Cold and flu season is around the corner, but Dr. Richard Schwartz, a Horsham based Pediatric Chiropractor, believes that doesn’t mean you have to become a victim and he has a 7-Pillar Strategy for Natural Health During Cold and Flu Season.  Because government organizations like the Center for Disease Control advice that everyone from 6-months to 100 years old be given the annual flu vaccines, most people think that the flu vaccine is the best way to avoid getting the flu. Dr. Schwartz, who has been practicing for over 12 years, advises that you inform yourself of the risks of the flu vaccine and then make a decision based on that information; the Institute of Medicine (IOM) now admits: “Vaccines are not free from side effects or “adverse effects.”

The good news is that you can be proactive with your health and immunity! If you follow Dr. Christine Anderson’s seven pillars of health outlined below, then you will have taken great steps to insure that you and your family’s immune system stays strong not only during cold and flu season, but always!

Here are Dr. Richard Schwart’s 7 Pillars of Natural Health for a Healthy Immune System:

1. Proper Rest/Sleep: Minimum 7 hours per night for adults and 10-12 hours for children. Getting to bed before midnight is more restful and rejuvenating. Sleep in a completely dark room to fully activate the pineal gland, an area of the brain that regulates our body’s natural cycles. Exercise daily, but not in the evening as the activity can cause you to revive! Remove electronics from the bedroom and cease your computer usage at least an hour before wanting to retire. Some herbs to help relax and calm are chamomile, skullcap, valerian, and passiflora. Homeopathic remedies include camomila, coffea cruda, and nux vomica. 5—HTP is a metabolized form of tryptophan that is the precursor of serotonin – the neurotransmitter responsible for making us feel sleepy. Chiropractic can help the balance between the sympathetic nervous system (the part that makes you go) and the parasympathetic nervous system (the part that slows you down.) Besides repair, rejuvenation, and immune building, sleep can also keep you slim by keeping cortisol (your stress hormone) levels down.

2. Hydration: Take your body weight and halve it – that is how much water you should be drinking per day in ounces. Pure water—preferably filtered of pollutants, chemicals, and heavy metals. So if you weigh 140 lbs, then you should drink 70 ounces of water minimum; this is almost 9 eight oz glasses of water per day. If you have anything dehydrating, such as tea, coffee or alcohol, then add one glass per drink. Your body is primarily composed of water and the metabolic processes need it to function and flush out waste.

3. Exercise: Everyday, at least 30 minutes. Dancing around the house counts. Running around the house after kids counts, but you probably could also do with some focused exercise for stress release! Moderate exercise stimulates the immune system, but sustained hard core exercise can cause your body to become stressed and rundown. Include cardio, strength, including core, and flexibility aspects into your workouts. Once you get past the initial 2 weeks and the soreness goes away you will find you have more energy, stamina, you sleep better, and your self esteem will get a boost, too. For all you parents out there, your children will also get a firsthand look at what it means to take care of themselves. Heck, take them along on the walk or bike ride and get out there and kick the soccer ball around! For more information on Exercise and Pregnancy and Pregnacy massage, go to visit Ambler Chiropractor Dr. Richard Schwartz .

4. Manage Stress: Most likely than not there will always be stress in your life. We actually need a little bit otherwise we wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning. But what will run our systems down is the chronic unrelenting stress that never ends and continually releases cortisol, which will cause our bodies to shut down and collapse! Deadline after deadline, one thing after another, and never having enough time in the day – these are the things that wreak havoc. Schedules help. Limiting time wasters such as TV, computers, email, and social networking is another. Pursue a hobby. Practice yoga or meditate. Take a bath. Exercise. Only you will know what it is that helps you to release stress and then whatever it is, do it on a regular basis.

