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Chiropractic for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Chiropractic for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnwrist-mobility-200-300el Syndrome (CTS), named from the carpal bones in the wrist that form a tunnel around the nerve leading to the hand, is an injury usually caused by repetitive and forceful movements that result in swelling around the tendons and pinching of the median nerve, causing painful tingling, lack of muscle strength and control in the hand, and pain shooting from the hand up to the shoulder. CTS is a risk to most workers, such as those who work on the computer and also store and assembly line workers, who receive micro-traumas to their hands and wrists on a daily basis due to awkward positioning, forceful and repetitive movements, and stressful activity.

The usual treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can extend to heavy medication and surgery, however there are alternative methods of treatment that can alleviate the symptoms and effects arising from CTS. Chiropractic treatment for CTS has been studied against conventional non-surgical medical treatment and was found to be effective. This offers an alternative to sufferers who are intolerant to ibuprofen, or those who simply wish to avoid treating with medication.

The median nerve in the wrist, which when trapped causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, connects to the spinal cord through the openings in the bones in the areas around the lower neck. If these bones in the spinal cord lose their ordinary position or motion, this can cause problems in the wrists or fingers. Through chiropractic treatment, these bones can be reset to the correct position and can help to treat CTS.

If Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is detected early, then surgery can be avoided, and chiropractic treatment is the leading method of non-surgical treatment. Chiropractic treatment usually involves various methods, with a combination of rest, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation, including:
* By chiropractic manipulation therapy of the elbow and upper spine, where the joint’s soft tissue undergoes manipulation;
* Nutritional supplements in the diet such as B6, a vitamin that has had long-term promotion in its treatment of CTS;
* Electro-acupuncture treatment; bracing, a technique that has had extensive success, by limiting extension and flexion in the hand, and with compression on the median nerve may encourage recovery and ease the swelling in the tendons;
* Exercises for the wrist and hand designed to encourage recovery;
* Reassessing the ergonomics of the work place to minimize stress the best way as possible.

Recent studies concluded that using manual therapy intervention such as soft tissue mobilization (STM) has been found to help improve the signs and symptoms of CTS, with improvements to nerve conduction latencies, wrist strength and motion.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can become a serious health problem, and if left too long may require surgery. If it’s caught early, then chiropractic treatment is an effective, drug-free method to ease the symptoms and pains caused by CTS, and provide long-term relief from CTS.

Every body is different. If you have questions about this article or whether chiropractic is an appropriate choice for your specific situation, please ask. We are here to help!

Starve a Cold and Feed a Fever

Starve a Cold and Feed a Fever

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Most of us have probably heard the old adage “starve a cold and feed a fever” (with some believing that it’s the other way around…), but does this saying hold up in the face of scientific research?  The short answer is “no.”  The best thing you can do is probably to feed both.

We would all like to believe there’s some easy way of reducing the length or severity of our suffering as we sniffle and cough our way through the aches, pains and lack of energy brought on by a cold or flu.  However, there are not really very many things that can be done about it, apart from getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids.  But what role does eating-or not eating-actually play?

There was one study in 2002 performed by Dutch researchers and published in the journal Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology that tested the validity of the concept.  They found that fasting was better at fighting the infections that caused fevers, and eating a meal better fought off viruses associated with colds.  However, it used a very small sample of subjects and its results were not reproducible in further studies.

Most people do not feel particularly hungry when they are sick with a cold or fever anyway, as the body naturally regulates the amount of food we eat when ill.  Certainly, eating a large heavy meal will use some reserves of energy that would be better used in fighting off pathogens.  However, keeping a steady stream of nutrients flowing through your system is a good idea and provides your body with the tools it needs to kill invading viruses.

Concentrate on getting nutrient- and antioxidant-rich foods in your diet as best you can, along with plenty of sugar-free fluids.  Many people drink a lot of juice, thinking it will provide them with vitamin C, but you would be better off eating strawberries or red peppers (both of which are high in vitamin C) or taking a supplement, as juice comes with a lot of sugar.  Sugar has been proven to suppress the immune system, which is exactly the opposite of what you need when you are ill.

