San Diego Chiropractic Blog

Chiropractic care is more than just adjusting the spine.  The philosophy of chiropractic includes care of the entire body - a large portion of this care includes nutrition.   Chiropractors use a holistic approach, meaning that when you have neck pain, we not only treat your neck but we also look for the cause of your neck pain.  Sometimes that neck pain is due to a simple misalignment of a vertebra, somtimes it occurs secondary to postural stress and sometimes there are nutrition causes.  If we don’t examin all of the potential causes of your neck pain, back pain or headaches, then treatment may be quite ineffective.

Regarding nutrition, my understanding of the nearly immediate impact of a healthy diet on my own body was recently re-booted.  I have been on a strict diet of non-processed whole foods and a supplement regimen from Standard Process for the last 21 days.

At the onset of this program I imagined that when it was finished that I would no-doubt eat an occasional piece of pizza or a burrito or have a Sunday morning cup of coffee to satisfy my cravings. Well, my thoughts have changed and my cravings are gone!

This has become the jumpstart for the lifestyle change that I have desired and pursued for many years. The following is a list of some of the more noticeable changes that this program has made for me.

1) Noticeable reduction in anxiety

2) Significant decrease in blood pressure

3) Sleep is much improved

4) Complete loss of my cravings for coffee, sugar and fattening foods

5) Increased energy levels through my day

6) No more bloating or indigestion after meals

7) My pants don’t fit anymore - I lost 15 pounds.

 Much more stable blood sugar levels - no more crashing!

9) Significant decrease in knee pain, ankle pain and neck pain.

As a chiropractor, I have always encouraged my family, friends and patients to maintain their spinal health through regular chiropractic care and to pursue a healthy lifestyle. I am embarrassed to say that even though I maintained a diet that would be considered much healthier than the average persons prior to the start of this Detox - Purification - Weight Loss Program, I really wasn’t healthy.

I would encourage all of you to examine your lifestyles, especially those of you over 30. If you are eating fast food, drinking coffee and / or soda and eating processed foods out of cans / boxes you need to consider a lifestyle change. No one wants to be fat and ill when we get older. But that is exactly what the typical diet supports!

I can’t imagine reverting back to my old eating habits after completing this program. The taste of my favorite Mexican food, that occasional cold soda on a hot day or that warm morning cup of coffee doesn’t even begin to compare to how my new eating habits have made me feel. That old diet was easy and fast - and totally not worth the ill health that came with it.

The combination of eliminating the intake of unhealthy foods with the powerful Detox / Purification provided by the Standard Process Supplements and the undeniable benefit of consuming fresh fruits, vegetables and lean animal proteins like fish and chicken have made both Linda and I feel like completely new people.

Those of you who would like to go through the Standard Process Purification program should call the office or just come in and talk to us about what you need to get started.

The cost for the supplements that you will need for the entire 21 day program is reasonable - the benefits of completing the program are Priceless!

Your’s In Good Health

Dr. Jones

San Diego Chiropractic Care
Chiropractor San Diego

Dehydration is a common problem among adults. I have read studies that indicate that at any one time approximately 75% of American adults are suffering with mild symptoms that result from being dehydrated. Being a chiropractor in San Diego, a desert community, we see many people suffering from ailments ranging from neck pain and headaches to lower back pain with sciatica that all carry some link to dehydration.

The human body is approximately 65% water. By definition, dehydration occurs as the result of excessive loss of water from the body. This occurs as a direct result of not taking in enough water. That is a very superficial explanation of dehydration. In reality, it’s a bit more complicated than that since the body loses electrolytes as well as fluids.

Dehydration is a major issue with our health. A common scene in professional sports is that of the athletes becoming dehydrated and “cramping up”. This cramping of muscles affects us normal people as well. We suffer from back spasms and similar symptoms as a result of dehydration.

Another common symptom of dehydration is headaches. Dehydration has long been known to be a trigger of Migraine type headaches. Many people mistakenly think it occurs only in hot weather and that you’re not dehydrated if you’re not thirsty.

Dehydration Facts:

” It takes an average of 64 to 80 ounces to replace the water our bodies lose in 24 hours.

” Under normal circumstances, how much water we need depends a great deal on the volume of our perspiration and urine output.

