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HEALTHBEAT SHOW NOTES .... Episode #15 - Recorded October 21, 2005

Welcome to HealthBeat Podcast #15, recorded October 21, 2005.  HealthBeat is Chiropractic OnLine Today’s radio program, providing current news and commentary about Chiropractic and Health. 

October is Spinal Health Month

According to the American Chiropractic Association's ACA Today web site, October is Spinal Health month.

The ACA Today article suggests that this offers an outstanding opportunity to speak with your local chiropractor about the natural ways you can improve your spinal health and enhance your overall well being. The ACA is offering a free patient information page on its Web site, "Tips For a Healthy Spine," that provides simple posture, lifting, and healthy lifestyle guidelines to ward off unnecessary back pain.

According to ACA President Dr. Richard Brassard, (quote) "The goal of a doctor of chiropractic is to offer the highest-quality, professional health care, while teaching patients how to maintain their physical well being and a healthful lifestyle." "Spinal Health Month is the perfect time to take control of your health by discovering this natural approach to wellness."

For more information, surf to - http://www.acatoday.com

HealthBeat Survey

Thanks to everyone who participated in our September HealthBeat Poll. The question - "What is your Chiropractic Philosophy?" revealed that for those listeners who voted, showed a 100% Mixer philosophy.

Please surf to our HealthBeat homepage at ChiropracticRadio.com and register your vote for our October question, which asks:  "Do you consider Chiropractic Therapy to be an Alternative or Mainstream form of therapy?"

Migraine Headaches with Aura

A recent study, reported in the British Journal of Medicine, has found that nearly half of a group of patients with long term migraine with aura had a heart defect.

The authors say that a randomised clinical trial to investigate the effects of shunt closure on migraine frequency is now needed to verify the hypothesis that a heart defect contributes to migraine attacks.

Although the causal link between the type of heart defect known as a patent foramen ovale and migraine is still being investigated, a number of theories have been proposed. One is that substances such as serotonin pass through the ovale, bypass pulmonary circulation, and trigger a migraine attack.

Another theory is that an embolism may pass through the right to left shunt. This theory is supported by a reduced frequency of migraine seen in patients who are started on oral anticoagulation. This observation cannot be explained by the serotonin theory according to the study’s authors.

For more information, surf to - http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/331/7520/800-d

www.neurology.org/papbyrecent.html

CAM Therapies Save Money

According to a news report from the British Medical Journal, many complementary treatments could make an important contribution to health care in the UK . 

Greater use of some complementary treatments could result in major savings in healthcare costs also.

The report, which focuses on acupuncture, homoeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy, and herbal medicine, says that deprived communities in particular could benefit from these CAM therapies.

The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the NHS can be found at - www.freshminds.co.uk

http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/331/7520/795-a

Bicycling and Osteoporosis

An article in the October 10^th edition of the Wall Street Journal discusses a potential side effect in those who compete in cycling are more prone to developing Osteoporosis in later years.

According to the article - Healthy bone cells undergo constant turnover in a process of breakdown and replacement. Building new bone requires the pressure of body weight and impact on the skeleton to add new cells. Running and jumping provide such stimuli. But as joints get injured, people turn to low-impact sports. While this avoids pain, it also deprives bones of a growth trigger.

Bicycling is a non-weight-bearing exercise that spares the joints but softens the impact that sparks growth. In addition, cyclists sweat a lot, losing calcium in the process. Some elite cyclists also strive to be very lean for speed. Thin builds are a risk factor for osteoporosis, along with being female, and Caucasian or Asian ethnicity. Smoking, alcohol and drugs such as the anti-inflammatory prednisone can add to risks.

Others who commented on the article said to take the results of the study cited in the article with caution.

As always, COT’s Healthbeat recommends that all listeners discuss any exercise questions with a qualified healthcare professional.

For more information, surf to the Wall Street Journal online - http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB112854320447560852.html

Back Schools for Non-Specific Low Back Pain

According to a study from the October 1st issue of the journal, Spine, a review of the literature was conducted to assess the effectiveness of back schools for patients with nonspecific low back pain.

Back schools have been popular since the introduction of the Swedish back school in 1969.  Back schools have frequently been used for treating patients with low back pain.  Back schools usually involve information-giving interventions where patients are taught about anatomy and function of the back, along with mechanical strain and posture. Isometric exercises for abdominal muscles and physical activity programs are also given.

The authors of the study concluded that there is moderate evidence suggesting that back schools, in an occupational setting, reduce pain, and improve function and return-to-work status, in the short and intermediate-term, compared to other therapies, advice, placebo or waiting list controls, for patients with chronic and recurrent low back pain.  However, future trials should improve methodological quality and clinical relevance and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of back schools.

For more information, surf to  - http://www.cochrane.org/cochrane/revabstr/AB000261.htm
and also the October issue of Spine - http://www.spinejournal.com/pt/re/spine/abstract.00007632-200510010-00006.htm;jsessionid=DMWCNWv2Rv7MIRXlQPnPAQRfj7ZGA0JXc42wkrwuTUXSRuKlWZa4!-365670234!-949856145!9001!-1

Health Club Memberships Hit All-Time High
According to the Fitness Business eNewsletter - A record number of Americans are now members of health clubs, according to a recent study from American Sports Data. The number of members age 6 and older has climbed from 39.4 million in January 2004 to 41.3 million in January 2005.

The Health Club Trend Report, which was sponsored by the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, found that the state with the highest percentage of residents belonging to health clubs is Delaware (20.9 percent), followed by Colorado (20.1 percent), California (18.9 percent), Arizona (18.8 percent) and Massachusetts (18.8 percent). The top ranked U.S. city in terms of health club memberships is San Diego (24.2 percent), followed by Denver (23.2 percent), Columbus , Ohio (21.9 percent), Minneapolis (20.9 percent) and Seattle (20.3 percent).

For more information, surf to Fitnessbusiness-Pro.com

As always, please surf to our Podcast Show Notes at ChiropractiRadio.com for a full listing of web references mentioned in today’s show.

In this edition of HealthBeat, our Business Corner will focus on the Business Side of Chiropractic.  Following is an interview with Dr. Len Schwartz, who discusses Practice Building tips.
Thank you for listening…. As always, We Want to hear from you.  Please send us emails…. Simply surf to our Web Site at ChiropracticRadio.com and click on the Email link.

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If you have an idea for a future Health Segment, please feel free to contact me directly via email …. The address is: healthbeat@chiro-online.com

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Finally, I leave you with the following quote:

"It's the most unhappy people who most fear change." 
- Mignon McLaughlin

For Chiropractic OnLine Today’s HealthBeat, This is Dr. Todd Eglow.

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