CELL PHONES CAN CAUSE CANCER

The World Health Organization (WHO) has finally admitted that cell phones can possibly cause cancer, placing the risk factor in the the same group as pesticides.  Many studies have shown this risk, but the cell phone industry has downplayed any potential health hazards.  What is even more disturbing is that the WHO panel that determined the health risks of cell phones included a doctor with a vested interest in the telecommunications industry; a conflict of interest which he failed to disclose.  Once this was revealed, he was removed from the panel, and the research panel evaluating the dangers of cell phones finally admitted that cell phones do indeed pose a risk of cancer.  So minimize your exposure to less than an hour a day, if possible, especially for children, as they are more vulnerable to any type of radiation.

Reference:
http://www.naturalnews.com/032609_cell_phones_cancer.html#ixzz1OWzaTIZI
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CROSSING OVER REDUCES PAIN

A recent small study found that the perception of pain can be reduced simply by crossing your limbs over the other, thus "confusing" the brain.  For instance, if you have pain in your hand, by simply crossing your arms over the midline, you can reduce the severity of the pain.  In this study, the participants found "that their sensation of pain was considerably weaker with crossed arms."  Considering that from a psychological perspective, crossing your arms is a sign of discomfort or insecurity, it appears that our innate intelligence is way ahead of science.

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YOUR INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Scientists have discovered a mechanism whereby our immune system is able to target invading bacteria and induce them to commit suicide.  This is just another example of our amazing ability to protect and heal ourselves.  While this study is promising for the researchers in their quest to develop more drugs in the "war on germs," it also shows that our immune system works in ways we are only beginning to understand.  Fortunately, our innate intelligence already knows how to take care of us.  And by improving the function of your nervous system, your immune system also becomes more efficient.

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BEYOND PAIN MANAGEMENT

According to a 2008 US government survey, 38% of adults and 12% of children utilize some sort of "complementary or alternative" health care.  It seems that this percentage seems to be growing, despite the continued growth of the pharmaceutical industry.  The most common reason for seeking a more natural form of health care is for the management of pain.  Studies have shown positive results with many different forms of care, including chiropractic, meditation, acupuncture, massage, yoga, and Tai-chi.  While all these can help with pain management, this result is more like a side effect, if you will.  These different modalities are vitalistic by nature, and simply improve the way you function, helping your body to deal with the symptoms the way it knows best.  So while you may have come here to get rid of pain, that is just the beginning of the benefits you will realize. 

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A DAILY DOSE OF SUNSHINE

As we shelter ourselves more and more from the elements, we often miss the nurturing effects of nature.  A good example is sunshine, as many of us shy away from its harshness and potential damage from UV rays.  While too much sun exposure is definitely bad for us, just as the plants need sunshine to live, so do we.  One essential purpose of sunshine is to help our bodies to produce Vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and proper nerve function.  Furthermore, many studies are also now showing a possible link between Vitamin D deficiency and cancer, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic diseases, including osteoporosis.  While we can get this vitamin from our diet, our best source is from exposure of our skin to sunlight, which fuels our body's innate process that produces Vitamin D naturally.  So be sure to expose your skin to about 15 minutes of direct sunlight every day.  Living on the highveld of South Africa we are also fortunate during the winter time, as we are blessed with sunshine nearly every day.  So be sure to enjoy some daily sun in moderation.

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NATURE'S MUSIC

With over 800 species of birds in South Africa, it seems that this abundance of birds is also good for our health.  The mayor of a desert city in California has proposed that the recorded sound of birds should be broadcast through the city, saying that "scientific studies have shown that bird sounds improve happiness, and that piping them through speakers will ultimately improve residents' health."  Fortunately, we have the real thing.  So be sure to spend as much time outdoors as possible, enjoying nature's music and getting healthier as well.

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ACTIVATOR METHODS MAY HELP REDUCE CHEMO SIDE EFFECT

One of the many possible side effects of chemotherapy is nerve dysfunction, resulting in pain particularly in the hands and feet.  An Activator chiropractor working at the Eastern Region of Cancer Treatment Centers of America found that chiropractic care was able to help these patients.   Chiropractic adjustments release irritation of spinal nerves, resulting in better function and helping the body to deal with the toxic effects of chemotherapy.  A study is being designed by Activator Methods to quantify this finding, so I'll keep you posted.

MOST HEALTH CARE STUDIES ARE UNSCIENTIFIC

Apparently, most of health care today is based on flawed, unscientific studies.  According the Dr. John Ioannidis, a medical researcher and expert statistician, 90% of studies in peer-reviewed health journals are inconclusive and often incorrect.  With this in mind, it is important to make sure that you are in charge of your health.  The health care industry does not always have your best interest in mind, as it depends on your poor lifestyle choices for its very survival.  And making people healthier does not necessarily make good business sense, especially if you are a multinational, publicly-listed corporation.   If you live a healthy lifestyle and take care of your body, mind, and soul, you can prevent and cure most ailments naturally.  Your body's own innate intelligence just needs a chance to function properly, and that is all up to you.

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WALK, DON'T RUN

As we continue to get bombarded with this seemingly never-ending rain, remember to take it slowly when you're out and about.  In an experiment I saw a few years ago, it was found that you get more wet when you run, rather than walk in the rain.  So be sure to walk calmly and carefully.  You will not only get less wet, but you are also less likely to fall, and less likely to require the services of someone like me.

THE MOST POWERFUL TECHNOLOGY

The other day, as I was adjusting one of my patients, her husband seemed intrigued by the Activator Method and remarked that it's amazing what sort of technology scientists come up with.  While this is true, scientists could not have come up with anything without the most powerful technology already within you:  the life force emanating from your nervous system.  And the great results we see only happens because of your body's innate intelligence.  Chiropractic care helps you to harness this power; it's up to you to use it wisely.

