October 11, 2000 [Volume 1, Issue 24]

"To Your Health" is brought to you by:

This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to:

https://www.chiroweb.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php

In this issue of To Your Health:

• Getting Rid of the Pain
• Help Your Spine and Your Golf Score
• Fighting High Blood Pressure? Try Aeroic Exercise
• Lower Cholesterol with Soy Protein

The word "fibromyalgia" might not mean that much to you, but don't tell that to someone afflicted with the condition. Fibromyalgia sufferers report chronic, achy muscular pain in many specific but widely dispersed sites, particularly the lower back, neck, shoulders, upper chest and/or thighs. While the precise cause of fibromyalgia remains uncertain, evidence suggests that the immune system is involved.

The cure for fibromyalgia also remains elusive, although a recent study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) provides evidence that chiropractic care may provide some relief. Study participants underwent 30 chiropractic treatments combining several different techniques (including spinal manipulation). Results showed significant reductions in pain intensity and improvement in quality of sleep and overall fatigue in nine of the 15 patients. These improvements were maintained one month after treatment. The six patients who did not respond to chiropractic care tended to be older and have more severe fibromyalgia than the other patients.

More work needs to be done to determine the specific role chiropractic plays in the management of fibromyalgia, but these results are certainly promising. For more information on fibromyalgia and other conditions that may respond to chiropractic care, schedule a consultation with your local doctor of chiropractic.

Reference: Hains G, Hains F. Combined ischemic compression and spinal manipulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a preliminary estimate of dose and efficacy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, May 2000: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp225-30.

Help Your Spine and Your Golf Score

There are an estimated 25 million golfers in the United States, and with the recent surge in the sport's popularity, that figure should exceed 27 million by the end of the year. It is also estimated that more than 50% of people who golf regularly will develop chronic low-back problems at some point in their lives.

You're probably familiar with the modern golf swing -- it emphasizes an exaggerated backswing and follow-through. Amateur golfers are routinely taught that rotation of the body (at the hips) is needed to maximize club-head velocity and hitting distance. However, studies have demonstrated that a shorter, more compact swinging motion is not only much more effective, but also generates far less potential for spinal injury.

Golf injuries are surprisingly common considering the non-contact nature of the game. Ask your chiropractor about the specifics of a more appropriate golf swing, and get the facts on how an improper swing can place unnecessary stress on your low back and spine. Following your chiropractor's advice can help you avoid injury... and it may even make you a better golfer.

Reference: Seaman DR. Back pain in golfers: etiology and prevention. Journal of Sports Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, June 1998; vol. 12, no. 2, pp45-54.

For additional information on sports and fitness, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/sports.html

Fighting High Blood Pressure? Try Aerobic Exercise

If you have chronic high blood pressure, you've probably already been told that you are at risk of developing heart disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Your doctor may have prescribed a medication to help lower your blood pressure and recommended that you avoid sodium, caffeine, and other substances.

If you haven't received any exercise recommendations, listen to this: A study examined the effect of nine months of low-intensity aerobic training on blood pressure in 26 elderly patients who were receiving medication to regulate high blood pressure. Thirteen patients agreed to take part in physical training using a treadmill for 30 minutes, three to six times a week. The remaining thirteen patients did not train and were compared after nine months with the group that did.

After nine months, patients participating in the treadmill exercise program experienced a decrease in blood pressure compared with patients who did not exercise. Stopping this training, however, resulted in a relatively rapid return to pre-training levels in five patients within one month, suggesting the importance of adopting a consistent exercise routine.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor, who will also be able to recommend a sensible, moderate exercise program that will help keep your blood pressure low and your spirits high!

Reference: Motoyama M, Sunami Y, et al. Blood pressure lowering effect of low intensity aerobic training in elderly hypertensive patients. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, June 1998; vol. 30, no. 6, pp818-23.

Lower Cholesterol with Soy Protein

Differences in rates of cardiovascular disease and associated deaths between Pacific Rim (Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, etc.) and Western countries have been attributed to differences in diet. With many Asian populations in Pacific Rim countries consuming 30-50 times more soy protein than their Western counterparts, it has been suggested that the isoflavones naturally present in soy products may account for these differences.

Previous evidence supports the notion that isoflavones reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by regulating cholesterol levels. To further investigate this potential relationship, a nine-week trial involving 156 men and women compared the effects of isolated soy protein vs. casein (milk) protein on plasma lipid/lipoprotein concentrations. Subjects were all diagnosed at baseline with moderate hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) and received either 25 grams of milk protein or 25 grams of soy protein (with 3, 27, 37 or 62 mg of isoflavones) daily.

Results: Compared with milk protein, isolated soy protein with 62 mg of isoflavones lowered total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL - the "bad" cholesterol). These reductions were even greater in patients with higher LDL levels. Furthermore, the soy protein appeared to provide these benefits without depleting high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL - the "good" cholesterol).

The soybean has been cultivated and consumed in China for more than 5,000 years. If you haven't yet incorporated soy into your diet, what are you waiting for? To find out more about the many benefits of soy, and to discuss a comprehensive nutrition and wellness program that's right for you, schedule an appointment with your chiropractor.

Reference: Crouse JR III, Morgan T, Terry JG, et al. A randomized trial comparing the effect of casein with that of soy protein containing varying amounts of isoflavones on plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins. Archives of Internal Medicine 1999: Vol. 159, pp2070-76.

To learn more about nutrition, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html

Unsubscribe Instructions:
Click this link and enter your e-mail address to unsubscribe from this newsletter. This newsletter conforms to the requirements set by Bill S 1618 Title III, passed by the 105th U.S. Congress.