, a preacher friend posted, “For those who habitually show up 15 minutes late to church, allow me to remind you that tonight is the night you set your clock back 45 minutes.”@@ Q: What starts with E, ends with E, and has only 1 letter in it? A: Envelope. @@ After an elderly couple starts getting forgetful, they visit their doctor. Their doctor tells them that many people find it useful to write themselves little notes. When they get home, the wife says, “Dear, will you please go to the kitchen and get me a dish of ice cream? And maybe write that down so you won’t forget? “Nonsense,” says the husband. “I can remember a dish of ice cream. “Well, I’d also like some strawberries and whipped cream on it,” the wife replies. “My memory’s not all that bad,” says the husband. “No problem — a dish of ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream. I don’t need to write it down.” He goes into the kitchen, and his wife hears pots and pans banging. The husband finally emerges from the kitchen and presents his wife with a plate of bacon and eggs. She looks at the plate and asks, “Hey, where’s the toast I asked for?”

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Sept. 10, 2018

Posted on September 10, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: HORSERADISH CONTAINS POWERFUL CANCER-FIGHTING COMPOUNDS Horseradish is a key flavor in prepared foods such as potato salad, sandwiches and sauces. It can add zest to dips and vegetable dishes. However, research out of the University of Illinois has found eating horseradish can actually help you to inhibit cancer cell growth. How does it work? This is due to its high content of glucosinolates, which are enzymes known to have cancer-fighting properties. Glucosinolates assist the body in detoxifying – at the cellular level – and eliminating harmful free radicals. While broccoli (which is in the same family as horseradish) is known for its glucosinolate content, horseradish has 10 times the amount. Horseradish is pretty pungent, so (fortunately) a little goes a long way both in terms of flavor and cancer-fighting benefits. Horseradish can fight cancer so well due to its detoxification ability as well as its high absorption rate; around 90 percent of this compound is effectively absorbed after ingestion. Once in the body, glucosinolates are broken down into powerful derivatives called indoles and isothiocyanates – which help us avoid cancer cell growth. In addition to its cancer-fighting properties, horseradish contains key nutrients like calcium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C. Horseradish root is most commonly ground into a spice and prepared as a condiment. However, it has also been used medicinally for over 3,000 years. Horseradish has been used to treat asthma, colds, toothache, colic, and scurvy (because of its vitamin C content.) Horseradish poultices relieve pain through topical application, and it has even been infused into milk for use in skin care. Important to note: Horseradish offers potent antimicrobial and antibiotic properties.

WELLNESS: IQ SCORES ARE DROPPING EVERY GENERATION SINCE THE 1970’S In a bit of unwelcome news, scientists have found that humans are becoming less intelligent. In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a pair of Norwegian researchers studied test results from over 730,000 young men and found that IQ scores were dropping – to the tune of seven points per generation. A recent British study – which demonstrated that IQ scores have fallen by 2.5 to 4.3 points every decade since the end of World War II – helps to corroborate the results of the Norwegian research. These findings are in sharp contrast to results from the first half of the twentieth century when IQ scores rose steadily. (Could the barrage of pesticides and environmental toxins introduced during the second half of the century be taking their toll on human brain function? Many natural health experts think so.) Fact: both animal and human studies have shown that fluoride impairs learning and memory. Researchers at the Berkeley School of Public Health at the University of California found that prenatal exposure to organophosphate pesticides – such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon – is associated with lower intelligence scores in seven-year-olds. Children with high lead levels can exhibit lower IQ scores and learning disabilities, along with behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, inability to maintain attention and aggression. The EPA notes that an estimated 1.7 million children are currently affected by lead toxicity in the United States alone – almost 900,000 of them under the age of six. According to a new study, the “brain drain” from exposure to mercury is hitting America in the pocketbook. According to a study conducted at Ashland University, aluminum cookware made in developing countries can contain dangerous amounts of lead and cadmium – along with unhealthy amounts of aluminum. NOTE: the need to regularly detox your system is important for your health and your brain.

CHIROPRACTIC: SUPPORT FOR YOUR 3 ARCHES AND YOU’RE BACK AT THE SAME TIME The feet are the foundation of the body. They provide the necessary stability to perform daily activities by supporting the weight of the entire body using a strong, 3-arched bond called the plantar vault. The plantar vault provides numerous benefits: Balances to the body, propels us forward, safely absorbs heel-strike shock, Adapts to walking and running stresses. Over time, one or more of your arches will weaken due to gravitational pressure. This process is completely natural, but can be expedited by injuries, a short leg, improper posture and naturally weak ligaments and tendons. Once an arch or multiple arches have weakened, the weight of the body will shift away from the weakened arch and start to apply pressure and stress to the other arches, causing pain and other symptoms throughout the body. A Foot Levelers custom orthotic is individually designed for your feet – helping achieve a balanced foundation and stabilized pelvis. Our custom orthotics are handmade for your unique feet based on a casts, and your doctor’s exam. Over-the-counter insoles may initially cost less, but they only support one arch in your foot. When only one arch is being supported, it may not maintain the structure of your plantar vault, and problems can start in other parts of your body. In fact, “over-supporting” just one arch of the foot may actually cause pain and symptoms, not relieve them. Do you experience pain daily? Individually designed Foot Levelers custom orthotics with 3-arch support, however, can. Imbalances in the feet can lead to knee rotation, pelvic tilt and shoulder drop. These imbalances in the body can be caused by pronation and supination of the foot. These instabilities can lead to conditions such as plantar fasciitis, knee pain, hip pain, back pain, and neck pain. A properly aligned body will have symmetrical feet, level knees, pelvis and shoulders. Wearing Custom Orthotics may help alleviate imbalances and conditions caused by those imbalances. A conclusive new study, “Shoe Orthotics for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial” published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation shows that Foot Levelers custom orthotics, particularly in combination with Chiropractic care, significantly reduce Low Back Pain (LBP).

FUNNY BONE: Teacher: Who answers my next question, can go home. One boy throws his bag out the window. Teacher: Who just threw that? Boy: Me and I’m going home now.@@ Teacher:¨Are you sleeping in my class¨? Student:¨Well now I´m not but if you could be a little quieter I could¨@@ Ms.Battle: Henry, I hope I didn’t see you copying Casey’s math test. Henry: I hope you didn’t either.@@ A husband tells his wife, “Since it is your birthday, remember that yellow Lamborghini that you really wanted?”. The wife screams in joy and starts crying tears of joy. Then the husband says, “Well I got you a toothbrush, same color”.@@ Hi pleased to meet you. You might already know me. I’m kind of a big deal. I used to be the world’s youngest person.@@ A burglar entered my house in the middle of the night. I woke up and asked him what he was doing. He said he was looking for money so I got up and searched with him.@@ Optimist: The glass is half full. Pessimist: The glass is half empty. Mother: Why didn’t you use a coaster! !@@ A man goes to the lawyer: “What is your fee?” Lawyer says: “1000 US dollars for 3 questions.” Man: “Wow – so much! Isn’t it a bit expensive?” Lawyer: “Yes, what is your third question?”

