Health Tips

Dear Friend,
Don’t let this happen to someone you love!

Scientific American, March 2011.

Seth Sharpless, Ph.D. and Marvin Luttges, Ph.D., demonstrated that minuscule amounts of pressure on a nerve root (10mm Hg, equal to a feather falling on your hand), resulted in up to a 50 percent decrease in electrical transmission down the course of the nerve suwpplied by that root.

The same nerve fragility was found at the University of Colorado as Dr. Chung Ha Suh demonstrated that, at the spinal nerve root level, a sustained pressure increase of only 10 mm H2O, the weight of a dime, was adequate to produce interference in normal nerve transmission.

The detection and correction of Spinal Subluxation (pressure on a nerve) is vital to good health.

We need your help! Too many of your friends and family are falling into this terrible trap. Tell them about what we do here in our office. What we may have to tell them could change their lives.

As always, we never charge to sit down and talk to your friends and family.

For better health,
Dr. Duncan McCollum, DC

Too many people seem to be having a hard to me surviving the latest “BUG” to hit the area. Here are some tips that might help you build up your body’s immune strength so that you can fight off the intruder.

First of all, we need to understand about this little organ called the Adrenal Gland. It is your “fight or flight” gland, and protects you against any threat, be it an attacking lion crashing stock market or chronic physical, chemical or emotional stress.

When your body is under attack, your Adrenal Glands kicks in and directs much of their power towards fending off the attacker, real or imagined. Much like Star Trek, Scotty puts all power to the Deflector Shields and leaves the rest of the Ship on basic life support, thus lowering your immune response as well as your digestive and detoxification functions. When this occurs too often or is constant, your body is left vulnerable to the silent attack of the BUG.

There appears to be a lot of “STRESS” in the environment lately and this will slowly wear you down. Finally, like a car battery with the lights left on all night, the Adrenals won’t have enough reserve power to start the engine and beat the bug. Something has to give, thus you get sick.

What can you do to help this poor over worked almond sized gland? To coin a phrase from Little Shop of Horrors, “Feed me Seymour”.

By the way your Adrenals are responsible for almost every hormone and enzyme in your body. They take the “villainous” cholesterol that your liver makes and turns it into what becomes “Feel Good transmitters” such as Serotonin, Dopamine, Adrenaline, Cortisol Sex hormones and a myriad of other hormones and enzymes necessary to life. It is very important to keep these guys happy and healthy. By the way, caffeine and sugar are poison to the Adrenal glands.

To keep it simple let me just tell you the formula I recommend. A therapeutic dose may be necessary to help bring these guys back to life and get them functioning they way they should.

1. Omega 3 fatty acid, EPA DHA only found in abundance in Fish Oils. Get high quality stuff. 2-3000 mgs
2. 1-2000 vitamin C (food based)
3. Vitamin B-1 500 mg
4. 2 DSF, an Adrenal support product called I get from Nutri-West Company. I find it to work the best. You can only buy it through a Health Care Professional.

Take every 2-3 hours until you feel energetic.

* Always talk to a doctor before undertaking any vitamin regimen.

Inflammation Managed Naturally

• Protect, Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate.
• Exercise: Limited, motion within limits of pain (unless leads to further inflammation).
• Lifestyle/Ergonomics: Rest, maintain comfortable position, do not “freeze” rest of body.

Diet/Nutrition:

• Vitamin B Complex – Tissue repair (3x daily).
• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids – Tissue repair & decrease inflammation (3000-6000 mg daily).
• Essential Fatty Acids – Evening Primrose oil, Flaxseed oil & Fish oils decrease inflammation, interrupt pain cycle.
  Glucosamine and Chondriotin Sulfatre – decrease inflammation, interrupt pain cycle.
• Grape seed extract – Antioxidant.
• Zinc – Tissue repair & decrease inflammation (50 mg daily).
• Superoxide dismutase (SOD) – Free radical scavenger, decrease infection & inflammation.
• Alfalfa – source of minerals.
• Bilberry – contains flavonoids that decrease inflammation.
• Aloe Vera, Arnica, Boswellia, Bromelain, Cat’s Claw, Curcumin (turmeric), Echinacea, Ginger Root Extract, Goldenseal, Pau d’arco, Red Clover, White Willow Bark Extract & Yucca – all help with inflammation.

