Dr Davis' Back & Wrist Pain Blog

Does what you eat effect your genes?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I have been writing and speaking about the "contextual healing" principles I learned from Dr. Dean Black for many years now.

Here is an excerpt from the great book Health at the Crossroads by Dr. Dean Black (pg 39):

We Reflect the Quality of our Context

When we speak of "conditions," we refer to what we might call our "context", or our surroundings. Context becomes important because we, like all living things, are "open systems," meaning that we receive things from our context and transform them..In scientific terms, the things we receive from our context (food, water, air, etc.) are "fluxes." We can't live without them. As Nobel prize-winner Ilya Prigogine put it, open systems, whether cities or cells, "cannot be separated from the fluxes that they incessantly transform," or they will die. These fluxes from our context are so important, in fact, that our nature depends on their nature. As their quality changes, so does the quality of our life. Fluxes flow in; life flows out.

ME: So...if we reflect the quality of our context, does a newborn reflect the quality of her mothers context?  According to Dean Black's work the answer is YES.

In fact, there is a new science called Epigenetics which explains how genes can be modified by our environment and how this impacts sickness and disease.

The feature story of next months "In Good Hands" newsletter published by the brilliant Dr. Ben Altadonna is entitled: You Are What Your Mother Ate!  

This is a great article and discusses how a fetus can alter it's genes to change to the environment they are being born into-and poses the question...Can a person alter their genes to adapt to their environment after they are born...and can chiropractic help alter the internal environment for the better?

Look for this story in next months "In Good Hands" patient newsletter and I will be writing more about this topic on this blog.

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director of Executive Express Chiropracticin downtown San Francisco. To schedule an appointment call 415-392-2225 or request an appointment online.

Obesity Can Reduce Your Life Expectancy

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

I read an article in the USA Today yesterday entitled:

Obesity can carve 10 years off life

After reading the article, I was a little surprised it was buried back in the health section on page 7 of Section D. After-all...healthcare costs and reform is one of our nations most serious concerns...and one of President Obama's most difficult challenges.

It's all so crazy to me...when the answer probably sits on the plate in front of us every time we sit down to eat. Yes...4=2+2. (Poor Typical American Diet= Disease + Higher Health Care Costs). There is just never going to be a way to have your cake and eat it too. If you eat junk your appearance and your health will relect it.

The USA Today article is about a study of 800,000 people. It found that adults who are obese-about 40 or more pounds overweight-may be cutting serious time off of their life spans.

Get this...about 66% of adults in the USA are either overweight or obese...Geez...no wonder we are so sick as a Nation. According to studys...being obese has the same effect (taking life away) on your health as smoking...as long as you continue to do it. Here's what the article says:

"If you continue to smoke, it takes an average of 10 years off your life. Being obese has about the same effect."

Can you imagine if you do both?

How about taking some of this stimulus money and spending it on huge advertising campaigns to promote the health benefits of plant based nutrition and the connection between diet and disease?

But that will never happen...there is too much money behind the meat, dairy, and pharmaceutical companies...so we have to figure it out on our own using resources like www.drmcdougall.com.

Dr. John McDougall has been fighting this battle for most of his life...and a battle it is.

It really is tough knowing the potential solution for most of our health problems is right there in front of us...every meal.  

Anyway, check the article out and read some of the McDougall newsletters on his website...they are eye opening. Give plant based nutrition a try...you will like the way you look and feel...I guarantee it. 

Dr. Eben Davis can be reached at ebendavis@yahoo.com

Not ready for 100% Vegan? Then Scale-in

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

I was introduced to plant based nutrition in chiropractic school by one of my instructors. I noticed that he and his family all seemed so healthy and young looking. As it turned out, they were followers of the McDougall Plan.

So I checked out some of Dr. John McDougall, MD's books from the school library and decided to give it a shot. What I liked about the program the most was that it was not an all or none diet...the more you did...the more benefit you gained.

Dr. McDougall recommended scaling in and trying various combinations of vegan foods until you found the ones you liked. But in the meantime, you could still eat some of your old foods. So instead of meat and potatoes...try potatoes, vegetables and some meat. 