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

Migraines With Aura vs. Migraines without

Posted on August 23, 2018 by DocJohn

When you have a long-term migraine, it’s about much more than a headache. You may feel sick to your stomach and find it hard to handle light, sounds, and smells. For some folks, though, it doesn’t stop there. They also get something called an aura.

Most often, an aura causes you to see strange things, like colored spots or flashing lights. It can be pretty scary, especially the first time it happens.

Migraines without auras are much more common than any other kind. You can get them as often as several times a week or as little as once a year.

Auras show up in about 1 in 3 people with a migraine, but you’re not likely to get them every time. So it’s possible you might have both types of migraine, with auras happening here and there.

How Are They Different?

In both, you get the typical migraine symptoms, which may last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. That can include:

Being sensitive to light, smells, sound, and touch
Blurred vision
Pain that’s usually on one side of the head and worse when you move
Stomach upset and throwing up
Stiffness in your shoulders and neck

The difference is whether or not you get an aura. When you do, it typically sets in slowly over 5 to 20 minutes. It may last up to an hour. It often acts as a warning sign, coming on before any pain shows up. But it can happen during a migraine as well.

Visual auras. These are the most common ones. You might see bizarre shapes or effects that grow or move, such as:

Blind spots
Colored spots
Flashes of light
Sparkles and stars
Tunnel vision
Zigzags

Other auras. Less often, they can affect your other senses and even your ability to move. You might have:

Confusion and a hard time understanding people
Movements you can’t control, like sudden jerks
Muscle weakness
Music or noises in your head that aren’t really there
Pins and needles that start in your fingers or arm and spread to your face
Speech problems, as if you know what you want to say but can’t form the words

But these may also be symptoms of a stroke. If you have any of them, and your doctor has not already told you that they are a part of your migraine, call 911.

Sometimes you can get an aura without any other symptoms. That’s called a silent migraine. It’s more common in people 50 and older.

Treatment:

Chiropractic adjustments alone can correct most types of headaches. Migraines present certain challenges because there can be many factors. A number of factors may trigger migraines, including Hormonal changes in women. Hormonal medications, Foods, Food additives, Drinks, Stress, Sensory stimuli, Changes in the wake-sleep pattern, Physical factors, Changes in the environment, and Medications.

So knowing what factors trigger migraines can help in the solution. Besides chiropractic adjustments, you should work in getting the amount of fluid you need to help your body detox. Most adults need between 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night. Exercise can help reduce the effects of stress.

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Butterbur Extra is a supplement we would recommend. It contains key nutrients and herbs that can help correct the nutritional causes of migraines. 2 to 3 per day as part of an overall program would be an excellent way to control your migraines naturally. All pharmaceutical pain pills are dangerous, even ibuprofen and Tylenol.

To your better health,

Dr. Keefe

If you have not set up your account at natural partners then go to npscript.com/Keefeclinic and set up an account (if a code is asked for use 6631111). There is no charge to set up this account and they do not sell email addresses. Once the account is set up you can order any of their over 9000 products in the comfort of your own home and have them shipped to your door. Note: for a period of time you can get free shipping, order today! For help ordering call 888-950-2767

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday July 30, 2018

Posted on July 30, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

DIET: Kidney stones can be avoided by drinking lemonade The pain of passing a kidney stone has been described as on par with natural childbirth. However, urologists are increasingly prescribing an accessible natural remedy for kidney stones: lemonade. Citric acid-rich lemon juice in the form of lemonade has proven highly effective in preventing kidney stones or slowing their formation substantially. Medical professionals like Roger L. Sur, MD, director of UC San Diego Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center and Steven Y. Nakada, chair and professor of urology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison advocate lemonade therapy as an alternative to taking medications or supplements for the painful condition. Passing a kidney stone is experienced as an excruciating pain in the flank and lower back. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine are also possible symptoms of kidney stones. In addition, important to note, the presence of a fever indicates a likely blood infection – which can be life-threatening. Note: 2 lemons per quarter of water can help reduce kidney stones so they can be passed without pain, sweeten with Stevia. In an emergency Gold label Alka-Seltzer can change the pH quickly. Most kidney stones develop in an acid pH and even though lemons taste acid its ash is strongly alkaline to the kidneys. Alkaline water can also be helpful.

IN THE NEWS: Homocysteine imbalance connected to a HIGHER risk of Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, currently affects over 5 million Americans – while heart disease and stroke continue to claim 740,000 lives every year in the United States. As a possible way to help solve this health crisis, scientists are learning that high levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, can contribute to these life-threatening diseases. For example, a new Temple University study highlights the vital role of B-complex vitamins in controlling homocysteine – and reveals how elevated levels of this amino acid can set the stage for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. With vitamin B deficiencies currently widespread in the United States – and Alzheimer’s disease on the rise – the need for maintaining healthy levels of these essential nutrients has never been more apparent. But homocysteine can also be caused by stress, improper diet – such as eating too much red meat – and by deficiencies of B vitamins and folic acid. (Note: although coffee has received high marks lately from researchers for its association with lowered risk of degenerative disease, some experts believe that coffee consumption raises homocysteine as well). Note: ask us to check you on homocysteine on your next visit.

CHIROPRACTIC: Why does chiropractic work so well for headaches? When vertebrae in the neck become misaligned you don’t always notice it as neck pain. Headaches are one of the more common signs of neck problems. A number of patients who suffer from headaches indicate that their headache seems to start in the neck. If you place a dime on the back of your hand you will sense the amount of pressure that can reduce the function of a naked spinal nerve root by 40%. That’s not a lot of pressure and that’s why you can have misalignments causing internal disorders without a lot of back pain. At Keefe clinic we also work with detoxification, hormone balance and making a stronger immune system. This is important because not all headaches are the same, some can be caused because your body is toxic or there is some type of hormonal imbalance or some unique immune system issues going on. If you suffer from headaches then you need to find the cause and fix the cause. Taking pain pills will allow the cause time to get worse make smart decisions about your health. Chiropractic works!

FUNNY BONE: A mother took her little boy to church. While in church the little boy said, “Mommy, I have to pee.” The mother said to the little boy, “It’s not appropriate to say the word ‘pee’ in church. So, from now on whenever you have to ‘pee’ just tell me that you have to ‘whisper’.” The following Sunday, the little boy went to church with his father and during the service said to his father, “Daddy, I have to whisper.“ The father looked at him and said, “Okay, just whisper in my ear.”@@ A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a card and wrote “Revelation 3:20″ on the back of it and stuck it in the door. When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, Genesis 3:10.” Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Genesis 3:10 reads, “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid, for I was naked.”@@ Q. Why shouldn’t you marry a tennis player? A. Because Love means nothing to them.

