New research- why you should call a Denver chiropractor first…

A recent study confirms the idea that for certain painful problems – back, neck, hip or shoulder problems – your first call should be to a chiropractic office like ours (303.300.0424 if you need us).

Swiss researchers contacted 719 patients who initially visited either a doctor of chiropractic (DC) or medical doctor (MD) for either spinal, hip, or shoulder pain. The patients who sought care from a DC first reported higher scores for both satisfaction with the care they received as well as the outcome of care. The researchers add that the total costs associated with patients who sought chiropractic care were four-times lower than those who sought medical care first.

While we can’t fix 100% of the problems that people bring to us, we certainly will try our hardest to fix 100%. With Active Release Techniques, our success rate is pretty high. And if we can’t help you (or your friends or family) we will refer you out to someone else. Your trust in times of need is greatly appreciated. (Study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, August 2015)

Here’s the rest of 1-Page Health News:

 

Health Alert: Bigger Families Mean More Sickness.
Being part of a big family boosts the risk of passing on viral infections that cause colds, flu, and other respiratory infections. In a recent study, researchers found viral infections were present in childless households an average of three to four weeks a year. In homes with one child, viral infections were present for 18 weeks a year and the number jumped to 45 weeks a year in homes with six children. Study co-author Dr. Carrie Byington writes, “A lot families go through wave after wave of illness. In fact, some of the kids we monitored had symptoms for 20 to 25 weeks in a row… This study helps us to understand what is normal in young children, and can help us determine when illness should be a cause for concern.”
Clinical Infectious Diseases, August 2015

Diet: Meat Intake May Influence a Man’s Fertility.
A new study concerning couples undergoing vitro fertilization treatment has found that males who consume a lot of processed meats have lower fertilization rates than men whose diet contains few, if any, processed meats. Researcher Dr. Natan Bar-Chama writes, “Decreasing processed-meat consumption can now be added to the list of recommendations — such as to stop smoking, decrease alcohol consumption and lose weight — that we can offer to men prior to fertility treatments to optimize outcomes.”
Fertility & Sterility, August 2015

Exercise: Even a Little Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Benefits Those Over 60.
An analysis of published research suggests that just a little moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every week can curb the risk of early death among those over the age of 60. Though current recommendations call for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, the data suggests that performing as little as half of the recommended amount can provide health benefits for older adults. The authors conclude, “Based on these results, we believe that the target for physical activity in the current recommendations might be too high for older adults and may discourage some of them… The fact that any effort will be worthwhile may help convince those 60% of participants over 60 years of age, who do not practice any regular physical activity, to become active.”
British Journal of Sports Medicine. August 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Signs of Heat Stroke.
Heat stroke occurs when the body’s heat-regulating system fails to work properly due to high temperature. Potential heat stroke symptoms include having a body temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) or higher, confusion, irritability, becoming red or flushed, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, headache, rapid heart rate, seizures, and becoming comatose.
Mayo Clinic, August 2015

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center- This week’s 1-page health news

Our very popular rehab expert, clinical assistant and X-Ray tech, Kacee, told us last week that she and her son are moving back to North Dakota to be closer to family. Her last day will be June 18. So there’s still time to come on in and say goodbye to Kacee. She’ll be tough to replace.

Here’s this week’s 1-Page Health News:

Leafy Greens May Protect Aging Brains.
An evaluation of the eating habits and mental abilities of over 950 older adults revealed that eating a single serving of leafy green vegetables per day may reduce an individual’s risk for dementia. The study found that those who consumed one or two servings of spinach, kale, mustard greens, collards, or similar vegetables on a daily basis experienced slower mental deterioration than those who ate no leafy greens at all. Dr. Yvette Sheline, a professor of psychiatry and neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine writes, “It makes sense that leafy green vegetables would have an effect on mental health… We know generally that what you eat, or don’t eat, can affect your risk for high blood pressure and vascular disease, which can both then worsen the course of dementia.”
American Society for Nutrition Annual Meeting, March 2015

