Welcome to Dr. Lawson, DC Blog for the latest in health information and news from the doctor himself. We will post items of interest for our patients and readers as well as any office updates. Feel free to subscribe to this blog to your RSS feed / home page browser by clicking on the associated buttons listed on the left hand side of this page.
Visit Kearny Mesa San Diego Chiropractor Dr. Marc Lawson today, for healing chiropractic services for carpal tunnel, back pain, TMJ, nutrition, neck pain, leg pain, and adjustments in San Diego, CA.
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People suffering from TMJ or jaw pain condition can lead to chronic inflammation issue of the body. From clenching or grinding teeth at night, chewing food, impact to the jaw, and even yawning can over time lead to a misalignment of the jaw joint known as a TMJ or jaw problem. Such TMJ problems shows symptoms such as muscle spasm and pain of the jaw area, headaches, sinus issues, balance problems, tooth pain, and even neck pain. Over time this can lead to chronic inflammation condition of the TMJ area.
Studies have shown that lack of calcium in the body can lead to chronic inflammation condition. Yet when blood work is performed often time the calcium level is found to be normal. How can this be? Because blood work preformed from the lab measures the amount of calcium level in your blood, which can be lacking in the tissue of the body. The blood work can show normal calcium in the blood which NOT necessary the proper level in the body tissue. Lack of calcium in the tissue can lead to a chronic inflammatory condition which can worsen a TMJ condition and symptoms.
A specialize in office test can detect if the proper amount of tissue calcium is present. If the test shows calcium lacking then different nutritional supplements can be tested to determine which supplement can actually raise the calcium level in the tissue. Surprising adding more calcium to the body via calcium supplements does not necessary raise it and sometimes even lowers it. Because the body uses other cofactors to help break down and use the existing calcium in the blood to the tissue the right co-factors needs to be identified which varies from person to person. With the right co-factors in the body the calcium level in the tissue raises to a normal level which help reduce such chronic inflammation. This is turn can help TMJ sufferers decrease their symptoms.
When it comes time to buy a new bed, you want to focus on quality and durability of the mattress to support your spine while you sleep. If you wake up in the morning with pain in back or neck, pain or numbness in the arm or the leg, then you may have an old bed that may be causing you spinal issues.
Often the box springs in the bed are worn out and/or the mattress has soft spots, allowing your spine to shift creating nerve pressure while you sleep, causing you pain and/or numbness in the morning when you wake up.
Firmness and durability are key to a good bed. The rule of thumb is get a bed and mattress as firm as you can handle. You want a bed that can last ten to fifteen years or more, without wearing out or breaking, affecting your spine as you sleep. Some bed companies will allow you to swap the new mattress after trying it out, if the mattress is too firm or soft for you.
Cheap beds wear out faster so best to shop for a good quality bed. Beds made for hotel chains tend to be more expensive in price but last much longer and are usually better value over the long term.
Finally, you should rotate or flip your mattress every six months to one year, to even out the wear and tear and avoid developing soft spots causing your spine to shift. After getting a good spinal alignment at the chiropractic office the last thing you would want is your old bed to undo it!
Yes, a Chiropractor is trained similar to a Medical Doctor to evaluate a patient for possible disc herniation, bulge or protrusion. Specialize orthopedic and neurological tests are performed by the Chiropractor to identify such conditions. Additional tests such as X Ray and / or MRI maybe ordered on the patient as well to conform such a diagnosis.
In addition Chiropractic tests are performed by the Chiropractor to see if the patient can be safety treated in the office or needs be referred out to another Medical specialist. More information can be found on our herniated disc page here:
Continue reading "Can a chiropractor diagnose a herniated disc?"
8 out of 10 people will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives, often times keeping them from being able to perform various activities. As a Chiropractor, besides getting patients out of pain as quick as possible, I also teach them how to re-educate and strengthen their spine. Before using any of these tips listed before always check with your own health professional as you don’t want to worsen any spinal problems!
Be up and moving around as much as possible or stretch out on your side or back with your knees bent to take pressure off your spine.
Sitting is usually the hardest on the back, take a 5 minutes break every 30 minutes to get up and walk around to help the spine.
Do not hunch over the computer station or steering wheel when sitting, use a full length back on chair or car seat with proper lumbar support to help you sit up straight.
Mild walking, swimming or level bike riding is usually helpful. Gentle stretching and mild exercise that is non painful to the problem area is also useful.