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WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday May 21, 2018

Posted on May 21, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Toxic Weed Killer Found in Most Foods Sold in the US Earlier this year, researchers from University of California San Diego School of Medicine reported there’s been a dramatic increase in glyphosate exposure in recent decades and, subsequently, the level found in people’s bodies. As one would expect, the introduction of so-called “Roundup Ready” genetically engineered (GE) crops led to a massive increase in the use of Roundup, the active ingredient of which is glyphosate. Glyphosate has also become a popular tool for desiccating non-GE grains, legumes and beans, which has further spurred the use of the chemical. Between 1974 — the year glyphosate entered the U.S. market — and 2014, glyphosate use in the U.S. increased more than 250fold. Globally, glyphosate use has risen nearly fifteenfold since 1996, two years after the first GE crops hit the market. Between 1974 — the year glyphosate entered the U.S. market — and 2014, glyphosate use in the U.S. increased more than 250fold. Few people had detectable levels of glyphosate in their urine in 1993, but by 2016, 70 percent had detectable levels. Between 1993 and 2016, the glyphosate levels in people’s bodies increased by 1,208 percent. While both the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) measure pesticide residues in foods, neither include glyphosate in their official testing. Internal FDA emails reveal Roundup has been found in virtually all foods tested, including granola, oatmeal products, crackers and honey. Independent testing has found significant amounts of glyphosate in a wide range of foods as well, including grains (especially oats), legumes, beans, orange juice, wine and ice cream. NOTE: detoxification should be a regular part of any health program. With Vega testing we can tell if your detox pathways have been compromised and can supply the necessary nutrients to open them back up and help your body cleanse itself of toxic chemicals.

WELLNESS: Zero Tolerance for Zero-Calorie? It sounds enticing enough, particularly for anyone trying to lose weight: zero calorie. Over the years, artificial sweeteners have emerged as the popular choice for people who want to prevent weight gain and diabetes without sacrificing the sweet taste of their favorite desserts and beverages. In fact, these days you’ll find artificial sweeteners in a wide range of food and drink products including soft drinks, gum, candy, jelly, yogurt, breakfast cereals, baked goods and many other processed foods. But is “zero calorie” all it’s cracked up to be? According to new research, consuming zero-calorie artificial sweeteners may have the same impact as consuming good-old fashioned sugar. For the study, presented this month at the American Physiological Society’s 2018 Experimental Biology meeting, researchers gave one group of mice sugar (glucose or fructose) and a second group zero-calorie artificial sweeteners: aspartame (sold under the brand names Equal and NutraSweet) or acesulfame potassium (sold as Sunett and Sweet One). In less than a month, the group given artificial sweeteners showed significant changes in their metabolism, particularly related to the processing of fat and energy. The researchers suggest these changes could increase the risk of obesity and diabetes in a similar fashion as that produced when consuming excess amounts of sugar. This isn’t the first study to suggest artificial sweeteners may negatively impact metabolism and how the body processes fat and energy. The moral to the story: Avoid consuming too much sugar, whether it’s natural or artificial! Talk to your doctor about a low-sugar, balanced, nutritious diet that helps you maintain a healthy weight and avoid the health consequences associated with obesity.

CHIROPRACTIC: WHEN OTHER METHODS FAIL When chiropractic was just starting out the general public didn’t understand what we did. So a lot of patients only visited a chiropractor when the doctor they had seen couldn’t help. Chiropractic quickly got a reputation of helping when other methods failed. Today more and more are trying chiropractic first yet we still see patients who’ve tried every other method before seeing us. With the increased dangers of new pharmaceutical and surgical procedures utilizing chiropractic last could pose a serious health problem to some patients. New pharmaceuticals can sometimes produce permanent damage and make it even harder to restore the body to health once proper care is instituted. The problem can be even worse with surgery where inappropriate surgery has made it very difficult to help the patient. When a patient fully understands what chiropractic does and the principles by which it operates they can see the wisdom of trying chiropractic first then drugs and lastly surgery. To state that simply if you have a pain condition a drug could cover up the symptoms but it can’t fix the underlying problem. With chiropractic care, if we’re going to help the patient we have to find a cause and fix the cause. When a patient with a chronic pain condition starts to get better under chiropractic care that’s because the underlying cause is being correct. When you take a pain pill that’s like cutting the wire to the red light on your dashboard and thinking you’ve accomplished something. Only addressing the symptoms without fixing the cause is a road that can lead to disaster as far as your health is concerned. Chiropractic works with neurology and physiology when we restore proper nerve control to areas of your body that are dysfunctional. Chiropractic works with the chemical system of your body when we restore the proper nutritional elements necessary for good health. In a recent study published in a peer-reviewed journal chiropractic care can save substantial healthcare costs. A comparison of health care costs for chiropractic and medical patients. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993 Jun;16(5):291-9.CONCLUSIONS: Although work is in progress to control for possible variations in case mix and to compare outcomes in addition to costs, these preliminary results suggest a significant cost-saving potential for users of chiropractic care. The results also suggest the need to re-examine insurance practices and programs that restrict chiropractic coverage relative to medical coverage.

FUNNY BONE: A guy spots a sign outside a house that reads “Talking Dog for Sale.” Intrigued, he walks in. “So what have you done with your life?” he asks the dog. “I’ve led a very full life,” says the dog. “I lived in the Alps rescuing avalanche victims. Then I served my country in Iraq. And now I spend my days reading to the residents of a retirement home.” The guy is flabbergasted. He asks the dog’s owner, “Why on earth would you want to get rid of an incredible dog like that?” The owner says, “Because he’s a liar! He never did any of that!”@@ My girlfriend says I’m hopeless at fixing appliances. Well, she’s in for a shock.@@ 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 girlfriend isn’t talking to me because apparently I ruined her birthday. I’m not sure how I did that – I didn’t even know it was her birthday…

