The state of health in the UK is dire. The rate of disease growth is far outweighing the right solutions to correct them. As many of you know, I am a proponent of addressing the cause of disease rather than the effects. I believe a holistic course of action can flip our staggering numbers around. An exponentially growing state of un-health affects us ALL. If the hospitals are overcrowded, doctors maxed out, and pharmaceutical drugs continue to rise like this, we are buying ourselves time for unsustainable outcomes. The health of our people affect the health of our schools, offices, neighborhoods, public services, and ultimately our nation. Doctors like me feel it is more important than ever to begin educating the general public en masse so we can be a part of the solution rather than watch the current quick fixes crumble the health of our communities before our eyes. The Alarm Bells Are Going Off, But Are We Listening? According to a report published by the Statista Research Department in January 2024, stress-related illnesses account for over $14.7 billion USD in healthcare expenditure per year in the UK. This expense is growing exponentially. Which is why I thought it important to talk about T9 by itself but, more importantly, stress, health, and working with your body instead of against it. DID YOU KNOW THAT ALIGNING YOUR T9 CAN HELP EASE YOUR STRESS? A simple adjustment of your T9 vertebra can ease stress, keep your feelings and mood more balanced, and give you greater peace of mind when going through everyday outside stressors. T9 is directly connected to your adrenal glands, which perform many essential functions in your body. Your adrenal glands produce cortisol and adrenaline, regulate your blood pressure, support your metabolism, modulate your immune function, influence moods and emotions, and maintain your fluid balance and sleep cycles. In other words, they are very important. ALIGNING YOUR SPINE. IT’S AN INSIDE JOB: With an epidemic of illnesses and chronic diseases rising faster than we can treat them, I believe that keeping your spine aligned is the key place to START. When your adrenal functions are out of balance, it starts a snowball effect of symptoms piling on one another. As time goes by, they worsen, but attention tends to focus on the most recent flare-ups rather than addressing the root cause. Remember…inside out rather than outside in. I discuss this every day with patients, but it bears repeating because I don’t believe most people truly understand just how important their spine is. Each vertebra in your body plays a vital role in the health of the nerves that are connected to it. Your spine is made up of 24 freely movable vertebrae. You have billions of neurons within your spinal cord and brain, and trillions of nerves that make up the nervous system. They all work in harmony to keep you alive, well, and functioning. Everything from your eyes reading these words to how your brain processes the information to how it makes you feel are all functions of your spine and nervous system working together. No one talks about or even thinks to talk about how essential the health of your spine is, and society has strayed far from looking to it as the core foundation of one’s health. WHY DO WE LOOK TO THE SPINE ANYWAY? No one really gets into great discussion as to why Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine, is famously quoted as saying: “Look well to the spine for the cause of disease.” Let’s think about this. Hippocrates was alive during the Classical Greek period (between 470 and 370 BC). He is renowned to this day by all walks of doctors and healthcare professionals. He opened the door to evidence-based diagnosis after shifting the sole focus from supernatural causes. He believed that by looking, listening, and understanding what was going on in the spine as the starting point, one could then rule out a disruption of electricity or nerve supply as the cause of the disruption, interruption, or eruption. Not only could you analyze and treat symptoms more thoughtfully, but you could assure more success for the patient. Imagine if you went to the mechanic because your car was spluttering as you drive, and they told you that you should buff out the surface paint scratches and repaint your car? Back in Hippocrates’ days, it was known how important and vital it was to find the root cause of dis-ease by working inside-out instead of outside-in. I believe that addressing the cause is a much better long term strategy than just trying to suppress symptoms. MODERN MEDICINE AND MODERN FIXES: THE GOOD AND BAD OF IT While so many exciting advances have evolved from the days of Hippocrates, one of the