Complete Care Chiropractic, Owasso, OK

by Dr. Ben Swacha

Symptoms of allergies can be downright debilitating for some and nothing more than a chronic nuisance for others.  Regardless of what category you fall into, there is hope.  Allergy medications mainly work by treating the symptoms of allergies(sneezing, coughing, runny noses, watery/scratchy eyes) while failing to question what might be causing the body to react like that in the first place.  The problem with this approach is twofold.  First, as previously mentioned, this outlook merely treats symptoms and never questions, “Why?”  Secondly, even if you successfully cover up the symptoms, you are still left with the uncorrected problem that caused the symptoms, not to mention the side effects of allergy medications which include, but are not limited to:  increased appetite, low libido, depression, anxiety, infertility and decreased growth in children.  Is it worth the risk?

We all live under the same umbrella, meaning we are all exposed to the exact same “stuff” in the environment.  If it were the pollen or ragweed  that caused allergies, we would all have the same problems.  But, we don’t!  So there must be more to it than that, right?  The one common denominator that exists is YOU, ME, US and how well we take care of our bodies and ensure they are functioning  as optimally as possible.

Rather than treating symptoms and calling it a day, Chiropractic care works by detecting interferences within the body that cause poor function.  The poorer the body functions over time, the less likely it is to respond appropriately to its environment.  Like a car that is not properly maintained, malfunction is inevitable, and the more malfunction that exists the more red, flashing lights appear on your dashboard warning you of impending danger.  Like red flashing lights are to your car, allergies are to your body.

Chiropractic is simple in its approach and delivers phenomenal benefits for allergy sufferers not by treating symptoms, but rather by getting to the cause.  Everyday we make choices that either make us stronger and allow our bodies to function better, or they make us weaker and more susceptible to becoming sick.  In order to grow stronger and get healthier as we age only two things are required: 1. Clear communication between the brain and the rest of your body. 2. A healthy lifestyle.  For a clear, unobstructed pathway between the brain and the body the spine must be aligned correctly and moving efficiently.  Misalignments in the spine cause breakdowns in that vital communication pathway, leading to various sicknesses, such as allergies.  Chiropractic corrects these short circuits, thereby allowing you to grow stronger and pursue health for as long as you choose.

I leave you with one thought.  Most everyone has some idea of the condition of his or her teeth and the need for ongoing dental care.  What condition is your spine in and if you are neglecting it, how is it preventing you from reaching your optimum health potential?

Title: ADD/ADHD Workshop
Location: TBD
Link out: Click here
Description: Are you or your child being treated for ADD/ADHD with Ritalin, Adderall, or Concerta? The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies these as schedule II controlled substances, putting them in the same category as COCAINE, METHADONE, and METHAMPHETAMINE (speed).

Are they safe? Are they necessary? Are there alternatives?

Workshop is FREE, however, RSVP is required by calling 918-272-8054 or emailing drbenswacha@gmail.com
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2011-03-26
End Time: 11:00

INGREDIENTS:

1 and 1/2  Cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Pancake Mix

2 Farm Raised, Organic Eggs

1/2  Cup Canned Pumpkin

1/2  Cup Unsweetened Organic Coconut Milk (Unsweetened Almond milk can be used if you can’t get Coconut Milk)

1/2- 3/4 Cup Fresh or Frozen Blueberries

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

2 teaspoons organic vanilla extract(read label and make sure no sugar or HFCS)

1-2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter to cook pancakes in

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Cook in skillet with coconut oil or butter.  Make sure skillet is well heated over medium.

Here is the pancake mix(available at Reasor’s): 

Antibiotics Usage Shown Not helpful for Kids In New Study

The Associated Press reported on a study by a group of Pediatricians who studied 383 children with acute respiratory tract illness, ranging from infants to age 12.  The study conducted over a one year period was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Of the three hundred eighty-three children in the study, 293 (77%) did not receive antibiotics.

The doctors compared the return office visits for the group that received antibiotics with the group that did not.  The results showed that 44% of those treated with antibiotics returned for additional treatment while only 29% of those who did not receive antibiotics had to return. Dr. Michael Pichichero, one of the authors of the study, concluded that while some doctors will prescribe antibiotics for nearly all patients with respiratory infections, “there is no scientific rationale for such antibiotic use.”

In spite of these numbers, a recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) showed that 86% of pediatricians in Georgia routinely prescribe antibiotics for bronchitis, even though such use is rarely justified. The CDC goes on to say that 42% of pediatricians surveyed prescribe antibiotics for the common cold which is caused by a virus and which antibiotics have no effect on.