Warm broths are also excellent when you are sick.  The prescription of chicken soup for upper respiratory symptoms has been around since the time of the ancient Greeks, and the practice was adopted by the Jewish physician and philosopher Maimonides.  There’s a reason your mother brought you chicken soup when you had a cold or flu.  Far from being an old wives’ tale, a study performed by Dr. Stephen Rennard from the University of Nebraska Medical Center showed that chicken soup inhibited the movement of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the body so they could not travel to the upper respiratory area and induce inflammation.

Chicken soup is only effective as a treatment if it is prepared using both chicken and a variety of vegetables such as onions, celery, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, turnips and parsley (and then filtered).  Whatever its activity against pathogens, at the very least it provides your body with plenty of nutrients and warm liquids that will help get you feeling well again soon.

Obesity Facts and Figures

Obesity Facts and Figures

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Obesity is fast becoming the number one health problem in the world, contributing to an increased risk of other diseases and putting a strain on national health budgets. Following are some interesting facts and figures related to obesity:

 

* About 17% of medical costs in the US are due to obesity and its related diseases, totaling an estimated $168 billion per year.
* Obesity adds about $2,800 to a person’s medical bills annually.
* An estimated 300,000 premature deaths in the US each year are caused by obesity.
* One third of US adults are obese, indicating a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
* If an 18-year-old remains obese throughout their adulthood, it will cost them $550,000.
* 80% of cases of Type 2 diabetes are related to obesity. The rate of diabetes has doubled in eight states since 1995.
* 70% of heart disease is obesity-related.
* Low-income women are more likely to become obese than high-income women. Over 33% of people earning less than $15,000 annually are obese, as opposed to a 24.6% rate of obesity in those earning $50,000 or more.
* The highest rates of obesity are found among non-Hispanic African Americans (44.1%), followed by Mexican-Americans (39.3%), Hispanics (37.9%) and non-Hispanic whites (32.6%). Asians have the lowest rate of obesity at 16.7%.
* In the last 30 years childhood obesity has tripled, from 6.5% in children aged 6 to 11 years to 19.6% today. The obesity rate in teenagers aged 12 to 19 years has increased from 5% to 18.1%.
* Of children who are overweight at age 10-15, 80% will be obese as adults.
* As a percentage of the population, the US has the highest number of obese people (33.9%), followed by Mexico (24%), the UK (23%), Slovakia (22.4) and Greece (22%).
* College graduates have an obesity rate of 20.8%, which is lower than the 29.5% rate of those who have only graduated high school.
* Obesity begins to decline after age 60. The population of those over age 69 has an obesity rate of 20.5%.
* The rate of obesity is increasing in the US. In 2007 only one state had an overall obesity rate of over 30%. In 2011, 12 states had a greater than 30% obesity rate.
* 40% of obese Americans aged 50 to 84 have osteoarthritis of the knee, caused by the wear and tear to the joints from excess weight stress. One extra pound of weight is equivalent to four pounds of stress on the knee.

Good health is a combination of many factors including your nutrition, preventative care, appropriate corrective care and the small choices you make every day in the course of living.

If you are overweight and would like to lose weight and/or learn more about how to eat for health and weight maintenance we can help! Our doctor supervised diet helps you safely lose weight while maintaining muscle mass. As a bonus, with the help of our weight loss coaches, you will learn nutritional and lifestyle skills that will serve you well for a lifetime! For more information, call our office at 406-652-3553 or go to www.healthyhabitsbillings.com.

If you have questions about this article, your general or spinal health, please ask. We are here to help!

Chiropractic Boosts Immunity!!!

Chiropractic Boosts Immunity!!!

We wanted to share this article. We see the influence that chiropractic adjustments have on immunity and overall health all the time. However, we know that our patients seldom get to have that amazing vantage point that we do! With the cold and flu season upon us and for overall health – make sure you keep you and your loved ones adjusted!

Chiropractic Boosts Immunity
Friday, February 04, 2011 by: Dr. David Jockers

The nervous system and immune system are hardwired and work together to create optimal responses for the body to adapt and heal appropriately. Neural dysfunctions due to spinal misalignments are stressful to the body and cause abnormal changes that lead to a poorly coordinated immune response. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to boost the coordinated responses of the nervous system and immune system.

The autonomic nervous system is hardwired into the lymphoid organs such as the spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and bone marrow that produce the body’s immune response. Growing evidence is showing that immune function is regulated in part by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.