Be careful not to twist or bend your spine, especially if you have to lift, carry, push or pull objects. If you must then support your back as much as you can. Also always lift with your legs muscles rather than your back muscles to help protect your spine.For women, wearing heels less than one inch can help back pain. For men, moving the wallet from the back pocket to the front pocket can help as well. In both cases the lower back is being more stress usually aggravating back pain. Ice or heat can be useful to the problem area, check with your health professional how to best use them. Rule of thumb is no heat within 24 hours of a new injury because of the chance of increase swelling.
Dr. Melvin Page DDS discovered through lab testing with patients the optimal human diet to restore human health, help detox the body and maintain proper weight.
Statin drugs are the most prescribe drug in this country, but do they work?
A new meta-analysis (review of previous studies) found that statins do not lower death rates among patients with risk factors but no evidence of established cardiovascular disease who take them as a preventive measure.
Yet another study on men who have undergone surgery for prostate cancer, statin use appears to reduce return of the disease.
Nine clinical trials showed over the last six years have found no benefit to the use of statins in the prevention of heart disease.
Other studies showed Statin drugs does not seem effective in preventing nonfatal attacks, while failing to budge the rates of fatal ones.
An analysis of 11 clinical trials that included a total of 65,229 patients, found that among patients who were considered at high risk of heart attack or stroke but who had not had one, statin therapy did not lower the risk of death.
See the link below for more information:
Red yeast rice (RYR) can help in lowering cholesterol. In one study, people who had high cholesterol but had to stop taking statin-type drugs due to muscle pain or weakness (side effects of such drugs).
Those taking red yeast rice lowered both bad LDL and total cholesterol significantly and did not suffer serious side effects ( from Annals of Internal Medicine, June 16, 2009).
There are natural statins found in red yeast rice so anybody taking this supplement should be under medical supervision.
Cinnamon can help lower blood sugar in some people (see Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, May 2010), vinegar and turmeric can help as well by reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. Mustard might be as beneficial too.
Take a look at the link.
Continue reading "Ways to lower cholestrol and blood sugar naturally"
New research from Federal government shows that the diets heavy in carbs shows greater risk in heart disease and diabetics then red meat or fats.
Researchers in a major study found no connection between the amount of saturated fat that a person consumed and the risk of heart disease.
Researchers speculate, is that saturated fat raises levels of so-called good (HDL)cholesterol, which may offset an accompanying rise in general cholesterol.
Harvard study analyzed data from 20 studies around the world, concluding that those who eat four ounces of fresh (not processed) red meat every day face no increased risk of heart disease.
Scientific American research shows growing research into carbohydrate-based diets has demonstrated that the medical establishment may have harmed Americans by steering them toward carbs.
Research at Harvard, concludes that diets rich in carbohydrates that are quickly digestible — like potatoes, white rice and white bread — increase the risk of diabetes and make people more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who eat moderate amounts of meat and fewer carbs.
Go to the link to read the whole article.
Continue reading "New Startling Research on types of Diets and Health"
This study has to be a surgeon’s nightmare. According to Spine, one of the most respected medical journals in the world, over 90% of people with disc herniations will get better without surgery by using “conservative” care such as chiropractic. An MRI (magnetic resonance image) scan will show a disc herniation in approximately 20% of people with no symptoms at all. That means that of 1 in 5 people who feel fine, if you gave them an MRI, you’d see a serious disc problem that could be mistaken for a surgical condition.
What about those who are told they have a disc herniation and they must get back surgery? The paper says something that would send shivers down the Spine of any orthopedic surgeon: "Over time, most patients with disc herniations recover with or without surgery, so that outcomes after five years are similar when surgical and non-surgical approaches are compared..." In other words disc surgery could be refused by nearly all patients with disc herniations and the ultimate outcome would be no different.
But there’s more: failed back surgery syndrome. The failure of back surgery in so many cases is now called by a special name: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. There are approximately 600,000 back surgeries performed per year with about 50% failure rate, or an FBSS rate of 300,000 per year. Where can these people turn?
Reference: . McCulloch M. Focus issue on lumbar herniation: macro- and microdiscectomy. Spine. 21(245):45s-56s.
Why wait until a disc becomes "hot" before exploring chiropractic care? Chiropractic care may help prevent your spine from deterioration and herniation. Chiropractors have even helped people relieve the pain and frustration of failed back surgery (yes, you can receive chiropractic care if you've had spinal surgery) and even prevent future operations. Please get your spine checked. You get your eyes, teeth, and blood pressure checked, why not your spine?
If you know anyone who is facing spinal surgery please have them call us to discuss the chiropractic approach with them. Go here for more info:
Continue reading "Disc Surgery? Wait and It Will Probably Be Unnecessary"
What are the best foods to eat?
