Uhealthnut.com

Holiday stress

2006-12-02T00:43:33Z

As we are all in the throws of holiday madness by now with turkey leftovers finally out of the fridge and Christmas shopping in full swing I can't help but put out a caution to so many of us who become run down and exhausted by the long holiday to-do list. Here it is...

]]> Slow down and take a little time for yourself! Let me guess...you've heard it before and you don't have time. Give me just two more minutes of speed reading to lay out my case.

After a holiday, people are sick, sleep deprived, and usually suffering from headaches that demolish the chance to sit back and enjoy anything, let alone the family and friends they cherish. If you put time for yourself in the schedule, even if only for hour, and then actually stick to your rendevous, you will find, as I have, that it brings your whole holiday a chance for peace.

Get a massage, take a few quite minutes to soak your feet, read, sit in your massage chair, or even visit your chiropractor! Really, our bodies require rest and relaxation. Don't find your self on the couch Christmas Day with a glazed look on your face. You can do it. You can get through your holiday season without the nervous breakdown. To you and yours I wish the happiest of Holidays.

Dr. Alan Weidner
http://www.home-rehab-supply.com

Exercise hurts?

2006-10-27T23:57:11Z

I've heard it time and time again, "I would like to exercise but everytime I do... It hurts." And I know better than anyone there's truth in the excuse. Here's how it works...

]]> When we exercise our intentions may be good, but, if done incorrectly, it can be worse for you. Exercise puts stress on the body...we tell our muscles to lift more, stretch further, and our joints are put to work at double time. So how does the stress help? Our amazing human bodies eat it up. Our muscles, tendons and joints react in a positive way. Our metabolism and endorphines kick it up a notch when we do.

Unfortunatly one of the most common mistakes is trying to immediatly kick it up one too many notches. So what is the key? How about walk don't run. Walking is one of the best exercises we can do. It may even be considered the perfect exercise. Walking has great benefits including lowering risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and even osteoperosis. Now that may be enough to get most of you thinking. I know it's rare to find anyone that doesn't have a personal connection to one of these disease monsters, if not many of those listed.

Regular walking is, of course, best. I would suggest one hour a day to get your heart pumping. As your heart pumps blood faster it lowers blood presure and boosts HDL (the good cholesterol) which makes it harder for things like clots to form...dropping the chance for a stroke in half. And how about that metabolism. For those of us who are past perfect seventeen we know that it becomes harder to control weight by just diet alone. Walking will burn calories at almost the same rate as jogging or aerobics. Make it an hour of walking to start burning fat away. However, even once a week can fight off things like depression- ('tis the season). So even though the cold is approaching don't forget to look to the benifits of walking as a great way to get started improving your health.

Dr. Alan Weidner
http://www.massage-chair-relief.com

Diabetes...An Ugly Disease!

2006-09-01T23:17:54Z

I try not to think about what it would be like to be craving a great burger, some fries, and huge Mt. Dew knowing if I did there would be punishment. I try not to think what it's like at holiday season to have to resist and restrain from all the goodies that fill shops, stores, and homes of friends and family. I try not to think but I do.

]]> Diabetes is spreading faster than ever. It is an unforgiving, unfriendly disease and I wonder what I would do if I was diagnosed with it. I try not to think. Having friends and family who daily monitor and inject to keep their body from shock I realize it's there. Most people who have diabetes realize it's never too late. You can improve. You can live, enjoy and have...just not everything.

The truth is we have to watch our weight. Just a small ten percent weight reduction can drastically cut chances of getting diabetes especially for those who are over their suggested weight. I know no one likes dieting but everyone likes shortcuts. Here are a few to think on:

Cinnamon. Who knew, shaking on as little as 1/4 tsp. a day can lower your risk of diabetes by up to 29%. So for breakfast, which I know you'll want to eat, because breakfast eaters are lucky enough to show lowered signs of pre-diabetes by 35%-50% and are able to fight off insulin resistance, try some granola in vanilla yogurt with a shake of cinnamon.