Subluxation is the term for misalignments of the spine that cause compression and irritation of nerve pathways affecting organ systems of the body. Subluxations are an example of physical nerve stress that affects neuronal control. According to researchers, such stressful conditions lead to altered measures of immune function & increased susceptibility to a variety of diseases.

Inflammatory based disease is influenced by both the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Nerve stimulation directly affects the growth and function of inflammatory cells. Researchers found that dysfunction in this pathway results in the development of various inflammatory syndromes such as rheumatoid arthritis and behavioral syndromes such as depression. Additionally, this dysfunctional neuro-endo-immune response plays a significant role in immune-compromised conditions such as chronic infections and cancer.

Wellness based chiropractors analyze the spine for subluxations and give corrective adjustments to reduce the stress on the nervous system. A 1992 research group found that when a thoracic adjustment was applied to a subluxated area the white blood cell (neutrophil) count collected rose significantly.

In 1975, Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute and professor in Environmental Health at New York University, began researching the most scientifically valid ways to estimate individual susceptibility to various chronic diseases. He has conducted a tremendous amount of research in this area that includes over 160 published reports in peer reviewed journals.

Pero and his colleagues discovered that various DNA-repairing enzymes could be significantly altered following exposure to carcinogenic chemicals. He found strong evidence that an individual’s susceptibility to cancer could be determined by these enzymes. Lack of those enzymes, Pero said, ‘definitely limits not only your lifespan, but also your ability to resist serious disease consequences.’

Pero was fascinated by the relationship cancer-inducing agents had on the endocrine system. Since the nervous system regulates hormone balance, he hypothesized that the nervous system had to also have a strong influence on one’s susceptibility to cancer.

To support this argument he found a substantial amount of literature linking various kinds of spinal cord injuries and cancer. Pero found that these injuries led to a very high rate of lymphomas and lymphatic leukemias. This understanding led Pero to consider Chiropractic care as a means of reducing the risk of immune breakdown and disease.

Pero’s team measured 107 individuals who had received long-term Chiropractic care. The chiropractic patients were shown to have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care, and a 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer or serious diseases. Interestingly, Pero found no decline with the various age groups in the study demonstrating that the DNA repairing enzymes were just as present in long-term chiropractic senior groups as they were in the younger groups.

Pero concluded, ‘Chiropractic may optimize whatever genetic abilities you have so that you can fully resist serious disease…I have never seen a group other than this show a 200% increase over normal patients.’

Kent, Christopher. Models of Vertebral Subluxation: A Review. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. August 1996, Vol 1:1. Pg 4-5

Sternberg EM, Chrousos GP, Wilder RL, Gold PW. The stress response and the regulation of inflammatory disease. Ann Intern Med 1992; 117 (10):854

Brennan PC, Triano JJ, McGregor M, et al. Enhanced neutrophil respiratory burst as a biological marker for manipulation forces: duration of the effect and association with substance P and tumor necrosis factor. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1992; 15(2):83

Reduce Joint Discomfort Through Weight Loss

Reduce Joint Discomfort Through Weight Loss

We want to share this great article with you! Every day our lives are influenced by the choices we make (or neglect to make) our attitudes and the care (or lack of) we choose to give ourselves.  There is no such thing as a person who cannot change – there is only such thing as a person who refuses to change or to believe that they can change.

If you have joint and weight issues – there is help. Eating healthy is not the same as eating cardboard. Our diet counseling program can help you make the transition from junk food to food that nurtures your body and your health. An added bonus is that you will lose weight at the same time! Give us a call at 652-3553 if you have decided you are ready to improve your life and your health!

Enjoy!:

You may not realize it, but with every step you take throughout your life, the pressure on your joints will be made worse if you’re carrying extra body weight. To carry even a single pound of extra body weight places added physical stress through the joints in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, and spine. The pressure is made worse if you’re walking up or down steps – and much worse when running.

The pressure on upper joints is just as bad. The spine has to support much of the body’s weight. Compression of intervertebral discs ensues, as does increased stress to the facet joints and to the supporting tissues of the spine.

So often medical doctors will mention that a patient should lose weight, then write a prescription for an anti-inflammatory. They know that most people will struggle to shed their excess pounds, so it’s much easier to medicate the condition rather than try to convince the patient that a lifestyle change is needed.

