Dr. Richards Speaks to Surgical Group in Asheville

Dr. Richards was invited to speak to a group of surgeons in Asheville. Rep. Bruce Goforth was also in attendance.

Mountain Neurology and Spine Center hosted a meeting of the North Carolina Chiropractic Association last Thursday (3/14/08). Approximately 40 doctors were present to enjoy a presentation by Dr. Jon Sherman about the latest technology used in Neurosurgery today and a presentation by NCCA-western district president, Dr. David Richards, about commonly used chiropractic techniques. Rep. Bruce Goforth also addressed the group to discuss political issues of importance to the patients we see.

Meetings of this nature are always exciting. After so many decades of consternation between the chiropractic and medical profession, this kind of inter-professional engagement is historic and encouraging. There is a developing spirit of cooperation between the chiropractic and medical professions. Imagine, only a few decades ago, chiropractors were being imprisoned for practicing their art. Now, just a few years later, the most prestigious medical centers are exploring its benefits and encouraging patients to utilize chiropractic care.

Dr. Richards has been committed to creating this kind of inter-professional dialog and helping to create a better medical climate for chiropractic patients, both now and in the future. Dr. Richards has also spoken at Pardee Health Center, Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care, Mountain Area Health Education Center, Blue Ridge Community College, and more.

TV Celeb: chiropractic is "amazing!"

The following article is reprinted from: http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2008/mar/a.htm
Emmy Award‑winning talk show host Montel Williams, gave an enthusiastic endorsement of chiropractic on the Dec. 18th episode of his television show, saying, "It's the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me!"

Williams, who was diagnosed in 1999 with multiple sclerosis, told the audience that after suffering from pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, he experienced almost instantaneous relief from pain with his first chiropractic adjustment. "There's not a person who knows me who will not confirm this," he said. "...I am walking differently, my pain is less, I've already regained strength in my left leg. Williams added that he could stand up straight without pain for the first time in more than five years.

The broadcast included a filmed segment with Williams' chiropractor, Patrick Kerr, DC, who uses Atlas Orthogonal upper cervical techniques. Dr. Kerr, using a model of the upper spine, explained the basic workings of the spine, noting that misalignment of the spine, particularly at C1 and C2, causes mechanical compression of the nerve roots that exit the spine, causing dysfunction.

Kerr also appeared as a guest on the show, which was recently canceled after 17 years on the air. After introducing his chiropractor, Williams jokingly said, "Everyone knows my head is screwed on wrong ... basically, you screwed it on right!" Later, he expressed amazement that the cervical adjustment gave him "almost instantaneous" relief of much of his lower body pain, that he "felt weird" afterwards and that "it was almost as if for the first time I could stand straight in the last five years."

The chiropractic portion of the show was quickly circulated across the Internet, as doctors and chiropractic supporters placed a popular YouTube video of the program on their own sites. That video can be seen at www.worldchiropracticalliance.org .

How to Feel 14 Years Younger

Would you like to live longer and feel 14 years younger? Recent studies have shown that 4 health habits can add from 10 to 14 years to your life!

These healthy habits include:

No smoking
At least half an hour of daily exercise
Drinking alcohol in moderation
Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day

According to researchers, having all four of those healthy habits “was equivalent to being 14 years younger”.

One study followed 15,000 United States veterans, aged 58-60, for 7.5 years. The fittest men were the least likely to die during the study. Fitness was tested by exercising to exhaustion and measuring age, blood pressure, BMI, as well as other factors. Compared to men with a low fitness level, death rates were 50%-70% lower for fit men.

Two British studies show similar results. One followed 20,200 British men and women for 11 years. They reported health history, drinking, smoking, and exercise habits. The death rate during the study was 4 times lower for people with healthy habits. .

What we’ve been told all of our lives is still true: Eat right, exercise, quit smoking, and drink alcohol only in moderation. But now research has shown us that these healthy habits will give us an extra 14 years!

References:
WebMD Article 1
WebMD Article 2
WebMD Article 3

Is that Diet Soda Really Working?

Are you trying to lose weight? Consuming artificial sweeteners may actually be making it harder to control your weight according to researchers.

According to new research by psychologists at Purdue University’s Ingestive Behavior Research Center, rats that were given yogurt with saccharin (Sweet & Low) consumed more calories, put on more body fat, and gained more weight than rats given yogurt sweetened with simple sugar.

It seems that when you eat something sweet, your body and core temperature rev up to prepare for high calorie intake. When the high calories don’t follow the sweet sensation, the body can compensate by consuming more calories to feel the same sense of satisfaction.

Other artificial sweeteners may not be worth it either. Splenda (sucralose) has been blamed for headaches, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, and panic attacks just to name a few. Nutrasweet (aspartame) has been blamed for, among other symptoms, decreased vision, hearing loss, gastrointestinal difficulties, and depression.

Depending upon low-calorie foods made with artificial sweeteners may not be the short-cut many people are looking for. But the good news is that with a little discipline and moderation, you can still consume natural sugar and prevent the weight gain.

Further study is required as these results were based on laboratory rats, but the Center believes studies in humans will find the results to be very similar.

Reference:
Eurekalert