Car Accidents, Symptom Relief versus Chiropractic

Posted on May 16, 2018 by DocJohn

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday March 12, 2018

Posted on March 12, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Help Preserve Your Eyesight With B Vitamins A study published in the July 2013 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition adds to the evidence suggesting certain B vitamins may be important in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 55 years of age in the U.S. and Canada. Previous studies have shown that taking certain antioxidant vitamins and minerals as supplements (vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc), at specific dosages, can slow the progression of AMD. What the Latest Study Says In the latest study, known as the Blue Mountain Eye Study, serum folate (B-vitamin folic acid), vitamin B₁₂ and homocysteine status were determined from blood samples drawn in 1997-1999 from cohort members ages 55 and older. AMD was assessed in 1,760 survivors from retinal photographs taken in 2002-2004 and 2007-2009. Results showed that higher blood levels of homocysteine were associated with a significant increased risk of developing AMD, whereas higher levels of vitamin B₁₂ were strongly associated with decreased risk of developing AMD. Homocysteine is a toxic end-product of metabolism known to damage blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. How You Can Prevent AMD It is thought that AMD is a highly preventable disease, thus requiring attention to various lifestyle behaviors. Extrapolating from what we know from experimental, observational and clinical studies, the following practices appear to be the best proactive strategies to prevent the development of AMD:Don’t smoke-Protect your eyes from UV light-Prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes by maintaining your ideal weight, performing endurance and strength-training exercises regularly, and keeping your blood sugar levels within an ideal range (talk to your doctor to for more info)-Eat a diet rich in brightly colored vegetables and fruit (dark green, yellow, orange, blue, purple, red).-Take dosages of antioxidants and B vitamins:Vitamin C: 1,000 mg-Vitamin E: 400 IU-Selenium: 200 mcg-Zinc: Vit A 25,000 IU -Lutein powder: 6 mg-B-50 complex, including 400 mcg folic acid, 50 mcg vitamin B₁₂ and 50 mg vitamin B₆(which also lowers homocysteine) If you’re already suffering from advanced macular degeneration, higher dosages of certain vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients are required to slow the progression of the disease.

WELLNESS: Poor Sleep Is Bad for Your Waistline If you think you’re getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis, you’re either fooling yourself or in an extremely small minority. That’s because increasingly, people are tossing and turning, waking up repeatedly, going to bed late and waking up early, or just plain waking up feeling tired, unrefreshed and unready to take on the next day because of a poor night’s sleep. There are short- and long-term consequences of poor sleep, ranging from irritability and concentration lapses (short term) to cardiovascular disease (long term), but your weight and waistline also may suffer, according to research published in PLoS One, the peer-reviewed journal of the Public Library of Science. In a recent study, adults were divided into three groups based on their average sleep duration: Less than six hours nightly (5.88 hours), more than seven hours (7.26 hours), and more than eight hours (8.44 hours). If you got the most average sleep per night, your body-mass index (BMI) was about two points lower than if you got the least average sleep per night. Getting the most sleep, compared to the least, also corresponded with 1.6 inch smaller waistline, on average, compared to getting the least sleep. NOTE: We have several natural products that can help your sleep. Ask about it on your next visit. Also visit Keefeclinic.com and type sleep in the search bar.

CHIROPRACTIC: Knee Osteoarthritis: Steroid Injections Aren’t the Answer Knee osteoarthritis can be painful and limit your activities, but corticosteroid injections aren’t the answer, according to new research published in the May 16, 2017 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In the study, quarterly steroid injections actually increased cartilage loss over a two-year period without providing any benefit. That’s a loss-loss situation if you ask us. Patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis with synovitis were divided into two groups, with one group receiving the corticosteroid injections every 12 weeks for two years and a second group receiving a placebo (saline injections) at the same frequency and over the same time frame. Patients in the steroid group lost an average of 0.21 mm in cartilage thickness over the two-year period compared with only 0.10 mm, on average, in patients not receiving corticosteroids. What’s more, patients receiving steroid injections scored only 1.2 points lower on a 0-20 pain scale (0 = no pain, 20 = extreme pain), while patients not receiving steroid treatment scored 1.9 points lower following the intervention period. In other words, patients who received no steroids reported less pain at three-month follow-ups than patients who received steroids! Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world, which makes finding effective treatment options paramount. Unfortunately (and as we’ve said repeatedly with other scenarios), drugs – in this case, injections – may not be the answer. If you suffer from osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor about nondrug alternatives to manage your pain and reduce other symptoms. NOTE: Steps to prevent and correct knee problems: arch supports, anti-inflammatory diet including fish oils, supplements that build Cartledge, keeping your knees in proper alignment.

FUNNY BONE: When I went to the ER to have a painful ingrown toenail removed, I was sobbing, gagging, petrified … the works. But my doctor knew how to calm me down. “Don’t worry about a thing,” he assured me. “I just looked up how to perform this operation on YouTube.”@@ Had a woman who was in active labor, despite insisting she couldn’t be pregnant. She said her last period was “like ten months ago” so she’d gone through menopause. She was 25.@@ While in dental school my friend pulled out several bombed out (technical term) teeth on a adult male. After the procedure was finished and post-op instructions we given, the man asked, “So when should I expect my new teeth to grow in?” He was serious.@@ I gave my patient the results of her sleep study: “It looks like you stopped breathing in your sleep over 65 times per hour.” Her response: “Did I start back?”@@ Call it … carma! A car belonging to a pregnant patient was broken into. The only thing that was stolen was a wine bottle in a brown paper bag. It turns out, that’s where she was keeping her urine sample, which she’d brought in to be tested Visit our web sites: keefeclinic.com & facebook.com/keefeclinic

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Jan. 15, 2018

Posted on January 15, 2018 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: New antibiotics announced to fight superbug infections Scientists in the United States have developed a vital tool in the battle against superbugs by re-engineering a decades-old antibiotic. A modified version of the antibiotic vancomycin is believed to be much more effective at fighting Enterococci bacteria, which is found in hospitals and can cause dangerous wound and blood infections. The drug, which has been used for 60 years, is described as an antibiotic of last resort, used only after treatment with other antibiotics has failed. But some infections have become resistant even to vancomycin in its current form. The research team, from The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, California, described the new drug as “magical” in its strength, the UK Press Association reported. It could be years, however, before the completion of clinical trials needed to turn the lab discovery into a mass-produced medicine, Dr. Andrew Edwards, a lecturer in molecular microbiology at Imperial College, London. Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections. Many more people die from other conditions that were complicated by an antibiotic–resistant infection. Warning: the cause for superbugs is the overutilization of antibiotics. When this new antibiotic finishes trials and if it does appear to be effective what’s going to prevent the overutilization of this to produce even more powerful superbugs? NOTHING! It’s important that you take responsibility for your own health and utilize natural approaches with infections. The vast majority of infections can be addressed naturally without producing superbugs. Industry and the medical profession have shown themselves incapable of controlling the overuse of antibiotics, you must protect yourself and your family by utilizing natural approaches first.