5. Eat foods that are nourishing, and eliminate foods that are depleting: Whole, unprocessed plant-based foods are the way to ensure that you have the fuel to build your body up and keep it functioning. By consuming processed foods, such as soda, energy drinks, coffee, cakes, cookies, candy, chips, fast food, and fried foods we use up our precious resources and weaken our defenses. The immune system is shut down for 5 hours after consuming sugar! Milk, fruit juices and alcohol are all hidden sources of sugar. Green juices are a great way to start the day and will give you an energy boost you won’t believe and won’t cause you to crash later on. Nuts and seeds provide sustainable energy and fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants which help protect your body from breaking down. Once you start consuming whole foods, processed ones will lose their appeal and as your body is nourished you will naturally consume less food, so you may even lose weight with no diet and no hunger!!

6. Spinal Hygiene: Hygiene is a funny word, no? (BTW—laughter is next…) Hygiene means the science dealing with the preservation of health. And the best way to preserve the health of the spine is with regular chiropractic check ups. Chiropractic is based on the philosophy that the nervous system controls and coordinates ALL the functions in the body – including the immune system. So, if you have physical, emotional or toxic stress from accidents, day to day stress, or eating a less than perfect diet, then subluxations (spinal misalignments) can cause nerve signals to be altered so your body can not get the proper signals to function optimally. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help the whole family survive and even thrive during cold and flu season! For more information on Spinal Health, go to http://www.mapleglenchiro.com/

7. Laughter-Meaningful relationships-Life Purpose: Laughter releases endorphins—our natural morphine and reduces stress. Love and caring causes secretory IgA to be released, which is our first line of defense in the immune system. Conversely, anger causes secretory IgA to drop. Knowing that you are making a difference to someone or something causes cortisol to lower—so volunteer or get a pet if you don’t feel that your life has purpose at this point in time. High levels of cortisol over a long period of time deplete our immune system.

If you would like to take some immune boosters to further fortify your defenses, then there are some natural remedies which can help. Gemmotherapy are the buds of plants and there are certain ones, like Briar Rose and Black Currant that can be taken preventatively and are great for kids. Taking antioxidants, such as vitamin A, C, E, and selenium can help. There is an association with immunity and vitamin D, which is actually a hormone – so it is best to have your levels checked before consuming a supplement. Getting 15 minutes a day of sun is safer than taking supplemental vitamin D, if you are in an area that has sun!

Take your omega 3’s—preferably from plant sources such as flax and algae (versus fish which have the potential for being contaminated with heavy metals and hormone disrupting chemicals). Herbs that are adaptogenic such as astralagus and ginseng may be helpful. Echinacea may be taken for 2 weeks at a time as a preventative. Other immune boosting herbs are medicinal mushrooms, olive leaf, garlic, and larch tree.

Please note that the substances listed above are for the purpose of example only. Before consuming any supplement or herb, please consult your health care practitioner. The decision about whether or not to vaccinate is a personal one and should be made with full informed consent.

    We incorporate Graston Technique into our treatment protocols at Advanced Chiropractic and Wellness Center the Offices of Dr. Richard Schwartz DC for many musculoskeletal conditions such as neck, arm, and hand pain. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, whiplash, and plantar fasciitis also respond favorably to Graston Technique. A technique used by Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, and DO

Here is an excerpt from the Graston website explaining Graston Technique:

Graston Technique^® is an innovative, patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis(scar tissue) or chronic inflammation.

Originally developed by athletes, Graston Technique^® is an interdisciplinary treatment used by more than 10,000 clinicians worldwide—including physical and occupational therapists, hand therapists, chiropractors, and athletic trainers.

GT is utilized at some 930 outpatient facilities and industrial on-sites, by more than 165 professional and amateur sports organizations, and is part of the curriculum at 48 respected colleges and universities.

Six stainless steel instruments form the cornerstone of Graston Technique^® The curvilinear edge of the patented Graston Technique^® Instruments combines with their concave/convex shapes to mold the instruments to various contours of the body. This design allows for ease of treatment, minimal stress to the clinician’s hands and maximum tissue penetration.

