June/July Blog

Monday, July 5th we will be closed for the 4th of July. 

Sorry for any inconvenience.  If you have an emergency, please call the office for a contact number for off hours.  I will be in the area.

Not much of a blog this month since I have been in the process of moving.

SAFETY on the 4th.

• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
• Children and fireworks do not mix.
• Drugs and fireworks do not mix.
• Drugs and alcohol also apply to operating motor vehicles, boats, and any other motorized apparatus.

Be careful not careless and you will have a safe and healthy holiday.

I'm still getting good results with the LASER.  I like this modality.  I've helped nausea which was non-responsive to medical treatment (resolved in 2 treatments after 2 years of it). It has also helped/resolved:  carpal tunnel, shoulder pain, knee pain, shingles, weak muscles, foot pain, plantar fasciitis, wrist pain and stiffness, headaches, neck pain, lower back pain, bruises (decreased), pulled muscles, and other conditions.

May you holiday be safe and relaxing.  We all need time to disconnect.

Dr. Riggs' April/May Blog

Taxes are done so I'm back on.

NEW SERVICES
(Laser Therapy/Ionic Detoxifying Foot Baths)

LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY (LLLT or 3LT):
I'm excited about a new therapy modality I am now offering.  I trained recently with Dr. Jeff Spencer, the chiropractor responsible for keeping Lance Armstrong and his Tour de France team healthy during their multiple straight wins (7 for Lance, 8 for the team).  Dr. Spencer used the Erchonia LLLT or 3LT (cold laser) to treat Lance and other professional athletes such as Tiger Woods and many others.  I have purchased the same laser he uses and have been using it with very good results for almost a month.  Even though the equipment was quite expensive, I have made treatment very affordable as a cash service since insurance carriers and medicare do not cover it.  Currently, as far as I know, I am the only one in Midland using the laser.

There are many conditions that can be treated with 3LT (cold laser) and so far, I have treated the following conditions with the laser:

• Muscle weakness found through muscle testing
• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel and hand pain
• Neck and Back Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• TMJ problems
• Tendonitis/Bursitis
• Knee Pain
• Tennis Elbow
• Foot Pain
• Meniere's/tinnitus
• Sciatica/radiculopathy

DETOXIFYING FOOT BATHS:  (Using  the EBPro)
I have also added ionic detoxifying foot baths as a cash service.  Many of my patients were driving as far as Abilene to receive such services.  Treatment times (18-25 minutes) vary but we have tried to make this affordable as well, plus the time and gas savings of having to drive out of the area.  It helps pull out the toxins we build up from daily exposure. TREATMENT PRECAUTIONS:  Cannot be used on patients with-pacemaker, organ transplant, arrhythmia, heart regulating medication, pregnant or lactating females, patients with open wounds.  Excess use can cause dehydration, fatigue, increased blood pressure, dizziness, headache , or upset stomach.  Diabetic and patients with low blood sugar should eat a meal prior to treatment.

NUTRITION NEWS:

Lowering Heart Attack Risk Naturally:  chronic inflammation in the body is a risk factor for many diseases including heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's and many others.  One indicator of inflammation in the body is C-Reactive Protein (CRP).  Studies have suggested that CRP may even be a greater risk factor than high cholesterol in evaluating heart attack and stroke risk.  Crestor, a statin drug, has been found effective in lower risk for those with moderate LDL levels and excess CRP.  However, Crestor has its issues including major cardiovascular events.

A multi-method approach to lower CRP: 

• Vitamin C (1000 mg/day)
• Decreased high-glycemic carbohydrates
• Intake of cholesterol lowering foods (almonds, soy protein, fiber, plant sterols)  High fiber tends to lower the risk of elevated CRP
• For men, balancing the free testosterone/estrogen levels (decreases inflammation and belly fat).
• Dietary supplements suppressing inflammation:  curcumin, Irvingia, vitamin K, Luteolin, fish oil, borage oil (GLA), acetyl-L-carnitine, Vitamin C, theaflavins, soluble fiber, CoQ10, isoflavones.
• Good dental health (periodontal disease increases CRP)
• Decrease homocysteine levels
• 17 Daggers of Arterial Disease:  low blood EPA/DHA (fish oils), Elevated CRP, Excess LDL, Excess Insulin, Low HDL (good cholesterol), High Glucose, Nitric Oxide Deficit. Excess Estrogen, Excess Triglycerides, Low Free Testosterone, Excess Fibrinogen, Excess Homocysteine, Hypertension, Low Vitamin K, Excess Cholesterol, Oxidized LDL (from Life Extension Foundation).