Joint arthrosis, known to most as arthritis, is stressful enough without adding the stress of losing weight to the equation. However, it’s very important to find ways to shed the extra pounds, because with each minute you have that extra weight on you, increased joint compression is adding to your discomfort. Lose weight successfully, and you’ll overcome much of your physical load in the body’s joints. You’ll then be more open to dietary change and exercise, as the discomfort in exercise will be lessened with less body weight, and your openness to a healthier diet shall follow. By losing just a few pounds, your joints will have a greater chance of recovery. The joint arthrosis will progress considerably slower, your joints will receive a better nutrient supply through production of more synovial fluid, and the articular cartilage will last much longer.

Your joints have well-formed cartilage at youth, but through wear and tear, the articular cartilage is jeopardized. The result can be compared to metal rubbing against metal, while the grease needed to lubricate the moving apparatus is worn away. With added weight combined with reduced cartilage, the jarring effect – through the knees in particular – becomes continually worse. The articular cartilage diminishes, leading to increased inflammation and discomfort.
Arthritis doesn’t tend to resolve itself, and generally gets worse simply through increased wear and tear. Weight loss doesn’t occur without some lifestyle changes, but it’s something that certainly doesn’t require drugs. It’s one aspect of control you can exert over the crippling effects of joint arthrosis. Take control, take action, lose weight… and reduce your joint discomfort.

by Corey Mote, DC

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(Dr. Corey Mote is a chiropractic physician, professional natural bodybuilder, exercise physiologist, columnist for various fitness magazines nationally and internationally, as well as a consultant for a United Kingdom-based vocational fitness program known as U-Phorm.)

How to Find a Great Chiropractor!

How to Find a Great Chiropractor!

If you already have a chiropractor that you love and feel comfortable with – you do not need to read any further. However, if you don’t know much about chiropractic and you are thinking about seeing a chiropractor…read on.

There are plenty of ways to get information on chiropractors. The Internet and Social Media have all kinds of links and sites. However, the best way to get information on a chiropractor is from his/her patients (word of mouth). An amazing website is great but it can’t substitute for a person who has been treated and cared for by the doctor in person.

Admittedly, I am a huge chiropractic fan but that does not mean that I think that all chiropractors are created equal. Here are the things to look for and do if you want to find a great chiropractor:

•    Scheduling – does the doctor limit his/her appointments to five minute increments? If they do, this is a sign that they are more interested in getting people in and out than they are in giving the patient the time and attention they need. (I call that a cattle chute operation)
•    Does the doctor listen to and then attempt to answer your questions? No chiropractor can take unlimited time with you but a great chiropractor will do their best to make sure your questions are answered.
•    Does the doctor take time to explain what he/she is doing? A great chiropractor tries to make the patient feel comfortable and will take the time to explain what they are doing.
•    Is the prime concern of the office efficiency (getting people in and out) or with making sure that the patient knows that they are genuinely cared for?
•    Is the doctor caring and does he/she develop relationships with his/her patients?
•    Is the doctor concerned that you feel comfortable?
•    Ask his/her patients what kind of care the doctor gives.
•    Does the doctor x-ray every patient? If so, they are probably more interested in paying for their x-ray equipment than in x-raying a patient only when there is a demonstrated need.
•    How does the doctor treat his/her staff? Does the doctor’s staff recommend him/her when they are away from the office?

Try not to pay too much attention to the décor of the office. Many doctors have very nice, well decorated offices – and offices of that sort are certainly easy on the eyes but they don’t tell the whole story of the care that the doctor is willing to give you. I would want a doctor’s office to be nice, clean and well organized but I would rather be treated by a “great” chiropractor in a modestly decorated office than be treated by a chiropractor who runs a “cattle chute” operation in a high end office space.

I am fortunate to be married to a great chiropractor.  It always makes me smile when my husband’s patients share their experiences with me; so many of them come not just to have an adjustment but to be with friends.  I understand how important it is to them that my husband takes the time to answer their questions, explain what he is doing and that he genuinely cares. My husband has not always been a chiropractor. I think that being a chiropractor as a second career has helped him see his practice through a lens of experience that is not common to many practicing doctors. I am grateful that life has taught both my husband and me the amazing things that chiropractic can do for those it treats! Grateful too to understand that genuine care and concern is always an integral part of any great chiropractor’s practice!