Make the starchy vegetables the main course and the meat, fish or chicken, the side dish. Then fruit for desert.

I learned how vegetables and herbs are what give meals flavor. Over the course of 6 months or so I scaled into an 80-20 program. I ate clean for 80% of the time...then the other 20% I cheated (but still ate better than most)...usually on the weekends. I did this for about 10 years..sometimes going long stretches at 100% clean...sometimes cheating too much...especially around the Holidays.

But I felt so much better...and it was easier to stick with the program because I wasn't locked into it 100% (no guilt trips). But then over time, the 20% became 10% which is where I am at now. When I cheat it's usually  pizza or a burrito, or fish (even sushi a few times a year)...and I will have a few slices of turkey at Thanksgiving or some sweets.

Hey...anything would be better than most peoples diets...and it's not hard to do (eat vegan). You don't have to be a great cook...the foods are easy to find and prepare...and you will be so much healthier because of it.

Just about every chronic, degenerative disease process...even disc disease in the spine can be the result of an unhealthy lifestyle...and food choices are the main culprit.

So give it a shot...YOU WILL LIKE THE WAY YOU LOOK.

Check out Dr. McDougall at www.drmcdougall.com.

What Do Back Pain and Heart Disease Have In Common?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

I read a lot of research on back pain...and one of the best resources I know of is "The Back Letter", published by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins (800-787-8981).

I am noticing a trend lately as it relates to back pain research...a trend for the better in my opinion. It seems as though part of our (mainstream) medical community is becoming fed up with the road to nowhere search for magic bullets to treat sickness and disease, and are focusing more on how to re-create the conditions of health...what we call Contextual Healing. 

The Back Letter (March 2009, pg. 31): Australian back  pain researcher Christopher Maher, PhD, of the University of Sydney says this about preventing back pain:

"People understand the message about lifting correctly but heavy lifting is only one of the risks of developing back pain. What many people do not understand is that some of the risk factors for back pain are also the risk factors for other chronic diseases like heart disease, " said Maher. He mentioned inactivity, poor diet, and smoking.

"My advice is that people should take a similar approach to back pain health as they do for heart health-eating right, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle."

Does this sound familiar? This guy sounds like me...check out my post from 8/5/2007 entitled:

Disc Degeneration, Heart Disease, and Prevention

Anyway,,,good stuff. Sure, it's going to take more time to steer this tanker away from hitting the iceberg...but it looks like they see the iceberg at least.

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director of Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco.

Back and Wrist Pain Nutrition

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments

Is there a way to eat that can help someone with back or wrist pain?

Sure...I think so...both directly and indirectly. The most obvious direct connection between diet and back pain is obesity. Depending on the information source...our obesity rate is as high as 40% in the US (with up to 75% overweight)...now that's a lot of extra lbs. And...a lot of extra stress on the back, which is bad for the spinal discs and joints. Obesity leads to conditions such as disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.

An indirect connection (I guess it's actually direct also) is the fact that the same foods that make us fat...AKA the Typical American Diet, which is loaded with animal protein, fat, refined carbohydrates, and cholesterol, are also pro-inflammatory and cause chronic inflammation...a primary cause of inflammation in the joints (and everywhere else)...which can result in back and wrist pain, as well as cancer and heart disease.

The goods news is, the solution is well documented...a Plant Based Diet. The problem with plant based nutrition is that it's not understood that well by the general population who is bombarded with junk food ads on TV, Radio, Magazines, and everywhere they go (we even serve this stuff at schools)...it's the status quo.

In fact...you can be considered an odd-ball for being a vegan in some parts of the country.

But what would you rather be...a healthy odd-ball or a heart attack waiting to happen? What's better...being able to run around and play with your kids, or being all plumped up and sore from eating junk foods. And if you are eating them...your kids are probably eating junk foods also. Our childhood obesity rates are off the charts...is it really worth it? 

