How Chiropractic Neurology helped Sidney Crosby

If you follow hockey at all, you would know that its star player, Sidney Crosby, has been sidelined with a concussion since early January 2011.  As with most head injuries, there is no predicting how long recovery would take or if full recovery is possible.  After eight frustrating months, and uncertain if he would ever again play the game he so excelled at, Sidney turned to Dr. Ted Carrick, the father of chiropractic neurology, in a desperate attempt to help with his ongoing balance and spatial orientation problems, caused by a disruption in his vestibular system. 

Dr. Carrick assessed Sidney, and determined that his injury caused him to not be able to tell where his body is in space or where other objects in relation to him were in space, skills which are essential for an elite hockey player.  After determining what his brain dysfunction was, a treatment protocol involving various proprioception exercises to reeducate his brain and develop a new spatial grid were given.   This included eye exercises, balance exercise, multitasking exercises and sessions in a unique device called a gyroscope, which spins you around like a fair ride. 

After a week with Dr. Carrick, Sidney was sent home.  A few weeks later, on September 7^th, a high profile press conference was held to update the public on Sidney’s progress, and Dr. Carrick was at his side, explaining his unique therapy.  On September 17^th Sidney practiced with his team mates on opening day of training camp, without contact and without symptoms.  Sid the kid played his first game on November 21^st, scoring 2 goals and 2 assists, announcing to the hockey public that he was back. 

Currently a 400 person research project is underway at Life University in Georgia to try and validate Dr. Carrick’s treatment protocol, but as many in the field of head injuries would point out, concussions are unique to the individual and as such, so is the treatment prescribed.  Many in mainstream medicine remain skeptical, as they have never heard of Dr. Carrick, chiropractic neurology or his holistic approach to treating brain injuries.  But Sidney and his support team would tell you that it made the difference with getting him back on the ice. 

Source:  http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/11/03/rebuilding-crosbys-brain/

Managing Arthritis Naturally

 Many people with arthritic conditions rely on non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Aspirin, Advil) which can produce intestinal ulcers and bleeding or Acetaminophen based drugs which can produce liver damage in long term users, and hence should be used sparingly.  Clinical studies have shown that degenerative arthritis and joint inflammation can be treated effectively with specific dietary changes and supplementation. 

Inflammation occurs when the body makes a hormone like substance, prostaglandin-2 (PG2), whereas PG1 and PG3 make non inflammatory products.  In our body, prostaglandins are made from the polyunsaturated fats that we eat.  Diets from high fat meat and dairy products make PG2 whereas diets with omega 3s from fish oil and flaxseed oil make PG3 and fats from evening primrose oil, borage oil and black current make PG1.  Vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin C, niacin, zinc, selenium and magnesium are also required to convert these essential fats into PG1 and PG3. 

Research reveals that certain herbals provide effective anti-inflammatory relief by blocking the synthesis of PG2 and other inflammatory chemicals without causing side effects of damage to the intestinal tract, liver or kidneys.  Curcumin, Boswellia, White Willow Bark Extract, Ginger Root Extract, Bromelain and Quercetin are herbal agents that have shown to provide relief for arthritic patients and also for other muscle, tendon or joint inflammatory conditions.

After controlling the pain and inflammation of arthritis, the next step is to provide the building blocks for repair of joint cartilage.  After age 40, the body loses the ability to manufacture optimal levels of glucosamine, the raw material for proteoglycans, and a major component of cartilage.  Hence supplementation with glucosamine sulfate can provide the body with the material to help repair and regenerate cartilage and halt further destruction of the joint.  Sulfur also plays a role in maintaining cartilage and reducing inflammation, hence the addition of MSM (methylsufonylmenthane) is often used in combination with glucosamine sulfate. 

The final step in managing arthritic conditions is to encourage movement of the joints.  This can involve both an exercise program to stabilize the joints, as well specific biomechanical manipulation to the joint to improve joint function and increase nutrition to the cartilage, thereby slowing the effects of degeneration.