Cayenne Pepper Stops Bleeding

Cayenne Pepper Stops Bleeding

I wanted to post this article on Cayenne Pepper from the Herbal Legacy Website www.herballegacy.com. Great information can be found on that website! An additional note: Cayenne tincture can also be an effective remedy for cardiovascular events and regulating blood pressure. Sprinkling Cayenne pepper in your shoes can warm up cold feet!

The following article was written by Barbara Parshley, MH :

My favorite herb changes quite frequently. Today it happens to be cayenne. In the Family Herbalist course, a course I highly recommend to all, we learned how it would stop a bloody nose almost immediately. Given my grandchildren are around frequently, I had the opportunity to try this remedy. My granddaughter had a bloody nose for about 10 minutes before she came to share that information with me. I was new to the Family Herbalist course at the time, so I thought I would try putting a little cayenne into water.  She drank the water and the nose that had been profusely bleeding, stopped before the glass of cayenne water was finished.

Today, about two years after this first experiment with cayenne, I was using a rotary cutter to cut the many yards of material I use for quilting. I have done this for years, but today, for the first time, the rotary cutter came close to taking off much of my left index finger. Oh, did it bleed! I immediately ran it under water allowing it to bleed freely to clean the cut. Then it occurred to me – “I have cayenne in my Herbal First Aid Kit!” I wrapped the finger in paper towels in order to go get the kit. The towels were soaked in blood before I made it from the kitchen to the bathroom, one door away. This concerned my granddaughter and she suggested going to a hospital. I thought, “No, I need to get to the cayenne.”

And so I did. I opened up the container of powdered cayenne, wondering if it was going to sting horrendously. (I had previously used too much in a nasal wash, and though it took care of the sinus infection rather quickly, I remembered to dilute it more the following time I used it.)  I sprinkled the cayenne onto the finger and it didn’t sting! Sprinkling cayenne on to this open wound, felt just fine! Of course the bleeding stopped quite quickly. I was thrilled with my new experiment. Then I decided that as long as I had the opportunity, I would proceed with my second experiment. I retrieved some of my powdered BF&C (with the comfrey), added cayenne to it for good measure, and moistened it with X-ceptic. Since the gash was large enough, I put the poultice on only half of the gash on the finger and bandaged the whole finger.

It was amazing! Two days later, the section of the finger where I put the poultice has healed, there isn’t even any bruising! The other section is healing, but is still a separated wound. The BF&C certainly added to the healing of the gash and is now a favorite herbal combination. However, the amazing properties of cayenne that stopped this rather excessive bleeding so quickly and without stinging, made cayenne my favorite herb for the day.

Barbara Parshley lives in Aurora, Colorado, and received her MH in June of 2011 from the School of Natural Healing. She periodically teaches classes in Herbology in Aurora Colorado.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C

Because of its popularity as a dietary supplement, Vitamin C may be the most familiar nutrient to the general public.  Despite research indicating the ineffectiveness of taking Vitamin C after cold symptoms start, it’s one of the first supplements people reach for when they get a cold.   Research does, however, indicate that   people who take vitamin C on a regular basis may have less severe colds for a shorter period of time.  But Vitamin C does so much more.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is essential for normal growth, repair and development.  As a health-promoting and cancer-fighting antioxidant it helps prevent damage to your cells from free radicals. Vitamin C also protects your skin and gums from daily wear-and-tear and helps to prevent cardiovascular disease. In addition, it is important for preventing arthritis, cataracts, osteoporosis and the development of scar tissue.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it dissolves in water and is not stored in the body.  Any excess amounts pass out of the body through urine.  Since Vitamin C is not stored in the body we must have a continuous supply in our diet.  Unfortunately many adults and children don’t meet optimal Vitamin C intake on a daily basis simply because they don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.  Severe Vitamin C deficiency leading to scurvy, a condition characterized by bleeding gums and skin discoloration due to ruptured blood vessels, is uncommon.

However, poor wound healing and weak immune function, leading to increased susceptibility to respiratory infections is common and may be indicative of Vitamin C deficiency.  Certain groups of people, such as smokers and alcoholics, may require more Vitamin C due to an increase in carcinogens and a decrease in Vitamin C absorption respectively.

