The Lesser Known Causes of Subluxations

When it comes to the physical causes of subluxations, most people only think of accidents or falls.  However, I've found the following causes to be oftentimes even more hazardous to your spine, nervous system, and overall health:

1. Surgical trauma:  When a person is under general anaesthesia, their muscular system is no longer protecting the spine. Surgery often places people is odd positions and in many cases are quite prolonged.  Both instances prove to be extremetly traumatic on the spine and I've seen many people develop strange and sometimes severe problems after surgery.  I believe that surgical trauma can be even worse than injuries sustained in car accidents, simply because your mind is not able to protect the integrity of your spine and nervous system.  Chiropractic care should be essential especially following major surgery.

2. Driving on bumpy roads:  While working in the Limpopo Province, I came across several people who were diagnosed with "bakkie neck," by orthopaedic surgeons, resulting from regular driving on bumpy, gravel roads in bakkies. The minor trauma over the years can lead to early degeneration and if the spine is not balanced and functioning properly, can lead to severe neurological symptoms.  So while spending time in the bush viewing our wildlife friends is relaxing and energizing, be sure to have your spine checked and adjusted afterwards.

3. Airplane trips: Sitting on an airplane for hours is traumatic in itself, but compounded by having to sleep in an upright position.  Unless you're fortunate enough to fly business class, sleeping upright is a major strain on your spine, as it's not able to rest properly.  Also, every time you nod off and suddently jerk back to keep your head from ending up in your neighbour's lap, you give yourself a minor whiplash. Since the pineal gland receives it's direct nerve supply from the upper neck (via the superior cervical ganglion), chiropractic care can also help you to recover faster from the effects of jet lag, allowing you to enjoy the memories of your trip.

4. Pregnancy:  I have seen countless mothers that have begun to have spinal problems since having their children.  As a result of the hormonal changes during pregnancy, the ligaments around the spine become more lax, to allow for the child birth.  This is one reason that many woman who have neck or back pain before conceiving, often feel better while pregnant.  Unfortunately, the spine does not always balance out and stablize properly following the birth of their child.  So while many women often bring their newborn babies for chiropractic care, it is even more important for the mommy.  Due to the close link between the nervous and endocrine systems, chiropractic care will also help with post-partum depression and simply balancing the hormones again.

While there are many reasons for seeking chiropractic care, everyone should have their spines checked and adjusted on a regular basis, so when life does take you to one of the above-mentioned adventures, you will handle it much better.


For more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineal_gland

Healthy Thought

Why We Planted 28 Indigenous Trees

In South Africa, we take for granted the flurry of chattering birds that marks the beginning of a new day. Whenever I visit the USA, the early morning silence always alarms me. While most people enjoy the peace and quiet, the lack of bird life in the U.S. is actually a warning. Most Americans don't know what they're missing, because they've grown accustomed to the quiet mornings, assuming that's normal. There are some nice things about life in America, but this is one path that the rest of the world must not follow. One of the reasons for the lack of wildlife in the U.S. is the urban growth without any regard to preserving and planting the native plant life. As University of Delaware professor Douglas Tallamy writes in his book, Bringing Nature Home, "We were taught from childhood that gardens are for beauty; they are a chance to express our artistic talents, to have fun with and relax in. And, whether we like it or not, the way we landscape our properties is taken by our neighbors as a statement of our wealth and social status. But no one has taught us that we have forced the plants and animals that evolved in North America (our nation's biodiversity) to depend more and more on human-dominated landscapes for their continued existence." He goes on to explain, "Since we have taken 95% of the U.S. from nature we can expect to lose 95% of the species that once lived here unless we learn how to share our living, working, and agricultural spaces with biodiversity." His solution is quite simple: fill your garden with only native plants wherever possible.

Ever since I returned to South Africa, I've been drawn to the local native or indigenous plants. As a result, other than some herbs, I have managed to populate our garden with indigenous trees and shrubs, and I've seen first-hand the benefits of these plants. I see more wildlife at home in just a few minutes than I did on a recent visit to a so-called wildlife refuge in the U.S last year.  Last week, we planted 28 young indigenous trees along a road next our estate, providing homes to countless insects and animals, while also improving the atmosphere of our corner of this concrete jungle. Planting indigenous trees, as Tallamy has found in his research, supports 29 times more biodiversity than exotic trees.

For most people, preserving the environment is not a priority, as simply making ends meet takes up all their time and energy.  However, to insure a bright future for those that follow us, it should be a priority. As Dr. Guy McPherson says, "If you think the economy is more important than the environment, try holding your breath while you count your money."  I encourage you to visit some of our indigenous nurseries and botanical gardens, which I've linked below, so you can see that these plants are not only beautiful but useful as well.  The health of our environment, our animal friends, and ourselves is dependent on the plant life we choose, so choose carefully.

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The following short videos, taken just before sunrise, show the stark contrast in bird sounds from Centurion, South Africa in the first one and Florida, USA in the second ( be sure to increase your speaker volume):

Incidentally, the faint sounds you hear in the second one are actually some sort of insect.  Both were captured last year in September, about 3 days apart.  What is even more alarming is that the one taken in the USA was about 100 metres away from a pristine lake, where you would normally find abundant bird life.  The sounds you hear in the first are a typical morning in suburban South Africa. We must do our best to keep it this way.
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For more information:
http://www.bringingnaturehome.net/gardening-for-life.html
http://www.willowfeather.co.za/
http://growwild.co.za/
http://witkoppenwildflower.co.za/
http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/pretoria