New Broccoli Reduces Cholesterol.
Eating ten or more weekly servings of a new variety of broccoli has been demonstrated to reduce Low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) levels by about 6%. This new broccoli variety known as Beneforte was bred to contain two to three times more glucoraphanin, a compound that is converted to sulphoraphane inside the body. Previous research has observed that sulphoraphane activates genes that keep the body from converting excess dietary fat and sugar into bad cholesterol.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, April 2015

Exercise: Exercise Helps Fibromyalgia Patients.
An 18-week functional training program for women with fibromyalgia (FM) resulted in reductions in both pain and tender points along with a positive impact on their overall quality of life. If further studies verify these findings, such training (which consisted of two sessions of in-water exercise and one session of on-land exercise each week) could play an important role in helping FM patients maintain an independent lifestyle.
Modern Rheumatology, April 2015

Chiropractic: Could Migraines and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Be Linked?
Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center suggest that carpal tunnel syndrome can increase an individual’s risk for migraine headaches, and migraines may increase the likelihood of one developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 26,000 Americans and found that the risk of migraine was 2.6 times higher in people with carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly, the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome was 2.7 times higher among migraine sufferers.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, March 2015

What Part of the Day Do Teens Become Less Active?
While adolescents have been observed to be less physically active and spend more time performing sedentary activities as they grow older, no previous studies have analyzed how these changes occur during the course of a teen’s average week. In this study, 363 teens wore accelerometers at both age 12 and age 15, and researchers recorded how much time was spent each day being inactive or performing either light physical activity or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. They found that by age 15, participants were sedentary 7-8% more often during school hours and both after school and on weekends. Across the board, students spent about 7% less time performing light physical activities while moderate-to-vigorous activity levels remained largely unchanged. Due to the increase in sedentary time across all aspects of an adolescent’s week, the investigators recommend that future interventions intended to help teens become more active need to focus on both their in-school and after-school/weekend activities.
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, April 2015

Denver Chiropractor Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center and this week’s 1-Page Health News

We are in the very final stages of our office remodel, and I’m happy to say that all of our treatment rooms are open again. During the construction, there were a few weeks where we had just one treatment room, and that’s why it was tough for some of you to get in to see us. We are truly sorry about the inconvenience, but we are fully operational once again! So if you need us, call us 303.300.0424 (or reply to this email to get straight to Natalie at front desk.)

Here’s this week’s 1-Page Health News:

Mental Attitude: Your Speaking Skills May Be the Key to Making Things Happen.
Investigators at the University of Chicago report that your voice may be instrumental in advancing your career. In the study, researchers found that evaluators were more moved to action by well-spoken pitches than well-written submissions.
Journal of Psychological Science, February 2015

Health Alert: New Data on E-Cigarette Use Among College Students.
Surveys completed by nearly 1,400 college students show that 30% have at least tried e-cigarettes. Among current e-cigarette users, 87% previously used another nicotine product and nearly 35% used other non-cigarette tobacco products during the previous month. The data also show that students who use e-cigarettes tend to have average or below-average grades.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, April 2015

Diet: Salt Intake May Affect More Than Your Blood Pressure.
A new study warns that eating too much salt may damage your blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain, even if you don’t develop high blood pressure. Researchers say that even if people do not develop high blood pressure, excessive salt consumption can lead to reduced function of the inner lining of blood vessels, enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart, kidney function issues, and damage to the sympathetic nervous system.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, March 2015

Exercise: Can Exercise Improve Your Child’s Math Grades?
After performing physical fitness tests on 273 elementary school students, Indian researchers found that those with the greatest levels of aerobic fitness scored 8-11% higher on math tests than their least fit peers, even after adjusting for gender, socioeconomic status, and weight status. Because physical fitness could elevate a student’s grade from a C to a B or a B to an A, the researchers recommend educators and policymakers look for opportunities to promote physical activity during the school day.
PLOS ONE, March 2015