WELLNESS: Uses of castor oil Castor oil is made by pressing the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). It’s a triglyceride that is composed of fatty acids, 90 percent of which is ricinoleic acid, the primary healing ingredient in castor oil. Aside from rubbing or massaging it directly on your skin, you can also make a castor oil pack see keefeclinic.com. 1.Safe and natural laxative. A 2010 study highlighted how castor oil packs helped to effectively reduce constipation among the elderly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually deems this oil “generally regarded as safe and effective” for use as a stimulant laxative. Oral ingestion of castor oil can “purge” the digestive tract within two to five hours. However,

remember to take it in the appropriate dose. Adults can take 1 to 2 tablespoons, while children 2 to 12 years old should be given only 1 to 2 teaspoons. Infants below 2 years old are not advised to take more than a teaspoon at a time. When giving it to children, try mixing it in freshly squeezed juice so it becomes more palatable. 2.Muscle pain relief. Rub it on your muscles after an intense workout to promote blood circulation and relieve soreness. Mix it with peppermint oil or Roman chamomile oil for extra healing and soothing effect. 3.Alleviates joint pain. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has a decongestant effect on the lymphatic system, which is responsible for collecting waste from your tissues and carrying it to your bloodstream to be eliminated. If the lymphatic system is not working properly, such as in people with arthritis, joint pain occurs. Massaging castor oil on the joints can help ease the congestion and jumpstart your lymphatic system. A 2009 study published in Phytotherapy Research supports this, and reveals that castor oil helps relieve pain among patients with knee osteoarthritis. 4.Helps treat fungal diseases. It’s said that castor oil is just as effective as anti-fungal drugs in treating common infections like ringworm, jock itch (tinea cruris) and athlete’s foot. Simply warm the oil, apply onto the affected area before bedtime and leave it on overnight. Repeat for a week or until the infection has disappeared completely.

CHIROPRACTIC: Why Americans Love Chiropractic Findings from the most recent National Health Interview Survey providing data on the use of chiropractic and other complementary health care approaches by U.S. adults reveals why Americans utilize chiropractic and what they value most. The survey provides data on lifetime (54.6 million; 24%) and 12-month (19.1 million; 8.4%) use of chiropractic services and various sociodemographic characteristics. But the most intriguing data illuminates the primary reasons for visiting a doctor of chiropractic and the perceived health and wellness benefits received by chiropractic users. Why visit a chiropractor? Here’s why: Reasons for Visiting a Chiropractor For general wellness / disease prevention: 43.6% To improve energy: 16.3% To improve athletic or sports performance: 15.4% To improve immune function: 11.4% To improve memory or concentration: 5.3% Benefits of Chiropractic Improves overall health or makes feel better: 66.9% Helps to sleep better: 41.9% Helps to reduce stress level or to relax: 40.2% Makes it easier to cope with health problems: 38.5% Gives a sense of control over own health: 32.5% Helps to feel better emotionally: 27.4%

FUNNY BONE: I went in to a pet shop. I said, “Can I buy a goldfish?” The guy said, “Do you want an aquarium?” I said, “I don’t care what star sign it is.”@@ I couldn’t believe that the highway department called my dad a thief. But when I got home, all the signs were there.@@ Person 1: Hey Rachyl, do you remember me? Person 2: Wrong number. Person 1: What’s your number then?@@ Texting the doctor: Matt: Hey Dr. Park, this is Matt from the Vascular lab. I have an outpatient here with an external iliac occlusion with cold foot pain and numbness that started 3 days ago. What should I do with her? Hannah: Hi, this is Hannah. I think you have the wrong number, but I Googled it and I’m pretty sure u need to put a stent in her left radial artery. Best of luck, Matt! Matt: Sorry, about the wrong number Hannah. She ended up actually getting a stent. Took about 3 hours longer for trained medical professionals to figure out what took you 3 minutes. Hannah: Yoooo, yall hiring?

Visit our web site: keefeclinic.com-facebook/keefeclinic.com

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Nov. 20, 2017

Posted on November 20, 2017 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

DIET: Can you REALLY eat yourself happy? You really are what you eat – and your brain health and mood are no exception. For example: Junk food really can affect our mental health by causing blood sugar highs and lows. This interferes with brain chemicals that affect mood. Protein is vital to make serotonin and dopamine – which are key to our mental health. There are crucial nutrients that our brain requires in tiny amounts that can really affect our mental state. They include B vitamins, iron, calcium, magnesium, chromium, zinc and selenium. When you feel tired, do you reach for a sweet snack? And when you’re upset, do you find solace in chocolate, ice-cream or a bag of chips? Research confirms that you are more likely to turn to junk food when you’re in a bad mood, as their high fat and sugar content activates pleasure centres in the brain, triggering the release of ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. But there’s a catch. Self-medicating with junk food also leads to blood sugar highs and lows that interfere with how these brain chemicals function to regulate mood. The overall effect can worsen your mental health. NOTE:Eating a variety of whole foods, real foods, supply your brain with the essential nutrients that can help produce a sense of well-being and higher moods. Eating smart is not only good for your well-being but for your families as well.

IN THE NEWS: Poor sleep linked to toxic buildup of Alzheimer’s protein, memory loss Sleep may be a missing piece in the Alzheimer’s disease puzzle. UC Berkeley scientists have found compelling evidence that poor sleep — particularly a deficit of the deep, restorative slumber needed to hit the save button on memories — is a channel through which the beta-amyloid protein believed to trigger Alzheimer’s disease attacks the brain’s long-term memory. “Our findings reveal a new pathway through which Alzheimer’s disease may cause memory decline later in life,” said UC Berkeley neuroscience professor Matthew Walker, senior author of the study published today in the journal Nature Neuroscience. A 2013 University of Rochester study found that the brain cells of mice would shrink during non-rapid-eye-movement (non-REM) sleep to make space for cerebrospinal fluids to wash out toxic metabolites such as beta-amyloid. “Sleep is helping wash away toxic proteins at night, preventing them from building up and from potentially destroying brain cells,” Walker said. “It’s providing a power cleanse for the brain.” NOTE: We have tools to help improve the quality of your sleep.

CHIROPRACTIC: Natural healthcare can help you There are many reasons for the shift in healthcare. Some people are concerned about the side effects that drugs have, (2000 deaths per week over 1 million injuries per year), some people have a sense of body ecology and don’t want to put any artificial substances within their body. Some people have discovered drugs mainly cover-up symptoms and never get to the root of your problem, and are more concerned with maximizing their health than just making some symptoms disappear. I’m sure you have seen either a popular magazine or news program on TV, the benefits of different natural healthcare techniques. Chiropractic is the world’s largest natural healthcare profession and specializes in finding the root cause of health problems and helping restore patients to better health through natural methods. At Keefe clinic these are the principles that we specialize in. We promise you that we will not just cover-up your symptoms and allow the underlying condition time to get worse. Chiropractic care, homeopathic care, individualized diet, acupuncture, nutritional therapy, muscle therapy and exercise, whatever it takes to move your body from disease to health, dysfunction to realizing your genetic potentials. We will customize a program to fit your particular health needs, from low back pain and headaches to digestive problems and PMS. From ear infections in babies to arthritis or heart disease and the geriatric patient, we offer the latest and natural healthcare. For more information visit our website: www.Keefeclinic.com