Dr. Ben’s Comments:

The very name “antibiotic” should warn us of the inherent risks of such medicines.  When we break it down to its literal meaning, ANTI=against  BIO=life, red flags should start to go up.  These medications are essentially working against you to keep you sick.  Why, you might ask?

Approximately 80% of your immune system is housed within the walls of your intestines in the form of “good” bacteria.  Good bacteria work on your side by performing vital functions such as supporting the immune system and aiding in digestion.  If, by chance you were to eat a food tainted with E. coli, Salmonella or some other evil invader,  the good bacteria in your gut along with the rest of the immune system should respond by causing diarrhea or vomiting in order to rid your body of its harmful effects.  So, what you have come to know as “being sick” is actually a true expression of your body’s health.  To not get diarrhea, or to suppress it with medications would put your life at risk.

Antibiotics not only destroy harmful bacteria inside your body, but also the good guys that are on your side to keep you from getting sick and that aid in digestion.  You really need to imagine your immune system as your body’s own Army.  Antibiotics wipe out your body’s Army.  The more you take, the weaker the Army gets leading to future illnesses that occur more often.  As the above article suggests, with antibiotic usage you may win a few battles here and there but long term you will most certainly lose the war.

SOLUTIONS TO AVOID GETTING SICK and OVERCOMING HAVING TAKEN ANTIBIOTICS IN THE PAST:

1. Break the cycle.  If you keep getting sick after taking antibiotics, stop taking them.  Your immune system gains strength through natural exposure to pathogens, much like a muscle gets bigger and stronger when placed under stress or resistance.

“But I keep getting sick,  my child continues to have ear infections and the doctor said I need to take them.”  Does this sound familiar? Are you scared?  Confused?  Don’t worry, your doctor might be as well.  Consider that the medical literature clearly states, “Clinical guidelines advise against the routine use of antibiotics in patients with upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat and otitis media(ear infection).  Guidelines divide chest infection into acute bronchitis, for which antibiotics are NOT recommended, and pneumonia, for which they are recommended.” 1

2. If you have EVER taken antibiotics it is critical to take a PROBIOTIC supplement to replenish the good bacteria that were destroyed.  I recommend Primal Defense by Garden of Life.

3. Cook with and eat fats found in coconut, i.e. Coconut Oil, milk etc.  Coconut Oil is a natural antimicrobial/antibiotic, helping to destroy bad bacteria without the side effects of harming good bacteria.

4. Stop eating sugar and grains.  Sugar absolutely destroys the immune system, period.

5. Maintain your adjustments.  Studies have shown that families under regular chiropractic care have immune systems that are 200% stronger than families who are not!  The brain-body connection is the #1 priority when it comes to health.

References:  Medscape Medical News.  “Antibiotics not justified for Respiratory Tract Infections, Sore Throat, or Otitis Media.”  http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/564538

Come to our “Dinner with the Doc” on Tuesday, December 7th to learn more strategies to boost immunity and avoid getting sick.  Find out why and how families in our office rarely get sick.   Attend any of our other upcoming events http://owassochiropractor.com/events/ to help you maximize your God-given health  potential.

During the month of October we are offering Catalyn(wholefood multivitamin) for 25% off the regular price.  Just mention that you watched this video.

I had headaches, backaches, bad posture, and bad balance.  I struggled pretty badly.  In school, I would get migraines, forcing me to have to go home because I felt so bad.  This made my grades suffer.  I also struggled in sports.  I couldn’t run fast when I played baseball, basketball, and football.

Well, I always had bad balance and it would affect my running.  I began having headaches, migraines, and backaches in 5^th grade football.  I have lived with these problems for 7 years.  I was born with minor problems but when I played football in 5^th grade, it threw me further out of whack.  When it was at its worst, I felt terrible and never wanted to get out of bed.  I didn’t want to work out, nothing.

I tried using medications to fix my problems and other chiropractors.  The results failed.  I took over 5 migraine pills in one day if I had to and Motrin for my back.

I didn’t want to do anything but play videogames lying down in my room alone.  I didn’t want to work out, so I gained weight.  When I did want to do something about my weight, I went to Fitness Together and they referred me to Dr. Ben.  Since I have been coming to Complete Care Chiropractic, I have better posture, better balance, and no more headaches or backaches.  It’s improved my life greatly.

Dr. Ben is great.  He is the best chiropractor ever.  Kara is the best too.  They both are really nice and help me with my problems.  If you are iffy on the whole chiropractor adjusting your back, don’t be.  You will have results and you will be part of the chiropractic family.

~Seth W.