Obesity, Health Concerns Rise As Parks And Recreation Programs Decline

One way to help address the epidemic of obesity in the United States is improved access to pleasant hiking trails and an ambitious parks and recreation program, a recent study suggests, but programs such as this are increasingly being reduced in many states due to budget shortfalls.

The analysis, done by researchers in Oregon, found that some of the health issues that plague overweight and obese people can be aided by a stronger commitment to recreational opportunities. Cutting such programs to save money may be counterproductive to community health, scientists said.

"Research is now showing there's a close correlation between public health and recreational opportunities, both close to home and in state parks," said Randy Rosenberger, an associate professor in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University. "And it's not just about losing weight. It's been found that active obese individuals have lower morbidity and mortality than normal weight individuals who are sedentary."(Read more…)

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Atlanta, GA, January 07, 2010 –(PR.com)– According to the Foundation for Vertebral Subluxation there is no human experimental evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations are causally related to strokes.

“While plaintiff’s attorneys and expert witness make claims and statements contending that such a causative link exists, the fact remains that these are based largely on anecdotes, case reports, and case controlled studies and cannot be used to prove causation” stated Foundation President Christopher Kent DC, JD a chiropractic researcher and attorney.

According to researchers and the scientific method itself there are all sorts of biases and distortions that effect conclusions drawn from such studies and other criteria must be used to determine whether such a link exists.

“What this boils down to is a simple lack of understanding of biostatistics and epidemiology” stated Foundation Vice President Matthew McCoy DC, MPH, a chiropractic researcher and public health expert. “Words like ‘association’ and ‘causation’ and ‘risk’ have very specific meanings when it comes to their use in epidemiology and it’s clear that laypersons involved in this debate are using these terms inappropriately.”

While the experience of a stroke can be devastating and no one would suggest ignoring the concerns of those who have suffered one, the reality is that when it comes to the contention that chiropractic causes strokes – the evidence just isn’t there. And while the strokes these people have experienced are indeed real, McCoy suggests there are often other issues involved and offered an example. “Millions of people visit a dentist every year and a certain number of those same people get into car accidents on their way home. If we were to run the stats on it we might find that there is a statistical association between visiting a dentist and getting into a car accident on the way home. But no one would even consider suggesting that the dentists are causing the car accidents.”

Self described chiropractic stroke victims say there is a risk and that people should be advised about it prior to undergoing chiropractic care. The majority of chiropractors would agree that patients should be informed of the risks, benefits and alternatives of any health care intervention, but according to Dr. Kent “Such informed consent must be based on appropriate information and since there is no scientific evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations actually cause strokes, it is inappropriate to require a doctor to suggest that such a risk exists.”

Dr. McCoy added another often overlooked issue “Chiropractors utilize a number of techniques to address joint dysfunction and vertebral subluxation and in fact there are over 300 named chiropractic techniques and many do not employ the type of manipulation that has been alleged to be a factor in vertebrobasilar accidents. This adds to the inappropriate nature of such a disclosure.”

In the end, chiropractic has an impressive safety record compared to traditional medical care with estimates are that anywhere from 100,000 (Institute of medicine) to 750,000 (Null et al) people die every year from medical care. In comparison, other than some minor soreness following chiropractic treatment, research has shown chiropractic to be very safe.

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Do you have cravings for sweets that you see as treats?  Do you think indulging in a pint of ice cream is your reward for making it through the day?  Are you looking for something sweet to overcome that 3pm slump?  For some, sugar is just as addicting as caffeine, tobacco or alcohol and it keeps us from losing the pounds we long to shed.

The United States is the largest consumer of sweeteners and one of the largest global sugar importers. We started in 1689 when the first sugar refinery was built in New York City.  Colonists soon began to sweeten their breakfast porridge with refined sugar, and within 10 years, individual consumption had reached 4 pounds a year.  The average American now consumes more than 100 pounds of sugar and sweeteners per year.  The USDA recommends we get no more than 10 teaspoons per day, yet most Americans eat about 30 teaspoons per day—that’s three times the liberal recommended daily value.

Humans love sweet things. Even before we started refining sugar, we sought out foods with sweet tastes.  Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that occurs naturally in foods such as grains, beans, vegetables and fruit.  When unprocessed, sugar contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and proteins.  When brown rice or other whole grains are cooked, chewed and digested, the natural carbohydrates break down uniformly into separate glucose molecules.  These molecules enter the bloodstream, where they are burned smoothly and evenly, allowing your body to absorb all the good stuff.  Read more…

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These were the findings of a study by lead author Dr Edward McAuley, a professor of kinesiology and community health at the University of Illinois in Champaign, and colleagues, and appears in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

A person’s self-efficacy is the belief they can attain a certain goal: an example of my self-efficacy would be that I believe I can climb several flights of stairs or jog around the block without stopping.

While there is lots of evidence that physical activity influences well-being, the reason why is less well understood. Read more…

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By Serena Gordon
HealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay News) — Could the music of the 18th century classical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart help tiny infants born today?

Yes, suggests an Israeli study that found that listening for just 30 minutes a day helped premature babies use less energy, which may help them grow faster.

“Within 10 minutes of listening to Mozart music, healthy infants [born prematurely] had a 10 percent to 13 percent reduction of their resting energy expenditure,” the study authors wrote. “We speculate that this effect of music on resting energy expenditure might explain, in part, the improved weight gain that results from this Mozart effect.”

