I read with interest this article in last week’s Seattle Times: The first patient in the U.S. has been identified as infected with bacteria resistant to an antibiotic that was the last resort against drug-resistant germs. While the patient in Pennsylvania has recovered, the case raises a troubling issue that has been reported for some
Read moreThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March 2016 issued guidelines regarding the prescription of opioids for pain management. While I applaud that announcement, I like to remind my patients that chiropractic has always been a conservative form of pain management that helps patients avoid their reliance on addictive painkillers. I have talked before
Read moreLike most of you, I rely on text messaging to communicate with friends, family and professional associates. But it’s important to be aware that texting can be hard on your spine. A study published in Surgical Technology International finds that texting can add up to 50 pounds of pressure on a person’s spine, depending on
Read moreFollow these suggestions to ensure better posture.
Read moreThe perfect, pointy pair of 4-inch heels can make any outfit, but studies show that women pay a price for this type of fashion. Those towering shoes take their toll on your spine, hips, knees, ankles and feet, while altering your posture and gait. Want to learn more? Check out this graphic, prepared by Florida’s
Read moreRecently, the American Medical Association proposed a ban on direct-to-consumer advertisements for prescription drugs and implantable medical devices. As someone who for years has been advocating drug-free pain relief through chiropractic care, I welcome this stance. I only wish the AMA would have done it sooner! I always encourage my patients to educate themselves on
Read moreLast month, our local online newspaper, MLTnews.com, had a compelling story about the heroin epidemic in Snohomish County. I was struck by one quote in particular from a University of Washington researcher, who was explaining what influences teens to start using opioids — usually oxycodone, and usually obtained from their parents’ medicine cabinet. (Turns out
Read moreNext time you reach into the medicine cabinet seeking relief for a headache, backache or arthritis, be aware of important safety information for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is strengthening an existing warning in prescription drug labels and over-the-counter (OTC) Drug Facts labels to indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can
Read moreSit up straight, Mom always said. And she was right. Good posture not makes a good impression — standing up straight is good for your health.Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture helps us stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions that place the
Read moreIt’s a fact: Pain killers are overused in the U.S., and a major problem is Americans’ long-term use of opioid drugs. This is covered in a report: A Nation in Pain: Focusing on U.S. Opioid Trends for Treatment of Short-Term and Longer-Term Pain. The study reviewed 36 million claims from 6.8 million insured Americans from
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