Be vigillant and check your labels on the packages of the food you eat. For every four grams of sugar you consume, it's like your eating a teaspoon of sugar. If you're eating two donuts for breakfast, you're eating about 8 teaspoons of sugar.

Next, of course, is something we've all heard but probley need to hear again. Thirty minutes a day of activity is going to be your best friend. Not just for preventing diabetes but also for feeling younger and better every day.

So, there you have it. Be well. If you are a diabetic please feel free to share your tips for beating the disease. We want to know...

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.home-rehab-supply.com

Detoxification...Not Just For Addicts!!

2006-08-24T00:10:59Z

Late at night while channel surfing I see the colon cleansing specialist - now although I wouldn't want that title, it gets me thinking. With everything we put into our bodies and then with what comes out maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea. What I found out is that many of us are probably close to doing some sort of a detoxification without even knowing it.

]]> A popular idea is the water fast. Here's the scoop... for a time period of about 24 hours we drink water, our body acts as if it's starving and our natural selection picks the weak, damaged, or toxic cells first to use as energy, saving the healthy cells for later. At the same time, cells throughout the body are cleansed. Although there are no specific organs or systems that are being targeted they are still benefiting.

If you can't handle "straight" water try adding lemon...great for your intestinal tract and tastes a little better, but you only get 90% of the water fast benefit (trade off between taste and benefit!). When our bodies are able to focus on repair instead of digestion you're going to see greater results.

Other than the water fasts we have system cleanses. Suggested for anyone about once every three months. These cleanses should do two things correct or heal through good vitamins and minerals and detoxify. Colon cleansing is probably the most well know simply because of the colon being one of the most abused and potentially harmed areas. It takes all the abuse and stores everything from e-coli to posions, heavy metals, and parasites. Colon detoxification disinfects, soothes, improves digestion, and even relieves gas and cramping. There are other specific systems that can benefit from cleansing...liver, gallblatter, or kidneys.

One of the drawbacks to detoxifying is the tendency for some to feel sick during the first few days/weeks of a detox program. With all the garbage that our body is eliminating, little wonder some of us feel terrible for a while. The skin, by the way, is the largest toxin-eliminating organ of the body!

Try some sort of detoxification...you'll definitely notice some sort of a difference. In the long run, you will be better off.

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.massage-chair-recliners.com

Hot Chocolate Good For The Skin

2006-08-16T23:02:49Z

I love a good bit of chocolate once in a while. There is nothing like the Toffifay chocolate I used to eat in Canada all the time as a younger man. Or even a kitkat once in a while. Hmmmm. Well, needless to say, whenever I find a pro-chocolate article, I like to read it to make me feel better about my chocolate "problem". Well, in June's issue of Nutrition, researchers figured out another potential benefit of chocolate...

]]> Cocoa contains a compound known as flavonol. Researchers gave one group of female participants a daily cup of hot cocoa for 3 months that contained high levels of flavonols. Another group of females participants were given hot cocoa for the same amount of time, but with low levels of flavonols.

After 3 months, the skin of all participants were examined by imaging and this is what was found:

Women who drank the high-flavonol hot cocoa had improved skin texture, thickness, and hydration. They were also found to be more resistant to ultraviolet radiation. This latter benefit could help in cancer prevention, now, couldn't it?
I'll just bet that both groups felt better overall just for having a cup of hot cocoa everyday!

Bon Apetit
Dr. Alan Weidner
http://massage-chair-recliners.com

Flax Seed Oil vs. Fish Oil...What's Your Opinion?

2006-08-07T22:13:47Z

I recently read an article extolling the virtues of flax seed oil, particularly that of the omega-3 fatty acids. The article said that flax seed oil is better than fish oil for a couple of reasons...