The best source of information I know of for plant based nutrition advice is Dr. John McDougall, MD and his McDougall Program. What I like the most is it's not an "all or none" program. The more you do the more you gain...which make it easier to implement. You can scale in...introduce meals to your family a little at a time, while still eating the stuff they are used to.

So...yeah, sure (Of Course) there is a connection between nutrition and back and wrist pain...there is a connection between nutrition and just about every disease process...because just like they say...You Are What You Eat. 

Dr. Eben Davis is clinic director of Executive Express Chiropractic at the landmark San Francisco Embarcadero Center. Dr. Davis can be contacted at ebendavis@yahoo.com.

 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Diet: Is there a connection?

San Francisco Vegan Chiropractor Comments:

One of my very first chiropractic patients in San Francisco...17 years ago, was suffering with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

MS is an auto-immune disease...which means the body's own immune system attacks itself. With MS, the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord...specifically, the myelin sheath, which is the covering around the nerve that carries the electrical impulses to target cells. Isolated areas of the brain and spinal cord become severely inflamed...then these areas heal, leaving a fibrous scar tissue called "plaque". This plaque is visible by MRI...which can help with the diagnosis.

My patient had been diagnosed with MS which is progressive. She had some really bad symptoms such as back pain, numbness, tingling, abnormal gait (she used a cane), slurred speech that would come and go, memory loss and spastic spasms. She could not drive and was about to lose her job as a corporate executive...the future did not look bright.

Anyway...I knew from my understanding of plant based nutrition that there was a possible connection between diet and MS. I introduced my patient to The McDougall Plan...a plant based lifestyle diet taught by Dr. John A. McDougall, M.D.

Well...within a few weeks she started to notice a change...then a big change...her doctors told her it was all in her head...that is until she put her cane in the closet.  It seemed like a miracle. Sure many of the symptoms were still there...but the changes were remarkable...and they lasted.

My patient relocated to New York City  and she would write me from time to time...then we lost contact.

So...I know first hand there is a connection between diet and MS. To learn more check out this article in the current McDougall Newsletter entitled:

The Multiple Sclerosis and Diet Saga

Dr. McDougall will be spending $750,000 from his McDougall Research and Education Foundation to study the treatment of MS with Diet...good luck Dr. McDougall.

Animal Products, Inflammation, and Back Pain

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

Not many people consider the connection between what they are eating and their chronic back pain...but they should.

Animal products such as meat, poultry, and dairy are pro-inflammatory...and inflammation of the spinal joints is a primary cause of back pain.

Plant foods on the other hand are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce inflammation in the body...and in my opinion help reduce back pain.

Besides the not so obvious animal foods-inflammation-back pain connection...animal foods are highly concentrated with fat, cholesterol, and calories...which contribute to weight gain..which is also a primary cause of low back pain.   Not to mention heart attacks and strokes...and other degenerative disease processes.

Animal foods are good for animals not humans. We are the only species that drinks another species milk. Heck...cows don't even drink their own milk after they are weaned...why should we?

So...if you have chronic back pain and you feel like you have tried everything...and nothing is working...there just might be too much inflammation.

You might want to give a plant based diet a chance. Hey...it's not as bad as you might think...it's the way I eat. I'm never hungry...I eat all the time...and I never gain weight. This is coming in handy as I get older.

When I see some of my old high school buddies I see the price they have paid for eating so much animal food...they are wearing it...it's just not worth it.

The best resource I know of for information on plant based nutrition is www.drmcdougall.com.

Not what you want to hear around the Holidays...but it's good stuff.

Low Back or Neck Pain: Does Your Diet Matter?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

A frequent question I hear at Executive Express Chiropractic in downtown San Francisco is this:

Does what I eat have anything to do with my chronic back pain?

And my answer is always the same...YES

The typical American diet is loaded with sugar and fat, which is why such a large part of our population is overweight and obese. These extra pounds can put extra weight on the spinal joints and discs, leading to degenerative disc disease, spinal degeneration, and herniated discs...the primary causes of low back pain.

