Click here to check a cool short video that does a good job on explaining the difference between disease and disorder.

If I thought about it long enough, I guess I could come up with a "disease" label for every person I've ever met. It's a joke. It's about getting paid. The FDA and Big Parma be loving some money!

 

-Dr. Mason

 

Check this out....

Chiropractic vs. Swine Flu

 

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Dr. Wegmann

 

Written By: Dr. Wegmann

With today’s headlines dominated by the swine flu we need to learn more in order to protect ourselves and our families. The 1918 Flu killed an estimated 40 million people world wide. I pray this outbreak does not reach that proportion. I cannot comprehend the psychological impact of death on this scale in society today.

Here’s a little history on the swine flu.

On February 5, 1976, an army recruit died and four of his fellow soldiers were later hospitalized. Two weeks after his death, health officials announced that swine flu was the cause of death and that this strain of flu appeared to be closely related to the strain involved in the 1918 flu pandemic.

On August 20, 2007 Department of Agriculture officers investigated the outbreak of swine flu in Nueva Ecija and Central Luzon, Philippines.

In March and April 2009, more than 1,000 cases of swine flu in humans were detected in Mexico, and more than 100 deaths are suspected to have a connection with the virus. The Mexican fatalities are said to be mainly young adults, a hallmark of pandemic flu. [1]

The nature of a flu tends to be in waves. Flu pandemics typically come in waves. The 1889–1890 and 1918–1919 flu pandemics each came in three or four waves of increasing lethality. [2] I can’t find much information about what wave this flu is on, but researchers are more concerned about this flu than many in the past.

Here are 3 Sure-fire Strategies to help you and your family respond to the threat of the flu.

1. Hygiene- maybe one of the greatest advances of the industrialized nations was the change in the way sanitation and hygiene were practiced. Limiting our exposure to toxins both organic and inorganic makes sense. The body has a built in immune system, but sometimes that system can be overwhelmed. Frequent hand washing, especially when there has been contact with other people or with potentially contaminated surfaces can be very helpful.

2. Chiropractic- One of the most important studies was performed by Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University. It showed the positive effect that chiropractic care can have on the immune system and general health.

Dr. Pero measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases. His initial three-year study was of 107 individuals who had been under chiropractic care for five years or more. The chiropractic patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than those people who had not received chiropractic care, and they had 400% greater immune competence than those people with cancer and other serious diseases. The immune system superiority of those under chiropractic care did not appear to diminish with age. Dr. Pero stated:

When applied in a clinical framework, I have never seen a group other than this chiropractic group to experience a 200% increase over the normal patients. This is why it is so dramatically important. We have never seen such a positive improvement in a group. [3]

Another study from Patricia Brennan, Ph.D., leading a team of researchers, conducted a study that found improved immune response in her test subjects following chiropractic treatment. The study specifically demonstrated the “phagocytic respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and monocytes were enhanced in adults that had been adjusted by chiropractors.” [4]

Life Chiropractic University, produce an incredible study from the Sid Williams Research Center in 1994. The researchers took a group of HIV positive patients and adjusted them over a six-month period. What they found was that the “patients that were adjusted had a forty-eight percent (48%) increase in the number CD4 cells (an important immune system component).” These measurements were taken at the patients’ independent medical center, where they were under medical supervision for the condition. The control group (the patients that were not adjusted) did not demonstrate this dramatic increase in immune function, but actually experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts over the same period. [5]

The immune system is affected by the nerve system through the connections with the endocrine and the autonomic nervous system. And chiropractic care improves the function of the nerve system through improving the movement of the spinal bones that encase and protect the spinal cord.

Stressful conditions lead to altered measures of immune function, and altered susceptibility to a variety of diseases. Many stimuli, which primarily act on the central nervous system, can profoundly alter immune responses. The two routes available to the central nervous system are neuro-endocrine channels and autonomic nerve channels. [6]

3. Masks- no mask can provide a perfect barrier but products that meet or exceed the NIOSH N95 standard are thought to provide good protection. The rationale behind masks is to limit airborne secretions to stop the virus from spreading from person to person. The use of masks is not uncommon in the hospitals where the potential of infection can be greater in compromised patients. It would be unethical and potential deadly for a surgeon to operate without first washing their hands and using a mask.