The Graston Technique^® Instruments, much like a tuning fork, resonate in the clinician’s hands allowing the clinician to isolate adhesions and restrictions, and treat them very precisely. Since the metal surface of the instruments does not compress as do the fat pads of the finger, deeper restrictions can be accessed and treated. When explaining the properties of the instruments, we often use the analogy of a stethoscope. Just as a stethoscope amplifies what the human ear can hear, so do the instruments increase significantly what the human hands can feel.

The superficial fascia is a soft connective tissue located just below the skin. It wraps and connects the muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels of the body. Together, muscle and fascia make up what is called the myofascia system.

For various reasons, including disuse, not enough stretching, or injuries, the fascia and the underlying muscle tissue can become stuck together. This is called an adhesion, and it results in restricted muscle movement along with pain, soreness and reduced flexibility or range of motion.

Myofascial release is a body work technique that uses gentle, sustained pressure on the soft tissues while applying traction to the fascia. This technique results in softening and lengthening (release) of the fascia, as well as the breaking down of scar tissue or adhesions between skin, muscles and bones.

5 Car Accident and Injury Questions Answered by Doctor in Warrington and Horsham Pa

The Questions:

1.    I’ve been examined at the Emergency Room. I was given medication for my pain. Do I need any more medical follow-up?

2.    Is it important for further diagnostic testing?

3.    What kind of treatment for my injuries can I expect to receive?

4.    Who pays for my medical care after my auto accident?

5.    How do I receive compensation for my injuries?

The ANSWERS:

It’s common after an accident to feel some pain and discomfort, but it is not uncommon for these type symptoms to persist and lead to further problems later. Soft tissue injuries such as muscles and ligaments are overstretched so sprained/strain injuries result, but usually it’s inflammation that causes the pain. Muscles tend to tighten or spasm in an effort to protect the joint. If the inflammation is not properly managed within the first few days, scar tissue will form around the joints, causing pain and decreasing your joint mobility. Seeking medical attention right after your accident would be the first step in determining the seriousness of your injuries. Leaving the doctor’s office with some medication for pain and no medical follow up to management of your injuries could be disastrous. Typically most physicians can easily misdiagnose some of these kinds of conditions or overlook the seriousness of not treating these type of injuries with therapy. That is why it’s important to choose a physician who is trained in the treatment and diagnosis of these types of soft tissue injuries. •

2. Is it important for further diagnostic testing?  Most of the time, pain from your injuries may be managed through conservative measures. It is not until a thorough exam has been conducted by Dr. Richard Schwartz, that an initial diagnosis can be made. Usually it is standard to order x-rays of the injured areas to view any fractures, joint dislocations and spinal misalignment. Depending on the severity of your condition after the accident and the results of your exam, you may require further diagnostic testing. This may include an MRI or CAT scan, which gives a detailed picture of the soft tissue structures (muscles, ligaments, discs and internal organs). From a scan the doctor can give a more definitive soft tissue diagnosis and determine the extent of your injuries and approximate the length of care or additional care may need to be given. •