FUNNY BONE: Borrow money from pessimists — they don’t expect it back.@@ 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.@@82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.@@A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.@@All those who believe in psycho kinesis, raise my hand.@@OK, so what’s the speed of dark?@@How do you tell when you’re out of invisible ink?.@@ What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter? PUMPKIN PI @@ An actor had been out of work for 15 years because he always forgot his lines. Then one day he got a phone call from a director who wanted him for a big part in a play. All he had to say was “Hark! I hear the cannon roar! After much worry the actor decided to take the role. Opening night arrived, and while he waited in the wings, the actor muttered to himself “Hark! I hear the cannon roar! Hark! I hear the cannon roar! The time for the entrance finally came and as the actor made his appearance, he heard a loud brooooom! He turned around and said, “What the heck was that?” -Robert De Nero

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Oct 23, 2017

Posted on October 23, 2017 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Common Acid Reflux Medications Promote Chronic Liver Disease Approximately 10 percent of the general population take a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug to block stomach acid secretions and relieve symptoms of frequent heartburn, acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease. That percentage can be as much as seven times higher for people with chronic liver disease. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered evidence in mice and humans that stomach (gastric) acid suppression alters specific gut bacteria in a way that promotes liver injury and progression of three types of chronic liver disease. The study is published October 10 in Nature Communications. “Our stomachs produce gastric acid to kill ingested microbes, and taking a medication to suppress gastric acid secretion can change the composition of the gut microbiome,” said senior author Bernd Schnabl, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Since we found previously that the gut microbiome — the communities of bacteria and other microbes living there — can influence liver disease risk, we wondered what effect gastric acid suppression might have on the progression of chronic liver disease. We found that the absence of gastric acid promotes growth of Enterococcus bacteria in the intestines and translocation to the liver, where they exacerbate inflammation and worsen chronic liver disease.” There are inexpensive and readily available alternatives to PPIs. However, even non-PPI-based antacids (e.g., Pepto-Bismol, Tums, or H2 blockers such as Tagamet and Zantac) still suppress gastric acid to a lesser degree. While these other types of antacids were not tested in this study, Schnabl said any medication that suppresses gastric acid effectively could cause changes in gut bacteria and thus potentially affect the progression of chronic liver disease. Alternatively, non-pharmacological methods for managing heartburn are an option for some patients, including losing weight and reducing intake of alcohol, caffeine, and fatty and spicy foods. An FDA report cautions against high doses or prolonged use of PPIs, because they’ve been shown to increase the risk of infection, bone fractures and dementia. But the danger doesn’t stop there. All acid stopping drugs (not just PPIs) inhibit nutrient absorption, promote bacterial overgrowth, reduce resistance to infection and increase the risk of cancer and other serious diseases.

CHIROPRACTIC: American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has announced a national health care observance

October is National Chiropractic Month

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WITH A HEALTH PROBLEM OR IN PAIN?

INVITE YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS TO THE PARTY Who do you know who is hurting? Who do you know that you have been trying to get started at Keefe Clinic?

Now is the time to get your spouse or child started on the road to good health.

Complimentary DIAGNOSTIC WORK UP DURING OCTOBER

Complimentary initial exam and one X-ray.

Tell someone today

WELLNESS: Best foods for good digestion Yogurt-has bacteria that is essentially good for your gut. You need to check their labels for “live and active culture” to reap the digestive benefits out of it. Banana-are very effective in treating gastric problems as they are helpful in restoring bowel function and can help treat diarrhea. They are rich in electrolytes and potassium which help in restoring good digestive health. Ginger-is a spice that has many benefits for digestive health. It can help cure motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, gas and loss of appetite. The ideal consumption would be 2 to 3 g every day. If you have more than that, it may cause heartburn. Beet root-are very good source of fiber, potassium and magnesium. They are an excellent cure for problems like constipation. Apple-are also rich in bacteria that are helpful in maintaining a good gut health. Avocado-are among the best sources of fiber and fruits. This helps in maintaining a mucosal lining in the gastrointestinal tract, which helps in the digestive process. Cod liver oil-source of the vitamin A and C, cod liver oil helps in maintaining a good digestive health. Blueberry-a very good source of fiber and vitamin C. They are loaded with cancer fighting properties. Kiwi-is loaded with minerals and nutrients which are very good for your gut health. It contains vitamin C and E, linolenic acid, magnesium, potassium, actinidin, fatty acids and pepsin which are good for your digestive health. Papaya-rich in papain which helps break down proteins in your stomach. Papaya also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help and soothing the stomach. It also helps relieve problems like food allergies and heartburn.

FUNNY BONE: TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell crocodile? GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-a-L TEACHER: no, that’s wrong. GLENN: maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.@@ I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn’t find any.@@ If you jog in a jogging suit, lounge and a lounging pajamas, and smoke in a smoking jacket, why would anybody want to wear a windbreaker?@@ A police car pulled me over near the high school where I teach. As the officer asked me for my license and registration, my students began to drive past. Some honked their horns, others hooted, still others stopped to admonish me for speeding. Finally the officer asked me if I was a teacher at the school, and I told him I was. I think you’ve paid your debt to society, he said with a smile, and left out given me a ticket.

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

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday Oct. 2, 2017

Posted on October 2, 2017 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: A STUDY PROVES TURMERIC IS 400X MORE POWERFUL THAN A COMMON DIABETES DRUG Turmeric has been used as a spice in curry for a very long time. More recently it is getting noted as arguably the most powerful herb on the planet because of its ability to fight against and possibly reverse disease. Turmeric and its healing properties have got the world so interested that there have been over 6000 peer-reviewed research articles published proving the benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin which is one of Turmeric’s renowned healingcompounds. Out of the thousands of studies on Turmeric, one of the most interesting findings is that Turmeric when compared to pharmaceutical medications that the benefits are often equal. In fact, sometimes Turmeric has even been considered a better option than pharmaceutical medications. Although the list is a lot longer, today we will look at 8 examples of health conditions where Organic Turmeric can replace or be a better option than traditional pharmaceutical medications. 1. Management of Diabetes,2.Anti-depressants,3.Anti-inflammatories,4.Cancertreatment, 5.Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets, 6. Arthritis management, 7. Cholesterol regulators, 8. Painkillers

CHIROPRACTIC: American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has announced a national health care observance–October is National Chiropractic Month DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WITH A HEALTH PROBLEM OR IN PAIN? INVITE YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS TO THE PARTY Who do you know who is hurting? Who do you know that you have been trying to get started at Keefe Clinic? Now is the time to get your spouse or child started on the road to good health. Complimentary DIAGNOSTIC WORK UP DURING OCTOBER Complimentary initial exam and one X-ray. Tell someone today