Chiropractic: Sitting Increases Back Pain Risk?
While most people think of back pain as resulting from strenuous physical activity, a new study finds that the more time an individual spends sitting each day at both home and work, the greater their risk for a back injury. In the study, researchers found that among a group of 201 blue-collar workers, those who spent the most time sitting on their average day were three times more likely to experience back pain when compared with those who sit the fewest hours on a given day.
PLOS ONE, March 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Insufficient Sleep Linked to Overnight Increases in Blood Pressure.
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that individuals who don’t sleep enough hours experience a rise in blood pressure and an elevated heart rate when they do sleep, the opposite of what occurs in those who get sufficient quality sleep. Researcher Dr. Naima Covassin explains, “We know high blood pressure, particularly during the night, is one of the major risk factors for heart disease, and Americans typically do not get enough sleep. For the first time, we demonstrated that insufficient sleep causes increases in nighttime blood pressure and dampens nocturnal blood pressure dipping by using a controlled study that mimics the sleep loss experienced by many people.”
Mayo Clinic, March 2015

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center

Denver Chiropractor Dr. Glenn Hyman celebrates Denver Chiropractic Center’s 17th birthday

In April of 1998, I started Denver Chiropractic Center is a tiny 1-room office on Yale. The front desk, the waiting room, and my treatment table were all in one little 400 square foot space. Now, 17 years later (April 1st is Denver Chiropractic Center’s 17th birthday), our newly remodeled office will feature 3 treatment rooms, a dedicated rehab room, an onsite digital X-ray suite, and a much bigger waiting room. We look forward to taking care of you for years to come in our brand new state-of-the art Chiropractic and Active Release facility!

Remember, we are OPEN during our remodel. We are now the first door on the left when you get off of the elevators. If you need us, call us! 303.300.0424, or reply to this email to get straight to Natalie at the front desk. Our schedule has been completely full most days, so don’t procrastinate :-). In fact I’ll be out Thursday and Friday this week for spring break, so really, don’t wait!

This week’s 1-Page Health News…
Mental Attitude: Do Smartphones Promote Mental Laziness?
Researchers assessed 660 individuals to compare smartphone usage among both analytical and intuitive thinkers. Intuitive thinkers use gut feelings and instinct when making decisions, while analytical thinkers tend to give more thought to solving problems. The team found that intuitive thinkers (and not analytical thinkers) regularly use their smartphone’s search engine rather than their own brains in an attempt to solve problems. The researchers conclude that smartphones enable intuitive thinkers to be even lazier thinkers than normal. Co-lead study author Dr. Nathaniel Barr adds, “Decades of research has revealed that humans are eager to avoid expending effort when problem-solving and it seems likely that people will increasingly use their smartphones as an extended mind.”
Computers in Human Behavior, March 2015

Diet: Mediterranean Diet Appears to Cut Heart Risks.
A study that included more that 2,500 Greek adults who were tracked for ten years found that those who closely adhered to a Mediterranean-style diet significantly lowered their risk of heart disease. The Mediterranean diet is high in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, and olive oil. The researchers say that individuals who most closely followed the diet were 47% less likely to develop heart disease when compared with those who did not follow the diet as closely during the decade-long study. Study co-author Dr. Ekavi Georgousopoulou notes, “Because the Mediterranean diet is based on food groups that are quite common or easy to find, people around the world could easily adopt this dietary pattern and help protect themselves against heart disease with very little costs.”
American College of Cardiology, March 2015

Exercise: Exercise Is Good for the Brain!
Exercise may increase the size of brain regions involved with maintaining both balance and coordination, based on a study that compared MRI scans of identical twins. Researchers found that the twin who was more active possessed more brain volume in the areas of the brain related to movement. Study co-author Dr. Urho Kujala notes, “[the changes] may have health implications in the long-term, such as possibly reducing the risk of falling and mobility limitations in older age.”
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, March 2015