March Blog Update on Health

Office Note:  Note: I will be closed on Saturday March 6 and March 20 for seminars.

Heart Health (from WebMD):  Men and women experience different symptoms when having a heart attack.  Time is muscle, so early recognition.

Men Heart Attack (MI) Symptoms:  chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue are the most typical symptoms for men.

Women:   these heart attack warning signs for women should be considered carefully.
Major symptoms prior to MI             Major symptoms during the MI

•Unusual fatigue                                            •Shortness of breath
•Difficulty sleeping                                        •Weakness
•Shortness of breath                                      •Unusual fatigue
•Indigestion                                                   •Cold sweat
•Anxiety                                                        •Dizziness






































Major symptoms prior to heart attack Major symptoms during the heart attack









•Unusual fatigue •Shortness of breath









•Difficulty sleeping •Weakness









•Shortness of breath •Unusual fatigue









•Indigestion •Cold sweat









•Anxiety •Dizziness

February Blog on Aging and Nutrition

Marty's surgery went well and she is recovering nicely.

Nutrition/Alternative Medicine News:

• Mimicing caloric restriction which aids in longevity through nutrition.  5 substances showing the most promise to mimic caloric restriction include:  resveratrol, pterostilbene, quercetin, grape seed extract, black tea extract.  These substances help prevent cancer, enhance glucose control, control inflammation, , optimize fat and carbohydrate metabolism
• Excess calorie intake bloats our bloodstream with glucose, insulin, cholesterol, fat, and other products that are pro-inflammatory and predispose us to cancer, stroke, heart attacks, inflammation, and senility as well as other age related problems (Life Extension Foundation).
• Carbohydrate Overload-as we age we are more likely to suffer from impaired glucose tolerance-we can't effectively utilize the sugars we eat.  It makes us prone to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (central obesity is one element).    In our excessive carbohydrate American diet it may be necessary to inhibit enzymes (amylase, glucosidase, sucrase) to regain glycemic control.  Acarbose (low cost drug) controls glucosidase, a nutrient compound InSea controls amylase and glucosidase, and white kidney bean extract and irvingia controls amylase while l-arabinose controls sucrase.  To combat carbohydrate overload your fasting glucose should be below 86 mg/dL.
• Excess glucose:  converts to fat, increases triglycerides and C-Reactive proteins, deceases HDL (healthy cholesterol), increases blood pressure, may damage kidneys, increases risk for certain cancers and injures the vascular system.
• Restricting calories is the key to taking care of the above problems but what about hunger?  Pinolenic acid (pine cone extract) decreases appetite without stimulants.  It reduces the desire to eat and makes you satisfied earlier.
• Other options to emulate caloric restriction:  orlistat, acarbose, optimized irvingia and black tea.  Obesity is responsible for 100K cancers annualy.
• Omega 3 fatty acids boot the benefits of glucosamine.  I'm vindicated.  I have been recommending a supplement triad of glucosamine + boswellic acids + fish oils (Omega 3s) for years.  Boswellia because it has anti-inflammatory properties as does fish oils.  So my combination  enhances the effectives of one component.  I usually recommend Osteo-biflex since it has glucosamine and boswellia (5-Loxin) in it.
• Vitamin D:  low levels are associated with heart disaes, stroke, premature death and heart failure.  Long-term doses of D are well tolerated over an 8 week period.
• Cancer Prevention Nutrition:  green tea may protect against oral cancer; soy shows promise as a colon cancer prevention; resveratrol may serve as a chemopreventative reagent for breast cancer. Vitamin D may lower colorectal cancer.
• Lungs may be protected by anti-oxidants during flu season.
• CoQ10:  key to heart health.  I also recommend it to counter the muscle side-effects of statin drugs.  Ubiquinol for is key.  CoQ10 also help counteract the stress to muscles after exercise.
• Green Tea Extract may reduce uterine fibroids.
• Low carb diet lowers blood pressure.