As I stated previously I pray this flu does not turn pandemic. Millions of people’s lives will be at stake. I do hope you adopt some of the ideas I shared with you; starting first with the hygiene. I encourage you to explore the wonders of chiropractic if you currently know little about chiropractic. Finding a great chiropractor can be a challenge. Many chiropractors simply operate as “pain” doctors, never fully utilizing or understanding the miraculous results when applied properly.

[1]. Deadly new flu virus in US and Mexico may go pandemic”. New Scientist. 24 April 2009. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17025-deadly-new-flu-virus-in-us-and-mexico-may-go-pandemic.html.

[2]. U.S. Institute of Medicine; Stacey L. Knobler, Alison Mack, Adel Mahmoud, Stanley M. Lemon (editors) (2005). The Threat of Pandemic Influenza:

[3]. Pero R. “Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results.” The Chiropractic Journal, August 1989; 32.

[4]. Brennan P, Graham M, Triano J, Hondras M. “Enhanced phagocytic cell respiratory bursts induced by spinal manipulation: Potential Role of Substance P.” J Manip Physiolog Ther 1991; (14)7:399-400.

[5]. Selano JL, Hightower BC, Pfleger B, Feeley-Collins K, Grostic JD. “The Effects of Specific Upper Cervical Adjustments on the CD4 Counts of HIV Positive Patients.” The Chiro Research Journal; 3(1); 1994.

[6] Felton DL, Felton SY, Belonged DL, et al. “Noradrenergic sympathetic neural interactions with the immune system: structure and function.” Immunol Rev. 1987 Dec;100:225-60.

 

"I need to go to see my chiropractor to prevent the pig flu!"

Pretty Awesome Excuse to Come in for an Adjustment!

-Dr. Mason

ps: Just Say No to Bacon. Ha.

Chiropractic Advice for Moms-to-Be As many new mothers can attest, the muscle strains of pregnancy are very real and can be more than just a nuisance. The average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds, combined with the increased stress placed on the body by the baby, may result in severe discomfort. Studies have found that about half of all expectant mothers will develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies.1-3 This is especially true during late pregnancy, when the baby's head presses down on a woman's back, legs, and buttocks, irritating her sciatic nerve. And for those who already suffer from low-back pain, the problem can become even worse.

During pregnancy, a woman's center of gravity almost immediately begins to shift forward to the front of her pelvis. Although a woman's sacrum-or posterior section of the pelvis-has enough depth to enable her to carry a baby, the displaced weight still increases the stress on her joints. As the baby grows in size, the woman's weight is projected even farther forward, and the curvature of her lower back is increased, placing extra stress on the spinal disks. In compensation, the normal curvature of the upper spine increases, as well.

While these changes sound dramatic, pregnancy hormones help loosen the ligaments attached to the pelvic bones. But even these natural changes designed to accommodate the growing baby can result in postural imbalances, making pregnant women prone to having awkward trips and falls.

What Can You Do?
The ACA recommend the following tips for pregnant women:

Exercise

• Safe exercise during pregnancy can help strengthen your muscles and prevent discomfort. Try exercising at least three times a week, gently stretching before and after exercise. If you weren't active before your pregnancy, check with your doctor before starting or continuing any exercise.
• Walking, swimming, and stationary cycling are relatively safe cardiovascular exercises for pregnant women because they do not require jerking or bouncing movements. Jogging can be safe for women who were avid runners before becoming pregnant-if done carefully and under a doctor's supervision.
• Be sure to exercise in an area with secure footing to minimize the likelihood of falls. Your heart rate should not exceed 140 beats per minute during exercise. Strenuous activity should last no more than 15 minutes at a time.
• Stop your exercise routine immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding, dizziness, nausea, weakness, blurred vision, increased swelling, or heart palpitations.

Health and Safety

• Wear flat, sensible shoes. High or chunky heels can exacerbate postural imbalances and make you less steady on your feet, especially as your pregnancy progresses.
• When picking up children, bend from the knees, not the waist. And never turn your head when you lift. Avoid picking up heavy objects, if possible.
• Get plenty of rest. Pamper yourself and ask for help if you need it. Take a nap if you're tired, or lie down and elevate your feet for a few moments when you need a break.