biggest is pharmaceutical drugs. This really took off around the mid to late 20th century – with the 1980s marking a notable period of expansion, which is very recent when you think about it. Pharmaceuticals have their place, especially for some emergencies or life-and-death situations. They can be remarkable for what they can do. However, a pill for every ailment is not the right way to go. Some modern fixes, though seemingly great, take away our body’s natural strength, resilience, and ability to fight and function well. Instead of weakening our system, it is vital that we continually strengthen it as much as we can, naturally. We are living in a time of the highest stress rates ever, and we are treating the stress with drugs that have side effects longer than the symptom they are trying to treat. In the UK, more medications are being dispensed for depression and anxiety than we have ever seen in history. Yet the number of people experiencing symptoms from stress (including young people pre-puberty) is skyrocketing. I did a quick ask of AI: “What are the three main drugs for depression and their contrasting side effects.” This was the answer: “Three main drugs commonly prescribed for depression are:
At the rate that the use of these drugs is increasing as an "easy button" for relief, it seems the number of people "needing" them is also increasing. So what can you do? Why It's Important To Understand Chiropractic Philosophy
When I attended Palmer College of Chiropractic, we were taught the art, science, and philosophy of chiropractic. We went through rigorous schooling equal to and sometimes more in hours than a medical doctor. We earned the same biology degree, but our main expertise was the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system working together in harmony for the overall functioning of HEALTH within the entire body. Chiropractic education focused on how to keep patients well – IN HEALTH – from the inside out starting with aligning the spine, then working outward. The misconception is that a chiropractic adjustment helps you if you have a whiplash or sore back, but misalignments happen under a variety of circumstances depending on the individual. Everything from physical habits, mental and emotional traumas, a pattern of thinking, toxins in the environment, or malnourishment from eating too much processed food can cause our spine and nervous system to “speak up” and ask for attention. Performing an adjustment is not about “cracking bones” but undoing vital blockages and giving life energy back to where it was lost. Will You Help Spread The Word? The bottom line is your body has an incredible ability to heal itself when given the right support and conditions. By prioritizing spinal health and taking a proactive approach to wellness, you can unlock your body's innate potential for healing and vitality. And most of all for a happy, healthy, long life. If you found this information to be helpful and know someone who could benefit from it, please forward it and share it with them. Because everyone's health matters, Dr. Michael
0 Comments
How many times have you ever been asked, "How much insulin did your pancreas have to produce today?” -OR- “What did you do to take care of your spleen today?” -OR- “What are the 500 functions of your liver?”...While these are very important questions to know the answers to, it is not something that we think about until something goes wrong, and you must. Which is how regular chiropractic adjustments help early detection and prevention of more serious problems. How? In our ongoing spine health series, we look at the roles of the T6, T7, and T8 vertebrae. Often overshadowed by their more renowned counterparts, these vertebrae are just as integral in maintaining optimal well-being and vitality as any other. And I hope you’re starting to see how each individual vertebra, your spine, spinal cord, brain, and nervous system are the foundation to you being alive AND WELL. T6: This vertebra innervates the pancreas, an organ responsible for producing insulin and digestive enzymes. When your T6 vertebra is out of alignment, it can throw off blood sugar readings or impair digestion. Left misaligned for long periods of time, this can contribute to or lead to more serious diabetes, IBS, or other symptoms down the road. BEFORE getting there, regular chiropractic adjustments can help with early detection and prevention. Not only do Doctors of Chiropractic align your spine, but most are versed and trained in a more holistic philosophy. They’ll go beyond the surface and toward the root cause of dis-ease and disease through diet, movement, mindfulness, and other expertise to help your issues.