]]> 1. fish can have mercury in them, particularly if they are full grown when harvested, which can result in mercury in the fish oil supplement, and
2. flax seed oil has a more potent omega-3 component than does fish oil.

Well, I have been using fish oil for a couple of years now, mostly for the cardio-vascular and anti-oxidant properties, but have begun to wonder if flax seed would be a better alternative because of the chance for mercury poisoning. A colleague of mine, however said that the body doesn't absorb flax seed oil as readily as fish oil, so his choice would be fish oil. I suppose I just have to make sure that the supplement I use is mercury-free. I have patients that grind up the actual flax seed with a pepper grinder and sprinkle it on cereal, pancakes, etc. I think I'll give that a try too.

I would be interested to know what your opinion is regarding this topic and what your experience is with either source of omega-3's!

Dr. Alan Weidner

Can A Massage Chair Recliner Replace Your Chiropractor or Massage Therapist?

2006-08-02T21:57:37Z

Last Christmas, a couple of my patients ordered massage chairs from me as Christmas gifts. These folks used to come into the office every few weeks or so for a chiropractic "tune-up". Since that time, I've seen each patient only twice! Do they need me anymore?...

]]> Here are some of the benefits of a massage chair recliner, and you tell me if they need me anymore:
1. relaxation and stress release
2. relief from basic back aches and pains
3. better lymph and blood flow
4. better healing
5. reduce muscle spasms
6. higher endorphin levels
7. improved breathing
8. better posture
9. prevention of degenerative osteoarthritis, and
10. better overall feeling of well-being.

Sounds a lot like what the chiropractor or massage therapist offers, doesn't it? It does everything except clean the house, or so it seems. A few things that it doesn't do, which I feel are paramount for musculoskeletal health is,
a.) hands on therapy...the touch of the therapists hand provides great therapeutic benefit,
b.) deep tissue massage that only a licensed massage therapist can do, and
c.) manipulate the spinal vertebrae.

So, do we still need chiropractic and massage therapy? Absolutely! But, a massage chair recliner sure is awesome (I own one myself).

Dr. Alan Weidner

Did You Know The First Chiropractic Patient Was Deaf?

2006-07-27T14:40:36Z

Many folks are not familiar with the interesting origin of chiropractic. Although "bonesetting" has been around for literally thousands of years, the art, science, and philosophy of chiropractic has been around since 1895. This is how it began...

]]> In 1895, a Canadian fish-peddler (I had to mention the Canadian thing!) living in Iowa, named D.D. Palmer, "racked" the spine of Harvey Lillard, the janitor of the building in which Mr. Palmer was working. Harvey Lillard had complained of losing his hearing at about the same time he heard a loud popping sound in his back. Mr. Palmer felt his spine and noticed a "lump" between his shoulder blades.

After half an hour of trying to convince Harvey to let him "rack" his spine, D.D. finally got the chance. When he moved the bone in question, he heard a loud pop and shortly thereafter Mr. Lillards hearing came back! And that, along with a similar experience with a patient with heart trouble, chiropractic was born. It has blossomed into the largest alternative health profession in the country, if not the world. There are colleges across the US and around the world. It is really something of a phenomenon.

But the most interesting thing of all, if you ask me, is that chiropractic is the treatment of choice and is most well known for low back pain, but it was deafness that got the ball rolling. Of course, I should say that I have never adjusted a deaf patient to see if the hearing would be restored. This was a very unique circumstance that served a greater purpose, but it does not mean that chiropractic is a cure for deafness or for any other medical condition. However, it also does not mean that it won't help people with all types of medical conditions. I have personally seen it happen many times. It is a way to make the body work better...and in the course of making a body work better, the body is able to heal itself, at times, of various and sundry conditions.

If any of you have had an interesting experience with chiropractic, feel free to share it on this blog. We'd love to hear from you.

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.home-rehab-supply.com

Cold Water Can Reduce Some Childhood Diseases

2006-07-20T00:47:39Z

Cool water placed on the head of a newborn baby will decrease the risk of epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and blindness, among other things.