Chiropractic: Here’s Why High Heels May Cause Back Pain…
Wearing heels over two inches tall (or ~50mm) can increase the curve of the lumbar spine by about ten degrees, placing added pressure on the two lower lumbar disks (L5/S1 and L4/L5). This may be one explanation as to why low back pain complaints are more common among women who regularly wear high heels compared with those who do not.
European Spine Journal, March 2015

Wellness/Prevention: Getting Healthier Earlier Keeps Heart Failure at Bay Later in Life.
An analysis of more than 18,000 people tracked for over 40 years reveals the importance of healthy living during middle-age. A research team found that individuals who were obese and possessed hypertension and diabetes by age 45 were diagnosed with heart failure about 11 to 13 years earlier than those who had none of the three risk factors. Study leader Dr. Faraz Ahmad concludes, “The message from this study is that you really want to prevent or delay the onset of these risk factors for as long as possible. Doing so can significantly increase the number of years you are likely to live free of heart failure.”
American College of Cardiology, March 2015
As always, thanks for reading,

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center: This Week’s 1-Page Health News

There may be some truth behind the old wives’ tale that people should keep warm to avoid catching colds. A new study finds the immune system is less effective when it is colder, allowing a common cold virus to enter the nose and replicate more easily. The finding suggests that varying the temperature influences host immunity, rather than the virus, leading the researchers to conclude “cooler temperatures can enable replication of the common cold virus, at least in part, by diminishing antiviral immune responses.”
PNAS, January 2015

 

Mental Attitude: A Happy Childhood is Good for Heart Health Later in Life.
The findings of a new study reveal that adults who had a stable and healthy childhood are more likely to have better cardiovascular health than their peers who had less-stable childhoods. The research team found that adults with the most psychosocial advantages in childhood were 14% more likely to have a normal weight, 12% more likely to be a nonsmoker, and 11% more likely to have healthy blood sugar levels – all of which are connected to better heart health. Examples of psychosocial advantages include being in a family with good health habits, being in a financially secure family, and being taught proper social skills during childhood. Senior study author Dr. Laura Pulkki-Raback adds, “The choices parents make have a long-lasting effect on their children’s future health, and improvement in any one thing can have measurable benefits.”
Circulation, January 2015

Diet: Study Identifies Common Food Allergen Levels that Cause Allergic Reactions.
Individuals with common food allergies are often confused and uncertain if they should eat a food product with vague food labeling such as “may contain nuts.” In the United States, approximately 15 million people have food allergies, with children accounting for about six million of these cases. In a new study, investigators found that participants who were the most sensitive to food allergens needed to consume between 1.6-10.1 mg of hazelnut, peanut, or celery protein, 27.3 mg of fish, or 2.5 grams of shrimp protein to stimulate an allergic response. The research team hopes their findings will better inform food allergy sufferers of the allergen doses that may trigger a reaction and contribute to improved food product labeling in the future.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, January 2015

Exercise: Does Exercise Slow the Aging Process?
Older amateur cyclists who have participated in their sport for decades demonstrated muscle strength, lung power, and exercise capacity similar to non-cyclists about 25 years their junior. This finding underscores the importance of staying physically active well into retirement age.
The Journal of Physiology, January 2015

Chiropractic: Your Eye Doctor Gets Back Pain Too!
There’s a growing body of research that back and neck pain can affect individuals in all job types, even ophthalmologists. A survey completed by 518 ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom found that 50.6% suffered from back pain and 31.8% suffered from neck pain during the previous twelve months, with a total of 62.4% having experienced either one or both. The researchers suspect that awkward and prolonged working postures may be at least partially to blame, and modifications to the work environment may decrease the risk of musculoskeletal injuries among members of this professional group.
International Ophthalmology, January 2015 (If you have back pain, call us! Even if you’re not an eye doctor 🙂

Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D May Play Role in Colon Cancer Survival.
Advanced colon cancer patients with higher vitamin D levels respond better to chemotherapy and targeted anti-cancer drug treatment than patients with lower vitamin D levels, according to a study that included over 1,000 patients. Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society writes, “These findings are interesting, and show that vitamin D may have a role in improving outcomes in cancer care.”
Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, January 2015

If you see this dog, please don’t approach her. & This Week’s 1-Page Health News

This is Liberty. Liberty is a puppy who is training to be a guide dog for the blind. One of our awesome patients, Karen B., is training and socializing Liberty for a year. If you’re coming to our office in the afternoon, you may encounter this super-cute dog. Since she’s working, it’s best for Liberty if you admire her from afar please refrain from approaching her. By doing so, you’ll be contributing a little tiny bit to Liberty’s training.
IMG_0047
This Week’s 1-Page Health News:

Mental Attitude: Misfiring in Brain Linked to OCD.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may be caused by a misfiring of the brain’s control system. Individuals with OCD have frequent upsetting thoughts that they try to control by repeating certain rituals or behaviors. The study involved scanning the brains of 37 individuals with OCD and the brains of 33 individuals who did not have the disorder as they all performed a specific activity to avoid a mild electric shock. The researchers found that OCD participants were unable to stop the specific activity, which revealed overactive brain activity in the caudate (an area of the brain that controls habits) and suggests OCD compulsions may be caused by the habit system in the brain.
American Journal of Psychiatry, December 2014

Diet: Cherry Juice Accelerates Recovery After Cycling.
Montmorency cherry juice appears to help cyclists recover after a hard cycling workout. Researchers found that Montmorency tart cherry juice helped to speed up recovery, maintain muscle function, and reduce markers of inflammation in cyclists who participated in a simulated race.
Cherry Marketing Institute, December 2014

Exercise: Ability to Balance May Reflect Brain Health.
According to new research, the inability to balance on one leg for 20 seconds or longer may signal brain damage in otherwise healthy individuals. In a recent study, participants were asked to balance on one leg up to 60 seconds, received an MRI of the brain, and completed a test to measure cognitive impairment. Those who were unable to balance on one leg for more than 20 seconds showed evidence of cerebral small vessel disease as well as lower cognitive function scores. The researchers add that long-term studies are needed to verify these findings and fully assess the significance of postural instability.
Stroke, December 2014

Chiropractic: Neck, Shoulder, and Back Pain Among High School Students.
Chinese researchers evaluated questionnaires completed by 3,600 high school students and found that 41.1% had experienced neck/shoulder pain and 32.8% had experienced back pain during the previous year. The researchers identified physical inactivity (increased sedentary behavior / low levels of physical exercise), heavy backpacks, mental stress, and insufficient sleep as risk factors for neck, shoulder, and back pain in the high school student population.
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, October 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Young Children Need Eye Screening.
Experts from the United States National Center for Children’s Vision Health say that all children should have their eyesight evaluated yearly between the ages of three and six. Children in this age group require screening to detect vision issues such as amblyopia (“lazy eye”) and strabismus (a disorder of eye alignment), which can require glasses. Dr. Anthony Adams, the editor-in-chief of the journal Optometry and Vision Science, adds, “Unfortunately, many children receive neither appropriate screening to help identify those who need immediate eye attention, nor a comprehensive examination by an eye care professional, prior to beginning school.” The goal of the new guidelines is to ensure that pre-school children with vision problems are identified and receive appropriate eye examinations and follow-up care to help ensure their development and readiness for elementary school.
Optometry and Vision Science, December 2014

Denver Chiropractic Center: Lower Injury Risk Among Elderly Who Visit Their Chiropractor.