T7: Your spleen is a key player in your body’s immune system. It works together with the liver and bone marrow to produce red and white blood cells. Your spleen is one of the organs within a vital system that helps filter your blood and fight infection. If you ever had to take it out due to trauma of some kind, your body would still be able to function with the help of your liver. T8: Your liver is arguably one of your body’s most versatile organs, boasting over 500 distinct functions. Here are a few of those functions and why I underscore the importance of maintaining optimal nerve flow and electrical balance to your T8:
Optimal health starts with prioritising regular spinal alignment and nerve function. I say “regular” because even without symptoms it is important to do. If you get to the point where you are experiencing symptoms such as mid-back pain, headaches, or digestive disturbances, then it is even more important to do. Getting to the root cause of your symptoms will always pave the way to lasting wellness and it all starts here. Sincerely, Dr. Michael From the year 2000 to 2019 there was an 80.4% surge in the number of gall bladder surgeries performed annually. This alarming statistic highlights the escalating prevalence of a few things that you probably never thought of – leaving your health vulnerable to something that maybe could have been avoided if diagnosed and treated at the ROOT LEVEL rather than the symptom level. The T4 and T5 vertebrae serve the gallbladder and stomach. Over the years I’ve had many patients come to me after chronic shoulder pain, digestive issues, gastric ulcers, and even fears of heart disease only to find that their T4 and T5 were out of alignment. As I’ve shared before, the spine, the nervous system, and the brain need to communicate properly for optimal health. This means that the electricity, fluids, nourishment, and messages must all have freedom to flow. If not, this is where miscommunication, delayed reactions, and blockages can occur which is why I will say over and over again – align your spine if you want peace of mind. At the very foundation of your health, if you correct the spine FIRST then you are starting at the root. Any symptoms thereafter should be addressed from the inside out. Relative to the gallbladder or digestive issues, the next thing I would investigate is a person’s nutritional intake. The main reason people remove their gallbladder is because of the presence of gallstones. All the organs in your body are there for an important purpose. Just because you can still be alive without something doesn't mean you should take it out. Once a gallbladder is removed, if the habits that got the person to that point are still in place, then the next organ affected will be the liver and you can't live without your liver. This is why it is important to get educated and create a plan of action BEFORE it is too late. The stones accumulating in the gallbladder happen over time, affect digestion and gut health and can become dangerous and harmful to one’s health. Committing to ongoing wellness rather than ongoing emergency reactions to dis-ease can save so much valuable time, emotional weight, mental anguish, physical trauma and financial burden. Benjamin Franklin is quoted saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” and I would say if you take these words to heart, you will find yourself in a much healthier and happier position. The benefits of your T4 and T5 aligned that you never thought of:
Regular chiropractic adjustments and spine health care not only help alleviate current symptoms but also prevents future issues from arising, allowing you to enjoy a lifetime of vitality and well-being. If you have questions about symptoms you may be experiencing, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. It's important to connect the dots early. Your health matters! Sincerely, Dr. Michael In a previous issue, I called the thoracic spine the unsung hero when it comes to your health. Most problems that people associate with the spine are due to pain in the cervical or lumbar areas. (The upper and lower part of the back) The symptoms are usually neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. But the all-important thoracic is hardly thought of when it comes to issues with fingers, hands, elbows and the heart or lungs. For that, people will bypass getting a chiropractic adjustment for a medical diagnosis only which can often come back as possible arthritis symptoms, overuse of the arms or even the potential beginnings of heart or lung disease. Why is T1, T2, and T3 from a chiropractic adjustment standpoint so important to these diagnostics? Because first and foremost the body works, operates, and keeps itself in a health state through the spine and nervous system. It is why we are alive. When your vertebrae are subluxed (or misaligned), they can prevent your health operating system from performing at its best. Reiterating this point is crucial due to your health’s dependence on the well-being of your spine and nervous system. When those two fundamental elements are in alignment, addressing your symptoms becomes more accurate and effective, as it allows you to eliminate the subluxation factor which can also be at the root of it all. T1, T2, and T3 vertebrae. What they operate and how symptoms may show up: T1: The first vertebra of the thoracic spine, T1, innervates the arms, elbows, hands, and fingers allowing you to do things like grip or swing a golf club, pour tea, and pick up your cup to drink from it. You get the idea. If out of alignment, symptoms can show up as joint pain, muscle aches, poor grip, and numbness. Symptoms can start out minor and then become major over time. This, along with other factors, may cause or exacerbate other problems and deeper issues that make it harder to get back into a health state quickly. T2: This vertebra innervates the heart, arteries, and chest region. When misaligned, symptoms may show up as upper back or shoulder problems, tightness, or in some cases, chest pains. It is important for the electricity that runs through your body to get to your heart and arteries so that it can function and do its job. Your heart beats approximately 150,000 times a day without you having to do anything. For most of your life you don’t even know it’s happening. I bet you didn’t even realise that electricity is running through your body at all times to the tune of approximately 100 watts of output at rest and 300-400 watts of output during sports activities. Your health can take a beating and keep on ticking but what if you could give it the best chance to stay in a state of health for as long as possible? How much stress mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially would that alleviate? (Hint: A LOT.) This is why it is vital to keep T2 in alignment. T3: T3 innervates your lungs and bronchial tubes so that your respiratory system can make sure you are able to breathe deeply and oxygen can be delivered to your brain and your cells. Common symptoms like breathing issues, dizziness, asthma, COPD or other lung issues can be prevalent if T3 is misaligned. While you associate the lungs with breathing to get air, the function of the oxygen that you breathe into your body is also vital to your health. For example, if the oxygen is not delivered to your cells, things like breaking down your food may be compromised. The daily operations going on in your body are so vast which is why it is essential to keep your spine and nervous system in check. At each visit, I am interpreting your symptoms by way of your spine and looking for other signs that help me get to the root of your pain, discomfort, and overall dis-ease. In essence, the problem may not be in the location of the symptom. Misalignments of the T1, T2, and T3 vertebrae can result in not being able to golf well into your 80’s and 90’s or not being able to pour from your teapot or even keep a steady hand while drinking your cup of tea.