3. What kind of treatment for my injuries can I expect to receive?  No matter how insignificant you may think your injuries may be following an auto accident, foregoing treatment may lead to a much bigger medical problem later. With the proper medical care you have a better chance for a full recovery. After your initial examination, a prescription for medication may be written for pain along with therapy orders that might be applied, beginning that same day. It is important to know that medication will not treat your injuries but only mask the problem. Without therapy you may have less of a chance for a full recovery. Try to be patient; it may take a few weeks of therapy to get you back to where you were before the accident. Don’t worry; our physicians are prepared to help you with work related notes that you may need for time off or any other job restrictions. Our patient care coordinators will also assist you with your insurance benefits to ensure that you will be reimbursed for any time missed from work. Remember the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. “What little time you give to getting well is less time you have staying sick”. When you start your treatment sessions with us, our staff of chiropractic physicians, massage therapists and athletic trainers will begin by applying your therapies, which may range from 45 minutes to an hour in length. Treatment will consist of several different types of therapy modalities, which will include ice or heat, paired with electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, massage and manual therapies, active rehabilitative therapy and/or spinal manipulation. Initially, our therapeutic goal is to reduce the pain levels by treating the inflamed tissues and muscles spasms. As you respond favorably to your treatment, your therapy will become more advanced. Our therapeutic goal is to restore range of motion to the effected joints and begin to strengthen tissues that have lost their tone.  Immediately following your auto accident, Dr. Schwartz a chiropractor in Horsham, and Blue Bell Pa will closely treat your condition over the next several days. If your condition suddenly worsens and/or new symptoms arise, further diagnostic testing will be ordered, and therapy may be altered until we review the results of those tests. Some of the common soft tissue symptoms associated with neck and back injuries from an auto accident are sharp shooting pain into the limbs and numbness and tingling into the hands and feet. These symptoms, which are more than likely nerve related, are commonly mistaken for cardiovascular problems. The cause is usually a result of a disc injury. One of the first symptoms of disc injury is numbness and tingling in the arms or legs with or without associated muscle weakness.  Headaches and dizziness can also be related to neck injuries. The most common neck injury in relation to an auto accident is whiplash. This occurs when the muscles and ligaments are stretched beyond their normal range of motion, tearing the tissues and damaging discs.  Brain injuries can result from a more serious whiplash causing your head to hit a hard object. As a result, you can develop a concussion, posttraumatic amnesia, and even seizures. All of which are conditions that can be related to some neural damage within the brain. Expect to have good and bad days with your pain, as this is common with the rehabilitation process. Our physicians are monitoring your treatment daily, ordering the appropriate diagnostic tests when needed, and modifying your therapy as to assure progression of your rehabilitation goals. In addition our physicians usually will perform periodic medical exams every three to four weeks. This is to determine the status of your condition and if you need any further medical care or changes to your current plan of treatment. Pain medication is part of your treatment and it may be necessary to help manage your pain initially, but long-term use of pain medication can become addictive and harmful. Again our objective is to treat your condition and not just your pain. •

4. Who pays for my medical care after my auto accident?  When you are involved in an auto accident in the State of Pennsylvania, regardless of who is at fault, your medical treatment is covered under your own auto insurance carrier. Your personal injury protection or “PIP” insurance is required for every Floridian to have in order to drive legally in this state. Your PIP insurance allows up to $5,000 in medical benefits, which pays for your medical care, lost wages or any medical -related expense as a result of your auto accident. That may seem efficient coverage (money) to handle your medical bills, but sometimes it is just not enough. A visit to the Emergency Room can be costly and the medical bills can run up into the thousands of dollars if any diagnostic tests are performed. Hospitals have the right to bill at a much higher rate for practically the same services you’ll receive at any standard medical facility. Florida law states that any medical provider outside the hospital that renders services to you can only bill your PIP benefits at 200% of Medicare fees. No matter how much they bill for their services, they cannot collect any more from you or your insurance company than what is allowed to be paid. That’s why if you are not seriously hurt (i.e., need stitches or have broken bones or head trauma) from your accident, try to seek medical attention elsewhere. You will save time and your PIP money. 5. How do I receive compensation for my injuries?  When your PIP benefits are exhausted and you are still having problems with the injuries you sustained from the accident, you may have to seek legal ways to get the money to pay for future medical expenses that you might incur. Pennsylvania statues states that you have to determine that an injury is permanent in order to get medical compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance carrier after PIP benefits have run out. Permanent Injury is defined by Statue 627.737(2) “(A) plaintiff (the person who initiates a law suit) may recover damages in tort (suing the at-fault party for a civil wrong) for pain, mental anguish, and inconvenience because of bodily injury, sickness, or disease arising out of the ownership, maintenance, operation or use of such motor vehicle only in the event that the injury or disease consists in whole or in part of”: a) Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function. b) Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement. c) Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement.

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