A retrospective cohort study has revealed that the risk of injury to the head, neck, or trunk following a visit to the chiropractor is lower than following an office visit for evaluation by a primary care physician. The findings come from Medicare data on patients 66 to 99 years of age. The investigators found that the risk of injury was 40 incidents per 100,000 subjects who visited a chiropractor, as compared to 153 incidents per 100,000 subjects who received care at a medical doctor’s office. The finding supports the relative safety of chiropractic care for seniors.
Spine, December 2014

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center

We hope all of you had a great holiday week. We’ll be back in the office Monday morning and look forward to catching up with all of you.

If something’s been bugging you, give us a call 303.300.0424 (phones will open at 9am), or simply reply to this email to get straight to Natalie’s desk. She’ll get back to you Monday morning. This is going to be another shortened week in our office because of New Year’s festivities, so don’t procrastinate ;).

Be on the lookout for a letter from Baby New Year with a special gift in your mailbox in the next few days.

Chiropractic: Chronic Pain Reduces Independence Among Seniors.
Compared with older adults who are pain-free, seniors with chronic musculoskeletal pain are more likely to have reduced mobility and a greater risk of falling down. Unfortunately, half of the elderly recruited for this study suffered from chronic musculoskeletal pain. (Note- the whole idea of chiropractic care is to take care of your spine and muscles regularly to prevent chronic pain and loss of mobility when you’re older. You’ll be hearing much more about this in 2015 as our goal is to keep you, our patients, healthy and moving throughout your long, healthy, happy lives!)
Pain Practice, December 2014

Mental Attitude: Belonging to Social Groups is Good for Mental Health.
A new report finds that having a strong identification with a social group can help protect against a person from mental illness. Researchers assessed nearly 3,000 individuals’ identification with family, local community, and social groups. They found that subjectively identifying with at least one social group seems to shield individuals from depression.
Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology in Glasgow, December 2014

Health Alert: Common Cholesterol Drug Might Raise Risk for Cataracts.
Canadian researchers say their new study indicates that taking a statin medication to lower cholesterol may elevate an individual’s risk of developing cataracts. More specifically, they found that those who took statins for at least a year had about a 27% increased risk of developing cataracts that required surgery compared with people who did not take statins. Lead researcher Dr. G.B. Mancini explains that this study does not prove that statins cause cataracts and that clinical trials are needed to support or refute this association.
Canadian Journal of Cardiology, December 2014

Diet: Red Wine Ingredient Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects.
Resvertrol, a natural substance found in red wine, appears to activate a protein in the body that helps mediate inflammation. Researcher Dr. Andrea Pautz adds, “We now know more precisely how resveratrol inhibits the formation of the inflammatory factors that trigger cardiovascular diseases. This is an important finding in view of the fact that more recent research has shown that cardiovascular diseases are significantly promoted by inflammatory processes in the body.”
Nucleic Acids Research, December 2014

Exercise: Running May Lower Alzheimer’s Death Risk.
New research suggests that running 15 miles (~ 24 km) a week may reduce an individual’s risk of dying from Alzheimer’s disease. The study followed more than 153,000 runners and walkers for an average of almost 12 years. The results indicate that those who ran more than 15.3 miles (~ 24.6 km) a week had a 40% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease-related mortality. The researchers note that walking can produce a similar protective effect if an individual walks an average of about 30 miles (~ 48 km) per week.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, November 2014

Chiropractic: Back Pain Affects Dentists Too!
Interviews with nearly 400 Brazilian Dentists reveal that back pain is a fairly common complaint among those in the profession, affecting 58.4% of those questioned. The researchers found the following characteristics are associated with musculoskeletal pain complaints among dentists: awkward posture at work, prolonged standing or sitting, strenuous position of the upper limbs, excessive tightening of the hands during clinical treatment, and the use of vibrating tools.
Applied Ergonomics, September 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Be a Smart Patient.
Playing an active role in your health is very important when scheduling a procedure at the doctor’s office or hospital. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions: ask questions or tell your doctor you need more information, share complete medical and family history, keep a record of all medications and vitamin supplements, and talk to your provider about learning more about your condition or surgery.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, December 2014

Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center- 90 second post run stretch session

Help prevent back pain, hip pain and knee pain by regularly using these simple stretches! Happy Running.