Health is more than just “not being sick”. Health is a commitment that, if made a priority every single day, can pay your life dividends for a long time to come. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to “feel my age” as the years get on. I’d much rather live my life feeling happy and healthy. If you have any questions about your T1, T2, and T3 or anything else related to your health, please reach out anytime and I’ll see you at your next visit! Sincerely, Dr. Michael - - - - - Be sure to forward Dr. Michael's Health and Wellness News to family and friends! Everyone can benefit from spinal adjustments! - - - - - The start of a new year gives you a clear “Point A” and the end of the year gives you a clear “Point B”. Each year becoming a segment of time in the grand scheme of your entire life. Why is this important? You can use the bite-size chunks to see, plan for, and measure your progress in a way that does not overwhelm or make you feel like you have to do so much, especially without knowing what you want way far into the future.
2024's Point A gives you a tangible fresh start and of course, HEALTH is something I believe to be your MAIN ASSET. Without it, there is no life. So what are some vital things you can add to your monthly, weekly, and even daily routines this year?
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your Health Journey. Wishing you a healthy and fulfilling New Year! Warm regards, Dr. Michael Every year for the past 21 years, Dr. Michael has done an annual charity campaign during the holidays for families and children in need.
This year, we are proud to be doing it again for SHARE Wokingham who serves approximately 2,000 people daily via 15 sites within our community. Our focus is to make Christmas wishes come true by providing new toys for SHARE to give out to the children who would otherwise not receive anything. If you'd like to participate, be sure to stop in to Health and Wellness Centres between 20th November through 16th December to gift a toy. (Please make sure toys are new, unopened, and not in any gift wrapping.) In return, Dr. Michael will gift YOU your next adjustment at a 50% discount! A little bit of hope goes a long way. Mark your calendars because a special treat is coming your way! On Saturday, 18th November, from 9am to 1pm, we're hosting an exclusive Patient Appreciation Day and Community Open Day. This fantastic event is all about CELEBRATING YOU, our wonderful patients, and opening our doors to our community.
Space is limited so be sure to RSVP NOW by email! Plan on bringing your family and friends and be sure to stick around for the day’s talks and mini-tours so you can learn and benefit and also be entered in our prize drawing at the end of the day! (You must be present to win!) Here’s what you can expect!
Putting YOU first, Dr. Michael Welcome to another edition of my health and wellness newsletter where I share the secrets to better health through the wisdom of the spine. If you are enjoying our Spine Education Series, I hope you share it with others so they may benefit also. Remember, your spine is the gateway to your health. Look to it and you will find all the answers you need. This month, we're moving on from the cervical spine to the thoracic spine. This segment of vertebrae can often be thought of as a group of “unsung heroes”. While persistent symptoms often come from the uppermost (cervical) and lowermost (lumbar) parts of the body, the middle section (thoracic) is uniquely important because of its connection to many organs and it being the largest section of singular vertebra in your spine. The thoracic spine consists of 12 individual vertebrae. They are numbered T-1 to T-12, and like all the vertebrae in your spine, correspond to a particular area of your nervous system. Your nervous system being the operating system of your entire brain and body. I think of the thoracic spine like the “middle child” as it is often overlooked. Why? In general, it is strong as a unit, rigid in foundation, flexible in function, and, in my opinion, the most stable. thus, causing less injury and problems.
Today pay attention to the way you are moving your entire body. You’ll notice that the middle part of your body is moving all day long. Even when sitting for extensive periods of time (thus often stagnating the lumbar spine), your thoracic spine is in constant movement. Whether it’s breathing, typing, leaning over to grab a pen, driving, walking (and swinging your arms) – there’s always a lot going on naturally. Conversely, sitting for long periods of time, staring at a screen all day keeps both the cervical and lumbar spines in precarious positions less likely to move, rotate, stretch, and bend. Your spine needs 3 things to be healthy:
Over the next days, do me a favor. Your thoracic spine starts at the base of your neck to just above the curve of your lower back. Pay attention to all the movements your body makes within that area.