* Always check with a doctor/chiropractic when managing an injury.

As always, we never charge to sit down with your friends and family to see if we can help them their with unwanted health conditions. We appreciate your referrals!

Chiropractic Safe and Effective During Pregnancy, Labor and Birth – for Both Mother and Infant.

Multiple studies have been conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy.

According to the results of recent studies, Chiropractic not only eliminates and reduces back pain, but also reduces the difficulties of pregnancy and labor, reduces the need for drugs, prevents and cures toxemia, and expedites the return to prepartum health.

• Relieves low back pain during pregnancy: In a study involving 94 pregnant women, 23 suffered with low back pain. After receiving Chiropractic adjustments, 91% of the women were relieved of the pain and symptoms.
• Reduces labor time: Women who received Chiropractic adjustments during their first pregnancy averaged 24% shorter labor times; women in labor during subsequent pregnancies, averaged 39% shorter labor times than non-Chiropractic patients.
• Reduces labor pains and need for drugs: Of 500 women in labor, 70.4% were relieved of pain when pressure was applied to the lower back; thus eliminating the need for narcotic pain medication and tranquilizer medicine.
• Reduces risk of injury to infants: Chiropractic helps align the pelvic area for birth; thus reducing brain bleeds, infant brain disease, and distortion of fetal skulls from pelvic misalignment and forceps deliveries.

Source: “Pregnancy”, International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
www.4icpa.org/research/pregnanc.htm

Dear Friend,

Nerve irritation is the leading cause of headache pain for many sufferers. Answering “Yes” to any of the following questions could be a sign to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment to come in and see us.

1. Do you experience tightness or tension in the base of your head or neck? Yes / No
2. Have you ever been involved in a motor vehicle accident? Yes / No
3. Does your pain affect your mood or attitude? Yes / No
4. Do you sleep on your stomach or lay in a position that twists your neck? Yes / No
5. Do you find over the course of the day that you are in one position for long periods of time? (examples: computer work, assembly work, or on a phone)? Yes / No
6. Do you get a headache at least once a month? Or more? Yes / No
7. Are you taking more than two aspirins, advil, or tylenol a month for headache-related pain? Yes / No
8. Do you feel at times you don’t have enough energy to do the things you want in your life? Yes / No
9. If there was a way to improve your health and live life to its fullest, would you want to? Yes / No

If you or someone you know suffer from persistent migraine or tension headaches, you owe it to yourself to come in for a complimentary consultation and exam. We have found that the majority of people who suffered from spinal misalignments had their headaches relieved or their condition improved through chiropractic care. Of course, not all headaches can be helped. We will tell you if we can help you. If not, we can refer you to another health care professional that can.

For better health,
Dr. Duncan McCollum, DC

Childhood Injuries Contribute to Future Pain

By now you may have experienced first-hand the benefits of chiropractic care to your health. But what about your children? Have you ever considered bringing them in for a chiropractic check-up?

Surprisingly, the first stress placed on a child’s spinal column is during the birthing process. Equally surprising is the fact that 26% of children surveyed at school reported a history of back pain. A child’s spine is frequently subjected to repeated forces in the process of learning to walk as well as a multitude of childhood mishaps, sports related injuries, and postural strains. Many adults that come to a chiropractor’s office show evidence of childhood injuries to their spine that are a contributing factor for their pain today. This is why it is important to have your child’s spine checked regularly for any signs of spinal imbalances or misalignments.

Fortunately, chiropractic has had many positive results in treating very common childhood maladies. Problems like colic, headaches, ear infections, scoliosis, asthma, and even some cases of behaviorial problems and bed-wetting have been sucessfully treated by chiropractors. In fact, a recent study showed that children under chiropractic care suffered from fewer ear infections than those whose parents sought medical care alone.

Are chiropractic adjustments safe for children?

Absolutely! Because a child’s skeletal system is still developing, there is a great deal of elasticity within the joints. Light pressure is usually all that is needed to adjust a child’s spine. So the next time you come to our office, schedule a complimentary examination for your children. The few minutes you invest in your child’s spinal checkup may save needless suffering now and in the future.