Dr. Glenn Hyman
Denver Chiropractic Center
303.300.0424

How I spent my Sunday at Ironman Boulder and this week’s 1-Page Health News

by Dr. Glenn Hyman’s Denver Chiropractic Center:

My oldest son Andrew and I spent this Sunday volunteering at the Ironman Triathlon. We were a part of my triathlon club, Altitude Multisport Club’s aid station on the bike. Andrew and I were sent down the road to warn athletes on the bike about bumps on the railroad tracks. We had a great time yelling “Bump ahead!” for hours on end. Congratulations to our many patients who did the race!

IMG_0459

Andrew and I out on the course.

And here’s the 1-Page Health News.

Exercise: Cardio & Motor Fitness Skills Improve Academic Performance.
Most would agree that being physically active during childhood offers many benefits to mental and physical health. A new study indicates that cardiorespiratory capacity and motor ability have a strong influence on brain health and academic performance. The study involved 2,038 children and collected data on physical fitness, body composition, and academic performance. The findings suggest that efforts should be made to promote physical activity that encourages children to exercise aerobically and engage in motor tasks that develop physical speed, agility, and coordination.
The Journal of Pediatrics, June 2014

Chiropractic: Farming is Hard on the Body.
Agricultural workers often compromise their musculoskeletal health due to ergonomic risks associated with their jobs. Using a sample of data from the National Health Interview Survey that’s believed to represent the two-million agricultural workers in the United States, researchers estimate that 24% of farm workers experienced back pain and 10.5% experienced neck pain during the previous 90 days.
Journal of Agromedicine, June 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Cocoa Extract Could Prevent Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease is predicted to affect nearly 16 million Americans by 2050. Researchers are hopeful that cocoa extract could be a possible preventative treatment. Lavado, an extract from cocoa, may reduce or block damage to nerve pathways in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, thus reducing symptoms such as cognitive decline. According to the researchers, lavado cocoa extract could pave the way for new treatments, but further studies are needed to better understand how the extract works in the human brain.
Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, June 2014

Exercise: Bicycling Leads to Good Feelings.
Compared with all modes of transportation, people who ride their bicycles are the happiest, followed by automobile passengers and drivers.
Transportation, May 2014

Chiropractic: Heavy Physical Work and Low Back Pain.
Among Brazil’s urban cleaning workers (drivers, trash collectors, maintenance workers, etc.), musculoskeletal pain — and low back pain in particular — is a major public health issue. Researchers interviewed 657 workers and found that 37% have experienced back pain lasting more than one week during the previous year, and of that group, 62.8% experienced back pain within the last seven days. Workers who described bending over and twisting as part of their job functions were much more likely to experience pain in one or more anatomical regions, as were workers who frequently worked overtime. Of note, workers who performed more dynamic and fewer repetitive movements on the job were less likely to experience back pain.
Brazilian Journal of Epidemiology, March 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Elevated Blood Pressure Number Determines Risks.
New research points to the type of heart risk individuals face based on which number of their blood pressure reading is high. Researchers found that an elevated systolic blood pressure (top number) was associated with an increased risk of bleeding strokes and stable angina while those with a higher diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) were more likely to be diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Lead investigator Dr. Eleni Rapsomaniki writes, “Our estimates provide vital new information that can be used to improve patient counseling and decision-making for people with hypertension, which are currently based mainly on the risks of heart attack and stroke, and will help to focus guidelines and doctors to the cardiovascular conditions that might be more common, and in which screening and treatments are more likely to have an effect.”
The Lancet, May 2014