Since Vitamin C is not stored in the body, toxicity is rare.  Daily doses of greater than 2000 mg are discouraged because such high doses can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.  How much an individual needs varies by age and gender, as well as other factors such as pregnancy and illness.  The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is as follows:

Children:

0-6 months: 40 mg per day

7-12 months: 50 mg/day

1-3 years: 15 mg/day

4-8 years: 25 mg/day

Females:

ages 9-13 : 45 mg per day

ages 14-18: 65 mg/day

ages 19 and older: 75 mg/day

Pregnant females: (ages 19 and older): 85 mg/day

Lactating females: (ages 19 and older): 120 mg /day

Males:

ages 9-13: 45 mg per day

ages 14-18: 75 mg/day

ages 19 and older: 90 mg/day

As always the best source of essential nutrients is through a balanced diet consisting of varied fruits and vegetables.  All fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin C, but the top ten healthiest sources of Vitamin C in descending order are: papayas, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, pineapple, brussels sprouts, kiwifruit, oranges, cantaloupe, and kale.  Remember, raw ripened fruits and veggies will contain more essential nutrients than cooked.  If you must cook them, lightly steaming them will reduce cooking losses.

If you feel like you occasionally fall short on fruit and vegetable intake, a good back up is to take a whole-food multivitamin which can be purchased from our office or a reputable health food store.   If you have more questions about nutrition or supplement needs you might have, please give our office a call at 406-652-3553.

An Apple A Day

An Apple A Day

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The old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” comes from an old English adage, “To eat an apple before going to bed will make the doctor beg his bread.” While this may not be completely true, a regular dose of apples in your diet is a good choice.

As we approach fall apple orchards across the country are preparing for the fall harvest. Most people have a favorite apple variety and with 100 commercially grown varieties in the U.S. there is no shortage of options. Apples are a diverse fruit found around the world and are packed with nutrients and fiber.

Nutritionally, apples are an all star. Vitamins A, C, E, K and B are all found in apples. Minerals, electrolytes, and phytonutrients are also abundant in apples. Apples contain no sodium, fat, or cholesterol and for a medium-sized apple you are looking at about 80 calories. So as you can see it really is a great choice for anyone that is conscientious about what they eat.

For the maximum benefit eat your apples raw with the skin. The skin of the apple is where you will find your highest concentration of fiber and nutrients. I recommend that you eat organically grown fruit whenever possible, but if that is not an option, apples are a fruit that can be easily washed. You don’t want to offset the benefits of the apple with the harmful effects of chemicals that may have been sprayed on the fruit.
Finally, if where you live allows it, take advantage of the fall weather and the apple harvest, pile into the car and go apple picking. Many orchards allow you to pick your own apples and often have special events throughout the fall to draw people in. Make an afternoon of it. Enjoying the sunshine with loved ones, walking around the orchard in the fresh fall air, and of course eating the fruits of your labor, makes for a well rounded day of health and wellness. If you don’t live in a region where you can pick apples, still make a day of it.  Pack a picnic with your favorite food, including apples, and take a trip that includes a nice outdoor hike and picnic!  How do you like them apples?

Why I Believe the 5 Minute Appointment is a Curse

Why I Believe the 5 Minute Appointment is a Curse

Five minutes is the common increment of time that way too many doctors are using for scheduling their patient appointments.  Do you think that 5 minutes is enough? I don’t and here’s why:

•    A patient and doctor need to develop a relationship. 5 minutes doesn’t allow for more than exchanging names.
•    A doctor should know more about a patient than what is written on their patient questionnaire or profile.
•    Any healing modality is more successful in an atmosphere of trust. It is almost impossible to develop trust in just 5 minutes.
•    Patients need and deserve to know that a doctor cares more about them than his pocket book.
•    5 minutes does not allow a doctor enough time to make a careful analysis of a patient’s needs or their health.
•    The 5 minute time slot is based solely on profits – whether they be for the practice, the HMO or the stock holders. It never has been and never will be about the patient or creating a warm, caring atmosphere for them.

I can tell you that I have been in staff meetings where the primary concern was how quickly and efficiently patients could be shuffled in and out of the exam room. I am sooo grateful that when my husband was once part of a group practice he would not agree to 5 minutes appointments with his patients. However, I know that many doctors cave in to the pressure to do so.  Healing and Health care are about healing and health – not about fast, furious treatments and patient neglect. Every practice must make a profit in order to stay in business but profits should not be the only driving force in taking care of patients. If you agree, I hope that you will make it a point of utilizing doctors who are willing to take the time with you that you need and deserve! (One of them being my husband Greg at Oblander Chiropractic!)