]]> Based on a study in www.lancet.com, researchers from America, England, and New Zealand found that when a cap filled with cool water was placed on an infant's head for 72 hours following birth, there was a decrease in the risk of epilepsy, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other things. They were trying to find a way to mitigate the effects of oxygen deprivation that can happen during the birthing process and just happened to discover the cool cap of water benefit in the course of that study.

So, what is the practical application? I have no idea. I suppose you could put a damp cap on top of your infants head to derive this benefit. But, I figure most of us will just carry on as we were...maybe going swimming in a cold pool with our kids once in a while.

Interesting stuff!

Dr. Alan Weidner

Kaprex...Joint Relief That Worked For Me

2006-07-10T22:31:35Z

I mentioned on my last entry that I used a number of supplements each day to help with my overall health. I mentioned that I use a product known as Kaprex. Now, since I started using this supplement, my surgically repaired knee started feeling better. But I started a couple of other things around the same time and I wasn't sure at first if it was the Kaprex that was helping me. This is how I found out...

]]> I began using Kaprex, magnet therapy, and riding my bike to work and back all within the same week. My knee started to feel better within just a few days of beginning this new regimen. Well, I began to wonder if all three were contributing to the pain relief or was it just one of the three. I ran out of Kaprex after a couple of weeks and guess what...my knee started to hurt again! I ordered the new Kaprex immediately and, once again, within a couple of days the knee started to feel better. So, I figured that it was the Kaprex that gave me the majority of my relief.

Another interesting observation...my family and I went to Canada this last week and I stopped my biking activity. By the end of the week, some knee soreness returned after I had been sitting for a while. It seems that perhaps the biking is helping me out, as far as the pain goes, too. I stopped using the magnets during that time, as well, so maybe the magnets are helping me out. The bottom line is that I will continue to use all three components of my knee rehab. (I also stopped sitting on my massage chair and stopped watching hockey while in Canada...hmmmm, I wonder if that contributed to my knee pain!!??!!)

FYI: Here is the information from Metagenics (the company that manufactures Kaprex) regarding Kaprex:

Kaprex® & Kaprex® AI
for Minor Pain and Immune Modulation
Kaprex: A Safer Strategy for Minor Pain Relief

Kaprex effectively calms the body’s minor pain cascade without blocking the cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, a mechanism known to cause adverse effects in some individuals. This makes Kaprex an option with excellent predicted safety.

Kaprex Advantages

Clinically tested joint relief
A high level of predicted safety on gastrointestinal lining
No significant impact on blood pressure in studies up to 8 weeks
Effective dose in as little as one tablet three times a day
The EXPRESSYN Difference. Extensive research demonstrates efficacy and a high level of predicted safety

If you are interested in Kaprex, call the office at 1-801-969-9001 and someone will be happy to take your order for you. Since Metagenics does not sell their products through online merchants, you have to call the order in.

To your health,
Dr. Alan Weidner
www.massage-chair-relief.com

"What Nutritional Supplements Do You Use, Dr. Weidner?"

2006-06-27T18:00:12Z

I am often asked if I get regular chiropractic adjustments and if I take nutritional supplements on a daily basis. My answer to both of those is a resounding "YES"! I try to keep my spine adjusted weekly and I take an array of supplements each and every day. Here is what I take and why I take them...

