Monthly Articles, Dr Larry Smith, Chiropractor

		Newsletter: April 2004 In this issue: Where Can I Find Information About...? We have dedicated the April issue of our newsletter as a response to one of the most frequently asked questions we get in our office. The following is a brief summary of some of the 'Healthful' Information available at our office or our website. Check out the topics and see what might be of interest to you or yours. Then come in, call us and/or check out our website for more information on these topics. Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to publish some of the articles, but we are permitted to photocopy them for handing out. Media Doc Back issues of our Newsletters Let's Get It Straight A Brief Index of Articles Available Is it a Stroke? A Little Humour Back to Articles & Newsletters Page MEDIA DOC We have a new state-of-the-art media system at the office that displays slide shows on various topics of interest (including Dr. Larry's photos of Cuba and the 'thrill of a life-time' photos of the hockey game he played with the NHL Old-Timers in February.) BACK ISSUES OF OUR NEWSLETTERS All of our past newsletters are available through our website. Of "Seasonal Interest" I urge all of you gardeners and golfers to have a look at our April and May, 2002 newsletters. The nice weather has brought a lot of you folk into our office as you launch into your endeavours with considerable zest only to have to lose days recovering. Read the suggestions contained in these newsletters for healthful hints on some simple pre-conditioning steps you can take and tips on back-care during your activities. Also pertinent to spring (and tax-time), I remind our readers that our September, 2003 issue was the article that I wrote (and was reprinted in the PQ News) about the Premium Assistance Program that is available to qualifying applicants through the Medical Services Plan (BC Medical). Not only might you be eligible for a reduction in the amount you pay monthly for your medical, but you would also be entitled to 10 visits per year to your alternative practitioners -- partially paid for through the medical plan. To Top of Page LET'S GET IT STRAIGHT... We also have available at the office current research data on Chiropractic Cervical Adjustment (also known as neck manipulation). This somewhat misunderstood and, therefore, sometimes maligned treatment for headache and neck pain is put into proper perspective with findings from such prestigious journals as Annals of Internal Medicine (February, 2002) and Stroke (2001). Copies of this paper are available at our office. A BRIEF INDEX OF ARTICLES AVAILABLE In addition to the many, many handouts we have available on stretching and preventive back care, nutrition, research papers and more, the following is a listing of some of the other topics our office can supply copies of: Antibiotics Linked With Breast Cancer - This is our "Topic Of The Week" for April 5-9. This article is about the research announcement just last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), stating the link between use of antibiotics in female patients and the occurence of breast cancer. IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Knee Injuries and Chiropractic - Research shows chiropractic care may prevent knee injury. Keep Shoulders Injury-Free With Chiropractic - Do you have any friends or family members who swim, play baseball or racquet sports? Did you know that those sports predispose athletes to shoulder injury? Nuts About Nuts - The health benefits of nuts. How many people do you know who are behind in the research and still think nuts are unhealthy? Piriformis Syndrome: The Painful Truth - Many patients who come to the office after years of searching for a solution to their low-back pain are found to have been misdiagnosed with common sciatica. It might be piriformis syndrome. Mattresses Do Matter - The importance of a proper mattress. Did you know that research shows that firm mattresses are not the best for people with back problems? Posture Practices and Low-Back Pain - Poor posture may lead to osteoarthritis of the spine. Myths and Misconceptions About Chiropractic - Debunks common myths and misconceptions about chiropractic. The Perils and Pitfalls of Back Surgery - Do you know anyone who is considering a first or repeat back surgery? Chiropractic Solution to Low-Back Pain: Recent Findings - New research on how to prevent low-back pain without drugs or surgery. Something Fishy Going On - Did you iknow that, although eating certain fish is very healthy, women who want to have children, or who are breastfeeding need to avoid certain fish? Do you have any friends who are thinking about having kids? They need to be aware of this research! How Is Stress Affecting Your Body? - Explains the link between anxiety and back pain. How Safe are Over-the-Counter Medications? - Guess how many people are hospitalized each year because of over-the-counter pain relievers? (Answer: 76,000!) To Top of Page I am including in this issue a notice I received just recently that I thought was very useful and potentially life-saving. This was published in a monthly newsletter and passed on to me through a friend. I had never heard this advice before and hadn't a clue. IS IT A STROKE? Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness often spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say any bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: ask the individual to smile. ask him or her to raise both arms. ask the person to speak a simple sentence. (NOTE: REMEMBER IT BY "S-A-S" -- Smile, Arms, Sentence.) If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage. Pass it on. To Top of Page HUMOUR I'd like to end this month's issue with a little humour to put it all in perspective: Works for me! Can't eat beef........mad cow. Can't eat chicken......bird flu Can't eat eggs......again, bird flu Can't eat pork.....fears that bird flu will infect piggies Can't eat fish...heavy metals in the waters has poisoned their meat Can't eat fruits and veggies.......insecticides and herbicides Hmmmmmmmmm! I believe that leaves Chocolate! Happy Spring to you all. We invite you to sign up for Dr. Larry's newsletter, which is sent out periodically with interesting new health information. When you click below an email will be generated, and then you simply press "send" on your email software. Contact the office: Dr. Larry Smith D.C., B.P.E. Chiropractor P.O. Box 307 255 Island Highway Parksville, British Columbia Canada V9P 2G5 Phone: (250) 248-6333 Fax: (250) 248-6390 e-mail: info@drlarrysmith.com

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