Danger Lurking in Backpacks

Our school children are carrying too big a load.

Who hasn’t wondered whether small children lugging oversized, heavy backpacks to-and-from school might be risking serious injury to their growing spines and will one day suffer from serious back pain? Apparently, there is real cause for concern.

According a recent U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission study, more than 75% of students ages 8-12 suffer from increasing back pain inflicted by carrying their schoolwork and supplies in backpacks or similar totes.

“I’ve been saying since the second grade that too much homework is bad for a student!” said a smiling Dr. Josh Handt when contacted about the study. “On a serious note, some of our younger elementary school students are literally carrying one third their body weight for prolonged periods of time and distance. That puts a lot of stress on a body in the midst of development,” added Handt, whose chiropractic offices are located in the Upper West side of New York City, NY. And, the heavy burdens are not just affecting those students small in stature.

Student back injuries are now widespread. 96% of the pupils monitored regularly haul much too heavy a pack on their back. In 2001 alone, 7,000 children went to U.S. emergency rooms for backpack-related injuries. And, 60% of orthopedic doctors contacted regarding the study reported that they have treated children suffering from back pain caused by their heavy bags.

The study alluded to this startling calculation: A child carrying a 12-pound backpack, and lifting it 10 times per day for the entire school year, has carried and lifted a combined load of 21,600 pounds — the equivalent of 6 mid-sized cars.

“Children should not carry backpacks that exceed more than 10% of their body weight — which translates into a 5 to 10-pound load for elementary students,” noted Handt.

“Even with the continued progression of electronic learning – which one would think leads to fewer books – the backpack has become a survival kit for the action-packed lives that today’s children lead during and after school hours. Parents and teachers have to take an active role in limiting what we literally load onto these children. If were don’t address it now, the picture of a child carrying numerous books – which many have seen as a sign for a bright future – could foreshadow a painful outlook as well,” concluded Handt.


Editor’s Note:
Those seeking additional information regarding this study may contact Dr. Josh Handt directly at 91Central Park West, New York, NY, 10023, telephone (212) 580-3350 website www.NewYorkChiropractic.com

Reference Material:
“Backpack-Related Injuries Send 7,000 to ER,” Ancaster News, Ontario, Canada, Sept. 1, 2006.

(Edited and re-written by Tekla Szymanski)

Chiropractic Care Benefits Adults with ADHD

Chiropractic Care Benefits Adults with ADHD

(1/14/2008, New York). Dr. Yannick Pauli – President of the Swiss Chiropractic Pediatric Association – has authored a study that concludes that chiropractic care can benefit adults with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The study entitled — Improvement in Attention in Patients Undergoing Network Spinal Analysis: a Case Series Using Objective Measures of Attention — was published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.

Pauli monitored nine adults (four men and five women with an average age of 40 years) who displayed various symptoms of ADHD. Each underwent care known as Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) twice a week for two months. “NSA is a holistic approach to wellness and body awareness,” explained Dr. Josh Handt, a NYC-based chiropractor. “The study group received gentle adjustments and low-force touch to the spine that eliminated inner and outer tensions, thereby promoting overall health. The patients were also educated about their bodies. Simply by improving their diet, exercising and adopting a positive mental approach to life, they learned that they themselves could enhance in their overall health and well-being,” added Handt.

The degree of each patient’s ADHD disorder was established using the Test of Variable of Attention (TOVA). This test was done once before the study began, one month into chiropractic adjustments, and again after the two-month study. “TOVA is a 22-minute continuous, interactive computer test that measures the response times of its participants to changing visuals on the screen,” said Handt. “This test does not trigger a learning effect; therefore, re-testing does not alter the test scores’ overall outcome, making TOVA a reliable means of repeatedly measuring an individual’s extent of ADHD,” Handt clarified.

After two months of chiropractic care, those in the study group experienced a significant improvement in their TOVA scores as well as a normalizing of their ADHD symptoms.

“The NSA approach not only enabled these individuals suffering from ADHD to take charge of their own health, but it measurably improved the range and scope of their attention span and reaction time as well as their motor control, memory and alertness,” noted Handt.

“Attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one thing, while ignoring other things,” writes Dr. Pauli. “Spinal adjustments can benefit individuals with this disorder, because there is a neurological correlation between spinal subluxation and an impaired functioning of parts of the brain, especially the vermal region of the cerebellum, which regulates attention and other cognitive responses,” continued Pauli.

“These findings offer hope to all those — children and adults — suffering from ADHD, a disease that can have devastating consequences on their lives, ranging from a rise in accidents to poor performances in school and work. The results are clinically significant and offer proof as to the positive impact that chiropractic care has on the performance of the human body — including proper brain function. Even the subtlest spinal adjustments carry tremendous physical, psychological and neurological benefits,” summarized Handt.

“And, paired with lifestyle changes, we can all significantly improve our health,” Handt concluded.

Everybody Wants Fish Oil

Holy Mackerel!

Research identifies fatty fish oil’s many health benefits.

It’s no fish story that those who include seafood as a staple in their diet benefit from the ingestion of high levels of omega-3 fatty acids — known to reduce the risks for heart-related diseases, age-related cognitive decline, abnormal brain development and functioning, even obesity and mood disorders. Now, new studies have shown that it is the oil from fatty fish (salmon, herring, sardines and mackerel) that may offer the most health benefits.