WELLNESS: PEOPLE WHO REGULARLY EAT NUTS ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE OVERWEIGHT People who regularly eat nuts are less likely to be overweight or obese, according to a new study. Those who consume the healthy snack were found to have a five per cent lower risk of carrying extra pounds compared to those who didn’t. Researchers discovered that participants in their study gained an average of almost five pounds by the end of five years, but those who eat nuts routinely gained less weight. The study’s senior investigator even suggested nuts should replace animal fats. ‘Eat nuts during your meal,’ said Dr Joan Sabaté, the director of the Center for Nutrition, Lifestyle and Disease Prevention at Loma Linda University School of Public Health in California. ‘Put them at the center of your plate to replace animal products. They’re very satiating. Nuts have also been linked to producing healthy aging benefits in seniors in a previous study by Dr Sabaté. Nuts that were included in this study were peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, and walnuts. The recent study was published in the European Journal of Nutrition. Walnuts reduce food cravings and promote a feeling of fullness, new research suggests. Eating the healthy snack boosts brain activity in the region associated with control, which suggests people will have more discipline when faced with unhealthy food, a study found. People also report feeling less hungry after consuming walnuts, the research adds.

FUNNY BONE: I was at the customer-service desk, returning a pair of jeans that was too tight. “Was anything wrong with them?” the clerk asked. “Yes,” I said. “They hurt my feelings.”@@ Moses had the first tablet that could connect to the cloud.@@ A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age. @@ I like having conversations with kids. Grownups never ask me what my third favorite reptile is.@@ I bought the world’s worst thesaurus yesterday. Not only is it terrible, it’s terrible

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

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?

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday July 3, 2017

Posted on July 3, 2017 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Light-sensitive bacteria could save you during a heart attack If scientists can use them in humans, that is. Heart attacks are frightening by themselves, but they’re made worse by the potential for lasting damage. Even a brief interruption to blood flow could permanently destroy vital tissue that keeps your heart beating as usual. However, there might be a way to mitigate or even prevent that damage. Scientists have discovered that a light-sensitive bacteria, synechococcus elongatus, can keep oxygen coming in the midst of a heart attack. Much like a plant, the bacteria both draws on photosynthesis for energy and turns both CO2 and water into oxygen. If you expose it to light soon after the attack, you can maintain oxygen levels and increase the heart’s blood-pumping ability after the attack is over. In lab rats, the results were dramatic. Oxygen levels were 25 times higher 10 minutes after the attack, and the hearts pumped 60 percent more blood 45 minutes after the attack. If you could use this as an emergency treatment in humans, it could mean the difference between outright heart failure and a reasonably healthy patient. The emphasis is on “if,” however. It’s easy to shine light into the small body of a rat; it’s tougher to do that with humans, who have thicker heart muscles (and are much larger, of course). There’s also the question of whether or not the bacteria are completely safe. Don’t count on this solution reaching hospitals soon, if at all. Nonetheless, the discovery is promising: it suggests that there’s a way to protect your heart against long-term harm even as doctors race to save you from the immediate threat.

WELLNESS: Broccoli Compound Lowers Risk of Obesity and Helps Treat Diabetes Sulforaphane, an organic sulfur found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, may lower your risk of obesity and may be an ideal substitute or complement to metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Sulforaphane reduces glucose production and improves liver gene expression. Patients with dysregulated diabetes who received broccoli sprout extract in addition to metformin had 10 percent lower fasting blood glucose levels than the placebo group. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts also have potent anticancer activity courtesy of sulforaphane and other chemoprotective compounds. Steaming your broccoli spears for three to four minutes will optimize the sulforaphane content by eliminating epithiospecifier protein — a heat-sensitive sulfur-grabbing protein that inactivates sulforaphane — while still retaining the enzyme myrosinase, which converts glucoraphanin to sulforaphane. Without it, you cannot get any sulforaphane. The sulforaphane content can be further optimized by adding a myrosinase-containing food to it. Foods containing this important enzyme include: Mustard seed,^,Daikon radishes,Wasabi, Arugula, Coleslaw.

CONDITION OF THE WEEK: Sick and tired of being sick and tired My greatest joy is unraveling the code of disease in patients that I see. Health and disease follow certain patterns and steps. You simply follow certain laws that produce health or you break certain laws that produce disease. Those laws in a nutshell include proper diet, rest and relaxation (stress handling), positive mental and spiritual attitude, exercise and a pressure free nervous system. And to the degree you break these laws is the degree you lose your health. Health loss can happen slowly over a long period of time and by the time the symptoms appear you can be in bad shape. It is been said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, it’s easier to stay well then to recover your health. A story from my files: I will call her Beth who came to me after a pretty serious car accident and she presented with epileptic seizures, daily headaches and she also had a history of digestive problems, ovary pain (she had already lost one ovary to surgery) and knee pain. The first two symptoms were directly related to her car accident and the other symptoms were chronic as she had had them for several years. Seizures can be frightening for anyone but she had a newborn baby she was not able to hold it without supervision. When she came to see me she was on the highest level of anti-seizure medication that she could take without it becoming lethal. It’s upsetting that we have a healthcare system that can’t see the big picture and attacks every symptom with potentially dangerous medications. In the car accident her head almost went through the windshield causing subluxations in her upper neck that caused the epilepsy and the headaches. It would seem that most first year doctors in training would be able to diagnose this and realize structural care was necessary, they didn’t. What was exciting is within a week or two of her beginning care the seizures disappeared along with her daily headaches. As we continued chiropractic and nutritional therapy her remaining ovary return to health, her digestive symptoms resolved and her knee pain disappear. When patients are willing to follow the laws of health we rarely have failure in restoring health. A wise man once said there are no incurable diseases just some incurable patients. Who do you know who has struggled with chronic health problem? Tell them about chiropractic.

FUNNY BONE: My husband was waterskiing when he fell into the river. As the boat circled to pick him up, he noticed a hunter sitting in a duck boat in the reeds. My husband put his hands in the air and joked, “Don’t shoot!” The hunter responded, “Don’t quack.”@@Clapping is literally hitting yourself because you like something@@ Poor word choice, Doc A doctor sent this note to our medical clinic: “Patient needs a referral for your office from me. I saw her for her ankle and would like you to run over it.” @@ After a checkup, a doctor asked his patient, “Is there anything you’d like to discuss?” “Well,” said the patient, “I was thinking about getting a vasectomy.” “That’s a big decision. Have you talked it over with your family?” “Yes, we took a vote … and they’re in favor of it 15 to 2.
”

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE Week of: Monday June 12, 2017

Posted on June 12, 2017 by DocJohn

Courtesy of:

John H. Keefe III, D.C.