Cruciferous Vegetables
The best are: Broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. All of these contain chemicals that seem to turn on your body’s natural detoxifying enzymes. They also block help tumor growth and encourage cancer cells to eliminate themselves.
One study showed that the compounds from these vital veggies shrunk prostate tumors to half their size in only one month.
Tomatoes
The juicy red color is where the powerful antioxidant lycopene comes from. Many studies have shown lycopene to reduce the risk of prostate, breast, lung and uterine cancers. Lycopene appears to interfere with abnormal cell growth as well as strengthening effect on the immune system. Cooked tomato products help make lycopene the easyier for the body to use.
Dark, leafy greens
High up are Spinach, kale, swiss chard and other greens due to carotenoids these antioxidants destroy free radicals before they can damage your cells. One new study showed that green leafy vegetables definitely reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Berries
Strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and blackberries have polyphenols that inhibit tumor growth. In tests, extracts of strawberry help reduced the growth of breast and prostate cancer. Berries seem to help destroy cancer cells in the colon.
Sulfurous Foods
Garlic, onions, leeks, shallots and chives also help the body rid the cancer cells in the colon, lung, breast and prostate. Garlic, in particular, helps reduces the risk of colon cancer. It also rids the stomach of bacteria H. pylori, which can cause stomach cancer.
Fatty Fish
The risk of cancer is drops in people who eat fish at least twice a week. Small fish like anchovies, sardines and small mackerel have less environmental toxins. Wild caught salmon is a good source of healthy omega 3 fats as well.
A lot of patients been asking recently what to eat and what to avoid food wise. I found the following guidelines would be of help:
Reduce white sugar and refined carbohydrates (breads, pasta, oatmeal, rice, instant mixes, etc). Why? They convert to sugar in the body.
Avoid chemical additives and other food preservatives (anything in a box) for the sake of shelf life. The body has to get rid of it!
Using a whole food Vitamins concentrates, Minerals and Digestive Enzymes to supplement daily food intake as needed. Avoid taking synthetics vitamins long term, they can lead to other nutritional deficiencies. The more bad your food intake, the more you need whole food supplements to bring you back into balance.
Real butter, raw milk and cheese in small amounts is good for you. Lot of leafy green vegetables and good quality fats like olive oil or the topical oils. Heat from frying can change the oil structure, hence these oils do better then canola oil.
Reduce eating bananas, pineapple and oranges (too much fruit sugar). Apples, watermelons and pears are fine.
And finally complete protein at every meal (egg, fish, chicken, beef). It makes a difference to body chemistry by preventing the blood sugar spike at that meal!
Another study shows how adjusting the top bone in the spine can affect blood pressure. This top bone is the master switch for the nervous system in the body. Any misalignment (such as an accident) can cause movement which in turn can put pressure directly on the brain stem which in turn can effect blood pressure. Check out the link below for more information:
Continue reading "Study Shows Chiropractic Care Cut Blood Pressure"
A 38-year-old male with hypertension After 14 years of high blood pressure and the side effects of medication which included bloating sensations, depression, fatigue, and impotency, a 38-year-old male began chiropractic care. Chiropractic analysis revealed vertebral subluxation complex at levels C6-7, T3-4, and T7-8. All medications were stopped after seven adjustments and blood pressure remained at normal levels.
Source: Plaugher G, Bachman TR. Chiropractic management of a hypertensive patient: a case study. JMPT, 1993.
I found in practice specific spinal adjustments neck and back, Page diet program (reduced carbohydrates, proper fats and protein), mild exercise, and whole body supplements (including hypoglycemic issues)can often help get the patients biochemistry balance out, which in turn improves function and reduces overall stress to the body. This in turn can have an positive lowering effect on blood pressure.
If the patient shows improvement on their blood pressure over time, I will recommend them to go back to their medical doctor to see if the amount of medication can be reduced as the body improves function. Never reduce any medications on your own, always check with a medical doctor first. High blood pressure is a serious health issue and should never be ignored due to the damage it can do to the body long term.
High blood pressure reduction can happen but does requires specialize knowledge and work on both the patient's side as well as the various health professionals working together.
There was a recent study that looked at bone mineral density (BMD) in patients under chiropractic care for a year or more. In this 34-month study, 33 patients, all over the age of 21, had their bone mineral density measured before care and after 1, 6, and 12 months of care. After 12 months of care, "Significant positive changes in BMD were noted in the majority of cases," including 3 cases that started with low BMD moving to the normal range.
(Source: Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. September 2007).