For better health,
Dr. Duncan McCollum, DC

Dear Friend,

Almost all Americans will be involved in at least one motor vehicle accident at some time in their life. Often we are able to walk away free of injury…or so we may think. Little do people know that little noticed symptoms can result in permanent pain and discomfort if not treated properly.

Injuries that result from a motor vehicle accident are often misunderstood. Frequently, the pain or other symptoms of the injury are not apparent at the time of the accident. In fact, some injuries are hidden so well they may be missed by emergency room technicians and can take weeks, months, and even years before actual symptoms show.

The amount of damage to the car does not depict the amount of injury sustained by the victim. Studies indicate that injuries can occur at impact speeds of 5 mph where there is little or even no damage to the car. Today’s cars absorb much of the impact in the bumper, but transmit this energy from impact to the person’s head and neck in much the same fashion as when one pool ball hits another.

Few people realize that an untreated neck or back injury from a car accident is likely to develop into arthritis in later years adding more pain and debilitation to the situation.

It’s time for you to take control of your health.

Sincerely,

Dr. Duncan McCollum, D.C.
McCollum Family Chiropractic

Did you know?..

The average American’s diet consists of high-fat, low-fiber, refined junk foods. 36 different toxins form in the large intestine and are absorbed by the bloodstream, resulting in the body’s inability to metabolize food properly or to provide vital energy for living. Two to three bowel movements per day, shortly after each meal eaten, are considered healthy. 44% of the current U.S. population will die as a result of colon-related diseases! The third most common reason for hospitalization among 15-44 year old persons is digestive disorders.

1. Most North Americans are storing 5 to 10 pounds of old fecal matter in their bodies.
2. It is documented that when John Wayne died he had 40 pounds of toxic waste in his colon. Elvis Presley had 60 pounds.
3. A neglected colon and a crippled immune system can leave you vulnerable to disease.
4. Our detoxifcation program will target not only the colon but also all the other organs of elimination. These organs – primarily the liver, kidneys, lymphatic and bloods systems – cleanse and protect the body from toxic substances.

How toxic are you TODAY? To find out, schedule a complimentary body composition analysis. We care about your health and want you to have as much information as possible about your body. Call NOW and find out how toxic you are and if detoxification can help you. There is no reason not to.

Dr. Duncan McCollum, D.C.
McCollum Family Chiropractic

Maintaining Good Health with Chiropractic Pays $ Off!

National studies comparing two groups, those receiving regular chiropractic adjustments and those who had never been adjusted, revealed that those people receiving regular chiropractic adjustments were:

• 41% less likely to be hospitalized
• 79% less likely to use a nursing home
• 34% less likely to suffer from arthritis
• able to exercise more vigorously
• 34% less likely to suffer from arthritis
• more active overall
• 34% less likely to suffer from arthritis
• likely to rate their health as good as excellent
• 34% less likely to suffer from arthritis
• use less prescriptive drugs

A Teamwork Approach

When you consult this office you are entering into a unique partnership. Your current health is the result of your habits, your thoughts, your actions, and all the circumstances of your life. Little can be done about the past, but we are here to help you with the future. Learn as much as you can about the nature of true health and follow your chiropractor’s recommendations.

Dr. Duncan McCollum, D.C.
McCollum Family Chiropractic

Dear Friend,

Would you like to return to pain-free living without having to resort to harmful drugs or surgery? Are you afraid that surgery is your only option and feel skeptical about anything else? If you answered “yes”, then you must read this message.

What is it?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a repetitive stress injury. It usually develops slowly over time. The repetitious contraction and relaxation of arm muscles that enable continuous hand and finger movement can irritate the nerves, tendons, and fascia (muscle covering) in the arms, wrists, and hands.

The warning signs of CTS are numbness, tingling, weakness of hands, neck tension, night pain, swelling, abnormal sensation, and hand clumsiness. CTS results from compression of the Median Nerve within the carpal tunnel. The Median Nerve originates in the neck and travels under your collar bone, down the center of your forearm and through the carpal tunnel to the hand muscles.

What causes it?

The Median Nerve can become compressed anywhere along its course from the neck to the carpal tunnel. Misaligned bones in the neck, tight neck muscles, cervical (neck) ribs, shoulder dysfunctions, inflamed tendons, and misaligned carpal bones are all capable of compressing or irritating the Median Nerve, resulting in the symptoms of CTS.