(918) 663-1111

IN THE NEWS: Vitamin B3 may prevent glaucoma June 4, 2017Writing in NEJM, Columbia ophthalmologists say a form of Vitamin B3 may be able to stop the progression of glaucoma by protecting the eye’s neurons. A recent study shows that vitamin B3 can prevent glaucoma in mice. This should inspire researchers to test the idea in clinical trials, write two Columbia University ophthalmologists in a commentary published in New England Journal of Medicine. “This is a new potential treatment pathway for glaucoma,” says Jeffrey Liebmann, MD, who wrote the commentary with George Cioffi, MD, chair of ophthalmology. “Right now, we can slow the progression of the disease by reducing pressure inside the eye with drugs or surgery, but we can’t halt the disease in many patients. Our ultimate goal is to find a treatment that can prevent the degeneration of neurons that cause vision loss.” Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and affects more than 70 million people worldwide. The need for neuron-sparing therapies has become even more acute as people live longer. “People used to have glaucoma for 15 years,” says Dr. Liebmann. “Now, with increasing longevity and duration of disease exposure, the lifetime risk of visual disability is increasing. Although several drugs have been tested previously in clinical trials, none have received FDA approval to protect neurons in glaucoma patients. In the new study, researchers identified how neurons begin degenerating in glaucoma, and demonstrated that nicatinamide (a form of Vitamin B3) could prevent the neurodegeneration. Nicatinamide supplements were able to prevent glaucoma in 70 percent of mice predisposed to the disease. Adding a gene therapy to increase nicatinamide protected even more mice. Drs. Liebmann and Cioffi are now beginning preliminary studies in preparation for a human clinical trial of nicatinamide.

WELLNESS: A new health benefit of chocolate: reduced risk of AFib? While so-called “chocoholics” may have gotten a bad rap over the years, a new study has found that eating a small amount of chocolate every week or so may decrease your risk of developing a serious type of irregular heart rhythm. While so-called “chocoholics” may have gotten a bad rap over the years, a new study has found that eating a small amount of chocolate every week or so may decrease your risk of developing a serious type of irregular heart rhythm. The study, published in the journal Heart, used data collected for a long-term study of about 55,500 people in Denmark. The participants were between 50 and 64 years old when the study began, and provided information about their diets when they entered the study between 1993 and 1997. Researchers then linked the diet data to Denmark’s national health registries to see who was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. In the United States, at least 2.7 million people have been diagnosed with it, according to the American Heart Association. Based on their data, about 3,346 cases of AFib occurred in study participants over an average of 13.5 years. Those who ate one serving, which is about 1 ounce of chocolate per week, were 17 percent less likely to be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation by the end of the study than those who reported eating chocolate less than once a month. Those who ate 2 to 6 ounces per week were less likely to be diagnosed with AFib, while those who ate more than an ounce of chocolate per day were 16 percent less likely to have the condition. For women, the biggest risk reduction was linked to eating one serving of chocolate per week. For men, the biggest risk reduction was associated with eating two to six servings per week. “I think our message here is that moderate chocolate intake as part of a healthy diet is an option,” lead author Elizabeth Mostofsky, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, told Reuters. Mostofsky’s team said that while they cannot definitively conclude that chocolate prevents AFib, eating cocoa and cocoa-containing foods may help heart health because of they contain a high volume of flavanols, which are compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory, blood vessel-relaxing and anti-oxidant properties.

CHIROPRACTIC: Low Back Pain: An Ice Pack or the Hot Tub? Many patients perform some self-care when they first hurt their lower back, hoping this will keep them out of a doctor’s office. While home remedies can sometimes make the pain go away, sometimes they don’t. It just depends on what you try. When the back is first hurt, it’s often a sprain/strain type of injury with accompanying muscle spasm. When a nerve in the low back becomes pinched or irritated, the body will protect the delicate nerves by keeping you from moving and risking further nerve injury. The easiest way for the body to do this is to cause the back muscles to spasm in the injured area. Muscle pain can be quite severe and heat can sometimes soothe the pain. For this reason, many patients take to the heating pad or to the hot tub to try and get some relief. This should be avoided in an acute injury because inflammation is present. With inflammation, there is increased heat and the additional heat you provide is like adding gasoline to a fire. The results are usually not good. A better choice with an acute injury is to ice the area, but this also needs to be done with some caution. The simplest ice pack is ice cubes placed in a plastic bag. While effective, you can cause a frostbite injury if you leave the pack on for too long. When you first ice the area, you will go through several phases before some pain relief is achieved. At first, the pack will feel cold. The next phase is a burning sensation and the ice will almost feel hot. This is followed by an aching or throbbing sensation. Just before the area is numbed, a very sharp pain will be experienced followed by the relief you desire. It can take between five to ten minutes to go through all of the phases. Once numbness is achieved, the pack should be removed. You should most definitely not fall asleep while the pack is on. In 1993 the US government released a report on low back pain listing spinal adjustments as the number one effective treatment.

FUNNY BONE: The Quotes of Steven Wright: Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.@@ – Hard work pays off in the future; laziness pays off now.@@ I intend to live forever … So far, so good.@@ If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?@@ My mechanic told me, “I couldn’t repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.”@@ To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.@@ Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don’t have film.@@ If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.

Death by medical doctors

Posted on June 1, 2017 by DocJohn

Low back pain is the number 1 health problem in the United States and most Western countries. Both drugs and surgery have been shown to be inferior approaches in the treatment of low back pain.

91 people die every day because of opiate addiction started by a prescription given to them by their medical doctor for pain, low back pain being the most common. Medical doctors have minimal training in structural problems that’s why they throw drugs and surgery at the problem. In the 1990s the US government released a report to every doctor’s office and healthcare facility in the US concerning low back pain and recommending spinal adjusting as the number 1 active and effective treatment. Yet you will read below that supposedly most doctors are unaware of this. Drug therapy kills 2000 people a week based on Senate reports and that has been happening for as long as we have records and will only increase if change isn’t forced upon the medical profession. Here’s a summary of the report released by the government around 20 years ago.

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, a branch of Health and Human Services, reviewed all treatments for acute low back pain and developed the following conclusions:

Physical therapy is not cost effective.

Acupuncture is not effective.

Over the counter anti-inflammatory medication worked as well as prescription ones (Cox-2 inhibitors were not included in the study).

Sclerotherapy and Prolotherapy are not effective.

The use of cortisone injections should be used only in cases of sciatic pain which radiates down the leg and doesn’t respond to conservative therapy.

Surgery is over used and should be offered in less then 1% of cases.

Rest should be given initially for 24-48 hours.

Early movement that is tolerable should be initiated after 48 hours.

Cushioning in shoes can be helpful.

Spinal adjustments are the only active form of therapy given by a professional which is helpful.

Since most doctors and patients are not aware of this report, patients all around the country are needlessly suffering and being mistreated. There are many treatments available for severe back problems that have better short and long term benefits over spinal surgery, epidural injections and long term pain medications. Our office is aware of the latest advances and are free to discuss these alternatives with you. 918-663-1111

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.