21
August

Raw Milk: A Do or a Don’t?

via Integrative Nutrition Blog by Integrative Nutrition on 8/4/10

Raw milk has become such a hot topic of debate recently; police are even getting involved.   Rawesome Foods, a natural food store in Venice, California, was the target of a police raid that confiscated over $10,000 worth of raw dairy products.  Is raw dairy a do or a don’t?  Check out both sides of the argument and give us your opinion on this dairy dilemma.

Do: Raw food enthusiasts believe that raw milk contains important bacteria that build up the immune system and prevent allergies as well as lactose intolerance. Since raw milk is banned in many states, people will drive for hours to buy raw milk from farms in neighboring states. Those who support raw milk believe that pasteurization kills not only the dangerous bacteria, which may or may not be harmful, but also the important nutrients that are in the milk in its purest form. They consider it a superfood full of nutrients and beneficial enzymes. 

Don’t: Others are happy to stick with the milk that is readily available at grocery stores throughout the country. The dangers are very real, they believe, and it is not worth the risk to drink milk raw. Bacteria found in raw milk such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria can make people sick or even be lethal.

What do you think? Should pasteurization be legally necessary for all milk products? Should the bans on raw milk in some states be lifted?

You can listen to the story on NPR’s All things Considered here.

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09
July

Your Chiropractor in Oxnard Offers A Surprising Solution to Your Allergy Problems

Oxnard Chiropractor

Your Oxnard Chiropractor, Dr.Donald Bolt, understands that allergies can make your daily existence  difficult. A walk in the park, a yarn ball toss with Kitty, a seafood entree, or just something as minute as a nut may possibly result in such irritating complaints as itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, or a skin rash.

Unfortunately, frequently a person’s allergic reactions can increase from simply annoying to acute and even life-threatening as the air passageway begins to shut and inhaling and exhaling becomes strained. Such a development of symptoms can frequently generate a state of extreme stress and as a result a trip to the emergency room.

Allergic reactions can, without a doubt, become quite a significant interruption and cause you to feel incapable of taking part in life. Actually, if you are one of those unfortunate people who have hypersensitivity, it might even appear to you that, from time to time, the surroundings are a surprisingly unfriendly space and that natural environment around you is, actually, out to get you!

You might ponder as to why it is that other human beings appear so immune to the identical environmental stresses that send your body into overwhelm. Other people seem to be either unaware of or completely unresponsive to the potential irritants that lie in wait at every turn, while your system reacts, or rather overreacts, to them. Why you? It is a logical question. The answer is that some individuals, such as you, have a hyperactive immune system that literally “freaks out” when you encounter ordinary substances particularly pollen, dander, shellfish, or nut products.

Can your Chiropractor in Oxnard assist you in obtaining a lasting reduction in your allergy symptoms? The answer is a booming “Yes,” and the reason may very well surprise you. A great many chiropractic patients have noticed that they enjoy freedom from their allergy symptoms following a chiropractic adjustment, even though chiropractic care does not necessarily treat allergies, per se. The true reason for the decrease in allergy symptoms is due to the fact that chiropractic adjustment influences the complete nervous system, including the autoimmune system, which is the cause of your allergic responses. In cases where there’s a perturbation within the nervous system, in addition to other problems, the autoimmune system, whose job it is to enable you to adjust and react appropriately to your environment, has the potential to become under-active or overactive. Where your allergies are concerned, the reaction is the latter (it becomes overactive).

Considering that chiropractic treatments are meant to diminish or even entirely do away with hindrances in the nervous system and bring back symmetry and tranquility to the whole body, as well as a number of other corrections, the treatments administer homeostasis to the autoimmune system at the same time. A vibrant immune system responds in a healthy way to so-called allergens in the natural environment.

So, as pointed out previously, your Oxnard Chiropractor doesn’t actually address allergy symptoms, then again that doesn’t suggest your allergies won’t improve or go away completely. On the other hand, you could say, instead, that relief from your allergies is simply the by-product of your rebalanced nervous system. If you would like to get back into a happy relationship with your natural environment as quickly as is possible, phone Dr. Bolt, your Chiropractor in Oxnard, today. He will help you to enjoy your life again!

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15
June

Obesity: The Greatest Threat to Public Health in This Century?

As a chiropractor and healthcare provider, I would be remiss if I didn’t address the vital issue of excess weight and how it negatively affects every part of the human body. I explain the health challenges to my overweight patients and hammer away on the subject in my blogs because in addition to the cardio-vascular diseases caused by obesity, much of the back pain, hip pain, and knee pain that people experience is influenced by the undue stress excess weight puts on the joints of the body. And, though it may not surprise you, an expert panel in a report out just today said that people in this country must slash their calories and increase physical activity because the obesity epidemic is “the single greatest threat to public health in this century.” 