]]> 1. Fish Oil - to keep the vascular pipes clean. Fish oil has been shown, time and again, to help keep our cardio vascular system healthy. And, as I get older, this becomes more and more important.
2. Daily multi-vitamin - getting all the essentials in some dose, albeit small in most cases...but enough to keep the body healthier. It is pretty much recognized that the food we eat is deficient in most vitamins and minerals that we need. So, I take a great multi-vitamin to supplement that deficiency.
3. Zinc - if your body is deficient in zinc, it will use available aluminum to replace it. The only problem with that is aluminum is blamed, to some degree, for Alzheimer’s! So, keep the zinc levels up (or you'll never remember if you took it or not!). Now, for males it is even more of a problem because our semen is rich in zinc. So, through the natural processes of human intimacy, we males lose quite a bit more zinc. Hence, a zinc supplement!
4. Antioxidant - the benefits of antioxidants as an anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-degenerative, and immune system remedy are well- known, well-researched, and well-promoted. With all the pollutants in the environment, especially in the big city, an anti-oxidant is crucial for combating all those vicious free radicals in our blood stream.
5. Glucosamine - since my knee surgery last October, glucosamine has become a staple of my diet. It is touted to help regenerate damaged cartilage. If you have knee or other joint problems accompanied by pain, glucosamine or one of its derivatives, chondroitin, is paramount.
6. Kaprex - this is a powerful joint formula that I just started taking within the last couple of weeks. The amazing thing is that within a day of starting on Kaprex, my post-surgical knee pain, which has been with me for 9 monhts, went away!! Very interesting. When I ran out last week, the pain came back. Even more interesting. Most interesting of all is that when I got my new batch in the mail and began taking it again this week, the pain subsided again! Needless to say, this supplement will be staying in my regimen. If you have joint pain...this one is great!
7. Vitamin C - our bodies don't generate vitamin c. This is, as most of you know, probably one of the most important vitamins to take for immune system strength.

So, there you have it. I truly believe that all these supplements are keeping me healthy. Knock on wood, but I rarely get the flu or colds, and, when I feel one coming on, I increase my multi-vitamin and Vitamin C intake and it seems to knock them out before they become as bad as those around me.

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.home-rehab-supply.com

Biking Sure Is Great For Your Health

2006-06-22T00:34:28Z

I have begun riding my bike to work now that spring/summer is here and the weather is great. I do this for two reasons: 1) to get in better shape, and 2) more importantly, to rehabilitate my surgically reconstructed knee. I have stopped going to the gym, just because of the boredom factor. As I was riding my bike this morning, I thought of all the benefits of bike riding along with a couple of interesting riding tips...

]]> As far as I am concerned, here are the main benefits of bike riding:
1. non-impact exercise. VERY IMPORTANT. Many exercises involve bouncing or high impact. Biking is pure motion without the abuse to the joints.
2. aerobic or anaerobic exercise. You can just pedal steadily for the aerobic benefit or you can sprint from point to point for the anaerobic beneift.
3. enjoy the scenery. I absolutely love to look around me to enjoy the greenery, the mountains, the lovely houses, etc. Riding on a stationary bike will give you the other benefits, but the scenery can only be enjoyed out of doors.
4. meeting and greeting other walkers and bikers. Most folks are quite pleasant and appreciate a greeting, albeit short and out of breath!
5. fresh air.
6. great time to think and release some energy. I always feel so good when I am finished my route.
7. strengthen leg muscle groups.

Here is a little tip for you bikers...
If you want to strengthen your calves, push on the pedals with your toes/balls of your feet. If you want to strengthen your thighs (like if you've had knee surgery), push on the pedals with your heels. You'll be amazed at how your different muscle groups will burn!

Enjoy!
Dr. Alan Weidner
www.home-rehab-supply.com

Is this legal?

2006-06-17T22:39:28Z

Wow! I was amazed the other day when I went to the a local grocery market at what I saw happen in the pharmacy. I was there to pick up some crutches for my wife because see had sprained her knee. As I walked up to the counter you'll never guess what I saw happen...