Medical News:

• FDA has approved milnacipran, a dual serotonin- and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor, for the management of fibromyalgia. Medscape Medical News
• Toilet seat dermatitis (butt rash) may be making a comeback due to harsh chemical cleaners and exotic wooden seats.  It causes a rash in the buttocks and upper thighs.  To avoid:  use seat covers in public rest rooms, avoid harsh cleaners and go back to plastic seats.

January Blog and Health News

Scheduling Stuff:  I will be closed Friday January 22nd and Saturday January 23rd.  Marty is having surgery.  (Friday will most likely be all day but we don't have the schedule yet.  February and March will bring some seminar activity but should only affect Saturday's.  I will keep you posted.

Happy New Year to everyone.  I do hope it was a safe holiday season.  Marty and I enjoyed a week of vacation visiting family in snowy Michigan (2 feet deep) and almost did not make it back due to lake effect snow (11 inches the night before we left).

HEALTH and NUTRITION NEWS

• The Mediterranean Diet is considered one of the more healthy diets for cardiovascular health.  However, most peiople do not get enough olive oil which has polyphenols which enhance its healthy effects.  The diet mainly consists of abundent plant foods, olive oil, fish, red wine and other substances rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Ginko biloba apparently has protective effects from radiation.  So if you plan on getting yourself nuked soon stock up on the ginko.
• Higher vitamin D levels in older women seems to ensure longer survival.
• Catechins in tea help promote fat loss in overweight individuals.
• Lower vitamin D levels before menopause predict hypertension and predicts higher heart and stroke related deaths in blacks.
• Researchers estimate that 40% of Americans are deficient in vitamin B12. 

FROM CHIROPRACTIC AND MEDICINE

• Macromastia (large breasts) leads to numerous problems for women.  Complaints of neck and upper back pain, thoracic outlet syndrome, low back pain, headaches and muscle aches and pains are common.  Soft tissue deformity from bra straps undoubtedly damages the underlying fascia and muscles as well as the skin.  A recent study showed that reduction mammaplasty (breast reduction) decreased back compressive loads by 35% and improved dysfunction and pain related to travel.  Now, good luck on getting an insurance carrier to authorize it as medically necessary.
• Headaches:  The International Headache Society (IHS) has classified headaches into two broad categories, primary and secondary. Primary headaches are headaches with no known organic cause and are classified into 4 groups 1) migraine 2) tension-type 3) cluster and 4) other primary headaches (1). The subject of this paper, episodic tension-type headache (ETTH), is one of three sub-categories of tension-type headache. The others being chronic tension-type headache and probable tension-type headache.  Treatment/Prevention:  stress/tension, menstruation, weather, TMJ problems, trigger points, and water deprivation have been implicated as well as, to a lesser extent, sleep deprivation, frequent traveling, consumption of alcohol, withdrawal from caffeine, smoking, hunger, glare, relaxation after stress, exhaustion and odors.  Treatment includes avoiding triggers as well as treating problems such as mechanical neck joint dysfunction, TMJ problems and trigger points.  These problems can be effectively treated with manipulative therapy and soft tissue therapy or physiotherapy.
• Chiropractic care is being expanded to include more Veterans and military facilities.  DCs are highly qualified to take care of the many non-surgical soft tissue and joint problems resulting from carrying heavy field packs and the stresses and strains of combat. 
  
  
  

Holiday schedule update

I goofed looking at the days.  We will be closed Christmas Eve day (Thursday) since we are normally only open in the morning.

December News/Holiday Schedule

Happy Holidays from Marty and myself. (In Norwegian, Gladelig Jule and Godt Nytt Ar).