We all know that dieting isn’t easy, but the advisory committee for the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans gave this clear-cut advice: “People in this country need to cut the calories they consume from added sugars and solid fats (butter, marbled meats) and start eating a more nutrient-rich, plant-based diet.”

The report called for many changes in the food environment. To read more, go to: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2010-06-15-

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31
May

How Important is Social Media Marketing to Your Clinic?

Chiropractic Marketing

The “hottest” buzz word on the internet today is Social Media. For those of you who would like to explore Social Media marketing as part of your overall chiropractic internet marketing strategy, but aren’t quite sure what all the buzz is about, let’s talk a little about the “Who, What, When, Where, and How” of social media and you, that’s “Who.”

Social media marketing may seem familiar in some respects to other chiropractic marketing strategies you’ve engaged in in the past, but also unfamiliar at the same time. In the “familiar” category, you wouldn’t try any sort of marketing plan without taking the time to understand what it is and what you want to get from it. What are your goals? Once you’ve decided what you want, you’ll be able to use social media to your best advantage.

Before you actually start your social media endeavor, you will need to make sure that you “own your name” on all the social media outlets, that is to say, be certain that your name or your clinic’s name is procurable so that you can use precisely same name on every one of the social channels you desire to use. When you’re ready, there’s a service, which is totally free, that will assist you with your search. Knowem.com is the who to go to. This service will check where your name is and/or if it’s attainable or not on a substantial number of social media sites.

When you have secured all of your social media accounts, the next step is to choose where you ought to be active. Because you have a clinic to run and patients to see, starting with only a few social media sites is preferable and may actually be all you’ll need. That way you won’t get unduly busy in too many channels. How do decide which sites are best for you? Choose the social media site where the most action is, which are facebook, twitter, linkedin, and Youtube

 What successful social media activity will do for you is build a genuine presence in your community. What you should never do “sell” on your social media sites, which is to say don’t sell your chiropractic services, don’t sell products, don’t sell anything! The purpose of social media is for you to go out and network with the community. By all means, let them become aware what you do, but do it by becoming a participant. There is really no difference between social networking offline and social media networking. People on social media sites don’t want to be sold to, plain and simply. What might be a beneficial idea to think of social media sites like a neighborhood backyard barbecue. People are standing around talking about who they are and what they do, and then someone asks you what you do. Or, maybe you begin the conversation by (just) saying, “Hi, I’m Dr. ____. With social media marketing, the same kind of interaction applies. Social media sites should be handled the same way you’d “work” offline networking opportunities to promote yourself, i.e., answer the questions and concerns that get potential patients interested in the who that’s you!

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26
May

Chiropractor in Wichita Advises: Don’t Let The Pain of Sciatica Interfere With Your Life

Wichita Chiropractor

As a Wichita Chiropractor for more than twenty years, I have assisted a significant number of individuals suffering from sciatic pain, therefore, I’m genuinely aware from experience just how debilitating the pain from sciatica can be. Sciatica sufferers are regrettably all too familiar with the deep radiating pain that accompanies their waking hours each day and inhibits almost all of their daily activities.

Are you concerned that your low back pain could be generated by sciatica? You are more than likely experiencing sciatica if your pain radiates from your low back, through one or both sides of your buttocks, down the large sciatic nerve in the back of one or both legs, and possibly shoots into your knee(s). Moreover, sitting, as well as movement, can be painful. Commonly lying down will reduce, or perhaps even temporarily get rid of the pain. But, it’s important for you to know that sciatica cannot be corrected without appropriate care.

Radiculopathy

One of the clinical diagnoses of sciatica is known as a “radiculopathy”, a medical term that means simply that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the spine and is pressing on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve. This kind of pressure is extremely painful.

Additional pressure on the intervertebral discs, as well as imbalances in the muscles encompassing the spine, can happen during and after long periods of sitting, specifically in an improper position. Usually, a specific event or injury doesn’t cause sciatica, but rather sciatica is likely to evolve over time as a result of ordinary wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. Over the course of time the lower spine can lose its ability to function normally during everyday stresses.

When this takes place, the intervertebral disc incurs small fissures or cracks that then permit the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it produces the pain that is commonly called a ruptured, or slipped, disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, sciatica is likely to develop. Fortunately, most disc problems, including sciatica, can be totally alleviated with chiropractic adjustments and therapy that frequently includes postural exercises.

Periformis Syndrome

Another condition that creates sciatic pain is periformis syndrome. Periformis syndrome happens when the periformis muscle, which is superficial to the sciatic nerve, goes into spasm and irritates the nerve. Along with chiropractic manipulation, this particular sciatica can be significantly relieved by sciatica stretches that your chiropractor will advise you on.

If you are experiencing sciatic pain, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic attention. If you are in the Wichita area, as your Chiropractor in Wichita, I look forward to helping you to get out of pain and get your life back!