]]> The pharmacist looked very flustered and asked me to hang on for a minute. She was scrambling to fill a prescription and clearly she was bugged. As I stood there and wondered when she might be done she suddenly walked out from behind the counter. I watched her as she walked down the isle and paused for a moment looking at the shelf. She picked up a box and quickly walked back behind the counter. She opened a box of generic drug, emptied it onto her tray and proceeded to fill this persons medication bottle with it.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing! She was taking a $3.00 botlle of over-the-counter meds and filling a prescription with it. Now, call me crazy but I have a few problems with this. If this person was insured I'm sure that they were billing the insurance for this medicine and I bet they were billing more than the $3.00 that it actually costs. Not to mention most people have a $10 copay on their meds. If they weren't insured they got ripped off too. And lastly, if they were insured with either medicaid or medicare I just got ripped off too!!!

Somebody, please help me understand why this happened and if it is legal. Even if it is legal I don't think that it's very ethical. But who knows I may be wrong....

James Moore LMT
http://juice-health.blogspot.com/

How To Recognize A Stroke

2006-06-09T18:37:53Z

A good friend of mine had a stroke a few years ago, survived, but still has speech problems although he is functioning 100% in every other aspet of his life. A neighbor of mine had a stroke a few months ago and is totally paralyzed on the right side...can't speak or move. Very sad. Each year more than 700,000 Americans have a stroke, with about 160,000 dying from stroke-related causes. I figured everyone could benefit from some help in detemining if someone close to them is having a stroke.

]]> Many EMT's use the Cincinnati Stroke Scale, A.K.A. FAST, to help determine if someone is having a stroke. You will find this quite helpful. FAST stands for:
Face - ask the individual to smile. If both sides of the mouth come up into the smile, that's normal. If one side is not coming up or is drooping...stroke.
Arm - have the individual raise both arms, palms up, with their eyes closed. If both arms raise or drift equally, that's normal. If one arm drifts or elevates down...stroke.
Speech - ask the individual to say "You can't teach an old dog new tricks". If this phrase is spoken normally, without slurring or forgetfulness, that's normal. If the phrase can't be repeated, or the words or slurred, or substitution words are used...stroke.
Time - time is of the essence. If you notice any of these signs, immediate medical attention is necessary. Even if you have some doubt about the individual's response, call emergency. Every second counts with strokes. The sooner the intervention, the better the prognosis.

I hope this helps.
Dr. Alan Weidner
www.home-rehab-supply.com

Coke...It's So Good For You!!

2006-06-05T21:57:08Z

I just finished reading an interesting article comparing the benefits of water and coke. After you read the differences that I'm going to list below, you're going to realize that the title of this entry is written fascetiously.

]]> *Benefits of good ole H2O:
1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. I just had a "zonologist" (close relative the reflexologist), tell me, after examining my feet, that I had sluggish lymph flow and that I needed to hydrate myself more with water. I suppose I could be considered dehydrated, I guess.
2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. Hmmm...so, maybe rather than eat when we feel hunger pains, try drinking water. I'm sure it could only do us good.
3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
4. One glass of water will shut doen midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of dieters.
5. Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly reduce back pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy shor-term memory trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing o n the computer screen or on a printed page (that pretty much describes the Weidner family!).
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breaset cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

The only thing that concerns me about these statements is that they don't take into consideration the condition of the water being ingested, i.e. fluoride, contaminants, minerals, etc. Perhaps the benefits of water could be enhanced even more if the water we drink is purified.

Now for the interesting Coke stuff:
1. In many US states, the highway patrol carries two gallons of coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
2. You can put a T-bone steak ina bowl of coke and it will be gone in two days!!
3. To clean a toilet, pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and then let it sit for one hour. When you flush the toilet, it will be clean (thanks to the citric acid in coke, which also can remove stains from vitreous china).
4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers, rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals, pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
6. To loosen a rusted bolt, apply a cloth soaked in coca-cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
7. To remove grease from clothes, empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The coke will help loosen grease stains.

There you have it! The bottom line is: if you want to do something good for your body, drink water. If you want to do something good for your metal and cloth belongings, use coke!. Unfortunately, so many more folks consume coke more than water. Crazy, but true.

Dr. Alan Weidner

*UCPA newsletter, May 2006.