First off, I suggested to to Jeff that telling Susan that her PMS was a “mental problem,” was not only just plain risky, it was also just plain incorrect! I went on to explain that, in most cases, there are physiological causes of PMS including one that he might find surprising — spinal misalignment. He seemed shocked that Susan’s back could actually be the culprit. But, I explained to both him and Susan that spinal subluxations, particularly in the lower back, can commonly produce a diverse variety of female health conditions in addition to Premenstrual Syndrome, such as pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, incontinence, and even infertility.

Then I told them how chiropractic can help to relieve the symptoms of PMS because chiropractic treatments get rid of nerve impingement in the body. The fact is that the nervous system controls and regulates every cell, fiber, tissue, organ, and system in the body. Susan’s reproductive system is included in this master regulation. If her reproductive system isn’t functioning optimally due to nerve impedance, it can produce a variety of symptoms such as those analogous with PMS like agitation, pain, heavy bleeding, or severe cramping if her reproductive system were overactive. Missed periods or infertility can be caused by an under-activity reproductive system.

I concluded by telling them that on the positive side, if nerve disturbance was generating Susan’s PMS symptoms, then I could help because chiropractic adjustments restore harmony and balance to the nervous system and, hence, help it to function more normally.

I’ve known for years that along with improved overall health, many women experience recovered reproductive health, as well, while under chiropractic care. Chiropractic care offers an all natural solution for PMS that could help you to avoid periodic misery, without medication, and keep you pain-free and active all month long.

So, we went to my chiropractic clinic and I adjusted Susan. Needless to say, the rest of the visit went more smoothly for all three of us!

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Like me, you may be questioning whether or not our human pursuit of longevity has unexpectedly been replaced by a mission to find immortality. No doubt, you’ve been reading a lot recently about the astounding heart benefits of red wine (resveratrol), the extraordinary memory retention benefits of coffee (caffeine), and the myriad benefits of a multitude of natural supplements that, in their own way, “guarantee” to reduce or prevent every known cause of mortality.

To start with, let me make it super clear that I unwaveringly believe that certain~particular things that we ingest can be beneficial to our health. Therefore, I’m absolutely not against taking supplements. Not only do I recommend them to my patients, but take them myself. Secondly, if confession is good for the soul, and red wine is good for the heart, then I’d like to take this opportunity to help both by stating for the record that I enjoy drinking a glass of red wine. The suggestion that it might have heart-healthy properties, well, that’s like icing on the cake, so to speak. And, lastly, as far as caffeine’s ability to genuinely reverse or prevent Alzheimer’s disease goes, I believe that if that were generally true, life would be far less frightening and far more enjoyable for many people and their families.

However, before taking ill-considered action, and indiscriminately adding another cup of coffee to your morning habit, an extra glass of red wine to your evening meal, or an extra expenditure of your hard-earned cash on exotic herbs that promise to make you live forever, let’s rationally consider a couple of things.

For instance, let us consider the fact that we, humans, are dynamic, biological beings, free to enthusiastically interact with life. We have not been detained in a cage, and not one of us has been “propagated” to artificially develop the age-related debilitation and disease that lab animals are bred to do, conditions that are then “reversed” by resveratrol, caffeine, or some exotic herb.

Basically, our being dynamic and biological is another way of saying that we, humans, are not ” mechanistic automatons.” In other words, we aren’t all precisely alike. Due to the fact that our central integrative states are not exactly the same, internal provocation factors and external irritation influences affect us in different ways. For example, though smoking cigarettes is commonly harmful to most people, there are a few individuals who can smoke cigarettes and still achieve longevity without any related ill effects.

Scientific studies isolate certain variables in order to achieve particular outcomes. That’s scientific inquiry! But, because the results occur through such isolation, and due to the fact that they are generally done on animals, when it comes to translating such results to humans, it can be said that what may work for some of the people all of the time, won’t work for all of the people all of the time, and sometimes won’t work at all (to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln!).