” Our bodies’ need for water increases under circumstances such as:

” warmer weather or climate

” living at high altitudes

” increased physical activity

” when experiencing vomiting or diarrhea

” when fevered

” when you have a cold or the flu

” if you have a chronic disease such as uncontrolled or untreated diabetes, kidney disease, alcoholism, cystic fibrosis, or adrenal disorders,

” if you are taking some medications. Always check your prescription information.

” during long air flights

” Losing as little as 1 to 2% of body weight can result in dehydration.

” Losing 3 to 5% can negatively impact reaction time, concentration and judgment

” Losing 9 - 15% results in severe dehydration and is life-threatening.

Dehydration Symptoms:

” Excessive thirst

” Fatigue

” Muscle weakness

” Headache (or, in the case of Migraineurs, Migraine)

” Dizziness

” Less frequent need to urinate and decreased output

” Darker colored urine (should be nearly clear to pale yellow)

” Confusion

” Increased heart rate and respirations

” Skin that doesn’t snap back when pinched and released

” Children may exhibit additional symptoms:

” Absence of tears when crying

” No wet diaper for three hours or longer

” Irritability

” Lethargy

” Fever

When caught early, dehydration can usually be treated at home. Common treatments include:

” Mild dehydration: rehydration by drinking fluids including sports drinks, which rehydrate by providing not only fluid, but also electrolytes and salt. In children, products such as Pedialyte may be recommended as it also contains carbohydrates to help absorption in the intestinal tract. Coffee, tea, and soda should not be used for dehydration as the caffeine in them can actually be dehydrating.

” Moderate dehydration: rehydration may suffice, but IV fluids may be required.

” Severe dehydration: Immediate action must be taken, treating the situation as a medical emergency. Hospital treatment is necessary for IV fluids to rehydrate more quickly and efficiently and to allow observation.

As with most ailments, it’s better to prevent dehydration than to treat it. Here are some preventative steps you can take:

” Drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in water. Fruit contains the most water, followed by vegetables, meat, then grains with the least.

” Choose your beverages wisely. Caffeine and alcohol can be dehydrating. For some people, too much fruit juice can cause diarrhea, which can be dehydrating.

” If you’re planning a day with more significantly exercise than usual, begin hydrating the day before.

” Sports drinks can help maintain electrolyte balance, but be aware of the sugars in them.

” Plan outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day.

” If you’re organizing outdoor activities, provide shaded areas.

” When you’re ill, be sure to continue drinking fluids, and get additional fluids if you have a fever or are vomiting or have diarrhea. Call your doctor for help with vomiting or diarrhea if necessary.

Yours In Good Health

Dr. Jones

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What if I told you that I sold a vitamin that would fix all that ails you?

This vitamin would do everything from grow hair on your head to clearing your heart of plaque build-up to restore your joints to those of a 20 year old!

As a chiropractor in San Diego, I am exposed to many myths regarding our nutrition and our health and the things that we can do to preserve it. Indeed we treat many patients for neck pain, back pain, headaches, and sciatica. That being stated, our patients’ nutritional needs are never overlooked.

The problem that we encounter when discussing nutrition involves patient participation. I have found that our patients have good intentions when it comes to nutrition but those good intentions are often negated by poor planning.

I found a list of the top ten nutrition myths on Healthcastle.com that I thought was both interesting and relevant.

I have heard all of these myths from my patients over the years. Good nutrition has to start with good information. This is a start.

1. Sugar Causes Diabetes. The most common nutrition myth is probably that sugar causes diabetes. However, if you do not have diabetes, sugar intake will not cause you to develop the disease. The main risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are a diet high in calories, being overweight, and an inactive lifestyle.

2. All Fats are bad. It’s a long-held nutrition myth that all fats are bad. But the fact is, we all need fat. Fats aid nutrient absorption and nerve transmission, and they help to maintain cell membrane integrity - to name just a few of their useful purposes. However, when consumed in excessive amounts, fats contribute to weight gain, heart disease and certain types of cancers.

3. Brown Sugar is better than White Sugar. The brown sugar sold at grocery stores is actually white granulated sugar with added molasses. Yes, brown sugar contains minute amounts of minerals. But unless you eat a gigantic portion of brown sugar every day, the mineral content difference between brown sugar and white sugar is absolutely insignificant.

4. Brown Eggs are more nutritious than White Eggs
Contrary to a widely believed nutrition myth, eggshell color has nothing to do with the quality, flavor, nutritive value, cooking characteristics, or shell thickness of an egg. The eggshell color only depends upon the breed of the hen.

