Courtesy of:
John H. Keefe III, D.C.
(918) 663-1111
CHIROPRACTIC: Chiropractic adjustments to the rib cage can be surprisingly helpful for a variety of issues. Here's how they might help, depending on the situation: 1. Relieving Rib or Chest Pain ometimes, ribs can become slightly misaligned at the joint where they connect to the spine or sternum. This can cause sharp pain when breathing, moving, or twisting. A chiropractic adjustment can help restore proper alignment, reducing tension and discomfort. 2. Improving Breathing When the rib cage is tight or misaligned, it can limit your ability to take full breaths. By adjusting the thoracic spine (where the ribs attach), chiropractors can improve mobility in the chest wall and help you breathe easier. 3. Easing Mid-Back and Shoulder Tension The muscles between and around your ribs (like the intercostals and serratus anterior) can get tight from poor posture, stress, or overuse. Adjustments, especially paired with soft tissue work or rehab exercises, can reduce muscle tension and promote better posture and movement. 4. Helping with Postural Issues Poor posture (like forward head posture or rounded shoulders) can strain the rib cage and thoracic spine. Adjustments can encourage better alignment, which over time helps correct posture and reduce strain. 5. Supporting Recovery from Injury If you’ve had a rib sprain or subluxation (a rib that’s partially out of place), chiropractic adjustments (done carefully!) can help reposition the rib and allow the surrounding muscles to relax and heal.
IN THE NEWS: Concerns about artificial coloring in our foods. Understanding that nothing affects everyone the same there is strong evidence that certain people particularly children can react to artificial coloring. The following are some of the potential health problems: 1. Hyperactivity in Children Studies, especially the well-known Southampton study, suggested a link between certain artificial food dyes and increased hyperactivity in children. This led to the EU requiring warning labels on foods with certain dyes, but the FDA hasn't banned them in the U.S., stating evidence isn't conclusive. Dyes implicated: Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), Red 40, and others. 2. Allergic Reactions & Sensitivities Some people are sensitive to certain dyes and can been linked to allergic-type reactions in a small subset of people, especially those also sensitive to aspirin. 3. Cancer Concerns (Animal Studies) Some older dyes like Red 3 (Erythrosine) have shown carcinogenic effects in animal studies, especially at high doses. Red 3 was partially banned in the U.S. (not allowed in cosmetics, but still used in some foods — wild, right?). Other dyes have shown tumor growth in lab rats under certain conditions, but human data is limited. 4. Behavioral or Neurological Effects There’s ongoing research on whether artificial dyes affect mood, behavior, or neurological function, especially in sensitive individuals — but so far, no strong evidence for a widespread effect in adults. Newsflash: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will move to phase out the remaining eight artificial food dyes from America's food supply within two years, his department announced Monday April 21, 2025, a significant escalation in his fight to rid the country's food of additives that studies suggest could be harmful.
WELLNESS: Ozempic Linked to 19 Adverse Health Events GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, originally intended as diabetes medications, have gained popularity for weight loss, leading to global shortages despite having modest benefits. Research shows these drugs reduce seizures and substance addiction risks, but they increase the likelihood of 19 other health conditions, including fainting, kidney problems and pancreatic issues. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain, with potential risks of acute pancreatitis and thyroid cancer, making the trade-off dangerous for users. Ozempic's manufacturer Novo Nordisk reported $40.6 billion in revenue, highlighting how the "magic pill" mentality and ultraprocessed food consumption create a profitable cycle for pharmaceutical companies and food manufacturers. Instead of relying on weight loss drugs, focus on optimizing cellular energy production through dietary changes, avoiding vegetable oils and supporting your gut and mitochondrial health. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Aug 20;7(8):e2423385--The Epoch Times, January 28, 2025--Nat Med. 2025 Jan 20--Front Public Health. 2022 Oct 20;10:996179
FUNNY BONES: Police incident report: A man reported that a squirrel was running in circles on Davis Drive and was not sure if it was sick or had been hit by a car. An officer responded and as he drove on the street he ran over the squirrel.@@ Finding a lifeless hedgehog in the road, a quick-thinking animal lover scooped it up, placed it in a box with some food and rushed it over to her local wildlife hospital. There, it was examined by vets, who immediately identified it as the fluffy bobble from a woolly hat. "I would have immediately known from the weight," said Janet Kotze, of Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital in Knutsford. Still, "bless her, her heart was in the right place".
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