November Blog

CLINIC NEWS:

Dr. Riggs completed the remaining requirements for chiropractic board eligibility in October and hopes to take the exam next fall.

NOVEMBER OFFICE HOURS:

We are going to take a slight mini-vacation during Thanksgiving week.  We are going to visit family in Mississippi.  Our office hours will be as follows:
OPEN:  MONDAY-TUESDAY: (November 21-22).  We are going to try to close at 4:00 PM on 21st.
CLOSED:  WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY. (November 23-26)
RE-OPEN:  MONDAY (November 28)

NUTRITION/HEALTH NEWS:

• Magnesium was found to help protect against diabetes (Type II) risk in a meta-analysis.
• Chondroitin sulfate improved hand arthritis in a clinical trial (Arthritis & Rheumatism).
• Lifestyle interventions (DASH diet, supplements Q10 & Potassium) are viable alternatives to lower blood pressure without drugs (Journal of Clinical Hypertension).
• Doubling vitamin D could add 2 years to life expectancy (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition).  Current vitamin D recommendations are inadequate for African-Americans in another study.
• Reduced cognitive function and brain volume are associated with lower levels of B12 (Neurology).
• Squalamine found in sharks may help lower liver viruses.
• Low levels of CoQ10 are associated with 790% increase in risk of melanoma metastasis (Journal of American Academy of Dermatology).
• Curcumin (anti-inflammatory spice) shows promise in reducing neck and head tumor growth (Clinical Cancer Research).

October Health News

Clinic News: 

In addition to Dr. Riggs receiving laser certification (Certified Laser Practitioner) recently, he continually works on upgrading his skills.  He is enrolled in Palmer University completing the last year of requirements for board certification eligibility in chiropractic orthopedics and plans to take the exam new fall for DACO (diplomate academy chiropractic orthopedics) status.

Nutritional News: 

Following below is bullets describing briefly some of the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids that are evolving from research.  Diets rich in omega 3s tend to have populations that are healthier and live longer.

• Omega 3s
• associated with decreased cognitive decline in older men and women
• protects brain from severe stroke damage
• associated with less brain shrinkage
• krill oil works synergistically with other omega 3s to target pro-inflammatory factors in arthritis
• krill oil with astaxanthin suppresses pro-inflammatory agents
• krill oil + hyaluronic acid + astaxanthin reduces pain and resolves in more than half tested
• rich omega 3 diets decrease cancer risk and reduce inflammation.
• omega 3s soothe anxiety and inflammation
• combat stress and cortisol damage
• battle depression and anxiety
• slash risk for premature death
• decrease risk factors for metabolic syndrome
• fights cancer in early phases
• provide vital protection for kidney and liver function
• may help prevent osteoporotic fractures
• may help mitigate triggering factors for COPD

October Blog Update

Dr. Riggs completed laser certification this past weekend completing the 24 hours required, in addition to 36 other laser hours.  He is one of less than 100 Certified Laser Practitioners in the country. 

September 2011 Blog

September Office Hours & Clinic News:

• We will be closed Saturday-Monday Labor Day Weekend (September 3-5). If you have an emergency, please call 911.
• Dr. Riggs will be completing Laser certification in October. He will be a CLP (certified laser practitioner) when he completes his last course. The only one in the area.
• Dr. Riggs is also re-entering the orthopedics postgraduate program at Palmer with a targeted test date of fall 2012. He completed two years previously and has to complete the 3rd year. This will give him advanced credentials in chiropractic orthopedics (non-surgical orthopedics).

Health News:

Nutrition News:

• Rhodiola helps combat the effects of excess cortisol (stress hormone). Excess cortisol can supress immunity; cause hypertension, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, carb craving, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes (adult onset), fatty necks, faces and bellies, decreased libido and bone loss. It is akin to taking steroids frequently.
• Too little or too much sleeping may affect cognitive decline (outside the 6-8 hour range).
• Olive oil intake is linked to lower stroke risk.
• Resveratrol's anti-inflammatory and anti-aging capabilities shows potential in anti-aging.  Grapes and red wine. 
• Obesity leads to liver disease.