Pregnancy Ergonomics: Your Bed and Desk

• Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to take pressure off your lower back. Full-length "body pillows" or "pregnancy wedges" may be helpful. Lying on your left side allows unobstructed blood flow and helps your kidneys flush waste from your body.
• If you have to sit at a computer for long hours, make your workstation ergonomically correct. Position the computer monitor so the top of the screen is at or below your eye level, and place your feet on a small footrest to take pressure off your legs and feet. Take periodic breaks every 30 minutes with a quick walk around the office.

Nutrition

• Eat small meals or snacks every four to five hours-rather than the usual three large meals-to help keep nausea or extreme hunger at bay. Snack on crackers or yogurt-bland foods high in carbohydrates and protein. Keep saltines in your desk drawer or purse to help stave off waves of "morning sickness."
• Supplementing with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid a day before and during pregnancy has been shown to decrease the risk of neural tube birth defects, such as spina bifida. Check with your doctor before taking any vitamin or herbal supplement to make sure it's safety for you and the baby.

How Can Your Doctor of Chiropractic Help?
Before you become pregnant, your doctor of chiropractic can detect any imbalances in the pelvis or elsewhere in your body that could contribute to pregnancy discomfort or possible neuromusculoskeletal problems after childbirth.

Many pregnant women have found that chiropractic adjustments provide relief from the increased low-back pain brought on by pregnancy. Chiropractic manipulation is safe for the pregnant woman and her baby and can be especially attractive to those who are trying to avoid medications in treating their back pain. Doctors of chiropractic can also offer nutrition, ergonomic, and exercise advice to help a woman enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

Chiropractic care can also help after childbirth. In the eight weeks following labor and delivery, the ligaments that loosened during pregnancy begin to tighten up again. Ideally, joint problems brought on during pregnancy from improper lifting or reaching should be treated before the ligaments return to their pre-pregnancy state-to prevent muscle tension, headaches, rib discomfort, and shoulder problems.

Congratulations to all my patients and friends that participated in the 2009 Music City Marathon. It was a HOT ONE! I think it was a record heat for the 10 year anniversary of the Music City. I can say it was the thoughest for me in six half marathons. The heat was rough about mile 11. I didn't have much left in the tank, but finished nonetheless.

 

After the race, I decided to take a tip from my good buddy, Christopher McClintock of Personal Best Fitness and Team in Training...yes, the pic below tells it all. An Ice Bath from the waist down...Very COLD, even hurts a little, but well worth it. It helps constrict the vessels and tissues in mucles, thereby reducing recover time and cramping. I feel great today. KinesioTape also helped my knees track properly and stay painfree!

ps...I am moving my hands really fast to keep from freezing. Whooo-weeeee

 

Vaccines, Neurodevelopment, and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Russell L. Blaylock, MD

This article was originally printed in Medical Veritas: R.L. Blaylock/Medical Veritas 5 (2008) 1727–1741

The entire article and its references can be accessed here.

From the Article:

In 1976, children received 10 vaccines before attending school. Today they will receive more than 36 injections. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assured parents that it was safe to not only give these vaccines, but that they could be given at one time with complete safety. Is this true? Or are we being lied to on a grand scale?

The medical establishment has created a set of terms, which they use constantly to boost their egos and firm-up their authority as the unique holders of medical wisdom—the mantra is “evidence-based medicine”—as if everything outside their anointing touch is bogus and suspect. A careful examination of many of the accepted treatments reveals that most have little or no scientific “evidence-based” data to support it. One oftenrepeated study found that almost 80% of medical practice had no scientific backing.

This is not to say that medical practice should be solely based on pure and applied science, as understood in the fields of physics and chemistry. Medicine, as pointed out by many of the great minds of medicine, is an art...

Resources:

The entire article and its references can be accessed here.

About the Author:

 

Dr. Blaylock is a board certified neurosurgeon, author and lecturer. He attended the LSU school of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his internship and neurosurgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. For the past 25 years he has practiced neurosurgery in addition to having a nutritional practice. He recently retired from his neurosurgical practice to devote full time to nutritional studies and research.