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:  we will be CLOSED from 12/25/09 to 1/2/10.  We will also close at 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve.  We will be taking a week off and visiting my family in Michigan (Marty is obviously not a yankee).

HEALTH CARE NEWS:

• Breast Biopsies:  A new test called "Elastography" looks at the flexibility of breast tissue and may reduce the need for biopsies.  Breast ultrasounds spot more cancers.
• Boost your immune system with the following:  elderberry, button mushrooms, acai berry, oysters, watermellon, cabbage, almonds, grapefruit, wheat germ, low-fat yogurt, garlic, spinach, tea (black or green), sweet potatoe and broccoli.
• Lung Cancer:  90% of lung cancers are caused by tobacco use with over 4000 cancer causing chemicals in tobacco smoke.  Other causes:  passive smoke, asbestos, radon gas, air pollution, familial predisposition, lung diseases.  This is a cause close to me since my father died at 46 of lung cancer-he was a lifelong smoker.  What a waste-he never got to see most of his grandkids.  There are two main types of lung cancers:  small cell and non-small cell.  Small cell cancers are about 20%.  Non-small cell (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, mixed) make up 80%.  Small cell are aggressive and metastasize readily.  Other types are less common.  What are the symptoms:  chronic cough, blood in the sputum, repeated bronchitis/lung infections, breathing difficulty, unexplained or rapid weight loss and/or fatigue.  IGNORING SUCH SERIOUS SYMPTOMS WON'T MAKE IT GO AWAY!!!  I have heard way too often "I don't want to get checked out because I'm afraid of what they might find."  Early detection is what determines whether you will survive or not.  Quit smoking now and improve your chances of living to see your kids grow up and your grand kids as well.  If you stop soon enough you may not have to drag around an oxygen bottle either.  Brutal?  Yup!  But there are a lot of ways to get help:  medications, hypnosis, acupuncture.  Trying to quit is not quitting.  You must become a non-smoker in your mind or you will always find excuses to light one up.  As to the dippers - the word is leukoplakia-pre-cancerous cells.  Cancer of the mouth or lip is a really unattractive way of dying as well.  I've seen leukoplakia in the mouths of 20-30 year olds.  All I can say is incredible.  The mind set that IT WON'T HAPPEN TO Me means you expect to die young enough that you won't get cancer.  Spare your loved ones the agony of watching you die a horrible death-figure out a way to quit.  If this section upsets or offends you, I apologize for making you aware of the realities of tobacco abuse.
• DEPRESSION:  That last section probably depressed some of you.  Sorry.  The holiday seasons are often a time when people experience depression.  There could be many reasons:  loss of a loved one who won't be there for the first time, illness, missing family, financial worries (especially in this economy), loss of job, less sunlight, break up of a relationship, stress, to name a few.  There are many things you can do to help lessen depression.  Connect with family and friends-new media like facebook, myspace, twitter, etc., offer social media contact readily.  Find a new interest or hobby.  Avoid environments that are depressive. Get out doors as much as you can.  Don't spend beyond your means.  If times are tough for you, remember "this too will pass."  If your depression becomes overwelming, seek medical help.  There are many anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications that can help you get over tough times.  Some need to be on such medications permanently due to altered brain chemistry.
• CELL PHONES:  On again, off again.  Another study out now suggests that cell phones don't lead to cancer.  Use an ear piece if you are worried-it will make you a safer driver anyway.
• STEM CELLS:  stem cells may actually be able to repair damaged hearts.

FROM THE WORLD FUTURE SOCIETY:  Some pressing issues we need to address in the next decade.

• How do we deliver inexpensive and reliable health care to a rapidly aging population?
• How does a civilization maintain economic growth and prosperity in the wake of overdevelopment, misuse of wealth, and profligate exploitation of resources?
• Will the Internet bring democracy and freedom to the people of the world who live under authoritarian rule? Or will nondemocratic regimes appropriate the power of information technology to spy on their own citizens?
• What’s the best method for educating our children for an ever-more competitive and demanding economic environment?