5. Avoid seafood to lower blood cholesterol. I still can’t believe it, but I heard this nutrition myth from my own doctor! In fact, the dietary cholesterol found in seafood and other meats has little effect on blood cholesterol in most people. Saturated fats and trans fatty acids are the most important factors that raise blood cholesterol.

6. Avoid carbohydrate to lose weight. The key message that many low-carb diets convey is that carbohydrates promote insulin production, which in turn results in weight gain. Therefore by reducing carbohydrate intake, you can lose weight. Unfortunately, this is just another nutrition myth.

The truth is that low-carb diets are also often calorie-restricted! Followers only eat an average of 1000 - 1400 calories daily, compared to an average intake of 1800 - 2200 calories for most people. To lose one pound a week, you only need to eat 500 fewer calories per day in your normal diet. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you eat a high- or low-carb diet, you will lose weight if you decrease your caloric intake to less than needed to maintain your weight.

7. Avoid nuts as they are fattening. Yes, it’s true that nuts are quite calorically dense. But if you can restrain yourself from overeating them, nuts can be a part of a healthy diet.

It’s a nutrition myth that nuts should be avoided. In fact, nuts are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (the good fats) as well as plant sterols, all of which have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol.

8. Eating for 2 is necessary during pregnancy. Energy requirements vary among individuals. Unfortunately, the idea that pregnancy is an ice cream free-for-all is a nutrition myth. An extra snack before bedtime is often enough.

9. Skipping meals can help lose weight. Many people think that by skipping a meal, they will be eating less food and therefore lose weight. As we now know, this is a nutrition myth. People who think skipping meals means weight loss do not understand how our bodies work.

If you skip a meal, your body will think that you are in starvation mode and therefore slow down the metabolism to compensate. You then tend to overeat at the next meal.

10. Red meat is bad for health. I often hear people saying that they do not eat red meat. When I ask why they don’t, or even what they consider to be red meat, the answers vary dramatically.

It is true that some studies have linked red meat with increased risk of heart disease, partly due to the saturated fat content. In fact, even chicken can contain as much saturated fat as lean cuts of beef or pork. For instance, a serving of sirloin beef or pork tenderloin has less saturated fats than the same serving size of chicken thigh with skin. It is true that poultry like chicken and turkey is naturally lower in saturated fats. But it is only true if you don’t eat the skin.

Yours In Good Health

Dr. Jones

San Diego Chiropractic Care
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Prenatal Health & Pain Relief

In my San Diego chiropractic office, I try to encourage health betterment beyond the obvious chiropractic treatment that we provide for neck pain, back pain and headaches that represent the bulk of my patients’ concerns.

As that old medical saying goes; “Simply not being sick does not equate to being well.”

I always explain to my patients that in the absence of some catastrophic injury, most cases of neck pain and back pain begin as a slight irritation that we are totally unaware of. With time and additional stresses, these slight irritations can become magnified to the point where they become symptomatic.

Our diets effect on our bodies act the same way. A few poor meal choices won’t destroy your health by themselves, but frequent poor meal choices over longer periods of time can have a significant negative impact on your health. You only have to look at a McDonalds or Burger King drive-through to see the long lines of people making poor food choices. These people who make frequent poor food choices (fast foods in this example) probably won’t suffer anything more than a little indigestion as a result of each meal. However, the accumulation of the effects of all of these poor food choices will do damage down the road.

Unfortunately, this all becomes more apparent as we age. We pay for our poor eating habits as we age for a couple of reasons. First of all, poor eating choices become habitual. Like any bad habit, changing poor eating habits is difficult. Secondly, with normal aging, our metabolism slows making our poor eating habits more detrimental than they were when we were younger and more active.

Regaining your health takes work on several fronts. Some of these things you can accomplish yourself and other things you need help with.

Patients that come to my chiropractic office for treatment for their neck pain or back pain often find this task one of the easy parts of getting healthy. In order to get help with pain, all the patients have to do is come to the office for their treatment.

The difficult part of restoring health is dealing with the bad habits that result in unhealthy diets, smoking, drinking and the like. Overcoming bad habits takes an exceptionally motivated person. Focus and you can overcome them and have a healthier body to show for it.

Your’s In Good Health

Dr. Jones

www.JonesPainRelief.com

I want to be healthy - and 30 again! Only one of these things can happen and I am never seeing thirty again.

