Moore Chiropractic Newsletter - December 2009
In This Issue
- Patient Satisfaction
- JJ Virgin, PHD — Eating Well for the Holidays!
- Your Child's Health — Ear Infections
Patient Satisfaction
A research journal, the "Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics" published a study that showed high levels of patient satisfaction for those who went to chiropractors with what was classified as severe to moderate pain in either the back or neck. A total of 369 patients were sampled who had gone to chiropractors with these problems. These individuals were asked to complete surveys tracking all kinds of information from the type and severity of their problem to their level of satisfaction with care.
The results showed a very positive response from the study group in both the results they felt and their overall level of satisfaction with their care. The results of the published study summed it up best; "Based on the results of this survey, it seems that patients suffering from back and or neck complaints experience chiropractic care as an effective means of resolving or ameliorating pain and functional impairments. Moreover, the patients surveyed demonstrated a high degree of satisfaction with the care they received.
Eating Well for the Holidays!
JJ Virgin, PhD, CNS / Celebrity Wellness Expert
Think back for a second to those plucky Pilgrims. I find it hard to imagine that they were in those cold little wooden houses opening big bags of mini-marshmallows, so they could make a sweet potato casseroles covered in melted candy.
We've created Thanksgivings that have enough food choices for five holidays. I don't want you to go into a food coma on this day and the great news is you can indulge and be quite satisfied while still eating healthy. Here are some of my favorite tips and recipes that will provide you with an abundance of delicious foods. Remember that the biggest treat is spending time with family and friends.
Tips for not feeling stuffed like the bird on Turkey Day
Make sure you eat a good breakfast and lunch and don't go into this meal hungry. In fact, a recent study indicates that people who ate a 600-calorie breakfast lost five times more than people who took their same 1,200 calories and spread it throughout the day. If you don't eat all day, then hit a big dinner and have a drink… well, you're doomed to overeat because starving plus a little buzz equals extra poundage.
Cool it on the appetizers. Ask yourself: Why am I eating before I eat? If you're having company, then offer shrimp or grilled scallops on a platter. I love a cold or grilled veggie platter with salsa and balsamic vinaigrette instead of some creamy dip. That's it for the appetizers if I'm making the meal.
Now, let's say you're at someone else's house. If an appetizer is wrapped in dough (like a mushroom or crab puff) or deep fried, then just skip it. You can make these nuts (and bring them as a gift), which are a crowd pleaser: Soak mixed nuts overnight in sea salt and spring water. Drain and place on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon and then coat with a bit of vanilla extract. Bake until crunchy at 250 degrees.
Start the meal with a wonderful salad made out of butter lettuce, roasted walnuts, red onion, cranberries and apples. Toss in some pomegranate seeds. Use olive oil and vinegar as your dressing.
Thanksgiving is usually about the big bird, which can be a very healthy protein. Just makes sure to remove the skin before eating your turkey. Of course white meat is a better choice, but a little bit of dark meat is okay because it's richer in iron. Skip the white flour gravy because the turkey is delicious all by itself and gravy is usually a gloppy mess with zero nutritional value. Why not avoid the stuffing because you don't want to stuff yourself with soggy bread coated in butter. I prefer a wonderful wild rice with chestnuts, apples, onions, mushrooms and red peppers in it. Use this as an opportunity to shift into new traditions.
Try a new veggie dish such as stuffed squash. Take a medium butternut squash, cut in half and remove the seeds. Place the halves with the cut side facing up on a cookie sheet. Cover with foil and bake for 40 to 50 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove from oven and scoop out the squashy flesh. Mix it with equal parts cooked brown rice. Add half a cup of chopped onions browned in extra virgin olive oil, a teaspoon of parsley and a half-cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.
Avoid that jellied cranberry glob that comes out of a can. Make a great cranberry dish from fresh cranberries and orange rind with a dash of cinnamon and pecans. If you need a little sweetener with it, add xylitol. Also see my Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce recipe below.
Eat only ONE of the bad carbs, i.e. mac and cheese, potato salad, taters. Remember my three-bite rule on these and then you're done. Pick the ONE that's your favorite, so you feel satisfied.
Love sweet potatoes? Just serve plain baked ones with no marshmallows. Add a pinch of cinnamon to the potato. Delicious and nutritious!
Another easy side dish is your favorite fall vegetables that are cut, placed on a baking pan, covered in a bit of extra virgin olive oil, chopped garlic cloves, various herbs of your choice such as Italian herbs and then toss on a dash of sea salt. Roast zucchini, portobello mushrooms, yellow squash, onions and other favorites. Try to find vegetables that are local to your region, so they will be fresh and tasty.
Choose one dessert and have your three bites. Don't choose the dessert you feel will be healthy because they're all about the same unless you're eating fruit. Just choose your heart's desire and, again, feel good about yourself.
Your Child's Health — Ear Infections
In the October issue of the Ladies Home Journal appeared an article entitled, "Chiropractic Adjustments for Chronic Ear Infections." This article reviewed several studies showing the effectiveness of chiropractic care for preventing re-occurring ear infections known as Otitis Media or OM.
According to the article, reoccurring ear infections account for over 35% of all pediatrician visits in the United States. Sometimes these infections are due to bacteria and sometimes these are due to a virus. The most common medical care for this situation has been antibiotics, even though antibiotics have no effect on viruses. While the article mentions that the antibiotic may be effective in an acute bacterial infection, they do nothing to stop repeat infections. Research and statistics is now showing that repeated use of antibiotics is contributing to future infections by creating drug-resistant infections. The surgical approach has met with little long term results as the "tubes" placed in children's ears often come out and usually require a child to be put under general anesthesia to do the surgery.
The article in the Ladies Home Journal states, "Chiropractic care is thought to prevent recurrent infections by correcting misalignments (called subluxations) and allowing normal fluid drainage from the middle ear." What the article took special note of was that 6 months after the chiropractic care was given to the children in the study, 80 percent had not suffered a recurrence of ear infections.
In closing the article did make a profound statement. They made a recommendation to parents on this subject. "If your child is between ear infections and his doctor suggests ear-tube surgery, ask if you can try chiropractic treatment first." While we agree with that sentiment, we suggest you not wait for a period between episodes, and you don't have to "ask" permission from any other doctor to seek chiropractic care. As the sneaker company said, "just do it!"