The findings were published online Monday in Pediatrics, and are slated to appear in the January print issue of the journal.  Read more…

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A headache can be classified as a neurological problem but there are many different reasons people experience pain in the head. The symptoms of the headache are indicators of the type of headache you are experiencing. Following are four common types of headaches people experience.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches can occur occasionally or they may be chronic in some individuals. Reasons behind tension pain in the head include but are not limited to:

• Depression
• Underlying medical problems
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Psychological problems

People who have chronic tension headaches may notice the onset of the problem occurring as early as 20 years of age while others find the onset of the headaches in their late thirties.

Hormonal Headaches

Some headaches occur because there is an imbalance of hormones in the body. The endocrine system is responsible for manufacturing and releasing hormones and this system works in collaboration with the nervous system. When there is an imbalance, headaches can occur.

Migraine Headaches

The painful onset of a migraine headache is enough to put someone out of commission for a day or two. Telltale signs of migraine include pain on one side of the head. The problem occurs when the levels of serotonin change in the brain.

The biochemical changes have and effect on the trigeminal nerve in the head experiences chemical changes that force it to set off a series of occurrences that lead to pain in the head. Part of the reaction involves blood flow moving away from capillaries and into the veins around the head. Nerves close to the veins and arteries become inflamed sending pain signals to the brain.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are relatively rare, affecting roughly one percent of the population. These painful surges have a sudden onset and they leave as quickly as they begin, often with a rush of endorphins that cause a feeling of calm sedation and relief. The attacks occur in groups that can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.

The clusters of headaches may follow a cycle with occurrences appearing in the late night hours or early in the morning. People who have these outbreaks tend to experience them in the fall or spring seasons. Some cycles appear for several weeks, month or years.

Headache Treatment

Getting proper treatment for headaches begins with recognizing the type of headaches you experience on a regular basis. In addition to the four mentioned above are headaches associated with many other conditions, including allergies and underlying medical problems. Anyone experiencing recurring headaches should visit a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Resource:  Methods of Healing

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Overweight dogs, in particular, frequently develop arthritis in their knee joints as they age because, just like humans, the added weight causes stress and strain on the knees over time. Sometimes, a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligaments of the knee can occur.

A chiropractic care approach often includes low-level laser therapy in combination with adjustments. Many chiropractors recommend acupuncture as well.

So, if you have an overweight pet who’s far too young to be moving around like a “senior,” or one who experiences pain when walking, in addition to helping your pet to lose the excess weight, give your chiropractor a call. Chiropractic works for animals, too!

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Are chiropractors “real” doctors? Chiropractic education is very similar to medical and dental education that demands three to four years of undergraduate studies and an additional four years of post-graduate education. Chiropractic coursework includes anatomy, physiology, orthopedics, neurology, x-ray, nutrition, and philosophy. In the sector of x-ray study, chiropractors , as a matter of fact, have quite a few more hours of education than medical doctors. Chiropractic studies in x-ray consist of x-ray safety, techniques, factors, positioning, and interpretation. In addition, chiropractors have more hours of study in nutrition than students in medical school receive. Chiropractors are sanctioned in all fifty states as doctors.

Is chiropractic safe? Chiropractic adjustments are considered to be one of the safest therapies for the neck and back. It is not only safe for adults, but for children and even infants. Spinal manipulation is encouraged by most medical doctors prior to a patient being recommended to undergo surgery. It is a natural, drug-free alternative to strong drugs like steroids and painkillers.

Does chiropractic hurt? Most patients feel immediate pain relief after an adjustment and increasingly more relaxing and comfortable over time. Adults and children, alike, often look forward to their chiropractic treatments.

Hope that this clears up a few misconceptions. If you are suffering from back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot pain, or headaches and migraines, you don’t need to suffer any longer. Chiropractic works. Call your chiropractor today!

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A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics examined the case of a 54-year-old man fighting lung cancer (a cancer often related to asbestos exposure).  One year after undergoing surgery to remove his cancer, the man was still in excruciating pain and went to see a chiropractor.  Immediately after beginning chiropractic treatment, the man experienced pain relief and, soon after, discontinued use of all pain medications.

Chiropractors strongly believe in the  ability of every body to heal itself no matter what the condition may be. Chiropractic works in many wondrous ways. And, according to this recently published study, it can alleviate severe headaches and movement pains during cancer treatment  and may make the treatment process more comfortable for cancer patients.

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“There are physical, biochemical and emotional stresses associated with Traumatic Brain Injuries,” said Dr. Andrea Ryan, noted researcher and author of the study detailing the positive impact that chiropractic care has had on those suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). “Since one of the aims of chiropractic care is to reduce those stresses and find a balance in a person’s life, it has proven to be a vital component to the healing process of anyone afflicted with a TBI,” she added.

Dr. Ryan’s success in this area proves, once again, that chiropractic works often when everything else has failed. And, it is apparent that it offers hope to those afflicted with Traumatic Brain Injuries. But, as Dr. Ryan would be the first to remind you that chiropractic care didn’t “cure” the woman involved. The adjustments she received from Dr. Ryan, like all chiropractic adjustments are intended to do, decreased or eliminated nerve interference that, in turn, allowed the woman’s body to adapt and function as it was intended

The complete story and more information on Dr. Ryan’s work can be found at wickedlocal.com

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