Medical News:

• Trazadone and pregabalin combined improve fibromyalgia symptoms.
• Men are at risk for osteoporotic fractures but about 10 years later than women. Men suffering hip fractures in the 76-84 age range do not fare too well-1/3 dying within a year. Low body weight, advancing age, and smoking increase the risk. Most fractures occur after age 70.
• Risk for hip fracture increases if hormone replacement therapy is discontinued.
• Jogging wins out in beating belly fat over resistance training

August Office Hours and Blog

Office Hours for August: 

• Closed at 4:00 PM Friday August 5th Leaving for Houston Seminar
• Closed at 3:00 PM Wednesday August 17 Leaving for Albuquerque
• Closed All Day Thursday August 18 in Albuquerque at VA

Nutrition and Health News:

• Green tea polyphenols provide protective benefits against ultraviolet light.
• Human data supports caloric restriction as an anti-aging strategy
• Nearly 2/3rds of americans are medically overweight or obese while 30% believe they are healthy and 70% of obese believe they are just overweight.  An obvious disconnect between perception and reality.
• A dual blend of two plant extracts might combat fat storage.  Sphaeranthus indicus flower and mangosteen fruit were found to impede the generation of fat.
• Low levels of CoQ10 were associated with increase breast cancer risk in a Cancer Epidemiology study.  Supplementation also improves the function of the endothelium.
• Blueberries inhibit fat formation.  In spite of them being expensive, I love blueberries.
• Low levels of vitamin D are linked to stiffness of the arteries, while higher levels reduced risk of macular degeneration in women. Low levels may also explain the higher rate of hypertension in African Americans.  Deficience could also play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease.
• Omega 3 FAs help protect against diseases related to obesity.
• John Hopkins scientists in a recent study linked dysfunctional mitochondria (cell powerhouse) to peripheral neuropathy.
• Antioxidants lower risk of metabolic syndrome and protect against radiation.
• Coffee drinks rejoice.  The Journal of Stroke reports coffee drinkers have fewer strokes.
• Maritime pine bark extract and bilberry extract (standardized) show promise in reducing eye pressure associated with glaucoma and also in combination with the eye drop latanoprost (prescription).

Medical News:

July Office Hours

July Hours:  The office will close Saturday July 2nd and Monday July 4th for the Holidays.  We will be back to Normal Hours on Tuesday.  If you have an emergency call 911 or go to the emergency room.

June Blog and Health News

June Office Hours: 

• I will be open all day on Thursday June 9 and closed at noon on Friday June 10 to leave town for a seminar.

Clinical Topic of The Month-Tennis Elbow

What is it?
Tennis elbow is referred to medically as lateral epicondylitis, suggesting an inflammation of the extensor tendons of the forearm.  Studies suggest that chronic cases actually display degenerative changes in the tendon suggesting tendinosis instead of the inflammatory tendinitis.  The point of pain is at the outside of the elbow.

How do I know I have it?  (Signs and symptoms)

• Pain on the outer part of elbow (lateral epicondyle).
• Pain with gripping or squeezing, wrist extension and lifting movements.  Firm handshakes when squeezed can hurt.
• Painful with any activities extending the wrist.
• Grip weakness and pain with any activities gripping-turning a door knob, shaking hands, holding a heavy glass of water, turning a screw driver, etc..

How do I get Tennis Elbow?

• Forceful blows or extension were thought to be early culprits suggesting tears at the tendons insertion into the bone.
• There may be alternation of the radial nerve in the area.
• Breakdown of the tendon due to overuse stress.

Prevention:

• Rest or back down the activity causing it.
• Maintain physical conditioning.
• Use appropriate equipment.
• Learn appropriate form.
• Use a tennis elbow strap to help diffuse shearing forces.

Diagnosis:

• Orthopedic testing (Cozen's).
• Medical imaging tests-x-ray, MRI, ultrasound (usually cost prohibitive)
• Generally made with signs and symptoms

Treatments:

• Manipulation (Mill's maneuver)
• Physical modalities-Ultrasound, electrical stim, ice, heat, vibration, laser therapy, exercises and stretching
• Deep tissue therapy (transverse friction massage, Graston or other instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization)
• Rest
• Anti-inlammatory medications (OTC or prescription)
• Bracing
• Medical interventions-surgery, botulism, cortisone injections

Personally, I use a combination protocol of manipulation (Mill's maneuver), instrument assisted soft tissue therapy (Graston), cold laser therapy, temperature therapy (mainly ice), stretching and exercises.  This combination seems to get the best results.

Health Snippets

Heart Attack Symptoms:
General:

• Pain or pressure in the chest.
• Discomfort spreading to the back, jaw, throat, or arm.
• Nausea, indigestion, or heartburn.
• Weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeatsWomen: 

Note:  Women are more likely than men to have heartburn, loss of appetite, tiredness or weakness, coughing, and heart flutters