Losing extra pounds almost always results in less back pain...instantaneously.

The other bad thing about the typical American diet is that it is pro-inflammatory because of all the animal protein...particularly dairy products (see report by John. McDougall, M.D.). This can stoke the fire and contribute to a constant state of back pain and inflammation.

So, yes...what you eat matters when it comes to back pain, or neck pain...or any kind of joint pain that has chronic inflammation.

The best solution I know of that can both help you lose weight and reduce inflammation, is a plant based diet. And the best resource I know of for plant based nutrition is www.drmcdougall.com.

The combination of losing weight and less stress on the joints along with reduced inflammation, can help create fertile soil for back pain resolution. Sure, you have to make a dramatic lifestyle change...but nothing worthwhile is easy. Check out Dr. McDougall and let me know what you think. I have been on the program for 17 years. I find it impossible to gain extra body weight, and I can eat as much as I want...it's great.

And if you are doing a chiropractic or nonsurgical spinal decompression program with us at Executive Express Chiropractic...this is the diet I recommend. It just makes sense.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Diet

San Francisco Chiropractor and CTS expert, Dr. Eben Davis Comments:

One of the more common questions I am asked about carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is...What's the best kind of diet to help with my symptoms?

My answer is not usually what patients want to hear...but I tell them anyway.

The typical American diet is rich in fat and has a very high salt content. Salt causes the body to retain water and tissues to swell. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is compression of the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel...a small tunnel created by the alignment of the eight carpal bones and the transverse ligament that holds them together.

Pressure on the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel can happen two ways:

1. The diameter of the carpal tunnel narrows because the carpal bones become subluxated, or the ligaments become overstretched, or the muscles tear or become overused. Or the bones degenerate from arthritic conditions (diet can contribute to this). This usually happens from trauma or repetitive use...or in very rare cases, is congenital.

2. The contents of the carpal tunnel expand. There are three things inside the carpal tunnel; the median nerve, the nine flexor tendons of the forearm, and some blood vessels. The tendons or median nerve (which is pretty big) can become irritated from overuse and become inflamed...causing them to expand.

Either of the above can result in pressure on the median nerve causing CTS symptoms, such as pain in the wrist, arm or hand. Numbness or tingling, weakness, and night pain. There are some other risk factors also, such as various disease processes, thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, pregnancy, and previous wrist fractures. And smoking is the worst thing you can do.

A poor diet can make the problem worse. The typical American diet not only is pro-inflammatory, which can effect joints...but is also high in salt content, which can cause tissue swelling in the carpal tunnel.

Regular Exercise: 10 Benefits

San Francisco Executive Express Chiropractor Comments:

Making time to exercise is probably the single best thing you can do for your physical and emotional well being. There are just so many great things that result from a regular exercise program. And...it really doesn't have to take up a whole lot of time either...you can get positive benefits from exercise in 20 minutes per day.    

I came across this article on the excellent www.revolutionhealth.com website...it is entitled:

Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity, courtesy of www.TheMayoClinic.com

I am going to add 3 more of my own (benefits of regular exercise) to make 10...here they are:

1. Exercise helps prevent back pain by keeping extra bodyweight off the spinal joints, discs, and ligaments. It also helps keeps the spinal muscles tone and flexible.

2. Regular exercise helps you look young. I know when I go to high school reunions, I can sure tell who takes care of themselves with regular exercise...it just shows.

3. Exercise is a form of discipline...YOU have complete control over whether or not you exercise or not. Do you make excuses...or do you get the job done. You feel good about yourself when you get the job done...and this carries over into other areas of your life and makes you more productive.

Well...that's about it. If you are not exercising because it causes too much pain...we need to get that fixed...and that's where chiropractic can help. A good chiropractor can work with you to get you back on track with an exercise program, while at the same time fixing your spine. The combination of exercise and chiropractic care is very powerful...you should try it out. Chances are...you will be glad you did.

If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for care at Executive Express Chiropractic at the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco...simply call 415-392-2225, press 1 (24 hr live operator). Ask for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Eben Davis.