Most doctors assume that it’s all in your wrist or hand, but did you know that most carpal tunnel syndrome victims have a primary median nerve ‘crush’ site in their neck? Medical doctors are trained to diagnose and treat symptoms, and with this approach, it is easy to miss the neck when treating pain instead of the cause. However, sometimes the nerve compression is so advanced that drugs and surgery may be the only courses left to take. So don’t wait so long that even you may need surgery!

What to do about it?

Now is a great opportunity for you, or someone you know, to come in and see an experienced doctor who has been successfully treating patients for the past 20 years without relying on surgery or drugs.

So remember, structural misalignments in the neck caused by years of poor posture and prior trauma can compress the nerves that travel to the hand, making the person more susceptible to hand symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness of grip. It would be worth your time to get this checked out.

Taking the time to read this message shows that you have some serious concerns about your hand symptoms. Some people, believe it or not, try to get by in life with their symptoms and take no action until their hands are about ready to fall off. At this point, the chances of recovery are slim. If you are ready for change and would like to find out if your problem can be helped without surgery, then call for an appointment today.

Call today for more information – (831) 459-9990!

Please forward this on to someone you know who might need my help.

For Better Health,
Dr Duncan McCollum, DC

Greetings!

What do you do if you think you are coming down with the flu? Here are some tips which I have used to help people either ward off the flu or lessen its effects:

1. Core Level Thymus from NutriWest is a powerful immune booster. I keep this on hand for my family and grab it if I think I have been exposed. Their Multi-Immune is also very powerful.
2. Colostrum is the first bit of mother’s milk formed immediately after birth. This is loaded with the essential immune boosting elements passed on from mother to child. This is available from cow’s milk and may be just what you need to jump-start your immune response.
3. Vitamin D3; taking 5000 IU’s daily at the onset of symptoms can be very helpful in enhancing your body’s defense system. This must be an organic D3, not synthetic. All your vitamins should be food based and organic. Synthetic vitamins are not as recognizable to your body and can actually cause allergic reactions and toxicity. Sunshine is a great source of D3 – in fact, it even helps your body utilize D3.
4. Another great product is Olivirex, from Bio Botanical. Olive leaves have great antiviral and antibiotic factors. Also Biocidin Throat Spray is excellent for helping and preventing sore throats.
5. Garlic and ginger are both great natural antibiotic and antiviral substances, You can get garlic in capsules or for the brave you can eat 2-3 cloves. Organic ginger sliced and added to pepperment tea will help your liver detoxify and warm your body.
6. Sea salt dissolved in warm water is a great help. You can dip your fingers in it and then breathe in the solution through your nose; this will kill bugs on contact. Gargling it is very helpful for sore throats and helps kill ingested pathogens .
7. Sugar, white flour and caffeine should all be avoided as these substances feed the little buggers and allow them to thrive.
8. Wash your hands and face regularly.
9. Get plently of sleep or rest. Vitamin B1 (300-500 mg) can help your brain relax, and CalMag (calcium and magnesium) taken right before you lay down helps your muscles relax.
10. Here is my grandma’s favorite recipe for stomping out the cold monsters:
    • 1/2 an organic grapefruit boiled in 8oz water
    • add 1 tbs honey
    • add 1 oz brandy

    Smash the grapefruit with a potato masher, and drink. Next, heat a towel in the oven, rub Vicks’ VapoRub on your chest, wrap the warm towel around your neck and go to bed. I’m not sure if it was the brandy, but I always slept like a baby and woke up feeling much better!

11. Last, but certainly not least: GET ADJUSTED! Chiropractic is so helpful in freeing up your body’s natural healing ability. Your brain controls every cell, organ and tissue in your body – that includes your immune system. Regular chiropractic adjustments can keep your body healthy and keep your immune system sharp and powerful. Call today for a preventative turn-up. Don’t be afraid to come in when you are sick or feeling like you are on the verge of getting something. We want to help you!

There are so many other ways to prepare for and handle a flu or cold. I’m sure you all have your tricks and natural remedies; I would love to hear about them! I hope this was some help to you and your loved ones.

Call today and set up an appointment. I would be very happy to help you figure out the best approach for making you or keeping you healthy. Pass this on to someone you know who would like my help.

For better health,
Dr. Duncan McCollum, DC