When you’re in next, let me know what you found, and we’ll go through what it all means and how you can improve your health and live longer! Yours in health, Dr. Michael Have you ever experienced neck, shoulder, arm, or wrist pain, tightness, tingling, or weakening? If you have, you’ll want to listen closely to the story of your C6 and C7 vertebrae. In fact, even if you are not aware of any problems you may have, it’s still important to get to know these vital segments of your spine so you can understand their value to your health. Misalignments of your C6 and C7 can go undetected for long periods of time. There can be years of subluxations, untreated, where you don’t feel anything. Then all of a sudden things start showing up but you dismiss it with “explain aways” like overuse, old age, an old injury, or other reasons to minimise important messages coming from within your body. Instead of looking to your spine (Because who teaches you to do that?), you are told to treat a headache with ibuprofen, wrap your wrist with tape in hopes that the pain will somehow magically disappear, or leave things for as long as you can stand it only to find yourself in a position of having to seek more radical solutions that you don’t want to do. All of these outward signs took a lot of time to manifest. And for the most part, were hidden or undetectable. This is why it is vital to maintain your health with regular spinal checkups. Like the illustration below, showing the check engine light going on in your car, if you put a plaster over the light to hide it, the root of the problem won't get addressed. This will prove more costly over time. Whereas, if you keep up regular maintenance appointments and the mechanic can look under the bonnet, do proper diagnostics, and maintain parts and fluids, your car runs smoothly, lasts longer, and doesn’t cost so much to fix. It works much the same with your health.
Medical solutions normally treat pain with drugs, so the heart of your health issues hide, fester, or only get worse. Whereas, chiropractic solutions look to the spine for the source of the problem so the root cause can be resolved giving your body a better chance to get better and even heal. Highlights of Your C6 Vertebra:
Highlights of Your C7 Vertebra:
Both C6 and C7 work together to collaborate seamlessly to uphold good posture, maintain muscle strength, and facilitate effortless movements. That may not seem very vital when everything is working, but without the ability to do all those things life becomes hard, and the dominoes of dis-ease start to fall into place causing bigger, more painful, and more costly problems you wish you never had. Instead of reacting to things when you feel bad, be proactive with your health so you can experience confidence, peace of mind, and happiness for many, many years to come! Should you have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please don't hesitate to Yours in health, Dr. Michael This month, I’ll be continuing our Spine Education Series delving into the remarkable C3, C4, and C5 vertebrae. As a team, they play a vital role in your overall health. (As I am hoping you are seeing that ALL of your vertebrae do!) "C3, 4, and 5 keeps the diaphragm alive." This famous saying perfectly encapsulates the importance of these vertebrae. Situated within the cervical spine, this Super-Trio holds the key to serving your phrenic nerve system and sustaining the function of your diaphragm – the powerhouse of your breath. Often when patients come in, adjustments give them the sensation of being able to breathe deeper and fuller and that’s because they are! Simply put, subluxations are like kinks and blockages that start to accumulate toxins and waste which impair the body and can cause stagnation of energy and eventual chronic or even life-threatening diseases. In addition to breathing better after an adjustment, patient’s often experience their senses coming alive. This can result immediately in better eyesight, a sudden surge in energy, mental clarity, and even a spike in positive emotions. The phrenic nerve system located in your cervical spine is like the maestro of your breathing orchestra. It sends crucial electrical commands to your diaphragm that ensure a smooth rhythm as you inhale and exhale. The harmony between that Super-Trio of vertebrae impacts your entire body - everything from oxygenating your brain and cells to regulating your nervous system to harmonising all the organs associated with breathing. So ultimately, it is vital that you keep your Super-Trio in alignment. I have seen the following symptoms stem from C3, C4, and C5 misalignment:
And that’s just the symptoms that you CAN see. Sometimes symptoms are underlying for a long time until they become visible. Which is why it is important to get your spine checked regularly to ensure your Super-Trio, C3, C4, and C5 are working in harmony for your breathing and overall health! |
Archives
May 2024
Categories |