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16
May

Chiropractic Internet Marketing Strategy: Do it Yourself or Outsource?

Here’s an interesting question for you to consider: Do you want to keep your chiropractic internet marketing in-house or do you want to hire a professional? There are pros and cons to both, and the answer lies in your particular situation. Let’s check out the advantages and  disadvantages of both.

Advantages of in-house chiropractic internet marketing

  1. There is a lower monthly cost involved in using someone already employed by you.
  2. The staff knows your practice intimately.  Your staff has a good understanding of your clinic’s particular services and, therefore, is able to describe your specialties easier than those who don’t know the specifics of your particular practice.
  3. You can communicate anytime. Being in-house it is easier to set up times to have meetings or just to chat about situations on the fly.

Disadvantages of in-house chiropractic website marketing

  1. The staff may not be fully aware of what SEO (search engine optimization) is, let alone how to accomplish it. In that case, a lot of education and training will be needed to make sure SEO gets done right.
  2. The staff may be overworked. Sometimes the time it takes to do SEO can be underestimated. It is an ongoing process that can actually be a full-time job.  If a marketing manager has been told to do SEO as well as his or her full time job, obviously that person will be overworked and feel overwhelmed.
  3. Attention needs to be paid to detail. This goes together with Point #2. If the staff is overworked, they have no time to check out search engine news and keep up-to-date on how the search engines have changed the game each week and what needs to be done to implement those changes to keep your clinic internet presence up in the rankings.

Advantages of using an outside professional

  1. Chiropractic marketing companies are specialists in the field.  They have experience in working on numerous clinics and their websites and optimizing them for SEO.  They know, first hand, what works effectively and what doesn’t.
  2. There is a dedicated team at the company who will be working on your site and can give it the attention it requires.
  3. The company has a specific plan and won’t be just jumping around, going from short term tactic to short term tactic with no organized strategy and no clear way to reach your desired goals. In other words, they have an “integrated” internet marketing strategy.

Disadvantages of a chiropractic internet marketing company

  1. Let’s face it, it can get expensive, but costs vary widely from company to company. Some companies out there are charging $600-$700 a month for their services. It is definitely worth your while to shop around and research before you buy.
  2. There is usually a commitment. Most chiropractic internet marketing companies will want you to sign up for at least six months to a year.
  3. Account management can be a problem. With high turnover rates at many companies, especially the big ones, there may be a chance that you’ll get handed from account manager to account manager just when you were building a relationship of trust. You may have to start over again, maybe even have to redesign and reiterate your strategy with the new manager.

Now that you’ve taken a moment to look at the pros and cons of both keeping your internet marketing in-house or hiring a professional, the solution to SEO and your internet marketing strategy will depend on the size of your practice, the time and staffing you can devote to it, and your overall long-term goals.

Now, of course, we are a chiropractic internet marketing company that specializes in helping chiropractors with their internet presence. So, I will admit that I am a bit biased on the side of your hiring an expert to do it right. If you are thinking of hiring a company to develop and implement your internet marketing strategy, it is tremendously important for you to hire one that specializes in chiropractic clinics. Why? Because we understand the chiropractic profession intimately. Therefore, in the long run it will save you both time and money not having to explain what chiropractic is about to some general SEO company. There are several of us out there.

If you are going to go with an outside company, be sure to read the fine print. Look at the bottom of their page for a disclaimer. If they have one, read about their “typical” results. You don’t want to be fooled by outrageous claims even though such hype can be enticing. Remember, your internet marketing strategy is just one stream of new patient leads. Even though chiropractic internet marketing is fast becoming a great source for new patient leads, and even though internet marketing gets more important with every passing day,  and even though it is a crucial area in which to generate new patient leads, it is still not the only source of marketing you will need to succeed in your practice.

Whether you choose to keep your internet marketing in-house or to hire a professional, you want to be sure that the time and money you spend on SEO gets you where you want to go. A member of your staff that does your internet marketing for “free,” while squeezing those efforts in-between other tasks, may “cost” you in the long run. A professional whose sole focus is internet marketing, won’t lose sight of your goals. Internet marketing is essential to your practice, so choose your chiropractic internet path wisely.

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10
May

Good News for The North Face

Let’s face it, you can’t stop kids from carrying backpacks especially with school lockers being removed from many schools. And, we, adults use them, too, for plenty of activities in addition to hiking. But, not all backpacks are equal when it comes to their impact on the musculoskeletal system of young and old, alike. That’s why the endorsement of nine backpackes and daypackes from The North Face, announced today by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is so important. The endorsed styles are the Big Shot, Borealis, Box Shot, Cornice, Hotshot, On Sight, Recon, Surge, and Yavapai. \

Here’s what a panel of doctors of chiropractic found with regard to the benefits of The North Face packs:

• Injection molded shoulder straps: creating innovative flex points to alleviate clavicle and pressure point strain;

• Anatomically correct shoulder straps: constructed in a shape specifically suited for males or females;

• Back panels with improved fit: featuring a recessed channel designed to take pressure off the spine and a more comfortable fabrication for load-bearing activities; and

• Updated interior organization: providing ample pockets and dividers for storing and organizing the necessities of school, work and play .