Many San Diego Chiropractors incorporate nutrition into their practices. It is a logical step and an essential part of helping patients regain and maintain their health. That being said, I have not quite grasped some of the concepts employed by chiropractors and other doctors regarding testing for nutrient deficiencies.

I have always liked measurements to guide my outcomes. Granted, in health care, many times “improvement” in a patients’ condition is driven by the patients’ symptoms.

In other words, when they are out of pain they are done with care!

This is seldom a good call, most of the time it isn’t. Even doctors are advised against making judgments regarding delivery of care for their own illnesses. After all, many patients are riddled with cancer or have major blockage in their hearts’ arteries yet the patient has no symptoms. Like any of these conditions, treatment for even seemingly minor symptoms is best when delivered until the illness is completely resolved.

Our state of wellness is fleeting and worsened when we ignore signals that we are losing our health.

We can develop mild symptoms like insomnia or anxiety or fatigue for example and attribute them to something other than some internal issue. Often our symptoms are attributed to things such as work stress or relationship problems. While those stresses are contributors to our symptoms, diet and ultimately nutrition take the lead role in producing symptoms of ill health.

I recently made the decision to have a hair analysis performed for mineral content. The lab that we are now using for hair analysis uses state of the art equipment to analyze the hair sample then they generate a report containing specifics regarding their findings. They also include recommended supplements and gobs of information regarding the consequences of their findings.

Having considered myself above the average as far as my health goes, I was shocked by the reports findings.

This report is exactly what I need to drive my nutritional supplement schedule. It provides a measure of where I am and what I should take to get where I need to be.

One last thing, for those of you who have dismissed the findings of a hair analysis as inaccurate, improvements in this procedure over the last ten years have made it as accurate as blood tests - which are quite accurate.

If you are serious about getting healthy, do yourself a favor and get a hair analysis performed. It will do wonders in guiding your nutritional plan and will keep you on a course toward better health!

Yours In Good Health

Dr. Jones

San Diego Chiropractic Care
Chiropractor San Diego Blog
Pain Relief San Diego Chiropractor
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Prenatal Health & Pain Relief

So you’ve had a Birthday and you’re thinking about your youth that’s slipping away. I would like to go back to 30 myself. Of course there are some things we can do to help feel more youthful and have more energy. Proper nutrition is one thing that you can start today to make you feel better tomorrow.

Some San Diego Chiropractic offices include nutrition in their practices. Nutrition is a logical component of helping patients regain and maintain their health. That being said, I don’t have a good grasp of some of the concepts employed by chiropractors and other doctors regarding testing for nutritional deficiencies. Many doctors that sell nutritional products decide that you need them based on their need to sell them to you.

I have always liked measured outcomes. Granted, in health care, many times “improvement” in a patients’ condition is driven by the patients’ symptoms.

In other words, when the patient is out of pain, they are done with care!

This is seldom a good call, most of the time it isn’t. Even doctors are advised against making judgments regarding delivery of care for their own illnesses. After all, many patients are riddled with cancer or have major blockage in their hearts’ arteries yet the patient has no symptoms. Like any of these conditions, treatment for even seemingly minor symptoms is best when delivered until the illness is completely resolved.

Our state of wellness is fleeting and worsened when we ignore signals that we are losing our health.

We can develop mild symptoms like insomnia or anxiety or fatigue for example and attribute them to something other than some internal issue. Often our symptoms are attributed to things such as work stress or relationship problems. While those stresses are contributors to our symptoms, diet and ultimately nutrition take the lead role in producing symptoms of ill health.

I recently made the decision to have a hair analysis performed for mineral content. The lab that we are now using for hair analysis uses state of the art equipment to analyze the hair sample then they generate a report containing specifics regarding their findings. They also include recommended supplements and gobs of information regarding the consequences of their findings.

Having considered myself above the average as far as my health goes, I was shocked by the reports findings.

This report is exactly what I need to drive my nutritional supplement schedule. It provides a measure of where I am and what I should take to get where I need to be.

For those of you who have dismissed the findings of a hair analysis as inaccurate, advances in this procedure over the last ten years have made the results as accurate as blood tests.

So get serious about getting healthy, do yourself a favor and get a hair analysis. It will do wonders with guiding your nutritional plan and it will keep you on track toward better health!

Your’s In Good Health

Dr. Jones

San Diego Chiropractic Care
Chiropractor San Diego Blog