Dr. Blaylock has written and illustrated three books. The first book was on the subject of excitotoxins (Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills) and how they cause neurodegenerative diseases of the nervous system. His second book, Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life, covers the common basis of all diseases,  nutritional protection against diseases of aging, protection against heavy metal toxicity, the fluoride debate, pesticide and herbicide toxicity, excitotoxin update, the vaccine controversy, protection against heart attacks and strokes and contains a special section on nutritional protection against terrorism. His third book, Natural Strategies for The Cancer Patient, was released in April, 2003 and discusses the ways to defeat cancer, enhance the effectiveness of conventional treatments and prevent complications associated with these treatments. In addition, he has written and illustrated three chapters in medical textbooks, written a booklet on nutritional protection against biological terrorism and written and illustrated a booklet on multiple sclerosis. In addition he has written over 30 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Since the publication of his first book he has been a guest on over 50 syndicated radio programs and appeared on the 700 Club seven times. He recently appeared on Nutritionally Living with Dr. Ward Bond. Presently, he is engaged in a monthly radio program discussing his book, Health and Nutrition Secrets on Raymond Francis’ program Beyond Health. The series will run for 12 months. He lectures widely to both lay and professional medical audiences on a variety of nutritional subjects.

Dr. Blaylock serves on the editorial staff of the Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association and is the associate editor of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, official journal of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. He now serves as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Biology Belhaven College. He has a nutrition newsletter, which can be purchased at www.blaylockreport.com

So, I am working on my bucket list. It's my opinion that life should be adventurous. Here is something I can check off my list as of this past weekend....

Note the expression: "I am having fun, but yes, I know this is a little risky". It was awesome! -Dr. Mason

What is Kinesio® Taping

The Kinesio® Taping Method has taken the Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine world by storm. This amazing taping method was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase over 25 years ago in Japan. Since then, Kinesio® Taping has become the gold standard for therapeutic and rehabilitative taping. This proprietary method of taping uses a uniquely designed and patented tape for treatment of muscular disorders and lymphedema reduction, among other things.

If you are one that enjoys sports, then there is a good chance you have seen it in action...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kinesio® Taping Method involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to give support while still maintaining full range of motion. This enables the individual to participate in his/her normal physical activities with functional assistance. The second technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation, helps prevent overuse or over-contraction and helps provide facilitation of lymph flow for an entire 24 hour period. Correctional techniques include mechanical, lymphatic, ligament/tendon, fascia, space and functional. Kinesio® Tex Tape can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy and electrical stimulation.

Kinesio® Taping affects the activation of the neurological and the circulatory systems. Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body, they also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms. Consequently, more attention was given to the importance of muscle function in order to activate the body's own healing process. Using an elastic tape, such as Kinesio® Tex Tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Kinesio® Taping is an innovative approach to treating nerves, muscles and organs.

Personally, I have gotten great results with my patients and athletes both. The tape is great for acute sprains/strains, over-contracted postural muscles, rotator-cuff/shoulder rehab, and for general neuromuscular re-education in the adjustments and corrective phase of care. I have taped backs, shoulders, necks, wrists, knees, ankles, ribs, plantar fasciitis, etc. Kinesio Tape is water resistant, and the typical appilcation lasts 3-5 days depending on the activity level and amount of moisture generated (athletes generally require more tape).

Yours in Health,

Dr. Mason

Ever heard of a guy named Lance?

To watch Lance Armstrong grit his teeth and accept the challenge of a rival on a mountain stage in the Tour de France counts for me as one of the highlights of modern sport. Armstrong is the epitome of sporting greatness: a brilliant career achieved against the odds, unfailing determination and an approach never short of 100% professionalism. A six-time Tour de France champion and already considered the greatest in a long list of cycling heroes, Armstrong is not yet ready to hang up his toe clips.

He gets Adjusted on a regular basis.

-Dr. Mason

Feeling kinda sick? Maybe a cold or flu-like symptoms creeping up? Feeling the yuck coming on?

 Break out the Silver Shield!

 

Silver Shield is a Colloidal silver supplement, a liquid suspenion of microscopic particles of silver. A colloid is technically defined as particles which remain suspended without forming an ionic, or dissolved solution. The broader commercial definition of "colloidal silver" includes products that contain various concentrations of ionic silver, silver colloids, ionic silver compounds or silver proteins in purified water. Colloidal silver with concentrations of 30 parts per million (ppm) or less are typically manufactured using an electolysis process, whereas colloidal silver with higher concentrations of 50 ppm or more are usually silver compounds that have been bound with a protein.