“After careful study and consultation with Scott Bautch, DC, The North Face designers revised specific backpacks and daypacks, making improvements to fit, comfort and usability,” said Scott McGuire, equipment product director for The North Face. “Improvements to features such as shoulder straps, back panels and hipbelts increase both the function and comfort of this collection.”

For additional information and to purchase the new ACA-endorsed packs visit www.thenorthface.com.

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02
May

The Mental Benefits of “Green Exercise”

You’ve no doubt surmised from reading my past blogs that, as a chiropractor, my philosophy is a resounding “motion is life,” and that I believe that daily exercise is one of the most important elements to health and longevity, mentally as well as physically. So, naturally, whenever I run across a new study that validates the importance of exercise, I like to pass it along to my patients. And, that’s just what I’m doing here. A new study by researchers from the University of Essex, and published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, found that just five minutes of exercise a day in “the great outdoors” can improve mental health. That’s right, “green activity” like walking in the park, cycling around vineyards, and gardening, or even farming, can actually boost a person’s mood and self esteem.

Even though plenty of studies in the past have confirmed that outdoor exercise can not only increase a sense of well-being, but reduce the risk of mental illness in general, there hasn’t been a study focusing on just how much time outdoors is needed to produce positive benefits. What may come as a surprise to many people is just how little time is required. The study found that the largest positive effect on self-esteem came from just a five-minute “tip-toe through the tulips.” Surely, we all have five minutes to devote to your sense of well-being. Of course, if you don’t live or work close to a park, allow time for the commute.

You can read more on this study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology or go to msnbc.com/health

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22
April

The Lowdown on Your Junk Food “High”

Here’s another research finding to file under “Duh, you think?” Recent scientific research found that junk food is addictive. Hey, mom, don’t blame your kid when he has a meltdown when his  “fix” at McDonald’s is replaced by a nutritious home-cooked meal that includes (yikes!) vegetables! And, you dieters out there, stop beating yourself up when you find that no matter how many fresh fruits and vegetables you add to your diet, you still find yourself at a midnight In-N-Out Burger drive-thru. It’s an addiction, man!

The study found that eating junk food can actually change the chemistry in your brain. How? High-calorie foods affect your brain in much the same way as cocaine and heroin, and can lead to compulsive eating habits that resemble drug addiction. Plus, foods stripped of healthy nutrients, like junk food, make you more hungry because your body “thinks” you need more food when, in fact, what you really crave is more nutrients.

Chiropractors, like me, work with our patients to achieve overall health through regular chiropractic care, a nutritious diet, good hydration, and daily exercise. If any one of these components is missing, your good health and longevity are at risk. See your chiropractor today. He or she can help you “kick” your junk food “addiction.” 

For more on this study, go to reuters.com.

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10
April

Move It or Lose It Baby Boomers!

“Move it or lose it” captures the chiropractic philosophy in a nutshell, especially when it comes to aging. As we age, our joints lose much of their “natural” mobility mostly due to wear and tear over the years and age-related moisture decline. Unless we, boomers, make a concerted effort to get regular exercise and stretch daily, and perhaps to get periodic chiropractic manipulation to maintain or increase joint mobility, boomers are cruising towards a future of mobility-related disabilities that will be costly both in healthcare needs and quality of life in general. Which direction are a large number of baby boomers cruising? According to new study, the number of middle-aged Americans with certain mobility-related disabilities, (including walking a quarter-mile and climbing 10 steps) is on the rise. That’s right! The study, based on a National Health Interview Survey carried out each year from 1997 to 2007, which included up to 15,000 individuals annually, revealed that more than 40 percent (that’s too close to half!) of 50 to 64 year olds reported having problems with at least one of nine physical functions and many reported more than one difficulty.

There was also an increase in the number of people using special equipment, like a cane or wheelchair, to get around. Moreover, an increased number of people reported needing help with daily personal care activities, such as getting out of bed and moving around the home. “This a disappointing trend with potentially far-reaching and long-term negative consequences,” said Richard Suzman, director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Research at the National Institute on Aging, which funded the study. “If people have such difficulties in middle age, how can we expect that this age group — today’s baby boomers — will be able to take care of itself with advancing age? If it continues, this trend could have a significant effect on the need for long-term care in the future.”

The researchers note that the study was based on people’s self-reports, which could affect the results.

 

For more on the study, which was published in the April issue of the journal Health Affairs, go to LiveScience.com.

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