During the course of a 10-year study conducted in Sweden, it was established that the consumption of fatty fish oils might inhibit a commonly found receptor for kidney cancers in women, the Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), which triggers more than 80% of kidney cancers. Consistent long-term intake of fatty fish oil reduced the RCC risk by up to 74% in the Swedish women tracked for the report. At the same time, the intake of fatty fish oils triggered an increase in the level of serum vitamin D in these women. Low levels of vitamin D are believed to trigger the development and progression of RCC.

“You might say that fatty fish oil is phat!” said a smiling Dr. Handt when contacted about the study. “Even lean fish — although to a lesser extent — provide similar health benefits,” the doctor continued. Handt, whose chiropractic office is located in Manhattan, New York follows developments in chiropractic science closely.

“Consuming fish oil or eating raw, baked or broiled fish — not fried — can also protect your heart’s electrical system by decreasing the risk of fatal heart-rhythm disorders,“ noted Handt. “Omega-3 fats have been found to benefit a healthy heart rhythm,” he added.

In addition, according to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, fish oil consumption by the elderly prevented a decline in heart rate variability that was caused by same-day exposure to indoor airborne pollutants (which can trigger arrhythmia and sudden death.)

This study also found that a diet including fish at least once a week has other significant health benefits for the elderly. These finds included a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease as well as a 10% slower rate of annual age-related cognitive decline (and a 13% slower rate decline when fish was consumed more than once a week). In addition, seafood and fish oil products decreased incidences of strokes because high levels of omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA or docosahexaenoic acid) are crucial for normal brain functioning.

There’s even more to this school of thought.

“ Several epidemiological studies find a correlation between omega-3 fatty acids intake and mood disorders like depression — which are affected by an omega-3 fatty acids deficit. In addition, people suffering from coronary artery disease may benefit from omega-3 fatty acids as well since there is an established link between the disease and depression,” stated Handt.

“An increased omega-3 intake, even through supplementation, may have therapeutic benefits,” he declared.

Fishing for compliments about a reduced waistline?

A study conducted by the University of South Australia noted that daily omega-3 fatty acids intake — when combined with exercise — can aid in weight loss because fatty acids increase blood flow to the muscles during exercise and thereby assist in fat burning.

“The studies are overwhelming. Will people change their dietary habits due to the promise this research shows? It’s certainly food for thought,” concluded Handt.

Reference Material:
Alicja Wolk, Susanna C. Larsson, Jan-Erik Johansson, and Peter Ekman: Long-term Fatty Fish Consumption and Renal Cell Carcinoma Incidence in Women, JAMA, September 20, 2006, Vol. 296, No. 11

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, July 12, 2006.

Fish Oil Prevents Potentially Deadly Heart Rate Variability, Science Daily, December 2005.

Americans Pay Dearly for Health Care (an oldy but a goody)

This is from a couple of years ago.....

Americans Pay Dearly for Health Care

Study ranks U.S. health care system the worst among 23 countries.

(July, 2 2007, New York). Despite spending 16% of its Gross Domestic Product — and double the median on health care expenditures compared to any other country in the world — the United States recorded the lowest score among 23 countries whose health care systems were evaluated in a report published by the Commonwealth Fund this past fall. The Commonwealth Fund is an internationally renown private foundation established in 1918 that finances independent research on health care issues while issuing grants for projects designed to stimulate innovative health care practice and policy in the United States and other industrialized countries.

The U.S. health care system received a score of 66 out of 100 in the study which also concluded that by improving its health care system, the U.S. could save at least $50 - 100 billion in health care spending while preventing 100,000 to 150,000 deaths over a calendar year. The low score was attributed to the poor quality of life that the U.S. offers its patients — rated the worst of those reviewed.

“This is just another reason why people should have a daily regimen that includes exercise, a proper diet and a healthy mental outlook — combined with regular Chiropractic care which allows the incredible human body to operate efficiently…a maintenance and preventive care program if you will,” said Dr. Josh Handt when contacted about the study.

“We’ve all read and heard about ‘overweight America.’ Well, mix an unfit society with a poor health care system and you have a recipe for disaster,” added Handt, whose Chiropractic offices are located in Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York.

The Commonwealth Fund report also gives the U.S. health care system failing grades regarding the prevalent overuse (and sometimes unnecessary duplication) of expensive medical services, a breakdown in communication and coordination among health care providers — and an overall uneven quality of medical services provided.

“It gets worse,” noted Handt. “The United States scores 15th out of 19 developed nations on easily preventable deaths, like heart attacks, where timely medical care is crucial. We also had the highest infant mortality rate. Moreover, the study found that only 49% of Americans receive preventive care, and even privately insured patients or patients with Medicare don’t necessarily enjoy better life-saving services. And for good measure, only a quarter of U.S. doctors computerize their patient files or keep digital records of written prescriptions,” continued Handt.

“Makes you want to go outside and start jogging, doesn’t it?” quizzed the smiling doctor.
“Our nation’s health care system is in the hands of our elected officials. But, you can do something that will have a positive impact on your long-term health. “

“Change the way you live. Maintain optimum health while preventing future concerns,” said Handt. “The Commonwealth Fund’s report is pretty clear. Our care system is not healthy — so while it’s always best to stay fit, the importance is magnified while our nation searches for a cure to our health care woes,” he concluded.


Editor’s Note:
Those seeking additional information regarding this study may contact Dr. Josh Handt directly at 91 Central Park West, New York, NY, 10023, telephone 212-580-3350.

Source:
Maggie Fox, Reuters, Sept. 20, 2006