You make choices each day, some that are intentional and others that may be indifferent, that will affect your physical health, now and in the future. You decide what (and how much) you’ll eat and drink, and the amount of physical activity and rest you’ll get. Even though you can “sense” what is healthy for you, by the way your body responds, sometimes, perhaps too often, you may override the feedback. Clearly, when you don’t consciously make healthy choices, you jeopardize your health and longevity.

Then you, like many others, may enthusiastically jump on the bandwagon of the latest report that announces that researchers have uncovered THE VERY THING that has the potency to reverse all of the excessive and unhealthy things you have been doing to your body on a routine basis! Talk about wishful thinking!

Your human body is an elegantly complex, homeostatic system. In other words, every operation is interdependent and sensitively balanced. When you choose an unhealthy lifestyle, your fastidiously-responsive system gets “off balance.” Sooner or later, the imbalances created by choosing unhealthily, result in diseases and a shortened lifespan.

As a chiropractor who supplements daily, I suggest that you supplement, too, if they help you to feel vigorously healthy. I agree, as well, that if it feels like the thing to do, an extra cup of coffee might actually be personally beneficial for you. And, if it truly feels healthy, have a little more red wine. Just keep in mind, however, that the only authentic way that you can prevent or reverse age-related health problems is by changing an unhealthy lifestyle. You won’t become healthier or live longer by waiting for the discovery of a “magic potion.”

Dr. Jamie Phillips, a Santa Barbara Chiropractor, has been in private chiropractic practice for 24 years. She is also a consultant for Bloczone Marketing, a chiropractic internet marketing company specializing in chiropractic websites that attract new patients. She can be reached at (805) 985-9502

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Non-trauma knee problems: Insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the corresponding stress on the soft tissues of the knee are, by far, the most common cause of non-traumatic pain. Generally, the part of the knee implicated is the patella or knee-cap. Frequently the patella does not move smoothly or does not move adequately on the femur during bending of the knee producing undue stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is frequently called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). The condition usually originates when there are imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that attach to and move the patella. Lower back ailments, especially in the sacroiliac joints, are one of the primary reasons for imbalances in the muscles related to knee movement, and subsequent knee problems. Pain and dysfunction can also be produced by imbalances in the muscle groups that attach to the knee. For example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh, when strained and tight, can create pain on the medial or inside of the knee.   Faulty foot mechanics that cause gait deviations such as pronation, are another cause of mechanical knee pain.

Evidence of overuse includes pain during activities such as climbing stairs, running, jumping, as well as pain upon getting up after prolonged sitting. Many women are likely to be predisposed to painful overuse problems for anatomical reasons, although such ailments are often caused by wearing high heels on a regular basis.

It is important to re-establish proper muscle balance, restore appropriate motion to the patella and other knee joints, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot.  In specific cases, a brace is used to assist with the positioning of the patella or to support the joint. Chiropractors, such as your San Jose chiropractor, are highly experienced in administering the appropriate diagnosis and care of these problems.

Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries often take place during sports that involve running and jumping, particularly. When the knee is pulled or contorted beyond the capability of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can occur creating a sprain. Strains to muscles that facilitate movement of the knee can occur when the muscles are torn during injury. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a minor injury that necessitates little treatment to a severe injury needing surgery. The knee also is comprised of two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that provide for fluid motion and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and often require surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.

Traumatic knee injuries can cause intense pain and swelling and need urgent evaluation and care. In the majority of cases a competent chiropractor, such as your San Jose Chiropractor, can take excellent care of these types of injuries, however there are some injuries that do need the craft of an orthopedic surgeon. Whatever the case, it is crucial to stabilize the injured joint as soon as possible and to put ice on the hurt area, if possible, until the injury can be assessed.

Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be corrected at an early stage. If not, the tissues of the knee joint, expressly the cartilage, will start to erode. In that event the bones will rub on one another, and changes such as bone spurs can take place. This painful affliction, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, commonly advances with age. Common treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Nevertheless, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are very effective such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely valuable in relieving the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is will be happy to recommend anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, people can usually help themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.

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