HAPPIER WITHOUT SMOKING

Most people tend to use recreational drugs, such as those found in cigarettes, to feel better and relieve tension.  It turns out that one study found that people are actually happier and less depressed when they quit smoking.  And several studies have shown a link between smoking and depression.  The reason most drugs work in the first place is because we have receptors in our bodies that respond to the chemicals in drugs.  This also means that our bodies produce similar chemicals that have a similar effect as synthetic drugs.  So the physiological effects that drugs have on you can be elicited by similar natural messengers and transmitters created by your own body.  The greatest pharmacy is already within you, so there's no point in polluting yourself and the world around you.

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CHIROPRACTIC HELP FOR MIGRAINES

While most people treat migraine headaches with medication, I have seen many patients get relief naturally with chiropractic care.  A recent clinical trial of chronic migraine sufferers found that 72% of them had "substantial or noticeable improvement after a period of chiropractic treatment."  Migraine headaches are thought to be a neurological disorder which interferes with the flow of blood within the brain, so these results are not surprising. From my experience, people that struggle with migraines generally require a series of visits, and eventually routine maintenance care, in order to get the best results. The cause of migraines is certainly multifaceted, but there is little doubt that chiropractic can be a part of the solution.

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HEALTHY THOUGHT

"As long as you are in conscious contact with your inner body, you are like a tree that is deeply rooted in the earth, or a building with a deep and solid foundation."





-- Eckart Tolle, from The Power of Now

(Chiropractic helps you to regain and maintain this conscious contact, by releasing interference in your nervous system.)

OUR CANCER-CAUSING MODERN LIFESTYLE

As the rate of cancer seems to be increasing, scientists have realized that this often fatal disease is mostly "man-made."  Upon reviewing data and fossils of people from ancient civilizations, it was found that cancer was practically non-existent until the industrial revolution, when the incidence of cancer, particularly in children, seemed to explode.  According to Professor Rosalie David, "In industrialized societies, cancer is second only to cardiovascular disease as a cause of death. But in ancient times, it was extremely rare. There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So it has to be a man-made disease, down to pollution and changes to our diet and lifestyle."  So it goes without saying, the more natural your lifestyle, the healthier you will be.  And more emphasis should be put on eliminating the causes of cancer from our lifestyle, thus preventing it, rather than only trying to cure the disease.

MAKING YOU HEALTHIER

One downside of being called "doctor" is that people think they should only see you when they are not feeling well.  In reality, chiropractic care can help even when you feel fine.  It's very much like keeping a musical instrument fine-tuned; the more it's used, the more it has to be tuned.  This is very much the case for your spine and nervous system.  Unlike a musical instrument, our body does fine-tune itself most of the time.  The chiropractic adjustments we make are more of a reminder, if you will.  Most of the people we see come initially for the treatment of some sort of ailment and discontinue care once they are feeling better.  About a third of our patients, continue with maintenance care even if they are feeling fine.  Maintenance can often mean the difference between getting healthier, rather than just staying well.

VIDEO: THE ACTIVATOR STORY

Here is a nice video about the story of where Activator Methods comes from, as told by one of the co-founders, Dr. Arlan Fuhr.  He has also been one of my greatest inspirations.  Whenever I receive a compliment about my work from a patient, I often say I just had great teachers, including Dr. Fuhr.

"MORE DOCTORS SMOKE CAMELS"

This ad is from 1952, when the dangers of smoking weren't out in the open yet.  Even more amazing, there are still many health care practitioners that still smoke, despite the risks and stigma of being a bad example.

THE RESILIENT PEA

With the right conditions, it seems almost anything can grow in your body.  When an American man was suffering with lung problems, he feared that he was developing cancer.  But when he was examined by his doctors, they were surprised to find that a pea had sprouted in his lungs, growing to about 1.25cm in length.  It was removed surgically and the 75 year old man was just relieved that it wasn't cancer. (Read more.)

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR HEALTH?

It's always interesting to see where different people put their health on their list of priorities. I recently had two patients who seemed to be on different ends of the spectrum. The first was in severe pain and discomfort for years, consulted many different doctors, with many ultimately recommending surgery. When we spoke, he seemed desperate, saying that he really hopes that I can help him. However his actions said something completely different. He missed his first appointment, was more than 30 minutes late for his second, and didn't even show for his third. It's obvious he was not willing to go out of his way to be healthy. In contrast, another patient who returned after 2 years of being well, shows what happens when your health is a priority. This man has always been at our office early for every appointment -- and I don't think he even owns a car. He got great results two years ago and has already experienced great results this year, prompting him to refer his nephew. As these two examples show, time management plays a very strong part in health management, and thus life management.  The choice is yours.

REALIZING MY CALLING

During my growing years, my ambition was usually to become a "doctor."  The part about helping people always appealed to me.  But then at the age of about 20, I realized the part about prescribing drugs or doing surgery simply was not part of my belief system.  I then began my brief search for my true calling.  This was before the days of our very efficient internet of today, but the public library proved to be very useful.  After doing some reading about health professions and then reading a more detailed book about chiropractic, something seemed to click in my head and I knew my destiny awaited me:  to be a chiropractor.  That was about 19 years ago.  Much has happened since then, including more than 13 years of professional practice, in the U.S and mostly here in South Africa.  I have been blessed beyond my ambitions and continue to enjoy helping people live better lives.  Just as I had dreamed of doing when I was only a child.