Is it safe? Does it work? Yes, it has worked for me. As a matter of fact, I have been using it the past three days to fight off a cold, and it has worked. I have also been getting adjusted and watching my sugar intake.

Is it proven? No. There are no FDA studies, and never will be. The FDA will not put a stamp of approval on a supplement because they can't regulate it or make money, which is really what it all boils down too, unfortunatley. As a doctor, I am very critical of product or service claims. I look for solid clinical studies; randomized, controlled trials or even better, double-blind placebo studies contain the most valuable information. These are studies you typically will not find when it comes to "alternative medicines" or supplements. But I can tell it from personal experience that this stuff works.

Nature Sunshine Products are a well studied pharmacuetical grade nutritional company with a great reputation since the 1970s. Click here to view more about the company I use for my patients supplement needs.

Recommended Usage:

Take one teaspoon with a meal three times daily. This product can be mixed with other liquids such as Liquid Chlorophyll or juices. Each teaspoon provides 90 mcg (18 ppm) of pure silver. Do not mix with salt or salty-liquids.

Ingredients:

Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 teaspoon (5ml)
Servings per container: Approx. 24
Amount Per 5ml serving
Silver (colloidal and ionic) 90 mcg *
*Daily Value not established

Other Ingredients: Deionized water.
Not recommended for long-term use

Yours in Health,

Dr. David Mason

Imagine waking up one morning with a frozen shoulder where you couldn’t move your upper arm more than a few inches in any direction. How much would that impact your ability to do your job? How much would that affect your ability to drive your car or even to dress yourself? How much would that affect your ability to concentrate on anything other than your shoulder? Obviously, if your shoulder did not move correctly, it would have a dramatic impact on your life. Well, the same is true with movement in every part of your body. If things aren’t moving the way they are supposed to move, it will have a negative impact on your ability to function at work, take care of the demands of everyday life, and even your ability to concentrate.

Many patients with severe low back pain report that their pain came on suddenly when they did something as simple as bend down to pet their cat, put on their socks, or pick up the newspaper. Just about everyone would agree that a person’s body should be able to handle such simple movements. So what has happened?

In every one of these cases, the joints of the patient’s body were “all locked up” -- they were barely moving at all. When the joints in one area of the body do not move the way they should, other areas of the body are forced to move more in order to compensate. This creates a significant stress on those areas that have to pick up the slack, and it soon leads to pain and inflammation. At the same time, the areas that don’t have normal movement will slowly worsen as the muscles continue to tighten, the joints stick together, and the ligaments and tendons shorten. This leaves the body in a very unstable condition; if left unchecked, this process will continue until the body can hardly move at all. That is how a person comes to suffer flare-ups of pain at the slightest provocation.

Most of us have seen people who have lost most of their normal mobility: they look like bodies have been starched stiff whenever they try to move around. This is especially prevalent among the elderly. Contrary to popular belief, however, this is not an inevitable effect of aging; rather it is the inevitable effect of not maintaining the body’s mobility through exercise, healthy alignment, and body mechanics. There are people in their 60s, 70s, or even older, who are stronger and more flexible than the average person in their 30s, simply because they keep themselves exercising.

Maintaining mobility is critical in order to live free from pain and disability. Maintaining good mobility is not difficult, but it does not happen on its own. Just as in developing a good posture, it is necessary that you perform specific exercises and stretches to keep your muscles, ligaments, and tendons flexible and healthy. In addition, it is necessary that all of the joints in your body are kept moving correctly as well. Although this can be achieved to a great degree through stretching, most people also find routine chiropractic adjustments to be very beneficial.

-Dr. Mason

 

I thought this would be appropiate for my first official blog posting. After all, the second round of the Master's is today (man I wish I was in Augusta this weekend!) Yes, I am a fan of Tiger. He isn't afraid to wear his emotions on his sleeve or tell it like it is. Plus, this guy doesn't look like your average golfer. He eats right, he exercises right, and HE GETS ADJUSTED and I wear his shoes.

GO TIGER! -Dr. Mason