July 2018 Health Newsletter

Pain is a serious issue for many people. In fact, 25.3 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain. The bigger problem is what can happen if you turn to over-the-counter or prescription drugs to get relief. Fortunately, chiropractic care is as effective as pain medication in managing sustained pain syndromes, and it eliminates the side effects and risk associated with short and long-term use of medicine. Let’s walk through some steps that demonstrate how chiropractic care works effectively. Recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other common pain relievers are better than opioids in providing relief of recurrent pain in the back, knees, and hips. NSAIDs also help increase patients’ ability to perform daily activities like going to work, talking a walk, or sleeping soundly.  So, you can be safer by relying on NSAIDs over opioids. However, another study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that spinal manipulation by a qualified chiropractor over six weeks reduced back pain and improved function as much as NSAIDs, but without risks normally associated with over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers. Following this logic, chiropractic care remains one of the safest, most effective options to consider when seeking treatment for back pain. Non-invasive, simple, and drug-free, chiropractic is a great way to manage pain and improve mobility so you can return to normal daily life as quickly as possible. To discuss options, contact a doctor of chiropractic near you and get treated today.

An Australian study of 954 women aged 70 and older has found that the more vegetables older women eat, the less likely they are to develop plaque accumulation in their arteries. Lauren Blekkenhorst, a nutrition researcher at the University of Western Australia and lead author of the study, found that study participants averaged 2.7 servings of vegetables per day. Using a food questionnaire to categorize responses, researchers determined that women who consumed three servings of vegetables per day had artery walls that were about 5 percent less thick than women who ate less than two servings. One of the most beneficial types of vegetables for artery health was found to be the crucifer family — cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli. For each third of an ounce more cruciferous vegetables participants ate, they had a corresponding 0.8 percent less artery wall thickness. This means even a small increase in vegetable consumption can have big benefits for vascular health. Blekkenhorst hypothesizes that eating vegetables may make arteries healthier because it leaves less room for junk food. In addition, the vitamins and minerals present in vegetables have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which can lead to better cardiovascular health. Although the study was not meant to predict long-term cardiovascular health, it does show how easily your diet impacts vascular health. Adding just a serving or two of vegetables to your diet each day can make help you stay healthier, longer.